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  THE CHINESE.

 RESULTS THAT ELUDE THE STATISTICIAN.

BY REV.  C.T.  WEITZEL.

There are some effects which cannot be put into statistics.  A boy’s progress in a study is but imperfectly declared by the monthly report or the examination “stand.”  Much of the work accomplished in a Chinese mission school, is impossible to tabulate.  Like the marvelous clearness of the atmosphere in Santa Barbara on a bright morning after a night of rain, it quite eludes the statistician.

But effects may be felt, though we cannot represent them by figures.  Go with me some evening through the Chinese quarter of our city; note the faces of the loungers in every door-way and at every corner.  Watch the expression, or the want of expression, in these stolid, brutal, repulsive faces of opium-smokers and gamblers.  Then step over with me to the Chinese mission-house two squares away.  Before you enter, look in through the half-open door and take a survey of the scene within.  The room is well-lighted, and contains, among other things, two long tables, a dozen benches, a cabinet organ, and a few chairs.  The walls are bright with Scripture texts and illustrations from sacred history.  About fifteen young Chinamen are seated at the tables, all reading and studying aloud in true Chinese fashion.  Just as you enter the teacher, touches the bell.  Books are closed and all take seats on the benches in front of the organ.  A Chinese evangelist is present, and while he makes an impassioned address, accompanied by most expressive gestures, you are free to study the faces upturned to listen.  What a contrast to the faces you have just left in Chinatown, idly staring at the passer-by, or, vacant of all interest, staring at nothing!  At a glance you perceive effects which must be seen to be appreciated.  You feel that not only is the whole atmosphere of this place essentially different {104} from that of the Chinese quarter, but there is also an essential difference between those who frequent the one and the other.

Socially, intellectually, spiritually, the Chinese mission-school does its beneficent work.  It must be borne in mind that the Chinaman in California is away from home.  He is exposed to all the temptations of a stranger in a strange land, removed from the restraining influences of a community where one is known.  Subject an equal number of men of any other nation to this severe test, and I doubt much if they would bear it as well.  The mission school serves the purpose of a strong social support.  So far as possible it takes the place of a home.  It practically separates its attendants into a community by itself.  It does much to keep them from contact with their vicious countrymen in Chinatown.  It does much to bring them into contact with those whose influence upon them will be good.  It does much to furnish a healthy social atmosphere in which to pass the hours of the afternoon and evening, which every Chinese servant is at liberty to spend as he will.