MISS MARION TAYLOR, first vice-president of the California Conference Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, has received a letter from Lillian E. Marks, a medical missionary at Ajmere, Rajputana, India, appealing for aid for the starving native Christians in that district. After reciting the terrible effects of famine and plague there during the last four years, the letter says:—
'Once more famine is upon us. This year the affected area contains 50,000,000 inhabitants. Rajputana, which comprises sixteen States, ruled by rajahs, or native princes, and contains a population of 12,000,000, is the center of the distress. The Methodist Episcopal mission has 3,400 Christians scattered through this territory. The heathen will not help them. They are dying of starvation. They look to the missionaries, and we are helpless unless Christian friends come to our aid with substantial assistance. Hundreds of children are left fatherless and motherless. Many have been forsaken by relatives. The other day a man killed his little boy, roasted, and ate him. When caught, he said, 'My stomach did it.' We plan to give employment to as many as possible.'
We have an important medical mission established at Calcutta, India, from which point our workers go inland, reaching as much territory as possible. They are sorely in need of funds to use in this trying emergency. Any one desiring to donate for this important work should send their means to the treasurer of our Foreign Mission Board, W. H. Edwards, rooms 1905–1907, 150 Nassau Street, New York, N. Y.