Pandita Ramabai
Mukti Mission

Abridged by Colin Melbourne from 'My Inexhaustible Treasure'

© 03-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

Read Part I

Pandita establishes the Mukti Mission for destitute women and children in Bombay, run entirely on faith in Christ. It becomes the source of a genuine Acts 2 Holy Ghost revival, thousands of Hindus are saved from religious bondage, and women evangelists sent out to seed India with the Gospel.

Telling Others

Since I have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, and the joy of sweet communion with Him, my life is full of joy, "... for the Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation." Exodus 15:2 Now I know what the prophet means by saying, "Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3 I can scarcely contain the joy and keep it to myself. I feel like the Samaritan woman who "... left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, 'Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the Christ?'" John 4:28, 29

I feel I must tell my fellow creatures what great things the Lord Jesus has done for me, and I feel sure, as it was possible for Him to save such a great sinner as I am, He is quite able to save others. The only thing that must be done by me is to tell people of Him, and of His love for sinners, and His great power to save them.

Pandita Book

God chose a woman to light the Gospel Fire in India. Here's her story...


Pandita Ramabai : Through Her Own Words

My readers will not therefore find fault with me for making this subject so very personal. The heart experiences of an individual are too sacred to be exposed to the public gaze. Why then should I give them to the public in this way? Because a "... necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16. I am bound to tell as many men and women as possible, that Christ Jesus came to save sinners like me. He has saved me, praise the Lord! I know "... He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.

God has given me a practical turn of mind. I want to find out the truth about everything including religion by experiment. I experimented on the religion in which I was born. I did not leave a stone unturned, as it were, as far as I knew; not only in the way of studying books, but also of doing myself what the books prescribed. I have seen many others also doing the same thing. I saw them doing everything that was commanded them. The sad end was, that I found that they were not saved by it, nor was I. It was a dire spiritual necessity that drove me to seek help from other sources. I had to give up all pride of our ancestral religion being old and superior, which is preventing many of my country people from finding Christ although they know well that they do not have the joy of salvation. They can never have it except in Christ.

There are, I know, many hungry souls, and maybe, reading this account might help some of them. I would urge upon such brothers and sisters to make haste and come forward, and accept the great Love of God expressed in Christ Jesus and not to neglect so great salvation, which God gives freely according to Hebrews 2:1-3.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

Do not therefore lose time through pride or because of any other difficulty. The caste may put you out, your near and dear ones will perhaps reject you and persecute you, you may very likely lose your temporal greatness, and riches; but never mind, the great salvation that you will get in Christ by believing on Him, and confessing Him before men, is worth all the great sacrifices you can possibly make. Yes, and more than that, for all the riches, and all the gain, and all the joys of the world, do not begin to compare with the joy of salvation.

On the other hand, of what use are all the riches and greatness of the world, if you are condemned to the second death, and are to live in the lake of fire forever, and ever suffering indescribable agonies from which there is no relief?

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36-37.

I would urge on you, dear brother and sister, to make haste and be reconciled with God through Christ. For the great Day of Judgment is fast coming on us, so make haste and flee from the wrath of God, which you and I have justly merited. God is Love, and He is waiting patiently for you to accept His great salvation, so despise not "... the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering..." and know "... that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance." Romans 2:4.

It would make the story too long if I were to tell all that happened to me after I found Christ. I was greatly helped in my spiritual life by attending several mission services conducted by Dr. Pentecost, Mr. Haslam, Mr. Wilder, Mr. Reeve and other missionaries. I received another spiritual uplift by attending services conducted by Rev. Gelson in 1895 at the Lonavala Camp meeting.

I found it a great blessing to realize the personal presence of the Holy Spirit in me, and to be guided and taught by Him. I have experienced the sweet pleasure promised by the Lord in Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which you shall go; I will guide thee with mine eye."

The Holy Spirit taught me how to appropriate every promise of God in the right way, and obey His Voice. I am sorry to say that I have failed to obey Him many a time, but He tenderly rebukes and shows me my faults.

I have many failures and am corrected as the Lord sees fit. It is always helpful to be shown that His hand is in everything that happens. Then no room is left for murmuring. Whenever I heed and obey the Lord's voice with all my heart I am very happy and everything goes right. Even the tests of faith, and difficulties, and afflictions become great blessings.

Since the year 1891 I have tried to witness for Christ in my weakness, and I have always found that it is the greatest joy of the Christian life to tell people of Christ and of His great love for sinners.

About twelve years ago, I read the inspiring books, "The Story of the China Inland Mission", "The Lord's Dealings with George Muller", and the "Life of John G. Paton", founder of the New Hebrides Mission. I was greatly impressed with the experiences of these three great men, Mr. Hudson Taylor, Mr. Muller and Mr. Paton, all of who have gone to be with the Lord within a few years of each other. I wondered after reading their lives, if it were not possible to trust the Lord in India as in other countries. I wished very much that there were some missions founded in this country that would be a testimony to the Lord's faithfulness to His people, and the truthfulness of what the Bible says, in a practical way.

I questioned in my mind over and over again, why some missionaries did not come forward to found faith missions in this country. Then the Lord said to me, "Why don't you begin to do this yourself, instead of wishing for others to do it? How easy it is for anyone to wish that some one else would do a difficult thing, instead of doing it himself." I was greatly rebuked by the "Still Small Voice" that spoke to me.

I did not know then that there were some faith missions in India. Since then I have come to know that there are a few faith missions working in this country, and I thank God for setting them up here and there as great beacon lights.

At the end of 1896 when the great famine came on this country, I was led by the Lord to step forward and start a new work, trusting Him for both temporal and spiritual blessings. I can testify with all my heart that I have always found the Lord faithful. "Faithful is He Who calls you..." 1 Thessalonians 5:24. This golden text has been written with the lifeblood of Christ on my heart. The Lord has done countless great things for me. I do not deserve His loving kindness. I can testify to the truth of Psalm 103:10, "He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."

Here are some of the things that the Lord has been teaching me during the past sixteen years, especially in the last decade since He brought this Mukti Mission into existence,

1. "... men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him who waits for Him." Isaiah 64:4.

2. "... all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Corinthians 1:20.

3. "... the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." Romans 11:29.

4. My unbelief shall not "... make the faith of God without effect." Romans 3:3.

5. "The secret of the Lord is with them who fear Him; and He will show them His covenant." Psalm 25:14.

6. "... the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

7. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15.

In short, the Lord has been teaching me His Word by His Spirit, and unfolding the wonders of His works day by day. I have come to believe the Word of God implicitly, and I have found out by experience that it is true. I praise God and thank Him for His mercies to me and mine. Hallelujah!

I feel very happy since the Lord called me to step out in faith and I obeyed. To depend upon Him for everything; for spiritual life, for bodily health, for advice, for food, water, clothing, and all other necessities of life. In short, to realize by experiment that the promises of God in Philippians 4:6, 19, and in other parts of the Holy Scriptures are true is most blessed.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6.

"I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt; open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10.

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." Psalm 118:8-9.

I am spared all trouble and care, casting my burden upon the Lord. There are over 1500 people living here in Mukti Mission. We are not rich, nor great, but we are happy, getting our daily bread directly from the loving hands of our Heavenly Father, having nothing over and above our daily necessities, having no banking account anywhere, no endowment or income from any earthly source, but depending altogether on our Father God; we have nothing to fear from anybody, nothing to lose, and nothing to regret. The Lord is our Inexhaustible Treasure.

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms..." Deuteronomy 33:27. We are confidently resting in His arms, and He is loving and faithful in all His dealings with us. How can I express in words the gratitude I feel toward such a Father, and the joy that fills my heart because of His goodness?

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all thy diseases, Who redeems thy life from destruction, Who crowns thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm. 103:1-5.

Founding of Mukti Mission - Home of Salvation

There were only two day pupils in my school when it was started a little more than eighteen years ago. No one was urged to become a Christian, nor was any one compelled to study the Bible. But the Book was placed in the library along with other religious books. The daily testimony to the goodness of the True God awakened new thoughts in many a heart.

After the first ten years of our existence as a school, our constitution was changed slightly. Since then, every pupil admitted in the school has been receiving religious instruction, retaining perfect liberty of conscience.

Many hundreds of the girls and young women who have come to my Home ever since its doors were opened for them have found Christ as I have. They are capable of thinking for themselves. They have had their eyes opened by reading the Word of God, and many of them have been truly converted and saved, to the praise and glory of God. I thank God for letting me see several hundred of my sisters, the children of my love and prayer, gloriously saved. God did all this in answer to the prayers of faith of thousands of His faithful servants in all lands, who are constantly praying for us all.

I was led by the Lord to start a special prayer circle at the beginning of 1905. There were about 70 of us who met together each morning and prayed for the true conversion of all the Indian Christians including ourselves, and for a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all Christians of every land. In six months from the time we began to pray in this manner the Lord graciously sent a glorious Holy Ghost revival among us, and also in many schools and churches in this country. The results of this have been most satisfactory. Many hundreds of our girls and some of our boys have been gloriously saved, and many of them are serving God and witnessing for Christ at home and in other places. [Ed. See end note]

I have responded to the Lord's challenge, "... test me now..." Malachi 3:10, and have found Him faithful and true. I know He is a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. His promise, "... My people shall never be ashamed." Joel 2:26. And all the thousands of His promises are true. I entreat you, my readers, to prove the Lord as I have proved Him.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. O fear the Lord, ye His saints; for there is no lack to them that fear Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." Psalm 34:8-10.

"Oh, give thanks unto the Lord for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:1-9.

Glorious New Hope

This has been literally fulfilled in me and mine. I praise the Lord Who has done great things for us.

The most precious truth that I have learned since my conversion is the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I firmly believe, as taught in the Bible, that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon. He will most certainly come, and will not tarry. The signs of the times in the last decade have taught me to be waiting for Him. I was totally ignorant of this particular subject. It is not generally taught in this country. The missionaries connected with some denominations do not believe in it at all. They believe that Christ will come to judge the quick and the dead at the time of the last judgment but they do not think He will come for His servants before the time of the resurrection of the dead, and before the final judgment.

I have studied and continue to study the Book of Revelation with greatest interest and spiritual profit. There is nothing like the Word of God that teaches everything clearly. Other good books written by godly men and women are quite helpful in that they help to make this subject of special interest and increase the desire for its study. But there is nothing so very helpful as to study the Bible itself, aided by a good concordance."

The hope of the appearing of our Saviour to take His redeemed ones to be with Him has been a great help to me in my Christian life. I praise the Lord for the great promise of His coming, and His counsel to watch and pray.

"Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Matthew 24:42.

"Take heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is." Mark 13:33.

An Unexpected Visit from the Governor

One day, as I was getting ready for my afternoon work, one of my fellow-workers came to the door of the office, followed by the Collector of Poona. Both told me that His Excellency the Governor of Bombay had come to visit Mukti. I was taken by surprise, for I never thought that the Governor would ever come to such an out-of-the-way place, and visit an unpretending institution, which had not earned popularity by great achievements, and by courting the favour of the great men of the country. In a few moments my surprise vanished, giving way to perfect pleasure at finding the Governor so simple and natural in his manner, though he was very dignified and grand.

It was delightful to see the greatest man of this presidency taking kind notice of every one who happened to come in his way, enquiring with interest of every little detail concerning the work. He seemed to be well acquainted with what was going on here. After inspecting all parts of the Mission, he bade us goodbye, and went away. It was a very pleasant surprise, and we shall never forget his visit and kindness to us all.

As we did not know about his visit, we had not made any preparations to receive him, so he saw us as we were: some walking about, some idly sitting where they were, some doing their work properly, some sweeping the ground and doing other housework, some dressed well and tidily, others in rags with unkempt hair, some giving themselves to their lessons and industry with diligence, and some just looking into the air doing nothing and thinking about nothing in particular.

It does one good to be taken by surprise in this way. The one great thought that filled my heart while the Governor was here, and after he went away, leaving a very pleasant impression on our mind, was that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming some day just in this manner, and those of us who are prepared to meet Him will have the joy of being caught up in the air to be with Him. How blessed it will be, not to have anything to be afraid of, or anything that belongs to the enemy. How nice to be able to say with our Blessed Saviour, "... the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." John 14:30

"... the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present age, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people of His own, zealous of good works." Titus 2:11-14.

A Loving Invitation

If I were to write all that the Lord has done for me, even as much as it lies in my power to do so, the book would be too large for a person to read, so I have made the account of my spiritual experience as short as possible. I am very glad and very thankful to the Lord for making it possible for me to give this testimony of the Lord's goodness to me. My readers will scarcely realize the great spiritual needs of all my countrywomen and of my countrymen too. The people of this land are steeped in sin, and are sitting in a terrible darkness. May the Father of Light send them light and life by His chosen ones. We need witnesses for Christ and His great salvation freely offered to all men.

Dear brother and sister, whoever may happen to read this testimony, may you realize your responsibility to give the Gospel of Jesus Christ to my people in this land, and pray for them, that they may each and all be cleansed from their filthiness, and from all their idols, that they may find the true way of salvation.

My prayer for those readers who have not yet been saved is that they may seek and find Christ Jesus, our Blessed Redeemer, for the salvation of their souls.

"... our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20.

"... unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us a kingdom of priests unto God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1:5-6.

March 1907

Pandita Ramabai

End Note by Colin Melbourne:

Pandita is typically low key here about this remarkable revival at Mukti and beyond. She was encouraged by news of the 1904 Welsh revival to start the prayer circle she mentions. She requested supporting prayer of the annual Keswick Convention, in England, and in 1905, the praying girls and women sparked a genuine Spirit-filled revival with signs, wonders, tongues, miracles, visions, deep repentance, and thousands of conversions between 1905-07.

One of the most well known events was the episode when one of the young girls in the dormitory went to bed after kneeling and asking the Lord to baptise her in the Holy Spirit. The Matron of the dorm reported that she was awoken at 3.30 am by the girls, who saw, 'the fire coming down upon her'. The Matron recounted that she too, 'saw the fire, and ran across the room for a pail of water, and was about to pour it on her when I discovered that she was not on fire'.

The September 1906 issue of the Christian and Missionary Alliance journal reported on the Mukti Revival:

'Some of the gifts that have been scarcely heard of in the church for many centuries are now being given by the Holy Ghost to simple, unlearned members of the body of Christ, and communities are being stirred and transformed by the wonderful grace of God. Healings, the gift of tongues, visions and dreams, discernment of spirits, the power to prophesy, and to pray the prayer of faith, all have a place in the present revival.'

The accounts of the Holy Spirit outpourings in the Welsh 1904 and Mukti 1905 revivals encouraged the believers at Azusa Street, Los Angeles, USA, to seek the Baptism, and they too received the Pentecostal experience in 1906. One of its leaders, Frank Bartleman declared that the, 'revival was rocked in the cradle of little Wales... 'brought up' in India', and then became 'full grown' at Azusa Street.

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