Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-02-28
FROM REV. A. SYDENSTRICkER.

CnlnhlanR, emma, Jan. IL, 1919.
Dear MIR. Creigh:
In compliance with your suggestion
l will attempt to write you a little
letter this p. m. while I am kept at
home by a cold rain and a cold. SO
here 1t goes.
With more or less delays, but with
4 pleasant voyage across the big
fish pond. I found mayself at home
again November 7th of last year. On
account of war conditions travel in
the U. S. was both trying and expen-
sive. But the wonder rather is that
one could travel at all under the
great stress of circumstances.
Our steamer was full to the brim
with passengers coming from and
going to all parts Of the world. When
the western route via India was i'm.
practicable on account of torpedoeS,
etc. the travel across the Pacific in
creased immensely. / engaged my
passage to the States long before
leaving China last year. and when
we arrived in San Francisco en-
eyed my passage back to China on
the same steamer in order to avoid
precaution, I had q very cramped
cabin on my return. Both in going
and coming dining room aocomoda-
tons were insufficient and two sit
tings had to be arranged for. All the
same. we had q good return voyage
and I did pretty full duty at the
table. not missing a meal during the
voyage. Including both going and
return, was fifty days on the steam
err. She is small and old. but con-
sidercd very safe which Is the matter
Of chief Importance.
Soon after arrival MY wife and self
boarded a Chinese house boat and
began our autumn itilearaing work.
The rains interfered somewhat with
us and we thought best to shorten
our outdoor work for the time be-
ing. Our field contains a population
CT 10000 and We two are the only
missionaries at work in this field.
There is the very least work done by
our Methodist friends, but so little
that it does not count at all in the
estimate. Outside of Chinkiang,
where we live, there are two cities
-Tanyang and Chintan-with a pop
ulation respectively of 10000 and
$4,000. These besides about 80
towns and numberlss country viii
lagos. I am to visit these towns
and cities twice year, number of
them more frequently.
We have a church membership of
500 in our field and a Christian con-
stiuency. including the members Of
$500. There are about 20 places to
work, tho our Chinese evangelists
visit more than one hundred places
to look after the widely scattered
flock. We have about 20 Chinese
who help us in the work, The Chin
csc contribute good deal to bear
the expense Of the work. but not as
much as they should. The work is
very interesting and I enjoy it very
much. If ! can carry 1t OH for yet
few years longer, I think I can get
1t to a condition where foreign over
sight will no longer be required
The Chinese are losing faith in
their old religions and are more
ready TO give us respectful hearing
than they were some years ago. They
have made some good reforms in
their educational methods and the
intelligence Of the people has i'm
mensely increased Twenty years
ago one rarely ever saw a Chinese
with book in hand. Now everyone
who can read is eager to read the
papers. The news boys sell dailies
and other literature on the trains
very much as in the States, except
that it is in Chinese instead of Eng
fish. A greater number Of new, mod
ern books are being printed and the
Chinese have large printing houses
In Shanghai where very good work
is being done.
But politically they are nowhere.
Not only has no progress been made
during the last seven or eight years
in politics, In the way of opening up
the country, general cleaning, ETC.,
but matters Of this kind are really
In worse condition than they were
under the old Manchu dynasty. The
government is totally corrupt and
they have no leadership. The vast
mass OF people give themselves little
trouble so long as they have food
and covering. There Is just now a
great deal Of robbery in some parts
OF the country, but we are in COM
parative peace and are permitted to
carry on our work unmolested. But
one longs to see improvements made,
mines opened, roads built, the streets
and sewers cleaned, ETC., etc. China
is an indescribably dirty place, equal
ed perhaps. but hardly surpassed,
by Turkey.
But Notwithstanding such condi-
tons, there are great many nicely
dressed. comparatively clean Chin
csc. with good manners and remark
ably good breeding, considering their