Mothi

This boy’s handwriting was hardly legible, SO the caretaker has made a copy without making any changes in the words.
“I am twelve years old, my father is by profession a washerman, my mother lives forty-two miles from Purulia, to the west. There are six of us, brothers and sisters, of whom I am the youngest.
“When my father’s illness became apparent he was despised and rejected by the people. No one would eat with us or marry any of us. Then, in sorrow, my father left his house. I followed him, against his wish, but I would not leave him, and we both had very severe days during our travels. We had to live by begging, but the people would not give us food, but cried out, ‘Make haste and go away.’ If we had not gone we do not know what would have happened. We had to hear much abuse, and they even threatened to burn us.
“At this time I began to steal, and went secretly into houses and took rice, vegetables, bhat (boiled rice), pigeons, fowls, potatoes, onions, money, cloth―anything I could get I took it, and if I could not eat it I sold it, and took other things instead. Although I did such wicked things, you cannot understand how much we had to endure. I believe that unless God had kept me very specially I should not be alive today.
“When in these surroundings, we heard that the missionary in Purulia provided everything necessary for miserable ones like ourselves. I came hither with my father, and thought, at first, that the missionary would sell me to the planters, and wept much, but who would have thought that I should be the child of grace that I am now! What love God has shown me, and how I rejoice in it! Also God has so led the dear brothers and sisters in Europe that they might care for our bodies, so that our wishes are fulfilled, and God has also led the dear friends in Europe to stretch forth their hands to us poor ones, that our souls shall enter the eternal joy after death.
“Through our honored teacher, Mr. Uffmann, I have just begun to read and write, that I, in return might help the mission by and by. For this purpose I am learning carpentry, others of my brothers (i.e., his companions) are learning masonry, but the highest and best of all is that we are daily taught heavenly things.
“If God had not shown me special grace I should not be able to read and write as well as I do now, also I should not be so well, both in body and soul.
“The things I used to think good and allowable I now feel ashamed of, and am very sorry I behaved so badly, but now I thank God, and praised be His name that He has let my father become a leper, for if he had not been ill I should not be alive, we could not support ourselves; nobody would send me to the tea gardens. Then I heard the glorious message of salvation, and that you, dear friends, have undertaken my burdens. Oh! this infinite mercy! Now I should much like to know your dear names and addresses, also I ask for your photographs as a remembrance. My father’s name is Pitor. Up till now I have not been afflicted like my father, for which I thank God.
“Yours, Mothi.”