The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-01-05
Letter from China.
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The Southern Presbyterian publishes letter
from the Rev. j. L. Stuart, dated at Guitsiu, Sept
Sd, 1862 in which he says:
eve received our last mail about two weeks
ago, containing, besides letters from our TRENDS,
the proceedings of the General Assembly, winch
were read with great interest and gratitude to God
We were reioiced to learn that our own Presby-
terry, with the Synod of Kentucky, had cast In her
lot with her SUFFERING brethren of like faith and
that she, in her turn, had been h0nored IN the
choice of her tavorte son and staunchest defender
Of the faith as Moderator
Surprising that you would like to hear from this
new station, occupied by brother Helm and myself
about two months ago, | write you few lines
We have lived here in perfect peace, undlstur6ed
by official interference or popular opposition. We
walk many of the streets without attracting much
more notice than we would in HanchoW, and are
treated quite as civily. We daily receive calls
from respectable men, who politely inquire oul
business and listen to such explanation OF the doc
trnes we came 70 teach as we are able TO give
Without making special efforts, We have sold many
copies Of the differep. Gospels the nc
nr!ntcd IN the Man ONE New
lesti- .ents aud a-leN g--ile, The CLASSIC
style. 1t is thought much better to sell for nom
ins price, about one-third the real value, than 70
give away.
For the blessings which have so richly attended
us during our residence in this city, we should be
specially thankful to God; for it is rare thing fol-
city to be occupied without creating much oppo
siton. often requiring an appeal to the officers.
Mr. Inslee thought that if we could live here
quietly for one month there would be no further
danger, unless there should be some special cause
of excitement hereafter. We have established a
precedent, and their own rule is that what has
been, ought to be.
In coming to this city we have disregarded the
advice of some British statesmen, that "misslona
ries should follow in the wake of trade, unless
they meant the opium trade, whose wake is Sc
broad, so deep, so long, that it would be impossl
BILE to 60 beyond or come short of it. There Ii
some trade in foreign cottons, tim etc., but it ha
no appreciate effect
The city offers the advantages of probably two
hundred thousand people speaking one dialect
| there are but few priests among them; and there
are many towns and villages at no great distance
The location seems to be healthy and living is n o.
dear. There are hundred and two Mahomedan'
here, and formerly there was Roman Catholic
station in the city; but this has been removed t.
little village FIVE miles off, where they claim tt
have two hundred families adhering to them, anC
school Of one hundred and ninety boys. A few
days ago they sent to US, in the absence OF thell
foreign priest, to get us to interfere and protec
them against theatrical company who demanded
pay for an exhibition given in their town which
they did not desire or approve. We were sorry
that we were unable to protect them from the un
just demands They claimed fellowship with US.
The weather this summer, | suppose, has beer
rather remarkable for this climate. From the frs
of June to the middle of July we had the usua
rainy season after that time to August lst 1t wa
intensely hottie thermometer standing at 100
to 1862 in the house. Since that time we have hac
cloudy weather with frequent rains; the ground i,
damp and the fields green But. MIR. Helm and
have both been unwell for several weeks. The ma
tives stand the heat very we'll Their dress is very
| light and cool. The men wear a thin, loosely
fitting short white coat, with very loose pair O.
pants made of thin cotton or silk Shoes anC
stockings, handkerchief, fan, and umbrella, com
plete the outfit of gentleman. The working mel
wear no shoes, and, when not in the sun, no coat
they wear large broad-brmmed hats The dres
of the women varies little except that it is more
ornamented.
God seemed to bless us far more thar
we had hoped, in opening the way before us. Thu
additional expense was very slight, compared witt
the object gained. Our Church has set the ighI
in two heather cities instead of one.. Having ne
families, we moved in light order; and all of thu
expenses of moving and securing house were
only fifty dollars. We pay six dollars month fo
house but think that the reduction in the price
of other things will more than counter-balance th
expense, which itself may be reduced after while
But we hope by the blessing of God that this sta
ton may in time be of sufficient importance to jus
tify the Committee in investing some property il
| it, At present it is not desired, and probably
| would not be advisable