Holding onto the bannister, Scottish missionary Alexander
Duff (1806-1878) slowly climbed the steps to the pulpit. Stopping on the way,
it was hard to keep his balance.
As he looked out over his Scottish congregation that
morning, he was aware of his own mortality. His life’s work had been in
preaching the gospel to the Hindu’s of India. He’d established a large school
in Kolkata and developed a successful approach to education that attracted
locals and led many to faith in Christ.
Illness had meant that his work had been interrupted, but he
had returned to India until it was clear he no longer had the strength.
Nor did he have strength that Sunday morning. Fainting
whilst part way through his preach, he was encouraged to lie down. But he got
up and preached again. His passion was the salvation of India.
Aware that a new
generation was needed, he called on those present to respond to the missionary
call.
‘Whilst Queen Victoria requires volunteers for India, hundreds
of young men respond; however whilst King Jesus calls, no one goes. Is it true that
Scotland has no more sons to offer for India?’
Looking to the roof of the church, Duff was reflective of
his years in India. Surviving two shipwrecks on his first journey at the age of
24, he battled malaria and other illnesses to establish the new school.
Only 33 pupils from that first tranche made clear
commitments to Christ. But these students were highly influential and many more
found faith in Christ over the years that followed.
But the work was not finished. Who will go? Duff looked out
over the congregation.
No one responded.
‘Very well, if Scotland has no more young men to send to
India, then, old and decrepit although I am, I’m able to move back, and in
spite of the reality that I cannot preach, I can lie down on the seashores of
the Ganges and die, as a way to allow the peoples of India keep in mind that
there may be as a minimum one man in Scotland who cares sufficient for their
souls to provide his life for them.’
Silence.
Then from the back of the building, a shout:
‘I will go!’
Then another.
‘And I!’
Before the tearful eyes of the old missionary, young men and
women began to stand.
The work would continue. Just as Alexander Duff had himself
been a ‘next generation’ missionary to India following the pioneering work of
William Carey and others, so there would be more to follow. God’s work would
not be lost. India would hear the good news of the gospel. Further reading:
The Life of Alexander Duff - George Smith
