Polynesian., 1852-04-17

warm in one spot, to move to another; good eo,r
mattrass. 1t stood on stone pedestals, filed with
water, to keep off the ants it had gauze curtain
all around, to keep off the mosquitoes; muslin
top to keep the lizards from falling on them, while
they slept; mosquito brush, with which to kill
all the intruders that might be inside. Now, to
escape from the tormenters outside, and get with
In the curtains having slain all within, and to lie
down quietly and peacefully, and to fall asleep un
der the soothing serenading of some ten thousand
mosquitoes, conscious that they will not come be-
yond their prescribed limits is luxury which none
but an Asiatic Missionary can enjoy.
But Madame P. says "their wives presid. at the
tea-table." And where should they preside, if not
there! The usual plan is, to give the whole
charge of domestic affairs into the hands of the
lady of the family. She manages and controls all,
as is best. The husband sits at one end of the
table and the wife at the other. / really don't
know where Madame P. would put her. True,
the Hlndoo woman eats by herself, after her hus-
band is done his meal: would Madame P. prefer
that course? The missionaries have not yet adopt
ed it.
AS to "their children feasting on sweetmeats,"
can only say that if it be done in any case, the
poor children wil in all probability have to work
of the effects of the indulgence by dose of medi-
cine. But, "their position Is one incomparably
peasanter and freer from care than that of most of
the people," says Madame P. Missionaries gener-
ally spend part of every day in street-preaching
This is done in the evening. The day is devoted
to study; preparing books and general business.
1t is truly pleasant work when the heart is in it.
and the health remains and do think that it is as
pleasant work as a man need engage in. AS to
care, l am glad to find the testimony of Madame
P. is so strong in their favor. The Saviour told
His Disciples to Be careful Tor anxious) for
nothing" Phil. S: 6. True, they work pretty
steadily-and hitherto the Average missionary lie
in India has been about eight years, hardly that.
They generally are able to preach in the native
language in year or more after their arrival they
visit schools; make books, and circulate them !;
preach regularly on the Sabbath, and daily in the
streets and in the dry seasons travel hundreds of
miles, generally by night, and preach in every vii
lage where they go-giving away portions of the
word of God and tracts to those only who can read
and who desire them. As they expect no support
from the heather, they rely on the good faith of
their brethren at home = support them. They try
to be free from care on that point; and find that
they have not trusted the Church at home in vain.
Madame P. don't approve of an English Mission
ary taking wife with him. as he can get black wo-
man much cheaper, for a wife. True, she will not
be able to read or write, and she may not be con-
verted. She will not know anything of Christian
ity. But then he will have fine chance to teach
her. She is right as to the frstcost Of this plan.
And it is probable that the hlndoo wife might out
live the English lady. And if the missionary
should choose nice, black, little wife, and be
bles ed with family of white and black children,
| presume it would be because he could find
none other equally as suitable and as agree
able, and in all respects equally adapted to the
work. But the tastes of people differ
on this point-and it Is best to let peo-
pie take their own plans about getting married. II
know personally two missionaries, one Scotch
man, the other an American, who, to do good
among the natives in the West Indies, married
wives who were one-half African-and the result
was that they lost the standing they had formerly
held among the European portion of the cominu-
nifty, and did not gain by it the confidence of the
black or coored population. The English Govern
nent, in India, frown down all such mixed mar
riages. An English officer or civilian will some
times take half-cast wife, but he always does il
with the knowledge Of the fact that If he Dies his
widow is looked upon in the eye of the law, as a
concubne, and is not entitled to the pension that
IS always allowed to the European widow. But
still we say, Every one to his liking;" but for
nyself prefer a white wife to black one. do
not know what Madame P.'s taste has been in this
natter.
When the missionary travels on his preaching
ours in India, Madame z. thinks he "does
not travel in a humble and simple manner-but
surrounded by luxurious accommodatlons-with !
oalankeens carried by men plck-horses or camels,
with tents beds, cooking utensils dinner services,
&c. And who pays for all this? Often poor,
souls in England or America, who
deprive themselves almost of the necessaries of
life, that the good seed may be sown In theSedist-
INT regions of the EARTH"
| fear the missionary must plead guilty to these
grave charges. An honest confession Is good for
he soul. But shall We condemn him? Let US
hear him first. What say you, Mr.. missionary, TO
his charge? Why, sir; | answer that when |
vent on my missionary tours of from one to FIVE |
hundred miles in India, found the Hindoos had
10 roads in many places where cart could go and
n many places, no horse could travel. On one of
hese tours ! bought poney for SIS, and after
ravelling five hundred miles, sold him for Sl3. l
could not find Stage or rail roadcar nor aragon.
hat would carry me from village to village-and
besides, there was no road for me to travel ON ex-
.ept an OF path. In going over the rocks, the |
,oney would sometimes fall, but as my feet were
,nly twenty inches from the ground, ] seldom
rot hurt. As there were no transportation
ines except on the backs of bullocks, jack
asses, and coolies, (porters, | was compel-f
ed to hire bulocks and drivers at fixed price,
who accompanied me, on my tour. On several of
hese oxen / put books and tracts. When came /
o village, found no hotel there. All / found
vas an empty shell of house, in many cases like |
horse-shrd in this country, open at one side. In
,iher cases, there was an empty room, without
.hair, or table or bedstead. found it then most
wise thing that, according to the custom of the
country, / had brought with me a nsdtrass to lie
lown upon, chair and TABLE. As found no
lotel, neither did find any to furnish me with
provisions. Itwas happy circumstance that | had
he forethought to bring with me my own cooking
itensils, for not Hindoo would lend me his. No,
lot even cup to drink out Of But that was not [
IL. had man to cook for me, for the Hindoo
would not do that Provisions could be got in
ome places, but not always. Hence generally car
led some with me- so as not to be left entirely to
i've on rice and curry. As there was no hotel, SO |
ound no man totake charge Of my horse. there
ore brought my horse-keeper with me. And if had