As Mr. Banerjee[1] sat talking with her father, Hannah bent over her needlework, taking pleasure in creating embroidery for a pair of slippers.
The visitor glanced Hannah’s way and couldn’t help but notice her handiwork—the stunning colors, beautiful pattern, and exceptional workmanship.
“Forgive me, Mohashoya” (respected lady), he said. “I must say your needlework is of superb quality. Might you be able to teach my wife how it is done? You could come to my home, perhaps once a week?”
Hannah caught her breath. In that instant, God answered a two-decade prayer of her missionary family, serving in India in the 1800s.
Calcutta, near the northeastern border
Hannah had been born in Calcutta in 1826, and learned to speak the Bengali language fluently. By age twelve she was assisting her mother with the school they operated in their garden, taking responsibility for the younger students.
A deep passion began to grow within her for those who did not know Jesus, who lived without hope, peace, and joy.
In 1845, Hannah married Rev. Dr. Mullens, another missionary. Together they ministered to the citizens of Calcutta. She founded a boarding school for girls where they learned how to read and write, sew and embroider. They also studied the Bible.
But their ministry to many of the women was hampered by the Hindu custom of confining them to the inner rooms of their homes, the zenana. Outer rooms were reserved for men and guests.
Women were considered helpless and beneath men, so they weren’t sent to school. Fathers arranged the marriages, often to a husband unknown by the bride. Many men practiced polygamy.
Within the zenanas, ill-treatment and neglect were prevalent. If on rare occasion these women went out in public, they had to be completely covered from head to toe.
Few opportunities presented themselves to tell them about Jesus.
But that afternoon, as Mr. Banerjee asked Hannah to teach his wife embroidery, she saw the grand opportunity God was providing. Before long, the sewing lessons with Mrs. Banerjee were accompanied by dialogue about Christ and what he offers.
Soon another opportunity presented itself. An acquaintance of the family, an Indian doctor, passed away, and Hannah went to visit his daughter.
To her delight, Hannah discovered the young woman to be highly intelligent. Her father hadn’t followed the zenana customs and had provided a tutor.
“Might you be willing to start a school for other young women?” Hannah asked. Before long, twenty young women were gathering to learn how to read and write, and to hear about Jesus. Hannah presided over the school.
Through gracious diplomacy, she gained access to other zenanas. Hannah’s mother assisted with the work.
Another woman became director of the boarding school, so Hannah could expand her ministry in the zenanas. At one time, she provided spiritual care for eighty women and seventy girls [2].
Nine years previously, Hannah had written a book for Bengali Christian women. In 1861 she began another book–this time for the women of the zenanas. But Hannah became ill and did not recover. She was thirty-five years old.
Some would question God’s decision. “Her ministry had just begun!” they’d say. But scripture explains God’s view. All the days ordained for Hannah, set before even one of them came to be, had undoubtedly been fulfilled (Psalm 139:16).
Many mourned the death of Hannah LaCroix Mullens, including 150 Christian converts from Hinduism who attended her funeral with their families.
Thirty-three years later, Rev. E. M. Wherry listed the following statistics for the Zenana, Bible and Medical Mission (established in 1880):
The mission “has 73 European missionaries and assistants, 54 Bible-women, and 149 native Christian teachers and nurses. It sustains 67 schools, with 2,554 pupils and three normal schools with 115 students training for mission work” [3].
Imagine Hannah’s joy to see these women (and perhaps thousands more) enter heaven, the ripple effect from that first visit with Mrs. Banerjee.
[1] Actual name unknown.
[2] Diane Lynn Severance, Her-Story, 247.
[3] From Women in Missions, American Tract Society, 1894, p. 117 (available online).
Sources:
Diana Lynn Severance, Her-Story, 247.
Image credits: http://www.needpix.com; http://www.ndla.no; http://www.canva.com (2).
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Such an inspirational story. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Cathy. Such stories inspire me too!
Hannah made an incalculable difference reaching out to the women of India and showing them the love of Jesus in ways that we, in modern society, take for granted. I’m so inspired by her story, Nancy. Thanks for sharing another pillar of the faith with us here today. Blessings!
You’re welcome, Martha. Learning about such heroines as Hannah Mullens reminds me to never give up praying and stay alert for divine opportunities. I also find it interesting how often the ripple effect from a life often occurs after the person graduates to heaven. We never need to give up hope, confident in the fulfillment of God’s plan in his good time (Romans 8:28).
God’s mysterious but beautiful economy. Wonderful account, Nancy!
Thank you, Mitch. Love that phrase, “God’s mysterious but beautiful economy.” One of the things I’m looking forward to in heaven is being wowed by the beautiful stories of how God has worked behind the scenes in history, mysteriously interweaving lives and events to accomplish great things, without any of us being aware at the time. He gives us a few glimpses, as in this story of Hannah Mullens, to whet our appetites!
Beautiful story Nancy. Thank you. Yet another HIStory we so often never see the unwritten chapters of until someday in Glory.
Be blessed and …
Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!
HISstory indeed, Fred! Won’t it be glorious to hear the stories from the unwritten chapters, once we get to heaven? No doubt that alone with offer great pleasure for eons of time!
What a beautiful story of our God at work. DeMaries says “when you can’t see His hand, trust His heart”. All will be revealed in due time
Oh yes, I well remember the Babby Mason song from 2001 with those lyrics! Won’t it be delightful to learn how each of God’s choices–puzzling to us now–will make perfect sense in due time, when we’re finally home with him in heaven!
What a beautiful and amazing story of God’s leading. We should never underestimate what – and who – God will use to accomplish His work. I love these true stories you share with us, Nancy. They are so encouraging!
AMEN, Patty! And I want you to know: YOU are living one of those beautiful and amazing stories. I can see a wonderful ripple effect from your life, as MANY witness your continuing care and support of Aaron, your perseverance and faithfulness, your reliance upon God. You have impacted and inspired ME. / I’m so glad you enjoy these stories and are encouraged by them. I have plans for this to be the year I submit a collection of them to several small publishers and perhaps an agent or two. It’s VERY competitive out there. May try to self-publish in the end. We’ll see where God leads!
What an inspiring story! Hannah was so faithful with her witness, and God did not let his work return void. In our “currency,” she died too young. In God’s calculations, she died in the fullness of time. To God be the glory!
Well said and AMEN, Linda!
It’s inspiring to read how Hannah shared her faith and advocated for the education of women. This was a wonderful story. Thanks, Nancy. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. I’m so glad you found Hannah’s story to be inspiring. She inspires me too!
What an amazing story of a life well lived. I love the photo of the needlework, too. I think it is Creweling, which I used to do. Beautiful
You’re right, Sue! That needlework IS crewel embroidery. I couldn’t find a suitable image of standard embroidery with thread, so included this one. I’ve tried my hand at both also, back in the day. Nowadays as a blogger, I spend more time with my computer than with an embroidery hoop!
So inspiring!
I’m so glad you found inspiration in Hannah’s story, Dana!
Nancy, I love when you share these stories. They are so encouraging and inspirational. The groundwork and the foundation was laid for those who followed to water and God did the increase! My niece serves on the mission field in Asia. She and her husband are faithfully planting seeds!
Oh yes, thank you for alluding to the scripture about planting and watering, with God providing the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). A perfect addition to this post! And praise God for your niece and her husband, serving him in Asia. May God provide the increase for their work as well! / I’m so glad you find encouragement and inspiration in these stories, Pam. As I told Patty above, I have plans for this to be the year I submit a collection of them to several small publishers and perhaps an agent or two. It’s VERY competitive out there. May try to self-publish in the end. We’ll see where God leads!