Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-23
0U1 AND ABOUT.
WITH THE MISSIONARIES IN TIEN.
TSIN.
Mrs shapleigh's Talk at Union Church
The Cecilia Companys Concert
Other Church News

The Ladies Missionary Society of
Union Church was addressed Tuesday
by Mrs. A. L. Shapleigh, formerly of
Tien-Tsin, China, Who spoke most in
terestingly of the missionary life in that
city
An interesting description was given
of her arrival in that city, where her
husband was a medical missionary. Of
the binding of womens feet as prac-
ticed there, she spoke instructively.
Probably few in her audience were pre-
viously aware that foot-binding is fol-
lowed as a profession, generally by old
Z women, who carry about with them diff
ferent patterns OF feet and, after a
mother has selected that style which
she prefers or can afford, proceed to
take charge of the little girls feet until
they are permanently shaped. The
process begins at about the age of six
or seven, and so anxious are the girls
to have it commence that they beg their
mothers with tears, and if they cannot
| get it done otherwise, will dc it them
! selves. The bindings are changed once
a week, as the pain is eXcruciating
when the blood is allowed to circulate in
| the feet. Gradually the numbness in
/
the time the process is finished, there
/ is little or no suffering. The women Of
China submit to this process because
| the men admire small feet The first
question of lover is as to the size of
the lady's feet. There is an Anti-Foot-
Binding Society, which is making head
way. It's efforts are directed toward
changing masculine taste in pedal direc-
tons.
Mrs. Shapleigh argued strongly
against the idea, somewhat common
in this country, that the missionary
lives in luxury while serving the Master
| in China. 1t is possible for one going
! to Tien-Tsin, said she. to live a gay,
society life, for the city has large for
eign quarter, containing a race course,
clubs and other appurtenances of fash
ion, and is inhabited by a good many
| English, with a few Russians and Ger
mans and scattering of Americans
and other nationalities, who lead a very
dissipated life. They may be decent
| persons at home, but in China they in
| dulge in every vice, and the bad eX-
ample of these so-called Christians Is
one of the most serious impediments
which the missionary meets A mis-
sionary may labor for years in Tien-
! Tsin without converting a single soul,
because of this foreign influence.
Mrs Shapleigh acknowledged that
the missionary in Tien-Tsin lives in a
well-built house. keeps three servants,
lives on such food as he would in Amer
lea, with some of what to Us are luXu-
rieS, thrown in, and that his income is
assured to him; but for all that she
claimed his life is one of hardships, less
( of a physical than a spiritual nature.
| The separation of the children who have
to be sent home to America by the time
they reach their teens, the climate, the
| language and the absence of the intel
lectual and spiritual atmosphere which
they have enjoyed here, all conspire to
make life somewhat onercus.
The intermediate G. E. Society of Pill
grim Church held It's second social of the
season Tuesday evening in Pilgrim Hall,
under the supervision of Miss Grace e.
| Cobb, the superintendent. Mr.. John
! Briefly the assistant superintendent,
presided at the short entertainment,
| consisting of selections on the auto-harp
| by Miss Nettie Mecorney, and readings
by Miss Alice Pond. Miss Cobb and Mr.
| Briefly, that filled the early part of the
evening. Afterwards pilow-dex enter
| tanned the so or more young people who
were present.
Tuesday, at its regular meeting, the
Ladies' Social Circle of the First Uni
versalist Church decided to hold its an
nual fair, Dec 7-S, in the vestry. Miss
Perley and Miss Goldthwaite spoke in
| behalf of the work of the District Nurse.
At $50 o'clock supper was served by
Mrs %. H. Towne Mrs. E. A Gardner,
Mrs. j. N. Truda, Mrs. c. A Homer,
Mrs. L. H. Williams, Mrs. A. NJ. Downes,
Mrs w. A. Richardson and Mrs. C. r.
Mason, chairman.
A literary entertainment, of which
Jean Ingelow was the subject, followed,
with Miss Lizzie Downes in charge. A
sketch of Miss Ingelow's life, by Miss
Downes, was followed by recitations and
readings from the works of the former
by Dorothy Harris, who was eight years
old that day, and recited Seven times
one are seven; Miss Isabella Harring-
ton, DR.. E. F. Fitch, Miss Downes, Miss
Simons, Miss Luta Belle Lincoln and
Mr.. William Allen. There was large
attendance.
Most of the time usually given to
more serious concerns by the Ladies'
Missionary Society of Pilgrim Church
and other social interests, but Mrs.
Bruce gave short talk on the mission
work in India, and Miss Simmons gave
another upon the work in Cape Colony,
reading letter from her sister who is
a missionary there. A collection of Gu
rios from India, China and other places
in which the ladies' are interested, af-
forded entertainment.
Mr.. w. A. Barrows, whose beautiful
model of the tabernacle was shown at
the Old South Church a short time since.
will exhibit it and one of the temple at
the Sunday school convention in Shrews-
bury, Thursday.
In the absence of Rev. Spencer b.
Meeser, Rev, Woodman Bradbury of the
Pleasant Street Baptist Church will give
an address The lesson which Miss E.
M. Phmpton, principal of the Elizabeth
street school, is to teach to the class of
average boys is anticipated with
much interest, and so is the awarding
of diplomas to the 25 graduates of nor
NAL classes. The schools in and about
Worcester are rapidly sending in the
number of delegates and others who will
attend the convention, and if the
weather is pleasant the attendance will
undoubtedly equal, if it does not exceed,
500
Tuesday evening company of young
people known as the Cecilia Concert Co.
gave a concert in Piedmont Church. it
being the last in the course conducted
by the ladies of the congregation. The
orchestra" included violin, cello, cor
net, trombone and piano, the effect of
which was far better ensemble than solo.