The Southern Methodist Mission is located in the S.E. part of this city near the Fu Gate. The Northern and Southern Presbyterian and the Baptist Missions are located in different, parts of the city. Persistent rumours have come to us from time to time during the two. or three weeks that we were to be burnt out and, according tothe rumours, three different times were set for the purpose. Our Chinese teachers, scholars, servants, &c., became alarmed as the rumours became more persist-out and more definite until, on the 9th inst. the most of them decided to move out. and seek a place of safety elsewhere. Up to noon of that day the foreign missionaries had not thought, it necewary to make any move as we could not believe from the evidence before us that any attack on us was seriously contemplated. " But when the news came that day of the destruction of the Ronun Catholic property at Wusieh we decided that it would be best in view of all the circumstances for the ladies and children to go to Shanghai. A telegram from Consul-General Leonard advising us to this course confirmed us in our purpose. Accordingly native bouts wore called and all the Indies and children started for Shanghai that night. Some of the gentlemen went with them and the rest remained to look after the property.
'About five o'clock a crowd began to collect around the Methodist. Mission premises und as it increased in numbers it became boisterous and ugly. In view of their threatening attitude it' was thought Dest for us to call on the magistrate imme-intely for protection. Two of the forei missionaries, therefore, went to see him and asked him to take steps without delay to prevent disturbance. He responded to our call at once by sending to the Com-nuncler for a company of soldiers and going himself at once to the scene of action. The soldiers were soon on the ground and what-over of mischief that may have been intended was promptly nipped in the bud. It is dificult. to determine whether there wus any real purpose to attack us or not. It is firmly believed by our Chinese friends that
and energetic measures that they did, we ifthe aficiale had not taken the prompt should certainly have been attacked by the mob. I think the danger was real and inuninent, and the active measures that were taken were all that saved us, in the Providence of God, frou a serious outbreak.
The crowd did not all disperse till nearly midnight. The next day a great crowd surged around our premises, but the soldiers and yamen runners were on guard and no damage was done. Several arrests were unde, some of the men being beaten on the spot, others, cringeed and two sent to ison. At nearly all the Mission premises in the city crowds collected which were more or less threatening and soldiers and yamen runners had. to be stationed at every place to prevent attack. the Lith, which being the Sth of the Sth Great numbers of people came again on
mood, is an important holiday in this city for all bandis en. But the constables on had orders to keep the crowd moving. so that no great number were collected at any one time. Several arrests wore also made on this day of persons who talked in a boisterous manner or refused to obey the orders to move on. On Friday since, Soldiers are on at all the everything was quiet and has been ever
mission premises in the various parts of the city, and no further trouble for the present is apprehended. News came ofa spect ut trouble at Lohkapang. below un shan, and a company of soldiers was sent down from here immediately to protect that place. Another Roman Catholic establishment was destroyed last Friday' near Wasieh. here, both civi and military, forther prompt We have nothing but praise for our officials
and unhesitating response to our call for help. They have done and are doing their best to preserve order and as long as the soldiers remain true we have no fear of any serious trouble.
Soochow, 16th June.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.