[1] A kind of large Oriental pipe.
[2] One of the difficulties experienced in writing for natives is
the selection of names. The Hindus, Sikhs, and Mohammedans have all
_quite different sets of names_; and to give one member of a family a
Mohammedan, and another a Hindu name, would be a very serious mistake in
an author. A government inspector of schools has very kindly supplied A.
L. O. E. with carefully arranged lists of names.
[3] An enormous kind of fan swung across the room, the motion of which
renders the heat more supportable.
[4] A rupee is worth less than two shillings.
[5] A name for the houses of European gentlemen.
[6] A name commonly given to missionaries.
[7] English gentleman.
[8] The common form of greeting, meaning, “Peace be to you.”
[9] Note.
[10] As not even the missionaries knew in what manner a woman of good
family would address her husband, a native was consulted on the question.
In Amritsar we have the advantage of having a converted Brahman on the
one side, and a converted Mohammedan of position on the other, from whom
we can gather information on such matters.
[11] Husbandmen.
[12] A small copper coin.
[13] A very beautiful marble building in Agra.
[14] The pugree worn by natives in the Punjaub, both old and young,
is often formed of many yards of a very light material, wrapped round
and round so as to form a turban. The pugree worn by Europeans as a
protection from the heat is much smaller, and worn in a different manner.
[15] A moonshee is a teacher of languages. The moonshee employed by A. L.
O. E. on her first arrival in Amritsar was a convert from Mohammedanism,
and a noble specimen of the class.
[16] A baboo is one of an upper class; the title in this part of India
somewhat resembles our “Mr.”
[17] This is no fictitious picture of the trials of some of the converts.
[18] A very common word used to describe any grand show or scene of
excitement.
[19] Yuhanna (John) is a Christian name. On receiving baptism, sometimes
a new name is adopted; sometimes, as with Hassan, the old one is retained.
[20] Title given to a native lady.
[21] Groom.
[22] Native pony.
[23] The natives of India like to expend large sums on such occasions,
even if they plunge themselves deep into debt to defray the expenses.
[24] Custom; a word which has far more force in India than in England.
[25] A kind of bracelet.
[26] The love of Indian women for ornaments must not be measured by that
of English maidens. There is nothing very remarkable here in the sight
of a woman wearing at one time _twelve_ ear-rings, at least as many
bracelets, besides necklace, nose-ring, anklets, and silver plates on her
toes! Converts do not wear so many.
[27] The chaddar (literally sheet) is a garment not worn in all parts of
India, but very commonly in the Punjaub. It is something like a large
veil, made of muslin or some other light material, and is worn in the
house as well as out of it. Anything more graceful, picturesque, and
modest-looking can hardly be imagined.
[28] English lady.
[29] Those conversant with India need not be told that a fearful want
of truthfulness prevails amongst the natives. Against this evil the
attention of missionaries has been earnestly directed, and in some
cases with great success. A. L. O. E. heard since her arrival a story
of a school in Calcutta (she believes, however, that it was a Eurasian
school). A prize was offered in it for truthfulness, and as it would have
been almost impossible for a teacher to have adjudged the prize to the
satisfaction of all, to the girls themselves the decision was left. All
the children fixed upon one of their companions as the most truthful girl
in the school. The wisdom of their choice was shown by the conscientious
girl’s declining to accept the prize, for she did not think herself
_truthful enough_ to deserve it!
[30] The first native of India who saw the translation of this little
story—a refined and educated man—was much struck by the new view
presented to him of his parental duty. He actually, very shortly
afterwards, _punished his child for telling a lie_. The little boy was
probably surprised at receiving chastisement for what is usually deemed
such a very trifling offence; but the punishment (not a severe one)
seemed to have made an impression on his young mind. Soon afterwards, on
his sister asking him whether something which he had said were true, the
child, with a new sense of the evil of falsehood, said, “Do you not know
that God is angry when we tell lies?”
[31] The worshippers of various heathen deities may be distinguished by
differently shaped marks on their foreheads.
[32] The Ganges is regarded as a peculiarly sacred river.
[33] In India, as in France, it is very uncourteous to use the third
person singular Where I am, even servants are addressed as “you.”
[34] In happy England, the difficulty of crossing the river of Baptism
to many converts in India can hardly be appreciated. To do so is to pass
the Rubicon, to cut the tie which connects the believer with all that was
dear upon earth, to cast away honour, friendship, enjoyment; it is indeed
to take up the Cross! One of our noblest Punjaubi Christians lingered
five years before he was given courage to cross the river. One youth was
brought into court to declare whether it was his deliberate choice to
become a Christian. His mother drew forth a knife, and told her son that
if he were baptized she would plunge it into her own bosom! I have seen
another youth who could well bear witness to the sharpness of the thorns
of Persecution. His own father made him stand in _boiling oil_, till the
skin was burnt off his poor feet! But he has crossed the river.
[35] A tendency to fatalism in the Oriental character is one of the great
difficulties with which missionaries have to contend. It gives to the
timid convert an excuse for indolence and apathy. “If it be God’s will, I
shall have the blessing,” he thinks or professes to think “without making
any struggle to obtain it.”
[36] Oriental pipe.
[37] Probably at least a dozen.
[38] _The sin which doth so easily beset us._—Heb. xii. 1.
[39] Let not the meaning of my little parable be misunderstood. Even the
true believer must expect many assaults of Temptation, many a struggle
with besetting sin. The pearl, Purity, is perfected only in a brighter
world. Nevertheless, not only Christ’s imputed righteousness, but a
_growing likeness_ to Him who said, “Learn of Me,” is one of God’s
free gifts to His children through the indwelling of His Spirit. It is
particularly necessary to enforce this truth in a land like India, where
even sincere converts find it very hard to lead _consistent_ lives, after
having been brought up in the paths of sin.
[40] Native Christian parents are here intended, some of whom send their
children to schools conducted by missionaries.
[41] The character of Ghuldasta has been drawn from Indian life; some of
our little British maidens may, however, find that some of its features
are by no means confined to girls of Hindostan.
[42] This hymn (translated) is a great favourite in this country. Even
heathen and Mohammedan children like to sing it, as well as native
Christians.
[43] This is a natural view to be taken by one half persuaded, who would
make the inconsistencies of professed believers an excuse for not joining
their ranks. It is but fair, however, to the native Christians, for whom
this tale was specially written, to say that their standard of morality
is much higher than that which is adopted by their heathen neighbours.
[44] An anna is about three half-pence. There are twelve pies in an anna.
[45] The quantity of ornaments worn by women even of the humbler classes
is at first surprising to a European. A woman will in _one ear_ wear
eight or ten rings, and as many bracelets on each arm. Her feet, also,
are frequently adorned.
[46] It will be observed by those who know the East that Hossein was a
Mohammedan, and not an idolatrous Hindu. In India there are different
religions, not only varying from, but actually opposed to each other.
Many Mohammedans in India have a considerable amount of religious
knowledge.
[47] Abbas was, of course, a native Christian.
[48] These _melas_ afford grand opportunities to the missionary, both for
preaching and selling books.
[49] A. L. O. E. has herself heard a Mohammedan speak of Christian
converts as his friends. She is on terms of affectionate intercourse with
Mohammedan ladies.
[50] Not to do so is a mark of great disrespect. A native on entering a
gentleman’s house leaves his slippers at the door.
[51] Moses is reverenced by Mohammedans as well as by Christians.
[52] When my friend Mrs. E. was staying in a Punjaubi village, she was
shocked to hear of one of the natives having beaten his mother. When
she said that in England such a sin would be punished, her observation
excited _general amusement_. Why should she be shocked at an event of
such common occurrence?
[53] The convert probably restrained himself lest his mother should
refuse to accept from his polluted touch even food needful to save her
from starvation. But with the blind woman nature was too strong even for
Hindu prejudice.
[54] Offering the hookah (a kind of pipe) was an alteration suggested
by one who has intimate acquaintance with Oriental customs. The words
originally stood: “Held out his hand; and Tara Chund grasped it,” &c.
This would have made the whole story unnatural.
[55] This little story is founded on what really happened in a village
not very far from Amritsar, but the words which produced a reconciliation
were really spoken by one of the four who had quarrelled. A. L. O. E.
heard a graphic account of the scene from a gentleman who had been
present. That the reconciliation was not merely outward, seems to be
proved by the fact that some little time afterwards the four Christian
villagers came in a body and partook of the Holy Communion in the mission
church of Amritsar.
[56] Pronounced _purdah_.
[57] Robber.
[58] Female attendant.
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