the education of
children."--ARISTOTLE.

"Take heed that ye despise not--offend not--forbid
not--one of these little ones."--The Commandment
of Christ.

CHAPTER XXIII

A CASKET OF JEWELS

BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL

MRS. HSI has never replaced the ornaments she sold thirty years ago. Had
she heard the story told of Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi, I fancy her
thoughts would have found expression, when she lately visited us and saw
the many courtyards occupied by women and girls, in the famous words of
the Roman matron: "These are my jewels." The interest on that first
small gift is incalculable, and can never be tabulated in human
statistics. An attempt to record the many activities of the Hwochow
Mission station as it now stands, would be incomplete without some
detailed account of the Girls' School and Normal Training College.

The schools occupy four courts, and the ages of the pupils assembled
range from the smallest, who is only five, to young women of over
twenty. The Teaching Staff consists entirely of women, all of whom have
been trained here, and we shall perhaps get our best view of them at the
Teachers' Meeting held weekly in the Principal's room. A glance will
reveal the strong individualities here represented, and these twelve
young women cover as many varieties of temperament. Here all matters
connected with the school are mentioned, and it is striking to see the
various view-points taken. The loving nature which would lead, but never
drive, a rebellious child; the puritan, who will smile at no
infringement of the law, and whose stern eye has been even known to call
the Principal to order; the quick glance of the woman whose type reveals
an inevitable leader, the stern disciplinarian, and the easy-going,
good-natured woman--all are here, their diversity of gifts revealing the
unity of the One Spirit. Ling Ai and I alone know how much we have to
thank God for the friendliness of their mutual relationships. As to
myself, the loyalty, love, and unity of my band of fellow-workers is my
joy and crown.

Thrice already has the staff been increased by graduates qualifying from
the Normal Training Class, and our students have included some from the
borders of Mongolia--a journey of twenty days--from Shensi, Honan, and
Chihli provinces, in addition to those from all the China Inland Mission
schools in Central Shansi.

The education given in the