The herald., 1895-05-12

Editor Herald Having a few evenings
ago paid an accidental visit to a reception
or church social given to a Chinese Sun
day school class in an uptown church IN
this city, | most respectfully tender for
publication few comments on certain
features of the entertainment as witnessed
on the above occasio n, which | consid-
cred very distasteful and repugnant social
" and wholly uuwarranteu from a relig
ious standpoint The features particularly
alluded to are the games which were in
dulged in by both Cinnamon and young
ladies with the utmost freedom and ia >
miliarity. For instance. game was intro
duced with chairs placed around in cir.
Gle and the participants in the game
marched around to music and when the
music stopped all scrambled for seats;
there being one chair less than players
ladies frequently sat down on Chinamens S
dulged in was drop the handkerchief, in
which all stand around in a ring, holding
hands, etc. While these games are per-
fectly harmless In themselves, yet we
must look with no little apprehension as
to what may be the result upon the
young ladies who are permitted to asso-
ciate so familiarly with the Chinese race.
1t is an acknowledged fact. as Pope
says, that "Nice is monster OF 80 hideous
men, to be hated needs put be seen;
but seen too oft, familiar with her face,
we first endure. then pity. then en-
Brace Occasionally the world is shocked
by the marriage of young and beautiful
girls with some aimond-eved Celestial.
If love enter into such marriages it is
an unnatural love, or the result of habit
ual social contact. which is the producer
of second nature. However much it
may be desirable TO proselyte the Chinese
race, | would consider the salvation of
l. ri, Ia,,
the purity and social stamina of the
young womanhood of our country. If GU
women must be a factor IN the proselyt-
ing, let them do so with proper dignity
and reserve. No one was ever able to
elevate the moral, social. or relig ious
sentiment OF people by lowering them
selves to their level. If people are to
be influenced to better lives and lofter
inspirations through the mediation of an
instructor. it can only be by setting them
an example worthy of their emulation.
Children can be won by sweetmeats and
hugs, kisses and caresses, but men are
supposed to be above this petty bribery
If the Chinese are not cabaple of loving
truth for truth $ sake their conversion is
of little consequence. When Christians
cease to be the superors OF pagans pagans
will cease to be their disciples. Christ
was kind and considerate, loving and for
giving, to all. from fallen womanhood to
lne tlllcl Oh bnc CIoSS, Dub Wdo VIC SOHh-
panion of none. What reason can be CIV
en- for the foregoing conduct / do not
know, but surely there can be no justiti-
able reason why we should expose ourselves
unduly to the silent but powerful influence
es OF association with II race that is in
every respect our inferior, and wholly un-
fitted for amalgamation with the Cau-
casan. Give them the Bible. but do not
give them our seIf-respect. There seems
to be mawkish sentiment pervading the
modern Christian world in, the way of an
affected humility. but while the scrip
lures teach humility in the sight of God,
they do not ask us to belttle ourselves in
the sight of man.
These remarks are intended with the
utmost respect to those to whom they may
seem pertinent. They are written in the
spirit that it is sometimes well to see our
selves as others see us, rather than to cast
any reflections. and with the moral con-
clusion. give the Chinaman our Bible. but
DO not surrender him our self-respect.
f.. +. SMITH.