Rangku to the Rescue

“Meantime, far away on the other side of the Brahmaputra, among the mountains of Bhutan, a third Garo was being prepared to become the comrade of the first two in their pioneering work. The border between Bengal and Bhutan had long been harried by the mountaineers, and in 1863 Mr. Ashley Eden, afterwards lieutenant-governor being sent as envoy to demand reparation was grossly insulted, and forced to sign a dishonorable treaty, which the viceroy on his return at once disavowed.

“Among the sepoys who served throughout these troubles was a young Garo named Rangku, a brother of Reban and nephew of Omed. He had visited Omed and Ramke when they were in school at Goalpara, and asked to be admitted as a pupil. But the deputy commissioner had advised him to return home and work with his hands, desiring no more boys from that particular part of the hills. Rangku, much disappointed, remained however with Ramke and Omed for a time, and they taught him the alphabet. Ramke also taught him to say on rising and sitting, ‘Ram! Ram!’ and on retiring, ‘Harisa!’ declaring that it would make him happy. Five years later, hearing that Sadrag, a brother-in-law of Omed, was about to visit him at Gauhati, and being still ambitious for an education, Rangku resolved to accompany him. The two tramped the five days’ journey, sleeping in the jungle and cooking their food by the roadside. This was in 1857 before the trunk road was made. He remained with Omed for six months, then asked to join the regiment. The commandant said, ‘Why, you’re only a boy. You can’t be more than fifteen. Can you lift a gun?’ Immediately he shouldered one. ‘All right,’ said the commandant; ‘go to the doctor.’ There was another candidate for enlistment. The two were set to run. Rangku beat and was accepted. Nine months later the mutiny broke out, and being then fully accoutered as a soldier he was sent to Saporino to patrol the road. In due time he returned to Gauhati, where he spent the next seven years, learning much from Ramke, who recalling their former conversation, told him how he had come to disbelieve in the Hindu gods and to accept Jesus Christ as his Saviour. Bit by bit he was taught to read Bengali and a litte English. Later, and shortly before the baptism of the other two, he was drafted to Bhutan, where he assisted in piling and burning one hundred and thirty bodies of the slain. Throughout this he carried in his knapsack the litte hymn-book in Assamese which he had purchased on the mission compound at Gauhati. When the war was over he took his discharge and sought out Kandura. The latter urged him to come and live with him, and after a few months wrote Mr. Bronson that there was a believer waiting to be baptized. Mr. Bronson replied, ‘Send him here,’ and, on his arrival, gave him work to do, a litte room to stay in, and an Assamese New Testament to read, with the injunction, quite unnecessary with a Garo, not to be afraid to ask questions. After a month or two, on April 6, 1866, he was baptized. Mr. Bronson, taking him by the hand, said: ‘You are my brother. From today the responsibility of God rests upon you. You know it. You know his commands. We love to make these known. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t be afraid. If in any way you turn or change it will be very distressing.’

“His one wish was to join his countrymen in the work they were doing. The Bronsons were delighted and surprised to find him so well grounded in the doctrines of the Bible.

“‘We have reason to think that he gave his whole heart to God soon after hearing the truth for the first time. He has won our love by his humble deportment, patient study of the Scriptures, and thoroughness of character. I cannot, I dare not keep Rangku back. I shall send him if I have to support him out of my own pocket.’

“Mrs. Bronson wrote, ‘He is a jewel. His talents are of the highest order. But his Christian character is what gives most satisfaction. The influence of his example has been most salutary on the members of the school and church. His faith in God, his vivid conception of spiritual things, and his consecration to the cause of Christ give him a weight, a momentum that exceeds anything we have seen among this people....’

“Just then Ramke wrote Mr. Bronson word which had just reached him from Rajasimla, that the Garos had decided to exterminate the Christian families. Rangku was told of the affair. Rangku tells how Doctor Bronson, after getting Ramke’s letter, came to him with tears rolling down his cheeks, saying, ‘You must go and help them.’ And when Rangku replied, ‘Suppose they kill me,’ Doctor Bronson replied, ‘You go on, the Lord will take care of you.’ ‘Let me go at once,’ he said. If it had not been night he would have started then and there. Mr. Bronson asked if he was not afraid. ‘No! - but am I to kill them if they kill our people?’ He said he could account for ten or a dozen he thought. Bidding him good-bye Mr. Bronson told him about David and his sling and stone, ‘God will be with you. Perhaps the trouble has blown over. Anyhow go and be brave.’ And he was gone. All night he searched for a boat. Before dawn he was off, and arrived at Goalpara in two and a half days. Leaving his luggage there and walking on, he reached Rajasimla at sunset. Omed and Ramke were glad to see him, and to receive his help in this time of greatest danger.

“For thirteen years he preached through the towns, at Rajasimla, at Damra, and finally settled at Nisangram...” (p. 95-98)