St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-07-12
LETTER FROM INDIA.

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NAL so long that we have ceased to ex-
pect what we were accustomed to think
normal weather. During the past win
ter months we had rain every week. We
usually have what we call the Christmas
rains and after they are over no more
rain until the monsoon breaks,
in June or July. 1t was unusually cold,
and at one time we had heavy frost
which did much damage to trees and
standing crops. 1t was said that moth
ing OF this kind had happened before for
a ceatury. Then in April we had that
terrible earthquake which caused so
much loss of life and property. There
have been up to the present time frequent
slight shocks, especially in the noun
tains. There is theory that the Him
alaya mountains have not yet reached
their proper formation, and that vast
changes are going on in the whole noun
tain range. A reported volcano and
these repeated shocks of earthquake
seem to favor this theory. 1t is prophe
sled that there will be another more fear
Ml earthquake this month.
About nine years ago the plague made
its appearance in India. For some time
it was largely confined to. Bombay,
Poona and the neighboring places. The
British government carried out many
plans to prevent it spreading to other
places, but it has been gradually gain
ing ground until this year it has appear
ed in nearly all parts of India, including
Burma. In all India during the month
Of March there were nearly 100000
deaths from plague. Since then the num-
Der has been decreasing as the warm
weather has come on, but NO doubt will re-
turn again in the cold season. When
the disease breaks out in a village or
ward of city all the people who can
get away go to some other place. Many
live for weeks in the open fields or in
groves where they can have the shelter OF
trees. Merchants close their shops and
remain away for weeks, and many
houses are entirely deserted. Often per-
sons are seized with the disease and die
while preparing to leave. Two of our
Hindoo school girls died while the con
veyance was at the door to carry them
away, as they supposed, to a place OF
safety. Although the government has
done so much to help the people, yet
large numbers Of people believe that it is
responsible for the disease, as it is sup
posed that it is desired to reduce the pop.
ulation. There is a widespread belief
that missionaries are agents OF the gov
eminent for spreading the disease by
scattering powder or pills which have
no effect only on natives. So missionary
work has been largely h!ndered in many
| places. Some missionaries in their itin.
Grating tours have not been allowed
to stop in public rest houses, or to pitch
their tents near villages. In many places
native Christians have been beaten and
otherwise prosecuted as they are sup
posed in some way to be connected with
the presence OF the disease. ...,
This is the first year that we have had
the plague here in the city Of Morada
bad. The people here have been very &C
tive in all kinds Of idolatrous practices
hoping to persuade the gods they wor
ship to come to their relief. They have
: sacrificed goats and buffaloes, going il
large professions to the temples will
the animals gaily decorated. These ser
vices were going on all over the city
when one day the native pastor Of ON
of the city churches came to me and sait
: that instead of the usual weekly praye
meeting that night they were to have
= special service and he hoped would b
present. When came in sight Of tn
t church, was surprised to see that i
was not lighted, but soon saw tina
= the people had gathered under some tree
nearby and the place was not only we
lighted but very prettily decorated. The
had invited the heather people Twin
near to attend Thanksgiving service
l wondered what that meant, as two c
> their prominent members had recent
u died, one of the plague, and the diseas
. was all about them. After a short sci
). vice the pastor read the tweuty-thir
III Psalm and then reminded the people
- Gods loving care over those who wei
~ serving Him, that they had cause fc
" thankiulness, that they had a religio
'e that gave joy and comfort and remove
y all fear. He spoke tenderly OF those thu
had gone and told the people that the
;. should be thankful that they had a r
= ligion that would sustain them even
- death, and compared the Christian
~ hope to that of the heather around then
e, 90 Then there were several prayers
81 Thanksgiving and praise and l can
. away thankful that these people, poor
81 this worlds riches, had learned of IL
true riches that fail not"
40 L. S. PARKER.
h Moradabad, India, June 8, 1905.