Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-12-26
MISSIONARY TELLS
OF RELIGIOUS WORK
AMONG THE CHINESE

A letter from Rev. H. G. C. Hallock,
missionary to Shanghai, China telling
of the Chinese faith and of their
Christmas follows:
Christmas is coming before long
when the people feel as much like
children as they ever do, and think
as much about them, so let me tell
you bit about my kiddy "Chinks"
and my work among them.
Soon after coming to China went
with missionary to see an idol tenn
pie. The missionary preached to the
Buddhist priests. They didn't seem
impressed with the message. The
missionary said to me, There is not
much hope for these old priests. They
are confirmed idol-worshipers." l was
Holy Spirit could convert even the
hardened priests. Leaving the temple
we had to pass through a great gate
house. In it were four huge idol
gate-keepers," fierce, savage, ugly
with hands appraised ready to strike
any who might displease them. They
did strike terror into little child
whose mother was bringing it into
the temple to worship. AS we were
passing by the little one was scream
ing with fright; but the mother put
the wee ones hands up and made it
go through the acts of worship in
spite of its terror.
Then l realized why the Chinese
were confirmed idOlaters. They are
taught to worship idols even when
babies. And l saw that our hope of
winning China was not in preaching
to the priests, though that must not
be neglected; but was in getting the
children. So, as soon as l could talk
Chinese and missionary lady sug-
gested starting a Ragged Sunday
school for the street kiddies not far
from her home, l was ready to help.
She asked the dairyman if we could
have it in his shed. He consented,
so we began our first Ragged Sunday
school. Crowds of little people came.
How they did delight to sing, "Ya-su-
ai-ngo" Jesus Loves Me.) Many of
that cow-shed Sunday school came to
love Jesus and became useful men,
bers in the church.
when l came to Shanghai, and
went about preaching, children "a
plenty were on the streets. remem-
bered that Sunday school and wanted
these ''yaller" people to have the same
joys. | rented room and started a
Sunday school with no pupils! l stood
Children came to the door. l was
glad and said, "Come in" The kid
dies ran for home as fast as their
legs could carry them! They had
heard that foreigners use eyes and
hearts of Chinese children to make
medicine for Western children.
sang again and big people came to
listen. The wee ones took courage
and peeped in. l talked of Jesus and
His love for little and big people, and
to come again and bring their friends
and | would give them all cards.
Next Sunday ten came and the next
twenty then forty and soon my small
room was full of Brownies" They
learned to sing and liked to sing and
we literally sang the Gospel into
their hearts. Now Jesus has lots of
little friends in Shanghai. They do
not run from me any more; but run
to me shouting, Jesus man coming"
and grasping my fingers, lead me to
the Sunday school.
81 wish you could know my wee
Brownies. l am sure you would love
them as l do. Every Christmas /
try to give them jolly time, friends
at home sending me money for their
treat. Christmas is not far away and
am already getting ready for the
glad day. No Chinese kiddies will
hang up their stockings and no home
will have a Christmas tree. Christ
mas will be cold and bare for millions
of kiddies; but | like to bring bright
ness into the lives of more than 500
of my Brownies. They will delight
as much in some foolish little toy
as some grown-ups at home do in
motor car. When they receive the