New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-02
EAST INDIAN MISSIONS.
A DENIAL OF THEIR VALUE AND SUCCESS
LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR OF 1.-TWO YEARS IN
The JUNGLE "a TRAYEILER,s.

LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR OF "Two YEARS IN
THE JUNGLE "a TRAVELLERS.
TO the Edttor or The Tribune.
SIR; address this letter not only to the
readers OF THE TRIBUNE but also TO the mighty host OF
Christians OF oil creeds who have faith in missionary
work In the East Indies have desire to lead an at
tack on the Missionaries or to mako one single
handed. On the contrary, in my book 1 purpOsely re-
Trained from making the statement put forth by my re-
viewer In The Examiner when he says that my mind is
thoroughly dominated by the opinion so prevalent
among the East India officials that the natives are
incapable of being converted except from mercenary
motives"
Is quite true, stated that tho East Indian officials
as class have no faith in the work Of the missionaries
far as spreading tho Gospel among natives is con-
cerned Surely no one Is better qualified to judge re-
suits than he who resides the spot observes and
studies native character in all phases and witnesses
tho work Of the missionary and its results
The Anglo-Indian official is by virtue OF the
requirements Of his position, man of
liberal education trained Judgment and habits Of obser
walton and reflection His chief study is the native, and
his wants He is in no way preudced against the mis-
sonary indeed he Is more disposed to consider him
faithful ally Their interests do not clash in the least
and believe their relations are generally Of the most
cordial nature Why therefore, ask should the opinion
which prevails among such men in regard to the mis-
sonaries carry weight those less able to
nesses are on the spot they intelligent and without
prejudice either way In any other matter their verdict
would be final Why Is 1t not so In this
easel case Since the opinion prevails among them, as
without Christianity and are incapable OF being con
verted except from merCeuary motives why Should IL
carry weight with those vitality Interested" Ii is
perfectly FAIR 10 dscredt tho opinions OF traveller or
brief soourneT hut the seeker after truth canus ignore
the testimony OF those whose lives are spent with the
prisoner at tho bar What motive inspires the Anglo.
lndan official to give his testimony against the work OF
case, tell me who Is
For years and years many OF tho supporters Of the
foreign missions have shut their eyes In the face Of dis
greeable facts. To missionary Of the Church Of Eng
land who was doing noble work among the starving
hosts OF flmnestricken Madras, once saidi DO you
honestly consider that missionary work among the
people Of India Ia success tho making OF con
an honest mantle noblest work OF God. NO"
sad he "I cannot say that do but we hope that
friit sometime In the future" And yet he was
sluggard. Perhaps there was not in all
India moro earnest worker than he. | have never
sought to make case against the utility, or rather adj
visibility. VI missionary work in INDIA nor do now
have desire 10 pull down what have built up.
Truth II mighty, and sooner or later must prevail with
The chaf,cer ot tho Indian native and the state OF
his society renders Just impossible for him TO give
up his caste and tho religion OF his fathers
as 10 would DO for Christians to become caunibdis.
IIs mind ia 10 more capable OF noullin- ITSELF 10 inc
requirement, OF such religion as ours, and thinking
thoughts about H. than ho Is to set up aud maintain
Christians worthy of such saviour ~ ours are made
~ very different stun from that which forms the native
10 ',,iiiV XII ,rt A. H. The 1ot',Is WHO form Tie
rams and nln the missionaries converts on the one
band, and tho ,Arowd young native with an eye
To "n I'tI'a foD' o, r, II" maui, yon in
Crylou the plant is made that soon ~ the mis-
,ry.rIucatc native gets his educn ion and his clerk
bis sacrc ashes and his caste ont OF the millions that
Iy ie1 pruf com tho fore i missions lu India nud the
u. ,l t.I
"1''; H"t wbat are they Merely a cupui OF water
where al the sediment gathers
II India were tn only country in the
b. very different; bat with Tie world ms 10 s, the game
H. not worth the candle. one mission Ike Jerry Nc
AIl.,'siu the slums OF NrW-Yotk doe, more lasting
good and ucttcr subjects Than any dozen IN India "
Africa All Che miss louarc- ia India could be located
In m. three cities OF Nsw-York Chicago aud 70. Louis.
to 20. rollins OF others with sums Just az black and
lcl,c plenty otroom for more IL is not only a waste
o.. good material 10 send missionaries 10 the icks and
stones 81 india 40 long d7 We nave such
i .l-,, c,,i n.'' bu t'' SIN against
s.nrrrs worthy OF salvation let them who call this
%rN-(ork Mldura docs not need missionary help a
thou-uudth part rs much as Water-SL P1yslcan' heal
nsy.t thou send thy Hercules elsewhere AZ the im-
uiW have friends. must declare my belief that foreign
u-on. 300 advised 80 long the -lum- Of our large
Cu's t'u'u ~ thcy are to-dny. - tue ilhuoo aoho
o. prccut. and attend 20 the crimc-soidcn quarters
into the localities whore lady dare rot venture alone
after sunset aud1nto Others whore respectable man
dare not 90 without policeman {" protect him. on,
y soul What farce % for Lon ION, with IT. grand
ltn of criminals and Vices too hdcOu7 To DO unveiled,
To- send mi -ontrc- To tho Dyaks. Give me- the head
hunter IN preference 10 the sou-huucr every time!
There f. work lu India FOR the missionaries,
Grand field them, too; hut they Will
u,yrr enter 10. In that country OF fangs
lri y.rou Am average Of 1000 human hciugssOui5,
mi-ht have -aiare annually swept away by serponts
and Mid bca.ts Il not tho thought appal.irgl Not IN
mo lea-t 80 one this -ito OF the Atlantic, except
md - ar
he Board OF Foreign Missions ever take cogni.
lauco of tho mctl II Is only the East
India official" who takes the matter az all
rn heart aud tries 10 find u remedy But then, who
care. for his oplnonl Bodies first say and souls
ur,t -fnp matchmaking. widow burning, nfauticdc
human sacrifice, Of an kinds. ana Wholesale slaughter by
wild beasts aud scrpents then spread the gospel In tho
rlgccs where 10 Ia most needed. W. /. HoRNADAr.
Washington, u. e., Nov. 10, 1850.