The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-01-19
Our Missionaries to China.

Some extracts from private letter Just received
from Mrs. 7. +. Converse, commenced on ship
board, and finished in Shanghai, will be of inter
est to all who love our missionary cause
'STEAMER New YORK, Nov 3rd, 1869
"SoUn after closed my last letter home, we
came in sight of Yokohama and dropped our
anchor Then came the crowd of native boats with
the chattering japanese, many of them almost
without clothing. 1t was altogether very lively
scene. Besides the native boats, which were most
of them rough though comparatively safe, there
we're express and mail boats, and boats from Amer
lean and English vessels then in the harbor, and
flags of all sorts flying from both boats and vessels
Then came greetings and farewels from friends
and passengers, some to remain and some going
merely on pleasure excursions.
About o'clock we got into native boat and
went ashore, to call on DR.. Hepburn. We were
received with great cordially, and kindly invited
to spend the night with them, which invitation,
though very tempting, had to be declined, as there
was necessity for our returning to the vessel
They invited us all to come back next day, attend
chapel, and take lunch with them, which we did,
and all of which enjoyed exceedingly. Mr.. Echard
from the Northern Presbyterian Board) preached.
Dr. Hepburn's chapel was plain room, which re-
minded me of our dear little church at home onlyit
was not so neatly or comfortably fitted up as that
is. After lunch we walked about the yard, gath
cred some flowers, and after bidding our kind
friends good bye, went on board the steamer New
York
ut seemed to be "a busy day with the foreigners,
as there were three steamers preparing to sail by
order of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
Captain Farbut, of the New. York, objects very
decidedly to sailing on the Sabbath, but cannot
help it. as he is under orders and must obey He is
member of Mr. Nelson's church in Shanghai.
Captain W, of the China, came on board
the New York to see us all safely aboard, and bid
us goodbye He had all the ladies together and
introduced them to Captain F., and commended
them to his kind attentions
shanghai, October Sth.-I only wrote two
pages of this on the New York. 1t was smaller
vessel than the China, and rocked much more
At Hioga we stopped for twenty four hours to take
in freight There we went ashore and visited a
waterfall upon the side of mountain about two
miles from the town. The falls were very pretty,
but the scenery was still more beautiful, and we
had an opportunity of seeing good deal of the
country and people. Their houses are scrupulous-
ly clean, but bare of every thing like furniture -
The women seemed inclined to be polite and hos
pitable, and the people generally, though they
exhibited much curiosity, were always very respect.
full and we're very kind about showing us things in
their shops, even when we did not buy.
"At Nagasaki we stopped again and went on
shore Ihad the pleasure of riding in sedan chair
at each of these places, aud enjoyed it very much.
We went to Mr.. Stout's house and found it one of
the most beautiful and romantic spots that could
be imagined They are living in part of temple.
The sliding partitions between the rooms and the
ceilings are beautifully carved and inlaid with
mother of pearl. AS you pass through the house,
you look out, and there just beneath is lovely
little basin of water with gold and silver fishes
sporting in it, Near the house is a deep we'll Of
delightful cool water, with an DID, moss covered
bucket hanging over it, and the grounds all
around are beautiful, and kept perfectly clean and
nice by the japanese. There is a wild profusion
of beautiful trees, evergreens and shrubs; but woe
be to any grass that dares to peep forth upon that
ground, for it is kept entirely bare.
"From Hioga to Nagasaki we were passing
through the inland sea in sight of beautiful islands
nearly all the time, and sailing over water as
smooth as that of river. There was every variety
of islands; some with high hills clothed with ver-
dure and terraced to the top,-some rocky and
barren, and some were only points OF rocks rising
abruptly out of the water.
"From Nagasaki to Shanghai it was very rough,
as believe it always is being in the regions of the
Monsoon. We had very good fare all the time
When we got to the wharf here, we were of course
looking out anxiously to see if there was any one
to meet US. Presently among the crowd | noticed
slender gentleman with spectacles on, and just
then he took his crutch out from under his cape,
and l said joyfully, Oh there is Mr.. Helm. }
He was on board pretty soon, and brought us an
invitation from both Mrs, Allen (Methodist)
and Mrs Nelson (Episcopa) to go to their houses.
Mrs. Nelson sent down her sedan chair for me, and
gave us a real Virginia welcome, and has enter
tanned us most Hospitality. Bishop Williams is
also here at present We find him very pleasant
gentleman
"Mr. Houston came in about dark, having been
with Mr.. n to preaching service, and gave us a
hearty welcome. ielt much like getting home to