Miss Gardner was born at Camden, Ind. At the age of twelve years she united with Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian church, where she still holds her membership. When the Woman's Board called for women to go to the foreign field she answered, and in June, 1893, she went as a missionary to Japan. Here she remained in work until a nervous breakdown caused her to return to this country early in 1897. Here she remained for almost three years. During that time she prepared the manuscript of her book, "Life in Japan," which is calculated to give the reader a better idea of the country and the missionary work there, especially as conducted by Cumberland Presbyterian. In the fall of 1889 she returned to Japan, where she labored till the spring of the present year, when failing health again compelled her to return home. Her present home is in Terra Haute, Ind.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 3, 1903, page 715]

DEAR READERS OF THE RECORD:--A very interesting and profitable missionary conference has just been held. The morning service of one day was given to the ladies. Of that I will try to give you a synopsis.

Miss Gundry, of the Friends' Mission, Tokijo, presided.

After singing "Rescue the Perishing," reading Matthew, 15th chapter, and prayer, Miss Gozad, of the Congregational Mission, Kobe, read an excellent paper, only a mere outline of which is here included, copied from Japan Mail:

1. The distinction between woman's evangelistic work and the general evangelistic work must be borne in mind. This distinction involves a special preparation in the study of the language. A systematic course in language study, with examinations thereon, is to be highly recommended, but that course should be especially adapted to the needs of the lady missionary in her special work.

"In the course of study and in selection of teacher, care should be taken that the woman's style of language may be acquired. In preparation for special work the lady missionary should strive to acquire a manner of speech, of carriage, which shall be pleasing to the Japanese women.

"The method of work for men and women should differ, the lady missionary avoiding as much as possible speaking in large, mixed public meetings; and devoting herself to the quiet hand-to-hand work of calling on the women or holding women's meetings and Bible classes.

"2. It should be borne in mind that the spirit in which she works is of more importance than natural abilities or attainments. The magnetic power of a heart filled with love of Christ and going out in love and sympathy to the Japanese being, are essential in missionary work. Especially should be habit of brooding over the discouragements of the work and criticising the Japanese and their foibles be strenuously avoided.

"3. It is most important of all that the Bible should be studied, first devotedly, secondly, systematically, with the latest and best helps to careful, scientific study. Harper's Inductive Series of Bible Lessons is especially helpful, both in private study and in teaching the Japanese."

Miss Phelps, of Sendai, spoke of having had marked success with general evangelistic meetings, she speaking only to audiences composed of ladies.

Mrs. Chappel, of the Methodist Episcopal Mission, Tokijo, spoke very encouragingly of the work among women believers, preparing them to do work of their own accord. Their King's Daughters do work for the poor and the sick and are sending help to the soldiers in Korea.

Miss Porter, Presbyterian Mission, Kanazawa, explained her work among the children in the kindergarten.

Mrs. McCanly, Presbyterian Mission, Tokijo, also spoke of Kindergarten work.

Both these ladies are very much interested in this work and find that besides bringing up the children in the Christian faith, they are also reaching the parents. They find access to the homes and ready listeners to the Word. "A little child shall lead them."

Mrs. Pettee, of Okayama, gave an interesting account of the orphanage under Mr. Ishii's care. It is doing a good work.

Three ladies from China, Doctors Walters and Poindexter, and Mrs. Wigham, gave accounts of their work in two different parts of the Empire.

While there are great differences in the fields of work, yet on the whole the work in both places requires the same patience and perseverance. With the many discouragements confronting us there are great encouragements.

For your benefit I give a few of the strange questions that the Chinese people ask:

"Your eyes are different from Chinese eyes. How deep down in the ground can you see?"

"Is there any sun in your country?"

"Do you live by eating or drinking, or can you live without it?"
"In your travels have you ever seen a country where only women lived?"

On Friday eve quite an interesting "Question Box" meeting was held. I will quote but one question: "In view of the excellent system of education now in Japan, what excusable aim is there for mission schools for children and girls?"

Mrs. McCanly was asked to answer.

After standing for a few minutes and looking very intently on the audience, she said: "Dear brethren and sisters, I cannot, in my mind, conceive of how a missionary could think of asking such a question. The very thing we come here to teach is just cause for maintaining the schools. The public schools have no Christian teaching."

It proved that the writer of the question was an ardent supporter of Christian schools and was herself a teacher, but knowing that in the home lands there were some who thought they were not needed, she asked for a voice of the conference, and found it was unanimously for the Christian school.

Yours in Christian Love,
         ELLA GARDNER.

[Source: Missionary Record, Vol. XX, No. 5, November, 1894, pages 153-154]

Dear Friends: Although I have attended a great many women's meetings of different character and took my place as one of the women in the meeting, reading with them and helping in the singing, I cannot say that I have had any experience in work with women, excepting the young women of the school. As most of you know, our first years must be spent mostly in the study of the language and in going with some of the older women to meetings to learn both the people and how to work with them.

Our plan of work in school is to begin with chapel services at 8 o'clock in the morning. The next half hour the school is divided into five Bible classes, one of which I teach, and the last term has been very pleasant, indeed. I have the graduating class of this year and they were especially anxious to study "Revelations." I had intended finishing the "Prophecies." but they begged so hard that I consented and I have never had a more interesting class since I have been in the country, nor a more diligent one. I have to study for it, too, and I know I cannot get it all, but we study it with the best "helps" and ask God to open it to us day by day. As soon as we finish it we will review the rest of the "Prophecies" and then they will have had a general study of the whole Bible during their term of school.

The rest of the day the general lessons of the school are taught just as they are in the home schools. With the exception of the English Course, which we foreigners look after, the work is done in Japanese and by competent native teachers.

In the evening we assemble in the chapel again for devotional services.

We have our regular duties and our irregular ones, and sometimes the irregular ones outnumber the regular. A meeting for consultation is called a "Sodan," and we have "Sodan" after "Sodan." It is time spent in the Lord's work for the good of these girls; but you may ask: "What are you 'Sodan"ing about?" My answer would be: Various things. These girls are here altogether in our care, away from their parents, and, like American girls, they need guarding and guiding; they need to be brought into close contact with us in confidential talks if we expect them to grow to be strong Christians.

We try to call occasionally at all the homes, either of the girls who are now in school or have been in since our acquaintance with it.

With these varied duties, do you think it any wonder that we cannot answer all the calls for work among the women in the near villages and surrounding country?

We now have one girl who is not able to finish the course in school this year on account of bad health, but we think she will be able to enter again in the Spring, providing she has a change of work this winter. A few weeks ago I received a letter from her asking me to give her something to do. I give her own words in broken English: "O, Dear Teacher, what shall I do? I wish to work, to lose even my body for God or School or other righteousness. I hope you will teach able way to work, please, if you have able way to use, even, stupid, unlearned and very, very little before God, as me?" She is a good girl and could do good work if there was some one to go with her, but she is young and inexperienced and cannot work alone. Miss Alexander and I talked the matter over and told her to come on after the Holidays and we together would try to fill some of the calls for Bible meetings. We do not see the way clearly yet, but we trust it will be made so. Pray for us that we may have the strength, both bodily and spiritually, to do the work before us.

Yours lovingly,

ELLA GARDNER.

[Source: Missionary Record, Vol. XXI, No. 11, May, 1896, pages 339-340]

Gardner, Ella. Life in Japan: As Seen Through a Missionary's Spectacles in the Twilight of the 19th Century. Nashville, Tennessee: Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House, 1900. [2 copies in archives]