The American Missionary. Volume 43, No. 05, May, 1889

But God dealt with him and afflicted him in the loss of his babes, and of his stock, so that he said, "It seems as though I could acquire nothing. Explain it to me; the Indians say it is because I follow your teaching." I taught him from the book of Job, and the words of Christ. His soul was hungry, and when he came once in two weeks for his government rations, he sought the bread of life at the mission. Finally, after nearly eight years, one summer day he came and sat on a bench in the shade of the house in a little flower garden, and after we had talked awhile, he said to the missionary: "Good Voice, now I can; I will be faithful to my own wife, I will keep Sunday, I will pray and avoid the dances and other heathen customs; when you think best I will come down and be received into the church." That was a glad moment. To clasp the hand of the first Gros-Ventre brother in Christ, won through a strange tongue and from a people who had sat in darkness for eighteen hundred years since the great light shone in Galilee!

I said, "Bring your wife and friends with you to Christ." He went home but soon returned, saying sorrowfully: "My wife and my friends are none of them willing. If I join I think it must be alone." "Well," I said, "let it be so," and it was. His clothes were second-hand and old, and he had no natural attractiveness of appearance; but in a simple, manly, determined way, he made his confession and was baptized before an audience of Indians in the little mission chapel, (July, 1887), a poor Indian, but another Daniel standing alone.

Then, as the man of Gergesa, he went home to tell his neighbors what God had done for him. He had a Bible in Dakota, of which language he understood something, and a few Gros-Ventre translations in writing, and some attempts at hymns, and some pictures. With these he preached, in neighbors' houses, and then he would report to me of his reception, and ask me questions about the Christian life. A veritable man "Friday" had come to me; I was no longer alone. Then why did his health fail, and he forty miles away where I could not see him? But so God willed. Soon they brought me the word: Your friend has gone. I gathered up his last words, questioning his wife and lame old father. He wanted to see his friend and tell him some things. He thought he did see him come in and then go out before he could speak. He said, "I thought it was difficult, but I joined with those who pray, and I find now it is only a short way. I am going above." With his last breath and his Bible open, he asked to be shown the way, that he might go in it.

The influence of a genuine life is strongest at home, and so it comes that the wife is seeking to follow her husband. There are other converts with us now, but we shall never forget this first Gros-Ventre "friend," (madakina); and although the story of his life is not a peculiar one to white men, nay for that very reason, we are glad to write this record of a once lowly, but now glorified, believer.

THE CHINESE

LOS ANGELES CONGREGATIONAL CHINESE MISSION

BY REV. ROBERT G. HUTCHINS

Our First Church has recently enjoyed two peculiarly impressive occasions; one the anniversary on the 17th of last month, of the Chinese school, established by Dr. Pond; the other the reception, on the 3d instant, of six Chinese brethren to church membership. To appreciate the significance of these scenes, one must remember how contemptuous is the prejudice which prevails on this coast against these inoffensive strangers.

Nine or ten young Chinamen delivered addresses at the anniversary. They spoke with remarkable simplicity, perspicuity and accuracy of English pronunciation. In view of their perfect self-possession and propriety of manner in the presence of the crowded congregation, one could scarcely realize that nearly all of them were utterly inexperienced in public speaking. The success of these humble representatives gave a hint of the possibilities of a Christianized China. One of the speakers gave an account of the conversion, sickness, death and Christian burial of a member of the school, a youth of eighteen. The heathen relatives and friends had attributed the illness to the boy's desertion of the religion of his fathers, and had begged him to allow the burning of idolatrous incense. But he had calmly resisted their appeals, and, in an alien land, far from his father and mother, had pillowed his dying head on the breast of the Saviour of mankind.

Low Quong, who superintends the mission, and who is true-hearted, prudent and influential with his countrymen, showed with clearness, the relation between the conversion of the Chinese in California and the evangelization of China. It was news to many of his hearers that the Christian Chinese of America are supporting native missionaries of their own in China.

The recitation by the school in concert of some of the sweetest and most familiar of the Psalms and Scriptural promises, melted the hearts of the hearers into sympathy. The old truths borrowed a new tenderness and emphasis from these voices accustomed to recite heathen prayers. The pupils sang in solo, in duet and in chorus. When "Over the Ocean Wave" was rendered, some of us queried in our minds on which side of the ocean wave God thinks the poor heathen live—the side from which these gentle friends have come, or the side where their countrymen receive such unchristian welcome?

Nothing could more effectually knock in the head mean prejudice than the grateful words and kind spirit which characterized this anniversary. Whatever may be the prospect of the Chinese over-running us, they certainly had us that Sunday evening. Mrs. Sheldon, who has had large experience in the work, and Miss Watson, are devoting themselves to the mission with a beautiful fidelity and consecration.

Dr. Pond, who conducted the anniversary service, closed with an address only too brief, but most felicitous and convincing. To the opponents of Chinese immigration he is accustomed to reply: "Can there be any better way of keeping the Chinese at home than to have it known among the fathers in China that their sons, if they come to this country, are likely to be Christianized?"

Nothing could be sweeter or more cordial than the spirit of welcome with which the six Chinese brethren were received into covenant. Not an officer or member breathed an objection to their reception. Had there been in any heart any lurking Phariseeism concerning them, it would have been rebuked, if not exorcised, by hearing them sing with us at the Lord's table, in broken accents, "Rock of Ages," by observing their devout bearing and by witnessing the affecting baptismal scene. These brethren came to the church approved by Dr. Pond, by the Chinese missionary, Low Quong, and by the vote of the Christian Association, and after an examination by the pastor.

BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK

MISS D.E. EMERSON, SECRETARY

WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS

CO-OPERATING WITH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION

ME.—Woman's Aid to A.M.A.,

Chairman of Committee, Mrs. C.A. Woodbury, Woodfords, Me.

VT.—Woman's Aid to A.M.A.,

Chairman of Committee, Mrs. Henry Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt.

VT.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. Ellen Osgood, Montpelier, Vt.

CONN.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. S.M. Hotchkiss, 171 Capitol Ave., Hartford, Conn.

MASS. and R.I.—Woman's Home Miss. Association,

Secretary, Miss Natalie Lord, Boston, Mass.1

N.Y.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. William Spalding, Salmon Block, Syracuse, N.Y.

ALA.—Woman's Missionary Union,

Secretary, Miss. S.S. Evans, Birmingham, Ala.

MISS.—Woman's Miss. Union,

Secretary, Miss Sarah J. Humphrey. Tougaloo, Miss.

TENN. and ARK.—Woman's Missionary Union of Central South Conference,

Secretary, Miss Anna M. Cahill, Nashville, Tenn.

LA.—Woman's Miss. Union,

Secretary, Miss Jennie Fyfe, 490 Canal St., New Orleans. La.

OHIO.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin, Ohio.

IND.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. W.E. Mossman, Fort Wayne, Ind.

ILL.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. C.H. Taintor, 151 Washington St., Chicago, Ill.

MINN.—Woman's Home Miss. Society,

Secretary, Miss Katharine Plant, 2651 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.

IOWA.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Miss Ella E. Marsh, Grinnell, Iowa.

KANSAS.—Woman's Home Miss. Society,

Secretary, Mrs. G.L. Epps. Topeka, Kan.

MICH.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. Mary B. Warren, Lansing, Mich.

WIS.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. C. Matter, Brodhead, Wis.

NEB.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. L.F. Berry, 734 N Broad St., Fremont, Neb.

COLORADO.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

Secretary, Mrs. S.M. Packard, Pueblo, Colo.

DAKOTA—Woman's Home Miss. Union,

President, Mrs. T.M. Hills, Sioux Falls;

Secretary, Mrs. W.R. Dawes, Redfield;

Treasurer, Mrs. S.E. Fifield, Lake Preston.

We would suggest to all ladies connected with the auxiliaries of State Missionary Unions, that funds for the American Missionary Association be sent to us through the treasurers of the Union. Care, however, should be taken to designate the money as for the American Missionary Association, since undesignated funds will not reach us.

The Woman's Home Missionary Association, which has its office in the Congregational House in Boston, held its semi-annual meeting in Providence, April 3d, the first since it has come into co-operation with the American Missionary Association in its administration and with the other national benevolent societies. Rev. G.A. Hood represented the Congregational Union, Rev. Joshua Coit, the American Home Missionary Society, Rev. J.A. Hamilton, D.D., the College and Education Society, Rev. C.J. Ryder, the American Missionary Association, and the Rev. G.M. Boynton, D.D., the Congregational Sunday-school and Publishing Society. These all expressed their sympathy with the closer alliance of the Woman's Association with the national societies through which they have elected to work, and to which they have committed the administration of their benevolence in their respective fields. We cordially welcome the Woman's Home Missionary Association as the representative of the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the sisterhood of co-operative societies.

At the meeting of the Woman's Missionary Association of Alabama, held in connection with the Congregational Conference at Mobile, April 1st, the Constitution was amended, enlarging the sphere of work to cover both home and foreign missions, and thus we have the "Woman's Missionary Union of the State of Alabama." The actual working of this woman's organization had already been varied. It was most interesting at their meeting to hear the reports of the auxiliaries. All reported aid to their respective churches and relief to the destitute in their parishes, and then their contributions took other directions—to the American Missionary Association for its Indian work; to the American Board for a girl in Smyrna; for a Hindoo girl; for work in South Africa; to the Home Missionary Society for work in the West. Thus these churches in the South are being trained to a world-wide interest in missions.

THREE NEW ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SOUTH

A Woman's Missionary Union for the State of Louisiana was organized in connection with the Congregational Association of the State. The meeting of ladies was well attended, and the interest was manifested in their hearty response in favor of joining the sisterhood of State Unions. The officers of the Union were selected from both the white and colored churches, the church at Hammond being thus represented.

At the annual meeting of the General Association of Congregational churches of Mississippi, which met at Tougaloo, March 28th, a Woman's Missionary Union was organized. Mrs. A.V. Whiting was chosen President, Miss Julia Sauntry, Chairman of the Executive Committee, and Miss S.J. Humphrey, Secretary. Although it is but a small beginning, we hope the day is not far distant when Mississippi will take her place with other States in missionary work.

The Woman's Missionary Union of the Central South Conference was organized April 13th, at Knoxville, Tenn.; Secretary, Miss Anna M. Cahill, of Nashville.

OUR YOUNG FOLKS

HOW THE PENNIES GREW

Not the pennies that lay hidden away in the bank, nor the pennies that were spent for candy. O no; but the honest, hard-working pennies that had a work to do and the heart to do it.

These work-a-day pennies fell into the hands of a mission band called "Willing Workers." It was in the summer-time when they began to stir about and see what they could do for missions, and when winter came along there was a pleasant little festival, and the pennies came together, and brought just as many with them as they possibly could.

For these were "talent" pennies, and they had been invested for the Lord. One of the very pleasant features of the festival was the reading of little papers, telling how the pennies grew. And we are going to let the children see some of these very papers. For all this is exactly true, and took place in a pleasant village in the State of New York.

About ten dollars grew out of a little more than twenty pennies. We have not room to publish all the little papers, telling how the pennies grew into dollars, though all are of great interest. In some cases the original penny was invested, and then turned over and over. This is an instance:

"With the original cent I bought some darning-cotton and darned stockings, some for a cent a stocking, but most of them for a cent a hole. I then bought thread and crocheted some lace which I sold for 25 cents. I hemmed two aprons for 5 cents apiece, and some towels for one cent apiece. Afterward, I bought another card of darning-cotton. After paying for the thread and cotton, I have left the sum of one dollar.– PHEBE."

"Rosie," who brought in $1.66, says nothing about her penny, but tells how she earned money, as: "Hitching up horse for grandpa, 10 cents; topping carrots, 12 cents; keeping the fowls off the wheat, 25 cents; sweeping, 17 cents," etc., all showing honest, hard work. But the penny started it all, perhaps.

Here is "Nellie's," with an idea in it:

"With my penny I bought a pen and holder, and sold it for 10 cents. I dug a pailful of potatoes for 3 cents, and mended a hole in grandpa's sock for one cent. I then bought a little chicken for 5 cents, and let it grow into a big chicken, and sold it for 36 cents, making a total of 50 cents."

Well done for Nellie!

Only one more of these charming little papers can we give in full, though we should love to have our little readers see every one of them.

"The first thing I did with my penny, I made some edging which I sold for 10 cents; then I sewed it on for 5 cents, which made 15. Then mamma said if I killed 15 flies she would give me a penny, and so I earned 14 cents in that way. Then I had 29 cents. I then took away 25 cents and bought some ice-cream, and sold it for 8 cents a dish, and received 48 cents for it. Now I had 52 cents. Then I took 8 cents away from it for some linen, and 4 cents for some braid, with which I made some lace and sold it for 70 cents, which leaves me $1.11. Then I sold some flowers for 14 cents, making $1.25. This is what I did with my penny.—LIBBIE."

"Freddie" and "Tusie," little brother and sister of Libbie, did well with their pennies. Tusie increased hers to 35 cents, while Freddie's grew to 48 cents. Each of these little people gathered all the string they could find and made it up into balls, which they sold.

"Meda" made a ruche for grandma, crocheted lace, and speculated in butter, gaining in all 66 cents.

"Davie," Meda's brother, found a generous customer in grandpa, who bought a pen-holder and then gave it back to be sold over again. Davie also speculated in tallow, and increased his penny to 50 cents.

"Helen" invested in a penny tablet, sold it for 3 cents, and crept up by degrees to the place where she could buy material for an apron which she sold for 35 cents. She made another apron and a tidy, and cleared 55 cents.

"Lulu" bought a penny rubber and sold it for 2 cents, bought darning cotton, pins, cloth for apron, etc., and increased her penny to 50 cents.

The pennies have been growing, and that is good. But love has been growing too, in these young hearts, and that is better!

May the "Willing Worker" bands multiply all over our great land!

S.S. ADVOCATE.

RECEIPTS FOR MARCH, 1889

H.W. HUBBARD, Treasurer,56 Reade St., N.Y.

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May, 1889, by Various

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