REFUGES FOR OPIUM VICTIMS.
MR. CLAPP, a missionary in Taiku, China, writes to the Missionary Herald concerning six of his native helpers:— "1. Mr. Liu is our right-hand man in many ways. His work is teaching and preaching to the opium patients in Taiku and visiting the out-stations. His salary amounts to about $6.00 a month, besides food, and is provided by Rev. G. J. Powell's church in Sayville, N. Y. "2. Mr. Lin, a man of about forty-six years of age, was a bookkeeper in a large store, but lost his place because he became a Christian. He is now in charge of the opium refuge in Ching Yuan, and is mostly supported by the fees and income of the refuge. He is a rapid and fluent talker, and seems to be doing well. "3. Mr. Tu, a Chihli man who was converted in one of the China Inland Mission opium refuges, tho never an opium user himself. This man has been a teacher and also an evangelist in Dr. Hall's hospital and dispensary. "4. Mr. Yang, formerly a merchant, now a teacher in a place five miles from Taiku. His salary is about $2.50 per month, provided by the patrons of his school and by private subscription. "5. Mr. Liang, formerly a baker, who gave up the business, and now has charge of an opium refuge, by the fees of which he is supported. "6. Mr. Tung is Mr. Clapp's assistant, a convert of about four years' standing. "These men are all supported from sources outside of the regular appropriations of the board. Four of the six are ex-opium patients, which shows that opium habitues can be permanently reformed. Only one of the six is employed as a preacher—that is, they are not paid for their preaching. This they do voluntarily, getting their support as teachers or custodians in the opium refuges."