Year: January, 1923
Amy Carmichael: 56 years old
From Amy's Journal
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| Photo Courtesy |
The man Indian people called "Robin Hood" escaped from prison. He and his friend fled to the mountains. Friends of mine knew where he was.
I had found a way to meet him in the woods. "I know now I should not have escaped and I am sorry," he said.
"You must give yourself up to the police to end this nightmare for yourself," I pleaded
His eyes grew sad. "It's too late. The police will kill me when they see me. Too many robbers steal and kill then claim they are me. The police say I have done all these things. The truth will never be told." He lowered his head.
"Make me a promise," I said.
"I won't go to the police."
"I understand. But promise me you won't use your weapon, not even to save your own life. That will be your statement to the world that you did not commit those crimes."
He didn't answer me. I sat on a rock and invited him to sit by me. "Help me say Scripture verses." I chose ones I thought he would know. He said the words with me. I helped him when he couldn't remember a word. We sang songs and prayed. A peaceful spirit came over his face.
He stood and helped me stand. "You better go before someone sees us."
"Will you remember what I said?"
"I will remember." He walked away with his gang of men.
Yes, he would remember, but would he follow through and not use his weapon?
September 20, 1923 came. I remember the day so well. The temperatures were cooler and the sky clear. A messenger came to the compound and asked to speak to me. "Yes? What is the message?"
"The police found Jambulingam in the mountains near Caruniapuram. He is dead."
"No!" I sat on the nearest chair and wept. His life didn't have to end this way. "What happened?"
"The police captured him. In their anger they beat him and shot him."
It happened just the way he said it would. Oh how my heart ached for him. He could have served his time then started his life over. "Tell me, did he defend himself? Was there a weapon in his hand?"
"He had a gun but he didn't use it," one woman said. "He ran up a hill holding his gun. They say he turned, dropped the gun, and raised his hands toward heaven. That was when the police stormed him."
Such a sad story of a life. But, his decision to not use his gun was proof to me that Jambulingam, known as India's Robin Hood, listened to my words, meant what he said about believing in God, and will be in heaven.
I visited the police several times requesting they clear Jambulingam's name of the charges. They refused.
So I wrote a book telling his story. Copies of the story went throughout India. Many men and women decided to ask Jesus in their heart after reading about Jambulingam, the man accused of many crimes he didn't commit, some he did, but turned his life over to the Almighty God, the God who loves us.
Come back next week to read more of Amy Carmichael.
Resources used for this series:.
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.
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