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Ball|ou&ie (ilollfjie H'ibvari) 
 
 JOHN JAMES STEWART 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 For library Use Oaly. 
 
m 
 
 RETROSPECTS, 
 
 1^- 
 
 I^ 
 
 -•^ # ••• — -^- 
 
 A HISTORY OF THE FORMATION AND PROGRESS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 XRIlomen'0 flDie^ionari? a(& Societica 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MARITIME PROVINCES. 
 
 « <•» ■ 
 
 BY MARY CRAMP. 
 
 '♦ 
 
 » <•» «- 
 
 \ 
 
 HALIFAX, N. S. : 
 
 HOLLOWAY BROS., PRINTERS, 69 GRANVILf^E STREET, 
 
 1892. 
 
G f-/2 
 
 -^Y^/ 
 
. RETROSPE0TS. 
 
 Afc a meeting of the 'Canadian Woman's Missionary 
 Board," (an undenominational Society), recently held in 
 Montreal, a paper entitled "A Talk about Woman's Boards," 
 was read by one of the ladies, in whicli the writer sketched 
 the progress of these boards since 1810. 
 
 After referring to several American Societies, the follow- 
 ing statement was made : — 
 
 " To the Baptists Ijelonged the h()nf)r of forming the first 
 board in Canada in 1870." 
 
 A distinction claimed by the Maritime Provinces. This 
 V>oard was formed in Halifax, and thus originated an aux- 
 iliary that has beconne wide-spread in usefuhiess and 
 influence throujifhout the Dominion. 
 
 Beginnings ai"e sometimes crude and uninteresting. We 
 cannot always discern a bud of promise in the tightly- 
 f okled, hard, green leaf that may drop off before expanding. 
 Time must pass before its roundness and hint of colour give 
 assurance of beauty and fragrance. Every pioneer has 
 much to contend with that is unknown, and possibly, un- 
 imagined, by succeeding workers ; but, where success has 
 crowned a long series of hard labour, how re-assuring is the 
 retrospective glance at its humble inauguration ! 
 
 'r ^ <» 
 
 ij di "U 
 
The annals of Missions, both Home and Foreign, are 
 replete with illustrations on this point. The story of 
 English Baptist Missions is never complete without present- 
 ing the word-picture of Dr. Carey making or mending his 
 unsatisfactory shoes, with the well-worn dictionary within 
 reach, and a reference to the modest £13 2s. Gd. that headed 
 the long list of noble offerings which have since sustained 
 the glorious work. 
 
 Women have also largely share<l in Christian enterprise : 
 not only as co-workers, for in some instances the initial 
 touch that opened new doors of usefulness has been com- 
 mitted to their hands. We are all familiar with the 
 beautiful history of Madame Feller's timid entrance upon au 
 untried work among the French Roman Catholics. 
 
 When she landed on Canadian shores, and began her self- 
 denying labours by gathei'ing the few inclined to listen to 
 her message in a little log hut, the pi'ospectof success looked 
 small. Now the large and flourishing institution that bears 
 her name, at Grande Ligne, many growing churches, and a 
 wide-spreading net- work of Protestant Missionary effort, 
 c*we their existence to her " work of faith, and labour of 
 love." 
 
 Other fields have also yielded fruit, and " the story of the 
 pasV as connected with the work of the "Woman's Baptist 
 Missionary Union" in the Maritime Provinces, has been 
 thought worthy of a simple record. 
 
 The societies composing it were originated by a series of 
 events in the life of their beloved founder, Miss Norris, now 
 Mrs. W. F. Armstrong, and we are indebted to her pen for 
 the interesting account contained in the followinef : 
 
 " It must always be a pleasure to recall those days so long 
 
r ? ', " ^'- ^^p*! rr^' ^^ -"r^-rrr^- 
 
 of 
 
 t- 
 
 is 
 
 n 
 
 id 
 
 ago when I first was led to ask my sisters to send me to 
 Burmah. An appeal which met with so hearty and gener- 
 ous a response and which was so generally accompanied by 
 prayer that it brought a blessing on all the work attempted. 
 We worked heart to heart and we all were blessed in it. I 
 think the future harvesting will show "oui" labor was not 
 in vain in the Lord.' " 
 
 " I was teaching in the Seminary in Wolfville till near 
 the close of 1869. It was during that year that the thought 
 first came to me that I was needed in Burmah. It was a 
 still small voice that made itself heard when I prayed alone, 
 and that rose up to disquiet me amid present activities. 
 Not that I wanted a change, I dearly loved the work I had, 
 but I was ready to go wherever the Master pleased. I 
 thought it was merely a fancy at first. But I could not 
 shake it oH] and when I found this I began to seriously 
 consider all the improbabilities that it was anything but a 
 temptation to lure me from what I already had to do. 
 As the unrest continued I thought one evening I would go 
 and talk with Mr. and Mrs, A. R. R. Crawley who were then 
 in Wolfville, and who probably would convince me of the 
 undesirability of single ladies going to Burmah. Mrs 
 Crawley encouraged me to go, when I had expected she 
 would counsel me directly the other way. I then wrote to 
 Dr. Tupper, Secretary of the N. S, Mission Society, asking 
 if there was any probability of the Board sending me. His 
 answer was that they had barely funds enough for the work 
 already undertaken, absolutely nothing for any new enter- 
 prise. It was the answer I had expected. Still the pillar 
 of cloud within pointed me to Burmah. So I again laid the 
 matter before the Master. I was not willing that anything 
 
6 
 
 should disturb my ixijifc with Him. 1 was rea<iy to go 
 vvlierever he ph'ust'd to send me, Imt tlicre was no inoney to 
 pay my passage to Hurmali. It* He provided that then 1 
 could go. I then and now tinnly lu^lieved tlu; Lord was 
 able to provide for His own anywhei-e. Indeed I much 
 preferred WM)rkino- alone with Him, an<l independently of 
 any Society." 
 
 "Now, when we i)ray tluit we may doCjiod's will, we may 
 be sure that the answer is placed witliin onr reach, it only 
 remains to stretch forth the hand and take it. So I rose 
 from my knees wondering where the money was; and 
 acting upon the first thought that crossed my mind I said to 
 
 myself M will go to Mr. and ask liim if he will adviince 
 
 all the money necessaiy for n»y passage, provided some 
 friends, known to us both, will give him promissory notes 
 to refund it in two or three years.' It was incredible that 
 he would do this unless the Lord impelled him to it. I put 
 on my hat and went at (mce to his office. On my way a 
 friend, a relative of mine, overtook me in his sleigh and 
 offered to di'ive me wherever I wante<l to go. When I told 
 him where, and what my errand was, I yet remember dis- 
 tinctly how his laugh i-ung out loud an<l clear on the frosty 
 air, though not unkind, as he said ' Well, if you are foolish 
 enough to propose such a thing, it is a comfort to think he 
 is too wise to do it.' " 
 
 . " I reached the office and made my request, he sat silent 
 for a few moments and then said, yes, he w^ould. It was an 
 overwhelming proof to me that the Lord was indeed calling 
 me to go. It was near our Christmas vacation and I sent 
 in my resignation with my reasons for doing so, and went 
 home to prepare for my journey." 
 
 HMMP 
 
py to go 
 
 than 1 
 
 Was 
 
 P iimch 
 y^tly of 
 
 ^' naiy 
 t only 
 r lose 
 and 
 "^aid to 
 
 Avarice 
 some 
 notes 
 
 ^ that 
 
 I put 
 
 'y-y a 
 
 i and 
 told 
 
 dis- 
 ■osty 
 >iish 
 f he 
 
 ent 
 an 
 
 nt 
 nt 
 
 " Another scene indrlihly impressed on my memory, is 
 that in which I told mv mother liovv I had l^'en UmI, and 
 what I proposed to do. She, too, sat silent. I have often 
 since wondered at the magnificent faith of her reply when 
 she spoke. Her only answer was 'W(»ll, my child, if the 
 Loril has called 3'ou, we nmst all do what we can to f^et you 
 ready.' How much I owe to a nobh; mother's unswerving 
 faith and loyalty to Christ. 1 think it was a nnich easier 
 thing for me to go out int > the darkness, than it was for 
 her to sit still and see me go. Many years after she wrote 
 me that when I left her and she saw me passing out of her 
 sight, she ha<l such an overpowering assurance that the 
 Lord went with me, and had given his angels charge over 
 me to keep me in all my ways, that she never dared to feel 
 anxious or repine." 
 
 " The friends at Canso of whom I had tlnjught as prol)- 
 ably willing to refund the money, gave their notes without 
 hesitation, and in a few weeks I was ready. I said good 
 bye to my home and went on with the notes to Wolfville 
 
 for the money." When I presented them Mr. said he 
 
 had changed his mind, he feared he w^ould be blamed for 
 helpir g me forward in a wild adventure. I had no means 
 of subsistence after arriving there, &c. I thanked him and 
 came away. I felt sure the Lord had used him to get me 
 all ]'eady to go and He wished to provide the means in some 
 other way. I think the result proved that this gentleman 
 was Divinely guided in both vnsfancesy 
 
 " I returned to Halifax and with private funds in my 
 possession engaged my passage to Boston in pursuance of my 
 previous plan. The steamer was to sail at midnight, and I 
 went on board early in the evening, my friends supposing 
 
I had received the money I expected. During the evening 
 a deputation from the city churches came down to the hoat. 
 I cannot recollect distinctly now who they were, but I 
 think Rev. E. M. Saunders, Rev. J. E. Goucher, Mr. Selden 
 and T. H. Rand, were there, with others. 
 
 " They had heai-d that I was going and were anxious that 
 I should not leave so (juietly. They thought it was most 
 advisable that I should visit some of the churches before I 
 left, and should be known to them, so that they would feel 
 a bond of union with me afterward. They would promise 
 vhhat I should not be delayed more than a few months. 
 They felt sure it would bo helpful tome afterwards to know 
 tViat there w^ere many at home praying for me." 
 
 " It was my turn to sit silent and wonder if this was the 
 Lord's way out. They were men "w hose counsel I ought not 
 liffhtlv to disrec^ard. I was afraid it miffht be wilful and 
 headstrong not to listen to them, and then there was the 
 fact of the hedge thrown across my way, in that I had no 
 money. So I gave them my ticket which they saw refunded. 
 They secured my trunks and took me back to consult as to 
 what was best to be done. The result was that I went 
 again to the Foreign Mission Board and w^as accepted as 
 their delegate to go out amoung tlic churches and ask my 
 sisters to send me." 
 
 EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF FOREIGN MISSIONARY BOARD- 
 
 ^" licsolved that provided sister Hannah Maria ^' orris be 
 willing to acquire the Karen language or any other which 
 the Board may direct, with a view to engage in an inde- 
 pendent Mission in the event of such a Mission being 
 estabhshed by this body, we receive her : and that we will 
 
•Y'*^^7'^77**'*A' '^~"' "• ^'f.^'*^ 
 
 9 
 
 lend her out as our Missionary subject to the concurrence 
 )f the Convention, so soon as the Board shall be furnished 
 rith the funds necessary." 
 
 It was further resolved " That an appeal be made to the 
 sisters in these Provinces to supply the funds necessary 
 For the object." 
 
 " I then returned home to wait for the coming Associa- 
 tions when the matter could be laid before the churches- 
 Mr. Rand and I at his home formed a constitution for 
 Missionary circles similar to that followed by the 
 Woman's Missionary Society of New York with which 
 Mrs. Doremus was so long connected. The first Circle 
 was formed in my own church in Canso on the 18th June, 
 1870— Mrs. S. Whitman, President, and Mrs. T. C. Cook, 
 Secretary and Treasurer. I have no minute of these names 
 and trust to memory only, but I have a minute of the other 
 Societies formed and as it may be of interest will copy 
 it for you. I found this entry in a note book of that 
 year— 1870." 
 
 " Left Lome June 23rd, returned August 29th. Met 41 
 appointments with different churches, organized 32 Societies, 
 (Circles), visited seven Sabbath Schools, attended Central 
 and Eastern Associations and Convention." 
 
 " The following is the minute I have of of the Circles 
 formed in different places while I was with them :" — 
 
 " Amherst, Tuesday, July 5th, — about 50 present, 23 
 members. Mrs. D. A. Steele, President; Mrs. C. Bent, 
 Secretary-Treasurer." 
 
 " Windsor, July 11th, — about 18 present, 16 members. 
 
ir ^ 
 
 10 
 
 Mrs Theo. Hunliiii)', Pivsiclciit : Miss I^^liz.-i Hardin^^ Sec- 
 1 reasuror. 
 
 " Faimcmtii, July 12,-14 present, 12 members. Miss 
 Mary Young-, President: Miss Bessie Harding, Secretary- 
 1 j-easurer. 
 
 " HantHpo it, >}u\y I8tli, — 11 present, 7 members. Mrs. 
 kSilas Rand, President ; Miss Irene Folder, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 " Wolfville, Ju\y 14tli, — at Mrs. Morse's — 10 members. 
 Mrs. A. R. R. Crawley, President; Miss Mary Cramp, Sec- 
 Treasurer." 
 
 " Gdspercaax, July 15tli, — no meeting arranged." 
 
 "Pereaux, July l()tli, — 8 members. Mrs. Starr, President: 
 Mrs. John L. Sandford, Sec. -Treasurer." 
 
 '' Ccmnivfj, July 18th,— 18 mend)ers. Mrs. David Free- 
 man, President: Miss Sarah Cogswell, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 "Ca?/r(/'f/, July 20th,— 25 present, 1(5 mend)ers. Mi-s. 
 Maylunv Beckwith, President: Miss Annie Lyons, Sec- 
 Treasurer." 
 
 " Berwick, July 21st,— none met, (rain)." 
 
 " i^ppfv Aylcf^ford, July 22nd,— 11 members. Mrs. J. 
 L. Read, President: Miss Lizzie De Wolfe, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 " BiUtown, July 25th,— 25 present, 15 mend)ers. Mrs. 
 J. F. Keinpton, President, Mrs. Wm. Bill, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 Tremont, July 26th,— 20 present, 1 7 members. Mrs. Ch. 
 Tupper, President : Miss Marg Saunders, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 " Mdaux, July 27th,— no meeting arranged." 
 
r'^'^ Sec- 
 
 ^^f-^- Miss? 
 
 
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 '^'t^«i<ieiit; i 
 
 vid Free- 
 
 ■'• Mj-s. 
 
 ^"^^ -Sec- 
 
 Airs. J. 
 
 irei-." 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 'er. 
 
 •er." 
 
 11 
 
 Pi?/^^ (Trove, July 2(Stli, — ]4 present, 9 iiieiiiUers. Mrs 
 Obadiah Dodge, President; Miss Jessie W()()(ll)ury, Sec- 
 Jtr^fisurer. 
 
 " ParadiHc, Jul\' 29th, — no uieetino- arrancfed." ' 
 
 " BvidgeUnvii, July 80tl), — 1 member. August 1st, 12 
 present, 9 members. Mrs. Gidnt^y, President: Miss Jessie 
 Cbipmaii, 8ee. -Treasurer." 
 
 " (jfranviUe Ferry, August 2nd, — (General meeting." 
 
 " Cleinpvfi<val(', August 8rd, — 31 present, 14 members. 
 .;|:Mrs. Anthony Potter, President; Miss Julia Potter, Sec- 
 1 n.'asurer. 
 
 " HilUhurg, August 4th, — 60 present, 20 members. Mrs. 
 rhos. Miller, President; Miss Lalia Marshall, Sec-Treasurer.' 
 
 " D'ajhif, August 4th, — no meeting." 
 
 " Weymouth, August 5th, — about 40 present, lo niendjers. 
 Mrs. Jas. Randall, President: Mrs. Abram Urant, Sec- 
 I reasurer. 
 
 ^'YarmoiUh, August Sth, — Public Concert, -SO memliers. 
 Mrs. John Rverson, President." 
 
 " Hebron, August 9th, — 24 present, 15 members. Mrs. 
 Stephen Potter, President: Miss Lydia Churchill, Sec- 
 1 reasurer. 
 
 " i^erttv^r i^i re/', August 9th, — about 40 present, 19 mem- 
 bers. Miss Bertie Raymond, President ; Miss Sarah Rose 
 Sec-Treasurer." 
 
12 
 
 " Ohio, August 10th --30 present, 10 members. Mrs. Jos. 
 Saunders, President ; Mrs. R. C. Cann, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 " Jegoggin, August lOtli,— 42 present, 1 2 members. Mrs. 
 B. Stainwood, President ; Mrs. G. Trask, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 " Portland, St. John, August 12th,— 4 members. Mrs. E. 
 C Cady, President." 
 
 '' Leinntev St. O/ittrch, August 14th, —17 present, 15 mem- 
 bers. Mrs. W. S. McKenzie, President: Mrs. Lizzie Cunning- 
 ham, Sec -Treasurer. 
 
 ''Germain St. Church, August 14th, — 17 present, 11 
 members. Mrs. Jolm Harding, P. .sident ; Miss Huglies, 
 Sec. -Treasurer." 
 
 " Go.rUoii, August 15th, — 60 present. Society not organ- 
 ized." 
 
 " Jeimeg, Cambridge, August 16th, — 32 present, 8 mem- 
 bers. Mrs. Powell, President; Miss R. Dykeman Sec- 
 Treasurer." 
 
 " Mill Gove, August 16th, — 100 present, 8 members. Mrs. 
 Cameron, President : Miss Clotilda Farris, Sec. -Treasurer." 
 
 "Narrows, August 17th, — 90 present, 19 members, Mrs. 
 E. White, President ; Miss Huldah Cox, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 " McDonahVs Corner, August 17th, — 45 present, 19 mem- 
 bers. Miss M. Straight, President; S. A. Mullen, Sec- 
 Treasurer." 
 
 '' Wickham, August 17th,— 80 present, 15 members. Miss 
 E. McDonald, President ; Miss L. McDonald, Sec -Treasurer." 
 
13 
 
 P " Lower Cambridge, August 18th, — 40 present, 10 mem- 
 bers. Mrs. G. E. Colwell, President ; Miss S. Henchy, Sec- 
 Treasurer." 
 
 " Fredericton, August 28rd, — 150 present, 32 members. 
 [rs. Spurden, President ; Miss E. Phillips, Sec-Treasurer." 
 
 " Brunsel St., St. John, August 24th, — 40 present, 28 
 members. Mrs. T. Harley, President ; Mrs. Allwood, Sec- 
 I'reasurer." 
 
 " Two Circles were als(^ i'ornied in Halifax but I was not 
 present, and I do not know the dates or the membership, 
 though they heartily engaged in the work there from the 
 first." 
 
 " On the 21st September I left my home finally and 
 started for Burma. All the funds necessary had been pro- 
 ^nded by those circles with the promise of future supplies. 
 
 " Yet the money was the smallest part of the benefit 
 arising from th's endeavor. The regular and liberal giving 
 emphasized by regular and earnest prayer, made us all 
 richer both at home and abroad. I was but the channel — 
 the glad channel — through wliich prayers and gifts reached 
 those far away. The lesson my Master has been teaching 
 me all through my mission life is not the asceticism of which 
 so much has been said of late, but community in all things 
 with His people, in pursuance of His prayer that we ' all 
 may be one' " 
 
 " May I say in closing that when Mary gave the box of 
 ointment, Christ said 'she hath wrought a good work :' so 
 He calls giving, working. When the two mites were given 
 it was the Lord Himself who measured their value, and it 
 
14 
 
 was He also who said 'whosoever shall ^-ive a cup of coM 
 water only, shall in no wise lose his reward.' How little 
 some of my sisters realize the interest their money is draw- 
 ing in the Master's bank ahove ! I'hey will find it " after 
 many days.' Then she that 'soweth' jis well as she that 
 ' reapeth ' will 'gather fruit U7\to life eternal. '" 
 
 "The same is true of prayer. I always look upon luy 
 speedy acquisition of Karen as due k\ro-(dy to the ])rayeis 
 of others. Often I have felt the V(!ry atmosphere of pi'ayer 
 about me, and that heaven was nearer because of their 
 intercession. Of those that prayed as well as of those that 
 gave it will be true at last that ' She that tarried at liome 
 divided the spoil 
 
 H. M. N. ARMSTRONG. 
 
 " Mizpah," Brighton, Eng. 
 April 24th, 1889. 
 
 Many who read Mrs. Armstrong's narrative wall recall 
 that summer of 1870, and remember the welcome visit(^r, 
 who came and went so (juietly, from place to place, over- 
 coming difficulties by her gentle yet firm insistence, and 
 creatirg an enthusiasm that was to continue and increase. 
 
 Twenty years have passed since then, and as the })rogress 
 made and work accomplished, can only be outlined in this 
 brief sketch, we will take our retrospective glance over 
 periods of live years. 
 
 The close of 1870 finds a well organized auxiliary, com- 
 prising the societies named in Miss Norris's list, with others 
 formed later, ropresenting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 
 
 A Central Board was formed in Halifax, at first, consist- 
 ing of the following Committees and office-bearers. 
 
 li 
 
 Sfcoi^ 
 
15 
 
 GRANVILLE STREET CHURCH. 
 
 MRS. TWINING, MRS. A. SMITH. 
 
 xVlRS. SELDEN. 
 
 NORTH CHURCH. 
 
 MRS. D. ELLIS, MRS. A. \V CLARKE, 
 
 MRS. McC LILLY. 
 
 Secretauy,— MRS. SELDEN. 
 
 Treasureh,-MRS. M(;CITLLY. 
 
 Prince Edward Island also soon united in the work, and 
 the Societies there, with those in Nova Scotia, reported pro- 
 gress, and transmitted funds to this Board. 
 
 In New Brunswick a siniihir Executive was constituted 
 in the City of St. John, including the following names : — 
 
 MRS. PETTINGELL, President. 
 '' W. ALLWOOD, Treasurer. 
 
 CUNNINGHAM, Secretary. 
 
 G. DUNHAxM, Auditor. 
 
 G. M. W. CAREY. 
 
 J. F. MASTERS. 
 
 CRAFT. 
 
 GILBERT WHITE. 
 
 SCOTT. 
 '• BUCHANAN. 
 
 The iirst report presented by the Secretary of the Central 
 Board of Halifax, at the annual meeting, 1871, contains the 
 following items : — 
 
 " Funds — sum total received up to August, 1871, $1114.20. 
 The Secretary has received communications from thirty-one 
 
 
 
16 
 
 Societies during the past year, and all report progress, with 
 
 increasing interest in the cause for which they were 
 
 organized." 
 
 Maria R, Selden, Secretary. 
 
 Taking up the report of the N. B. Central Board a year 
 later, a sentence or two may be given : — 
 
 " We have now seventeen Societies, all in a prosperous 
 condition, and becoming increasingly interested in the work. 
 The Treasurer of the Central Board has paid to the Treas- 
 urer of the F. M. Board, since last August, the sum of 
 $695.00." 
 
 L. L. Cunningham, Secretary. 
 
 Turning from the workers at home, to their representa- 
 tives abroad, a reference must first be made to Miss M. 
 DeWolf, of Halifax, who went out to India in 1868, .sup- 
 ported by funds from Nova Scotia, but working in connection 
 with the American Baptist Mission. In a report presented 
 by Rev. Dr Tupper at the Convention of 1871. We find 
 her name thus honorably mentioned : 
 
 "It is highly pleasing to j^our Board, to be able to report, 
 very favorably respecting our dear sister DeWolf, who, 
 with extraordinary fortitude and decision of character, went 
 out at first as our only Missionary from these Provinces, 
 and by divine assistance overcame immense obstacles." 
 
 " It is delightful to find these worthy sisters, Misses 
 DeWolf and Norris, as stated in their letters, going out 
 
'^'ess, wit], 
 P^^y Were 
 
 -nr^^r/? 
 
 I'd a 
 
 > 
 
 yenr 
 
 'osperous 
 ^le Work. ? 
 e Treas- 
 suni of 
 
 17 
 
 jether into the Jungles to visit the Sgau Karen Churches, 
 id to instruct the members, particularly the females, in the 
 iths and duties oi the Christian religion." 
 
 Soon after this date the Societies \\'^ere enabled to assume 
 [iss De Wolf's support also, and she continued working as 
 leir Missionary till failing health compelled a return to 
 ler native country in 1872. 
 
 Of Miss Norris and her entrance upon the work she had 
 Iffio earnestly desired, we find the following report from the 
 )en of Rev. W. S. McKenzie, then Secretary of the F. M. 
 Joard : — 
 
 In December, 1871, Miss Norris was about to take work 
 in the female Karen school in Bassein ; since that date she 
 [has been employed most successfully in that school. In 
 eight months from the time of her arrival on the field she 
 had attained, beside a familiar acquaintance with the Sgau 
 Karen dialect, a sufficient knowledge of the Pwo Karen to 
 be able to take that up at any time with very little trouble. 
 In a letter she remarks ' I cannot tell how it is that I find 
 so little trouble with the languages.' 
 
 > j> 
 
 Thus far, no independent Baptist Mission had been 
 attempted by the Maritime Provinces, the funds raised for 
 this object, having been disbursed chiefiy through the 
 American Missionary Union. 
 
 But as enlarged benevolence was aroused among the 
 people, increasing desire was felt to widen the sphere of 
 their Foreign Missionary efforts in this way, and the subject 
 was soon under consideration. 
 
 Its establishment, after much delay and many perplexi- 
 
18 
 
 'M 
 
 ties, was at length secured, and the year 1875, from which 
 date we take our first retrospect, found the infant mission 
 beginning to be in working order. 
 
 How have the "Aid" Societies prospered since their 
 planting ? Turning to the statistics presented in the reports 
 for 1875, we find the number increased to ninety-two, and 
 funds contributed unitedly, $2,384.54. 
 
 Some changes in the executive Boards had taken place 
 during this period. In 1874, a separate Central Board was 
 formed in Prince Edward Island consisting of the following 
 office-bearers : 
 
 MRS. JAS. DESBRISAY, President. 
 
 " JAS. WARREN, Vice-President. 
 MISS M. DAVIES, Secretary. 
 JAS. DESBRISAY, ESQ., Treasurer. 
 
 For Nova Scotia the names for this vear are : — 
 
 MRS. J. F. PARSONS, President. 
 
 SELDEN, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 " E. M. SAUNDERS. 
 " A. SMITH. 
 " G. L. CHIPMAN. 
 " R. I. HART. 
 " E. D. KING. 
 
 " N. McDonald. 
 
 MISS M. R. EATON. 
 " MEAGHER. 
 
 The New Brunswick Board continuing unchanged. 
 
19 
 
 Very soon one and another desired to follow the example 
 lot" Miss Norris and Miss DeWolf. The first to offer herself 
 for this service was Miss Flora Eaton, of Cornwallis, now 
 Mrs. Boggs, wife of Rev. W. B. Boggs, of Ramapatam, India. 
 At a meeting of the Central BoT?rd held in Halifax, Dec. 5, 
 1871, her letter of application was presented. Miss E. thus 
 speaks of her long cherished wish : — 
 
 "From earliest childhood, before my nearest friends 
 suspected that I was interested in religion, or thought me 
 old enough to understand, my prayer has been, ' Lord what 
 wilt Thou have me to do.' and the answer has come, * Go 
 ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every 
 creature.' And I would go." 
 
 " To you, then, dear sisters, I offer myself as the first step 
 towards the accomplishment of this end, should you deem 
 me worthy." 
 
 It was not, however, till the Autumn of 1878, that this 
 desire was fulfilled. By that time the call for workers in 
 connection with the new Missionary Society had been re- 
 sponded to by those whose names are now household words 
 among the Baptists of the Maritime Provinces. 
 
 In October of that year occurred the memorable depar- 
 ture of their first band of Missionaries, consisting of Rev. 
 and Mrs. Churchill, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Sandford, Miss M. E. 
 Armstrong, Miss F. I. Eaton and Rev. W. F. Armstrong. 
 
 Miss M. E. Armstrong, now Mrs. Currie, had been a 
 member of the Wolf ville " Aid " Society since its formation 
 
 Writing after reachinor India, she thus refers to the bond 
 of union still existing : — 
 
'fi'llfl^ 
 
 ' I <\\ 
 
 20 
 
 " One year ago I was with you in your meeting. You 
 meet again to-morrow, but one of your number yoi ; > 
 sent far away to a heathen land, and now she fcc-ls that 
 you are earnestly praying for her." 
 
 " I remember you all with loving gratitude. In prepar- 
 ation I have not been idle. I am studying the Karen with 
 all my heart, and hope soon to be engaged in the work I 
 am longing for. Again, I ask your fervent prayers, dear 
 sisters." 
 
 Remembrance of tnese days of meeting has often been 
 found cheering by those far away. As an instance the 
 following extract is given from a letter written by Mrs. 
 Arthur Crawley on her return to India in 1874. Mrs. 
 Crawley had been President of the Wolfville Society since 
 1870 :— 
 
 " Since we left Liverpool we have had a most varied 
 experience — very pleasant and interesting voyage down by 
 Portugal, and through the Straits of Gibraltar. Then 
 lovely quiet weather — the Mediterranean wearing its sun- 
 niest smiles for a few days — then mutterings of the coming 
 storm — and then the storm wind. The tenible Euroclydon 
 caught us in its fearful embrace, and for five long days and 
 nights we struggled through it. I never sympathised with 
 St. Paul before as then. How he must have suffered in 
 that fourteen day's gale we can form some idea of now, and 
 how God allowed his faitli and patience to be tried." 
 
 *• Truly Gca is the hearer and answerer of prayer, but 
 what we went through in all those hours of suspense and 
 doubt it would be hard to describe. Heart and flesh failed 
 You may imagine how I felt when the time for our prayer- 
 
■ATig. 
 
 yor 
 
 You 
 
 
 i'S that 
 
 in prepar- 
 
 ^aren with 
 
 le work I 
 
 jyers, dear 
 
 ften beon 
 tance the 
 by Mrs, 
 74. Mrs. 
 Jety since 
 
 '«fc varied 
 down by 
 ^ Then 
 r its sun- 
 e cominjcr 
 t'oclydon 
 iays and 
 'ed with 
 ^ered in 
 
 ow, and 
 
 > 
 
 'er, but 
 ise and 
 I failed 
 
 Grayer 
 
 
 21 
 
 mtM'tinj^ drew round, and I thought of each dear one, sure 
 to 1)6 there, and sure to remember us. My heart went up 
 in prayer for them all." 
 
 Did the limits of this brief sketch permit, it would be 
 
 jBfjost interesting to trace the work accomplished in each 
 
 Acid by those sent forth, but it must suffice to say that 
 
 .Constant information on this point cheered and encouraged 
 
 the Societies at home. 
 
 Miss Norris continued laboring chiefly among the Karens, 
 assisting in the establishment of schools, etc., in Bassein, 
 and Tavov, till on the arrival of the Missionaries in 1873, 
 she became the wife of Rev. W. F. Armstrong. 
 
 For a long time, the location of the new Mission being 
 
 undecided, much uncertainty and ditticulty had to be 
 
 encountered, but the waiting-time was not unaccompanied 
 
 by seed-sowing, which has doubtless resulted in many a 
 
 '■: harvest. 
 
 The close of the year 1875, witnessed the final settlement 
 of its destination, the decision being to occupy the Telugu 
 field in unison with the Canadian Mission already 
 established. 
 
 After many wanderings, the Missionaries had now to 
 addre.ss themselves to the work of acquiring a new 
 language, and the selection of.stations best adapted for each 
 mission family. 
 
 There was much to discourage both the workers at home 
 and those abroad, during this interval, but that the Societies 
 continued their allegiance most nobly, Me gather from the 
 
22 
 
 following reference contained in the general report of the 
 Foreign Mission Board. 
 
 " women's missionary aid societies." 
 
 " The sisterhood who have banded together in the Mission 
 Aid Societies have continued to display a zeal and perse- 
 verance in the prosecution of their work which are most 
 conimendable and worthy of imitation by the brotherhood. 
 Their annual reports as subjoined show gratifying and 
 encouraijinor results. Thev are worthy of the most ear^?st 
 and careful perusal." 
 
 W. P. Everett, Rorae Secretary. 
 
 Passing on, we take our next review in 1880, and find 
 that much has been accomplished during these years. 
 
 Some changes on each Board of Management are noted 
 Central Board for Nova Scotia: — 
 
 MRS. J. F. PARSONS, President. 
 MRS. SELDEN, Secretary-Treasurer. 
 " E. M. SAUNDERS. 
 J. W. MANNING. 
 R. I. HART. 
 
 N. McDonald. 
 
 A. L. SMITH. 
 
 G. CHIPMAN. ; 
 
 J. FARQUH ARSON. / 
 
 MISS SELDEN. 
 
 « 
 
 it 
 U 
 .( 
 (( 
 u 
 
28 
 
 rfc of the ;^^Bor New Brunswick 
 
 Mission 
 ^d perse - 
 ^^e most 
 [lierhood. 
 ing and 
 earr^st 
 
 etary. 
 
 md find 
 
 s. 
 
 noted 
 
 MRS. G. M. W. CAREY, President. 
 
 " JOHN MARCH. Secretary. 
 
 " W. ALLWOOD, Treasurer. 
 
 " JOHN HARDING. 
 
 " GEORGE DUNHAM. 
 
 " W. SCOTT. 
 
 " N. CROFT. 
 
 " J. F. MASTERS. 
 MISS ESTEY. 
 
 For P. E. Island 
 
 MRS. E. N. ARCHIBALD, President. 
 " I. SCHURMAN. Vice-President 
 MISS A. HOOPER, Secretary. 
 JAS. DESBRISAY, Treasurer. 
 
 Increasing in numbers and efficiency the Societies were 
 enabled to extend their operations by including many im- 
 portant agencies. 
 
 Assistance was given in school work, erecting chapels, 
 etc., as funds permitted. Several appropriations for these 
 purposes being mentioned in each annual report. 
 
 In the early stage of the new Mission much time, work, 
 and money w^ere required for purchasing land, new buildings, 
 etc., at Kimedy, where Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong at first 
 labored, afterwards removing to Chicacole ; Bimlipatani, the 
 home of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford ; and Bobbili, the station 
 occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Churchill. These preliminaries 
 
\7' 
 
 24 
 
 to settlement called for more funds than were often to be 
 found in the treasury of the F. M. Board, and in this de- 
 partment also, the societies were found a most valuable 
 " Aid." During the period now under consideration from 
 1875 to 1880, we find the assistance rendered from their 
 united forces for these objects, when summed up, amounts 
 to the following items : — 
 
 For schools under the management of lady missionaries, 
 $2250. For buildings, $3900. 
 
 The following quotation from the report for 1880, of the 
 Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board shows how im- 
 portant w^as the assistance thus rendered : — 
 
 ** We have had more than ever, this year, reason to be 
 thankful for the timely aid rendered to the Board by our 
 ever faithful and generous auxiliaries. From the Funds to 
 the credit of the W. M. A. S. department, at our request we 
 were authorized to draw and spend $1500 to aid in erecting 
 buildings in Bobbili and $1600 to complete the mission 
 house at Bimlipatam, and $400 to erect necessary buildings 
 on the Chicacole compound, and in addition to this their 
 Aid Societies have sustained Miss Hammond and her school 
 work as w^ell as largely aided Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. 
 Sanford in carrying on thoir schools. A special vote qi 
 thanks from the Convention seems due to the W. M. A. 
 Societies." 
 
 The money given for the objects named, represents far 
 more than the actual amount in dollars and cents. Self 
 denial and hard work were often needed before each Society 
 could gather up the annual offering, and the careful con- 
 sideration of each claim by the Central Boards appears 
 
[en to be 
 this (ie- 
 
 Jv'iJuabJe 
 on from 
 
 fm their 
 
 onaries, 
 
 ^> of the 
 |ow i,ii. 
 
 to be 
 t»y our 
 inds to 
 est We 
 ecting 
 lission 
 clings 
 their 
 chooi 
 Mrs. 
 e (}i' 
 • A. 
 
 far 
 
 5eJf 
 
 ^ty 
 
 >n- 
 
 irs 
 
 25 
 
 lainly in all their records — how best to emplo}^ the funds 
 committed to their trust. 
 
 Mission Bands had by this time been established in many 
 places, forming another auxiliary, and interesting the 
 children in missionary work — while every year witnessed 
 additions to the list of Life members, constituted by paying 
 the sum of $25.00. 
 
 Much discouragement was felt and expressed in the 
 earlier years of this period, because of the want of workers 
 abroad. 
 
 After the marriage of Miss Armstrong to Rev. G. F. 
 Currie in 1876, it was not till 1877 that even one repre- 
 sentative from the class supported by these Societies offered 
 herself. Then Miss C. Hammond, of New Brunswick, was 
 warmly welcomed, and after spending some time in prepar- 
 ation, left her native land in September, 1878. 
 
 From Mrs. March's report of that year we quote the fol- 
 lowing reference to Miss Hammond : — 
 
 " Miss Hammond has spent nearly two years in prepar- 
 ation for the work, during which time ample opportunities 
 have been afforded of judging of her fitness for the life of a 
 missionary ; and it is gratifying to know that the opinions 
 formed by the Central Board have been fully endorsed by 
 the Foreign Mission Board and ministering brethren in 
 Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Miss Hammond will, 
 therefore, undertake her work encouraged by the love, 
 prayers and contributions of the denomination." 
 
 How well and truly these expectations have been fulfilled 
 during the long years of labor spent in India by Miss 
 
26 
 
 Hammond, now Mrs. Archibald, many written and 
 unwritten records will testify. The earliest is from the pen 
 of Mrs. Selden in 1879, as follows: — 
 
 " With feelings of pleasure and gratitude, we can reporfe 
 that our Missionarv. Miss Hammond, is still workiuir hard 
 at acquiring the Telugu language, while at the same time 
 superintending the working of the girl's school in Bimli- 
 patarii, formerly under the care of Mrs. Churchill; this is 
 outside of the assistance she is giving to Mrs. Sanford and 
 other mission work. We have full confidence that her 
 energy and whole-heartedness in the cause will be blest in 
 God's own time." 
 
 The ''Missionary Link" a paper published in the inter- 
 ests of the Canadian Baptist Missionary Society in Toronto,, 
 had now begun its monthly visits, arousing fresh enthusiasm 
 and re-kindling waning zeal. It was soon warmly 
 welcomed in the Maritime Provinces, and is thus referred 
 to in the annual report : — 
 
 " The Missionary Link is of great value in stirring up 
 the minds of our sisters on the important subject of the 
 Foreign Mission enterprise. It must be a source of con- 
 gratulation to its able editor, to know that its widening- 
 circulation bespeaks its need, its worth, and its success. 
 
 In August, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong with their 
 children returned home, failing health having made rest and 
 change imperative after many years of faithful service,^ 
 upon which a blessing continually rested in each field of 
 labor. 
 
 At Bassein,Tavoy, Kimedy,and Chicacole many had been 
 
'^e pen 
 
 [report 
 hard 
 
 jhis is 
 P and 
 her 
 
 'St; in 
 
 nter^ 
 onto, 
 
 vmly 
 vred 
 
 up 
 the 
 on- 
 
 no- 
 
 Jir 
 
 id 
 e. 
 
 27 
 
 i-escued from dark idolatry, but though not wearied of the 
 work, the time to "come apart and rest awhile" could be 
 no longer delayed. 
 
 Among the many welcomes that cheered Mrs. Armstrong 
 there was, perhaps, a peculiar sweetness in those tendered 
 by the Societies that owed their existence to her early 
 efforts. Here, also, seed had truly sprung up, and this year 
 of remembrance was a season when many united with her 
 in grateful recollection. 
 
 1885 — Entering upon another period, and again looking 
 backward, we note many changes, associated with undoubted 
 progress. 
 
 Too much can scarcely be said in praise of those, who in 
 the work at home had " borne the burden and heat of the 
 day," through all these earlier years — referring now especi- 
 ally to the Central Boards of the three Provinces. Upon these 
 leaders had rested very grave responsibilities, often increased 
 by distance from each other, and consequent difficulty of 
 united action. It was also felt that the time had come for 
 more independent control and employment of funds than 
 had, thus far, been exercised, and the subject of a general 
 society, under one executive board of management, began to 
 be considered. 
 
 The proposed change was commended to the consideration 
 of the Societies. Its accomplishment and the advantages 
 secured thereby, are thus clearly described by Mrs. M. W. 
 Williams, iirst President of the Union. 
 
 •■•T-. 
 
 "In 1881, some of the members of the N. S. Central 
 Board, believing it to be desirable that the Aid Societies 
 
28 
 
 should have closer relations with their executive, i. e. the 
 Central Board, proposed such a chanj^e in organization as 
 should secure this, and a motion was made to unite the Aid 
 Societies of N. S. into one General Society, with an 
 Executive chosen by themselves. 
 
 " To this motion an amendment was made, proposing that 
 a General Society including the Aid Societies of the three 
 Provinces be organized, and the three Central Boards were 
 appointed a committee to consider it. No progress was 
 made in 1882, and none in 1883 towards the union of the 
 three Provinces. Plans had been presented, and reasons 
 urged, but we had failed to secure unanimity of opinion. 
 In the spring of 1884, Mrs. Churchill returned from her 
 Bobbili field for much needed rest. She, having watched 
 the discussion from her India homo, and making herself 
 more fully acquainted wnth the situation after her arrival 
 among us, saw the necessity of the proposed change and set 
 herself about accomplishing it. She spared neither time 
 nor strength, but went from Board to Board and from 
 individual to individual. She explained misunderstandings, 
 adjusted difficulties, and plead and prayed away prejudice, 
 so that w^hen the delegates from the Aid Societies, chosen 
 to act upon this question, met at Moncton, after a full pre- 
 sentation of the matter by those who since '81 had felt 
 most deeply its necessity, the union w^as consumated, and 
 the " Women's Baptist Missionary Union " came into 
 existence. Those of its features which seem to be especially 
 desirable, are : — , 
 
 1st. It secures the united action of the Aid Societies of 
 the three Provinces. •>' 
 
'on as 
 ^ an 
 
 29 
 
 2nd. It is representative — its members consivsting of 
 delegates from the Aid Societies. 
 
 3rd. It reserves to itself the power to appropriate its 
 own funds, and 
 
 4th. It pledges itself to appropriate to such objects as 
 are undertaken by the Foreign Missionary Board. 
 
 As the best explanation of the manner in which these 
 differ(3nt objects were secured by the re-constructed Society, 
 the report of its first annual meeting is transcribed : — ^ 
 
 THE WOMEN'S BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION. 
 
 The Women's Baptist Missionary Union of the Maritime 
 Provinces held its annual meeting in the Presbyterian 
 Church at Amherst, on Monday, Aug. 24th, at 2 p. m. 
 
 The President, Mrs. M. W. Williams, occupied the chair. 
 The meeting was opened by singii.g, reading the Scriptures 
 by Mrs. Selden, and prayer by Mrs. Martell. 
 
 The President's address on "Woman's Work, and the 
 Special and Imp-^rtant Position filled by her in all Ages " 
 was instructive and encouraging. The Annual report was 
 read by the . Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. John March. 
 It reviewed the work done upon the foreign field during 
 the year, and stated that the sum of S2,525. pledged to the 
 Forei<^n Mission Board, had been regularly paid, leaving a 
 balance still in the Treasurer's hands of $1,698.21. 
 
 The Provincial reports were then submitted. That of 
 Prince Edward Island, 12 societies, 233 members, by Miss 
 S. A. King, secretary ; of Nova Scotia, 71 societies, by Mrs. 
 Stephen Selden, sec'y ; New Brunswick, 40 societies, by the 
 
 
30 
 
 Corresponding Secretary, acting for Mrs. T. S. Simms^ 
 deceased. 
 
 The Treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Manning, presented her report 
 as follows : 
 
 Cash received from Mrs. S. Selden, former 
 Treasurer, balance on hand from last 
 
 year $556 01 
 
 Received from W. M. A. Societies — 
 
 Nova Scotia, $1528 07 
 
 New Brunswick 956 28 
 
 Prince Edward Island, 258 86 
 
 2743 21 
 
 To constitute life ^nembers 125 00 
 
 Mission Bands and Sunday Schools, N. S. 
 
 and N. B 607 89 
 
 Donations and Collections 250 32 
 
 $4282 43 
 
 Expended for books and Stationery. ... 11 46 
 
 Grant to F. M. B., 2525 00 
 
 Travelling expenses Mrs. Sandford 1 06 
 
 Travelling expenses Mrs. Churchill, 35 60 
 
 Checks, postage, and discount on notes. . 11 10 
 
 ^^ $2584 22 
 
 Balance on hand, $] 698 21 
 
 The reports were, on motion, unanimously adopted. 
 
 On motion, it was decided to donate $1,000 from the 
 balance on hand to the Foreign Mission Board, toward 
 replacing the Jacob's fund. 
 
>• Sim ins 
 
 e** report 
 
 $566 01 
 
 1743 21 
 1^5 00 
 
 m 89 
 
 250 32 
 
 ''S2 43 
 
 !4 22 
 8 21 
 
 the 
 ard 
 
 31 
 
 The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Phillips, of 
 [Fredericton, and unanimously adopted : 
 
 The Executive Board recommend that Article V of the 
 Constitution be amended, to read as follows: The Union 
 shall annually elect a President, three Vice-Presidents, a 
 Corresponding Secretary, three Provincial Secretaries, a 
 Treasurer and an Auditor. These officers, together with 24 
 other members, six of whom shall retire each year in the 
 order of their appointment, shall constitute an Executive 
 Board. Retiring officers and members of the Board shall 
 be eligible for re-election. 
 
 A paper was read by Mrs. Joseph Kempton, of Chester, 
 N. S., on " The need of County Secretaries." 
 
 The Treasurer presented the estimates, as selected and 
 recommended by the Executive Board for the coming 
 year, viz. : 
 
 Salary Miss Wright $500 
 
 do. Miss Gray 500 
 
 Scripture portions and tracts 130 
 
 Schools 200 
 
 Medicine 25 
 
 Tent for Chicacole : 100 
 
 Printing and publishing 250 
 
 Repairing house at Kotspard 25 
 
 Toward salaries of Male Missionaries 770 
 
 ";v- , '^■': -^'.: $2,500 
 
 These estimates are exclusive of Sabbath Schools and 
 Mission Band monies, which, for the current year, are to 
 be sent direct to the F. M. B. The following resolution was 
 adopted. 
 
32 
 
 " Believing that it is of first importance that the children 
 and youth of our denomination be taught the needs of our 
 Home and Foreign Mission fields, and trained to the spirit 
 and practice of Christian benevolence, and believing that 
 the Sunday school possesses better facilities for this work 
 than any other agency ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the women of the Baptist Missionar}' 
 Union use every means in their power to induce superin- 
 tendents and teachers to give to Missions, Home and Foreign, 
 a prominent and permanent place in the schools under 
 their care. 
 
 A paper was read by Miss Lyda Jones, of ][ Alexandra, 
 Prince Edward Island, subject "Claims of Foreign Mission 
 Work upon Women." 
 
 On motion, resolved to appoint a correspondent to the 
 Missionary Link for the Maritime Provinces. On motion, 
 Miss Amy Johnston was so appointed. 
 
 Mrs. W. N. Clarke, of Toronto, being called upon, ex- 
 pressed the pleasure it gave her to meet with the Union 
 here, and conveyed to them the greetings of the Ontario 
 sisters. 
 
 Mrs. Currie, returned missionary (Ontario Board), ad- 
 dressed the meeting ; also Mrs. Sandford and Mrs. Churchill, 
 (Maritime Province Board). A paper was read by Mrs. W. 
 All wood, of St. John, subject, " Star of Eternity." The 
 speeches and papers were excellent, and it is hoped that, 
 together with the President's address and the reports,*'they 
 will be published for the benefit of the societies. 
 
 The following officers were unanimously elected for the 
 ensuing year : President, Mrs. M. W. Williams V e- 
 
. 88 
 
 Presi<lents, Mrs. J. E. Hopper, Mrs. J. F. Parsons, Mrs. A. 
 H. Lavers ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. John March ; 
 Treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Manning ; Auditor, Mrs. E. M. 
 Saunders; Provincial Secretaries, Mrs. Stephen Selden, 
 Halifax, N. S., Mrs. H. R. Emmerson, Dorchester, N. B., 
 Miss L. A. King, Prince Edward Island. Executive Com- 
 mittee — Mrs. C. Spurden, Mrs. J. F. Masters, Mrs. Jesse 
 Harding, Mrs. A. W. Sawyer, Mrs. M. M. Stewart, Mrs. P. 
 R. Foster, Miss Ada Hooper, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. William 
 Allwood, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Jas. E. Masters, Mrs. C. H. 
 Martell, Miss H. Lay ton, M A. S. Murray, Miss Hannah 
 Jones, Mrs. B. Hewitt, Mrs. R. Phillips, Mrs. W. J. Stewart, 
 Mrs. Moses Cowan, Miss Amy Johnston, Miss Mary Cramp, 
 Mrs. J. Harding, Mrs. Allison Smith, Mrs. J. F. Kempton. 
 
 A collection was taken, and the meeting closed by sing- 
 ing the Doxology. 
 
 M. E. March, Cor. Secy. 
 
 These important changes in the work at home seemed to 
 require an unbroken account, bringing this department to a 
 later date than the Foreign history has reached. 
 
 Returning therefore to the earlier years of this period 
 we find Miss Hammond sole representative of the societies 
 abroad — working steadily under many difficulties. Left 
 for a time by the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong 
 alone at Chicacole station, many and heavy responsibilities 
 rested upon her. 
 
 The strain proved too severe, health gave way, and rest 
 became imperative, though only snatched for a brief period 
 among her Missionary friends at Coconada and Bimli. 
 
34 . 
 
 Writing under the pressure of failing strength she thus 
 appeals to those at home : 
 
 " The time is fast approaching when your first little band 
 of workers must all leave the field : Unless our people 
 intend their mission to be a failure, the hour for a strong 
 reinforcement has more than come. As I think of this 
 matter in the light of our great need I wish I could speak 
 to the Ladies' Boards. Help is what we want and I feel 
 that it is there for us, only the Lord's people must seek it 
 with full purpose of heart." 
 
 Miss Hammond was soon at work again and the success 
 of her schools is often referred to in the annual reports. 
 
 While the special object of the Aid Societies has always 
 been the enlightenment of heathen women and children by 
 means of unmarried female missionaries, so large a share in 
 the work and well being of the entire mission and its 
 families devolved upon them that the interests of all were 
 remembered. Mrs. Churchill and Mrs. Sandford kept the 
 Central Boards constantly supplied with information as to 
 their fields of labor, many of the societies also, being cheered 
 and encourajred bv receivin^: interestinor letters from them. 
 
 After spending nine years on missionary ground, Mrs. 
 Sandford wuth her children returned to N. S., in May, 1882, 
 greatly needing the well-earned rest, and two years later 
 Mr. and Mrs. Churchill were also compelled to leave their 
 chosen work, to which they had devoted eleven long years of 
 faithful service,— arriving with their family in 1884. Mrs. 
 Sandford and Mrs. Churchill seemed to enter almost at once 
 upon fresh service in the home field, and by their presence 
 
35 
 
 and earnest words exerted a valuable influence in stimulat- 
 ing the societies to renewed effort and fresh consecration. 
 
 The need of workers to fill vacant places abroad was 
 again more pressing than ever. Mrs. Selden thus refers to 
 the satisfaction felt when the prospect brightened, adding 
 some earnest words regarding individual respon.sibility : — 
 
 " In October of last year (1883) our missionary, Miss 
 Hammond, was married to the Rev. I. C. Archibald, leaving 
 us without a representative in the Telugu Mission. But not 
 for long did this sad state of things continue. The Lord put it 
 into the heart of a young sister to offer hersell' to fill the vac- 
 ancy. Miss Wright who came before the Nova Scotia Central 
 Board, was subsequently accepted by the Foreign Mission 
 Board, and during the past summer has attended the Associ- 
 ations and visited some societies, thereby creating a deeper 
 interest in missions, and making for herself hosts of friends 
 wdio will not forget her when she is far away at her chosen 
 life-work." 
 
 "Soon after Convention this dear sister will leave her 
 home and friends, but your responsibilities in connection 
 with her will still remain." 
 
 " The Central Boards of these three Provinces look to the 
 sisters for the means to sustain the work we have under- 
 taken in their name. But beyond and above this, the Lord 
 expects y^ur prayers as well. See to it that your place in 
 the monthly meeting is filled. Come prepared to give as 
 well as to receive a blessing, and if some self-denial is 
 occasioned by this course, so much the better. " Two cents 
 a week and a prayer from each member of our churches 
 would accomplish more than we think. We say churches, 
 
36 
 
 not societies, for surely each member of the former should 
 also feel it her dutv to become a member of the latter." 
 
 In offering her services as a missionary to the Central 
 Board Miss Wright thus refers to the influence by which 
 she had been led to this decision : — 
 
 " My dear sisters it is impossible for me to convey to you 
 the deep feelings with which I come before you this after- 
 noon. It is to fulfill a resolution that I made while listen- 
 ing to a very earnest address by Mrs. Armstrong, our 
 returned missionary, in which she presented to us the 
 benighted condition of those among whom she had been 
 laboring." 
 
 " Her touching appeal for some one to go into the 
 Master's vineyard, there to work, found lodgment in my 
 heart ; and making it a subject of much prayer and deep 
 consideration, I now sincerely desire to carry glad tidings 
 of good things to them that sit in darkness and in the 
 shadow of death." 
 
 While Miss Wright was completing preparations for 
 entering upon her chosen work, often wishing, doubtless, 
 thf.t the lonely journey might be cheered by companionship, 
 another heart was stirred by the same desire. Miss A. 
 Gray, of New Annan, Pictou Co., had come to study at 
 Wolfville in 1884, but having for many years cherished a 
 wish to engage in missionary work, was led to consider the 
 subject more seriously, and encouraged by the friends whose 
 advice she solicited, presented herself at once to the Board. 
 Animated by a spirit of true devotion to the Master, she 
 thus expressed her desire : 
 
I •"•' 
 
 y^r:i:r' 
 
 37 
 
 " All I want to do is to work for Him in any way and 
 anywhere He wants me, it makes no difference whether it 
 is in India or here." 
 
 It was with gratitude and pleasure that such a helper was 
 accepted, and in November, 1884, Miss Wright and Miss 
 Graj^ sailed. They had listened not in vain to the " bitter 
 cry " of saddened, oppressed Indian women, and felt that 
 the call had come to them. 
 
 " Sorrowful women's faces hungry, yearning 
 
 With wild, deep pain, and dark with sin and dread ; 
 Worn with long weeping for the unreturning. 
 Hopeless, uncomforted. " 
 
 " Give us," they cry, "your cup of consolation, 
 Ne'er to our outstretched hands yet passed ; 
 We long for the desire of every nation, 
 And oh ! we die so fast." 
 
 " Does not He love us, too, this glorious Master ? 
 
 For from your hands alone we can receive 
 The bounty cf His grace, oh ! send it faster. 
 That we may take and live." 
 
 " Master," I said, as from a dream awaking, 
 ** Is this the service Thou dost show to me ? 
 Dost thou to me entrust the bread for breaking 
 To those who cry to Thee ? 
 
 ** As Thou hast loved me, let me love returning 
 
 To these dark souls the grace Thou gavest me,; 
 And oh ! to me impart Thy deathless yearning 
 To draw the lost to Thee." 
 
 1890 — One more retrospect remains. Although progress 
 and advancement have rendered it fuller in detail and 
 interest than those proceeding this period, the publication 
 
38 
 
 of a separate annual record since the formation of the 
 Union renders it unnecessary to tjive more than a brief glance 
 at its history. 
 
 In the Autumn of 1886, Mrs. Churchill and Mrs. Sandford 
 once more left their native land to resume foreign work. 
 Their farewell addresses deliver'>d at the annual meeting 
 held in the Leinster St^'eet Church, St. John, were of special 
 interest. 
 
 Mrs. Churchill thus refers to the different aspects of 
 missionary life : — 
 
 " Thirteen yea^s ago I first stood upon the public platform 
 as an acknowledged Missionary, or as one desirous of devot- 
 ing her life to the work of giving the Gospel to the 
 perishing heathen. For ten years previous to this, it had 
 been the most intense desire of my heart to be allowed to 
 devote my life to this work, and now the wish was about 
 to be realized." 
 
 " Well do I remember the thoughts and anticipations 
 that filled my mind then : and you may ask, have they been 
 realized ? Only in part. A real missionary life I find to 
 be somewhat different from an ideal one. In the latter, 
 trials and privations are anticipated, but the expectation of 
 being able to devote all your time to talking about the 
 Saviour and pointing the poor heathen to Him as the One 
 to cleanse from all sin, almost eclipses every other thought, 
 — or so it was in my case. This expectation is never 
 realized ; and the trials and privations are of a diflferent 
 nature from those anticipated. To say that I do not shrink 
 from many things that I see before me would be untrue, 
 but I hear the voice of my Master caying " Go forward," 
 
39 
 
 " My grace is sufBcient for thee," " As thy day so shall thy 
 strength be." And taking these promises and relying on 
 them I am ready to go, and in His strength am ready to 
 endure, if by my going some of our poor, perishing Telugu 
 sisters shall be brought to a knowledge of Christ, shall be 
 brought to experience the joys of sins forgiven, and of that 
 blessed hope of a happy home beyond this world, which to 
 them is particularly full of trouble and sorrow. 
 
 " I am willing to say farewell to home, and loved ones, — 
 
 child and native country, if the Lord will accept me and go 
 
 with me, and I know He will, for has He not in an especial 
 
 manner given His promise to us, " Lo, I am with you alway 
 
 even unto the end of the world ?" I can truly say with 
 
 S. F. Smith— 
 
 " Yes, my native land I love thee, 
 All thy scenes I love them well." 
 
 " Never did I love them better than at the present time, 
 and never did they seem so lovely." 
 
 A few sentences taken from Mrs. Sandford's address 
 describe a pleasing contrast : — 
 
 " Under the prospect of an early return to Bimlipatam, I 
 do not feel as I did when we landed at evening on the 
 beach Nov. 4th, nearly eleven years ago. Then the people 
 were strange. Their language seemed a jargon of unmean- 
 ing sounds, their customs very disgusting, and there were 
 none whom we could look upon as sisters or brothers in 
 Christ. No one welcomed our coming. None seemed 
 desirous to know why we came. The coolie women and 
 girls, intent on getting a few annas and pice, waded out 
 into the water, eagerly seized boxes and parcels of our 
 
40 
 
 luggage from the boat and carried them on their heads up 
 into the town. Then when they secured their pay, how 
 they clamored and quarrelled one with another respecting 
 it. My first impression of the Telugu women certainly was 
 not a favorable one. But time went on. Our labors 
 brought us into intimate acquaintance with some. The 
 Lord's Spirit made the Gospel effectual in the salvation of 
 souls. Now, if permitted to reach that land for a second 
 term of service we will be greeted by those w^ho love the 
 Lord. They have been waiting and praying for our return. 
 These are our sisters and brothers in Christ, dear to us, 
 because we are acquainted with the way in which they were 
 led to Him. They have become our helpers in the work. 
 We bow together at the throne of grace, and the hearts of 
 all are encouraged." 
 
 How different in many ways was the present prospect to 
 these devoted workers ! Cheered now by the remembrance 
 that other laborers had entered upon the field prepared by 
 their efforts, and were continuing the seed-sowiog. They 
 could think of Mrs. Archibald whose abundant and varied 
 efibrts have been bestowed on many departments with 
 marked success. Of Mrs. Hutchinson whose work at Chica- 
 cole was faithfully performed for six years. Of Miss 
 Wright and Miss Gray, superintending schools and the 
 work of Bible women. The following words taken from 
 Mrs. March's report for 1887, may be suitably quoted here: 
 
 "The work done so faithfully and well by our loved 
 missionaries on the foreign field cannot be counted in 
 dollars and cents, neither is there any way by which we 
 may sum it up. He alone who knows the worth of a soul 
 and has seen the heathen, through their instrumentality 
 
41 
 
 bowing at His feet and lifting their heartfelt prayers to 
 Him for life and salvation, can estimate. And He wil^ 
 reward, for He has said, " They who turn many to right" 
 «ousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever." 
 
 It has often been observed that those already hard at 
 work are most willing to assume fresh burdens. 
 
 Naturally therefore, when the ever-widening field of 
 Home Missions needed assistance, it was to the Union that 
 application was made. 
 
 The suggestion that this object should receive a small 
 annual appropriation was accepted and such changes made 
 in the constitution as would admit the union of Home with 
 Foreign Missions. Another step in advance. 
 
 While the prevailing feeling among all united in this 
 work has always been : — How much more we might do. It 
 is gratifying to observe that steady progress has marked each 
 year, permitting additions to expenditure. The report 
 presented at the last annual meeting gives the following 
 statistics : — 
 
 "It showed that there had been raised for the year 
 $4j,244.1S, and that the $3,500 pledged to the F. M. B. had 
 been paid, leaving a balance in the hands of the Treasurer 
 of $744.13. 
 
 The estimates were then submitted, and the following 
 unanimously approved as the work for the ensuing year : 
 
42 
 
 For purchasini^ property at Vizianagram $2000 00 
 
 Miss Hettie Wright's salary 500 
 
 Miss A. C. Gray's salary 500 
 
 Miss Nettie Fitch's salary 500 
 
 « 
 
 (i 
 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 
 travelling expenses 450 00 
 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 
 " outfit 250 
 
 Female helpers 200 
 
 Travailing expenses 75 
 
 Books and tracts 30 00 
 
 Schools 200 00 
 
 Literature for home distribution 35 00 
 
 $4740 00 
 
 > 
 
 With regard to general success Mrs. March writes thus : — 
 
 " Five years of the union of the societies have proved 
 indeed that union is strength. We have seen most clearly 
 that the divine benediction has rested upon us, and to-day 
 with one heart and one voice we say, ' Now thanks be unto 
 God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ.' " 
 
 The presence of an addition to the Foreign staff of 
 workers rendered this meeting one of special interest. 
 Once more the Wolfville Society sent representatives, to 
 whom we ^nd the following reference : — 
 
 " The pleasing announcement was made that one hundred 
 dollars were sent to the Union, from Wolfville, as a thank- 
 offering, that the Lord had called three of their number, 
 and was about sending them forth to preach the gospel to 
 the Telugus in India." 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. W. Higgins and Miss Nettie Fitch were 
 warmly welcomed, their farewell words listened to by many 
 sympathising friends, and soon after, in the month of 
 
43 
 
 October, they were on their way to cheer the hearts of 
 those whose langmage might often have been thus expressed : 
 
 " Who will go forth for Him ? 
 
 Who will arise? 
 For eyes with tears are dim, 
 
 Severed love's ties. 
 Counting all things but loss, 
 Earth's highest gain but dross 
 And glorying in the cross. 
 
 Who will aries ?" 
 
 At the last election of office-bearers the resignation of 
 Mrs. Williams, who had ably filled the office of President since 
 the formation of the Union, was reluctantly accepted. 
 
 The names of the present Directors are as follows : - 
 
 MRS. J. W. MANNING, President, Halifax. 
 
 « J. PARSONS, Halifax,) 
 
 " G. 0. GATES, St. John, V Vice-Presidents. 
 
 " JOHN CLARK, P. E. I. j 
 
 " BOTSFORD SMITH, Treasurer, Amherst. 
 
 " JOHN MARCH, Cor. -Secretary, St. John. ' 
 
 Miss A. E. JOHNSTON, Dartmouth, ) p„^^,^^,,, 
 Mrs. EMMERSON, Dorchester, N. B., ^ ^.^r^^^^^^^^ 
 Miss M. E. DAVIES, P. E. I. j secretaries. 
 
 But while closing our last review, a shadow falls, as the 
 sad intelligence comes that one associated with this work 
 from the beginning, has " Entered into rest." 
 
 All who have noted the names of those connected with 
 the Executive Boards will have observed that Mrs. Selden 
 was Secretary of the N. S. Central Board, for many years 
 Treasurer also, and after the Union was formed. Provincial 
 Secretary. 
 
44 
 
 The important duties connected with these offices were 
 often performed under the pressure of delicate health ; but 
 sustained by ardent love to the work and an unfailing 
 native energy, our dear sister was enabled to continue them 
 till 1887, when her resignation is thus adverted to : — 
 
 "The resignation of Mrs. Selden, who had served the aid 
 societies so faithfully for 18 years as Secretary for Nova 
 Scotia, was read, stating that ill health prevents her from 
 continuing in the work which she so much loves It was 
 accepted with deep regret," 
 
 A few sentences selected from a beautiful tribute to Mrs. 
 Selden's memory, written by Miss A. E. Johnston, form the 
 most appropriate i-ecord that can be placed on these pages : 
 
 " She stood in the glorious shadow 
 Of the Father' house of love, 
 But she saw not the shining threshold 
 Where the Angel Watchmen move; 
 She heard not their.'garments faintly stir 
 As they opened the golden gates for her." 
 
 How seldom do we view death thus ! Instead of " a glori- 
 ous shadow," it is midnight darkness ; and instead of 'Angel 
 Watchmen," we see only the grim destroyer. And yet the 
 New Testament throws no such gloom around the " going 
 home" of the child of God. "Them that sleep in Jesus;'' 
 " He fell on sleep ;" " To depart and be with Christ ;" She 
 is not dead but sleepeth," is the only shadow which the 
 Bible casts around the departure of the Christian from this 
 world. It is because these mortal eyes of ours cannot pierce 
 the shadow even that we weep when the angel comes for 
 those we love. And it is because our " Father knows 
 our frame" that He does not chide our weeping. , \ 
 
 . 
 
45 
 
 Many tears have fallen during the last week as the news 
 was borne from one to another that the valued friend and 
 worker, the faithful counsellor to so many, had been 
 suddenly called . away, and yet with the tears there wa? 
 gladness — gladness that the long years of sutfering were 
 over; gladness because sh?. had had her wish; and had 
 been called suddenly " into light. 
 
 Early in 1870, if I mistake not, when Miss Norris had 
 come to Halifax prepared to start for India, it was in Mrs. 
 Selden's parlor that the first meeting was held, and plans 
 discussed, and from that day to this her interest in Foreign 
 Missions has never abated. Her home w^as always open to 
 our missionaries, her letters cheered them while at their 
 work, and no October came that did not find some little 
 token on its way to India, that our sisters might not feel 
 themselves forgotten at Christmas. Were they returning 
 home, how anxiously she watched and waited lest they 
 micfht miss a welcome at the first moment of landincr. 
 Surely we who are following on may learn a lesson from 
 her life here. 
 
 It was the same with regard to the societies'. She 
 watched over and worked for each and all, until her failing 
 health seemed as a message from her Master, telling her to 
 lav it down. In so far as she followed Christ, even so may 
 we follow her. 
 
 For us there remains a little while of toiling and of 
 praying and of serving. 
 
 For her — 
 
 " She took that night, ' 
 
 The one grand step beyond the stars of God, 
 Into the splendor shadowlesa and broad, 
 
 Into the everlasting joy and light." 
 
46 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Union in August, the 
 following resolution was passed : 
 
 " Whereas, It has pleased our heavenly 
 Father to remove from our midst one who 
 for so many years was engaged in this work 
 of extending our Saviour's kingdom in the 
 dark places of the earth, and whose interest 
 and earnest labor never flagged from its 
 inception ; 
 
 Therefore resolved, That we as a Union 
 place on record our deep gratitude to our 
 God for the long years of service which He 
 enabled her to give to this work, and for 
 the abundant entrance which we feel He has 
 granted her into His heavenly kingdom. 
 We also desire to place on record our deep 
 sense of our own loss, and our heartfelt 
 sympathy with her family in their irrepara- 
 ble loss." 
 
 I 
 
 Much might be said of earnest individual work, and 
 faithful workers. 
 
 Scattered through the length and breadth of these 
 Provinces are many whose untiring services have con- 
 tributed largely to the success of this enterprise. Their 
 names might well be honorably mentioned, but it seems 
 
more fitting to present a view of what has been accomplished 
 by united effort. 
 
 These retrospects give but an imperfect sketch of that 
 work with its results, and now we turn our eyes to the 
 fresh future and the fair unwritten page lying before us. 
 
 Some inspiring words taken from the last address of 
 Mr«. Williams as President of the Union, may well encourage 
 us in entering upon it : 
 
 " It has been given to Women's Foreign Missionary 
 Societies not only to stretc^ out a hand to rescue the perish- 
 ing in heathen lands, but also to gather forces that break 
 even now over our favored lands. Hearts that responded 
 years ago to the cry of the prison-bound women of India, 
 now go out towards those upon our own shores, who need 
 this same Jesus, and methods that have proved themselves 
 effective for the one objecu, are being successfully applied to 
 the other. Every department of Christian effort feels the 
 throb of a quickened life, and the sinning and suffering of 
 every age, grade, and class, are being helped and rescued. 
 Equipped as we are for work, and inspired as we should 
 be by success, shall we not take fresh courage and put on 
 new strength." 
 
 The foregoing Retrospect brings us to 1890. Early in 
 
 '91, while yet feeling more and more deeply the loss we 
 
 had sustained in June, 1890, another shadow falls upon us. 
 
 We quote from Miss Johnston's tribute published in 
 
 , the Link. ■ ■■_ ^^/^^■.,_'; a,. ^'[_':^:--. .■--...-. 
 
 : " Not more than six months ago, death entered the ranks 
 of the Executive Board of our W. B. M. A. and we mourned 
 
48 
 
 How that Aid Society will miss her ! She never let 
 anything but illness keep her away. To her that one hour 
 a month of prayer was sacred to the Master. She was 
 always in her place. She was also President of the Nova 
 Scotia Central Board until the Union was formed,since which 
 
 , 
 
 as the tidings reached us that Mrs. Selden had been called 
 
 away. And now we seem scarcely to have turned from her 
 
 grave when we are called upon to part with another of our ( 
 
 leaders. It all seems so unreal, so impossible, that we can 
 
 hardly grasp the fact, even though we write the words, 
 
 " Mrs. Parsons is dead." She looked so well and strong, 
 
 you would have said she had many years of service here ; 
 
 we needed her so much in the Union, the church needed 
 
 her so much, her family needed her so much, and yet God 
 
 called her. One week full of loving service, the next a 
 
 little cold, and then such agony, that even those who loved 
 
 her most, prayed " Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." 
 
 " Such sad news," we say : 
 
 "And the heart sheds forth weak tears, 
 ■J ' V Our foolish eyes through their own mists dim, k?;. 
 
 Cannot see the resting joy of Him V :« ' . 
 
 Who treads with her the golden way, 
 
 Where the star-lamps pale in the passing ray, 
 • And the throne uplifted nears." 
 
 We have need indeed to turn our eyes from the agony/ 
 the grave, the loss, up to where the "Glory dwelleth in ■ 
 
 Immanuel's land," else how could we bear, and still live on \ 
 
 and work. 
 
 Mrs. Parsons was one of the original members of the W. 
 M. A. Society of the North Baptist Church, Halifax, (where 
 she resided), she was also one of the managing committee 
 until 1873, when she was made President, which office she 
 has held most of the time until her death. 
 
 .', 
 
49 
 
 time she has been ^''^ce-President for Nova Scotia. She 
 was also chairwoma.* of the committee on Home Missions, 
 so that in everythinfif she was closely identified with the 
 work. Active, earnest, devoted, cheerful, and faithful ; 
 each one of these may be fitly applied to her from the 
 beginning to the end. Even when dying she .spoke of the 
 W. M. A. Society meeting held a few days before, asking 
 about it, and speaking of each sister with whom she had 
 been connected in the work, adding that she had never 
 thought of leaving them so soon, but the Lord knows best, 
 and she hoped to meet them all. And so we leave her — 
 her own words " the Lord knows best," hushing each 
 murmur. 
 
 The Union at their Annual Meeting in August 1891, 
 placed on record the following resolution : — 
 
 I _^ ' f 
 
 Wliereas, since our last annual meeting 
 the Master has seen fit to remove from 
 amonjj us one of our most active workers, 
 Mrs. J. Parsons, calling her suddenly from 
 service here ; 
 
 Therefore resolved, that we as a Union 
 place on record our deep sense of our loss, 
 praying that we who remain may hear in 
 this bereavement the call to ivork, for the 
 niffht cometh. 
 
 I 
 
 Thus sadly must terminate this brief sketch of the rise 
 and progrec^s of the Women's Missionary Aid Societies of 
 the Maritime Provinces. 
 
 " God buries His workmen but carries on His work." 
 
 1^.