The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-11-27
FRoM FAR OFF INDIA
Harry Weak Addresses His Old
Friends in Mitchell Through
rJ,o IloD,,Glioo~

Friends in Mitchell Through
The Republican.
We nave just received a communi-
cation from Rev. Harry H. Weak
from his home in India, and which
we are glad to publish so that his
many old friends in Mitchell can
hear from him. Mr.. Weak graduated
from Dakota Wesleyan University |
a year ago last June, and shortly
a%fterward started out on mission
work for the Methodist church. The
young man is a worthy representa-
tive of the institution, and by his
own efforts he worked his way
through college, receiving the de-
gree of the educational institution
and then choosing a life that meant
the removal from the scenes that
were the happiest for him. The
work of a missionary in India is not
of the most pleasant character and
it amounts to a great sacrifice on his
part. His letter follows:
Shahjahanpur, India, Oct. %, 1908
Editor Daily Republican.
Mitchell, S. D. U. S. A.:
Perhaps you have not forgotten
that about a year ago I left America
to take up missionary work in India.
l thought that perhaps a few words
from this land would be of interest
to the readers of The Republican,
especially among the College Com
munity, and the many friends at
Mitchell. The year that has nearly
! passed has been one Of the most in
teresting in my life, and pleasant
from every point of view. I have had
everything to learn, as conditions
here and at home are SO vastly diff
ferent. Language, customs, thought,
and religion are all new, or greatly
modified from those we know.
The climate is not as severe as l
had anticipated, and during a long
portion of the year is very pleasant.
There has been a good deal of un-
rest among the people during the
year, but this seems to be but the
signs of an awaking national con-
seriousness, and nothing to be greatly
disturbed over. Violence has occur
red in a few instances, but nothing
like organized resistance to the gov
eminent has been manifest. The per-
centage of i~lliteracy, which has been
about 95 per cent of population, is
ton occupies a more prominent
place in the Indian mind than ever
! before. Among many of the lower
classes there seems to be a tendency
Ito accept the Christian religion in
large numbers, and the day may not
be so very distant when these people,
that have SO long sat in the shadow
of night, will find themselves in the
light of fulorbed day. For this we are
praying, and trusting God to help us
i'll the work of caring for their spir-
itual infancy.
The famine of 1908 is now a thing
" lie DdSL3 dAu glC SASlOSCd SlApp1IG
from the great Indian Daily "The
Pioneer" may be of interest to you
as showing how the government OF
India meets this great calamity
which occasionally makes it's unwel
come appearance among the people
The effects of Missions and genera
character would be altogether in
sufficient to meet this need whel
it arises but the government is lik'
a father in caring for the people.
>. My work is of a pleasant characte
portunity for learning the languag
but I expect to have increasing bur
dens as I become able to bear them
There is a great deal of malaria few
er throughout the country, and
effects especially those people VIII
}. were so nearly starved last year. M
health has been excellent up to tn
present time, inc I feel as thong
\ could take the field for a "scrin
mage" in the old style. With kindes
v regards to all my friends, and a d.
sire to be especially remembered b
. them in prayer to God, I am as eve
o Yours sincerely,
H. H. Weak, NJ. E. Mission.
Shahjahanpur, Indi,
Editor Donohue Apologized.