OUR NEW FIELDS.
It will be remembered by such of our friends as keep a close watch of our movements, that on or about the first of February, we commenced work in three new fields, Oroville, Grass Valley and Marysville. They will read with interest the subjoined extracts from letters already received:
Marysville.—I requested Lee Haim to stop at Marysville, on his way to Oroville, and spend the Sabbath there, preaching as he had opportunity. I also invited Lem Chung, our helper at Sacramento, to accompany him, and to spend a week there assisting to start the school. A postal from Lee Haim and Lem Chung, written in Chinese and addressed to “The Brethren of the Congregational Association of Christian Chinese,” has been translated for me as follows: “Dear Brethren, We write to tell you that we arrived safely in Marysville a little after 4 P. M. An hour later we went to Chinatown, and on the street we preached to our countrymen. A large crowd was gathered at first by our singing, and they listened to both preaching and singing with great interest. At 7 o’clock the same evening, we had so large an audience in our school-room that many went away on account of lacking seats. Our hearts were filled with joy, and we preached to them from the Chinese Testament, and explained to them the meaning of the hymns we sang. We trust the seed sown will soon spring up to a good harvest. Our countrymen here in school treat us very kindly, and we know this is due to your and Mr. Pond’s prayers. Please pray for us continually.”
Miss Mattie A. Flint, the teacher, writes: “I have 25 names on the roll, with an average attendance of about 15. They all take a great deal of interest, especially in the singing. Already they can sing three or four of the hymns on the card very well. We have organized a Sunday-school. Visitors drop in occasionally and express much interest. I myself am deeply interested, and will do all in my power to teach them of their Heavenly Father. They are learning to read very fast.” The Christian co-operation of Rev. P. L. Carden, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Marysville, has much to do with the good promise of the work there.
Grass Valley.—Rev. F. B. Perkins reports orally, that he has succeeded in renting a school-room already tolerably well furnished, and expects to pay the rent by donations made upon the field. The average attendance thus far is but eight—owing partly, perhaps, to the fact that the school-room is rather remote from the Chinese quarter. But there is a good prospect of increase. I wish I could dare to send a helper to each of these points.
Oroville.—Lee Haim wrote as follows after spending a fortnight in his new field: “The school was opened on the 5th day of this month” (the room not being ready before). “Only had school two evenings. Then we have vacation two days for New Year’s. At New Year’s day I made a call at every store (Chinese) in Oroville. On the second day of our new year I went to the other Chinese town three miles from here, and when I reached there I first made a call on every store. After that I preach to them and sing several hymns in Chinese in the opening” (i. e., of his street service). “It seems to me, by my own judgment (so far as I could judge) they were pleased to hear. Twenty were present at our last prayer-meeting, and when the school was opened again, the school-room was quite crowded. I hope the Almighty God will send His Holy Spirit to remove (move) their heart, and still lead them coming; that they may hear this wonderful word, and repent, to be the children of God.”
At a later date Miss Waterbury writes: “We are going on very well, and have as many as we can teach with any degree of profit. Last night I should judge there were fifty or more. It is impossible to tell the exact number, as many come in, take a lesson, and leave before the school is closed. Two-thirds, I should think, began at A B C. Many of these are now spelling words. [After less than a fortnight’s instruction.—W. C. P.] Last night I had twelve or more in their letters, and taught them from a card hung upon the wall, till lungs and strength gave out. Among them were two little boys about six years old, uncommonly smart and quick. Several old men have been spelling “dog,” “man,” etc. with great patience. The school is a new thing and creates much interest. Sometimes several will crowd around, looking over the shoulder and listening eagerly to the one who reads. I do not think this will always last, but I think there is a great field here for good. Oh, to be filled with the spirit of God, that I may be the channel of grace to these dark souls! Who is sufficient for these things?”
I add an extract from a letter from Miss Helen E. Clarke, teacher in one of our old fields—Santa Barbara. It is written in the familiar terms of a friendly correspondence, and not at all as a formal report; but it gives, for that, all the more graphic picture of the “ups and downs” of our work:
“I am very sorry to say that Ah Sing has left Santa Barbara. We shall miss him very much in the school. He went to the gold mines in Mexico, I think. He said he would write you when he got there. Gin Gem took the wash-house, [previously carried on by Ah Sing.—W. C. P.] It makes quite a difference whom they have there, and I am very glad he has it, for I think him a very good boy. He said the reason he wanted the place was, so that he could come to school every night. He and Gin Foy expect to unite with our church to-morrow.”
EDWARD P. SANFORD,
a director in our California Auxiliary, from its organization, for many years Superintendent of the Chinese Sunday-school of the First Congregational Church in Oakland, was transferred to the church above on Feb. 16th. A fearless friend of all who are unbefriended by the world at large, an eager, efficient and prayerful follower of Jesus, a strong pillar in the church, a man who united a careful and intense energy and an unflinching and unspotted integrity, with the gentleness and kindliness sometimes supposed to adorn womanhood alone, genial, generous, helpful everywhere,—how can we spare him? But how high and holy and beneficent must be the service prepared for him above, since the Master who never mistakes, thought good to take him there!