The times., 1901-03-24

an hour the hum of those studying quite
resembles that of a crowded school room
The scholars range in age from PROB
ably six To forty years. The younger ones
are quite in the minority and consist Of
but two or three children clad in ordinary
English dress. Most Of the Cinnamon are
dressed in the familiar Chinese garb in
Guiding flowing blouse loose trousers. and
embroidered velvet slippers Their queues
are wound about their heads. one or two
of the regular attendants have discarded
their queues The cutting of the queue
was once a mark of degradation. but
among the Chinese in this country it is
not now generally so regarded.
Probably the most noticeable thing
about the Chinese is the keen interest
they take in the Sunday studies A look
of lively appreciation replaces the stolid
Indifferent aspect which characterizes
them when encountered in their places of
business. They laugh and chat with their
teachers and with each other. Some of
them pore over their Bibles without look
ing up for an instant. Others busy them
selves writing out in English verses from
the Testament. while still others listen to
explanations by the teachers of some un-
familiar point encountered.
The Bibles used are interesting. They
are printed both in English and in Chi
nese The English in one column of the
page and the Chinese in a column be-
side it. The pupil reads the Chinese
script and then the English Some of the
older pupils are able to read particularly
well from an ordinary English Bible.
attracts so many Chinese to the Sunday
school. They are persevering and untir-
ing in their efforts to master the Ian
guage. AS a rule they learn quickly
have mastered the English alphabet in
a single afternoon. The Chinese mind
is especially retentive, and the lessons
once learned are never forgotten
In addition to the Chinese at study
there are three Greeks receiving in
struction every Sunday in one corner of
the room, They speak scarcely word
Of English and are being taught on the
same system as the Chinese. After about
an hour of study another bell rings and
books are laid aside. All join in a
sentences from the Bible Those who
have but little knowledge of the Ian
guaSe are shy and stumble through their
lines as best they can. while some of
those who can read easily and distinctly
take great pride in their accomplishment
and read even more than their lessons.
The Greeks read verses in English and
repeat the Lords Prayer in their native
tongue; then, led by one of the teachers
who has been a missionary in China, the
Chinese recite the Lords Prayer in the
short choppy cadenceS of their language
One of the pupils passes a collection box.
Without a single exception each pupil
contributes a coin.
The Sunday school is more than self
supporting. Each year $50 is donated by
it to the Chinese missionary fund. An
other fund from it pays the expenses Cf
young Chinaman who is attending How
ard University
The Metropolitan Sunday school is not
the only one of it's kind in the city Chi
nese receive instruction at the Ascension
Episcopal Church every Sunday after
noon at / o'clock and at Calvary BaDtjst
Church at O'Clock every Sabbath even
ing. Many Chinese attend all three serv-
ices. IT is generally more for instruction
In English than anything else. However
many of them become converts to Chris
tianity.
There are five Chinese who are regular
members of the Metropolitan Church To
become a Christian is TO go directly
against the precepts of the Chinese race
But il a Chinaman who becomes Chris
ton Heads a good life there is not much loss
of prestige involved by the conversion
Be he hypocritical he al once falls from
grace. as the average Chinaman is quick
to detect dishonesty.