DAY Ev' ’ - c IONS I ' t, ,. - ~ i / EIGHTEENTH— - ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRIENDS’ Sbsion ^asffptura, 1886. "GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.” PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AT THE ORPHANS’ PRINTING PRESS, 10 & 12, BROAD STREET, LEOMINSTER. FRIENDS’ FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION. 1885. T reasurer: JAMES HACK TUKE, H itchin. Hon. Secretary: HENRY STANLEY NEWMAN, L e o m in s t e r . Secretary: CHARLES LINNEY, H itchin. Executive Committee: RICHARD ALLEN JOHN GAYNER G. SATTERTHWAITE STAFFORD ALLEN JOHN T. GRACE FREDERICK SEEBOHM WILLIAM C. ALLEN THEODORE HARRIS J. S. SEWELL J. GURNEY BARCLAY WILLIAM HARVEY ISAAC SHARP WILLIAM BECK HENRY HIPSLEY SAMUEL SOUTHALL J. B. BRAITHWAITE JONATHAN B. HODGKIN J. FYFE STEWART C. L. BRAITHWAITE JOSEPH HUNTLEY GEORGE STURGE ISAAC BROWN CALEB R. KEMP JOHN B. TYLOR ALBERT J. CROSFIELD RICHARD LITTLEBOY JAMES THOMPSON JOHN DIXON HENRY NEWMAN MARRIAGE WALLIS THOS. W. FISHER GEORGE PALMER, M.P. CALEB S. WILSON ALFRED L. FOX ARTHUR PEASE, M.P. JOHN E. WILSON R. REYNOLDS FOX ALFRED RANSOM WILLIAM WHITE JOSEPH S. FRY WILLIAM RANSOM JOHN WHITING THEODORE FRY, M.P. WALTER ROBSON Madagascar Sub-Committee; ALFRED RANSOM FREDERIC SEEBOHM J. FYFE STEWART WILLIAM RANSOM J. S. SEWELL JAMES HACK TUKE India Sub-Committee : WILLIAM BECK JOHN DIXON HENRY S. NEWMAN ALBERT J. CROSFIELD HENRY HIPSLEY JOHN B. TYLOR China Sub-Committee: HENRY s. NEWMAN WALTER ROBSON JOHN E. WILSON J. FYFE STEWART RULES OF THE FRIENDS’ FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION. 1.— That the name "Friends’ Foreign Mission Association” be adopted. 2.—That its object is to aid the spread of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and Mission work abroad, chiefly by assisting such members of the Society of Friends, or those in profession with them, as are believed to be called of the Lord .to this service. 3.— That all Annual Subscribers be members, and that a General Meeting be held annually, at such time and place as London Yearly Meeting may appoint. 4.— That the business be transacted by an Executive Committee, to be appointed annually by the General Meeting, with power to choose a Treasurer and Secretaries. 5.—-That Friends who feel it their duty to engage in foreign Gospel service, or to reside abroad for educational purposes, may communicate with the Secretary, who shall bring the matter before the Committee. 6.— That the Executive Committee meet at such times and places as it may appoint, and the Secretary or any Sub- Committee shall have power to call a meeting thereof by circular to its members. EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT. In looking at the position of our Missions at the close of another year, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude to God for the mercy and blessing; which have been shared by all the branches. Whilst in M a d a g a s c a r there still remains the evil of war, yet throughout the year, good and earnest work has been accomplished in all departments of the Mission. In the Capital, especially, a quiet spirit has prevailed, which has greatly tended to strengthen and deepen the solid character of the religious work, and has enabled the schools to maintain regularity and order. Periodical visits to the country districts are reviving the shaken confidence of the people, and more distant fields are opening up. Serious illness has, we regret, overtaken Dr. Fox, who has laboured so actively and successfully in the Medical Mission. This has caused a temporary suspension of the hospital branch, but we hope that its efficiency may be renewed upon the arrival of Dr. Allen, who has recently gone out as second medical man. The missionary staff has also been recruited by the return of William and Lucy Johnson, and the addition of John Sims. The reports of the work of our friends in I n d i a show that their persevering efforts to win souls, and spread the light of the Gospel are not without result, both at Hoshangabad and at Sohagpur, and in the surrounding villages." The native converts appear to grow in faith and knowledge, and there are some earnest inquirers after the truth. The Zenana 6 work is opening out, sixteen houses receiving regu­ lar visits in Hoshangabad. The health of Anna Baker has been so seriously- affected as to necessitate her immediate return to this country with her husband. The work rests heavily upon those who are left, especially Rachel Metcalfe and Ellen Nainby, who need much prayer­ ful sympathy. We hope that Charles Gayford and his wife will go out again during the coming autumn. Henrietta Green, who left this country for C h in a last autumn, has been prevented by the war with France from going further than Hankow, where she is making fair progress with the language. We highly value the help of the Young Women Friends’ Christian Union, and of the Missionary Helpers’ Union, which occupy a most useful place amongst us. The energy and love of the work shewn by the members augurs well for the future of our Association. Whilst fully believing that the Lord is able to provide the needful means wherewith His people shall work, increased work necessarily involves increased expenditure, and demands the increased liberality of our subscribers. The work grows upon us, both in Madagascar and India, and from China come earnest appeals for more labourers. It is a high privilege to be co-workers with God in the conversion of a heathen world. In the words of Livingstone, “ The spirit of Missions is the spirit of our Master.” Let us thank God and take courage. INDIA. MISSIONARIES Rachel M etcalfe, Hoshangabad. Ellen N ainby, „ John H. and Effie W illiams, Sohagpur. Samuel and A nna Baker, at home on furlough. R e p o r t of t h e S u b -C o m m it t e e . T h e condition of the mission work in the Nerbudda valley gives cause for thankfulness. The seed sown in past years begins to bear fruit, and though large numbers cannot be reported, signs of progress are visible, showing that the earnest preaching of the Gospel has power even upon the impassive Hindu. We greatly regret that Anna Baker has suffered severely from impaired health during the year; the hot seasons have affected her, and in April the doctor at Hoshangabad insisted upon her immediate return home. She was too ill to travel alone, and Samuel Baker has accompanied her. They arrived in London on May 6, Anna Baker being somewhat better. John H. Williams will render such assis­ tance as he can meanwhile, but it is evident that the burden at Hoshangabad must press seriously upon Rachel Metcalfe and Ellen Nainby, who will, however, be seconded by Bal Mukand. Rachel Metcalfe continues to enjoy better health. The Mission School and Orphanage in Jumerati Bazaar has increased, the number of scholars in the Day School being thirty-six; the additions being chiefly Hindus. One of the little orphan girls has been removed by death, and her place is now taken by another. In addition to school work, the girls are instructed in sewing, household duties, etc. Ellen Nainby has rendered valuable aid both in this branch and in visiting the women in zenanas. Regular monthly meetings for discipline have been held, and the native brethren are beginning to take an intelligent share in them. There are now twenty-two members, being an increase of five since last year. One of these is a poor Gond, who is a cripple, another is a Hindu, both of whom are new converts to the Christian faith. A missionary meeting is now held once a month, on the evening of the day the meeting for discipline is held. At H o s h a n g a b a d , Samuel Baker has found encouragement whilst conducting the open-air preaching in the bazaars ; the quiet, serious demean­ our of the people, and their increased respect, evidently shewing that the Spirit of the Lord is applying the truth to their hearts. This is also the case with the Balagunj Mission meetings. The Boys’ School at Balagunj has improved under the management of Bal Mukand, who has shewn himself an efficient teacher. Some of the parents are now paying school fees for the educa­ tion received, and boys from a better class are beginning to come. The tent expeditions during the cold season have been fruitful of much good. Seventy-six towns and villages, in addition to several “ melas ” or fairs, in the outlying districts were thus visited, and in these, as well as in the bazaar meetings, magic lantern exhibitions have been a source of attraction to many, and were made the occasion of Gospel teaching. The power of the Word preached is frequently attested by the conduct of the audiences; on one occasion a Rajput publicly handing his beads to Samuel Baker in token of his belief. The dispensing of medicines has been lately con­ 9 fined to three days per week, and on each day from twenty-five to thirty patients have been treated. Very cheering accounts are given by Anna Baker of the Zenana work, to which Ellen Nainby also feels strongly drawn. There is an increasingly open door amongst the women both in the town and in the country. Sixteen houses (double the number of last year), are now visited regularly, and Bible classes held in others ; and the women receive the teaching gladly. The S o h a g p u r branch of the Mission, under the care of John and Effie Williams, is an active centre of work.