The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-02-07
HELPING RAMABAI.
The Local Circles Interesting Meeting, at
Which Encouraging Speeches We're Made.

The annual meeting of the Ramabai
Circle was held yesterday afternoon. at the
Tabernacle Church, there being more than
one hundred ladies and a few gentlemen
present. The circle was formed two years
age. at the residence of Mrs. May Wright
Sewall. when Pundita Ramabai herself
was here to establish it. The purpose of
the organization is to found a secular school
in India for the widows of that country.
At the time it was organized it was
the largest circle in the United
States, and it now has on it's rolls
the names of about one hundred and
fifty members, each one of whom pledges
to give 81 annually for ten years. at which
time 1t Is expected the school will be in
such a condition as to require no more
help from its friends in this country.
first for Rev. j. A. Rondthaler, who gave a
cordial welcome to the member of the
circle. He said 1t was very proper for the
meeting to be held in that church,
as it was there that Ramabai held her
first public meetings in this city. He
also said the society had cause for congratu-
lat1on IN the progress of it's work since
the school opened, the 18th of last March,
with two pupils, and there are now twenty
three. Another cause was Ramabai's faith
III oAONh AZ thO
fact that this year there was an increase of
$1,000 over the contributions of last year
by the hfty-seven circles. Still another
cause for congratulation. said the Doctor.
was that of the liberation of the society
among people. Following the Doctors
welcome. thereport of last year wasread by
the secretary. Mrs. r. l.. Dorsey, and in it
she quoted Ramabai as having said. I'VE
are dependent upon the United States for
help"
Mrs. Cleland, the treasurer, then sub
mltted her report. She received from the
Girls Classical school 500, and from men,
bers of the society S75.
Rev. DR.. II. A. Cleveland was next on the
programme for a speech. his subject being
'Ramabai's Christianity He said that
the world over. and that it must have a re-
ligion and faith. And he pictured, in
eloquent terms. the great faith Ramabai
must have had to begin the
around the world to let the world know
what it was. Rev. j. billiard Ranger, rec
tor of Christ Church, talked of "Ramabai's
Character" He likened her to the grain of
seed, which was her labor. begun i'll India,
and which would spread to all parts of the
Orient. His language was forcible,. and,
while he said he was not thoroughly ac-
quainted with the work. he knew enough
to be able to indorse the great movement
which had been started by this energetic,
loYluS MOildIl, lot the ROOu OI ueT IclIOWS.
Rev. w. +. Taylor, pastor of the First
Baptist Church, also gave an interesting
address on "A New Aspect of Woman's
Work in the Orient" He said Ramabai
was a constant object lesson of what
women can do, and in the country where
woman had reached such a low condition
she was showing the men what women can
become. BY her noble example and work
she lifts them up, and she is honoreh by
men of high and honorable caste in India.
Ramabai was one of the first who tried to
help women in her own country. She is
equal to any man in her own country In
scholarship. and with all her learning she
is doing the Masters work. Mrs.
sewall. the last to speak, believed
that Ramabai is the most poet
zeal figure in the world to-day
She said that in q talk she had with her.
Ramabai said it was her ambition TO have
a school at every shrine In India. Mrs.
Sewall made a plea for members, each of
whom would have to pay only dollar a
year for seven years.
The annual election of officers was then
held. all the old officers being reelected by
DR.. Cleveland casting the vote for the
Circle. The officers are:
President-Mrs. May Wright Sewall.
Secretary-Mrs X. l.. Dorsey.
Treasurer-Mrs John L. Cieland.
A deficit of $50 from last year was met by
collections, and a large number OF new
pledges were secured.