The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-04-28
The Woman's Union Missionary
Society.

In the Spring OF 1900, Mrs. Francis
b. Mason, a missionary from Burmah,
made a strong appeal to the "New
York Female Bible Society to organ
ize work in heather lands exclusively
for the Outstanding of heather wo-
men. She claimed that the opportun-
ity was unique, as the zenanas of India
(places for women), barred for centuries
to outside influence, had been
opened for Christian instruction thro ugh
Mrs. Mullens, an English lady.
The appeal touched the heart of one
Of its members, Mrs. Thomas Doremus,
and led her to see the possibilities of
new organization, and with the enthus.
iasm which had carried many benevol-
ences to fruition, she held preliminary
meetings TO arouse interest in a new
Society for the evangelization of heath
en-. She was elected its first President,
position for which her training as a
child in foreign missions, her extensive
acquaintance with missionaries of all
denomination, and her wide experience
in varied philanthropies eminently fit
ted her.
Mrs. Mason's efforts in the forma-
ton of band OF nine women in Bos-
ton, in November, 1860, and in May,
1861, a Society in Philadelphia, both
subsequently uniting as Branches with
the organization in New York. The
plans of a Society being completed, it
was Incorporated February, 1861, as
the "Woman's Union Missionary Soci
ETY. of America for Heather Lands.
In courtesy to Mrs. Mason, who had
labored indefatigably to arouse public
sentiment in this direction, Toungoo,
Burmah, was the field selected for its
first missionary, Miss S. III. Marston,
who sailed November, 1901. Miss S.
J. Highly and Miss S. lie Fevre were
subsequently sent to the same land.
During the first year of the Society's
existence, four native Christian Bible
women were employed in Burmah,
India, and China and aid was given to
an independent teacher of girls in ia
pan.
In July. 1862, Miss II. G.. Britain
was sent out as the first missionary
from America, to the zenanas of India,
where women were literally prisoners
OF social custom dating from the
Mohammedan invasion, 1901 A. d.
This was a field thoroughly unknown
to missionary effort in America
A Mission Home, purchased in Cal
cutta, became the centre of activities
embracing zenana..visiting, village, evan.
gelstic work, day schools for girls, an
Orphanage and Hospital for women
and children.
In 1903, second home was pur-
chased in Allahabad, a sacred city OF
India; in 1880, third was secured in
Cawnpore, and in 1900, fourth at
Jhansi.
This pioneer OF woman's work com
mended itself to missionary wives and
mothers in the foreign field, whose call
for assistance was responded to, as far
as limited treasury permitted.
In 1869, this Society opened mis-
sion in Picking, China, but the gift of
premises from Mrs. f. c. Br dgman,
a personal friend of Mrs. Doremus, led
to its removal to Shanghai in 1881 In
this city as one means for the evange-
lizatlon OF women the. Margaret Will
Hanson Hospital was established in
1884.
In 1871, the first Girls Boarding
School in japan was opened in Yoko-
hama by this Society. Subsequently
Bible School was added to the Nilsson
equipment, as training place for ma
tive evangelists employed throughout
the Empire.
The immense problem Of heather.
Ism and its attendant ills, is intensified
as the years pass, and population increa-
ses. Every agency that can ameliorate
these conditions is needed in this great
warfare with sin and Satan. Surely
then work honored and blessed o.
God, as has been that of the "Woman's
Union Missionary Society" cannot b,
abandoned in its tide of success. We
ask for it place in the toward Chris
tian activities OF the day, and the pray
ers of every one who daily utters the
petition, "Thy Kingdom Come"
The Lambertville Branch OF the Soc
iety was formed more than forty years
ago, and the members have sent yearly
contributions to this work carried on il
China and India, in schools and in zen,
anas.
The annual meeting is appointed to
be held on May 10Th. this year, before
which date the collectors will make
their calls upon the members, and ask
for generous gifts to the work.
Narrow Escape.
A drowning accident was narrowly
averted Tuesday evening, when a
Young son of MIR. and Mrs. William