'A Year's Work Amongst the Distressed: Class The sixteenth annual report of the Shanghai Mission to Riesha Men states inp:
Of all classes of Chinese with whom the foreigner comes into contact, there is none so much at the merey of chaute and cireumstance as the ricsha man. It is often true of him that he does not} know from whence his next meal may come. His riesha is hired by. the day and costs him a dollar for} 24 hours. Two or three men usual club together, pay the day's fee, and divide time and hire between them. At the best, profits are no more than give the men a bare li ing.
During the 16 years of its exist. ence the work has developed into dimensions far exceeding the early expectations of the founder. With headquarters in Shanghai and Chapei (Chinese territory), its branches, extend into the extensive and den: ty populated districts around Shanghai, Chapei, and Pootung. The aims ofthe mare simple, It's object is to uplift and better the conditions of the ricsha men, to care for the sick and destitute among them and, as far as possible, make them, conscious of an. active sympathy. exerted on their behalf. The Mission relies entirely on vol-unwary. contributions for its support, and its accounts are audited yearly, by chartered accountants, Acting on the belief that, if an institution desires to attract the attention, and interest of certain classes, it must be where the people are, Ricsha Mission, out after the masses, has its headquarters and branch halls in the: slummiest and most Populated districts, and consequently is always largely patronized.
The people come in their thous: ands to the Mission, halls, and if they go, after a time, or quickly, as. ships that pass in the night, it is certain that many. carry with them, new ang. better conceptions of life! and conducts. than they othe would have had. Many lives, lightened and changed for good in character and conduct, testify to the value of instruction received through the agency of the Mission, The Bible women give valuable assistance in the house-to-house visitation.
They gain ready access to the homes, inquire into the needs of poverty-stricken families, give assistance and report men out work. Special and always well attended meetings for women are held regularly and make a bright spot in drab, sad lives. The relief work goes on continuously throughout the year, quietly and unobtrusively, so that many may. be unaware that'for 16 years the Mission has been helping materially riesha men and their
many of whom but for such assist wheel-barrow men, etc, ance would have many foodless day'
Food tickets are distributed at} the close of the large meetings, and, where necessary, during the house-to-house visitation. The relief work lated and received with more or less gratitude (gen-axally more), but reaches the apex of its popularity during—to the Mission—that brilliant week between Christmas and New Year, when, due to the "North-China Daily. News" Christmas Fund, the Mission, is enabled to keep open house for the ricsha men, when every man may feast and' be satisfied, and come again. Truly days to be remembered and. anticipated during many. months, when perhaps the family larder is but poorly supplied and sometimes empty. The numer ous friends whose generosity contributes so largely to those happy results: must surely be gratified by the knowledge of the happiness brought to so many through this means.
The various activities of the Mission have all been well main-ined dering the year, and in all, encouragements have "more than balanced any disappointments which may. have been. encountered. The purpose of the work is to help the unfortunate riesha men who, in most eases through no fault of their own, find: themselves stranded without, home or'work. Thousands of such men have received shelter most throw our support. in favour of the war system or the peace system, Tt will make a wast difference to ur ebjliren, which choice we make." and, food, and, what is almost as important, that sympathy: and hope which enables them to try again fang generally put them on their feet. Not a few now, in respectable positions, can look back with gratitude to the Mission's help in their hour of need, The instructive work is much ap-Preciated by many men and has been so fully justified by results that very special attention is given to this department. Carefully trained men are engaged in giving instruction, in halls: and outside, verbally, and'by distribution of printed forms giving directions in as simple and practical a manner as possible.
It ig much to be desired that a distinction should: be made between the genuine riesha man and the men who for some evil purpose hire 'a rischa temporarily, posing as riesha men. 'The genuine riesha man who adopts the calling more or less, permanently is usually hard working, uncomplaining, and even cheerfal' under hard conditions, genet ly, doing his best. For rendering valuable assistance in the capture of kidnappers, highway robbers, and for restoring valuable property. left in their rieshas, numerous men have been rewarded, some receiving pub-lie acknowledgment of their services,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.