Liu Tsi Chuin
Rioter and Evangelist.
Rev. J. L. Stewart, M.A., B.D.
"Ninety-five" is a date of dates among the pioneer
workers in West China. All winter rumors of the
doings of foreigners had been floating about the city
of Chengtu, old stories of suspicion and superstition
scarce heard to-day: "Foreigners ate children."
"Doctors pulverized eyes for medicines, hence their
wonderful cures." "Bodies were buried beneath the
church floors." "Foreigners having, many of them,
blue eyes, could see into soil and discover hidden
treasure as the dark-eyed people of China might see
stones on the bottom of streams." "Foreigners were
there to seek treasure or territory." Even high
officials, 'tis said, fed the flame with the hope that it
would soon become so hot the "foreign devils" would
flee.
There were, however, few open acts of hostility during these days. Then suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, it came. It was the fifth of the fifth month feast. According to time-honored custom, the crowds assembled on the great east parade ground, scarce a stone's throw from the Mission compound, for the throwing
