Smyrna times., 1891-11-25
For the Smyrna Times
Letter from Miss Ella F. Swinney
MD.

SHANGHAI, CHINA, Oct. -, 1891.
Mr.. EDITOR:
The manners and costumes of these
Chinese are quite different, especially
in the sick room, from those in our
home land.
1t is frequent thing in a sick room
to find some friend patting or pinching
the flesh of the sick one. This is done
in quick skillful way, being a very
common practice both in this country
and Japan. We see something of the
same in the open barber shops, as we
pass, where in finishing, the customer
is struck quick, sharp strokes upon the
shoulders and back. Among the
sick it is greatly valued as a
means of removing WEAKNESS,
or of easing pain. The present
practice of massage appears to be only
scientific OutgrOwth of the ancient
custom. In reference to this very sub
jeCt a pleasing incident occurred only
few days ago.
l was in my room busily occupied in
writing, when faint knock came at
my door. On opening it the smallest
| girl IN the school came In TO deliver q
message to my assistant. After stand
| ing in the centre of the room in an I'M
decided way for a while, she finally
came side ways toward me with her fin
ger in her mouth, asking in her quaint,
lisping way, if was not tired, and if l
did not want her to tap me on the
back to rest me.
When l thanked her she went away
beaming with joy and said to my
self, the dear little girl is entering
early in life into the right way, in that
she finds her greatest pleasure in striv-
ing to make others happy.
Another incident gives me Joy. Re.
Gently, by accident, 1 heard a good
word concerning my teachers sister
Mary, who teaches the day school in
the city chapel.
was there as usual liz the little
room dispensing medicine to the sick.
In the interval between the groups o.
patients coming and going a poor
neighboring woman with her baby in
her arms, sauntered in. Being at leis
ure invited her into my room, and in
talking with her of our heavenly
Father and his love, she said: "Oh,
know that, the teacher in there point.
ing to the schOol) often tells me these
things. My child goes there to schOo
and when l 90 to look after him, she
frequently tells me of the doctrine.
Quite often during my conversation
with her she made similar exclama.
tiOns, and l was glad not only to fee
that Mary was doing her best by thu
children, but BlsO to hear from ont
outside, that she was stirring to lead
the mothers who came under her in
fuence to true light.
Before the school was opened, she
told me her daily prayer to God wa
that he give her some active work t,
do for Him; and | rejoice that she i'm
proves the opportunities given her il
His service.
We who have walked in this patl
longer than she, know how it is t.
speak to each and every one, becaus,
we do not know who will ant
who will not receive the mes
sage. Only faith in God lead
US to make the effort, for their good.
Recently was told of a case tina
has encouraged me very much.
Along our coast is a group of island
called the Chusan Archipelago. On
of these islands, Poo Doc, far ava
from the main land, is noted for tn
most beautiful scenery of any on tn
s China coast. 1t is wholly given up t
g idOlatTy, being occupied exclusiVel
e by temples where only priests reside
:, By the will of the Emperor it has lon
= been exempt from taxation. Amt
e ally large numbers of people make pill
/ grimages to this island. Only those i
u good circumstances go, as they Onl
n are able to hire boat, and bear rio
offerings to the idols.
! Not long since some men, accOmpal
. led by their wives and few relative
hired boat to take them to worship
Just before reaching Poo Doc the
were Overtaken by one of the fierC
typhoons that frequent this part
China, and in little while, their boa
10 was capsized. All chung to the vi
% turned boat, in great fright, calm
10 upon the idols to help them. In th
70 midst of the danger one woman SUI
denly cried out to the Lord Jesus I
O. save her. The others reprimande
her saying, "Why that is the jest
,s doctrine, you don't believe that! Yo
10 are coming here to worship the idols.
h She said she had but little faith
Of them, and now less than ever, an
cried the more earnestly to Jesus
"a save her. No remOnstrance cou
nj change her mind, and after q viii
Z when the boat went down and all IL
ne passengers with it, she was still cryir
to the Saviour for help. Only two
A. three of the bOatmen succeeded
of reaching the shore, and they told Il
story of the journey.
ce Now when and where did this womi
hear the story of the cross Who W
"a. the happy messenger that bore it
her, that she should have faith in Il
= most trying time to call upon the Lor
- Surely we do not know which W
- prosper, this or that, and thus we a
encouraged more than ever to SOW b
side all waters.
We miss our cO.laborer Rev. d.
Davis and his family. who sailed &
first Of this year for the Home Land"
l hope he may visit Smyrna, this f
1t and speak good word to my mai
h. friends there in behalf of the Forei
MS Missions.