WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
"At first, in visiting the zenanas with Miss Smith, it was a great pleasure to me to note the good that was being done, and which was evident from the joy shown by the women in welcoming the ladies. Everything was full of interest, as I had never been among Mohammedans before. Their dress, manners, houses, are all very different from what I had seen in Tinnevelly amongst the Hindus and Brahmins. It struck me that these women are more affectionate, but—they have not the least idea of cleanliness!
"The children are dear, affectionate, little things, with bright black eyes; clothes of all colours cover their dirty little forms, they often wear red, blue, green, and purple together. But it does not look at all amiss on them, in fact, it is rather becoming to their dark skins. They are willing and anxious to learn, though not particularly bright, and they seem to look forward with very much interest to the daily half-hour Scripture lessons. The Word of God thus sown in the hearts of these children cannot be in vain."[1]
A proportion of missionary testimony must always be regarded with caution. Religious bias frequently tinges the statements to he found in the literature of all missions. This is inevitable. If we start with the postulate that an alien faith is "heathen," or "abominable," or "degrading," we are bound to exaggerate the evils, while we miss the benefits of the creed.
After reading missionary reports, one might reach the conclusion that Mohammedans are sheer barbarians, believing and practising a religion only adapted to low and ignorant savages. Such a view would be grotesque and grossly unfair. I have given
- ↑ "India's Women," Vol. XII.
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