The times., 1898-07-25
TEACHING THE CHINESE.
Their Love for American sunday
Schools Continues to Increase

In view of the sweeping changes. which
students of political economy are predict
ing will come over the almond-eyed peo-
pie of the Chinese Empire in consequence
of the grab game of the nations compos-
ing the Concert of Europe, the Chinese
Sunday school, which is regularly held
on Sunday afternoons at the Metropoli-
tan Church, is well worth study.
OF all Institutions in America intended
| for the spread of the gospel and christi
anization of unbelievers the Chinese Sun
day school is among the most unique. II
is the medium through which the mysti-
cism of Confucius is made to pass like a
cloud from the mind of the Chinese pupil
before the dawning of the more practical
teachings of Christian theology.
Many of the scholars are only ordinary
laundrymen who have sought wealth and
happiness in the bosom of free America,
but they are faithful pupils as well as
apt scholars, and are contributing their
share toward making the school a sue
cess.
They are said to be less trouble and
| more grateful than Sunday school stu
dents of any nationality including natu-
raj born Americans and this is probably
| the secret of the great success of the un-
1
cess, when it has had an existence OF
| twelve years and is still fiourishing
| The school was started more than thir-
| teen years ago as small adjunct TO the
regular Sunday-school Though of mea-
| ger origin, the innovation was a success
| from the start, and the attendance in
! creased yearly until there are now almost
| fifty pupils, mostly adults.
The young ladies of the church volun-
] teHred a pharS va
! Celestials have taken a great liking to
! them. Each has about three pupils
| Their first duty upon receiving a new
| scholar is to acquaint him with the Eng
| lish language The Chinese are taught
reading and writing, and this is used as
foundation for the Scrip,ural lessons,
which are given later. Most of them are
| quick at imitation and many now speak
the English language quite we'll
After scholar has advanced by sue
cessive degrees to this plane he is permit
| ted TO read verses from the Bible 70 the
entire class. which seems TO give them
great pride, and they apparently enjoy
the privilege. Songs and hymns are also
sung in concert.
The work of the various teachers whC
have volunteered their services is in tht
nature of labor of love. and the Chi
nese show their appreciation of the same
| by the presentation of handsome import
ed Chinese novelties in silk and bamboo
| and bric-a-brac whenever holiday oc.
4 ours in their calendar.
/ Among the ladies most prominently
identified with the institution ara the su
perintendent. Mrs. Collins. and Mrs Dai
| sy Crosby. The last named Is the pianis
and has taken a deep interest in teach
ing the Celestials for some years.
The attendance shows no signs of dimi
mutton with the approach of hot wea ther
and the Sunday-school will be continued
during the Summer in Difference to tn
expressed desire of the pupils. who sa,
they are interested in their work, anS
that 1t would be disappointment to then
to close the school until Autumn, as wa
at one time contemplated.