The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-08
BINDING
OF FEET
GOES ON
Continued from Page 81

say: Shame. shameI Big girl like yol
go out? -
Chinese custom. We find it a law NOR
Interchangeable than any decree of Mede
or PerSians; a rock more immovable thar
the Rock of Gibraltar. Let me give yol
an instance of it, only in another form
One day Miss Woods was in her room
writing when on the still air she heard
| q child's cry, long drawn out piercing
as though some one was in terrible pain
She followed where the sound led and
came to an upper room with a door lead
ing into bed room from whence came
the cries. Walking in, she saw a tiny
five-year-old girl seated on the edge of
the bed, her poor little feet hanging over
the side. wrapped in cruel bandages. The
- child was rocking back and forth in
agony. tears streaming down her cheeks.
A pitiful sight, yet mother and friends
stood unconcernedly by. Their feet were
bound. They. too. had suffered; why
should not their child? BY this process
thus insuring her a good marriage as
somebody's first wife. They seemed
frightened when told 1t was against the
law in this country, and took the child
AWAY for awhile. She Is back again,
however, lettering around on the poor
little feet that should be carrying her to
play.
While sad to know there is at least one
victim of this terrible habit in Honolulu.
doubtless more, it is encouraging to note
on the other hand a growing sentiment
in favor of unbinding. Several have al
ready unbound. Many more have assur-
ed me they would never bind the feet OF
their little girls.
i Need, sad need, we find everywhere:
need of the soothing, healing Christ
touch. Let me tell you of a dear woman
whom I visit For years apparently in
different reliQjnuS things she
prised us all one Sunday by coming to
church. For some weeks she came quite
regularly. Her manner seemed gentle and
, more suboued, showing the gradual in
coming of the new life Hers is the same
pitiful heart story. The mother of a
large family, she seemed happy until the
coming a few years ago of a younger
woman as second wife Then her trou-
bles and heartaches began. Missing her
for several Sundays, 1 looked her up. I
found her busiIy sewing a huge pile
Of mems shirts. She was downcast and
very quiet. I saw at once that she was
troubled. 1 told her how we missed her.
Yes" she said, "but 1 hadn't time to !
60" Then the little girl broke in, giving
me the key to the situation: MY papa F,
no give US money. Make us geti'' The
father. by the way. though well-to-do, is
a regular old Hiser. yes" she continu-
ed. my papa no love us; love second
wife,
AS I tried to comfort them the thought
flashed upon me that millions of wom-
en- were bearing just such awful loads
bodies perishing. hearts breaking-know-
ing not of the burden-bearer.
Who will tell them of Him? /
This report is but a bird s-eye view of
our work. Any report must be. Should
you care to know more of what we are
doing, come with us visits, and
get personally into touch with the home
life of our women. But more than all
do ask you to remember in prayer,
especially this week, when we are hold
ing special services. We long for a spir-
itual awakening among the Chinese. We
are praying for 1t. We feel sure it must
come though how we know not
China is in the hour of her deepest
need. Torn and rent asunder from boun-
1ary to boundary. she IS drinking the
cup of humiliation to its very dregs. veg
out of the depths will arise a new China.
I Christ-like people, honored among
ions and hoporing God.
Mrs. Soares reported on the work
among the Portuguese. It was a con-
tant warfare against ignorance. vice
md superstition. Saloons were increas-
ng in the Punchbowl district; boys of
ender years were becoming addicted to
o drink, and she stood aghast at the
pectacle She said some Christians 4
laimed it was. not right to proselyte
mong the Catholics. but she was of
he contrary opinion. The people were
OF antagonized. They were approach
d with the simple truths of the Cos
ei, and they make the contrasts
themselves. The Sunday school work
as progressing favorably. Il
1t was reported that Rev. Mr.. Scud-
er, who is to do missionary work &
mong the Japanese here, would arrive 8
n January II, and spend ten days in \
lie city. afterwards going to Japan, z
here he will spend about a year ac- 4
himself with the language 4
nd customs of the people. before re- 3
lrning to Honolulu to take up the
ork permanently. -
Mrs. Thwing reported on mission
ork among the Chinese in Kona and
Maui, giving several little incidents 4
how the gospel was being spread Z
ere.
Mrs. Dillingham;. the treasurer, re-
,rted that the regular monthly col 4
ction amounted to s29, and the col 4