Bencoolen, East Indies
By G. F. Jones
BENCOOLEN, situated on the west coast of Sumatra, is as pretty a place as one could desire to live in. The trees are tall and beautiful, shading the roads. Beautiful plumaged birds flit about in the trees, pretty squirrels and monkeys also jump about among the branches, and the clear blue sky above adds to the peaceful beauty of the place. All this made me long for the true peace and rest of our paradise home, where not only nature is decked in her very best, but the inhabitants also are all righteous. While I observed the loveliness of Bencoolen's suburbs during my short stay of two hours, I had much to do in a short time, as I had landed for the purpose of getting one of Brother Munson's Chinese orphans, whom I was to take with his brothers and sisters. These I had brought with me from Padang. My two hours' visit was by no means a pleasant one, because of the unexpected difficulties encountered in carrying out my mission, and yet the glimpse I had of Bencoolen's natural beauty can not be forgotten. Bencoolen has people who would welcome some one to open a school, and be at the same time a missionary. Ten days before on my way to Padang I had called there with only one hour on shore, but had many invitations to come and open an English school. The richest Chinaman in the place offered to help me. A number of people gathered around me in the street, asking many questions, religious and otherwise; Bencoolen's population is not large. Now is the opportune time for the everlasting gospel to enter not only Bencoolen, but all Malaysia.