All these things may be considered trifles by learned scientific minds; but no matter. Many a time in my life I have had to do with trifles. When that English gentleman, my father left us, and poor mama broke her heart, a trifle perhaps to him,—and little sister and I lived on a few handfuls of rice a day, given by the poor out of their scanty store, it was a mere trifle, and when the good old faqir gave us a few handfuls of parched grain, it was only a trifle, but life to us, and when Mr. Percy found us in the serai, only a trifle, but what would I have been if that trifling incident had never occurred? I do not think I am out of my sense in saying that the man who looks carefully after all the trifles may let the big things take care of themselves.
It is said that one of the great characteristics of Charles Darwin was his interest in the littles of every day life, and besides he was one of the most courteous of men. One statement of his, has given me great satisfaction. In a letter he says: “As for myself I believe that I have acted rightly in steadily following and devoting my life to science. I feel no remorse from having committed any great sin, but have often regretted that I have not done more direct good to my fellow-creatures.”
The tank, well filled with clean water, I stocked with the best of fish of which the villagers soon had a plentiful supply. I am surprised that the distinguished officers of government who write so learnedly about relieving the poor of India, do not look after such a cheap and excellent means of supplying food for the people. Yet as this might become another article for taxation my prudence suggests silence.
I gave and also received, illustrating the Spanish proverb, “He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies must carry the wealth of the Indies with him.”
I became very fond of these people, and I know they had great regard for me, and the children, especially the little girls, chattering, laughing, playful things always around me, and they were rewarded. As I looked at them I thought of that little sister of mine, would I ever find her?
One thing I recalled years afterward, and that was, I never once talked to the people about their religion or referred to mine, for heathen as I am, I have a religion. I never once spoke to them of the Bible or the Shasters, nor gave them any creed or catechism. I often spoke to them about God, pointing upwards, as to the One above, and explained what I thought He would be pleased to have us do, and with what He would be displeased. I am sure they came to reverence Him with a desire to obey Him, for they paid less and less attention to their old idolatries.
One day one of the men came to me with a question. He first stated his case, and then asked “Sahib, do you think Permeshwar, God, would be pleased to have me do that?” “No” I replied, “I don’t think He would.” “Then,” said he, “I will not do it.” I felt that good seed had been planted in their hearts as in their fields, and I would let it grow and ripen, cared for by God himself.
For some time I enjoyed this pleasant labor, as it diverted my thoughts from my desolate home. I have long since come to the conclusion that when a man becomes tired of himself, or is down in the mouth or heart, the best remedy is to try and benefit his fellow men.
Said Rowland Hill: “I would give nothing for that man’s religion whose very dog and cat are not the better for it.”
I left the villages to themselves for awhile and engaged in other matters.