140 CHAPTERS ON CHINA. to the wall of the house. She picked it up, and placed it where the full light of the sun could fall on it. She watched it, and soon saw its foot move, then its eyelid, and it was not long before it was on the wing high up in the air. The next day we heard it sing a bluebird's song. So does the power of God warm a dead soul to life, and songs of praise must break forth from the lips of a new-made child of God. CHAPTERS ON CHINA, No. I. BY GRANDFATHER GODFREY. DON'T shrug your shoulders and put on a wry face, my young friend. It does not follow that because I am a "Grandfather" that my " Chapters" will be dull or prosy. There is a freshness in my spirit yet, and a sunshine on my heart, from which even you may get a world of good if you will only be attentive and teachable. I have not come to you with a "cordial" such as a namesake of mine makes a noise about-a drug that little boys and girls would often be better without-but I come to stir you up to deeds of benevolence and faith-to seek your help in sending the gospel to the poor in China, to whose souls it may prove both a cordial and a cure. My chapters will not be long, at least at the outset, but I hɔpe that what is said will be to a good purpose, that you will read them with care and attention. O! what a wonderful country is China! How large! How populous! If you were to sit by the side of your father's clock, and if one of the Chinese were to pass before you for every tick the clock gave, you would have to sit for twelve years to let them all pass! And yet nearly CHAPTERS ON CHINA. 141 all this immense nation is ignorant of God and the glorious gospel of his grace! China is large, but not large enough for the people. There are far too many; there is neither room enough nor food enough for them all. The poor are badly off. Some live on the crags, and tops of the rocks, and many live in wretched boats on the water! Of course the rich have fine houses, but not so the poor. Shall I tell you of their food? Yes, if you promise not to speak of it while eating your own. Many of the poor people get nothing but rice and water: sometimes they mix a little pork or salt-fish with the rice. At times they do have a great treat; what would you think of a hash of rats and snakes, or a mince of earth worms? You would look rather queer if your mother gave you a stew of cat's and dog's flesh for dinner; but a Chinaman considers them as good as pork, and pays nearly as much for them. Perhaps you will draw a long breath when Grandfather Godfrey tells you that the Chinese are often in the habit of eating bird's nests-they are quite a favourite meal to many. Do you imagine a poor fellow gulping up a lot of sticks, and clay, and feathers ? No; the nests they eat are made of a sort of gum, which comes out of the bird's mouth, and is shining and clear, like jelly. They are said to be very nourishing, but, for my part, I had sooner have an Abernethy biscuit or a good mutton chop. China is not only covered with people, but it is also covered with idols. Several of them stand beside me where I now write; dead, dumb, and stupid-looking things they are. Some of them are dark and smoky. They were the household gods of converts, who wonder now how they could ever have believed in them at all. 142 A CUP OF COLD WATER. There are many priests, and they delude the people. They tell the people that when they die their souls will go into other bodies. Two hungry priests once stood crying over a poor woman's gate. "What is the matter?" said the woman. Said the priests, "Do you see those ducks? Our parents' souls are in them, and we're afraid lest you should eat them for supper." The foolish woman, out of pity, gave the ducks to the cunning priests, who went home and cooked them for their own supper! A poor man when he was dying was in terror because he was told that his soul would go into one of the emperor's horses. Whenever he was dropping off to sleep, he would start up in a fright, fancying he felt the blows of a cruel driver hurrying him along. How different are the feelings of a dying Christian! He can say, "Hark, the whispering angels say, Or, again, "For me my elder brethren stay, And angels beckon me away, A CUP OF COLD WATER. IN one of the interior provinces of India there is said to be a man, who every morning goes to a distant trough standing by the road-side, and filling it with water, returns to his daily duties. The caravans passing that way call and slake their thirst-he never knows whom he blesses, and they never know their benefactor. He is satisfied that some weary pilgrims are refreshed by his kindness, but who they are, it matters not. They will never return to reward him personally, but his reward is the consciousness of having done a generous act. THE LITTLE MAIDEN'S PRAYER. SHE knelt her down so meekly, Believing none were nigh, Clasped her little hands so sweetly, Said, "Father! please to bless me She simply asked forgiveness Then said, "Now I'm forgiven, Through Christ, God's own dear Son." She prayed for loved ones near her, For friends both far and wide, Said, "I want thee, God, to bless them, And all the world beside." THE GREAT QUESTION. FRIEND is the question on thy heart engraved, "What must I do to be for ever saved ?" Believe in Jesus, is the sole reply; Believe in him and thou shalt never die; His precious blood gives pardon, life, and peace, THE JUVENILE REPORTER. THE Reporter feels that of all the "dark places of the earth" that stand in need of missionaries, China lies nearest to his heart. It is mainly for that great country he labours as a "Reporter" and a Christian, and he wishes all his young friends to do the same as helpers in the great work. It is therefore with great delight he has to tell them some good news about China. Perhaps you know that for hundreds of years the whole of China was shut against missionaries, and it is only a few years since permission was given to them to visit five of the sea-port towns. No European was permitted lawfully to go beyond a few miles of these towns for any purpose. Keep that in mind for a moment, while he tells you that for months past we English people have been at war with the Chinese and, sad to say, have killed a great many of them while fighting. Now the good news the Reporter has to tell is, that the war is at an end; peace has been restored, and China -or a great part of it-is opened to Europeans. This will be good for poor China, and, we hope, for the world. Trade with China will increase, and many of the starving will be fed. What a glorious opening for the gospel now. Now for missionaries, and teachers, and Bibles! God has opened the door, and now he asks us to go in and labour. Another wonderful thing has happened. The telegraph is laid to America. Now a message can be sent these thousands of miles along the rocks and hills of the sea in a few minutes. The Times to-day tells us what took place in New York yesterday! Great God! speed on thy glorious gospel with equal haste, until all men shall know Thee the wide world over! |