*One of the most thrilling stories of the moving of the Spirit on the mission field is that of the Lone Star Mission in Ongole, India. 

After fifteen years of sacrificial work, only ten believers had been won. In view of a heavy deficit, the Baptist Missionary Union in 1853 was deciding to close down the station. Dr. Colver made an eloquent plea for the little church, won at such cost. Dr. Edwin Bright, the Secretary, followed with a speech which concluded, “Who is the man who would write the letter or carry the message to that little church of ten members, telling them that American Baptists had resolved to abandon them?” He strode up and down the platform saying, “And who shall write the letter?” That night, Dr. Samuel Smith, author of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” could not sleep.

 During the debate a map had been hung, the mission stations being marked with stars. Burma was thickly studded, but Nellore stood alone in India. Someone had referred to the lone star.

 Taking pencil and paper, Dr. Smith wrote:

 Shine on, Lone Star, thy radiance bright Shall spread o’er all the eastern sky; Morn breaks apace from gloom and night! Shine on and bless the pilgrim’s eye. Shine on, Lone Star, I would not dim The light that gleams with dubious ray. The lonely star of Bethlehem Led on a bright and glorious day. Shine on, Lone Star, in grief and tears, And sad reverses oft baptized; Shine on amid thy sister spheres: Lone stars in heaven are not despised.
Shine on, Lone Star; who lifts a hand To dash to earth so bright a gem, A new ‘lost pleiad’ from the band That sparkles in night’s diadem? Shine on, Lone Star, the days draw near When none shall shine more fair than thou; Thou, born and mused in doubt and fear, Wilt gather on Immanuel’s brow. Shine on, Lone Star, till earth redeemed, In dust shall bid its idols fall; And thousands where thy radiance beamed Shall crown the Saviour Lord of all. 

At breakfast, Judge Harris, the chairman, asked Dr. Smith his opinion. He produced the poem. He read it at the meeting with much feeling. It shook the audience, and men wept. A vision of hope dawned. And the result? A great movement of the Spirit crowned their faith. In a single day 2,222 baptisms took place. Thirty years later the Ongole church had 15,000 members, the largest Baptist church in the world.

 

📖Revive us again, O God! I know you will! Give us a fresh start! Then all your people will taste your joy and gladness.Psalms 85:6

*selected... Oswald Sanders...