From this, dear friends, you can see that a native missionary who understands the customs and manners of the people, and is thoroughly acquainted with their language, is a very great help in two respects: 1st, in preaching the Gospel to the people; and, 2d, in helping and advising those who are already converted. We want more of such missionaries; and we want more missionary stations in these districts. Neither can be had, until we first establish a General Mission or Seminary in that country.
Hong Kong would be the most suitable and convenient city for the seat of such a mission. I will tell you why.
1st. The English language is used more in Hong Kong than in any other port in China, and the Chinese living there, or those visiting that place, could not be reached in a more efficient manner than by opening the same kind of free schools for them as you have opened for us here. They feel that they need to know the English language. Of course, there are public schools where both the English and Chinese languages are taught by the British government, but all have their sessions in the day-time; consequently, the children are the only ones benefited by these schools. There remains the laboring class unreached. If a free evening school is opened, I have no doubt that much good could be done among them.
2d. Hong Kong is a great highway to all foreign ports, especially San Francisco. Through Hong Kong nearly all the Chinese in the United States have come and will return. If a General Mission could be established at this port much co-operating work could be accomplished between our mission here and that at Hong Kong. Christian Chinese, returning home, would receive letters of introduction to the superintendent of the Hong Kong mission. This superintendent would have pastoral care over them, and be a very great help in time of persecution. Converts would be made firmer in faith, and more earnest in leading others to Christ. If this mission prosper, as we have not the least doubt it would, these converts could have preaching stations in these districts, and from these stations reach every village; but the work would be carried to a much wider extent by the aid of lady missionaries, who alone could reach the women.
Many of our number will go back there to study; for if they return they must be well versed in the Chinese Bible and in the classics of Confucius. They will meet much opposition from educated men. These will come and discuss with our brethren, and they should be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them.
In regard to the cost of this mission, what we propose would not be very expensive. There should be one missionary, a wise and earnest Christian, with good business capacity, and one well-educated Chinese helper; and as the school grew and scholars were prepared to preach, the range of studies and the number of teachers could be increased.
All our Chinese Christian brethren expect to do all they can towards the establishment of such a mission, but we must have help from our American friends, especially the friends of the American Missionary Association.
WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
Room 20, Congregational House, Beacon St., Boston.