Smyrna times., 1865-12-13

streets of our Ward, visiting all the tamilie
and irving to engage scholars. But all pleaC
some excuse. The most Of them scOrned the
idea of teaching girlS-sald they, open SchOO
for boys, and We will all send; but what non
sense to teach girls" They had other reasons
which thew did not give at this time. Then
called the native teacher | had employed, anC
told him his having a place in the school de
| pended upon his securing scholars. So ht
started out, and, | think, did his best.
After some days he came to me saying h(
! could only get two to promise to come Yer,
well, | said, that will do; large and successful
schools have commenced with less tell the
two come on the appointed day. then bought
the needed furniture for the schoOlroom, and
that night thief took the lock off the door
| entered the school-1oom and took away eve '
| thing All was replaced; the appointed day
came, and no scholars. | send the teacher tC
discover why, and learn that the mothers are
afraid 70 send them-think that either intend
to cut up the girls and make medicine of them
or cut them open and take something from them
to ma ke opium! Absurd you will say; YES,
1t IS absurd, yet these and similar stories the
natives credit My teacher said, however. il
| would give them few cash day, he thought
he could induce the parents to send II i,
| quite general in Mission day schools to pay the
scholars small sums to attend. They are most
" children of poor parents, and DO SOmethin.
Tor their own suppOrt-pcrhapS enough to Luy
their own rice OF course they cannot do this
when they attend school had hoped that
might be able to get scholars without paying,
but found l could not; so [ consented to give
each scholar 10 cash, which is about equal to
one cent; "a small sum, yet not despiSed by
the Chinese. Again | sent the teacher out,
and again he returned without success, not
wlthstandlng my money bait. Discouragements
were indeed many. Mr.. Baldwin said its no
use trylng-nO one has ever succeeded we'll with
girls day school here-yOu had better con-
sent to take boys as we'll as girls; the former
they will be glad to send and in time YOU NAV
get few girls" But could not so give up
my cherished plan for girls school So /
SAID, No, L ii wait and trust God to open
some way for me. We have an old mason
here who has done considerable work for our
Mission. Of late we had not employed him
much, because he did not do his work well.
and was given to cheating. About the time
OF my last efforts in behalf ofmy school hear
that this mason had tried to put two girls in
our girls boarding school, but for some reason
had not succeeded | Immediately said these
Tor the mason. He came quickly, thinking
there was good job for him to do. | had re-
srved to change my tactics. had already
trled moral suaslOn without success; now
meant to try stronger arguments. [ told the
mason all about my efforts to establish a school
laughed at their absurd stories-and then
said, Now, if you don't 60 Immediately and
IND me enough scholars to open my school and
a good native teacher that the parents will
trust-I VIII ncrcr, neCer give you any more
work to do! The old fellow laughed heartily.
and said he would do as | wished He went,
ana IN short time returned with two nice
q IL
ing L commenced the school with these two
girls opening with reading a chapter in the
New Testament and prayer. Both teacher and
scholars had to be told to knecl In an hour
a third scholar came in The second day had
1--WE, anu so the number increased, until now !
have regular attendance of l6-about as
many as can accommodate without enlarge
ing the schOol-room. My teacher proves to
oe very energetic, faithful man. The girls
orc . learning rapidly. | gave them first a
-, or verse arrangement, Of the histo-
- Vi thG creation, mans fall, &c Now they
are studying our catechism. hvmns &c
"ISh you could go with me into the school in
"nlch you have an interest. fear that as We
approached you would think had very nm.
ruly school What a noise they do make"
you would say. Yes, the louder the noise the
harder they are studying. In this, as in MANY
other respects, the Chinese do just the reverse
Oh u.s. You learn your lessons without any
noise, and recite them standing facing the
teacher; but go with ne into nv school, and
you Will lnd every scholar studying aloud at
the top OF her voice. AS we enter, teacher and
scholars rise, and continue standing until I tell
tnen 10 SIT When they recite they stand with
Chelr packs to their teacher. Some of these
poo: idttle glris are dirty, ragged, and-shall I
say II = (yes, for / want you to know about
them have the itch: disease that none of
you know much about, because your homes
' are clean. lou nave clean, good clothes and
you pay proper attention to the rules of clean
illness. But these little Chinese girls live in
dirty houses and they have never been taught
to keep either themselves or their clothes clean
Many OF them have such poor food that skin
diseases are produced in consequence Tho
lOathsOme and troublesome disease mant;on1
cd is almost universal among the mass Of tLn
people. A few days after l commenced the
school l took teacher and scholars in hand 70
cure them of this disease, and have nearly s1c.
ceeded. There is much more that would like
to write about but find that my letter is alrea
dy longer than had anticipated With this
/ send you list Of the names of the girls it
will amuse you. Ere Iclose | want to ask you
all to pray for this school that all in it-teach-
er and chldren-may learn the way of truth,
may believe on Jesus, and be saved from their
sins; and that they may be the means of giving
the truth to their parents and friends
trust all of you are children of Cod and
that you are improving the privileges that birth
and Christian land gives you. My prayers
shall ever ascend for your happiness-he and
hereafter. With kindest greetings to Officers,
Teachers and Scholars,
remain, very truly,
Your friend,
ETTIE 4. BALDWIN.
n Inc names Of the scholars in the Smyrna
Day School, Fuh Chau, China, I only give
the meaning the names, as the Chinese words
"ouid prove uninteresting) are as follows:
Snow Plum Blossom. Epidendrum Fragrance
Water Spirit, MonthIv Sn;r;t
Lear pe 6i 6ium Blossom, White Lily,
pearl 3 Vi CJhTTysanthemum, T Plum Blossom Pearl,
Monthly Flower, Bright Sn;r;t
Cinnamon Flavor Beloved Pearl
Good LSSkiEs Strsisht LIS q
- ft..-t4 sr5