Honan, China by Maude A. Miller

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 31, 1904

Honan, China

By Maude A. Miller

SIN TSAI HSIEN.—We are temporarily settled, expecting to remain in our present quarters until we learn the language. We are making some progress, as we can already buy our own provisions and tell our cook what to prepare for meals, and converse a little with our teacher. So we feel much encouraged. Our aim is to learn the language as soon as possible, at least sufficiently to be able to talk to the Chinese about Christ while we are treating them.

Our city is about two hundred miles from Hankow, where we go for all our money, and anything outside of native products that we may want for food. We are trying to get along on native products the best we can. The main thing, of course, is rice, then peanuts, and eggs when we can get them. The peanuts are of a superior quality to those in the States. At present we can not obtain them, as the Chinese have them buried in the ground until spring. They make fine nut butter. We have a coarse quality of peas and beans, and meal. A malt extract is made from rice, which is very much like malt honey. We like it quite well. We hope soon to be able to make use of nearly all their foods, and be able to prepare them in an appetizing manner. We experiment as we have time from our study of the language.

The time it takes to reach Hankow will give some conception of how far we are from civilization. It takes six days to go to Hankow and return — one day each way by rail, and two by cart. And such queer carts! We never saw anything like them in the States. They are two-wheeled, with narrow tires which are notched like the ordinary threshing-machine wheels. The carts have no springs. They are covered over the top with cloth. There are no seats, the passengers furnishing their own. Each cart will accommodate two persons besides the driver. When the donkeys jump the ditches, as they do sometimes, one wishes he were walking instead of riding. They usually travel forty or fifty miles a day. A not unusual sight is a mixed team — a donkey, a horse, and a water-buffalo, all yoked together. All kinds of work are done with this team.

It is very cold here now. The Chinese use very little fuel, but wear heavy cotton padded garments underneath their outer garments. The children look very odd, indeed, with so much clothing. They can not get their little arms down at their sides, but stand with them extended outward.

We foreigners — neiguai, as they call us — are the objects of the greatest curiosity. Men, women, and particularly boys, usually follow us every time we go out to walk. It is almost impossible to be alone here. In five minutes one can have an audience of two or three hundred people. The Chinese never have anything to do when a foreigner is about, but look at him.

To be in China reminds one of Bible times; they have so many customs similar to those of ancient Israel. We never were of better courage than we are at the present time; for we have the assurance that we are just where God wants us to be.

MAUDE A. MILLER, M. D.