Division 
 
 Section 
 
I U? > 3 - 
 
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FEMALE MISSIONARIES IN INDIA. 
 
 LETTERS 
 
 FROM 
 
 A MISSIONARY’S WIFE ABROAD 
 
 TO 
 
 A FRIEND IN ENGLAND. 
 
 By Mrs. Weitbrecht. 
 
 J^econlJ ^irition. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 JAMES NISBET AND CO. BERNERS STREET. 
 
 MDCCCXLIII. 
 
# 
 
 
 # 
 
 A 
 
HONOURABLE DOWAGER LADY GREY, 
 
 ONE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE SOCIETY FOR 
 PROMOTING FEMALE EDUCATION IN THE EAST, 
 
 THESE LETTERS, 
 
 Which have been written with an earnest desire to 
 aid in promoting the cause which has excited a deep 
 and practical interest in her Ladyship’s best sympa- 
 thies, are, by her permission, respectfully dedicated, 
 
 By her obedient 
 
 And obliged Servant, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2017 with funding from 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 https://archive.org/details/femalemissionariOOweit 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 I HAVE been requested by the nearest con- 
 nection of the writer of these Letters to ap- 
 pend a short preface to them. To this request 
 I have acceded, and I trust that my desire to 
 oblige a friend, whom I have known ever 
 since he studied in Basle, in the year 1826, 
 may be my excuse for this undertaking. 
 Any recommendation of this work will, I 
 apprehend, be considered useless, when it is 
 known under what circumstances it has been 
 written. It is the result of the observation 
 of one who has herself seen all that she de- 
 scribes, and who is enabled to trace, in her 
 own experience, the good or ill consequences 
 which have followed her designs. Rules de- 
 rived from actual experience must, in cases of 
 missionary enterprise, be especially important. 
 Moreover, in the case of the writer of these 
 
 a 
 
VI 
 
 TREFACE. 
 
 observations, her notions have not been formed 
 from short examination, or in a life of little 
 or of trifling occupation, but by passing 
 through almost every situation into which 
 such a labourer was enabled, in her circum- 
 stances, to enter. 
 
 One point will be demonstrated in this 
 work, the importance of female agency in the 
 work of missions. The labours of females 
 in the extension of the kingdom of Christ 
 is subject of divine record. “ Priscilla,” the 
 wife of Aquilla, was the apostle’s fellow 
 “ helper in Jesus Christ,” and Tryphena 
 and Tryphosa” laboured in the Lord. More- 
 over, from the time when the sufferings of 
 our Lord called forth the sympathy of the 
 women who were about him, to this time, 
 when females have been led to engage in the 
 work of missions, we have seen the affec- 
 tionate heart of the sex successfully occupied 
 in communicating that sympathy which it has 
 been peculiarly in their power to afford. And 
 in our own days many individuals may be 
 found who ha>’e attained to the knowledge 
 of divine things, through the persevering 
 kindness and instruction of such teachers as 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Vll 
 
 these. Attached to various missionary insti- 
 tutions, many females have laboured singly, 
 especially amidst the young ; and in connec- 
 tion with others, how often have we seen such 
 labourers engaged in assisting to alleviate trial 
 and to dispense help ; how many husbands have 
 found in their partners the wise counsellor, 
 the encouraging fellow-helper, the calmer of 
 his troubled spirit, the messenger of comfort, 
 directing him to God, and assisting him in 
 drawing down his blessing. Women, as mis- 
 sionaries, have afforded the most important 
 examples of the happiness of domestic life, 
 when regulated on Christian principles. What 
 instruction have they given to the heathen, 
 of the extreme folly of degrading females, as 
 they are accustomed to do ; and on the other 
 hand, how often have they exhibited to the 
 degraded partners of a brutal husband, the 
 blessing of religious principle, in making 
 them happy, useful, and independent. 
 
 But in order to take every advantage of 
 her position, a female missionary must possess 
 the knowledge and the virtues which will 
 make her shine brightly amongst those with 
 whom she is placed. She must have her lui- 
 
Mil 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 derstanding well instructed in divine things. 
 She must be spiritually established in those 
 doctrinal truths, which can alone lead her to 
 true faith and holy obedience. She must 
 have her heart pm’ified by faith, and her con- 
 versation regulated by the highest standard 
 of practical godliness. Moreover, in order 
 to assist others, she must be well instructed 
 in a variety of points, in those especially in 
 which she may meet the enquiries of the 
 higher order of native heathen amongst 
 whom she may be placed, and in which she 
 may direct others in the lower Malks of life. 
 So that, to whatever state of life she is 
 called, as a woman, a wife, a mother, a 
 teacher, a friend, a mistress, she may be a 
 consistent and faithful model and teacher. 
 
 To instruction in all these points, this little 
 work will lead an enquirer. It is designed 
 to teach a female, who is desirous of enter- 
 ing on missionary work, the means of effec- 
 ting the greatest measure of good, and to 
 encourage such an individual in going for- 
 ward to attain the blessedness attendant upon 
 the performance of this service. Would that 
 the end of this little publication might be, to 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IX 
 
 lead some who may read it to enter upon that 
 course, which the wTiter of these letters has 
 so happily followed, to seek a field of labour 
 amongst the hundreds of millions of degraded 
 females, whose condition cries out for help, 
 to engage herself in a duty of the highest 
 honour, that of a labourer in Christ’s service, 
 and so to labour that she may receive the best 
 reward, the crown, which is especially the 
 missionary’s portion, at the last day. 
 
 Francis Cunningham. 
 
 Loivestoft Vicarage, 
 May 6th, 1843. 
 

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FEMALE MISSIONARIES JN 
 
 INDIA 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 IXTRODUCTORY. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 You have often requested me to give 
 you in a few letters the results of my ex- 
 perience in the female department of mis- 
 sionary labours in India, both as it respects 
 the class of characters best fitted for engaging 
 in it, and explanatory of the peculiar nature 
 of the work. I have been prevented from 
 making an effort to meet your wishes hitherto 
 only by want of leisure ; but I have just at 
 present some time which I can devote to the 
 subject, and as the delay has added to my 
 experience, wEich now extends to upwards of 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 ten years, I feel better prepared to undertake 
 a delineation of the subject, wlicb is truly one 
 of deep moment, and one which has liitherto 
 received, apparently, too little consideration. 
 
 All I can attempt is, to express to you in a 
 plain and simple manner the convictions of 
 my own mind. To do justice to such a sub- 
 ject is beyond my power; but perhaps the 
 information I may impart, and the sugges- 
 tions I may be able to offer, may lead some 
 better qualified persons to take up the pen in 
 its service, and under the divine blessing, 
 even my humble and imperfect attempt may 
 be productive of benefit, and aid in its small 
 measm’e that high and holy cause, which 
 must be so dear to the heart of every true 
 missionary — the cause of Christ in a heathen 
 land! 
 
 I will aim to avoid unnecessary repetitions, 
 though the near connection of some of the 
 points on which I must speak, and which it 
 yet seems necessary, for the sake of clearness 
 and simplicity, to treat of in different letters, 
 will make it difficult for me to do so en- 
 tirely. I wish to be concise, but I must be 
 explicit, because I am writing chiefly for 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 3 
 
 those who are either entirely ignorant, or very 
 imperfectly informed, on a subject which has, 
 from being familiarized to my own mind by a 
 long contemplation of it, and by so many 
 years actual practical trial of it, lost to me its 
 freshness, though not its importance. The 
 sentiments I wish to diffuse, may be as new 
 to the generality of those who may read my 
 letters, as they are old and established in my 
 own mind. 
 
 My first letter, succeeding this introductory 
 one, will have reference to the disposition of 
 mind with which we should enter upon mis- 
 sionary work, with some indirect references 
 to the duty and privilege of engaging in it 
 personally, and to the encouragements con- 
 tained in the Word of God to those who 
 practically leave all and follow Him. In the 
 second I will try to describe the characters 
 fitted for engaging in this work, without 
 reference to the individual being married or 
 unmarried. There is, I know, a diversity of 
 opinion on the point of single ladies going 
 out to India, to engage in mission work ; 
 but as in practice they do it, and as 
 there are societies both in England and on 
 
4 
 
 FEMALE MISSlONAlilES 
 
 the continent which are organized for pre- 
 paring and sending them forth, it seems de- 
 sirable to describe the character and qualities 
 that should appertain to the female labourer, 
 irrespective of her being married or other- 
 wise. 
 
 I will follow this by a letter more parti- 
 cularly descrijDtive of the domestic character 
 of a missionary’s wife, where many points have 
 to be noticed that the general nature of the 
 former letter would render it irrelevant to 
 bring forward there. 
 
 In the next I will say something on the 
 preparation necessary for engaging in mis- 
 sionary work, and in the succeeding one will 
 allude, a little in detail, to the peculiar diffi- 
 culties connected with it, though it will scarcely 
 be possible to avoid frequent reference to these 
 in all the letters, so that this part of my sub- 
 ject must be in a degree anticipated. It seems, 
 however, desirable to give a connected view of 
 them notwithstanding. 
 
 A letter on the kind of efforts that may 
 most profitably be made, as calculated to pro- 
 mise success, and a short one in conclusion, 
 introducing a few remarks upon the engage- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 5 
 
 ment of single ladies, wliicli strike me as of 
 importance to be noticed, will, I tbink, con- 
 tain all I can profitably bring before your 
 notice. I may perhaps, occasionally relate 
 an anecdote to elucidate my meaning, and 
 I shall be careful to confine myself in all I 
 advance with regard to plans and efforts, to 
 those I can speak of with confidence from my 
 own experience, merely noticing others in a 
 more general way. 
 
 I almost fear that the headings of my 
 letters may not be considered as perfectly 
 definite, because encouragements, cautions, 
 and casual remarks must occasionally be 
 introduced, where the subject being treated 
 of seems to require them, and where they 
 can be brought home with more effect than 
 in their regular place. 
 
 I am not writing for logicians, but for 
 simple-minded Christians ; and all my desire 
 is, to say something that these may find use- 
 ful and practical. I have, however, tried to 
 the best of my ability to make the headings 
 as appropriate to the subjects treated of under 
 them as I can, and I hope you may consider 
 them so. 
 
6 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 I think I may say, that if a deep sense of 
 the importance of the subject, and of my own 
 personal deficiencies and short-comings as a 
 missionary’s wife, can teach me how to write, 
 I shall not fail to pourtray it correctly and 
 vividly, but above all, I desire to be taught of 
 Him w^ho alone giveth true wisdom. 
 
 I hope it will be understood by all who may 
 read these letters, that they are offered chiefly 
 in the way of suggestion and advice. I would 
 by no means be supposed to affirm, that all the 
 qualities alluded to are indispensable, or that 
 the entire character drawn out, is the only one 
 which can in its perfect form be useful, but 
 great things should certainly be aimed at, and 
 our model and standard should be high, as it 
 is far easier and more natural to us to descend, 
 than to ascend, and to go below, rather than 
 above the mark. 
 
 In this introductory letter I will take the 
 precaution of remarking, that when reading 
 any thing about India in Europe, it is ne- 
 cessary to bear in mind, that the remarks of 
 the writer, as far as they relate to climate 
 and customs, can only be considered to apply 
 immediately and with perfect correctness, to 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 that particular part of the country in which 
 the writer usually resides. India is only a 
 name given by us to an immense extent of 
 country, quite as large as the whole of Europe, 
 exclusive of Russia. It is peopled by those 
 who differ much from each other in language, 
 habits, &c. ; and what applies to one province, 
 as for instance, to Bengal, does not apply with 
 equal force, and sometimes not at all, to other 
 and distant parts. The people and their re- 
 ligion are one to a certain extent, but not I 
 should think, in a greater degree than the 
 different nations of Europe professing the re- 
 formed faith are one. The chief part of my 
 experience has been in Bengal, and it is only 
 with respect to that part of India that my 
 remarks must be considered entirely to 
 apply. The little that I have seen of other 
 parts has only shewn me, how great the dis- 
 similarity in many respects between the north, 
 and south, and east, and west, the inhabitants 
 of the coast, and those inland. What one 
 may do without detriment to the health in 
 one place, I have proved to be very injurious 
 in another, so that our only safety is in 
 taking the advice of those accustomed to the 
 
8 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 particular province to wliicli we may go. I 
 would have this borne in mind, when reading 
 the rules I have appended to my last letter. 
 
 I have now ordy to beg the union of yom’ 
 fervent prayers with mine, my dear friend, 
 that the glory of God may be promoted by 
 this feeble attempt, and to subscribe myself 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 M. Weitbrecht. 
 
IX IXDIA, 
 
 9 
 
 LETTER 11. 
 
 ox THE DISPOSITIOX OF MIXH WITH WHICH 
 WE SHOULD EXTEK, E'rOX MISSIOXAKY 
 WOKK. 
 
 Mj dear Friend, 
 
 It is not exactly in my plan to say 
 much on the duty and privilege of engaging in 
 missionary work, in the way of exciting, per- 
 suading, and urging females to enter upon it, 
 nor is it necessary. There are many masterly 
 works extant, in M'hich this subject is treated 
 at large, and powerfully proved, and to these 
 most can gain access. It is true that in 
 them, no particular reference maybe made to 
 female duty; but I believe it is now generally 
 allowed, that female influence and co-ope- 
 ration is necessary, in a greater or less de- 
 gree, in evangelizing the world ; and the 
 arguments, which apply to the chiu’ch as a 
 body, are intended for both sexes. I would. 
 
10 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 therefore, rather recommend the perusal and 
 study of the books which bring this impor- 
 tant subject before the mind in all its force 
 and bearings, than attempt to advance what 
 I am not able to say half so well as others 
 have said it, and to suggest self-examination 
 on the question, of whether or not we^ as 
 individuals, have any ground to suppose our- 
 selves called to engage in missionary labours. 
 
 There is a great diversity of opinion, even 
 among experienced Christians and mission- 
 aries, as to the propriety and necessity of 
 single females engaging in mission work. 
 It is certainly a very difficult and deli- 
 cate subject to speak upon, and one which 
 requires to be treated with great prudence 
 and caution. 
 
 Our sex is natm^ally so much under the 
 influence of feeling, that we are particularly 
 liable to be led astray by it, and to forai 
 wrong conclusions, guided by impulse rather 
 than principle. A double degree of care is 
 therefore necessary in referring to female 
 duty in this respect ; and those whose minds 
 are at all led to think of engaging in mission 
 work, have great need to be very jealous over 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 11 
 
 themselves, and very slow in deciding on 
 offering themselves for it. 
 
 They must first feel fully satisfied that 
 there is no duty demanding their prior atten- 
 tion at home, such as the care and support of 
 aged parents, or other near relatives; that 
 outward circumstances are favourable, and 
 that health and constitution are good ; that 
 such friends as are capable of forming a cor- 
 rect judgment approve of their desire ; and 
 that previous education and discipline, have 
 in some degree, prepared them for it, while 
 no impediments offer, the overcoming of 
 which will, in any degree, involve the consis- 
 tency of the Christian character, or any thing 
 beyond personal sacrifice. A due measure of 
 consideration to these preliminary points may 
 save much future perplexity, and enable them 
 to avoid the danger of running before they 
 are sent. 
 
 These points being fairly settled, they will 
 be at liberty to take up the subject, to medi- 
 tate upon it, pray over it, seek the best and 
 most prudent advice respecting it, and be 
 fully persuaded in their own minds that they 
 are really in some good degree suited for it. 
 
12 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 and called to it, before they venture to think 
 of taking* any decided steps regarding future 
 engagement in it. It is not the warm and lively 
 sympathies for the poor heathen produced by 
 hearing an animated discourse upon missions, 
 or by listening to the thrilling appeals made 
 at a missionary meeting, that will induce the 
 right state of mind for judging ourselves. 
 These means may first arouse us to a feeling 
 of the claims of the heathen, and to a con- 
 sciousness of our own responsibility to them, 
 as those who possess the knowledge of that 
 “ everlasting Gospel” which is to be pro- 
 claimed to every creature under heaven ; but 
 it must be in the retirement of the closet, in 
 our cool and quiet hours, when our souls are 
 alone with God, that we can properly judge 
 and examine om’selves in this matter. From 
 the tenor of the succeeding letters, I hope it 
 will be quite evident that nothing but very 
 deep and strong principles can enable any 
 one to become an efiicient or really valuable 
 missionary labourer, and none should venture 
 to enter upon the field, but those who have 
 reason to believe they possess such principles. 
 
 Perhaps some may here say it is impossible 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 13 
 
 for us to be faithful judges in our own case, 
 but this is not so difficult as it may at first 
 sight appear. We generally know pretty 
 well, or can ascertain what our friends think 
 of us ; and, by comparing their opinions with 
 our own inward experience, and the workings 
 and impulses of our ovrn minds ; and aiding 
 ourselves by again comparing the results of 
 our inward principles, as exhibited in our 
 practice, we may come to a pretty correct 
 conclusion regarding ourselves. Of course, 
 I take it for granted, in speaking of friends, 
 that they are judicious and faithful friends, 
 and not fond and partial ones ; and I would 
 also add, that we must judge our future 
 selves by our present selves, so to speak ; for 
 what we are in our present sphere, the same 
 shall we he in our future sphere. We must 
 not imagine that when surrounded by the 
 sights and practices of heathenism, we shall 
 be excited to zeal, and energy, and devoted- 
 ness, if we are not zealous, and energetic, 
 and devoted where we are. The very con- 
 trary will be our experience, as many who 
 have engaged in missionary work on mistaken 
 grounds can well attest. There is no better 
 
 c 
 
14 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 and safer criterion for us to judge ourselves 
 by, than our present actual experience, en- 
 gagements, and tastes. If we are habitually 
 prayerful, humble, and self-denying in Europe, 
 so shall we he in India, or wherever called, in 
 the providence of God to labour, the grace 
 of God continuing to aid us, and vice versa. 
 We must not attempt to delude ourselves 
 with the idea, that to labour among the poor 
 degraded heathen, is a delightful and heart- 
 cheering employment, for as far as nature is 
 concerned it is precisely the opposite. One 
 cannot too strongly depict the difficulties and 
 trials of missionary work, and I believe they 
 must he felt to he understood rightly. In 
 the female department especially, we must be 
 content, and must be willing, to be “ hewers 
 of wood and drawers of water,” and be very 
 thankful to have an opportunity of being so 
 engaged. It is quite true, that missionary 
 work is hoth heart-cheering and delightful, 
 as viewed in connection with the promises of 
 God, and with the recompence of the reward; 
 and in the contemplation of these, we may 
 indeed call ourselves happy and privileged 
 labourei’S ; but it is, nevertheless, a work in- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 15 
 
 volviug extreme self-denial, as all who faith- 
 fully labour in it well know. I do not mean 
 bj this, that the missionary in India has any 
 very extraordinary temporal privations to 
 bear. On the contrary, we have many alle- 
 viations to the heat, suitable food, very to- 
 * lerable servants, generally speaking pretty 
 good dwellings, and I may say, all we can 
 reasonably desire for the comfort of our 
 bodies, as far as one can speak of comfort in 
 what is to us such an unnatural climate : but 
 our mental trials, and our spiritual privations, 
 are great, and of no ordinary kind ; we feel 
 the debilitating influence of the moral climate 
 of India on our souls, more than we feel that 
 of its natural climate on our bodies, and it 
 needs more spiritual strength to bear up 
 against the former, than bodily strength to 
 sustain the latter. Hence the necessity of 
 those well-grounded motives for entering 
 upon the work, to w^hich reference has been 
 made. “ We want,” says a devoted mis- 
 sionary, principle, deep, generous, glowing, 
 mighty principle : a sufficient impulse to all 
 exertion and sacrifice: the fruit in the soul 
 of all the glorious motives of the cross.” 
 
16 
 
 FEMALE MISSIOAWRIES 
 
 From the tenor of the preceding' remarks 
 it will be conjectm’ed, that I am not averse 
 to the idea of single ladies engaging in 
 missionary work, hut as in this I wish my 
 views to be clearly apparent, I will now 
 proceed to make a few direct remarks upon 
 this point. 
 
 It strikes me that some consideration 
 should be allowed to women as well as to 
 men in this respect, and that when an indivi- 
 dual has a strong desire, and earnest longing 
 to enter upon labours in a heathen land, 
 and manifests a decided suitability for such 
 labours, no discouragements should be offered 
 simply on the ground of sex, as such persons 
 certainly give promise of being likely to 
 prove more zealous and efficient than others, 
 who have never been led to desire similar 
 dedication. The state of society in our days 
 makes the subject one of difficulty, but I be- 
 lieve that with regard to the question, as to 
 why Christian women, whom God has pre- 
 pared for missionary usefulness, should not 
 emulate those women who laboimed in the 
 Gospel in apostolic times, there can scarcely 
 be a diversity of opinion ; for surely icomen, 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 ]7 
 
 either single or married, are as indispensable 
 to the successful operations of missions, as to 
 the progress and well-being of society in 
 Christian lands. And since married women 
 are not always able to command sufiGicient 
 leisure, for all the calls that are made on 
 them, single ones may well step in to fill the 
 posts, which seem more particularly their 
 sphere and calling, that of school teachers, 
 superintendents, and so on. We read in the 
 earlier history of the church very striking 
 instances of female devotedness and useful- 
 ness. Some women are mentioned by name, 
 as having crossed the sea to convert heathen 
 females, and as labouring for many years 
 with much success ; and I believe it will be 
 allowed, that if female education has received 
 an impulse in Bengal, it has been chiefly 
 through the efforts of those who came out 
 single, which is the best argument in favour 
 of the plan, and the one least likely to be 
 gainsaid. Mr. Smith, of Madras, writes, 
 “unmarried females of sound constitution, 
 superior qualifications, and eminent piety, 
 should be encouraged to enter the mission 
 
 c 2 
 
18 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 field.” I heave often heard testimonies equally 
 strong. 
 
 But though I have said so much on this 
 particular, I must remark that I do not won- 
 der at the opinions entertained by many mis- 
 sionaries and others, respecting the unadvised- 
 ness of bringing or sending out single ladies 
 to India to engage in mission work, and I will 
 briefly refer to my reasons. 
 
 There have been among those excellent 
 women who have devoted themselves to the 
 heathen, some who have nobly redeemed the 
 pledge they gave to the church, and whose 
 example and perseverance has spoken power- 
 fully in favour of the plan of engaging and 
 sending forth single females. It is unneces- 
 sary to mention names, and sufficient to refer 
 to facts. Such individuals came out actuated 
 by the right and true missionary spirit, and 
 have shewn what it is possible for single 
 females to accomplish. 
 
 Had all acted thus, there would doubtless 
 have been few objectors to the engagement 
 of single females in the work of missions, 
 but when those who come to a heathen 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 19 
 
 country, professing to be Tvilling to endiu’e 
 self-denial to its utmost extent, shrink from 
 it on its first approach, and readily resign 
 those labours to which they had in name 
 devoted their lives, at the first temptation 
 that assails them, people are immediately dis- 
 posed to become dissatisfied with the system, 
 and to lay the blame on it. Forgetting, — or 
 perhaps not fully knowing, the various in- 
 stances of excellent and exemplary women 
 who have been faithful to their professions, 
 they condemn the whole, on account of the 
 inconsistencies of the few, though all who are 
 acquainted with the history of missions should 
 be aware, that failm’es in each department, 
 ever have, and ever will occasionally occur, 
 both with men and women. 
 
 In a country like India, where there is not 
 exactly the same high standard of public 
 opinion as in England, where motives are 
 canvassed, and individuals judged in their 
 actions in a way that can scarcely be de- 
 scribed, and much less conceived, by those 
 who have no idea of the state of society 
 as it exists abroad, it is doubly necessary 
 to be on one’s guard, for too much 'goes 
 
20 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 by prejudice and a sort of false sympathy, 
 that is very injurious, and more mistaken 
 impressions seem to result from one or two 
 failures, wdiere every thing is known and 
 talked of, than right impressions, from nume- 
 rous proofs of success, which make no par- 
 ticular noise. Thus missionaries are blamed, 
 and keenly feeling the ground that is given 
 for reproach, they come to the conclusion, 
 that it is better not to make the attempt than 
 to run the risk of such painful occurrences. 
 
 I am happy to say, that out of a consider- 
 able number of ladies whom I have known as 
 coming out single to engage in missionary 
 work, I remember scarcely one instance where 
 they have not in a greater or less degree 
 been faithful to the spirit of their profession^ 
 though some perhaps may consider, not per- 
 haps exactly to the letter of it. I however 
 think that extreme discretion should be ob- 
 served by all parties engaged in preparing 
 and sending out female labourers, and I shall 
 take occasion to refer again to this here- 
 after. 
 
 In the meanwhile I would repeat, that 
 those who would engage in this warfare must 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 21 
 
 first count the cost, for trials, and severe ones, 
 they must be prepared to endure without shrink- 
 ing, and if they are not prepared for these, it 
 is far better that they remain at home. 
 
 The preceding remarks run more in the 
 style of caution than of encouragement, be- 
 cause I feel so deeply, from what I have seen 
 and known in India, how important it is that 
 all who engage in mission work, should be 
 fully informed of the arduous nature of it, 
 and be made to understand clearly the kind of 
 life they must expect to encounter, as far as it 
 is possible for descriptions and representa- 
 tions to make it apparent. Far be it from 
 me, however, to discourage any whose “hearts 
 God has touched,” for I have to acknowledge, 
 with gratitude, the valuable aid I have de- 
 rived from my fellow-helpers during a period 
 of several years — aid which I had tried in 
 vain to obtain in India ; and though I believe 
 that in large towns, such as Calcutta or near 
 it, it is not so difficult as I found it in the 
 country to obtain East Indian assistants ; and 
 it is perhaps, becoming easier every year, yet 
 I cannot doubt that single ladies of the right 
 sort, may still be very usefid, when received 
 
22 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 by mutual consent into missionary, or other 
 devoted families, who need and apply for them, 
 and are willing' and anxious to avail them- 
 selves of their help, though I would decidedly 
 say, only to such; for it must ever be re- 
 membered that a young woman is, of all 
 creatures in the world, the least calculated 
 and the least intended to stand alone, and 
 that particularly in a country like India. 
 These points should, of course, be satisfac- 
 torily settled previously, and no time will 
 eventually be lost by all parties concerned 
 determining to have the clearest understand- 
 ing, and the most definite arrangements pos- 
 sible made, but this will more properly come 
 under consideration hereafter. 
 
 I will not close this letter without adding a 
 few w'ords of direct encouragement, though, 
 as I observed at the commencement, very 
 little necessity exists for me to enlarge on 
 these points, and it scarcely comes within my 
 plan or object, which is more to advise and 
 direct individuals, who have been already 
 awakened to the claims of the heathen on their 
 sympathy and aid. 
 
 I am writing to those who “ know the 
 
IN INDIA* 
 
 23 
 
 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who know 
 his compassion for souls, his love for iis, 
 and that nothing can please or honour Him 
 more, than self-devotedness to his cause among 
 the heathen; who fully understand that he 
 who lives to himself is not a Christian, and 
 feel that every part and property of our na- 
 ture, and every moment of our existence, 
 liaving been bought and paid for with the 
 precious blood of Christ, is not our own, but 
 charged with a duty to Him who thus re- 
 deemed it. All our powers being held by us, 
 as a precious trust for Christ, must be em- 
 ployed for Him in the way that seems most 
 likely to prove effectual. His cross supplies 
 us with a motive sufficiently strong to impel 
 us forward, and it is not left for us to choose 
 or not, but his Word declares, that Him we 
 are hou7id to glorify with our bodies and 
 spirits, which are his, and not our own. His 
 mission from heaven to Calvary contains in it 
 the spring and principle of all other missions, 
 and there is not a moment in which the com- 
 mand is suspended, Be not weary in well 
 doing,” while every believing act of good will 
 add a ray to the radiance of that crown, 
 
24 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 which we hope hereafter 'to cast at our Sa- 
 viour’s feet. 
 
 Christ died for the good of man, and He 
 expects that all who call themselves His fol- 
 lowers, should live for the same blessed object 
 which prompted Him to be “stricken, smitten 
 of God, and afflicted.” We, as individuals, are 
 brought under obligations to Christ, that we 
 may be engaged and engrossed for the sal- 
 vation of our fellow immortals, and He who 
 requires this of us supplies us with power, by 
 imparting to us the promised help of his 
 Holy Spirit, who bestows on us an abundance 
 of heavenly influence to fit us for our duty: 
 He even allures us to cultivate the tree, by 
 promising us that we shall reap the fruit, and 
 we may be sure that, in due season, we shall 
 reap, if we faint not.^ 
 
 * Just before writing the above remarks, I was 
 privileged to read a most beautiful Essay on Christian 
 Missions lately published, by the perusal of which my 
 mind was so deeply impressed, that I believe I have 
 embodied several of the ideas therein presented in 
 these two pages. I cannot answer for the actual 
 expressions, and therefore I have not ventured to 
 mark a single sentence ; but I feel convinced that I 
 am indebted to that Essay for several of the senti- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 25 
 
 Arduous and trying as missionary work is, I 
 do believe and can affirm from experience, that 
 it is the most happy and blessed work, the 
 most high and holy calling, in which the 
 Christian can be privileged to engage, when 
 faith is strong and lively, and when it is 
 viewed, as it ever should be, through .that 
 medium. As it has its own peculiar sor- 
 rows, so it has its joys, with which a stranger 
 to it intermeddleth not. An indifferent and 
 careless labourer may be an unhappy, cheer- 
 less labourer, but a spiritual, prayerful, devoted 
 woman must, though surrounded by much 
 calulated to grieve, depress, discourage, and 
 overwhelm her, be a Christian of no ordinary 
 experience and elevation of mind, and be 
 unwilling to exchange positions with those 
 who are apparently, the most favoured mem- 
 bers of the Christian church ; and if w^e 
 “ prove God,” i. e. take Him at his word, He 
 will bless us so largely, that all needful grace 
 will be bestowed.^ 
 
 ments I have expressed, for it so entirely embodied 
 my own previous ideas, that every word seemed to 
 fasten itself on my memory. 
 
 * On one occasion, when a lady, who was the wife 
 
 D 
 
26 FEMALE MISSIONAKIES 
 
 Although therefore, I am anxious to 
 caution, and even to discourage those who do 
 uot look upon mission work from the highest 
 
 of a civilian, was stopping over a Sabbath in the 
 mission house, the delicate state of her health pre- 
 vented her from attending the English service in the 
 evening, and she remained at home with me. At 
 the usual hour the native Christian women as- 
 sembled in a lai'ge room in the mission house, and 
 took their customary places on a mat on the floor, 
 forming a circle around the lights, which were placed 
 in the centre of the room. A very pious native Chris- 
 tian, who had a great gift in expounding Scripture, 
 but who was quite blind, and unable to read, sat at 
 the top of the room, and the orphan girls in front 
 within the circle of the women. 
 
 The lady referred to sat in a recess which com- 
 manded a view of the whole scene. The service 
 was commenced by the catechist giving out a Ben- 
 galee hymn from memory, and setting the tune, 
 which was also native music. Every individual 
 joined, and when the singing ceased, the whole com- 
 pany prostrated themselves according to the oriental 
 method, and a short and fervent praj^er was offered. 
 The exposition was very simple, but just suited to the 
 capacities of the hearers, who were evidently deeply 
 interested. After the concluding singing and prayer, 
 the women and girls rose, and with smiling faces 
 passed in i*otation before the lady and myself, and 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 27 
 
 point of view, and who are not quite per- 
 suaded of being' fully prepared for its trials, 
 self-denials, and disappointments, and who 
 would enter upon it with far too sanguine 
 anticipations of its outward and present en- 
 joyments ; you will easily perceive how I, 
 in truth, and from my most powerful in- 
 ward convictions, in real fact, regard it, and 
 how much satisfaction I should have, in 
 welcoming one after another, of really suit- 
 able and devoted labourers, to India’s shores 
 to engage in it. I long to see our numbers 
 enlarged, by an accession of right-minded 
 individuals, but I do believe that only these 
 can be of any avail, and that we are better 
 without inadequate helpers. 
 
 What I have said in this letter, though 
 written more particularly with reference to 
 single females, will I hope, be equally useful 
 for the consideration of those who contemplate 
 a union with missionaries, and I have had 
 
 made their salaam on leaving. The lady was quite 
 overcome, and exclaimed with the deepest feelings, 
 “ Oh, this is true happiness ; this is delightful ; a 
 missionary’s wife must be, indeed, a happy woman !” 
 
28 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 them equally in view while writing ; their 
 Christian character and attainments need 
 to be of the highest possible order, as I 
 shall more particularly endeavour to depict in 
 a futui’e letter. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 M. W. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 29 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 ON THE CKARACTEKS FITTED FOR EN- 
 GAGING IN MISSIONARY WORK. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 In the preceding- letter I have pre- 
 pared you to expect that I take a very high 
 view of the class of females who should 
 engage in mission work, and I believe that 
 too high a standard can scarcely be raised. 
 It is no common engagement they enter upon, 
 and it requires no common character rightly 
 and consistently to fulfil it. I would, as I 
 have before said, discourage none “ whose 
 hearts God has touched,” but as in the case 
 of men, so I am convinced in that of women 
 likewise, it requires superior persons in every 
 respect, both by nature and grace. Such as 
 are weak in faith, or whose minds are easily 
 affected, are quite unfit, while those of strong, 
 healthy, cheerful piety, founded on clear 
 
 D 2 
 
30 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 scriiJtural principles, will wear well, and work 
 on through all difficulties. 
 
 I must first refer to the physical qualities 
 which should be possessed, and will begin 
 with age and constitution. From all I have 
 seen, I am inclined to the opinion which seems 
 most natural, and which is I believe gene- 
 rally held, that the younger an individual 
 enter upon labours in a climate so essentially 
 difiPerent to her native one, the better as a 
 rule, though this of course, admits of ex- 
 ceptions, and I have known of several ex- 
 ceptions, which were not failures. It is 
 quite necessary that maturity of mind and 
 character be possessed, and when these 
 are displayed, the earlier an individual ven- 
 ture on an exchange of climate, the more 
 likely will her constitution be to assimilate 
 well with it. The mind and habits are also 
 more flexible at an earlier age, and can more 
 readily form themselves to the altered circum- 
 stances in which they muII be placed, and 
 above all it may be said, that humanly 
 speaking, a longer term of usefulness is 
 likely to be enjoyed by the individual who 
 engages in the work. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 31 
 
 • As it regards the constitution and general 
 health, both should of course be good. It 
 may not be necessary or perhaps desirable, 
 that one be particularly hale or strong, but a 
 healthful constitution, without a predisposi- 
 tion to any particular disease or weakness, is 
 most desirable. All those of inflammatory 
 habits, and such as have a tendency of blood 
 to the head, should be very cautious in ven- 
 turing on a tropical climate. Persons of cool 
 and even temperament, slow pulse, tranquil 
 minds, and a good degree of nerve, would 
 seem the best suited for it, for it may be ob- 
 served, that a hot climate has an immense in- 
 fluence upon the nervous system. I purpose 
 adding a few rules relative to health, in an 
 appendix, interspersed with such remarks as 
 may elucidate them. 
 
 I have heard it remarked, that it is impos- 
 sible for what is commonly called a passionate 
 or bad tempered person, to enjoy good health 
 in India, and though this may not he strictly 
 correct, there is certainly some ground for 
 the assertion. I look upon a sweet even tem- 
 perament as of the first importance, parti- 
 cularly as it relates to females, who have 
 
32 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 from the nature of their engagements, more 
 to try the temper than the other sex. An 
 Indian climate, and native servants and habits, 
 tell upon the best temper, and one requires 
 to be extremely watchful over oneself in this 
 particular. I have known the most lamen- 
 table effects to arise from yielding to the temp- 
 tation of giving way to temper, even among 
 missionary females, which induces me to lay 
 great stress upon it ; and I ought to add, that 
 it is important not only as it affects ourselves, 
 but in its influence upon the natives, who 
 always appreciate it very highly, while they 
 are disposed to make little allowance for the 
 want of it. Nothing but deep piety, and 
 living near to God can enable us, in many 
 cases, to preserve the equanimity of what may 
 be called our natural temper, under all the 
 provocations to which it is liable; but it is 
 so intimately connected with both health and 
 usefulness, that it becomes one of our first 
 duties to guard it in every possible way, and 
 by every direct and indirect effort. Activity 
 and energy, both of mind and body, must be 
 combined with this habitual equanimity, and 
 these together, will induce that cheerfulness 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 33 
 
 of spirit in the performance of our daily 
 duties, which will prove, not only one of the 
 best preservatives of our health, but one of 
 the chief auxiliaries to our usefulness. With 
 a quiet temper, we may be passively useful 
 only, and with an energetic spirit actively 
 useful only, but the union of both is necessary ; 
 and both should be aimed at, and prayed for. 
 A tropical climate has not less influence upon 
 our energies, than it has upon our tempers, 
 and there are few indeed who do not in some 
 degree suffer loss in this respect. With re- 
 gard to all our abilities, we must remember 
 that we are upon enemies’ ground, and that 
 we shall feel continual need of the Saviour’s 
 injunction, to “ Watch and pray, lest we 
 enter into temptation, for though the spirit 
 may be willing, the flesh is weak.” It is 
 often a great effort truly, to maintain bodily 
 activity at the most trying seasons of the 
 year, when the heat is fearfully oppressive: 
 but those who do so, are well repaid for it in 
 every way, and do not in reality suffer so much 
 either in strength or spirits, as those who yield 
 to languid indolence. It must ever be borne 
 in mind, — so intimately is our physical and 
 
34 
 
 FEMALE MISSION AraES 
 
 intellectual nature connected, that activity of 
 mind is most likely to produce activity of 
 body, and I must therefore guard what I have 
 said on this particular by one cautionary re- 
 mark, i. e. that when the state of the health, 
 or other causes, make quietness and suspen- 
 sion from our usual duties desirable, we should 
 patiently acquiesce, and willingly resign our- 
 selves to a season of rest. There is much 
 true wisdom and prudence in this, for an 
 active mind is distinct from a restless unquiet 
 mind, and it is a duty to make the best of our 
 strength by duly husbanding it ; — to bend the 
 bow too forcibly is as great an error as to 
 relax it unduly. 
 
 I may next say a few words on general 
 habits and manners. The habits should be 
 neat, orderly, diligent — we do very much by 
 our habits — if they are good we can get 
 through a much larger amount of work, with 
 less effort to ourselves, than if they are the 
 contrary. I was never tired of admiring a 
 dear missionary sister, (now with God,) who 
 particularly excelled in this respect, and who 
 thereby gave a grace and a finish to every 
 thing she attempted, which made her schools. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 35 
 
 and all her arrangements, additionally inte- 
 resting to those who saw them. I am per- 
 suaded that wm very much need attention to 
 these points, in our orphan and boarding 
 schools, for we have Cjuite to form the natives 
 in these respects, and as outward order has 
 so much to do with inward order, which 
 again is very essential to due mental pro- 
 gress and improvement, a good degree of care 
 should be directed towards our habits. Order 
 may be said to be among one of the “ trifles, 
 that form the sum of human things,” if that 
 can properly be called a trifle, which involves 
 in it such important consequences, as does the 
 observation of orderly habits. 
 
 Our manners should also receive attention, 
 for manner, as has been observed, is something 
 with all, and every thing with some. Piety 
 and courtesy are not averse to each other, but 
 coalesce well together, and pleasing affable 
 behaviour has its effect, when it springs from 
 right and sincere principle ; and it ought 
 to be cultivated, because it is some check 
 upon natural selfishness, as well as because 
 it commands respect and attention. I have 
 seen very excellent wmmen, who thought it 
 
36 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONAEIES 
 
 hard and unreasonable, to be expected to be 
 polite and courteous, and I have heard it re- 
 marked by others, as the chief fault to be 
 regretted in such individuals. It seems to 
 me that in India especially, it is very de- 
 sirable to pay a degree of attention to man- 
 ner, that might hardly be necessary else- 
 where. It is much thought of by European 
 society, and though it is a thing of inferior 
 moment in itself, it is not without its use, and 
 its influence in recommending our work. Be- 
 sides this, we naturally love among ourselves, 
 those of an afiPectionate, conciliating deport- 
 ment, whose address is amiable and engaging, 
 and on no people does a gentle, afiable, and 
 yet dignified manner, produce a greater effect 
 than on the Hindus. 
 
 I come now to speak of education, which 
 should be good and solid, for that which is 
 superficial and showy w’e have no need, and 
 accomplishments are neither necessary or 
 essential, but a well read, well informed mind, 
 and an ability to express oneself with ease 
 and facility in writing, are very important. 
 
 To have learned a foreign language well^ 
 and thoroughly^ will be a help, not because 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 37 
 
 we need the use of any other European lan- 
 guage than English in India, but because the 
 study and mental industry, necessary for the 
 acquisition of a language, has so good an 
 effect in disciplining and schooling the mind, 
 that it will then be much easier to sit down 
 to the native language, and to persevere 
 in gaining a good knovdedge of it, which 
 is of the first importance. A thorough ac- 
 quaintance with geography and history is very 
 desirable, and to be a good arithmetician is 
 desirable likewise. All kinds of useful know- 
 ledge, (and I know of none that may not he 
 called useful, and he turned to a good and 
 practical account in India,) will be found valu- 
 able, but chiefly a certain cleverness, as it 
 is usually called, or a dexterity and aptness, 
 in doing every thing which falls within the 
 ordinary sphere of female duty, especially 
 the cleverness of the hand, which so adds to 
 a capability for general usefulness. The arts 
 of sewing, knitting, rug-work, embroidery, 
 and others, are of more value than many may 
 be inclined to think. The present stage of 
 progress, Avith regard to female education in 
 India, is a A’ery humble one, and aa-c cannot 
 
38 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 force intellect forward all at once ; every 
 improvement on that state of degradation, 
 in which the women of India have been for 
 ages, will progress slowly and gradually, and 
 none must be disappointed upon entering on 
 their work among them to find, as many have 
 been, that a part of their valuable time is to 
 be spent in teaching handiworks, instead of 
 being wholly occupied in imparting intellec- 
 tual knowledge. And not only must we allow 
 for the low state of the female mind, but the 
 class of children of whom our schools are com- 
 posed must be considered. These are mostly 
 of the humbler orders, both actually and in 
 ability, and do not therefore need to be 
 trained as literary characters, even were it 
 possible to make them such, but into good, 
 sensible. Industrious wives and mothers. The 
 majority of them require at present, no greater 
 degree of literary knowledge, than to read well 
 in their own language, and no greater enlarge- 
 ment of mind, than to understand what they 
 read, so as to bring it into practical use. 
 Diligent habits are of the utmost importance, 
 and if we succeed in training them to these, 
 we may rejoice, for a host of evils which 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 39 
 
 result from their natural and heathenish 
 apathy, are thereby corrected, and that more 
 effectually than they could be, by making 
 them scholars, while such habits will have 
 the best influence on their religioits^ as w'ell 
 as moral character. The disappointment to 
 which I have alluded is no matter of wonder, 
 considering the erroneous views w’hich too 
 much prevail in England, regarding our con- 
 verts, schools, &c. ; but it shews the necessity 
 that exists for endeavouring to give correct 
 ideas on these points. I had no idea when I 
 first arrived in India of the desirableness of 
 many things, that appeared quite evident 
 when fairly brought to view. The climate 
 does not admit of that out-of-doors activity, 
 which occupies so much of our time at home, 
 and constant mental employment is too fa- 
 tiguing, both for us and our pupils, during 
 the heat of the day. The domestic business of 
 orphan and boarding schools devolves chiefly 
 on the elder girls, and is undertaken by them 
 in turns, so that a large portion of time re- 
 mains to be filled up with some sitting occu- 
 pation. The few children in a school of thirty 
 or forty, who may be found possessing a larger 
 
40 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 share of ability, and to be capable of more 
 application than the rest, and to Mhom it is 
 desirable to give a more extended education, 
 fall under the same remark, for they too need 
 relaxation from mental effort, and cannot ob- 
 tain it better than by joining the others in 
 their sewing and knitting. 
 
 The very knowledge of these things, for 
 their own sake, is valuable to these poor 
 females, for it makes them more useful, both 
 to their families, and to society at large ; and 
 when it is remembered in addition, that the 
 women in Bengal, in their heathen state, 
 spend all their time which is not occupied in 
 domestic duties, in absolute idleness, unless 
 they are very poor and must work out of 
 doors or take service, it will clearly appear 
 how we have to fight against their desultory 
 habits, in every shape. I have found by ex- 
 perience that they do by degrees acquire a 
 taste for, and a degree of satisfaction in quiet 
 useful employments, which gives a sort of zest 
 to their lives, and disposes them to more dili- 
 gence in mental ones. I have observed too, 
 that the native Christian women, who have 
 been converted after marriage, though seldom 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 41 
 
 able, especially when they have families, to 
 learn to read, can generally be taught to sew 
 or knit, and thereby to improve in industry, 
 and as a consequence to become raised in their 
 general character. 
 
 A female engaged in missionary labour 
 should further be distinguished by good 
 sense, as well as by that tridy valuable qua- 
 lity common sense, which I may remark by 
 the w'ay is so necessary, that without it, all 
 other sense is comparatively valueless. Good 
 sense teaches one to act with propriety and 
 consistency under all circumstances. It shews 
 us our proper position, in every sphere in 
 which w^e may be placed, and enables us 
 to distingush the niceties of the relation we 
 sustain to others. It fits us to be an orna- 
 ment to the circle in w'hich we move, and to 
 fulfil all our engagements in a judicious way. 
 It is therefore almost indispensable to our 
 character as missionary females, called to stand 
 out, as it were, and maintain an eminence be- 
 fore the world. 
 
 I have before remarked, that accomplish- 
 ments are not essential, though as education 
 advances in our orphan and boarding schools 
 
42 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 they may become valuable. A knowledge of 
 singing is however very desirable, as Hindu 
 children take great delight in it, and seem to 
 have the ability to excel in it, and I would 
 always recommend a person to acquire it, so 
 as to be able to sing in concert, and to teach 
 the children to do the same, as is universally 
 the practice in all the humbler schools in 
 Germany. It is both interesting to others, 
 and delightful to oneself, to be able to enjoy 
 this recreation, and it greatly heightens the 
 pleasure of young and old in the public ser- 
 vices of God, to join in the singing, while it 
 has otherwise a happy effect upon native chil- 
 dren in various ways. 
 
 I must not omit to notice very pointedly here, 
 what I have slightly hinted at before, that a 
 certain degree of aptitude for languages is 
 most desirable, for all oriental tongues are in 
 their construction, vocabulary, and entire train 
 of ideas, so completely different to western lan- 
 guages, that they may all be termed, for females 
 particularly, more or less difficult. Perseve- 
 rance may and will do a great deal, but without 
 some degree of aptitude, it can scarcely be ex- 
 pected to accomplish every thing. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 43 
 
 Hitherto there have been few females com- 
 paratively, who have acquired more than a 
 slig’ht and imperfect acquaintance with the 
 native languages ; hut this is very much to 
 be lamented, and though it is no matter of 
 surprise, considering the trials and disad- 
 vantages against which they have had to 
 struggle, yet it is a point on which we 
 should aim to improve in future. IMany may 
 be disposed to think, that a person can be 
 very useful with but little knowledge of the 
 language, if she have tact and ability in other 
 respects ; and so she may, but it cannot be 
 doubted, that it would greatly increase her 
 sphere of usefulness, to be able to express 
 herself fully and intelligibly on any subject 
 she wishes to bring forward. I do not mean 
 that we need have such a knowlege of the 
 language as is necessary for missionaries, who 
 have to preach and dispute in it ; but we cer- 
 tainly should have so much as to enable us to 
 address the school children and native Chris- 
 tian women in a plain and familiar way, and 
 to pray with them, persuade them, exhort and 
 direct them. We shall perceive this very 
 clearly, if we imagine ourselves visiting the 
 
44 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 poor at home. We can well understand how 
 awkward we should feel without a command 
 of our OAvn language, how unable to comfort, 
 to encourage, or to reprove them, how utter- 
 ly at a loss to convey the expression of our 
 kind intentions towards them, and our sym- 
 pathy with them. We should be so con- 
 strained by the consciousness of our inability 
 to benefit them as we desired, that we should 
 be tempted to avoid visiting them altogether, 
 or if we did so, from a sense of duty, we 
 should experience no genuine satisfaction in 
 our employment. Now it is easy to draw the 
 parallel, for it is precisely so, that we are 
 situated in India, without an adequate know- 
 ledge of the language of the people among 
 whom we are labouring. We must, therefore, 
 lay it down as a principle on our arrival, 
 that we will allow nothing to divert us from 
 the study of the native tongue, until we have 
 acquired a sufficient knowledge of it to do 
 thus much. 
 
 I may here remark in passing, that a single 
 lady coming out has an advantage over a 
 married one, in the greater leisure and free- 
 dom from interruption she will enjoy for 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 45 
 
 study ; and on this account one might he 
 inclined to advocate the engagement of single 
 ladies in missionary work, as they may there- 
 by become better fitted for the sphere they 
 have to fill, before they are involved in do- 
 mestic duties. It may certainly be urged 
 against this, that a lady will, perhaps, after 
 having acquired the language of one province, 
 be called to settle finally in a part of the 
 country where a different one is spoken. 
 We believ^e, however, that conscientious and 
 devoted females, possessing strong principle, 
 would either hesitate in making such a 
 change, or else would do so only under the 
 conviction, that from a similarity between the 
 languages, they could easily acquire that of 
 the province to which they removed. Of 
 course the acquisition of one oriental lan- 
 guage is always in some degree a help to the 
 attainment of another, and most if not all of 
 the languages spoken by Hindus in the nor- 
 thern parts of India, (I except Hindusthanie, 
 which is the language of the INIussulmans) 
 are dialects derived from the Sungskrit, so 
 that there is a great deal of connection be- 
 tween them. 
 
46 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 A benevolent disposition must be in active 
 exercise, for the duties and kind offices we 
 should be willing to perform, if necessary, 
 for those around us (though I would not give 
 the idea that we shall be constantly called 
 upon to do such things) are sometimes, from 
 the nature of the climate, the habits of the 
 people, as opposed to our own, and other 
 circumstances to which reference is needless, 
 unpleasant in the extreme, and nothing but 
 real genuine benevolence reconciles the mind 
 to discharge them. I have seen a European, 
 who would have been shocked to be charged 
 with want of feeling, allow a poor native to 
 die, when humanly speaking, life might have 
 been saved by timely interference, which no- 
 thing but disgust prevented him from render- 
 ing. That I do not allude to a missionary, 
 or to a pious person, Avill readily be supposed ; 
 but I am convinced from my own experience, 
 that this feeling often operates, even upon us, 
 more strongly than we are aware of, for I 
 have repeatedly detected myself shrinking 
 from duties, that I am sure would have ex- 
 cited no repugnance at home. The disgusting 
 and revolting customs of heathenism pro- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 47 
 
 duce an effect on the mind, to which a truly 
 benevolent disposition will prove the best coun- 
 terpoise. 
 
 I come now to speak of the religious cha- 
 racter, and those qualities more immediately 
 connected with it, and flowing from it. I 
 wish I were capable of doing any thing like 
 justice to this part of my subject, upon which 
 all the other parts hinge and turn ; but here 
 I especially feel my weakness and inabi- 
 lity, and the need of being taught how to 
 write. I would premise, that the piety of a 
 missionary female must he deep and strong, 
 rather than outwardly enthusiastic or striking ; 
 not unlovely and repulsive, but pure and gentle, 
 majestic and amiable, favourable alike to the 
 enjoyment and communication of happiness. 
 It is no common measure of piety we need, and 
 no small degree of devotedness of spirit that 
 will carry us through our trying and arduous 
 course. Our faith must be pre-eminently 
 strong, for it will encounter constant dis- 
 couragements. It must he of that nature 
 that regards a doubting and wavering dis- 
 position as a dangerous foe to our progress, 
 and as far as respects ourselves or our work. 
 
48 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 especially a sin. The “ same iWncl must be 
 in us which was also in Christ Jesus,” who 
 “ made himself of no reputation,” notwith- 
 standing his inherent greatness and majesty. 
 He must be our pattern, and we must bear 
 his image outw’ardly and inwardly. Our 
 meekness, patience, gentleness, and other 
 Christian graces must shine out brightly, for 
 we are truly “ as a city set on a hill,” that 
 cannot be hid, and all these will have to be 
 in daily exercise. With clear and distin- 
 guishing perceptions of what true piety is, 
 and what it requires, and with a settled, well- 
 grounded assurance of our own personal in- 
 terest in Christ’s redemption, there must 
 exist a heart warm with love to Him, a 
 lively and abiding sense of his fulness and 
 sufficiency, of the excellence and truth of the 
 promises of his Word, with correct views of 
 our utter helplessness and dependence upon 
 Him. We should also possess a strong and 
 impelling desire to do whatever the Lord re- 
 quires, a willingness to give up comforts and 
 submit to privations, to forsake ease and en- 
 dure toil, to change the society of friends for 
 that of enemies, and to make every sacrifice 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 49 
 
 of personal gratification, for the one great 
 object of promoting the knowledge of Christ. 
 
 I believe that none can understand, hut 
 those who have been made to do so from 
 experience, the deadening influence of a resi- 
 dence among heathens upon one’s moral and 
 spiritual nature. It seems, as it were, to 
 harden the heart’s best affections. We need, 
 from our peculiar position, to be living ever 
 in the atmosphere of prayer, whereas an al- 
 most irresistible influence appears to be using 
 all its force to destroy devotional habits and 
 feelings. We can enter into the apostle’s 
 meaning when he said, “We wrestle not 
 against flesh and blood, but against princi- 
 palities, and powers, and the rulers of the 
 darkness of this world.” One would natu- 
 rally think, when contemplating the miseries 
 of heathenism in our own Christian land, that 
 the nearer approach to and view of them, 
 would increase our zeal and our earnestness 
 tenfold, but this is not the usual effect of 
 it. The prince of the power of the air 
 reigns with a spiritual force in India that is 
 quite indescribable ; and I have heard the 
 remark repeatedly from the best missionaries. 
 
 F 
 
50 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 that when standing- in or near heathen tem- 
 ples, and beholding the abominations of hea- 
 then worship, while feeling on the one hand 
 the strongest inward impulse to testify against 
 these things, they have been conscious at the 
 same time of such a repelling influence, that 
 it has required the most determined effort, in 
 the strength of the Lord, “ to cry out, and 
 lift up their voice” before the multitude, on 
 behalf of the truth. India is not more em- 
 phatically a land of bright and glorious sun- 
 shine, than it is a land of moral “ darkness 
 that may be felt.” It is (like Pergamos) the 
 place “ where Satan’s seat is,” and “ where 
 Satan dw^elleth.” (Rev. ii. 13.) Need I prove, 
 then, that if we w^ant piety, if we want faith, 
 if we want prayer, as members of a Christian 
 community at home, we require all these in a 
 much greater proportion in a heathen country, 
 and these we must take with us, and not ex- 
 pect to obtain them there. These we must 
 maintain, with a determined energy and per- 
 severance that only the Lord can impart. So 
 shall we be enabled to labour for Him, and to 
 wrestle with Him for the heathen, as well as 
 to keep up his communion in our own souls. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 51 
 
 I have thus attempted, my dear friend, to 
 give you some faint idea of the description and 
 degree of piety missionary females need, to 
 enable them to sustain it against all the shocks 
 to which it is subjected, and the unfavourable 
 circumstances under which it has to develop 
 itself. Our piety must not be, as I have heard 
 it strikingly expressed, the piety of the church, 
 the piety of feeling, needing the helps of our 
 fellow Christians, of our pastors, of our sanc- 
 tuary services, and the other enjoyments and 
 privileges of a Christian land to keep it in vi- 
 gorous exercise ; no, what we want is spiri- 
 tuality, personal holiness, and a real and prac- 
 tical regard of the Lord Christ as our Master. 
 This kind of piety will shine brightest and 
 stand firmest when all outward helps and 
 excitements are removed ; for it can only re- 
 sult from the work of the Spirit wdthin us, 
 and from his love and grace possessing us, 
 and this is abiding, and will last us in the 
 time of need and extremity. Well may w^e 
 here pause to enquire, “ Who is sufficient for 
 these things ?” Only those who can say with 
 Paul, “ I can do all things through Christ 
 wdiich strengtheneth me.” “ Yet not I, but 
 
52 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 the grace of God which is in me.” Only 
 those who believe, that He who coinmandeth 
 ns, “ Be ye perfect, as your Father who is in 
 heaven is perfect,” and who “knows our works 
 and our labours,” will stand at our right hand, 
 to sustain and to help us, to quicken and to 
 encourage us, to make us “ faithful unto 
 death,” that we may receive “ the crown of 
 life.” Out of his fulness shall we ever receive 
 grace in addition to grace. 
 
 The heart warms at the thought, that in 
 this blessed work of missions, female piety 
 has in several instances, and may yet again 
 in more, recover and display anew the glory 
 which it won, when it poured costly ointment 
 on the Saviour’s head, when it wept at his 
 cross, and was early at his sepulchre. 
 
 Springing from piety such as I have tried 
 to pourtray will be Christian modesty, that 
 beautiful ornament to all women, and that 
 very essential one to the exalted position 
 occupied by the female missionary labourer. 
 Retiredness will follow, though it might 
 seem at first sight, almost incompatible with 
 the circumstances in which such a female is 
 placed. It is not so in fact, for I have seen 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 OO 
 
 the most devoted and useful among us ex- 
 emplify it most remarkably, and the spirit 
 of retiredness is always attainable, though a 
 certain degree of publicity may be involved in 
 the profession we sustain. Study humility, — 
 pray for humility, — be humble, said a dear 
 missionary to a young female friend in parting. 
 The humble attract the regard of those who 
 cannot always duly estimate the principle 
 from which true humility springs ; and humi- 
 lity preserves tenderness and susceptibility of 
 heart, keeps the spirit near the Saviour, and 
 is therefore, one of the greatest helps to 
 success in missionary work. “ Be ye clothed 
 with humility.” 
 
 I will reserve my remarks on some other 
 qualifications, as a good judgment, an aptitude 
 for teaching, &c., to a future letter, when I 
 shall have to refer more particularly to the 
 characteristics desirable for a missionary’s 
 wife, as this is already long enough. Habitual 
 earnestness in all we undertake, counting the 
 cost, and weighing the difficulties, but still 
 persevering in the task, assured that the end 
 to be attained will repay us for every effort 
 we make ; is the disposition we should culti- 
 
 F 2 
 
54 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 vate. Tins evinces a greatness of mind that 
 cannot be appalled or disturbed by trifles, 
 and that will feel its ardour only quickened 
 by hindrances and obstructions. 
 
 In conclusion let me add, that as the three 
 grand qualities for a missionary are said to 
 be decision, devotedness, and perseverance, so 
 these in the female labourer must be softened 
 by the possession of much Christian meek- 
 ness ; for where the first exist too strongly in 
 woman, she cannot be “ lovely, as well as of 
 good report and where the latter prevails 
 without the former, she can hardly be said to 
 be pre-eminently fitted for the high and holy 
 sphere in which she is called to move. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 M. W. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 55 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 ON THE DOMESTIC CHARACTER OF A 
 
 missionary’s wife. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 I HAVE thought it better to devote a 
 letter entirely to this subject, because it re- 
 quires, in many respects, quite a distinct con- 
 sideration from the general character, and 
 qualifications of a missionary female labourer, 
 and my earnest desire is to elucidate every 
 point you wash to be informed on, fully in all 
 its bearings — though I would guard against 
 tediousness and repetition very carefully. 
 
 All that may he said and urged from the 
 Word of God, upon the duty and particular 
 sphere of wives, in every position, applies with 
 increased force to one occupying so elevated 
 a standing in the church as a missionary’s 
 wife — this will be fully conceded by all who 
 take a right view of missionary responsibility 
 at large. I will therefore proceed at once to 
 
56 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 notice those characteristics, which should 
 shine out the strongest, and those qualifica- 
 tions which should be possessed most fully, 
 by one bearing the name of a helpmeet to 
 a missionary. 
 
 A cheerful contented spirit should be her 
 outward adornment, maintained against that 
 peculiar tendency to melancholy induced by 
 an Indian climate, which even affects the 
 Hindus as a nation. Perhaps in no country 
 can we more fully estimate the truth of the 
 apostle’s assertion, “ that godliness loith con- 
 tentment, is great gain,” than in India, and a 
 cheerful contented spirit is so well calculated 
 to exercise a beneficial influence on ourselves, 
 our households, and our partners, that is wor- 
 thy of om’ best efforts for its acquirement 
 and maintenance. 
 
 I have seen more than one instance of ex- 
 cellent and devoted missionaries being ren- 
 dered quite unhappy, and in a great measure 
 unfitted for their duties — not because they 
 had not pious and devoted wdves, hut because 
 they had wives of a sad and melancholy cast 
 of mind, who yielded to habitual depression, 
 and I have often thought, that if there be 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 57 
 
 one thing of aft outward nature, that we 
 should strive after and pray for more than 
 another, it should be a uniformly cheerful 
 contented spirit under all circumstances. No- 
 thing can so effectually help us to take a 
 happy view of untoward and discouraging 
 events, and to bear the various weaknesses 
 and bodily inconveniences, almost or quite 
 inseparable from a hot climate, without being 
 overwhelmed by them ; and nothing can better 
 promote that calmness and serenity so needful 
 to a close and intimate communion with God. 
 
 A diligent activity must be observed, — for 
 time is with us a precious commodity, and 
 one which we need most carefully to redeem. 
 
 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it 
 with all thy might,” seems a peculiarly bind- 
 ing injunction, in a country where it often 
 happens that “ In the morning we flourish, 
 and in the evening we are cut down, and 
 withered.” I do not mean by this a bustling 
 busy restlessness, that only tends to expend 
 the strength, and in a great degree to hinder, 
 rather than further, the actual, regular, dis- 
 charge of duties — but that quiet, unapparent 
 sort of activity, not consisting altogether 
 
58 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 in bodily motion, but in an ever-present 
 readiness and preparedness to fulfil each en- 
 gagement with promptitude, in its proper 
 time and place, and in accustoming oneself to 
 the habit of attending to every call without 
 unnecessary delay. 
 
 By this means much of our own, and of 
 our husband’s valuable time is saved, while 
 his comfort is thereby better secured, for such 
 diligence involves punctuality at meals, and in 
 all other household arrangements, in which 
 he and our families are concerned and con- 
 nected as well as ourselves.* 
 
 * It may be interesting to the general reader to 
 sketch the employments of a day, though the mi- 
 nutiae of the arrangements may not apply to all, yet 
 it will give some idea of the routine of our engage- 
 ments as missionaries’ wives. 
 
 At sun rise, after securing the morning’s retirement, 
 go out, and look round the garden, giving directions 
 to the gardener, and proceed to the Infant and other 
 School to observe, that all is commenced in time and 
 going on in order. Ask a few questions of the chil- 
 dren indiscriminately, and suggest any thing that may 
 strike you. — Return to the house, examine and direct 
 the bathing and dressing of the children, just come in 
 from their morning airing — dress yourself and give 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 59 
 
 To be tboughtful both for others and our- 
 selves is important, guarding with all due 
 
 the children their breakfast. — When your husband 
 returns from his preaching, sit down to breakfast, and 
 immediately after, proceed to the store room, and 
 with the assistance of the girl training in that de- 
 partment, weigh out the articles required for the day, 
 and make them over to the cook, and order the 
 dinner. Then attend to domestic business, after 
 which your presence is very desirable in the School, 
 where the girls are employed from ten till two in 
 needle w^ork, embroidery, &c. wdth an interval of 
 a quarter of an hour’s recreation after twelve. The 
 Christian women come during this time to bring home 
 their work and receive directions. Very frequent 
 interruptions occur, as notes and letters must be 
 written occasionally — medicines prepared for the 
 sick — work cut out — and visitors sometimes come 
 in. After dining at two, a little time must be given 
 for rest. At four the girls assemble for afternoon 
 reading, and at five all closes with prayer. Then 
 prepare for a walk or a drive, or a visit to a native 
 Christian family; return to tea at seven, when your 
 husband comes in from evening preaching. A fter tea 
 the children go to bed, and the time is employed in 
 reading, writing, or sewing, and on moonlight nights 
 in visiting the native Christian families in their cot- 
 tages, or the orphan school to give the girls a little 
 address. After family prayer at nine, retire. 
 
60 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 precaution the health and comfort of those 
 under our influence. I have heard an excel- 
 lent missionary, whose zeal often tended to 
 lead him beyond the bounds of prudence, say 
 repeatedly, “ I believe that, humanly speak- 
 ing, I should have died long ago, if I had not 
 been married.” This spoke much for the 
 judicious, prudent care of his wife, and where 
 her heart is, as it ever should be, as devoted 
 and warm with love to God and souls as her 
 husband’s, there is no fear of her urging hipi 
 to undue precaution, or any thing beyond that 
 which prudence requires. We have in this 
 respect a duty t perform, to all who may re- 
 side with us, as assistants or otherwise, and 
 we should make it a point of conscience, to 
 use the best means for guarding them against 
 the effects of the climate, in the arrangements 
 of the house, the accommodation, diet, and 
 other particulars. 
 
 Our discretion must therefore be equal to 
 our thoughtfulness, and we must endeavour, 
 by our well-ordered establishment, to reflect 
 honour on God, on our husbands, and on our 
 calling, and to set an example to the native 
 Christian women, which will influence them^ 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 61 
 
 more than direct exhortation. This ^yill also 
 not be without its good and happy effect 
 upon the European community, near whom we 
 may be placed, who can mark excellency and 
 discern inconsistency very correctly ; parti- 
 cularly in missionaries. This seems a suit- 
 able place, though it will be in some sort a 
 digression, for introducing a remark or two 
 upon the kindness we frequently receive from 
 the European families residing near us, which 
 calls for the exercise of discretion in many 
 ways. We may and should be very grateful 
 for attentions shewn to us by them, and re- 
 gard them as some of the alleviations we are 
 favoured to enjoy in our arduous com’se ; but 
 we must carefully guard against being unduly 
 influenced by such attentions, or allowing 
 them to make us in any measure to forget, as 
 they are perhaps somewhat calculated to do, 
 our position as missionaries to the heathen, — 
 as those who have given up the world, and 
 the things of the world, and who have a 
 higher and holier vocation than that con- 
 nected with enjoying the favour of superiors, 
 and the fascinating society of the polished 
 and agreeable, among our fellow countrymen. 
 
 G 
 
62 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 It is not my intention to recommend entire 
 separation from their society, when they are 
 disposed and desirous to be friendly. We 
 may be able to exercise a good and useful in- 
 fluence over them in many ways, and the pe- 
 cuniary help they are generally so willing to 
 afford our missions, w'e ought ever thankfully 
 to receive, acknowledge, and appreciate, as 
 it often considerably extends our ability to 
 prosecute our labours. It is one of the most 
 pleasing features of the times that Em’opean 
 society in India really co-operates in many 
 instances, with the more immediate labourers 
 in the work of missions so extensively, that 
 it has been said, that even were missionaries 
 withdrawn from India, it would still enjoy 
 the benefit of a considerable portion of mis- 
 sionary effort. We may be so situated as 
 to find it a great and essential relief to 
 our bodies and spirits occasionally to avail 
 ourselves of intercourse with our neigh- 
 bours ; but all should be within due bounds, 
 which discretion will teach. The case is of 
 course altered, if we are favoured with the 
 vicinity of one or more truly pious families 
 or individuals, who can enter into our feelings. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 63 
 
 appreciate our labours, understand our trials, 
 and sympathize with us as dearly beloved 
 brethren ; but we must not expect this often 
 to occur in a small station, though blessed be 
 God, there are many such persons scattered 
 throug'h the length^nd breadth of India, whose 
 number is I hope continually augmenting. 
 
 It may likewise happen that we shall be 
 placed in some degree of connection with 
 Europeans, from our husbands having to per- 
 form spiritual duties for them, in the entire 
 absence of any other means of grace, than 
 those which can be afforded by missionaries. 
 In such case a certain intercourse is indis- 
 pensable and becomes a duty ; but as English 
 ministers become more numerous, and the 
 stations get better supplied with their ser- 
 vices, to which end strenuous efforts are now 
 being made by our excellent diocesan, the mis- 
 sionaries will be left more free to their own 
 peculiar work, which fully requires all their 
 zeal, energy, and strength. 
 
 Hospitality and kind cordiality should be 
 another prominent feature in a missionary’s 
 wife. We have many calls and occasions to 
 practise hospitality in India, from the nature 
 
04 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 of the country, and our comparatively isolated 
 situation in it, as strangers and foreigners. 
 We cannot look to the natives for the exer- 
 cise of much of this, because they are pre- 
 vented from rendering it, by the peculiarities 
 of their religion, and it i§ therefore a duty 
 for ns to be prepared and willing to take 
 trouble for each other, and to submit to in- 
 conveniences, to serve and assist each other, 
 in a way to which we are not at all called in 
 England. Use hospitality one to another 
 without grudging. As every one hath re- 
 ceived the gift, even so minister the same one 
 to another, as good stewards of the manifold 
 grace of God.” 1 Peter iv. 9? 10. I have 
 known a missionary sister have three others 
 in her house at once, who by circumstances 
 were compelled to avail themselves of her 
 hospitality for a length of time, and through 
 illness, which involved much additional labour 
 upon her ; and all was cheerfully sustained. 
 Such extreme cases do not often occur, but 
 our hearts and our houses should be always 
 open, and all our means and ability to help 
 each other shoidd be available in times of 
 need, without being permitted to be an unne- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 65 
 
 cessary hmclrance to us in our missionary 
 vocation, which it will not he, when it can be 
 left to depend on the wife, and not to inter- 
 fere with the time and important engage- 
 ments of the husband. What is this, but 
 giving a practical illustration of that character 
 for denying ourselves, which we should ever 
 be trying to establish, as the point that should 
 be prominent in us, and which is sm^e to be 
 looked for by others, while so great will be 
 our inward reward and satisfaction, that we 
 shall not be conscious w^e deny ourselves at 
 all, and it will thus become apparent, that we 
 live only for one object, the glory of God, and 
 the good of others. 
 
 Simplicity in dress, in household arrange- 
 ments, and in our general ideas w'e must 
 studiously practise. From thie habits of Euro- 
 pean society, and from various circumstances 
 peculiar to, and inseparable from a residence 
 in India, one may, when not on one’s guard, 
 fall almost unconsciously into a style of 
 management, that does not consist well with 
 a missionary establishment, and though no 
 real or actual extravagance may be practised, 
 an excuse is given to those who delight to 
 
 G 2 
 
G6 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 act as censors, to exercise their uncharitable 
 remarks, which we should guard against 
 allowing them any opportunity to do. I have 
 often observed, that some things which startle 
 us in others on our arrival, become even- 
 tually rather too familiar, and we are in 
 danger of forgetting simplicity altogether. 
 I would be no advocate for unnecessary self- 
 denial of the body — it is both unwise and 
 unsafe. I would have missionaries to enjoy 
 every outward comfort, and every reasonable 
 alleviation to the climate, but the sphit of 
 simplicity must prevail, and be apparent all 
 through. 
 
 The ability to manage the domestic busi- 
 ness of the house w’ell should be an object of 
 solicitude with the missionary’s wife, though 
 we have in India servants, to whom, from the 
 nature of the climate, we must entrust the 
 actual performance of it. Yet it is of great 
 importance to possess a thorough knowledge 
 of household economy,' that we may be pre- 
 pared not only to provide for oim families 
 every necessary comfort, but to disburse our 
 limited, though sufficient income, in the most 
 profitable way ; leaving enough and to spare. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 67 
 
 for the claims of hospitality and charity. The 
 servants we employ are not of course first 
 rate, and cannot in many instances prepare 
 the little delicacies, which are required for 
 invalids, hut when we are able to help our- 
 selves in these matters, we are not left to 
 depend on their ability or inability. Besides 
 this, the native servants are so unprincipled, 
 that one may be ruined without care, even 
 with a large income, and nothing imposes 
 so effectual a check upon their cupidity, 
 as perceiving, which they always do very 
 quickly, whether their mistress understand 
 the minutise of domestic business or not. It 
 may perhaps be enquired here, why we do 
 not select Christian servants from among the 
 converts ? to which I reply, that we do as far 
 as practicable, but as they have seldom been 
 so employed before their conversion, the en- 
 gagement of Christian servants, generally 
 involves a greater necessity for a good 
 knowledge of housewifery on the part of the 
 mistress. 
 
 The same style of argument holds good, 
 with respect to the ability to superintend the 
 cutting out and making of linen, garments. 
 
()S FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 children’s clothes, &c. The principle of 
 selfishness, so conspicuous in Hindus, teaches 
 them to try to serve and please those most, 
 whom they judge to be the best able to appre- 
 ciate a degree of faithfulness, and to detect 
 the contrary. 
 
 This leads me to speak of the management 
 of our servants, a most diflficult part of our 
 duty, whether they be professing Christians 
 or heathens, in the fulfilment of which, “ pa- 
 tience” does indeed need to “ have her per- 
 fect work.” Their cheating, lying, pilfering, 
 and deceitful habits, form one of our greatest 
 outward trials, but yet they may be managed, ' 
 and we may enjoy even comfort from them, 
 by understanding the best way of treating 
 them. We must ever bear in mind that they 
 are our fellow immortals and our fellow sin- 
 ners, and that they are or have been, sunk into 
 the lowest degradation of moral feeling from 
 their religion. This will induce a certain 
 tenderness and compassion towards them, that 
 will enable us to bear with much that is vex- 
 atious and provoking in itself. We should 
 also be very clear and exact in our directions 
 to them, not blaming them for failure in 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 69 
 
 duties, which perhaps, we had not fully ex- 
 plained to them. I have often heard orders 
 g-iven to servants of so confused and incom- 
 prehensible a nature, by those who knew 
 little of the language, that I have really won- 
 dered that any kind of idea of what was 
 meant could enter their minds at all, and 
 when these intended orders have been im- 
 perfectly obeyed, the entire blame was laid 
 upon the servant, when it more justly be- 
 longed to the mistress. It is necessary to be 
 very decided and strict with them, saying 
 little, but shewing by our manner, that we 
 require and look for obedience and attention. 
 They are much like children, and require to 
 be treated as such in many respects. We 
 must try to initiate ourselves, as it w’ere, into 
 their modes of thinking, and above all, we 
 must shew them that we care for their souls, 
 endeavouring, by every possible means, to 
 lead them also to feel their value.^ We read 
 
 * A pious lady, who was the wife of a Colonel, 
 once told me that she had reason to believe that 
 the imperfect instructions she had endeavoui’ed to give 
 to her servants had been useful in impressing two 
 or three of them, who confessed to her on their dying 
 
70 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 of one missionary’s wife whose servants never 
 lived long- with her without being converted ; 
 and I know another who has been favoured to 
 make impressions on three, two of whom have 
 become consistent members of a Christian 
 church, and the third is only prevented by her 
 husband from following their example. We 
 need, in every department we have to fill, 
 much love to souls. Love must be with us 
 the constantly moving principle, such love 
 as Paul felt when he said, “ The love of 
 Christ constrains me such love as glowed in 
 Jesu’s bosom, when He exclaimed, “ I lay 
 down my life for the sheep.” Not merely 
 
 beds, that their hope for salvation was founded on 
 Jesus Christ, and not on their own idols and false 
 refuges. 
 
 Another lady, who was very indefatigable and per- 
 severing in persuading her household to become Chris- 
 tians, made such an impression on them generally, 
 that one of them who heard a missionary preaching 
 on the universal depravity of man, assured him that 
 he knew one instance to which this truth did not 
 apply, for my lady,” said he, “ is entirely perfect,” 
 When questioned as to his reason for his assertion, 
 he touchingly related her self-devotedness and love to 
 her servants, but especially her care for their souls. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 71 
 
 a sense of duty, however strong, can carry 
 us through, it is love^ that impelling prin- 
 ciple, which must ever be in active exercise. 
 Oh that I could represent this 
 
 ‘‘ In thoughts that breathe, 
 
 And words that burn.” 
 
 And if our servants require patience and 
 forbearance to be distinguishing qualities 
 with us, the same are no less needed for our 
 assistants and helpers in our schools, &c. 
 We are, in this respect, beset by peculiar 
 difficulties little understood in a Christian 
 laud, where if one person do not suit well, 
 we can easily make an exchange, and find 
 others ready to come to us. In India, as far 
 as my experience has gone, I must say, that 
 we have first much trouble to procure any 
 thing like really efficient helpers ; and when 
 we succeed so far, they often differ in many 
 important particulars from what we could 
 desire ; yet, if we find in them but a certain 
 degree of fitness, ability, and willingness to 
 do their best, we may be very thankful, and 
 must gladly train them and bear with them. 
 Very often it will happen that just as they 
 
72 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 are becoming* valuable to us, circumstances 
 occur to deprive us of their services, and we 
 have the same work to do over again with 
 others. 
 
 We shall find need to exercise forbear- 
 ance to our fellow labourers likewise, as we 
 must be conscious they have to do towards 
 us. “ Bear ye one another’s burdens,” said 
 the apostle, “ and thus fulfil the law of Christ.” 
 We cannot expect that those with whom we 
 are associated will be, in all cases, kindred 
 spirits, though they may be excellent and 
 devoted co-workers. Sometimes the very 
 reverse may be the case ; and it should there- 
 fore be our aim to be no less conspicuous 
 for consistency ourselves, than for tenderness 
 towards the failings and short comings of 
 others. We must remember that, as w*omen, 
 
 “ our strength is in our influence,” and on us 
 it greatly depends to maintain that spirit of 
 unanimity and cordiality so extremely de- 
 sirable among missionary brethren. Never 
 should we indulge in speaking of any de- 
 fects we may feel and observe in them, for it 
 is not what we think of a person, but what we 
 my of him, that injures him in our own opinions 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 73 
 
 and in the eyes of others : and a mischieA^ous 
 tattling- is, of all sources, one of the most fruit- 
 ful, in producing- sad misunderstandings and 
 heart-burnings; not less among missionaries 
 than amongst other Christians. 
 
 A good judgment is an invaluable qualifi- 
 cation for a missionary’s wife, and the want of 
 it will cause a lamentable failure in many of 
 her plans, while the possession of it will make 
 her an additionally valuable helpmeet to her 
 husband, who will often be glad of her advice, 
 her counsels, her cautions, and her encourage- 
 ments. That quickness of perception, facility 
 of adaptation, and acuteness of feeling, pecu- 
 liar to woman, eminently fit her to become an 
 acquisition to her husband, when these are 
 tempered with a judgment, on the soundness 
 of which he can rely. She will know, if she 
 has this, when to come forward, and when to 
 withdraw, and will be preserved from inter- 
 fering in matters which do not belong to her 
 sphere, and with respect to which she should 
 be very guarded. 
 
 Much harm and many painful feelings often 
 arise from females aiming at a kind and de- 
 gree of authority and influence that do not 
 
 H 
 
74 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 belong to them. It seems to me out of cha- 
 racter for us to come forward spontaneously, 
 with our advice and opinions on important 
 matters, connected perhaps with the manage- 
 ment of the mission, in the presence of the other 
 sex, unless we are expressly solicited to do it. 
 “ If any man offend not in word, the same is 
 a perfect man,” saith the apostle ; and this is a 
 kind of perfection it well becomes us to strive 
 after, yea, which it is a duty for us to aim at. 
 
 “ We never listen to what Mrs. says,” 
 
 remarked a missionary to me one day, “though 
 she always gives us her ideas as to the points, 
 upon which she hears us conversing in our 
 conferences. We just wait till she ceases to 
 speak, and then resume the subject where she 
 interrupted it.” What a reproof ought this 
 to have been to the individual in question, 
 who was one least calculated to give a ju- 
 dicious and useful opinion, and who, if she 
 had not been so, most effectually hindered 
 herself from being invited to do it, by her 
 forwardness. 
 
 If a husband has reason to value his wife’s 
 judgment, he will always apply to her in 
 private, where she will feel more at liberty 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 75 
 
 to speak to, and advise him freely and openly, 
 according to the best of her ability. 
 
 A missionary’s wife must be ready with her 
 plans for seizing every opening for usefulness, 
 and in this way she will see many means, that 
 would escape the observation of others. It is 
 by this tact in catching at opportunities, that 
 eminent usefulness may be attained. A fer- 
 tility for planning, and an energy to carry out 
 such designs as appear likely to promote good, 
 in connection with a sound judgment, will be 
 of service. 
 
 A natural tact for training up children, is 
 most desirable, not only as enabling us to 
 conduct our schools efficiently, but as fitting 
 us for the due discharge of our maternal 
 duties, in which we shall not generally enjoy 
 the helps that are available at home. It will 
 depend almost entirely on ourselves indivi- 
 dually, to manage and instruct om’ little ones, 
 and this duty we have to perform surrounded 
 by a host of hindrances, inseparable from a 
 missionary life in a heathen country. It is 
 true that in most instances our children must 
 he removed from us after a few years, and 
 sent to suitable care in a Christian land, but 
 
FEMALE MISSIONAKIES 
 
 /6 
 
 SO long as they are with us, all the above 
 i-emarks apply. Happy is it for us that we are 
 permitted the privilege of influeiicing their 
 infant years, though deprived of the gratifica- 
 tion of completing their training, and sub- 
 jected to the sad and sore affliction of a long 
 and perhaps final separation from them. I 
 cannot but embrace this opportunity for re- 
 marking, that while we have our children 
 with us, we should make an effort to impress 
 on their minds the deep importance of the 
 work in which their parents are engaged, so 
 as to bias their affections and desires in favour 
 of it ; or if they leave us too soon for us to 
 do this, we should try and select a home for 
 them among those, who we feel confident will 
 best fulfil our place in this respect, by endea- 
 vouring, so to speak, to educate them for 
 future service in oui’ place.* It has often 
 
 * How much do missionaries owe to those dear Chris- 
 tian friends, who have organized such institutions as 
 the school for missionaries’ daughters at Walthamstow, 
 which is intended for those of different denominations 
 among Dissenters. Could not a similar school be set 
 on foot for the daughters of Church missionaries? 
 There seems something peculiarly appropriate and in- 
 teresting, in the idea of missionaries’ children being 
 educated together, and in a separate institution. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 i i 
 
 excited surprise that so few of the children of 
 missionaries have entered upon mission work, 
 when they grew up, and it does seem remark- 
 able, and a subject for regret. If we are real 
 missionaries at heart, and living in our work, 
 there is nothing we shall desire more strong- 
 ly, next to the conversion of our children 
 to God, than that they should become de- 
 voted and useful labourers, in the same blessed 
 employment, to which we have dedicated our 
 own lives. 
 
 In all respects a missionary’s wife must be 
 a careful woman, and yet she must be “without 
 carefulness,” and guard against undue anxiety, 
 remembering the apostolic injunction, to “be 
 carefid for nothing, but in every thing, by 
 prayer and supplication, to make her requests 
 known unto God.” 
 
 This leads me to refer to that characteristic, 
 which must crown every other. She must be 
 emphatically a prayerful woman, for “ prayer 
 is influence : prayer moves heaven, and all 
 other things become prayerful only through 
 prayer.” She must “ pray without ceasing ;” 
 be ever lifting up her heart to God in devout 
 desires. She must feel the invitation, “Come 
 
78 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 my people, enter into your chamber,” as ad- 
 dressed especially to her, for if prayer is, as 
 has been said, the pulse of a Christian, it 
 must more particularly be regarded as the 
 pulse of a missionary. 
 
 Her own soul needs prayer — her husband 
 — her children — the mission — ^the converts — 
 the heathen — and the brethren, need it. Her 
 spirit should be deeply devotional. The charac- 
 teristic perseverance of the woman, by which 
 she can be so useful to man, should in this be 
 very apparent ; then what a help will she prove 
 to her husband in private, and what a blessing 
 to her sphere at large, for the amount of the 
 influence of fervent persevering prayer can 
 never be told. It is not by natural “ might 
 nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the 
 Lord,” that the heathen are to be converted, 
 and we are to help forward their conversion. 
 And how are we to obtain the Spirit’s help 
 without diligently seeking it ? “ If we look 
 
 into the censer of the angel standing at the 
 golden altar which is before the throne,” and 
 if we there “ mark what it is of all human 
 instrumentality which ascends to heaven, we 
 shall find that it is only that which is sancti- 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 79 
 
 fied by 'prayer — only that wblch partook of 
 tbe'nature of prayer. This is all that lives to 
 reach the skies; all that is ever permitted,” of 
 our poor service to ascend before God. Many 
 who were active and zealous before men, will 
 be left “comparatively unnoticed,” in the great 
 day, while the humble female, who wrestled 
 with God, and thereby brought down his bless- 
 ing upon those with whom she was associated, 
 as perhaps the most seemingly insignificant 
 among them, will be drawn out from her closet 
 obscurity, and proclaimed in their stead, for it 
 will then appear, that while they were moGng 
 only earthy she was moving heaven. Jesus, 
 our great Intercessor, who ever liveth to plead 
 with and for us, will never hold his peace, till 
 the righteousness of Zion go forth as bright- 
 ness, and the salvation of Jerusalem as a lamp 
 that burneth, nor must we hold our’s, if we 
 wish to be efficient labom’ers. No — we must 
 neither “keep silence,” nor give the Father 
 “rest,” till we feel that we have no more 
 needs for ourselves or others ; and this can 
 never be, “ till mortality is swallowed up of 
 life,” and prayer is exchanged for praise. I 
 cannot weU restrain my pen on this subject. 
 
80 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 I feel that few, perhaps none of ns, pray 
 enough, and I would that something I could 
 say, stirred us up to a more general convic- 
 tion of our privileges in this respect, for we 
 as wives seem particularly called to prayer 
 and all private efforts, as our husbands are to 
 preaching and public ones. Oh that every 
 one of us might be enabled so to cultivate this 
 duty, as to be able to say as a dear sister (now 
 departed) said to her husband, “ thousands of 
 prayers have I offered for you, since I have 
 been your’s !” IMissionaries are continually 
 giving, as it were, and never receiving, and 
 when they return home, weary and worn out 
 from their exhausting labom’s, then do they 
 need to enjoy the soothing tones of prayer, 
 which assure them, that if it can prevail with 
 God, their labours shall not be in vain ; then 
 do they need to have their spirits, depressed 
 with the heat, cheered by references to that 
 blessed land, where “ the sun shall smite ” no 
 more, and to those sweet gospel consolations, 
 which can only be suggested by her who 
 dwells continually near the life-giving foun- 
 tain, and like a stream flowing forth from it, 
 refreshes the region it passes through. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 81 
 
 The sufficiency of the Saviour’s grace and 
 strength is made perfect in weakness ; and 
 the wife, though “ the weaker vessel,” may 
 be by her prayers, a real strengthener of 
 her husband’s faith, and a great helper of his 
 joy. She can thus “ bear his burdens,” bring 
 down success to his labours, enlighten his 
 path, and help to keep alive the fire of 
 heaven upon the altar of his heart. Not one 
 true prayer can ever be lost ; but the faintest 
 and humblest petition, offered in faith, adds 
 something to those treasures of grace which 
 are kept in reserve for the supply of all our 
 future needs ; and which, when they have 
 accumulated to a certain fulness, will be 
 poured out in all their plenitude upon us 
 individually, upon the church, and upon the 
 world at large. 
 
 There is one more point on which I must 
 touch, which though it comes last, is not 
 the least important, for it refers to a subject 
 that greatly involves our usefulness in all the 
 others yet considered. A missionary’s wife 
 must be a woman of a catholic spirit. As 
 missionaries, we are not labourers for this or 
 that particular section of the church, but we 
 
82 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 arc servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, irre- 
 spective of any other master. We should 
 strive to divest ourselves of any thing’ like 
 party spirit, and to view religion in its pri- 
 mitive amplitude, before it was broken into 
 parties, and clogged with the inventions of 
 men. Our business is only to make known 
 the truth of the Gospel ; and, perhaps, a 
 greater amount of blessing has been withheld 
 from missionary labour on account of our 
 losing sight of this, than many might suppose 
 or like to allow. As the servants of a party, 
 we have no right to hope that He to whom 
 all sections of his church are equally dear, 
 can bless us, for He makes us no promise to 
 encourage us to do so ; but “ as workers 
 together” with Him, w^e must and shall be 
 blessed. And if we can but feel ourselves to 
 be such, and only such, — regarding and duly 
 appreciating the spiritual nature of om’ work; 
 cultivating that compassion and love to all, 
 that made Da’^dd weep “ rivers of water,” 
 and turned Jeremiah’s “ eyes into a fountain 
 of tears,” that caused the beloved Redeemer 
 himself to sorrow over Jerusalem, and the 
 apostolic Paul to wish himself accursed for 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 83 
 
 his brethren, we shall feel no disposition to 
 undervalue and despise the labours of any of 
 the Lord’s servants, engaged in the same all- 
 glorious work of winning the heathen to 
 Christ ; — no, we shall rejoice in their success, 
 and sympathize in their disappointments and 
 trials, in the same measure as in our own. 
 Such a spirit will help our prayers, and our 
 exertions, and fill our hearts and minds with 
 peace, that peace which springeth from love; 
 and we shall thus give our converts and the 
 heathen the benefit of seeing, — what will 
 have a more powerful effect on them than 
 any thing else — how we all as “ Christians 
 love one another.” Emulations and strifes 
 will cease, and the Spirit of Christ our com- 
 mon Head will exemplify itself in our daily 
 conduct. In this respect, as I have remarked 
 before, our strength is in our influence, and 
 we.) as females, exercise an unseen but strong 
 power over the entire circle in which we 
 move. 
 
 Perhaps some will say the character drawn 
 out is unattainable; but I have been privi- 
 leged to see, by a practical exemplification of 
 it, that it is not ; and excellence that has been 
 
84 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 attained by the few, may be attained by the 
 many. Only let every Christian sister who 
 may read this letter, be incited to pray more 
 for iis. Only let every one, perceiving what 
 we ought to be, and how much grace we must 
 receive to help us — only let them remember, 
 that we have the same weaknesses and infir- 
 mities as our fellow-believers ; and then, I 
 hope they will see and feel too, how much it 
 depends on them^ as well as on ourselves, whe- 
 ther we shall reach the standard I have laid 
 down or not. Far be it from me to hold up 
 missionary wives to the admiration of the 
 church ; for in going out to labour among the 
 heathen, they do no more than their duty to 
 Him who has done so much for them. They 
 make no sacrifice adequate to what his love 
 deserves ; for correctly speaking, the world has 
 had but one sacrifice (i. e. that of Christ him- 
 self,) and can never have another, that is worthy 
 of the name in comparison with that ; but to 
 the sympathy and prayers of the church they 
 have an especial claim, and for this I ventui’e 
 earnestly to plead. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 M. W. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 85 
 
 LETTER V. 
 
 ON THE PREPARATION NECESSARY FOR 
 ENGAGING IN MISSIONARY WORK. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 Perhaps some may smile at the idea 
 suggested by the heading of this letter, as it 
 has not, I am told, been customary in 
 England in the majority of cases, for females 
 who become united to missionaries, to be led 
 to consider it necessary to prepare themselves 
 for missionary work. 
 
 Those who have gone out single, have I 
 believe generally undergone some degree of 
 preparation, extending to the acquisition of 
 the most approved school systems ; but this, 
 as far as relates to the mechanical part of 
 them, they have not found of much practical 
 use to them on their arrival in India. 
 
 Our most useful labourers have been those 
 
 I 
 
86 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONAEIES 
 
 whom natural character, and previous provi- 
 dential discipline have prepared, and this is 
 undoubtedly the best and most important 
 preparation, and that for which no other can 
 adequately compensate, although it does not 
 render all other unnecessary. As however, 
 not every one who may be called to enter the 
 missionary field, will or can be even thus 
 prepared, it becomes a matter for conside- 
 ration whether we should not do wisely, in 
 the case of women, as in that of men, to 
 allow them the opportunity for such prepara- 
 tion as may seem best calculated to lit them 
 for greater usefulness, and more active exer- 
 tions than they would otherwise be likely to 
 attain and accomplish. 
 
 I have heard that, in America, very con- 
 siderable attention is paid to this particular, 
 but whether generally and upon system, 
 or only in occasional instances, I cannot 
 say. We have however, some striking 
 examples of the peculiar fitness of certain 
 individuals among the American females for 
 missionary labour, as Mrs. Judson, Mrs. 
 Winslow, and others, and I am convinced 
 from what I have seen of them, that they 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 87 
 
 have either been selected with more re- 
 ference to the station they have to occupy 
 than our own countrywomen, or have, after 
 their selection, undergone some particular 
 preparation for it. ^ 
 
 It will not appear unnatural or unreason- 
 able to any who will take the subject into 
 serious consideration, that a character such as 
 has been described in the preceding letter, 
 will not generally be found perfectly qualified 
 to enter upon the arduous and trying path of 
 a female labourer in a heathen land, without 
 a period spent in preparation for it. 
 
 At one time little importance was attached 
 to the idea of men going out as mission- 
 aries, being required to be prepared, in any 
 other way than by possessing extreme de- 
 votedness ; but now we all allow, that they 
 
 * Since publishing the first edition of these letters, 
 I have met with and perused, a Memoir of Mrs. 
 Margaret Wilson of Bombay, and I take this oppor- 
 tunity of remarking, that she appears to me a model 
 for all missionaries’ wives. I would strongly recom- 
 mend the study of her character and devoted course 
 of labour to all females who contemplate missionary 
 work. 
 
88 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 must pass many years in study, and in disci- 
 plining their minds for their anticipated 
 duties ; and although quite a different and a 
 much less extensive preparation is required 
 for the female, yet if she is to fulfil her 
 sphere well, which is in its place as important 
 as his, why must she he expected to do so 
 without any of the preparatory aids he has 
 enjoyed? Do not mistake me, or imagine, 
 for a moment, that I aim to put woman on an 
 equality with man ; for I am quite conscious 
 of the point on which she is and ought to be 
 content to be his inferior, i. e. in mental 
 power, — but in excellence and fitness for her 
 appointed duties, it is no presumption for 
 her to aim at equality, and this is all I mean 
 to recommend. I fear oim standard (if we 
 have had one) has hitherto been too low on 
 this head ; we have considered, that if a 
 woman had but true piety, and a devoted 
 heart, all the rest would follow as a matter of 
 course : but it is not so, and if we exercised 
 our common sense a little, we should never 
 imagine it would be so. 
 
 We can all perceive, and understand fully, 
 that a pastor’s wife at home should be a 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 89 
 
 superior woman, and one of no common cha- 
 racter and attainments ; or at least we can 
 see that if she is such, she svill exercise much 
 more influence, and be likely to do much 
 more good, than if she be a mere common- 
 place person ; though it may be, not wanting 
 in true piety, and devotedness of heart. Does 
 not the parallel hold good with increased 
 force, when it is drawn with regard to the 
 wife of a missionary, who has a more promi- 
 nent and conspicuous post to fill, and a more 
 difficult work to accomplish, and greater 
 trials and discouragements to bear up under ? 
 Assuredly it does. Naturally and by prepa- 
 ration she should be a superior character ; 
 and if she is so, we may reasonably hope, 
 that she will do a greater amount of good, 
 than she could be expected to do other- 
 wise. Her husband will be better advised, 
 her family better trained, her household 
 better managed, her schools better con- 
 ducted, and the whole apparatus of the mis- 
 sion better arranged, than is possible when no 
 adequate fitness exists in one, who must from 
 her position, be a moving spirit. 
 
 Hitherto we have had so many difficulties 
 
 I 2 
 
90 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 in the way, as it regards our efforts among 
 the native females, that it might have been 
 considered, however erroneously, as of little 
 importance how qualified the missionaries’ 
 waves w’ere for usefulness, so long as they 
 could just be a comfort and a solace to their 
 husbands ; for it was often said, even by mis- 
 sionaries, that no public sphere existed for 
 at least the majority of them. Now how- 
 ever, that things are coming into a better 
 and more promising train, this cannot so w'ell 
 be urged. Om’ orphans, the children of our 
 native congregations, and the adult Christian 
 females, form a sufficient employment for all 
 our energies and powers, however great they 
 may be, and when we are stationed in places 
 where these do not exist, various other occu- 
 pations, requiring ability and superiority of 
 mind ; — such as translations and preparations 
 of books suitable for our pupils, which are 
 daily felt to be a greater desiderata, will not 
 be wanting, to say nothing of the additional 
 help and comfort a suitable and superior wife 
 can be to her husband, in various ways that 
 it is not here in place to point out. I know 
 I have heard many lament over their expe- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 91 
 
 rienced inability very feelingly ; but I never 
 heard one of the most gifted say, or even 
 infer the idea, that she considered herself too 
 competent or too well suited to her sphere. 
 No, all, even the best, have felt their want of 
 greater fitness, greater ability, greater apt- 
 ness, and better preparedness than they were 
 conscious of possessing. 
 
 Many after reading these remarks may still 
 continue to smile at my idea ; but if what I 
 have said cannot be disproved, then I am on 
 the right side, and may proceed to speak of 
 the kind of preparation that seems desirable, 
 and the time that should be occupied in it, 
 and allowed for it ; the duration of which 
 must in a great measure depend upon the de- 
 gree of fitness previously possessed by those 
 whose minds become directed towards the 
 missionary field, as their future location. 
 
 The preceding letters have enumerated the 
 qualifications that are desirable for a mis- 
 sionary female ; and it will be easy for all 
 who have read them with attention, to judge 
 for themselves respecting the preparation 
 best calculated to assist in forming such a 
 character as has been depicted. 
 
i)2 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 We must take it for granted that the indi- 
 vidual in question has been endued by the 
 God of nature with a good degree of ability, 
 and by the God of grace with a large mea- 
 sure of piety and zeal, and here we have our 
 ground-work. It will occur in some, and I 
 would fain hope in many cases, that a tho- 
 roughly good solid education has been re- 
 ceived in youth, and that the mind has been 
 well formed for useful labours and exertions 
 in a?i^ sphere, for such, of course, a compara- 
 tively slight degree of preparation is re- 
 quired ; and this will consist chiefly in endea- 
 vouring to increase the information, especially 
 as it respects missionary work, and the train- 
 ing of children, and in perfecting herself in 
 all kinds of usefid and domestic knowledge, 
 with pursuing a simple course of theological 
 reading, under a friend capable of conducting 
 her through it. The study of the language 
 might perhaps be begun in England, and 
 continued on the voyage, but no great pro- 
 gress will be made in this, in most cases, till 
 a residence among the people help it forward. 
 
 But there may be others, though we would 
 hope not the majority, who from not having 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 93 
 
 enjoyed tlie early advantages of the former, 
 will find it desirable to spend a longer time 
 in, and to use much more vigorous means of 
 preparation. 
 
 Such as have either been imperfectly or 
 hut superficially educated, should diligently 
 apply themselves to making up for previous 
 disadvantages. 
 
 These should resolutely sit down and pa- 
 tiently study, till they can write with as much 
 ease, and feel as well able to express them- 
 selves with propriety and correctness in con- 
 versation, as if they had been favoured with 
 early instruction ; and until their minds are 
 brought into such a state of forwardness, that 
 they are conscious of being prepared to avail 
 themselves of, and to profit by, every future 
 opportunity of improvement that may be 
 offered. This will chiefly be attained by a 
 regular course of well selected reading, under 
 the direction of some able and judicious ad- 
 viser, and will occupy a year or two, as cir- 
 cumstances may determine. 
 
 With regard to acquiring the routine of 
 school systems, as they are carried out at 
 home, I have before said, that merely the 
 
94 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 mechanical part of these avails but little in 
 India. A natural tact for training* and in- 
 structing children, and an orderly mind, 
 with ability to plan and arrange, will give 
 every one their own system, which must be 
 adapted to the peculiarities of the climate and 
 the circumstances of the people. Still I would 
 say, make yourself familiar with all that is 
 approved as excellent in the large model 
 schools at home, because, although just the 
 mechanical part may not stand one in much 
 stead, the enlargement of ideas which will be 
 received thereby will be very valuable to us. 
 I need only allude here, having* sufficiently 
 referred to it before, to the desirableness of 
 learning to sing well. 
 
 There is one point on which I wish to 
 offer a few remarks, and I can do it no- 
 where better than in this place. When a 
 young woman is about to quit England, for 
 engagements in a heathen land, it is common 
 for friends and relations to desire visits, 
 and in the prospect of her soon leaving 
 her native country, and that in such a cause, 
 she is treated with extraordinary affection 
 and indulgence, too often perniciously flat- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 95 
 
 tered, and unconsciously rising in self-esteem, 
 just at a juncture, when if ever in her life, 
 she needs to be overwhelmed with humility 
 and a deep consciousness of her peculiar 
 weakness. In this way, perhaps many valu- 
 able weeks and months are spent, and though 
 it is all perfectly natural, it is neither wise nor 
 judicious — it excites a spirit of religious dis- 
 sipation especially in some dispositions, and 
 helps to undiscipline the mind; which from 
 the very hour that the determination is de- 
 cidedly formed to devote itself to missionary 
 work, should be subjected to a regular course 
 of training, and habituated to self-denial, 
 particularly mental self-denial, as distinct 
 from bodily. We may visit, and bid friends 
 farewell, hut should be very jealous of spend- 
 ing too much time in this way, unless in- 
 deed we go to those who can aid us in our 
 preparation, which quite alters the state of 
 the case. 
 
 It may not be amiss to suggest here, 
 that in cases where the pecuniary circum- 
 stances of the individual to be prepared for 
 missionary work, do not allow of her giv- 
 
96 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 ing up her time for the necessary period, 
 pious families well disposed to the cause, 
 who have the means and ability, might 
 perhaps sometimes offer a home to her for 
 a year or two, and afford her all the faci- 
 lities in their power in her preparations. 
 Great good might be done in this way 
 for missions, especially by single ladies, 
 living a quiet and retired life. I have known 
 of one such instance, which led me first to 
 think of the plan. 
 
 A very useful means of preparation for 
 every one, would be to engage, for a few weeks 
 or months, in the actual teaching of a large 
 village school, and thus practically learn the 
 fag of training children, who would be the 
 nearest in resemblance (though still superior) 
 to the class we have to labour amongst in 
 India, that could well be found in England. 
 Nothing prepares so well as real experience, 
 and it strikes me that that which could be at- 
 tained in this manner, in the course of some 
 months personal devotedness, during, say one 
 half of the day, leaving the other half at lei- 
 sure for study and mental cultivation, would 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 97 
 
 be found very valuable, far more so than 
 simply visiting, and occasionally examining a 
 school, for even a much longer period. 
 
 A mind disciplined and prepared as I have 
 described, if a due measure of health and 
 strength be enjoyed, will be found well fitted 
 for usefulness, and may at once undertake the 
 care of a field already under cultivation, or 
 should no such opening present, might safely 
 enter on the more arduous work of breaking 
 up the fallow ground. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 M. W. 
 
 K 
 
98 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 LETTER VI. 
 
 ON THE HimCULTIES AND TRIALS CON- 
 NECTED WITH MISSIONARY WORK. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 Our -various trials and difficulties have 
 been necessarily alluded to in an indirect way 
 several times, in the course of the preceding 
 letters; but as this is a part of my subject, 
 which is, I know, very imperfectly under- 
 stood in England, and which I believe it to 
 be of the utmost importance to state clearly 
 and plainly, I will try faithfully to depict our 
 difficulties somewhat in detail, as they are 
 connected with the change in our situation, 
 the climate, the language, and the want of 
 suitable books ; — the habits of the people, their 
 division into castes, their apathy, the degraded 
 state of the female population at large, with 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 99 
 
 the low state of moral and spiritual feeling, 
 even among many of the converts. 
 
 There are certain experiences that must be 
 felt to be understood, as I have elsewhere had 
 occasion to remark, and these hardly admit 
 of elucidation in writing. The first head I 
 have named above partakes much of this 
 nature, involving as it does, a complete alte- 
 ration in all our outward circumstances. In 
 going out single this must be more sensibly 
 felt than in going out married ; for in the 
 latter case, om? home, or at least the centre 
 of it, is with us ; but in the former case, one 
 is emphatically alone^ and a consciousness of 
 loneliness must ever accompany us, however 
 kind and sympathizing friends and fellow 
 labourers may be. 
 
 To the lady who goes out single, my re- 
 marks must chiefly apply, and I would write 
 as if earnestly addressing her personally, and 
 entreat her to ponder deeply over the en- 
 quiries that follow, especially if she is sur- 
 rounded at home by affectionate parents and 
 an attached family circle, loving and being 
 beloved. 
 
 Can I endure to be alone ? — Not alone 
 
100 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 actually, but alone as it were in spirit ; alone 
 as it regards intimate converse and com- 
 munion with my nearest and dearest ties ; 
 with those who can enter into all my feelings, 
 and make the kindest allowances for all my 
 peculiarities, and to whom I have from child- 
 hood been accustomed to look for help and 
 encouragement in my difficulties and distresses. 
 And if she think she can endure this, and will 
 feel the presence of the “ Friend that sticketh 
 closer than a brother” sufficient to compen- 
 sate for the absence of all others, let her 
 again enquire — am I prepared to submit to the 
 peculiarities of those with whom I may have 
 to reside ? They may be excellent, devoted 
 people, but not such as I should have selected, 
 or exactly such as I imagine, or at all like those 
 with whom I have hitherto been associated. 
 There may exist some singularity in manner, or 
 some infirmity of disposition, which will affect 
 my comfort and try my temper and patience. 
 Can I endure this ? endure it daily, and with 
 probably few changes in the monotony of my 
 usual employments, to make me unconscious 
 or forgetful of it ? I wish to suppose a case 
 that may occur, and that sometimes will 
 
IX IXDIA, 
 
 101 
 
 occur. The young, ardent, and inexperienced, 
 are too apt to regard the “ devout men and 
 honourable women,” who compose the mis- 
 sionary body, as almost perfect, and not sub- 
 ject to the common failings of other Chris- 
 tians, and this leads them to form erroneous 
 ideas, which often affect them strongly, after 
 they perceive that they have just the same 
 infirmities as others, and perhaps, in some 
 instances, on account of their separation from 
 Christian society and other causes, even greater 
 peculiarities than are common amongst mi- 
 nisters at home. 
 
 And another question, it will be well to ask, 
 is — can I submit to he engaged, day after 
 day, in a work so outwardly uninviting ? Not 
 among the charming interesting children ima- 
 gination often pictures at home, but among 
 poor degraded heathen, as wretched in their 
 external appearance as in their internal con- 
 dition, and as unpromising as can well be 
 conceived, or if not just among these, among 
 those who have but lately been brought out 
 from the midst of them. And then we shall 
 have no excitements, no approving circle to 
 estimate our exertions ; none to praise, but 
 
 K 2 
 
102 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 many perhaps to find fault ; often none who 
 can enter into our motives, or appreciate our 
 perseverance. Can we thus labour on ? Oh 
 what disappointments are sometimes seen 
 when a young zealous labom’er is first intro- 
 duced to her future pupils ! and need we 
 wonder at this, when one relates that she had 
 been led to imagine her self-denials would 
 consist, in having to eat meat that must be 
 cooked before it had time to cool ; and ano- 
 ther, that as she would have little good food 
 in India, she had prepared at home by re- 
 fraining from things she most enjoyed. Such 
 sacrifices would be light, but it is not such ; 
 nor is it just one single sacrifice that must be 
 made, and then all be over, but a conduct that 
 involves dally sacrifices, and these often of a 
 nature that cannot be appreciated, nor indeed, 
 scarcely be apparent to any but ourselves. 
 
 We can form very little idea in England of 
 the overpowering nature of a climate so in- 
 tensely hot as that of India. Our bodily, 
 mental, and spiritual energies become alike 
 prostrate ; and we have to urge om’selves 
 to exertion by the strongest principles. I 
 have however, made considerable allusion 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 103 
 
 to this already, and much enlargement here 
 is therefore unnecessary. We cannot realize 
 ourselves while still in Europe, so situated 
 as to be unable to put our foot out of doors, 
 during the day, without endangering the 
 health or life ; and so dependent on others 
 as one must be, not for luxuries, qr even ex- 
 actly for comforts, for these are commodities 
 w’hich, in our English sense of the term, 
 are unknown in tropical climates ; hut foi* 
 those necessary alleviations to the great heat, 
 which one must use, to insure a portion of 
 health, and efficiency for the discharge of 
 our duties. What are sometimes incorrectly 
 called luxuries at home, are in fact, only arti- 
 ficial contrivances to obtain some abatement 
 of actual suffering-. 
 
 It being impossible to go from home diming 
 the heat, except in a conveyance, and the 
 weariness produced from the exhaustion of 
 the day being excessive, there exists but little 
 opportunity for visiting the poorer natives, 
 the only class at all accessible as heathens; 
 or even for calling on the Christian families 
 in their own cottages as we would do in 
 England, except by availing ourselves, with 
 
104 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 regard to the latter, of moonlight nights, 
 cool evenings after a storm, or such occa- 
 sional chances. The cautions we need to 
 observe, and the many alleviations we re- 
 quire, place us at a much greater distance 
 from the natives than we would desire to he, 
 and render it more difficult for us to obtain 
 that intimate acquaintance with them in their 
 domestic lives which we would wish. 
 
 In speaking thus I have reference chiefly 
 to Christian natives, as it will he perceived, 
 when I come to allude to the institution of 
 caste, and to the habits of the people, that 
 there are other and stronger obstacles to in- 
 tercourse, with regard to the heathen, than 
 even those which the climate impose, but this, 
 in itself, encompasses us with innumerable 
 difficulties on all sides. 
 
 The effect that the heat often has upon the 
 health is such, that we become really unequal 
 in many cases, to any great bodily efforts ; 
 and with the will, and the most ardent 
 desire, and the real ability to be useful, we 
 are compelled to remain, in a great degree, 
 quiescent. 
 
 1 have before alluded to the difficulties 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 105 
 
 connected with the language: and a few 
 brief remarks here will be all that I need 
 make. I wish it to be borne in mind, 
 that we must go out with a determination to 
 conquer zY, and not to let it conquer us ; and 
 to this end we must study laboriously and 
 diligently while in the ardour of our Euro- 
 pean or newly arrived strength. It must not 
 be supposed we shall find it so easy to acquire 
 as we found it to learn French or German. 
 The characters ; the great difference in the 
 use and value of expression in oriental lan- 
 guages ; the domestic and social usages of 
 the people so opposite to our own ; their 
 feelings ; their ideas ; all the very reverse, in 
 many respects, of ours, involve a number of 
 difficulties which we must resolutely set our- 
 selves to surmount in the onset. I am very 
 anxious that our future labourers should, in 
 this respect excel the majority of those who 
 have preceded them, because I feel convinced 
 of the great importance of it, to enable us to 
 do real, solid, permanent good ; and in as far 
 as we succeed in overcoming this difficulty 
 we lighten all others ; for w e shall then be 
 able to instruct our orphans and Christian 
 
106 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 girls with real efficiency, and to train up 
 some of them to be useful hereafter among 
 their own countrywomen, to whom we, as 
 foreigners, can gain no access. We cannot 
 do this entirely by means of English ; but as 
 books are prepared, it must he our chief aim 
 to give the most talented and well-disposed 
 among these girls a good education in their 
 own tongue, and only to teach them English, 
 as we learn French or Italian ; i. e. as an in- 
 creased means of informing their minds and 
 enlarging their ideas. 
 
 The want of suitable books may well be 
 enumerated as another of oim difficulties, and 
 one which affords an additional argument for 
 the necessity of an acquaintance with the lan- 
 guage, that we may do our part in aiding to 
 prepare them, this I shall refer to again in 
 the succeeding letter. 
 
 The hindrances we experience connected 
 with caste, of course apply chiefly to efforts 
 made among the heathen, but still we must 
 be more or less inconvenienced by it in all 
 our labours, till Christianity has made a 
 much more general impression in India, than 
 it can be said to have done at present. It 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 107 
 
 is impossible to explain all the various ways 
 in which it hinders and annoys us, nor is it 
 exactly necessary to do so.^ 
 
 As far as regards the heathen, it quite 
 prevents us from obtaining any thing like a 
 free and familiar intercourse with Hindu 
 
 * We were one evening visiting a native Christian 
 family, and after some conversation vitli them on 
 spiritual subjects, were about to conclude the visit 
 with reading and prayer. We observed the wife 
 leaving the cottage, and taking her place in the 
 verandah, and supposing she could not hear so well 
 there, we begged her to come inside and sit down on 
 a mat with her husband. “ I cannot,” was her reply. 
 “ Why not,” w’e enquired, but she was silent. Her 
 husband then informed us, that as heathens, women 
 were never permitted to sit in the presence of the 
 father-in-law, and though his wife knew site was now 
 at liberty to do it, being a Christian, she could not get 
 over early impressions sufficiently to allow her to avail 
 herself of her privilege. We tried to induce her to 
 begin on this occasion, but all our persuasions failed, 
 and she continued outside, while the husband and his 
 father sat together on the mat. When I first came 
 to this station, the Christian women were accustomed 
 to sit at church behind the preacher, with their faces 
 to the wall, and it was only by degrees I succeeded in 
 altering this and many other absurd remains of their 
 former usages. 
 
108 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 families, by which mg might gain access to 
 their affections ; friendly, social intimacy is 
 out of the question, for -we cannot approach 
 the domestic circle, and as the respectable 
 families all live in seclusion, we caimot even 
 so much as see the females. W ere it possible 
 for us to visit them as neighbours, to converse 
 with them, to induce them to visit us, and see 
 our schools, the usages of our families, and 
 our Christian congregations, much might be 
 done to affect them well towards our religion ; 
 but v/e are entirely debarred through the 
 restrictions imposed by caste, from even at- 
 tempting to shew those kindnesses which could 
 not fail of making some impression on their 
 hearts, much less can we avail ourselves of 
 the vast influence we might exercise on them 
 by private persuasion in gaining their confl- 
 dence. All that seems possible at present is, as 
 I remarked above, to train up our most suitable 
 girls with the hope of obtaining access to them 
 hereafter by their means, when every thing 
 with regard to the general establishment of 
 Christianity shall be, as we trust ere long to see 
 it, in a state of greater progress than it now is. 
 
 Closely connected with caste are the pecu- 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 109 
 
 liar habits and customs of the Hindus, so 
 closely indeed that it is sometimes difficult to 
 distinguish between them, for in many respects 
 the latter may be said to spring out of the 
 former, and to impose almost a greater diffi- 
 culty than it. Their custom of living accord- 
 ing to the patriarchal mode in large families, 
 sometimes including four generations under 
 one roof, and the bondage arising from these 
 numerous connections and relatives, any offence 
 against the prejudices of whom, immediately 
 involves them in innumerable troubles, (most 
 difficult to bear, especially for women) deprives 
 them of all independence, both of mind and 
 action, and places them all in habitual sub- 
 jection to the will of others. 
 
 There is no possibility of the females hear- 
 ing any thing abroad of Christianity, as they 
 are not permitted to go out, and even the lower 
 orders who are abroad, do not think of at- 
 tempting to intrude themselves into assemblies 
 composed of men, so that preaching must be 
 addressed to the other sex exclusively. The 
 minds of the women are quick and lively, and 
 quite capable of impression, but from the state 
 of society, they are entirely shut out from the 
 
110 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 opportunity of receiving impressions, so 
 that our work is necessarily confined to 
 Christian females, orphans, and our domestic 
 servants. Access in a few instances, but no 
 general access, has yet been gained to the 
 respectable ranks, so that I can think of no 
 other plan with regard to them than the 
 prospective one of preparing some of our 
 orphan girls, with a view of instructiag them 
 hereafter.* 
 
 A no less serious difficulty arises from the 
 apathy of the general character, or perhaps I 
 should rather say indifference. An excellent 
 and devoted lady, who has made many efforts in 
 
 * On one occasion our Infant School was visited by 
 a very rich native gentleman, who had a little girl of 
 his own. He expressed himself exceedingly pleased, 
 and said, “ I could not have believed that little Hindu 
 children would have learnt so much.” He then en- 
 quired whether it would not be possible for him, when 
 his daughter was old enough, to get an instructress for 
 her similar to the young woman I had in the school, 
 who was a Hindu-Briton. This reminds me of the 
 remark of a missionary, who said, “ The time is not 
 far distant, when the prejudices, even of the idolatrous 
 natives, shall be so far conquered, that their daughters 
 will be sent to European and Hindu-British females 
 for education.” 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 Ill 
 
 spite of all hindrances and opposition, to gain 
 occasional access to respectable females, in- 
 formed me, that their complete indifference 
 to the labour and pains necessary for learn- 
 ing to read, can scarcely be overcome, until 
 their male relatives see it to he so important, 
 as to induce them to promote the introduc- 
 tion of efficient plans and regular instruction. 
 There may be a few — I fear it will be 
 found a very few exceptions, but the majority, 
 knowing as they do, that there is a much 
 greater dislike than a desire, on the part of 
 their husbands and families to their making 
 any attempt for cultivating their minds, 
 cannot be induced to attempt a persevering 
 effort for it. The same indifference prevails 
 among the lower classes, who, if they may 
 be said to have a choice, would far prefer 
 being left in their ignorance to being taught, 
 and indeed no inducement, hut that of gain, 
 and the hope of reward, has hitherto brought 
 them together. Even to the Christian fe- 
 males these remarks are in a degree appli- 
 cable. I have heard of some, but not known 
 any, though I have repeatedly tried it, 
 who could be induced to submit to the 
 
112 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 drudgery of learning to read when becoming 
 converts after marriage. This is very dis- 
 heartening to one’s spirit, but nothing more 
 can reasonably be expected, considering the na- 
 ture and tendency of their religion and usages 
 altogether, and it must only lead to the quick- 
 ening of our own ardour and perseverance. 
 
 The degraded state of the female popula- 
 tion at large, interposes a difficulty of no or- 
 dinary magnitude, and would be fain on its 
 first representation to make us sit down in 
 despair. It is a melancholy picture indeed, 
 but its best effect will be to render us more 
 vigorous in using all the means in our power 
 towards its amelioration, though this must be 
 expected in the natural course of things to be 
 a work of time, and one which can advance 
 but by slow, and almost imperceptible degrees. 
 
 From her birth to her death the Hindu 
 female is in an abject condition, being neither 
 permitted to receive education, nor to join in 
 religious duties, such as reading, chanting, and 
 repeating sacred compositions ; indeed, with 
 the exception of a very few sentences on mo- 
 rality from the inferior books, it is unlawful 
 for them even to listen to such compositions. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 113 
 
 It is regarded by the men as disreputable 
 to educate their females, and scarcely two 
 instances can be adduced of persons who have 
 had courage enough to break through the 
 strong current of public feeling, though there 
 is no absolute prohibition against it in the 
 shasters. Then their early marriages, to 
 persons upon whom they are bestowed by 
 their fathers without any previous personal 
 
 acquaintance, 
 
 a most baneful in- 
 
 fluence upon their character in every respect. 
 The plurality of wives and degradation to 
 wdiich they are subject as widows, wdiicb 
 they not unfrequently become while quite 
 children, with the constant state of pupilage 
 in which they are placed, — being while young, 
 undef the ^tire controul of their fathers, 
 when marrmd^ under that of their husbands, 
 and when widows, under that of their sons, — 
 or in the absence of them, of their nearest male 
 relative, — ^perpetuates their degradation to the 
 end of life, and sufficiently accounts for the 
 indifference existing among them with regard 
 to education, to which I have alluded on the 
 preceding page. They may truly be said to 
 endure lives of wretchedness, and to be utterly 
 
114 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 prostrate as it regards all intellectual and use- 
 ful knowledge ; for sleeping, quarrelling, and 
 puerile conversation are their only recreations ; 
 these poor women, our fellow creatures, our 
 fellow immortals, our fellow subjects, are alike 
 destitute of enjoyment here, and of the hope of 
 happiness hereafter ! 
 
 The low state of moral and religious feel- 
 ing even among our converts, particularly the 
 grasping covetous disposition which so strong- 
 ly cleaves to Hindus, and which, alas, has 
 proved a stumbling-block to them as Chris- 
 tians in numerous instances, (though we have 
 some bright and happy exceptions,) forms 
 another of our difihculties, and after consider- 
 ing the former it will not create surprise that 
 such should in many instances be the case. 
 
 We should guard well against going out 
 with too highly raised expectations in this 
 respect. We cannot justly, and ought not 
 to expect to find in India any general im- 
 pression of Christianity, and if we do, we 
 shall be sorely disappointed. If we look for 
 a body of converts among the Hindus, equal 
 or superior in attainments, and Christian con- 
 sistency and devotedness, to the members of 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 115 
 
 Christian communities in our own land, we 
 are deceiving’ ourselves, for we can only 
 expect a second and a third generation to 
 begin something like an approximation to 
 those, who have enjoyed for centuries, the 
 privileges and advantages which we have been 
 favoured to possess. 
 
 Some of the converts would be an honour 
 to any church, but the majority, even of the 
 truly sincere, are but babes in Christ, or 
 mere children, who are greatly dependent 
 on the training they receive from their spi- 
 ritual parents. They are teachable, but need 
 line upon line and precept upon precept, and 
 above all a good example in those to whom 
 they naturally look up as their guides and 
 directors. One can well understand when 
 labouring among congregations newly formed 
 from converted heathens, all the exhortations 
 of Paul to Timothy and Titus, with regard to 
 bishops and deacons not being double-tongued, 
 not given to much wine, “ to be content with 
 such things as ye have,” &c. and his reproofs 
 to the Corinthian and other churches, whom 
 we are apt, perhaps not quite correctly, 
 to look upon as models of perfection. The 
 
116 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 grossness of their ideas will often discourage 
 us, and shock our sense of propriety, though 
 it may not when we come to analyze it, be so 
 positively sinful as it appears at first. The pre- 
 vious disarrangement of all their moral feel- 
 ings, the customs and modes of life in which 
 they have grown up, and their old heathen 
 associations, are naturally prone to cleave to 
 them, and those dreadful sins common among 
 heathen, which are not so much as named 
 among us, have, we must remember, been but 
 too familiar with them before they heard the 
 Gospel and were brought under Christian in- 
 fluence.^ Besides this, the climate of India and 
 the general manners of the Hindus being so dif- 
 
 * On one occasion I received a most painful ex- 
 emplification of this. I was recovering from an ill- 
 ness, and in a very weak state, when one evening 
 a girl from the school came to me and said, S — , 
 naming one of my female servants to whom she knew 
 I was attached, she having been converted in my 
 service, is not so good a woman as you think, she has 
 been angry with us, and has used very bad words. As 
 this girl was addicted to falsehood, I replied, I fear 
 you are bringing a false accusation, which is very 
 naughty. She replied, N — (one of the gardeners) 
 heard her, ask him. 1 had the man called, and a long 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 117 
 
 ferent to ours, there are many non-essential 
 points in which they will be likely ever to differ 
 from us, and it sometimes requires discrimina^ 
 tion to judge in these matters, for some of our 
 own ideas and usages, though sanctioned by 
 long experience and their own real and intrinsic 
 excellence, are not if we come to examine the 
 matter, found to be absolutely commanded in 
 Scripture, or altogether indispensable to real 
 Christian consistency. 
 
 investigation took place. He was asked to repeat the 
 expressions, but he said they w'ere so bad, that Ize 
 could not utter them in my presence. My husband 
 assured him, I should not understand their meaning, 
 but he declared that unless I left the room he could 
 not mention them. 
 
 I then went away, and upon their being repeated, 
 the poor accused woman confessed with many tears, 
 that though she was not conscious of it, she admitted 
 the possibility of her having uttered them in her 
 irritation. She added that it grieved her exceedingly, 
 that she had been guilty of such a sin, but as they 
 were from infancy accustomed to hear such expres- 
 sions, it was extremely difficult for them in unguarded 
 moments to avoid their expression. The whole affair 
 affected my feelings exceedingly — it seemed to me as 
 if a God of puTity must look upon all this with so 
 much detestation, but yet He bears with these poor 
 weak believers, and must we not learn of Him ? 
 
118 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 We must be cautious therefore, iu expect- 
 ing* more from them than the nature of their 
 circumstances >yarrant ; we must be prepared 
 to exercise patience and forbearance towards 
 them, remembering how much we had our- 
 selves to unlearn and overcome tlu’ough faith 
 after our own conversion. Thus we shall be 
 enabled, notwithstanding the greatness of the 
 difficulty, cheerfully to persevere in guiding 
 them to such habits, feelings, and ways of 
 acting as are worthy of the Gospel; and if 
 we are so happy as to influence successfully 
 the female part of our converts, we shall 
 considerably lighten the labours of their pas- 
 tors among them as a whole, for Hindus, 
 though they profess to hold women in such 
 subjection, are actually as much under their 
 influence as others. 
 
 I have said rather more on this head than 
 I at first intended, hoping to correct in some 
 measure the many mistakes that exist in the 
 minds of Christian females in England (as w ell 
 as in the church at large) on this particular ; 
 and I will now hasten to conclude this letter, 
 only remarking, that though om* difficulties 
 and trials are so gi’eat and appalling, we 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 119 
 
 must remember, that we are never sent on a 
 warfare at our ovui charge, and therefore 
 have no need to shrink from encountering 
 them. We are but earthen vessels, it is true ; 
 but the excellency of the pow'er, both to go 
 forth in his name, and to perform his work, 
 is of God and not of tcs. He is far more 
 powerful than all who oppose us, and if w'e do 
 but wait on Him, He will help us to run with- 
 out weariness, and to walk without fainting. 
 It is true we may be called to “ sow in tears,” 
 but it is equally true that we “ shall reap in 
 joy,” either here or hereafter; for “ he that 
 goeth forth weeping bearing precious seed, 
 shall doubtless come again with rejoicing 
 bringing sheaves with him.” “ He that soweth 
 sparingly” must only expect to reap “sparingly,” 
 but “ he that soweth bountifully shall reap also 
 bountifully.” Sweet and encouraging pro- 
 mises these to the missionary labourer ! 
 
 Perhaps some may be inclined to think 
 that I exhibit the difficulties connected with 
 our work too strongly, but I can truly say, I 
 only wish to give a fair view of them as they 
 really exist, and to set the light and shade in 
 their true bearings on each other. I have 
 
120 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 seen persons greatly discouraged at the onset, 
 simply from having come out with too highly 
 raised, and in some measure false and in- 
 correct ideas, and on this account I would 
 guard and caution others. I am convinced, 
 that no one of true genuine missionary prin- 
 cij)le will be deterred from engaging in the 
 work, because fully led to appreciate the 
 difficulties of it ; rather will their ardour be 
 quickened thereby, and their determination to 
 press forward become stronger. “ When our 
 hearts are duly set upon the greatest and 
 best objects that can occupy them, we must 
 deeply sympathize with the heathen, and shall 
 esteem the sacrifices and labours that may 
 promote their salvation light, for there is 
 placed before us a vocation great beyond the 
 power of language to express, for the privi- 
 lege of engaging in which, we must deem all 
 oppositions and trifles too small to prevent us.” 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 M. W. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 121 
 
 LETTER VII. 
 
 ON THE KIND OF EFFORTS THAT MAY MOST 
 PROFITABLY BE MADE. 
 
 My clear Friend, 
 
 It is a matter for thankfulness, that 
 we may now speak of the variety of efforts 
 that may be made for the poor degraded 
 females of India. A few years since it seemed 
 almost hopeless to try to make any, but now, 
 blessed be God, an impulse has been given 
 to even this formerly unpromising branch of 
 missionary labour, and our hopes for the final 
 emancipation of the country at large are brigh- 
 tening with the dawn of the long-desired day, 
 when access shall be gained to the hearts and 
 minds of the female population generally. 
 
 We must acknowledge that it is as yet but 
 << the day of small things,” but we are not on 
 
 M 
 
122 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 this account to “ despise” it, and I am sure 
 none of us feel inclined to do so, but rather to 
 rejoice in it. 
 
 The part of our work to be considered 
 first, is that which relates to the care and 
 pains necessary to be taken when placed by 
 the providence of God in connection with a 
 Christian congregation. As I have remarked 
 in the previous letter, our native converts in 
 general, and I may here add the females in 
 particular, are but children ; and their future 
 consistency and attainments as Christian wives 
 and mothers depends very much on the ex- 
 ample we set them, and the training they re- 
 ceive from us. 
 
 There are different little plans we may 
 pursue according to circumstances, which 
 those very circumstances will suggest, and 
 which can hardly be alluded to on paper ; 
 but the chief duties that devolve on us I will 
 try briefly to refer to. 
 
 Meetings for prayer among the women I 
 have found to be attended with a very happy 
 effect, for these shew them that we feel a 
 deep interest in their spiritual prosperity, 
 and enable us to direct them to the necessity 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 '123 
 
 of prayer, both general and personal, and to 
 recommend and enforce on them the duty 
 and privilege of a regular attendance on 
 public worship, and to impress on them a 
 concern for the salvation of their unconverted 
 relatives and the heathen at large, as well as 
 our own need of the support and encourage- 
 ment to be derived from their prayers. I 
 think a manifest blessing has been vouchsafed 
 to our little meetings of this sort, both as it 
 respects the Christian women, and the uncon- 
 verted female servants of the house, who are 
 usually willing to attend them. 
 
 A meeting for exhortation on Sabbath 
 evenings in a convenient room in the mission 
 house, I have also found to be both attractive 
 and useful. Many of those women whose 
 infants are troublesome in the public services 
 of the morning and afternoon, are glad to 
 avail themselves of this opportunity, and as 
 the instruction given is very simply conveyed, 
 the more ignorant can understand it better 
 than regular discourses. 
 
 What the Americans term Maternal As- 
 sociations, or monthly meetings, for mothers to 
 converse together (with prayer) on the best 
 
124 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 methods of training their children, and im- 
 pressing their minds with religious truth, 
 would, I am convinced, be extremely useful; 
 for there is no point on which they more 
 need advice and guidance than this, but as I 
 have not actually tried these, I cannot speak 
 personally as to their effect. 
 
 A sort of modified infant school for the 
 younger children is accompanied with a very 
 great and delightful influence, as I have fully 
 proved. We all know that there is not a 
 more direct way to a mother’s heart, than 
 that of manifesting an interest in, and a love 
 to, her children. And as example is ever 
 found to possess more power than precept, 
 they are more effectually led to adopt our 
 plans and methods of management from seeing 
 their practical workings, and beneficial ten- 
 dency on their little ones, than from any 
 representations we can make in words. Be- 
 sides this, it has a number of indirect benefits 
 connected with it, for it leaves them more at 
 liberty to engage in sewing, and other useful 
 employments ; and as it respects the children 
 themselves, it has the best effect, for it pre- 
 pares them, by an efficient early discipline, 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 125 
 
 for becoming much more attentive and teach- 
 able pupils when they enter the more advanced 
 schools afterwards. It extends to the young 
 children of both sexes, and we have observed 
 it to have the happiest influence on the 
 mothers, in inducing their own more regular 
 attendance at public worship, to which the 
 habits of little undisciplined children are ever 
 found a great hindrance, even among parents 
 more advanced in every respect than poor 
 Hindu women. 
 
 An infant school, therefore, modified in its 
 arrangements, with regard to hom’S and me- 
 thods of instruction, according to the difibrent 
 nature of the climate, is, I would say, calcu- 
 lated to be very useful, wherever there is a 
 Christian congregation existing. The diffi- 
 culty of procuring suitable teachers seems one 
 of the greatest obstacles to it, but no doubt 
 that would be overcome by the adoption of 
 some plan for training them, if a great desire 
 were to arise for employing them. 
 
 Having tried an infant school, and found it 
 productive of most encouraging results, I can 
 recommend it with particular confidence, as a 
 
 M 2 
 
126 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 means of usefulness, which if judiciously per- 
 severed in, can hardly fail of accomplishing 
 good. 
 
 To visit the females in their cottages, and 
 to see to, and insure their comfort in times of 
 trouble and sickness, is such an obvious and 
 natural part of our province, that I need 
 hardly allude to it. In no way can we better 
 gain their confidence and love, than by being 
 near them at these seasons, ready to supply 
 them with such help and medicines as they re- 
 quire, and to apply for their benefit the va- 
 rious simple remedies within our knowledge. 
 A little pains and experience will soon make 
 us mistresses of enough medical skill to be 
 very useful.* 
 
 Orphan schools both for boys and girls are 
 now connected with many mission establish- 
 ments, and have actually realized much good, 
 and promise much more. This is a very plea- 
 
 * Perhaps the importance of visiting the women at 
 home, has not always been fully felt, but having 
 practically perceived the great good effected by it, I 
 cannot omit the expression of an earnest hope, that 
 this part of our duty may engage more of our atten- 
 tion and effort generally. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 127 
 
 sant and encouraging branch of labour, the 
 difficulties and trials connected with which, 
 are almost certainly repaid with a greater or 
 more limited degree of success. 
 
 When the girls are under om’ influence for 
 a number of years, i. e. from the age of four 
 or five till they are grown up, the former is ap- 
 parent, and when from circumstances they are 
 not received till their habits and ideas are in 
 a great degree formed, the latter must neces- 
 sarily be expected. I have on this account been 
 so desirous to get them young, that I have 
 never refused even infants, when I could secure 
 a nurse for them, which their own widowed 
 mothers who brought them to me, were gene- 
 rally willing to become, upon condition of en- 
 joying a sufficient maintenance upon the mis- 
 sion premises, without giving up their caste ; 
 which has always been agreed to. In some in- 
 stances these poor women have voluntarily re- 
 signed caste after, and in others they have even- 
 tually returned to their villages and friends. 
 Nothing more was required from them than an 
 outward attention to the duties of morality 
 and religion, which they manifested no reluc- 
 tance to yield, and the private instruction given 
 
128 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 them, with attendance on public worship, ap- 
 peared to have in some cases a useful effect. 
 
 In these orphan schools the girls are fed 
 and clothed, and brought up in industrious, 
 active, cleanly habits. We have tried to teach 
 them to read well in their own language, and 
 above all to impress their minds with the im- 
 portance of religion. The daughters of the 
 native Christians have attended daily, if living 
 near enough, and become boarders if at too 
 great a distance. I have found it better, when 
 circumstances permitted it, to unite the mo- 
 thers with ourselves in the training of their 
 girls, if they were sensible, tractable, indus- 
 trious women, and have therefore preferred on 
 this, and some other accounts, to have their 
 children only as day scholars. It is not possi- 
 ble to train children to domestic habits in a 
 large school, so fully and with so much ease 
 as it can be done by a mother, if she is one 
 who is at all worthy of bearing that name ; 
 and besides this, it seems well for parents to 
 be made to remember their personal respon- 
 sibility, wdiich they are more likely to do, 
 when they find part of their maternal duty 
 devolving on themselves, instead of having it 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 129 
 
 wholly borne by others. I have always aimed 
 likewise to guard against interfering in any 
 of their habits and customs which are harm- 
 less, and perhaps better suited for their coun- 
 try and modes of life, than any alterations we 
 could introduce. 
 
 To make up for a mother’s influence and 
 training in the orphan department, a truly 
 pious and judicious Christian couple reside in 
 a cottage appertaining to our orphan school, 
 who both manifest a parental interest in 
 the girls, w'hich is as fully reciprocated by 
 them. The husband is employed in instruct- 
 ing the higher classes, and in conducting the 
 public religious duties of the school, while the 
 wife superintends the cooking and other do- 
 mestic departments, and looks after the health 
 and comfort of the girls. 
 
 These excellent people can approach them 
 in a thousand ways that we cannot, being 
 their own country people, for in every country 
 there exists national peculiarities and feelings 
 with which natives only can sympathize toge- 
 ther : and as it is seen that they enjoy our 
 confidence, that of the children is freely be- 
 stowed. I regard such a couple as a necessary 
 
130 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 auxiliary in a school of this desci*iption, with- 
 out whom it cannot go on perfectly well. 
 European influence and superintendence is 
 always imperfect, and in a degree inefficient, 
 without native co-operation being connected 
 wdth it. 
 
 Besides these, another native couple reside 
 in the school, the wife having herself been 
 brought up among the girls, and being now 
 quite capable of superintending and instruct- 
 ing them, with the assistance of the former, 
 in both the reading and wmrking departments. 
 She is a truly converted character, and ex- 
 ercises a most salutary influence upon the 
 girls in every respect, and being lively, afiec- 
 tionate, and energetic to a degree seldom found 
 among Hindu women, she is not only a gene- 
 ral favourite, but an extremely suitable person 
 to aid in forming the characters and habits of 
 the young. Her husband is not employed in 
 the school, except in a slight degree in the 
 English department, he having another en- 
 gagement elsewhere, which occupies the great- 
 est part of his time. Several girls have be- 
 come pious, and have turned out valuable and 
 useful wives, and in some instances teachers. 
 
N INDIA. 
 
 131 
 
 This school has also had a very happy effect 
 upon the Christian women generally, and has 
 helped to promote a spirit of imity and love, 
 that did not before exist. 
 
 Connected with a female orphan and boarding 
 school, we may attempt what I will designate 
 a superior school, ^. e. a school composed of a 
 smaller number, selected from the orphans, 
 on account of the manifestation of superior 
 abilities, who may be joined by such of the 
 Christian girls as are distinguished in a si- 
 milar way. If this be judiciously managed, 
 it will not excite envy or ill-feeling, at least 
 I have never found it to do so, and while we 
 are so completely shut out from the higher 
 classes as it regards rank, it seems our only 
 alternative for raising up a superior class of 
 women to aid us in future as teachers, and to 
 become suitable wives for the young native 
 Christians of good education, who often marry 
 unsuitably, because they have really no choice. 
 The plan adopted with regard to this superior 
 school is the following. 
 
 I have appropriated a suitable room to them 
 in the mission house, the orphan school house 
 being a separate building in the garden, and 
 
132 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 have endeavoured to bring them up as my 
 own children, with the exception of not alter- 
 ing any of their native customs, with regard 
 to dress, food, bathing in the sun, &c. I have 
 endeavoured carefully to watch their habits, 
 and to instruct them in reading, writing, 
 arithmetic, history, geography, singing, and 
 general knowledge, with all kinds of useful 
 work. After being well able to read in 
 their own language, they learn English, as an 
 additional means of acquiring information, 
 for a Bengalle library does not furnish the 
 necessary books for communicating instruc- 
 tion in some of the above named items. Those 
 among them of a suitable age attend the in- 
 fant school, and as far as time has allowed 
 the plan to develop, it promises well. I think 
 it very desirable that something of this kind 
 be attempted, of course modified according to 
 circumstances, for the reasons to w'hich I have 
 alluded ; and because it gives one a more 
 personal sphere as it were, for we may con- 
 trive to impart Instruction for a certain time 
 every day, to these girls ourselves^ without 
 stepping out of our homes, or encountering 
 undue fatigue ; and it does strike me that this 
 
IX INDIA. 
 
 133 
 
 is one of the most effectual means we at 
 present have, of raising the standard of fe- 
 male character in India, and of improving the 
 very ground-work of society among our native 
 Christian men. It also seems, as I have had 
 occasion repeatedly to remark, the only pros- 
 pective plan we can adopt, to prepare suitable 
 and superior instructresses for the better 
 classes, when we begin to gain access to them. 
 
 I mention with diffidence another plan, 
 which has been greatly blessed in our orphan 
 school, and mission establishment, yet which 
 may not be considered as generally feasible, 
 although with us it decidedly promotes com- 
 fort, as well as usefulness. Certain suitable 
 girls are selected from among the orphans, 
 to become domestic servants in the mission 
 family, one being housemaid, another nurse- 
 maid, and so forth. The idea was first sug- 
 gested by the desire being felt to have only 
 native Christians employed in the house, and 
 the impossibility of getting suitable indi- 
 viduals at the time, as well as from the wish 
 to dispense as far as possible with the services 
 of men servants. It not only answers well, 
 but has been found a more effectual means of 
 
 N 
 
134 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 training these dear girls, both morally and re- 
 ligiously, than the large number congregated 
 in the school permits to be done there, while 
 at the same time they become more active in 
 domestic concerns, and turn out the best 
 wives and mothers of the whole number. It 
 was as a servant in the house, that the natural 
 character of the one now so usefully occupying 
 the post of superintendant in the school was 
 developed, and her heart converted to God ; 
 after which she voluntarily requested to be 
 employed in the school, and she has for some 
 years, at first single, and afterwards married, 
 most efficiently filled the situation assigned 
 her there. 
 
 One very delightful result arising from 
 the adoption of this plan has been, that ours 
 is, in the strictest sense of the term, a 
 Christian establishment, a thing which is not 
 usually found in India. The Sabbath can be 
 observed just as in England, the whole 
 household attending public worship, and the 
 afternoon prayer meeting ; and repeating the 
 hymns and portions of Scripture they had 
 learnt during the week evenings, at our 
 usual Sabbath school for the orphans, from 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 135 
 
 twelve till one o’clock. I have never found 
 the plan to interfere in any way with the 
 arrangements necessary to be maintained, or 
 with family order, or with the public engage- 
 ments of my husband, and I cannot help 
 thinking it might be adopted by others with 
 the same success which has crowned it with 
 us. I quite allow that it involves an ad- 
 ditional responsibility on the part of the 
 mistress of the house, and requires her to 
 exercise a constant w'atchfulness and thought- 
 fulness ; and it needs a certain tact in ma- 
 naging the young domestics, so as to make 
 them willing, obedient, and careful servants ; 
 but as we undertake the care of them as 
 orphans, who have no natural parent to bring 
 them up, we may gladly adopt any means, 
 that seem most likely to aid us in training 
 these our adopted children and w^hich 
 
 will at the same time secure to us their 
 affection and respect, and this I believe Ave 
 can do, in no way more effectually, than in 
 the one I have alluded to. When the elder 
 ones marry, and new ones have to be selected, 
 there is always so much anxiety manifested to 
 be chosen, as plainly shew^s the delight and 
 
136 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 satisfaction the girls themselves feel in being 
 so engaged. Thus I am convinced they be- 
 come best prepared to watch the cradle of 
 the infant, and to preside in future over the 
 domestic arrangements in their own houses, 
 which so deeply affect the interests of the 
 man. 
 
 It seems hardly necessary for me to speak 
 of day schools among heathen natives, as my 
 own experience of them can suggest nothing 
 in their favour. The only children accessible 
 to us, are of the most unpromising class, and 
 their forced attendance, early marriages, and 
 other disadvantages, make it almost a hope- 
 less attempt to try to instruct them at present, 
 with any prospect of reaping fruit in the 
 slightest degree adequate to the time, labour, 
 and expense connected with endeavouring to 
 instruct them. Where however there are a 
 number of Indo-Portuguese children, who are 
 nominal Christians and quite open to Christian 
 influence and instruction, a school for them 
 may be a very great means of usefulness. 
 
 The Indo-Portuguese are a very degraded 
 people in every respect, and have been a 
 stumbling-block to the heathen, and a bin- 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 137 
 
 drance to the missionary in many ways, so 
 that good done to the rising generation 
 among them, is indirectly good done to the 
 natives. I have seen two very flourishing and 
 well conducted day schools for this class of 
 girls under the wives of missionaries, whose 
 situation prevented them from bending their 
 attention to the natives direct. With one of 
 these I am intimately acquainted, and know 
 it to have proved hitherto, as it promises to 
 continue to prove, a very marked blessing to 
 the station where it is carried on. The plan 
 pursued in it is attendance from nine till two. 
 The first two hours are occupied in the 
 acquisition of reading, writing, arithmetic, 
 geography, and history, and the last three in 
 useful work. All instruction given, is based 
 upon the Word of God, and as the girls are 
 mostly Roman Catholics this has had a great 
 effect, and the school was primarily, though 
 it may be called indirectly, the means of the 
 conversion of a Roman Catholic Priest, and 
 a respectable and influential family of the 
 same persuasion to the Protestant faith, and 
 what is better to true Christianity. This 
 school is exceedingly well conducted, and 
 
 N 2 
 
138 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 contains I believe about forty girls. I should 
 judge such institutions exceedingly promising, 
 for they bid fair to prepare young women, 
 who may hereafter become useful as teachers 
 in infant and other schools, and when it is 
 not possible to procure orphans or Christian 
 girls, I would strongly recommend their 
 being tried. 
 
 It has also struck me, that those favourably 
 located for it, might endeavour to establish 
 a normal school for training teachers. It 
 must be commenced on a small scale at first, 
 and with the help of competent and devoted 
 super intendants from home for a few years. 
 It would be exceedingly useful if it could be 
 established and efficiently maintained, as well- 
 trained teachers born and brought up in 
 India, would possess many advantages over 
 European ones, and would be obtained with 
 less risk and trouble and at a much smaller 
 cost. 
 
 Another means of usefulness, and the last I 
 shall have to suggest, is the preparation of 
 little books, such as are suitable for our 
 female schools, in the native languages, by 
 either translating or compiling them, with 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 139 
 
 the assistance of a good native pundit. This 
 plan has already been tried by one lady, who 
 has presented us with one, and will soon 
 be ready with another valuable little work 
 in Bengalle. I w’ould say that those who 
 have talents for this branch of labour can- 
 not more effectually aid the efforts of mis- 
 sionary females generally, than by occupying 
 themselves in it, for we are cramped in all 
 our labours among women and children, for 
 want of books, and our infant schools, which 
 would be more useful conducted chiefly in 
 Bengalle, have hitherto had to be wholly 
 carried on in English for the same reason. 
 Simple, easy geographies, histories, instruc- 
 tive stories, and little practical works, such 
 as are used in our charity and village schools, 
 are what we at present want. 
 
 In some cases it wdll happen, that from 
 weak health or other inabilities, missionaries’ 
 wives will find it impossible to engage in any 
 of the suggested plans, but if they can be 
 real helpmeets to their husbands, encouraging 
 them in their labours, and perhaps corre- 
 sponding for them, or in some other way 
 saving time to them, they will have no cause 
 
140 
 
 FEMALE MISSlONAllIES 
 
 to mourn over themselves as utterly unpro- 
 fitable, though they may ardently long to be 
 more actively engaged. 
 
 Perhaps some who could do no more might 
 receive an East Indian or Portuguese female, 
 to wait on them, and attend their children, 
 who manifesting suitable qualifications, might 
 be prepared for a teacher, and eventually 
 given up to any missionary school that might 
 be found needing such a person. I have 
 known two or three instances of useful assis- 
 tants being supplied in this way. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 M. W. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 141 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 
 A FEW REMARKS UPON THE ENGAGEMENTS 
 ENTERED INTO WITH SINGLE LADIES. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 I WISH to introduce a few remarks 
 upon the engagement of single females, which 
 strike me as being of importance, before I 
 entirely close. 
 
 They chiefly relate to the great care and 
 prudence that should be used, in sending such 
 persons out to India. It is scarcely possible 
 for ladies in England to imagine the diffi- 
 culties and vexations that may be met by an 
 individual on her arrival, when very definite 
 arrangements have not been completed before 
 she leaves her country, and the parents or 
 relatives who are her natural protectors. I 
 have before observed, and I cannot suffi- 
 ciently impress the remark upon the minds of 
 all interested in sending out single females. 
 
142 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 that a young woman is of all persons, the 
 least calculated, and the least intended to stand 
 alone. The character is only fully proved 
 by circumstances, and perhaps few could 
 bear the test, of feeling themselves strangers, 
 in a distant land, with no definite plan of 
 usefulness before them, and no home which 
 they can claim as their own by right. Per- 
 sons of very strong mind and firm principles 
 might develop better under such circum- 
 stances, but it is running by far too great a 
 risk, to subject a female to the test, in a 
 country where every one^s circumstances are 
 publicly spoken of and descanted upon. It 
 is true that many would offer to receive a 
 stranger under these circumstances, and mis- 
 sionary families would feel it a duty to pro- 
 tect her, but few, even of the latter, could 
 enter into the peculiarities of her situation, 
 and the zeal of the benevolent and well mean- 
 ing friends who send her out is thus painfully 
 reflected on, and call9d into question. Much 
 attention to decorum must be observed on this 
 point, or more harm than good will accrue 
 from the engagement of single ladies, — we 
 must avoid every appearance of evil, and not 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 143 
 
 allow our good to be evil spoken of. We 
 should guard in every possible way, that the 
 minds of the young persons sent out, should 
 have no opportunity of being diverted from 
 the great object for which they go forth, on 
 their arrival in India, for temptations are not 
 wanting, where there is the least opening to 
 allow of their entrance. It strikes me that 
 a set of questions might be addressed to every 
 individual who applies for an assistant similar 
 to the following : 
 
 1. What particular department of labour 
 do you propose for our agent in your esta- 
 blishment ? 
 
 2. What will be the routine of her daily 
 engagements ? 
 
 3. What time may she consider her own 
 during the day ? 
 
 4. ^Vhat facilities will be afforded her for 
 studying the language, and what hours de- 
 voted to it ? 
 
 5. What accommodations will she receive 
 in your house, — and how will she be regarded 
 in your family ? 
 
 6. What holidays will she enjoy, and at 
 what seasons of the year ? 
 
144 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 7. What salary will she receive ? 
 
 8. Do you consider that the sum awarded 
 will be abundantly sufficient to cover her 
 necessary expenses ? 
 
 9. Do you allow the propriety of our rule, 
 with regard to the term we wish her to con- 
 tinue in om’ service, and our arrangements 
 regarding her repaying the amount of ex- 
 pense we incur for her, in case of her altering 
 her position with regard to us ? 
 
 10. Will you permit us to consider you 
 responsible, in union with our agent, for 
 proper arrangements being made in this 
 respect ? 
 
 1 1 . What provision should you feel it right 
 to make for our agent in case she did not 
 suit you, or you found it advisable on any 
 account to dispense with her services ? 
 
 12. May we depend on you for making the 
 necessary arrangements for receiving her on 
 her arrival, and getting her comfortably and 
 safely conveyed to your station, if it should 
 be in the country ? 
 
 A promise should also be given by the 
 Society in their correspondence with the 
 party, — that in case of the lady proving unfit. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 145 
 
 from any adequate cause for remaining in 
 India, the party might consider themselves 
 at liberty to send her back at the expense of 
 the Society.* 
 
 If these questions were printed with the 
 rules of the Society, in some instances those 
 who applied for a lady could answer them 
 with the application, and in others, where 
 this was not done, a delay must be caused of 
 probably six months, to obtain answers to 
 them by an interchange of letters with the 
 party applying. This delay, though it might 
 he inconvenient, would be far better than 
 subsequent disappointment, and it would place 
 the committee, and the party receiving their 
 agent, on a clear understanding together, and 
 would lead the lady also to see exactly how 
 she would stand, in her future appointment. 
 
 It would be well for all these matters to 
 be clearly stated to her, in the farewell 
 
 * I believe a rule of this kind does exist, but it does 
 not seem in all instances to have been understood. K s 
 the rules are not perhaps read with sufficient atten- 
 tion, a distinct reference to this particular in the pre- 
 liminary correspondence is desirable. 
 
 o 
 
146 
 
 FEMALE MISSIONARIES 
 
 letters of instructions which I believe it is 
 customary to give. 
 
 Very definite and complete answers shoidd, 
 I think, be required to such a set of enquiries, 
 on the plea, that the ladies feel themselves 
 responsible for the future comfort and useful- 
 ness of their agents, and deem it necessary to 
 have an assurance in ivriting^ of all these 
 matters before-hand, though they give full 
 credit to the party applying, for every dis- 
 position to kindness and consideration. Too 
 much should never be taken for granted, — in 
 affairs that ought to be regarded as matters 
 of business, — even from missionaries, though 
 we can readily believe that every one apply- 
 ing for an assistant would be prepared to 
 treat her with kindness, to regard her as a 
 sister, and to aim to make her as comfortable 
 as possible. 
 
 If it be thought that offence would be taken 
 at these enquiries, and that the parties apply- 
 ing would decline, or be discouraged from 
 receiving a lady in consequence, such parties 
 would certainly be better without the charge, 
 but I believe this would scarcely occur. 
 
IN INDIA. 
 
 147 
 
 If but a very small number of well qualified 
 ladies be sent out, on sure and certain promises 
 of protection and support, more real good will 
 be done, and greater encouragement gained, 
 than by sending out a larger number less ad- 
 vantageously located. 
 
 I have heard it suggested, that only as many 
 agents be sent as the Society can themselves 
 support, but as the chief thing unmarried fe- 
 males require in India is protection, I believe 
 the other plan would be preferable. 
 
 Yoiu’s, &c. 
 
 M. W. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 RULES WITH REGARD TO HEALTH. 
 
 1 . Observe habitual temperance in eating and 
 drinking, beginning to do so, as soon as you 
 commence the voyage from England. This 
 is of the first importance, and under God’s 
 blessing, I do believe that if prudence be ob- 
 served in this, a great deal of failure of health 
 from change of climate may be avoided. We 
 must remember that we are exotics in India, 
 and cannot use those freedoms we do in our 
 native country. We should carefully ascer- 
 tain what diet seems to suit oui’ constitution 
 best, and resolutely abstain from every thing, 
 however agreeable to our palate, that appears 
 to do us harm. Some of our best missionaries 
 attribute a good degree of the health they 
 have enjoyed to care in this respect, and re- 
 gularity in the times of our meals is of as 
 much importance as temperance. The temp- 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 149 
 
 tation to drink quantities of water and acids 
 is great, from the thirst produced by constant 
 perspiration, hut the evil is only increased by 
 gratification, and the less one can drink be- 
 tween meals the better, and the less, when 
 accustomed to it, is suffered from thirst. No 
 rules can be given as to articles of diet, as 
 different persons are differently affected. We 
 must eat and drink what may best suit our- 
 selves individually, and perhaps it will be found 
 to be quite contrary to what agreed best with 
 us in Europe. 
 
 2. Bathe every morning, ^it agree with you, 
 and ascertain whether cold or tepid water suit 
 you best. Some people cannot bathe frequently, 
 and others feel refreshed by doing so. Water 
 slightly tepid generally agrees best in Bengal. 
 The head should be washed, as a general rule, 
 as often as one bathes. 
 
 3. Endeavour to be in bed by ten. To retire 
 early is of much more importance in India than 
 in Europe. I never knew persons, except one 
 or two of extraordinary constitutions, who did 
 not eventually repent inattention to this rule. 
 Rise as early as you like, and if possible, take 
 a good walk before, or immediately after sun- 
 
150 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 rise. This is one of the greatest preservatives 
 of health, and better for many persons than 
 horse exercise. 
 
 4. Rest for an hour when you feel tired, 
 which will generally be about two or three. 
 It is no loss of time to take an hour’s repose, 
 as it fits you to labom’ after. 
 
 5. Avail yourself of the benefit of a punkah, 
 if you find it save your strength. It is a great 
 blessing to have any means at command by 
 which you may alleviate the effects of the 
 dreadful heat ; and it is a mistake to call it an 
 indulgence, if it prevent you from becoming 
 unduly exhausted ; but one must avoid being 
 a slave to it. 
 
 6. Avoid exposure to the sun, especially 
 till you are in some degree acclimated. No 
 European can appreciate the danger of this, 
 till taught it by experience. You must yield 
 to the advice of those who have resided in 
 India. ]\Iany valuable lives have been sacri- 
 ficed to not heeding cautions on this head. 
 
 7. Endeavour to maintain habitual cheer- 
 fulness. “ A merry heart doeth good like a 
 medicine,” for the mind influences the health 
 amazingly in a tropical climate. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 151 
 
 8. Relax from five or six in the evening for 
 at least two hours, and take a walk, or if you 
 have opportunity, a drive. You may then feel 
 equal to employ yourself again in the evening 
 till nine. 
 
 To sum up all in a few words; a simple 
 and light diet, a tranquil mind, caution against 
 sudden changes in the air, and moderate exer- 
 cise, seem to be the most necessary things to 
 preserve health in Bengal. All extremes are 
 to be avoided, and regular habits to be culti- 
 vated in every respect. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 J. Dennett, Printer, 121, Fleet Street. 
 

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