The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-26
NE VS. FROM INDIA.

The Rev. Siliman Blagden Of Boston has
received the following very interesting and
as it happens timely letter from his friend,
tie Rev. r. s. Wynkoop missionary station
cd in the interior Of India:
Mani Sal, India. July IL, 1897.
Ny Dear B,agden-Your good letter of June
3 reached us a week ago We are still in the
hills hut hnping soon 10 return TO Allahahad.
The rains, which have been late in coming,
now seem TO have set in, giving us hope of
good crops in September and October. which
will break the famine. There has been, and
still is, much suffering from hunger. But for
the noble efforts of the Indian government
and the private charities OF missionaries and
others the mortality would have been appall
ing.
You ask about the bubon.c plague II is no
doubt the black death which desolatod Europe
in tho middle ages avn told that In the
Himalaya mountains horeabouts, in the
provinces OF kumaon and Carnival, il is well
known. 1t comes, like many other Diseases
from filth. When it breaks out in q mountain
village the people at once burn down their
houses and stuff and live in the open air. This
puts an end To the outbreak, which seldom
spreads in the mountains 1t il, however,
very much dreaded by the people. Bombay,
it got a lodgment, no wonder it did such
mischief. 1t is pity they could not have
burned down Bombay when the plague first
appeared; but of course, great city and
mart Of business is not easily given over to
destruction.
/ suppose you know 1t is the same disease
which is mentioned in the Old Testament Il
Samuel, chapters and 81 ms sent on the Phil
istine cities "Emerod" is the English word
used TO denote the characteristic feature of
the disease. The golden mice which the lords
of the Philistnes made refer TO the curious
feature OF the plagu, that it attacks animals
as we'll as man. In Bombay multitudes of rats
died Of 10. But have never seen case, nor
have any more than general knowledge
of II.
II is not alone pestilence, famine and earth
quake which mako us anxious now. There il
widespread disaffection among certain classes
of the people. The Mohammedans, especially,
are greatly stirred up They reioiced in tho
massacre of Christians in Armenia, and now
the success Of th' Turks against the Greeks
has filed thom with hopes. Remember, they
number f0,00OO00 people in India. But they
are unarmed and unorgapized. Every i'm
portant city in India Is garrisoned with Euro.
mean troops The whole male population OF
Europeans and Furasians is more or less
equipped for defense under the system of
volunteering.
There is among US no panic. Christian men
feel that Gods purpose 90 grace for India "a
shown in the conversion of 80 many natives
and tho wide influence which Christian truth
Is exerting everywhere. IL rot yet fulfilled.
We cannot think shat the good work i'm
progress will be broken down. India may be
greatly shaken, but not for her destruction
There Is mercy In IL ALL Hebrews xii, %, y, *
"a fine text for us just now. DO not forgot 10
pray for us and for our Bible society work
Even in famine times we have had quito lnrge
sales in most districts II can hut impreg-
nate the bitter waters Of this earth with the
salt of Gois own Holy Word they will surely
be healed
We are we'll; not ignorant Of the dangers of
the time, but trusting in the hand Of Love
which controls nll things for our good Ever
yours, fraternally,
T. 9. WYNKOOp