The first evening was a reproduction of that at Oroville, there being also one believer to be baptized.  On the second evening, in view of the Lord’s Supper and the baptism, our good deacon, as soon as his work was done, was “all abroad” in Chinatown.  Squad after squad he brought, and seeing them seated, went out after more.  When about 9:15 P.M., I commenced my discourse, the room was packed.  Oh, what joy it was, what inspiration, to look into those eyes fixed closely upon me, and tell them of the love of God in Christ!  Yong Jin’s quick, animated interpretations of my sentences were not interruptions, but seemed to urge me on.  I am sure that the Spirit spoke through me to some hearts, and that I shall see the fruits of that seed-sowing in the better world.  After the most careful and repeated statements as to what a partaking of the bread and wine would mean, and as to the guilt of those who should partake without meaning what they did, a goodly number, eight or nine, I think, who had never before consented to be recognized as Christians, did thus profess that they received Christ as Saviour and Lord.  They did it in the sight and in the midst of others who did not do it—­did it with a painstaking and an apparent determination which encourages my hope that they will hold fast and be led on to clearer light and the full day.

Reaching home on Friday noon, I started for Petaluma on Saturday morning.  That evening was spent partly at the Mission House preaching the word, and partly at the church preparing our pupils for the parts they were to take in the anniversary exercises on the following evening.  Our brothers, Jee Gam and Lem Chung, were with me.  I see that I have already exhausted my space and venture only to add, that this anniversary service was one of deep interest.  The Congregational Church at which it was held was crowded, auditors standing in the doors.  All the exercises by the pupils were well rendered.  The address by Jee Gam and the songs by Lem Chung seemed to win all hearts.  The report of the year’s work at the school was more cheering than any we have been able to make for years; the collection amounted to about sixty-five dollars, and last and best of all, the gospel work done by our Chinese brethren at the Mission House was the means of leading at least two, heretofore undecided, to take their stand clearly and decisively as followers of Christ.

In a later letter, Dr. Pond adds: 

It seems that three instead of two, as I have it in my article, were led to confess Christ at Petaluma last Sunday.  One other was almost persuaded, but said he must first send home to China the bones of his father. (Matt. 8:21).  Jee Gam explained to him that he could do that as a Christian, without worshiping his father.  But he could not be persuaded.  He is a very bright and promising young man, and I hope and pray that this wrong decision may not cost him his salvation.