New-York tribune., 1900-07-16
WORK AMONG THE CHINESE.
HEATHENS GREATLY OUTNUMBER
CHRISTIANS IN THIS CITY-TWO
MISSIONS IN CHINATOWN.
HEATHENS

If the fanatcal Chinese Boxers with their intense
hatred OF all things Christian had swooped down
on Chinatown yesterday they would have found
plenty of work for their murderous swords. Hun
dreds OF Chinese attended the different services
which were held at the Morning Star Mission, No
Il Doyers-st.. and renewed the vows in their new
religion great many more listened with interest
at the street service held between and o'clock at
Pell and Mott SITS. There not one word Of dis
turbance at either place have the missionaries
even had the least trouble in holding services
Ever since the Chinese came to New-York in large
numbers efforts have been made to Christianize
them. All Of the church denominations have Chinese
mission workers and hold special services for the
Mongolians in various parts of the city There are
but two missions for Chinese in the quarter, the
Morning Star. in Doyers-st. and the Bethany Mis-
sion, which has small room in Pell-st. The Morn
Ing Star Mission organized about eight years
ago under the direction of the Baptist Home Mis-
sion Society. There have been about fifty
sions and many have professed their faith without
actually joining the church.
The Rev. Fung Y Now has been the pastor in
charge for the last years. He is taller than
the average Chinese. and in his clerical frock
has quite an imposing appearance. He edu-
Gated in the Baptist school at San Francisco and
speaks English fuenty.
I'VE doing a great work among my people in
this city, he said yesterday to Tribune reporter
But it is hard work. The Chinese don't have
much religion their own, and what they have
is sadly mixed but they don't want TO take up
Christianity any than they want to put
American clothes We have been working in this
mission for eight years and have had fifty
versions AS far learn four hundred OF
the seven thousand Chinese in this city Chris
tians. Most of the unconverted still worship Con-
fucius and Buddha. They cannot understand why
there should be many different kinds Of Chris
tians. and you must admit that it is rather
fusing.
In the hold night school In these
We teach arithmetic spelling. writing and
reading. We charge no tuition and furnish the
necessary books At the close of school short
religious service is held Young and old Chinese
come from all parts of the city to study with
"I think the street corner meetings do a great
deal of good Several thousand Chinese come into
the quarter from other parts Of the city to spend
their Sundays. We could reach them in no other
way. They get interested in the preaching and
come regular service A great many good
come here Sundays to help with the
work. We give them luncheon at o'clock in the
little dining hall We have three native helpers
and several American superintendents, Of whom
James Buchanan is chief"
In response to a question about the work among
the Chinese women. the missionary said:
There are about twenty-five Chinese women in
the quarter, several of whom Christians. We
do work among the women. as the Chinese men
and women do mix very WE'LL
While Mr.. Now talking one Of his assistants
holding service. About fifty Chinese most of
whom native clothes. were giving close atten-
tion. IN another part of the room two young
women were hearing three or four young China
men recite Sunday school lesson.
The headquarters Of the heather Chinese is on
the top floor Of No 16 Mott-st No regular services
held in this joss house The sacred altar with
a of fierce looking gods is there however
and worship is possible at all hours. The Chinese
follower of Buddha. when he feels the necessity
of confessing his sins when he is about to en-
bark in some new venture. stumbles up four flights
of rickety stairs with bowed head buys q bundle
of joss sticks and prepares to pray. He lights the
sticks, puts them in heap OF sand before the
altar and knees a low cushion. In q low,
Inumbng tone he goes through prayers Of different
lengths
One old Chinaman, who said he had worked in
cigar shop in this city for seventeen years, made
some interesting remarks about the, Boxers. He
said:
"If army was raised in this country to go to
China to fight the Boxers 80 per cent OF tho Chinese
in this country would enlist. We don't like
them any more than Americans Hks %fndiafsi We
would fight against them just like you people did
against your oountrymen in the South. They
devils. Why, they wild that they don't
bother to cook their food. but eat raw Boxers
not real Chinese"
Tribune photographer who went into the quar-
ter yesterday to take photographs had an interest
Ing experience. The Chinese have always been
afraid OF a camera, and metropolitan life does not
seem to have given them new courage They tried