The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-16
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
A LETTER FROM MISS KIRKLAND

leGIer IRON Mlse hoion AuhidHu' eenu
you for publication in the Central such parts
of it as trust will be not only interesting to
your readers, but also profitable in increas-
ing their interest in the Foreign Missionary
work. What correspondent in your last
issue says of her is strictly true. She has
given herself wholly to this work and all her
letters make it evident that she is absorbed in
it. May the Lord abundantly bless her in
it and grant her the earnest requests of her
heart, and long spare her in life and health.
Yours truly, E. D. JUNKIN.
HANGCHow, Dec. 7th, 1875.
My Dear Pastor,-I am perfectly salts
fed with the success of my schools, having
new pupils, with many promises of more that
l think will come. rented the house for
one of these schools in very densely popu-
lated part of the city, and have some very
goodlooking children in it. On Sunday
went to it both morning and evening. When
these three new pupils came in, one little
fellow fell on his knees before me, and bowed
his head to the ground, just as they do be-
fore their idols. This is Chinese custom,
children always show the greatest respect for
their teachers School boys passing US in
the street almost always greet us in this way.
But we soon teach those over whom we have
any control, that there is only One to be wor-
shipped. gave them the catechism and
little doctrine book to study, and did not
permit them to have their own Chinese class
les on Sunday. 1 felt sorry, however, for
the little newcomers to take their own books
from them and give them mine. But as my
books were in their character, they seemed
satisfied and studied very we'll. The young
est boy was rolling from side to side, and
following at the top of his voice. They all
learn aloud, you know. But 1 fear the
louder the voice the less he learned. How
ever hope they will all learn to know and
love our blessed Saviour.
Such crowds have always followed me to
this school that we thought it good plan
for some one to 60 and preach. So today
one of the gentlemen went with me in the
morning, and had good and attentive au-
dience, while he explained to them the rea-
son we kept Sunday. Then we came back
to preaching, leaving the children to study
their Christian books with the teacher. You
know in Chinese schools the children 60 on
Sundays and Saturdays as on other days,
poor little mortals; SO am obliged to do the
same, till they know little of me and the
doctrine want to teach them. had taught
my usual Sabbath School class before going |
to this school, SO thaAelsbuld be ready TO re- |
turn to it directly after dinner, which did.
A great many men, women and children
came with me. Through this dense crowd
gentleman called me by name to come
back. Anything of this sort looks like a
special call from God, and I at once re-
turned. He invited me into the house, which |
showed every appearance of wealth. AS is
the custom in the better classes, this gentle |
man handed me over to the ladies, who took |
me into very nice sitting-room with glass
windows, or rather glass in the door, COM
Portable chairs, good tables, and about a
dozen ladies and two or three servants. How
| did wish for the power of speech in this
awfnl language. But as it was, l had quite
a long conversation with them about our
God and Saviour Jesus Christ. They asked
me SO many questions about the reason I had
lett home, country, friends, that it gave me
a fine opportunity of talking, and l took ad-
vantage of it to the very best of my ability.
May He bless the few broken accents, for
His own name sake.
When l came out the crowd followed me
to school. l taught the children as much as
l could, and when Sabbath School at our
church was over, two of the gentlemen came
to preach at my school. There is every
prospect of its turning into regular preach
ing station. The population is dense. Pray
that the Spirit of God may quicken this
mass, dead in trespasses and sins. How
helpless feel. My words sound empty to
them, the touching story of the cross seems
an idle tale. 1 had an Ah-m Servant that
goes out with me- for few days, but she had
so much "bitterness to eat in walking along
with big-footed foreigner, that she left me
in disgust. Then I went out entirely alone,
as could not get another Ah-m. l hated
to give up the work 1 had begun, and in
which my whole heart and soul lies. But l
could not collect any pupils without Chi
nese woman, who is called the middleman in
such cases. So | am very thankful have
another. (She here relates visit to
crowded court, specially to see blind girl,
in whom she became much interested, and
where many families were living together
When l sat down lots of little children came
crowding around me, and took my hand in
theirs, saying so Sweetly, 81 want to go to
your school" They then made comparisons
between the color of their hands and NINE
1t was hard to tell what color theirs was
however, they were so well covered with
mother earth. But there is something so
precious within, something that cost the
blood of the Lamb of God to save, that l
forget all else My heart is full of love to
them. 1 yearn for their souls.