The American Missionary, Volume 34, No. 12, December 1880Various
Religion
The American Missionary, Volume 34, No. 12, December 1880
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
_The Chinese Fishing Villages._--It is several years since I first
visited a village of Chinese fishermen. I cannot say that the mere
pleasure of the thing would prompt me to repeat the visit very
frequently. There is nothing in the character of the dwellings, the
appearance of their denizens, or the odors rising from their work,
to tempt one to a protracted stay. But I thank God that I cannot
go through even such a rude and motley and ill-odored settlement,
without seeing the immortal souls of which these ill-kept bodies
are the habitations, or without beginning to query if some way
cannot be opened to pour in upon them the healing light of that
world which needs no sun.
A few days ago a message came from one of them, by a Providence so
marked that I ventured to think it a Macedonian Call, and to read
in it God’s _promise_ of success. This village is on a little cape
jutting out into San Francisco Bay and known as Point San Pedro.
Mr. Charles W. Otis, my warm personal friend,--whom, with his
excellent wife, it was my privilege many years ago, while pastor
at Petaluma, to welcome to the fellowship of saints--has recently
been placed in charge of the “ranch” of which this Point San Pedro
is a part, and is thus brought into business relations with the
Chinese who are tenants upon it. His heart is stirred for them, and
he asked me if something could not be done to save them. I sent Wah
Yene, our devoted helper at Petaluma, to explore, and he brings me,
not only his own favorable testimony, but the following message
from Mr. Otis: “Wah Yene has been here a few days canvassing in
the Chinese school. He will report the prospects. That there is a
field here for work among the more than 400, there is no doubt.
We will furnish a house free, and I think I can get lumber from
some building for furniture, seats, &c. My wife and I will assist
all we can, though I shall be busy much of the time, but I can add
something that, will help the good work along. * * * “I know so
little of the ways and means and plans of the Chinese Mission that
I am unable to say more than to promise a hearty co-operation in
every possible way. We are very much pleased with Wah Yene, and
Mrs. Otis is ready to ‘adopt’ him, and says she would feel safe
with him near when I am compelled to be absent, as I shall be
two or three times each week.” Mr. Otis goes on to intimate that
he could give employment to Wah Yene for a part of each day, and
assume a proportionate part of his support if we desire; or if we
want him to devote his whole time to missionary service, he will
provide him a room comfortably furnished, free of charge. And so
Wah Yene starts to-day for a month’s trial of the work; and we, on
our part, will do our best to make the trial a success.
* * * * *
CHILDREN’S PAGE.
* * * * *
A SLAVE-GIRL’S FAITH.
A TRUE STORY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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