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Show 8 NORTH CHINA MISSION This city, as an important militarv headquarters, was full of unusual activity and excitement from the first appearance of revolutionary activity at Wuchang. Early ill the movement, when the city was in danger of attack, steps were taken by the gentry looking toward the organization of a Red Cross Society, and, in connection with it, a refuge for women and children. The missionaries were invited to take part in this work and gladly did so. Our Chinese offered their Church compound for the use of the Society. It was accepted for hospital use. Soon after the first of January the place was requisitioned for hospital use, for the wounded sent from Hankow taxed to the limit accomodations for treatment. About eighty wounded were sent. A joint committee was in charge of this work. The medical helpers were men trained in Mission hospitals or schools. The entire expense was borne by the local Red Cross Society. Again at the desperate times of mutiny and looting missionaries were able to give much help to those in need and were thus able to enter into closer human relations with many who had hitherto been disinclined to have dealings with the foreigner. The extensive looting and burning paralyzed the people. After the first night of riot refugees began coming to us. The next evening there were over five hundred, chiefly women and children. It had not been intended to make the mission compound a refuge, but the people insisted on coming in, and the Red Cross Society urged that the premises be so used; the}- also assumed responsibility for providing food. For over a month there were from one hundred fifty to three hundred refugees. People of all classes came. One family, reported to have lost $250,000. lived for over a month in a room ten feet by twelve. It was painful for such families to accept relief. The fact that these people brought their women and children and left them in our care manifested their confidence in the Church. They recognized in what was done a manifestation of the Christ spirit. TIENTSIN Proximity to the capital and the personal influence of Yuan Shih K'ai prevented Tientsin from sharing in the active revolutionary movement. It was not until the mutinies in March that an emergency arose in which we could actively help. At that time the guard of Ameri- |
