Watchman And Observer

For the Watchman and Observer.

Board of Foreign Missions,
A Brief Account of the Station at Saharunpur,
North India.

This is a large and flourishing town, one hundred and thirty miles south-east from Lodiana, and nine hundred and fifty miles north-west of Calcutta. It was occupied in 1836 by the Rev. J. R. Campbell and the Rev. J. M. Jamieson, and, in some respects, is one of the most pleasant missionary stations in India. "The city has a population of 85,000; is well built, and surrounded by a beautiful canal of pure mountain water, brought from the Jumna river. It is also a European civil station, having a few English residents, who are generally favorable to religion. The most influential among them take an active part in promoting its interests. The suburbs of the city are interspersed with beautiful mango groves and richly-cultivated gardens. On the eastern side there is a botanic garden, belonging to the East India Company, containing forty acres of land, and surpassed for beauty and variety, by none in India. In the cool of the day it affords a delightful resort. Its handsome walks and crystal streams, its lofty mountain-pines and humble plants, its ever-fragrant flowers and tender exotics, commingling their beauties, throw a charm over the mind, mellow the heart, and call forth the best feelings of the soul."
The labors of the station were commenced under very favorable circumstances. Premises for a residence were obtained at a very low price, about half a mile north of the city, and belonging to them ten acres of ground, enclosed by a good hedge, containing a garden, a well, and a number of fruit trees, such as mango, lime, orange, apple and peach trees.
Having engaged a teacher, a school was opened on the 19th of January, 1837, with three scholars. In a few days others came in, some of whom studied their own language merely, and others sought an education through the English tongue. In a short time, however, it became evident that the location of the buildings was unfavorable to health, and that it was necessary to change to the other side of the city. A suitable site having been obtained at a very moderate expense, this was done in 1840, and though it caused a temporary interruption to their labors, has proved to be a wise and judicious step. Yet it has not secured the Mission from the clouds of disease. At no station has the influence of the climate been more severely felt. Both Mrs. Jamieson and Mrs. Campbell suffered greatly from it, which led ultimately to the removal of Mr. Jamieson to a Hill station, and to the temporary return of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell to this country. In 1838 the Rev. Joseph Caldwell and Mr. James Craig, and their wives, joined this station, and the latter, Mr. Craig, took charge of the English school, thus leaving his ministerial associates more free for their official duties. In December, 1839, Mrs. Caldwell was removed by death to her rest above, and in the summer of 1845 Mr. Craig was also taken from his earthly stewardship to a more perfect service on high. Mr Campbell, also, at different times, has been called to bury five of his children in a dark heathen land. These trying events weighed heavily on the minds and spirits of the survivors, and, we trust, led to greater self-distrust, and self-consecration to God. But the station was never abandoned. The High School was kept up, and a number of orphan boys, who were exclusively under the care of the missionaries, received instruction in it. Several of them have become hopefully pious, and have rendered valuable assistance at this, and other stations, as native catechists. A church was organized, and a suitable place of worship erected, where, from time to time, one and another of our Saviour's fold have been gathered in.
Two years ago, the Rev. Mr. Campbell, and Mrs. C., after a visit home, returned, with renewed health to their old station, taking with them the Rev. John S. Woodside and wife, as new missionaries. Since their arrival, a commodious building has been erected within the city, which serves both as a school-house and chapel for divine worship, and the labors of the station are prosecuted with brighter prospects than ever before. Two of the brethren are old and experienced missionaries, and with the blessing of God, it may be expected that, having passed through these fiery trials, the cause of Christ will make more rapid advances.
The brethren connected with this station belong to the "Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States," and a large part of their expenses have been defrayed by that body. They have a separate Presbyterial organization, connected directly with the Synod in this country; but as missionaries, are related to the Board, just as those who belong immediately to the Presbyterian Church. They co-operate with entire unanimity and the utmost cordiality with the missionaries of our own Presbyteries in advancing our common cause. And we trust the day is not far distant, when that branch of Christ's Church will have many more men of kindred spirit in the foreign field.
In the vicinity of Saharunpur are two other large towns, which give to it additional importance, as a central point from which the Gospel may be planted around. The first of these is Dehra, a town of fifteen or twenty thousand inhabitants, and with a very favorable climate. It stands in the centre of a valley, about fourteen miles wide, which is formed by a serrated range of hills, running along the foot of the mountains. This valley is so much elevated as to be almost free from the hot winds which blow so fiercely over the plains; and the town is within thirteen miles of Missiourie, an English Sanitarium, much resorted to in summer. It is also held as a civil and military station of the Company, so that supplies and medical advice could be easily obtained. The other place alluded to is Deoband, a large town of twenty thousand inhabitants, distant from Saharunpur twenty miles in an opposite direction. It is the centre of a rich and fertile district, has no English residents, but standing on the high road from Calcutta to Saharunpur, is a public place, and near enough to the latter to obtain necessary supplies. There are also many other towns equally inviting in this great field. Oh, when shall they receive the bread of life?

R.