Female missionaries in India: letters from a missionary's wife abroad.

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Division

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. ii

Preface

I HAVE been requested by the nearest connection of the writer of these Letters to append a short preface to them. To this request I have acceded, and I trust that my desire to oblige a friend, whom I have known ever since he studied in Basle, in the year 1826, may be my excuse for this undertaking. Any recommendation of this work will, I apprehend, be considered useless, when it is known under what circumstances it has been written. It is the result of the observation of one who has herself seen all that she describes, and who is enabled to trace, in her own experience, the good or ill consequences which have followed her designs. Rules derived from actual experience must, in cases of missionary enterprise, be especially important. Moreover, in the case of the writer of these a

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TREFACE.

observations, her notions have not been formed from short examination, or in a life of little or of trifling occupation, but by passing through almost every situation into which such a labourer was enabled, in her circumstances, to enter.

One point will be demonstrated in this work, the importance of female agency in the work of missions. The labours of females in the extension of the kingdom of Christ is subject of divine record. “ Priscilla,” the wife of Aquilla, was the apostle’s fellow “ helper in Jesus Christ,” and Tryphena and Tryphosa” laboured in the Lord. Moreover, from the time when the sufferings of our Lord called forth the sympathy of the women who were about him, to this time, when females have been led to engage in the work of missions, we have seen the affectionate heart of the sex successfully occupied in communicating that sympathy which it has been peculiarly in their power to afford. And in our own days many individuals may be found who ha>’e attained to the knowledge of divine things, through the persevering kindness and instruction of such teachers as

PREFACE.

Vll these. Attached to various missionary institutions, many females have laboured singly, especially amidst the young ; and in connection with others, how often have we seen such labourers engaged in assisting to alleviate trial and to dispense help ; how many husbands have found in their partners the wise counsellor, the encouraging fellow-helper, the calmer of his troubled spirit, the messenger of comfort, directing him to God, and assisting him in drawing down his blessing. Women, as missionaries, have afforded the most important examples of the happiness of domestic life, when regulated on Christian principles. What instruction have they given to the heathen, of the extreme folly of degrading females, as they are accustomed to do ; and on the other hand, how often have they exhibited to the degraded partners of a brutal husband, the blessing of religious principle, in making them happy, useful, and independent.

But in order to take every advantage of her position, a female missionary must possess the knowledge and the virtues which will make her shine brightly amongst those with whom she is placed. She must have her lui-

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PREFACE.

derstanding well instructed in divine things. She must be spiritually established in those doctrinal truths, which can alone lead her to true faith and holy obedience. She must have her heart pm’ified by faith, and her conversation regulated by the highest standard of practical godliness. Moreover, in order to assist others, she must be well instructed in a variety of points, in those especially in which she may meet the enquiries of the higher order of native heathen amongst whom she may be placed, and in which she may direct others in the lower Malks of life. So that, to whatever state of life she is called, as a woman, a wife, a mother, a teacher, a friend, a mistress, she may be a consistent and faithful model and teacher.

To instruction in all these points, this little work will lead an enquirer. It is designed to teach a female, who is desirous of entering on missionary work, the means of effecting the greatest measure of good, and to encourage such an individual in going forward to attain the blessedness attendant upon the performance of this service. Would that the end of this little publication might be, to

PREFACE.

IX lead some who may read it to enter upon that course, which the wTiter of these letters has so happily followed, to seek a field of labour amongst the hundreds of millions of degraded females, whose condition cries out for help, to engage herself in a duty of the highest honour, that of a labourer in Christ’s service, and so to labour that she may receive the best reward, the crown, which is especially the missionary’s portion, at the last day.

Francis Cunningham.

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FEMALE MISSIONARIES JN

INDIA

Letter I. Ixtroductory

You have often requested me to give you in a few letters the results of my experience in the female department of missionary labours in India, both as it respects the class of characters best fitted for engaging in it, and explanatory of the peculiar nature of the work. I have been prevented from making an effort to meet your wishes hitherto only by want of leisure ; but I have just at present some time which I can devote to the subject, and as the delay has added to my experience, wEich now extends to upwards of

B ten years, I feel better prepared to undertake a delineation of the subject, wlicb is truly one of deep moment, and one which has liitherto received, apparently, too little consideration.

All I can attempt is, to express to you in a plain and simple manner the convictions of my own mind. To do justice to such a subject is beyond my power; but perhaps the information I may impart, and the suggestions I may be able to offer, may lead some better qualified persons to take up the pen in its service, and under the divine blessing, even my humble and imperfect attempt may be productive of benefit, and aid in its small measm’e that high and holy cause, which must be so dear to the heart of every true missionary — the cause of Christ in a heathen land!

I will aim to avoid unnecessary repetitions, though the near connection of some of the points on which I must speak, and which it yet seems necessary, for the sake of clearness and simplicity, to treat of in different letters, will make it difficult for me to do so entirely. I wish to be concise, but I must be explicit, because I am writing chiefly for

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those who are either entirely ignorant, or very imperfectly informed, on a subject which has, from being familiarized to my own mind by a long contemplation of it, and by so many years actual practical trial of it, lost to me its freshness, though not its importance. The sentiments I wish to diffuse, may be as new to the generality of those who may read my letters, as they are old and established in my own mind.

My first letter, succeeding this introductory one, will have reference to the disposition of mind with which we should enter upon missionary work, with some indirect references to the duty and privilege of engaging in it personally, and to the encouragements contained in the Word of God to those who practically leave all and follow Him. In the second I will try to describe the characters fitted for engaging in this work, without reference to the individual being married or unmarried. There is, I know, a diversity of opinion on the point of single ladies going out to India, to engage in mission work ; but as in practice they do it, and as there are societies both in England and on

FEMALE MISSlONAlilES the continent which are organized for preparing and sending them forth, it seems desirable to describe the character and qualities that should appertain to the female labourer, irrespective of her being married or otherwise.

I will follow this by a letter more particularly descrijDtive of the domestic character of a missionary’s wife, where many points have to be noticed that the general nature of the former letter would render it irrelevant to bring forward there.

In the next I will say something on the preparation necessary for engaging in missionary work, and in the succeeding one will allude, a little in detail, to the peculiar difficulties connected with it, though it will scarcely be possible to avoid frequent reference to these in all the letters, so that this part of my subject must be in a degree anticipated. It seems, however, desirable to give a connected view of them notwithstanding.

A letter on the kind of efforts that may most profitably be made, as calculated to promise success, and a short one in conclusion, introducing a few remarks upon the engage-

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ment of single ladies, wliicli strike me as of importance to be noticed, will, I tbink, contain all I can profitably bring before your notice. I may perhaps, occasionally relate an anecdote to elucidate my meaning, and I shall be careful to confine myself in all I advance with regard to plans and efforts, to those I can speak of with confidence from my own experience, merely noticing others in a more general way.

I almost fear that the headings of my letters may not be considered as perfectly definite, because encouragements, cautions, and casual remarks must occasionally be introduced, where the subject being treated of seems to require them, and where they can be brought home with more effect than in their regular place.

I am not writing for logicians, but for simple-minded Christians ; and all my desire is, to say something that these may find useful and practical. I have, however, tried to the best of my ability to make the headings as appropriate to the subjects treated of under them as I can, and I hope you may consider them so.

I think I may say, that if a deep sense of the importance of the subject, and of my own personal deficiencies and short-comings as a missionary’s wife, can teach me how to write, I shall not fail to pourtray it correctly and vividly, but above all, I desire to be taught of Him w^ho alone giveth true wisdom.

I hope it will be understood by all who may read these letters, that they are offered chiefly in the way of suggestion and advice. I would by no means be supposed to affirm, that all the qualities alluded to are indispensable, or that the entire character drawn out, is the only one which can in its perfect form be useful, but great things should certainly be aimed at, and our model and standard should be high, as it is far easier and more natural to us to descend, than to ascend, and to go below, rather than above the mark.

In this introductory letter I will take the precaution of remarking, that when reading any thing about India in Europe, it is necessary to bear in mind, that the remarks of the writer, as far as they relate to climate and customs, can only be considered to apply immediately and with perfect correctness, to

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that particular part of the country in which the writer usually resides. India is only a name given by us to an immense extent of country, quite as large as the whole of Europe, exclusive of Russia. It is peopled by those who differ much from each other in language, habits, &c. ; and what applies to one province, as for instance, to Bengal, does not apply with equal force, and sometimes not at all, to other and distant parts. The people and their religion are one to a certain extent, but not I should think, in a greater degree than the different nations of Europe professing the reformed faith are one. The chief part of my experience has been in Bengal, and it is only with respect to that part of India that my remarks must be considered entirely to apply. The little that I have seen of other parts has only shewn me, how great the dissimilarity in many respects between the north, and south, and east, and west, the inhabitants of the coast, and those inland. What one may do without detriment to the health in one place, I have proved to be very injurious in another, so that our only safety is in taking the advice of those accustomed to the particular province to wliicli we may go. I would have this borne in mind, when reading the rules I have appended to my last letter.

I have now ordy to beg the union of yom’ fervent prayers with mine, my dear friend, that the glory of God may be promoted by this feeble attempt, and to subscribe myself

Yours affectionately,

M. Weitbrecht.

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LETTER 11.

Mj dear Friend,

It is not exactly in my plan to say much on the duty and privilege of engaging in missionary work, in the way of exciting, persuading, and urging females to enter upon it, nor is it necessary. There are many masterly works extant, in M'hich this subject is treated at large, and powerfully proved, and to these most can gain access. It is true that in them, no particular reference maybe made to female duty; but I believe it is now generally allowed, that female influence and co-operation is necessary, in a greater or less degree, in evangelizing the world ; and the arguments, which apply to the chiu’ch as a body, are intended for both sexes. I would.

therefore, rather recommend the perusal and study of the books which bring this important subject before the mind in all its force and bearings, than attempt to advance what I am not able to say half so well as others have said it, and to suggest self-examination on the question, of whether or not we^ as individuals, have any ground to suppose ourselves called to engage in missionary labours.

There is a great diversity of opinion, even among experienced Christians and missionaries, as to the propriety and necessity of single females engaging in mission work. It is certainly a very difficult and delicate subject to speak upon, and one which requires to be treated with great prudence and caution.

Our sex is natm^ally so much under the influence of feeling, that we are particularly liable to be led astray by it, and to forai wrong conclusions, guided by impulse rather than principle. A double degree of care is therefore necessary in referring to female duty in this respect ; and those whose minds are at all led to think of engaging in mission work, have great need to be very jealous over

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themselves, and very slow in deciding on offering themselves for it.

They must first feel fully satisfied that there is no duty demanding their prior attention at home, such as the care and support of aged parents, or other near relatives; that outward circumstances are favourable, and that health and constitution are good ; that such friends as are capable of forming a correct judgment approve of their desire ; and that previous education and discipline, have in some degree, prepared them for it, while no impediments offer, the overcoming of which will, in any degree, involve the consistency of the Christian character, or any thing beyond personal sacrifice. A due measure of consideration to these preliminary points may save much future perplexity, and enable them to avoid the danger of running before they are sent.

These points being fairly settled, they will be at liberty to take up the subject, to meditate upon it, pray over it, seek the best and most prudent advice respecting it, and be fully persuaded in their own minds that they are really in some good degree suited for it.

and called to it, before they venture to think of taking* any decided steps regarding future engagement in it. It is not the warm and lively sympathies for the poor heathen produced by hearing an animated discourse upon missions, or by listening to the thrilling appeals made at a missionary meeting, that will induce the right state of mind for judging ourselves. These means may first arouse us to a feeling of the claims of the heathen, and to a consciousness of our own responsibility to them, as those who possess the knowledge of that “ everlasting Gospel” which is to be proclaimed to every creature under heaven ; but it must be in the retirement of the closet, in our cool and quiet hours, when our souls are alone with God, that we can properly judge and examine om’selves in this matter. From the tenor of the succeeding letters, I hope it will be quite evident that nothing but very deep and strong principles can enable any one to become an efiicient or really valuable missionary labourer, and none should venture to enter upon the field, but those who have reason to believe they possess such principles.

Perhaps some may here say it is impossible

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for us to be faithful judges in our own case, but this is not so difficult as it may at first sight appear. We generally know pretty well, or can ascertain what our friends think of us ; and, by comparing their opinions with our own inward experience, and the workings and impulses of our ovrn minds ; and aiding ourselves by again comparing the results of our inward principles, as exhibited in our practice, we may come to a pretty correct conclusion regarding ourselves. Of course, I take it for granted, in speaking of friends, that they are judicious and faithful friends, and not fond and partial ones ; and I would also add, that we must judge our future selves by our present selves, so to speak ; for what we are in our present sphere, the same shall we he in our future sphere. We must not imagine that when surrounded by the sights and practices of heathenism, we shall be excited to zeal, and energy, and devotedness, if we are not zealous, and energetic, and devoted where we are. The very contrary will be our experience, as many who have engaged in missionary work on mistaken grounds can well attest. There is no better c and safer criterion for us to judge ourselves by, than our present actual experience, engagements, and tastes. If we are habitually prayerful, humble, and self-denying in Europe, so shall we he in India, or wherever called, in the providence of God to labour, the grace of God continuing to aid us, and vice versa. We must not attempt to delude ourselves with the idea, that to labour among the poor degraded heathen, is a delightful and heart-cheering employment, for as far as nature is concerned it is precisely the opposite. One cannot too strongly depict the difficulties and trials of missionary work, and I believe they must he felt to he understood rightly. In the female department especially, we must be content, and must be willing, to be “ hewers of wood and drawers of water,” and be very thankful to have an opportunity of being so engaged. It is quite true, that missionary work is hoth heart-cheering and delightful, as viewed in connection with the promises of God, and with the recompence of the reward; and in the contemplation of these, we may indeed call ourselves happy and privileged labourei’S ; but it is, nevertheless, a work in-

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volviug extreme self-denial, as all who faithfully labour in it well know. I do not mean bj this, that the missionary in India has any very extraordinary temporal privations to bear. On the contrary, we have many alleviations to the heat, suitable food, very to- * lerable servants, generally speaking pretty good dwellings, and I may say, all we can reasonably desire for the comfort of our bodies, as far as one can speak of comfort in what is to us such an unnatural climate : but our mental trials, and our spiritual privations, are great, and of no ordinary kind ; we feel the debilitating influence of the moral climate of India on our souls, more than we feel that of its natural climate on our bodies, and it needs more spiritual strength to bear up against the former, than bodily strength to sustain the latter. Hence the necessity of those well-grounded motives for entering upon the work, to w^hich reference has been made. “ We want,” says a devoted missionary, principle, deep, generous, glowing, mighty principle : a sufficient impulse to all exertion and sacrifice: the fruit in the soul of all the glorious motives of the cross.”

FEMALE MISSIOAWRIES

From the tenor of the preceding' remarks it will be conjectm’ed, that I am not averse to the idea of single ladies engaging in missionary work, hut as in this I wish my views to be clearly apparent, I will now proceed to make a few direct remarks upon this point.

It strikes me that some consideration should be allowed to women as well as to men in this respect, and that when an individual has a strong desire, and earnest longing to enter upon labours in a heathen land, and manifests a decided suitability for such labours, no discouragements should be offered simply on the ground of sex, as such persons certainly give promise of being likely to prove more zealous and efficient than others, who have never been led to desire similar dedication. The state of society in our days makes the subject one of difficulty, but I believe that with regard to the question, as to why Christian women, whom God has prepared for missionary usefulness, should not emulate those women who laboimed in the Gospel in apostolic times, there can scarcely be a diversity of opinion ; for surely icomen,

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either single or married, are as indispensable to the successful operations of missions, as to the progress and well-being of society in Christian lands. And since married women are not always able to command sufiGicient leisure, for all the calls that are made on them, single ones may well step in to fill the posts, which seem more particularly their sphere and calling, that of school teachers, superintendents, and so on. We read in the earlier history of the church very striking instances of female devotedness and usefulness. Some women are mentioned by name, as having crossed the sea to convert heathen females, and as labouring for many years with much success ; and I believe it will be allowed, that if female education has received an impulse in Bengal, it has been chiefly through the efforts of those who came out single, which is the best argument in favour of the plan, and the one least likely to be gainsaid. Mr. Smith, of Madras, writes, “unmarried females of sound constitution, superior qualifications, and eminent piety, should be encouraged to enter the mission

c 2 field.” I heave often heard testimonies equally strong.

But though I have said so much on this particular, I must remark that I do not wonder at the opinions entertained by many missionaries and others, respecting the unadvisedness of bringing or sending out single ladies to India to engage in mission work, and I will briefly refer to my reasons.

There have been among those excellent women who have devoted themselves to the heathen, some who have nobly redeemed the pledge they gave to the church, and whose example and perseverance has spoken powerfully in favour of the plan of engaging and sending forth single females. It is unnecessary to mention names, and sufficient to refer to facts. Such individuals came out actuated by the right and true missionary spirit, and have shewn what it is possible for single females to accomplish.

Had all acted thus, there would doubtless have been few objectors to the engagement of single females in the work of missions, but when those who come to a heathen

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country, professing to be Tvilling to endiu’e self-denial to its utmost extent, shrink from it on its first approach, and readily resign those labours to which they had in name devoted their lives, at the first temptation that assails them, people are immediately disposed to become dissatisfied with the system, and to lay the blame on it. Forgetting, — or perhaps not fully knowing, the various instances of excellent and exemplary women who have been faithful to their professions, they condemn the whole, on account of the inconsistencies of the few, though all who are acquainted with the history of missions should be aware, that failm’es in each department, ever have, and ever will occasionally occur, both with men and women.

In a country like India, where there is not exactly the same high standard of public opinion as in England, where motives are canvassed, and individuals judged in their actions in a way that can scarcely be described, and much less conceived, by those who have no idea of the state of society as it exists abroad, it is doubly necessary to be on one’s guard, for too much 'goes by prejudice and a sort of false sympathy, that is very injurious, and more mistaken impressions seem to result from one or two failures, wdiere every thing is known and talked of, than right impressions, from numerous proofs of success, which make no particular noise. Thus missionaries are blamed, and keenly feeling the ground that is given for reproach, they come to the conclusion, that it is better not to make the attempt than to run the risk of such painful occurrences.

I am happy to say, that out of a considerable number of ladies whom I have known as coming out single to engage in missionary work, I remember scarcely one instance where they have not in a greater or less degree been faithful to the spirit of their profession^ though some perhaps may consider, not perhaps exactly to the letter of it. I however think that extreme discretion should be observed by all parties engaged in preparing and sending out female labourers, and I shall take occasion to refer again to this hereafter.

In the meanwhile I would repeat, that those who would engage in this warfare must

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first count the cost, for trials, and severe ones, they must be prepared to endure without shrinking, and if they are not prepared for these, it is far better that they remain at home.

The preceding remarks run more in the style of caution than of encouragement, because I feel so deeply, from what I have seen and known in India, how important it is that all who engage in mission work, should be fully informed of the arduous nature of it, and be made to understand clearly the kind of life they must expect to encounter, as far as it is possible for descriptions and representations to make it apparent. Far be it from me, however, to discourage any whose “hearts God has touched,” for I have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the valuable aid I have derived from my fellow-helpers during a period of several years — aid which I had tried in vain to obtain in India ; and though I believe that in large towns, such as Calcutta or near it, it is not so difficult as I found it in the country to obtain East Indian assistants ; and it is perhaps, becoming easier every year, yet I cannot doubt that single ladies of the right sort, may still be very usefid, when received by mutual consent into missionary, or other devoted families, who need and apply for them, and are willing' and anxious to avail themselves of their help, though I would decidedly say, only to such; for it must ever be remembered that a young woman is, of all creatures in the world, the least calculated and the least intended to stand alone, and that particularly in a country like India. These points should, of course, be satisfactorily settled previously, and no time will eventually be lost by all parties concerned determining to have the clearest understanding, and the most definite arrangements possible made, but this will more properly come under consideration hereafter.

I will not close this letter without adding a few w'ords of direct encouragement, though, as I observed at the commencement, very little necessity exists for me to enlarge on these points, and it scarcely comes within my plan or object, which is more to advise and direct individuals, who have been already awakened to the claims of the heathen on their sympathy and aid.

I am writing to those who “ know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who know his compassion for souls, his love for iis, and that nothing can please or honour Him more, than self-devotedness to his cause among the heathen; who fully understand that he who lives to himself is not a Christian, and feel that every part and property of our nature, and every moment of our existence, liaving been bought and paid for with the precious blood of Christ, is not our own, but charged with a duty to Him who thus redeemed it. All our powers being held by us, as a precious trust for Christ, must be employed for Him in the way that seems most likely to prove effectual. His cross supplies us with a motive sufficiently strong to impel us forward, and it is not left for us to choose or not, but his Word declares, that Him we are hou7id to glorify with our bodies and spirits, which are his, and not our own. His mission from heaven to Calvary contains in it the spring and principle of all other missions, and there is not a moment in which the command is suspended, Be not weary in well doing,” while every believing act of good will add a ray to the radiance of that crown, which we hope hereafter 'to cast at our Saviour’s feet.