The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-13
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
First Impressions of Mission Work.

A letter from Rev. Mr.. Helm to friend in
this country, who is contemplating missionary
work, furnishes the following extracts, which
will be read with interest. 1t was written i'm,
mediatey upon his arrival at Shanghai
You may think of Dr. H. s FIVE domestics
as large establishment for missionary. But
missionaries here live at least as well as the
majority of ministers at home This is the
testimony of them all. The interior of his
house much resembles an American parlor.
at is an idea prevalent at home that in
coming to foreign land, the young man gives
up every comfort of life, and hence many
struggle has the missionary before he can de
eide to bear the cross in heather countries, and
it may be some are thus deferred from com
ing would not paint the path of the mis-
to see any come because the life is easy. IF
he has not love for Christ sufficient to enable
him to endure hardship rs good soldier of
Jesus Christ, let hirl remain at home. But |
would set the WORK in its true light, as | feel
it, and as all the missionaries represent it
The greatest trial is to leave your family and
friends, to part from an aged father and moth
err whom you may never meet again and to
think of their feelings as they see one vacant
chair at the Preside. Then to forsake friends
and refined society and church privileges, is
no small trial. These are the hardest trials.
But how small are these when we consider
what Christ endured for u.s. And when on
heather shore you feel your soul moved, you
only wish you had two or three personalities,
so that you might devote several lives to the
same work.
1--WE spend this, our first night in Shang-
hal with Mr.. Inslee, in native boat. 1t is
covered with network of splits about four
feet in height. We have three Chinese look
ing on and unable to communicate with u.s.
We spend to- morrow here to make purchases
and fit up our bachelor home Shanghai is
quite large city, and quite fat one. There
are about thirty missionaries here. We
have several kind invitations to spend week
and get acquainted with the missionaries here.
Bit Mr.. Inslee's business is pressing and we
stalt Tor Hanchou on Saturday.
THE truth concerning the assault on Mr..
Taylor company is as follows: A part of his
mission went up to Yangchow, near Nankin,
fitted up a house. and spent month or two
very pleasantly. But as it was literary city,
the hterati nstigated the people, burned their
houses, tore the clothes from some and drove
them off. The English Consul took gunboat
and went up, but the officer of the boat was
taken with a chill, and they returned. The
Chinese thinking the return occasioned by
fear, have in some places gotten the idea that
they will yet drive the barbarian away. The
Consul has received Instructions from the mi !.
lister at Pekin to proceed with gunboat to
Nankin, and there settle the matter. People
here think that John Chiaaman needs another
whipping, and that England is the only nation
likely TO do this. But then it may bring an
other war upon this poor heather nation.
There is no romance in missionary life. |
thought there would be little danger Of fixing
our affections Oh things below. but see the
same longings for comfort here as elsewhere
though not to as great degree. But there
are here peculiar joys. L have already felt
them.