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.