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Show - 50 - The New Kindergarten. The Kindergarten was opened for the first time this last Fall in Fenchowfu, and has already convinced everyone of its place in the educational system. Through the interest and generosity of the Oberlin Kindergarten Training School girls, funds were raised for the native trained teacher's salary. Added to this a gift of ten dollars has helped very materially in the equipment. Two of the rooms in the main school building were thrown together and tho' not adapted to the needs of a Kindergarten, they have been the center from which an influence of inestimable value has gone out, not only affecting the lives of the children but reaching into the homes. The little native teacher Miss Keng has taken up her work in a way which shows that she has found her place in life. In one of the early lessons in S. S. last fall, there were pictures representing Christ, the keen childish eyes looked at them with interest and then said to her "your face is more beautiful than God's." There was no irreverence in the remark, only the child had found a living, loving face, and because that life showed forth Christ's love, the reality to him surpassed a printed picture. This one illustration goes far in my mind to show the power that can be set in operation where we have trained our girls to do such work How I wish that I could give you the picture that is in my mind when I think of the little circle. At first the unkept little faces appeared hesitatingly at the door, to see what the school in which little children were said to play, was like. Soon the fear gave way to an interest which fascinated and held them, and before the morning session was over they had forgotten all fear and felt that they were in a place that welcomed them and was made for them as no other place had ever been. *'Lieh-tze and His Bride" Little Lieh Tze -the son of Dr. Watson's cook-is one of the greatest joys. Late in the summer his mother died leaving h'm with a wee baby brother. His uncle had no sons and was glad to adopt the little babe and care for Lieh Tzu until the father could find another w.fe. But since the Aunt was Mrs. Watson's nurse they were g?ad to place him in Kindergarten the first day of school. A little round chubby mite whose fingers would scarcely obey his will, this was a new world-and for pure joy he sang with all the breath his small body could muster. Soon we learned that his father was to marry again and that Lieh Tzu was to be engaged at the same time. A very fortunate move to the Chinese mind. The new mother had a daughter just his age and they need add only a little to the betrothal price to settle the destiny of her little daughter together with the mothers. So one morning not long after, Lieh Tzu came up to me, and asked if I knew that he was to marry the next day. And then he wanted to know if he could bring her to Kindergarten. I told him "yes indeed" and I wish you might have seen the shy little bride as he led her into school a few days later. It was beautiful to see how eager he was to teach her all the motions and plays. He never failed tn choose her until she was as efficient as he in all the games. So thus early we hope that a real Chinese romance has begun in the Kindergarten. |
