PAM. N. AMER. A Christian Invasion of Chinatown Mrs. J. E. Piatt In August, 1870, ten years before the or- ganization of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. and Mrs. Otis Gibson called together the Methodist women of San Francisco to plan for work among the Chinese women and children — heathen at their very doors. The plan crystallized into a body known as the "Woman's Missionary Society of the Pacific Coast." With enthusiasm born of knowledge of the great need, these women set themselves to the task of getting a large membership for the Society and raising funds for the work. Rooms were fitted up in the Mission house on Washington Street to receive any who might seek refuge there, and for a day school. An American teacher and a Chinese woman for a missionary were easily secured, but get- ting into touch with the Chinese women and children was a new and more difficult thing. Unkind treatment received at the hands of American hoodlums made the Chinese women suspicious of any overtures from Americans, and it was more than a year before there were visible results. One day a poor, abused slave-girl, weary of the awful life she was living, attempted suicide by jumping into the bay. She was rescued and taken to the police station, call- ing for "a Jesus man." Dr. Gibson was sent for, she was put into his care, and taken to the Home — the first fruits of the Oriental work. The transformation in the girl's life was wonderful. She became a devoted Christian, married a Christian Chinaman, and set up the first Christian Chinese home in the United States. From that time, women came with increas- ing frequency to seek protection and release from bondage. Many times the sharp peal of the doorbell in the night brought the mis- sionary to the door to admit _ a poor, trem- bling runaway slave-girl, making her escape from a cruel master. The women stayed for varying periods of time, but always the Gos- pel message was given to them, and many of them made response in their lives. There were many notable conversions, and the leav- en of those early efforts has not ceased to work. But the Society saw its largest opportunity in the children. Many little slave-girls were rescued, and orphans and those destitute were received. Among them was a little lame girl, who soon showed more than usual ability, and was encouraged to go forward in school work. Passing through the grades, and then the high and normal schools, Caroline Lee became one of the most efficient workers among her own people. Best of all, she took into her heart the Gospel story, and has so lived it that her influence has been an uplift. As a teacher in the Mission school. President of the Epworth League and Superintendent of the Chinese Sunday-school, she has proved herself earnest, faithful and true, and success has crowned her efforts and ours through her.* Another of our girls who has used the training of the Home with marked success is Lou Chow. As pastor's wife, missionary and kindergartner, she has proved her ability. She is a priestess indeed as she stands before her kindergarten of seventy heathen children and 'Fuller details of this story are given in a two-cent leaflet, written by Miss Lee, "From Slave-Girl to Teacher." leads them in song and Scripture verses, with effective questions : "How many Gods are there?" "One, only one," is the reverent response. "Where is He — up on the wall?" "No; in heaven." "How do we pray to Him?" Then every eye is closed, and with folded hands they re- peat, "Our Father, who art in heaven." Many others have done excellently, and many more are in training for just such use- ful lives. Meanwhile the Woman's Home Missionary Society had been organized, and at the earn- est request of the Society of the Pacific Coast it adopted the work, following its presenta- tion by Mrs. L. P. Williams ( successor _ of Mrs. Charles Goodall, who had been the faith- ful President of the Society for many years, and who passed away in 1893). Mrs. Will- iams was elected Bureau Secretary, and Miss Marguerite Lake was made missionary. In 1899 larger and improved quarters were secured. In 1903 Mrs. Williams was forced to give up the work because of ill-health, and Mrs. F. D. Bovard became its Secretary, with Miss Carrie Davis as Superintendent of the Home. The years ran on, with days brimful of active service, and many lives saved for nobler and better things, until that fateful day in 1906 when earthquake and fire de- stroyed our building and our girls were home- less. The experiences of those days are a story by themselves, but the heroism and courage of the workers and the girls is worthy of the highest praise. A temporary Home was secured, and the work ^ moved forward. In 1907, Mrs. Bovard's resignation was ac- cepted with regret and Mrs. J. E. Piatt was made her successor. Plans for a new build- ing were accompanied with many difficulties, but to-day. the new Oriental Home, with its possibilities of larger things, is ours. This increase requires increase in salaries, scholar- ships, and supplies to meet the added "cost of living." The needs are great, but the response will be as great. Work among the Chinese is not rapidly accomplished, but the results of the years of effort are large and far-reaching. If we could summon at call all who have been trained in our school and Home, it would be a great procession. Some have gone on to their "inheritance," but many would come from Christian homes, from fields and stores and offices and schoolrooms, and Christian service, and our hearts would thrill at the sight. Their march is upon the highway "cast up" by the Christian women of the land. Woman's Home Missionary Society Methodist Episcopal Church 150 Fifth Avenue, New York City 50 or less, 6c.; 50 to 100, ICc.