| Summary: |
Almost all of the correspondence in these 29 files were written by John Gordon Bennett or his wife Dorothy. There are a few letters received from family members and colleagues and the files do occasionally have circular letters written by members of the mission. As a broad distinction the letters written by John Gordon Bennett tend to contain more information on the work of the mission whilst his wife's letters tend to contain more information on family matters. Both of them write almost exclusively to John's parents, Edith and Joseph Bennett.
The letters contain a great deal of information on the domestic life of their family in India as well as information on family and friends elsewhere (particularly during the First World War). Matters discussed include the birth of children, health, holidays, furlough arrangements, their return to England, etc. Occasionally similar matters are mentioned regarding colleagues. Broader more global matters are sometimes touched on as well, again particularly with regard to the First World War (including Rev Bennett's own letters written during the Mesopotamia campaign).
Much of the focus of the letters is in updating their family on their and their colleagues' missionary work, mainly in and around Medak, India. This includes evangelism work, educational work (especially with regard to the theological institution), the development of the mission including the impact of the mass movement, the increase in mission facilities (notably the opening of the new church in 1925). They also mention the challenges to the mission and the local population caused by famine, drought and disease (notably Cholera) as well as commenting on the caste system, other religions, church union in South India and occasionally the political situation (such as Gandhi's campaigns). John Gordon Bennett periodically mentions his involvement with the Boy Scouts movement as well.
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