108

A THANKFUL VILLAGE.

About half-past three o'clock those who had taken shilling and sixpenny tickets began to assemble in large numbers, and precisely at a quarter to four the gate of the schoolroom enclosure was opened, and the people, in a most orderly manner, took their seats. It was so arranged, that there was one tea-maker to about twelve persons, and each tea-maker had a Missionary box, which she was, if possible, to dispose of to one of those who fell to her part of the table. More than thirty Missionary boxes were disposed of in this way, the name of the person taking one being written down, that the rector might know where to apply at the end of the year. After all had satisfied themselves with tea, bread and butter, and cake, thanks were returned, a hymn was sung, and some addresses were given, full of simple illustration and anecdote, to stir up those present to love and good works.

Soon after six o'clock the bells struck up the signal for those in the tent to separate till a quarter to seven o'clock, when they were to re-assemble in the church, and during this interval they were allowed to stroll over the rectory garden and grounds, while the friends of the rector, nearly a hundred in number, among whom were twenty clergymen, took a hasty cup of tea before going to the meeting.

On arriving at the church we found it quite full-there seemed not room for another person to sit down-while several were standing outside, and some were in the vestry. All the speaking was just what it should be for the occasion and the place: there were clearly set forth the great principles on which we should carry on this holy work, the sort of men required for it, the need of more earnest prayer, more hearty co-operation, more enlarged contributions. The meeting then separated in excellent order, and it was said afterwards that the only accident that had occurred was the breaking of the handles of two tea-cups. One very interesting part was, the reading out of all the "thank-offerings," more than seventy in number, from the offering of 17. 11s. for "spiritual assistance," to the poor man's offering, from a sick bed, of 6d. The collection after the meeting was more than 197.; and in order to show the good feeling that prevails in this part towards the Church of England, we may state, that not only were many dissenters present, both in the tent and in the church, but one dissenting minister sent in the sum of 17. 11s. 83d., collected in his chapel as an aid to the Missionary cause, and sent as "an expression of very kind feeling."

The 6d. tickets are for the labouring poor: they do not quite cover the expense of the tea; but altogether the tea gives a profit of 57., and this, with the produce of the Missionary boxes sent out, and the additional collection in the church, makes a profit of about 157. for the Society.

CHINESE VILLAGES.

WE present to our readers, in this Number, a view of a Chinese village. The houses of a Chinese village are usually so contrived as to form a wall of defence round a long and irregular plot of ground, at each end of which is placed a gate, which is shut at night. Probably this mode of constructing a village has existed for many ages among the Chinese, who, we know, cling with great tenacity to every thing which their fathers have handed down to them. There is in it a sort of provision for the security of the inhabitants, and in disturbed times, arising from civil war or foreign invasion, was found convenient. The spectator is supposed to have entered within the gate. There is a path up the middle of the street, composed of slabs of granite, or some hard stone, and on either side are the houses. There the women, at least such of them as have had their feet cramped, occupy themselves with needlework. Two girls may be seen seated on a low stool, and extending their legs across another, of twice the height of their seat, and supporting in this way a frame on which a piece of embroidery is spread out. Their faces wear a sickly hue; but their feet are small, and they are therefore looked upon as the genteel members of the family, although, being unfitted for active employment, they are obliged to tease the sampler from morning until eve. Plaited skirts for ladies, and curious purses worn in the girdles of gentlemen, occupy much of their time. Beside each lies a book, with a cover of fair yellow, and studded with spangles, which she has purchased for 22 cash, that is, about one penny of our money. It contains between 200 and 300 patterns of various kinds, from which they take their dresses. This book is said to be "for the use of the person who belongs to the green window," that is, a poor woman, who sits beside a green lattice made of earthenware, while the rich lady is known as belonging to "the red gallery, or vermilion-tinted verandah." The women whose feet have been left in their natural state are busy with household duties, or labour in the fields. About the street of the village some of the male inhabitants may be seen, carrying waterpots, &c. These villages are very numerous in the districts around the five cities where Missionaries are permitted to reside, and are beginning to attract much of their attention, as they find the inhabitants more simple than the city people, and willing to be instructed. Our Missionary, the Rev. W. A. Russell, who is stationed at Ningpo, has communicated to us some interesting particulars respecting the villages in the neighbourhood of that city, which our readers will find in the following extract—

For the last few weeks I have been in the habit of going out once or twice a week into the neighbouring villages and towns, distributing tracts among the people, and preaching to them in the open air as opportunity offered or rather, I should say, as my strength enabled me, for of opportunity there was no lack wherever I went. Had I had physical power for it, each day I might have addressed some twenty different assemblages of people, averaging in number from 50 to 200 persons, who in most cases, if I am to judge from those to whom I did speak, would have

CHINESE VILLAGES.

111 listened attentively to me during a discourse of half-an-hour's length. Indeed, the little experience which I have lately had in itinerating in the neighbouring country surrounding Ningpo-where there is a countless population scattered about in villages at distances of one, two, or three miles, averaging, perhaps, from 500 to 5000 inhabitants-has left a strong impression on my mind as to the desirableness of stated itinerations among them. The happiest effects might be expected to flow from such a wide and extensive dissemination of the seed of Divine truth amongst a population whose simple and artless manners strongly incline me to feel that they would be much more susceptible of impression than the cunning, artful, money-besotted inhabitants of the city. I have therefore determined, with God's blessing, to continue these itinerating excursions, and gradually, as I get experience, to form fixed and definite plans with reference to them.

We introduce another extract giving information on the same subject. It is contained in a letter from a Missionary of the American Board at Canton, dated December of last year.

At

Our German brethren [of the Rhenish Missionary Society] reside in the village of Saiheong, which has about three thousand inhabitants, mostly traders. The Mission premises are in a very healthy location, facing the sea, and have rooms for preaching, lectures, and a boys' boarding-school. There are thirteen boys in the school, three of whom have been baptized. All the instruction is given in the Chinese language. Music and gymnastics form a part of the course of education. Three of the elder boys are very skilful and correct players on the violin. family worship the school and all the household sing Chinese hymns to German music, while one of the brethren accompanies them on the seraphine. They have three out-stations within the distance of fifteen miles, which are under Mr. Krone's care. The school and the preaching service at the central station are assigned to Mr. Genaehr. Both prescribe for the sick, and perform surgical operations, as occasion offers; and this aids them in gaining the goodwill of the villagers where they reside, and in removing any prejudices that might exist at the out-stations because they are foreigners. Both dress in the Chinese costume.

They have admitted to the church sixty persons, male and female. For a week I had an opportunity to observe the deportment of those in their household who had been baptized; and I must say that I have never seen any Chinese who gave better evidence of an intelligent understanding of the Scriptures, and of sincere love to Christ. One old lady, aged sixty-four years, who has been baptized eighteen months, particularly awakened my interest. She can read and write Chinese well, which is a rare attainment for Chinese women. From eight to nine o'clock in the morning she hears the boys repeat from memory Scripture proofs for the fundamental Christian doctrines. This old lady acts the part of a deaconess for the other Chinese females who have been baptized.

My visit to this station has convinced me that it is practicable to open stations in the country, if they are managed prudently. Our German brethren appear to be much blessed in their labours. Their household and their school have the appearance of a Christian establishment. Order, harmony, the fear of God, a high regard for the Bible and spiritual wor

112 ADULT SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AMONG THE NESTORIANS.

ship, pervade it, as can be seen by any visitor. It was truly cheering to find a place with such a healthy moral atmosphere amid the corrupting idolatry of China.

ADULT SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AMONG THE NESTORIANS. ADULT Sunday-schools are a very useful instrumentality, and we have known them worked with great effect in country parishes at home, where the services in the church have been morning and afternoon. The village school was filled in the evening with a number of persons, many of whom would find it difficult, if not impossible, to attend on a week-day evening persons of different ages, and several amongst them very old. Such as could read occupied the foremost benches: the clergyman stationed himself in the midst of the circle. A chapter was read verse by verse, questions asked and encouraged, and instruction given; and, amongst other effects produced, many were induced to attend the week-evening adult school in the winter season, that they might also be able to read the Holy Scriptures.

We now give some account of an adult Sunday-school in a fardistant part of the world: it is in connexion with the work which the American Missionaries are carrying forward among the Nestorian Christians on the borders of Turkey and Persia. The account is given by Yonan, a native teacher, in a letter addressed to his friends in the United States. We think it will be read with interest.

I thought I had better teach the old women, because they are very ignorant, and very little esteemed in this country. I desired from all my heart to take pains with them. Miss Fisk gave me "Line upon Line,' and I have taught them in this to the time of the Israelites' leaving Egypt. I also teach them more than this book contains; and there are women who can commence at the beginning of the Old Testament and recite as far as this perfectly.

When I commenced this class there were only six or seven women; but now I have thirty-seven, sometimes forty; for those women who come see how good it is to learn, and, like the Samaritan woman, go and proclaim it to others, and from this the number continually increases. The Nestorian women, especially the aged women, have a habit, when two meet together, to engage earnestly in relating old wives' fables, in slandering, and idle conversation. These women were such; and whenever they came to church, whether on the way or during the preaching, we could find no way in which to stop their injurious, lying conversation. Awakening sermons and fearful words were to them as seeds cast by the wayside. Though they have heard preaching for fifteen years, still we find them very ignorant; and they themselves are becoming sensible of their ignorance. They often say to me, "If you had taught us in this way during these years that are passed, we should now have been well acquainted with the Scriptures."

And, friends, it is true that we find this kind of teaching, these Sunday-schools, the best net we have spread for these women, as well as for others. What I teach on one Sabbath I require them to be