The first presentation of Rescue Work to the ce by the Committee, organised on 31st December, 1900, contained a prospectus of our hopes and plans; the fulfilment of many of these during the year past we gratefully record. The di culties have not been small, nor the couragements few, but the assurance that God could not forget a work which Ho has undertaken, has enabled us to trust in the Perfection of His plans, where ours hare failed, and in what has been accomplished we see the realisation of His purpose.
severe trial came to us in the loss of Mrs. Alice Parker, the first Chairman of the Committee,' whom God took to her Home with Him—in the early autumn of last year. She was fitly chosen to be the leader in the inauguration of the work, and only those who followed her wise counsel and shared her heart devotion, can know what it has been to carry on the work without her at a time when, to human perception, she was most needed. During the past summer Mrs. Parker, with the assistance of friends, helped one poor woman to leave her sinful life, and had the joy of seeing her finally sent to her friends in Hanyang. Mrs. G. F. Fitch has been chosen to be Mrs, Parker's successor as Chairman of the Committee, pro tem.
During the year Mrs. Robert E. Lewis has been made a member of the Committee. On November 2ist, 1901, a Re cue Home, most essential to the permanency of the work, under the Chinese name Tsi Liang Soo, was opened at J. 2683 Seward Road, in two adjoining Chinese houses, secured for a most reasonable rent. The location is accessible and sot secluded, while the interior arrangement is well suited to the requirements of the work. The Committee received from Miss Elliot a valuable gift of furniture, both foreign and Chinese which, with a few additions, has furnished the Home comfortably for the present. Miss Cornelia Bonnell, as resident worker, with a Chinese Bible woman, has been in the Home since its opening. They have in charge the care and instruction of the Veins the Home and such outside work as can be profitably done' in connection with the interests of the work.
Two girls have already been received as inmates. The girls in the Home are taught to read as a necessary preparation for the Bible study which will be fundamental in their Christian instruction, and are trained in industrial work, which it is hoped, as the work developes, may be a substantial help in their support. At present plain sewing, mending, and knitting are done, and friends are asked to give their assistance by sending such work to the Home, The charge for work is from three to five cents an hour. Old garments and samples or pieces that can be utilized for Chinese clothing or bedding, will be gratefully accepted.
The Treasurer's Report gives our present financial standing, but trust it will be borne in mind that, al-through there were some extra expenses in the establishment of the Home, the other expenditures represent the' running expenses of only two months, while the income is that of the year, including but a small proportion of regular subscri7- tions.
Correspondence is now being carried on with the National Florence Crittenton Mission, and it is hoped an affiliation with this organisation may be effected which will be a great benefit in many ways well as a financial help. At this date, however, nothing has been decided in the matter, and in any case the work in Shanghai will always be largely depend~ ent upon the support of local friends. We believe God will incline the hearts of many to our work, the need of which is fast becoming evident in nearly every loality in the Settlement, and which is untouched by other organisations. given ws an increased knowledge The experiences of the past year have of the peculiar difficulties. we have to meet. It is not our purpose to initiate legal reforms, but we consider it within our province again to call the attention of the public to existing municipal enactments which to a large extent hamper our work. While there are many isolated cases that come within our power to help, the thousands of girls in this city, whose lives are our interest, are in the grip of a slavery which puts them beyond our human reach.
While our work will naturally be largely among the Chinese women of Shanghai, we take this opportunity of announce ing our willingness to receive cases from other parts of China, or of other nation alities, when they are presented upon proper authority.
Correspondence or inquiries concerning the Home should be addressed to Miss Bonnell, J. 2663 Seward Road, or to any member of the Committee. All_ gifts to the work should be made to the Treasurer of the Committee, Mrs. Edward Evans, 88 Quinsan Road, Shanghai.
Consett Boswevt, Resident Worker.
Anice M. Tarox, Secretary.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.