The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's: The Story of the Work in HwochowCable, Mildred
Religion
The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's: The Story of the Work in Hwochow
Cable, Mildred
Missions -- China -- Huo-hsien (Shansi Province)
"What do you stock?" a newcomer will ask the young saleswoman.
"Everything," is the bold answer, and indeed the few necessities of a
Chinese schoolgirl may all be supplied. Materials needed for shoemaking,
hemp for making string which is required in attaching soles to uppers,
pretty silks for embroidery, thimbles, needles, hair ornaments,
safety-pins, bright-coloured cord with which the Chinese girl holds
every hair in place at the top of a long thick plait, which is her mode
of head-dress; chalk, with which to whiten her calico socks, and the
acacia pod, the bean of which serves as soap. All the requisites in
stationery can be purchased, and it is amusing to see the Chinese
brush-pen being carefully tested by minute prospective buyers. A
newcomer will try in vain to get goods on credit, relying upon her
father's generosity at an early date. "No," is the answer; "come again
when you have the cash."
In another room the lending library is attracting large numbers. Here
again a teacher, helped by a pupil, is changing or renewing books. With
surprising skill any blot, stain, or torn page is discovered, and for
years the books will pass from hand to hand with but little damage done.
The range of literature is fairly comprehensive, extending from
world-wide favourites such as _Little Lord Fauntleroy_, _Christie's Old
Organ_, _Just So Stories_, and the _Wide Wide World_, which are eagerly
passed from hand to hand--for every one reads them several times--to
such works as _The History of the Dutch Republic_, _Biographies of Great
Men_, Works on Social Economy, and many books of reference. For the
translation of these, and many other works into the Chinese language, we
are indebted to the Christian Literature Society. At the sound of the
head teacher's gong, all business ceases, and the girls proceed to the
playground, where all enjoy swings, seesaw, and games.
Sunday opens with the delight of an extra hour in bed, and the wearing
of best clothes. Sunday school and Public Service are enjoyed even by
the smallest, and precede the happy hour when parents and near relatives
may see the scholars. At its conclusion all are hungry for the dinner,
which, though later than usual, proves well worth waiting for,
consisting as it does of the popular white bread and vegetables. The
afternoon closes with a service of praise.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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