Nanibala (Biswas) Burrus, The Eleven-year Old Widow: First Convert from Non-Christians

Nanibala, only eleven years old, but already widowed, first encountered Adventists when Georgia Burrus visited their home which was only a few doors from the school that the Adventists had just opened at 154 Bow Bazar in 1896).  Attracted more than any other family member to the hymns Georgia sang and the Bible stories she told, Nanibala urged Georgia to return again and again.

Nanibala with her family members (2nd  Rt)

The child-widow soon confessed her love for Jesus and her belief in the new faith with her family members and soon declined to bow down to the household idols. The family could not tolerate this and soon her father banned Georgia Burrus from entering their home,and locked Nanibala in her room.  He threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.  Nanibala was afraid to eat lest her food be poisoned.

One Sabbath the Adventists prayed earnestly for the girl, not knowing if she were dead or alive, The same day Nanibala discovered that workmen who had been repairing their home had left a ladder in the courtyard around which all their rooms were built and realized a way of escape had been provided. After midnight while all the other family members were asleep an aunt who was sympathetic to Nanibala's plight helped her hoist the ladder against the wall and held it while the girl scrambled to the terrace. Making her way to the outer edge, she jumped to the ground and ran to the school.  She managed to get the attention of the Bengali teacher who took her to Georgia.

Of course her family knew where she had fled to and they attempted several times unsuccessfully to take her back. When all else had failed her father approached another mission and asked for their help, thinking that if his daughter had to be a Christian at least she could belong to a more popular denomination than this new sect that had just arrived.

Accordingly, one day a lady in a beautiful carriage drove up to the mission house and informed the Adventists that her church had been given custody of Nanibala.  Georgia politely informed her that she would not stand in the way but that Nanibala should decide for herself. In fluent Bengali, the lady presented all the advantages of their large school and its comforts, and described the fellowship with other girls. Then she told the child to get her things and come with her.

Smiling brightly, Nanibala replied "Aami jabo na. (I'm not coming)." Astonished, the lady repeated her call with stronger arguments thinking that the child may not have understood her properly.  Again the girl responded simply, "Aami jabo na." With that the encounter ended and the lady left.

Nanibala with Georgia Burgess around 1916



Nanibala joined the school and after a little more Bible instruction was baptized. The girl learnt to read and write Bengali and then English. then she joined the training class for nurses that Dr O G Place started at the Sanitarium.  When the doctor and his wife returned permanently to the US in 1901 Nanibala accompanied them to continue her studies first at the Glendale Sanitarium and then at Battle Creek. Though she lived with the family of Dr Place, she adopted the family name of Burrus. 

Nanibala Burrus became a registered nurse and masseuse and settled in Attleboro, Massachusetts and opened her own health and massage centre. She never forgot the kindness and support that others had expended to her and in turn she also

helped numerous young people in their college studies. She passed away in 1958.
________________________

Burgess, L J, Mrs, "The Blessed Pioneer," Eastern Tidings, Pioneer Number Extra, 36 (May 8,

     1941):2, 3

Burrus, Georgia, "Visiting the Homes in India," Bible Training School, 15 (Dec 1916), 117-118

__________, Beginning School Work in India, Bible Training School, 15 (Nov 1916): 99-100

Burrus, Noni B., (Obituary), Reveiw & Herald, 136 (Feb 26, 1959): 26

"Noonibala Burros Visits Seventh-day Campgrounds" Attleboro Sun, July 17, 1954

Thanks to Dr Senseman for these photographs which were given to Pastor W G Jenson and who then passed them on to me when he left India on PR

Nanibala at her residence in Attleboro, USA, 1954