,transcriber's ,note3 ,this e-book is based on an extant copy at ,special ,collections ,research ,center1 ,earl ,gregg ,swem ,library1 ,college of ,william and ,mary4 ,the transcriber is grateful to the librarians there for providing assistance in accessing this rare fragile book4 ,a few typos in the original text were corrected4 ,,letters ,,to ,,children4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,e4,c4 ,,bridgman1 ,,missionary ,,in ,,china4 ,written for the ,massachusetts ,sabbath ,school ,society1 and ,revised by the ,committee of ,publication4 ,,second ,,edition4 ,,boston3 ,,massachusetts ,,sabbath ,,school ,,society4 ,depository1 ,no4 #ac1 ,cornhill4 #ahch4 ,entered according to act of ,congress1 in the year #ahcd1 ,,by ,,christopher ,c4 ,,dean1 ,in the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district ,court of ,massachusetts4 ,,index4 ,,letter ,i4 ,introduction2 ,chinese are ,idolaters2 ,confucian1 ,taon1 and ,buddha ,sects1 ,,letter ,,ii4 ,temples1 ,priest1 ,priestesses and ,idols1 ,,letter ,,iii4 ,pagodas1 ,idol ,worship1 ,,letter ,,iv4 ,soldiers2 ,merchants1 ,,letter ,v4 ,mechanics1 ,,letter ,,vi4 ,husbandmen1 ,,letter ,,vii4 ,scholars1 ,,letter ,,viii4 ,sailors1 ,,letter ,,ix4 ,character and ,condition of ,females1 ,,letter ,x4 ,marriage ,ceremony1 ,,letter ,,xi4 ,beggars2 ,food and ,clothing1 ,,letter ,,xii4 ,crimes3 ,lying1 ,gambling1 ,quarrelling1 ,theft1 ,robbery1 and ,bribery1 ,,letter ,,xiii4 ,ideas of ,death1 style of ,mourning1 ,funerals1 c4 ,,letter ,,xiv4 ,dr4 ,morrison translates the ,bible into the ,chinese ,language1 ,,letter ,,xv4 ,dr4 ,milne2 ,missionary ,stations1 ,,letter ,,xvi4 ,leang ,afa1 ,,letter ,,xvii4 ,canton ,city2 ,population1 c4 ,,letter ,,xviii4 ,to ,parents and ,teachers1 ,,to ,,the ,,reader ,this little ,book contains eighteen ,letters1 written by ,rev4 ,e4,c4 ,,bridgman1 ,missionary in ,china1 addressed to the ,children of the ,sabbath ,school in ,middleton1 ,mass4 and published in the ,sabbath ,school ,treasury and ,visitor4 ,though the letters were addressed to children in a particular ,sabbath ,school1 they are none the less adapted to other children1 and they cannot fail to interest any one1 who would see ,china converted to ,christ4 ,,letters ,,from ,,china4 ,letter ,i4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,oct4 #ag1 #ahca ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends3,the general agent of the ,massachusetts ,sabbath ,school ,union has requested me to write something which ,i have seen1 heard1 or thought of for the ,treasury4 ,he proposed that ,i should write in the form of letters1 and address them to you4 ,this ,i shall be very happy to do1 so far as ,i have any leisure to write4 ,some of you1 perhaps1 will remember what ,i used to tell you of the children1 and men1 and women1 who had no ,bibles1 and who were ignorant of the true ,god1 and of ,jesus ,christ the ,savior of sinners4 ,i can remember very well what some of the little children used to say1 and how they used to look1 when ,i talked to them about being a missionary1 and of going far away from home1 perhaps never to return4 ,i did not then think of going so far off2 indeed1 ,i did not know where ,i should go2 had some thoughts of going to ,greece1 or to ,armenia4 ,we do not always know what is best1 but ,god does1 for ,he knows all things1 and will direct all things for his own glory2 and if we love and obey him4 ,he will make all things work together for our good4 ,i am very glad ,i came to ,china1 and ,i wish a great many more missionaries would come here4 ,before ,i came among the heathen1 ,i had no idea how much they are to be pitied1 and how much they need the ,bible4 ,now that ,i live among them1 and see their poor dumb idols every day1 ,i desire to tell you a great many things which1 ,i hope1 will make you more careful to improve your own privileges1 and more anxious also that the same blessed privileges may be enjoyed by all other children every where4 ,now1 children1 if you will look on your maps1 you will see that ,china is situated in that part of the earth1 which is directly opposite to the ,united ,states3 so that when it is noon in one place1 it is midnight in the other4 ,the two countries1 you will see1 occupy nearly the same extent of the earth's surface4 ,they are1 also1 bounded on the north and south1 by nearly the same degrees of latitude4 7,china is situated a little farther south than the ,united ,states47 ,this makes the seasons1summer and winters1 spring and autumn1and also the climate of the two countries1 quite alike4 ,but in regard to population1 religion1 and almost every thing else1 they are very different from each other4 ,china is a very ancient nation2 and has1 at the present time1 a vast population1probably twenty or thirty times as many people as there are in all the ,united ,states of ,america4 ,if there are1 then1 three millions in the ,united ,states to be gathered into the ,sabbath schools1 and there ,sabbath after ,sabbath1 instructed in the ,holy ,scriptures2 there are here in ,china more than sixty millions1 of the same age1 who know not even that there are any ,sabbath1 or any ,sabbath day1 or any ,holy ,bible4 ,you can now1 dear children1 from these few facts1 estimate how many there are in ,china who need the ,bible2 and how much there is to be done1 how many missionaries and ,christian teachers will be wanted1 before all these millions of immortal beings shall have the word of ,god1 and be as blessed and as happy in their privileges1 as you now are4 ,you1 truly1 enjoy great privileges1 because you have the ,holy ,bible1 and can1 every day1 read of ,jesus ,christ3 and if you believe in him1 you will have great joy and comfort1 and when you die1 go to heaven and be forever with the ,lord4 ,but ,o1 what do you think will become of all these poor heathen children1 who have no ,bibles1 and who have never heard of the name of ,jesus8 ,in the fourth chapter of ,acts1 you read1 that1 there is no other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we must be saved4 ,the ,chinese are idolaters4 ,their fathers1 and their grandfather1 for hundreds and thousands of generations1 have been idolaters1 and worshipped idols of wood and stone which their own hands have made4 ,these idols are very numerous2 as numerous1 the ,chinese themselves say1 as the sands on the banks of a great river4 ,the ,chinese are divided into three religious sects4 ,the ,confucian sect2 the ,taon sect2 and the ,buddha sect4 ,i will now tell you something about each of these three4 ,the ,confucian sect is composed of the learned men of ,china1 who are in their disposition and character like the proud and selfrighteous pharisees1 mentioned in the ,new ,testament4 ,they call them the disciples of ,confucius4 ,they adore and worship him2 they have a great many temples dedicated to him2 and they offer various sacrifices to him1 as the children of ,israel did to ,jehovah1 the true ,god1 in the time of ,moses4 ,confucius was born #ech years before ,christ4 ,his disciples relate many strange stories about their master4 ,but he taught them nothing about the true ,god and ,jesus ,christ1 and nothing about the soul after death4 ,life and immortality were not revealed to him4 ,his disciples are as ignorant as their master was4 ,they neither know nor acknowledge the eternal power and ,godhead1 so clearly seen1 being understood by the things that are made4 ,professing themselves to be wise1 they become fools1 and like the ,romans1 changed the glory of the incorruptible ,god into an image like to corruptible man1 and to birds1 and fourfooted beasts1 c4 c4 ,i wish you to read the last half of the first chapter of ,romans1 and you will have a good account of the disciples of ,confucius4 ,taontsze1 which being interpreted1 means old boy1 was the founder of the ,taon sect4 ,his followers to this day call him the supreme venerable prince2 and relate many curious stories about him2 and say that he was an ignorant good man4 ,the religion of ,buddha was brought from ,india1 and became a common religion of ,china1 probably1 about the time1 or soon after the crucifixion of our ,savior4 ,both this religion and that of the ,taon sect are dreadfully wicked1 and full of abominations2 and their priests are the most ignorant and miserable people in ,china4 ,i will tell you more of these hereafter4 ,besides these three sects1 there are some ,roman ,catholics1 some ,mohammedans1 and a few ,jews1 scattered in different parts of ,china4 ,since ,i have now commenced1 ,i wish to write you several short letters2 and this ,i will try to do1 if ,god our heavenly ,father gives me time and strength4 ,earnestly desiring that he will give you all good things1 ,i remain1 ,your true friends1 ,e4,c4 ,,bridgman4 ,,letter ,,ii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,oct4 #ai1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,in the first letter1 ,i told you something about the situation and the vast population of ,china1 and the three religious sects into which the people are divided4 ,in this letter ,i propose to give you a short account of their temples1 priests1 priestesses1 and idols4 ,idol temples are very different from meetinghouses4 ,i have visited a good many of these temples1 in and about ,canton and ,macao4 ,there is very little1 if any1 difference between the temples of the ,buddha and the ,taon sects4 ,those which ,i have seen are brick1 and usually firm and well built4 ,a common village temple occupies about half an acre of ground1 enclosed by a wall twelve or fifteen feet high1 and consists of several houses for the priests1 a number of small rooms and niches for the idols1 and an open court and alleys4 ,some of the temples are large1 including within their outer wall three or four acres1 having beautiful trees and gardens1 and sometimes a furnace1 in which the dead bodies of priests are burnt1 and also a kind of tomb1 filled with urns1 in which their ashes are afterwards deposited4 ,these are more than thirteen hundred idol temples in the province of ,canton2 and1 at the same rate of reckoning1 there will be1 in the eighteen provinces into which ,china is divided1 more than twentythree thousand idol temples4 ,i have never visited any of the temples dedicated to ,confucius4 ,they are1 it is said1 distinguished from those of ,buddha and ,taon1 by their dignified simplicity1 the exclusion of images from all the principal halls1 and by substituting1 in their stead1 commemorative tablets1 bearing the names of ,confucius and his most distinguished disciples4 ,priests are numerous4 ,one temple in ,peking has1 it is said1 eight hundred priests4 ,one which ,i have visited1 near ,canton1 has more than one hundred and fifty4 ,those of ,buddha shave their heads perfectly bald4 ,they usually appear dressed in a large grey gown1 with sleeves often a full yard wide4 ,they live principally on vegetables2 they eat no meat1 are not allowed to marry1 are idle1 and1 except by persons of their own sect1 utterly disrespected4 ,the priests of the ,taon sect shave their heads1 except a spot about the size of a man's hand1 of which the crown of the head is the centre4 ,this1 indeed1 every ,chinese does4 ,every man and every boy must have his head shaved1 as a mark of submission to the ,emperor4 ,this has been the custom for almost two hundred years4 ,but1 while the common people braid their hair into a long tail1 which hangs down to their heels1 the priests of ,taon fold theirs up in a knot on the top of the head4 ,when they appear in public1 they usually wear a yellow robe4 ,they eat flesh1 and are permitted to marry4 ,no priest of either sect ever teaches in public and but seldom in private4 ,they spend much of their time in devotions1 which are nothing but vain repetitions1 saying over and over again the same words1 as fast as they can1 hundreds and thousands of times4 ,they are sometimes called to pray for the dead1 and sometimes to go in funeral processions4 ,persons may become priests at any age they please2 they are usually1 however1 dedicated to the service when quite young1 even in infancy4 ,a few days ago1 in the streets1 ,i saw a lad only eight or ten years old1 all dressed up in his priestly robes4 ,there are no priests belonging to the ,confucian sect4 ,priestesses are more wicked1 but not so numerous as priests4 ,there are three sorts of these poor miserable creatures4 ,those that belong to the sects of ,buddha and ,taon wear a peculiar kind of dress4 ,those of the ,buddha sect shave their heads1 and the people of ,canton call them women padres4 ,those of third sort form a kind of sisterhood1 live wholly on vegetables1 and dress like other women4 ,these are all very wicked1 ugly people4 ,they pretend to sing songs to the gods1 and drive away demons4 ,there are other old women1 still worse1 if possible1 than these2 such as witches1 conjurers1 and necromancers4 ,they pretend to hold intercourse with the dead1 and give responses to their living kindred1 telling them that their dead friends are in great distress for want of food and clothing4 ,many of the deluded people believe them1 and1 by these lies and tricks1 they contrive to get food and clothing for themselves4 ,idols1 in ,china1 are numerous beyond all calculation4 ,these idols are to be seen every where2 in ships1 in boats1 houses1 in temples1 shops1 streets1 fields1 on the hills1 and in the vallies1 and along the banks of all the rivers and canals4 ,some of these idols are very large1 huge monsters1 several feet high4 ,some of them are made of wood1 some are stone1 some are earthen1 others are brass1 iron1 c4 c4 ,they are most commonly made somewhat in the likeness of men2 but sometimes they are like beasts1 and birds1 and creeping things4 ,there are places where these gods are manufactured and sold just as people make and sell chairs1 tables1 c4 ,i am going to send a parcel of them to the ,society of ,inquiry respecting ,missions1 at the ,theological ,seminary1 ,andover1 where if you wish1 you can go and see them4 ,adieu1 dear children4 ,may the ,lord1 in great mercy1 keep you from all sin1 and make you happy in this life and in that which is to come4 ,remembering you often in my prayers1 ,i remain1 your true friend1 ,e4,c4 ,,bridgman4 ,,letter ,,iii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,oct4 #bj1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,in my letter1 yesterday1 ,i forgot to tell you of some very high buildings1 called pagodas4 ,these are found in almost every part of ,china4 ,they were introduced soon after the religion of ,buddha1 in which they seem to have had their origin1 in this country4 ,these lofty buildings present every where nearly the same appearance2 but differ in height from three to thirteen stories4 ,they are usually hollow1 with stairs ascending up through the centre2 and are usually built on the top of some high hill4 ,they are believed1 by those who build them1 to be a defence against evil spirits1 pestilence1 misfortunes1 c4 ,one of the finest pagodas in ,china1 is in ,nanking1 and was built about #djj years ago4 ,it is called the porcelain pagoda4 ,it is #bjj feet high1 divided into nine stories2 and is1 at the base1 #abb feet in circumference4 ,it was nineteen years in building1 and cost more than three millions of dollars2 more than three times as much as the ,american ,board have yet expended for foreign missions4 ,i will close this letter with some account of idol worship1 as it is performed here1 all around us1 every day4 ,the ,chinese never assemble for religious worship as ,christians do1 who go to the house of ,god1 there to worship him1 who is a ,spirit1 in spirit and in truth4 ,their worship is very unholy1 and offensive to ,god1 and injurious to man4 ,they have no preaching2 their priests never set as public1 religious teachers4 ,their worship consists of prayers and offerings1 made to their false gods1 and to their departed friends1 to the sages and heroes of antiquity1 and to their emperorsboth living and the dead4 ,all their acts of worship are accompanied with a great many1 and very tedious ceremonies4 ,some of the priests make very long prayers4 ,in a temple near ,canton1 ,i have seen more than #ej priests altogether1 at one time1 engaged in their devotions4 ,at the appointed hour1 they assembled in a large hall where were a number of idols1 and altars for offering incense1 and also a drum and a bell to wake up the sleepy gods1 and make them listen to their prayers4 ,as soon as they were assembled1 they took their places in ranks1 and commenced their worship4 ,one of the oldest priests acted as chief1 and took the lead2 and the others1 with loud voices1 all joined with him and chanted their evening prayers4 ,sometimes1 they all stood erect1 with their hands all joined with him1 and chanted their evening prayers4 ,sometimes they all stood erect1 with their hands clasped before them4 ,sometimes1 in files1 they went round and round their altars4 ,at one time1 they all kneeled2 and again1 they all bowed down their heads1 and placed them in the very dust4 ,all the time they were doing these things1 which occupied about an hour1 candles and lamps were kept burning1 and incense was offered on the altars4 ,the ,chinese never pray in their families and closets as ,christians are taught to do4 ,individuals sometimes go to the temples to pray1 and pay their vows1 and to make offerings to the idol gods4 ,i have repeatedly seen women1 sometimes with their young children1 bowing before the altars in the temples4 ,the ,chinese observe many times and seasons1 in which they make religious offerings1 some of which are very expensive4 ,there are appointed seasons when the ,emperor of ,china worships his ancestors1 and the heavens1 and the earth1 and also some of the great mountains and rivers of the empire4 ,early in the morning on the first day of the year1 all the people worship their gods1 praying for riches4 ,in the spring of every year1 there is an appointed time1 when every body goes to the hillssome travel hundreds of milesto worship at the tombs of their fathers1 and mothers1 and uncles1 c4 ,while at the tombs1 they offer costly sacrifices of fish1 fowls1 sheep1 goats1 swine and the like1 with oblations of wine and oil1 to the names of their departed relatives4 ,on the first and fifteenth of every moon1 they have some special religious rites to perform1 such as firing off thousands and thousands of gunpowder crackers1 beating their gongs1 or drums1 c4 ,this they do to keep off evil spirits4 ,every day1 especially at evening1 offerings of papera kind of gold paperand oil1 and fragrant wood1 are made to the household ,gods1 to the gods of the streets1 shops1 boats4 ,indeed1 there seems to be no end to their superstitions4 ,and thus1 alas6 all this numerous people are given to idolatry1 and offer sacrifices to devils4 ,they worship they know not what4 ,and now1 my dear young friends1 do you think all this vain and wicked worship constitute a cheap and easy religion8 ,think of the priests and priestesses devoted to idleness1 and to abominable rites and services4 ,think of the hundreds of temples and idleness1 and to abominable rites and services4 ,think of the hundreds of temples and pagodas1 and thousands of idols which cover and fill the land4 ,think1 too1 of all the times and seasons2 all the costly offerings and sacrifices employed in this idol worship2 and again ,i ask1 and ,i wish you to give an answer1,do you think this a cheap and easy religion8 ,i think it a most costly religion1 and most grievous to be borne4 ,oh1 how unlike the religion of ,jesus ,christ6 ,his yoke is easy1 and his burden light4 ,but the service of ,satan is hard service4 ,the expense of this idol worship must amount to many millions of dollars annually4 ,more1 ,i am constrained to believe1 is expended every day1 and every year1 by the ,chinese alone1 in idol worship1 than is devoted by all the true ,christians in the whole world1 to the worship of the true ,god4 ,these things ought not so to be4 ,and if all good people could see how miserable these heathens are1 and could feel for them1 as ,christ ,jesus commands them to feel1 the things would not be so much longer4 ,there would be a great change immediately4 ,the ,bible would be distributed2 the ,gospel would be preached2 and then would the heathen cast away their dumb idols1 and serve the true ,god4 ,and now1 dear children1 farewell4 ,think of these things and remember and pray for the poor heathen always4 ,i hope to write to you again2 perhaps1 several short letters1 but ,i may be disappointed4 ,endeavoring to cast all my cares on ,him1 who careth for us all1 and to serve him with singleness of heart1 ,i still remain your true friend1 ,e4,c4 ,,bridgman4 ,,letter ,,iv4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,oct4 #be1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,there is no caste in ,china1 as there is in ,india4 ,men may rise from the most humble stations in life1 to the highest rank of office2 the throne only being excepted4 ,the ,chinese1 in their books1 often speak of the soldiers and the people3 and when speaking of the people1 divide them into merchants1 mechanics1 husbandmen1 and scholars4 ,the occupations of these five classes1 the ,chinese call the essential employments4 ,and they say that when the high heavens produced men1 they appointed to every one an employment1 as the means of personal support4 ,therefore1 though men naturally differ as to knowledge and ignorance1 strength and weakness1 yet none should be without an employment4 ,having employments1 all men have a proper duty to which they should attend1 both that they may be profitable to themselves1 and useful to the world4 ,i think now1 children1 you will be better able to understand the character of the ,chinese1 if ,i tell you something of these five classes separately4 ,i will remark first1 however1 that these divisions are not exclusive4 ,a man may be a scholar1 and at the same time engage in husbandry4 ,so he may be a merchant1 and at the same time a scholar4 ,soldiers1 sometimes also1 ,i believe1 are farmers1 or merchants1 or mechanics4 ,but usually one man attends to only one of the essential employments4 ,china is now governed by the ,tartars1 a very warlike nation1 who conquered and subdued the country1 and ascended the throne #ahg years ago4 ,it was at that time1 ,a4,d4 #afdd1 that the long tail mentioned in the second letter1 was introduced4 ,many of the old people1 it is said1 were unwilling to shave their heads1 and braid their hair4 ,but the ,tartars being their masters1 and having the power1 compelled them to do so1 on the pain of death4 ,many actually preferred death to such a mark of disgrace4 ,at the present time1 in order to keep the people in subjection1 a great number of soldiers1 many of them ,tartars1 are stationed all over the ,empire4 ,there are several thousands in ,canton4 ,these soldiers have a few guns3 but generally they are armed with swords and shields1 or bows and arrows1 or spears and pikes1 or some other such like instruments4 ,the soldiers have very little to do2 and so they become very lazy1 and gamble1 and steal1 rob and oppress the poor1 and often make a great deal of disturbance4 ,and after all they can do to keep the peace1 the people often rise in rebellion2 and then they quarrel and fight1 and hundreds of the people and soldiers are killed4 ,two of three such rebellions have happened since ,i have been in ,china4 ,to prevent mistake1 ,i wish you to keep in mind the difference between ,china1 and the ,chinese ,empire4 ,by ,china1 or ,china ,proper1 is understood the #ah provinces1 which for a long time1 constituted the whole of the ,chinese possessions4 ,the ,chinese ,empire1 as it has existed since #afdd1 extends on the north1 and west1 far beyond the boundaries of ancient ,china1 and is1 probably1 the largest ,empire in the world4 ,the whole number of persons in the ,empire1 who are enrolled as soldiers and make the art and practice of war their essential employment1 is very great2 amounting1 probably1 to two or three millions4 ,chinese ,merchants have by no means that high character1 and that influence1 which the same class of men possess in ,europe and ,america4 ,they are ranked the last of the four divisions of the people1 and are regarded by their own countrymen as the least respectable part of the community4 ,they are1 usually1 very greedy of gain1 and often cheat and deceive2 and they regard it as a very small offence to cheat and deceive foreigners1 whom they usually call barbarians3 and who1 they say1 come an immense distance across the seas1 from the northwest corner of the world1 to buy teas1 and silks of the celestial ,empire4 ,the foreign trade to ,china is pretty extensive1 and is continually increasing4 ,there are now at ,whampoa1 where the foreign ships unload and load their cargoes1 #eb ships1 and #d1jjj seamen4 ,these ships bring tin1 lead1 quicksilver1 copper1 iron1 furs1 cotton yarn1 cotton and woollen cloth1 and many other such like1 useful articles4 ,they bring also1 and of late years1 a very great quantity of opium4 ,more than twenty millions of dollars' worth of opium were sold here last year4 ,this is very bad1 and does a great deal of hurt4 ,those who bring and sell the opium1 and those who buy it also1 know very well that it is doing a great deal of injury4 ,only a part of the foreign merchants trade in opium2 the others will not1 because they know it is wrong1 and contrary to the laws of ,god and man4 ,returning from ,china1 the ships are usually very richly laden with nankeens1 silks1 teas1 c4 ,chinese merchants do not often go very far abroad2 seldom if ever1 so far as to ,india4 ,they carry on1 however1 considerable trade with ,cochin ,china1 ,siam1 ,singapore1 ,malacca1 ,java2 to which1 and to some other places1 they have quite a number of vessels1 perhaps fifty1 which make a voyage every year4 ,it is by these vessels that ,mr4 ,medhurst1 and ,mr4 ,tomlin1 and other missionaries1 have sent many ,bibles and tracts into ,china4 ,it is in one of these vessels also1 that ,mr4 ,gutzlaff has gone to ,peking1 where he means to spend the winter and preach the gospel of the ,son of ,god4 ,again1 dear children1 adieu4 ,be good childrenobey and love your parentsread your ,biblesbelieve in ,jesus with your whole hearts1 and pray to ,god always1 then you will be happy4 ,i will by the assistance and permission of ,god1 endeavor to continue the account of the ,chinese people1 in another letter4 ,your very true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,v4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,nov4#b1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,having given you1 in my last letter1 some account of the soldiers and merchants1 ,i intend in this1 to tell you about the merchants1 the husbandmen1 and the scholars4 ,i do not pretend to give you a very complete account of these several classes of persons4 ,my desire is1 however1 that you shall have such an acquaintance with the every day conduct1 and peculiar manners and customs of the ,chinese1 that you may be able to form for yourselves1 correct ideas of their character4 ,i should be glad to have you know fully their whole manner of life4 ,i wish you to know all about them3 how they live1 how they think1 and how they act4 ,and ,i wish you to know how they regard and treat each other1 as follow citizens1 as husbands and wives1 as parents and children1 and as brothers and sisters1 c4 c4 ,because1 when you can see them in all their daily conduct1 and in all their various relations1 and have correct views of their character2 then you will know how much you ought to pity them1 and will be very anxious1 ,i think1 to send them the gospel of ,god1 which is able to make them wise unto everlasting life4 ,i remember you have already done something for the heathen1 but you know that there is a great deal more to be done2 and we must not stop till the whole world is converted4 ,now ,i will tell you about the ,mechanics4 ,they are usually1 as in the ,united ,states1 a very industrious class of people1 and many of them excellent workmen4 ,it is written in one of their books1 ,let mechanics examine the four seasons2 prepare the six materials2 daily and monthly investigate the progress of their pursuits2 abide together in their own departments2 and thus complete their business4 ,these words which ,i have now quoted1 are found in a book called the ,sacred ,edict of the emperor ,kanghe4 ,he lived about a hundred years ago4 ,it is very common among the ,chinese for persons of the same occupation to live together in the same neighborhood4 ,especially is this the case with the mechanics4 ,the four seasons1 spring1 summer1 autumn and winter1 are to be examined for two purposes4 ,the one is1 for the purpose of observing various superstitious rites and ceremonies1 which they vainly suppose necessary to secure success in business4 ,the other is1 for selecting and storing up1 on lucky days1 the six materials4 ,the six materials are1 earth1 metal1 stone1 wood1 animals1 and fibrous plants4 ,of earth they make bricks1 tiles1 porcelain1 and a great variety of wares4 ,of metals they make implements of husbandry1 and war1 c4 ,stone is used for building bridges1 houses1 temples1 and especially for making idols4 ,these1 and all other materials1 are selected with great care1 and many ceremonies1 which make the ordinary labors of this people1 in many respects1 exceedingly hard4 ,today is the birthday of the god of fire1 and the mechanics of ,canton are expending thousands of dollars in order to secure his protection4 ,there are some kinds of workmanship which exhibit very little skill or taste4 ,there are other kinds which are excellent4 ,the ,chinese1 it is said1 make good clocks1 but do not succeed in making watches4 ,very much of their work is1 indeed1 good in its kind2 and1 usually1 remarkably simple4 ,the ,chinese mechanics almost always work by a pattern2 and every thing so far as it is for their own use1 must be made according to old custom4 ,this people are very far from thinking that every generation grows wiser and wiser4 ,on the contrary1 they think that the ancients were1 in many respects1 the perfect models of perfection4 ,hence to imitate1 and to be like them1 is the utmost of their wishes4 ,this is the case with the mechanics4 ,hence ships1 boats1 houses1 shops1 temples1 furniture1 and implements of every kind1 are made just like those made years and years ago4 ,i will give you one single example4 ,instead of knives and forks1 which they never use1 they have two small round sticks1 about the size of the old fashion pipestems1 and about a foot long4 ,these nimble lads1 for so they call the two round sticks1 they hold in their right hand1 and with a bowl of food in their left1 raised quite up to the chin1 they jerk the food into their mouth with astonishing rapidity4 ,these sticks1 by foreigners usually called chopsticks1 have been in common use1 according to the ,chinese account of them1 more than three thousand years4 ,but as children are early trained to the use of these sticks1 perhaps there is no loss or disadvantage in continuing their use4 ,yet1 even when there would be a great improvement1 as in the helms of their ships1 they must 7because their government compels them7 adhere strictly to old custom4 ,according to law1 the different kinds of mechanics are all1 ,i believe1 to be enrolled in the government offices4 ,the following is a specimen of those in this city4 ,shoemakers1 twentyfive thousand4 ,carpenters and cabinetmakers1 sixteen thousand4 ,lapidaries or those who work in stone1 seven thousand4 ,barbers also1 seven thousand4 ,i must defer what ,i have to tell you about the husbandmen and scholars1 for another letter4 ,till then1 farewell4 ,like good children1 be diligent and careful in all that you have to do2 especially be diligent and careful in your studies1 and committing to memory the holy ,scriptures4 ,remember that good and wise children will make glad their parents4 ,so may you do4 ,and may ,god our heavenly ,father keep you from all sin4 ,so writes ,your true friends1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,vi4 ,canton1 7,china7 ,nov4 #d1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,the ,chinese rulers of the present day1 say to their people1give the chief place to husbandry and the cultivation of the mulberrytree1 in order to procure adequate supplies of food and raiment4 ,to impress this precept on the minds of the people1 they add1if a man plough not1 he will very likely suffer hunger2 if a woman weave not1 she may probably feel the cold4 ,of old time1 the emperors themselves ploughed1 and their empresses cultivated the mulberry2 they disdained not to labor1 in order that1 by their example1 they might excite the millions of the people to lay due stress on the radical principles of economy4 ,and yet again they add1,we wish our people to exert their whole strength in agriculture4 ,do not love idleness and hate labor2 do not be diligent at first1 and slothful afterwards2 do not1 because of a deficient season1 reject your fields and plantations2 do not covet the multiplied profits of commerce1 and change the good old employment4 ,agriculture alone is the fundamental employment4 ,i have made these quotations1 in order to show you in what estimation agriculture is held by the emperors of ,china4 ,in regard to farming business1 they act very wisely1 and set before their people a good example4 ,for a long time the ,chinese have been regarded1 as among the best1 and the most ancient tillers of the ground4 ,very many of the people are farmers4 ,a pretty large proportion1 ,i should think sixeights1 of the whole population engage in agricultural pursuits4 ,some notices of their implements and modes of husbandry1 and the productions of their soil1 will serve to illustrate the character and condition of those who make agriculture their essential employment4 ,their farming tools are few in number1 and simple in the structure4 ,not a wheel carriage of any description have ,i yet seen in ,china1 excepting only fire engines1 which1 both foreign and native built1 are usually drawn on four wheels4 ,in the north of ,china1 wheel carriages for various purposes are in common use2 but here1 all kinds of produce and merchandize1 and men and women themselves1 are carried1 either in boats1 or by human strength4 ,the sedan1 in which people ride1 is made quite like a chaise top1 with poles1 like thills1 extending an equal distance before and behind4 ,only one person is seated in the sedan1 and two strong men stooping down take the poles on their shoulders1 and then rising up1 lift the sedan about a foot from the ground4 ,in this style1 away they go1 for miles1 like horses4 ,these bearers the ,chinese nickname momema1 i4e4 notailhorses4 ,similar men are employed to carry heavy burdens4 ,when the weight is only enough for one man1 it is suspended from the ends of a light1 but very strong bamboo pole1 about six feet long1 which the bearer balances on his right shoulder4 ,when the weight requires two or more men1 it is suspended from the middle of the pole1 which is a large round heavy bamboo1 about ten feet long4 ,in this way thousands of our fellowmen are used as beasts of burden4 ,the ,chinese use the plough and harrow1 which are made similar to those used in ,america4 ,these are drawn by a single ox1 or buffalo1a very stout animal1 of a dun color1 well fitted for the work4 ,their spade1 hoe1 and rake1 and their implements for cutting1 threshing1 and winnowing grain are1 also1 like those used in the ,united ,states1 and in ,europe1 though much more rude and simple4 ,they commonly use a large pestle and mortar to make flour4 ,they have also mills for grinding1 but the stones used are always small1 and never turned by water4 ,these mills are1 probably1 like those referred to the wordstwo women shall be grinding at the mill4 ,what ,i have now told you of their implements1 will lead you to form some ideas of the modes of husbandry1 which are most common among the ,chinese4 ,the very great variety1 plenty and perfection of vegetable productions found among this people1 give us favorable opinions of their manner of cultivating the earth4 ,their lands are laid out in extensive fields1 and ditches dug1 or stones set up1 usually serve for land marks4 ,i believe they have no fences1 except1 sometimes1 around their richest gardens1and these not so much for a defence against the encroachment of beasts1 as they are for a protection from thieves and robbers4 ,very little of their land is left uncultivated4 ,indeed some of the most rich and beautiful grounds are made so by human industry4 ,sometimes by embankments built up like mildams1 the water is kept back1 and acres and acres are made dry land1 and rich harvests are gathered1 where before it was all covered with water1 and men used to drag their nets to catch fish4 ,at other times1 hard1 sterile hilltops1 terraced and covered with a rich soil1 are made charmingly beautiful1 and very productive4 ,very much is effected by manuring and irrigation4 ,the methods of doing the latter are very curious4 ,but of these and many other things ,i have not time to speak4 ,besides ,i am afraid you will be tired with my long accounts2 which1 indeed1 are becoming much larger than ,i intended4 ,i could by no means persuade1 or allow myself thus to employ a few1not leisure1 hours1 did ,i not hope1 and confidently believe1 that you will do something for this people4 ,china has long1 long been neglected4 ,scores and scores of laborers are needed1 to break up this fallow ground1 to sow the good seed1 to seek the ,lord1 the ,lord of the harvest1 till he come and rain righteousness upon this people1 and make them his own husbandry4 ,you know1 my dear young friends1 that ,god1 our heavenly ,father1 is very good1 that ,he doeth good to the evil and unthankful1 and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust4 ,god has been very good to the ,chinese4 ,of fruit trees1 ,he has given them the rich banana1 the apple1 peach1 walnut1 chestnut1 orange lemon1 and many others4 ,he has given them figs1 grapes1 and many kinds of berries4 ,of vegetables1 ,he has given them almost every kind1 that can be named4 ,he has caused the mulberry to grow and yield an abundance of material for silk to clothe them4 ,he has given them the tea plant also1 and so plenteously1 that they can supply the whole world with it1 and make themselves rich in the traffic4 ,he has given them abundance of grain for bread1 and for meat4 ,he has given them the fishes of the sea1 the fowls of heaven1 and cattle on a thousand hills4 ,but1 alas6 they do not love to retain ,him in their knowledge4 ,they deny his existence4 ,they worship dumb idols4 ,and1 what think you1 will become of them when they die8 ,oh1 happy1 thrice happy is that nationthrice happy are those children1 whose ,god is the ,lord4 ,farewell1 dear children4 ,the ,lord bless you evermore1 and your true friend4 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,vii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,nov4 #bb1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,i have already told you about the soldiers1 the merchants1 the mechanics1 and the husbandmen of ,china2 in this letter ,i will give you some account of the scholars4 ,among all the pagan nations1 that have ever been1 or now exist1 none perhaps1 have been more learned than the ,chinese4 ,but no people in the world1 without the ,bible1 can be so learned as those nations who have it4 ,those people1 who read1 and study1 and understand the ,holy ,scriptures the best1 will always be the best scholars2 they will have the best taste1 the best judgment1 the best understanding2 and1 if they obey what they read1 they will have the best hearts4 ,believe me1 my dear children1 if you read and obey the ,holy ,bible1 we shall be truly wise4 ,god himself will be our teacher3 and ,his holy law will be our schoolmaster to bring us to ,christ4 ,if all people would only read and obey the word of ,god1 then there would be no wars and fightings2 there would be no more thieves1 no more robbers1 no more murderers1 no more profane persons1 and drunkards1 and such like wicked persons4 ,but the ,chinese have not the ,holy ,bible4 ,they have not the wisdom1 that is from above1 which is first pure1 then peaceable1 gentle1 and easy to be entreated1 full of mercy and good fruits1 without partiality1 and without hypocrisy4 ,professing themselves to be wise1 they become fools1blasphemers of ,god1boasting of things without their measure1 and their mouth speaketh great swelling words4 ,they call their emperor the ,son of ,heaven1 and bow down before him1 and worship him as a divine being4 ,they call their empire the celestial empire4 ,they call it also the middle kingdom4 ,all the people around them1 even all the nations of the earth1the ,english and ,americans1 and all other people1 they call ignorant cruel barbarians4 ,i do not dislike the ,chinese4 ,i love them2 but ,i dislike their vices and their wickedness4 ,there is a difference in their character and conduct4 ,some are far more honest1 more kind1 more upright1 and better disposed than others4 ,usually1 not always1 the most ignorant are the most wicked4 ,the ,chinese pay considerable attention to learning4 ,they have a great many books1 some of which contain excellent precepts1 and much good instruction4 ,but the good1 which their books contain1 is almost always mixed up with more or less that is bad1 and contrary to the laws of ,god4 ,scholars in ,china are the most respectable part of the community4 ,some of their scholars of ancient times1 they say1 were perfect men2 and so now the people worship them1 and sacrifice to them4 ,they say1 also1 that of1 old families had their schools2 villages their academies2 districts their colleges2 and the nation her university4 ,of consequence1 no one was left uninstructed4 ,they say1 also1 that the schools were not intended for one class only but for all the people2that if the husbandman can exert his strength in the field2 and duly attend to his duty1 then he is a scholar1and that1 when the soldiers all know how to venerate their superiors1 and love their relatives1 then they also are scholars4 ,these and more like these1 are the sayings of the ,chinese1 of modern times4 ,but most truly may it be said of this people1 that they say and do not4 ,whether all were1 or were not1 instructed in times of old1 ,i will not undertake to determine2 but at the present time1 it is far enough from being the case4 ,if ,i am able to continue these letters1 as ,i wish1 you will see1 by and by1 when ,i come to speak of the condition of females1 that one halfthe fairest half of the community1 are excluded from these schools1 and left uninstructed4 ,besides1 there are not a few men and boys who are left uninstructed4 ,a majority1 probably a very large majority1 of the male population1 above the age of ten years1 are taught to read and write4 ,they have numerous district schools1 and some colleges2 and multitudes make learning their essential employment4 ,but their whole system of education is wretchedly bad4 ,the ,chinese language is very curious indeed2 there is no language like it in all the world4 ,it is not at all like the ,english language4 ,they have no alphabet1no ,a1 ,b1 ,c1 and so forth4 ,they do not write with a pen1 but use a pencil made like a small paintbrush4 ,their books begin where ours end2 that is when they take a book into their hands to read1 they open it at the right hand side1 instead of the left2 and1 beginning at the top of the right hand side of the page1 read down in columns1 passing on from the right to the left1 and not from the left to the right1 as in the old ,english spellingbooks4 ,usually1 boys do not begin to learn to read until they eight or ten years old4 ,they are then sent to school1 and the master first teaches them how to pronounce the words1 and afterwards explains their meaning4 ,their first school books are very short1 and the boys are required to learn them by heart1 so that they can repeat them from beginning to end4 ,their words are very strange looking characters4 ,a very long time ago1 they say1 that a certain man1 by observing the print of the horse's foot in the sand1 and the marks on the shell of the tortoise1 first found out how to write words1 ,these words were so formed as to be a kind of picture of the things which they signified4 ,though they have been much changed since they were first found out1 yet still they have some resemblance to the object4 ,boys always study out loud in school1 which makes a great deal of noise4 ,when they have learned a few lessons1 they then begin to write4 ,the paper is so thin1 that they place the copy underneath it1 and then try to form the words just like the copy4 ,most of the boys continue at school only two or three years4 ,but those1 who are intended for scholars1 continue many years1 and are from time to time examined for degrees1 similar to ,master and ,bachelor of ,arts4 ,some men in ,china can get into office by paying money2 but all others1 who obtain offices of government1 are appointed from among the scholars1 who have received degrees3 so the great object of being scholars is1 that they may get into office1 and become rulers of the people4 ,the learning of the ,chinese is very limited and superficial4 ,they have scarcely any knowledge of astronomy1 geography1 and history4 ,and so of anatomy1 and medicine1 and chemistry1 and many other kinds of learning they are amazingly deficient4 ,the course of study for all children in ,china is nearly the same every where4 ,the first book the boy begins with is in poetry4 ,this is the meaning of the first two lines1 man's beginningnature original good1 that is the nature of man is originally good2 or1 more fully as they explain them1,all men are born virtuous and good4 ,these are the first words1 and this the first sentiment the boy learns in school4 ,the words are good enough1 and certainly very curious4 ,but what shall we say of the sentiment1the meaning of the words8 ,why does ,god require all men1 and all little children to have new hearts8 ,it is because all men have hard hearts1 hearts of stone1 and cannot love ,him4 ,why does ,he require us all to be renewed in the temper of our minds8 ,it is because that as we are born and grow up1 our minds are enmity against ,god4 ,why does ,jesus ,christ say1 ,except a man be born again1 he cannot see the kingdom of ,god6 ,because that which is born of the flesh is flesh1is not virtuous and good4 ,farewell1 dear children4 ,and may ,he1 who is the former of your bodies1 and the father of your spirits1 have mercy on you1 and send his ,holy ,spirit that you may be born again1born of the ,spirit1 be renewed in your minds1 and have new hearts1 and love and enjoy ,god forever4 ,i remain your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,viii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,nov4 #bh1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,the sailors1 or those who live constantly on the water1 ought to be mentioned as a distinct class4 ,they are1 indeed1 a very numerous people2 and1 so far as ,i know1 they are no way inferior1 or worse than those belonging to the five classes1 of which ,i have already given you some account4 ,like the seamen of ,europe and ,america1 they have been very wrongly neglected4 ,the rivers of ,china are very numerous1 and several of them are very broad1 beautiful and majestic4 ,the canals1 also1 are numerous4 ,and1 besides a number of lakes1 the country1 for an immense distance on the east1 and southeast1 is washed by the waves of the ,pacific ,ocean1forming along the coast a great number of bays and harbors4 ,on all these waters1 vast multitudes of human beings are born1 and live1 and die2having1 many of them while they live1 no home but a boat1 or a ship1 and when they die1 no winding sheet and grave but the waters4 ,on the north bank of one of these rivers1 stand the city and suburbs of ,canton4 ,the river varies in its breath4 ,at this place1 ,i should think it about forty or fifty rods wide4 ,in another letter1 ,i may tell you something about ,canton4 ,i will only state here1 that the buildings extend quite down to the river3 and in many places1 even the ground has been built out beyond the former bank1 and in some places much farther than in others1 which makes many nooks and corners4 ,these1 and indeed1 a considerable part of the river1 for three or four miles1 seem to be almost covered with boats2 which are of various descriptions1 and in all1 probably amount to not less than forty or fifty thousand4 ,the tanka boats are the smallest and most numerous4 ,tanks means an egghouse1 and the boats are so called because they resemble an egg floating on the water4 ,the smallest of these boats are not more than twelve or fifteen feet long1 about six broad1 and so high1 that a person can stand up in them4 ,their covering is very light1 and can be easily adjusted to the state of the weather4 ,whole families live in these boats2 and often besides a good number of children1 raise broods of ducks and chickens1 which they lash on the outside of the boats in coops4 ,ferryboats differ from the tanks1 only by being a little longer and narrower1 and not quite so high4 ,there is a ferry right opposite to the place where ,i live4 ,four hundred dollars are paid for it annually2 and the ferrymen1 or rather women1 who row and scull the boats1 usually carry eight persons at a time1 and each person's fare is eight cash1 of which about eight hundred make a dollar4 ,the scull is a kind of long oar1 balanced on a pivot close to one side of the stern of the boat4 ,this they make use of as the fish does of his tail1 thrusting it out1 and pulling it to them again1 without ever lifting it above water4 ,by this oar1 worked in this manner1 not only the ferryboats1 but other1 and much larger boats1 are urged forward to the greatest possible advantage4 ,it would require a large book to give you a full account of all the different kinds of boats1 and ships1 and the people that live in them4 ,hundreds of passageboats to ,canton1 come and go daily4 ,these are something like the ferryboats1 only they are much larger3some of them are thirty forty1 or even fifty or more feet in length4 ,they are furnished with one very large mat sail2 also with oars1 sculls1 poles and ropes4 ,when there is no wind1 and the water is shallow1 the boats are pushed along with the poles2 or1 if they are close along the bank of a river or canal1 ropes are tied to the top of the mast1 and the men going on the shore drag the boats along like horses4 ,the number of sailors1 or waterhands1 the ,chinese call them1 vary according to the size of the boatssay from ten to twenty1 and upwards2 and the number of passengers1 from ten to one hundred1 and upwards4 ,the canalboats are large1 fine1 noble boats1 and often carry immense burdens4 ,numbers of these may always be seen on the river at ,canton4 ,they are usually propelled by the same means1 and in the same way1 that the passageboats are4 ,there are also many smugglingboats1 and government cruisers4 ,the smuggling boats carry prohibited goods1 and such articles as opium4 ,this is an unlawful and wicked business4 ,the cruisers1 or soldierboats1 as the ,chinese call them1 are pretty well manned2 but not much feared1 even by the smugglers1 whom they are commanded to seize1 and destroy4 ,indeed1 the men of the cruisers will often take bribes1 and so let the smugglers pass2 and not only so1 but they will themselves1 also1 engage in the same wicked business4 ,dragonboats1 so named from their appearance1 are seen annually1 on the #agth of ,june4 ,they are brought out to celebrate a kind of festival2 the story about the origin1 and object of which1 ,i have not time to tell you4 ,these boats are1 sometimes1 one hundred feet long1 made to resemble a great snake on the water4 ,well supplied with drums1 and gongs1 and flags1 and men with paddles1 they make a curious figure4 ,the duckboats1 which are about the size of the large ferryboats1 having balanced on each side a large square pen1 or coop1 containing several hundreds of ducks1 are very curious objects4 ,by letting down a kind of trapdoor1 the ducks are let out1 every day1 to get their food1 and play in the water1 and1 sometimes1 along the shore2 and at night1 they all come back and are driven into the boats4 ,thousands of ducks are raised in this way for the market4 ,the ,chinese have1 also1 many large vessels1 some of which are soldiership1 and others are merchantships4 ,most of these are very rude indeed1 and usually furnished with wooden anchors1 and a helm or rudder of most monstrous size1 awkwardly constructed4 ,the number of men in these vessels varies from forty or fifty to three hundred and upwards4 ,these merchantships are those alluded to in a former letter1 which go to ,singapore1 ,batavia1 c41 and are usually called junks4 ,the fishingboats are the last ,i can mention4 ,they are very numerous1 and of almost every size and description4 ,when beholding the occupants of these boats1 ,i have often been reminded of the fishermen of ,galilee1 whom our blessed ,saviour taught1 and chose to be his apostles4 ,but1 alas1 for all these poor sailors1 and fishermen6 no man cares for their souls4 ,like brutes they live1 like brutes they die4 ,again1 dear children1 ,i bid you adieu6 and remain your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,ix4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #c1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,i will now1 as ,i have desired1 proceed to tell you about the character and condition of females in ,china4 ,all that ,i can write1 will give you only an imperfect idea of their degradation4 ,women1 who have been born and nurtured in ,christian lands1 and have never seen with their own eyes the desolations of the human race in heathen countries1 can never know how much they ought to value the blessings of the gospel4 ,in ,christian lands1 certainly in ,america1 females constitute the most amiable1 the most virtuous1 and the happiest part of the community4 ,exactly the opposite is true here4 ,they are the most ugly1 the most vicious1 and the most miserable4 ,i do not mean that they are born so1 or are so by nature4 ,by nature all are alike2 for ,god1 that made the world1 and all things therein1 hath made of one blood all nations of men1 for to dwell on all the face of the earth4 ,thus saith ,god in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,but see now what the ,chinese say3 ,when a man is born1 he sleeps on a bed2 ,he is clothed in robes1 and plays with germs2 ,but when a daughter is born1 she sleeps on the ground2 ,she is clothed with a wrapper and plays with a tile2 ,she is incapable either of evil or of good3 ,if she does ill1 she is not a woman2 ,if she does well1 she is not a woman2 ,virtue and vice cannot belong to woman4 ,these1 dear children1 are the words of one of the ancient wise men of ,china4 ,and the present condition of females1 is in exact accordance with the sentiment which they contain4 ,females are treated as if they were incapable either of evil1 or of good4 ,there are no schools for girls4 ,very few indeed receive any education4 ,only here and there one1 a solitary individual1 is able either to read or to write4 ,such ignorance1 and such degradation1 do not destroy female influence1 but leave it to corrupt1 and to be corrupted4 ,thus1 in the very nursery1 and in the mother's arms1 where the story of ,christ crucified ought often to be repeated1 and where all the first principles of our holy religion should constantly be taught1 the little child is left1 not only uninstructed in all that is goodbut left1 to follow vain imaginations1 and a mind which is enmity against ,god4 ,you1 dear children1 have received1 and continue to receive much good instruction from your parentsespecially from your mothers4 ,you have line upon line1 and precept upon precept4 ,it is not so with little children in ,china4 ,by precept1 and by example1 they are taught things contrary to the law of ,godtaught to dishonor ,god4 ,they are trained up in the way they should not go1 and when they are old1 they do not depart from it4 ,females in ,china are not like ancient mothers in ,israel4 ,they are not like multitudes of excellent women now in ,christian lands4 ,females are regarded as a very inferior part of the community4 ,they are often doomed to the lowest and severest labor4 ,i have often seen the mother1 with an infant tied on her back1 laboring hard in rowing her husband's boat1 while he sat at his ease1 smoking his pipe4 ,females of the poorer class1 are every where to be seen meanly attired1 and usually barefooted4 ,those of the higher classes1 seldom1 if ever appear abroad4 ,whey they do go out1 it is always in sedans2partly1 ,i suppose1 that they may not be seen1 and partly1 because of their little feet4 ,the small foot is an odd thing4 ,a ,chinese historian says1 ,it is not known when the bow foot 7that is1 the small foot7 of females was introduced4 ,about nine hundred years ago1 a certain prince1 says the same historian1 ordered his concubine to bind her foot with silk1 and cause it to appear small1 and in the shape of the new moon4 ,from this sprung the imitation of every other female4 ,this is quite like that fashion in ,america1 of lacing so tight as to bring on the consumption4 ,it is astonishing to what a small size their feet are sometimes compressed4 ,the toes1 with the exception of the great toe1 are doubled under the foot1 in the tenderest infancy1 and fastened by tight bandages1 till they unite with and are buried in1 the sole of the foot4 ,this utterly unfits them for walking1 and gives them1 when they attempt it1 an awkward1 hobbling gait1 like a person trying to walk on his heels4 ,some of their feet1 ,i have been told1 are no more than three inches long4 ,these are what they call the golden lilies1 are regarded as the very perfection of beauty4 ,i have sent one of these1 or rather a model of one of these along with the box of idols1 to the ,seminary at ,andover4 ,female children are often sold4 ,and there are strong reasons for believing1 that there are cases where parents drown their infant female children1 in order to free themselves from the care and expense of nursing and supporting them4 ,mention is made of this fact1 in their books4 ,since ,i have been in ,china1 ,i have not seen or heard of a single case4 ,i do not think it true1 certainly not in this part of ,china1 that the inhabitants throw out by thousands their new born infants into the streets1 so that they are gathered up by the scavengers every morning4 ,but that great numbers of female children1 that have been nursed and reared to the age of six1 eight1 ten1 or twelve years1 are sold1 ,i have no doubt4 ,little girls are very often sold4 ,sometimes they are sold by their parents4 ,sometimes they are sold by robbers1 who have stolen them away from their parents4 ,this practice is very common in ,canton1 and in other places in the south of ,china4 ,sometimes1 when they are sold by the parents1 it is on condition1 that at a certain age1 the buyer shall procure for them a husband1 and set them at liberty4 ,at other times1 and usually1 they are sold unconditionally4 ,not long ago1 ,i knew a case1 where a little girl1 eleven years of age1 was sold for fifty dollars4 ,a great many of the most beautiful female children among the poor are sold1 and carried away to be the inmates of those abominable abodes1 of which it is almost a shame even to speak4 ,in the ,bible1 they are called the way to hell2 going down to the chambers of death4 ,there are many hundreds of these wicked houses in and about ,canton4 ,they are just like those bad boats1 those floating sepulchres1 mentioned in the last letters4 ,a great many of the poor1 abandoned creatures that inhabit them1 become weary with life1 and kill themselves2 sometimes three or four more in a company1 and at one time4 ,the ,judge of ,canton recently stated1 that eight or nine tenths of the untimely deaths brought to the notice of government1 were suicides2 and that six or seven tenths were women4 ,with this sad story1 ,i must close this letter4 ,i could relate many facts of the same sort4 ,but ,i think ,i have told you enough2enough to show you how miserably the fairest half of the human family will always be degraded1 and abused1 until they have the ,bible1 and enjoy the blessings of the ,christian religion4 ,farewell4 ,your true friends1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,x4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #e1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,in my last letter1 ,i told you about the character and condition of females in ,china4 ,in this1 ,i will give you an account of the marriage ceremony4 ,it will1 still farther illustrate the character of this people1 and help to cherish1 and establish in your young and tender minds1 a strong desire for the salvation of this people4 ,today is the first ,monday in the month4 ,and it is now1 here1 just about noon4 ,with you it is midnight1 and the ,sabbath has just departed1 leaving all the inhabitants of my dear native land in quiet slumbers4 ,happy1 happy land4 ,happy1 thrice happy children4 ,how different here4 ,alas1 how different6 ,the natural darkness which at this hour gathers around your habitations1 and the cold1 northern blasts of winter that sweep over the hills of ,new ,england1 are fit emblems of the thick moral darkness1 and deathlike desolations that gather around us here4 ,without1 all is dark as midnighta howling wastea desert of immortal souls4 ,my heart aches1 as ,i stand and gaze at gloomy prospects4 ,but within1 we have a little light3 a little fire has been kindled up4 ,a few namestwo or threehope to join the concert this evening4 ,it is cheering to think1 what multitudes1 as the earth rolls round will bow the knee in prayer before the throne of ,god1 and continue the voice of fervent supplication1 till you1 dear children1 and thousands and thousands of others1 shall be found pleading with ,god4 ,and oh1 remember ,china4 ,pray for the missionaries4 ,pray for the heathen ,pray for the rulers4 ,pray for the people4 ,pray for the poor childrenand for the uninstructed1 neglected1 and degraded females4 ,pray that they may all receive the word of ,god2 read it2 obey it2 be sanctified through it2 and thereby made fit for heaven4 ,in ,china a man often has two or more wives2 and sometimes1 eight or ten4 ,i have heard of one man1 now living in ,canton1 who has twentyfour3 and says1 he means to have a new one every year4 ,of my three boys1 of whom ,i hope to tell you more by and bythe oldest one's father has two wives1 the second one's1 four1 and third one's father1 only one4 ,in ,china1 as in ancient ,judea1 children are often espoused1 when quite young4 ,but they are not usually married1 until girls arrive at the age of #ad or #af2 and boys to the age of #ah or #bj years4 ,when parents wish to have a daughter married1 they write on a sheet of red paper1 the year1 month1 day1 and hour of her birth1 and give the paper to a gobetweenmatchmaker1 who carries it to the house of the intended husband1 and brings back1 from his parents1 a similar statement4 ,after this the girl's father is introduced to the young man1 and his mother on the other side1 is introduced to the girl4 ,many presents of fancy articles1 dresses1 meats1 cakes1 fruits1 and the like are then interchanged1 and the marriage contract is considered as settled4 ,two1 three1 four or more years1 or perhaps only a few months elapse1 which time is usually regulated by the age of the parties1 and then other1 and more valuable gifts are reciprocated2 and another interval of months1 or years passes away1 and then comes the wedding day4 ,on that day the young man sends a sedan to bring home the bride4 ,this sedan is always elegant1 and often superb1 costing several hundred dollars4 ,it is made quite like those described in a former letter1 but always so constructed as entirely to conceal the person carried in it4 ,in this sedan1 the young woman is seated by her parents1 and tears are shed both by the daughter and parents1 as she is separated from them1 and borne off in the marriage procession4 ,this is often a very long procession1 sometimes consisting of several hundred persons1 some in the procession carrying embroidered canopies2 others carrying large1 elegant lanterns2 others bearing pots of incense2 and others laden with the girl's toilet wardrobe1 bedding1 furniture1 provisions1 cakes1 sweetmeats1 c4 ,among others are bands of musicians4 ,i have seen in a single procession eight bands1 and six or eight persons in each band4 ,some of the bands1 and some of the bearers of the incense pots and the other things1 consist of boys #h1 or #aj1 or #ab years old1 fancifully dressed in uniform4 ,in one instance1 ,i have seen a band of girls in the procession4 ,they were six in number1 neatly dressed1 two about nine years of age1 two of twelve1 and two of fifteen4 ,they were all on foot1 immediately preceding the sedan2 and close behind it1 carried on men's shoulders1 in the same manner as the sedan1 was a sty containing a monstrous hog4 ,when the procession arrives at the gate of the bridegroom's house1 he meets the sedan1 and conducts it to an inner apartment1 when1 for the first time1 he is permitted to see the face of his bride4 ,two or three days are then spent in festivity1 and a long1 tedious round of ceremonies1 worshipping their household gods1 the gods of their ancestors1 c4 ,many of their friends call to see1 and congratulate them4 ,and thus the marriage ceremony is consummated4 ,it appears1 that in all this business1 the children have nothing to say4 ,according to the laws and usage of the land1 it is the children's duty to receive the object of their parent's choice1 ,nothing in ,china can be more absolute than a parent's' authority4 ,in certain cases1 it may1 and does with impunity1 take the life of the child4 ,such authority is liable to abuse2 and often in connexion with such a strange system of wedlock1 it becomes a must fruitful source of dislike1 deception1 strife1 hatred1 and almost every other evil passion4 ,the ,chinese have many laws on the subject of marriages1 specifying all the steps necessary in order to make them legal2 and showing1 also1 how and when they may be set aside1 or be broken4 ,it has been stated on good authority1 that ,through the ,chinese empire1 there are only about one hundred family names4 ,one law is1 that persons of the same family namesurnamemay not intermarry4 ,it would be curious to know the reason of this4 ,another law is1 that taking a second wife1 after the decease of the first1 or in purchasing concubines1 the man is at liberty to see the females1 and choose for himself4 ,a widow1 also1 who is desirous of wedding a second time1 does not hesitate to show herself to the intended husband4 ,their laws mention seven cases1 in which a man may be justified in putting away his wife2 7#a47 barrenness2 7#b47 lasciviousness2 7#c47 disregard of her husband's parents2 7#d47 talkativeness2 7#e47 thievish propensities2 7#f47 envious and suspicious temper2 7#g47 inveterate infirmity4 ,there are several other topics on which ,i wish to write before ,i close these letters4 ,in the next1 ,i will tell you about the beggars4 ,farewell4 ,ever and always remembering you in my prayers1 ,i remain1 your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xi4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #g1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,for ye have the poor with you always1 said our ,savior1 and whensoever ye will1 ye may do them good4 ,in connexion with what ,i have to tell you about the beggars1 ,i wish to give you some account of the food and clothing1 common and peculiar among the ,chinese4 ,the proportion of poor people and beggars1 and the difference between the rich and the poor1 is ,i think1 much greater here than in the ,united ,states4 ,the ,chinese are rather fond of dress4 ,the rich1 and all who can afford it1 and many who cannot1 usually dress very well4 ,sometimes their dresses are rich and costly3 and children here1 as every where else1 are fond enough of fine1 gay clothing4 ,and prettier lads certainly1 ,i have rarely seen1 than some of the ,chinese boys1 when neatly dressed4 ,sometimes1 however1 the little fellows1 with their great boots1 and one garment piled on another to the number of six or eight1 or even more1 and the long tail hanging down to their heels1 and the head crowned with a long tasseled cap1 make a very ridiculous appearance4 ,the whole dress of the ,chinese is different from ours4 ,to begin with the shoes and boots2 these are made with black1 brown1 or red cloth1 for the upper part1 while the soles are of leather or wood1 an inch or more in thickness1 with snow white edges4 ,they usually wear long white silk1 or linen stockings1 made of cloth2 sometimes knit4 ,these are drawn up to the knee1 and fastened with garters4 ,sometimes the stockings are drawn over the trowsers2 at other times1 they are made1 or worn at least1 like the old fashioned short breeches4 ,these three articles are usually the same through the year1 and vary only in quality1 according to the circumstances of the persons1 being made every where in the same old fashion4 ,beggars are often seen in the streets1 in the most loathsome condition1 with no other clothing than a tattered pair of trowsers2 indeed many of the laborers in the fields and shops1 during the warm weather1 wear nothing elsebut in the latter case1 the articles are of good material1 and well made4 ,their trowsers are never supported by braces over the shoulders1 but always1 among the rich and poor alike1 by a girdle about the loins4 ,to this girdle in front1 a small bag or wallet is attached2 this is an indispensable1 and in it1 they carry cash1 a small knife1 c4 c4 ,in ,america1 the man who has not a shirt to his back1 must be poor indeed4 ,in ,china1 the poor seldom have such an article2 and not a few1 even among the gentlefolks1 often go without it1 especially in summer4 ,in which case1 the only dress1 in addition to shoes1 stockings1 and trowsers1 is a long frock1 made quite like that worn by farmers in ,new ,england1 at haymaking4 ,all the upper garments1 whether for warm weather or cold1 are made in the same fashion1 with long1 large sleeves1 and without any collars for the neck4 ,these garments are sometimes short1 only coming down to the waistbut sometimes to the knees1 or ancles4 ,they are fastened with small round buttons and loops1 either down in front1 or under one arm4 ,when the weather grows cold1 they increase the number of these garments1 putting on five1 or six1 or eight1 or even more at a time4 ,some of these garments1 when made of silk1 or broadcloth1 and fastened close about the waist with a sash1 make a very fine dress4 ,their shortest frocks are frequently made of fur4 ,the common covering for the head is a kind of skullcap2 but in warm weather all the people go bareheaded1 with nothing but a fan 7which they always carry7 to keep off the sun4 ,they have a cloth or wool hat1 of a conical form1 like the unfinished hats1 sometimes seen in hatters' shops4 ,they have also a hat made of fine bamboo1 in the same form1 and yet another kind with a brim so broad1 that it serves as an umbrella1 either to keep off the sun or the rain4 ,such is a description of the ordinary clothing of the common and poorer classes of people2 that of the rich is usually quite in the same style1 but the quality of the articles always superior4 ,the rich also wear ornamental articles1 as beads1 bracelets1 c4 c4 ,the dress of the females is not very unlike that of men2they usually wear trowsers1 and a folded petticoat1 depending several inches below their frocks4 ,their headdress is very pretty2 the hair is tastefully folded on the back on the head1 and fastened by a neat brace and pin4 ,they are remarkably fond of flowers on their headsnot artificial1 but natural ones4 ,the mourning dress is not blackbut white1 or what approaches almost to whitebut more of this in another letter4 ,rice1 among the ,chinese1 in this part of the empire1 is the staff of life4 ,multitudes obtain no other food4 ,to breakfast1 is to eat morning rice3this is at ten o'clock4 ,to dine or sup1 is to eat evening rice3this meal they have about five o'clock1 ,p4,m4 ,when they can obtain a little salt or dried fish1 a few vegetables to eat with their rice1 and also tea1 which they always drink without milk or sugar1 then they have good living1 and these few simple articles constitute the ordinary food and drink1 among the common and poorer classes4 ,a single kettle to boil their ricea pan to fry their fish and vegetablesa large bowl for the boiled riceand a small bowl and a pair of chopsticks1 make up the whole of their table furniture1 if indeed they are so happy as to have a table4 ,but whether they have or not1 the large bowl of rice forms the centre1 and around this squat on their heels1 or seated on wooden stools1 they arrange themselves1 and receive their humble fare1 with no doubtful marks of a good relish4 ,from these poor people1 the common and richer classes differ1 only in the amount and quality of their furniture1 and provisions2 the style as in the case of dress1 being nearly the same through all the grades of society4 ,the tables of the rich are often very sumptuous4 ,there is nothing1 scarcely1 whether vegetable or animal1 which the ,chinese do not eat4 ,besides all kinds of fish1 birds1 horned cattle1 sheep and hogs1 they eat horses1 dogs1 cats1 rats1 c4 ,tea is used in great abundance1 and is almost their only beverage4 ,they seldom drink water alone1 because they think it unhealthy4 ,the ,chinese are not greatly addicted to the use of strong drink2 less1 probably1 than the ,christian people of ,europe and ,america4 ,this1 ,i think1 is in no small degree1 owing to their constant use of tea4 ,i have not time to extend these remarks2 you see there is no lack of inquiry about what we shall eat1 and what we shall drink1 and wherewithal we shall be clothed4 ,these are the very things after which the ,gentiles seek2 and they seek them with their whole soul1 and mind1 and strength4 ,yet great numbers liveperhaps are compelled to livesolely by begging4 ,in ,canton1 beggars are very numerous4 ,they have1 it is said1 laws for begging1 and a head man1 who among the foreigners is called the king of the beggars4 ,men and women of all ages1 may be seen begging2 great numbers of them are blind4 ,when they go through the streets1 they carry in one hand a cane to feel their way1 and in the other a dish or bag to receive money or food1 or any thing people please to give them4 ,sometimes they are seen in companies1 of #c1 #d1 #f1 or #aj1 or even more2 they hollow or sing1 or rather cry out as they go4 ,one of their laws is1 that when they enter a house or shop1 they will not go till something is given them4 ,with bamboo sticks1 or gongs1 they set up a most vexatious clatter1 and in this way trouble and annoy people1 till they give them something2 and1 if it be no more than a single cash1 then they must be off4 ,your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #i1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,having no fear of ,god before their eyes1 the ,chinese often become very wicked and guilty of numerous crimes1 not only against ,him1 whose eternal power and godhead they deny1 but against their fellowmen4 ,this wickedness and these crimes1 expose them to many and very severe punishments4 ,lying1 gambling1 quarrelling1 theft1 robbery1 and bribery1 are among their most common vices4 ,there are five punishments2 7#a47 to beat with a small bamboo2 7#b47 to beat with a large bamboo2 7#c47 banishment to another district or province2 7#d47 perpetual banishment to the borders of the empire2 and 7#e47 death4 ,these five1 are sometimes reduced to three1 the bamboo1 banishment1 and death4 ,it may be remarked1 also1 that these punishments are sometimes exchanged for others4 ,lying1 among a great majority of the population1 seems to be regarded as a very small offence1provided the lie be not detected4 ,there are men1 ,i believe1 who will not lie2 but while this great wickedness is disallowed of by a few1 multitudes will ever and always practise it2 if they only suppose they shall be the gainers thereby4 ,officers of ,government will tell lies to one another4 ,the people will lie to the magistrates2 children to their parents2 and servants to their masters4 ,instead of supposing every man to be honest1 until he is proved to be a rogue1 they seem to regard every one as a rogue1 until he proves himself to be honest4 ,gambling is a chief crying sin among the ,chinese4 ,they are notorious gamblers4 ,old and young1 rulers and subjects1 rich and poor1 will gamble2 nor have they much regard to the time1 or place1 when they gamble4 ,i have often seen them gambling in their temples4 ,thousands are ruined by this sin4 ,quarrels spring up from lying1 and gambling1 and other wicked practices1 just as surely as briers1 thorns1 and thistles spring up in a rich but uncultivated soil4 ,their strange mode of marriage too1 is a fruitful source of quarrels4 ,as to their quarrels1 it has been well said1,a ,chinese would stand and reason with a man1 when an ,englishman would knock him down1 or an ,italian stab him4 ,it is needless to say which is the more rational mode of proceeding4 ,i am not aware that the ,chinese ever fight duelsthough in their quarrels1 persons are often killed4 ,they are great scolds1 and use the most obscene and abusive language4 ,theft and robbery are the most common among the poor1 though it is not confined to them4 ,among such multitudes of beggars1 it often happens1 that they cannot obtain sufficient food and clothing to make themselves comfortable4 ,by gambling also1 multitudes are reduced to beggary and want2 hence come bands of thieves and robbers1 trained and prepared for any and every thing that is evil4 ,theft and robbery constitute one of the greatest scourges in this land2 and no part of the country1 from one extremity of the empire to the other1 is free and secure from this evil4 ,since ,i commenced this letter1 one of my boys has told me of a case of this kind1 which has just occurred in the neighborhood4 ,it is as follows2two men1 dressed like poor females1 entered a rich man's house late in the evening1 and wished to be lodged there during the night4 ,this privilege was granted them4 ,when all were asleep1 they silently put off their false dress1 packed up a large number of rich articles belonging to the house1 and were about to escape1 when they were discovered1 seized1 carried away to the magistrates and sentenced to be beheaded4,though decapitation is not the severest punishment1 yet more than two hundred instances of it have occurred in ,canton in a single year4 ,bribery is very common in ,china2 perverting just judgment1 and screening the guilty4 ,this wickedness is most common among the rich4 ,almost all the rulers of the land1 will take bribes4 ,many defrauders and injurious persons1 many thieves1 and robbers1 and murderers1 escape through bribes4 ,money is seen to be1 here1 the root of all evil4 ,a little silver physic1 it is said1 has often brought a dead man to life4 ,the immense quantity of opium that is smoked here1 is a most fruitful source of crime4 ,many of the practised villains1 when they wish to contrive new plans of wickedness1 have recourse to this black commodity3 which produces a most astonishing effect1 in enabling the smokers to frame new schemes of darkness4 ,it has been said1 and by a man of sound judgment and correct observation1 7,i am sorry to say that he is an ,american1 and an extensive dealer in opium17 that the drug is doing more to break down the superstitions of ,china1 and to open the country to foreigners1 than all the efforts of missionaries4 ,there is a degree of apparent truth in this man's very honest remark1 and ,i think just as much real truth1 as if he had said1 to set fire to their houses1 and butcher the inhabitants1 will do more to break down the superstitions of ,china1 and open the country to foreigners1 than all the efforts of ,bibles1 and tracts1 and missionaries4 ,whether it be a crime or not1 to bring and sell opium to this people2and whether it be a crime or not1 for this people to use it1 when brought and sold by the hands of ,christians1 ,i will not undertake to say1but ,i believe1 stubborn facts compel me to believe1 that of all the causes of crime1 among the inhabitants of the ,chinese empire1 ,,opium1 brought and sold at the rate of a million of dollars per month1 is the greatest4 ,it is nothing better1 than to scatter firebrands1 arrows1 and death4 ,simply being put in prison1 seems hardly to be regarded as a punishment among this people2 though multitudes are imprisoned and suffered greatly thereby4 ,the common instruments of punishment are1 7#a47 the bamboo1 about the size of large cane2 7#b47 the yoke1 a heavy plank three feet square1 and thirtythree pounds weight2 7#c47 the chain to fasten the criminals to the block2 7#d47 handcuff1 large and long1 made of wood2 and 7#e47 iron fetters4 ,such are some of the most common crimes1 and such are the instruments of punishment in ,china4 ,to determine the degree of criminality1 and fix the punishment accordingly1 is among most nations very difficult1 but the ,chinese make it very easy1 at least they make it appear so in their law books1 ,the degrees of punishment are twenty1the first ten1 are with bamboo2 the next eight1 banishment2 the last two1 death4 ,for a very small offence1 amounting to the first degree of criminality1 the offender may receive ten blows2 increasing his guilt five times1 the fifty blows1 c4 ,these blows may be changed for the yoke1 the chain1 the handcuffs1 c4 ,for some of the larger crimes1 as bribery and the like1 persons are bambooed1 and then sent into banishment4 ,sometimes1 only from one province to another1 as from the north to the south1 and from the south to the north2 at other times1 criminals are sent a long distance1 to the frontiers of the empire1 for many years1 and even for life4 ,the highest degrees of crime are punishable with death4 ,the most common mode of inflicting death1 is by cutting off the head1 and this is done by a kind of short sword4 ,for very heinous crimes1 the offender is sentenced to be cut into ten thousand pieces4 ,i intended to have said something to you1 on the subject of slavery in ,china but must pass it by without a single remark4 ,again adieu4 ,your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xiii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #aj1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,then shall the dust return to the dust as it was2 and the spirit shall return unto ,god who gave it4 ,in an empire so ancient and populous as ,china1 the number of human beings that have returned to the earth1 must be great indeed2 greater than any man can number4 ,for more than thirty hundred years1 one generation after another1 in awfully rapid succession1 have gone to the dead4 ,almost all the hills and uplands about ,canton and ,macao1 which are not covered with the habitations of the living1 are filled with the abodes of dead4 ,in ,macao1 almost every rod of ground1 which is safe from water1 even to hard1 rocky hill tops1 has some emblem1a turfed hillock1 a stone1 or a little enclosure1 to remind the visiter of the sleepers below4 ,when ,i have walked over these grounds1these abodes of the dead1 thoughts have arisen in the mind1 which you may conceive1 but which ,i cannot express4 ,o1 what multitudes will rise here1 at the sound of the last trumpet6 ,what vast congregations will come up from these burying places1 and stand with us before the judgment seat of ,christ6 ,every day is adding to the number of this vast congregation4 ,death does not wait for his victimsdeath does not wait till the heathen have the gospel preached unto them4 ,and unless these multitudes of the living1 speedily obtain mercy of him1 of whom they are now ignorant1 how shall they come forth to the resurrection of life8 ,will the heathen be saved1 who never heard the gospel8 ,i ask you1 dear children1 do you think the heathen can be saved1 unless the gospel be preached unto them1 and they believe in the name of ,jesus8 ,it is very painful to all think1 that all the millions of our fellow creatures1 who are now ignorant of the ,savior1 must1 when they die1 sink down to hell4 ,but how can it be otherwise8 ,whosoever shall call upon the name of the ,lord shall be saved4 ,but how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed8 and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard8 ,and how shall they hear without a preacher8 ,and how shall they preach1 except they be sent6 ,and now1 dear children1 ,i desire to ask again1 what do you think of these words1 which ,i have quoted from the tenth chapter of ,romans8 ,what do you think ,st4 ,paul meant8 ,he means to say1if ,i understand him1 he means to affirm1in the most positive manner1 by the questions which he asks1 that the heathen1 who do not hear and believe the gospel1 cannot be saved4 ,i fear that many very good people have wrong ideas on this subject2 and do not consider and realize the awful condition of the heathen2 for ,i am persuaded1 that if they did see and realize1 they would do very differently from what they ever have done yet2 they would feel and act as ,jesus ,christ did2 they would be willing to become poor1 to labor and toil1 and even die for the salvation of the heathen4 ,with a desire that you may have correct ideas of the real condition of the ,chinese1 ,i have been urged on to write these letters4 ,i have stated many facts2 but you will desire1 ,i presume1 to know something more about their ideas of death1 style of mourning1 funerals1 c4 ,having very little if any knowledge of the true ,god1 the ,chinese are entirely ignorant of another world3of heaven and hell1of the joys of the one1 and the terrors of the other1 as revealed in the ,bible4 ,all their notions about the soul of man1 are very dark and confused4 ,many think that the soul dies1 and ceases to exist with the body4 ,others think that when the body dies1 the soul goes away and enters into other bodiesbirds1 beasts1 or men4 ,all this ignorance makes the ,chinese very careless about death1 and all that which is to come upon them4 ,they die like the brutes4 ,such are their ideas of death4 ,when a parent dies1 a messenger is sent to announce it to all the relatives4 ,a board1 or a long slip of brownish white paper1 is hung up at the door1 on which is written the person's name1 age1 and virtues1 c4 ,the children and grandchildren of the deceased1 sit on the ground1 and weep and mourn4 ,relations come in and dress the corpse2 and many long and tedious ceremonies are performed4 ,usually1 after three times seven days1 the funeral takes place4 ,a large concourse of friends and mourners assemble2 and a procession is formed with priests1 bands of music1 flags1 c4 c4all quite like one of the marriage processions1 which ,i have already described4 ,meats1 fruits1 cakes of various kinds1 are carried as offerings to the dead1 and the procession moves on to the burying place4 ,this is always selected with great care1 and is usually a hill4 ,only two things1 it has been said1 are feared by the ,chinese after death1 a watery grave1 and a white ant sepulchre4 ,it is not every day1 that they may bury the dead2 they must wait for a luckday4 ,many of these processions may be seen in a single day4 ,some of the funerals are very expensive4 ,two occurred in this neighborhood last summer2 one of a father1 the other of a wife1 on each of which more than ten thousand dollars were expended4 ,the mourning costume is like a brownish white1 with a perfectly white napkin around the head1 and sometimes around the loins2 and their shoes are exchanged for sandals4 ,by the death of a father1 a son is disqualified for1 and is obliged to retire from office1 for three years4 ,great care must be taken to have a good burying place2 and for want of such1 and means to bury the dead1 bodies sometimes lie months and years in coffins1 unburied4 ,there were ten thousand such in ,canton last year4 ,i know of one family where there are thirteen in this state4 ,but from the accounts of the dead1 ,i think you will be willing1 if not glad1 to have me desist4 ,i will do so2 and1 if the ,lord will1 ,i desire to proceed and give you some account of what has been done for ,china4 ,in the next letter1 ,i propose to speak of the labors of the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,morrison1 ,tell then1 farewell4 ,your true friends1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xiv4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #ab1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,you know the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that though he was rich1 yet for our sakes he became poor1 that we1 through his poverty1 might be made rich4 ,you know how1 while on earth1 he went about doing good2 how he loved poor sinners1 and wept because they repented not2 and how he loved little children1 and used to take them in his arms and bless them4 ,you remember how1 at a certain time1 he went out into a mountain to pray1 and continued all night in prayer to ,god4 ,and you remember1 how1 just before he went back to heaven1 he commanded his disciples to go and teach all nations1 baptizing them in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,i will now tell you what has been done to make known the gospel of ,god among the ,chinese4 ,some have supposed that ,st4 ,thomas1 one of the twelve apostles1 came into ,china1 and preached the gospel2 and one man1 a ,portuguese1 has supposed that he even passed to ,america4 ,there is no proof of all this1 and nobody now believes it4 ,but it is very probable1 though not quite certain1 that some missionaries from ,syria1 came into ,china1 about seven hundred years after the death of ,christ4 ,roman ,catholic missionaries came into ,china more than five hundred years ago1 and have continued here ever since4 ,at one time1 they had a great many converts1 but now they have very few1 for they have been persecuted1 and most of the missionaries driven out of the country4 ,the ,catholics1 all the time they have been in this country1 have never given the ,chinese the ,bible4 ,the very first thing ,protestant ,christians ever thought of doing for the ,chinese1 was to give them the ,holy ,bible3 ,this was a most excellent plan4 ,it was first suggested by that good man1 ,joseph ,hardcastle1 ,esq4 of ,england4 ,he was then the treasurer of the ,london ,missionary ,society4,but as yet the ,bible had never been translated into the ,chinese language1 and there was nobody able to translate it4 ,so the ,society resolved to send out a mission1 and the ,rev41 now ,dr4 ,robert ,morrison1 was the first person who engaged to go4 ,he had1 for some time1 been thinking on the subject of missions4 ,this was just at the time when ,samuel ,j4 ,mills1 and others with him1 in ,williams ,college1 were thinking on the same subject2 and like them1 he would have gone1 ,i quote ,dr4 ,morrison's own words1 to any quarter of the globe1 where the people were yet without a divine revelation4 ,he once thought of going to ,africa1 and would doubtless have gone1 had the way been opened4 ,but the ,lord had other work for him to accomplish4 ,on the #cast of ,jan4 #ahjg1 ,dr4 ,morrison left ,england1 crossed over to the ,united ,states1 where he tarried about twenty days1 and became acquainted with some good people in ,philadelphia1 from whence he arrived in ,china on the #dth of ,september1 the same year4 ,his situation in ,china was trying enough4 ,he was alone1 without companions1 a stranger in a strange land4 ,at first he lived in a godown1 a room occupied for a store house1 or a lodgingplace for servants1 where he studied1 ate1 and slept4 ,his lamp was made of earthen ware1 and a large ,bible served for a screen to keep the wind from blowing it out4 ,he lived like the ,chinese2 put on their dress1 the long frock1 the thicksoled shoes2 let his hair grow long1 and ate with chopsticks4 ,afterwards1 he found that this was not the best way1 so he changed his dress1 and mode of living4 ,before leaving ,england1 ,dr4 ,morrison obtained an imperfect and incomplete manuscript copy of the ,new ,testament in the ,chinese language4 ,after he arrived in ,china1 he was very diligent1 night and day1 studying the language1 continually reading1 writing1 and speaking it2 and1 in about three years1 began to print the ,new ,testament in ,chinese4 ,soon after1 he published a little tract1 called1 ,the ,divine ,doctrine1 concerning the ,redemption of the ,world4 ,he also published a catechism4 ,and in #ahac1 six years after his arrival1 he completed the whole ,new ,testament4 ,it was just at this time1 when he had been in the field alone six years1 that another missionary arrived to assist him4 ,i hope to tell you more of ,dr4 ,milne1 in another letter4 ,before this time1 ,dr4 ,morrison had prepared two books about the ,chinese language1 written in ,english1 in order to assist other missionaries in learning the language4 ,he had also instructed1 for about two years1 four orphan boys4 ,i have not time1 in a single letter1 to tell you all ,i could wish1 about what he has done4 ,he has published many books1 and accomplished much in other ways4 ,in the ,chinese language1 he has prepared and published the ,new ,testament1 and two tracts above mentioned2 the largest half of the ,old ,testament1 the other half was done by ,dr4 ,milne2 an outline of the ,old ,testament history2 daily ,morning and ,evening ,prayers1 being a translation of the ,common ,prayer ,book2 also1 a ,hymn ,book2 and1 recently1 a book in three or four volumes1 called the ,family ,instructor3 making in all1 about #bj vols4 ,besides1 he has written other books1 but had not money to publish them4 ,the translation of the whole ,bible was completed in the autumn of #ahai1 and published soon after4 ,in ,english1 he has written and published two volumes of sermons and lectures2 a little book about ,china1 for ,sabbath school children2 he has also written a great many papers about ,china1 which have been printed in the ,canton newspapers1 ,the ,canton ,register1 published by an ,english gentleman1 and in the ,anglo ,chinese ,gleaner1 published at ,malacca2 and others1 printed in other places4 ,in ,chinese and ,english1 that is1 a part of each page ,chinese1 and a part ,english1 he has written and published six quarto volumes1 about the size of ,scott's ,bible1 constituting a most excellent ,dictionary2 also six octavo vols4 in the same style4 ,these twelve volumes have been prepared for the purpose of assisting those who wish to learn the ,chinese language4 ,about a year after ,dr4 ,morrison came to ,china1 the ,english ,east ,india ,company wished him to be their translator4 ,he complied1 and has ever since acted in that capacity4 ,he thought it his duty to do so1 that he might1 by the labor of his own hands1 relieve others from the burden of supporting himself and family4 ,this1 in a considerable degree1 he has done4 ,for upwards of twenty years he has received no salary from any charitable institution4 ,the ,london ,missionary ,society assist him every year in defraying a part of his houserent1 which1 in ,china1 is very highten or twelve hundred dollars annually4 ,being translator for the company1 they were willing to defray the expenses of publishing his ,dictionary1 which was more than #ab1jjj4;,and besides this1 and what he has done for the support of his own family1 it has enabled him to give between #h and #aj1jjj dollars for the promotion of ,christianity among the ,chinese2 a considerable part of this sum was expended in founding the ,anglo ,chinese ,college at ,malacca2 of this1 ,i will tell you more when ,i come to write about ,dr4 ,milne4 ,the same day he became translator to the company1 he was married to ,miss ,morton1 an excellent and pious lady1 who had a long time resided in ,india4 ,their first born son died the same day in which he breathed the breath of life4 ,the infant was interred on the top of a little hill1 at the north extremity of ,macao2 and in a beautiful enclosure1 not far from where he now sleeps1 are the earthly remains of his mother4 ,mrs4 ,morrison died ,june #aj1 #ahba4 ,in #ahbd1 ,dr4 ,morrison visited ,england1 and returned in #ahbf4 ,while in his native country1 he married ,miss ,armstrong1 a pious and accomplished lady4 ,he has now living in ,china1 six children2 four sons and two daughters4 ,his family reside at ,macao1 for the ,chinese will not allow foreign ladies to come to ,canton4 ,his eldest son1 ,john ,robert ,morrison1 is already quite a master of ,chinese1 and acts as translator to the ,british merchants in ,china4 ,dr4 ,morrison is now fifty years old1 and it is more than #bd years since he came to ,china4 ,the ,lord has been very good to him1 and has blessed him1 and given good success to the labor of his hands4 ,he has lived to see many and most glorious results from the very small beginnings he was permitted and enabled to make2 but the judgment of the great day1 only1 can display all the effects of his long and arduous labors4 ,every ,christian prays in secret2 but he has often preached in secret1 with his doors locked around him1 and only one or two to listen to the sound of the gospel4 ,no church has yet been gathered and organized in ,china4 ,several individuals have believed1 and have been baptized2 and the ,lord's supper has1 occasionally1 been administered4 ,the first baptism was in #ahad4 ,this man came to ,dr4 ,morrison's house1 and heard him talk of ,jesus1 the first year he was in ,china4 ,at a spring of water1 says ,dr4 ,morrison1 issuing from a lofty hill by the seaside1 away from human observation1 ,i baptized1 into the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,spirit1 ,tsaeako4 ,o that the ,lord may cleanse him from all sin in the blood of ,jesus1 and purify his heart by the influences of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,may he be the first fruits of a great harvest2 one of millions who shall believe1 and be saved from the wrath to come4 ,during much of his time in ,china1 ,dr4 ,morrison has preached to the ,english and ,american residents4 ,he is now with his family at ,macao2 and1 during the past season1 has usually had four religious services on each ,lord's day2 a morning and evening service in ,english1 and a morning and evening service in ,chinese4 ,from #d to #bj persons have usually attended on the ,english1 and about #ae on the ,chinese services4 ,thus1 my young friends1 ,i have given you a brief account of one whom ,god has employed in this part of the great field2 and though he has accomplished so much1 he looks upon it all as nothing4 ,he is truly a most excellent man1 and ,i love him much4 ,and ,i desire that you will always pray for him2 that the ,lord will preserve him1 and bless him more and more1 and all those who are engaged with him in the gospel4 ,i remain your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xv4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #ac1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,i told you in the last letter about ,dr4 ,morrison1 and the commencement of the mission to ,china4 ,i will now give you some account of ,dr4 ,milne1 and the missions among the ,chinese1 established out of ,china4 ,the missionary stations established among the ,chinese1 residing or settled abroad without the ,chinese empire1 may be reckoned five in number4 ,they are at the following places namely3 ,malacca1 ,penang1 ,java1 ,singapore1 and ,siam4 ,i wish you to look out all these places on the maps1 and learn from your geographies all you can about them4 ,this will assist you very much to understand and remember what you read about the missions4 ,the ,rev4 ,william1 afterwards ,dr4 ,milne1 with his wife1 arrived at ,macao in ,china1 the #dth of ,july1 #ahac1 just at the time as before stated1 when ,dr4 ,morrison had finished the translation of the ,new ,testament4 ,a day or two after his arrival1 he was ordered by the 7then7 ,portuguese ,governor of ,macao1 to leave the place immediately4 ,he did so1 and came up to ,canton4 ,here he resided for several months1 enjoying that hospitality among the heathen1 which had been denied in a ,christian colony4 ,macao is a small town4 ,you will see it on your maps1 situated #gj or #hj miles south of ,canton4 ,it is the only ,european or foreign settlement in ,china4 ,the ,portuguese have lived there two or three hundred years4 ,dr4 ,milne remained about six months2 in the mean time1 with the assistance of his friend1 ,dr4 ,morrison1 he got #b1jjj copies of the ,new ,testament1 and #ae1jjj ,christian tracts1 printed in ,chinese4 ,these he put on board a ship1 in which he embarked with #dej ,chinese emigrants1 all bound to ,java4 ,dr4 ,milne was a very active man on board ship2 and at ,java1 wherever he went1 he was delighted to give away tracts and ,bibles4 ,he loved to do good to all men1 as he had opportunity4 ,from ,java1 he went to ,malacca1 which place afterwards became his home1 and the seat of the ,anglo ,chinese college1 of which he was the first principal4 ,from ,malacca1 he returned to ,china1 conferred with ,dr4 ,morrison about the mission1 and then1 with ,mrs4 ,milne1 returned to ,malacca1 which place was not only their home1 but also their grave4 ,the one died in #ahai1 ,mrs4 ,m41 the other1 in #ahbb4 ,they left behind them four or five children1 to mourn their loss4 ,dr4 ,milne1 his wife1 and their little daughter ,amelia1 and two infant twin boys born on their passage down the ,chinese sea1 arrived at ,malacca1 ,may #ba1 #ahae4 ,this was the commencement of the mission at ,malacca4 ,schools were openedchildren collected and taughtbooks printed and circulated4 ,the ,bible was read1 and the poor had the gospel preached to thempreparations were made for the college1 and its foundation laid1 ,november #aa1 #ahah4 ,malacca1 you will see by reference to your maps1 is not far from ,china1 ,cochin ,china1 ,siam1 and many islands where great numbers of ,chinese reside4 ,it is also a healthy place1 and under a great and good government4 ,these and other considerations induced ,drs4 ,morrison and ,milne to resolve on the mission1 and the establishment of the college4 ,at the outset1 ,dr4 ,morrison gave #d1jjj for the benefit of the college1 and up to the present time1 has been its chief support1 and the ,lord has blessed and prospered the work4 ,the number of ,chinese students in the college1 has usually been about #cj4 ,the regular course of studies occupies six years4 ,the aboriginal inhabitants of ,malacca and the adjacent regions are called ,malays4 ,for this people also1 schools have been established and supported1 and they prosper4 ,many thousands of ,bibles and tracts have been printed and sent out from the college1 and these have gone far and wide1 the silent messengers of the truth of ,god4 ,the ,rev4 ,samuel ,kidd1 of the ,london ,missionary ,society1 is now principal of the college4 ,penang1 or the ,prince of ,wales ,island1 you will see by referring again to your maps1 is situated off the west coast of the peninsula of ,malaccayou will find it about the #fth degree of north latitude4 ,it is a beautiful situation1 and has a good government4 ,the number of ,chinese is about #h or #aj1jjj1 #ad or #ae1jjj ,malays4 ,there are also ,siamese and ,burmese4 ,this mission was begun in #ahai4 ,it has now two missionaries with their wives2 the ,rev4 ,s4 ,dyer for the ,chinese1 and the ,rev4 ,t4 ,beighton for the ,malays4 ,these missionaries are very devoted1 and are doing great good4 ,they have a number of schools for children1 where they teach them daily out of the ,holy ,scriptures1 of the way of salvation by ,jesus ,christ2 and by the books which the children receive1 much good instruction is conveyed to the parents4 ,but ,i have not time to give you all the particulars of this and the other stations of the straits4 ,the same year1 namely #ahai1 the mission was begun in ,java4 ,the seat of this mission is at ,batavia4 ,the elevated island of ,java1 presents some very fine tracts of country4 ,batavia itself is unhealthy1 but a few miles out of the town where foreigners generally reside1 the country is delightful1 and the climate agreeable4 ,the ,rev4 ,w4,h4 ,medhurst is the missionary at the stations4 ,he and ,mrs4 ,medhurst have been very abundant in their labors1 and as their labors multiply1 their zeal and their success increase4 ,mr4 ,medhurst has travelled in various parts of ,java and the neighboring islands1 preaching the gospel of the kingdom1 and scattering in every direction the good seed of the word of ,god4 ,another mission was commenced this same year1 #ahai4 ,this was at ,singapore1 an island situated in the straits1 not far distant from the southeastern extremity of the peninsular of ,malacca4 ,at this station1 from the commencement to the present time1 there have been laborers both for the ,malays and for the ,chinese4 ,the ,rev4 ,c4,h4 ,thompson for the ,malays1 and the ,rev4 ,j4 ,tomlin for the ,chinese4 ,these missionaries have travelled and scattered abroad the word1 especially in ,siam1 where ,mr4 ,tomlin has made two or three visitswhere ,i suppose he now is with my good friend the ,rev4 ,d4 ,abeel4 ,in the establishments of all these missions1 ,dr4 ,milne took a very lively interest4 ,he entered into the business with this whole soul4 ,he expected great things1 he attempted great things1 and he accomplished great things4 ,at the age of #bj1 he determined to become a soldier to serve abroad in ,immanuel's wars1 undertaking to destroy ,satan's kingdom4 ,he prepared himself for the conflict1 buckled on his armor1at #bg1 entered on the field of battle1 served with courage and fidelity #aj years1 and then1 worn out by useful toils and hard service1 died on his post4 ,children1 farewell2 in the next ,i will tell you of ,leang ,afa4 ,your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xvi4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #ai1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1--,you know the goodness and mercy of our ,god1 you know how he has given his dear ,son to die for us poor rebellious sinners1 and has promised to give to ,christ the heathen for his inheritance1 and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession4 ,it is our heavenly ,father1 that ,being who cannot lie1 who has told us that his word shall not return unto him void1 but shall prosper1 and accomplish all his holy will4 ,if all good people would only do their duty1 the heathen ,i think would very soon become converted4 ,when the children of ,god pray and labor as they ought1 he always blesses them4 ,i have told you about one person who came to ,dr4 ,morrison's house1 and heard him talk of ,jesus and of the way of salvation by the blood of the ,lamb1 and that man believed and was baptized4 ,i have now to tell you of another1 who has become a disciple of ,jesus1 and is devoting all his time and strength to the service of his divine ,master1 ,christ the ,lord4 ,i am going to tell of the evangelist ,leang ,afa4 ,when ,dr4 ,milne left ,canton and went to ,malacca1 in #ahae1 ,afa went with him as printerthis was his trade4 ,soon after this1 it was observed that the truth had taken a strong hold upon his mind1 he was convicted by the holy law of ,god1 saw himself to be a sinner1 poor and miserable1 blind and naked1 and in need of all things4 ,and thus he was brought to declare his determination to take up his cross and follow ,christ4 ,what care was taken to instruct him will be seen by the following extract from ,dr4 ,milne's ,journal4 ,november #c1 #ahaf4 ,at twelve o'clock this day1 ,i baptized1 in the name of the adorable ,trinity1 ,leang ,afa4 ,this service was performed privately in a room of the missionhouse4 ,care had been taken by private conversation1 instruction and prayer1 to prepare him for this sacred ordinance4 ,this had been continued for a considerable time4 ,finding him still steadfast in his desire to become a ,christian1 ,i baptized him4 ,the change produced in his sentiments and conduct1 is1 ,i hope1 the effect of ,christian truth1 and of that alone3 yet who of mortals can know the heart8 ,several searching questions were proposed to him in private1 and an exercise suited to a heathen candidate for baptism1 composed and given to him to read and to meditate upon4 ,with respect to his former life1 he says1 ,i was never much given to idolatry4 ,i seldom went to the temples4 ,i sometimes prayed towards heaven1 but lived in careless indifference4 ,although ,i rarely went to excess in sin1 yet ,i have been occasionally guilty of drunkenness1 and other kindred vices4 ,before ,i came hither 7to ,malacca7 ,i knew not ,godnow ,i desire to serve him4 ,the following are the questions proposed1 and the answers given at the time of baptism3 #a4 ,have you truly turned from idols1 to serve and worship the living and true ,god1 the ,creator of heaven and earth1 and all things8 ,this is my heart's desire4 #b4 ,do you know and feel that you are a sinful creature1 totally unable to save yourself8 ,i know it4 #c4 ,do you really1 from your heart1 believe that ,jesus ,christ is the ,son of ,god1 the salvation of the world2 and do you trust alone in him for salvation8 ,this is my heart's desire4 #d4 ,do you expect any worldly advantage1 profit or gain whatever1 by your becoming a ,christian8 ,none4 ,i receive baptism1 because it is my duty4 #e4 ,do you resolve from this day to the day of your death1 to live in obedience to the commandments and ordinances of ,god1 and in justice and seriousness of life before men8 ,this is my determination1 but ,i fear my strength is not equal to it4 ,on my part1 says ,dr4 ,milne1 the ordinance was dispensed with affection1 joy1 hope1 and fear4 ,may he be made faithful unto death1 and as he is the first fruits of this branch of the mission1 may an abundant harvest follow to the joy of the church1 and to the honor of ,christ4 ,such is ,dr4 ,milne's account of ,leang ,afa1 and ,o1 with what delight must the sainted spirit look down from heaven upon the disciple of ,jesus1 as he labors1 and toils1 and faints not6 ,april #g1 #ahai4 ,after prayers and many tears1 the two brothers in ,christ parted4 ,afa returned to ,china1 and not long after1 was married4 ,his wife has become a believer in ,christ1 and has received baptism4 ,he has now living1 two childrena little daughter of four1 and a son of eleven years4 ,the son's name is ,leang ,atih4 ,he was baptized in infancy4 ,he now lives with me1 and ,i will tell you more about him in another letter4 ,atih had a little brother a few months old1 but last summer he died4 ,his parents grieved very much for him1 because they loved him very much1 and he was a tender child4 ,afa has promised to give me a written account of himself1 by and by4 ,i think it will be very interesting1 and when ,i receive it1 ,i can tell you more about him4 ,he has received a great deal of ill treatment from his friends1 neighbors1 and countrymen4 ,his home is about seventyfive miles west from ,canton4 ,he has an aged father1 whom he supports4 ,though old1 and feeble1 and grey headed1 and oft times tenderly instructed by his son2 yet1 poor man1 he resists the truth1 loves his idols1 and says there is no ,god4 ,and so when the son ,leang ,afa1 and his wife and young ,atih1 kneel down together around the family altar1 to worship the living and true ,god1 the father1 the grandfather1 the old1 feeble1 dying man1 goes away and worships4,o how dreadful1 how pitiable1 he goes away and bows down and worships1 as he himself declares1 the ,,devil1 and then comes and rails at his son1 because he has forsaken the gods of his country6 ,this is a great trial to ,afa1 but he bears it as he does all his trials1 with meekness and fortitude4 ,afflicted and persecuted as this family have been1 they feel almost as if they had no home on this earth4 ,they are poor in the things of this world1 but doubtless they have treasures in heaven4 ,they live sometimes in one place1 sometimes in another4 ,during the last summer and fall1 they have lived in a hired house in this city4 ,afa has been here to see me today1 and ,atih has gone with him1 this evening1 to see the family4 ,in the morning1 if the ,lord will1 he will come back to me1 then he will go about twenty miles to the east of ,canton1 to a retired place1 where he1 with another ,christian1 is printing the ,scripture ,lessons2 and his grandfather1 and his mother and little sister1 will leave the city and go to the ,west1 to their own village4 ,but the true ,god will protect them1 says ,afa1 and keep them all in safety4 ,afa is now fortyfour years old4 ,more than fifteen years he has borne the ,christian name1 and toiled and suffered hardships and persecutions in his ,master's service1 and his faith and his zeal increase as he holds on his way3 so may it be to the end4 ,dear children1 remember1 ,i entreat you1 ,afa and his family in your daily prayers1 and remember also1 your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xvii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #bj1 #ahca4 ,,my ,,dear ,,young ,,friends1,when ,i have given you a short account of ,canton city1 and told you a few things about my boys1 then ,i must close these letters4 ,canton is a very large city1 situated in #bc degrees #g minutes north latitude1 #aac degrees #ad minutes east longitude1 from ,greenwich4 ,it is distant from the open sea1 about #gj or #hj miles1 and stands on the north bank of the ,jake1 which the ,chinese call ,chookeany1 that is1 the ,pearl ,river4 ,the city is built wholly on one side of the river4 ,opposite to ,canton1 is the island of ,honam1 on which stands the celebrated ,honam ,joshouse4 ,indeed1 all the way from ,canton to the open sea1 is part land and part water1 and forms a great number of islands4 ,a part of ,canton is enclosed by a wall built of brick and stone1 about #bj or #be feet high1 and #aj or #ae feet thick4 ,the part of the city which is enclosed by the wall1 is nearly square4 ,each of the four sides of the city1 ,i should think1 measures about two miles1 perhaps less1 perhaps more4 ,on each side1 there are three or four gates1 these are always guarded by day1 and shut and barred by night4 ,foreigners may not enter the gates4 ,on the south1 the wall extends within about #bj rods of the river4 ,on the north side1 it extends to the brow of a hill1 which terminates the range of mountains which rise and stretch along in the rear of ,canton4 ,there is a wall which divides the city into two parts1 the north and south4 ,the south part1 is about one quarter of the whole1 and has been built since the other1 and is sometimes called the new city2 but this distinction is not necessary4 ,the space between the city walls and the river1 and a considerable extent of the east and west sides of the city without the walls1 constitutes the suburbs of ,canton1 or1 as the ,chinese say1 the city outside1 which1 as to its streets1 houses1 shops1 c4 is all the same as the city inside4 ,so the ,chinese have repeatedly assured me1 and this1 ,i believe1 is the opinion of the foreigners here4 ,usually1 the streets are not more than eight feet wide1 and often not more than four4 ,their houses and shops are seldom1 if ever1 more than two stories high1 and often the top one is only a kind of half story4 ,the shops are built close on the streets1 and not unfrequently project over them4 ,when the shops are opened in pleasant weather1 the whole front is removed2 this displays their goods to great advantage4 ,some of these streets are very beautiful4 ,dwellinghouses and shops are seldom built on the same street4 ,dwellinghouses1 and the gardens and yards around them1 are usually surrounded by a wall which is built close on the street1 and so high as to prevent any one passing along1 from seeing the houses4 ,at each end of the principal streets1 there is a gate and a watchhouse built above it4 ,the gates are closed at night1 and the watchmen keep a constant look out1 and beat with their gongs or bells the watches of the night4 ,the population of ,canton is very numerous4 ,i think1 not less than a million of souls4 ,many people think this number too great1 and perhaps it is4 ,including those who live on the river1 and all those within and without the city1 the number is very great4 ,though the houses are not high1 yet the people live together very thick4 ,they marry young1 and live to a good old age4 ,in the same house1 you will sometimes find great grandparents1 grandparents1 parents1 children1 grandchildren1 great1 and even great1 great1 grandchildren1 making in all a very great number4 ,from personal observation1 ,i should not think that more than one tenth or one fifteenth part of the whole people of ,canton live on the river4 ,but if to the #dj1jjj boats1 we allow only three persons to each boat1 we shall have #abj1jjj on the river1 and if this is only one ninth part of the whole population1 it will amount to more than one million4 ,but1 my young friends1 ,i will not trouble you any more with these hard reckonings2 your teachers will explain the whole for you4 ,foreign merchants have for several years traded to ,china4 ,only a few rods from the southwest corner of the city walls1 there are twelve or thirteen large buildings1 or rather rows of buildings1 and each of the rows contain three or four1 and sometimes more houses1 built like the houses in the ,united ,states1 and here we live2 in all1 ,i suppose1 about #ajj persons1 ,english1 ,french1 ,dutch1 ,americans1 c4 ,these houses are sometimes called factories1 and sometimes hongs4 ,the ,english have a chapel and clergyman1 and worship on the ,sabbath4 ,while ,mr4 ,abeel was here1 and also since he left1 the ,americans have had worship on the ,sabbath in a large room in one of the private houses4 ,we live very comfortably here1 though cut off from some of the greatest domestic and social enjoyments4 ,no man can bring his family with him to ,canton4 ,all the work about house1 cookery and every thing1 is done by ,chinese men servants4 ,the servant that was with me several months after ,i came to ,china1 did his work well enough1 but did not like to read2 besides1 he was quite old4 ,so ,i mentioned one day1 that ,i should like a lad that would learn to read and write4 ,a servant of one of the gentlemen with whom ,i lived heard this1 and immediately wished me to take his little brother1 then ten years old4 ,his name is ,atsan4 ,in a few days1 he made his appearance1 a fine1 roundfaced1 sprightlylooking boy4 ,he knew something of his own language1 but not a single letter of the ,english4 ,just at this time1 ,afa came and wished me to take his little son1 ,atih2 and in a few days1 the boy came1 poorly clothed1 with great head1 flat nose1 and crooked shoulders4 ,his first appearance was not very promising4 ,he could read and write his own language well1 for a boy of his age1 but knew not a word of ,english4 ,i wrote out the alphabet for the two boys1 and they began to learn2 two or three days after this1 they wished to introduce another boy4 ,this was ,achang1 fifteen years old1 and had been to school about three years4 ,he had learnt also a part of the ,english alphabet4 ,in this way ,i became acquainted with the boys4 ,this was a year ago4 ,they have done1 and still continue to do1 exceedingly well4 ,they read1 write and recite1 both ,chinese and ,english1 daily4 ,if they continue to learn as they have done thus far1 they will make excellent scholars4 ,they read daily in the ,scriptures4 ,they have learnt the name of ,christ the ,lord1 and ,i hope ere long they will choose him for their ,saviour4 ,atih says he loves the ,savior now1 and prays to him every night and morning1 and when ,i ask ,atih if he did not fear men would laugh at him1 he answered1 men do laugh at me1 but ,i do not fear them that kill the body1 ,i rather fear ,him who can destroy both soul and body in hell4 ,and now1 dear children1 farewell4 ,i beg you will not cease to pray for the dear boys1 and all this nation1 and more than this1 ,i hope you will continue to send them the ,bible and missionaries4 ,and still more1 ,i desire that some of you may come here1 may come as good missionaries1 for hundreds are now needed to preach the gospel to these heathen4 ,say1 will you come8 ,i once knew a boy1 younger than some of you are now1 who1 having read an account of the heathen1 such as you have now read in these letters1 desired to be a missionary1 and go to the heathen1 and the ,lord has granted the desire of his heart1 and now he is a missionary1 laboring to make known the glorious gospel of the blessed ,god4 ,farewell4 ,your true friend1 ,e4,c4,b4 ,,letter ,,xviii4 ,canton1 7,china17 ,dec4 #ba1 #ahca4 ,to ,parents and ,teachers3 ,,my ,,dear ,,friends1,weary and oppressed when ,i had finished my last letter1 ,i determined to desist from writing more1 but after reflection and prayer before ,god1 ,i felt constrained to add yet another4 ,the letters have cost me considerable time and labor1 and though short1 they contain many interesting facts4 ,i have been obliged to sit up late at night to write1 and early in the morning2 and more than once1 while writing and contemplating the condition of perishing millions around me1 tears have started from the eyes1 and the breast has been agitated with thoughts too painful to describe4 ,i once thought1 as some of you may now think1 that the accounts of the heathen are overdrawn1 and their condition represented to be worse than it actually is4 ,this is not the case2 far from it4 ,there are sometimes inaccurate statements,i have met with suchbut ,i have never seen a description1 given by uninspired men1 which adequately portrays the misery1 and moral degradation1 of this elegant1 learned1 polished1 and refined pagan nation4 ,the inimitable descriptions of the heathen world1 given in the ,old and ,new ,testament1 are all exemplified here1 in living characters4 ,in the letters to the dear youth1 who stand to you in the relations of sons1 and daughters1 and pupils1 it has been my object to assist you1 in making known to them the present condition and character of the ,chinese4 ,i have narrated chiefly1 such things as ,i had either seen or heard here on the spot4 ,many of the accounts are imperfect1 and the descriptions faint2 and ,i am on that very account1 more anxious that you should follow up the subject1 explaining and illustrating whatever the children do not easily understand4 ,i wish you would often read to them the #ddth chapter of ,isaiah1 and the #ast chapter of ,romans4 ,i wish also that you would collect and point out to them interesting accounts1 published in the ,missionary ,herald1 and in religious newspapers1 and books which have been published on missions4 ,it is of great importance that children be well instructed1 correctly and extensively informed1 in regard to the condition of those to whom the gospel is yet to be published4 ,every one1 whether old or young1 rich or poor1 has an interesta personal interest in this great and glorious work2 but children have a peculiar personal interest4 ,from the present generation of children1 many hundreds1 nay1 thousands of missionaries1 are to be trained up and sent abroad to the fields already white for the harvest4 ,our ,lord1 the ,saviour1 has made it the privilege1 and the duty1 of every one who will be his disciple1 to seek first the kingdom of heaven2 and he has assured us that no one can be his disciple who will not forsake all and follow him4 ,it will profit a man nothing1 if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul3 and so in comparison with seeking to extend the religion of ,jesus ,christ4 ,in comparison with bringing souls from the damnation and power of sin and ,satan into the kingdom of ,god's dear ,son1 all things also are nothing4 ,there is to be a great change in the opinions1 and feelings1 and actions1 of ,christians1 in regard to this subject1 else the gospel will not be preached to every creature4 ,now hundreds and thousands of ,christians1 or rather who call themselves ,christians1 are saying1 ,we have nothing to do in this business1 and we can't do any thing if we try4 ,but the time is coming1 when all good people will say1 ,we have a great work to do1 for it is our business to publish the gospel to every creature2 and we can do all things through ,christ strengthening us4 ,it will help to hasten this change1 if we make this subjectthe subject of missionsthe preaching of the gospel to every creaturethe conversion of the whole worldvery familiar to our own minds and to the minds of others1especially to children4 ,if the ,lord ,jesus ,christ should come down from heaven1 and go round to each of your houses1 and entering1 should address you individually1 and say1 ,go ye and preach the gospel to every creature2 you would think this a most solemn command2 one which you could not misunderstand4 ,so it would be1 and just so it is now4 ,it is no more your duty and your privilege1 than it is my duty and privilege4 ,it is a common cause2 one in which it is alike the privilege and the bounden duty of every disciple of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ to engage1 and with his whole soul1 and mind and strength4 ,the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence4 ,the case which ,i have presented1 is an extreme onea case of life and deathnot the life of a single individual1 a brother1 a sister1 or a child2 nor is it the temporal life of #aj1jjj individuals4 ,oh6 no4 ,it is the eternal life of hundreds of thousands of immortal souls4 ,and now1 dear friends1 allow me to make in behalf of those among whom ,i live1 this one request2that you will think often of their condition1 and make it a frequent subject of conversation with your children4 ,i desire that you may do this1 that you may be led1 and may lead your children to desire and earnestly to pray for the conversion of the ,chinese4 ,there is no danger of thinking1 or saying1 or feeling1 or doing too much in a work of such amazing magnitude4 ,the danger1 and it is very great1 is all on the other side4 ,one solitary instance of doing too much1 has never yet been known2 but on the contrary all have come short4 ,you can easily imagine what would be your feelings1 if you should see your fellow creatures1 friends and strangers1 sinking and drowning in the waves1 and if it was in your power1 you would1 even at the hazard of your own lives1 seek to save them4 ,o then1 what ought to be the emotions1 and what the effort to save1 when contemplating a whole nation sinking in the bottomless pit8 ,sinking6 yet they are like us1 prisoners of hope4 ,and if they hear the joyful sound1 and believe in ,jesus1 then shall they be saved4 ,wishing you and your children1 everlasting happiness1 ,i remain ever1 your affectionate friend and servant1 ,e4,c4,b4