New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-16
REPORTS FROM ARMENIA.
MISS H. c. Woodruff AND MRS. E. j. NEW
TON TELL SOME OF THEIR EXPERT

ENCES IN FOkEiGN LANDS
The American Board Of Missionaries for Foreign
Missions. Boston. has received from its Foochow
China Mission the nftie,h annual report Of the
mission. In it Miss II. c. Woodruff reports as
| follows:
"All our churches are making special efforts tow
ard sef-support. and the women have promised 10
give ten cash about cent? per week. There
was no other way 10 get he money than for US
TO start station class and pay the for read
Ing At first 1t seemed as II they were almost ready
TO say unless they were paid they would not read
any longer But finally they said: We don't say
We Will not read II We not helped. but II will be
number one good II you will help us a little
told them that would be my giving and not theirs.
and was sure II they had the heart TO help In
the support OF the Gospel and prayed to God. He
would show them how to raise the money. Not the
least Interesting feature OF the work at Au-Puo
Is the opportunity for seed-sowing among the VIII
iage people along the way. The chairs pass close
along many OF the houses. and Sunday after Sun
day the same faces stand by the door 10 greet US.
and we feel We have many friends among them.
One Sunday all along the fields and women
were planting ther second crop OF rice. Several OF
them asked us II We had rice In our country. We
told them that in the southern part we had. but
IN the northern. where lived. wheat corn and
potatoes were raised. This gave opportunity to
tell them that our father farmer. had large
fields and worked very hard. but always rested on
Sunday: and that II they would only trust God
and keep His commandments. lie would surely
bless them and they need not fear they would not
have anything to eat.
AS 10 house visiting. II the Church at home
would send out more women workers you would
soon hear a report from this work that would re-
joice III hearts"
Mrs. L. J. Newton. OF Foochow suburbs sends
the following report:
request came day from the wife OF one
OF our native pastors to visit with her a young
bride. whose brave determination to follow Christ
seemed In danger OF being by her hea hen
relatives On the way We called at her mothers
house The mother was an inquirer. but knew
very little: the brother had recently been baptized
while his wife was only beginning to look with
favor on the new religion. We were cordially re-
OF which was used country store and were
chatting pleasantly. when we CHANGED TO discover
quantity of incense and idol paper the shelves.
on inquiry We learned that II was the stock on
hand when the Young man became Christian.
and. though he did not intend to deal in such mer
chandise hereafter. he thought it no harm TO sell
out what was left 1t required but little persuasion
TO convince him that this course was inconsistent
mp the questionable articles We proceeded to the
incense and mock money and soon had great
fire in the furnace. The day was hot and the
room uncomfortable. but 1t was glad service to
feed the flames with those embems OF idolatry.
The neighbors crowded about and looked at us
curiously, thinking what waste It was. and ask:
offerings. Meanwhile. the young wifes face grew
couded. and she but poorly concealed her fear
and displeasure The young man did not hesitate.
however but kept bravely at his task. but II took
so long that at lag: he took up what was left and
threw II pile of burning refuse In the yard
Before reached the brides home. she
came out 10 meet us. ard oh. the crowd that
closed in upon went Into the house. She
had boldly refused 70 enter the bridal chair on
the day OF her wedding TIL the husbands family
gave promise that she might he excused from
all idolatrous ceremonies and had firmly resisted
effort to break that promise: but when she
insisted keeping the Sabbath and going TO
church every week II was more than they were
prepared TO yield We directed our efforts toward
the mother-in-law. In whose hands IL most OF the
power IN n Chinese home. but could win from her
no satisfactory promise that her household could
be made the OF such radical innovations
upon the time honored customs OF the family and
village Perhaps II would have been humiliating
for her to give such promise, but the next Sab
bath the bride made her appearance at the church.
at which she has since been regular attendant
and Is now a member. and later on. when one OF
the men struck her for refusing TO work In the
field on the Sa bbath. the mother-in-law took her
part and has since proved that the Christian
daugh ter- in law has warm place IN the
heart OF the rough old
con our way home made another call. Inc
husband in this family had recently been baptized
and his wife was inquirer, but We saw the
mother goddess still in its shrine In her bedroom
She said she did not worship 1t any longer. but
seemed to think II no harm to give 1t to another
member OF the family who had no interest In
Christianitv After little talk. however. she took
down the idol walked TO the front door. and. in
plain view OF the neighbors. smashed II on the
s.opa pavement"