The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-06-21
LETTER FROM LYDIA LORD DAVIS
FEu Chow FEE- Ian Q. 1s.

LETTER FRUM LYDIA LORD DAVIS
FEU Chow FEE. ] an g 1898.
DEAR FRIENDS: Once upon atime-which was
the last of June-we had the hottest weather we
have had since coming to Shansi; and the sun
came pouring down into our brick paved courts
with no mercy at all upon us.
My husband and were engaged in the prosaic
work of studying. preparing for an examination
which we wanted to take before we left the city
for the Summer; while ten young people, who
were boarding with US. were engaged or engag-
ing themselves in counting. and 1 presume they
were very glad that my husband and were SO
busy. and thus kept out of their way. Well. all
things come to an end-the examination was
passed. the young man went back to his station
across the plain. leaving his lady here with US
for few months; our goods were packed up. the
night had come to put them ON to the cart when
behold. the rain. for which we had so longed.
came pouring down in a most refreshing shower.
We planned to start early in the morning-reaI
early-for our home in the mill by the river;
but alas for any one who plans to start early or
any thing else in hurry in China. The goods
were loaded onto the cart, but the mules did not
appear so we waited, and waited At last the
driver came. and said that owing to the rain the
roads were bad. and more mules must be hired.
This all took time, of course. and it was noon
ere we started. The rain had swollen the stream
in the bed of which we had to ride for about an
hour. The road was washed out somewhat. and
though the mule pulled as hard as he could. we
were obliged to get out and walk part of the
way. We got to the mill. at last. and were hun
CRY enough. but our lunch was on the load of
goods; and if we came slowly. they came much
more so. and it was dark before we had anything
to eat. Then the goods came and were unloaded.
and as it nevor rains but it pours. our home mail
came. and how welcome it always isl We had
letters to read.and few things must be unpaek-
ed that night. and it was midnight ere we went
to sleep. But when the first morning dawned.
The sight of the trees and the sound of the water
Was rest to our weary frame;
From the heat and dust and filth of the city.
How glad were we that we came.
Two months we spent at the river. 1t was a
| month later than we went last year. and the
opium was nearly all harvested. It WAS a rainy
season. indeed. this year. and the river was swol
| len many times and we had various experiences
getting across ourselves to the village on the
other side, where we went as often as possible to
| teach the women. There was a small dam across
| the stream in front of our house; and when this
was in good repair we crossed on it. but owing to
the rains and the unsubstantial way in which it
was built. it was washed out a great deal of the
time. and then we crossed on planks laid upon
stones to the land. The wemen in coming down
to service had the hardest time. and how they
could creep along on their little feet was often
mystery to us.
Miss Hewett and went to this village. as
said, as frequently as we could during the Sum-
mer. It is a picturesque place, built on ter
raced side hill. The houses are caves followed
out of the hill. and there are three OF four ter
races of these. each one above and little back
of the other. with a narrow path in front of the
court yard. The view here always paid us fol
climbing up the hill. We could look down al
the river, like silver thread winding its way
among the tall trees. and the mills dotting it
banks at intervals. At the head of the river va
the range of mountains rising so loftily ant
standing so securely, while away at the lef
stretched the broad level plain. with its tree
and villages. and the still higher mountains ris
ing in the distance. looking so quiet,s unchange
able, and yet-they shall pass away-but tn
words which had to speak to these womel
shall never pass away. o. wish I could speal
to you-wish some one was coming to help us
coming to love these women, to teach them tn
unsearchable riches of Christ We enjoyed go
ing there day by day and few were quite read
to listen to US. remember one old woman ,wh
was evidently quite an oracle in the place. witt
a chin as square and firm as you can imagine
She came stalking into the court one afternoon
and seemed to be going to impress upon abe 9th
ers that it vas impossible for WOMEN to learn.
answered as rapidly as could, - Yes. wome
can learn. WOMEN can understand" !" and she 500
ceased. Another old woman with angular fac
which had been rendered firm by hard. wear
life of unceasing toll. we would think. said on
day. in reply to our question as to her ag
SEVENTY YEARS OLD. AND NOT DEAD YET
Doubtless she could look back a life of to
and bitter poverty. which no earthly true loy
had frightened, to whom no strength had CON
from the idols which she had worshipped.
whom no ray of light had shone through tt
darkness round about her. to whom the futul
held no hope no promise-only waiting for deaf
to take her away from the home where perhap
she is not wanted. This is the life of many
heather woman-these are the lives to who
you could bring brightness. were you here. The
: was one woman there who. with her childrs
seemed really to be touched, and we hope 81
may yet be brought into the full light.
In September we came back to the city, and
seemed good to be settled again. with our thin
in their accustomed place. It was in this mon
that Miss Hewett left US for home of her ow
and have missed her much in these four mont
| that she has been gone. 1t is much easier
/ work together than to work alone among Il
| native women.
We had a pleasant visit at Taihu this Fa
Mrs. Clapp has her school of twenty boys.
good working order. and they are to admit b
tween ten and twenty into the church who ha'
been on probation for year. Mr.. and Mrs. .ClaI
are most faithful missionaries.
1t was joy to see the new friends, Mr. al
Mrs. Williams who have come to us full of O.
| have bou ha.
for year, studying and seeing the encouragir
work of that station of the North China Missio
They will be real inspiration to US.
Mr.. and Mrs. Atwater. just from the hon
land. have brought much of dear. good O
America with them. in the shape of consecratio
and energy. and the Taihu Station now seer
quite like the home land, when they are all t
gether. 1t was real treat to US. this visit ther
We came home on Saturday. and on the follow
ing Thursday Mrs. Tien and her two childre
came to be taught. She and one girl (the 9TH
| being too young) have been committing the ca
:, | echism and reading the Gospel of Mark, and
have been telling them the Life of Christ.
about twenty lessons. At first they were ve
slow, and it was slow work indeed. I cou
have done very little. had it not been for Nj
: Tsini. the Christian woman who lives o.
place. She was well instructed by Mrs. Stimso
|
helpful. also.
Alter Mrs. Tien had been here about a mont
her sister -in-law came. She also had one daug g
I ter, and then L had to begin over again. 1t W
not nearly so hard the first time teaching. b
cause 1 had the WORK laid out and prepared. al
the woman who came first knew it partly. al
this was quite help. l had some funny exper
ences. The children would sing. and I had
talk pretty loud at times. to be heard. and som
times not to get much light into their minds b
= 1 kept on praying and pegging away. and tn
have frightened up good deal in the wee
they have been here. hope they will not sot
forget what they have learned.
The day before Christmas we foreigners gave
dinner to about so Chinese. The chapel look,
quite pretty. Above the desk was the vers
GLORY to God in the highest. on earth peaC
good will to men," This was in raised gilt lie
ters. while between the two ten rows of chara
teTs hung on evergreen wreaths. with a gilt sta
On one side of the room were two green wreath
and at the back an evergreen cross. while
IL