China by Ida E. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 26, 1906

China

By Ida E. Thompson

CANTON.—Our work is about the same from day to day here. We see the same faces; but in one way this is well, for it gives us an opportunity to add each day a new lesson, a new truth.

A second teacher has been secured, as our school was too large for one to manage. A few pupils have dropped out, but we still have thirty-six, with a regular attendance of above thirty.

Our second teacher is also a heathen. It seems too bad not to be able to give them a Christian teacher; yet I am sure we must be patient. I am in the school-room from two to three hours myself, teaching the gospel to the different classes. We think that some of our first year's girls are doing nicely in their studies; and we also feel that their hearts are warm toward the Master. In two years more these first-class girls can teach for us. And if we are so fortunate as to have them established in present truth, we may hope for more fruit from their efforts.

Our school opens at 8 A. M. this year, and closes at 4:30 P. M. We spend one hour and a half out of this time for rice and recreation.

The children can learn the Psalms in less than one third the time it requires me to memorize them, so I have to study a long time before I begin to teach them. Their memorizing ability is good. Really, I am quite in love with China's plan of memorizing all lessons, if only the pupils were taught to understand the The first year we had school, some of the little girls eight years old came with Chinese records and statutes as books. They were used in native schools. I bundled them home as softly as I could, and gave them other books free, and required them to explain the meaning of things to me. Some parents were much afraid their daughters were departing from the old paths, but finally gave in.

We have from sixty-five to seventy at our Chinese Sabbath-school now. Three of the girls are used as teachers, for teachers are scarce. This causes them to study the lessons more thoroughly, and perhaps may add to their own growth. We are studying the book of St. John as Sabbath-school lessons, verse by verse, as we have no prepared lessons as yet.

How good God is, and how carefully he plans for the advancement of his cause! Years before we came, he had the Bible translated; he sent men ahead to prepare the native to receive the gospel. If he had waited for us to do this, when would it have been done?

IDA E. THOMPSON.