Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-06-17
The women's Mission to Foreign Lands.

The anniversary exercises of the Womcn's
Union Mission Society for Heathen Lands, were
held in Central Presbyterian Church, Friday even
ing. Rev. Charles d. Shaw presided and read the
annual report, together with somevery interesting
correspondence. A young lady of this city has
been deeply interested in the cause for some two
years past and some time since formed her Sur
day School class into Mission Band, auxiliary to
this Society. She had written to Miss Caddy,
who is engaged in the work at Calcutta, and the
latter lady's rhply giving some statements OF the
methods of procedure and some account OF the
native women and their customs made nm agree
able feature of the occasion.
Rev. Z. Webb, now of Glasgow and formerly
OF Southern India, delivered an admirable address
illustrated by pictures, jewels, books and other
curiosities., He said there were 90,OOo,000 of
women In India, In many respects oppressed and
deprived of their proper position and Influence in
society, yet exerting vast influence after ALL 1t
seemed to him that these women were like the
priceless diamonds dug from the mines OF Col
conda in India. When polished as they can be
and ought to be they Will be Respondent gems
adorning the Redeemer's crown When the
natives would describe man who has become
h0pelessly degraded they call him "a inan that
won't take the advice OF a woman" That marks
the lowest depth into which human nature can
sink, according to the people of India.
Twenty-Five years ago there were 10 all that
country no schools but those connected with the
missions. Now they exist in all the large cities
conducted by heathen teachers and under no i'm
mediate European or American influence. For
inerly none but dancing girls whose character
was Infamous were allowed to learn to read and
write. II is different now, and yet great multi
tudes OF the women have no education nor any
opportunities, of knowing the gospel. The
wealthy families keep their females entirely
secluded. The apartments in which
they are shut up are called "Zenanas,"
Persian word meaning precisely the same as
the Turkish harem. No strange man is ever ad-
nilted to those enclosures. Women are allowed
to enter, and in this field the labors of this Socie-
ty are put forth. 1t affords especial apportuni-
ties for unmarried ladies, who having no domes-
tic duties to hinder them can go among the ma
tive ladies' and gain their attention and confidence
by first teaching them embroidery or English,
aud then reading the bible to them and instruct
ing them III religious truth. The speaker here
exhibited beautifully printed and bound Tamil
Bible, all the work of which, even the type cast
ing, had been done by natives under missionary
supervision.
70 Illustrate the interest felt in the missionary
cause by those who had come under its power,
Mr. Webb narrated an incident, which occurred
at one of his meeiegs during our civil war. The
American Board was sadly pressed for money and
IL was feared that heavy debt must be incurred.
collection was taken among the natives Il
man pulled of his silver giIdlc aud put II Into
the basket. He had purchased it at the time he
was married and had ever since worn il as his
only and highly valued personal adornment. The
belt was exhibited by the speaker A little girl
took of tiny gold earring set with quartz
crystal, and gave it. Then she pulled off one of
her silver toe-rings and added that. All the little
girls followed her example and soun Il large
handkerchief full of these ornanented was OBJ
tanned. The collection amounted to $500. The
earring and toe-ring were shown to the audience,
they having been purchased by Mr.. Webb rs
mcnentoes.
Many other instructive statements were made,
Tut our space will not allow more extended
report. Some specimens of Tamil poetry with
their translations were given. One of these we
subjoln. Its subject is:
THE sUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.
Whittier goest hou with this burden,
Whittier goest thou bearing the crossg
Whittier goest thon with the burden
Across this wilderness, with that
Weary suffering body of thine
oh Jesus, my Lord my Lord.
Did sinners lay this heavy load
On thee, or diis't thou
With heart that beat with love
Take 1t OF thine own accord !.
How it presses on the shoulder
There is not strength t0'bear
Thy knees tremble,
Thou faibtest, thou wilt sink.
Both the arms hanging poweress,
Both the eyes are growing dim,
The tongue is parched and dry,
The divine form is marred.
Is 1t to destroy the mighty demons
To conquer death
is 1t 10 blot out countless sins
To take ihem all away?
is 1t to hang upon tho tree,
Between the malefactors,
is 1t to the mount of Gogotha
Where traitors die thou goes?
Whittier goest thou with this burden,
Whiiher goest thou bearing the cross