The American Missionary. Volume 44, No. 06, June, 1890

"What are your people making such a noise for?" was asked of a Chinese brother at Ventura, during the Chinese New Year's Festival. "To scare away the evil spirits," was the reply. "And why don't you scare them away?" was the next question, for all was quiet at our little mission house, "Evil spirits stay away when Holy Spirit comes," was the reply. I am not confident that I recall the exact words, but I have certainly given the idea, and it meant emancipation for the man that uttered it, an entrance into the liberty wherewith Christ makes us free.

"When I get discouraged, as I often do," writes a teacher, "I think of the five who are studying the Testament, and of a remark one of them made to me, 'I love Jesus more all the time when I read about him.'" This brother took his religion with him to China, and brought it back unharmed.

One of the brethren worked in a hotel where to specially toilsome service was added a treatment far from kind. He said to his teacher that he remembered how much Jesus had to bear and so he "had patient." The wages received he spoke of as the "hardest money" he had earned since coming to California, and so he took part of it to buy a nice Bible. An American said scoffingly to him: "Are you one of the Christian Chinamen?" "Yes," he replied. "I love Jesus; I am not ashamed that I love Jesus."

One of our Santa Barbara brethren rents quite a tract of land, much of which he devotes to the culture of small fruits. On a visit to his place a year or two ago, friends saw strawberry plants heavily laden with luscious looking fruit so arranged in front of our brother's door as to spell out this sentence, "God loves the earth."

"It seems," said Jee Gam once, "as though I could recall his very words, and hear the tones of his voice as he prayed for the conversion of his countrymen." It was the closing prayer of a gospel service among the Chinese in Oakland. The brother who offered it was a Chinese merchant of that city. Two days afterwards he was shot in his own store by a Chinaman because he refused to submit to blackmail. A policeman hastened to the spot and saw him die, and testified in court that his last words were those of prayer to our true God; this testimony, though given probably by an ungodly man, being such as to draw tears from many who listened. Yet some say there are no real Christian Chinamen; that you can't convert a Chinaman; that they are throughout a race of hypocrites.

It may not be safe to say every month without exception, though that is the impression made upon me, but it is certainly safe to say almost every month brings some report to me of pupils beginning to believe in Jesus and professing their faith in him. This extract from a letter will serve as an example: "I have some very good news for you concerning my scholars. Two of them have promised to join the Association [i.e. of Christian Chinese] next week. One of them I have been praying for especially, for nearly a year.... There are three more who, I trust, are born of God, but are not yet brave enough to take a stand for him. One says his brother will kill him if he joins in Christ's name." And here is a word from another teacher: "Five of the brethren unite with the church at the coming communion. I do not feel that this is through my effort, as I have not known how to work individually. It is the Lord that 'giveth the increase.' Two of them have been ready to come into the church for a long time. The others show their conversion by face and manner as well as by testimony and prayer."

I fear that I have exhausted my space, though I am far from the end of possible "jottings." I will close with a few sentences from a letter received from a Chinese Christian living at a roadside tavern beyond Oroville. "Since I am determined to be a Christian, has very much surprised my elder brother. When he heard about I join the Association he make a great deal of trouble to me. Then I ask our brothers to pray for that matter, till one day I go and entreat him; also, tell him all about the gospel of Christ how good for us and redeem us from our sins. Then he said, 'Do not talk such things to me; we are Chinese; must keep our customs.' I say, 'I cannot keep anything wrong; idol worship is against God. Four thousand years ago our Chinese population have no idol to worship. Don't you search a thing before you keep it?' Then he answer: 'If good then you keep it,' and then I received baptism; then do no more persecution to me afterwards." This extract merely hints at facts which, if related, would show that for our Chinese Christians at least, the days that try men's souls are not yet past.

BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK

MISS D.E. EMERSON, SECRETARY

The thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Woman's Missionary Union of Alabama met with the Congregational Church in Marion, March 31. This Union has contributed during the year to the A.M.A. for Indian work, to the A.H.M.S. for Bohemian work, besides aiding a missionary in China, and one in South Africa. All the auxiliaries have also done good work in aiding the churches and the poor in their respective localities. The meeting was pleasant and profitable, and the Union starts upon another year with the prospect of adding greatly to its strength and efficiency.

The first Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Missionary Union, held at New Orleans, April 3, was also full of encouragement. The new interest awakened, simply by the gathering together to report the progress of the year, indicates how much can be accomplished. Not only will the missionary cause receive direct benefit, but there will be a reflex, healthful influence upon the churches thus represented.

The first Annual Meeting of the Woman's Missionary Union of the Central South Association, held in Nashville, Tennessee, April 5, was in all respects encouraging. One of the peculiar features of these Southern Unions is that the State Association is always likely to meet at a school centre, as in this case at Nashville, Tennessee, and the older students thus are enthused and stimulated to missionary purpose and activity, whether in the ordinary experiences of church life at home, or as special missionaries.

There was a good representation of auxiliaries, and encouraging word of new ones soon to be received. The interest in the meeting was intense, and the reports from the different societies showed a deep and heartfelt sympathy with the cause of missions. It was very interesting to note how anxiously some of those who represent a people burdened with poverty, planned for the work of the coming year, taking for their field—the world. Considering that this Union is only a year old, its growth seems remarkable.

The question is sometimes asked, whether the Mountain girls appreciate the opportunity of education that is now afforded them. We reply by giving extracts from the letter of a pupil obliged to leave school. The letter was written to a school-mate, and is but one of many instances of the kind.

"My Dearest Friend:—I would have written sooner, but I thought I might get a chance to go to school, and that is why I have delayed so long. It is impossible for me to go now, the boys are preparing 'for to make a crap,' and I can see how much they are needed at home. We have but one horse, and I cannot go alone. Oh! how glad I would be to see my teacher. I know I shall never be able to reward her for her kindness to me, but the Lord will reward her. I never have met the people who were so kind to me as those people. I still have a desire to get an education; sometimes I think I will not get to go to school any more, but where there is a will, there is a way, and I know I have a good will. My sisters all married before they were twenty. I am twenty-two now. I want an education more than I want to marry. My folks tell me I have enough education, but I think I know better than they. To be sure, I can read and write a little, but that don't satisfy me, I have a hope yet that I may still get higher, that is if the Lord is willing. We cannot do anything unless the Lord is willing and will help us. Give my love to all the girls. Please write and tell me about the school. Remember me in your prayers.

Your true friend, – –."

OUR YOUNG FOLKS

Dear Children:—The first morning I entered my school-room South, such a mass of little dark faces as greeted me! At first it seemed so strange to me, they all looked alike, but in a short time I was able to pick out Simon, and Tommy, and Mollie, and Janie. Most of them want to learn, and are quite tidy in their appearance. One of the exercises they enjoy most is the singing. It would be hard to find a colored boy or girl who does not sing, and many of them have very sweet voices. They are able to sing the alto with very little practice. It often surprises me to find how well they keep their parts. One day we had a very severe shower, and it was so dark we could not see the black-boards or see to work, so I let them sing for nearly an hour. All over the building, if you could have visited the different rooms, you would have enjoyed listening to them. One of their own pieces which they like to sing, is "Roll, Jordan, roll." They pronounce it "Jurdon."

Many of the parents are working very hard to give their children an education, and I am glad to say that the children themselves are glad to learn. One little girl said, "I've got on a terrible bad looking shoe, and the big girls out doors were laughing at me yesterday, but I thought I'd rather come to school with the bad shoe, than stay away a day and not come at all. I pray every day that God will help me to do right and be a good girl in school. Last night papa was out of a job, and I prayed that he might get another one, and now he's got another one." Then looking at her shoes, she said: "I'd rather wear these ragged shoes than not to pay for my schooling at all."

And now, children, will you come with me for a little drive? We are going in a phaeton with our good horse, Maud. We drive about a mile out of the city, cross a little bridge, and finally drive through a gateway. The ground is sandy, in some places so white that it almost reminds one of snow. The trees are still green. Our attention is attracted by a procession moving slowly forward. There is one carriage and the friends, men and women, are walking. The words they are chanting show it to be a funeral procession. Every one wears a green badge, for most all the colored people belong to some order. Finally they come to a stop and gather about the grave. The mourners break out into a wail, and they begin to chant the words: "And must my trembling spirit glide into a world unknown?" The chant I can never describe, for there is no music in it, and we cannot distinguish any tune. Then the minister preaches, and they begin another chant. Let us look around a little. I am sure you are already interested and surprised at what you see. Here is a group of three little graves; on one, we find three dolls' heads, a quantity of shells, marbles, dishes and other toys with which the children used to play. On another, is a tin kitchen, a bell, a doll in a chair, a marble under a sugar-bowl cover, and part of a tea-set. On another, that of a grown person, is a long pipe with a paper of tobacco, medicine boxes with powders. A little further away we find one on which is a tooth-brush, ten medicine bottles, two lamps, a basket filled with sand, vases, tumblers, a toy boat made out of bark, and pieces of glassware. Among other decorations we find a ball and bat, pitchers, bits of colored glass, pill boxes, teapots, etc. But it is already growing dark, and Maud is anxious to start; I think you have seen enough to make you wonder at the curious customs, and I am sure that you want to help them to know a better way.

One day a little girl said to her teacher: "I got religion last night." Shall I tell you just here, something of what they mean by "getting religion?" It means bad air, late hours, shouting, screaming, and general excitement. Sometimes they sit for hours, and go night after night saying over and over the same words. When they finally do "get religion," they jump up and shout, and run about the church, falling into the arms of those standing nearest. I think the children are looking for some strange experience. They expect, from what they are taught, to see some vision, or hear some voice. I try to show them the simple way of salvation by just taking Jesus at his word.

And now let us turn to a brighter scene. One Sunday about a month ago, our pastor preached a sermon, which led us to feel that the Lord was especially near us, and that we had only to do our part to receive an outpouring of God's Spirit. Some of us agreed to pray for this. Then we began to pray for our scholars, and to invite them to our meetings. At first only a few came, but more kept coming every night, and we kept bringing in seats, until the mission room was so full we had to change to the large hall up stairs. Every night some would rise for prayers, and we would stay and talk with them quietly, and try to show them the way to Jesus. I think there are about forty now, who have expressed a desire to live a Christian life. Many of them are children and young people. Four are boys in my Sabbath-school class. We have held prayer meetings for this after school, and many are glad to come. About twenty joined our Christian Endeavor Society as active members, at our last consecration meeting.

And now, dear children, do you know that this is all given us in answer to prayer? We have simply asked and received. I knew that the home friends were praying for us. Their prayers are a constant help. Will you not pray this month that these little ones may be kept from falling, and that they may grow to be bright and shining lights in the world, to lead their own people out of the darkness of sin and ignorance?

Sincerely your friend,

Minnie T. Strout.

WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS

Co-operating with the American Missionary AssociationMAINEWoman's Aid to A.M.AChairman of Committee—Mrs. C.A. Woodbury, Woodfords, MeVERMONTWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. A.B. Swift, 167 King St., Burlington.

Secretary—Mrs. E.C. Osgood, 14 First Ave., Montpelier.

Treasurer—Mrs. Wm. P. Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury.

MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND 1Woman's Home Missionary Association

President—Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, Cambridge, Mass.

Secretary—Miss Nathalie Lord, 32 Congregational House, Boston.

Treasurer—Miss Ella A. Leland, 32 Congregational House, Boston.

CONNECTICUTWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. Francis B. Cooley, Hartford.

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

Treasurer—Mrs. W.W. Jacobs, 19 Spring St., Hartford.

NEW YORKWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. Wm. Kincaid, 483 Greene Ave., Brooklyn.

Secretary—Mrs. Wm. Spalding, 6 Salmon Block, Syracuse.

Treasurer—Mrs. L.H. Cobb, 59 Bible House, New York City.

OHIOWoman's Home Missionary Union

President Mrs. J.G.W. Cowles, 417 Sibley St., Cleveland.

Secretary—Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin.

Treasurer—Mrs. F.L. Fairchild, Box 932, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

INDIANAWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. C.B. Safford, Elkhart.

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

Treasurer—Mrs. C. Evans, Indianapolis.

ILLINOISWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. B.F. Leavitt, 409 Orchard St., Chicago.

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

Treasurer—Mrs. C.E. Maltby, Champaign.

IOWAWoman's Home Missionary Union

Presidents—Mrs. T.O. Douglass, Grinnell.

Secretary—Miss Ella E. Marsh, Box 232, Grinnell.

Treasurer—Mrs. M.J. Nichoson, 1513 Main St., Dubuque.

MICHIGANWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. George M. Lane, 47 Miami Ave., Detroit.

Secretary—Mrs. Leroy Warren, Lansing.

Treasurer—Mrs. E.F. Grabill, Greenville.

WISCONSINWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. H.A. Miner, Madison.

Secretary—Mrs. C. Matter, Brodhead.

Treasurer—Mrs. C.C. Keeler, Beloit.

MINNESOTAWoman's Home Missionary Society

President—Mrs. E.S. Williams, Box 464, Minneapolis.

Secretary—Miss Gertude A. Keith, 1350 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis

Treasurer—Mrs. M.W. Skinner, Northfield.

NORTH DAKOTAWoman's Home Missionary Society

President—Mrs. A.J. Pike, Dwight.

Secretary—Mrs. Silas Daggett, Harwood.

Treasurer—Mrs. J.M. Fisher, Fargo.

SOUTH DAKOTAWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. A.H. Robbins, Bowdle.

Secretary—Mrs. T.M. Jeffris, Huron.

Treasurer—Miss A.A. Noble, Lake Preston.

NEBRASKAWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. T.H. Leavitt, 1216 H. St., Lincoln

Secretary—Mrs. L.F. Berry, 724 No. Broad St., Fremont.

Treasurer—Mrs. D.E. Perry, Crete.

MISSOURIWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. A.W. Benedict, 3841 Delmar Ave., St. Louis.

Secretary—Mrs. E.H. Bradbury, 3865 Washington Ave., St Louis.

Treasurer—Mrs. A.E. Cook, 4145 Bell Ave., St. Louis.

KANSASWoman's Home Missionary Society

President—Mrs. F.J. Storrs, Topeka.

Secretary—Mrs. George L. Epps, Topeka.

Treasurer—Mrs. J.G. Dougherty, Ottawa.

COLORADO AND WYOMINGWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. J.W. Pickett, White Water, Colorado.

Secretary—Miss Mary L. Martin, 106 Platte Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Treasurer—Mrs. S.A. Sawyer, Boulder, Colorado.

Treasurer—Mrs. W.L. Whipple, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

WASHINGTONWOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.President—Mrs. W.E. Dawson, Seattle

Secretary—Mrs. N.F. Cobleigh, Walla Walla.

Treasurer—Mrs. W.R. Abrams, Ellensburg.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. Elijah Cash, 927 Temple St., Los Angeles.

Secretary—Mrs. H.K.W. Bent, Box 426, Pasadena.

Treasurer—Mrs. H.W. Mills, So. Olive St., Los Angeles.

CALIFORNIAWoman's Home Missionary Society

President—Mrs. H.L. Merritt, 686 34th St., Oakland.

Secretary—Miss Grace E. Barnard, 677 21st. St., Oakland.

Treasurer—Mrs. J.M. Havens, 13239 Harrison St., Oakland.

LOUISIANAWoman's Missionary Union

President—Mrs. R.C. Hitchcock, New Orleans.

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

Treasurer—Mrs. C.S. Shattuck, Hammond.

MISSISSIPPIWoman's Missionary Union

President—Mrs. A.F. Whiting, Tougaloo.

Secretary—Miss Sarah J. Humphrey, Tougaloo.

Treasurer—Miss S.L. Emerson, Tougaloo.

ALABAMAWoman's Missionary Union

President—Mrs. H.W. Andrews, Talladega.

Secretary—Miss S.S. Evans, 2519 Third Ave., Birmingham.

Treasurer—Miss M.K. Lunt, Selma.

FLORIDAWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. S.F. Gale, Jacksonville.

Secretary—Mrs. Nathan Barrows, Winter Park.

Treasurer—Mrs. L.C. Partridge, Longwood.

TENNESSEE AND ARKANSASWoman's Missionary Union of the Central South Association

President—Mrs. E.M. Cravath, Nashville, Tenn.

Secretary—Miss A.M. Cahill, Nashville, Tenn.

Treasurer—Mrs. G.S. Pope, Grand View, Tenn.

NORTH CAROLINAWoman's Missionary Union

President—Miss E. Plimpton, Chapel Hill.

Secretary—Miss A.E. Farrington, Raleigh.

Treasurer—Miss Lovey Mayo, Raleigh.

TEXASWoman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. S.C. Acheson, 149 W. Woodard St., Denison.

Secretary—Mrs. Mary A. McCoy, 122 No. Harwood St., Dallas.

Treasurer—Mrs. C.I. Scofield, Dallas.

RECEIPTS FOR APRIL, 1890

THE DANIEL HAND FUND,For the Education of Colored PeopleFROMMr. Daniel Hand, Guilford, Conn

CURRENT RECEIPTS

H.W. HUBBARD, Treasurer,Bible House, N.Y.

1

For the purpose of exact information, we note that while the W.H.M.A. appears in this list as a State body for Mass. and R.I., it has certain auxiliaries elsewhere.

We would suggest to all ladies connected with the auxiliaries of State Missionary Unions, that funds for the American Missionary Association be sent to use 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.