This was written 90 years ago and it still speaks to the Western Church, there are many who call themselves a Christian but do not walk in The Way, The Truth, and The Life of Jesus Christ.

A Maharajah

From ‘With And Without Christ’ chapter 3 by Sadhu Sundar Singh, 1928

“A short time go, an Indian Prince invited me to visit him, and I stayed in his place for two or three day.  He had travelled in Western countries and had, to some extent, been influenced by Western materialism and ways of life, but to such an extent that he was indifferent to spiritual things. One night he privately told me his story. ‘I thank GOD daily for the blessings I have received through Jesus Christ, and I also acknowledge my weakness that I cannot confess Christ openly. I know that if I do so, not only my own subjects, but the British Government, which is called Christian, would at once remove me from my throne I cn therefore call it only a British, not a Christian, Government, that cares less about religious duties than it does about political affairs. Of course I knew that I should think more about my religious duties than about having to give up my rights. As a ruling prince I ought to be prepared to leave my throne for Him who left His heavenly throne for me.’

‘I regret to say that before I visited the so-called Christian countries I was better, spiritually, than I am now. I was shocked when I went there, and saw “the darkness that lies beneath the lamp.” Had I know about it I would never have gone. My real motive in going there was that I might go to the old Mother Church and drink its pure milk, and eat its strengthening food, so that I might return prepared to fulfill my spiritual and state duties; but, instead of finding milk, they gave me liquor, and instead of bread gave me a stone, and I returned worse than I was before. There are other things as well, but I don’t want to mention them. I do not mean by this that Christianity is a failure, but people have failed to follow it truly. And this refers not only to ordinary people, but to religious and political leaders as well. Well, let us leave it at that. Now pray for me that GOD may help and guide me that I may do what I ought to do.’

This is another incident that gives a challenge and a warning to that Christianity which is without Christ, that it may awake and see how far from the real thing is has fallen. As the LORD said in Revelation 2:5, ‘Remember…and repent…or else I will remove thy candlestick out of his place.’ So far, as the Maharajah pointed out, ‘the darkness is beneath the lamp, but if through disobedience and indifference the lamp itself is removed from its place, then how great will the darkness be!’”