The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-16
The Chinese in California.

A correspondent writes to Woman
Work:
ave were delighted with the Chinese
Christian Headquarters in San Francisco,
and with the perfect department and
almost enthusiasm with which those
seventy-fve youth (who are educated to
stolidity from their birth) received the
kind instructions of their teachers The
chapel in which the school is conducted
is very convenient and pleasantly ar
ranged for the work. 1t is plain wooden
building having basement floor which
is divided into several apartments. You
first enter large room which contains a
desk and chair for the reader or leader
at one end, and about fifty chairs, ar
ranged in proper order for the audience.
Upon the walls are notices and texts,
and behind the leaders desk are three
large frames containing the Creed the
Lords Prayer, and the Ten Command
ments, in the Chinese character. Walk
ing through this room we find busy
pleasant-looking class of China boys,
from fifteen to twenty-five reading the
Chinese classics. Their instructor was a
remarkably interesting Chinese man, an
intelligent Christian, who takes every
opportunity to instil the higher doctrines
of the great Teacher while teaching his
class Confucius. This man acts as col
porteur of the mission, and also looks up
the pupils attending the evening schools,
and visits any families who are willing
to receive Christian teacher. He is
highly respected for his works sake.
Coming out of the building we ascend
short flight of steps, open large door,
and are ushered into large apartment,
divided into two rooms by folding doors.
Here is assembled the evening school.
Very pleasant are the faces of the schol-
ars, and very busy and intent they all
appear. Our entrance caused but mo-
mentary glance upward; then every eye
was eagerly devouring its next syllable,
for nearly all were learning a reading
lesson as we entered. Being asked to
teach class we gladly took a seat by the
first boy at our left. He smiled and be-
gan reading his lesson as well as he was
able. After teaching him for an hour
the question was asked, Are you a
Christian? No, not yet, was the re-
ply. Do you want to be one2' oh
yes; me learnee. We were told after
ward that he was bigoted heather but
a few weeks before, but that now he re-
manned to the devotional exercises at the
close of the school and was quite changed.
Two teachers have been sent back to
China from this school, two young men
have recently gone to Lane Seminary,
and two have become teachers and col
porteurs among their brethren in Cali
fornia. Surely this mission has reaped
bountifully already, and if more prayer
will but ascend continually, at the little
monthly meetings of our women's mis-
sionary societies all over the land, for
this mission, will not God increase its
power for good a thousand fold, opening
hitherto closed purses and closed hearts
toward it, making it very well-spring
of good in this spiritual desert? The
Chinese throng in San Francisco and
yet, heather that they are, they are most
quiet, unobtrusive inhabitants Can their
hearts but be gained for Christ, what
mission they may have among the mil
lions Of their own country-menl If re-
pulsed and abused by so-called Christians,
what curse they may become even as
were the Canaanites to the children of
Israel-thorns in their sides throughout
their generations. - The Gospel IN AlI
Lands