EARLY in March the school for Hindustani girls was to open its work for the coming year at Dehra Dun, and for that reason it was planned to hold a meeting for the Hindustani native workers in connection with the opening of the school. The writer was invited to meet with these brethren and sisters, and hold the quarterly service.
Leaving Lucknow on the evening of March 3, and arriving in Dehra Dun the next morning at daybreak,—it is three hundred sixty miles from Lucknow,—we began the meetings at 10 A. M., Brother L. J. Burgess giving a Bible study in Hindustani. In the evening a similar service was held. At ten o’clock Sabbath morning we held the ordinances and communion service, after a study of the Scriptures concerning these things, Brother Burgess interpreting for the writer. We had a most enjoyable time together, all the brethren and sisters entering whole-heartedly into the spirit of the service. Sabbath-school was held in the afternoon at five o’clock.
Sunday we spent in counsel with the brethren and sisters in regard to their summer’s work, and in planning for the girls’ school, and for the dispensary recently opened at Najibabad by Sisters Kurtz and Shryock. It was decided to move the girls’ school from Dehra Dun, where already there are abundant facilities of this kind provided by other missions, to Najibabad, where practically nothing of this kind has been attempted.
GROUP OF HINDUS, MAHRATTA CASTE, INDIA
The workers departed to their homes early on Monday, and Brother and Sister Burgess and the writer came down to Najibabad, ninety miles toward Lucknow, to plan with Sisters Kurtz and Shryock concerning their work in the dispensary, and to find a suitable location for the girls’ school. The dispensary is very well situated in the heart of the native Hindu quarter of the town. The building, in which these sisters also live, is in fair condition, and would be very suitable for the purpose were it located in more healthful surroundings. It is, however, the best that can be found, and much better than the usual native house in the villages. The sisters had not been an hour in the place when they were called out to attend the wife of one of the native merchants, and they have since treated two of this family with success. There is no doubt of the dispensary having all it can do, even though it confines its efforts to the native women, as is planned.
In looking over the ground we found that the building which had previously been promised for the girls’ school could not be obtained, and we had, consequently, to seek another location. This was found in a much better quarter, where more sunlight and air would be possible. In April, as soon as the renovation of the buildings selected is completed, the school will be transferred to Najibabad, where already a lively interest is taken in it by the native people.
Of our workers in the field among the Hindustani people, Brother and Sister Burgess will locate in the Garhwal district in the hills, during this hot season, where they are building a boys’ school.
The two nurses before mentioned, together with Sisters O’Conner and Sing, who have the girls’ school in charge, will locate in Najibabad. The writer and family will locate at Mussoorie, and continue the study of the language.
For ourselves we can but say that we are thankful that the guiding hand of God brought us to India this year. We are making good progress in the language, and are getting acquainted with the customs and manners of the people; healthwise, we have never felt better anywhere. But as we look upon this great Hindustani field, with its eighty million people who know nothing of Christ, we long for the day when we shall have large additions to our present force of laborers. Those previously mentioned are our all to-day. Dear brethren in America, pray for the work in this Eastern land, and answer your prayers with your sons, your daughters, and your substance. Like the love of God should the love in your hearts reach out toward India, not because of its love for you or its personal call to you, but because of its dire and pressing need. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us.” We stand in the same relationship to this great needy people. May God help us that our love, like an enduring flame, may light this sin-darkened land. “Brethren, pray for us,” and pray for the work in India.
