After I was converted I study the Bible more and more and learn great deal, great wonder to me. Now the Bible is a precious book. I am glad I accept the Saviour for my Saviour and His God for my God. “I pass from death unto life, from darkness and bondage of sin into the glorious light and liberty of a new creature in Christ Jesus.” What I expect to do if I still be a heathen? I must be bound to worshiping idols, bow down to all kinds of gods; great fear to them and not dare to touch them. Whenever I enter the temple, cannot without three bow to the idols.
The people of China are great superstitious; they believe every things whatever chance to hear or think. Let me tell you how some of the people doing when any of the family getting sick: They have a doctor, but they think some kind of spirit troubling them, it may chance their ancient father or friends or enemies who died before. They think they must offer something for them to eat that they may go away, or some times they go into the temple to pray to the idols. They hope the idols may tell what are the reason with the sick that they find out how they may do and get well. How the idols can tell them? Let me make known to you: A piece of wood has been smoothen in the shape of a banana and cut in equal size the longest way. This they throw down before the idols that they may give a certain condition according which they request before; may be they say: If this is the spirit of an enemy let this pieces of wood fall both the same way, or some other way, they may choose, till they find out what is the matter and offer sacrifice that the spirit may leave off troubling and let the sick get well. The thief can pray the idols that he may get help to steal! The gambler can ask that he may win the money; the robber that he may be able to get what he wishing for. If any kind of business going to be taken up the idols must first be asked about it. Every one is sure to say, “Now, idols, if you help me good, I going to bring you something nice to eat when I get success.”
When I was coming over to Cal., suddenly a storm came up, the wind violent sweeping over the great ocean; the water dashing high upon the boat. The sailors all at work to make the ship more safe. The passengers all trembling with fear and desperate to arrive in San Francisco. Is there any chance to be rescued from the storm? Yes, soon there was heard one of our number calling: “Whosoever man in this ship have any money let us have some of it, that we may sacrifice to the goddess of the sea that she may deliver us out of the storm and let us arrive safe to the land of Cal.” I had a small sum of money. I gave half of it; others gave also. The man cast it into the water and asked the goddess that she let no harm come to us, and we promise more sacrifice if we get here.
There are many reasons for going before the idols, but I have no chance to tell so much as I like to. A few weeks since I was in San Francisco. I found some of the people from the town near my home in China, getting money to send and build a temple over there. Every one who give to help build it can have their names hang up in the temple, but if any one who give $20 to $50 they have a present, and at the time of first worship or dedication a band of music to honor them on their way home. Some of them asked me to give, but I said, “No, I cannot, I rather put money in the missionary fund.” They said, “Your parents will feel sorrow and disgrace if they not see your name; but if you don’t want your name you can give and have your parent’s name put there; no one of your Christian men know it; you can be a Christian just the same.” I said, “I do not wish to help my parents to sin; I don’t believe idol worship and I cannot help about it. If I be a Christian I must try to live like one.”
There is a great difference in the religion taught by the Saviour and that of the heathen. It is great change to me to try to be a Christian, to know the true God who sees us all the time. I have worked many things for the idols. I feel thankful I shall do so no more. Before I come to the light my life was gloomy, miserable, hopeless; always was fearing the evil spirit going to trouble me; but I don’t fear them now.
Would I go back to idolatry? No; the Bible says, “Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shall not bow down thyself to them nor serve them.” I cannot serve idols again; but I will try to serve my heavenly Father, and bring all I can to bow down to Him. I wish every one in China and America knew about the Bible. I thank all Christian people that they led me to the true way. I hope you will pray that I may always be faithful, and at last receive the crown of life and dwell with God in the world to come.
WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
Room 20, Congregational House, Beacon St., Boston.
Miss Nathalie Lord, Secretary. Miss Abby W. Pearson, Treasurer.