Annual report of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist Episcopal Church. Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
~ nF <a oA Ling PP erred sl aA lobe Me ol CF eine in 4 pees eer rrsry Sabian ae Pansat Megs Pasa pneinh-tertea tne etetetbded tee ms -o wr “OMARKES HOLBROOK LIBRARY Pacifie School of Religion ; TWENTY-First ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WOMAN’S SJoreign Missionary Society ompl OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. FOR THE ROCHESTER, N. Y:: DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE PRESS. 1890. M He& SESSIONS-/ Peay Coot” v. eae OO95 LE OF THE 1 & §9/9o- /E9L/IS General Executive Committee. Since the organization of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society the General Executive Committee has had its sessions in the following. places: I in 1870, in the City of Boston, Mass. 2 . 1871, es Chicago, Il. 3 sf 1872, ‘ ae New York City. 4 “ 1873, : és Cincinnati, O. 5 x 1874, of Philadelphia, Pa. 6 4 1875, 5 ‘ Baltimore, Md. 7 a 1876, oy “ Washington, D. C. 8 a 1877, 4 g Minneapolis, Minn. 9 2 1878, - ee Boston, Mass. 10 ae 1870, pe x Chicago, Ill. Il chat Toy) SO e Columbus, O. 12 s "1881, a Buffalo, N.Y. eh en ” eee “ Philadelphia, Pa. I4 es 1883, os . Des Moines, Iowa. as ¥ 1884, < ie ota | ate Baltimore, Md. 16 “Epiy. + #30885) « Ode x Evanston, Ill. 17 “ 1886, oe fe Providence, R. I. 1g a 1887, & ss Lincoln, Neb.. 19 “ 1888, i ss Cincinnati, O. 20 eS 1889, ss se Detram Mich. 21 1890, 3 x Wilkes Barre, Pa. OFFICERS AND DELEGATES: OF THE GENERAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE Woman's Hoveign Missionary Society, 1890. Mrs. W. F. WARREN, : President, Mrs. J. T. GRACEyY, - Secretary. Mrs. J. H. KNOWLES, Assistant Secretary. New ENGLAND BrRANCH—Mrs. L. A. Alderman, Mrs. C. Parkhurst, Mrs. I. N. Bullens. New YorK Brancu—Mrs. H. B. Skidmore, Mrs. H. J. Heydecker, Mrs. E. B. Hopkins. PHILADELPHIA BRANCH—Mrs. J. F. Keen, Mrs. C. D. Foss, Mrs. E. D. Vankirk. BALTIMORE BRANCH—Miss I. Hart, Mrs. E. B. Stevens, Mrs. A, H. Eaton. CINCINNATI BRANCH—Mrs. B. R. Cowen, Mrs. J. H. Creighton, Mrs. C. W. Barnes. NORTHWESTERN BRANCH—Miss M. C. Rariden, Mrs. Mérwin Church, Mrs. L. F. Halstead. Des Moines BrANcH—Mrs. M.S. Huston, Mrs. E. K. Stanley, Mrs. W. H. Reed. MINNEAPOLIS BRANCH—Mrs. C. S. Winchell, Mrs. Wardell Couch, Mrs. E. S. Hanson. TOPEKA BRANCH—Miss M. Watson, Mrs. A. B. Loose, Mrs. M. E. Paciric BRANCH—Mrs, D. C. Cook. COMMITTEES FOR 1890-91. COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE. Mrs. H. B. SkipmMoreE, Chairman, 230 West Soth Street, New York. Mrs. B. R. Cowen, Sec'y, 7 Crescent Place, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, O. CONSTITUTIONAL PUBLICATION COMMITTEE. Mrs. L. A. ALDERMAN, Chairman, 32 Everett Street, Hyde Park, Mass. Mrs. J. F. KEEN, Sec'y, 1209 Arch Street, Philadelphia. ; COMMITTEE ON LITERATURE. Mrs. ae Ts GRACEY, Miss I. MART, Miss P. J. WALDEN, ssi Street, Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. W. F. WARREN. * : HEATHEN WOMAN’S FRIEND. Editor, Mrs. W. F. WARREN, 329 Broadway, Cambridgeport, Mass. Agent, Miss P. J. WALDEN, 36 Bromfield Street, Boston, Mass. Meeting of the General Executive Committee. TWENTY-FIRST SESSION. The Twenty-First Annual Session of the General Executive Com- mittee of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the M. E. Church convened in the Franklin St. Church, Wilkes Barre, Pa.,on Wednesday, October 29, 1890. Mrs. W. F. Warren was elected President, and Mrs. J. T. Gracey, Secretary. For eight days the Committee continued in session, giving the most careful and prayerful consideration to all the detail of the large and widely. extended work under their care. The delegates present represented Methodism from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast. The reports from the foreign fields were very encouraging. While difficulties almost insurmountable had been met, yet they had been overcome, and success almost beyond expectation had crowned the efforts of our representatives. An unusual number of returned missionaries were present, adding greatly to the interest and profit of the occasion. China was represented by Miss Cushman from Peking, and Miss Jewell from Foochow. India~ by Miss Thoburn of Lucknow, Miss Downey from Moradabad and Miss DeLine from Bombay. Japan by Miss Smith of Fukuoka, Miss Watson of Tokio; Miss Ella Hewett of Hakodate, and Miss Russell and Miss Gheer of Nagasaki. Mexico by Miss Lizzie Hewett_of Tetela. Bulgaria by Miss Schenck of Loftcha ; and Korea by Dr. Meta Howard. Miss I. Thoburn who has been at home for five years, left during the session for New York, on her return to India. Devotional meetings were held each afternoon at 2 o’clock, and at 3 a general meeting, when the missionaries told of their work and related some of their personal experiences. On Monday, Nov. 3d, Bishop Thoburn, who was present digi the session, administered the Lord’s Supper to the members of the Com- mittee, Missionaries, Missionary: Candidates, and visitors. It was a very solemn and impressive occasion. The Committee adjourned on Thursday at noon with religious services conducted by Mrs. Keen. The session was most harmonious and delightful, and the unbounded hospitality of the Wilkes Barre friends in their homes, and their generous contributions to the work, combined to make it an occasion long to be remembered. WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 5 The Anniversary was held on Sabbath evening, at which Mrs, Skid- more presided. Miss Cushman, of China, and Miss DeLine of Bombay, made addresses, and the Annual Report was presented by the Secretary, which report, with the foreign and home reports presented at the sessions of the Committee will be found in the following pages. General OQummary. {The following summary of the year’s work was read at the twenty-first anni- versary of the Society at Wilkes Barre, Pa., on Sunday evening, November 2d, 1890, by the Secretary of the General Executive Committee, Mrs. J. T. Gracey.) The Rey. Dr. Judson, of India, was once asked this question by a gentleman, “ What do you think of the future of India; does it look bright?” “Yes,” he said, “as bright as the promises of God.’ If the Christian women who have been toiling for the past year in the interests of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society were asked, “ What is the prospect of uplifting the women of the heathen world ?” they would reply possibly in the same language, ‘As bright as the promises of God.” The past year has seen many women turning from idols to serve the living and true God, casting away their old superstitions, and coming into loving relationship with the Father. The revolution being effected among the women of the East, in their intellectual, moral and spiritual development is one of the marvels of the age. The all-conquering power of Christian love is transforming Saag and the home-life of multitudes of women over the Eastern ‘The Woman’ s Foreign Missionary Society comes forward once more in as irit of deep thankfulness to place its work under the gaze of the world, to challenge observation, and so to present the facts that all who hear or read, may see and realize the great needs of this world-wide work, and its growing importance. There has been a time of patient sowing, and now Soh is the plenteous reaping. HOME WORK. Ps work, of the Society in the home field is represented by the fol- MCGEE Eis, fee fa csi oa os 112,834 iN ehred of) Re eee 10,119 Weemietsi. Iaitieeds i. oe 0 15,997 Total organizations..... 5,557 Total members...... 138,950 6 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ¢ Increase over last year in organizations, 26. Increase over last year in membership, 3,721. Conference Secretaries, 72; District Secretaries, 269. Life Members, 11,041; Life Patrons, 94 ; Honorary Managers, 536. The amount of money raised from October Ist, 1889, to October Ist, 1890, amounts to $220,329.96. Of this amount about $10,000 has’ been received by bequest; the remainder has come in the regular organized channels. LITERATURE. The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society utilizes all ways that can be devised to increase intelligence, to give information concerning all phases of work, to bring into the homes of the women of the Methodist Church the very brightest and freshest items of news concerning mission fields. If we send our representatives to the front we must keep up with their movements or lose all enthusiasm. In order to do this the Society publishes three papers : First, The Heathen Woman's Friend, a monthly publication of 32 pages, costing only 50 cents a year. This paper is full of bright, life- giving, zeal-inspiring information concerning all phases of work, letters from our missionaries, and bright sparkling bits of news about women all over the world. Like the merchants’ ships, it bringeth “food from afar.” The circulation for the year reached 19,236. The fact must not be overlooked, that while it is edited by a woman, its business management entirely in the hands of women, it is not in debt, and never has been; but so judiciously have its affairs been managed that it gives forth from its treasury every year sufficient money to publish all the miscellaneous literature issued by the Society. ‘Let her own works praise her in the gates.” Second, There is published also an eight-paged monthly paper, the fleiden Frauen Freund, at a cost of twenty-five cents a year. This is in German for the use of German readers and missionary workers, and has a circulation of 2,176. It is edited by a lady, a native of Germany. Third. During the past year an eight-page illustrated monthly for children has been issued, called The Heathen Children’s Friend, which completes the family circle, and closes the year with 5,128 subscribers. Added to these, missionary leaflets have been issued and scattered, many of them gratuitously, while others have been sold for a nominal price. During the past year over two million pages of these have found their way to the Auxiliary Societies. : WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. ™s GERMAN WORK. The German work is scattered over a large territory with organi zations in seven German Conferences in the United States. There are also societies in Switzerland and Germany. In the United States are 125 auxiliaries, 13 in the Swiss Conference, and 25 in the German Conference, with a total membership of 4,161. The money raised by these various auxiliaries during the year amounts to $4,607.50. MISSIONARIES. The Society now has ninety-six representatives in the Foreign field, with twenty-two at home on sick leave. Eleven of those at work are Medical Missionaries. Nine young ladies were accepted by the Reference Committee during the year, some of whom have sailed for their various fields. Miss Dr. Sherwood of New York, and Miss Margaret Bengal, of Pomeroy, Ohio, both went to Korea. Miss Perkins, of Iowa, was appointed to India, Miss Tucker, of Rochester, N.. Y., to Japan, Miss Ella Vickery, of Indiana, to Italy, Miss H. Dudley, of New South Wales, to India, and Miss Mary Swaney, of Kansas, to Rosairo, South America. Miss Locke, a native of Japan, who was edu- cated in this country, was accepted as an assistant in Japan, and Miss Carminsky, of Nebraska, was accepted, but has not yet received her appointment. Miss Sears, after a year’s rest, has returned to her work in North China, and four others who were accepted one year ago have reached their various fields, viz.: Miss Baucus, of Ithaca, N. Y., went to Hakodate, Japan, Miss Dr. Benn and Dr. Ida Stevenson to Tientsen, China, and Miss Lydia Trimble to Foochow, China. Of the ninety-six missionaries abroad thirty-four are in India, twenty- three in Japan, twenty in China, four in Korea, seven in Mexico, four in South America, two‘in Bulgaria, one in Italy, and one in Malaysia. YOUNG PEOPLE. The past year has shown a wonderful development of missionary interest among our young people. In the addition of nearly three thousand members, we find a large proportion from their ranks. The student missionary movement, which has swept over our land, has quickened the zeal of many in our colleges. In one of the western branches, thirty young ladies have consecrated themselves for foreign work, although not having completed their studies. 8 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OUR FOREIGN "WORK. “E-mbarrased by Success” is the situation of this Society in regard to its foreign work. Missionaries are over-worked, so burdened with the pressure on every hand, that head and heart give out, and many are compelled to abondon the work and come home, or else yield to this pressure and die on the field. Orphanages and school buildings are crowded to overflowing ; women are calling for teachers, and meeting with no response ; many are turning from their idols to serve the true God, and there are so few to show unto them the right way. This is true not of one field, but of all fields. We turn from this to the home field, and with these appeals before us, see the Secretaries day after day trying to solve the mathematical problem, “How sha// we make two hundred thousand dollars do the work of five hundred thousand ?” India was the first field occupied by the Society, and from small beginnings the work has grown until it spreads over the territory of - three Annual Conferences. Our schools have been sending out workers into needy fields, and the number of schools for Christian girls and inquirers has been greatly increased. The women in the Zenanas have heard the “Old, Old Story” over and over again with increasing interest, and some seem to be striving to live Christian lives in their dark homes, while others cling to old beliefs, not having courage to give up the old and accept the new, although convinced the new is right. More women and girls have been baptized the past year than in any previous year in the history of our mission. In connection with the Epworth League established in many stations, bands of “ Ready Workers” have been formred, and large numbers of women and girls go out once a week giving cheerful service that the village women may receive tidings of Salvation. In North India alone there are 215 schools of all kinds, with over 5,000 pupils, 29 Assistant Missionaries, 233 Bible Readers, over 1,200 learning to read, over 7,000 receiving religious instruction, and 22,000 women treated in the dispensaries. There are also 13 girls in the Medical College in the city of Agra. One who recently graduated in one of our schools has now charge of the Lady Dufferin Hospital for women, in Moradabad. In China. In this old Empire the work has expanded greatly dur- ing the year. In the Boarding School at Pekin, 84 pupils have been in attendance, and more than a score are waiting for vacancies. A new property has beensecured to which the school will soon be removed. A Sunday School of nearly one hundred pupils is a great feature of the work. A Sanitarium for our Missionaries has been secured, and a new hospital has been bullt. WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 9 In Southern China, 40 day schools with 700 girls are scattered over the Foochow Conference. Twenty-one years ago there was hardly a Christian woman to be found in the territory now occupied by the Society, and now how marvellous the story that a Chinese Women’s Conference was held in Foochow, with excellent practical papers read by women so lately emerged from heathenism. These women conducted devo- tional exercises, gave bible readings, etc. Another Conference was also held in the Hing Hwa District, remarkable for its spiritual power. A Working Band was formed in which 43 Chinese women pledged them- selves to personal Consecration and work as follows : “] trust in Jesus, enjoy or will seek the witness of the spirit to the forgiveness of my sins, heart purity, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I will from day to day endeavor more and more to bring my every deed and word, even my thoughts, to such a standard as will honor and “1 will daily read a portion of Scripture and observe at least two set times for secret prayer. I will especially pray for all the members of this Band. “Twill every day do something by speaking or writing, or in some way try to bring a soul to Christ ; to do all in my power to spread the knowledge of Christ.” Japan. From the extreme North to the extreme South of this coun- try, this Society is exerting a Christian influence. Its Boarding Schools with over 500 pupils, its Day Schools with over 1,000 girls ; its Training and Industrial Schools are doing a work that cannot be computed by figures. One of the best students in one of the schools has offered her- self as a missionary to her own people. Over seventy conversions are reported for the year. In August last a Woman's Conference was held, _in which Japanese women took a prominent part. Bishop Newman who was present at this Conference says: ‘One of the most gratifying facts which came to my knowledge is the activity of the Christian Japanese women. Our church at K. is a woman’s church at the head of which is a cultured lady, wife of a merchant, who with her associates have trans- formed that section of the city, and are now building a church, the money for which they have raised.” Korea. TYhework here has been re-inforced by sending two mission- aries. The school has 28 pupils. One of the teachers and two of the scholars have been baptized, and one of the missionaries writes: “We feel no discouragements in regard to work in any direction.” : varia. One of the missionaries has returned much broken in health. The schools are all prosperous and a number of pupils have been brought into the church. Io TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE In our Roman Catholic fields, South America, Mexico and Italy, progress is slow, but sure. For five years our missionary in Italy has stood alone in the city of Rome, and now help has been sent. In China, Korea, and India our Medical Missionaries are doing a most important work, a beautiful combination of preaching the Kingdom and healing the sick by woman’s tender, loving ministrations to woman, which comes so near our Lord’s example. Over twenty-four thousand women have been treated in our Dispensaries. The pleading cry of the women comes to us from every land. One says: ‘Take me on my bed to your Lord Jesus.’’ Another “Give me just one leaf from that wonderful book.” Another after hearing the hymn sung, “I hear the voice of Jesus say, Come unto Me and rest,” said, “ Why I will go right away this very afternoon, for I do so want rest.’’ Can we resist these tender pathetic pleadings for help ? When the Rev. Dr. Backus, the first President of Hamilton College, was being told by his physician that he had about half an hour to live, this man of prayer said: “Is that so? Then take me out of my bed, and place me upon my knees, and let me spend that time in call- ing upon God for the salvation of a lost world,’ and thus kneeling and praying he was ushered into the Palace of the King. The time may be short, and it behooves the women of Methodism to be praying most earnestly for the salvation of heathen women. ue Nugeenah ? 4" AY Ay, ehabad Ow os NORTH The Thurr Meeruth Evil AY “ UZ ING 1 ; ; y c snjehanporss, 14. Mu r Great Indian at we NeBeen ROOF pail Desert o {| ¢ ole hee a < { Cawnporess: \\ pe Roy “ Z ¢ Nee bu = 3 : ih P > Nagpoor Se ie ( \ ee \ ip gS 4 5 eo ae : MISSIONS | IN INDIA. Report of Poreign Work. OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE. South America ; North China; and Yokohoma, Japan Mrs. ALDERMAN, Rohilkund District, India ; Korea, and Central China. Mrs. SKIDMORE. Dremuee end 1 Ory, Japan...........cc. ce cece nese es Mrs. KEEN. Foochow, China ; and Madras District, India........ Miss Harv. Oudh District, India; and Kiu-Shiu, Japan........... Mrs. COWEN. Italy; Bulgaria; and Bombay District, India......... Miss RARIDEN. Yonezawa, Hakodate and Hirosaki, Japan........... Mrs. Huston. Bengal Conference, and Singapore.................. Mrs. WINCHELL. eUMMMMPMMMICCFICE INIA... 6.50.0. cece pee eect ac eneees Miss WATSON. MEIER Get hel el ded Mrs. O'NEAL. MOR ey eee NORTH INDIA CONFERENCE. ROHILKUND DISTRICT. MISSLONARIES. Miss FANNIE J. SPARKES, *Miss CLARA A. DOWNEY, Miss FANNY M, ENGLISH, Miss ANNA LAWSON, Miss MARY CHRISTIANCY, M. D., Miss Kate McDowe tL, M. D. Miss Herrrk MANSELL, Miss M. A. SHELDON, M. D., MARRIED LADIES IN CHARGE OF WORK. t Mrs. EB, W. PARKER, Mrs. J. T. Scorz, Mrs. L. R. Hoskins, Mrs. P. 'T. WILSON, Mrs. J. B. Scorr, Mrs. C. L. BARE, Mrs. J. ©. BurcHEr, Mrs. N. L. RocKEY. *Home on Leave. ‘The Rohilkund District embraces within its limits several large ' cities, which are centers for carrying on Missionary work. So exten- sive are all branches of Christian effort, that it seems impossible to more than glance at the more prominent features in a brief report. At no other period has there been such encouragement in every depart- ment, as in the one just closed. More women and girls have been bap- 12 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE tized than any previous year in the history of the Mission. The great problem now is how these shall be taught so they may be rooted and grounded in the principles of Christianity. BIJNOUR. Woman’s work here has extended and now radiates from eleven centers to the surrounding villages. In the city work one school has been closed, and a new one opened. More homes have been made accessible than the force can visit. The Boarding School has not quite so many pupilsas last year. Two of the girls have gone to the Agra Medical School, MANDAWAR CIRCUIT. Thirty towns and villages are visited by the native Pastor’s wife and Bible Readers. Seventy-five women and girls have been baptized during the year. The Pastor’s daughter is studying medicine. NAJIBABAD. Seventy girls are under instruction in five schools. Women here are soliciting a teacher, where formerly they refused to listen to the truth. MORADABAD. Moradabad has its widely ramifying work in The Girls’ Boarding School. This has been a great Christian agency, more than a thousand Christian girls having gone out from this school. One hundred and seventy names have been enrolled the past year, with an average attendance of one hundred and twenty-five. Twenty-two of these are day scholars, including ten Hindu girls.. Ten are supported by Dr. Goucher, ten by their parents, one hundred and ten receive scholarships from the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, and two are supported by other friends. Six have died during the year, and all died trusting in Christ as their personal Saviour. Six have married and gone out to work as the wives of teachers and preachers. One has been the means of leading her husband and his father’s family to a profession of faith. Over thirty of the pupils testified for Christ at the Chandausi Camp Meeting and reported their work. “King’s Daughters,” “ Epworth” and “Junior Leagues” and the Girls’ Missionary Society occupy the attention of the pupils, the latter society contributing Rs. 200 to Lucknow Woman's College. All the older girls are members of Church. The Goucher Schools enroll about ninety women and girls. These are for the Enquiring Classes, and are centers of evangelistic influences. Zenana Work. This has been in charge of Miss Downey. Over a nundred women have been regularly taught. This work was inter- rupted for awhile by the prevalence of cholera in the city. WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 13 City Schools. Four hundred girls have been under instruction. Three old schools have been closed because of inefficient teachers, but a new high caste Hindu School opened which is doing well. A native woman, Loraine Watson, a faithful teacher, known and loved by hundreds of women and girls, died from cholera after a few hours illness. ' Medical Work. Dr. Sheldon, who has this work in charge, writes: “1 have been in many Hindu and Mohammedan homes, and have done what I could to lighten the burdens which sickness, ignorance and poverty have laid upon our Indian sisters. | find it especially necessary to preach the gospel of cleanliness. ‘There seems a reluctance in some diseases to give the sick water to drink. One of my patients, unable to speak, taking my hand tried to put it in her mouth. “See, she is out of her mind,” they said. I called for fresh water, and the eagerness with which the poor creature drank was evidence enough that it was what she wanted. There seems no lack of open doors to the homes and hearts of these people. I have visited one hundred different zenanas in the city, and have been professionally to Rampur, and several other places. A building which requires but little repairing has been pur- chased for a hospital. Patients treated at dispensary, 4,464; patients treated in villages, 425; at the house and schools, 1,675; zenana patients, 225, making a total of 6,789. CHANDAUSI. Here there are five schools with one hundred pupils in attendance. At a District Conference recently held here more than two hundred Bible women, teachers and other Christian workers were present and gave representations of their work, essays were read, and examinations had in the courses of study arranged for four years. BAREILLY. ' The Girls’ Orphanage. This past year has not differed materially from other years. There has been considerable sickness, and three girls have died. Twenty-one girls united with the Church. Miss English has been aided | three assistants, and six Christian teachers. Two hundred and forty-five children have been cared for. The Zenana Work under Miss Lawson has been progressing. Bishop Thoburn baptized three women and several children. Many women say they believe in our religion in their hearts, but cannot openly accept it on account of opposition from friends. _ Medical Work. Dr. Christiancy spent several weeks itinerating Pe eae a country never before visited by a Missionary, many of the people never having seen a white face, but they were not afraid and 14 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL- REPORT OF THE came in crowds when they learned they had medicine to give away. Miss C. says: “Our fame preceded us, so that we sometimes found a com- pany awaiting our arrival at a new village. We never had lack of ‘congregation or clinic. The fact that nearly everybody was suffering from the effects of malaria, and that the nearest dispensary was thirty-. five miles distant, sufficiently explains the cause of our welcome. Dur- ing the year the names of 12,221 patients have been recorded at the dispensary, and over 21,000 prescriptions have been given.” Woman’s Training School. This schoolis a very important part of the work. Fifty-one have been in attendance, and twenty-six are taking the four years’ course of study prescribed for Bible women. BUDAON CIRCUIT. _ Mrs. Wilson is in charge. The Boarding School here is a light in a dark place, with its fifty-six girls receiving Christian training. The older girls in the Boarding School go out on Saturdays to the villages and sing for the Bible woman, while she instructs. In one of the villages, an elderly woman wept and said, “ I have never before heard such good words. Truly we are wrong and this is the right way.” Mrs. Wilson has a little dispensary and daily administers to about fifty or sixty women. Many women have been visited and often they say, “ This word is true, we believe it!’’ There is a village near Budaon, only seven miles away, with seven thousand souls, and no woman has been fo tell the women the way of salvation. SHAHJAHANPORE. Mrs. Hoskins writes of having made an extensive itineration in this district, accompanied by Dr. Christiancy. She says: “An English gentleman, a large land owner, asked us to visit his villa- ges, and see what could be done in the way of mission work, and a list of forty-five villages was sent to us. So we went out and located our camp in a central place, and visited the villages round about us. As soon as it was found that there was a doctor with us, we had no lack of callers, although in one or two instances, our appearance in a village caused great consternation. Many had never seen a white face, and the little children would cover their eyes and run howling away when they first saw us. “We found the people much more willing to accept our drugs than to give heed to the good tidings, but it may be that the words spoken to groups of women at the well at evening, or to the few who came to the tents, or to those we met in the fields may not be lost. WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 15 “ Among the women who gathered about us, came one sorrow-bowed mother who had wept herself nearly blind over the loss of her only son, who had grown up to be her comfort and support, and then had passed out of her life. Our words of sympathy dried her tears, and she said with a heavy sigh, ‘There is naught on earth can fill my heart. The Mighty One alone can comfort me.’” The Boarding School, with fifty-three girls, is doing a grand work. EAST SHAHJAHANPORE. Mrs. Bare in charge. The Medical work in Lodhipur, which was commenced a few months ago, is carried on by Elizabeth Ferguson. She has been admitted into the zenanas and her work is greatly appre- ciated. She reports the case of a woman who was very ill, but not one among her friends would give her a drink of water, or even touch her. They would look at her, shake their heads, and say, “She will die, she will die ; come away and do not touch her, lest it be said we were the cause of her death.” The Widows’ Home has had eleven women during the year, who have had various employments. In connection with their work they are taught to read and receive religious instruction. In the various circuits adjoining most faithful work has been done by the native Christian women, who have visited hundreds of families. AGRA. ; In the Medical Home here there have been thirteen girls: The new ‘danetogts have been completed, and are now occupied. MUTTRA. Miss Sparkes is in charge of Deaconess’ Home and Zenana Work. Women in Muttra do not lead the secluded lives that the women of India generally lead. As the streets of Muttra, Brindaban and vicinity _ have all been trod by the sacred feet of Krishna, his worshipers must also tread these streets, or literally follow his footsteps and often, hence the women are accustomed to being out in the streets, even the higher _ classes walk about the streets with faces uncovered. Their mingling thus in the ee world, gives them increased intelligence and inde- nce, and many are anxious to learn how to read. Much opposition om the priests who swarm the houses. Home and Training School. The members of the Deacon- iy caiman Training School, with one Bible woman, have madeover ___ five thousands visits, and the number of hearers is estimated at more 16 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE than twenty-two thousand. There have been eleven students in the Training School. Two widows have been baptized who have had sad histories. The Zenana Work opened by Mrs. Scott, has grown from forty families to two hundred and fifty, and one hundred and fifty women are being taught to read and over four hundred are under religious instruction. Medical Work. Dr. McDowell writes: ‘In the center of the city of Muttra, directly under the shadow of the great (masjid) temple, I have established my dispensary. I had anticipated some difficulty in gaining access to the women, but my fears were groundless. They scarcely gave me opportunity to get my house furnished and in order, and now both office and waiting rooms are daily crowded by the sick women and their friends, from all parts of the district. Everywhere I am cordially and politely received.” Mrs. Scott writes of the school work: “ Girls’ schools are difficult of accomplishment, for the old bigoted opinions against female education, so hold sway in this sacred city of the Hindus, that I have been unable to add another to the schools I opened last year. The schools however already established have done well.” AMROHA DISTRICT. The work of this district is under the charge of Mrs. Haqq, the wife of a native Presiding Elder. She goes with her. husband in most of his tours visiting the work and the workers, keeping all under her watch care. She visits twenty villages and has about thirty Bible women and teachers to supervise. The Christian Community in the district num-. bers 1,564, and there are about one hundred Christian girls in the small village schools, while many of the older girls have been in the Boarding School at Moradabad. Some of the first women who learned to read were from this field, one of them became a doctor, another became the wife of one of the native preachers, a faithful worker and a model mother, whose children now occupy positions of trust and usefulness, while the mother still works among the village women. Mrs. Haqq writes: “This year I have visited the whole of the dis- trict. I have worked with all and tried to help them; with some of the workers, I went to the Ganges J/e/a or fair ; there we talked and read to many Hindu women.” In the city of Meerut and vicinity, four hundred houses are visited. Improvement is seen in the cleanliness of these houses. Asa result of work, idol worship has been given up in several houses, Here over five hundred copies of the Zenana paper have deen dis- tributed. WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 7 OUDH DISTRICT. MISSLONARIES, Miss E. DEVINE. Miss E. L. HARVEY, Miss P. Rows, Miss T. KYLE, Miss F. PERRIN», Muss D. Fuiurr, Miss L, SULLIVAN, Miss 8S. McBuRNIE, Miss A, GALLIMORE, Miss THOBURN, *Miss REED. MARRIED LADIES IN CHARGE OF WORK. Mrs. J. E. Lawson, Mrs. 8. KNOWLES, Mrs. H. MANSELL, Mus. LEONARD, Mrs, B. H. BADLEY. * Home on Leave. There are in Oudh District twelve stations or circuits, each with their sub-stations or out-lying points where work is carried on. While there is not the wide-spread spirit of inquiry and turning from idolatry that is seen in other parts of North India, there is a steady growth in all lines. GONDA. The work here is divided, Miss Gallimore having charge of the boarding school and Mrs. Knowles of the day schools and evangelistic work, Miss Gallimore has had much to contend with in crowded quarters and lack of proper school equipment, but feels deeply grateful for the advancement made, both mentally and spiritually. Mrs. Knowles has six schools under her care and a large zenana work. In many places Sunday Schools are held under the trees for want of better quarters, and old and young gather, anxious for instruction, . SITAPORE. The Girls’ Boarding School, under care of Mrs. Lawson, has had sore trials. The new building has gone up under difficulties. Floods have come and disasters of various kinds have tried the faith of the missionaries. Mrs. Lawson had serious illness in her family and had to be away for months, but the school prospered. Miss Boyd, who has been assistant five years, was able, with Miss Fuller to advise her, to carry on the work successfully. The new school rooms and dormitories have added much to the comfort and efficiency of the school. The zenana work and day schools are under the superintendence of Miss Fuller, who reports substantial progress in both departments in Sitapore, and in Khairabad there is no limit to the houses that might be visited if the means were furnished. In Misrikh the work of the dispensary has been carried on by one Bible woman. Over two hundred patients have been treated and much good has been done in opening 18 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL: REPORT OF THE the way for religious teaching. The day schools have increased in numbers and the average attendance is much greater than a year ago. Village Work. Thirty-six villages are visited regularly and the results are promising. The Sunday School work is reported as making the greatest advancement, and the large increase in numbers and inter- est is very hopeful. In Lakhimpore, Mrs. Sengh, the pastor’s wife, assisted by four Bible women, carry on women’s work in this vast harvest field. E CAWNPORE. The Zenana and Day School Work in this city is still under the efficient charge of Miss Kyle, with three assistants and two Bible women. There are ten city schools, two Brahman and one Moham- medan. At Bithur, a village eight miles from Cawnpore on the Ganges and a great bathing and worshiping spot, a school has been opened. In addition Miss Kyle has started a day school for the children of the native Christians and it is meeting with marked success. The Sunday Schools are held in connection with all the day schools. Zenana work is also on the increase, and the Ghat visiting is regularly kept up, opening the way to many houses. The Boarding School has passed an eventful year. Since the erection of mills and factories on the river above the old site the place has been very unhealthy. It was decided the school must be given up or moved. As the Conference decided to give up the Boys’ Memorial School, and the place was offered for the girls’ school, and as the location was favorable, the proposition was accepted by the Finance Committee and the school moved. Many new pupils. were enrolled and much is hoped from the change. Miss Harvey is Superintendent, Miss McBurnie assistant, with six teachers. LUCKNOW. The City Schools have been under the care of Mrs. Mansell. They number about the same, but have advanced in scholarship. There are eight day schools and eleven Sunday Schools and all are reported as successful. The Girls’ High School has passed an exceptionally prosperous year. A larger attendance, a growing spirit of self-helpfulness, a high standard of scholarship and a steady development of Christian char- acter, have made it a joy to the teachers to watch the progress. Miss De. Vine, the Superintendent, says: “The weekly meetings held in school are a source of blessing to pupilsand teachers. Five bands of King’s Daughters have been organized, and a sixth called the WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. ifs) Workers’ Band, consists of leaders of the other bands and the older girls.” Miss De Vine is finishing her eighth year of service, and asks for a years furlough which she has well earned. Miss Perrine has had charge of the College Class. Three young ladies have passed the “First Arts” examination, which corresponds with the close of the Sophomore year in our colleges. The present year has a class of nine in the entrance class, most of these hope to complete the college course, while from other schools in India, others are expected to come to this, the first college for women in all Asia. Miss Rowe, with five assistants and seyen Bible readers look after the growing zenana work in this large city. Miss Rowe says: ‘Coming back to the old place after an absence of years, the signs of His coming, and growth of His kingdom are e ciearly seen.” The two hundred and thirty-four zenanas, are divided into six districts and most interesting reports are given from each, Caroline Richards begins her report with the words, “‘ Lift up your heads O ye gates, and the King of Glory shall come in.’ For nineteen years I have been engaged in this glorious work and mine eyes have seen his salvation, The hard and indifferent are becoming witnesses for Christ. A Hindoo who long opposed us was won over. Taken sick we went to see him. When asked if he feared death, he replied, ‘If He called how gladly | would go, for 1 know He is my Redeemer.’ The next time we called, we heard the everlasting doors had been lifted and he had entered in. Next a dying woman was visited. The joy of salvation lit up her face as she said, ‘I have known of this joy for some time, | heard you reading to one of my _ and believed.’ These two are gone, but many who remain ae ye Roe) aes 3 “Home for Homeless Women. Miss Sullivan has charge, and the work seems broadening and increasing, a very busy year has been passed, trials of faith and patience have been met, but at other times the power of Christ triumphs, and lives are lifted up, and find a place for usefulness. Some have married and gone to Christian homes, some noon are ena in different ways, while others are studying, with a view to teaching. Miss Sullivan says: “We have four blind — our nae now, probably this may prove a nucleus for a or the that will branch from this, for we have no room for them here. Our visiting deaconess is a devoted Christian worker. She niddle widow. ‘The number in the Home ranges from twenty h four or five children in the number.” } es aa beats and _ ALLAHABAD. <8 Lo Ze has been carried on. here. 7 two Bible women, under Gare: » pastor's wife. Much opposition has been encountered here 20 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE by the Mohammedans. Mrs. Waugh is now here and is arranging for the opening of a girls’ school, and to put the work on a better basis. A very faithful Bible woman died in November last. She had been employed in different parts of the mission for fifteen years. BARABANKI. On this circuit there are five stations. There are a number of day schools and a large zenana work carried on by eleven Bible women under the efficient charge of Ines Paul, the pastor’s wife. Many women bring their husbands to Sunday School with them to hear God’s word. ROI BAREILLY. Mrs. Leonard in charge of women’s work, reports work at this place and at six out-stations. In each of these zenana work is carried on. Seven Bible women are employed and: nearly one thousand women are under instruction. In Baraich nine Bible women visit four hundred and twenty families and there are two day schools. At Hurdui, Mrs. Joel, the pastor’s wife, superintends the work here. There are three out- stations. Nine Bible women assist Mrs. Joel. There are five girl schools and five very flourishing Sunday Schools. One hundred twenty houses are regularly visited by the Bible women. There is bitter oppo- sition, amounting to persecution, on the part of the’ Mohammedans, but the work has gone on. There are four out-stations on the district, and much seed has been sown in the name of our Lord. From Lucknow two editions of the “Woman’s Friend” are issued under the care of Mrs. Badley, so that from the preached word, from school room and zenana, and from the press, the seed has been sown that will produce an hundred fold. KUMAON DISTRICT. MISSIONARIES. Miss S. A. EASTON, Miss RutH SELLERS, Miss ANNIE BUDDEN. MARRIED LADIES IN CHARGE OF WORK. Mrs. L, H. MESSMORE, Mrs. M. C. B. WHITBY, Mrs. S. 8S. DEASE, Mrs. J. H. GIu. “ The best year we have ever known,” is the word that comes from every town, village and circuit in this district. The Holy Spirit has been poured out upon the people and many have been saved. Naini Tal English School. Miss Easton has charge. The school numbers eighty pupils, among whom there has been a steady improve- ment during theyear. Miss Easton writes: ‘ Beautiful for situation is WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 2! Wellesley, imposing in appearance, nestled safely under huge rocks, overlooking the lake. Here the thermometer never reaches 70° within doors and as a rule the sunshine is not interrupted from September until June—and yet it is the land of the heathen and it is true, the trail of the serpent is over it all... Wehave children of seven, and girls of eighteen, the one needing looking after almost as much as the other. Girls can do little for themselves. Hands, brains, judgment and con- sciences are equally untrained. Each child you take hold of has to unlearn more evil, to break up more bad habits, than any child at home out of the slums of cities. Queer Christians are these nominal Christians, these Anglo-Indians. If India is Christianized more work must be done for the English speaking people. The year just closed has been one of victory, but such an one as costs too much, Naini Tal Circuit has at last its boarding school for girls in the village of Debidhura, It numbers fifteen who have made marked progress and show superior mental faculties. The /%thoragarh work is making satisfactory growth. A medical class has been established of which Ellen Hays has charge. A band of King’s Daughters numbers thirty- two women and girls and is developing latent powers of usefulness and kindling enthusiasm in the service of the Master. The improvement in many respects among the women in the Home is marked. The,day schools number five, with an attendance of one hundred and twenty- eight of whom one hundred and four are girls. The Sunday School numbers one hundred and ninety-six. ~’ During the year there were 1,800 deaths from cholera in the district. 