.. BENOALWOMAN'S CONFERENCE I I... , METHODIST', EPISCOP,AL t < CHURCH. ""-'~'--'f~'... REPORT AND MINUTES J I. l i . I!

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1 .. BENOALWOMAN'S CONFERENCE, METHODIST', EPISCOP,AL t < CHURCH. ""-'~'--'f~'... 1, j. I. I 1. I ** r *' REPORT AND MINUTES I l i f' II ~------'-' ' J.-----,-~------'------_, I I I t - j. I!.... I I..., 11 J I

2 REPORTS AND MINUTES OF THE ~went~.ttbfrb Session ~,e..::4;'ti. 0)1' THE Olt THE metbodist episcopal Cburcb in Bengat,,. HELD IN CALCUTTA January 21th to 30th CALCUTTA. HENDERSON & CULSHAW, PRINTERS, -..6, DHARAMTALA STRllItT, CALCUTTA. J9IO

3 ROll of mtmbtrs. Miss Aaronson. Mrs Manley. ~Miss Blair. Miss Maxey. i!~mrs. Byers. i:, Mrs. Meik. Mrs. Byork. Mrs. Mozurudar. Miss Carpenter. Miss Matheson. Miss Carr. Miss Norberg. *Mrs Culsbaw. Miss Pritchard. ~rmrs. Denning. Miss Perrill. Mrs. Dowring Miss Reeve. Miss Reiser. Mrs. Gray. Mrs. Schutz. *Mrs. Hastings. Miss Storrs. Miss Hunt. MisE< Stahl. Miss Knowles Mrs. Simmons. Miss Kinzly. Mrs, Swan. Mrs. Koch. Miss Voight. *Mrs. Lee. Miss Wood. Miss Lee. Miss Wisner. '.' ON LEAVE TO AMERIOA. {!rmrs. Baksh. Miss Henkel. Miss Bennett. {i: Miss Peters. Miss Creek. -Miss ~wan. {!:Miss Eddy. The above members have completed their examinations in the vernacular. Offlctrs. President 18t Vice PreBident... 2nd Vice President... Recording Secretary.. Assistant Recording Secretary Official Correspondent Statistical Secretary... Treasurer Mrs. McDowell. Mrs. Grose. Mrs. Byers. Miss Swan Miss Kinzly. Miss Blair. Mrs Byers. Miss Maxey.

4 c.tommtttees.,{nance. Mas. DENNING. Mas. LEE. MIBS STAHL. MISS GRANDBTRAND. MRs. BYERs. publicatton MISS SWAN. MISS KINZLY I MISS BLAIL MRs. BYERS, EIamtntng. MltS. DENNING, 'fresolu ttona. MISS W IHNtR. MISS CARR. Mu~s VVOOD. programme. MBa. MANLEY, MISS GRANDSTRAND. MISS VOIGT. MI!I NORBERG. MlUI. KOOHI!luItuartes. MIss STAHL. MIss CARPENTER. MISS PERRILL. ttemperance. MM. DENNfi(G. MRS. C1JI.8HAw. MBa. BYomr. Ebucatton anb EIamtnattone. MRs. MEIK. MRs. BYERS. MISS KNOWLES. 1bs. DENNING. MIBS GRANDsTRAND. l3utlbtng MIIi. ludt. MISS BLAIR. MRS GROIE,

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6 JOURNAL. -0- FIRST SESSION Calcutta, January 27th, The Twenty-third Session of the Bengal Woman's Conference met in the Library of the Calcutta Girls' School at 12 o'clock, with Mrs. Grose in the chair. After the singing of the hymn "Oome Thou fount of every blessing," Mrs. McDowell read a part of the 4th chapter of Hebrews. and led in prayer. The regular work of the Conference was taken up, and Mrs. McDowell was elected President. The following Officers were then elected :- 18t Viee-P1'e8ident.... Mrs. Grose, 2nd Vice P1'esident Mrs. Byers. Reeording Secretary Miss Swan. A88istant Recording Secretary... Miss Kinzly. Official Corre8pondent... Miss Blair. Statistical Secretary... Miss Oarr. Miss Maxey was nominated Treasurer. The roll was then called and the following ladiee answered to their names :- Miss Aaronson, Miss Blair, Miss Bennett, Mrs. Byers, Miss Carr. Mrs. Denning, Mrs. Grose, Mrs. Hastings, Mis8 Knowles, Miss Kinzly, Mrs. Koch. Mrs. Lee, Miss Lee, Mrs. Manley, Miss Maxey, Mrs. Meik, Miss Matheson, Miss Norberg, Miss Pritchard, Miss Heave, Mist Swan, Miss Storrs. Miss Voigt, Miss Wood. The following ladies were introduced after which we listened to a few remarks from each of them. New Mi88ionaries-MisB Perrill, Miss Hunt, Mis. Carpenter, M.iss Reiser, M re. Simmons. Returned MiBBionaries-MisB Wisner, Miss Grandstrand, Mis. Stahl, Mrs. Byork. Visitors-Miss Stillson of New York, and 1\1ls8 Harvey of Raipur. It was moved and seconded that a Nominating Committee be appointed by the chair, to bring the names of the Standing Committees before the Conference. Carried. Mrs. Lee, Miss Voigt, Miss Wisner and Mis! Lee, were appointed on thi. Committee.

7 6 BE~GALWOMAN'S CONFERENOE. It was moved and seconded that the hours for the sessions be from to Carried. Reports were then called for. Miss Blair gave a short report as Corresponding Secretary. Mrs. Denning gave report on Temperance Work. Mrs. Denning reported for the Hindi Section of the examining Committee with the following results-(see report.) Miss Maxey gave a report of the Building Committee. At this juncture Mrs. Byers and Miss Norberg sang a duett after which Miss Stahl took up the question "How can the pupils of our English Schools be led to take a missionary interest in the native people:' One of the points brought out, was the necessity of bringing the girls of our English Schools in contact with the work in our native schools, and 80 create an interest in them for missionary work, Mrs. Lee, Miss Wisner. Miss Knowles, ~Irs. Grose, Miss Bennett, Mrs. Denning, Miss Aaronson, and Miss Blair took part in the discussion which followed. MrEl. 'McDowell read a communication from the ladies at home, in regard to Local Missionaries. A special meeting for the discussion of this subject was called for, to meet directly after tiffin to-morrow. We listened to the following reports of work :- Beg Bagan. Asansol Evangelistic Work, Muzaffarpur District and City Zenana Work, Asansol GIrls' School and the Deaconess Home, Oalcutta. Mrs. Denning moved that the meeting adjourn, and Mrs. McDowell asked that the ladies in future use the following benediction in place of the usual closing prayer. May the grace of Christ our Saviour, And the Father's boundless love, With the Holy Spirit's favor, Rest upon us from above. Thus may we abide in union With each other and the Lord, And possess in sweet communion, Joys which earth cannot afford. SECOND SESSION. The Session opened at o'clock with Mrs. Me. Dowell in the chair. Miss Maxey who bad charge of the devotional hour, raad a portion of the 1st chapter of Josh., and after a few remarks led in prayer. After the reading and correction of the minutes of the first session, unfinished business was taken up. Mrs. Lee, reported those who had passed in their Bengali examinations, and Mrs. Meik reported for the Education and Examination Committee.

8 'JOURNAL. '1 Miss Carr asked to be exoused from the offioe of Statistical Secretary, and Mrs Byers was elected in her place. The Nominating Committee reported the names for the Standing Committees as follows:- Publication Committee-Miss Swan, Miss Kinzly and Miss Blair. Examining Oommittee-Mrs. Byers and Mrs. Denning. Resolutions Oommittee-Miss Wisner, Miss Carr, and Miss Wood. P"ogramme Oommittee-Mrs. Manley, Miss Norberg, Miss Grandstrand, 1\1 iss Voigt, and M fs. Koch. Au~iZiarie8-Miss Stahl, Miss Carpenter, Miss Perrill. Temperance-Mrs. Denning, Mrs. Culshaw, and Mrs. Byork. Education and Examinations-Mrs. Meik, Mrs. Denning, Mrs. Byers, Miss Knowles, and Miss Grandstrand. Building-Miss Maxey, Miss Blair, and Mrs, Grose. The first item of new business was the balloting for members of the Finanoe Committee. While the Ballots were being counted, the following reports were read. Belliaghata Woman's wor k, Girl's School Pakur, and Calcutta :Bengali work. At the close of Mrs. Lee's report, Mrs McDowell in a few brief and touching words related a personal experience which an incident in the report had suggested, an experienoe which brought vividly before us the contrast between the hopeless condition of a Hindu mother and the triumphant viotory of a Christian mother in the hour of grief and bereavement. Mrs. Byer~ and Miss Grandstrand led in prayer. The tel1ers then reported that the following ladies had been elected on the Finance Committee.-Mrs. Denning, Miss Grandstrand, Mrs. Lee, Miss Stahl, \Irs. Byers, alternates Miss Knowles and Miss Norberg. Reports were again called for and the following were read. Widows' Home and Medical work, Pakur, Indiana Girls' School, Muzafiarpur, Calcutta Hindustani work. Calcutta Bengali Evangelistic and School work. The question "Should workers in our English Sohools be given time to learn a vernacular?" was introduced by Miss Knowles and the following ladies took part in the ijiscussion: Mrs. Grose, Mrs- Denning, Miss Storrs, Mrs. Byers, Miss Wood, Mrs. Simmons, Mias Maxey and Miss Harvey. The general consensus of opinion seemed to be that however de8irable it might be to allow time for suoh studies, with the present number of workers, it is impossible of achievement. Miss Twentyman of Darjeeling who had come in during the discussion was then introduced and made a few remarks. We listened to a duett by Miss Aaronson and Miss Reeve after whioh a communication from Central Provinces Conference in regard to a memorial for Central Oonference was read. After the singing of the doxology the benediotion which we have adopted was repeated, and the meeting adjourned.

9 s BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERINOB. THIRD SESSION. The Conference opened at o'clock, with Mrs. McDowell in the chair. MisE! Storrs had charge of the devotiona.l hour, and read John I. 1-8 and after a few remarks led in prayer. Miss Jensen, Mrs. Burnett and Miss Moore were introduced to the Conference. After the reading and correction of the minutes of the previous session, unfinished business was taken up. MISS Swan moved that Miss Blair's name he added to the Publishing Committee. Carried. Miss Maxey read the Treasurer's report. Accepted. Th~ following reports were then read: Muttra Training School, Tumluk school and evangelistic work, and the report on Auxiliariea, \1rs. Byers moved that the memorial sent by the Central P. Conference to the Central Conference, be taken up again and more time be given for the discussion of it. Carried. Miss Harvey made a few remarks in regard to this memorial and Mrs. Denning moved that our Conference second this memorial. Carried. Mrs. Denning took up the question "By what means can we secure more uniformity in our reports" Mis~ Swan, }Irs. Byers, Mrs. Lee, and Miss Ma.theson took part in the discussion. It war thought that if a small book be prepared for our Bible-women containing the necessary items this would help to answer this question. It was moved and seconded that we memoralize Oentral Confarence to adopt the form UBEIO at home, with such additions as are necessary. Carried. It was moved and lioconded that the foot note on Blank No. 1 be made to read. Missionaries and deaconesses, taken on in South Asia and those in c~arge of work, and other ladies not appointed by the Society at home. Carried. Mrs. Byers sang Jesu tomai koroo raja, after which Wti were diflmisaed in the ulna} way. FOURTH SESSION. The seslion began at with Mrs. McDowell in the chair. After singing a verse of " Come Thou fount of every blessing" Mrs. Manley led in prayer. Mrs. Lee read from 2 Chron. 14 ~ 11 and after making a few remarks led in prayer. Afoor the reading and correction of the minutes, Mrs. Paul and Mrs. Wie and were introduced. M isb Blair read a letter from the Secretary of the general office MilS Bender. It was moved and seconded that MilS Blair be appointed Correlponding Secretary for the general office, Carried.

10 JOU;RNAL. 9 A call was made for all Student Volunteers to itand. Mise Norbers, Miss Aaronson, Mrs. Hastings, Miss Grandetrand, Miss Voigt, Miss Stahl, Miss Swan, Miss Carpenter responded. A motion was made that the reports of all Standing COIplllitteea be printed in the minutes. Carried.. It was moved and seconded that Miss Storrs be appointed Conferene'e historian. Carried. The Statistical report was read and accepted. Mrs. Koch read the report of the Woman's work in Bolpur. Mrs. Byork read the report of the Kidderpore Hindustani work. The Secretary read the report of the Girls' Orphanage>. Miss Lee read the report of the Kindergarten of Lee Memorial. Mrs. Grose gave a verbal report of the work in the English church. Miss Knowles reported for the Queen's Hill Schoo), Darjeeling. Miss Stahl read the report of the Calcutta Girls' High School. All these reports were accepted. After the singing of a hymn Mrs. Byers took up the question, " How can we induce the Hindu mothers to take an interest in the education of their girls so as to insure a more regular attendance." Miss Kinzly, Miss Blair, Mrs. Hastings, Mrs. Denning, joined in the discussion. The general opinion seemed to be that if the teachers made it a point to become acquainted with the mothers, and if dolls were given as prizes at Christmas time, this end might be achieved. Committee on resolutions reported. The report was accepted. A separate resolution was passed that we as a conference ~end greetings to the annual meeting of the Bengal Division of the W.C.'l'.U. which is to meet in Calcutta. Adopted. Miss Maxey moved that a Committee be appointed to look into the matter of the purchase of some property at Sainthia. Oarried. Miss Swan, Miss Grandstrand and Mrs. Swan were appoint.ed on this Committee. Miss Maxey in a few sentences expressed the feelings of all the ladies in the pleasure of having Mrs. McDowell with us. Her intensa interest in the work, and her loving sympathy will long be ramem bered. On behalf of the ladies of all the Woman's Conferences in India, Miss Maxey presented to.m rs. McDowell a silver tea set. Mrs. McDowell expressed har thanks in a few words, and after several ladies had lec in prayer, and the benediction repeated the conference adjourned.

11 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENOE, APPOINTMENTS. AsaDiol District. AlaDIO}. ASaDsol Girls' Boarding and Training Sohool. Evangelistic work. Church Work. Boys' School. Pakur, WidoOws' HoOme. Medical Work. Girls' School. WoOman's Work Pakur and Rampur Hat Evangelistic Work Rampur Hat. Calcutta. Anglo-Indi8lIl GiEls' Orphanage.... Oalcutta Girls' School.... "' Calcutta. Boys' School and Orphanage. De8IConess Home, and visitati.on of homes Hospital Visitation and Finance.... Thoburn Church ,. Kidderpore Seaman's Mission Darjeeling. Queen's Hill School Union Ohuroh. Asansol. English Ohuroh. Calcutta. Collins Institute.... Collins Institute Hostel. Lee Memorial Training School Mialil Carr and Mise Hosking Mrs. Byers. Mrs. Mullick. Mrs. Byers. Miss Grandstrand. Md's. Swan. Mi.ss Moyer. M rs. Mondal. Miss GrandstralJld. Mrs. Sircar. Calcutta English District. Miss Norberg. Miss Stahl t Principal; Miss W 00<1, Asst. Principal, Miss Storrs, Mrs. Simmons. Miss Maxey, Supdt. Miss Pritchard. M~s. GroOse. Mrs. Byork. Mrs. Meik. Calcutta Vernacular District. Kindergarten and Day Schools.... Evangelistic aldd Hindu Day Schools. Bali~hata. School and Tmining work. Hindustani Work, Tumluk Oircuit. Miss KnoOwles, Principal; Miss Wisner, Vioe Principal, Miss Hunt. Mrs. Oulshaw. Mil'S. Koch. Mrs. Manley. Mrs. Lee, Principal; Normal Department, Miss Oarpenter, MiBIB Reiser; Miss Lee. Miss Kinzly. Mrs. Hastings. Mise Reeve. MisR Blair, Miss Matheson.

12 Diatriet Work.... School and Zenana Work. Kidderpore. Hindusta.ni Wru-k. i\ppointments. u: Diamond Harbor District. Tirhoot District. District Work and Day Schoo1s. BaJIia Circuit. Muzuffarpu.r Zenana. Work.... Incliana. Girlf!' School.... Oha.pra. District. Samastapur Circuit. Sit&man Circuit. Mrs. Mozumda.r. M,rs. Lee. Mrs. Byork. Mrs. Denning. Mrs. Schutz. Miss Voight. Miss Perrill. Mrs. Dowring._ Supplied by Mrs. Bhola. Singh. Supplied by Mra. Dil.. war Singh.

13 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENCE. lieports of Committees. Report of Examining Committee Hindustani Division. I. MRS. DENNING. Mrs. Schutz was examined in Shakuntala on April 25th, 1910 and passed with 95 percent. Also passed in Banaat-un-nash.. 'fhis completes her fourth year's course with the exception of an essay in Hindustani and books to be read. Miss Voigt appeared before the Joint Examining Board for examination in the Lower Middle Reader in Hindi and passed in the second Division. This completes Miss Voigt's lst year in the Hiridi Oourse under the Joint Examining Board or the equivalent of two years of the course as given in the Manual. Miss Reeves appeared for all the written work of the first year's Hindi course under the Joint Examining Board, and passed 70 per cent--being in the second Division of successful candida.tes. This lea.ves over for 1911 the oral part of the first year's work. Miss Dora Moore, Assistant at Muzaffarpur appeared before the Joint Examining Committee and passed in all subjects written and oral of the first year Hindi course. She passed in the 3rd Division with a per cent of 54. Considering that she took the entire first year and had but seven months in which to prepare, it was an excellent examination. REPORT OF EXAMINING COMMITTEE, BENGALI DIVISION. MRS. LEE. Miss Norberg a:ad Miss Kinzly passed their Junior examination. in Bengali. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTION. Resolved I.-That we express our gratification at having Mrs. McDowell with us to preside at our meetings. Her presence has been an inspiration to renewed consecration to our work and her careful consideration of the difficult problems merits our deepest gratitude. Resolved II.-That we extend to our new missionaries. Miss Hunt, Mrs. Simmons, Miss Perrill, Miss Carpenter and Miss Reiser a hearty welcome, and that we wish for them many years of service in Bengal. Resolved III.-That we tender the same welcome Ito our returned mi88ionarieb, Miss Wisner, Miss Stahl, Miss Grandstrand and Mrs, Byork.

14 REPORTS. Resolved IV.-That we greatly appreciate the work of MisBes Matheson and Reeve and we are grateful to the church in Canada that so generously supports them. Resolved:-That we appreciate the faithful, efficient services of Miss Storrs in the C G. S. as principal during a part of the year, especially her untiring effort and her great success in providing a library for the school and hope she may be able to give many more years of active service. J. E. WISNER. D. WOOD. R. CARR. REPORTS OF AUXILIARIES COMMITTEE. Amidst the manifold activities and numerous organizations in our institutions throughout our Conference it seems next to impossible to find place and time for the Missionary Society as a separate organization and the object of the auxiliary however, has not wholly been lost sight of, nor neglected. The work of interesting the Christian Women and girls in the evangelization of the people in India, and in raising funds for the field, is done in connection with other societies, namely the Senior and J-unior Epworth Leagues and the Sunday School. In Queen's Hill School a missionary meeting was held once a month, where much interest was manifested. The subscriptions for the year amounted to Rs. 52. In the Lee Memorial Mission several of the Bible women give the tithe, and all the Bible women and teachers give on the average Ra. 5 a month toward the pastor's salary. The committee would strongly urge all missionaries to give instrnction along the line of systematic giving and to secure pledges for tithing. MISS AARNsoN. MISS. CREEK. MRS KOOH. REPORT OF TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE. During the past year a greater effort than usual was put forth to accomplish something on these lines in our Conference. Temperance pledge books were sent out to all stations and to institutions, an d although some went astray in the mails, yet a goodly number were used and fully one hundred and seventy signatures reported. We feel we might do more to encourage existing societies. By enrolling as scattered members in the W. C. T. U. We can give both moral and financial support to this movement. More persistent efforts are recommended to secure a real temperance band of young people, both English and Indian within our Mission.

15 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENCE. We would recommend that our schools enter. the lists in the Temperance Prize Essay Contest conducted by the W. C. T. U. And in every way possible let us educate and train both young and old in the great truths of total abstinence. Mas. DENNING. MISS KINZLY. MISS NORBERG, ASANSOL EVANGELISTIC WORK. The record of another twelve months is within our Fa. ther's "hook of Remembramce," and any feeble words w,hich I may pen will avail but little. Weare painfully conqcious that not all has been accomplished that our plans and toils contemplated, but in it all we know that God has led. We have had a good year, many blessings have been ours, smd God has wonderfully answered many of our prayers. The work in the villages has been encouragmg, we have tried to reach as many as possible through the year. About forty villages have been regularly visited, and during the cold weather we were out in camp visiting distant villages where we have Ohristians living. The Hindu Day-school is growing. The attendance has more than doubled within the last three months. Several new women have come in during the year and after nearly a year's training have been baptized. Mr.s. Mondol has cared for them, taught them the Bible and sewing. One woman died during the year from cholera otherwise the health of all has been good. Miss Dass is finding her place among us, she is teaching all the women in the compound to read and write besides visiting and teaching in the zenanas. We look forward to the new year with hearts full of hope nnd trust that He" "Wh.ose we 8Jre, and Whom we serve" will be.our strength and helper and.our strong tower. 'Ve want to be our very best for Him this year. We are thankful to-day fqr the new out-ho:tlfle buildings given to us. No Qne knows how much they were needed and now that they are up we do not know how we ever gqt along without hhem. Weare thankful that noo disaster has befallen us. Our ranks have not been depleted by death. Harmony has prevailed in our co"ncils. However good, the year is done, we trust that in the years that are to come we may b:ring e1ten 18irgersheaves to lay with yours at the f-eet Qf the Lord of the harvest, till that glad day when He shah declare "The fields of the earth all reaped. J' E. NORBERG.

16 REPORTS. REPORT OF THE BENGALI GIRLS' BOARDING AND TRAINING SCHOOLi Mils Carr II Hoskings u Finlay. ::: J Missionary. A88i~~nt9. ls The promise God gave me when I left the homeland & year ago, "My gl'ace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness," has given me courage during my first year in India. It has been a very wonderful year in 80 many ways, and not the least in that He has answered prayer after prayer, so that faith grows brighter in hoping for the future a fulfilment of His word in OU1' midst: "The Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to, the brigh'.mess of thy rising." Isa: Every one I have come in contact with has tried to help me adapt myself to this new work. For notwithstanding the fact that one studies, and even teaches about mi'ssion work a good deal in preparing for a foreign land, it is all very new when one begins the daily routine, to say nothing of the sights and sounds our eyes and ears have to grow accustomed to. It has been a pleasant study getting a.cquainted with our ninety girls, and their customs and manners. Little time has been spent in llursing, for all have been re. markably well throughout the year. Of course, every season, chicken-pox and whooping-cough are expected, if not welc{)med; and we have had a siege. The girls have enjoyed their improved tank. It is such a comfort to have them remain on the compound for daily bath and weekly washing, and we hope to be able to add to the depth of the tank from time to time until there will be no question about our water supply. Great interest has been shown in a weekly prayer and song service held every Monday evening on our verandah; and the visitors who have spent any time at Mr. Byers', the school, or Ol1r home, have added to the enthusiasm by their timely words and addresses. Friday evenings are spent by the missionaries, assistants, teachers and Bible women at the 'V.F.M.S. Home. The week's work is then over and all have felt a can to commune togef'h.:r with the Mastel' about our work, its encouragements and difficulties. I believe we are one in feelings and that we have not met in vain. We have a new assistant in training. She is young, but is adapting herself nicely to the school work, and we hope she may be able to give many years to this service she has chosen as her life work. Would that many others felt the call to work for God among the heathen of their own land! God has remembered our needs, and petitions for the re-. moval of the debt on our buildings; and by far the larger part of the money is now in Ollr hands to pay the debt for whioh we

17 16 BE:-\GAL WOMA~'S CO~FERENCE. are deeply grateful. T hen, too, our -school serv~ts a.re feeling happy and comfortable in sharing the new houses Miss Norberg has been able to erect thi'8 year. It was good to know they were settled before the cold weather set in. About five of our girls have made homes of their own during the year, and others are looking forward to happy event a.s school closes this month. Our prayers go with' them, that they may carry the Good News to many another home also. The pa.st we leave behind but as we look forward to the coming year we yearn for mote grace and power in the Blood of Jesus Christ to give a free and pra.ctical knowledge of his salvation to au in our care. Weare not satisfied that the Inspectress gives us good reporu., if our girls have not learned to bear the image of Jesus in their daily conduct. For this we aim that they ma.y be known as having "been with Jesus." W. F. M. S. WORK IN BOLPUR. Not many orphans thrive as well as Bolpur, and now that it bas been adopted by a most capable young missionary of the "Parent Board" we shall expect great things from it. All tbe care of the evangelistic work has been in the hands of our two faithful Bible Women. 'They have access in many homes but the women in the Zenanas who can read and write are only a few, which makes their instruction somewhat difficult. Our hope lies in the girls' schools which help to develope a different type of womanhood better prepared and more willing to receive Christian teachinp:. We have a good girls' school in Sainthin and two smaller schools in Bolpur for girls and boys. Girls are also reading in some of our subsidized schools. A beginning has been made to make the girls pay, at least, a small fee. It will take some time to increase the fees adequately, as the Hindu people do not prize tbe education of women high enough to justify even a moderate outlay of money for this purpose. Bolpur is a field of great attractiveness and opport.unity and those friends who are so faithful in the support of tho work there needfeel only hopeful and grateful for what is possible of accomplishment. MRS. C. H. S. KOCH.

18 REPORTS. REPORT OF GIRLS' SCHOOL AND EVANGELISTIC WORK. PAKUR. M.iss Swan Missionary in Oharge. " Daniel Head Mistress. Mrs. Greenaway Matron. Teachers.-Pushpa.lata Daffadar, Promoda Bala Sircar, Mrs. A. T. Mullick, Mrs. P. K. Mullick, Dinah Hembrom, Shorogini Dass, Shobeon Biswas. Lace School.-Bhubon Mohini BiswaiI, Shoshi Bala MondoI. -Teachers. Bible Women.-Rebecca, Jasi, Lucy, Kaminee, Shobee, Shoda.minee, Prashonomonie, J eenath, Hajiram, Shebon, Phulmonie, J atili, Purgi, Shompoti. Village School Teachers.-Moina, Tosha, Surji, Shusilla. The past year has been full of little details w1.~ch do not seem to count much when it comes to writing a report. It has however been a year full of blessings, and I am thankful f.or the opportunities that have presented themselves in doing even the little things. The work in the school is progressing. Most of the girls passed in the annual examinations. One girl appeared for the Upper Primary Scholarship Examination, but as yet we have not received the returns. Two of the girls who went up last year received Scholal"ships. Two girls have gone up for a Normal teacher's training. We find a great difficulty in securing trained teachers, and our only hope is in training our own girls. In April six of the girls were married. This was a great event as never before had so many been married at one time. The general health of the girls has been good, although we have had a few stubborn cases. These were s'ent to the London Mission Hospital at Jiaganj for treatment. As this is about seventy miles from here, and several changes of train and steamer have to be made in reaching there, it is very inconvenient, but there has been no other alternative, and I think several lives have been spared for their having gone there. One little girl whose mother begged to be allowed to take her home for the hot weather vacation, came back to us in such a starved condition that it took months before she was back in her nomal condition again. This is the first year that I have been able to report no death in the school, although two girls died while at ~ma. During the past year we have noticed a chang) in the lives of some of the girlr. They have an organization called Little Light Bearers and I think they are trying to live up to their watchword, and be in truth bearers of light. They meet every Saturday night for a prayer meeting, and they have received many blessings at these meetings. A few weeks ago they had a sale of work, little kujrtas, shirts, dresses, scarfs, baby socks, hoods etc. which they had made, and the proceeds amounted to over Rupees forty. Part of this was sent to Mr. Archibald of the Children's Special Service Mis sion, and the rest will be used in purchasing books for their library.

19 ~8 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENCE. Miss Ardwise who was matron here over three years found it necessary to leave last July, and in her place Mrs. Greenaway has come. She has already won the hearts of the girls, and takes great pride in having them do their work neatly and carefully. Miss Daniel is still with us. I do not know what I should have do-ne without her. Her quiet Ohristian influence :is telling upon the girls, and many of them are better for her being here. The Lace School is progressing nicely. There are now twenty in the class and the two teachers are kept busy. The receipts for the year have been Rs. 214/0/6 and the expenditure Rs. 155/8/9, leaving a balance of Rs. 58/7/9. The Bible Women have gone out daily to the villages round about. When one stops to consider that there are over forty villages not more than three miles away, one can readily see that there is work to do. One of the Bible Women has gone to her reward since the last report was written. She was a good faithful woman, and although she came to us as a famine widow, she had learned to read and had passed several examinations, and was doing good work. Five women appeared for examinations at the District Con, ference. Four of these came to our Widows' Home for help and protection when they had been left destitute, and now they are going out to tell other about the Saviour they have found since coming here. As you read this will you not pray for them that they may be strengthened in knowledge and love of Ohrist Jesus, that tb ey may be able to win mruny souls for His kingdom. The day schools are doing well and although one has hoo to be closed because no teacher could be secured, there has been an increase in the number of scholars attending. The children are taught to read, and to memorize the Lord's Prayer, 23rd Psalm, the Ohild's Catechism, also songs and Bible verses. Most of the children attending come from Hindu and Mahomedan homes, and as one hears them singing the Ohristian hymns and repeating the Bible veraes, one cannot but feel that the Beed thus sown must fall into good ground, for has He not promised "My word shalt not retu1'lil. unto me void." It hardly seems possible that six years have elapsed since I first took up the work, but it is so, and as I leave to go on furlough it is with a feeling of regret that not more has been a.ccomplished. I do not wish to close my report without thanking the friends who have so largely helped and supported our work here. May we one and all be faithful to the trust tha.t He haa given us, that we may on6 day hear the trw-ell done," from our 'Master and King.

20 REPORTS. REPORT OF THE WIDOWS' HOME AND MEDICAL WORK. Pakur Circuit. Mrs. Swan Missionary. " Das Matron. As it beca.me neoo6sary for me to leave the plain!!! in the beginning of the year and go to the Hills because of illness a.nd to!l'emain there until the last week in October, I have very little to report about my own work. The work however baa gone on successfully under the care of Miss Swan. We have at present ninete&n. widews in our Home. One new widow has ceme in during the past year. T,here have been no deaths, but one widow returned to her villa.ge. All the widows are given some werk to de each day. Ten of them are lea.rning to make lace; four are learning to read and write, and fitting themselves to do Bible women's werk. One of these feur women is quite old and until the last year has never been able to read or write a word; but now in her old age is making a. brave attempt to learn. She i. learning well and is successful as a Bible woman. Two of the wid.ows have d.one Bible woman's work for 8 number of years but still continue to live in the Widows' Home. A few of the widows do the werk.of jhees, and one is learning ayah's w.ork. The women who come to us are all the most ignorlltnt village peopl,e. They have never learned to control their tempera or tongues, nor have they learned to think of any higher than their immediate surroundings, consequently we find them selfish and quarrelsome. We try to make our Home a place where they can be lifted ab.ove this level. Surreunded by good influences, taught to keep busy, we generally find, that even a.fter a shert stay here there is a great improvement in their characters. Our Dispensary has proved a great benefit. Two thousand nine hundred and Linety-six patients have been treated during the year. Pakur is situated in a malarious district and consequently we have a great deal tof sickness and f.eel need of some medically tra.ined person to care fer these. One of our widows was sent to take a training in nursing at Jiagung. She has done successful work there and has now finished her course. She hap. just returned to Pakur and will n.o doubt prove a great help during the coming yea-i'. i9

21 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENCB. CALCUTTA VERNACULAR DISTRICT. Beg Bagan. MRS. MANLBY.-Missionary. Our work at Beg Bagan has been somewhat interrupted this year 01\ account of Mr. Byers' going away. The school fell into my hands in August. Since then there hav~1 been some change in teachers; two have gone and one new one has beel' taken on, so now there are three teaching regularly. On December first we took on a Bible woman, but on account of the usual Christmas influx of children she was put to teaching the Scripture in all clases Mrs. Chuckerbutti also gave two hours a. day to help out. The number of children increased from seventy-five to ninety-five. We are down to seventy-five again now. The children are well taught and passed well in their examina tiona. Since Christmas our Head teacher has been ill and a brother of the Kindergarten teacher died, so their work has been interrupted. The Bible woman is still teaching in the school in the mornings and going out in the afternoons. The Girls' Sunday school, in charge of Msr. Chuckerbutti is in a fairly prosperous condition. We have been able to put in 8 little organ and buy Bome new Bong books, which we think will tend to increase the interest and the attendance in both the Sunday Schoo and the day school In the short time the Bible woman has been at work she has visited about fifty homes and talked with about eighty-five women. We are looking forward to the coming year with the hope of doing more and better work. In the East Calcutta Circuit, there are large numbers of Chris tian people who have come in from other places They need much care and attention. Mrs. Chuckerbutti has kindly consented to take charge of a Bible Woman's Training Class, and over see their work. We hope to put two more Bible women in the field. There is also a small school at Chorgarod which ib a partnership affair. The Mens Society furnishes the teacher and the W.F.M.S. pays the jhee. There are twelve girli and ten boys enrolled. We are in need of a new Church buildin~, and already our wideawake Pastor M. K. Chuckerbutti ha.s several hundred rupem ill pledges for this purpose. I wish here to express my thanks to Mr. a.nd Mrs. Chuckerbutti for their very efficient work and their lively interest in the Day Schools and Suaday School.

22 REPORTS. REPORT OF DHARAMTALA BENGALI AND BALIAGHATA CIRCUIT. M1'8. Lee " Hastings Miss Lee " Kinzley " Reiser " Carpenter... :~~ (Mu.wnari. j It is difficult to put into words the experiences of the p&at year. I have had a daily thanksgiving over our new building 80 roomy, convenient and ftill of comfort. God is good to give it to us. Another thing we praise Him f.or is the coming of Miss Reiser in February last and of Miss Carpenter in October. They are both getting a hold of the Bengali language and of the people too. It will not be long until they will be able to take over the educational pa.rt of our Training School and carry it on efficiently. Numbers have become an embarrassment to us. We have about 230 in ou' boardi1:lg school with sixteen nice girls in our Training Depariment. With the exception of two who have finished the Fifth Standard n.ll these gi.rls have finished the Sixth Standard before beginning their Normal training. Weare having a very thor.qugh course both in Kindergarten and in norma.! work, and hope to turn out an excellent band of teachers this year. A Bteady onward movement in spiritual life ha.s enoouraged u.s although we long for a greater work of God's Spirit a.mong UB. Our ten day schools with something like 600 children h~ve been kept up during the year, sometimes under great difficulty on a.ccount of sickness among the teachers. We hope to make these more efficient when we can arrange for better teaehers. We have twelve Bible women at work. Our itinerating Bible women have been in new villages and are very hopeful about their work. We have not seen the fruit from this work we desire and yet there is a silent steady influence going on undernea.th which is bound to bring forth fruit when the general move shall come. One Hindu woman, a rejected wife because she had not become the mother of a son came to u.s bringing two bright little girls. She seems a very respectable woman and we trust will soon give her heart to God and beoome a. true Christia.n. Our nursery has had several new babies admitted, one whose mother was a child twelve ye:!,fs old we nursed c&refull,. in our own rooms for nearly three months but the spa.rk of life went out and another wronged little one is sa.fe where sin and suffering cannot come. Two.of the new ones are growing into fine children although they were very y.oung when they came tau!' The loyalty of a number of our teachers has grea.tly comforted us during this yea.r. We have an at:iaitiodaj tra.ining clan for Hil;ldusta,ni workers with Mrs. Burnetl ill charge, WhiCA

23 BENGA"J WOMAN'S CONFERENCE. I hcpe will give us better workers for that department of cur work. Our da.i.ly Bible class has affcrded us much :rea.l joy and we soo the fruit of it in the lives of cur Bible women and ycung tea.ehers a.nd those in training for Mission work of different kinds. We must thank Gcd for the wa., He continues to provide th~. means, and.ask you all to spoolally pray with us for a real SpIrItual awakenmg among the people and a new anointing for us and our workers. ADA La. Kindergarten Lillie L. Lee. It is my privilege to give you a brief report of the most interesting and largest depa;rtmoot of.our work, the Kindergarten. Out of a total enrollment of 229, 105 are in this department, 40 cf which a.re Hindu day-scholblrs, the remaining 65 are boarders most of which have come to us since the hot weather holidays. For this number we have three faithful teachers, who daily execute regular kindergarten methods of work, play or study. The first part of the hour is spent in devotional exercises, Motion songs and plays, drills, clay modeling, or drawing, occupy part of each day's programmes. The Government requires three divisions for the Kindergarten so before they are graduated or can enter the First standard they have finished the first and second Bengali books of reading and spelling; besides addition, subtraction and multiplication. I try to be present for an hour or more each day and lend a. llelping hand to the teacher who. needs it most. One unique feature of our Kindergarten is our "sleeping come.r" where we keep one or two mats in reserve for the wee ones who get sleepy; -often in the hot weather there will four or five asleep on the floor at once. We ask ycur prayers for these little ones that they may early consecrate their hearts and lives to Him who has said "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of heaven." The da.y school at J aun Bazar has done good work through the year. One of our teachers and I spend a half a day each week looking into the work that has been done. The inter.lt in the Sunda.y School is also very gratifying. OUf hearts a,re sad, over what looks, to be the permll.nent 1088 of the tea.ch.er who. for several years has been at the head of this school. Since Ma.y she has been suffering with her he&d -till now her friends fea.r a complete 10s8 of mind. We &re praying that if it is.god's will she m&y be restored &nd s&ved for the work. The Deed of tra.ined tea.chell in our da.y schools is very great and till we get them m&ny blessed opportunities mult b. loli.

24 RIlPOBTS. I have found it impossible to do much' at our Kidderpore School this year, but the work is in charge of a woman w ho tries to do her dut3 as both Bible woman and teacher. On several i occa.sion I ha.ve gone with her into the homes of the children, where the mothers always give us a warm weleome and listen with interest to the Gospel story. I hope this year with two new missionaries to help a.nd Miss Kinzley's restored health tha.t we shall be a.ble to aocomplish more, especially for our day schools. EtJ""gelistic and School W ark Katbarine M. Kinzley. God often cajls us ~side from active service a.n.d whispers, "Come apart, and rest awhile." We may not understand all of His ma.rvellous dealings with us, we know not why He leads us just as He does, bl.&.t the blessing which comes in obedience to His divine will is so.sweet, and the rest which He gives so refreshing. My Eernce has been very different this year than what I should have planned. I have been placed upon a. bed of suffering, underwent an operation, but in it all He was very near to me and His voice has spoken words of comfort and good cheer, and while He has led me through paths of suffering and trial the fire has not hurt me, neither has the flame kindled upon me, and to-day I can exclaim with the Psalmist, "The Lord has done great things for me, whereof I am glad." I have in my care two Hindu day schools which I visit weekly. These schools have an average attendance of about,5 and we have some reading in the seccnd standard, but we are unable fu send them up for e-dvemment examination SiS so often they' Me married and taken out of school before they have fully completed their preparation. A part of my work is to visit the zenanas with the Bible women. Many of the women listen very attentively to the Bible tea.chmg and I enjoy singing to them and reading from God' a Word and am happy for the privilege of shedding some ray of light into their dark lives. Wha.t a grand event it will be when we stand in the presenf!e of the King and behold those gathered out of every nation and tongue a.s bright jewels for His diadem. I believe many of these poor ignorant women will be among the number of those who in this life ha.ve not openly confessed Him, but who have believed in the true Saviour of mankind. I am glad for this privilege of being His ambassador in this dark land, a.nd pray for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit that will equip me for service. Pra.y that I may see souls bom into His kingdom this coming year

25 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONIPEBENCB. REPORT OF BELEGHATA WOMEN'S WORK. MRs. HASTINGS.-Missiona.ry. " Dedemonie, Hera Lal has lost my rice plau-." " Dedemonie, I want some feter medicine." These questions, are a fair index of what the daily routine of my missionary life has been for the past year. To these might be added the wants of the Day School, and the problems of our two Bible Women. We hate about forty boys in our Orphanage, and to these I have tried to be indeed their big sister, as the word "Dedemonie" indicates. Most of the year I have had charge of their drawing classes, but my chief work has been, simply to listen to their little troulles, and trying to help them in their spiritual life. To this end, I have a. Junior League with the smaller boys, and a class meeting with the older ones, once a week. I believe they are developing in their religious life and many of them pray intelligently, asking for help in their every day temptations. Even little Preo, our foundling of the rag pile, takes his turn in prayer in our Junior meetings. During the coming year, we have planned to read Pilgrim's Progress with the older boys, and hope to profit by it. We feel grateful to God for the general good health He has gradted our compound, during the year, no serious illness having occurred. Our Bible women visit thirty five or forty zenanas, weekly, and report good interest. I hope to give this more personalattention during the coming year. One closing item which may be of interest. We have had application from two or three Hindu families to take a boy into the Orphanage. One of these, seems a bright, promising boy. This seems to me a significant cha.nging Hindu prejudice, toward our MiBBion Schools. May we have your prayers that we may be faithful in our ministry to the "least of these " His brethern. Mi"ionary Bible Women Teae'hers. HINDUSTANI WORK. Ruby Reeve. Ellen-Mugda. Kalloon. My work during the past year has been mostly with the Bible women Ellen and Mugda.. At the beginning of the yea.r the Hindustani pastor rook me to Bome of the districts where he is working for the men. Through these visits a number of new homes have been opened to UB, which we now visit regularly. Our work is almost entirely &Dlong the low class Hindus and Ma.homedanl.

26 REPORTS. Perhaps fully one half of our work is among Mahomedans, this work is rath'3r difficult in some respects, especially with the people for whom we have been w.orking during the past year. At first they Beemed very friendly, and Ifeceived us with great joy, but lately some have told us they did n.ot wish us to visit them further, because we are Christians. But as one h.ome has closed we have looked to God to open others, which He has d.one. Praise Him! We visit each home twice a month, and new homes as they open to us. Many.of these poor women seem very glad when they see us coming. I believe many feel that in us they have a friend. Our hearts have been deeply moved at times, as we have listened to the tales.of woe they have to tell. By entering into their trouble,s and j oys and trying to share them, the way has opened for us to tell them of the "Man of Sorrows" the only one who can lift from their hearts its rooted sin, and bring comfort to those who mourn. This work has been a great blessing to me spiritually. The Holy Spirit is showing me my obligations and responsibilities towmd these f.or whom He died. At present there is only one school, which is rather small, yet not ciliscouraging. The Lord has given us a g.ood hard working, conscientious teacher, and the Hindu girls are progressing under her supervision. This little school is a great joy to me. The children seem so happy when repeating Scripture and singing hymns, and Ishowing us how well they can read and write. We hope to be able to report a larger work in this d~rection next year. Personally the year has been a good one. I have been led to realise, that it is a great privilege to work with you, for the salvation of the heathen, and am looking with hope and expectation, that much effectual work may be done for Rim during the coming year. KIDDEtlPORE HINDUSTANI WORK, Missionary... Assistant... Mrs Byork.... ~hs. Howitson. Our work at Kidderpore amon~ the coaly class is en courageing we have a Sunday Service for these people every Sunday morning in which Mrs. Byork and I take part, and beside we have two other helpers. The attendance is very large and most of them are quite interested in these services, they always look forward for our coming. Most of my Bible womens work is done among these people and Borne time I have also visited the hospital during last year and distrubuted :flowers and tracts among the heathen people. In connection with this work we have two day schools who are also doing well; during last year we had a good attendance. The children can repeat verses from Bible the Ten Commandments the Lord's Prayer and other Scripture portions. We hope to do much work now tbat Mrs. Byork is back, God being our helper.

27 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENOE. REPORT OF SCHOOL WORK-TAMLUK. Miss Blair " Matheson... Phulmoni Biswas Bingulmoni Mondol TorUlota Biswas Promobala BadIa Sitola Blswas... l M ib8ionaries in (Jha,rge.... J ::: J Bible W ome~..... ) ::: J Teacher At the close of my second furlough I returned to Tamluk after an abser..ce of nearly two years. During that time no resident missionary was in charge, the work of necessity being directed from Calcutta, first by Mrs. Price until her furlough, and after that Mrs. Meik kindly gave her assistance. It was of course impcssible for thel)e ladies DO he on the field much of the time, they must confine themselves to short visits, and in consequence the work must suffer. Native agents left alone in any station, no matter how good their intentions, lack leadership and direction, and the work is pretty certain to decline. So when I returned it was to find that not so much progress had been made as,one might hope. But with Miss Matheson's efficient and willing assistance those things which seemed lacking have been brought up, and progress has been made. This past year Miss Matheson has had charge of the zenana work, and she will make her own report. The schqols have been under illy charge. We still have two day shooois fo!!" Hindu girls, and their numbers have kept up about as usual, about fifty in one, and in the one held in the mission house about twenty. In April we started a school for the Mater children of the town, and at first it flourished exceedingly. In hope, perhaps, of gifts and pecuniary aid, the children,-and some of them were grown men-crowded in, but month by mouth they kept falling off, and at last in November the ISchool died a lingering death This was no doubt due, in large measure, to inefficient work on the part of the teacher. I hope to see the school opened again some day under more favourable auspices. Our Sunday-schools continue as usual. Miss Matheson has charge of O"lf> and I of the other. Several of the children and two of the teachers took the Sunday-school examination, but owing, it seems, to failure in the papers to reach the examiners, their names do not appear in the published list. Our children every Sunday bring their offerings' of rice, and this year they have given seven rupees in that way. We have our eight aided schools in the villages, one of which is entirely in our hands, and has connected with it a nice girls' Ichool. Thi,s is at N andakumar. There has been one baptism this year. A woman picked up in the bazar by our Bible women, a f riendless waif, was taken into the Home, where she assists in the work, and has been faithfully instructed by the Bengali workers. For a long time.be refused to be baptized, but in September she became anxioul

28 RBPO)1TS. to be, a.nd when Mr. Manley visited the station in November he baptized her. We trust she may prove a faithful disciple of ~nrist. There are discoura.gi.ng things in our work, as for instance when the ba.bus hold meetings to plan how to undermine the work of our schools, but we do not mean to allqw ourselves to be discquraged, remembering that in due time we shall reap if we faint not. In fact we feel that the things to rejqice our hearts so far outnumber the others that there is no rqom fqr discouragement. Our great need is for TDore, and for more efficient workers, and a resident married ~issionary to lead the preachers and colporteurs. REPORT OF THE ZENANA WORK, famluk. MISS MATTIsoN.-Mission8Jry. Last conference I was stationed at Tamluk with Miss Blair. I was placed in charge of the zenana work, but as I had had no experience in such work, Miss Blair had to initiate me, and I have often been thankful for her wise counsel and encouragement. We need the help and advice of our older missionaries. As the zenana work had been closed fqr some time, we had to re--open it, and found the peop}.) very glad to receive us, one person telling Miss Blair that it was all dark while she was away, but now that she had returned it was all light. For some months we were only able to get one Bible woman and.so could not do the visiting we desired to do, but we have made 911 visits, and have had an aggregate of 2,617 listeners. The number would be much larger if we had counted the men and boys, or those who go and come. We now have ninety.houses that we visit regularly, and we are constantly entering new homes. People call us 8.18 we pass to come to their houses. We have been privileged to enter over twenty in the last two months. Some are very much interested. A few days ago in visiting a house where ilie WQman has always been anxious to have us come, and enjoyed the hymns but did not care about our teachings, althougb. lately she has been more attentive, after listening 00 the story of the trial and crucifixion of Christ, during which she had asked many questions, she ac;ked if we could not give her,special teaching. She said, "1 used to make fun of your religion, but since hearing of the sufferings of Christ my conscience has become trqubled, and 1 believe your religion is true. I want to know more about it. " We had hp 1 not thought that she was at all interested. There is an old woman in whom we are specially interested. She has no one except one cousin, and.often as we talk to her, her eyes will fill with tears and she will say she wants to be ready when God calls; but it seems so hard for her to grasp the truth. One day while visiting in a home we learned that the little girl was ill and we were going away, but sh~ wanted us to sing, SQ after singing and talking the Bible woman told me to pray for the sick child. I asked if

29 BENGA", WOMAN'S CONFERENOE. I might, a.nd we prayed, and on rising from our knees we found that her aunt and grandmother were in tears. The next time we called they told us that ahe had recovered right after we prayed for her, and I believe God will use it to reach them. We also visit three villages. Two are new, as we have just opened the work, but the other is Nandakumar, a village seven miles from here where we have a girls' school. At this ploo6 the work is very promising. We have a number of houses, and a.s they see us {',oming they gather at the place where they see UJ8 go, and we ha.ve from twenty to sixty to listen to us at the differ ent houses, many fohowing us from house to house. They are a simple, homely people, and it is a real pleasure to work amongst them. We have attended two melas, one in Tamluk, and the other in a place twelve milefl from here, where we sola books and distributed tracts. We also distribute tracts a.t the kachari, and sell gospel portions and distribute tracts on the boat as we go to and from Oalcutta. In this way we are! able to reach people whom we otherwise could not. We have sold 181 books, and distributed 2,175 tracts. We need more workers. After the New Year we hope to have another Bible woman, making three, and then we shall be able to branch out more. We have been unable to do any work among the Sweeper caste, and very little amongst the Mahomedans. There are many open doors; one night some people came to Tamluk to attend a puja, and while here came to see the house, and also to see us, never having seen any white women before. The workers sang for them, after talking with them for a while, and told them the "Old, old story," and when they had finished the women said. "And you have this beautiful religion, yet you have never come to tell us about it I Won't you come 1" CALCUTTA ENGLISH DISTRICT. CALCUTTA GIRL'S HIGH SOHOOL. Miss Stahl ~ " Wood..... Missionaries. " Storrs The following is largely from the report of the Honorary Secretary, read on the occasion of the annual public Distribution of Prizes to the pupils of the school, at the close of the school year, December 15, During the year the school has had two changes in the Principalship. In April Miss Henkle Wf'nt to the United States on furlough and 'fiss Storrs was appointed in her p1ace. ~he most carefully and efficiently carried on the work ujltil failing health compelled her to resign and Bishop Warne, at tbe earnest requeat of the Committee on staff, transferred Miss ~tahl from the Girls' Scbool in H angoon to Calcutta, and she was appointed to the Principalship. Miss ~torrs is regaining health and hopes soon to rejoin the school. At the begin-

30 REPORTS. rung of the year Miss Wood joined the staff of the sohool from America-a graduate of one of our best universities, and a master of Didactics of Jowa State College she has been a great addition to the staff. Miss Aaronson, the head of the Kindergarten Department, unable to stand the cli.mate of CalC'utta, was transferred to Queen's Hill School, Darjeeling, where her health has been restored and where she has done good service. But one other vacancy occurred in the staff. in Standard IV which was filled by promoting a teacher from a lower standard. Miss Hunt, a graduate of.0rth Western University, Chicago, is en route to join the scbool. Her coming will give the school four college graduates, which together with the other efficient teachers will w.ake the staff for the coming year one of the strongest.. One girl sat for the Middle Scholarship Government ExaminatiOl. at the end of the year, winning a scholarship. A reference to former school reports shows that all t.he candidates presented fol the University Entrance Examination in 1908 and 1!-l09 passed succes& fully, and we find that this is ii1 harmony with the record of the school for many years. The class of 1910 evidently was not preparpd for the entire change in t.he character of the papers set for the MatTi culation which took the place of the Eutrance, and Done of them succeeded in gaining a pass, This year the school is changing from the Government and University to the Cambridge Local Examinations. As a result of the necessary changes in the course of study, but one pupil is being presented for the Senior Cambridge this year. In the practical examination of the Trinity College of Music in October, two pupils appeared in the Preparatory Division, and one in the Junior, and all passed with honours. Five sat for the Theoretical Examination in December. All the classes have regular daily instruction in Scripture following the Sunday School Lessons and taking the examination given by the India Sunday School Union. The health of the children and teacbers has been good throughou t the year. The most excellent scboollibrary largely collected and conducted by Mis@! Storrs is becoming increasingly valuable in the carrying on the regular Bchool work, as the Go~ernment requirements become higher and higher in the matter of examinations. The new wing of tbe building also is proving very satisfactory, 'the increased room it affords, and also the electrical fitt.ings throughout the building being very much appreciated. On the occasion of the Annual Distribution of Prizes Sir Robert Laidlaw who was the guest of honour, Rave an addrees on European education in India, that attracted much attent.ion from the general public as well as from Government. Especially because Sir Robert is the prime mover in, a scheme for raising funds in England and America for the furtherance of European education in India, and up to the present he is also the largest donor.

31 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENCE.. Every friend of India will rejoice in the fact that such a plan has been instigated and will hope and pray for its success. CALCUTTA GIRLS' ORPHANAGE; FANNIE A. BENNETT, Missionary. Last year was a time when arrangements had to be made for the older children somewhere eise, to make room for others. Sir Robert Laidlaw has provided for the oldest one at Lucknow Oollege. Three have gone out ail Stenographers. SeTeral as nurse girls, some have gone to their homes. We lost one little girl from pneumonea, her father said probably it was for the best as she had never been strong, and had had nothing at home that was pleasant to remember. and nothing to look forward to except what strangers would do for her. Whooping cough and mumps have visited us and interfered somewhat with school work especially the former. The time has come when I never need to hesitate about taking in a child, if she is a worthy case so far I have always had fund for such children. I have a good matron and we are very happy in our little home and have time enough to count our blessings which are many. DEACONESS HOME. Miss Elizabeth Maxey Lady Superintendent. " Pritchard Deaconess. " Reeve Assistant. As we oome to the close of another yea.r of privilege and service our hearts are filled with ga-atitude and praise to Him who has entrusted to us some of His errands. All the yeu long it has been a joy to know that we had little part in the work of this great city. "There hath not failed one word of all His good promise." He has cheered us with many pleasant surprises and sent us help from unexpected sources. For this we praise Him and take courage for the coming ye&!'o Mrs. Grose 1ms been been a constant help and inspira.tion, a true work-fellow, in the Pauline sense. Miss Pritchard returned to us in April. Her coming made it possible for me te take a. most delightful holid",y, a trip t.o Pitho1'l&garh, with Mrs. a,nd Miss Warne. This tramp through the mounta.in.s wa.s t:h.e fulfilling of the dream of a lifetime. Miss Pritchard has been a real help in the Home and her visits among the people are always greatly apprecia.ted. Miss Reeve rejoices in restored health a.nd in the S1lOOess in her Hindustani work. Her quiet inftuence in the Home has been most helpful. We thank God for the happy spirit that hu beed

32 REPORTS. in our Home ajl bhe year. While Miss Bennett is not a. part of our home life she has added not a little to our happiness. It is a.lways a pleasure to see her happy group of children. In our work J.mong our people we ha.ve visited 237 homes and made 6,227 calls. 'fhero has boon ll..il UIIlUBual amount of sickness among our friends and many times we have gone to the house of mourning. Several that we had known and loved for many years have been called home. During he year we have been welcomed to new homes and oar lives have been enriched with new friendships. Our work has been made,easy and delightful by the cordia) weloome that we harve received in the homes where we have visited. In many ways our Pastor has.. trengthened OUI' hands and encouraged our hearts. We have not had the joy 0f seeing the debt on our home paid but it i;;; a little less than last year and we are still asking that in His own v.-ay our Father will grant this prayer. Number of homes visittd by Miss Pritchard , " " " "Maxey. 237 CallS made by,. "" Pritchard " " " ",, "Maxey REPORT OF QUEEN'S HILL SCHOOL., Miss Knowles... l M'. th.r- " Wisner... J ~8Bwnary. Nine months of school passed swiftly, and the pupils returned to their homes November 29th much benefitted in health, full of vigqr and anticipation of the Chri stmas Holidays. It has been a gopd year in Darjeeling-sQme success, Bome failures, but generally much improvement has been made in class work which is shqwn by our Quarterly tests. Time Las passed swiftly and we have had pleasant relations one with the other. Miss Wisner returned to us in May and was very welcome, after a two years furlough which she greatly needed. Miss AaronsQn was lent to us from the O. G. H. School as her health suffered in the Calcutta climate. She has had a good influence in Queen's Hill fqr a year and has been much built up in health. Our best wishes follqw her. There has been an increase in our numbers the past year. The number of boarders enrqlled is 52, and day scholars 35, making in all 87. All the classes required under tae Govt. Oode have been represented rom the Kindergarten to Senior Oambridge. Last December one passed this higher test, and is now teaching with us in.our Kinderga.rten School. In the E 'say Oontest for the S.P.O.A. in the DUIl'jeeling District. Bessie Gray lfsceived the Second Prize offered. Another fqr competition on the Bubject "The effects of Alcohol on Health and Wealth," was written by Isa Meik in response to an a.ppeal by the W. O. T. U. Result DO~ yet knowd.

33 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENOE. In July last, 39 were sent to the "All-India. Scripture Examination, on the G~pel of Matthew a.nd 32 passed in the several divisions. In the Trinity College Practical Test in music. five were successful out of seven-although this class was at much disadvantage, owing to the lateness of the hour-in he afternoon. On the 23rd of November four of the pupils sat for the Middle School Teat, with hopes of entering the Cambridge classes Lext year. Results not yet known. Swedish Drill a.nd other Oalisthenics have been made an importa.nt feature of our school. From these details mentioned, one may infer that we have not been idle at Queen's Hill, on the other hand our teachers ha.ve been earnest and diligent at every point, and we wish here to acknowledge the faithfulness of all our helpers. No serious illness throughout the year is a matter of ~atitude to God. To Dr. Seal we would express our a.ppreciation and sincere thanks for his fcithful care of us. Except in cases of epidemic natural to c.hildren, nourishing food and the bracing ai,r of Darjeeling seem to be all that is necessmy to build up the health, and strength of our pupils from the plains. After nine monilis generally spea.king, they are sent down as well as if they had had the advantage of an English climate. For such conditions in 1910, we are thankful. The Ohristian tone of the school has been excellent, and we must here acknowledge the help of our teachers in our O. E. Meetings which were held on Sunday evenings. Each taking a part in her turn and enlisting the interest of the girls to do so, these meetings have been mo.st helpful. Although two or three changes are taking place in our staff, these changes are all made unde,r the most harmonious conditions, with good reasons in every case, and all have our best wishes for success. Two ladies are urgently needed if we fulfill the requirements of a Secondary School. These we are trusting to get from America for One is needed for Mathematics, and one for Domestic Economy and other technical WOil'k. We need also better equipment-but we are trying to make the most and best of what we have, remembering that "The test of greatness is the way. One meets the Eternal every day."

34 Mrs. Margaret, B. Denning... M re. Dowring t' Dilawar Singh " Bhola Singh " SamstlD Begam Sahi ba Mrs. Gopal Singh " Jacob Anand " Ram Prosand REPORTS. TIRHOOT DISTRICT. District and Zenana Work. 1 Mis8ionary. I }- Bible Reader... ) I There were seventeen women present a-t our DiBt. Confer. enee in October, and there was a marked improvement in the personn el of the company. Two missionaries, three assistants and one visitor oompleted the number. There was more interest on the part of the w.omen and we felt that it was a season of refreshing both spiritually and socially. Our visitor was a Begum or important Mahomedan woman from Dumraon. She has come out from a strict purdah home and has embraced Christianity. She gave a simple and earnest account of how she came to believe on Ohrist and how s.he trusted in him as her Saviour. Her husband, who is a feeble sort has become a nominal Ohristian at least and the heautiful little daughter has been sent at the Begum's request, to our school at Bareilly where she has won all hearts. The little boy i.s not old enough to go to school as yet. We should have -been so glad to have the little girl in the school at Muzaffarpur, but the mother feared that the father might be over persuaded by Mahomedan friends to take her out if she were placed so near. Two of our best Bible women, Mrs. Williams a.nd Mrs. Yunas died since last conference. T,he total number of Bible women and their stations are as follows: Samastipur. Mrs. Bhola Singh, houses visited twenty-one. Ohapra, Mrs. Dowring and Mrs. J &Cob Anand, houies twenty-seven. Sitamarhi, Mrs. Dilawar and Mrs. Dutta Ram houses thirty. Darbhanga, Mrs. Budden and Mrs.. Ram Pra.sM, hou \e8 twelve. Dumraon, Mrs. Samson and Mrs. Dass, houses thirty-two. Belsand, Mrs. Gopal Singh, thirty houses. This makes a total of 152 houses, but in many villages the houses are quite close together. We have a Dist. W.C.T.U, numbering sixteen members. The women who live in Muzaffarpur have a meeting once a quarter, while we hope to have a rruly at each District Conference, In most places the visiting is not done regularly, but in three large centers very systematic work is done. Five villages are visited several times during the year.

35 34 BENGAL WOMAN'S CONFERENOE. I made two tours during the cold season. In several places it seemed as if the people were iust ready to receive Ohrist as their Saviour. They yearn toward him and would fain love and Berve him if they might accept him as one of the many gods they worship, but they hesitate when it means giving up all but him. Ten of the Bible women have finished the full four years' oourse of study, and thirteen are in the various classes. I have taken on the Begum to work with Mrs. Samson at Dumraon where she was converted. Four day schools are going on nicely. Medical work this year means just the help we can give with simple remedies as Mrs. Baksh hbis not returned. My duties as both Oor. Sooy. and Pres. (pro tem) of the National W.O.T.U. encroached somewhat on my touring time, but I feel this work is so needed that I am loth to lay it down. Even my vacatien was full of temperance meetings and I had the joy of seeing numbers signing the total abstinence pledge. During the year I have sent out pledge books to the members of this conference in hope.s that we might do more aggressive work on this line, f.or I am sure we may not take for granted that all our Ohristians understood the evils of intemperance. I find a new joy in service and am glad to live fol' India. M. B. Denning Miss Cummings Miss Moore Mathurabai MUZAFFARPUR ZENANA REPORT. Missional y. ::: J Assistant. B ble Womorl. After Miss Peters left for her furlough. I undertook to look alter the city Zenana WOI'K with Miss Voigt' s help. I could not give my entire time to it as Miss Peters did j but by securing a second assistant and taking a few houses my Bell and Miss Voigt taking one we have succeeded in keeping the number of regularly visited houses up to seventy. Miss Voigt has had the management of the conveyances and the boarding of the assistants, while I have kept the books, the reports, the supplies and have gone out with the assistants as often as possible. We have one Zenana teacher also. We have made an average of from six to eight visits daily with about sixteen listeners. We feel that a knowledge of the truth is steadily increasing. The real harvest we do not see, but we believe that: "The tears of the sower and the songs of the reaper will mingle together in joy by and by."

36 REPORTS. 35 INDIANA GIRLS' SCHOOL, MUZUFFARPUR. Mary S. Voigt..... Mi88ionary. Miss L. Page... A 88istant. Mrs. Douglas... Matron. RattI ~ Somni... :... Teacher,. Satni Mangli.. With the departure of Mis s Peters for America, responsibilities and perplexities increased and I felt consumed with loneliness at times; yet my Father has been with me and has sustained me through the difficult places. My largest blessing in the work has been the faithfulness.of Mrs. Douglas, the school matrdn. The enr.ollment of the schd.oi shows a slight increase.over last year. O.ounting widows and babies we now have sixty three in school, 47 of whom al e in class. There have been three deaths Bind three remdvals, while there has been an increase of eleven. General health has not been as good this year as last, but we have been able to relieve most.of the sickness. Again we have had floods. higher than f.our years ago, but this time thrdugh the kind helpfulness of Dr. Denning we were pr.otected against the incoming water and enabled to stay on our cdmpound. During the first half of the year, owing to the lack of an assistant the Middle class-did not receive the best.of instruction. But since July, Miss Page, the new Head Mistress has been doing the work very well. But alas! nosddner was one vacancy supplied than another occurred. However, that need, which was in the Kindergarten, has been met satisfactorily by the installatidn of one of the.older girls. NDW we have a proper teaching force and the work is being suitably done. The laceclass is growing despite the fact that the girls learn sldwly. At p,resent there are five in t.he class, so far the returns do not cover expenditures. Discipline in the beginning.of the year was a bit difficult but our prayers and our efforts in behalf of the girls have brought a,bout enoouraging results. Behaviour has greatly impr.oved, eelf-respect is inoreasing, and interest in the development of good char8jcter is.occupying the thought of the girls in a much larger degree. They wdrk with great.er harmony and are apply ing themselves more attentively to their lessons. A number.of girls have begun to keep the mdrning watch. District Oonference was an inspiratidn and gave thorn a greater desire to make their lives conform to the principles of the Great Life. SD at the cldse.of this year I thank God for the many wa.ys in which He has ble,ssed us and have the faith to believe He will do for greater things in the future for us.

37 BENGAL WOMAN"S CONFERENOE. COURSE OF STUDY.-ffiNDI AND URDU. HDlDI FIRsT YEAR. 1. St. Mark's Gospel. Dharamtula Reader (Lower-middle) Grammar (Greaves)-first half. Translation English into Hindi and Hindi into Engli8h;.j Dictation f Reading and translation. o Conversation. SEOOND YEAK. Psalms and Acts. Matapariksha. Satya Harishchundra. Grammar (Greaves) Second part. English-Hindi Translation. Essay in Hindi. (Conversation. o 1! ~ Reading. o (Address. *This Examination is under the joint Examining Board and,tak:es the nhv~e of 1st and 2nd year old course. URDU. FIRST YEAR. St. Mark's Gospel, Rouse's Tracts. l?unjab Readers. 1 and 2. Grammar (Forbes) First half. Translation English-Urdu & Urdu English. (Dictation. e ~ Reading and Translation. o (Conversation. SEOO~D YEAR. Taubat un-nasuh. Asmar-i.Shirin. Middle reader. Grammar (Forbes) Se!cnd half. English-Urdu and Urdu-English Translation Essay ~ { Conversation. 5 Sormon or addreb8.

38 REPORTS. 37 BENGALI COURSE OF STUDY. Junior. Bodhodoy Shaihitya Path Part I. Translation into Bengali of unseen passages not more difficult than those in pp of C. L. S. New II Reader. Dictation f'fom Text B')ok. Oral: -Reading and Translation of Unseen passage Conversa.tion. Senior. Bunkim Chatterji's Debi Choudhurani, and unseen passage!! Tan-ak Ganguli'.,d Sharnalata, and pp of Shaihitya Shik,sha Part II. Translation into Bengali of pan<'ages of varying difficulty, harder passages to carry higher m'1,rks. (Candidates are recommended to study Beni Madhab GanguE's Manual of Translation). Bengnli letter on a given lsubj-ect. Grammrur-(Y ates-rouse), Oral: -Reading fj.. om Bengali Bible. Advance Oonver<:lation. Address. Balance from 1909 Recei pts for 1910 Disbursements for the year. TREASURER'S REP01{T FOR Rs ,, ,, ,, Balance for " My books have all been Audited. ELIZABETH MAXEY, Treasurer, W.F.M.S., Bengal Conference. REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE. But little business has been referred to this committee during the year. The out houses and stables at Asansol were approved. MISS MAXEY. MISS BENNETT. MRS. GROSE.

39 YAlE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

40 NO. I.-BENGAL OONFERENOE GE~ERAL STATISTIOS OF THE WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOOIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER SOTH, WORKERS. OITY AND VILLAGE EVANGBLISTIC WORK, NA.ME OF STATION OR DISTRIOT. Aoosol Bolpur pakur ABANBOL DISTRICT. OALCPTTA FNGLISH DISTRICT. Oaloutta-Deaconess Home... " Girls' Higb School II Orphanage... " Kidderpore Eng.... Darjeeling Qneen's Hill Schoo) OALCUTTA VERNACULAR DIST. 8.. '~:: Oalcutta-Beg Bagan 1, 2 It Bengali Hindustani.. :.: ~ I Ktdderpore Hind... '1' J!ami~k DIAMOND HARBOR DIST. Diamond Ha.rbor.., South Village TIRHOOT DISTRICT. Auah Ballia. Darbbanga Muzaffarpur Bur.. 8itamarbi 8amastipur Total I I H 2 Z 8 u 90 ' ' ' ,996 II...,..., ".e e... :: :: :::r... :1:...,... :r::,., "I"...,.. " "1"".. "'".. :f:: I " S :: :: i::.... ~ 5--9 &10 ~ ~ -:-:-1~~:...-,;s-. m... -, ~+~~ ";~l:~':: >--z.; ~ 26 20

41 NO. II,-BENGAL'OONFERENOE SOHOOL STATISTIOS OJ' THE WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY,SOOlETY FOB THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 80TH THOBURN I OOLLEGE LUCKNOW. MUTTRA TRAINING SCHOOL, ENGLISH SCHOOLS. I VERNACULAR AND ANGLO' VERNACULAR SCHOOLS- BUNDA Y SCHOOLS, NAME OF STATION OR DISTKIOT.... o j. a~ IS. Z KSlIURKS. AsANSOL DISTRICT. A... nsol... Bolpur... Pakur ,, 150 lu 97 1 Ii 86 g I~ OALCtlTTA ENGLISH DISTRICT. Oa.lout.ta.ll.aC',~ell8 BoIDe.,... Oirl'" "fgb S"hool... Orphanage... Kidderpur English Darieellng Queen's Bill Sohool '10 1 II III OALCUTTA VERNACULAR DISTRIOT. Oalcutta Beg Baran Bengal Work.. Bldustani t'.. Kidderpore Hind Tamluk i~., S 18 I, S, 75 AU 1 8 II U 180 '70 B ""Not lupport.d II b7 W,P.M.S. DIAMOND HARBOUs.DISTarCT. Diamond Harbour South Villa.ge II 10 gil 1011 TIRHOOT DISTRICT' Arrah... Ballia.... Darbhanga. Irfnzzaffarpur Bura.... Sftamarhi 8&maltlpl1l TOTAL s I 29 " s ioo , li