ENSIGN SADANAND AND CAPTAIN MUTHIA AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2610, 20 January 1894, Page 2

ENSIGN SADANAND AND CAPTAIN MUTHIA AT TEMUKA.

The meeting of the Salvation Army in the Parish Hall on Wednesday evening was greatly enlivened by the presence of Ensign Sadanand and Captain Muthia. The former is an officer who has seen some service in the British field, and represents the European portion of the Salvationist missionaries in India. The only thing whioh betrays that he is not an Indian is his clear apt,job. He is a good and impressive speaker. Captain Muthia is a converted Hindoo, from South India. He speaks good English, and also fluently in his native tongue, Tamil. He comes from a high caste. Prior to the meeting the usual march through the streets was held, the lady portion of the soldiers wearing a " chuddas " and the men the " turban." The march attracted a large crowd of spectators, and the haJl rapidly filled. There were about 40 soldiers on the stage, and the appearance of the strangers was greeted with a " blast of trumpets." Ensign Sadanand took charge of the meeting, and, after engaging iu prayer, and several hymns had been sung, the ensign and captain rendered an Indian melody, which was much appreciated. After Capta?i Muthia had engaged in prayer, Ensign Sadanand expressed regret that they could only stay one night, as he should like a week or a fortnight, but they must make the most of it. They were on a special mission, but sometimes they gave up the object and devoted themselves to the salvation of souls. He hoped their meeting would be beneficial to each other. Alter relating some pleasing narratives another Indian hymn was sung, and the ensign read a verse from the Gist chapter of Isaiah, " And the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me," etc., upon the meaning of which he dwelt at great length. During the address Ensign Sadanand remarked that every Salvation Army ollicer or missioner should be able to say those words with his whole heart, or there would be no need of his going to India. He depicted the qualities a missioner should possess, and held Colonel I}qgU}'s )oiuigf(; daughter as au example, dwelling at on her se|t' : dftuial T which sacrifices tuke a strong hold of the Indian niiml. He wound up by referring to Captain Muthia, remarking that ho was a dcL-iJci-nltmv <4 h Hif/U Hindoo family. The ensign then cnjlod on Captain Muthia to give hia testimony, and, affcur the singing of au Indian hymn, the captain said he remembered when Sntm win his master, but ho pr.;isud Cod, who was now his ra;s-tvr. Col had aynt liim to them to bear \vitue=s to His goolncss. llj came to give his o.vu experiences, which wore better than iiowery sermon. He dwelt with great emphasis on the strict manner :n which the young were brought up in the; Hindoo laith, and remarked that if such care was bestowed by the heathens on their offspring how much more should they strive to bring up their children in a proper manner When he was an idolater he fclfc iu his? heart there was a God, and felt torments awaited him if lie lived a wicked life. Though a heathen, on three points lie was one with the Christian God, heaven, and hell. Though he then possessed the Hindoo faith, he was not like many of the young of the age, who said there was no God, Ho

related how he used to search Hindoo books and visit the temple every day in order to satisfy the craving of his soul, but all in vain. It was like bringing a book on fine cookery to a hungry man, like writing the word '* sugar" on a piece of paper and asking him to lick it. Captain Muthia then related the facts leading to his conversion to Christianity, and finding peace to his soul, and wound up with an earnest appeal to all to become converted to the Lord. After the singing of a hymn, Ensign Sadanand related how the Indians were striving to find the truth. He gave instances how they atomed for their sins, by inflicting punishments on themselves. He referred to the manner and cost of living in India, and said that those who desired to do so could keep an officer in India all the year by subscribing Is a week, and several handed in their names. A collection was then taken up, and after several soldiers had testified, and hymns had been sung, Ensign Sadanand spoke on the desirability of those present giving themselves up to God, and pictured what a Christian should be, and the meeting terminated by Captain Muthia engaging in prayer. A prayer-meeting was afterwprds held.