I
WOMAN'S WORK
FOR
WOMAN.
PUBLISHED MONTiri.Y BY THE
WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHrRfH,
No. 13:!4 CiiKsTNUT Street, PHir.ADKi.i'irrA,
AXI) TIIF.
WOMAN'S PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE NORTHWEST.
KooM 18 McC'ORMiCK Block. C'hk aoo.
Volume IX.
SUBSCRIPTION, 60 CENTS PER ANNUM.
WoinaE's Foreip Issiouary Society of tlie PresWerian Clmrcli.
President.— Mrs. W. E. SCHENCK
Mrs.
Miss Mrs.
Vice
R. H. AiiLEN, Philadelpbia. J. D. MCCOBB. M. W. FULLKRTON, H. A. DlLLAYK, E. L. LiNNAHD.
M. C. Sheppard, "
Z. M. Humphrey, Cincinnati, O.
D. A. Cunningham. Wheeling, W
E. P. S. Jones, Ballimore, Md. K. T. Haines, Elizabeth, N. J. H. (i. CoMINGO. Pittsburgh. Pa. A. A. Hodge, Princeton, N. J.
Home Corresponding Secretaries,
Mrs. a. L. MA8SEY,
Mrs. THEODORE CUYLER,
Mrs. CHAS. P. TURNER.
Recording Secretary. Mrs. D. R. POSEY.
Presidents.
Mrs. James P. Wilson, Ifewark. N. J. " Allen Butler, Syracuse. N. Y. " W. S. Ladd, Portland, Oregon. " E. V. RoEEiNs, San Francisco, Cal. " Wm. E. Moore, Columbus, O. " C. J. McClung, Knoxville, Tenn. " S. M. Henderson, Mechanicsb'gh, Pa. Va. " M. A. C. Haneord Zanesville, O.
" B. Sunderland, Washington, D. C. " C. L. THOMP.SON, Pittsburgh, Pa. " P. D. Brown, San Francisco, Cal.
Foreign Corresponding Secretaries.
Mrs. S. C. PERKIXS, Mrs. STRICKLAND KNEASS. Miss MaHY H. WRIGHT.
Treasurer.
Mrs. JULIA M. FISHBURN.
Mrs. J. Addison Henky, Miss
•' S. B. Rowley,
" J. Graham. Miss Mary Sutherland,
" Mary E. Weld, "
Mrs. S. DODWORTH. "
" K. R. Woodward, Mrs.
" Henry N. Paul,
" Charlotte McFadden.
Managers.
Fanny Paul, Helen V. Wriggins, Mary A. Helmuold, Cornelia E. Cdylek, H. M. Johnson, Josephine Atmore, Wm. Gbeenough, M. Newkirk, Roger Owen,
. De B. K. Ludwig, John Gilbert, Robert Willson, A. M. Sutton, W. F. Raynolds, James Bateman, W. y. Brown, Henry Biddle.
Woman'!? PresWeriaii Board of Missions of tlie Nortliwest.
President.— Mrs. A. H. HOGE, 412 La Salle Street, Chicago.
Mrs. R. W. Patterson, Chicago, 111.
•' Wm. Blair,
" Cyrus H. McCormick, Chicago, 111,
" J. V. Fabwell, Lake Forest, "
" S. J. Rhea, " "
" J. G. Johnston, Peoria, "
" A. C. BuRNHAM, Champaign, "
" Wm. L. Pierson, Onarga, •'
" G. S. Frost, Detroit, Michigan.
" A. B. JUDD, Ottawa,
Vice-Presidents.
Mrs,
C. Hutchinson, New Alban.v, Ind. J. F. Ely-, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. J. R. Brown, Malvern, John Plankinton, Milwaukee, Wis. Gen. Van Cleve, Minneapolis, Minn. J. D. Kekr. Denver, Colo. P. L. Perbine. Omaha. Neb. H. BULLARD, St. Joseph, Mo. Geo. E. Pomeroy. Toledo. Ohio. Prof. J. W. sterling, Madison. Wis.
Home Corresponding Secretaries.
Mrs. GEO. H. LAFLIN, Mrs. H. H. FRY.
Recording Secretary.
Miss E. A. BLAIKIE.
Foreign Corresponding Secretaries.
Mrs. ALBERT KEEP, Mrs. H. F. WAITE. Mrs. S. H. PERRY, Mrs. B. DOUGLASS.
Mana
Mrs. D. K. Pearsons, Chicago, 111.
" Arthur Mitchell, " '• J. M. Gibson,
■ J. Abbott French, " "
■• W. R. Gould, " W. B. Jacobs, " " E. S. Williams, " "
•' E. Van Buren, " "
" H. H. Forsythe, " "
" J. N. Barker. Hyde Park, 111. " A. M. Gibbs, Evanston, " " C. G. Brownell, Detroit, Mich.
Miss Carrie S. Weed, Ypsilunti, "
Mrs. Geo. Landon Monroe, " Julia B. Kendall, LaPorte, Ind. " H. a. Edson, Indianapolis, "
gers.
Mrs.
Treasurer. Mrs. JESSE WHITEHEAD.
W. Holt, Owatonna, Minn.
B. C. Bamsey. Minneapolis. Minn. WiLLARD Merrill, Milwaukee, Wis. A. H. Vedder,
J. B. Stew-art,
S. R. Lapham. La Crosse.
A. C. Scott. Ko.ssuth, Iowa.
J. S. Olliver. Clinton, "
J. F. Young, Vinton. "
S. H. H. Clarke, Omaha, Neb.
A. P. Nicholas,
C. C. DooLiTTLE. Toledo, O E. A. Linsley, Galiiin.
Mary Robinson. Humboldt, Nelj. A. E. KKLLOGti, Denver, Cal.
INDEX TO VOLUME IX,
Slbroab.
Need of the Hour in our Work, Tlie, 1 . South America, 25:5.
Africa.
Africa, 181.
Gaboon, Jones, Miss Lydia, 122. Gaboon, Walker, Miss L. B., 18G, 333. Kangwe, Nassau, Miss I. A., 10, 407. Liberia, Priest, Mrs., 154.
Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro. Ilazlett, Mrs. D. M., 22G. Kio de Janeiro, Houston, Mrs. J. T., 2.57,
San Paulo, Howell, Mrs. J. B., 7, 25(i. San Paulo, Kuhl, Miss E., 8, 227. San Paulo, Thomas, Miss P. A., S.
China.
Canton, Crouch, Miss Lucy A. 4!). Canton, Mapper, Miss M. 11., 370. Canton, Noyes, Miss M., 10, 152. Chenanfoo, Murray, Mrs. John, 298. China, 37.
Harigchow, Leaman, Mrs. Charles (Miss L.
A. Crouch), 153, 298. How a (_!hinese Woman lost Seven-tenths of
her Sorrow, 44. NiUKpo, Butler, Mrs. John, 229. Soochow, Fitch, Mrs. G. F., 9, 230. Tungchow Cemetery, The, 42. Tungchow, Matcer, Jlrs. C. W., 122.
Chinese in California. Chinese in America, The, 361.
India.
Allahabad, Holcomb, Mrs. James F., .50, 227.
Dehra, Craig, Miss M. A., 334, 410.
Etawah, Belz, Miss C, 6.
Futtehgurh, Blunt, Miss E. A., 115.
Fnttehgurh, Tracy, Mrs. Thomas, 6, 110, 410.
Gwalior, Walsh, Miss E., IIH.
India, 109.
India, C. W. F., 6.
India, Gifts for Girls in, 51.
Anniversary Meeting (Glenville, Jfd.), 343. Anniversary Sleeting of Westminster Pres-
bvterial Society, 417. ,i Annual Meeting. Ninth, 90, 127. iSS. Auxiliaries and Bands, 23, 59, 93, 129, 102,
195, 239, 280, 310, 347, 383, 417. Believing Company, A, 100. Bible Lessons, 345, 380, 41G. Bible Heading, Missionary, 5G. Bright Side, The, 373. Broidery-Work, 377.
Clieering Words from .\n.\iliaries, 20, 5G. Chinese in our Land, The, 280. Concerning Complaints, 102. Convention, Woman's Foreign Missionary,
159. , Corisco, Two Wants at, 30S. Effort must follow Prayer, 16. Encouragement, 376. Ft Teneo, Et Teneor, 52. Exchanges, Items from our, 22. .58, 92, 161,
237, 381. Faithful to the End, 375. Farewell Meeting in Washington, Pa., 414. '• For He is faithful that promised," 58. Four Rupees, The, 14. Frances Ridley Havorgal, 303. Genesee Presbyterial Society, 381. Health of my Countenance, The, 156.
India, Missions in, 47, 84, 110, 151, 225, 294. 331, 368.
Kolapoor, McGinnis, Miss A. B., 119. Lahore, Newton, Mrs. C. B., 48, 118, 18G, 3.34. Lahore, Thiedi, Miss C, 6, 48. Mynpurie, Alexander, Mrs. J. 51., 228. Panalla. Graham, Mrs. J. P., 86. Woodstock, Scott, Miss A. E., 117.
Japan.
Japan, 289.
Tokio, True, Mrs. M. T., 292. Yokohama, Ballagh, Mrs. J. C, 371. Mexico.
Mexico, 73.
Mexico City, Forbes, Miss M. G., 78. Mexico City, Hennequin, i\Iiss L. A. H.. 81. Mexico City, Hutchinson, Mrs. M. N., 372.
North .\merican Indians. Lapwai, Idaho, McBeth, Miss S. L., 222. North American Indians, 217. Tullahassee, Ind. Ter., McCay, Miss H. J.,49. Versailles, N. Y., Wright, Mrs. Aslier, 369. Wewoka, Ind. Ter., Ramsay, Miss M., 408. Yankton Agency, Dak. Ter., Dickson, Miss J. B., 50, .333.
Persia.
Orooniiah, Labaree, Mrs. B., Jr., 154. Oroomiah, Shedd, Mrs. J. H., 121. 1.55. Persia, 325.
Persia, Whipple, Rev. W. L., 86.
SiAM AND Laos. Bangkok, Caldwell, Miss Belle, 150,296,3.30, 408.
Chieng-Jlai, Wilson, Mrs. J., 149. Cbieng-Mai, Wilson, Rev. J., 11. Petchaburi, Cort, Mi.ss M. L., 10, 297. Siain, 145.
Syria.
Beirut, Eddy, Mrs. W. W., 85, 297. 335, 404. Syria, 397.
Zuhleh Dale, Mrs. G. F., 403.
' He shall have lii.s Reward," 345.
Home Letters, From, 100, 285, 341, 412.
In the Shadow, 90.
Is it Right? Is it Kind? 381.
Lessons from the Word, 15. 53.
Life Members, 23, 59, 94, 130, ia3, 195, 230,
280, 310, 347, 383, 418. Little Things, 344.
Loyalty to the Board of foreign Mission.s, 273.
Marching Orders (for Nos. 1 and 2, see Les- sons from the Word), 91, 120, 157, 234, 305, 340. 378.
Meeting at Saratoga, Tlie, 258.
Memorial Stones, 415.
Methods for Enlisting Christian Women in persistent Efforts for the Conversion of the World? What are the best, 271.
Midnight Visit, A, 87.
Missionaries,' New, 307, 383.
Missionary Literature, 277.
Missionary Meeting, God's Lesson in a. 413.
Missionary Outfits, 309.
More Blessed to Give than to Receive, 57
Move Slowly and Carefully, 308.
Necktie Again, That, 123.
Necktie Money, 18.
Need of the Holy Spirit, The, 2G8.
New Castle Presbyterial Society, 302.
New Year Hymn, 19.
IV
INDEX.
Notices, 57, 93. 192, 233, 238, :!0n, :;4", 383, 417.
One Iluiidrecl Tlioii.saiiil Dollars, 3(10.
Only, yet All, 127.
Patience, 21.
Pledges, 338.
Poem, 283.
Prayer Meeting, 22.
Prayer Meeting, Conducting a Ladies', .'>4,
124, 1.58, 235. Presbyterial Societies, 158. Qualifications necessary for a Slis.^ioiiary
Lady, 55.
Receipts, 23, 59, 94, 130, l(i3, 19G, 239, 280,
310, 348, 383, 418. Report of the Committee on Magazines, IS. Re.served Kiind, A, 13. " Send a tileam across the Wave," 414. Slieaves for Christ, 306. Sorrowful, yet Rejoicing, 379. Sowing and Reaping, 194. Sunri.se Kingdom, The, 285.
Symbol of Woman's Wi>rk in Jlissions, A, 411.
Syria, Miss Stainton of, 128. Ten Thousand times Ten Thousand, 237. "The Lord hath need of him, " 412. Thy Kingdom Come, 12. '• Trust in Him at all times," 54. Unreported Success, 235. View of the Work from China, :!4C. Waldensians, The, 410. Watchers, Germantown, Pa., The, 88. '■ Why was it done?" 92. Wills and Legacies, 1V)3. World Sickness, 339. Young Ladies' Prayer Meeting, A, 92. Young Ladies' Presbyterial Swiety, A, 302. Young Peoijlc, A Plan for the, 307'. Young Peoi>le, Por the, 19. Y'oung People, Our, '2:il. ! Young People's Branch at Trwin, Pa., 89.
^Vottian'^i ^rfiSbytcriatt l^onrd of pi.sjsious of the STorthu'r.st.
abro-ab.
Br\zii..
Rio Claro, Ra Gama, Miss Eva, 351.
CniN-\.
Canton, Noyes, Miss II., Gl. Chefoo, Downing, Miss C. B., 174. ChenanfoH, Anderson, Miss S. J.. M.D.,C4. Shanghai, Farnham, Mrs. J. M. W., 2()C. Shanghai. Ilolt, Mrs. W. S., 05.
India.
.\mbala, Bergen, Mrs. Geo. S., 2C. Uehra, Craig, Miss M. A.. 208. Dehra, Pratt, Miss Mary,' 135. Futtehgnrh, Lucas, Mrs. .1. J., 207, 355. Uwalior, Warren, Mrs. J., 100, 314. India, 315.
India, Our Work and Workers in. 133. Lodiana, Kelso, Mrs. A. P., 102. Mynpnrie, Alexander, Mrs. J. M., 355. Japan.
Tokio, Eldred, Miss C, 62, 171, 353. , Tokio, True, Mrs. M. T., 138. i Yokohama, Winn, Mrs. T. C, ,3.53.
Mexico.
Monterey, Cochran, Miss A. D., 174, 243, 35C.. Monterey, Thomson, Mrs. IL C, 211,313.
North American Indians. Odanah, Wis., Dougherty, Miss S., '241.
Annual Meeting, Eighth, 140.
Auxiliaries, .35, 71. 107, 143, 178, 210, 247, 2S7,
323, 359, 395, 431. Auxiliary Society, Letter from an, 431. -'• Be not Blind and Deaf," 34. China, A Peep at our Work and Workers
in, 00.
Dakota, Good News from, 322. Editorial. 428. Gleanings, 392. Happy New Year, A, 29. Home Pictures, 32. Interview with Rev. D. Herron, 34. .lesus said, "Ye arc the Light of the World," 142.
Life Members, 35, 71, 107,143, 178, 216, 248,
28K, 323, 359, 395, 431.. .Maiden's Otfering, The, 247. Meeting at Toledo, The, 213.
Tullahassee, Ind. Ter.. Robertson, Mrs. W. S., 25, 212.
Persia.
Oroomiah, Dean, Miss N. J., 97, 173, '209, 316, 387.
Oroomiah, Shedd, Mrs. J. H., 317. Persia, 423.
Persia, Sarah, a Ne.«torian, 28. Persia, True Story of Persian Life, 319. Tabriz, Poage, Miss .\. E., 28, 172. Tabriz, Van Hook, Jlrs. L. C, 98, 349, 423. Teheran, Bassett, Miss S. J., 350.
SiAM AND Laos. Bangkok, Caldwell, Miss Belle, .389. Bangkok. McCaulev, Mrs. James M., 174. Chieug-Mai, Campbell, Miss M. M., 389, 4-24. Chieng-Mai, Cole, Miss E. S., 205, 425. Chieng-Mai, Northern Siam, l:!6. Laos, The, 424.
Laos, The, Mrs. J. Wilson, 427. Petchaburi, Cort, Miss M. L., 109.
Syria.
Abeih, Bird, Rev. AVilliam, 245. Abeih, Calhoun, Mi-s. E. S.. 6:i, 139, 3S5. Abeih, Dauforlh, Mrs. E. A., 380 Syria, 421.
Mexico, 103.
iMexico, Good News from, 141.
Nota Bene, 357.
Notes by the Way, :i.58.
Notices, 35, 08, 107, 287, 430.
Only Three at the Meeting, 71.
Prayer and Thanksgiving, 391.
Receipts, 35, 71, 107, 143, 178, '248, 2SS, 32:5,
3.-in, 395, 431. Room 48, Notes from, 68, 105. 175. Room 48, Review Lesson from, 30. Siam ami Laos, 174. Supporting Special Objects, 246. Synodii al and Presbyterial Societies, 142. "The Word of the Lord is Snre." 393. "This do in Remembrance of Me," 140. "Two and Two," 321. Woman's Boaril of the Interior, 70.
Vol. IX. FEBRUARY, 1879. No. 2.
CHINA.
For more than half a century Protestant missionaries have been digging for and laying the foundations of a great Christian nation- in China. In May, 1877, the various laborers who had hitherto worked apart joined hands in the Shanghai Conference. They had come to a place where cooperative labor was a felt necessity. They were ready to put in the ground sills and draw up plans for the superstructure; so they came together for this purpose, and in holding this conference of all Protestant denominations represented in China, they took a long step forward. Before that time each denomination worked independently of all others except in trans- lating the Scriptures, and thus a vast amount of power was wasted. Perhaps some half dozen were engaged in the same work, which might as well have been done by one and utilized by the other five ; or some One, in order to supply a demand, engaged in a work for which he was not fitted. In short there was no concert of action, or understanding as to any division of labor. During the sessions of the Conference the work was carefully reviewed and discussed in all its details, and difi'ercut departments assigned to those best suited for them. This inaugurated a new era in the history of Protestant missions in China.
3
38
woman's work for woman.
As the whole work was brought into review and discussed by the Conference, we cannot do better in this article than to make brief mention of a few of the important subjects thus dwelt upon.
SELF-SUPPORT OP THE NATIVE CHURCH.
There was but one opinion as to the absolute necessity of making the native church self-supporting as soon as possible, but how to accomplish it was not so easily decided. Most of the churches are weak and poor, not able to support a pastor, and it was claimed that there was no reason why feeble congregations there should not be helped as well as here. It is true in China as elsewhere that " not many mighty, not many noble are called," but " to the poor the gospel is preached." On the other side, the native Christians formerly paid a large per cent, of their incomes to support idolatry, and there is nO reason why Christianity should cost them less. Missionaries in all heathen lands are discovering that they have made Christianity too cheap to those who have embraced it. It has been estimated that the idolatrous worship of China costs $180,000,000 annually. The devil, at least, understands that people value what they pay for. Many of the native churches, however, are self-supporting, and some do home missionary work by helping small congregations. One by one the props are being taken out and the native Christians are learning to stand alone. One pastor came to the missionary who had his church in charge and asked him to withdraw the small amount he had been receiving from the mis- sion, giving as his reason that he could no longer endure the taunt continually flung at him, '• Oh, yes, you eat the foreigner's rice, and of course you preach the foreigner's religion." He felt that it crippled his influence with his people, and they did not have faith in his sincerity.
ANCESTRAL WORSHIP.
Dr. Yates of Shanghai says : " Ancestral worship is tenfold more potent for keeping the people in darkness than all the idols in the land not connected with it, and is the great bar to progress and civilization."
A belief in the power of departed spirits, and in the necessity of propitiating them by worship and offering^, is woven into the very texture of their being and exerts a powerful influence upon the whole tenor of their lives. They believe that the spirits of the dead have the same wants they had when in the body, and that these must be supplied by their living friends. They burn all articles furnished for the dead, that they may become invisible, as the spirits are invisible. Much expense is avoided, however, by making and burning paper imitations of the various articles supplied, especially money, as they think this will answer the purpose just as well.
ABROAD.
39
This faith is universal, and is in fact the religion of China. No one, from the Emperor down, is exempt from observing the pre- scribed forms of ancestral worship, which are very burdensome and consume a great deal of time. Thus the living are in bondage to the dead, sparing no pains or expense to secure their fancied well being, not out of love but from fear.
They believe that if these spirits in any way suffer through their neglect, they have power to avenge themselves by sending sickness or some terrible calamity upon them. Hence when misfortune overtakes a Chinese family they at once conclude that the spirit of some departed friend is aggrieved or in want. Special acts of wor- ship are performed and special offerings made, even to the extent of impoverishing themselves.
Many labor and save through life to provide for their supposed wants in the spirit world. How sad to think of these misguided but earnest efforts to prepare for the hereafter, of which they have such vague and terrible ideas ! This superstitious fear of disturb- ing the dead has thus far kept undeveloped the vast coal and min- eral resources of China, and prevented the construction of railroads. Only the power of God's Spirit can loosen the hold of this super- stition upon the minds of the Chinese people, and emancipate them from a bondage that hinders alike their material and spiritual prosperity.
FOOT BINDING.
Feet are a kind of caste-mark among the women of China. The size of a lady's foot defines her social grade; even touches her character, and to a great extent makes or mars her matrimonial prospects. Large or long-footed women, as they are termed — for the beauty of the foot is increased or diminished according to its length — are looked upon with contempt, and required to do all the hard work. The swaying, tottering motion of a girl walking on her little feet is considered extremely gractful and a mark of gen- tility, for the lack of which no other good qualities can atone. A large-footed girl is considered a family reproach, and a Chinaman says of her, " She is like a defective gem that is rejected." From this we can see the moral courage necessary on the part of Chris- tian parents to allow their daughtei-s to grow up with unbound feet. Localities differ in the tenacity with which the people cling to this time-honored custom, and the practice of missionaries has varied in dealing with it. In some of the schools for girls it is prohibited, in others it is tolerated, while all possible influence is brought to bear against it.
One of the most powerful of the Manchu emperors issued an edict against foot binding, but found that it would cause a rebellion^
40
woman's work for woman.
and so was obliged to withdraw it. The leaven of Christianity will in time do what even the Emperor failed to accomplish.
woman's work.
It is recorded of the Emperor Napoleon I., that when asked what was the great need of France, his reply was, " Mothers !" This is emphatically China's need : Mothers — intelligent Christian mothers. The fountain must he purified before the sti-eams can be pure. Heathen mothers make heathen children. The women of China are not as secluded as the women of India, but only women can have ready access to them. There is much work for our mis- sionary ladies to do, and much is being done by them.
Day schools and boarding schools for girls, day schools for women to teach them to read, schools for training Bible women, industrial classes, house to house visitation, holding meetings for women and girls, and itinerating through the country, telling the old, old story to these poor degraded women, — these are some of the methods used. Much of this is hard, disagreeable work, and she who does it has no use for such delicate sensibilities as cannot endure dis- gusting sights and nauseous smells. One of our missionaries has said that ''in India this is called zenana work, but in China it is hut and hovel work, and to do it one must have the spirit of Him who came to seek and to save the lost." Cheering results, however, have not been wanting as a compensation for this self- denying labor. One lady, speaking of the efiiciency of her native helpers, says : " These Chinese women are of the stuff of which martyrs are made." When they become Christians they are more earnest and active than the average of Christian women in this land. Female prayer meetings are common among them. When they were heathen they prayed to their idols, and when they become Christians they pray to God as a matter of course, without having the duty enjoined upon them, and never hesitate to pray before each other.
In the girls' schools prayer meetings are held almost without exception. Mrs. Lauibuth, of Shanghai, tells us that the girls in a jMethodist school there have chosen the hour of evening twilight for their prayer meeting, and adds : " To me it is worth many a hard year in China to slip in unnoticed aad listen to their earnest voices pleading for the Master's blessing and the Holy Spirit's presence, as they try to live for Jesus." Even in the day schools teachers lead the children in prayer. Here we find the secret of their activity ; praying Christians are always working Christians.
There are two hundred million women and girls in China, and two hundred and fifty lady missionaries in all; one to every eight hundred thousand Chinese women. Estimated from a human standpoint the time of China's redemption must be far in the
ABROAD.
41
future, but with God all things are possible. " For there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few," when the faith of His children nerves His arm. Were the Christian women of this land to plead with God for the women of ('hina as John Kn 'X plead for Scotland, the foundations of Satan's throne would speedily be shaken in the land of Sinim.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
A committee was appointed to prepare a uniform series of school books. Elementary text books such as we use are unknown in China. The ancient heathen classics are their text books in child- hood and their study through life. These ponderous works of their sages constitute the mould in whicli Chinese life and character arc cast. Hitherto our missionaries engaged in teaching had to pre- pare text books as they needed them, at the cost of much time and labor.
MAGAZINE.
A union magazine published semi-annually by the missionary ladies in China was an outgrowth of the conference. In it they report from and discuss their work, and find it both stimulating and helpful. It contains a great deal of inibrmation, and it would be well for every auxiliary to take a copy. It is published in Shanghai .at sixty-two cents per annum, including postage. The amount can be remitted in postage stamps.
THE FAMINE.
The terrible famine that prevailed in the northern part of China has turned out to the furtherance of the gospel. The money con- tributed by foreigners, and the self-denying labors of our mission- aries in disbursing it, at the peril of their lives, made a deep impression upon the minds of the Chinese. They felt that there must be some wonderful power, which they did not understand, in a religion that would impel men to do this i'rom purely disinterested motives. Many who were thus saved are being instructed by those who rescued them from starvation. It is estimated that 7,000,000 perished from the famine and the pestilence following upon it.
CHANGES ON THE FIELD.
During the past year one man has been sent out. Rev. J. McKee, to the Ningpo Mission. Rev. John Wherry and wife have returned to Peking. Rev. Samuel Dodd, of Hangchow, Rev. J. S. Roberts, of Shanghai, and Rev. J. A. Leyenberger, of Ningpo, with their wives, have come home. Rev. Albert Whiting, of Nanking, died while ministering to the famine sufferers. A costly sacrifice was laid upon the altar when this young life, so full
42
woman's work for woman.
of promise for China, was given, like that of the Master, to rescue the perishing.
It becoQies us as a church to blush over such a response to the pleading appeal that came to us from the conference less than two years ago. They asked for men, and the Board could send the men if they had the money. We cannot conscientiously plead hard times before the Lord in justification of a depleted treasury at 23 Centre Street, N. Y. The church has abundance and to spare. The true cause of this falling off in our offerings is not found in a lack of means, but in a want of a realizing sense of our accounts ability to God in the matter of stewardship. It has been well said that prayer conferences cannot bring the Master's blessing so long as the church disregards Hits last great commission. We must apply God's own prescribed remedy for spiritual deaduess, and that is to bring all the tithes into His storehouse.
In our special department the report for the year is more cheer- ing. Five young ladies have gone out ; Miss A. D. H. Kelsey to Tuagchow, Miss Sarah A. Warner to Peking, Miss Jennie Ander- son to Chefoo, Miss Sarah J. Anderson, Jl.D., to Chenanfoo, and Miss Mary Happer to Canton. Miss Hattie Noyes, Miss Lily Ilappcr, and Miss Downing have returned to their work, after a short season of rest in this country.
Dear sisters, this glance at the condition of the Chinese reveals to us enough of the great work to be done for them, to bring us to our knees on behalf of the little band who are wellnigh overwhelmed by a sense of the responsibility resting upon them. St. Paul, the pioneer foreign missionary, sent to the Hebrew Christians by Timo- thy the request, " Pray for us." From that time until now the burden of every message from the foreign field has been, " Pray for us !" This we can all do. No matter how little money we may have to give, no matter how full of labor and care and sorrow our lives may be, if our hearts are burdened with desire for the salvation of these poor heathen women, we can pray for them and for these who are trying to lead them out of their darkness and bondage into the glorious light and liberty of the gospel of Christ.
THE TUNGCHOW CEMETERY.
The cemetery at Tungchow has a strange, wild beauty. About a mile north of the city the hills terminate in rocky bluffs. There, on a terraced hill, where the blue waters of the Gulf of Pechelee make ceaseless music, our precious dead wait t-he resurrection day. To the east, not far away, rises the great wall which shuts in the harbor and Water City ; just beyond, on the summit of another bluff, the temple of the " Sea Mother" has stood for hundreds of
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years. On the west, separated by a deep ravine, lie other hills, their great rocks scarred and blackened by the ages of wind and wave. iS'orth and west stretch leagues of sea, with here and there an island. Landward, scarcely less beautiful in the distance is the city with its ancient wall and encircling hills. Imagine all this in the glory of an eastern sunset, or the grandeur of an ocean storm. Is it not a fit resting place for those who sleep in Jesus ?
The first grave we see is that of IMrs. Danforth, the first Protest^- ant missionary buried in this province. She with her husband came from his former station in Ningpo, hoping to regain her health ; but consumption was not to be cheated of its prey. She gradually grew weaker, until in September, 1861, dear friends laid the worn body on the hill by the sea, at rest after months of weariness. Near her are the little graves of Lida Roberts and Willie Green, both brought here in the hope of restored health. The former, a daughter of Rev. J. S. Roberts of our mission in Shanghai, the latter, a son of Rev. D. D. Green, of the Ningpo Presbyterian 31ission, of whose triumphant death you have heard. To the right are the remains of Rev. Henry V. Rankin. He sailed for Ningpo in 1848. There he found a native church of eight members, wbich in 1861 had increased to one hundred and ten. In 1862 Mr. R.'s health failed, and in May, 1863, he sought relief in the better climate of North China. It was too late. On July 2d, 1863, after fourteen years of faithful labor for China, he entered into rest. In the schools and chapels of Ningpo his work goes on, and his memory is treasured.
At a little distance from Mr. Rankin's is the newest grave of the little cemetery. Rev. J. Metcalf Shaw, leaving his home in Wind- ham, Ohio, July, 1874, reached Tungchow in October. Scarcely had he begun his chosen life-work when he was called from it. He returned from his first missionary tour to endure two months of intense suff'ering ; then, on a beautiful Sabbath in June, 1876, the earnest, loving spirit went home. An elder in the native church said, " I think God has sent this teacher to show us how much a Christian can sufl'er and be patient." Soon after the two servants expressed the hope they were Christians, one of them saying, " We could not help believing when we saw how patiently he suffered, and how fearlessly he died, caring for others to the last." Only twenty-eight years. Shall we say that the short life was a failure ?
Going down a few steps to the first terrace we come to the grave of Rev. Samuel R. Gayley, who with Mr. Danforth were the pioneers of our mission in Tungchow. Mr. Gayley was born in Ireland, and early consecrated by his Christian parents to the work of the ministry. He finished his education in America, making his home with his uncle, Rev. S. M. Gayley. In 1857 Mr. Gayley
4-i
woman's work, for woman.
with his hrother-in-law, Rev. C. R. Mills, came to Shanghai, hut was not able to endure the climate, and in 1861 came north to Tungchow. The next year Mr. Mills was also obliged to leave Shanghai, and Mr. Gayley went to Chefoo to meet him. This was during the cholera epidemic of 1862. Mrs. Mills had just escaped death by that dreadful disease. Her little son Hugh had died as they were leaving Shanghai. On their way to Tung:-how Sammy was taken, and the next day the childless parents were following a little coffin. Before reaching home Mr. Gayley was taken sick, and soon after they laid him away in the twilight of the summer eve- ning, and near him his little namesake. Samuel Gayley Mills. In a few days his only daughter, Fanny, and little niece Lucy, daughter of Rev. J. Doolittle, D.D., were laid beside him. In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Mills were called to give up another precious child, little Katy, and two yeai-s later, Somerville. The little ones lie near their mother. Mrs. Mills was called away in February, 1874, after seventeen years of life in China. Four little graves on the hill-side tell us something of the suffering of those years ; the love of the native women, both Christian and heathen, tell of her work. The dying words of a woman who had once worked for her were, " I will hunt for Mrs. Mills. How glad she will be !"' •' Her works do follow her." On the lower terrace lie the remains of Mrs. Hart- well, of the American Baptist Mission, and her three little children. She was the first foreign lady in Tungchow, and during the nine years of her work here she was most earnest and successful.
I have scarcely known what to write in this necessarily brief sketch of lives so full and so devoted. Could you hear the words of natives, both Christian and heathen, you would need no other testimonial to the earnestuess and faithfulness of those who lie here. " All these died in the faith." '• Enduring, as seeing Him who is invisible." '' Of whom the world was not worthy."
Mary H. Shaw.
HOW A CHINESE WOMAN LOST SEVEN-TENTHS OF HER SORROW.
Translated from her Verbal Narration bt Miss Fielde.
SWATOW.
My name is Hui Lang. I am twenty-eig'ht years old, and have been a Christian one year. My home is at White Pagoda, fifty miles west from here, and I have lived there with my mother-in-law ever since I was two months old. My parents lived at Bamboo Ridge, three miles from White Pagoda. My father was a farmer, and could well have taken care of me ; but shortly after my birth a blind fortune-teller came along and told my mother that my brother, who was two yeai's older than I, would die unless I was
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removed from the family. Blind fortune-tellers are to be found everywliere here. They travel around, led by a child that can see, beating a little gong to let people know they are passing. Those who wish to consult the fortune teller call him to their door, tell him the year, day, and hour of their birth, and he makes a calcu- lation of times, and tells them what is going to happen ; those who are sick ask him when they will get well ; those who have absent relatives inquire when letters or money will come from abroad ; those who are going on a journey seek a lucky day for starting; and those who wish to know what is going to happen to their chil- dren, call him to predict their fates, after which he repeats a refrain not understood by any one. He gives a few words of advice to the person concerned, is paid three-tenths of a cent for his services, and goes on his way.
It was in this way that my parents learned that they ought to part with me. They were veiy sorry to have me go ; but as a boy is of so much greater value than a girl, they would not risk ray brother's life by keeping me. They gave me to an acquaintance at White Pagoda, who had just lost a young child, and she brought me up as the future wife of her youngest son, then five years old. As such very little girls are worth nothing, and as the bargain must be closed by money, she paid my mother two cents for me and I be- came hers. This woman had twelve children in all ; but my husband was the only survivor. Her husband smoked opium, and used the money his children earned, so that one of them had hanged himself in despair.
My mother-in-law always gave me the best she had, but that was not much. I grew strong and large, and when I was eight years old I could cook, spin, plant rice, and help turn the pump with which the rice field was watered. When I was fifteen, on a day chosen as lucky, I had the god of the bedstead set up in a room of my own, and lived with my husband. After some years I had two sons. My father-in-law died, and we found that the land on which our home was built belonged to some one else. The owner tore the house down and made a rice-drying area where it had stood. We then mortgaged our only field for forty dollars, and with this money built two houses, which fell down soon after a heavy rain.
Three years ago a man in our village became a Christian, and soon after that two Bible women came to stop at his house. My mother-in-law and I used to take the children in the evening and go to hear them talk. My husband heard too, and we all believed at the same time. My mother-in-law went one Sunday morning five miles to Linden Chapel, and when she came back at night she went straight to the god of the bedstead, and took it out of doors and threw it away. Afterwards, the Bible woman (" Fragrant
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woman's work for woman.
Love") came to the house, and after engaging in prayer took down the only other idol in the house (one which we had inherited from ancestors), and put it with its fixtures in a basket, which my mother-in-law carried and threw into the river.
When my own father and mother' heard that I had become a Christian, they were very much distressed; my mother cried, and my father could not eat for four days. My aunt came to tell me how displeased they were, and that they wished me to put away this new religion ; but I told her to say that anything else they might ask of me I could do, but that this religion was something that could not be put away.
Last year my husband, finding the times hard and hoping to earn something abroad, went to Manilla. Before he went, he did not call a fortune-teller to find a lucky day, and did not go to the tem- ple to get a bag of incense ashes to wear as a charm on his breast, as he would have done if he had not been a Christian ; but he knelt down with his children, and asked God to take care of us while he was gone, and bless him while away, and bring him safely back.
Ten months ago I came here to study, and have read a hundred hymns, the Compendium of the Gospels, and half of Acts. At first my mother-in-law said, as she was too old to come and learn to read, she would stay with the children, while I should go and learn the hymns only. But now she is willing that I should use what I have learned, so in November I shall go out as a Bible woman.
Last month my eldest son, eleven years old, was baptized. I did not know it beforehand, though four months previous he had told me that he wished to join the church. He did not tell me because he was afraid the brethren would not receive him. I was surprised, and thanked God when I saw him at the place of baptism. My youngest son is five years old, and my mothcr-in law takes care of him while I am away from home. We have a house of one room, which is mortgaged for nine dollars. My husband lately sent home ten dollars, but it was all used in paying my father-in-law's debts.
I have been sorrowful from my childhood up. I have never known a time when I had not reason for great anxiety. But during the past year, though my earthly circumstances remain the same, I have been almost happy. I know there is a S'aviour and a heaven, and that has taken away seven-tenths of the weight of my trouble. — Woman's Work in China.
" How vast the area [of China], how profound the need, how urgent the claims of that vast empire I The Christian Church has not begun to think of it yet in a thoroughly earnest spirit. When will the wail of the dying millions be. heard ?" — Spurgeon.
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MISSIONS IN INDIA.
I. — THE HINDTT, WHO IS HE ?
The simplest answer to this question would be given by saying, He is a native of India. And this is the definition common in the minds of thousands of people in this country. This answer would not satisfy the Hindu, however, much less many of the various nationalities of India. Let us see if we can get any better under- standing of " our Aryan brother."
One thing very apparent to all who have been in India is the variety of different and mixed nationality represented in every largo town and city. This variety is seen in the physical structure, facial appearance, color, and often in the speech of the people. How is it to be accounted for? Have we here one race metamor- phosed by climate and other influences, or have we a medley of nations ? These questions are partly answered by history, partly by philology. From these sources we learn that, away back in prehistoric times, a Tartar race emigrated from the regions north of Hindustan, and pouring down through the passes of the great Himalayas began to spread themselves over the plains of India. They found the land already occupied by a people ready to dispute their right of possession. A long war ensued, resulting in time in the extermination of all the aborigines, excepting such as took refuge in the fastnesses of the mountains. The descendants of these aboriginal tribes are recognized in the Sonthals, Bhils, Garos, Kols, and other tribes inhabiting the hills and mountains of Northeastern Bengal and Central India.
After the Tartar occupation of India — no one knows how long — the advent of a new people was announced. The Aryan hordes inhabiting the regions of Central Asia, somewhere about the Hindu Kush, having spread themselves over Persia and Europe, penetrating as far as the British islands, now turned eastward, and descending through the passes northwest of the Panjab, invaded India, and conquering their Tartar predecessors they either brought them into servitude or drove them into the southern part of the peninsula.
The descendants of these Aryan invaders are those who founded the Hindu nations of India. The religion of the servile Tartar races having been gradually absorbed into the religion of their conquerors, these races became a part of the Brahminical hierarchy, and so are properly called Hindus. Still, owing to the power of the caste system, the ethnical lines are kept distinct. Here then is the Hindu of the period. Small additions have been made from among the Nepaulese and other hill tribes to the Brahmin hierarchy, forming nciv castes, but changing, in name at least, the national distinction. Properly, therefore, none should be described
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woman's work for woman.
as Hindus who do not owe allegiance to the Brahmins. Certainly no others are so regarded by the people of India themselves.
The succeeding invasions of Pathan and Mogal, of Portuguese and English, have added largely to the population, introducing new races, or mingling races by intermarriage with the Hindus, or by proselyting them to foreign religions. But in all this the Hindus keep themselves pure by cutting off the rebellious members. No one in India would speak of any of the forty million Moham- medans as Hindus. Having intermarried with their converts, the Moslems appear as a separate people, just as Europeans and half castes are separate. The case is different with Christian converts, inasmuch as they, as a rule, do not intermarry with their Chris- tian rulers, and are, therefore, the nucleus of what will be the Christian Hindu people of India. Padri Sahib.
NEWS FROM THE FIELD.
Miss Thiedi, Lahore, India, writes of a famine in Cashmere. " How it came that this rich and beautiful land was visited by such a severe famine, I do not know. The cruel Rajah did not make any arrangements for his poor people. Four pounds of grain sold for one rupee, and the poor did not get more than two pounds a week. No wonder that thousands starved, and thousands left the country, while very many died on the way. A few hundreds came to Lahore. The governor has sent several thousand rupees worth of grain to Cashmere to be given to the poor. This fearful time may be the cause of a great blessing. Many Cashmeries came to our fort school to-day and enjoyed the singing, and began to learn, though ill and weak. A great difl&- culty is that they can understand so little of what we say. The language is quite different from the Panjabi, but I hope they will soon learn this language. They do not mind eating bread from our hands. There was a pale little girl with them whose mother died on the way, and they would have left her with me at once, but as I have nine orphans already, I did not think that J. could take her. I will try to make some arrangement for her. Please pray for the poor Cashmeries."
Mrs. C. B. Newton, Lahore, India, writes of the dialects spoken in Northern India. " It would be difficult to make you understand the vast number of boUs (dialects) spoken in this country. These pahurris (mountain people) use a combination of Urdu, Hindi and Panjabi, with variations and cor- ruptions to suit themselves. When one hears them talking among themselves there seems little more possibility of understanding them
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than if they were so many monkeys chattering.' But if you know these three languages pretty well, you find that with patience you can understand them and make them understand you. It is very much more difficult to make the women understand than the men. The latter, if not from very far in the interior, generally get some knowledge of pure Hindustani, while the women know nothing but their own hoU."
Miss Crotjch, Canton, China.
" The Honam school is on the opposite side of the river, and we have no bridges over the river. The schools have been most pros- perous even during the hot months ; there has been a filling up, rather than the usual falling ofi". I have had in my four schools more than one hundred dear girls, and they are larger girls and of a better class this year than usual. We hope soon to be able to rent a better and larger room for the Honam school ; we are very much crowded now. Since I opened the school lust March over forty have been under instruction. Other schools could be opened to good advantage quite near there if we had the funds. The Tai it school is still doing very well."
Miss McCay, Creek Mission, Tullahasse, Ind. T.
" Our school is much changed from last year. Many of the older scholars have not returned ; some are married, some dead, and some who had been here a number of years left out that room might be made for others. The majority of the scholars are small children. In some respects this is a drawback, for this is a manual labor school, and it makes the work harder for the few who are grown. But even the little folks do their part and the work is accomplished. One great advantage in taking the scholars young is the readiness with which they learn the English language; we can teach them to speak it much more coi-rectly than if they were grown. Then we hope to teach them habits of cleanliness and industry, and to instill into their young minds principles of truthfulness and honesty. . . .
" There is one thing which I have often noticed in our scholars who are Christians, they seem to love their Bibles very much. In this I think they are examples to many Christians at home. Our cook, who is an Indian and was a pupil here for many years, has her Bible with her in the kitchen about her work, snatching time to read and commit God's Word. We are in the habit of repeat- ing texts of Scripture at the supper table. In this way the children all learn a great many texts, which although they may not appreciate and understand now, is seed sown, and in after years it will bring forth fnait."
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woman's work for woman.
Miss Dickson, Dakota Mission, Yankton Agency, D. T. " We get along very nicely in school and do not have much trouble with the full Indians, but there are four or five half-breed boys who try my patience sometimes. ... If I had time I could do more visiting. During the summer many of the Indians live near the Agency, but in winter most of them remove to the woods about five miles distant. They can have plenty of firewood there without the trouble of hauling it. Much as I would like to go among them oftener, I think it would not be advisable to take that walk very often unless it was necessary. There are some here yet. The Sioux do not live in villages like some of the other tribes ; I often wish they did, for sometimes when I go a second time to see a family I find that they have removed. So you seldom know where to find them unless they live in a log hut. After I have learned to talk to them I can do better. I devote part of every day to study. The language would not be so hard to learn if the Indians would speak plainly. The women and girls are very apt to cover their mouths with their shawls when they are talking. The children in school are very much pleased when I say anything to them in Dakota, but it is almost impossible to make them say anything in English, for they have a perfect horror of being laughed at, and they are afraid of making a mistake."
Mrs. Holcomb, Allahabad, India.
" One great drawback in our work among the women arises from early marriages. You know that girls are married in this country when mere children. They do not at once go to the home of the husband to remain, but for several years, until old enough to take upon themselves the duties of wife and mother, spend the time between the two homes, the bride's early home and that of her husband's parents. As they thus come back from time to time, we have an opportunity to give them further instruction and to fur- nish them with new books. I know that the seed thus sown will some time bear precious fruit. Were there no seed time there would be no rich harvest to garner. Man applauds him who brings home the sheaves ; God's eye looks as lovingly upon him who patiently, faithfully, prayerfully scatters the good seed. . . .
" In eighteen different zenanas women areYeceiving instruction. Many of the women have learned to read well, and understand what they read, and I trust are impressed by what they have learned. One woman tells me that she studies the Bible with her husband, that she has learned and offers up a prayer which she found in one of the books in which she has been reading, and also some of the hymqs. She has nearly finished the reading of the New Testament in Hindi, and often pauses in her reading to ask
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questions concerning what she is reading. All of these houses I try to visit once each week, and the Bible woman visits them alone one or twice a week. I have in the bazaar one school for heathen girls, and have funds to establish one or two more if girls can only be persuaded to come ; but they are much more particular about leaving their own homes here than in Futtehgurh, Mynpurie, or Etawah. I suppose it is because there is a larger Mohammedan element here. The school for the daughters of the native Chris- tians is also in my care. This is the school formerly in Miss Walsh's care. Besides the daughters of the native Christians, about fifteen orphan girls were formerly in attendance ; but four or five years ago it was decided to send them to Futtehgurh, that is, to Rakha, as there are suitable buildings there, while here they were in the families of native Christians, and we could not exercise that super- vision over them which we found necessary. The school is continued just as formerly ; but as I have said, contains only the daughters of native Christians, with the exception of one or two heathen children whom I have recently persuaded to join the school.
GIFTS FOB GIRLS IN INDIA.
Miss Gary, who has charge of the girls' orphanage at Bareilly, India, writes to the Heathen Woman's Friend on this subject, and as her words apply equally well to the girls of our mission schools in that country, we quote them : " As regards your questions con- cerning gifts for the girls, let me say that it does not pay to send any article of value ; it is not prized. Do not send clothing : the girls' dress is simple and should be uniform. Quilts are not prized or worth the labor for India. Nothing delights the oldest girl to the youngest more than a string of beads, a doll, or a mouth organ. Photographs of our ladies and pictures ai-e acceptable. Remnants of calico have been sent for jackets; a few choose such a gift. Our style of dress is not the custom of this country. The dress of the native woman is more simple, plainer, less expensive, very becoming; therefore it is most desirable that it be retained by our Christian girls. It is ludicrous to see our dress imitated by any one of these native women. I should regret the day when it shall appear to the women of this land that a change of religion, from the worship of idols to the living God, means an adoption of our dress, customs, and mode of living."
" Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious name forever ; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory ; Amen, and Amen."
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woman's work for woman.
3Ef Ijoinp.
ET TENEO ET TENEOR.
(l BOTH HOLD AND AM HELD.)
I Tpiis old motto embodies the experience of every Christian into
whose heart the grace of God has entered as a Hving power. No matter what the circumstances or the attainments, these words still describe the only condition of security for any human soul. That poor woman at her washtub or her sewing, who knows not a word of this or any other Latin sentence, who perhaps could not put into distinct form any of the great truths which yet fill her humble life with joy and strength — that man high in position, influence, and wealth, whose praise is in all the churches, and whose Christian benevolence extends far and wide — both these equally need to hold and to be held as followers of the Lord Jesus.
It is not enough that ice try to hold fast to the Cross ; our grasp is at the best too feeble. The world, the flesh, and the devil will combine their strength to loosen and detach our hold, and they are too strong for the unaided soul to resist. But, blessed be God ! omnipotent power here comes to its relief, and when the soul is thus " held," no foes can prevail to " pluck it out of that hand."
Yet the Cross must be clasped and rested upon in its symbolic meaning, as the emblem of Christ's atoning work, whereupon all our hopes of heaven and of freedom from this " body of sin" are founded. The sustaining, strengthening, uplifting power is given to those who with all the might of their own souls are clinging to Him of whose death the Cross is symbolical. And when that clasp is firm and strong — nay, even when it is as jet but a timid, shrink- ing, hesitating grasp — the blessed power comes and holds the faint- ing spirit closer up to the object of its faith, and bids it rest with more security, and trust with more self-abandonment, in " Christ and Him crucified."
We shall never see the time, until we are safe in our Father's house above, forever free from all danger of falling, when we can
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for a moment cease to " hold and to be held" by the Cross of Christ. There in that blissful home we may lose sight somewhat of that emblem of atoning love, in the light of the glorious crown upon the brow of our victorious King, yet even then — and forever — wc must press closer to Him, while we acknowledge with great joy that we have been ■' kept by the power of God through faith unto salva- tion."
LESSONS FROM THE WORD.— II.
Frances Ridley Havergal.
•'Go ye, therefore.'' — Matt, xviii. 19.
When we read any general promise, faith appropriates it by say- ing, "This is for me!" And then it becomes effectual; one receives it as surely as if it had been spoked to and for one's self alone. When we heard the word of the Lord Jesus saying, " Come unto me, all y !" we who believe on Him did not and do not hesitate to say, " That means me !'" and to act upon the gracious invitation. Now. is it fair to accept His "Come ye," and refuse His ''Co ye" ? Is the first, with its untold blessings, to be appropriated personally, notwithstanding its plural form, and the second to be merely read as an interesting general command to whomsoever it may concern, but certainly not to ourselves ?
As we have the unspeakable privilege and comfort of knowing that '' all God's promises are for all God's children," so that you and I may claim every one unless we can show cause that it cannot apply to our case, so it must be that all God's commands are for all God's children, unless we can show cause that any one cannot apply to our case. Therefore it follows that, as the Lord Jesus Christ said, " Go ye," the obligation lies upon each of His true followers to consider definitely, at least once in his or her life, whether the circumstances in which He has placed them do or do not definitely preclude them from literally obeying this distinct and most literal commandment.
If they are thus precluded, the loving and loyal heart will be eager to find ways of obeying the spirit of it. But if ')iot thus precluded, what then ? To Him, your own blaster, you must give account why you do not go ! To Him you must make excuse." To Him who gave Himself for you, and who knows exactly how much it is in your heart to '■ keep back" from Him. To Him who knows your secret preference for some other profession, or your reluctance to be tied to an absorbing life-work ; and who knows how you satisfy your conscience with offering Him the chips and shavings of your time and strength, a few odds and ends of work
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woman's work for woman.
in the evenings or on Sundays, or a proportion of your time sub- tracted from " social claims," when you miglit, nobly, bravely, loyally, leave all and follow Him, responding to the Master's '• Go ye," with " Here am I, send me I"
Have you thought of it in this light? If not, do not risk being among His disobedient servants, but take the matter direct to Him- self, and say, ''Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Make thy way straight before my face !"
" TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES."
I CANNOT see with my small human sight Why God should lead this way or that for me ; I only know He saith, " Child, follow me."
But I can trust.
I know not why my path should be at times So straitly hedged, so strangely barred before ; I only know God could keep wide the door — And so I trust.
I find no answer, often, when beset With questions fierce and subtle on my way, And often have but strength to faintly pray, And firmly trust.
I often wonder as, with trembling hand, I cast the seed along the furrowed ground, If ripened fruit for God will there be found ; But still I trust.
I cannot know why suddenly the storm Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath. But this I know, God watches all my path, And I can trust.
I may not draw aside the mystic veil That hides the unknown future from my sight; Nor know if for me waits the dark or light ; But I can trust.
And though I cannot look across the tide, Or see, while here, the land beyond the river, My joy is this, — I shall be God's for ever ; So I can trust.
— Woman^s TTorA, London.
CONDUCTING A LADIES' FRATER MEETING.
One of our readers and workers writes asking for the best method of conducting a ladies' prayer meeting, and says that she would very much like to know the experience of others in this matter." Will not some of our readers send us their experience, and thus help many who are interested in the subject?
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QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOB, A MISSIONARY LADY.
So much ha-s been said about giving the Lord our very best, and sending to foreign fields only the highly educated, that the ques- tion has been raised whether those with more limited educations should go at all.
Missionary ladies usually find opportunity to use all their attain- ments and accomplishments, but some of our most successful mis- sionaries had only a common English education before going abroad. A highly-educated missionary lady, after thirteen years experi- ence and observation on the field, said she had changed her mind on this point. Before going out she thought a thorough and com- prehensive education absolutely necessary, but she had come to regard good common sense, and a willingness to take hold and do whatever was to be done, even to the drudgery of missionary work, far more important qualifications than scientific and classical attainments. Much depends upon the field and the position on the field. Those who go to teach in the higher grade of schools in India or Syria, Persia, South America, Mexico, &c., must have a good education. Eut in ordinary schools and the common routine of missionary work it is not essential.
Our missionary women do not as a rule study very deeply into the language, literature, or religious systems of the country. Here and there you will find a rare exception, such as jMrs. Crawford, of Tungchow, China, who can take her English Bible and translate it into Chinese as she reads ; but that is not common. Ordinarily our missionary men do the book making and translating. Our missionary women are sent to labor for the heathen women, and the instruction most of them need is very primary and very practical. Much must be taught them outside of books, they must be taught to make homes and train their children, patiently drilled into habits of cleanliness, order, and industry, in short, taught evLrything a Christian woman ought to know how to do. Evidently what is wanted to do this work well is a thoroughly practical education. Any young lady with a practical knowledge of all household and womanly duties, with devoted piety, a good understanding, energy of character, a hopeful spirit, and a moderate education, need have no fears about succeeding as a foreign missionary. J. M. H.
" ' Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.' The ' well doing' is praying and waiting, as well as sowing and reaping."
5G
woman's work for woman.
MISSIONARY BIBLE READING.
Prepared by Mrs. M. J. Adams.
1. Condition of the heathen, (o.) Ignorant: Eph. ii. 12; iv. 17, 18. (i.) Stupid : Ps. cxxxv. 18. (r.) Wicked: Rom. i. 29- 31. (fZ.) Devil-Worshippei-s : 1 Cor. x. 20.
2. Their {^uilt and the certainty of their punishment. Som. i. 19-22; ii. 14-15; Micah v. 15; Ilab. iii. 12; Rom. ii. 12; Ps. Ixxix. 6 ; Rom. i. 18.
3. God's will concerning them. Isa. xlv. 23; Matt. xxiv. 14.
4. Personal obligations. Rom. x. 14—15; Matt, xxviii. 19.
5. No other salvation. Acts iv. 12.
6. The young should labor. Ps. Ixxi. 17.
7. The old should labor. Ps. Ixxi. 18.
8. Our means should be consecrated. 1 Chron. xxix. 2—4, and 16 ; 2 Cor. viii. 1-5 ; Mark xii. 42-14.
9. We should pray for missions. Ps. Ixvii. 2-7 ; Eph. vi. 19, 20.
10. Our weakness is our strength. 1 Cor. i. 27—29.
11. The zeal of idolaters should stimulate us. Jer. vii. 18.
12. We may well imitate the zeal of hypocrites. Matt, xxiii. 15.
13. Motives to labor. 1 Peter iv. 10, 11 ; 2 Cor. v. 14, 15.
14. Rewards of labor. Col. iii. 24 ; 2 Cor. ix. 6-8 ; xi. 15 ; 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8; 1 Pet. v. 4; Dan. xii. 3; Matt. xxv. 34-40. — The Helping Hand.
CHEERING WORDS.
The following is from a lady who values Woman's Work: "Some time ago most of my little income was stopped by dishonesty, and I have felt unable to take the much-prized magazine, but I must have it as long as I live even if I make sacrifice of a little comfort. I shall be seventy on Christmas. I send one dollar in this, apply what is over where you think best."
•'Our Society (Waynesburgh, 0.^ is doing well now; we have seven members, and we support a girl in Bangkok school, and have fifty-eight dollars in treasury. If any society is doing better, according to the number, let us hear of ^t. An old lady about sixty-five and myself (and I am far past sweet sixteen) got up a festival on Thanksgiving, and cleared twenty-five dollars."
A pastor in Pennsylvania writes of the auxiliary in his church: " Our regular monthly meeting, which has been held every month, without a single exception, for four years and a half, was to-day more fully attended, more interesting, and more deeply devotional than usual."
AT HOME.
57
MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.
"Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." — Acts xx. 35.
Our gracious Lord did not content Himself with merely giving utterance to this truth ; He embodied it in life. He exhibited it in death. He emptied Himself, that we mio-ht be filled. Heaven with all its holiness, with all its bliss, was His abode : He left it for earth with all its sin and all its misery.
" The highest throne that heaven affords Was His, was His by right;"
but He left it, to be denied a place in Bethlehem's inn, to be born in a stable, laid in a manger ! Surrounded by countless throngs of adoring angels, whose highest bliss was to serve Him and to do His will, He left them to toil as a humble carpenter, to be despised and rejected of men. Laying aside the power of His might, who created the heavens with a word, and the earth by His command, He became the helpless babe of a poor mother. And after an un- paralleled life, He gave up. Himself, an unresisting victim, to be bound by the servants of the High Priest, to be mocked, and scourged, and crucified for the gratification of a Jewish mob and of a Gentile soldiery. He gave — ah ! what did He not give ? — He gave Him- self for us. Incapable, as we necessarily are, of understanding what He left behind in His incarnation, wliut it must have been to Him to tread this sin-defiled earth, what were the depths of His agony in Gethsemane, of His suflierings on Calvary, yet, looking on His wondrous life and death even as we can do, how wonderful it seems ! Awful must be that hell from which deliverance was worth purchasing at such a price : glorious that heaven to gain admittance to which such a ransom was needed. But, blessed as it is to us to receive that salvation, which delivers us from the one and fits us for the other, yet He who gave it, and gave it at such a cost, Himi-elf testifies that it is even more blessed to give than to receive. Oh, for hearts to apprehend and live out this wondrous truth ! — China s Millions.
The blanks for the Annual Report will be sent to the Secretaries of Auxiliary Societies this month. Please fill them carefully, and return them as soon as convenient to your Prcshyterial Secretary. Do not send them to the Home Secretary at Philadelphia, unless your auxiliary is not connected with any Presbyterial Society. Last year many Bands were omitted because of the neglect of sec- retaries to report them. Please report every Band in your church.
58
woman's work for woman.
*'FOR HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED."
When Mrs. Dr. W. S. Plumer, of Columbia, S. C, whose recent death has been mourned by many friends both in the South- ern Presbyterian Church and our own, was on her dying bed, she said to those who sat by her : " I tell you that you will never regret all the toil, labor, privation, self-denial, and suflFering you undergo for Jesus. When you come to the end your only regret will be that you could not work and suffer more for Him. He is faithful to fulfill all His promises, for He has fulfilled aU His promises to me, and more too — a great deal more. Oh, yes, Jesus is precious." Again : " I have tried to work for Jesus, but now as I lie here, I feel as if I had done nothing for Him, and He has done so much for me. Oh, work, my daughters, work for Him while it is day."
Miss Kirkland, of the Southern Presbyterian Mission at Hang- chow, writes to The Missionary, that " a few simple, but to the Chinese wonderful, cures have been made, which have given me a very unmerited reputation for skill in the art of healing. On this account a good many women come to the schools and also to the house for medicine, and many beg me to go to their houses to see the sick." This is another confirmation of the fact that some knowledge of medicine is of great assistance to the missionary lady in her work.
Our Congregational friends do not forget the young people, in their missionary zeal. The venerable Missionary Herald begins the new year with an illustrated department for them, and Life and Lifjlit gives them a generous share of its pages, and this is its promise for the year : " The size and success of this department will depend Lu-gely upon the young ladies themselves. For this year we propose always to give four extra pages for it, sparing one or two from the other parts of the magazine, now and then ; and, if it is a necessity, another year we shall be glad to give twice as much."
" Be ready for any work the Master may bring before you ; and remember that waiting on Him, when all seems dark and discour- aging, is oiten couuted truer service in His sight, than the more active work we would ourselves so readily choose; but whicli, to be pleasing to Him, must be done in the jjowrr gained by much secret abiding in His presence." — Mrs. White, in Woman s Work in China.
AT HOME.
59
We begin, in this number of Woman's Work, a series of articles on India, by Rev. E. M. Wherry, whose life and labor in that country have well qualified him to give the information concerning it which is needed here.
NEW AUXILIARIES AND BANDS.
Clarion, Pa., Presbyterial Society, Breakneck, Pa., Butler Pres. Hagerstown, Md., Baltimore Pres
AUXILIARIES.
Lawrenceville, Pa., Wellsborough Pres. Wellsborough, " " "
Colerain, Pa., Mackey.
East Brady, Pa., Beacon Lights.
KerrviDe, Pa., Band of Hope.
Milton, Pa., Ruby Blessings. Roselle, N. J., Missionary Link. West Point, 0., Loring.
NEW LIFE ME3IBERS.
Eddy, Miss Harriet M. Marsh, Miss E. H. Peck, Miss Edith May
Riggs, Mrs. Dr. C. C. Riggs, Miss Jennie A. Woodburn, Mrs. Maggie E.
Receipts of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church, from Dec. 1, 1878.
SMALL CAPITALS.]
Mrs. L. D. Wetmore, for sch'p, Gaboon, $12 50, . $30 78
KiTTANNING. — Apollo Au.X.,
$43 87, Faithful Workers (bovs), $2 45, Hopeful Bd. (girls), S3 68 (ijaO), for Miss'y, Siam ; Boiling Spring Aux., $20, Crooked Creek Aux., $14 (S34), for Miss'y, Brazil ; Eldersridge, interest on legacy of Mrs. Donaldson, $18, . . .102 00 Lackawanna. — Athens Aux., sch'p, Sidon, $25 ; Ply- mouth Aux., sch., Syria, $50 ; Towanda Aux., for Miss'y, Corisco, $125 ; Cash for nat. tea., Corisco, $25, . 225 00 Lehigh. — Easton, 1st Ch. S.
S., for sch., Syria, . . 50 00 Lima. — Findlay, Lilies of the Field, of which $25 for sch'p, Corisco, . . . . 29 85 Long Island. — Southampton Aux., $42 21, j\Iis. Ilunt- ting, for L. M., $25, Golden Rule Band, $14 03, . . 81 24 M a H o N I N G. — Columbiana Aux., $3; East Palestine
[pnESBYTERIES IN
Blairsville. — Greensburg
Aux., for sch. Ningpo, $50;
Plum Creek Aux. for Miss'y,
Hangchow, $41, . . $91 00 Chester. — Honeybrook Aux.,
for Miss'y, Lodiana, $100,
Necktie Fund, $12 75 ($112
75) ; West Chester Aux., for
Miss'y, Syria, $261; Mar-
pie S. S., $25, Cedar Grove
S. S., $15, Newton, 1st Day
School, $10 ($50), for 2
sch'ps, Gaboon ; Union Ch.,
Primarv Class, for sch.,
Lahorej$8, . . .431 75 Cleveland. — Cleveland, 1st
Ch., Helping Hands for
Helper in India, $50 68;
2d Ch. Aux., for Miss'y,
Japan, $45, S. S., for San
Paulo, $50, sch., Mexico,
$50, sch., India, $30 ($175) ;
Case av. Aux., nat. tea.,
India, .$25, . . . 250 63 Elizabeth. — Metuchen, Miss.
Bd., sch'p, Bangkok, . . 30 00 Erie. — Cool Spring Aux.,
$10 78; GirardAux.,$7 50 ;
Warren, Mrs. F. Henry and
60
woman's work for woman.
Aux., for Miss'y, Bogota, $22 08; Warren Aux., for Miss'y, $10, S. S., for sch., Bogota, $17 60 (S27 60), . $52 68
Marion. — York Aux., . . 6 40
New Brunswick. — Amwell, United 1st Aux., for San Paulo, $24; Trenton, 1st, for Miss'y, Brazil, S225, . 249 00
Newcastle. — Dover, Cheerful Workers, adl., for Oroomiah Sem., §16; Head of Christ- iana Aux., $20 ; White Clay Creek Aux., $37 50, . . 73 50
Newton. — Stewartsville Aux.,
sch., Saharanpur, . . 25 00
Northumberland. — Sunbury
Aux., 25 00
Philadelphia. — Calvary Ch., Bay Dawn Bd., for L. M. and Miss'y, India, $25 ; AValnut st. Ch., Mrs. Dr. Stidham, for soh'p, Dehra, $65 ; Old Pine St., Workers for Jesus, for 2 B. R.'s, In- dia, $25, . . . . 95 00
Philadelphia, Central. — Bethesda Aux., for Miss'y, Yankton Agency, $400 ; Johnstone Aux., for Miss'y, Odanah, $75; North Ch. Aux., for soil., Syria, $100 ; Shepherd Aux., for Kola- poor, $S7, . . . . 662 00
PiTTSBunr.H <fc Allegheny Com. — Allegheny, Hope Mission, Woman's Bible Class, $6 56 ; Monongahela City Aux., for nat. tea., India, $50 25 ; Pittsburgh, Bellefield Ch., Buds of Pro- mise, sch'p, Allahabad, $15 ; Sewickley Aux., for Miss'y, Kolapoor, §25 ; Swissvale, Miss. Bd., seh'p, Ningpo, $40; Wilkinsburg, S. M. Henderson Bd., for sch'p, Ningpo, §39, . . .175 81
Rochester.— Geneseo, Central
Ch. Aux.. for sch'p, Beirut, 50 00
St. Clairsville. — Crab Ap- ple Aux. (of which $25 for L. M.), for Miss'y, Canton, 50 00
Shenango. — Beaver Falls, Mrs. Dr. C. C. Riggs, for 2 L. Ms., ....
Steubentille. — Yellow Creek Aux., for Miss'y, California,
Syracuse. — Oswego, 1st Ch. Aux., for 2 sch'ps, Sidon, .
Utica. — Rome, Seed Sowers, for Africa, $1 83, Persia, §1 94, Syria, §3 28, .
Westminster.— Leacock Anx., for B. R., Allahabad, $30; Slate Ridge Aux., §20 10, .
West Virginia. — Grafton Aux.,
Wooster. — Hopewell Aux., .
Miscellaneous. — Albion, Ind., Mrs. B. Cook, for Oroomiah, §1 ; Batavia, N. Y., A Friend, $9 40 ; Con- stitution, 0., Aux., $10 ; East Derry, N. H., Mrs. Mary G. Pigeon, $25 : Eliza- beth, N. J., K., Christmas Gift, $25; Mt. Joy, Pa., Mrs. S. R. Browne, $1; Phila., S., Christmas Gift, $5, Miss M. Grier, $7 ; Putnamville, Ind., Mrs. S. M. Hawley, $2 ; New Cali- fornia, 0., P. S. Comstock, $1 40 ; Sag Harbor, N. Y., Mrs. A. E. Westfall, 40 cts.; Shelby, 0., Miss M. Cum- mins, work Tungchow, $10; Washington C. H., 0., Mrs. Mary Stockdale, $70 ; Wil- mington, Del., Miss Hous- ton, money refunded, $18 50. " Necktie Fund " — Albion, Ind., Mrs. M. Chambers, $1, Chestnut Hill, Pa., $1 50, Easton, Pa., Two Sisters, $2, Hamden .Junction, 0., Mrs. Jane Rav, §1, New York, B. V. W., 5 cents ($5 65); Sale of leaflets, &c., $5 42, .
Total for December, 1878, Previously acknowledged.
$50 00
50 00
50 00
7 05
50 10
10 00 20 00
196 47
§3239 11 21452 69
Total from May 1, 1878, . $24691 80
The 1st Ch., Oswego, N. Y.. has sent a box to Sidon Seminary, value not given. The Aux., Clinton. N. J., has sent a box of clothing to the Seneca Mission, N. Y., value not given.
Mrs. Julia M. Fishburn, Treasurer, J.annary 1. 1879. 1.3.34 Chestnut Street. Phil.ndelphia.
EDITED BY THE
WOMAN'S PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF MISSIONS OF THE NORTHWEST.
Miss Hattie Notes.
Canton, September 28, 1878.
The way in -whicli the Chinese can crowd themselves together is astonishing to a native American. The house in which we live, which you would doubtless consider rather small for a foniily of three or four, they often tell us would be quite large enough for forty or fifty of them. It is really nearly as large as the school building in which last term we had /orf^-/wir, and we know that most of them liad much better accommodations than they would have had in their own homes. I am often impressed with the thought of how very different the ideas of different classes are with regard to what is necessary for comfort. The canal in front of our house, and within ten feet of it, is filled with boats some six feet wide by twenty or thirty in length, and each boat is the home of a family of perhaps six or seven pei'sons. To the last days of mj visit in America I did not cease feeling a sensation of novelty in breathing air which seemed clean, and jntre.
Your letter told us of the appointment of the two young ladies for Chieng Mai. We shall be delighted to have a visit from them here. The Siam missionaries are usually obliged to wait in Canton for a longer or shorter time for a vessel to take them to Siam.
Such a good opening for work came to our knowledge a few days since that we felt that we must go forward and " enter in and possess the land." It is a neighborhood at some distance from us and where there has never been a school, and the people all seemed anxious to have one. We found a building, one little room, which we rented for $1 40 per month. As soon as the word was circulated that there would be a school, the mothers came bringing their daughters to have their names enrolled as scholars, and in a little while eighteen were given in. Itai is to be the teacher; she
4
62
WOMAN S WORK FOR WOMAN.
would make an excellent Bible woman, but is really able to walk scarcely at all, on account of ber little feet, so it seems as tbough she will have to be a teacher. We find it more difficult to get just the right material for Bible women. Po Chang begged to be allowed to go with her and carry on ber work of a Bible woman in that neighborhood, and we are very glad to have her do so. The salary of the Bible woman will be $36 a year, and the school we hope to carry on on a cheap basis, perhaps §75 a year. This work is not included in the estimates, and indeed our regular allowances for the coming year are much reduced. The boarding school is cut down some $114. We shall of course be obliged to send away a number of the scholars, and that is even harder than to refuse admission to those who apply, as we are constantly obliged to do. We hope however that " better times" will come soon, and that the mission treasury may share in the prosperity. Itai seems exceed- ingly happy in the prospect of getting to work. I shall go to the school to-morrow to see how she is prospering. The morning she left here, twelve of us gathered together in an '■ upper room" and prayed for God's blessing upon the undertaking, then we went over to the schoolroom and held a meeting there. The room was crowded, and perfectly orderly. I almost dreaded to go because I expected it would be so noisy, as it is very often when we attempt to have a meeting in a new place, but I was pleased to find every one, even the children, quiet and attentive. It was doubtless owing largely to the influence of the man of whom we rent the house, who belongs to the literati, and has been a teacher himself for many years. I trust you will remember this new work in your prayers.
JAFAN.
Miss Eldred.
ToKio, September 20, 18T8.
We began school Monday, September 16, and now have matters so nearly in order that we commenced working on a regular programme yesterday morning. It might seem that it need not take three days to get a programme arranged, but we found that having to provide for four distinct recitations at the same time, and that too with scholars who have been obliged from various circum- stances to study in several grades at the same time, made the work quite difficult. Our teacher of translation and Japanese arithmetic works three and a half hours every forenoon, and is assisted part of the time by one of our older girls. He is said to be a good instructor and conies well recommended. The same can be said of our Chinese teacher who has the school in the afternoon ; he is also
ABROAD.
63
a Christian. We have at present thirty boarders and ten day scholars, and the expectation of more next month. Some of our old pupils are with us and more are coming soon.
Nikko, where we spent August, is noted above every other Japanese town for the magnificence and beauty of its temples, and I wish I had words and time to describe them to you. I will try to give a description of one of the gateways leading to one of the two principal temples, though you can form from it very little idea of elaborate carvings to be seen on everything that pertains to the temples. This carving is in many places elaborately painted or gilded. The capitals of the columns represent the head of some fabulous animal. Above this projects a balcony which runs all around the railing, being supported by dragons' heads, with two white dragons fighting in the centre. Underneath is a row of groups of children playing, nine groups on each side. Below these are a curious network of beams and seven groups of Chinese sages. The roof is supported by gilt dragons' heads, with gaping crimson throats ; from the top a gilt demon looks down. At the right and left of the gate sit images of noted men of ancient times J they are now considered worthy of worship, I think.
STEIA.
Mrs. Calhoun.
Mt. Lebanon, Deivel Komr (Convent of the Moon). Our chief hope is from our schools, for the people have learned that we give more thorough instruction than the Jesuits and Sisters of Charity, and the children who come to our schools mostly attend also our preaching service and Sabbath-school, and some of their parents and friends also attend. The leaven of truth thus works, but we long to see it work quickly and with power. I wish you could have heard, as I did, the account of the conversion of a teacher of a common school here, from the teacher of the common school for boys. He was an orthodox Greek of the straightest sect, a native of this place, and living in Damascus at the time of the dreadful massacre in 1860. His life was providentially saved, and he went to Beirut with the hundreds of reftigees. There he inci- dentally heard from one who was once his apprentice, of the Prot^ estants and their Sabbath service, and at once determined to attend in spite of advice to the contrary, for he had a very high idea of the honesty and integrity of the " Englese" as compared with the French. (The Americans and English are . called in Arabic, " Englese. ') His old apprentice agreed to conduct him to the Protestant church the next Sabbath, but failed to make his appear- ance.
64
woman's work for woman.
The next Sabbath, however, " Teacher Beshana" took his place among the Protestauts. He was deeply impressed with the singing and pi-ayers offered in a quiet, earnest tone that all could under- stand, asking for blessing, guidance, and forgiveness. Then the text, " Hallowed be thy name," followed by a sermon explaining and enforcing the solemn words, so affected his heart that by the blessing of the Spirit he went out a changed man. He did not again attend his old church. He thought he would go once to see how it would seem to him with his new feelings; but he was so afraid he might not return in time for the Protestant service that he did not go. He sought the society of Protestants, read their books, gained instruction and information, attended prayer meetings, con- tinued firm under opposition, and has been a growing Christian ever since.
He wished to marry a Protestant, but was bitterly disappointed in the girl whom, according to custom here, his friends selected. She promised to go with him to meeting, and the missionary mar- ried thcni ; but the mother's influence prevailed, and for several years she made his life bitter by daily annoyances. At length his prayers were answered, his exafhple blessed, and she ceased oppo- sition, went occasionally with him to meeting, began to revive her little knowledge of reading, and has twice read through the New Testament with the teacher, and is now reading with us the Old Tes- tament. We long to see decided tokens of the work of the Spirit in her heart, and an earnest desire to '• confess Christ before men." You can have but little idea how much earnest feeling and courage it requires to face opposition of relatives, and the scorn and con- tumely of acquaintances, especially in one of yielding, undecided temperament.
There are now ten young persons in various villages in this vicinity, desii'ing to join the church, who received their first im- pressions of truth in our schools.
CHINA.
Miss Anderson.
Chefoo, October 14, 1S78. Our voyage across the Pacific was as pleasant and speedy as is often made, but notwithstanding this fact, 1 never knew a happier or more relieved feeling than when my foot pressed the soil of Japan. I was not in China by any means; almost two weeks of travel yet remained; but I v:as in the " Mikado's Empire," my feet were on solid ground (no earthquakes occurred during the three days we were in Yokohama, and for the time being I felt safe). Crossing the inland sea of Japan was like one long trip through fairy land.
ABROAD.
65
It was so hot ia Shanghai that I did not wait for the party. Miss Kelsey and I came on alone to Chefoo, and our steamer got out on the open sea just in time for the northeast monsoon. It was terrible. The propeller could not be kept in the water, and when it came up the shaking of the steamer, and the racking noise it made, seemed almost too much for human endurance. I had not been seasick at all, but those three days of tossing were too much for me, and still I am loath to own that it was genuine seasickness ... I announced at the breakfast table this morning that I was going to work to-day ; but Miss Downing says mA to-day. You see I am perfectly helpless and absolutely useless until T learn something of this dreadful lan- guage. I can tell the servants a good many things now and be understood. My teacher will come very soon, and I will go to work in earnest.
Of the worh in this place : Mr. Corbett has a boys' school and a church. Miss Downing and Mrs. Nevius have each a girls' school; the schools seem all to be flourishing. Dr. Nevius is out now itinerating. The work which attracts me most here is among the women. The number who will come together to listen, and the pleasure with which the ladies who go to them are received, are really wonderful for China. Oh ! I so long to be able to go out among them and teach. As soon as I know enough of the language to look after the school, Miss Downing will go among the women. Do pray for me that I may learn the language, that I may have patience and perseverance, and not grow weary of it. With an earnest prayer that you may be guided aright in everything, even in smuU things, and that the blessing of the good Father may always be upon you, yours, &c.
In a later letter she writes of commencing to teach arithmetic on the 20th.
CHINA,
Mrs. W. S. Holt, Shanghai.
Perhaps you would be interested to know how we managed the opening of a school. There was a notice written in Chinese char- acter, on yellow paper, which was pasted up on the back gate of our place, telling passers by that a free school would be opened at such a date and such a place. On the day set there were three scholars only; in a few days more came, until the number amounted to fifteen. I was very much encouraged, and thought thei'e would be no difficulty in establishing a school so far as numbers were con- cerned. But in a few weeks, much to my surprise, five scholars left; not at one time, but during about three weeks' time. The cause of this, I was told by my teacher, was that a brother of their
4*
66
woman's work foe woman.
father's, who was a graduate, was out of employment and was living upon this man, and in order to get some remuneration for his food the children were kept at home for the brother to teach, all of which seemed very plausible. 1 fancy, however, that the studying of Christian books had something to do with the removal of the boys, as half of the time is thus spent. The number remained at ten for some time, and then one and another left for different reasons, till at last I had only five regular scholars. I began to feel somewhat discouraged ; but at the Chinese New Year more came. I believe I now feel discouraged in only one thing, and that is in my ability to teach these dear little children of Christianity. They are so very ignorant of the truth, that it is almost impossible to get an idea into their little heads. Of course, as long as I look at my own strength I shall feel discouraged and downhearted ; but if I can only keep Christ in view, and trust to Him to make what I say sink into their hearts, and glorify Him by bringing these little stray lambs into His fold, there will be no reason for despondency. But I find too often that I am really very human. I know that you and many others are praying for us, and our work and prayer will he answered.
A PEEP AT OUR WORK AND WORKERS IN CHINA.
We now have in China seven missionaries, Miss Schmucker at Souchow, Miss Ketchum at Ningpo, Mrs. Farnham and Mrs. Holt at Shanghai, Mrs. Corbett, Miss Downing, and Miss Anderson at Chefoo. From these ladies we receive most interesting accounts of their life in that strange land, the work they are doing, and the varied success that follows their labor. Our most northern station, Chefoo, is almost on the borders of China .proper and near the great wall. There Miss Downing has labored for several years. She has just been joined by Miss Anderson, who having studied dili- gently during her voyage, on the day of her arrival declared herself ready for work, and is now, as her letters testify, enthusiastically engaged. They are in the immediate region of the famine land, and a great deal of time has been spent in distributing food and relieving the sufi"erings of that plague-visited people, as Mrs. Cor-
HOME.
67
bett has written us. Six missionaries of different churches have fallen victims to the plague, but we can thank Grod that those under our immediate care have been spared. The opportunities growing out of the famine and consequent sickness have opened a very wide door for work, and done much toward breaking down the high wall of prejudice which shut out the foreigners from access to the people. Already much fruit has been garnered. In the different native churches there have been large accessions, and many infants have been baptized.
At Souchow, our next station to the south, we find Miss Schmuc- ker. Having gone out only last year, she is occupied in learning the language, but she hopes to open a school for girls very soon.
It is a singular fact that our missionaries with their small sala- ries give far more than ladies of wealth in our own societies at home towards missionary "work. Miss Hattie Noyes and her sister* in Canton are supporting a girls' school out of their salaries, at an expense of $75 a year. Who will carry this school for them the coming year ?
Mrs. Farnham and Mrs. Holt at Shanghai, still further south on the coast, have several schools for girls and boys under their super- vision, assisted by native Christian teachers. Mrs. Farnham has been in China since 1860, Mrs. Holt since 1873. Their work affords much encouragement and they see the fruits of their labors in many converts to Christianity.
Our letters from Miss Ketchum at Ningpo, the next station to the south, inform us that she with a number of missionaries was obliged to go to the island of Poodoo, off the coast, during the ex- treme hot weather. They lived during their stay in a monastery. There are over one hundred monasteries and temples on that small island, and new ones are being erected The whole island is given up to idolatry. The day after their arrival was a day of thanks- giving for abundant harvests. " Idols," Miss Ketchum says, " are on almost every hill top and under every green tree. A long rope is stretched from house to house through the village, on which is hung paper clothing to be burned for the use of the spirits in the * Supported by the AVoman's Foreign Missionary Society.
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woman's work for woman.
land of the departed. On tables standing on the street are laid oflFerings of food."
In a letter of September 1, she writes that they had returned to Ningpo in greatly improved health and were just opening their school.
From Miss Hattie Noyes at Canton, under whose care is the " training school," where we have five scholarships, we have a description of the different schools, in all of which applications from mothers for their daughters are more than can be received. One school has been in operation twelve years. Many more schools might now be opened if the funds necessary could be secured, as there are quite a number of Chinese women who are already educated and trained for the work.
Oh, that God would open the hearts of women to make that self- denying effort which would fill our treasury to repletion, and open wide the doors of instruction to our sisters famishing for the bread of life !
We call careful attention to the circulars recently sent out. The first, concerning the '■ Bureau of Intelligence ;" the second, giving the " Logic of Facts" for prayerful consideration in every society.
As before, the " Bureau" desires that all papers, essays, foreign letters, and items that would further their work be sent to Room 48.
We are glad to announce a reduction in the price of our collec- tor's envelopes. They will now be furnished at three cents a set, instead of four as previously. In preparing for the work of the new year we shall be glad to furnish all societies who can find them helpful.
NOTES FMOM BOOM 48.
Nov. 29. — A-glad Thanksgiving. Our leader was rejoiced that President and Grovernors had united in settilig apart one whole day for thinking over the mercies of the year and holding them in most grateful remembrance. With the emotions still fresh that had been stirred the previous day, well was it for us ps a Board to look up and adore, saying in view of all that the year had wrought for foreign missions, " Not unto us, but unto Thy name be all the glory." Let- ters read from different fields assured us that the Lord's arm is not shortened nor His ear heavy. The ripening grain calls for more laborers; alas, alas, if they offer, where are the means to send
HOME.
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them ? Two young women fully equipped in heart and mind are again called for to meet the pressing demand in Monterey, Mexico. Prayer was offered by our President that the great Giver would provide for this emergency in His own time and way. Letters were read from Denver asking for suggestions as to the best means of extending Woman's Work for Woman in that vigorous young state.
Dec. 6. — Romans xv. read. A wonderful missionary chapter. Can that day be far distant when the " root of Jesse" shall reign over all the Gentiles ? If we who are known by the name of Christ have the " fullness of the blessing of the gospel," the days of heath- enish darkness are surely numbered. Every church must send out its helpers, evangelists, teachers. A brief space was given Mrs. Rhea just before the close of -the hour to tell us of her recent trip to Mantcno, Peotonc, and Kankakee. It had been a continued delight as she saw the women of the churches coming up to the help of the Lord. Those who from habit, when asked to pray, had said, " have me excused," others who thought it impossible to speak in presence of au audience, found their tongues loosened, and in loving self-forgetfuluess had done what they could to honor the Master. Mr. Stocking had been sent for to talk to them about his new plan for carrying forward the work in Persia, and so well prepared were they, that in spite of the predetermination to take up no collection, the box was passed and a handsome sum raised for the Koordistan fund.
Dec. 13. — Dr. and Miss Porter of China present with us. Every chair occupied. The points Mr. Porter briefly touched upon were the idols worshipped, one of which, a brass goddess of mercy, that had been bowed down to for perhaps two hundred years, he placed before us; the centres of missionary labor, pointing them out on the map; the character of the women, finding them in most instances susceptible to the teachings of the gospel and less influenced by old superstitions ; the opening for missionary labor made by the famine; and the great need of more Christian soldiers to go in and possess the land.
Miss Porter occupied about twenty minutes delightfully in noting some of the phases of the home work, which close observation dur- ing the months she had been with us had deeply impressed upon her mind. Lack of intelligence was alarmingly prevalent. Many Presbyterian ladies whom she had met were surprised to learn of the existence of Woman's Boards. Others who knew that some inter- est had been awakened were quite ignorant of the magazines and our column in the Interior. "Oh," said Miss P., "you must go out of your way and take more of your precious time to tell these sisters that they too are commissioned, and if they seem to forget, speak to them again of the blessedness of being co-laborers with the Master." Then on the matter of giving. It is right, she
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woman's woek for woman.
said, to love the beautiful and cultivate the JBsthetic, but when grati- fying these tasteg, should we not ask the Master to stand beside us and not allow His cause to suffer loss? The school carried on by Mrs. Whiting in Peking, assisted by a richly qualified native woman, was spqken of at some length. With frail health Mrs. W. had labored on, not counting her life dear, if she might but sow the seeds in those young hearts that should spring up to eternal life. The noble service of Mr. and Mrs. Mateer, Mr. and 3Irs. Wherry, willing to turn aside and go wherever they seemed most needed, and Miss Warner of Buffalo, who has just reached China, were all lovingly remembered.
The magazine published by missionary ladies of different deno- minations, known as Woma>is Work in China, published twice a year, was warmly commended by Miss Porter. Price 62 cents ; may be subscribed for at our rooms.
WOMAN'S BOARD OF THE INTERIOR.
We have lying before us a report of the ten years work of this Mission Board (Congregational). Their successes and trials are ours, for we are marching side by side in that noble army, which shall ere long shout in grand chorus, " The earth is the Lord's." I will quote :
" In our work, so closely linked to that of all Christian sisters, we cannot say of any one thing, this is wholly ours, nor yet of any other thing, this is not ours in part.
" On the home side — the smaller side — there is not a woman who has entered into all its sympathies but will say, ' Thank God for the Woman's Mission Work.' Let not any one refuse to these the privilege of this service, and say, ' The zeal you thus display would be better spent on home prairies and savannas.' The eyes that have cleared their vision to see the far ends of the earth, take in all between. . . .
"The aggregate receipts amount to $148,000; 669 auxiliary societies and 38 missionaries have come and gone, leaving now 22 in the field. . . .
" Abroad, these have been ten wonderful years. In Japan, the Kobe Home. In China, schools. In J\Iex'ico, the church. In India and Africa, your representatives have been wresting from heathenism its very citadel, the home. . . .
" There is a sound of the Lord's footsteps among the nations, and upon His vesture is written, ' King of kings.' With glowing hearts, and exultant joy, we hide our weakness in His might, and give ourselves over in a new consecration to the futherance of His surely- coming glory."
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ONLT THREE AT THE MEETING.
A FRIEND in Iroquois county gives us a thread from her expe- rience with the cheering thought, the Omnipotent One leading " the three," though they were only ciphers, made them a thousand strong, and desires each feeble band and auxiliary to take courage and go on conquering and to conquer.
NEW AUXILIARIES.
Belle Centre, 0. Kalamazoo, Mich., North Church.
Bluffton, Intl. Neoga, 111.
Crestline, 0., Miss. Band. Paw Paw, Mich.
Defiance, 0., Miss. Band. Peru, 0.
Huntsville, 0.
NEW LIFE MEMBERS.
Mrs. James Armitage, Mrs. Eev. Frank T. Bailey, Miss Katie Dickinson, Mrs. John Dunning, Miss Olive C. Farrand, Miss Mary A. Harper,
Mrs. Rev. John Kelland, Jliss Hattie Moore, Mrs. John M. Osborn, Miss Julia Peck, Mrs. AVilliam Reed.
Receipts of the Woman's Presbyterian Board of Mis- sions for the Northwest, to December 20, 1878.
[pnESnVTERIES IX SMALL CAPITALS.l
Alton. — Greenfield, $o ; Jer- seyville, sup. B. R., Per- sia, i;19 $2i 00
Cairo. — Du Quoin, . . 20 21 Chicago. — Chicago, 1st Ch., W. M. S., for sch. Beirut, S37, Mrs. Pearsons, sch'p, Corisco, $25 (§62) ; 2d Ch., W. M. S., S235 57, Madam Gould, B. R., Ambala, S15, Mrs. Keep. H. M., $8 ($258 57); 4th Ch., $74 25 ; 6th Ch., sup. Pastor's wife, Per- sia, $.S5 : Jefferson Park Ch., $29 25 : Evanston, sal. Miss Bacon, .$71 75: Joliet, Cen- tral Ch.. S2S ; Lake Forest, . $30, Y. P. Soc, $18 ($48), . 606 82
$15 00
Chippewa. — Neilsville, .
Crawfordsville. — Eliza- ville, Cheerful AYorkers, $5 ; Williamsport, $12 75. . 17 75
Des Moixes.— Add, $13 60; New Sharon, Mrs. E. A. Ralyea, $5 40, . . . 19 00
Detroit. — Ypsilanti, sjiecial for Miss Bacon, $9 35 : De- troit, Mrs. Charles Noble, Mrs. George D. Baker, Mrs. J. S. Farrand, Mrs. George Peck, and Mrs. George Moore (each $25), $125; Westminster Ch., $25 : South Lyon, SS 50 ; Brighton, $4 35 ($1 25 for Laos outfit); North ville, S. S., for " Burnt
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woman's work for woman.
Brick," $6 10; Pontiac, Y. L. Bd., sch'p, Rio Claro, $7 50 ; Wj'andottc, for Miss Schmucker, $6; Milford, Sunbeams, for sch. in Mex- ico, S15, .... $206 80
DiBiTQUE. — Dubuque, 2d Ch., 28 35
Fort Wayne. — Bluflton, for II. M., $12 30 : Elkhart, Y. L. Bd., sup. Mt. sch. Per- sia, $5, .... 17 30
TowA. — MediajioUs, sch. at Puttchgurh, SIO ; Kossuth, sch'p, Chefoo, $23, . . 33 00
Iowa City. — Victor, Mrs. C. L. McD. and friend, S2 ; Washington, $19, . . 21 00
Kalamazoo. — Constantine, sup. B. R., Mynpurie, $12 60, nat. tea., $2 25 ($U 75) ; Paw Paw, Miss. Circle, sup. pupil, Peking, .$15: School- craft, for "Burnt Brick," $2, 31 75
Laxsing. — Marshall, SU; Parma, Mrs. M. B. Tan- ner, $2, . . . . 16 00
LoGANSPORT. — Valpariso, sal. Mrs. Warren, $25, sup. Mar- tha, B. R., $7 50 ($32 oO) ; Michigan City, for H. M., $10 44; Mishawaka, $10; La Grange, $10, both for sch., Syria, . . . 62 94
Mattoox. — Vandalia, sch'p,
Rio Claro, . . . . 25 00
Maumee.— Toledo, 1st Ch., Livingston Band, sch'p, Bangkok, S5 20 ; Westmin- ster Ch,, Mrs, Osborn, sup, tea,, Tabriz, $25 : Bergen, for Alaska girls' school, $5 8S, 36 08
Milwaukee, — Lima, . . 7 50
Monroe. — Monx-oe, for Miss Nassau, $25 ; Quincy, for pupil, Mynpurie, $25 : Hud- son, Legacy of Mrs. Sarah M. Wolcott, $1000, . . 1050 00
MiNciK. — La Gro, $2 60:
Muneie, $60, . . . 62 60
New Albany.— Bedford, $7 ; Charleston, $8 ; Hanover,
sch'p, Ningpo, $34 13, Miss. Band, $2 17 (s36 30) ; Jef- fersonville, $21 ($12 for sch. in Mexico) ; Madison, 2d Ch., for H. & F., $26, S. S., sch'p, Rio Claro, .$30 (.$56) ; New Albany-, sal. Miss Thackwell, $222 75, . . $351 05
Ottawa.— Aurora, $7 44 (S2 50 by Mrs. H. L. Stoutenmyer); Oswego, $6 20, . . . 13 64
Rock River. — Dixon, $5 60 ; North Henderson, for H. & F., $9; Princeton, Armor Bearers, for ''Burnt Brick," $15, 29 60
Saint Paul.— Stillwater, . 12 15
Schuyler. — Quincy, Mite
Gatherers, pupil, Tabriz, . 18 26
Waterloo.— Acklcy, $6 ; Al- bion, $5 : Marshalltown, S. S., for Miss Jewfctt, $24 20 ; Nevada, S. S., for "Burnt Brick," $3; State Centre, $10, 48 20
WiNox^. — Chatfield, sal. Miss
Downing, . . . . 12 50
Miscellaneous. — Logan, 0., S. S., $5 40, Florence Cul- ver, 50 ct.-", ; Cai-thage, 0,, S. S., 60 cts. ; Marietta, 0., Mary, Arthur, and Addy, $2, Youths' Aid Soc, $1, Hattie Jones, 25 ct?., Mary, 5 cts., Nettie, Lizzie and Samuel Kingsbury, 30 cts. Athens, 0., Hattie, Edith, and Clarence, SO cts. : Tup- per Plains, 0., John W., 10 cts., S. S. children, 30 cts.; Warren, 0., James Cole, SO cts.; Pomerov,0., S. S., $10 50; Athens, 6., S. S., $S 60; McKeesport, Pa., S. S., $13 20; York, Pa., S. S., $30: Beverly, 0., S. S., $8 35, all for " Burnt Brick :" For pub. Reports, $1, . 78 75
Total for De'cember 20, . . 2865 25 Previously acknowledged, . 9514 98
Total to December 20, . . $12380 28
In the November Woman's WoyJc, the sum, $6 50, by Mrs. Rhea for "Burnt Brick," should have been from Miss. Band, Grand Haven, .Mich., for Miss, outfit.
Mrs. Jesse Whitehead, Treasurer, Chicago, III., December 20, 1878. 223 Michigan Avenue.