The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1915-08-26
PAGE EIGHT
Emma L. Lester, which appeared in the
Voice, some time ago.
Miss Emma says

The embroidery mission is located in mission
compound where there is a day school, an ee-
mentary boarding school, kindergarten,
NAL training school, and home for missionaries.
In a large, well-yentilated and wel-lighted
workroom the women sit on wooden stools, facing
each other two working together at the
same embroidery frame Sometimes four six
work on large piece; rarely does woman work
alone. hundred and fifty women are employed
of whom thirty board in the school, Their ages
vary from sixteen to sixty years. the average be-
ing thirty. The faculty consists of three Ameri
can missionaries who fill the positions Of princi-
pal, business secretary and Bible teacher three
native Bible teachers, three assistants, three
native designers, and native bookkeeper.
The economic condition Of the workers is
most interesting study. The average wage is
$1.75 per month"; which is far than the
Chinese merchants pay for similar work. Upon
this sum the worker feeds herself and family and
never ceases to be thankful for the opportunity
to earn so much About one-third of the women
are widows, one-third betrothed, and one-third
deserted.
Social relations between the sexes in China
impossible, save in the married relation. Women
relatives meet occasionally at wedding feasts
funerals and heather festivals. The women and
girls can hardly be said to have any real home
life, and the embroidery mission is, therefore, q
very attractive place to them Very few on enter
ing are able to read. The task of learning is
laborious, but they take keen delight in it.
Will you just rest your mind on that PIC
ture, draocn By the missionary, herself!
made up of day school, an elementary
boarding school, a kindergarten, normal
training school, and a home for the mis-
sionaries.
(Give us picture of these buildings,
VoiceD
The faculty consists of thirteen salaried
officials none of whom seems to be a preach
er of the Gospel.
'Business secretary" 'three native design
ers,' to design patterns IN embroidery; and
''native bool1-keeper."
Regular business shop, and literary ocod-
eng!
Chinese women hired to embroider at
one dollar and seucnty-fve cents q month!
On this sum, she feeds herself, and family,
and never ceases to be thankful!
If they were to raise her wages to two
dollars month, sudden rush of blood to
the head might carry her Oft
Miss Emma Lester gets her $50 a month,
house rent free, a yearly vacation, and all
her travelling expenses paid.
The other American missionaries there,
get the same pay and perQuistes.
When they marry. every increase IN the
family, swells the payroll by 500 year
for each kid.
And the heather, whose souls these self
DENYING missionaries went out there to save,
work for the missionaries at the sum of S1.75
a month!
Now, if a Chinese woman can support her
self and family, and "nerer cease to be
thankful for the opportunity to earn so
naach," why is it that Miss Emma and all
other lady missionaries are not thankful I'M
less they get $50 month"; an elegant rent
free mansion, and a yearly three months
soiourn at the mountain retreat!
;eo nnI Gnnnnhnc Of Thnc T. Watson will