Smyrna times., 1885-12-09
For The Smyrna Times.
Letter from DR.. Ella F. SwinneY.

Mrs. Davis ana the two children, two
lady missionaries from Japan, one the
principal of the girls school in Kiota,
the other of the school in Osaka, to-
gether with myself and assistant; also
Mrs. Davis cook. Outside were six
men to manage the boat.
The SoochOw creek empties into
the Wong Poo river in the midst of
Shanghai, so that in following this
creek up to SoOchow eighty-four miles
distant, we had plain sailing and
plenty of room. On our way we were
to anchor each night. We came on
the house-bOat just before night
with our satchels, bedding, dishes,
stoves and food 1t was a pleasant
trip, though our quarters were
cramped, with scarcely room to move
about; but the bOatmen were kind
enough each forenoon and afternoon
to let us get off on the high bank for
walk in the fresh air along the path.
These were pleasant walks through an
interesting part of the country, with
many natives passing to and fro, and a
view of the wide creek, with its boats
of various descriptions and sizes.
Here we would walk and talk of the
past, the present and of what we
hoped for in the future. Many Japan
ese incidents were mentioned, cOnnec-
ted with the missionary work there,
which were of great interest. The
| last day we saw before us, for hours
| before reaching it, one lone mountain,
| the first we had seen since approach
ing the shores of China. 1t was lofty,
symmetrical, with a pagOda upon its
summit. 1t was strange to see only
! one mountain in this part of the
country and we were not surprised to
hear Susie ask, before she could realize
what it was "HOw could they make
it so high ?" This mountain, Kwung
San, has a city of thesam name built
at its foot, the city walls completely
encircling its base AS we stopped
here on our way back, will speak of
this place again.
We reached SoOchOw the third day
just after dark, too late to enter the
gate. Here we tarried all night, Just
outside of this great city, noted for its
wickedness, in the throng of desperate
people that crowd about the gates IN
this country. The boatmen knew the
character of the people around us and
felt the responsibility of their position,
having our windows closed early and
requesting that none of us should
come out on deck or make any noise
to indicate that foreigners were on
board. After a good nights rest we
awakened in the morning to find our
boat going under the massive walls
into the canal within the city. Here
our party was divided and it was my
happy lot to be invited into the family
of Mr.. and Mrs. DebOse, of the South
ern Presbyterian Mission. l consider
it one of my greatest blessings in going
to this city, that / spent my time with
such faithful workers, from whom
learned much of their manner of carry
ing on missionary work, and many
things connected Herewith, of great
value to one beginning.
These friends have been in China
thirteen years, Mrs. DebOse working
first among the women and in a school
In later years, with her increased
household cares, she has labOred ex.
clusively among the women, with
whom she has had much success by
her energy, quickness in the language
and her great love of the people fO
whom she is spending her life. Mr.
DebOse is also constantly engaged il
preaching three times a day. On Sun
day at nine o'clock he breaches in hi!
chapel, then gOss up the city two mile
to another chapel, where he alst
breaches, eating his dinner, which h.
carries with him; he then conducts
Bible class among his church members
after which he breaches again and thel
comes down to the city in time for tn
four o'clock services among the fey
foreigners. In the evening he preache
=, again in his chapel or on the street
Thus he labOrs week after week an
year after year, and the fruitage eteI
nifty alone will reveal.
We spent some time in visiting tn
City Temple, the Great Pagoda, whic
is eight stories high, and the COnfu
i. clan Temple in the southern part {
the city.
One great object in coming to Soc
chow was also accomplished in study
ing the plans, improvements and az
, commOdations for treating the Chimes
in DR.. Lambuth's Hospital and Disper
sary, in view of the building Mr.. Davi
was soon to erect for the treatment
the sick daily coming to me. After s
, much that is pleasant and profitable {
remember in our visit, our friends a,
companied us to our boat on Wedne,
=, day evening, when we started on OF
) hOmeward journey.
Coming the next day to Kwung Sa
=, again we anchored near one of TIL
gates. Accompanied by the captai
and two or three of the boatmen, as
guard, we entered the city and wei
taken to the foot of the mountain hel
|. sacred by the Chinese, which we con
o. menced to ascend. First there was
Of long, grassy slope, then climb u
sleeper places, finally we assembled b
= well-laid stone steps, now winding an
twisting about, now up steep ascent
again along gravelly walks, again L
by the side of the bold rocks, stoppir
every now and then to rest and lOC
n off upon the city below and the beaut
o. full country beyond. Our advan,
grew slower and slower, but finally v
IS climbed a straight stairway to a Co
vent above and turning to the rig
we found the top had been levelled O
being about two acres in size, with
/, seven-stOry pagOda in the centr
70 This pagOda is evidently ancient, as
is partly in ruins, though at prese
work is begun for its repair. v
IN walked around the edge at this gre
height and looked off beyond the ci
upon the fields that are like we
'ry arranged gardens, with now and th,
groves of bamboo and clusters
mt houses, the great network of cana
let the SoochOw creek, and far in the d
~ tanOe-twenty-fve miles away
I Is could distinctly see the city of SoOchC
and the mountains beyond. Standi
- at this height in the fresh air, with t
~ beautiful scenes below and about
'es3 we could but think of the superstitiC
'nu idolatFy and misery in the homes vii
.. in our view. So constantly occur
~'' our minds the familiar lines, "Thou
every prospect pleases and only man
Yile.n We understand there is but O
. preaching station in all this city, {
. missionary coming once a month. I
young man, To Sen Sang, whom
Davis baptized last Summer, is a
tive of this city; when coming down
Shanghai to teach, there he heard I
story of the gospel, and finally ga
%. his heart to the Saviour. Conf
down the mountain we stopped
quently to enjoy the view. The
lect of this people is not the same
:. that of Shanghai, but on going throu
6SI the streets, aside from their speech,
saw no difference.
. After passing some distance fir
fbfo mo ftrwnad into GOnn Of tho