The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-09
PUNDITA RAMA8Al.
A Statement Made by the Executive Com
mittee,


Having learned that cruelty untrue state
ments in regard to Pundita Ramabai and
her work, have been circulated in America,
the Executive Committee Il the Ramabai
Association makes haste to correct them:
Ramabai came to Philadelphia in March,
1856 her fame as a scholar and refOrmer
having preceded her. During the two and
n half years that she was in this country
she so interested the public in her effort to
elevate her cOuntry-women, that. when sue
sailed from San Francisco for India III No
yember, 1883, she did so as the representa-
tive of an association bearing her name,
pledged to the support of her reform, with
Edward Eye-ette Hale as its president, and
DR.. LYMAN Abbott and Philips Brooks
among its yice-presidents. In India an
Advisory Board OF influential llindus, en-
dOrsed BY Englshmen OF the highest stand
ing, had promised their support, and In
March 80, the school .0pened in Bombay
with two pupils, one a child-widow and one
an unmarried girl. II will be remembered
that according to the Hindu religion a
widow is considered responsible for the
death of her husband, because OF sin com
mitted by her in a previous existence. This
is particularly the case if she is without
son. Therefore upon the unfortunate child
widow is heaped every indignity and curse.
IL is for this oppressed class among the
high castles, where superstition is most pow
eriul, that Ramabai provides this home and
school, feeling convinced that with educt.
ton they will become self-supporting and
happy, and in time a source OF blessing TO
their country. In March, 1880, one year
from its opening, the school numbered
twenty-seyen pupils, twelve OF them being
high-caste child-widOws, and dependent
upon the Association. Five chlld-wld0ws
hive been added since then. Instruction
is given in Marathi, English, and sanskrlt,
and besides the curriculum common In this
country the pupils have lessons in sewing,
embroidery, and gymnastics. At stated ill.,
teryals the Glasses are examined by the
Government Inspector OF Schools, thus Tar
with very gratifying results, and the quar-
terly accounts of the school, alter being
audited there, are submitted TO the Execu-
tive Committee in Boston.
In October, 80, Miss Sarah ID. Hamlin, Of
San Francisco, the honored friend OF Rama
bal and the Association, was sent out to
Bombay as a member OF the Executive Com
mittee, TO act as its representative IN the
settlement Of any perpleXing questions, ana
10 assist Ramabai in the organization of the
growing school. She has nObly and faith
| fully fulfilled her duties. Al the expense
| of much personal comfort, she has lived IN
| the school, alone among Hlndus, so ac-
curing a thorough understanding OF all re-
lating to it. BY wise counsel, resulting from
| long years Of experience, she has assisted
Ramabai; and by graphic letters TO the As
ISOLATION here she impaired her impress
sions, so facilitating decisions that were
delayed before through Ignorance. Indeed,
the friends of the cause cannot too highly
appreciate her services.
Ramabai asks the assistance of the cOun-
| Lali ~
end of that time India will adopt the reform
as her own; therefore. for the support OF the
school for ten years 5000 have been
pledged annually By a few friends, and by
| The sixty auxiliary societies, one Of when
| is the Branch Association OF the Pacific
Coast. Twenty-Five thousand dollars
are required to establish the scnaol
in u permanent home. Now it occu-
pies a rented building. OF this sum $4,000
| have been raised, $1,000 being from Call
fornia. There Is no foundation for the re-
/ port that $4,000 came from there. This
money is retained in The hands OF the treas
urer of the Association in Boston, and Is
sent TO Pundita Ramabai as she requires II.
| Her friends have no reason to complain oil
| extravaganza,
Though the movement thus originated by
Pundita Ramabai has met in the past and
| is still meeting with intense opposition IRON
MANY quarters, the school is now an accom-
plished fact, having gathered under its shell
tering wings, within year, more OF the op-
pressed class for whom it is intended than
It's most sanguine supporters had thought
possible. No superstition existed in India
| i'm regard to the education OF boys, yet when
the British Government first opened its
| schools there for boys brides had 10 he offer
| ed TO them and their parents 20 induce them
| TO attend. In face Of this fact the growth OF
| this school tor high-caste child-widows Is
most encouraging. This growth is wholly
due 10 the zeal and devotion OF Pundita
| Ramabai herself. OF this consecrated
| Christian woman her friend, Professor Max
Miller. says: IL know no heroine greater,
| whether for unselishness Of devotion 10
| high ideals, truthfllness, purity. and real
| living religion" Does not such woman
deserve the enthusiastic support OF the
American publici
For the facts thus presented to the pubic
the Executive Committee OF the Ramabai
Association are not only indebted To the
weekly letters received from Ramabai, Miss
iIamlin, and the assistant American teach
or. but 10 letters from the Advisory Board
In India, and from travellers and mission.
aries there who have visited the school and
bear their testimony to the value OF the
work.