faith

– Missionary to East Bengal (Now Bangladesh)

Ellen Arnold was one of the five young Australian Baptist women who served as missionaries in East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) during the British rule in India. All five were single and in their twenties, and their mission was to share the message of the true God with the people of India, especially women.

Biography:

• Born: 1858
• Died (Home Calling): 1931
• Birthplace: Warwickshire, England
• Mission Field: India

Although Ellen was born in England, her family moved to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1879. She worked as a teacher there. Around that time, Punchanon Biswas from the Faridpur Mission in East Bengal visited South Australia. He encouraged the churches to send women missionaries to India, believing that Indian women needed guidance and care from other women. His visit deeply inspired Ellen to dedicate her life to missionary work.

Ellen Arnold’s Ministry in India
After receiving short medical training, Ellen traveled to Faridpur, India, in 1882 and began learning the local language. However, due to serious health issues, she had to return to Australia in 1884. Her strong desire to serve God led her back to Bengal in 1885, accompanied by four other women missionaries.

These five women were lovingly called “The Five Barley Loaves,” symbolizing the miracle of Jesus feeding thousands with five loaves and two fishes — as they too brought spiritual nourishment to the people of India.

Ellen managed medical, educational, and construction projects in Faridpur before moving to Cumilla in 1886, where she started a new mission station. Later, she served in Pabna and Ataikola, preaching the Gospel and setting up schools and small health centers to help the community. The local people admired and respected her for her love and dedication.

After a short visit to Australia in 1930, Ellen returned to Ataikola. She continued her mission work faithfully until her passing in 1931.

Ellen Arnold’s life was a beautiful example of faith, courage, and selfless service to God and people.

– The Father of Lepers

Wellesley Bailey was a young Irish man who came to India in 1869, looking for a job and a new beginning. During his training as a teacher, he saw for the first time how terrible leprosy could be. Until then, he had only read about leprosy and “lepers” in Bible stories. Seeing the suffering, poor living conditions, and loneliness of people with leprosy deeply touched his heart.

Biography:

• Birth: 28 April 1846
• Death: 1937
• Country: Ireland
• Place of Vision: India and many other nations

Bailey once wrote, “If there was ever a Christ-like work in the world, it was to go among these poor sufferers and bring them the comfort of the gospel.”

At that time, there was no cure for leprosy. So, Wellesley and his wife, Alice, went back to Ireland to tell people about the painful lives of those suffering in India. They raised awareness and encouraged others to pray and give financial support.

In 1874, with the help of supporters, they started “The Mission to Lepers”, now known as The Leprosy Mission, to help those affected by the disease in India. By the end of the 1870s, their mission cared for about 100 people suffering from leprosy. Bailey also helped other missionaries by guiding them in administration and financial work.

As his ministry grew, letters came from other parts of the world—places like China, New Zealand, and Australia—asking for help. His compassion and service inspired many, and the mission spread globally, bringing healing, dignity, and love to leprosy-affected people.

Wellesley Bailey strongly believed in the power of prayer. He said that prayer was the foundation of his mission and the reason for its success. His lifelong dream was to care for those suffering from leprosy. Because of his love, dedication, and faith, he is lovingly remembered as “The Father of Lepers.”