_The Chinese Fishing Villages._--It is several years since I first visited a village of Chinese fishermen. I cannot say that the mere pleasure of the thing would prompt me to repeat the visit very frequently. There is nothing in the character of the dwellings, the appearance of their denizens, or the odors rising from their work, to tempt one to a protracted stay. But I thank God that I cannot go through even such a rude and motley and ill-odored settlement, without seeing the immortal souls of which these ill-kept bodies are the habitations, or without beginning to query if some way cannot be opened to pour in upon them the healing light of that world which needs no sun.
A few days ago a message came from one of them, by a Providence so marked that I ventured to think it a Macedonian Call, and to read in it God’s _promise_ of success. This village is on a little cape jutting out into San Francisco Bay and known as Point San Pedro. Mr. Charles W. Otis, my warm personal friend,--whom, with his excellent wife, it was my privilege many years ago, while pastor at Petaluma, to welcome to the fellowship of saints--has recently been placed in charge of the “ranch” of which this Point San Pedro is a part, and is thus brought into business relations with the Chinese who are tenants upon it. His heart is stirred for them, and he asked me if something could not be done to save them. I sent Wah Yene, our devoted helper at Petaluma, to explore, and he brings me, not only his own favorable testimony, but the following message from Mr. Otis: “Wah Yene has been here a few days canvassing in the Chinese school. He will report the prospects. That there is a field here for work among the more than 400, there is no doubt. We will furnish a house free, and I think I can get lumber from some building for furniture, seats, &c. My wife and I will assist all we can, though I shall be busy much of the time, but I can add something that, will help the good work along. * * * “I know so little of the ways and means and plans of the Chinese Mission that I am unable to say more than to promise a hearty co-operation in every possible way. We are very much pleased with Wah Yene, and Mrs. Otis is ready to ‘adopt’ him, and says she would feel safe with him near when I am compelled to be absent, as I shall be two or three times each week.” Mr. Otis goes on to intimate that he could give employment to Wah Yene for a part of each day, and assume a proportionate part of his support if we desire; or if we want him to devote his whole time to missionary service, he will provide him a room comfortably furnished, free of charge. And so Wah Yene starts to-day for a month’s trial of the work; and we, on our part, will do our best to make the trial a success.