The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1872-02-29
Letters from the Old World,
BY MISS JENNIE A. NELSON.
No. VI.
ALLAHABAD, Nov. 90, 1871.

land gives the blind their sight. "
Oh, that 1 knew how to convey to
you, and through you to the Church
and Sunday School, a conception of
what the word "Heathen" means,
and of the true state of things in
IndiaI These people are ten.fold
more degraded than I had supposed.
lit is hard sometimes to associate the
idea of humanity with them. They
wear little or no clothing, sit about
every where, on the ground, or on
the floor of their huts. They sit to
do almost all kinds of work. Their
houses are built of mud, and look
more like long rows of boxes than
Ianything else I can compare them
/ to.
Ihave seen so many new things,
it is hard to select from them what
to write in the space of one sheet,
but I 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 a garrison
of soldiers. Within it is a tall mon
ument of beautiful proportions, the
history of which is very obscure.
It 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 subterran-
can way to Benares, which is one of
the most holy cities, nifty miles from
here! This road is paved and
walled with stone. On each side,
in recesses of the wall, are most hid
.eous idols. Two natives stand at
the entrance, with lamps to guide
visitors, and all who come to wor-
ship. A basket Of beautiful white
flowers stands at the entrance, as
offerings to the gods. We saw
many withered flowers around the
idols. About 100 feet from the en-
trance is a tree, which buds and
produces leaves. 1t is said Bishop
Heber visited here more than 100
years ago, and described this tree
just as it is now. We saw a few
leaves perfectly white, as they have
no light. The tree is about 8 feet
high, has no branches, but two
prongs, that separate near the ground
The buds and leaves are very sacred.
Last night as we went to church,
we saw the natives worshiping in
the idol temple. Ny heart would
sinkdid I not remember the promise,
"I will give him the heathen for
his inheritance" and "The earth
snail be filed with the knowledge of
the Lord"
have not had time to make
many observations, but I see this;
that musical instruments and ladies
to play them are much needed in all
these Missions. I have thought of
the dear girls at home, who sing and
play so well. Oh, that they would
consecrate the gift to the service of
God! How much good they might
do herel Mr.. Wyncoop's "Grand
Piano" is a small Harmonium,
which he carries in his trunk. He
plays and sings well, and can inter-
est the natives everywhere. Oh,
that we had more singers and play
ers of instruments. This want is
felt in every station.
TUESDAY, Nov. 21.-I have just
returned from a delightful walk.
The morning air is cool and bracing,
although the weather is about like
our June. We have just visited a
"Rajah's" palace, and walked
through his garden, filled with
blooming flowers and orange trees,
filed with most delicious fruit.
The servant gathered me a choice
bouquet of roses. We went to the
house and had fine view of the
Jumna river. Saw the natives
making offerings 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 a house where a
Priest was making signs and mo-
tions before a most hideous idol.
Some little boys were beating drums,
tin pans, &C., and making a 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, "tO awaken the GOds.!"
I could fill my letter with such
scenes, but want to tell you a
little about the Synod and Mission
School in this Compound.
We are highly fortunate to get
here just at this time, for we have
met most of the brethren, and many
of the sisters. DR.. Newton and
family are here. They are an ex-
ceedingly interesting family. Old
Mrs. Newton is a most elegant and
accomplished lady. She calls her
self the Grandmother Of all the
J Missionaries. suppose a report Of