Nine or ten young Chinamen delivered addresses at the anniversary.  They spoke with remarkable simplicity, perspicuity and accuracy of English pronunciation.  In view of their perfect self-possession and propriety of manner in the presence of the crowded congregation, one could scarcely realize that nearly all of them were utterly inexperienced in public speaking.  The success of these humble representatives gave a hint of the possibilities of a Christianized China.  One of the speakers gave an account of the conversion, sickness, death and Christian burial of a member of the school, a youth of eighteen.  The heathen relatives and friends had attributed the illness to the boy’s desertion of the religion of his fathers, and had begged him to allow the burning of idolatrous incense.  But he had calmly resisted their appeals, and, in an alien land, far from his father and mother, had pillowed his dying head on the breast of the Saviour of mankind.

Low Quong, who superintends the mission, and who is true-hearted, prudent and influential with his countrymen, showed with clearness, the relation between the conversion of the Chinese in California and the evangelization of China.  It was news to many of his hearers that the Christian Chinese of America are supporting native missionaries of their own in China.

The recitation by the school in concert of some of the sweetest and most familiar of the Psalms and Scriptural promises, melted the hearts of the hearers into sympathy.  The old truths borrowed a new tenderness and emphasis from these voices accustomed to recite heathen prayers.  The pupils sang in solo, in duet and in chorus.  When “Over the Ocean Wave” was rendered, some of us queried in our minds on which side of the ocean wave God thinks the poor heathen live—­the side from which these gentle friends have come, or the side where their countrymen receive such unchristian welcome?

Nothing could more effectually knock in the head mean prejudice than the grateful words and kind spirit which characterized this anniversary.  Whatever may be the prospect of the Chinese over-running us, they certainly had us that Sunday evening.  Mrs. Sheldon, who has had large experience in the work, and Miss Watson, are devoting themselves to the mission with a beautiful fidelity and consecration.

Dr. Pond, who conducted the anniversary service, closed with an address only too brief, but most felicitous and convincing.  To the opponents of Chinese immigration he is accustomed to reply:  “Can there be any better way of keeping the Chinese at home than to have it known among the fathers in China that their sons, if they come to this country, are likely to be Christianized?”

Nothing could be sweeter or more cordial than the spirit of welcome with which the six Chinese brethren were received into covenant.  Not an officer or member breathed an objection to their reception.  Had there been in any heart any lurking Phariseeism concerning them, it would have been rebuked, if not exorcised, by hearing them sing with us at the Lord’s table, in broken accents, “Rock of Ages,” by observing their devout bearing and by witnessing the affecting baptismal scene.  These brethren came to the church approved by Dr. Pond, by the Chinese missionary, Low Quong, and by the vote of the Christian Association, and after an examination by the pastor.