The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-16
CONDITIONS in INDIA
FAMINE AND BUBONIC PLAGUE CAUSE
THOUSANDS OF DEATHS.
Rev. w. s. Craig Says the Most Ter
ribIe Curse, However, is the
IdoIatrous Religion.

Rev. W. s. Craig, who has just returned
from a seventeen months residence in
India, gave a most interesting account of
his sojourn I'm that country at the Trinity
Congregational Church last night. Mr..
Craig prefaced his address by saying that
in India there are So, 200. 200 people who need
help, and Of this number Is, 0O0,O0O are
actually starving.
"As a consequence of the present terrible
famine in india" said he, several millions
of people nave died and millions more will
die despite all that has or can be done by
the government. the generous people and
the missionaries But while the famine is
a great evil, said he, it is only one of the
many woes from which the country is
suffering. He said that at least 5000 peo-
pie were dying in Bombay every day of
the bubonic plague and nearly as many
more with smallpox. But her greatest
curse is her religion. For hundreds of
years India has been under the curse of
Mohammendanism. Hinduism and other
gross forms of idolatry, and the priest
craft and superstition by which all the
people are bound as with chains of iron are
still in force and combine to bring upon
the people Gods visitations.
Mr.. Craig gave a very interesting descrip-
ton of the present conditions in India.
describing in graphic language their man
ners and customs and depicting circum-
stances which were very affecting. He
spoke of their houses. which are nothing
more than kennels, not exceeding three
feet in height. and said that a family's
entire household goods could be put I'm a
bushel basket.
KIND-HEARTED PEOPLE.
AS a rule the people are kind hearted
and will carry out good meals to feed to a
starving dog or other animal that chances
to pass their doors. In some places. said
Mr.. Craig, the churches have money boxes
to which the people are expected to and do
contribute for the support of starving ami
mails. But when a man who is starving
asks for something to eat those who have
it refuse TO succor him. They feed the
dog and let the man starve, on the princi-
pie that the man can ask for what he
| wants and the dog cannot. The people are
not only ignorant and superstitiouS, but
they are also very vain and love TO bedeck
themselves with all sorts of jewelry. In
many instances the women who can afford
ii wear anklets of gold that weigh no less
than twenty pounds, and where they cam
not afford gold they wear silver
and even brass and iron. Mr.. Craig brought
with him many of the little trinkets worn
by the Hindoos. among them being toe
rings and rings mat are worn In the nose.
He also exhibited many curious little
images which he declared to be the idols
worshiped by the natives of India. He
said the HindOos were very devout and
would say their prayers all day long. He
knew of instances, he said, where men had
held their hands above their heads in
| prayer for so long that IL was impossible
for them to take them down again. 1t is
a common sight, he declared. to see men
walking along the roads with their hands
above their heads. These men are greatly
reverenced for their piety and have a great
influence over the people.
PEOPLE WORK HARD.
According to Mr.. Craig the people are
very Industrious and do the hardest kind
o. work for 5 cents a day. This pitiful sum,
owing to the famine has been reduced TO
5 cents a day and the price of grain has
greatly increased. After telling of the ter
rible misery which abounds in India Mr..
Craig made a plea for help. He said tina.
now is the golden opportunity for the mis-
sionary. He declared that there were thou
sands of children who had been deserted
and left by inhuman parents TO misery and
want The rescue and conversion of the
children, he said, meant the spreading OF
Christianity in al idolatrous land. 1.-THE
adults" said he, steadily refuse to receive
| the SOSpel Oh Jesus CnflSt, Wnlcn Will sci
them free, and they nave left their chill
oren helpless in a famine-stricken land
The faithful missionaries are, however,
rescuing thousands of children and rails
ing them under Christian influences. to
which they are as susceptible as are Ameri-
can children. These children will in a short
: time become responsible men and women
of the nation and will do much toward
abolishing idolatry, if not wholly accomp-
| fishing Ii. 1t is the duty. therefore, OF every
one of us to help furnish the means to
rescue n raise these precious children
and thus strike an effectual blow at heath
| enism in India"
Mr.. Craig will address a meeting to-day
at Broad Ripple Park.