Transcriber's Note: This e-book is based on an extant copy at Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary. The transcriber is grateful to the librarians there for providing assistance in accessing this rare fragile book. A few typos in the original text were corrected. LETTERS TO CHILDREN. BY REV. E.C. BRIDGMAN, MISSIONARY IN CHINA. Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, and Revised by the Committee of Publication. SECOND EDITION. BOSTON: MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY. Depository, No. 13, Cornhill. 1838. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1834, BY CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. ______ INDEX. LETTER I. Introduction; Chinese are Idolaters; Confucian, Taon, and Buddha Sects, LETTER II. Temples, Priest, Priestesses and Idols, LETTER III. Pagodas, Idol Worship, LETTER IV. Soldiers; Merchants, LETTER V. Mechanics, LETTER VI. Husbandmen, LETTER VII. Scholars, LETTER VIII. Sailors, LETTER IX. Character and Condition of Females, LETTER X. Marriage Ceremony, LETTER XI. Beggars; Food and Clothing, LETTER XII. Crimes: Lying, Gambling, Quarrelling, Theft, Robbery, and Bribery, LETTER XIII. Ideas of Death, style of Mourning, Funerals, &c. LETTER XIV. Dr. Morrison translates the Bible into the Chinese Language, LETTER XV. Dr. Milne; Missionary Stations, LETTER XVI. Leang Afa, LETTER XVII. Canton City; Population, &c. LETTER XVIII. To Parents and Teachers, ______ TO THE READER ______ This little Book contains eighteen Letters, written by Rev. E.C. BRIDGMAN, Missionary in China, addressed to the Children of the Sabbath School in Middleton, Mass. and published in the Sabbath School Treasury and Visitor. Though the letters were addressed to children in a particular Sabbath School, they are none the less adapted to other children, and they cannot fail to interest any one, who would see China converted to Christ. ______ LETTERS FROM CHINA. ______ Letter I. _Canton_, (_China_,) _Oct._ 17, 1831 MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS:‑‑The general agent of the Massachusetts Sabbath School Union has requested me to write something which I have "seen, heard, or thought of" for the _Treasury_. He proposed that I should write in the form of letters, and address them to you. This I shall be very happy to do, so far as I have any leisure to write.