instead of the book"; but before I had time to answer the dear girl herself said, "No, she wanted the Testament, and not anything else instead." The mother rather reluctantly said I might bring it; and now when Mrs. Battye goes, the happy girl reads a chapter from it herself. Histories in last Annual Letter The girl living in Rohri, of whom I wrote last year, we have not seen. One day when Miss Compton was up at Sukkur, she and I went over to try to find her, but she was at the husband's house, so we only saw some of her relatives; they, however, listened nicely as Miss Compton spoke of Jesus giving sight to blind Bartimæus. Will all continue to pray for Puni, that the Spirit may be her Teacher? The Mohammedan priestess of Old Sukkur (see INDIA'S WOMEN, August, 1893, p. 366), who was so grateful for the attention paid to her bodily needs, grew quite indifferent when we only I went with the Word of Life! She quite disappointed us; the Word is a "stumbling block and rock of offence " to her and the other women in that house. But twice before I came here, we had a good talk, for though the women argued against the truths we put before them, this was more satisfactory than their being altogether indifferent, or inclined only to mock as they had been before. Mohammedan Tenets and Maxims. In a Mohammedan house opened to us lately through ministering to the bodily ailments of one close by, we had two very nice talks. One old body was really pleased, and said at the end it was good to have had a talk about God; and although she would not own herself convinced on many points which came up during the conversation, we saw she felt the truth of what we said. One very strange notion she propounded, viz., that "Christ was conceived of the tears of Mohammed"; but she was quickly shown the inconsistency of such a notion by being reminded that Mohammed was after Christ. This will just show what strange ideas confront one at times, and what absurd superstitions are believed. Oh! do pray that the glorious light of the Gospel of God may quickly shine in and dispel all these vain notions. It is so sad to feel they are looking for salvation from those who cannot save them. Another very interesting Mohammedan house is in Shikarpur; the welcome is always most hearty there, and nearly always we are asked to read. The last time we were there, I read the passage from Luke vi. about "loving our enemies"; the women quite agreed that the precepts were good, and added, "But they are in our book, too!" Mrs. Battye then begged the "Bibi" to show us the passage containing that precept, "Love ye your enemies." The Bibi sent a child for her Koran (an Arabic copy, but with a Sindhi translation over it). While she was turning over the pages my eye caught the word "zulm" (oppression) in Sindhi, so I read on, and then begged her to look and read the Arabic for herself. The passage was to this effect: "Those who oppress us we should in like manner oppress! " This gave us a grand handle; the Bibi tried to turn the subject, feeling evidently confused that we had found such an expression in her Koran, and saying that somewhere else came the other precept. We told her that two precepts so directly at variance one with the other could not possibly exist as the laws of one and the same man. It was a very nice talk we had; but one sees more and more that it is the Spirit alone Who can convince of sin and show the True Way of Forgiveness and Life. There is one dear Hindu widow at Shikarpur who seems to have really grasped the truth of Christ as her Saviour; she remembers the texts Miss Brook and others have taught her, and answers sweetly when one asks what Christ has done for her. She says she prays to God through Christ, and knows no other gods can help her. These are some instances of the encouragements our Father gives us in earnest prayers; and that we, too, And now I must close with a note of thanks to all those who helped us with gifts for the children and in sending work for sale, as well as to the kind friends who have sent us donations. We have lost our friends, the Judge and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob, who were most liberal subscribers, and we greatly feel their loss-but we know God is able to raise up others in their place. Mrs. Jacob's little son again commemorated his birthday by giving a Christmas-tree to the school-children, though he himself was not able to be present. May 15th, 1894. A HOME WORKer at Rest.—On Saturday, July 7th, we lost a valuable helper, Miss Anna L. Janvrin. Her special work for the C.E.Z.M.S. had been to act as secretary for missionary letter-copying, but her influence and ready help were always freely given to the Society whenever there was a call for them. A life rich in good works on earth has closed, for like the best workers for the foreign field, she was ever ready to do also the duties nearest at hand. A large Bible-class, active and generous support of the Missions to Seamen, visiting in a workhouse, were amongst her labours of love. Every remembrance of her will be associated with the bright smile that told of delight in doing the Will of God. Foreign Motes. BENGAL MISSION. BARANAGORE.-" Across the River." Miss Edith Highton writes to the supporters of a Bible-woman :— I want so much to tell you of a dear old woman who has passed away, we believe, into the Saviour's presence. I have never seen such a shrivelledup, old-looking body. I am sure she must have been over 100. Two of her great-grand-children come to our school, and the Bible-woman, Prosomio, visited the house, and the old woman used to listen very nicely. In October she became very ill, and was indeed given up for dead; at that time she sent for Prosomio, who (as it was holidays) had gone to stay for a few days with a married daughter. The old lady was very distressed, for she said, "She told me of One Who would safely take me over the river of death, a Saviour." To every one's surprise, the old woman revived. Surely it was in our Saviour's longing love for her, that He spared her to hear more. As soon as Prosomio came back she went to see her, and the old woman said, “Oh ! I want you to come every day to tell me of the Saviour. I shall soon be going over the river, and I want Him to be my guide." Just as she could bear it the Biblewoman used to go very often to teach her. I do so wish you could have gone with me last week; I must try and describe my visits. We went in and sat down, and after the usual civilities we asked for our old friend. "Oh," they said, "she gets feebler every day; her time is passed, she should not linger." The heartless way they spoke made me feel indignant; they seemed so injured that she did not quickly die. "Where is she?" I asked. "Oh! she is in that out-house" (pointing to a miserable place in a corner of the yard, an old cow-house); "she can't even move or do anything for herself, so she said, 'Put me in there so that nobody will be troubled.' She was here yesterday, and we had to clear up." 66 "Oh! go and say we are here," we said, and ask if she would not like to come and sit in the sun," for they told me she complained so much of being cold, and they were afraid to put a fire near her lest she should tumble into it and be burned to death. The old lady said she would like to come into the sun; but my heart ached to see the way the granddaughter-in-law just dragged her on to the verandah; no pillow, no cushion, mattress, or even sheet was spread for that weary body to rest on; she was bumped down on to the hard asphalte floor near us. The dear old lady was mere skin and bone, and her poor body was too sore to let her lie down, she just crouched, her head touching her knees. She had on a very dirty, damp rag; we begged them to give her a clean, dry sari. "Oh !" they said, "it will only get dirty again." She seemed perfectly content, only just longing to be free from the aching body and at rest. I read to her part of John xiv., and made it as simple as I could, then we sang to her. Her eyesight was failing, so she said to me, "Come very near, that I may see you." She could not raise her head, so I had to get quite low for her to look into my face; she folded her hands and prayed earnestly, "Lord Jesus, save me, wash me in Thy blood, take my sins away, take me over the river." Oh! how sure we may be that He heard that prayer. Now and then she wandered, but we heard her say, "Jesus, Jesus." We prayed with her before we left. A day or two afterwards, when the Bible-woman called, she seemed to be fast sinking, but she knew her; the only word she said was "Jesus." Last Friday she passed away, and was, of course, buried as a Hindu; but what does that matter, when the ransomed spirit had passed away to everlasting rest? I know you will all rejoice and give thanks with us for this jewel gathered through your efforts, for the Saviour's Crown. BARRACKPORE. Recent Converts and overwhelming numbers of Heathen. Our June Number, p. 280, published part of a letter from Miss Edith Highton, telling of a young girl and her mother who wished to be Christians. In our July Number we were able to tell that both had been baptized. Two daughters of the family were baptized seventeen years ago, and ever since, they have prayed unceasingly for the conversion of their mother and sisters. Miss Pantin writes: You have heard of the baptism of the mother and sister of M- and S-. It was beautiful to have the prayers of so many years answered. Since we left off camp work, I have been trying to do special visiting in the villages, taking our Bible-woman, Joanna, with me. The appalling thing is the number of the people. We have not finished one village yet, going once round. Do ask people to pray much for us that we may do all that we can for this enormous population. Ask them to pray that hearts may be touched here, as well as the doors open to us as they are. THE PUNJAB MISSION. It is three years since our Committee gratefully accepted the gift, through Miss Rich, of 1000l. left at her disposal by a deceased relative. for the erection of a ward (to be called the Barwise Memorial Ward) in a Women's Medical Mission Hospital at Peshawar, or elsewhere in India. Great patience and care have been needed in selecting and obtaining a suitable site for the new Duchess of Connaught Hospital, Peshawar ; but in our last Number (p. 310) we were able to announce that on April 10th, the wife of the Commissioner of Peshawar laid the foundation-stone. This new building included the Barwise Memorial Ward which we owe to the generosity of Miss Rich. We trust the appeal for quilts for this hospital, with definite directions for size and style, printed in our May No., p. 228, will not be forgotten. KASHMIR. SRINAGAR.-Reinforcements Wanted.. Miss Hull writes on April 26th, 1894 :— 66 We reached Srinagar on the 23rd. I say we" as I travelled in from the Punjab with Mrs. Parsons and Dr. Adams. I feel very glad and thankful to be back again, but a great trouble has clouded my return. I found Miss Coverdale seriously ill. It is the same thing again-overstrain. We ought to have strong reinforcements if the work in Kashmir is to be carried on. Pray send us two ladies in the autumn. To occupy Islamabad, we must be sure of having always at least two ladies for Zenana work in Srinagar, and two for Islamabad. The next matter is the house in Sheikh Bag. I earnestly hope there may be no delay in beginning to build there. I am at present occupying the house part of a small house-boat belonging to Dr. Neve, which had been lifted into his garden, and which he has kindly placed temporarily at my disposal. I greatly hope, please God, that we may be able to keep the Kashmir school going with the Native teacher and some superintendence till further help comes. You will, I know, remember us in your prayers. A letter from Miss Hull, dated May 31st, mentions that Miss Coverdale was still ill, but was starting the next day, under the care of Miss Newnham, who has nursed her very efficiently, for Gulmey, the Hill station. A good site had just been secured in Srinagar for building a new house; two schools were working satisfactorily, one Christian Native lady, whose husband is in Government employ, having volunteered to give from three to four hours a day, free of charge, in her own house to teaching the Native Christian children. This is cheering. |