Christian missions in the Telugu country - Uecf.net

THE EVANGELISTIC BAND '
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was strictly adhered to during the whole time that the
Band had a European head who was free from district
duties. If the ground was covered rather quickly, it
must be remembered that at each point the district
missionary and the agents were at hand to take up
every opening that seemed promising. If, again, in
certain obvious respects the work of the Band was
monotonous and discouraging, the frequent change
of scene helped to preserve the freshness and spiritual
vitality of its members.
The extent of ground that it was found possible to
cover in this way may be illustrated by some figures
for a six weeks' tour in one district : Villages visited,
50 ; Hearers addressed, 8295 ; Patients treated, 1327.
Of the classes aimed at, the Brahmans, the Sudras,
and the Mohammedans in various places were dis-
tinctly interested. Invitations to preach and to discuss
Christianity came even from the Brahmans themselves.
More important, however, from the missionary point of
view, were the Sudras. At more than one place there
seemed a probability that a strong body of them would
come over to Christianity. As the event proved, no
village was bold enough to be the first to take this
great step. The villages that seemed specially hopeful
were in the Mutyalapad district, and it is in that
district that at the present time a body of Sudras is
being definitely prepared for baptism.
The attitude of the Mohammedans in some of the
parts visited was remarkable. This was especially the
case in the native state of BanaganapaUe. The Mohammedans
were found to be more attentive listeners than