Letters to Children

A series of eighteen letters written by a missionary in China for children, offering descriptive accounts of Chinese religion, temples, priests, and idols, and explanations of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist practices. Subsequent letters portray daily life and occupations—soldiers, merchants, artisans, farmers, scholars, sailors—along with the status and customs surrounding women, marriage rites, poverty, food, clothing, crimes, and funerals. The correspondence also recounts missionary efforts, Bible translation, mission stations, and observations of Canton, and concludes with guidance for parents and teachers to cultivate sympathy and missionary concern among youth.