The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-25
FOR FAMINE SUFFERERS
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF THE CITY
UNITE IN A SERVICE.
The Meeting Addressed by Miss Mary
GraybicI and Miss Ade-
Iaide Frost.

The Christian churches of the city united
Christian Church for the purpose of dis
cussing the famine in India. Prof. Jabez
Hall. dean of the Butler College Bible
School. presided and introduced the prin-
cipal speakers. Miss Mary Graybiel and
Miss Adelaide G.. Frost. both of whom are
missionaries at Mahoba, in the central
provinces of India. Miss Graybiel deliv-
cred the principal address, and in simple
but graphic language depicted the horror
of the situation in India before her de-
parture for America. She told of a rail-
road journey TO the district near Madras,
which she said was in an exceedingly dis
tressed condition. There was not a blade
Of grass TO be seen" said Miss Graybiel.
"A1l was dry and parched as a desert. In
ordinary years that plain would be covered
by beautiful crops"
In answer to an oft repeated query as to
what the British government is doing for
its subjects in the starving country Miss
Graybiel declared that she could not con-
ceive of a more absurd question. Il doubt
if we should search all the annals of his
tory If we should ever find any nation at
NslARNli6 Gull a AdCh VI civ ACAN 90
the English government is undertaking in
India" said she.
Miss Graybiel said that the government
is making large distributions of food. cloth
ing and seed grain, but that the latter is
given only TO such farmers as have ten
acres of ground ready for planting. This
plan is adopted, she said, in order that
greater returns may be had from the grain
given out. AT the same time she stated
that IL is a little hard for the petty farm
ers, who are obliged TO either starve or look
TO the missionaries for assistance. The
missionaries have made large gifts or food,
clothing. grain for seed and also cattle.
out they are in need OF FUNDS TO carry the
work TO the necessary extent. AS an evil
dence of the suffering occasioned by the
famine the speaker said that Ii has become
so great that parents are willing TO give
up their children in order to save them
from hunger. Men have been known to
part with their only sons, when the re-
ligion of the country makes the possession
of at least one son at the fathers death
almost a condition precedent to the souls
salvation. The missionaries established
what are known as "children's Kitchens
at which thousands of children were given
one meal a day at first, and as the funds
for that purpose increased two each day.
In this way thousands of children's lives
were saved.
A beneficial result has come from the
" bCFo VI tlC PCOBtC = Dall VII NlttA
children, in that the little ones are secured
as permanent inmates of the orphans
homes, where they are Christianized.
Heretofore ii has only been possible to
teach them Christianity a few hours every
day, the instruction I'm many cases being
obliterated entirely during the intervals
passed at their heather homes.
Miss Graybiel closed with the declaration
that in her opinion God means to accom-
| plish some great good through the India
famine. 1T seems TO me-" said she. that
through these thousands upon thousands of
is laying His hand upon the coming genera
ton and claiming them for His own"
| The next speaker was Miss Frost. who
| with added instances Of suffering and OF
talks by the returned missionaries Rev.
| A. L. Orcutt, pastor of Englewood Chris
| tan Church. made a forcible appeal for a
collection in behalf of the famine sufferers.
The singing for the service was congre-
~gational under the leadership of Charles
| +. Kennedy. The Junior Endeavor Society
(, of Central Church contributed a pleasing
| missionary song.
Ministers of other Christian churches who
| were present were Rev. o. w. McGaughey
! read the Scripture lesson, Rev. C. c. Rowli-
| pronounced the benediction, and Rev. A. L
| circuit. At the conclusion of the meeting
/ Rev. A. 3. Philputt, pastor Of Central
| ton taken would amount to about SO.
~