Watchman Of The South

For the Watchman of the South.

NORTHERN INDIA

Winchester, March 19th, 1842.

Brother Plumer—I send you the latest letter from Mrs. Wilson, promised in my last communication. I do not send these little prefaces from a desire to attract to myself any of the interest due to Mrs. Wilson, nor from a desire to see my initials in print, but simply to show myself the person responsible for the publication of each letter, and thus relieve the sisters of Mrs. W. from the ill-founded apprehension that it would savour of ostentation if they should publish the letters of their honored relative.—

Therefore, like a distinguished man of our own time, "I take the responsibility."

W. M. A.

July 18th, 1841.

Last night, about 9 o'clock, as we were preparing to retire for the night, we heard a loud rapping at the door, which, on being opened, the "dak-walla" handed in a letter to my address. Being such an unusual hour, I felt agitated, and thought surely it was the messenger of sad tidings—but on examining it, to our delightful surprise we found it was an "overland" letter from home. I felt so rejoiced I pressed it to my heart, and kissed it again and again. Hearing from home in the hour of affliction, was a solace to our hearts—for the past week has been one of the deepest solicitude and anxiety on account of our darling child, who has been brought very low. About eight days since, she was seized with violent sickness, accompanied with burning fever.—

Mr. Wilson sent for Dr. Hunter immediately; they consulted together, and prompt measures were at once adopted. But day after day passed; the disease seemed to be progressing, and the sweet one rapidly sinking. Yesterday, I rejoice to say, some symptoms were more favorable, and this morning she is evidently better—has noticed her toys, and for the first time recognized us. Inflammation of the brain was feared—an alarming disease, particularly in India. She is still in great danger. Calomel is administered every four hours, and we rejoice with trembling. What the termination will be, is known only to Him in whose hands she is. We know our heavenly Father will 'do all things well,' and we sincerely desire to be submissive to His holy will. We pray she may yet be spared, not only to be a comfort to us, but a rich blessing to the Church of Christ. I thought her very dear to me before this illness, but now she is ten fold dearer. Her head is covered with boils of an immense size, which greatly aggravate her sufferings. She takes very little nourishment, drinks nothing but ice water, which we give her frequently, and keep wet towels to her head constantly. The fatigue I have undergone has worn me down greatly. Our rest being so much disturbed at night, we feel unfit for the duties of the day.

August 23. Two weeks have passed since I laid this sheet aside. "Goodness and mercy" have followed us since that time. We have been spared, though the shafts of death have been flying around us, and carrying one and another to the silent tomb. Our babe is recovering, though slowly yet. We feel that she has been snatched from the verge of the grave. Oh, the goodness of our heavenly Father! Shall we not love him more, and devote ourselves more unreservedly to his blessed service? The physician has been kind and attentive. You may think it strange that we call in a medical man in case of sickness, but Mr. Wilson thinks no physician should attend his own family. Their feelings of affection often prevents them from doing or administering what their judgment dictates is right, for fear of inflicting pain or more suffering. Thus diseases gain ground, and too often cannot be checked. The nurse has been faithful throughout. At times I have observed her silently weeping. About a month since, her own child died suddenly. She grieved very much about it, and since then her affections seem to be more closely entwined about ours. She is a native, young and active—has a very pleasing countenance—fair complexion. I do not remember her name just now—but I must go on to other matters.

The new Missionaries arrived on the 24th, to our great joy. When tidings were brought that they had reached the landing place, Mr. Wilson went immediately with chattrahs (umbrellas) to bring them, as the day was very hot. I assure you they received a cordial welcome, and the first act was to unite in prayer—to erect our Ebenezer of praise to Him who had preserved and brought them to us in safety. Mr. and Mrs. McCauley went over to Mr. Scott's to stay a few days; the others remained with us. I had rooms in readiness for them, and having good servants, I had very little trouble entertaining them. I mentioned that the two married families would occupy the bungalow Mr. Scott has been living in for some time; but other arrangements have been made. There is a large building near our new building, which has been rented and repaired for them. On last week, they took possession. I am now much engaged unpacking and trying to get settled. I am glad they will all be so near us, and trust they will soon be prepared to be useful among this degraded people. For the first year they will give themselves up exclusively to the study of the language, a knowledge of which is so indispensably necessary. I cannot tell you much about the Missionaries now, they having been here so short a time. Mr. Rankin is from the South, and you may be assured I have a very warm feeling towards him. Miss Vandeveer will live with us. This is the present arrangement. We have given her a suite of rooms, and she is now very comfortable, and says "she never was happier in her life." I hope she will continue so, and every day becomes more and more interested in the work to which she has so sacredly consecrated herself. I regret to say her health is feeble, and I do not think she can endure much. She is much interested in the school, and has commenced the language. Mr. and Mrs. Scott removed to their new buildings a few days since, much delighted with the change—find it much cooler, the air not being so confined as in the Cantonments. They have workmen all around them, which renders it rather unpleasant; but in a short time they hope the work will be completed, and they permitted to enjoy quietness. We still remain at the old place, and have charge of all the orphans— We hope by the first of November to remove; but that is altogether uncertain. Mr. Wilson is doing all in his power to hasten on the work; but the rains we have had, have proved a great hindrance, and have done injury to many of the walls. We rejoice, however, that we have been blessed with refreshing rains, which the country greatly needed, and the poor natives seemed rejoiced, for all were apprehending another famine. There is now less sickness among the orphans—no serious cases owing to the change in the weather.— Since I wrote last, three have died—among