Some Institutions of Chang-sha by Emma Perrine-Laird

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 4, 1907

Some Institutions of Chang-sha

By Emma Perrine-Laird

EMMA PERRINE-LAIRD

Before coming to this land, I had often wondered whether there were any public institutions in China, and whether these people were capable of appreciating beautiful things, and enjoying them. Therefore I was not a little surprised to learn of many such institutions, and that the people appreciated good and beautiful things as do we, only not to such a full extent.

Having visited a few institutions, and thus learned to understand better the character of the people, I thought an account of my visit might help some of our people in the home land to take more interest in the Chinese people; for although they are “heathen,” they have hearts to appreciate the third angel’s message, which will prepare them for the soon-coming King.

As this is a real Chinese city, with few foreign influences in a business way, we find the real Chinese ideas of institutional life worked out in their own way.

One bitter cold day we went to see the “beggars’ home,” so called. Just outside the door, and in the street, stands a small, low shed, about fourteen feet square, having places for door and window, but none there. On looking in, we saw what appeared to be some bundles of rags and dirt. Two of these stirred as we entered, showing that some life existed. The third was cold and lifeless. This is the place where the beggars must creep to die, when no longer able to help themselves.

The door to the large room, or the main part, through which we entered, stood wide open. Only a few poor creatures were within, the remainder of the large number who lived here being out on the streets, begging. A vile stench greeted our nostrils, while our eyes were blinded with smoke from a few heaps of burning sticks, over which the fortunate owner tried to get warm while boiling a few spoonfuls of rice. This room was built in tiers of loose boards for floors, one above another so as to accommodate as many as possible, with a space of five or six feet between them. Here about one hundred beggars lived. Some were lepers, others consumptives, and all manner of disease was there; and men, women, and children were herded together. The house was furnished them free by city officials, but they must beg for their food, and for rags to cover them. We could not long bear the sight or the smell, so turned away, our hearts sad, and crying out, “How long, O Lord, how long must this misery continue?” We learned that there was another home in the city for the deaf, the halt, and the lame, and still another for the blind. In addition to their house, the blind are given some rice once a week by the authorities.

A home for the widows and orphans of former officials was next visited. As we waited in the large court outside one gate, a few children saw us, and ran to tell others that the “foreign demons” were coming, and soon children of all sizes, and some women, were swarming around us, to get a look. We were conducted inside, where was a long common court, sixteen long and very narrow courts running at right angles to it. In the center of each court, and running full length, was a brick drain, three feet wide, and open. A row of rooms on each side, opening into this court, were the homes of these women and children. Each family has its own room, where the members live.

Such scampering toward their rooms as we went along, while some crowded around us, like a swarm of bees! Most of them appeared to be in good health, except that they were slightly anemic because of their close confinement. The women who were not too timid had a merry time laughing at our strange appearance. Some of the children tried to “show off” before visitors, just as our own children do in the home land, by turning hand-springs, standing on their heads, etc. When we came away, many followed us for blocks, to see how we acted, and hear how we talked. Probably many had never before seen a foreigner.

Here were more than a thousand souls, supported entirely by the present officials. When will the truth be given to these, His little ones? O for more hands and tongues to help speed this message, that Christ’s coming may be hastened, and they be set free!

The next place visited was a “School of Technics,” operated entirely by Chinese. Here are taught many kinds of industries, such as the manufacturing of looms and the weaving of cotton, linen, and silk cloth, the casting of iron into many kinds of machinery and implements, and the uses of finer instruments, as the telescope, microscope, electrical machines, instruments for mathematical calculations, etc. There were accommodations in this school for seventy-five students, with about half that number in attendance. This school had formerly given board, lodging, tuition, and books free; but now, as in many others, a small fee is charged for food only.

The Chinese students have been educated to be very averse to work of all kinds, so it can readily be seen that only the middle class, or those who must work for their living, are in attendance in this school. These people must be trained to see that it is no dishonor to work, or at least to know how to work; so a school for the higher class, aiming at a final industrial school, is much needed here. This class of people are too independent to be driven. Their confidence must first be gained; then they can be led.

A few days ago we went to see a large and beautiful ancestral hall, where mass is said for the dead whose friends are rich enough to pay for it. Entering the street gate, we walked down a long, wide, granite-paved street, between rows of beautiful trees. A large lake was near the foot of this walk, with trees bordering it, and the shade of evergreens, where were seats. Entering a spacious court filled with blossoming shrubbery, through a large gate in a high stone wall, our ears were delighted by the singing of many wild birds, and our eyes gladdened by the pleasing outlook before us. The outer walls were magnificent with the beautifully carved woodwork

and etched glass which composed the front of the hall. Without, all was fair to the eye. But on looking within, we saw that a gray- and black-robed priest was chanting before the shrine, and rhythmically tapping his gong. This scene spoiled the beauty of the place; for we knew that these people are so bound down by their superstitions and heathen worship that not only their own souls are kept in bondage, but their whole country as well.

It seems that the first truth the Chinese should learn is that “the dead know not anything.” This would relieve them of one kind of bondage. Then, with the realization that Christ is their Saviour, and that obedience should be rendered to God’s commandments, the people could be set free.

There are many other interesting places, about which we hope to write at another time.

Truly, the fields are white. The doors of heathen China stand wide open, but where are the reapers? When once the Chinese learn the gospel as taught by many missions in China, it is very difficult to change them to paths of obedience to God’s law, as they have learned such a smooth road in which to walk that it is easier to travel that than the straight and narrow way, or even to return to their old ways. As have others of old, we cry to you to-day, Who will “come over and help us”?

Chang-sha, Hunan, China.