The next was the “people’s hour.” From one to two each day they come for old clothes and new teaching. Then came the Northern mail; afterwards the students’ mid-week prayer-meeting. Here teachers and scholars are co-workers, and each strengthened by the others’ prayers. Baptized anew, I sought the abodes of poverty and wretchedness. Sinning women turned their eyes for the moment from the king of the carnival to the King of Heaven. The Chinamen were very busy, but Yam stopped to say, “I bring more boyee next Sunday.” Little Joe darted round the corner to ask, “Gwine to have Sunday-school to-day, teacher?” Poor little Joe doesn’t see any difference in the days, and reckons Sunday from the Sunday-school. Passing the large market, I bought a few delicious oranges for the dying man in the attic of an ill-famed house, and hurried on, for night was coming. There was no need to hurry. The attic was empty, but “out of the depths” of sin the Lord heard the cry. Prayers at the Orphanage closed the day, while the carnival lights made night in the old city seem beautiful morning.
Where has the day gone? Into to-morrow’s past. Who noted its flight? The recording Angel. When will its history be read? In that Great Day, when Aunt Patience and little Joe, and all who came between, shall stand side by side with missionary and teacher, and shall say, “We b’lieves, ’cause we’se dun taught,” and they shall add, “We taught, because we were sent.”
DAY’S EXPERIENCE AMONG THE CHINESE.
By Jee Gam, San Francisco.
At a quarter past eight I started for my usual journey to Oakland, but as there was no Chinese case in court I returned home. I generally read or study on my trip, so as to waste no time, but this morning my heart felt like David’s when he said: “Oh, praise the Lord for his wonderful goodness to the children of men.” The night before at half-past nine a fire broke out in the next building, which came very near burning the roof of our Mission-house. Nearly all my clothing and bedding were taken down stairs by friends, but through the providence of God not the slightest damage was done to our Mission. No wonder that my heart overflowed when I thought how God had preserved us. Immediately after reaching home I was asked to go with a Chinese friend to his attorney and do a little interpreting for him. I then went to the Palace Hotel to call on Hon. Yung Wing, who was on his way to Pekin. My intention was to invite him to visit our school and speak to the pupils, for I thought a few words from him would have great weight. Not being able to see him, I returned home and went out again to do some shopping for our Chinese Christian Association.
A few minutes before 7 P.M. our scholars came flocking into Brenham Place School-house. Just before nine the bell rang, and our principal, Miss J. S. Worley, asked for Scripture recitations. This week the verses were to contain either the word new or old, it being the last Friday of our year. Miss Worley spoke a few words about “Putting off the old man and putting on the new man,” which I translated, and I hope that many of our scholars will become new creatures in Christ Jesus. Singing followed, and the school was closed with the Lord’s prayer. I wish you could look in upon this school. One hundred and ten scholars are present, of all ages, sizes and appearances; a few studying history, grammar, geography; some reading in the third reader, others repeating A B C. They have been in America from a few days to seven or eight years. Their occupations also vary–shoemakers, cigarmakers, tailors, laundry-men, cooks, clerks, etc. Many of them are true followers of the Lord Jesus; others have just begun to feel interested in this new religion.
Our new year commenced February 17. We held a watch-night meeting the 16th. Many of our brethren spoke on God’s goodness to us. When the clock struck twelve we all knelt down (about thirty present), and six of our brethren prayed. After each prayer a hymn was sung. A few words were said about making new resolutions, and that we should go forward and work more zealously for the Master. The Chinese temple, about half a block away, was signaling the new year with the sound of trumpets. The heathen Chinese offer prayer to the God of war and wealth, etc., but our prayer was that they might know the true God.
At a little before six A.M. our Chinese friends began to come to wish us a Happy New Year. At nine A.M. a delightful union prayer-meeting was held by the five different denominations. At 11 A.M. we again assembled at our Association rooms, when Rev. W. C. Pond addressed us, and gave us a motto for the new year, with good advice, which I hope we shall all follow. The meeting of the General Association was held at seven P.M., and was the best yearly meeting we ever had. The business meeting followed with reports of the secretary and treasurer. Thus the days come and go:
“Only the eternal day
Shall come but never go”