Amy Carmichael's book Things as They Are: Mission Work in Southern India is collection of stories published in 1903. She often emphasizes that she would prefer to tell the difficult reality of life as she experiences than to gloss over difficulties in favour of glowing reports. I read a missionary story "founded on fact" the other day, and the things that happened in that story on these lines were most remarkable. They do not happen here. Practical missionary life is an unexciting thing. It is not sparkling all over with incident. It is very prosaic at times. (Kindle location 535).
The book's stories focus on the lives of the women with whom she works, including those who pay a heavy price for converting to Christianity. She also writes of the young girls she rescues from temple slavery. She passionately pleads for a change of heart among Christians; urging people to truly pray for and care for the lives and souls of others.
We are told to modify things, not to write too vividly, never to harrow sensitive hearts. Friends, we cannot modify truth, we cannot write half vividly enough; and as for harrowing hearts, oh that we could do it! That we could tear them up, that they might pour out like water! that we could see hands lifted up towards God for the life of these young children! Oh, to care, and oh for power to make others care, not less but far, far more! care till our eyes do fail with tears for the destruction of the daughters of our people! (Kindle location 2730).
Praying alone is not enough, but oh for more real praying! We are playing at praying, and caring, and coming; playing at doing—if doing costs—playing at everything but play. We are earnest enough about that. God open our eyes and convict us of our insincerity! burn out the superficial in us, make us intensely in earnest! Kindle location 2815).
Though more than a century old, Things as They Are is remarkably relevant and convicting.
Things as They Are
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