A CHAPTER OF GOOD THINGS.
REV. W. C. POND.
Our Annual Meeting.—It was a very diminutive affair, compared with that which, at the same time, was going on so grandly at Lowell; or with the one which, just now, as I am writing, is—I trust—in successful progress at Norwich. What a privilege and a joy I should feel it to be if I were there, instead of here! That is denied me, so far as bodily presence is concerned; but I am free to be there in thought, and, in the solitude of my study, to mingle my prayers with yours. They meet before one throne of grace. Our annual meeting is one of the features of the annual convocation of our Congregational churches in California, which was held this year with the First Church in Oakland. The time assigned us in the programme was from 10:45 to 12:30 on Thursday, Oct. 7th. I should think that 250 persons were present. Rev. J. K. McLean, D.D., pastor of that church, and President of our Mission, occupied the chair. After a hymn and prayer, the reports of the Treasurer and of the Board of Directors were presented. The principal facts set forth in these reports have been laid before the Association at its meeting now going on, and need not be re-stated here. There was, however, a novel feature in the Treasurer’s report—novel to us, however it may be to others—which stirred some of our friends not a little. We have always had more work at hand than we could possibly do with the means at our command; but we have tried to “cut the garment according to the cloth,” and have so far succeeded as never to report a deficit, in current expenses till this year. This was our novelty. Our friends did not like its looks any better than we did. The President took it in hand and shook it, at an expense to himself of $10. Rev. Dr. Mooar followed with another shake, at the same cost to his exchequer. Then good Dea. S. S. Smith, and minister after minister, followed in quick succession, till not a shred of it remained, and we find ourselves now with every bill paid, and a balance of $24.25, which we transfer to our Barnes Mission House Building Fund. Cold water was never more refreshing to a thirsty soul than was this spontaneous and unexpected offering—whether considered with reference to its personelle or its results—to the heart of your Superintendent. We don’t mean to give our friends an opportunity to repeat the operation; but we shall remember it with gratitude and pleasure as long as we live. Following this were volunteer speeches, containing earnest expressions of good will and sympathy, and crowding one upon another in such a way that the time allotted proved to be all too short, and the only regret with which we closed the meeting was that so many who wished to speak, and whom we earnestly wished to hear, failed to have that opportunity.
The Chinese Fishing Villages.—It is several years since I first visited a village of Chinese fishermen. I cannot say that the mere pleasure of the thing would prompt me to repeat the visit very frequently. There is nothing in the character of the dwellings, the appearance of their denizens, or the odors rising from their work, to tempt one to a protracted stay. But I thank God that I cannot go through even such a rude and motley and ill-odored settlement, without seeing the immortal souls of which these ill-kept bodies are the habitations, or without beginning to query if some way cannot be opened to pour in upon them the healing light of that world which needs no sun.
A few days ago a message came from one of them, by a Providence so marked that I ventured to think it a Macedonian Call, and to read in it God’s promise of success. This village is on a little cape jutting out into San Francisco Bay and known as Point San Pedro. Mr. Charles W. Otis, my warm personal friend,—whom, with his excellent wife, it was my privilege many years ago, while pastor at Petaluma, to welcome to the fellowship of saints—has recently been placed in charge of the “ranch” of which this Point San Pedro is a part, and is thus brought into business relations with the Chinese who are tenants upon it. His heart is stirred for them, and he asked me if something could not be done to save them. I sent Wah Yene, our devoted helper at Petaluma, to explore, and he brings me, not only his own favorable testimony, but the following message from Mr. Otis: “Wah Yene has been here a few days canvassing in the Chinese school. He will report the prospects. That there is a field here for work among the more than 400, there is no doubt. We will furnish a house free, and I think I can get lumber from some building for furniture, seats, &c. My wife and I will assist all we can, though I shall be busy much of the time, but I can add something that, will help the good work along. * * * “I know so little of the ways and means and plans of the Chinese Mission that I am unable to say more than to promise a hearty co-operation in every possible way. We are very much pleased with Wah Yene, and Mrs. Otis is ready to ‘adopt’ him, and says she would feel safe with him near when I am compelled to be absent, as I shall be two or three times each week.” Mr. Otis goes on to intimate that he could give employment to Wah Yene for a part of each day, and assume a proportionate part of his support if we desire; or if we want him to devote his whole time to missionary service, he will provide him a room comfortably furnished, free of charge. And so Wah Yene starts to-day for a month’s trial of the work; and we, on our part, will do our best to make the trial a success.
CHILDREN’S PAGE.
A SLAVE-GIRL’S FAITH.
A TRUE STORY.