of its head was made known, the higher orders began to furnish patients from their ranks. And when Mr. Downing visited Dr. Parker, in 1836 and 7, he ascertained that more than two thousand persons had been under treatment, most of whom had received help. Such conduct as this, rapidly melted the prejudices of the Chinese their respect was becoming excited; while those who were restored to health, were warmly attached to their benefactor. And if the hospital could be continued, there can be no doubt but that by it a door would be opened into China, through which Christian truth and the improvements of science might be introduced among that people. And it would seem, from the success of kindness in this case, and the non-success of different experiments of another character, that the Chinese can be reached only through the law of love; for even their iron stubbornness and pride cannot resist the fire of affection and goodness. One instance of the lively gratitude of a Chinese to Dr. Parker, for his great kindness, I cannot forbear mentioning. It is the case of a "private secretary to an officer of government," whose name is Masre-yay, and who had been made blind for many years, by the disorder termed cataract. An operation was performed upon his eyes by Dr. Parker, with such com plete success, that he was perfectly restored to sight. In the enthusiasm of his gratitude, he desired that he might have the doctor's portrait, that he might "bow down before it every day." This was of course refused. He then, among other things, sent the present of a gilded fan, on which was inscribed a short biography of Dr. Parker, and a poem strongly expressive of his own grateful feelings. This poem was translated, and appeared in the Chinese Repository-a few verses of which we give. On hearing of Dr. Parker, he says:— "I quick went forth; this man I sought-this generous doctor found; He gained my heart; he's good and kind; and high above the ground, He gave a room, to which he came at morn, at noon, at night; Words would be vain, if I should try his kindness to recite." After describing the operation, and the joy of his soul on first beholding his friends, he says: "With grateful heart and heaving breast-with feelings flowing o'er, I cried, 'Oh, lead me quick to him who can the sight restore!' I tried to kneel; but he forbade, and forcing me to rise, 'To mortal man bend not the knee;' then, pointing to the skies, "I am,' said he, 'the workman's tool-another's is the hand; Before His might, and in his sight, men feeble, helpless stand; Go, virtue learn to cultivate, and never thou forget, That for some work of future good, thy life is spared thee yet.' "The token of my thanks he refused, and would not take Silver or gold-they seemed as dust; 't is but for vir tue's sake His works are done. His skill divine I ever shall adore, Nor lose remembrance of his name till life's last day is o'er." * Such were the expressions of gratitude drawn from a Chinese, by the kindness of Dr. Parker. And who shall venture to predict what glorious changes might not be wrought in China, if a systematic course of kindness was pursued in regard to its people? Perchance such conduct might be as efficient as sunshine and showers upon seed in the earth. At all events, it would be more Christ-like than to slaughter the Chinese because their emperor desires to save his subjects from intoxication by opium. *Penny Magazine, 1832, p. 262. CHAPTER VIII. KINDNESS ADMIRED BY ALL PEOPLE, "There is a golden chord of sympathy IN all the instances which have been adduced, the law of kindness has won for itself most noble triumphs, proving that there is a majesty and power in it which overcome all obstacles, and, like fire upon an iron mass, soften the hard heart, take the wrinkles of revenge from the face of the soul, and throw broadly over it the cheerful smile of friendship. And we have no doubt that the secret of its power is, that man, notwithstanding his degradation, his wars and vices, possesses principles at the very foundation of his nature, which are as certainly influenced by a proper exhibition of kindness, as the needle of the compass is influenced by magnetism. There is good in man; and the instances are multitudinous which demonstrate the existence of that good. Take man in any situation, whether civilized or uncivilized, saint or sinner, exalted or degraded, surrounded by all the blessings of knowledge and comfort, or crushed in oppression, yet there is a chord in every soul, which, when swept by the finger of kindness, will vibrate with the music of holier and better feelings. A foreman in the New York State Prison, in Auburn, informed me that he has known a dozen convicts at once affected to a perfect gush of tears by the mere sight of his little son, when he has taken him into the workshop. By seeing that boy, perchance recollection brought vividly to view what they once were in the days of their childhood-or their thoughts stole away to children of their own, whose society they had forfeited by crime, and who were thereby left without a father to guide and instruct them. The sleeping affection of their minds was aroused by that child, and in their falling tears of sorrow, was manifested the truth, that man, though hardened by crime, never entirely loses the divinity of good within. him. In 1828, a paint shop in the Auburn Prison, took fire in the night. The shop was so nigh to the north wing, in which there were over five hundred convicts confined, that the nu |