Christian missions in the Telugu country - Uecf.net

THE S.P.G. MISSION—EARLY PERIOD 59
by petition. Afterwards I went to a little low building
which had served as a temple, and directed the head men
to pull up the stones which they had hitherto worshipped
as gods. These were simple unhewn slabs of granite
marked with white and yellow streaks and painted at
the top. The largest of them was not more than
eighteen inches high. From time immemorial these had
been regarded as gods, honoured in seasons of prosperity,
appealed to for aid in the hour of calamity ;
and who can
tell what dread of a curse following upon this act of
sacrilege lurked in the minds of these ignorant people !
However, they did not hesitate. The idols were plucked
up and sent off to our tent ; and one young fellow, on
whom a new light seemed to have dawned, could not
refrain from giving vent to his new-born idea : " They
call these stones gods !
''
' We next went into some of the houses, in two of
which robberies had been committed during the absence
of the men at Mutyalapad. From the time these poor
people evinced a desire to become Christians, the caste
people, and particularly the vUlage officials, have been
very active in persecuting them. They endure it
cheerfully. How wonderfully does God suit His grace
to the necessities of those who trust in Him !
' I stayed at Bodamanur two days, instructing and
encouraging the people, and was assisted in this work by
Mr. Higgins. The earnestness of the people, their
eagerness for instruction, and the joy with which they
came together for prayers, struck me very much.
' I appointed a master in charge before leaving. The
congregation consists of a hundred souls, young and old.