Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-03-05
NUMBER %.

| Some weeks ago we published a letter from
Miss Nelson from Bologna, Italy, en- route
for Northern India. This letter will be of in
terest, as showing the impressions made after
reaching her place of labor:
'DEHRA Doom, N. India, Dec. 27, II.
NY dearest aunt -
Well, here / am In my home
IN India, and must say the lines have fallen to
me IN pleasant places. / am reminded all the
time of dear old Virginia, and the views from
your room widow, where used to watch the
sunsets. Dehra Doom is small valley be-
tween two ranges OF the Himalaya, 80 we
have perfect amphitheatre of mountains Our
school building is just five miles from the nor
thern range, and they are in full view of my
room window. A few mornings since, when |
looked out was surprised to see sROlC on them.
1t never SHOWS down here. The large groves
of mangoes, and all other trees, are green as
IN midsummer at home. We have roses In
great abundance, and oranges, lemons and
ether native fruits are very plentiful. Our
scnool building Is new and not complete 1t
will be handsome house and well suited for
the purpose. 1t is really two large houses,
some 20 feet apart, Connected by chapel,
which serves the double purpose of church
and school room. One part is devoted to the
girls, as they all board in the house. The other
Is tor the family of the superintendent and
teachers. have large room, with dressing
room and bath room attached. 1t is very COM
fortably furnished, and am among very kind,
congenlal people, who gave me a most cordial
welcome to Dehra. Goodness and mercy have
followed me all my long journey. We met with
no acoldents-was not even sea-sick, and had
little headache and have gained much fesh.-
l reached here the 9th of November, exactly
two months from the day | sailed from N. Y,
having spent one week in London and one at
Allahabad, where met all the missionaries
attending Synod. / never saw finer looking
body of men, not even the Synod Of Virginia
at Fincastle. The work here seems slow indeed.
My heart yearns over these crowds of natives,
and yet feel so powerless to help them, as l
know so little of the language as yet. / feel
set back few thousand years, the customs and
dress are SO exactly those described in the BIZ
Bile. Everything | see reminds me of some
passage of the Bible often meet old men
who must look just as Abram, Isaac and Jacob
did. | could fill a whole letter with illustra-
tions of Scripture. One morning met man
carrying lamb in his arms. Every day see
dened asses &c. The birds are so tame, they
fly int0 my room, hop about the floor and on
the windows. | now understand David allu-
sion to the sparrows making their nests on the
altars Our school was established some years
since by Mr.. Heron for the daughters of ma.
tive Christians and is called the christian
girls school" Now that we ha re large house,
the 'Orphanage'' is to be removed in it too.
Here girls are trained for wives for native
Christians, and our girls are in great demand,
two having been married since | came. | feel
that We are sowing seed that will bring forth
fruit; God having promised Christ for his in
heritance and the uttermost parts Of the earth
for his possession, and that his word shall not
return to him void. Christmas day made me feel
little home-sick. There are no bright homes
here.made brighter by the gifts of the Holidays
On Christmas morning asl looked out of my win
dow, saw Is or 20 lepers sitting on the ground,
holding up their hands, with most Of the fin
gers of. asking for money. They have the sad
dest tone | ever heard. When the command,
''Go forth into all the world and preach my
gospel, added to this, what more do We need
to be faithful and we need the prayers of
Gods people at home, that our own souls may
be kept alive, and not tdeadened by the influence
of our surroundings, for here We meet the devI
on his on ground.
You can send five sheets like this for the
same postage as one. Direct to Dehra Doom,
Northern India, care of j. s. Woodside.
Do write often to your far off, loving child,
JENNIE.