Under date the 17th of September, Miss Mitchell sends us the following details of the relief work that is being done at Wuhu:—
The author of the articles " On the Face of the Waters" has given a faithful description, but not nearly all. Day after day as we passed among the huts on the bills, most distressful sights and stories were seen and heard. One person told of having seen-a rope floating, and thinking a buffalo was attached, pulled and found a whole family tied together and of course drowned. One poor woman said: "We were twenty-eight when the typhoon came; we tied our house to a tree by the dyke. Dead bodies were piled around our door. The rope broke and only ten of us were left." In every direc are aching hearts and mothers weeping or sighing for little ones lately gone from exposure and lack of proper nourishment. Some were found starving, the mother having died or being sick. "These we were too Into to help. One mother, weeping, told how she had waited all day hoping we would call and give a few cash to buy boards to make a coffin for her darling; and the last resort was old cloth and a piece of matting, the resource of numberless mothers these sad days. We who in the Far East know the cruel, sad experience. One evening one old woman came to us saying that upon the bill all alone among the grass was a little slave girl, eight years of age, exposed to die a-Tone. We went at once and found her too ill to know her sad condition. The only moan was: "Food, food." Warm milk gave strength, so she could be carried to our home, and though everything was done, she died the next eve. The master came in fright when he learned a foreigner had found out his cruel heartlessness, but fled when met by a just rebuke. At her grave he brought the usual offerings, but was given a sound rebuke by the coolie, who called his attention to the child's eyes and heart being safe from our late attentions.
The well-to-do refugees are now going back to claim lands and build up again devastated homes. We have found not a fow enterprising citizens of Wuhu in shops among, these shacks, buying rice and selling ata profit. This has been stopped by officials, who undersell, so that those who have money can secure broad at a cheaper price than formerly atest distress has not reached us yet, but is not far off; as already many ate driven to the streets to beg and others are ill from insufficient food. One woman said If we do not starve, we will he frozen to death." In conference, it was decided to secure a temple if possible ax the base of operations. We wrote a letter to the Taotai asking for the loan of one out on the bills. He at once sent his Deputy to enquire into our plans, and say he greatly feared a riot and increase of population. With the idea of relieving the sick, he was deeply grateful. When we explained work tickets were to be issued instead of rice he and the Deputy were hopeful and with the Hsien have been exceedingly kind. We quite agree with "*C. R. M." in avoiding pau-parising the people, so we prepared material to make warm clothing for the winter months. Each able to work will be engaged to sew and given something to eat, and later on some portion of the clothing made. As regarding missionary work in connection with our relief, we most frankly told the Deputy that was our most earnest desire. Instead of opposing, every aid has been given, the Hsien sending sri official to look out any person likely to make trouble in the neighbourhood of the temple. A mill was found near, and the owner asked to go to some place else for fear of being a nuisance. The idols have been set aside and covered, so that room may be made for the sick and needy; just now the temple is receiving a clean coat of whitewash and re-We must not forget. to mention the bountiful gift of Lord Li, who gave us $500 for medicines and' other needs. 'What the kind donators have sent us is not nearly enough, but we are not the least fearful, for never have the people of Shanghai failed to respond to those in distress and, too, the Deputy has assured us of the officials' assistance. We are in hopes that more of the foreigners will send old clothing. Ladies' dark skirts make comfortable Chinese clothes. We have cut from clothing sent in a number of useful garments. Some place can be found for all classes of gar. ments. We hope to begin our dispensary next week; then the sewing class for women. The children come with the mothers, and special attention is given them, as they are those who are to shape the new China.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.