The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-22
CONVERTING THE HEATHENs.
Missions In Chicago for Making
Christians of Chinumcn


(From the Cfieago Chronicle.)
The war over in China which has re-
suited so seriously for many of cur mis-
sionaries has led to no enlargement be-
tween the Chicago Chinese and mission
aries who are working among them. There
has been. no decrease in the attendance of
the natives OF the Flowery Kingdom at the
missions and Sunday schools. and appar-
emily there is not likely to be any. 1t
seems that the Sunday school and ion
almond-eyed scholars are more or less in
different to the fate of their native country,
and II is possible that this is the reason
they anticipate 10 effort of the home mis-
sionaries to take revenge on them for the
fate that is supposed to have oyertaken
some Of the missionaries in China.
What do you think of these stories
about the other nations getting ready to
divide ur China amcng themselves, John -
was receStly asked o. one Of the Chicago
Sunday school Chinamea
Chop China up little fine pieces, .ill
samee Chicago Chinaman,'' was the brief
response.
There are in Chicago two Chinese mis-
sions and almost dozen Sunday schools.
Each Sunday there is an average attend
ance at the schools and missions of 200
Cinnamon which is less than 10 per cent
Of all the Celestials in the city. The oldest
mission in the town is the Central Baptist,
located at 295 South Clark Street. Here
William Pickett is the leading spirit in
the work of converting the heather. The
mission is in a way the descendant OF the
old Farwell Hall Mission, which was
founded in 1878.
Il suppose many people would call it
slow work teaching and converting the
Chinese" said Mr.. Pickett, when seen at
his office, 113 Lake Street. ''brt 1t is re
suits we are after. not speed. One thing
which may make it seem slow is that the
Cinnamon who come most readily to the
mission are not the ones who know the
most about English. II is the other fell
lcw-the one who doesn't know a word OF
our language-who is quickest to come.
When you are confronted by a man who
doesn't know what you are talking about
because, in the first place, he is rot
familiar with your language, you may be
sure it is a task Of no mean proportion
and one requiring considerable time for
you to make him comprehend what you
are telling him. Attendance at the mis-
sion varies from dozen to fifty or sixty.
We formerly had Chinaman assisting US
who talked English. but We have none at
present. To have a man who talks the
native tongue of those you are trying 10
reach is Of course a great advantage and
l trust We will again secure the help OF
such a Christian. Some OF these China
men are converted into strong, vigorous
Christians and in such conversions We are
repaid many fold for the difficult work"
Very prominent and important in the
work at the central mission is daughter
Of Mr. Pickett who labors continuously
and increasingly with her father. Both
father and daughter have a very high opin-
ion of the patience and perseverance Of tina
Chinaman. The second Chinese mission in
the city is the Waters. which is located on
West Madison Street This mission was
founded by the late Mrs. Waters years ago
in the First Congregational Church, on
the west side of the river Before the
founder died she had the great pleasure
of knowing that forty Cinnamon had been
converted at the mission which she had
been instrumental in establishing. One
tenth of this number returned to China to
engage in missionary work. The mission
is now located at 221 Madison Street. ana
here the work is done under the super
vision of the board of missions After the
death of the founder active operations were
continued by her son and daughter-in-law,
who are still in charge. Aside from the
regular Sunday work lessons in English
are given at the mission every Monday
night
Among the best known Sunday schools
are those at the First Presbyterian Church
of the former school is Mrs. E. S Me-
Murray, who is most efficiently assisted
in the work by C. II. Mills, who lived in
China for over twenty years, and who has
familiarity with the Chinese language
and even with the dialects which enable
him to do most effective work with the
scholars.
The school on Van Buren, has feature
which none of the other schools can boast
This is a class containing only Chinese
children. This school is under the direc-
ton of the Seventh Day Adyentists and
the teachers were formerly among those
who taught at the Waters mission.
Among the other prominent Chinese Sun
day schools are those of the First Baptist
Church of EnEIewood. the Hyde Park Bap-
fist Church. the First Congregational
Church. and Rev. ]. A. Mack's school.
The school Of the First Baptist Church OF
Englewood has a membership of twenty
five Cinnamon and Mrs. NJ. A. Coleman is
the superintendent. TIE Mack school is
held at the First Cong sational Church,
corner of Ann Street and Washington
boulevard The Seventh Day Adventists
also have a school at 162 State Street.
Other schools are those of lions Taber-
nacle and the Church of the Covenant on
the north side.