THE FIRST EDITOR OF THE INDIAN WAR CRY

MRS MAJOR LOUISA MARY TUCKER (nee BODE)

by Margaret du Plessis

FIRST SALVATION ARMY FUNERALS IN INDIA

1884, 1885, 1887

Telegrams and letters were frequently sent by Major Tucker to William Booth, keeping him informed on the growth of the Salvation Army in India during the early years. Extracts from these reports were regularly published in the weekly International War Cry during that time. Readers were thus kept informed on the latest challenges facing the pioneer officers and Indian Salvationists. They read about evangelical campaigns with hundreds accepting Jesus as Saviour. No doubt many prayed for India, rejoicing when they read of successful campaigns and grieving when there was sad news. Not all news was good news!
 

The War Crys report the following early promotions to glory: A Gujarati Little Soldier – 1884; Our First Indian Officer – 1885; Mrs Major Tucker – 1887.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

1.

Two years after the pioneer officers landed in Bombay, Captain Grundy included in his report to London the following sad news. [1]

OUR FIRST INDIAN FUNERAL

A Gujarati Little Soldier Promoted to Glory

Friday night we had a glorious time of prayer in Anand. Seeing that nearly 500 were come together on Sunday, we had asked for fresh blessings and guidance from the Lord. News was brought to me next morning of the sudden death of one of our Anand little Soldiers. We went at once into the house of this little soldier, and found the parents and neighbours weeping. Kneeling down by the side of the little lifeless body, we prayed to God for those who are unsaved.
 

We urged the people to come forward. Some hardened their hearts, and left the place immediately. Two young men came forward and began to plead for mercy. Both were Hindoos, and one had a long string of beads around his neck. In a few minutes both got saved, and began to praise God.

Then we had the first Salvation Army funeral procession in Gujarat. We marched to the graveyard with The Army Flag borne over the corpse of the little Soldier. Choruses sung by our Soldiers on the occasion included ‘Then away over Jordan.’
 

This little fellow seemed to have told his mother two days before his death, that he was going to be the first in the grand procession on Sunday. That he would put on his new turban, with the “S” and step to the front. He said this on Wednesday, and on Friday night he went to the Gloryland.

*     *     *     *     *     *    *

2. 

OUR FIRST INDIAN OFFICER GONE HOME [2]

Victory, Hallelujah!

In Affectionate Remembrance of

Lieut. ESTHER LAZARUS

(MADRAS 11)

Who was promoted to Glory on

FEBRUARY 13^th 1885

TO

Swell the ranks of the Heavenly Army.

Her last words were,

“PRECIOUS SAVIOUR!”

She has gone home to be with Him.
 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

3.

THE FIRST ENGLISH OFFICER TO DIE IN INDIA - Mrs Major Tucker

The History of the Salvation Army [3] records Captain Hannah Franks (Jive) as the first English officer who died on the Indian missionary field in November 1888.

However the information above leads us to recognise that Mrs Major Louisa Mary Tucker was the first English officer to be promoted to glory in India. She died from cholera on 26 February 1887 at the age of 52 years, and was buried in the Sewree Christian Cemetery in Bombay the next day.

The whole of the front page of the War Cry [4] shared the news of the Promotion to Glory of

 MRS MAJOR LOUISA MARY TUCKER

1835 – 1887

Together with

A PORTRAIT OF MRS TUCKER WITH SCENES IN HER LIFE.

There are seven cameos/drawings and each portrays a particular aspect of the ministry of Mrs Major Tucker during her years in India.

These pictures are carefully numbered and titled.

1. Mrs Tucker as Wife of Judge Tucker -
2. Mrs Tucker starts for India -
3. Visiting Commissioner Tucker in Jail -
4. Selling the War Cry in the Streets -
5. Speaking to a Select Meeting of the wealthy -
6. Lying in the Hospital -
7. Writing for the War Cry.

As though to give special honour to this remarkable woman, the editor arranged for a portrait to be cameoed into the capital G that begins her story. More than 1400 words are used to describe her life of self-giving and self-sacrifice for the establishment of the kingdom of God in India. The tribute begins with the following sentence:-

“Great sympathy for Commissioner Tucker will without doubt, be felt by every reader of the “War Cry,” on hearing of the death of his wife”

The author (R) was probably Commissioner Railton, one of her admirers. See the next chapter for the full text of the tribute.