LIFE OF INDIAN WOMEN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7404, 7 March 1903, Page 2

LIFE OF INDIAN WOMEN.

Interesting Address by a Lady

Missionary,

There was a good attendapce .at the Masterton Presbyterian _Church, last evening, to hear the two lady missionaries, Miss Manoramabaiand Miss Abrarns, speak en the work done and the work that is to be done amongst the women of India. Miss Abrarns was unable to take part in the meeting owing to slight indisposition, through the heavy strain of work. The story of suffering and misery through ill-treatment that Indian women endure privately, chiefly owiDg to idolatary and superstition, as unfolded by Miss Manoramabai, in nicely articulated English, was pitiable, and showed the urgent necessity for interposition, and the special opportunities afforded missionaries to do good work amongst the womenjof India. Through ignorance the women are imposed upon. They are invariably punished, sometimes with a rod or red hot iron, through bringing A| girl into the household, as it is sidered salvation is obtained only through a son. The girl has also to marry before she is twelve, and, as such an event means considerable expense to the father, the girl, when quite young, is either starved or shamefully ill-treated to show that she is unwelcome in the household. Both the mother and girl are regarded as equal sinners. Widows, who are generally young, have a fat harder life at the hands of (heir relatives and those around them. The treatment they receive is very cruel and harsh, because the belief prevails that they must be great sinners for their husbands to have died. Miss Manoramabai mentioned that good work is being' done aJ| the Widow's H6me," established by mother. They have both a Primary and High School, and the scholars number 1,750, all of whom are getting on well. Education it its several branches is imparted ; some of the scholars are studying to become teachers, w-hile others volunteer for Christian work. In India there are 23,000,000 widows, 200,000 are under fifteen years, and 76,000 are under nine years. A strong appeal was made by Miss Manoramabai for more assistant*in order to more successfully and tflJ* tensively carry on the great work amongst the Indian women, who are so much in need of teaching,: and requiro to bo lifted out of their present idolatrous sacrifices and superstitious observances. Rev. Robt. Wood presided -over the meeting, and amongst those present was the Rev. Barnett'. ''