Our School Work in China
By Ida E. Thompson
IN May, 1902, I began to teach two Chinese men from a shop in our community in Hongkong. I thought I might as well help a number in that same time as to spend my time with two; so, in November, through the kindness of a few Chinese business men, and Brother La Rue, and Mr. Anderson, the place was found, and the opening of a small school made possible. A Chinaman gave us the free use of one flat in his house, another loaned us desks, and Brother Mok Man Cheung, Brother La Rue, and Mr. Anderson furnished the remainder of the needed articles, and also had the room cleaned and freshly painted. In February it was thought best to remove from that building, so a place was rented in the central part of the city. In the first place, we charged a school fee of fifty cents (Mexican) a month, equal to half that amount in gold. We called our school “The English Conversation School,” as its object was to teach the boys to converse. Many boys attend school five or six years, and finish algebra, Euclid, and many other sciences, but the science of making an original sentence seems to be forgotten or neglected. It was therefore an easy matter to secure twenty—the limit—to enter, and many were turned away. In this school we charged two dollars a month. This met the expenses of the school rent, etc. With much regret we were obliged to close the school the first of August, as I was not able to continue teaching, on account of malarial fever. We had no one else to take up the work. Many came and asked me to carry on a private class when I was able to teach. I tried this for a time, but was forced to give it up also. A school could be started any day in Hongkong or Canton, and a good work might be done in this way, were men here to teach. We number but six Sabbath-keepers in Hongkong and Canton, and each one is doing his best to learn the Chinese language, except one old man, who could not possibly teach. Perhaps some good teacher has a burden for this kind of work. He need not learn the Chinese language if he does not care to. We made the Bible the first study in the morning, and all took part. Our object was to do good while learning the language. We did not feel it profitable to start the school again, as I wanted to get into China to work among the women as soon as possible. I can not regret what I did for the boys, as I believe 30% were benefited. A small number became members of our Sabbath-school, and continued as such until I left. This gave them another opportunity to hear the Bible truth. I am sure one could soon be self-supporting in this work in either city mentioned, as the native boys are anxious to learn English. The poor, neglected women and girls enlist my sympathies, and I feel that they especially need my efforts. Last June I came to Canton; and with Mr. Anderson and his Chinese teacher’s assistance found a good location for a girls’ school. We rented the building, and March 17 opened a school, with seventeen girls. Before a week passed, we had twenty-four. This is all at present. This is Wisconsin’s school. Last summer I asked our people there what they could do, and Brother Covert read my letter at the camp-meeting. Within five minutes after the appeal was made, five hundred dollars was raised for this work. We feel very thankful to be engaged in it. We have no other motive than to teach the truth and train workers for this vast empire. We shall write more about this school later. We are glad our people in the homeland remember us in this part of the great harvest field. We are of good courage, knowing that a true harvest will soon be gathered, and those who sow shall surely reap.