REFLECTIONS OF

PANDITA RAMABAIS
INNER LIFE AND HER WORK

Material mostly gathered from

old Mukti Prayer Bells by Dr. Sheela Gupta
Pandita Ramabai Mission, Kedgaon, Dist. Pune - 412 203. INDIA

The Beginning of Mukti

My special aim in this mission is to train most of the young widows as
Christian workers for the evangelization of Indias women.
- Ramabai

Ramabai association in America, an Advisory Board was constituted, which

comprised of three Hindu gentlemen of high position.
The impact of her personal life
She was advised to shut the door of her room while reading the Bible and praying.
She refused.
Storm Bursts
At the end of ten years, Ramabais religious convictions have been deepening;
the love of Christ in her heart has been intensified. She feels she can no longer
restrain the promptings of her heart to add precepts to example in teaching her
pupils the Way, the Truth, the Life that she can no longer carry her school. Without
the Living Word of God to help her in reproving, advising, guiding her wayward
pupils. She notified the association of her intended abandonment of the principles
of neutrality in religion at the same time. Tending her resignation as
superintendent. This American Ramabai Association refused to accept and after
advising all subscribers of the projected change, confirmed and adopted the new
platform at the annual meeting thus constituting the Sharada Sadan a distinctly
Christian enterprise.
Famine 1896
Letter of Ramabai to Rev. Dr. R A Hume
She requested Ramabai Association if she could take in more girls - if they would
be willing for me to increase the number of girls. They did not think it wise to
undertake to do but, upon my asking their permission to give up the salary which
they were paying me for my own support and take a larger number of girls
depending upon God for theirs and my support, the association very kindly gave
me their consent and since the beginning of 1897, I have steeped out in faith and
God has not put me to shame. We have lacked nothing. Our daily bread has been
sent to us from almost all quarters of the world. I have come to the conclusion
that it is better for Sharada Sadan and Mukti work to be quite separate.
The former is no less a Christian work than the latter, but Sharada Sadan is
supported by subscription solicited from people. As far as Mukti is concerned,
we are entirely dependent upon God who sends us our daily bread and everything
else in direct answer to prayer. So, I have come to the conclusion that this mission
work is better carried on with as little organization as can be. I greatly appreciate
the help which American Ramabai Association are giving me but I cannot see
my way to ask them to manage this faith work, as you know there are diversities
of opinion and beliefs among our friends. I have to draw a line where they and I
differ in our faith.
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Some Important Quotations of Ramabai and about Ramabai

and the Work
From letters to Sis. Geraldine:
I am always surprised when I see or hear people troubling themselves to decide
my future, when my Lord God is Almighty, All Powerful and knows best to do
with me whatever He likes.
-Ramabai
I stick fast to Sanskrit not because I think it is to be sacred or the language of
Gods, but because it is the most beautiful and the oldest language of my dear
native land.
Dear Bodley, in preface to High Caste Hindu Woman Breaking the Silence
The silence of a thousand years has been broken. Only a woman could speak
with a womans experience and appeal to a womans heart.
Ramabai has been raised up to proclaim in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
the message of Good tidings. Whether for unselfishness or devotion to high
ideals, purity and real living religion, I know no greater heroine than Ramabai.
An atmosphere of quiet power surrounding her. One of her most noticeable
traits is her indifference to public notice and applause.
I have given you into the hands of our God. You are His and to Him alone you
must belong. Dying benediction of Ramabais father.
The wait of her Indian sisters will not suffer her to rest, till she has mingled her
tears with theirs, not in the way of sympathy at a distance, but where they can
trickle from face to face.

Bishop of Lahore to Miss Beale, May 9, 1884

It seems as if God had been fitting her for some work amongst her countrywomen.
Her one desire is to see some institution at work for higher education of her
countrywomen, and for delivering them from the evils and utter degradation of
many a widows life. Nor do I believe she would shrink from a martyrs death.
-Miss Beale
Ramabai to Miss Geraldine
I do trust and love my country with all my heart. I know very well, trust always
brings trust and love brings love with it. When people themselves begin to distrust
others, they of course make others distrustful of them.
I have long since my personal experience known that God will provide me with
all that is necessary for me. He is always faithful.
Miss Beale Now she got her feet on a Rock. These currents will not sweep her
away and I am persuaded.
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July 12,1885. Ramabai to Sister Geraldine (While in England)

One can scarcely realize the comfort and beauty of this weather when one is
staying in hot India. When I see the field full of flowers and the pretty scenery all
around, how happy and glad I feel, but my happiness is not unmixed one. My
heart cries for those poor prisoners in the Zennana, to who even the comfort of
nature, which God in His goodness has bestowed alike on all of my selfish
countrymen. I feel myself unworthy to enjoy this great comfort and happiness
while my dear sisters are almost so unhappy and miserable shut up in the eternal
darkness of ignorance and crushed under domestic slavery. Can we ever feel
happy or comfortable while millions of our fellow creatures are groaning in endless
agony? Can we, if we be not formed like hard stones, receive a kind word, a kind
act or breathe a breath of comfort without one sigh of sorrow, without one drop
of fear and sympathy for those millions who are like us all the children of the
supreme Father, and all like us have claim upon His mercy and bounty? Let us
feel always unworthy to enjoy the comforts which God in His goodness has
given to us unless we try by our own comforts to comfort those who have none.
My duties to my God and to my child is greater than any of my own happiness.
-Ramabai

Ramabai and Her mission to the child widows of India

By the New Zealand Council:
Fewer still are acquainted with her heroic fortitude, the unflinching devotion and
the absolute faith, which is characteristic of this noble woman. Surrounded by
opposition, abuse and treachery, she fought almost single-handed against the
evils of superstition and ignorance, the tyranny of caste, the iniquities of child
marriage and perpetual widowhood, which for century upon century have blighted
the lives of the women of India.
A foreign mission societys secretary after a visit to Mukti
We talk of the Seven Wonders of the World, and if we were to draw out a list of
the seven wonders of the religious world, the Mukti Mission would surely be
among that number. Truly this institution is a witness to the power of the gospel
of Christ.

Ramabais statement (At the back of the old prayer bells)

Friends desiring to help in this work of God are asked to interest as many of
their friends in the mission as they can, to pray regularly. The Mukti mission
depends wholly upon God. Friends are therefore urged to pray earnestly for it,
that the Lord may make all grace abound toward it, that it having all sufficiency
in all things may abound to every good work. Gods children who desire to pray
for it need not consider themselves under any obligation to pay money towards
its support. The founder of this mission knows and has proved that God answers
prayers. The prayers of Gods people are more precious than silver and gold. The
friends who are unable to give anything toward the support of the mission may
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be sure that God will answer their praying and provide everything necessary for
the work.
Impact of George Mullers life when 10 years American support stopped.
She stepped out in faith trusting Malachi 3:10.
To the Praying friends:
1. The whole work at Mukti is altogether dependant upon your prayers and
ours.
2. Mukti Mission will exist just so long as you and we here shall be praying for
it.
- Ramabai
F B Meyer:
It is wholesome to compare the present with the past so that we may repent if
we are conscious of any backsliding and that we may be led again to the feet of
Christ.
I am crying for joy that my dream of years has become a reality. Ramabai
(After opening of Sharada Sadan, 1889)
My special aim of this mission is to train most of the young widows as Christian
workers for the Evangelization of Indias women.
- Ramabai.
Esther 4:14 When call came to go to Central India.
Rev. Dr. Boggs who visited Mukti 1901:
I had heard much about this great work here but the half was not told.

How workers came

We need workers very much, yet we do not issue an appeal for workers, but,
pray that God will call to work with us those whom He has chosen. He will bring
the right ones, whether they are Indian or European.
- Ramabai
That God will call to His work here whom He has chosen and that He will bring
them to us in His own time.

Church building
Foundation stone, Sep 20, 1899. Seating 2000 people. Dark gray stone
230 ft. long and 45 ft. wide.

Krupa Sadan
Home of mercy stone laid, March 1899.

Industries Ramabais time

Cane work (chairs, stools, screens, baskets)
Weaving, Bread and Butter making
Sewing Embroidery, lace work
Tinning of Brass dishes
Railway badge embroidery
Oil making (Coconut oil, sweet oil, Peanut oil)
Oil press
Book Binding, Carpentry, Masonry work, Block making, Household furniture of
wood and iron.
Laundry work
Field and Fruit garden work Farming
Cooking, grinding, storeroom work and cleaning.
Printing Press Printed here Bible, tracts.
Women learnt type setting of Hebrew and Greek letters.

One American Visitor

I am satisfied in my own mind that:
i)
Pandita Ramabai is one of Gods chosen ones.
ii)
She is divinely called to her mission.
iii)
She is heaven inspired in its management.
Miss Craddak (Co-worker with Ramabai)
Prayer Bell, 1958 Centennial Number
Ramabai always found time to keep tryst with God, for otherwise it would have
been impossible to give herself so unstintingly for the work entrusted to her care.
But, there were days when the door was shut and the word went around that
mother is praying. She felt the responsibility to take the need to her Father who
was her only source of help and supply.

A Great Giver
Ramabai is a strong believer in the grace of Christian giving and training her
people in the same virtue. Mission in China, on the border of Tibet, Armenia and
elsewhere with British Foreign Bible Society have benefited by the self denial of
the friends of Mukti.
His resources are limitless and He has promised to supply all my needs. The
silver is mine and the gold is mine He will send all that is necessary, not
because I deserve it, but because He is so loving and merciful.
- Ramabai
Depending altogether on our Father God she said, we have Nothing to fear,
from anybody, Nothing to Lose and Nothing to Regret. Hers has been an apostolic
life. As poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, yet possessing all things.

1891-1900 Another Famine

The work of gathering girls is still going on and will not be stopped until the
Lord Himself chooses to stop it. I am literally penniless, with no income of any
kind. I own nothing except a few clothes and my Bible, under these circumstances,
my friends may wonder and ask how I am going to support and educate all these
hundreds of girls for years to come. I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh
upon me.
- Ramabai
1896 Ramabai felt that God was calling her to a work greater that and very
different from any she had yet undertaken.
January 1887 Famine Central India.
Rescue work Remember the days of old. Thou shalt remember that thou was a
bondman in the land of Egypt and the Lord Thy God redeemed thee and who
knoweth Esther 4:14
September 24, 1898
New Home was dedicated to the service of God called Mukti. Isaiah 60:18
Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. Written on the cover
of all the Prayer Bells of her time.
One great need of the present is self-supporting native churches, but before we
can get that, we must have self-supporting native Christians, Commercial and
Industrial work are very important means by which to gain this point. This is one
reason why Industrial work in the orphanage ought to be brought to the very
highest standard. In this department (Industrial), we are not preaching or listening,
but we are right down at a place where every Christian life ought to speak for the
Lord. And if the life of every Christian always did that, how many souls would
not be gathered?
- S M Sorensen

Concerning Krupa Sadan Home of mercy (Unwed mothers)

There is in Mukti a phase of the work that is not generally known and therefore
is not remembered before God much believing prayer is needed for them. Earnest
prayer. Ordinary prayer does not meet such cases, but they must be met. Who
will unite with us in earnest believing prayers for these girls?
- Ramabai
Ramabais request at Keswick Convention, 1898
She requested those gathered for 100,000 men and 100,000 women from among
Indian Christians may be led to preach the gospel to their country people.
Prayer Bell, 1904
In your prayers be less eager to impress certain things on God than to let Him
impress things on you. Instead of going to God with a certain programme, let
God inculcate upon you His programme.
- Ramabai

Home Management in Ramabais Time

As the number of inmates kept increasing, the problem of Home management
confronted her. Waiting upon God regarding this, she was led to adopt the method
adopted by Moses (Exodus 17). Little children (Buds), Little middle children
(Blossom), Middle girls (Fruit) and Big girls. Each group was subdivided into
sections of 20. One of the numbers being made Home Prefect. Little matron held
responsible for the conduct of the group to the matron of the division who in turn
was responsible to senior matron. These again directly responsible to Ramabai
herself.
Ramabai

Senior Matron

Matron of the division

Little matron - group

Under this organization, the management of the great institution has continued
unchanged, not withstanding the extensions and developments, which has been
going on from time to time and has worked with harmonious sweetness under
the kindly direction of Ramabai.
Her inter course with and influence over her pupils in the home and school are
those of a wise companion, a tender mother and Christ loving woman. Pandita
Ramabai loves us as a mother would love her children and therefore we are
never homesick. Ramabais work and her influence cannot be estimated by dollars
and cents.
There are times when we see nothing but darkness, thick enough to be felt on
all sides, but we are soon made to see the silvery lining of the clouds that surround
us. Our enemies are watching us quietly now, but God only knows whether their
present silence is a calm before a great storm or not. Ramabai
She meets with every sort of difficulty, difficulties which we cannot understand.
She handles them all as you would handle them a lot of babies in a nursery or
children in a Kindergarten.

Vth National Congress, December 29, 1889

Only three women present through Ramabais influence.
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When she rose to speak, there was much crowding and pushing among men who
desired to hear her. After quietness was restored, she naively remarked, It is not
at all strange my countrymen that my voice is small for you have never given a
woman the chance to make her voice strong, and then she rushed her audience
to laughter and to tears.
Mrs. J Chappel and H S Dyer
To the second missionaries who came to join the work in Mukti
Now I want you to go through this institution and teach them all about the Lord
Jesus Christ. I am a sweeper. That is all I am. I sweep into the compound as many
as I can get child widows, deserted wives and orphans of every kind and I want
you missionaries to present to them Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Lord gave her Nahum 1:4, she has been careful to write and speak
only of what the Lord was doing through the Mukti mission.
Ramabai is as a Moses to her people. Her intensity of aim to uplift and save the
deep soul hunger and complete self-abnegation, savoured of the things of God,
too high for common words to praise.

Another visitor
She represents in her single personality the most remarkable combination of
executive, intellectual and religious power that I know of in recent times in either
man or woman.
One sister from Nova Scotia as she entertained Ramabai in their home
My husband and I felt that we had a greater honour put upon us than if we had
entertained our gracious Queen Victoria. I believe Pandita Ramabai is one of
Gods Queens, towering far above all the White Queens.
She has single eyes to Gods agony. She has but one ideal, that is that she may
reflect the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pandita Ramabai radiates the Lord Jesus.

Domestic Economy (By Manorama Bai)

Silver and Gold are His and those who handle it may glorify God in their work
as truly as those who preach the Word on the streets or visit in the homes of the
people. Much wisdom and power is needed from above.
My mother moves her office to any place in Mukti where she feels she is needed
the most. The mother of our family moves about from one department to another.
All the heads of the Department met by her in the early morning orders for the
day given.

She had broken her alabaster box, box of precious ointment over them for His
dear names sake, and the fragrance of that broken box, that poured out life is
filling Mukti day-to-day.

After Home Call

Surely never before in India a woman might have been worshipped far and wide,
had she allowed it, for her great learning, and holiness been so strangely and
beautifully honoured by the tears of those whose very touch or shadow would
have been defilement if she had remained in the religion which makes human
deification possible. One old Brahmin widow came, leaning over the bed and
cried, O, Great mother, whom shall I call mother? Who will care for me?
Q. What was the secret of Pandita Ramabais success?
Her child like, yet profound faith in the Bible as the Word of the Living God. She
was always unworried, unhurried, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
generous, courteous, thoughtful for the welfare of her visitors and all at Mukti.
She was truly separated to God, living with a single eye to glory.

One of her mottos LOOK UP AND NOT DOWN

Be Kings daughters indeed as in name.
Ramabai rises at 3 a.m. Ready at 5 a.m. for the girls.
Illustration:
Godubai, one night. She had disobeyed. Ramabais punishment. Good Night
kiss was omitted. It broke the little girls heart. Ramabai explained that the Hindus
do not generally caress their children after infancy and it seems strange and
delightful especially to the poor little widows to receive any show of affection.
If the work be of God, it will prevail though all the hosts of hell were arrayed
against it.
- Ramabai
Prayer Bell 1913
It is a God supported mission and so from His co-workers in other places, tender
devoted souls, there comes from time to time love-laden gifts to meet the many
needs.

Impression at Mukti of a visitor

Panditas room is in very truth a worship. It contains the bare necessities of life
and as everywhere at Mukti, I felt on entering it that first time I was in an
atmosphere of plain living and high thinking. Panditas wide horizon, her grand
breath of experience and knowledge of books, things and people were an
inspiration. Above all it seemed to me her grip of power of prayer and strength of
faith were the source of her unique success.
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Struck by the masterly organization of the whole. Pandita knows how to choose
the right women and then to leave as far as possible sufficient scope for individual
development. This, which is surely the essence of good government, seemed to
me the secret of much good work and good success in Mukti.
Prayer Bell, 1913
Evelyn C Gedge

Some of the noticeable features which arrest the attention of a visitor

1. The happiness that evidently reigns in this place. Gladness appears in the
faces of nearly all the women.
2. The order and discipline. So quiet but so effective. Everything seems to move
on like clockwork, without any noise or harsh commands. One quiet, but
firm authority, exercised in love is over all, and all are controlled and swayed
by it.
3. The sacredness of the place. A stranger is at once impressed with the fact that
everything here is for the Lord. He is first in all things. He is recognized and
honoured in all that is done. It is all in His service and for His glory.
And now one of the most noteworthy facts in this remarkable undertaking and
one to greatly rejoice over is the fact that the chief agent in it all is a daughter of
India. It is not the work of a missionary society, or of European missionary but an
Indian widow, moved by the spirit of God. It shows us something of the
possibilities of Indian Christians. When hundreds more are actuated by the same
spirit, which moves her, and are led into similar efforts, what may we not expect
to see.
Promise given to her one day as His message and command to act upon.
Nahum 1:13-15
And this Mukti mission which has come into existence solely to glorify God
shall have nothing in it that is sown in my name.
She got her inspiration for famine work in Raichur. Her mother was cremated
there, Burning Ghats for Brahmin.
You may have no gift for speaking but you may have a gift for shinning.
-Rev. Andrew A Bonard N
Prayer Bell, 1909
She that is too busy to wait on God is busier that God wants her to be.

Pandita Ramabais address to the Association

(Sharada Sadan March 1899 Two pupils One Godubai became a professor
in Poona college)
You see the first scholar of that school standing before you. She has learned a
10

lesson there. It is to thank and praise God. I am glad to tell you that I have not
contracted the debt of a single cent on the property, which you have given the
education of high caste widows. But, I have contracted a big debt of gratitude,
and I shall never be able to repay it though I may thank you all my life. But, God
who is Almighty the King of the universe will reward you as you deserve.
Selfishness is the ruling power in India, and that has been the cause of the
downfall of the nation.
- Ramabai
The best way to celebrate a good work in the past is to do a better work in the
future.
- Mr. Hagar, 1898

Prayer Bell May-June 1949

Mr. Tilak Friend of Mukti (Lawyer)
Sunshine and sunset spoke thus of the one in whose memory the hospital has
been built.
We are reminded at this place of a great personality of Kedgaon fame Krishnabai
Godre. In the memory of her faith in God and vision of service to the people of
this district, we dedicate this sunshine hospital with the hospital with the prayer
that the sun of righteousness might arise in the hearts of all who are treated
within its walls. As the people went from ward to ward, each room was dedicated
with prayer and the long procession of those who had come to see turned toward
sunset home. Unto Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own
blood, this haven for aged who love Him was dedicated.
Mr. Satralkar led the procession, four abreast, down the public road from hospital
toward the Mukti church singing praises to the Father and praise to the Son.
What a procession of witness to His glory it was.

Ramabais Comments on Translation of the Bible (1908)

At the beginning of the year 1905, a band was formed of some of Muktis people
who were desirous to serve the Lord in whatever way it would please Him to call
them. About 70 of us met everyday. It pleased the Lord to graciously visit us with
a Spiritual Revival and to call some of us to devote our time to special service.
Early in that year, I heard the call of the Holy Spirit to give my time and strength
to the preparation of a work which would enable the Christian Bible women
being trained in this mission to understand the Holy Scriptures in their original
languages.
The work was given by the Holy Spirit step by step. So no human wisdom,
advice and strength were depended upon. The Lord showed the way. He taught
the tongues, guided the steps, arranged the circumstances and presided over the
whole thing. (cf Chron. 28:12, 19)
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The Lord selected most of us from this special work from the classes men
mentioned on 1Cor. 2:27 29.
1. Foolish things
2. Weak things
3. Base things
4. Things which are despised
5. Things which are not
That no flesh should glory in His presence.
Many of the helpers had to be taken from among very ignorant girls. They had to
be taught to read, to write, to set type, to find words in the dictionaries and
passages in the Holy Scripture. I had to give up all personal correspondence, all
public speaking and traveling for the four years in order to devote all my strength
to this work.
Panditas Wooden Tray full of Books and papers call Panditas Ark
Though 12 hours a day is spent by her in the office at the Bible work, she still
works in her room as well. Pandita Ramabai trained 120 girls. 45 for Compositions
they compose four languages English, Greek, Hebrew and Marathi. They are
taught to be responsible for their own work. 20 married women are employed in
this work. Husbands as Printers.

Notes of Revival in Mukti, 1905 (As quoted in Prayer Bells)

After reading about Wales Revival, my heart pounded with joy at the thought
that God would have mercy on poor India one of these days and we would see
the salvation of the Lord.
- Ramabai
Miss Abraham 1906
If the church of God is to be revived in any part of the world, it must come
through intercessory prayer. Earnest prayer is needed. Many inside the church
are dying. We can save them through praying. Shall we not break our sleep, and
give ourselves to toil for their salvation? Spiritual babes need special care and
nurture. Do not expect these spiritual babes to care for themselves. You will not
see the fruit of revival. These need nurture and care, teaching of the Word of
God. In several places where there has been an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the
people have gone back again to their old ways and some have fallen into gross
sin. Satan knows that the Holy Spirit is breaking down his kingdom. He comes
in subtle ways. He seeks to take away the Spirit of prayer and love of the Word.
There is personal attack on those earnest in prayer. Spiritual discernment, a gift
of the Holy Spirit much needed in order to detect the wiles of the evil one. (Rev.
12:11) As His coming draws near, the contest will grow sharper.
The great battle of intercessory prayer still goes on in many places of India as
well as Mukti. Some who do not understand it, cannot bear to witness the struggle
in soul travail of those who have given themselves to God to intercede until all
India is set on fire. After the church has been set on fire for God, a spirit of
conviction of sin will be poured out upon the heathen.
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1906 Hardley Bird Days of Blessing

Observation during his visit to Mukti for 17 days.
(The tide of feelings in his own heart)
1. First contact with Revival begets. Hunger real pain of hunger for a share in
this visitation of God.
2. Shame, bitter shame at the ignorance, after travailing in prayer, prevailing in
prayer, being at Post in prayer, meant as it was seen here in many mere children.
3. Wonderful Praise, wonder at the marvel of grace. Little girls were lost for
hours in transport of loving Jesus and praising Him.
One strong, rough looking girl, rowdy in character, always in trouble, now
transformed. Her strong face aglow with holy joy, her loud voice crying to God
for others. God bless Billy praying, as Ramabai has nicknamed this dear girl. In
one meeting, we were 17 hours together the following day more than 15 hours
passed before the meeting broke up with great joy and such songs of praise as
hoarse and broken voices could letter.
The Indians has no sense of sin often repeated. But, God in the Revival has
given such pain at sin and agony for past failures. But, in this awful and wondrously
near presence of God, the faintest shadow between the spirit filled soul and the
Lord, and confession humiliation and repentance are seen and heard after a new
sort.

The Call of Prayer Bell to Ramabai

First
It is a call to you dear Ramabai to Cast your burden on the Lord.
Ps. 55:22 (Gift). Gift of this great family cast them back to Him Fling your
burden away. Roll them altogether upon Him and rest.
Second
Call to Real Prayer
Call to Definite Prayer
Call to Believing Prayer absence of faith means absence of bread.
There must be no wavering, no doubt.
Call to Improportionate Prayer Luke 11:18
Call to Sympathetic Prayer.
She must be borne up on the wings of generous intercession. This work is too
great for Ramabai.
From Muktis Bible school, August 4, 1903. Sent out its first missionary on
February 9th. Though educated in Marathi, learnt to read her own language well,
and has gone back to her own part of India to preach the gospel to her heathen
sisters.
- Ramabai

Rev. James Lyall A visitor to Mukti (New Zealand)

To these girls, salvation in final sense means end of rebirths and reincarnation, end of heathenism, end of darkness, end of cruelty. It means for
them regeneration, the beginning of light and love and light.

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Prayer Circle (70 700)

There were indications of Gods spirit doing His work silently but surely.
- Ramabai
June 28th One matron dreamt (told Ramabai on July 12th) she saw the church
building surrounded with great heaps of fire coals, and fire was burning all around.
She saw in her dream that many of the girls came running and told her to help
them quench the fire. But, she refused saying, they must first of all enquire what
this meant. One of Gods handmaidens told them they must not quench the fire
that it was not a common fire, but was the Holy Spirit whom they must receive,
as God wanted to give Him to them.
To one person, the Lord revealed that He is going to do great work through the
ignorant women and children entrusted in the care of those who looked to Him
for help both temporal and spiritual.
June 29th, 1905, 3:45 pm God graciously poured His Spirit upon many members.
Two little girls had the spirit of prayer poured on them in such torrents that they
continued to pray for hours. They were transformed with heavenly light.
Praying Band Every individual in the community was prayed for everyday by
name.
The noise in the church was like the roar of a waterfall.
Ramabai was speaking from John 8 to the Praying Band when Spirit of Prayer
felt she had to stop. Hindu neighbours came running to see what had happened to
the girls. This loud praying still continues unless we absolutely forbid it, which
we never do unless we feel that the Lord leads us to do so.
One night prayer went on all night in various compounds. The Bible school was
full of the slain of the Lord who cried for mercy crying with agony for pardon,
cleansing and baptism of the Holy Ghost. Then a baptism like a fire within them
came upon them. There was spontaneous jumping, clapping, praising.
Satan was also busy and sought to counterfeit all he saw. Some who saw the joy
of others thought they could get it by imitating what they had seen others do. We
have had no experience in work of this kind, and undoubtedly we have often
marred the Lords work. Yet the work goes on.
A Spirit of Prayer and supplication for a Revival in India has been poured out
like a flood. In the midst of praying of many at one and the same time, there was
no sense of confusion or disorder. Many little children joined in this long season
of prayer, sustained in it by the power of the Holy Spirit. The work is of God and
man cannot stop it, so long as He can find receptive souls to work it. Some of the
worst girls and women have been changed in heart and life. 100 members of
Prayer Band in Mukti had pledged to spend a portion of their time in intercession
for others.

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Mukti Prayer Bell October 1905

I beseech you dear friends and sisters, do not lay down rules for God in regards
to the way in which He shall send the much desired Revival among us. The
revival will certainly come all over India. It will pass by us if we do not allow it
to get in us.
I have tried to lay down some rules for Gods work at the beginning of Revival at
Mukti. I soon found out that I stopped the work of the Holy Spirit by interfering
with it. I humbled myself unto the mighty hands after receiving a serious rebuke
and took my hands off the work. The Holy Spirit has full liberty to work in us
and He takes charge of the Revival meetings at Mukti.
- Ramabai.
Much of the work was suspended in Mukti during the Revival.

January 1906
Mukti Prayer Band were praying for 29,000 people by name (missionaries and
charity workers). The request was that these Indian Christians
a) might be empowered by the Holy Spirit
b) that they may become true and faithful witnesses
c) for those in authority
The Indian church of today is like the Church of Sardis or Leodocia We give
much time to look after their souls and ours too. Unless the heads of Christian
Institutions are willing that the Spirit of God should work in their people and
unless the work of saving souls is entrusted to Him, He is not going to do it. The
heads of Christian institutions will keep their people out of the kingdom of heaven
if they will not allow them time for fasting and prayer. Nor is this enough the
heads themselves must search their own hearts and see if their works are found
perfect before God.
- Ramabai
The Lord wants us to give time to our children to enquire into the state of their
own hearts. In doing this, we have excited much criticism but we are contented
to be criticized.
We must be willing to spend and be spent for others, if thereby we may be used
to awaken some souls and encourage them to work for the Lord. We need to keep
very close to Him, and cleave unto dust that He may be glorified in us.
- Ramabai

Prayer Bell 1905

Waves of prayer go over meetings like the rolling thunder. The burning work has
to go on to cleanse and empty them for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Some
scream, others are shaken, some writhe on the ground. When the Spirit deals
with them, the conflict seems so great that they are almost beside themselves.
They have never been taught self-control. So, many extraordinary things take
place.
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We have worked and worked and worked. Worked ourselves to death and there
has been no fruit unto the Lord. Our works have mostly been works of the flesh
and very little of the Spirit. Our work will bear a lasting fruit if we work less and
pray more. So for the present the Lord would have us spend more time in prayer.
The school work and industrial work have suffered much by letting the girls go
to the enquiring room or stay all night and must of the day praying for others and
for themselves.

Prayer Bell 1907

Gift of Tongues was given.
Ramabai heard one girl praying in English language. She did not know the
language. Some other girls uttering only a few syllables. Some repeated certain
words over and over again. Some spoke one or more sentences, and some were
simply groaning as if under a great agony of heart and mind and carrying a great
burden for souls.
Ramabai The Lord gave me a message from His Word by way of explanation of
all that was happening, that I might not give any offense to anybody, by putting
my hand to the work of God and grieving the Holy Spirit. Here is the message.
(1 Cor. 14:21-22, Isa. 28:11-17)
The tongues were given for a sign for unbelievers among us that they may see
and hear of Gods wonderful works and repent of their hardness of heart.
Gift of Prophecy was also given.
To many of the praying girls so that they could give Gods message in very clear
language taught by the Holy Spirit. Believers and unbelievers were moved alike
by these messages.

Showers of Blessing September 1907

Some Results
1. Work of Grace
2. Increased humility and unity among girls
3. Increasing desire to be approved by God
4. Deeper union with the Lord
5. Word of God more precious
6. Value of the Blood
7. Power of His cross.
The fruit of the blessing began to manifest itself in
1. Deepening Spiritual life
2. Earnest prayer
3. Greater zeal in Winning souls for Christ
4. Increasing love, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
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Some of the girls who have come under the power of the Holy Spirit have received
a definite call to preach the gospel. Pandhalpur was laid heavily upon Ramabais
heart. She sent 70 girls to Pandhalpur to share the gospel.
I am not aware that anything like the present Holy Ghost revival has ever visited
India before 1905. Spirit of God is visiting us in a very special manner. Spirit of
supplication has been and is being poured on our children and ourselves. Some
special features of this revival have stumbled not a few as shaking of the body,
other physical demonstration, speaking in different tongues, simultaneous prayer
and other such things. Most of these things are attributed to hysteria. I do not
mean to say that all those who have come under the influence of the revival have
turned into good angels and perfect people. I looked upon these features with
much concern for sometime but did not try to interfere with Gods work in
anyway.
I have been asked if I thought that the gift of tongues was the only and necessary
sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
My belief From the very first I have believed that the Lord will give what we
ask for, for He promises to do so. The Lords children have been asking Him to
give them the Holy Spirit and He has given this gift in the measure in which they
have taken it. Tongues is one of the signs of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But,
there is no Scripture warrant to think that speaking in tongues is the only and
necessary sign of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Love, Perfect divine love is the only and most necessary sign of the Baptism of
the Holy Spirit.

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From the Archives

June 3, 1916
Manoramabai to Miss Colley on Tongues
Now about Tongues, you did not give me any false impression I understand
perfectly that you believed Tongues to be the sign of the Baptism in the Holy
Ghost.
What I said to you was that many Pentecostal people thought that I was holding
back from acknowledging that tongues was the sign because my mother does not
speak in a tongue. But, I think I want to tell you that they were wrong and that my
reason for not acknowledging it was because I did not see it in the Bible, not that
I was afraid of taking a stand in opposition to my mother. When I sought that
Pentecostal blessing, it was not on the understanding that I was not yet been
baptized in the Holy Spirit I could not doubt that I had been very truly baptized
in the Holy Spirit more than a year before I spoke in a tongue. The Lord showed
me that He wished me to seek Him until He could speak through my lips and use
my tongue freely and He showed me that when He could speak through me in an
unknown tongue, this would be the sign to me that the Lord gained the control
that He wanted to obtain. So I sought and He very blessedly met me, and from
that day to this I am so thankful to be able to say that He has never for a moment
(so far as I can remember) taken away the gift that He gave at that time although
I know it is all of grace. I am so utterly unworthy. The Lord held me back from
ever saying definitely that Tongues must be the invariable sign of the Baptism. I
was so full of joy and praises of what God had done for me that I naturally
longed for everyone else to know the same joy and to have the same manifestation
as I had received.
In my earnestness I almost began to accept as a truth and to teach that Tongues
were the invariable manifestation of the coming of the Holy Ghost, but I never
could quite do it, because I could not see that Scripture really taught it. I feel that
it was God who held me back, because it would have been in sincerity to teach
something that I did not really see in the Scripture,
There are several points in which my dear mother and I do not see alike and yet
they have made no difference in our love for each other. If I were to accept the
teaching today that Tongues is the sign of the Pentecostal Baptism, my mother
would not hinder me.
The gift of speaking and praying in a tongue is to me a very sacred and precious
gift. In some cases I have seen what seems to me an irreverent and light use of it
and this makes me shrink from going to meetings where I know I shall see and
hear me and because of seemingly irreverent spirit which they manifest. I am
also very much afraid of going to extremes and getting switched off on a tangent.
I was in great danger of this but God taught me and still is teaching me in His
own gracious way. I feel I am in His will and He is daily becoming more precious
to me. I know He has His hand upon me and He knows that I desire more than
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anything else to be absolutely at His disposal and under His control.

Yours in the love of Jesus,
Manoramabai.

In Conclusion
And the voice said, Climb! and He said, How shall I climb, the mountains
are steep. I cannot climb. And the voice said, Climb or Perish. There is
no second choice for a son of man.

F B Meyer
Everything depends whether a man worked for God, allowed God to work
through him. An instrument rather than an agent O God, I would no longer
work for Thee, but do Thou work through me.
The Annual Report - The Ramabai Association (March 1895)
She is laying down her life for her people and so she is telling the people of
India what a Christian is, it seems to me a great deal better than we could possibly
do it through definition. A great deal better. She is living the gospel.
Her patience is inexhaustible, her love the unselfish, unbounded love of a true
mother and her courage is indomitable. Ramabai looks beneath the surface, she
sees the rich gem in their nature and the great possibilities before them and she
puts her whole heart into the work of uplifting them.

Humility of Ramabai
The first thing she said to us, as she gathered us together was, I feel dear workers
that I must be buried out of sight and she meant it and she does mean it, she
does try to keep out of sight.
The school of suffering was Pandita Ramabais university. What empire is
comparable to that of a soul who from this summit to which God had raised her
sees all the things of earth beneath her feet and is captivated by not one of them.
She attained by complete surrender to God to such an empire. To her, as to St.
Paul and to Martin Luther, Christ was the great Breaker of Bonds and He only
could proclaim liberty to the captives of her land.
She would have India believe that the souls wealth is the only wealth and all
the wealth is for her stored up in one Beloved Name Christ Jesus.
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All is not poetry with us - she wrote to her friends in America. The prose we
have to read in our lives is very hard.
- Ramabai
The poetry of Panditas life welled up from within. It was poetry of deeds, not
words.
The life of her spirit is written on thousands of womens hearts and stored in the
memories of her fellow workers who watched her day by day.
Miss Fuller described her a woman of Simplicity, unconscious dignity and perfect
courtesy.
She was tireless though often tired beyond felling never ceasing in prayer,
ever gallant in faith and resolute in praising God through fair and foul weather.
She was so wholly given to God, so sold to His will, so utterly and joyously the
Bond servant of the Lord Jesus Christ that there was no room for self. She
wanted nothing for herself, not merely was she free from the desire of money
and things but from personal ambition, from any craving for fame or even the
love, appreciation and thanks of those she served.

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