Among the Celestials : vol.1 / Page 86 (Color Image)

0086	Among the Celestials : vol.1

6o AMONG THE CELESTIALS. [CHAP. III.

work by teaching children. It is part, too,

of the general line of action that at each

mission station there should also be a mis-

sionary doctor, through whom first access may

be gained to men who might otherwise never

be approachable.

This class of mission does not inspire the

same amount of enthusiasm, as, for instance,

that of the French missionaries we had met in

Northern Manchuria ; but it may be quite

as effective, and for the immediate object, that

of gaining access to the higher classes, it is

probably much better suited. The medical

part of the mission, especially, is eminently

practical, and likely to be appreciated by the

people. As we ourselves saw, high Chinese

officials did make use of the services of Dr.

Christie, and, though it cannot be expected

that, because a man is cured of an illness, he

should straightway become a Christian, it is

evidently an advantage to both the Chinaman

and the missionary that they should have had

the opportunity of coming in contact with one

another. Something of the strong earnest

character of the medical missionary must be

reflected on to the Chinaman, and the mis-

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