A Lady of England 85

A Lady of England 85

‘The Native Christians not unfrequently subscribe to give a

parting gift to a Missionary whom they love, when starting for

England; but I suppose they thought that, in my case, if they

waited for that they would never give me anything, and that

it was no harm to present me with something for _not_ going

away! Mr. K. was rather astonished at the wild bhajans, which

he declares are all on one note--but that is a mistake--but he

says that they helped to cure his earache; a very curious and

novel effect, which I never knew before to belong to a bhajan!...

 

‘I think, love, that these little particulars will amuse you.

I write playfully, but the real undermost feeling in my heart

is that of humble gratitude to Him from Whom all blessings

flow,--the love of true and God-fearing hearts being one of the

most precious of those blessings.’

 

TO MRS. J. BOSWELL.

 

‘_March 17, 1881._

 

‘The Hindus appear to be particularly silly at this time of

the year. They throw about coloured water, so as to make

almost all the white dresses of their companions look dirty

and disreputable. My poor ---- came particularly badly off,

for he not only had three times his raiment dirtied, but his

hand rather severely hurt. Said I to him, “Do you think such a

religion is from God?” “It is devilish,” he frankly assented.

“A devilish religion; a devilish deed.” “Why do you not leave

it?” The poor fellow was silent. It is not faith in his

nonsensical religion that holds him back, but love of social

ties and surroundings.’

 

TO MRS. HAMILTON.

 

‘_April 13._

 

‘Our good pastor Sadiq and I had a long talk together to-day.

We two almost, as it were, form a little party by ourselves; we

are regular old-fashioned Panjabis, something like Saxons after

the Norman Conquest. Sadiq highly approves of this school,

because we don’t Anglicise the boys.... But the Anglicising

tide runs too fast for Sadiq and me. We get spoilt by Batala,

where there are no Europeans or Eurasians.... This is a grand

transition time in India; and the Conservatism, which I drank

in at old No. 3, remains in me like an instinct now. I would

keep everything unchanged that is not wrong or foolish--and

there is such a fearful amount of things that _are_ wrong

and foolish, that one might think that to get rid of them

would give all occupation sufficient. But I know that I am

old-fashioned, and live too much in one groove to be able to

judge correctly.’

 

TO MRS. E----

 

‘_July 29, 1881._

 

‘You have perhaps heard that I am to have a charming lady to

be with me; for my adopted nephew, the Rev. F. H. Baring, is

bringing out a lovely bride, one whom I know well, and whom

I have been accustomed to call my Queen-Lily, because she is

so tall and fair. I expect her to do Mission-work much better

than I can; and will not our boys love her! They seem to have

made up their minds that she is to be their mother; so she will

have a fine large family to look after, thirty-seven boys, or

more; some of them really not boys, but men. Rowland Bateman is

to perform, or rather, I believe, has performed, the marriage

service for his friend. We expect to have grand rejoicings here

on the arrival of the happy pair. It was a feast to see the way

in which the news of their Principal’s engagement was received

by his boys.... There was such clapping and delight, that you

might have thought all the boys were going to be married

themselves!’

 

TO MRS. HAMILTON.

 

‘_Sept. 4, 1881._

 

‘I visited to-day a poor mother who has lost a fine little

boy. I seated myself amongst the mourners, and talked with the

mother. What she said gave me a gleam of hope regarding the

child of ten. He had till lately attended our Mission School,

so of course had received religious instruction. He had the

opportunity also of learning something in the Zenana, and knew

Christian Hymns. His illness was _very_ short; and what he said

no one could understand; but, as his mother assured me more

than once, “_he smiled twice_.” This seems but a sunbeam to

build upon; yet as I have never known or heard of Muhammadans

or Heathen smiling when about to die,--the death-smile seems

exclusively Christian!--I cannot but hope that the dear little

fellow _had_ looked to the Saviour. I told the mother of the

hope in my mind, and spoke to the weeping little brother also.’

 

* * * * *

 

‘_Oct. 3._--It is a real pleasure to look forward to, that of

welcoming the Barings back, and placing the reins in younger

and stronger hands than my own. Not a giving up of work, please

God, but a lightening of responsibility. How often we say or

think, “Oh, we’ll leave that till the Padri Sahib comes.” He is

to do the thinking and ordering and arrangement in his little

bishopric. As for sweet, lovely Margaret, I expect to see her

gentle influence bearing on all sides. We are not likely to

disagree, unless it be on the subject of who is to sing first,

and who is to take the coveted second part.’

 

* * * * *

 

‘PESHAWAR, _Oct. 18, 1881_.--A large military station like

Peshawar is rather a contrast to Batala. But, poor India!

Where one sees less of the enemy attacking in one direction,

we find him advancing in another. Over the Hindus and

Muhammadans he throws the chains of Superstition, Idolatry,

Self-righteousness,--he makes them choose a murderer instead

of the Prince of Life. For the Europeans he has coldness,

deadness, infidelity! I noticed at Church that but _one man_

stayed to Holy Communion.’

 

* * * * *

 

‘_Nov. 7._--I am so much stronger after my visit to

Peshawar,--quite a different being. It must be a comfort to

Babu Singha, who thought me ageing with wonderful rapidity.

But at Peshawar I took a backward spring. I was more than six

hours to-day on an expedition to the village of Urduhi, going

in my duli; and I was very little tired,--quite ready for Henry

VIII. and his six wives in the afternoon, and for Agamemnon and

Achilles in the evening. It is amusing to go back to the old

stories one read in one’s childhood.’

 

TO MISS ‘LEILA’ HAMILTON.

 

‘_Nov. 22, 1881._

 

‘The visit of the two Bishops,[96] Mr. Clark, and the Chaplain,

Mr. Deedes, went off beautifully. Everybody seemed pleased

with Batala; and the Bishop of Calcutta wrote such handsome

things in the school-book, that I am sure dear Babu Singha was

gratified. The Bishop of Calcutta is a striking-looking man;

tall, with a simple, unaffected dignity.... He gives one the

impression of both physical and intellectual strength, combined

with true piety. As the vigorous, energetic practical man, he

forms an interesting contrast to the fragile-looking, saintly

Bishop of Lahore. Then Mr. Clark has a calm charm of his

own,--described by a lad as “looking like an angel, with his

beautiful white beard.” ...

 

‘Of course we had a feast. Then followed brief recitations

from Shakespeare, and choruses. To-day the school was examined

in scripture, and pleased the Bishop. We had Divine Service,

and an interesting, forcible sermon, well translated, sentence

by sentence, by Mr. Clark. The Bishop of Calcutta afterwards

went over the place, examining the boys’ beds, etc., struck

at Native lads having such clean sheets, and at hearing that

they were changed weekly. He kindly visited our poor sick

M., who is much better, thank God, though still--after six

weeks--confined to bed. I gave my guests plenty to eat; and

my bottle of wine held out bravely, two of the gentlemen

preferring tea, while the wine-drinkers were very moderate. I

had to manage a little to make my furniture suffice for four

guests. There was a little borrowing, but not much. I put two

of your sweet mother’s lovely tidies, quite fresh, over chair

and sofa, to look elegant. I wore the pretty cap, trimmed with

blue, and my graceful grey dress, both gifts from No. 31.[97]

 

‘The Bishop of Calcutta, before leaving, kindly put into

my hand a note for 100 rupees. I asked him to what purpose

I should apply it; he replied to whatever purpose I liked;

so I at once decided on our City Mission School, our Batala

_Plough_, which has almost come to the end of its means, and

must on no account be suffered to drop through. I was very glad

of the seasonable supply.

 

‘Now all the boys’ thoughts are turned to the reception of the

dear Barings. The Natives take the whole affair into their own

hands, I merely helping by paying for the refreshments. I see

a wooden arch in course of erection, and hundreds--perhaps a

thousand--little earthen lamps cumbering our hall. Perhaps the

Bishops wondered what all those funny little concerns could be

for. There are to be fireworks too; but I have nothing to do

with either illumination or fireworks.’

 

Before the end of November Mr. and Mrs. Baring arrived, to be received

lovingly by Charlotte Tucker, and enthusiastically, not by the boys

alone, or even by the Christians alone, but by many of the people of

Batala. On the 9th of December a letter went from Mrs. Baring home:--

 

‘MY DEAR MRS. HAMILTON,--I have but few uninterrupted minutes,

but long to send you at least a few lines, to assure you that

your beloved sister is well. She gave us a most delightful

welcome; and a very great joy it is to be with her. I thought

her looking extremely white and thin, although not lacking

in her wonted energy, when we first came. Now I think she is

looking a little better; and we shall tenderly watch over her,

and cherish her, so far as she will allow us; but I assure you

it is very hard work to persuade her to reduce her work, or to

increase her nourishment. I see that my best plan is quietly

to put things in her way that may be strengthening, but not

to trouble her by _pressing_; and to ensure soups, puddings,

etc., being all thoroughly nutritious, so that the amount she

does take may all do her real good. And as to the work, I hope

she will gradually let me have part of it, leaving herself more

time for writing.

 

‘You will be pleased to see how the people love and honour

her. The tahsildar[98] came one day to see us; and reverently

bowing his head before her, he asked her to lay her hand upon

it, and pray for him,--which she did, most earnestly asking

that Heavenly light might be poured into his soul. I think she

is very wise in her dealings with the Christians, but is apt

to over-estimate some of the heathen,--and to cast precious

“pearls before swine,” at too great an expense of her own

time and strength. However, I am perhaps mistaken about this.

We must pray that _all_ her loving efforts may be abundantly

blessed, and that she may be allowed the joy of seeing some

fruit of her city labours. Among the boys she has been _much_

blessed. I hope to write often, if you will kindly excuse

my notes being hurried. Much love to dear Leila. Kindest

remembrances to Mr. Hamilton.-- Ever yours lovingly,