“Yes; and I have one just like it,” replied Maryam, laying her hand on a book beside her, which Waziren, though she could not read it, knew to be the Bible.
“You talk in riddles!” cried the merchant’s wife.
Maryam opened the Holy Book. First, she found out in the Old Testament the seventh commandment; and then she turned over to the New Testament and read aloud: I will therefore that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (1 Tim. ii. 9, 10). Then from another place the Christian woman read: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they may be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear (1 Peter iii. 1). And then again Maryam found that place where that word is written alike for men and women: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. xii. 14). “Behold,” cried Maryam, closing the Bible, “here is the pardah treasured in the house and heart of Fatima; and as long as she keeps within it, the Christian wife requires no other!”
VIII.—THE BEARER’S DREAM.
Ganesh Das, the Commissioner Sahib’s Sardar bearer, sat with the Bible on his knee; for Ganesh Das could read, and he had been well instructed in the Christian religion. He was convinced that that religion is true, but he loved it not, because it also is pure and holy. Ganesh Das had read the commandment, Thou shalt not steal (Ex. xx. 15); his finger was now on the words: Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (Titus ii. 9, 10). Ganesh Das with vexation closed the Bible and pushed it aside.
“What!” he cried; “must I, if I be baptized, give up all cheating, get nothing but my pay, never take from my rich master one pie that is not lawfully mine! No, no; this is more than I can do! Let others be Christians,—Ganesh Das cannot break off from the habit of years, and make himself poor for the sake of the gospel!”
That night Ganesh Das had a dream. He dreamed that he and many others stood in a slave-market, heavily chained, and the voice of wailing was heard around. One who wore a black robe stood near, and to him Ganesh Das addressed this question,—
“Why are we chained here? What hath brought us into this place of shame and sorrow?”
“O lost one!” replied the stranger, “thou and all around thee have been sold to a fearful tyrant, who, after ye have done his work, will cast you into devouring flames, for thus he always treats his slaves when their time of labour for him is ended.”