Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15
PUNDITA RAMABAI TO VISIT US.
This Interesting Woman Soon TO
Make an Address Here.

During the winter of 1888 500 people as
sembled in the hall of the Young Mems
Christian Association building. expecting
to meet Pundita Ramabai. the remark
able high-caste Hindoo woman, who had
been lecturing in behalf of a noble cause
through the United States and Canada.
Her life from her birth read like ro-
nance. To many her mission seemed
romantic and impractical One fraii wo-
man proposed to grapple with an EVIL
which the English Government. in the
caution of national treaty and CONNER
cial interests, had not dared reproach-
the institution of childmarriage and all
its direful sequence of misery and de-
graduation from -widowhood. She
seemed voice sent by God, calling upon
Christians of all denominations TO aid her
in establishing a home for high-caste
widows of all ages in India, under the
firm belief that sooner or later the re-
suits of such an institution would con-
vince her own people that child-marriage
and widow hood were deplorable evil.
In 1858 an association was formed in
Boston pledged to assist her in her I'M
dertaking for ten years. and she was
given the work Of forming the circles
that should support her cause.
Ramabai could not come to Virginia,
pressing engagements preventing; but her
cause was fully set forth before the au-
dience referred to by a paper read by
Rev. Dr. Nash. Clergymen of high stand
ing from all denominations were on the
platform giving sympathy and indorse~
ment to the cause. An ardent appeal was
made by Bishop Randolph, of Virginia,
and the Rev. Melville Jackson, now
Bishop Of Alabama, pleaded her cause IN
a short address full of force and truth.
Shortly after that the Virginia Ramabai
Association was formed, auxiliary 10
Boston. but Independent in organization.
and looking chiefly TO Christian mission
airy results.
The ten years of trial have expired, and
the Boston association has kept It's
pledge munifcently and faithfully. Rama
BATS success and the outcome of her ef-
forts now demand a new organization.
commensurate with the institutions she
has established. A meeting will soon
again be held in the hall of the Young
Mems Christian Association in Rich
mond, where Ramabai will appear in per-
son, and tell as only she can the story
of those ten years OF vicissitude and in
tense trials, which have resulted in the
Sharada Sadan-the Home of Learning
the institution, supported by the Boston
association and its auxiliary circles,
which has educated and trained for
home life over 800 pupils. She will then
recount the remarkable rescue Of 300
high-caste widows and children on the
farm at Khedegaum. thirty-six miles
from Poona, the city of the Sharada-
Sadan. This is called the Mukti School,
and is a Christian mission for women
and widows of the high-castes. and Is a
result from the Sharada-Sadan.
The story Of Ramabai's sublime UNI
shaken faith from first to last is very In
spring. She will come to arouse the VIZ
ginia association to renewed life and IN
terest. and TO form a new association
under the auspices OF God-assured sue
cess.
Due notice will be given Of the time for
! the meeting.