“Since I left for my home, I am perfectly well and safe.  I am very glad that I havn’t got any persecution come to me.  I told my parents the first thing when I reached my home that I don’t worship the idols and the ancestors when I marry.  They did not say anything except, ’Do what you please,’ and then I thought I could stop the bride to worship too.  They said, ‘She couldn’t,’ [i.e. could not be prevented from worshiping].  In the day I married, when the bride worship the ancestors the spectators called me saying, ’Mr. Fung Jung, go, worship with the bride.’  My mother answered them, ‘That is all right, he did worship.’  Two days after, the news that I did not worship the ancestors reached my wife’s parents.  They immediately send a woman to me and asked me what was the matter I did not worship the ancestor.  I explained to her as well as I could and then she went home.  Though I stay very firm for Jesus Christ, I am very sorry that I could not convert my family yet.  Do pray for me and for those who do not know Christ.”

It may be remarked in explanation of this somewhat singular toleration of Fung Jung’s faith and conduct as a Christian, that he had been a merchant for two or three years before he returned, and in comparison with his relatives at home, and perhaps with the average of returning Chinese, was a prosperous and somewhat well-to-do man.  And it is often remarked that if a son or a brother can get good luck in California he may have whatever religion he pleases.  That is what Chinese religion is for—­its sole utility—­to get for its patrons good luck, and if this is gained, and the son or brother has money to divide, his religion will be accepted as satisfactory, on the ground that it has worked well in his case.

JOE JET IN SEARCH OF A MISSIONARY.

Joe Jet is the Christian merchant (once a helper in our mission) to whom was entrusted by our brethren the task of inaugurating their missionary work in the districts from which they came.  The letter from him that I am about to quote reached me some months ago.  “I have crossed the stormy ocean and safely reached my country.  I have seen Tsing Ki, Fung Foo and all my friends at Hong Kong.  God protected me.  And we talked about our missionary society, how we should go on.  Then we agree to try to have one good Christian brother, his name Moo King Shing.  He can both preach and teach.  We know he is belonging to the Presbyterian Church, but we desired to employ him.  Then I left Hong Kong and went home to see my parents, wife and all my relatives.  I stay home ten days, then take my way, go to find where Moo Hing Shan is.  I go through the chapel of Kong Moon, then San Wao city, and then got to San Ching Fan and inquire how to get my way to see Moo Hing Shan.  The preacher at that chapel say, he’s in Nor Foo Market, and so, finally, I meet him there.  I then talk over the new story with him.  He like very well to work in our society, but he had teached and preached in that place seven years and all these brethren and scholars cannot leave him.  The missionary say he could not let him leave, because he is a true Christian—­not one to begin believing and then stop.  He cannot decide yet.  He will think about it.  If he sure he cannot leave there, then we find another.”