Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-23
CHINESE MISSION ANNIVERSARY.

last evening, Rev. w, G. Pond OF San Fran
cisco, Secretary to the Board OF Caiiornia
Missions, presiding.
There was good attendance present. and
about forty Chinese, members Of the Mission,
took part. The exercises consisted of recita-
lions of Scripture, singing and addresses, and
proved highly interesting TO those present. as
showing the progress of the scholars in the
use of the English language, their applica,
ton of the Scriptures and the proficiency &C.
auired in music. They sang in chorus, il
English, "There is Gate that Stands A jar, u
and "All to Christ I Owe" and also sang
"Hold the Fort" in Chinese A quartet
also sang Giving to Jesus All the Glory,
and 81 am Saved" The singing exhibited
a degree of efficiency which was evidently
not expected by the audience, and was re-
ceived with suppressed applause.
The recitations were given Ill an interest
ing manner and many of them spoken in very
plain English. Among the topics upon which
selections of Scripture were given were :
Prophesies in Regard to Christ; Prophesies
Fulflled and Offer of Pardon. REGULATIONS
were also given, entitled China for Christ, "
" Reasons for Mission Work. and others.
A report was read by the Secretary, showing
that the total number of scholars enrolled 10
this Mission for the year was Ito. The pres
ent membership is 40, and the average attend
ance for the year y.
The exercises closed with an original ad-
dress by Lem Chung, the helper in this Mis-
sion, which was quite plainly delivered, and
of which the following is verbatim report !:
Dear Friends l am Chinese-why not
be a heather? A few years ago l didn't
know anything about the bible. l didn't
know about Christ. | had not heard of the
true and living God, but heard of this land
where SO many of nv countrymen came and
come too, and here found Christian people
who loved Christ, and for His sake love me
hear of the bible / didn't think l like it. L
said If no other books don't care for this
one don't want such book as this. 1
Thought [ didn't need any more gods, for
I said | have all kinds in the temple,
and could see them if l go there, but the
God [ hear of in America 1 cannot see
When learn in the bible what it says about
the heather gods that are made of silver and
gold, the works of mems hands /; how they
have mouth and cannot speak, eyes cannot
see, ears and cannot hear, noses cannot smell
and hands but handle not, l learn also the
God of the Bible made all things and sees us
all the time, everything is ruled by His
hands. We must fear him fer He is powerful
and glorious but the idols is unwise. / am
obliged to leave the idols and come to worship
the true God and trying to observe his law and
commandments the bible shows me how sim
| full am and if Christ had not come to the
world to save me am sure get lost.
After L was converted l study the bible
more and more and learn great deal, great
wonder to me. Now the bible is precious
book. 1 am glad accept the Savior for my
Savior and His God my God. 81 pass from
death unto life, from darkness and bondage
of sin into the glorious light and liberty of
new creature in Christ Jesus" What l ex-
pect to do if I still be heathon? l must be
bound to worshiping idols, bow down to all
kinds of gods great fear to them and not
dare to touch them. Whenever I enter the
temple cannot without three bow to the idols.
The people of China are great superstitions
they believe every things whatever chance to
hear or think. Let me tell you how some of
the people doing when any of the family
getting sick: They have doctor but they
think some kind of spirit troubling them it
may chance their ancient father or friends or
enemies who died before. They think they
must offer something for them to eat that
they may go away, or some time they go into
the temple to pray to the idols. They
hope the idols may tell what are the reason
with the sick that they find out how they
may do and get well. How the idols can tell
them? Let me make known to you: A piece
OF wood has been smoother in the shape of a
banana and cut in equal size the longest way,
This they throw down before the idols that
they may give certain condition according
which they request before; may be they say,
| If this is the spirit of an enemy let this
pieces Of wood fall both the same way. or
some other way, they may choose, till they
! find out what is the matter and offer sacrifice
that the spirit may leave off troubling and
let the sick get well. The thief can pray the
| idols that he may get help to steal
The gambler can ask that he may win
the money /; the robber that he may
be able to get what he wishing
for. If any kind of business going to be
taken up tie idols must first be asked about it.
Everyone is sure to say, Now, idols if you
help me good, 1 going to bring you something
nice to eat when l get success"
When l was coming over to Cal, suddenly
a storm came up, the wind violent sweeping
over the great ocean the water dashing high
upon the boat The sailors all at work to
make the ship more safe. The passengers all
in San Francisco Is there any chance to be
rescue from the storm: Yes, soon there was
heard one of our number calling, " Whose
ever man in this ship have any
money let US have some of it that
we may sacrifice to the goddess of the
sea that she may deliver us out of the storm
and let us arrive safe tc the land of Cal :"
| had a small sum of money. | gave halt of
it others gave also. The man cast it into
the water aud asked the goddess that size
| let no harm come to us, and we promise
more sacrifice il we get here.
There are many reasons for going before
the idols, but | have no chance to tell SO
much as l like to. A few weeks since l was
in San Francisco. l found some of the peo-
pie from the town near my home in China,
getting money to send and build q tenn
pie over there Every one who give
| to help build it can have their name
hang up in the temple, but If any
one who give $50 to so, they have
present, and at the time of first worship or
dedication band of music to honor them on
their way home. Some of them asked me to
give, but | said, No / cannot. rather put
money in the missionary fund" They said,
your parents will feel sorrow and disgrace
if they not see your name, but if you don't
want your name you can give and have your
parents name put there no one of your
Christian men know it; you can be a
Christian Just the same" | said, 81 do not
wish to help my parents to sin; don't be-
lieve idol worship and | cannot help about it.
If ! be a Christian | must try to live like
one"
There is great difference in the religion
taught by the Savior and that of the heather.
1t is great change to me to try to be Chris
tian, to know the true God who Fees US all the
time. | have worked manv things for the
! idols. / feel thankful l shall do 30 no more.
Before l come to the light my life was
gloomy, miserable, hopeless; always was
| fearing the evil spirit going to trouble me,
| but don't fear them now
Would ] 60 back to idolatTy? No; the
| Bible saws, Thou shall not make unto thee
any craven image, or likeness of anything
that is in heaven above or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth. Thou shall not bow down thy self TO
| them nor serve them" l cannot serve idols
again but | will try to serve my heavenly
/ Father and bring all / can to bow down to
| Him. l wish every one in China and Amer
| lea knew about the Bible. | thank all Chris.
tian people that they led me to the true way.
| I hope you will pray that L may always be
| faithful, and at last receive the crown OF life
and dwell with God in the world to come.
/ ROBBERY By THE "QUEER. AT an early
hour yesterday morning Baby Houston, "
one of the Second and L-street demi-monde,
robbed man while in her den of $50. Off
cers Campbell and Nash arrested her imme-
diately after the robbery was reported, aud
turned her over TO officers Arlington and
| Valentine to take to the lookup, while they
searched the room and house. On the way
to the station S45 of the money dropped from