Zenana Schools by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 24.

Zenana Schools

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

INDIA. NO. 9.

BY ELDER S. N. HASKELL.

Zenana Schools.

INDIA, possessing every class of society, and missionaries of every caste of mind, ever studying to develop new phases or methods by which they can reach the people, has open doors through which the gospel can enter without any serious obstruction. One of the very successful methods is by schools for females under the age of twelve; for at that age it is expected that all female children will have husbands furnished them. This is done without any expressed thought or desire on the part of the individual. Schools, therefore, have been established, conducted at the expense of missions, where these children are gathered by native women each morning and instructed to read and write and to memorize portions of Scripture. These portions of Scripture are classified according to the subject, without note or comment. These subjects embrace the Bible teaching upon the subject of idolatry, upon sin, the law of God, and the life and character of Jesus Christ; and also the promises are arranged, adapted to their youthful minds.

These missions vary in size according to the financial strength of the supporters, and the devotion of the workers. Native teachers are employed as instructors in these various schools, while European ladies, and in some instances the Eurasian ladies, have the supervision of these teachers. They visit the schools, instruct the teachers, and thus become general laborers or instructors, watching the interest of the instructed to see that everything is conducted in a manner that God's blessing can attend their efforts.

The number of schools under each mission varies from few to many. Calcutta abounds in schools of this kind, and also has orphanages for the unfortunate children, especially for the girls, as they are looked upon as more unwelcome visitors in India. In one of these mission schools where there are about fifty native teachers, there are some thirteen Eurasian ladies that have charge of these fifty native teachers. Where they are not Eurasian instructors that have in charge this work, they are European ladies sent from home, which is more common. The native teachers live, eat, and drink by themselves, preserving their own custom of sitting upon the floor and of cooking their food, but continually instructed by those who have them in charge; while these ladies who have them in charge live in a family by themselves, following their own customs as to their living, dressing, etc. The success of these schools depends upon the character of these lady instructors, the mould which they give the native teachers, and there is no class of people more susceptible of being moulded than a devoted Christian Hindu woman. They have not inherited an independence of character like Americans or Europeans. They are therefore more subject to influences, and are more easily moulded. If a self-sacrificing spirit actuates these instructors, it reflects in these children who are taught in the schools, and principles are inculcated that they carry with them through life.

There are scores of young ladies that could find a position among these instructors, who, did they carry with them a live spirit of devotion to their Lord and Master, fresh from this country, would reach in a most direct manner the thousands of the youth of India. The instruction in these day schools is about the same as in the Sabbath schools in this country. Is there not then here an open door for scores of young ladies to go to learn the language and then engage in the work of God as his providence opens the way? Is there not here a field where even an experience can be gained as to the method and manner of labor? Would it not be an excellent training school for young lady missionaries who have a burden for work in India? But how shall we go? perhaps some will say. While we were in Calcutta, we met with a lady from Indiana, a bright, intelligent woman. She was making it her home at an orphanage, and was also connected with some of these mission schools. Upon being asked what mission she was connected with, she replied: "I am laboring for no particular mission. I gave myself to the work of India; I came here at my own expense; I am paying my own board at this mission; I am studying the language, and I am seeking daily to make myself as useful as possible in any branch or phase or manner of the work that presents itself to me."

Are there not scores that could go in that same way? Is this not God's work? How many thousands of young ladies who are at home have made a good profession, and possess in their hearts a love for souls, that are literally dying spiritually for the want of spiritual exercise in the salvation of others! It may be said, There are plenty of fields at home where such may become useful, and they have been useful. Doubtless this may be true; but to enter such open doors as we have here described would enlarge their experience, and would aid where at the present time help is greatly needed.

Can we look upon a field like India, with open doors in every part of the land, to every class of society, to every caste of people, to those who are crying to God daily to be relieved from the oppression that is brought upon them, as widows, because the death of their husband is chargeable to their sins which they committed before they were born, and consequently are doomed to a life of servitude and sorrow, and not be stirred with sympathy for a land like this? Are there not those who read these lines whose hearts will be stirred when they see such doors open, and feel to say from the depths of the soul, "Here am I, Lord, send me"? Should you possess a few hundred dollars, could you invest it in a more laudable enterprise than this, in bearing your own expense to this field and supporting yourself while there, until God's providence especially leads you to your definite field of labor? Are there not men and women who cannot go to these various fields themselves, that will support a consecrated young lady to go in the manner above described? We believe that there are hearts that will respond to these open doors, and if they do not possess the means themselves, will pray that God may move upon the hearts of some who do have means, that their expense may be borne to this or other fields, they themselves trusting God's providence to care for them and direct them in their specific field of labor.