Life and Work in Benares and Kumaon, 1839-1877Kennedy, James
History
Life and Work in Benares and Kumaon, 1839-1877
Kennedy, James
India -- Description and travel; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947 -- Biography; Missionaries; Missions -- India
The principal change during this period was the greater attention given
to the European population. Before 1857 the English-speaking population
of Benares was very small, and as there was always an English chaplain
at the place, and our Baptist brethren kept up an English service, our
Mission did very little in this department. For a time we had an English
service one evening in the week, but owing to the weakness of the
Mission, and the pressing demands of native work, this had been given
up. After the Mutiny the English-speaking population was largely
increased by English soldiers, and persons connected with the Public
Works. It was deemed incumbent on us to do something for our own
countrymen, whose spiritual need was manifest to all. On this account
English services on the Lord's Day were commenced. For a time two such
services were held, one in the Mission chapel, and another in the
schoolroom of the cavalry barracks. On the withdrawal of the cavalry
this second service was discontinued. The service on the Lord's Day
morning or forenoon in the Mission chapel has been steadily kept on till
this time, has been generally well attended, and has been, I believe,
productive of much good.
As the Rev. William Moody Blake, who joined the Mission in 1858, took
the superintendence of the Central School, and with occasional
assistance conducted the English services, the work among the native
women and girls was left to be carried on by my wife, to which she had
given her heart and strength from the time she became a member of the
Mission in 1839, while I had the principal charge of evangelistic work
among the heathen, and of ministering to the native Christians.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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