mission-room. We have finally settled on a cottage about a block from
where the mission formerly stood. Mr. Birkensees has a number of
cottages there, which he has concluded to rent to the Chinamen. We
have secured a cottage with six small rooms, and he is building on a
schoolroom in front (18 by 26 feet), with every convenience we want.
He is putting an attic above the schoolroom, which can be used as
sleeping-rooms. Mr. Hall is overseeing the work, and Mr. Birkensees is
having it built to suit me. We hope to go on with the mission work by
Monday night. The rent, I am sorry to say, is more than we had
expected to pay, but we could do no better. It will be $12.50 per
month, but the brethren will pay $5 each month, instead of $2.75 which
they formerly paid, besides the monthly collection.

The brethren saved from the flames the organ, pictures, books, carpet,
in fact almost everything in the schoolroom. The tables and some of
the chairs were burned, and will have to be replaced; but when I heard
that they had saved these things I was very much surprised, as they
were surrounded by fire in no time, as the fire broke out opposite the
mission house and there was no water to stay it. I have heard people
say that our brethren worked like heroes. They carried everything,
organ and all, by hand, for blocks, and finally stored them in Mrs.
Tagan's shed. They had many heavy trunks to move, besides the school
furniture. They worked systematically, displaying no selfishness, but
went right on with the moving without losing their wits. Many of their
belongings were lost, their dishes, stoves, chairs, tables, etc.,
which they cannot do without.

The Christian people here have been very kind, and have shown a great
deal of sympathy for our Chinese brethren since the fire, and I think
many will give little things, such as dishes, etc., which will be a
great help to them.

Of course I feel very sorry for our mission brethren, but I am glad
Chinatown is in ashes. We were all getting sick from the impure air.
Some of the boys had been sick for months on account, I think, of the
filth surrounding our mission rooms, and I believe it was the Lord's
will that it should burn, and besides I am certain that we can do a
better work where we are. The Chinamen are driven from their nests,
and I believe many will come to school now. They are disgusted with
their idols, because they did not save them from the fire. About six
Chinese women were d