A CHINESE boy, in one respect at least, is an object of pity. To be taught that the earth is flat, that China is the center of the world, and that all outside countries are inhabited by untamed savages, is an injustice which would not be tolerated in any country excepting China. There are hundreds of thousands of boys and girls in this land who are being taught this nonsense, and who are led to look upon boys and girls of other countries as "foreign devils." It will be seen how needful it is that missionaries should have Christian schools in which to teach the children of the converts.
Every foreign boy knows the area and population of China, and it all can be summed up in the fact that it is a country of "magnificent distances."
It was in the fall of 1896 that Chang-tai came from An-chai, in the province of Shan-tung, full three hundred miles, that he might gain a Christian education. He was only fourteen years old, but he probably knew more then about geography and arithmetic than the officials of the cities through which he passed, and he was happy in the thought that it had been arranged that he should continue his studies further, and if possible become a minister of the Gospel.
Native Church, Fiji.
Twenty years before, his grandfather had traveled this same road, and, while seeing the sights of Peking, wandered into a Methodist chapel, and there, being impressed with the truth of the Gospel, found a friend in Jesus. Returning to his home, he took with him the "pearl of great price." His wife was much impressed with the change which had come over him, and decided to seek the same blessing. But the distance was great, the dangers of travel were many, and then, supposing she went so far and did not find all she had wished for? But, on the other hand: "Suppose I die without the hope realized by my husband? It is the lot of men to have the best of everything in this land." Thus she reasoned with herself, but could find no consolation. "Perhaps this 'good news' is not for me," she said mournfully one day in the presence of her son, Cheng-pei. "Perhaps this good news is not for me," rang in his ears for days, when a happy thought took possession of him. He went to his mother and told her that he would take his wheelbarrow and push her to Peking if she was willing. She hesitated at first, but Cheng-pei would take no refusal; so, having gained the consent of his father, the day was fixed. Bright and early in the morning the bundles were fastened on one side of the barrow, which his mother balanced by sitting on the other side. Weary days and even weeks passed, pushing the barrow over rough roads worn deep with the constant use of centuries.
But every journey has an end, and so with this one. Looking up, they saw the grimy walls of the "dirtiest city of the world" before them. With what joy they hailed the sight! "Now it will soon be seen whether the good news is for me or not," said the mother. The city was reached and the mission compound found, and with it a welcome. Cheng-pei was happy now. Not only would his mother hear the Gospel, but he would have the chance of learning something of it too. After a sojourn of some weeks, the travelers turned their faces homeward, and, tho the road was quite as long as when they came, it was not so lonely; for Jesus was with them, to comfort, help, and bless.
Home was reached, and Cheng-pei's mother began to witness for Jesus, and continues in the same blessed work to this day. She is telling the story of the Gospel to poor women who are13
Weeping, watching, and despairing,
By a nameless longing stirred;
They are sitting in the darkness,
Waiting for the living Word.
Cheng-pei is now a man, an ordained elder in the mission, and one of our most trusted leaders, while Chang-tai, his son, is a most hopeful student in the Tientsin Intermediate School for Boys.
Thus is the hope of missions centered in the youth of this land. A gentleman called at the school one day as we were mourning over the fact that some of our boys must go home, for lack of funds. Hearing the story of Chang-tai, he said, "I will be responsible for his education till the year 1900." Thus were our hearts gladdened. God may have a Paul, a John, or a Peter among the dear lads at present under our influence.
