Vermont Telegraph

Rev. I. J. Roberts in China.
Macao, China. Dec. 24, 1837.

Rev. Wm. A. Hallock, Sec. Am. Tract Soc.

Dear Brother—May I be permitted to ask assistance of your Board to distribute Chinese tracts? I have now been studying the language seven months: have distributed a few tracts, and could have disposed of many more, but had them not, nor have I one now for distribution. There is invariably a willingness and anxiety to receive books or tracts. I can invariably; perhaps one in a hundred would refuse or fear of the mandarins, but others tease me or them when I meet them in the streets or their houses, even offering to buy!

They begin to know me pretty generally as a distributer of books that treat of the religion of Jesus; and though I have scarcely been able to give any this month, for want of tracts, yet I seldom take a walk for exercise but I have more than one solicitation for 'Jesus' books!'

Many of them are very ignorant of our religion, not knowing the name of Jesus, nor even recognizing the characters that stand for his name! They need much instruction, and tracts will be the chief practicable means for several years at least. Indeed for the visiting junks, and distant parts, they will be the only possible means in connection with the distribution of the scriptures.

My knowledge of the language, which I am constantly increasing, gives me pleasant intercourse among the people. They often hail me as a friend, invite me in to take a seat, give me a Chinese cigar, or a cup of tea, and commence a cheerful conversation! I think, had I the means, I might now commence a regular and systematic distribution of tracts throughout the inhabitants of this peninsula, including the city and six or seven villages, taking them street by street, and going from house to house. These are estimated at about 30,000; there are also several villages in sight around. Also, I could distribute from five to ten thousand pages per month, I presume, on the trading junks.

Should it please your Board to aid me in this work, no prudent exertion on my part, within my sphere, shall be wanting to appropriate the means thus afforded to the best advantage in tract distribution. I esteem this, and design making it, with the blessing of the Lord, my principal business. By giving men tracts every round, and properly managing the distribution, a great many might be annually given here advantageously.

As for the distribution of tracts on the coast, that has been, and must continue to be, much retarded, until a suitable vessel shall be furnished by the friends of China for that special purpose. Our hands are tied in this respect, without the means of conveyance: and we have not the funds to procure such means ourselves. It strikes me most sensibly, and Mr. Gutzlaff is of the same opinion, that the first object now for which the friends of China should pray and contribute liberally, is a vessel to be constantly devoted to the China mission. This is indispensably requisite in promoting this mission to the best advantage.

My dear brother, pray for us, and China. May you and your society be greatly prospered in your worthy labors.

Yours, in gospel bonds,
I. J. ROBERTS.