Smyrna times., 1885-02-04
WHOLE NO. 1916.
For the Smyrna Times
LETTER FROM DIR. KATE C.
WOODHULL.

Mr.. EDITOR The good ship City
Of Peking, sped by prOpitious winds,
anchored safely off Japan, November
7th, having made the voyage in nine
ten days, less than the average trip,
which is twenty days. Although there
were no storms the ship was strangely
uneasy and we were sometimes the
worse for the sea.
The pigs on board were much dis
tresscd at first and squealed with
every roll, but their swinish brains
seemed to understand the situa-
tion after awhile and they learned to
balance themselves like old sailors.
The horses found their stables SO un-
stable that for time fears were enter
tanned for their safety. An ocean vow
age, even under very favorable cir
cumstances is for many travellers bet
ter enjoyed in the past than the pres
ent tense. We were very glad as our
feet touched the shore of Japan at
YOkOhOma that there was "no more
sea y for us, at least for few days.
Mt. Full, covered with glistening snow,
the beautiful bay of Yeddo, the canal
with its queer little Japanese boats,
the surrounding hills, its wide streets
and foreign houses, all combine to
make YOkOhOma very attractive
city. The roads are good and carriages
are frequently seen, but jinrikshas are
generally used.
The steamer stopped three days,
giving us time to visit the mission
| schools and churches and few of the
heather shrines. That of the second
Shotgun, built about $50 years ago, is a
great curiosity. Here we saw with
what profusiOn gold, lacquer, bronze,
tortoise shell and silk were lavished
upon the shrines of dead princes and
with such elaborate workmanship that
years were required for its accomplish
ment. Before entering the sacred por-
tai we were kindly invited to remove
our shoes. Our feet shrank from con-
tact with the cold marble floors and
very glad were we to return to the
| porch, where the friendly sunshine
( warmed our chilled extremities.
The steamers next stop was at
KObi. Here we accepted an invitation
| from friend who has charge of girls
school i'll Osaka to spend week with
her. This gave us an opportunity to
learn something of the wonderful work
that is going on in Japan. The favor
able attitude of the Government, the
fact that it has recently disendOwed
! Buddhism and Shntoism are auspic-
ious signs. OF far greater Importance
however has been the OutpOurng of
! Heavens blessing upon the mission
work. Within the past few years
there have been three revivals, when
tho Holy Spirit taught the native pas
tors and christians wonderful things
which the missionaries had tried in
vain to make them understand. The
work is pressing on every hand. Both
in KObi aud Osaka they spoke of the
pleading letters that come from sur
rounding villages for some one to come
and teach them. Is this a time when
any redeemed man or woman can be
idle? Can any one afford not to have
a part either by work at home or
abroad in giving to these nations the
knowledge of Him who is the Way,
the Truth and the Life"
We left Kobi November 10Th. The
weather was fine, the ship pursued the
even tenor of her way and there was
nothing to mar our enjoyment of the
ing Nagasaki we found rough water
again and both ladies and gentlemen
went to their state rooms, helpless vic
Tins of Neptune. The afternoon OF
Monday, November oath, we reached
Shanghai AS soon as we were near
enough we saw Miss Ella and Mrs.
Davis coming TO meet us. Very pleas
ant indeed was it to find warm wei.
come from friends in this far-away
land. DR.. Swinney is making good
progress with the language and her
pellets and powders are finding such
favor with the Celestials that she has
difficulty to limit her dispensarv
hours, so that she may get time foI
study. | went with her to visit a pa
tient in the country. As the roads
were very narrow we "tOOk wheel
barrow" This is a primitive way OF
riding. | clung on for fear of falling
but DR.. Swinney sat quite at her ease.
When we arrived at the patients house
the sick neighbors were brought in.
After thirteen persons had been pre-
scribed for, DIR. Swinney told them she
must 20 home to dinner. This argu
ment they could understand and we
took our departure.
f We left Shanghai early Wednesday
morning on the pleasant little steamer
Tdku The captain allowed us on the
bridge" that we might enjoy the
fine scenery of the river Min. As we
approached FOochOw he kindly pointed
out the places of interest in connec
Iion with the recent bombardment by
the French. The captain was an eye
witness of the attack and gave thrill
ling accounts of it.
FOOchow is surrounded with noun
tains. 1t is called the Banyan City
Yesterday we took a walk on the wall.
and could see these trees spreading
out their great limbs as if in protection
This might be beautiful city if it haC
been laid out with any reference tC
taste and convenience. But the houses
are crowded together, the streets are
narrow lanes, arranged with steps Sc
that they are impossible for wheel:
J and every one must walk, or ride il
J sedan chairs.
+ The city is given up to the darkness
Of heathenism with only here anC
there mission light. The binding o
the feet is carried to a greater eXten
here than anywhere else in China, two
, and half inches in length being
thought the most desirable size.
, Since the attack of the French tn,
missionaries say there has been NOR,
friendly feeling toward them 'and 4
5 greater readiness to listen to the truth
When foreigners come to fight agains
them, they will perhaps learn to ap
, preciate those who come to do then
: good
KATE c. Woodruff, NJ. d.
| FOOchOU, China, Dec. l., 1884.
DATES WORTH KNOwING-For the
, year 1885 days and dates of important
| events, anniversaries and holidays will