Santa Barbara, January 12th.
Mr. Pond:
Dear Sir—How is your health? I should be glad to have you to write me another report about you school. If you find any interest chapter I shall enjoy it if you will let me know. I cannot explain it which is the best of all [i.e. cannot tell which chapters are the best]. It seems to me very hard to understood the Bible. I wish I had more leisure for my study, or to follow you while I shall learn a great deal. I was very much troubled when I stayed on board ship; she had four Chinese besides me. There was nobody instructed in anything like the gospel. They thought it was dreadful to believe in Christ. It makes them swear, grumble, and smoke opium. They are walking in the way of destruction. I felt very sorry for them. I told them several times what we ought to do in this world while we live. They said they would never be afraid when they die where the soul would go. I presume they will do all things as they please. I left my place, and came on shore two weeks since. But I cannot find any situation yet, because it is very dull. Perhaps I will go to the city next year, and then I shall see you again. We do remember you when we pray; we would like you pray for us, too, if you please. Your sincerely,
Ah Jam, and the others.
THE CHILDREN’S PAGE.
A SICK BOY’S LETTER TO HIS TEACHER.
I thank you for the beautiful papers that you sent me. I read a piece in one they call “Glad Tidings.” It was about the dissipated father and the dying child. He was a bad man, and used bad languish, and cause his whole family to be miserable; and his little son would go to him and crawl up on his knee and tell him about the good God, and the tears would gush from his eye. The little boy said to his father: “Father, you are crying; what is the matter?” “I am afraid, my son, I am going to lose you—you are going to die.” “Well, father, I know I am going to die, but I am not afraid to die, for I will go to Jesus.”