boasted that before long San Francisco would be one of its suburbs.
The Chinese population increased to about 6,000. Among these were many
of our own brethren and several who were members of my own church.
They pleaded for a Congregational mission, and showed that because the
two Presbyterian missions were at one end of the Chinese quarter, and
there was nothing of the sort at the other end, nearly a mile distant,
there was a large field for us where we would come into no
competition, and where all that we might do would be a distinct
addition to the work done for Christ among their countrymen. We
yielded to their persuasions and found their prediction amply
verified. Our school became at once the largest and our work the most
active and fruitful in the city. In the four months ending with
August 31, 1888, 133 pupils were enrolled, and the average membership
month by month was 69. Street-preaching, hand-to-hand evangelistic
work, and the skillful, faithful labor of our teacher, Mrs. Sheldon,
and our enthusiastic helper, Loo Quong, were used of God for the
conversion of many souls.

But as in other specially delightful places for homes, persons
multiplied who desired to enter into this missionary work. Instead of
three, there came to be six or eight missions there. Competition
ensued. Our school, though comparing well with any, was reduced in
size and influence, and as we began to be straitened for funds and
there were many points where no one was caring for Chinese souls, our
aid was withdrawn and I supposed the work would cease. Not so. Our
Chinese brethren clung to each other and to their own mission work.
They rented quarters neither spacious nor comfortable, but cheap, and
contrived, with the aid of one true-hearted Christian woman, to keep
up their school, maintain their Association, add four members to it as
converts to the Christian life, and present seven of their number to
the First Congregational Church for baptism. We felt that a mission
with such "grit and grace" deserved to live. _Long may it live!_

Three persons converted at this mission have been brought into our
work as missionary helpers. Many have testified for Christ in their
own land.

At present it is in excellent working order and our Christian Chinese
are enthusiastic, generous, and at peace among themselves. Let me copy
a few sentences from a letter from one of them who was temporarily at
work at Pasadena. "I am very sorry for I left our sc