GANGA NARAYAN SIL – A PASSIONATE SOUL-WINNER

Ganga Narayan Sil, a learned convert from Hinduism, who will become a passionate street preacher, is baptised on this day, the 27th of August, 1837, at the Baptist mission in Calcutta. He hears about Christ the Redeemer, and His offer of redemption, while studying at the Chitpore mission school, in Calcutta. His path to conversion was with many twists. He realised his need for the redemption offered by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He did a comparative study of Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. He concluded that Christianity is the true path of God. 

This brings severe opposition from his family and friends. Also, he personally, went through a season of doubt about Jesus, and His way. After a few more twists and turns, Ganga Narayan Sil, firms up his decision to follow Jesus Christ, as his personal Saviour and LORD.

Thereafter he became a faithful student of the holy Scriptures, and went out several times a week to preach in Bengali, at local congregations, in parks, and on the streets. Due to his gentle nature, and an amiable personality of humility and patience, coupled with sharp intellect, many sought him out for advice, on their questions about religion.

Sadly, Sil’s ministry lasted not quite seven years, after his baptism. He suffered a short while with illness, and died of cholera in 1843. His mother entreated him to call on his childhood gods for his healing. But Ganga Narayan Sil clung on to Christ alone. He was just twenty-seven years old, when he died in August 1843.

Some live for a long time. Some live for a short time. One who lives for long, many not have much to show. The one lives for a short while, may have a lot to show. It is not how many years one lives, but how much life you had, in those years, is the million dollar question.
– “And in the end, it is not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

The wise man, Solomon, has some profound words for us, in the Bible. They surely will help us reset our perspective on life, work, achievement, eternity and God.
– “10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” – Ecclesiastes 9:10
– “21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” – Matthew 25:21

Where do we stand this morning dear friends? How would the LORD respond to our life, and all our accomplishments? Do what we achieved so far, and what we intend to achieve in the future, make our LORD happy? Would we hear – “‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” from our Master? 

Let us pause and ponder. Even so, the LORD help us.