such a request, and did not long ago take
this good method of replying to letters of inquiry, which, attempting to
answer one by one, I have been obliged to respond to briefly, hurriedly,
and unsatisfactorily.

1. First, "Catch your hare"--get the Chinese to come. This is less
difficult, I fancy, in our Eastern cities, than in those of California.
And yet, even there, it may require repeated and persistent invitations.
I would not despair even though the teachers came several times at the
hour appointed, and found that the expected pupils had broken their
promises and failed to appear. You will at length prove to them that you
are in earnest and have something for them worth their consideration.

2. When they come, _do not undertake any opening exercises_, but as soon
as the first one appears, let the teaching begin. They are generally so
situated, that to exact strict punctuality, is to require the
impossible. Give them a reading lesson in whatever book they bring; or,
if they bring none, in any primer you may have at hand, Chinese who have
made no beginning in English, need to have each one his own teacher.
This may not be possible always, but it is very desirable. It is
exceedingly important that as much as possible be learned of English in
the first few lessons, in order to prepossess the pupils favorably and
get them interested in the school. Those who have already learned to
read can, of course, be put into Bible classes, but beginners ought to
be at liberty to take, each one his own pace, and get on as fast as
possible; and for this a teacher for each pupil is needed.

3. From the beginning, let each class or each pupil have _one and the
same teacher_. This is of almost vital importance. The establishment of
a personal relationship and the development of a special personal
friendship, are almost indispensable, if we would lead such dark souls
into light. General exercises will not do this fast enough to meet the
emergency. It needs personal contact; careful "hand-picking."

4. That which seems to me the best _text-book_ for Chinese schools is
"Jacobs' Reader." It was prepared originally for the deaf and dumb; and
thus suits well those who are to us--as we to them--virtually deaf and
dumb. Its object words are all represented in pictures. Its lessons are
so arranged that the advance involves a perpetual review, and thus
fastens in the memory what has been acquired. This is particularly
desirable in the case of