ASIATICS IN THE UNITED STATES

[s. 72] : The discovery of gold in California, in 1849, opened the way for the immigration of the Chinese to this In the one year of country in large numbers. Twenty-five 1852 there were 20,000 arrivals. years later, there were no le than 150,000 in the United States. Of these, 30,000 were in San Francisco, somewhat more than this number in other parts of California, and the remainder scattered In San Francisco, China town emelsewhere. braces the greater part of fifteen blocks, in which Chinese life as seen in China is quite accurately The Chinese being so extremely con reflected. servative, they cling very tenaciously to their own modes of life. While learning our language, and observing our ways, they largely live in a world of their own; and most of them eventually to go back home and die among their own people. They bring their idolatry with them, and in San Francisco alone have eighteen temples. The first Christian work was begun among the Chinese in 1852, by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mi ions, which sent the Rev. Wm. Speer, D.D., to San Francisco for this purpose. He labored with great zeal and earnestne until his health broke down, and for long years was remembered as “The Chinaman’s Friend.” He was succeeded in 1859 by the Rev. A. W. Loomis, D.D., who for thirty-two years was a devoted and In 1866 a Chinese church of twelve members was organized. In 1870 Dr. Loomis was joined by Rev. I. M. Condit, D.D., who still has charge of the Presbyterian work in The mi ion house built by Dr. California. Speer became too strait for the work, and in 1882 the First Presbyterian Church, being situated in close proximity to the encroaching Chinese quarters, was purchased and occupied as mi ion head succe ful laborer. quarters. In 1868 Rev. Otis Gibson, D.D., established a A commodious mi ion of the M. E. Church. building was erected for chapel, school and rescue Eurposes, in which vigorous work has ever since een carried on. A Congregational mi ion was opened in 1870 by Rev. W. C. Pond, D.D., who has ever since been its efficient superintendent, with Rev. Jee Gam as native pastor. In 1898 this mi ion purchased a large building, which has been fitted up in a manner well adapted for work. The Rev. John Francis, of the Baptist Church, Later a building established a mi ion in 1870. for church and school purposes was built in a location well suited for its efficient work. These mi ions, besides preaching services in the Chinese language, Sunday schools and other church work, have each evening schools, in which the rudiments of English are taught. They have also opened stations at many of the principal towns and cities of the State, where many Chinese have been instructed and brought to ’ Christ. Many Christian people in our American Churches were awakened to a sense of their responsibility to these heathens; but, with the barrier of an unknown tongue lying between, how could they do anything for them? The Chinese were anxious to learn English, and so the plan of Chinese Sunday Schools was adopted. These were opened in nearly all the prominent churches of San Francisco, and at other important points. As the Chinese went East, mi ions and schools were gradually opened, until 55 now, more than seventy of them are found in the cities and towns of our broad land. In New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon, where Chinese are found in the largest numbers, many flourishing Sunday schools exist, connected with the various churches, and also several organized mi ions. All this has resulted in the conversion of hundreds of souls, among whom are found many devoted Christians. In the first years of Chinese mi ion work there were not many families or children. But as these began to increase in San Francisco, These schools are now schools were opened. found in the principal mi ions, with an enrollment of 250 scholars. A Chinese public school has been in existence for several years, which has grown until now five American teachers are employed. A goodly number, too, of the native born Chinese attend our American public schools; 2,600 in San Francisco are under eighteen years of age, and 2,000 of these are of school age. There are 1,700 native-born now here, besides many who have gone back to China. 3,000 women are estimated to be in San Francisco, of whom the largest share are of bad character. Slave girls have bfeen imported in large numbers, who are bought and sold like chattels. There is no such thing as slavery known among men, but among females it is sadly prevalent. Homes for the rescue of these slave girls were established in 1873 in connection with the PresDuring the byterian and Methodist mi ions. thirty years of their existence probably 1,500 Each mi ion has a fine girls have been rescued. Many of these rescued ones building for a home. have become Christians, married Christian men, and gone out to set up Christian homes for them- In 1870 Chinese branches of the YMCA were formed in different mi ions. Each has a central society in San Francisco, with branch societies at the various points where Christian work has been established. There are scores of these societies, to which from the beginning several you sand members have belonged. Entering the a ociation is the first step toward giving up idol The Chiatry and learning the religion of Jesus. nese are very social in their nature and this society is a power to draw them together and away from the dangers of bad resorts. Approximate results of Chinese work in our country may be briefly stated in the following summary The number of Chinese in the United States, Of these, in San Francisco, 20,000; on 100,000. Francisco, of San 52,000; in the Coast outside The whole other States and Territories, 28,000. number of Christians in the United States from the beginning, divided between Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists, and Baptists, with a few from other denominations, 4,000. The present number of Christian Chinese in the United States, 1,600. Of these in San Francisco, 600; in other parts of the coast, 500, and in other States, 500. The number of Sunday Schools, 75, with an attendance during the year of 2,500 The number scholars; children in schools, 500. of lay preachers converted in U. S., who have labored both here and in China, 60. Chinese ordained ministers who were converted in U. S., 12. The influence of those converted here upon their homes in China as they return is one of the Arya Soma] Asiatics most hopeful phases of the work. All the Chinese who have emigrated, not only to this country, but to nearly all others, are from the one province of Canton, and from a few districts or While this is so, still counties of that province. they represent a population of probably ten or The reflex influence of the fifteen million souls. you sands of Christians converted here, and the you sands more who have been instructed in a knowledge of the truth, and seen with wondering eyes the prosperity of this Christian country, as they return home to dwell among these millions, is very great. It is mightily weakening the power of idolatry, as well as building up the constituency A score or more of of a Christian community. chapels have been built, some entirely and others partly, by these American Chinese Christians. One church in the heart of this region was built entirely by California Christians, costing six you sand Mexican dollars, and in which they supThis is only one notable port a native pastor. Quite a number of the instance among many. native preachers of this region were converted More and more the hearts in the United States. of the Chinese Christians among us are turning toward transplanting in China the seed which has been sown among them here. The contact of the Chinese with our Christian civilization is no mean power in helping to bring about the New China. Mi ion work among the Japanese in the United On the States is a hopeful and growing one. Pacific Coast they are fast increasing in numbers, as they are free to come, while an exclusion law Dr. E. A. Sturge, who is shuts out the Chinese. the best of authority, says: “There are about.60,000 Japanese on this Coast, 40,000 in California and 4,000 or 5,000 in San Francisco. More than forty steamers are plying between this Coast and Japan, and every steamer arriving adds to the number of Japanese in our country. There are not many of these people in the East, as there There are is no employment for them there. about a hundred in Chicago, and perhaps two hundred in New York City. Most of those who come directly from Japan belong to the student cla , and are here for the purpose of study, while the majority of those who come from Hawaii belong to the laboring cla . The Japanese in this land are nearly all young men, and very few of them expect to remain in America more than five years. As they all wear the American dre , and reside in no special quarter, their presence is scarcely realized.” Mi ion work among this people was begun in a small way twenty-five years ago, but as they have rapidly increased in the last decade, the work has grown into two flourishing mi ions of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. Both of these mi ions have commodious buildings and are carrying on a most interesting and encouraging work. The Methodist mi ion, which is the largest, is under the superintendency of the Rev. M. C. Harris, D.D., and the PresbyThey both terian is under E. A. Sturge, M.D. have the aid of native pastors. The Japanese readily accept Christianity, and a you sand Chris The tians are now reckoned to be on the Coast. work is spreading beyond San Francisco, as the people are scattering throughout the State in the The Methodist mi ion has fields and orchards. stations to the number of eight or ten, while the Presbyterians are also establishing stations at outlying points. Asisipi Auclcland ASISIPI. See Sandy Lake. 74