In northern India; a story of mission work in zenanas, hospitals, schools and villages

Front matter

BY A. R. CAVALIER forma nal W. PARTRIDGE &C? 9 PATERNOSTER Row, E.G.

MEDICAL MISSION 2 ADELPHI TERRACE, W.C.

THE LIBRARY

Introduction

(AVING for many years worked with Mr. Cavalier, on behalf of India, and having with him recently visited our Mission Stations in Bombay, the Punjab and North West Provinces, it is a real pleasure to accede to the request that I should write a short introduction to his book, giving an account of that tour.

It was with the deepest interest that I revisited the wonderful and vast land of India, 26 years having elapsed since my previous visit. I know that, however carefully anyone ma}- study, at a distance, the problems to be solved in the conduct of Missions, it is quite a different matter to face them on the spot.

I was greatly impressed with the remarkable growth and development in every branch of Christian effort. In many ways it seemed to be a new land.

In these notes I will refer mainly to the work among women and girls, ever}' section of which shows most vigorous and real progress

It was a cause for genuine gratitude and thankfulness when visiting the Schools I had seen 26 years before, to find how thoroughly the high tone and efficiency had been maintained, and how largely the numbers under instruction had increased.

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As we journeyed from place to place, it \vas cheering to note now numerous were the Schools founded since my former visit ; all working on the same lines of efficiency and usefulness ; influencing and moulding so largely the girls, who, when they enter into the home life of India, will become such an important factor, and we trust, exert much influence for good.

With regard to Zenana visitation, I can of course only speak at second hand. Lady Kinnaird and Miss Morley visited many houses, and were delighted to see how hearty was the welcome accorded to the Missionary ladies by the inmates of the Zenanas, showing that they do appreciate the visits of our ladies, and that the}- are responding to the Gospel influence, which is opening a new world to them, and infusing fresh hopes and inspirations into their lives.

We sometimes hear the criticism that it is not fair that Missionaries should force their way into the homes of India. To show how futile this objection is, it is only necessary to state the fact that there are very many more open doors than the present staff of ladies can possibly enter, and further, that it is utterly impossible for them to go into an}' Zenana where they are not invited and welcomed.

An entirely new development since my former visit is the Medical work. Our Society was the pioneer in sending out fully qualified lady doctors from this country to India, and we gladly see the extension of that valuable agency in many directions, thus bringing skilled medical aid within the reach of the secluded women, who cannot seek help in the ordinary channels, and who have suffered untold misery and pain owing to the lack of such aid.

God has given us in the latter years of this century a new force, the power of which we are only beginning to realise. If once the need of our Indian sisters for medical aid could be brought home to the ladies of this country, we should have many coming forward, and offering themselves for this service.

It was most encouraging and gratifying to sec the Hospitals, so far as I was allowed to enter the wards, and to think what a revolution Unskilled treatment there given must make in the ideas of Indian ladies, who find for the first time what medical aid and comforts mean. Realising fully how great has been the work accomplished by the ladies in visiting the Zenanas, and working in the Schools, we feel that tininfluence on the patients in the Hospitals, and under medical treatment, is even greater. \Ye must, however, be careful not to take up any special work merely because it is the easiest or the most popular; but in every branch of service keep ever before us the Divine Command to " Preach the Gospel to every creature."

At the time of our visit the country was just emerging from tinterrible calamities of Famine, Pestilence, and War. One feels that our Heavenly Father must have some might}' purpose for India in the near future through these visitations. Having taken part in raising funds for famine relief, I was glad to hear testimony on all sides to the self-denying exertions of the Missionaries in their efforts to save life. Many of them worked far beyond their strength during those sorrowful and painful months.

Looking at the bright and eager faces of the little Famine orphans, one could not but pray and long that under the loving care of Christian ladies they may become in their turn Missionaries to their own people.

For the past 20 years I have, as Treasurer of the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission, and also as member of Committee, taken a deep interest in the work. But I came back so stirred and impressed by what 1 have actually seen of the needs, the opportunities, the teeming multitudes \vho seem to say no man careth for our souls, and the fields ripe unto harvest, that I am resolved to strive more than ever to advance this grand cause, and to enter in by the open doors. I can only wish that our friends in Great Britain could pay a few days visit to the various Mission Stations. Surely then the Treasurer's duties would be easier, and instead of constant anxiety how to meet drafts from India there would be an overflowing exchequer.

Is it too" much to hope that the coming Centenary of the Church Missionary Society will open up a fresh era, and inaugurate a new system and scale of Christian giving? In view of the enormous wealth God has given to this country, it is grievous to think that every Missionary Society should be hampered, and compelled to say "No" to main- of the pressing demands that come home asking for more workers!

While travelling from city to city in our journey, it was cheering to note the evidences of growth and expansion in all Mission operations ; but alas! on the other hand, we traversed long distances, with vast populations, amongst whom there was absolutely not a single Missionary! Only a personal visit can really bring home to one's mind how tremendous and overwhelming is the need for more labourers to carry the Gospel message to these masses of people! But a careful perusal of Mr. Cavalier's book will, at least j'n part, convey the call loudly and clearly to Christian people at home to " Come over and help us."

I am anxious also to emphasise the importance of giving to all tin- Missionaries proper, buildings in which to carry on their self-denying labours, and a sufficient staff of helpers. Assuredly it is not a wise policy to let them run the risk of breaking down in health through insanitary conditions either in dwelling houses or schools.

I wish to take this opportunity of bearing my testimony to the ability and self-sacrifice of the Missionaries. It is truly a privilege to have as co-workers such a noble band of ladies who have not only given up home comforts and friendships, but by hard and conscientious training have qualified themselves to become pioneers in bringing light and liberty to the mothers, and to those who will in the next generation become the mothers, in India.

I should here like to remind our readers also, that the work of a Secretary at home, though not so exciting, is nearly as full of self denial, and is certainly as hard as if he were still labouring in the Mission field.

I most earnestly commend to the Christian public my friend Mr. Cavalier's book on our tour in India. It deals clearly and fully with the subjects I have referred to, showing what under God's blessing has been done, and pointing out the tremendous need for larger and wider operations than our Society has yet been able to attempt.

In conclusion, I would say how very gratifying it was to hear on all hands from the Missionaries of the many acts of kindness and co-operation they receive from the civilians and officers and their wives : and on the other hand to hear from the civilians their admiration of the work carried on by Missionaries for our fellow subjects in our Indian Kmpire.

February, 1899.

Contents

P.V.h

CHILDHOOD AND MARRIAGE ... ... ... ... ... 7

LUCKNOW MEDICAL MISSION .................. ^4

VILLAGE WORK

THE WORSHIP OF KALI.