[27] The chaddar (literally sheet) is a garment not worn in all parts of India, but very commonly in the Punjaub. It is something like a large veil, made of muslin or some other light material, and is worn in the house as well as out of it. Anything more graceful, picturesque, and modest-looking can hardly be imagined.
[28] English lady.
[29] Those conversant with India need not be told that a fearful want of truthfulness prevails amongst the natives. Against this evil the attention of missionaries has been earnestly directed, and in some cases with great success. A. L. O. E. heard since her arrival a story of a school in Calcutta (she believes, however, that it was a Eurasian school). A prize was offered in it for truthfulness, and as it would have been almost impossible for a teacher to have adjudged the prize to the satisfaction of all, to the girls themselves the decision was left. All the children fixed upon one of their companions as the most truthful girl in the school. The wisdom of their choice was shown by the conscientious girl’s declining to accept the prize, for she did not think herself truthful enough to deserve it!
[30] The first native of India who saw the translation of this little story—a refined and educated man—was much struck by the new view presented to him of his parental duty. He actually, very shortly afterwards, punished his child for telling a lie. The little boy was probably surprised at receiving chastisement for what is usually deemed such a very trifling offence; but the punishment (not a severe one) seemed to have made an impression on his young mind. Soon afterwards, on his sister asking him whether something which he had said were true, the child, with a new sense of the evil of falsehood, said, “Do you not know that God is angry when we tell lies?”
[31] The worshippers of various heathen deities may be distinguished by differently shaped marks on their foreheads.
[32] The Ganges is regarded as a peculiarly sacred river.
[33] In India, as in France, it is very uncourteous to use the third person singular Where I am, even servants are addressed as “you.”
[34] In happy England, the difficulty of crossing the river of Baptism to many converts in India can hardly be appreciated. To do so is to pass the Rubicon, to cut the tie which connects the believer with all that was dear upon earth, to cast away honour, friendship, enjoyment; it is indeed to take up the Cross! One of our noblest Punjaubi Christians lingered five years before he was given courage to cross the river. One youth was brought into court to declare whether it was his deliberate choice to become a Christian. His mother drew forth a knife, and told her son that if he were baptized she would plunge it into her own bosom! I have seen another youth who could well bear witness to the sharpness of the thorns of Persecution. His own father made him stand in boiling oil, till the skin was burnt off his poor feet! But he has crossed the river.
[35] A tendency to fatalism in the Oriental character is one of the great difficulties with which missionaries have to contend. It gives to the timid convert an excuse for indolence and apathy. “If it be God’s will, I shall have the blessing,” he thinks or professes to think “without making any struggle to obtain it.”
[36] Oriental pipe.