THE CHINESE.
But a little while ago we were praying God to open the door of China; and now the Chinese are pressing in at our own back door, having a steam ferry between our shore and theirs. Even the building of our Chinese wall, while China has been tearing down hers, has had the immediate effect of hastening 25,000 of these people in at our Golden Gate before the law should go into effect, and this influx has been felt already in our schools, which for the last few months have had a total larger than that of any former months. Mr. Pond certifies that even the enforcement of the law will not for some time occasion any let up in the pressure upon our school accommodations. We have as stock on hand, as raw material, these 125,000 people whom we should work up in the Christianizing way, so that they may be prepared, some for their own mission work at home, and some to receive the masses who may come by-and-by when the embargo is lifted. So that while our government stands at the Golden Gate to warn off any Mayflower immigrants, it may be that this enforced quiet and isolation will become a mighty factor in the scheme for Christianizing China. But none the less is it a ludicrous object lesson that the nation which stands with its front door wide open to receive 90,000 Europeans a month, should yet shudder over the 125,000 Mongolians who in many years have sought admission at the back door. It is a humiliating confession that 50,000,000 of Christian people, compacted as a nation, should shrink from having their system come into contact with the effete superstitions of 125,000 sojourners. But the politicians’ law is only for ten years. The principle, the conscience of the nation will be at work. The law may become a dead letter or be repealed. Before we are aware of it, the flood-gates may be raised and a great tide may set in. So, in any event, we have herein a grand opportunity, a mighty obligation.
Our last Annual Report mentioned a desire on the part of the converted Chinamen in California and their friends, that a mission be located at some well-chosen point in Southern China, from which their Christian brethren going back to fatherland might go forth to carry the Gospel to their countrymen. Further consideration has settled it that Hong Kong, the centre of the district from which most of our California Chinamen come, is the proper location. Such a mission would give a Christian greeting to the returning Christian Chinamen, would furnish an atmosphere and an instrumentality for keeping up their spiritual life, would be a training-school for those who should become missionaries, would be a rallying centre there, and would be the point of juncture between our work on the coast and that heathen empire. But, as it is the purpose of this Association not to extend its operations abroad, we made a distinctive proposition to the American Board that it take up the proposed mission at Hong Kong, and so work in harmony with us on this side the Pacific. We are glad to report that this overture has been cordially acceded to, and that that venerable missionary body accepts this “sacred trust.” Our brethren of the Chinese Christian Association out there have in hand already a fund of $700, which they intend to put into that mission as an offering of the first fruits.
In its work on the Pacific Coast, the Association is represented by its auxiliary, the California Chinese Mission, whose President is Rev. Dr. John K. McLean, and whose Secretary is Rev. Wm. C. Pond, who, in addition to the care of his city parish, has the supervision of our operations there. Taking up the work into his own mind and heart, he gives to it an amount of study, watch-care and service that is marvellous. With a Pauline spirit, he goes the round of the missions, cheering and directing the workers, healing divisions and laying new plans.
Our fifteen schools are located at Berkeley, Marysville, Oakland, Oroville, Petaluma, Point Pedro, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Stockton, and at San Francisco, where are the five missions, No. 1, No. 2, Barnes, Bethany, and West. The work of the year has been greatly encouraging. These schools have been taught by thirty-one teachers, of whom eleven are Christianized Chinamen.
The total number of scholars enrolled during the year was 2,567, a gain over the previous year of 935, while that year had a gain over the former one of 76. Of these during the past year 156 have ceased from idolatry and 106 have given evidence of conversion. Nor do these figures give the full number of those who are brought to the light in our schools, for many are scattered and cannot attend them. The whole number of those of whom we have hope that they are born of God in connection with our work from the first, Mr. Pond thinks cannot be less than 431, and wisely does he add: “The figures will cease to look dry and the statistical table will glow with even a celestial light, if we but reflect that every unit in these numbers stands for an undying soul, and every unit in some of them for such a soul brought out from the dark bondage of Chinese paganism into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.”
It is proposed now to re-establish our mission at Los Angeles, which, as the original, gave way for a time to another that came in but has turned out a failure. Chico, where there are many Chinese, and no one to care for them, is another place where the Superintendent could start a mission. So also the door seems to be opening for yet another school in San Francisco at the great Pioneer Wooden Mills, where 600 Chinese are employed. And so the expanding work demands the additional appropriation which the Committee have already voted, making a total of $13,000 to be used.
FINANCES.
At our last annual meeting we reported a total of $243,795.23, which was a gain of $56,315.12, or 20 percent, over that of the previous year. One year ago the Committee felt constrained to ask that this sum should be carried up to $300,000 for the support and enlargement of the varied work in charge. We started out well. Then in the spring our chariot came to dragging heavily with a debt of $25,000 upon it. Then there was a rally, and the fiscal year came to its close, Sept. 30, with $297,584.45, which is a gain of $53,789.22 over the last year, or 22 per cent. Besides the current receipts we have received toward the endowment of the President’s chair in Talladega College, $15,000; and for scholarships in the same, $6,000; also a Scholarship note for $500, in behalf of Fisk University, which makes a total of $319,584.45 received into our treasury during the year. This leaves the treasury out of debt, with a balance in hand of $789.83, and an increase of endowment fund of $21,500. For this accomplishment we offer devout thanks to Almighty God.
The exigencies of the work, the enlargement of the expenditure made almost inevitable by the new buildings and increased facilities, will scarcely be met by $300,000 the coming year. An increase of that amount by 20 per cent, could be most economically and wisely expended without any attempt at undue enlargement. The legitimate and almost irresistible progress of the work demands that. But we are the servants of our constituents, and assume not to decide. We can most efficiently use the increase, but will faithfully work as best we can with the means entrusted to us. We can only add that the work will suffer if less than the $300,000 be secured.