Our Chinese brethren have their full share in the family feeling which
for ages has been nurtured in their race. This feeling is even
intensified by their new life in Christ. They long for what they hope to
make a Christian home, and greatly desire to perpetuate themselves in
children who may follow them in following Christ. But what are they to
do for wives? Many live in a virtual celibacy that is hopeless, because
enforced by the betrothals made for them in China by their parents or
elder brothers. These are accounted sacred, and are honored by our
brethren with an oblivion of their own fancies or affinities that will
be adjudged to be either stolid or heroic, according as the person
judging is disposed to think kindly or unkindly of this people. Many
have returned to China for the express purpose of consummating this
betrothal in marriage. They remain a few months with their wives, and
then return to California to find work and provide for them. Such
persons are obliged by their principles to live in virtual celibacy.

Some greatly desire to send for their wives, but not only does the
Restriction Law bar the entrance, but the father in China will probably
raise effectual objection. A son is as much the property of his father
at sixty as at six, and all he has, not only in property, but in wife
and children as well, is under the father's control. The
daughter-in-law, if strong and willing, is a very serviceable person
about the old homestead in China, and the appeals of the son for the
enjoyment of his wife's society in California are answered with the
advice to get him another wife here. One in China and one in America
seems to them a very safe arrangement. Eight thousand miles of ocean
intervene and assure against domestic broils.

Some, however, of our brethren have in one way or another been set free