The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-03-23
Letter for the Pearl St. Sabbath school.
SHAHJAHASPosE, DEC. 17th,

Letter for the Pearl st. Sabbath school.
SHAHJAHASPoEE, DEC. 18th, 1868.
MY DEAR CHrLDRES.-Iti il year since
TIVE lefyou-and we have been quietly settled III our
new home for some months. The long journey over
ohe waters which your Superintendent used to trace
tut for you, on the Map, is passed, and seems now
but . dream. And as 1 sit here in our cory house,
this Sabbath Morning and look out upon the beaut-
full Garden and hear the bells ringing for Church, and
the carriages their way there is hard 20 realize,
that am in a HeatheD Land.
But if should go down through the City to-day
where should the Bazaar, filled with Merchants
and Merchandise see cAeis, and donkeys, passing to
and fro and hear the noise and tumult all on this
Gods Holy Day, then should feel that this is indeed
aHeathen Land.
But, although, this people do not have any one Rest
Dsy-any day to keep Holy to God-stili they have a
great many religious feast and festival days-n honor
Of their Gods. In nearly every grove, they have
temple, and every grave is a praying place. Often
when ride walk out, pass heather temples, in
which flowers presented offerings to their
idol gods. But must tell you Of our Home, here in
ShahAhanpore, we have orphanage, in which
from 70 so boys, of all ages, Sizes and colors. We
have black the negro, and some as white as
the American boys, they real live boys too, full of
learning very fast-you Richmond boys must be
full or of our native boys will beat you. They
study Geography, Grammar, Arithmetic and History,
in their language, which is called Urdu. Beside
they study the Hindu, Persian Sanscrp and English.
All Of orphan boys Christians, either real
nominal-they read the Bible daily, and every from
the least little boy, the young men, repeat the
Lords prayer in Urdu Now wonder if all the boys
and girls in Pearl st. Sabbath School, say the
hear the children after the preacher has finished his
Oprayer Sabbath Morning, commence;
''Ai hamare bap, 10 asman par hal"
"Oh Father who Heaven in art"
Our boys sing, too They have of the familiar
Methodist hymns translated into Urdu, such 81
want to be angel" "Joyfully," Happy Day."
''Watchman" 'Mary to the Savors tomb" and many
others. So dear children remember while you
singing, in your American Sabbath School.
want to be angel
And with the angels stand,
crown upon my forehead,
harp within my hand.
Our boys singing;
Main chata hun asman par
Firista hone ko
HI, tai hameshn par
Sar barbat hath men no.
But must tell you Of the different ways of doing
things here from what you have. Tho other morning
rs was going to Mrs. Brown and Messmore.
l passed the school house. In sat the DIR.
with class of ls or 20 boys reading English-some
sitting on benches standing and some sitting on
the floor. Under tree at the right, was Br. Mess
more, with class farther out another class under
tree How would you like keeping school under the
trees think you would enjoy it much, in such fine
weather as we have now. I wish you could see our
boys when they eating their dinncr-all seatedon
the floor, with brass plate, filed with rice, and
will nj ake
in their fingers, dip it in the curry Da, and put it
their mouths. No need Of spoones knives, forks,
fingers made first, you know. This is the way al
of the people in this country eat All Of the children
in schools taught to be very polite, when they
any Of Missionaries, they the hand TO the
forehead, bow and say Saam, which means, "peace be
with you" This is the customary greeting of all the
people of this country At Barclly have orphan
age ofgrIs-whch of course, are just smart if not
little smarter than the boys. At annual meeting
they snng-"I want to be Angel" "I'm glad I'm in
this army" in English, which made the tears ro
down my face, for the last time l had heard those
hymns, in Richmond sang by your sweet
voices. Now dear children about the weather, you
know it is proper to talk about the weather 1t is
December Christmas, but we have snow nor
cold freezing Winds frost to bite toes. But all
day long. clear bright sunshine. Morning and Even ing
is cold enough to have fire in fireplace and we
wear clothing from November to April. This isl
really perfectly delightful weather, of
bound to forget how hot it last Summer, when
dare not 20 ont of doors from carly morning until Sun
set, going 70 enjoy this cold just well
IS possibly We have flowers and fruits and
Vegetables here the whole year.
Mrs. Messmore, Brown and myself ar, very busy
just preparing Christmas Tree, for the surprise
and pleasure Of the boys-you have Christmas
here. as web at home. But shall not have any
apples to cat but plenty Of oranges will oranges
for you, and you cat apples for Goodbye,
Yours in love, MRS. II. A, JOHNSON