PREACHING TO LEPERS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 9, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 48.

PREACHING TO LEPERS.

The Missionary Work of Rev. John Hewlett in the Lazar Houses of India.

ONE of the strongest illustrations of the fact that, of all the religions of the world, Christianity alone has encouraged works of philanthropy, and demanded of its disciples that they take care of the outcast and the pariah, is found in the missionary work done among the lepers of India. Benares, the "sacred city" of the Hindus, and the location of famous temples and ghauts, native monasteries, and princely mansions of old Indian families, is also the location of the chief gospel mission station in India. Rev. John Hewlett, M. A., long principal of the London Missionary Society's college at Benares, and recently dead, was the first Christian worker to gain admission to these monasteries, and to come into friendly intellectual contact with the most distinguished professors of the Hindu faith. Much of the late Dr. Hewlett's work was done among the educated class, but a very great deal, and not the least effective part of it, was among the humble population of India, who testified their esteem of his noble character and services by following his remains to their last resting place in vast numbers.

One of the brightest features of Rev. Dr. Hewlett's work was his hearty zeal for the lepers of India. In 1863 he moved to the city of Almora, and, while there, was impressed with the sad spiritual condition of the lepers in the asylum. He visited them, and, with his accustomed earnestness, taught these neglected ones that there was hope—even for them. Several conversions followed, and with what joy did he baptize his converts, and soon after he formed the first leper church in India. After two years' further service at Benares Mrs. Hewlett died, and he returned with his family to England in 1869. In June, 1871, Mr. Hewlett removed to Mirzpur, and in 1881, his health being restored, he was appointed to succeed Rev. M. Sherring in the superintendence of the Central School, Benares. Here he continued the excellent work of Mr. Sherring, until the institution developed into a college.

The chief work of Mr. Hewlett was done at the Benares College, where his lovable disposition, his sympathetic and careful oversight of the students, as well as his willingness and ability to teach them many things beyond the ordinary curriculum, gave him great influence. It was essentially a Christian college. At all times and in everything his enthusiasm and moral earnestness in his efforts

for the good of others were apparent. He was a good vernacular preacher, and Hindus preferred to hear him rather than even their most eloquent native preachers. He was well acquainted with modern theology, but held firmly to evangelical teaching. He rendered valuable assistance in the establishing of the University Allahabad, being the only missionary upon its Senate. He was recently engaged upon a new Hindu version of the New Testament, circumstances having left it principally in his hands. His most earnest wish has been graciously allowed by the Master, that he should die in active service.—Selected.