The following two pathetic letters have reached Tientsin this week, and were written by Mrs. Atwater shortly before she was murdered, and given into the care of the gate-keeper, who appears to have faithfully folflled the trust and forwarded them here by his son afew days ago. These letters will be treasured by the bereaved relatives, and tell us all the little that we shall probably ever know of " personal nature of the last hours of the victims of Yui Hsien's fiendish cruelty. This is the only. wort that has reached the const of the Bftynine persons done (o death in Shansi, Fenchoufu, July 30th, 1900.
Dear ones at Taku:—Mrs. Clapp, Rowena, Louise.
The gentlemen's letters will tell you what our next step is, so I won't speak it. This last news from you confirming: our fears concerning the dear ones at Taiyuan was hard, God knows how hard for tus to hear, but I cannot write of it yet. We passed a terrible night and in the morning there was the very Li-hai proclamation ordering us out almost at once, I could do nothing but cry to God; seemed as if I could bear no more in my present condition. No one talked at meals. We seemed to be waiting for the Jend, and I for my part longed that. it might come speedily. He Kou went like a brave fellow to the yamen to ask if we }eould not have an escort to the river.
could hire nothing unless the Kuan [helped us. He stayed so long we feared. he had been beaten, but our fears for "nce were groundless, And yet although an es-cart has been promised, I feel very uneasy. The new Kuan has come, but the old one will not give up his authority and there is considerable friction in consequence. How it. may affect our going I do not know. We are in the Lord's hands, What will (Fae ray you may be led every step. I on plan todo? We wish we could know.
wish I could think it safe to go toward Hankow. It seems such a risk, but there seems nothing else for it now. ' Muy God keep each one of you. He is our only help. With much love to each of you, and kindest regards to Mr. Davis, Mr. Clapp, and Mr. Williams, ever lovingly, Lizzie Atwater. Later. 2nd August.
Our plans are upset, we do not think we cam escape from the city. Several of the church members are planning to con-coal us if we divide up. It is hard to do Mr. Lei wishes to conceal mo his home right here in the city, but T want to stay with my dear husband while life is given to us. Heaven seems very near, these last hours, and I feel quite calm.
There will be 2 joyful welcome for us all above. Iam fixing my thoughts more and more on the glorious hereafter, and it gives me wonderful peace. God bless you all. Yours in blessed hope, L.A.
Note on the envelope. The foreigners at Taku, six in number, were beheaded yesterday (August Ist).
Fenchoufu, 3rd August, 1900, My Dear Dear Ones, I have tried to gather courage to write to you once more. How am I to write all the horrible details of these days. I would rather spare you. The dear ones at Shouyang, seven in all, jueluding our lovely girls, were taken prisoners and brought to Taiyuan in irons and there by the Governor's orders beheaded, together with the T'aiyuan friends, thirty-three souls. The following day the Roman Catholic priests and nuns from T'ai-yuan, were also beheaded, ten souls yes~ terday. Three weeks after these had perished, our Mission at Taku was attacked, and our six friends there and several brave Christians who stood by them were beheaded. We are now waiting our call home. We have tried to get away to the Hills,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.