The Learner-Teacher
Having a mission in life is the greatest spur to achievement Within a few days of landing in Bombay, in November 1922, a young Spanish priest by the name of Fr. Henry Heras found himself in the presence of the St. Xavier’s College, Bombay. He met the principle of the college. The young priest was a historian and had a degree in Spanish history. “Which branch would you like to teach?” the Principal asked him. “Indian History,” Fr. Heras replied. “What do you know about Indian history? The Principal asked him. Fr. Heras said that he knew nothing. “How, then, are you going to teach it?” “I shall study it.” Fr. Heras answered.
To those who knew that he had a degree in history from Spain, it might have seemed strange that he did not just choose a branch of the subject with which he was thoroughly familiar, then settle into a comfortable teaching routine which would bring him his salary with the minimum of effort. Strange indeed, until one discovered that his purpose in doing so was to bring him into contact with the widest possible range of young people in order that he might the more effectively pursue his mission. It was essential that he should have a permanent base from which to work, and this kind of teaching assignment was ideal in that it gave him the opportunity to function both intra—and extra—murally.
So intent was be upon carrying out his mission that he did not once baulk at the enormity of the task that lay ahead. It meant learning the history of a whole sub-continent—and one, too, which dated back to the most ancient of times, and into which were interwoven the histories of many peoples. The complexity of the task was intensified by the lack of documentary evidence for certain important periods of Indian history and the fact that much had to be pieced together on the basis of archeological discoveries. But he set about his task with such thoroughness and determination that he became not only an accomplished teacher of history, but a historian of repute of the same class as Sir Jadunath Sarkar and Dr. Surendra Nath Sen. He died in 1956, but his work is still commemorated by an institute in Bombay which is named after him: the Heras Institute.
It is when one has a great and over-riding mission in life that no task seems too difficult, no hardship too great. That is when temporary gain loses its attractiveness and loss seems of little importance. There are many Muslims in the world today who let it be known that they are ‘interested’ in doing missionary work.
But are they ready to make the enormous sacrifices and engage in the unremitting toil which true missionary work demands?
