Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-03-26
sTAUNTON. VA, TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1877:
LETTER FROM THE OLD WORLD.
BY MISS JENNIE A. NELSON.
ALLAHARAD. Nov. 9


My first view of India, Sabbath morning, was
beautiful, and I found myself repeating the
hymn, Behold the Morning Sum-" and felt
thankful to be the bearer of that Gospel, 1.-THE
diviner light, which called dead sinners from
their tombs, and gives the blind their sight. -
Oh that | knew how to convey to you, and
through you to the Church and Sunday School,
conception of what the word ''Heathen
means. and of the true state of things in India
These people are ten-fold more degraded than
had supposed. It is hard sometimes to as
sociate the idea of humanity with them They
wear little or no clothing sit about every where,
They sit to do almost all kinds of work. Their
houses are built of mud, and look more like
long rows of boxes than anything else | can
compare them to.
L have seen so many new things, it is hard to
select from them what to write in the space of
one sheet, but will give account of my visit
to the Fort this morning,
| We get up early here, and can do a great
deal before breakfast as that repast is at 10 A.
NJ. The Fort was used to protect the people
during the mutiny. and now has garrison of
soldiers. Within it is a tall monument of beau
| tiful proportions, the history of which is very
obscure. 1t is known that 200 years ago it was
torn down, and rebuilt out of the same material
| The inscriptions are in such old Sanscrit that
no one can interpret them.
| We were shown into subterranean way to
Benares, which is one of the most holy cities,
fifty miles from here This road is paved and
walled with stone. On each side, in recesses
of the wall, are most hideous idols. Two natives
stand at the entrance, with lamps to guide
| visitors, and all who come to worship. A basket
of beautiful white flowers stands tthe entrance,
as offerings to the gods. We saw many with
cred flowers around the idols. About 100 feet
from the entrance is tree, which buds and
produces leaves. 1t is said Bishhop Heber
visited here more than 100 years ago. and de-
| scrlbed this tree just as it is now. Weesaw a
few leaves perfectly white, as they have no
| light. The tree is about feet high, has no
| branches, but two prougs, that separate near
| the ground. The buds and leaves are very
| sacred.
| Last night as we went to church, we saw the
heart would sink did not remember the pro-
mise, Il will give him the heather for his in
heritance" and 1.-The earth shall be filed with
the knowledge of the Lord
| L have not had time to make many Observa-
tions, but see this that musical instruments
and ladies to play them are much needed in all
| these Missions. | have thought of the dear
girls at home, who sing and play SO we'll. Oh,
that they would consecrate the gift to the SER
vice of God How much good they might do
here! Mr.. Wyncoop's Grand Piano is a
small Harmonium, which he carries In his
trunk. He plays and sings we'll, and can inter
est the natives everywhere. Oh, that we had
more singers and players of instruments. This
want is felt in every station.
TUESDAY, Nov. 2l.-I have just returned
from delightful walk. The morning air is
cool and bracing, although the weather is about
like our June. We have just visited ''Ra-
jah's'' palace, and walked through his garden,
filled with blooming flowers and orange trees,
filled with most delicious fruit. The servant
gathered me choice bouquet of roses. We
went to the house and had fine view of the
Jumna river. Saw the natives making offer
| ings to their gods, and bathing in the sacred
stream. The Ganges and Jumna unite here,
and that is thought to be the most sacred spot
| We passed house where Priest was making
| signs and motions before most hideous idol.
| Some little boys were beating drums, tin pans,
| &C., and making great noise. When we drew
near we found a sick child in the arms Of one of
these children and all this was for its benefit !
Mr. Heron asked the man why they made so
much noise. He replied, Ito awaken the God ~
| could 6 my letter with such scenes, but want
to tell you little about the Synod and Mis-
sion School in this Compound.
| We are highly fortunate to get here just at
this time. for we have met most of the breth-
rem, and many of the sisters. DR.. Newton and
family are here. They are an exceedingly in
teresting family. Old Mrs. Newton is most
elegant and accomplished lady. She calls her
self the Grandmother of all the Missionaries
suppose report of the meeting of this Synod
will be published There is school of 800
boys in this Compound We visited it one
day. and heard several classes read in the Tes-
lament. One class of five read the End chapter
| Eph nd
swered questions as readily as any boy in your
Sunday School would do. 1t is sad to see they
have learned the truth, but will not accept it.
What is needed is the power of the Holy Spirit.
| Oh, pray that 1t may come upon this dark land.
Oh, we all need baptism of spirit, to quicken
us and to help US.
You at home can have no idea of the gross
darkness that covers this people. who is
sufficient for these thingsY' Oh, for an over
coming faith How much we need the pray
ers of Gods s people
Mr. Woodside, as MIR. Heron needs rest. j
like both these gentlemen very much, but feel
sorry Mr.. Heron will not be in the school. He
is very kind and fathery.
| We leave here for Dehra tomorrow night
Will stop at Agra and other places of interest,
| and reach Dehra the first of next week. My
next letter will be from there. Oh, how [ long
to hear from home Not one word since early
in September, and it is now the last of Novem-
ber ] hope to find letters IN Dehra.
| Last Sabbath / went to the Mission chapel.
The service was in Hindustanee As / under
stood nothing could only think of home My
stops and valves came very near coming
| open, but found had no ''handkerchtef' in
| my pocket. SO had to hold them down.
send you leaf from the "Pon Settra,' a
shrub which is very beautiful This came from
the ''Rajah's Garden. j.. A. N.