A r ^‘*^4 ■<> f 'l853 ftFTIETH, 1903 l-^.,, ArSNlVEl^ARY"; INTERIOR OF CHURCH. 3. Rev. W. Specr» D. D. 4. Rev. I. M. Condit, D. D. 2. Rev. A. W. Loomis, D. D. I. Rev. A. J. Kerr. C @nnit?er0arp of our Chinese ^fission, which for many years has been under the direction of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. I. M. Condit, was observed on the evenings of June 3rd and 4th, 1903. It was held at this particular time in order to have some of the officers of the Foreign Board present, as well as other delegates who had been attending the General Assembly at Los Angeles. Of the former, Rev. A. VV. Halsey, D. D., one of the secretaries, was present both evenings, and gave earnest and helpful addresses, which not only cheered and encouraged the missionaries, but were an inspiration to the Chinese as w'ell. Rev. Soo Hoo Nam Art gave a concise synopsis of the addresses in Chinese, in order that the native Christians might de- rive the greatest possible good from them. Judging by their alert attention and bursts of applause, they lost none of their effectiveness in the translation. These services were a rare treat to the numerous lay delegates present. To be suddenly ushered into an Oriental audience — for the church was filled with Chinese men, women and children — and see and hear those re- cently come out of heathenism speaking and singing in the language of Canaan, and in a manner that left no shadow of doubt as to its genuineness, w'as certainly unique, and could but thrill the hearts of those who heard. The idea of marking in this way this “Golden Anniver- sary ” originated entirely with the Chinese Christians. But “the house of the Lord” must first be “ put in or- der.” To this end they freely contributed both money and labor; of the former several hundred dollars, and of the latter unsparingly, till the church was thoroughly ren- ovated within and without, and new carpets laid in the aisles. Their enthusiasm and zeal was a pleasing token of their appreciation of what God has done for them through the ministrations of their ever faithful and much loved pastor, Dr. Condit. 3 On the first night there was a brief sketch of the Mission by the missionary; the reading of a paper on the Chinese Y. M. C. A. by Fong Doon, who was one of its charter members; a paper on “ The beginning of the work among the Chinese women” by Mrs. Condit; an address on ‘‘The Station Work ” by Rev. Soo Hoo Nam Art, who is assistant pastor; and a closing address by Dr. Halsey. This was a powerful plea for the evangelization of the world. The singing by the church choir and girls from the Home was greatly enjoyed. After the benediction, Chinese refreshments were served in Oriental style to the entire company. The second evening found this large and now beautiful church filled again with an interested audience of Chinese and Americans. It is worthy of mention that the entire Chinese family attends church services, even to the baby. It seemed most fitting to rededicate the renovated church, which was done, with prayer by Dr. Halsey. Then Dr. Sturge, missionary among the Japanese in this city, followed in a few well chosen words of greeting, finishing with an original poem. The paper on ‘‘The King’s Daughters,” by Mrs. Chang, was both well writ- ten and well read. Then followed a most effective and interesting address on ‘‘Progress in Woman’s Work,” by Mrs. P. D. Browne, who, by experience and ability, is master of the subject. Rev. Ng Poon Chew, whom all like to hear, gave one of his characteristic talks. Dr. Pond, of the Congrega- tional Chinese Mission, brought the kindly greetings of the other Missions. Rev. Dr. E. E. Baker, pastor of the First Church in Oakland, closed the regular programme with stirring words of cheer. The Chinese Christians then served refreshments a la American oi ice cream and cake, also oranges and ba- nanas, to this large audience. The following papers, read at the Anniversary, are given, in order to preserve a history of the Mission and of this memorable occasion. Ei.lkn G. Chown. 4 (^tecion Rev. I. M. Condit, D. D. Fifty years is a long time in California. We measure time here not so much by dates as by progress. We move forward a long way in fifty years. This Mission is not only half a century long^ but is also half a century strong. Into it has been put much life- blood of labor.s wrought, of treasure spent, and many dark souls made white and bright. Over there at the corner of Sacra- OLD MISSION mento street still stands our old Mis- HOUSE sion House, as one of the ancient landmarks of our city. If you look up you will see at its top the date, 1853, as the year in which it was built. That date has guided us in the observance of our fiftieth anniversary. But the Mission was really born the year before by the arrival of its founder. Rev. Wm. Speer, D. D., in DR. SPEER November, 1852. He still lives in Washington, Pa., where in honor and respect he is spending the last days of a long and useful life. And I want to say right here that the Board of Foreign Missions not only established this mission by sending out Dr. Speer as its first missionary, but has ever since, during these fifty years, nobly stood behind the mission by its generous aid, wise counsel and warm sympathy. Dr. Speer was first a missionary in Canton, China, where he learned the Chinese language and dialect spoken by the Chinese in this country, which enabled him to enter at once into active work. He built better than he knew when he founded this mission, as he only put four years of time into the work, when his health gave way; but they were strenuous years, in which he laid foundations that still stand. For many years after he left his name con- tinued to be fragrant among the Chinese as “The China- man’s Friend.’’ His successor. Rev. A. W. Loomis, D.D., DR. LOOMIS took up the work in 1859, and for thirty- two years wrought as only Dr. Loomis could. He was made of strong stuff, which never let go, and whom nothing could daunt. When I arrived here to join him, in 1870, I could only look at him and wonder 5 and admire. He had stood like a wall and battled with this trying, unresponsive work until the iron of inflexible strength entered into the very flber of his nature. He labored away for those long years with unflinching courage and patient faithfulness. In 1866 a church of twelve members was CHURCH OR- organized. An evening school was GAr^ZED opened for teaching English, which the Chinese were anxious to learn. This was used as a net to draw them in, that the gospel might be preached to them. During the flourishing school period in the seventies and eighties it grew apace, until as EXTERIOR OF CHURCH. high as one hundred and fifty scholars were in attend- ance. Harvest times have always been enjoyed. HARVEST Eleven at each of two different communion TIMES seasons were added to the church, nine at another, and smaller numbers at every commtinion. As late as the year 1S97 thirty-two were baptized, and fifteen of them we had the pleasure of receiving into the church at one time. During its history this church has received three hundred and ninety-three adults and eighty-one children into its fold, while if we 6 include those received at the eleven sta- NUMBER OF tions which have been a part of this mis- CONVERTS sion, it brings the number well up to a thousand souls who have been brought to Christ; not to mention thousands more who have been instructed and influenced by the truth. In 1882 the Board sent out Rev. REV. A. J. KERR A. J. Kerr to join the mission, and he earnestly engaged in all the dif- ferent departments of the work until his resignation in 1892. The old mission chapel became too strait to hold the school and the large numbers who came to the ser- vice, and in 1882 this building was purchased and fitted up in a manner suitable for our work. NEW MISSION This was the old First Presbyterian HOUSE Church, which for their use had become too close to the Chinese quarters that were crowding around it, but for this very reason was just suited to our need. On the day of its dedication no less than a thousand Chinese were crowded within these walls, and many had to go away, unable to get inside the building. In looking back over these fifty years of STAGES IN the mission’s life we find different stages HISTORY in its history. Work began by going out into the highways and byways, and there sowing the good seed of the Word among them by tract and by speech, and by inviting them to our chapel and school. We found them on the arrival of fresh shiploads from China by the hundreds and thousands even, in the various Company houses, scattered over the floors as thickly as they could lie. Ah! it seemed like a hopeless task to ever be able to influence them for good. But from those very ones came some of our brightest Christians, who shall shine forever in the Saviour’s crown. Colporteurs were raised up, who went COLPORTEURS up and down the State preaching the Word, as did the Disciples of old. There rise up before me now the sainted Mung Man, Shing Chack, Sit Moon and others, all converts of this mission, who visited mining camps, villages, towns, ranches and all the places where the Chinese could be found. They journeyed long, weary roads on foot, sleep- ing wherever they could find shelter, and preaching the blessed gospel as they went; sometimes to one or two by the wayside, in lonely cabins, or as they worked over their rockers in the mines; and sometimes to large crowds on the streets of the villages and towns where they gathered on the Sabbath. 7 4. Rev. Kwan Loy. J. Rev. Soo Hoo Nam Art, 3. Rev. Haie Kin. 2. Ng Poon Chew. Kum Lum, who went to Idaho and labored, was called “the best Christian in Idaho.’’ Tam Ching, the silver- tongued, preached to crowded houses in the old mission chapel until death took him. This primitive work gradually merged ORGANIZED into the stage of more organized kinds in WORK the form of schools, regularly established out -stations, trained helpers, systematic work among women and children, and a Chinese Y. M. C. A. Now we are in the still more progressive stage of Senior and Junior C. E. Societies, with all that belongs to them, a Circle of King’s Daughters for work among women, a church choir, and missionary societies among both men and women for supporting native workers in China. In the three churches which have been organized in San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles, we have had four- teen elders, nearly all of whom have been converts of the mission; and numerous others, too, have been converted in our mission, who have labored as helpers both in this country and in China. And we are permitted to point FOUR ORDAINED with pride among our converts to MINISTERS four ordained ministers, who are not only f-o-u-r fo2ir, but f-o-r-e, ybr^-ordained ministers; for the Chinese make good Pres- byterians. They believe “God has fore-ordained whatso- ever comes to pass.’’ The first of these was Kwan Loy, who, when his employer offered to double his wages if he would return to work, said; “No; I have KWAN LOY started out to preach Christ, and I will not turn back.” For over twenty-five years he has been a faithful pastor in China. Another is Huie Kin, who for many years has been at HUIE KIN the head of our Chinese mission in New York City. The other two are present with us, and from whom we expect to hear to-night and to- morrow night. One is Rev. Soo Hoo Nam SOO HOO Art. He was for a while pastor of the Sec- NAM ART ond Church, Canton, where during his pas- torate more than one hundred were received into the church. Now, since 1894, he has been my assist- ant pastor. The other one is Rev. Ng Poon Chew, who is a graduate of our San Anselmo NG POON CHEW Seminary. He was for a time pas- tor in Los Angeles, and is now editor as well as founder of the first daily Chinese news- paper ever published in this country, and in many ways helps us in our mission work. He is Superintendent of the 9 Infant Sunday School, and also delivers many addresses and lectures far and near, in which he speaks by the side of our Governors, Senators, professors, ministers and lawyers. Our mission is not only doing: the A NEW CHINA work of gathering: souls into the King- dom in this land, but is also a factor in the work of helping to bring about a New China in their own land. Some of our young men and women are scholars in the higher as well as lower grades of our pub- lic schools and in our universities. Who can tell what intluence they may yet wield in the regeneration of China? There are some among them from whom we have high hopes. And let me say. what viight have PAGANISM A been if the Christian people of this land VISITOR had been more faithful to this heathen people cast among us? Heretofore Christian civilization had all the disadvantage of contact with heathenism on its own soil. Here, for the first time, paganism came a visitor to our shores, and to live in our Christian land. If we had been more faithful in living aright before them and in teaching them the gospel we profess, what, 1 say, might have been! But even as it is, many thousands of their lives have been A HOPEFUL transformed by the power of Christ; and PHASE they are planting amid their homes in China the blessed gospel which they have learned here. This is one of the most hopeful phases of our work. The Chinese in our land represent ten or fifteen mill- ions of souls in the district from which they came, and as they return home they are helping mightily to weaken the power of idolatry in all that region, and build up in its midst a community slowly rising above the power of their super- stitions. Our Chinese Christians of this land have built several chapels entirely and aided BUILT CHAPELS largely in the building of others. Dr. N’oyes of Canton, several years ago, in speaking of the districts from which the Chinese in the United States came, .says; “Twenty-five years ago there was not a Christian chapel or school in all that region. Now there are few places in these districts where there is not a mission chapel within a distance the Chinese can easily walk. Of these chapels we have six. Every one of these sites was obtained by the help of Christians who had returned from California. Of the thirteen native assistants who have labored at these stations, six were converted in California, one in Australia, and one received lO his first serious impressions from a member of the Chinese Church in California on the steamer crossing the Pacific.” Since this was written we have done SUN NENG more. One beautiful church in the heart CHURCH of this dense region was built by them at a cost of six thousand Mexican dollars. This is at Sun Neng. In it they are supporting a native pastor, as well as one in the city of Canton, and several colporteurs at different points. More and more the hearts of our Christian Chinese are turning towards transplanting in China the seed which has been sown among them here. They nearly all expect to re- turn to their own land to live and die. Few of them make CHINESE PEDLAR. America their permanent home. Some RETURN TO one has said: “They do not even change CHIN A their tailor or their barber while they stay here.” And they are bearing back to their own awakening country the impressions for good or evil which they are receiving here. W^hat an opportunity has been ours! And though we have sadly failed of doing what we might have done, yet we have done something to counteract the wrong and give them the gospel to bear back in their hearts and in their hands. China is so far behind in the world’s advance; but what we have done and are doing for them in our land has been and is no mean power in helping them toward overtaking us in the race of life. II Ue Caineec Tg. (gt. €. ®.. Read by I\Ir. Fong Doon. In 1S70 a Chinese Y. M. C. A. was formed in our mis- sion. The founders of it were my cousin, Mr. Fong Noy, along with our pastor, Dr. Condit. In our mission here is a central society, with about thirty branch societies in twelve different States of this country. Wherever we have a mission or a Sunday School, we seek to establish an association there. Since the beginning in 1S70, more then a thousand members have belonged to our associa- tion. To join it is the first step out of idolatry, and into the religicm of Jesus. Our Chinese people are very social in their nature, and this society is a great help in drawing us together and away from places of bad resort. V\'e have a nice association room in this mission which we take much pride in keeping in an attractive condition. Our society has a constitution and by-laws printed in a little book along with the Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer and Creed. We have thirty-three rules which regulate the workings of our society, but I have only time to speak of a very few. The first tells about the name, and says, the object of our association being to do good, learn the doctrine of Jesus, love one another, and help each other to avoid temptation, it is therefore called A'f TuA Yau Hok Ching To Ui — “Young Christians learning upright doctrine society.’' Each new member entering the society is presented with a copy of the con- stitution and of the New Testament, as a badge of mem- bership. If any member does wrong, or breaks the rules of the association, he is warned three times, and if he does not repent, is then suspended, and his name hung up on the bulletin board. If he truly repents and ac- knowledges his fault, he can become a member again, after his name has been hung up for three months. One rule forbids gossiping in the association. Loud talking is prohibited, and no games of any kind are allowed. We hold services every Sabbath evening after church, for religious worship, mutual exhortation, and items of business. In this way, and others I cannot now explain, our society is made to work in harmony with the church, and for the object of having our young men become Christians. 12 We have, too, connected with our association a Young Men’s Home. Members who are in the city for a time, or passing through on their way to or from China, and those who are without place or work, make this their home. We have it fitted up very neatly and comfortably. As many of us are here without our families, who are far away in China, it is as near a home as we can have in this country. We will be happy to have all of you who can visit our association room in this building, and our Home, which is near by at 906 Clay Street. THE CHINESE COBBLER. 13 tn ^otune. Rev. Soo Hoo Nam Art. ^^y Dear Friends: You have heard Dr. and Mrs. Condit and Mr. Fong Doon, and the good and interest- ing things which thej- have already said. It seems to me that there is not much more left for me to say. But still I will try to do the very best I know how, to tell you a few facts about our out-stations in California in connection with this mission. The first out-station was begun in SACRAMENTO Sacramento in 1870 by the establish- ment of a Sunday School in Westmin- ster Church. An evening school was organized soon after, and for many years the work was in a flourishing condition during its existence. Sixty-seven in Sacra- mento have confessed Christ as their Saviour, and thou- sands have received Christian instruction. In 1876 our mission in Los .Angeles LOS ANGELES was started by Dr. Condit. A few years later the mission passed into other hands. The Chinese brethren themselves raised twelve hundred dollars and purchased a lot on which, by the aid of the Board of Church Erection, a chapel was built at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. Since the found- ing of the Chinese church in Los .Angeles more than one hundred members have been received into its fold. There are many interesting things connected with this mission, but time will not allow me to tell them to you in detail. In 1877 a Sunday School was started in ALAMEDA Alameda, and not long after an evening school was opened. Later on it was moved into the parlor of Mrs. Flora J. Fraser, and taught by her without compensation. In 1891 an excellent lot was given to the Board of Foreign Missions by Dr. A. W'. Loomis, on which, by the contributions of Americans and Chinese, a comfortable chapel was built at a cost of fourteen hun- dred and twenty dollars. Twenty-nine have been bap- tized, and others are expecting to join with the church soon. In Oakland, before a regular station was OAKLAND opened, there was a flourishing Sunday School in connection with the First Pres- 14 byterian Church with seventy-five pupils and twenty-five teachers. A lot was purchased on which was erected a suitable chapel and dwelling. In 1878 a church was or- ganized with sixteen members, of whom thirteen were from the First Church. This Chinese church, through all the passing years, has continued to maintain a vigorous life, and the opening century finds it still prosperous. One hundred and sixty have been received into the church since its organization. In 1878 three Christian Chinese began SANTA ROSA a laundry in Santa Rosa, and in order to work for Christ, they co-operated with some Christian ladies. They started a Sunday .School in the Presbyterian Church, and raised the money among themselves to pay for the rent of a small cottage as an evening school-house. In 1S83, the pastor of the church. Rev. F. M. Dimmick, with his own money, bought a lot and on it built amission-house. From this mission have gone out some earnest converts, who, in other parts of this country and in China, have exerted much influence for good. About thirty in all have joined with the church. In the summer of 1882 an evening SAN RAFAEL school was started in San Rafael. For the last twenty years the church there has taken a very deep interest in the work, and the Chi- nese have paid the rent and all the expenses of the school. Last November a house and lot was bought. The cost and repairing amounted to nearly nineteen hundred and sixteen dollars. One-half of this sum was given by the members of this Mission. Most of them gave a w'hole month’s wages, and some even more. At present the work is very encouraging. Nineteen have been baptized and received into the church. Mr. Chas. H. F'ish has done much to foster this Mission, and contributed very largely to its success. In 1885 a mission was established SANTA BARBARA in Santa Barbara, which is still in flourishing operation. Through the efforts of Mr. Adams a lot was secured and a neat chapel erected at a cost of thirteen hundred dollars, of which four hundred was given by the Chinese. Later they built in the rear of the lot an Association Hall and a home for themselves at a cost of six hundred dollars. Twenty-five have been received into the Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. In 1889 a mission in connection with the SAN DIEGO American Church was begun in San Diego. Thirty-eight have joined with the church. 15 In 1890 a mission was begun in Stockton, STOCKTON supported by the Chinese and local church, and eleven have been converted there. We used to have flourishing missions in SAN JOSE San Jose and Napa years ago. San Jose NAPA has had thirty -five and Napa eighteen church members. But on account of the decrease in the Chinese population, both places had to be given up. The total out-stations have numbered eleven, and the total communicants between five and six hundred. Many of these men have gone back to China as lights to their homes. Some of them became preachers of the gospel. Some of the best preachers and most skillful doctors now in our Presbyterian missions in the south of China were converted in our missions in California. One of these is Rev. Kwan Loy, as Dr. Condit has already said, who is now pastor of the Second Church in Canton City, and has seven hundred and twelve members. Another is Dr. To Ming, who has administered chloroform to the patients at the operating table in our large mi.ssion hos- pital in Canton for the last twenty-seven years. Dr. J. G. Kerr said that Dr. To Ming never lost one case during all these years. These two men, as I have said, are the fruits of this mission. Our work sometimes has been under trying circum- stances during these fifty years; but, as a whole, it is a great success. We are very grateful to the Board of For- eign Missions, which has supported this work so largely in the past. We thank the Presbyterian Church in the United States for sending us the missionaries. And we thank the good people in California, who have been try- ing so hard in so many ways to help our countrymen to learn of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. Above all, we thank God for his blessings to us during these fifty years. And we pray that He will still bless our mission work in the years to come, that many souls of our coun- trymen may be saved. eg] 16 (Jntong ^omen. Mrs. I. M. Condit. Twenty-two years after old A’ Ho, the advance guard of Chinese women in California, entered the Golden Gate mv work as a missionary began. For the first few years of my connection with the mission only a very occasional woman came to the Sabbath services. There is a sort of legendary history of women who came LEGENDARY to the Mission House to be taught by HISTORY Mrs. Loomis and others, and while we feel sure such efforts were made we find no record of their special success. Three years before my introduction to the work, a children’s day school had been opened by Dr. Loomis, taught by DAY SCHOOL Mrs. C. M. Cole, and which was suc- cessfully carried on for thirty years. This school was a radiating center for house-to-house visiting among the women, and wherever it touched the homes of the Chinese, a soul-saving influence was the result. * » * It seemed such a hopeless task to reach the thousands of Chinese women with the Gospel. At least six thou- sand women were said to be in Chinatown in those days, who were as much given to idolatry as though living in the heart of China. What were a few Christian women among this mass of heathenism ? You will appreciate better the gravity of the situation when I say that in that first year of desultory work, in all the multitude of houses where women lived as secondary wives or as slaves, but THREE three opened friendly doors and list- OPEN DOORS ened while we tried to interest them. * * * YYg knew no word of Chi- nese, had no knowledge of their customs, and we know now how very imperfect was our book acquaintance with their religion. How utterly helpless we felt. After months of such unsatisfactory work, my Bible woman sug- gested that an invitation be given to the INVITED women to the Mission parlors. By that TO MISSION time we were known as ‘ Jesus women,’ and as such we gave the invitation. Scores were invited, and three came ! They were met at the street door and welcomed most cordially. They hobbled up stairs on their boat-shaped shoes, kicked them off as they entered with much apparent apprehension of 17 evil. They behaved in .such grotesque manner that in our heart if not with our lips we said, “ Can any good come out of this Nazareth ? Two weeks later these same three women came, and brought with them five friends. One was an old woman with a blue FIVE VISITORS cotton handkerchief thrown over her gray hair and tied under her chin. She was dirty beyond description, was an opium smoker, and the owner of the girls she brought with her. .She spoke in pidgin English, and soon made us understand that she wanted to see the liouse. It was wonderland to them all. Everything was handled. The bed coverings were turned down, the bed springs examined, and finally to our horror, the dirty old woman stepped close to the bed, bore down upon it with all her weight and jumped into the middle of the bed. There she sat and teetered up and down until her curiosity was satisfied, and then allowed her friends to drag her to the floor. It was hard to endure. Hut we lived to hold delightful little prayer meetings in “ the upper room” of one of the women who dragged her out of our clean white bed that day. The second year we were welcome in seventeen homes, anti later in the year at the reciuest of one of the women we opened a ‘‘ Mother’s Industrial Class” where for years many women and children were taught fancy work, while they listened to the story of Jesus and His love. In the intlustrial jxirt of this work we had valuable assistance from Mrs. Robbins, Miss Riversmith, now iMrs. Geo. H. Thurston; the .Misses Belle and .Sallie Patterson, Miss Jordan, now Mrs. \Vm. Sea, and others. Of the Chine.se women who attended these meetings nuny of the faithful ones can never be forgotten. Mrs. Loy Mong, my well loved Bible woman, had a history MRS. LOY MONG in the mountains before coming to .San Francisco, which reads like a romance. The legal wife, as she supposed, of a Boston mining man, she presided over his little cottage with its comfortable furnishings, cared for the chickens and the cow, and so lived a happy life for twelve years. One day her voluble Irish neighbor told her that she was not a legal wife. At once her innate womanly purity took alarm, and after frecpient and persistent iiuestioning she found it true that no law woukl call her wife. When her friend refused to make her his lawful wife she set the house in jierfect order, put her .American clothes carefully away in tlte drawer, donned her Chinese dress, and came to San Francisco to stay with her friend. No amount ol ])ersuasion, by letter, could change her decision. As his wife she would return, but in no other relation. She was i8 a woman of strong character, of quiet dignity, and quite an oracle because of her fund of general information. After she became a Christian her beautiful Christian character shone out in everything she said and did. She married a member of our church and died after a few years a triumphant death. Mrs. Cho See kept a boarding- BOARDTNG-HOUSE house in a large stable loft in the rear of Gray’s undertaking parlors on Sacramento street. She was a successful landlady for more than fifty boarders. She made money enough to purchase a second wife for her husband ! These three lived in liarmony until the young wife eloped with a more attractive lover. Mrs. Cho See was tall and gaunt, with no attractiveness e.xcept a magnetic voice, a tender heart, and good strong common sense. She learned to use opium while preparing the pipe for her husband, but after- wards went to New York, took the opium cure, and re- turned to California for a time, and then went home to China, where we know she tried to live a Christian life. Mrs. Ching Yuen was the first MRS. CHING YUEN Chinese woman to unite with this church. Her husband was con- verted first, and then his desire was to have A’ Oi, his pretty, graceful wife, become a Christian also. Finally 19 she came. At a Sabbath evening communion service, at her request, I stood beside her as she took the obliga- tions of the church. It was a great thing for lier to be the first woman to join the church. Her form and feat- ures approached very near to our standard of beauty. She had an indescribable grace of movement, a sweet voice, and manners suited to any lady in the land. Others, too, attended those meetings of whom we have pleasant memories. Lum Sue, the wife of a merchant, became a Christian. A’ Foong and Toy Yoong, two small-footed girls, always came carried on the backs of their servants. Two wives of Six Company men, and many others. Not all who came accepted the Gospel, but all enjoyed hear- ing the Hible stories. These were the days when but few real wives came to California. Thousands were bought or kidnapped, and brought here for gain. None of these had any knowledge of their legal status in this country. All of them suji- posed, if they gave serious thought to their condition, that slavery such as theirs was recognized by our laws, and that bills of sale were legal and binding transactions which could be enforced by our courts. These were the beginnings of woman’s work, and were full of arduous hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart labors. Many women were taught to use the sewing machine. Lessons in hygiene were given in the homes, and sick children were treated with such simple remedies as a study of medicine in our school days brought within our knowledge. This was no mean factor in our equipment, even in those early days. Children were prepared for burial, and their ignorant, sorrowing mothers were often induced to pray with us, even though we knew they might kneel before the idol under heathen influence. There were secret believers then as now, some of whom we hope to meet “over there.” The sympathy of the mis- sionary was comforting, though they could scarcely un- derstand why it was so. One little mother who had lost her baby very suddenly with croup said: “When I cry with you the tears do not hurt my heart, but when the Chinese come and cr}' with me the tears burn my heart.” It remained for a small com- OCQDENTAL BOARD pany of Christian women to put in motion the machinery of law for the protection of these sad-hearted women. The crystalization of their efforts is the Occidental Hoard, with its Home for Chinese Women, which, like the Jewish city of refuge, or the church in medieval times, has given safe shelter to every Chinese woman who would escape from sin and lead a Christian life. 20 Roman's T57orft. Mrs. Mary Franke Browne. (Twenty years President Occidental Board.) .Marvelous has been the transformation in the life and hope of Chinese women in San Francisco in the last quar- ter century. Behind closed doors, shut away from the light of the outside world, without joy in the present or hope for the future, their days were passed according to the customs of their native land. To-day, with rare ex- ceptions, theirs are lives of freedom. This has been brought about in part by their children, who have heard the gospel, for of them as of our people it is true that “ a little child shall lead them.” This audience to-night shows the truth of these words. Husbands, wives and children sit side by side in this church, even though the children may be the once unwelcome daughter. Let us note some changes. Contrast the Woman’s Mission Home, as it was thirty years ago, with our com- modious home at 920 Sacramento Street of to-day. In various quarters of the city Christian mothers are singing Christian hymns with their children, reading the Bible with them, and going with them to the house of God. A generation is seen serving God. Our mission schools are teaching the children. The King’s Daughters, in the special care of this church, car- ry comfort and cheer to the Chinese homes, while the pastor’s wife finds ready helpers for the church work in these daughters of the King. Miss Cameron, like her predecessor, Miss Culbertson, counts no toil by night or day too great for the uplifting of Chinese women, white hundreds feel the Mission Home has been a blessing to them. It is not for the women of to-day alone for whom we toil. Each generation, in its turn, shares the blessing of those who hear of Him who said, ‘‘ Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ” Hundreds have found this rest, and thousands through them will yet learn of Christ. The foundation work of this half century has been done. On this foundation let us, to-night, in this church made beautiful by the gifts of converted Chinese, resolve to build a noble home-life. 21 without whicli no nation can ever prosper — homes where * the father and mother are one in Christ Jesus the Lord. ; Nor does our work among the Chinese women end in this land. Women in far-off China have seen through our women who have gone there as Christian wives and \ mothers, that they possess something they have longed , for and never found. Our work done for California women here, has brought Christ the Saviour to them there. A re- I turning missionary told of a whole town in China trans- formed by the steadfast, consistent life of the young wife ! who went from our ^Mission Home. | What will our future woman’s work in San Francisco > bring to the women of China ? Who can tell? We cele- brate to-night the fiftieth anniversary of work among Chi- , nese men. They had first to be taught that Christian- | ity did not upset but uplift the women. Now obstacles 1 have been overcome, thought has been merged into ac- i tion, and we stand to-night— we stand upon the border land of a work for Chinese women, which will soon be felt to the ends of the earth. We have a right to e.vpect ; success so long as we work in Christ’s name. I In closing, we congratulate the pastor of this church, and rejoice in what has been done by him and those who preceded him. And we extend “the right hand of Christian fellowship’’ to the Christian men and women, who in all these long years have accomplished so much; and from our inmost soul we exclaim: “ Praise God from whom all blessings flow.’’ 22 (Eing'0 ©aug^fere. Read by Mrs. Chanu. Our Circle of King’s Daughters was organized by our pastor’s wife, Mrs. Condit, October 9th, 1893 — ten years ago. There were five members. At the first regular meeting there were eight Chinese, two Japanese and two Syrians enrolled. At present there are thirty-five members on our list. One of the Syrians has become the wife of a member of the Royal Family of England, and has her summer home in Baalbec and her winter home in London. One Japanese married a member of Dr. Sturge’s mis- sion, and lives in Tokio, Japan. Two of the Chinese girls are married and living in Portland, Oregon. One married a native helper in the Christian Church, the other a prominent merchant. Others are married and living in various towns of the State. All are church members, and as such have duties to those who are not members. The object of the circle is to develop them into active mem- bers in the church. A bi-monthly social is given in the church parlors, 91 1 Stockton Street, when the King’s Daughters are hostesses and their guests are the heathen and semi-christianized women and children of Chinatown. There is always a good gospel program given by the members. Light refreshments are provided and served by the King’s daughters. W’e joined the International King’s Daughters Society September 24th, 1902. Two years ago we began to support a Bible woman in China, and as a result of her work the first year thirteen became Christians. Last year si.xteen women and three girls of eleven or twelve years, and several small children, were baptized. One woman was seventy-three years old and another seventy-eight. This year we have opened a school for girls at Kum U. A man who was converted in our California mission, a most godly man, is helping by giving three or four rooms — a large room for the girls’ school, a smaller one for little boys, and a kitchen — and is making tables for the school. He bears all the expense of making the kitchen and pre- paring the rooms. His son's wife teaches the school. To meet the expense of the Bible woman, the school and the teacher, we pledge this year $60 in gold. A Sunday School will be held in connection with this work for our sisters in China. Our circle is very happy in doing this work, and we hope you will remember us in your prayers. 23 CHINATOWN.