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CHAPTER XX
1883
VISIT TO ENGLAND — RETURN TO INDIA
Charles and Georgie presented to Queen Victoria
As will readily be guessed, Colonel Ball-Acton's visit to England was a time of great pleasure to himself and to the dear ones with whom he was reunited after so long a separation. On his first Sunday at Tunbridge Wells, he took his children for a long walk to pick blue-bells, etc, rejoicing in the simple and lovely English flowers. This walk effectually dispelled the slight shyness which his children had felt at meeting their father.
A part of the colonel's leave was spent in visits to Ireland and Wales, and he was much occupied with business matters. Soon after his return to England he was presented to Queen Victoria by Lord Wolseley, Mrs. Ball-Acton also being with him. He describes the function in his diary, but sums it up with :
'I don't see any one but the Queen and don't look much at her.'
Good works in Tunbridge Wells
His time at Tunbridge Wells was soon filled up with religious and temperance meetings, in which he, as ever, was extremely interested. The poverty and misery in the parish distressed him deeply, and he gave much time and thought to efforts at relief. In the winter he organized a soup-kitchen, and many poor homes were gladdened by his kindly and efficient help, for he was always ready to assist the poor and sorrowful, teaching them, where it was possible, to help themselves, and constantly seeking to impress lessons of religious faith and hope, while attending to and relieving bodily needs.
The death of Willie
But in April, 1883, the greatest sorrow of the Colonel's life occurred. His eldest boy,
Willie, came home from school very ill. A sad time of anxiety, followed; the illness proved to be acute meningitis, and on April 15th, the boy passed away, after much suffering. He was twelve years old, and a very promising boy. There is no need to dwell on the sorrow of the bereaved parents who thus lost the 'desire of their eyes,' yet the records in the Colonel's diary show how his earnest faith and love supported him in this deeply - felt grief, and enabled him to resign himself to the blow.
Charles' last visit to India
In May, 1883, Colonel Ball-Acton sailed for the last time for India. He felt keenly the parting from his family, but again he strove for resignation to the will of God. He travelled via Brindisi, and enjoyed the journey through France and Italy. Here, as everywhere, he was intent on efforts at doing good, throwing tracts and portions of the New Testament out of the windows of the train, and distributing them, where possible, and when embarked on the steamer for India, he took every opportunity of speaking to his fellow-passengers on religious subjects.
Back to command of the regiment
He arrived at Bombay in June, and very soon afterwards went on to Bareilly. He says:
'Home to my old bungalow — just as if I had not left it, but oh, what a difference!'
Once more he was in command of his regiment and returned to the daily round of official duty. Much annoyance was felt by him at the many little quarrels between the officers, and he did all in his power to make peace between those who were at variance.
The Salvation Army
A visit to the regiment of Salvation Army officers interested him a good deal, and he gladly listened to reports of their methods of working, and their success. Many of his fellow-officers disapproved entirely of the Salvation Army, but the Colonel held broader views, and was ready to recognize what was good even though there might be much in the method of working with which he could not sympathize.
'Bareilly,
Sep., '83.
'On Sunday 16th Major Tucker, Salvation Army, performed service in American chapel. Dressed in loose-flowing yellow robes, with a turban and mukti janj on it on his head — mukti for salvation, but really means the annihilation of souls absorbed into the Deity — he looked very odd, stepped over the Communion rails, and came down the aisle. He was, however, very interesting, and preached the truth.
After service I dined with Rev. Scott, Tucker, and Rev. Ram Chandra Bose. I liked T. much. He told us how he was in Bombay gaol, how they put on him the oldest and shabbiest prisoners' clothes they had. After his month they let him out, and said he could go about Bombay with his army, but in certain streets without music.
He said it was a great trial to give up all his relations and friends, who cut him, but had since come (a)round ; but it was worse with his wife, who was against him first, but now is quite with him.
Such single-heartedness and devotion must win souls. I believe they have a future before them.
On Monday 17th he gave an address, which was much liked and well attended by Station as well as soldiers, and nearly all spoke well of it. He told us all about the S.A,, what and how they hoped to do, and gave people a good opinion of the S.A. The only people I heard speak against them were a R.C. and people who, as far as I know, are not influenced by the religion they are called by. He went to Naini Tal, where, I am sorry to say, the Methodists would not give him their church, and he was not well received. However, if it is God's work, it will prevail.'
Later on he writes, referring to the Salvation Army:
'Bareilly,
'India,
16th Oct., '83.
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Perhaps some of those we think so mistaken are nearer the kingdom of God than others.'
And again, speaking of ' Major' Tucker, he writes:
Bareilly,
13 Nov., '83.
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'Dr. Scott, a very excellent missionary here, thinks it is a good work he is doing. I think he is right in dressing as he does. He seems to get hold of the natives, and they see a difference between him who gave up everything — profession, income, friends — for Christ and the chaplains, who enjoy a very comfortable salary. I believe the S.A. has a future before it in this country; we are getting up a subscription for the Army. They have rented a good house at Bombay — Rs. 250 a month — for a home for men. They are also getting up one for women. They do things on a grand scale.'
Shahjahanpar,
Sunday, 15th Nov., '83.
I think Major Tucker likes the notoriety of being made a prisoner, and in this case it got him a lot of sympathy, as all their doings are to attract attention; but I feel sure he personally does not care. He has given up the Civil Service and large pay and pension, and devoted himself to what he thinks God's work.
And shall those who do little more for Him than go to church more or less regularly sit in judgment on Tucker ? No; let them go and do likewise, and if they think his S.A. ways wrong, do the work in better ways or else hold their tongues, and remember that doing little themselves in speaking against him they may haply find themselves to be fighting against God.
The natives know when they have got a man who gives up all for Christ, and will be won by such a man more than by the most orthodox chaplain, who draws his pay with ever so much regularity.'
The Colonel's sermon notes
But, as we know, Colonel Ball-Acton did not leave all Christian work in the regiment to be done by the Salvation Army. His diary records his many efforts on behalf of the spiritual good of his men, and, as of old, prayer meetings, Bible readings, etc, occupied much of his time and thought.
As a specimen of his style of address one may be given of which he has preserved the notes in his diary.
Dec. 30th, Sunday. — Church Parade. For a very long time I do not know what to say but pray for a word. Read 2nd Lesson (Rev. xx.):
"I saw the dead . . . stand before God, and the books were opened."
"None of us would like everything we have done to be made known. That will be a great defaulter sheet! I often envy the man who leaves the service with a clear sheet. Were I such a man, I would have it framed and hung on the wall. Well, Christ has died for all, has taken our sins, so if we come to Him, when our page is opened, there it is blank, and we are passed, as having His righteousness.
It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after that the judgment.
We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We know we must die within a few years — some of us probably in a very short time. Now the time is given us to come to Christ, the only way of being happy."
The men seemed to listen. May what was the truth sink into the hearts of some, and be blessed.'
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 "The house in Tunbridge Wells")