Evening star., 1909-06-27

white man. The manner in which they
can follow gestures, understand the dlf-
ficult English articulation and the way
in which they apply themselves to their
self-imposed tasks are wonderful.
Not satisfied with the knowledge they
have given them in class, many of the
Chinese visit their teachers houses for
extra lessons. They are seen continual
ly coming the somewhat mussed books
from which they are learning the new
language. They study without rest un-
til their perseverance enables them 10
speak the language in half the time it
would take the American to learn their
language-providing the average Ameri-
can continued studying until he under
stood Chinese. Among the Chinese who
have studied with the local Sunday
schools there are those who have subse-
quently obtained excellent positions as
interpreters, which speaks well not only
for their perseverance, but for the sys-
tenn of instruction. 1t takes the average
to get working knowledge of the Ian
guage.
There is general impression that the
poor missioner is being deceived by the
willy Chinaman, who enters his school
pretending to profess Christianity and
at the same time taking up the studies
with the sole idea of improving and ad-
vancing himself. Nothing could be more
fallacious than this idea. AS matter
of fact every missioner who teaches in
the Calvary Baptist, First Baptist, Ascen-
sion and Metropolitan churches under
stands the Chinaman's motive in enter
ing their Sunday school classes. He never
deceiveS his teachers by any out burst of
alleged religion. They are kind and
patient with him, humoring HIM in his
deceit and respecting him for his whole
souled attention to the principal subject
at hand-learning English
On the other hand. many a Chinaman
after having learned English becomes
fervent believer in the God of the Chris
tians through his own accord. w en-
Chinaman signifies his willingness to join
the church and accept a Christian bap-
tism after he has been graduated from
his school, he does it in the face of tre-
mendous opposition on the part Of his un-
converted brethren. Frequently he is cast
out because of his new religion.
Under no circumstances is he more than
tolerated by the devotees of Confucius
after he has adopted the new faith. He is
an outcast among other Chinese, con-
temned an infidel and despised as an
unbeliever. When a man will cling to
his religion in the face of such opposition
as this ii is hardly fair to say that he is
doing ii for his own advantage At least
this is the argument of the missionaries.
Among the various teachers and super
intendents there is none more active in
the work of reformation than Supt w. Fl
Baker OF the Calvary Baptist Church,
having under his care the largest number
of Chinese students in the city. Mr..
Baker has splendid chance to gauge this
peculiar race at all times.
II you visit him of an evening and ask
him of the work going on he will tell you
many stories. showing the constant de-
votion to duty and the determination to
carry out the work assigned. that will
make you seriously doubt the Chinamans
unalterable duplicity when II comes to
dealings with white men. He will tell
you of men who were stoned while
spreading their religion and who preached
afterward with a fearlessness not over
shadowed by any of the missionary work.
ers in China
There was old Moy Fooey." said Mr..
Baker the other evening. whom no sane
man would ever accuse OF sentmentalism
He was and is the homeliest Chinaman il
has ever been my pleasure to look upon.
His face is mass of wrinkles and his
rennruI aSprecSiou intention