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Wellesley became a Christian in 1866, aged 20 ,just before he departed Ireland for Australia. His efforts failed and he returned to Ireland. On his return his father urged him to find something worthwhile to do.

He next sailed to India to join his brother who was an officer in the army. He intended to learn Hindu and become a policeman.

In India he noticed the great needs of the poor people around him and wondered if God wanted him to become a missionary. He was accepted by American Presbyterian Mission (APM) to be a teacher in Ambala.

The Rev, Dr, J, H. Morrison. the leader of the mission took him to leper asylum.
If ever was a Christ -like work in this world it was to go among these poor sufferers and bring them the consolation of the gospel, Wellesley concluded.

He made frequent visits to the asylum. As a result of his caring ministry sufferers were converted and baptised.

In 1871 he was joined by Alice Grahame, his future wife. In 1873 they returned to Ireland due to her poor health.

In Dublin he spoke about his work. The Pim sisters plus others offered to support his work. An account for* Lepers in India* was opened.

He joined the Church of Scotland Missionary Society (CSMS). Returned to India in 1875 with his wife to work at Chamba in the foothills of the Himalayas. in 1879 they moved to Wazirabad. By this time he had emerged as the driving force behind efforts to provide adequate care for leprosy sufferers.

A permanent structure was needed. When he returned to UK in 1885 he became the first Secretary, based in Edinburgh.

1886/7 the Bailey’s made first tour of India.

In 1889 Father Damien, the founder/leader on the leper island of Molokai, died. As a result Wellsley’s Mission work was also brought to the attention of the public. ( See separate profile on Father Damien)

1913/4 the Bailey’s made their last tour.

The Mission to Lepers continued to expand. Wellesley retired/resigned in 1917, aged 71
God does not make the burdens heavy. he makes them light, I have had his blessing in carrying it on and he has fitted the back to the burden. WB

Wellesley died in 1937 aged 91.
The Mission has been born and cradled in prayer. It has been brought up
on prayer. It has been nourished on prayer, and prayer has been at the bottom of the success since the first moments of its life WB

In 1994 it was estimated that there were 12 million lepers but only 3 million have received treatment to arrest the disease and prevent deformity.
70 Great Christians by Geoffrey Hanks
Sources
Wikipedia
70 Great Christians (pages 206-10)