I am a "poor lost sinner," they told me.

They flung texts at my head, and then sang a terrifying ballad, by which I learnt for the first time the awful fate that is to be mine.
It is something too dreadful to contemplate.

And the cheerful equanimity with which they announced it to me! I left the _Yesu-tang_ in a cold sweat, and never returned there.
Missionary work is being pursued in the province with increasing vigour.
Among its population of from five to seven millions, spread over an area of 107,969 square miles, there are eighteen Protestant missionaries, nine men and nine ladies (this is the number at present, but the usual strength is twenty-three).

Stations are open at Chaotong (1887), Tongchuan (1891), Yunnan City (1882), Tali (1881), and Kuhtsing (1889).
The converts number--the work, however, must not be judged by statistics--two at Chaotong, one at Tongchuan, three at Yunnan City, three at Tali, and two at Kuhtsing.
That the Chinese are capable of very rapid conversion can be proved by numberless instances quoted in missionary reports on China.

The Rev.S.
F.Woodin (in the _Records_ of the Missionary Conference, 1877, p.