The Minneapolis journal., 1902-11-01
in INDIA
Much Light on Their Work Given
at Meeting Of w. F. M. S.
Last Evening.
Women Who Have Long Been in the
Work Give Results Of Their
Experience.

I At the popular meeting of the general
executive of the WOman's Foreign Mis-
sionary society at Wesley church yes
terday afternoon, Miss Elizabeth Pear
son presided The program was devoted
to Work at Home and Abroad" and the
principal speaker was Mrs. Margaret
Denning Of India, who is to return at
once to her post of Muzzaffapore. Mrs.
Denning, who is an able speaker, Is also
an author. her best-known book being
"Mosaics of India" In her address she
answered the charge of the extravaganza
of the missionaries by explaining the
methods of life necessary In that coun
try, several servants being. required to
do the work that in western counties
would be performed by one. The expense
of the many In India, however, is less
than the one at home. Mrs. Denning also
emphasized the important qualifications
necessary in order to become successful
missionary. First, spirituality; then,
education, college, if possible; a course
In a training school; perfect health; a,
knowledge of bookkeeping and house
keeping. She spoke against bringing ma,
tive girls over to America to educate
them for teachers in their own countries,
and in this connection she approved of
the suggestion which has been made that
colored girls who have been educated in
the south should be sent to Africa to re-
deem their colored sisters, instead of
white girls. Among other suggestions
she made was that Of having general field
workers to stir up enthusiasm.
Other brief speeches We're made by
Miss Grace Todd Of west China, now at
home working among the children's So
cieties. the Standard Bearers; and Mrs.
Fritz, treasurer of the Des Moines branch.
A New Committee. -.
A new committee, appointed yesterday,
was that on memorials and petition work.
Its members are: Miss Dickinson, north
western branch; Mrs. G. E. Davis, Phila-
delphia, and Mrs. S. L. Baldwin, New
York. F.. ~: ..'e..,~'
The evening program was given to a
consideration Of missionary conditions in
India. Miss F. A. Perkins Of Burma
presided. Miss Lillian Marks Of Ajmere,
who did heroic and effective work during
the famine, told Of the Tficulties of
revoutionizing India to accord with
European standards. The obstacles
named were ignorance, superstition, the
| caste system, plaques and famines. She
said Americans imagine that If they were
permitted to govern India they would
quickly change things, but In her opinion
the task Is no easy one, and England Is
doing for India as fast as the people will
let her. During the famine England sent
$50,000,000 to India. Last year She ex-
pended SIS, 100000 on irrigation. Every
year 10000 students are being graduated
from her colleges.
| Miss Marks has had charge Of a Hin
dustan girls boarding school and has
been mother, doctor, nurse, teacher and
| superintendent of g. family of 500 girls.
! She has given seven and one-half years
| Of service to the poor, ignorant, op-
pressed women and children Of India,
After a rest in the home land, she pur-
poses to return to her life work.
Miss Marion Newton, q teacher in the
Isabella Thoburn school at Lucknow, said
that the young women Of India were seek
ing higher education, and If it were not
provided for them in. Christian institu-
rions they would be forced into the gov
ernment schools. which experience had
taught turn mbst Of their graduates out
as agnostics. There Is need of American
university women graduates to teach
these young women in Christian schools
Miss Frances Craig of Calcutta spoke
in behalf Of the Eurasians, the class OF
mixed bloods which receives instruction
in English. Shells a teacher in a schoo
for destitute Eurasian children, and she
explained that these people are Chris.
tians, but need education.