Preface [v-vi]
The annals of Christian Mission furnish copious records of womanly heroism. From the days of Ann H. Judson, in the early part of this century, until now, the succession has not failed. Alike in the frozen regions of Greenland and under the tropical heats of India delicate women have been found labouring side by side with their husbands among their untaught, heathen sisters. The records of mission toil prove that they have not laboured in vain, nor spent their strength for nought. As the fruits of their self-denial, that “Great Day for which all other days were made” will see multitudes who shall be their reward and crown of rejoicing. As we think of reward, we turn to the days of Christ upon earth, when He told His disciples that, as they had followed Him through contumely, and hatred, and kingly persecution, so, “great should be their reward in heaven.” This may safely be said of these missionary toilers. They followed their Master in His self-denial and labour for others, and they will share in the honours of His kingdom. [vi] Mrs. Mackay Ruthquist’s life among the Hindoo peoples, furnishes some new light on mission work in that land; Mrs. Brown Thompson’s work in Syria opens up a comparatively new field of mission life; Miss McGeorge’s deals with the medical aspect of missions in the East, showing how necessary and beneficial it is that the missionary should imitate his Master in being a healer and a teacher; while Miss Whately’s life commends itself as a record of self-sacrifice among the peasants of the Nile. In all these instances it will be found that to women, animated with the true Spirit, open doors were very numerous. It is needless to attempt to tabulate results in either of these cases. They worked for eternity, sowing the sure seed of the kingdom which infallibly bears abundant harvest. We look upon it as a great honour conferred upon stay-at-home Christians to be permitted to sustain the hands of these far-away workers; to be permitted to count one such worker upon a family roll is a patent of heaven’s nobility. Those who have given friends to this high and holy enterprise may rest assured that the gift is honoured by the Master, and will redound in blessings on those whom they have left behind. […]
E. R. P.
Contents
I. Mrs. Alexina Mackay Ruthquist 81. Early Life 9
2. Access to Heathen Homes 13
3. More Zenana Work 18
4. Evangelistic Village Work 24
5. Sowing beside all Waters 29
II. Mrs. Bowen Thompson 40
1. Beginnings 41
2. School Work 51
3. Encouragements 59
4. Closing Days in Syria 69
III. Dr. Mary McGeorge 76
1. Early Days – Consecration and Training 77
2. The New Sphere of Work 82
3. Heathen Manners and Customs 93
4. Life in Ahmedabad 99
5. Medical Work 107
6. Work among the Villages 116
7. Home 121
IV. Miss Mary Louisa Whately 128
1. The Preparation 129
2. Beginning Work 139
3. Sowing beside all Waters 148