Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 373

1850.

What I have Sten in Shanghai

335

Short as Mr. Spalding's course was, it resulted in manifest good. Some, I know, who heard him preach and who witnessed his deport- ment, were thereby favorably impressed. In his conduct, the Chris- tian missionary was faithfully exemplified and to good effect. Of the few who formed his Bible class, and constantly listened to his preach- ing, one has publicly confessed Christ and joined himself to the Church of God.

Let these brief notices suffice; less I was unwilling to say; your limits, I suppose, will hardly allow me to add more concerning those who, having finished their course below, are now witnesses before the throne of God and the Lamb in the heavenly world.

The mission from the Methodist Episcopal church South was com- menced in the autumn of 1848. Mr. Jenkins reached Shánghái in the spring of 1849. Both gentlemen have inade such progress in the acquisition of the language, that they are able to preach in it. For residence, each has selected a site close on the south bank of the Yangking Páng, contiguous to the “Consular Grounds," and are now erecting houses thereon. A small chapel has been built for Mr. Taylor, and rooms to accommodate his family completed. Two na- tive schools have also been collected, regarding which he has given me the following memoranda :-

"The first was opened about six months ago, and contains twenty pupils. It is situated not far without the North gate. The second has been in opera- tion less than two months, and has sixteen pupils. It is in the midst of the thickly settled little neighborhood just across the Xúngking Pảng, north of my house, and scarce a stone's throw distant. I pay the teachers four dollars a month each for their services. The rent of one school-room is twelve hundred cash a nonth, and of the other eight hunded. Tuition, books, and stationery are furnished to all the scholars gratis, besides my paying a barber to shave their heads and their queues twice a month. The mode of instruc- tion is precisely the saine as in all other native schools, and the books used are also the same, with the addition of such Christian books as I put into their hands. On Sundays I require the latter to be studied exclusively. As yet the pupils have been confined to the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed, with explanations. Six or seven of the boys can repeat all these from memory, and their answers to my questions show. that they have some correct ideas of what they learn. I must not out to mention that there are five little girls among the number of pupils receiv ing instruction. As my new chapel is of convenient access from both schools, I require the teachers to assemble all the children and attend my regular Sabbath service, at the close of which, I catechise them on the Commandments and on simple points of Christian doctrine.”

The Mission of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society was commenced in June 1817, by Rev. S. Carpenter, who was joined by Mrs C. and Rev. M., and Mrs. Wardner i August of the same year. The progress of then mission may be expressed in their own words,