The twelve thousand dollars saved by the Chinese of California out of their hard-earned wages, and sent to the sufferers from the yellow fever in the South, proves that the common sentiments of our humanity are still surpassingly strong in them. The numbers and faithfulness of those who have joined the churches prove that they are susceptible to the influences of the Gospel, while the very tenacity with which they cling to their old faith but proves the toughness of the fibre that may some day be employed to conserve the interests of the Redeemer’s Kingdom.
4. Again, we may gather courage from the experience we have already had in conquering difficulties. If this was the first difficult matter the American Christian people had ever faced, we might expect them to be puzzled by its intricacy or appalled by its magnitude; but it is not, for from the moment our fathers planted their feet upon these shores, we as a people have had to face obstacles and to overcome them. A color-line, black as night, lay in the way of citizenship, education, and Christian labor, but we have crossed it, and we can cross the yellow line as well.
5. Again we may take courage from the very strait and necessity to which we are brought. When God brings His people down to the sea, and all ways are shut up, and still His voice and command are to go forward, we know that the waters of the sea will be divided, and we shall go over dry-shod and singing songs of victory beyond. We cannot shut out the one hundred thousand Chinamen now here, nor prevent others coming. We cannot go back to the old Chinese policy of exclusiveness, neither can we permit them to remain as a foreign element, unsubdued by our institutions or our religion. Only one thing remains, and that is to subdue them by the power of the living Saviour brought to them by patient, loving, faithful Christian hearts and bands. Brethren all, shall this be done?
6. And last of all, I mention the moving forward of Christian thought and Christian feeling in this direction.
When the plan was devised to exclude the Chinese, and the President vetoed the bill, the Christian public upon the Atlantic coast waked up to the importance of the matter. They opposed his action, they began to look at this immigration in its true light, to see in it a grand opportunity, and to lay their plans to avail themselves of its advantages for the cause of Christ. The greatness of the work is touching the imagination; its difficulty is awaking a spirit of heroism, and it is believed by many that we stand upon the threshold of one of the grandest missionary movements, one of the grandest crusades that the world has ever seen. Asia, that once responded to the call from the West, “Come over and help us,” is now herself uttering the cry, and the Christian world will not long be insensible to her voice.
In view of the importance of this work in California among the Chinese, involving the interests of that great nation beyond the Pacific, involving the good name of Church and Redeemer, involving as we believe the perpetuity of our institutions: in view of the encouragements afforded in God’s word, endorsed by His providences, by the excellent elements found in the Chinese character, and by the trophies already gathered; in view of the very necessity that is laid upon us, and the quickened attention of the churches toward that people, what is your answer, Christian brethren, to the practical questions: “Can the Chinese of California be conquered for Christ? Can the waters of that wide-spreading river flow to them here, and beyond to the continent of Asia, and shall they do it? Can the work be done? Will you do it?” These are the questions for this time, made solemn as the closing hour of your deliberations, councilings, and prayers.
I look along the ages, and all is changed. We no longer sit here in the darkness, the dust, and the noise of the conflict, but stand upon the Heavenly heights above. The world, in alternate shade and sunshine, rolls at our feet, and its song, the song of salvation, pulses up to our listening ears. Both the question that is here asked, “Will you do it?” and the answer, which I see in your looks you are giving, “By God’s grace we will!” are mingled with the sounds of the far past, and in their place rises the word, half song, half benediction, “Glory to God! we have done it.” To those high seats we are moving; for that good word we are working and waiting.