The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-05
CHINESE SUNDAY SCHOOLS
Two Letters from Chtnnmen who Have
Worked AS Missionaries.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-!Sir. read in
this morning issue OF THE Sun letter from
n Rev. ]. B. Hamilton concerning the much
discussed Chinese Sunday schools. Being in
full sympathy with this branch OF missionary
work. cannot control myself from saying
few words in reply to the divine gentleman
and doing Justice to much prosecuted race.
like to oblige Mr.. Hamilton by believing in
what no says. but l cannot help doubling his
veracity when he writes that the Chinese de-
manded Girl teachers pretty glrls'-in his
Sunday school. know from experience that
the scholars have no corrupt motives. as Mr..
Hamilton thinks. and it is more Of a case Of
Evil to him who evil thinks" They might
have asked for lady teachers. because they
ara more gentle and pstiont than young
cause one scholar does not know tho English
language SO well Us his more fortunate country.
man. nut whom they reach certain n standard
then they arc put in tho same Bible class. TO
compare n Chinaman with q Bowcry. lrisl,man
is like comparing y lamb with wolf; should
not turn up the next Sunday. because they
have such sympathetic clergyman and one
En" has uh ga qpno9 IF the
Mr., Hamilton, know that the heather priin-
ciples Of morality are as good as any PRINCIPLES
because he is u bad man. but. because no wor-
ships an idol. SO man with heather ancestry
seRoo in Re that IS tie Very why ths
Christians want him. am sorry for people
who know practically nothing and hastily rush
work of others. which they have not spirit
enough to take up themselves. say to, the
POSSIBLE. and to the TEACHERS Onward. Chris.
JAN. 1. 1892. Celestial.
To THE ED1Ton OF THE SUN-Sir: Tho
letter from Mr.. Jay Benson Hamilton on the
Chinese Sunday school question published in
your paper on Jan. l. bears at least q faint
charm OF novelty. for while tho Chinese Sun.
day school attendant has over and over again
been accused OF going to school to be taught
by the pretty girls" he has never before. to my
knowledge. been accused Of openly declaring
his preference for a certain style Of teacher.
II Mr.. Hamilton's statement OF the request
and consequence OF refusal ia correct. think
can safely say it Is the most remarkable case
on record.
Ihave been for thirteen years in unrcmitting
Sunday school work. and have never known
the like. 1 have known many schools to die
because Of incompetent, half-hearted. don't
and from having gentlemen and ladies' too.
who talked over the heads Of the benighted
individuals they were honestly trying to help
From MIR. Hamilton's own statement and my
knowledge OF my countrynlen: l SHOULD say
men would be allowed to sit near and teach
them would be equal to declaring to them q
distrust which was Of itself an insult.
begets distrust Slow as the .Chinaman may
be to understand. he Is quick to recognize q
really friendly and Christian spirit, and equally
quick to recognize the OPP osite.
DIR. Gibson Of Californ ia had POO or more
Chinese young mon under his care. whom he
loved and treated as brethren., and who re:
turned his confidence with confidence. I could
mention many more II space permitted.
There are thirty-tlve schools in New York
and Brooklyn. and II our friends and enemies
will take the trouble to visit few OF them
think they will be surprised to find how few
young and pretty" girls are there to attract
The ciergymen with whose churches these
schools are connected and the superintend-
ents OF them have no desire to be either
vicious" or foolish" when they apportion
the teachers as they. from long experience,
think the need demands; ,-,., =,
who conducts himself decently. wherever In
Gods providence his ancestors may have been
placed-that Is OF course n matter OF tnste.
Tho absurd advert sement viii ch Mr.: Hamil
ton suggest can hardly apply with equal
force IL he will consider that those OF every
other nationality have places OF worship and
spiritual advisers who are especially appointed
and paid to teach them In their own language
and care for their spiritual needs; whereas. as
DR.. s. l.. Baldwin has said, this Sunday school
work is absolutely tho only work which Is be-
Are those who are SO ready to- pull down pre-
pared to build up? Respectfully, c.
| BnooKIYN. N Y. jan