Smyrna times., 1886-09-22
Medical Work Among Women.
BY MISS KATE C. wOoDHULL, NJ. D.,
A. &C. F. II. MISSION, FOOCHOW.

In every mission the addition Of new
departments of work is always the cause
for new interest, new hopes and new
anxieties. Although other missions
may have done the same work for
years, giving ground for hope of sue
cess and furnishing examples as to
methods and details of work to Il
great extent each mission must work
out plan of its own. And so the
work becomes to each mere dear and
God is able to utilize the special gifts of
the various labOrers to advance His
cause. So we found it here when we
began to prepare for medical work
among women.
A native house adjoining our city
compound and garden beyond, were
looked upon rs desirable acquisitions
for the mission, the house to be used
for hospital and the garden to fur
nish a site for the physicians residence.
But when we went forward to get pos
session, we found, like the Children of
Israel, the way to our Canaan was
neither short nor easy. When we had
reached Kadesh-Barnea as we thought
and could look over into the promised
land, we were sent back to wander in
the wilderness of doubts and fears.
The gentry excited opposition and
papers were posted up, fOrbidding any
one to sell land to Mr.. Hortwell. BY
threats and prosecutions the parties
desiring to sell were so intimidated, it
seemed for a while that our plans were
all frustrated.
The location near U Sang is consid-
cred very important. 1t is supposed
that the veins of the Dragon flow here,
and they were afraid to surrender it to
foreigners lest they should do some
thing 10 excite the anger of the Dragon
and bring calamity upon the city.
But after Il while the opposition
died away and we came into quiet
possession of the house last August.
A few weeks ago the bargain was
completed for the garden.
The chapel and Helpers house, the
boys school and woman's school are
near, all on elevated land and convc-
niant for the work.
That we have been able to buy new
premises is cause for encouragement,
since i'll times past there has been so
much opposition to Christian work in
the city especially to the occupation
of land and the erection of foreign
buildings.
More land is needed for the en-
largemcnt Of the boys school and new
premises for the wOman's school.
This we hope to secure as land ad-
joining is offered for sale.
The occupants Of the house were
vngI1,tr tTr1,tl,,.
tnem we saw the household gods Sit
ting very peacefully in their inches.
They took the divining pen down from
the wall and explained to us how the
priest used it to write on sand, in the
presence of the idol. IN this way they
find out what medicine the gods would
have them use when any of the family
are sick. 1t was a pleasant thought
that those who in the future would
minister to sick ones there would seek
counsel not of the money loving priest
but OF Him whose wisdom is infinite
and whose name is Love.
They selected the lucky day" " for
moving, with great care, postponing
the time for several weeks, in order to
avail themselves of the most propi-
tious time. We were very glad when
we saw the family procession move out,
the women and children in sedan
chairs, with the ancestral tablets,
bright lanterns, and the great furnaces
carried by coolies, with the rice cook
ing over the fire, in order to transfer
the activities Of the old to the new
home with becoming ceremony.
After the Summer vacation the
work Of Transforming the house into
hospital was begun. This occupied
nearly three months.
Putting in glass windows, admitting
light to all the rooms, cutting down the
high door slls, whitewash and thorough
scruGbing, worked wonders in the dark,
smoky apartments and when the
twenty-eighth of December, we dedi-
Gated the hospital all were pleased with
its cheerful appearance.