The Missionary Review of the World — February 1891
THE REGIONS BEYOND
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
YOLo XIV. No. 2.-0Id Series. –FEBRUARY.–YOL. IV. No. 2.-New Series.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
THE REGIONS BEYOND. * [EDITORIAL. ] The old Greeks were a worldly-wise people. In the Olympio games they showed their sagacity. Three pillars stood in the ancient stadium, respectively at the starting point, midway, and at the goal or turning point. On the first was inscribed a Greek word, whose force was, "Show yourself a man !" "Do your best!" On the last was a word which migh~ be rendered, "Stop here !" "Arrest your steps!" But on that midway pillar was the imperative ::i;'7rEVOE, " Speed you !" "Make haste !"
How much philosophy there was in that! No risk was greater than the· risk of overconfidence when success was but half attained. A racer, who at first outran the others, and at the middle of the course found himself ahead, would be tempted to 'relax his efforts; and so some athlete, who had reserved his strength for the supreme effort at the end of the race, would pass him by and get first to the goal.
Paul was a trained athlete in the spiritual sphere; and the law of his life was, "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Spinoza wisely said that there is no more fatal foe to all progress than selfconceit and the laziness which self-conceit begets. To think and feel that we have already attained or are already perfect, is the narcotio that brings on the sleep of the sluggard and the slothful.
The motto of the great apostle of the Gentiles was, THE REGIONS BEYOND. He would be satisfied with no other man's method of measurement, with no narrow circumference of present attainment. He yearned to evangelize-to preach the Gospel in the Regions Beyond, and not to boast in another man's canon or measure as to territory already embraced in the scheme of labor.
That motto of Paul is the trne watchword of the Church in this new age of missions. After all the work of a century, we have only * The substance of an address at anniversary of China Inland Mission, Mildmay Hall, London, England, May 21,1890, and stenographically reported.- A.T.P. just begun. We are not even at the midway pillar; and God says, " Speed ye! Make haste! Forget the things behind and push for the Regions Beyond." And this will we do, by the grace of God!
This grand motto suggests various important applications: 1. The Regions Beyond, in the literal sense,of territory thus/ar unclaimed and unoccupied for Ghrist. If this great work of evangelizing the world is ever to be done, we must penetrate the deceptive halo of mere enthusiasm and come to the bare, hard facts of a world's destitution and degradation. Zeal is good, but zeal according to knowledge is better. To know the facts is to be oppressed with a great burden, for souls. To judge from what is sometimes said or written on missions, one wonld suppose that the work, not only of evangelization but of conversion, is going on so rapidly that we might wake any morning and find the whole world brought to Christ. Let us get past and behind this rose-colored cloud, and look at those great bald facts that, like those stopy shafts of eternity, the crags of the mountains, lift their awful forms before us-I,500,000,000 of human beings-enough, if they were moving, single file, past a given point, one every second, to consume fifty years, day and night, in passing, yet going down to the grave at the rate of more than one every second! Death, three times every century, sweeping the entire population 'of the globe into eternity, like chaff from a threshing-floor, to make room for a new generation! And this process going on for nineteen centuries, uninterruptedly, so that, since Cllt'ist was born, nearly sixty generations have lived and died, most of whom never heard of Him! What if all that host might be supposed to move in procession at the same rate we have already imagined! It would take over a thousand years! And, while we are talking about evangelizing the world, and some enthusiasts are prophesying its speedy conversion, is it not true that there are to.day more unsaved souls in the human family than there were last elmtury, or even last year? With all our missionary effort is not t 11e world';; population advancing faster than the churches of Christ are gathering converts? Surely it is time the church should fully awake to her responsibility. We act as though we had ages before us in which to preach, and the unsaved had ages before them in which to be reached, whereas our term of service and their term of life must very soon expire. The China Inland Mission found the germ of its being in the fact that, in Inland China alone, were eleven great populous provinces where as yet no missionary had gone to reside; and, in ten of the eleven, missionaries are now permanently working. Let the church not shrink from facing the facts: the destitution still unreached is appalling. What are 700 missionaries in China among 350,000,000 of souls? One missionary to half a million! About the same proportion of missionaries amc,ng the 250,000,000 or 300,000,000· of India, one to about 400,000! In Siam, with from 8,000,000 to 10,000,000, about a score of men and women, laboring among the native Siamese and Laos people, every male missionary having an average parish of a million souls, and cities with a population of 200,000 having not even a Bible-reader or native teacher!
Consider Africa's need! How little is it understood. Even a missionary journal gave currency to the misleading statement that the Dark Continent is " tolerably well supplied wi.th missionaries, as thirty-five missionary societies are now at work there." If you go across Siberia and down the eastern slope of the Kong Mountains, through the three Soudans, of the Niger, Lake Tchad and the Nile, 3,000 miles to the Red Sea, and if 400 miles north and south of your line of travel you could survey the land, you would find 90,000,000 of people with scarce one missionary! And farther south, in the Congo Free State, you might travel from Equatorville east to the Great Lake stations, and there is another territory 1,000 miles long by half as many broad, whose 40,000;000 of people when Stanley passed through Uganda had not yet seen a missionary! Doubtless Africa has to-day at least 200,000,000 of people who never saw a Bible or heard the first proclamation of the good news. And yet Africa is " tolerably well supplied with missionaries! "
Am I not justified in saying that we must get beyond and behind all this illusive glamour of ignorance and imagination? Yes, beyond evanescent touches of sympathy and passage of resolutions, and do something for souls that are dying without Christ.
In all the world we have six: thousand 01' seven thousand missionaries, representing 30,000,000 of church members-one for every five thousand! Whereas, if Protestant churches gave out of their membership one in three hundred, it would Imt 100,000 missionaries in the field, exclusive of the native helpers, who have for the last half century outnumbered four or fivefold the missionaries from Christian lands. These are, doubtless, familiar facts; but Sydney Smith said that for purposes of impression repetition is the only figure of speech worth a farthing. These facts must be beaten in by repeated blows. We must not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. Never will the people of God take up the work of missions as they ought until they both understand and feel the emergency and extremity of a dying world and their own opportunity and {)bligation with reference to it.
As to opportunity, there was never any such before. We live in ~ays more augustly awful than any in previous history. I would rather live in this year 1891 than to have lived when Christ walked the earth. Grand as would have been the privilege of seeing the Lord in the flesh and being closely associated with Him then, this day of grace offers us opportunities of service and privileges of fellowship which, in their way, are even more transcendent.
The regions beyond, of the whole world, now lie open before the children of God. Fifty years ago the burden of public and united prayer for missions was that God would open the doors of the nations to the preaching of the Gospel. In those days Japan was like a vessel hermetically sealed; China was the walled kingdom, fifteen hundred miles of solid barrier shutting out "the foreign devils;" India was 'in the selfish clutch of the East India Company; the islands of the sea were held by cannibal savages, and Africa was not even explored. A hun- dred years ago it seemed as though there was no chance of reaching the vast bulk of the race with the Gospel. A great wall of idolatry, superstition, prejudice, surrounded the nations, with here and there a solitary breach; now, that whole wall is down, wit.h here and there a. fragment remaining to oppose our advance. Let those who see no God in history tell us how changes so stupendous have been brought about inside one century. No human being, no combination of human elements could ever have done this. But" one day is with the Lord as a thousand years," and there have been single historic" days" in this period, in which He has wrought the work that ordinarily would have taken a millenium.
That one year 1858 may be selected as the annus mirabilis of modern missions. During that one year doors were opened giving access to one thousand millions of the human race. In that year, 1858, Great Britain, after two hundred years of exclusion, made her treaty with Japan. In that same year China, by the treaty of Tientsin, threw open not only her p.orts, but her interior, and provided that any Chinese subject might embrace the Christian faith without molestation or persecution. In that same year India was transferred from the sordid East India Company to the British crown, and Victoria became Empress of the Indies. In that same year the revolutionary changes in Papal Europe laid the basis of Free Italy. In that same year David Livingstone sailed a second time for South Africa to complete his pioneer path for missionaries. In that same year Benito Juarez, in Mexico, overthrew the monastic system, confiscated the estates and revenues of the Papal Church, and opened the way for Protestant missionaries to enter Central America. And in that same year Elizabeth Sale, of Helensburgh, Scotland, successfully penetrated the zenanas of Hindustarr, and led the way in woman's work for woman!
Was there ever such a year as 1858? Within less than a twelvemonth doors of approach were opened to from thirty to forty millions in Japan, three hundred to four hundred millions in China, two hundred and fifty to three hundred millions more in India, including all her millions of women and girls, two hundred and fifty to three hundred millions more in Africa, besides the hosts in Papal Italy and Mexico! When Paul and Barnabas came back to Antioch from their first mission tour, "they gathered the Church together and rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." But did God ever open doors of access in Apostolic times with such rapidity and on such a scale of grandeur as in your day and mine? Who shall dare say that the days of supernatural working are past, ",hen such miracles qf Providence are performed before our ~ery eyes?
The apathy and lethargy of the Church of Jesus Christ are alarming, for they suggest a deadening of sensibility. We are like those that walk amid a blare and glare and flare, and whose eyes and ears are dazed and dulled by the glory of the scenes in t.he midst of which they are moving.• This year 1858 was not the only wonderful year in modern missionary history. In 1878 there was such a mighty movement of God's grace in India that sixty thousand people turned from idols in Tinnevelly and the Telugu country within six months! And it was in that same year that some twenty persons gave upwards of $4,000,000 to missions, as though God would show what on the one hand His grace could do among the heathen, and, on the other hand, in prompting a higher Christian liberality.
The Regions Beyond, thus marvelously opened to the Church, are a perpetual challenge to us to occupy till He comes. We need to get down on our faces before God for a greater Pentecostal baptism than the Church has ever yet known. All our efforts lack unity and harmony and business methods. On some mission fields a score of different denominations will sometimes be found, working side by side, in a comparatively small district, while in the Regions Beyond millions are without a single missionary. And our home fields are often overstocked in comparison. When in Scotland, on my mission tour, I found in one village, of perhaps 1,200 people, five fine church buildings with as many educated pastors; the entire church-going population could have been accommodated in one of those buildings, and cared for by one of those ministers, while the other four, with the money that their buildings cost, might have been evangelizing the interior of Chin.a, India or Africa, where each man might have a parish of from one million to ten million souls! There is something wrong in the Christian Church when denominational zeal outstrips that nobler zeal for the evangelization of the vast multitudes that are absolutely uncared for. It would seem that something is wrong, even in the basis of our missionary work, when the Church of God can calmly look on eight hundred million of human beings that, eve~ yet, after nineteen centuries, have not so much as heard whether there be a Christ or no ! When Rev: Geo. W. Chamberlain first went to Brazil, he found 10,000,000 of people in a nominally Papal land, who scarcely knew what a Bible was. One old patriarch of four score years, to whom he gave a Portuguese New Testament, and explained salvation by faith, said to him: "Young man, this is what I have long been waiting to hear. But where was your father when my father was alive that he never came to tell my father how to be saved?" Some such question as that we must all answer, if not before we die, at the judgment seat of Christ.
These Regions Beyond-this te;ritory unclaimed and unoccupied for Christ-should at once be possessed. Christ distinctly outlined for His Church her missionary policy: it is not concentration but diffusion. We cannot too often ring out this truth. Some have urged the American Board to concentrate its forces largely upon Turkey, and then, when Turkey is thoroughly evangelizeQ, it will, they say, furnish evangelists for the Regions Beyond. A similar policy has been urged upon the Presbyterian Board in New York as. to Japan, and the Church Missionary Society as to India. The argument is that we should unite our forces upon a limited field till it is thoroughly Christianized, and then make the newly converted people an evangelizing force to push on to the furtJlermost limits of the earth.
This looks well and sounds well at first suggestion; but is it scriptural? Our Master made no such discrimination. " Go ye into all the world," " unto the uttermost parts of the earth," and "'preach the GORpel to every creature." Those are onr marching orders. The policy of concentration more or less limits the area of the work of the Church. To follow such a policy is not to go into the Regions Beyond. We are tempted to choose fields comparatively neal', attractive, promising; fields offering prospect of large and quick harvests; and leave the more distant, destitute, degraded races of mankind to utter neglect. vVhile we are concentrating on Turkey, Japan or India, what is to become of the other millions of mankind that have only one lifetime in which to hear the Gospel?
Again we would peal out in the dull ears of a sluggish Church the signal of opportunity and obligation ! We are to take whatever men and women we can get and whatever money and other means we can gather and do just as OUI' Master bade us-go everywhere and to every creature with the Gospel, and do it at once. And when the Church of God will do her simple duty with faith in her Lord, the miracle of the loaves and fishes will be repeated on a larger scale in human history. 'fhe small provision, which seems nothing amil1 snch a vast multitude of hungry souls, will, when brought to the :Master and used along the lines of His command, again illustrate the miraculous mathematics of God. As we subtract from our supply, He will add to our resources. As we will divide, He will multiply; and He will increase for distribution what we decrease by distribution.
We write it solemnly and with profound conviction and deep emotion: Christ waits to see the travail of faith in the souls of His people before He can see the travail of His own soul in the redemption of the race! Never will that largest and last blessing come to our mission work until we emphasize evangelization. for which we are responsible rather than conversion for which we are not responsible; until we abandon our worldly-wise centralization and concentration and adopt the divine policy of universal extension and diffusion, going with all speed even to the uttermost parts of the earth and bearing among all nations our witness to our I.ord and His cross. From His cradle to His tomb, and from His sermon on the Galilean Mount, to His last commission, perhaps upon the same Mount, we seem to see but one commanding signal: it is a Hand pointing ~ TO THE REGIONS BEYOND. [To be continued. ] EACH religion has an appropriate symbol. The cross has come to represent Evangelical Christianity, as the crucifix does the Papacy, and the Greek cross the Greek Church. The wheel of endless transmigration may well stand for Buddhism, the iron ring of caste for Brahmanism, the crescent for Mohammedanism, the sun-disk for Parseeism, the tablet for Confucianism, the dragon for demon worship, the stone for fetichism, and the axe for a destructive atheism.
" BECAUSE iniquity abounds the love of many shall wax cold." No believer can afford simply to breathe a polluted atmosphere, and if his work for God compels such associations he must frequently go, as Christ did, apart with God, and on the lofty mountain tops breathe a pure air, taking long and deep inspirations of that purifying and strengthening oxygen and ozone. Prof. Bernard used to illustrate our unconscious accommodation to a vicious atmosphere by placing a sparrow under a bell glass receiver, with ail' enough for three hours respiration. Then, at the end of two hours, he put a sccond sparrow under the receivel', and it fell over dead, while the formcr bird was able to sustain the process of respiration for the remainillg hour. So there is a law not only of physical but of spiritual toleration. We learn to live in a polluted atmosphere, to accommodate ourselves to a low level of spiritual life. Could we come suddenly from a pure society into the carnal and worldly and selfish atmosphere often found even in Christian churches, we should be stifled. Let us live much with God, in the closet, and so learn to detect and flee from a contaminated atmosphere. May this law not explain in part the high consecration of true missionaries? They can maintain spiritual life amid snch surronndings only by mueh COil verse with God.
THE MISSION OUTLOOK
THE MISSION OU'l'LOOK.-II.
BY J. MURRAY MITCHELL, M.A., LL.D., NICE, FRANCE.
We proceed to speak of the foreign field. And first we ask what progress has been made in the evangelizing of the nations generally?
We sometimes hear even the friends of missions assert that the progress is deplorably small. 1Ve ask-small in comparison with what? If the answer be-small in proportion to the effort made, the answer runs clean counter to our deepest convictions. Considering how little man has done or tried to do, the blessing from on high ap- pears to us most graciously, most marvelously large. The seed we sow never perishes; it brings forth fifty, sixty and a hundred fold. Just compare the progress made in modern times with what was witnessed when the Gospel was preached even by apostolic lips. Some thoughtlessly speak as if the miracle of Pentecost had been frequently repeated through the early centuries. It was not so, even during the first. The highest estimate which we can possibly form of the number of professing Christians in the year 100 is not half a million, including childre'n, and some authorities make it considerably less. But, during the last century, more than 3,000,000 have been rescued from heathenism by Protestant missions alone. The Lord is pleaaed to bless our poor, initial efforts far beyond what we had reason to expect-for very feeble and faltering have these efforts been; and His marvelous goodness ought to impel us to run henceforth the way of His commandments.
1Ve are fully aware of the retort which is frequently made: "Yes, you have gained perhaps 3,000,000 from heathenism during the last century; but the heathen population of the world has been increased by a vastly greater number; and there are far more heathen now than there were a hundred years ago." True, but the Christian population of the world has been increasing too. Proportionally it seems to increase twice as fast as the heathen population; and by the end of the present century-that is, ten years hence-the Christian inhabitants will actually increase more rapidly than the heathen inhabitants. Of course, we may be told that merely nominal Christianity is of no value. But that is not true. Just compare the state of Europe with that of the heart of Africa! The last accounts, supplied by Stanley and Mackay, regarding interior Africa, are as horrible as the descriptions which Dante gives of hell. Europe is no paradise; but neither is it a pandemonium.
1Ve are amazed at the erroneous conceptions as to the progress of missions existing in quarters that ought to be well informed. A few years ago a journal of high name asserted that the conversions to Mohammedanism in British India were about a hundred thousand annually. More recently an anonymous writer in one of our most inflnential magazines maintained that the conversions to Islam were every year about 50,000, and that India was steadily becoming Mo- hammedan. It was of no use for missionaries to protest against these assertions; on such subjects they, good men, are supposed to be hopelessly prejudiced, and it is for able editors to put them right. But next comes Sir W. W. Hunter, whose knowledge of Indian sta- tistics is unquestioned, and he informs us that, so far as statistics are available, the general population of India, in nine years, has increased 8 per cent., but the Christian population 30 per cent.; and that, tak- ing Bengal as a sample, while the Mohammedans have increased 11 per cent. the Christians have increased 64 per cent. That particular error, then, is finally disposed of. So much as regards numbers; but what about character? No doubt there are black sheep in the flock. Missionaries are sometimes detleived by inquirers, and the children of {)onverts in heathendom are very like young people in Christendom. Still, there has been generally-we suppose universally-a remark- able elevation of the Christian community in intelligence and cllarac- tel', and, as a consequence, it has risen and is rising in position. In ~ndia, government returns show that crime' exists among native Chris- tians only to one-fifth the degree which obtains among the Hindus. We believe the same thing is tl'Ue of converts in China, Japan and Siam. It is remarkably true throughout the Dutch dominions in the islands of Eastern Asia, as we may have occasion to show a little farther on.
Letus now glance at the chief mission fields separately, beginning at the East: JAPAN.-The progress in this empire during the last twenty years ()r so in which it has been possible to preach the Gospel in public, has " been steady, and, as compared with that in other countries, even Tapid. Recently, among the educated or half e,ducated young men there have been manifestations of a feeling of dislike to foreigners; and probably the cry of " Japan for the Japanese" will wax louder and louder. The strong feeling of nationality will affect the missions and their ecclesiastical arrangements. Quite possibly foreign mis- sionaries will be told, before ten years are come and gone, that their presence is no longer needed; and this not scornfully or bitterly, but from a conviction that Japanese Christians can manage their own affairs and evangelize their countrymen better than foreigners can. For our part, we respect their feeling; and though we desire no abrupt severance of existing ties, we trust to see, ere long, the great spectacle of a national church in Japan-self-supporting, Eelf-gov- erned and self-extending. We say a national chttrch. The mission· aries are laudalby exerting themselves to reduce the number of eccle· siastical divisions among Christians. The Presbyterians have all united; they had almost coalesced with the Congregationalists, when a bar was unhappily interposed-from, America, if we mistake not. The Methodists wish to unite; and so do the Episcopalians and others.
Excellent, so far; but the Japanese Christians long for one grand, national church; and they will have it if foreigners do not interfere.
Em Oriente lux. Very probably the problem of union, at which the chutches of Europe and America are toiling, will receive its solution from the minds and hearts of more far-off Eastern Christians. That ought to humble the haughty West; but all of us, we trust, would heartily rejoice in the result. When we speak thus, we dream that there will be one grand united church holding the principles of the Reformation. The Roman and Greek churches will doubtless remain apart from this, and from each other, in Japan as in other places.
The new constitution of Japan gives full tolerance to Christianity, and the Gospel may now be preached over the length and breadth of the empire. Are the two old religions-Shintoism and Buddhism- likely soon to pass away? Some have answered yes; but we fear not. Shintoism is a vague, colorless creed, and one naturally leaps to the conclusion that it cannot long contend against the Gospel. But it is the old, ancestral faith; nearly all the vaunted glories of Japan are connected with it; and, probably, it will die slowly, as did the religion of Rome, even after Constantine's profession of Christianity.
How difficult to forget the national traditions handed down for more than two thousand years; how difficult to throw off the religious ideas they embody! Buddhism is an alien faith, though in itself more definite than Shintoism; but it may not perhaps survive its rival.
Confucianism has been the creed of many of the higher classes, and its worldly, cold philosophy may content them for a good while longer-all the more readily, because it can easily combine with the ancestral Shinto worship. • KOREA comes next-the'" hermit nation," as it used to be called; "the land of the morning calm," as it calls itself. Korea had very little distinctive religion. Shintoism was little known; Buddhism was proscribed; Confucianism influenced only a few among the higheF classes. Vague, confused superstition was all in all. But Korea happily has an easy alphabet, and multitudes, even of women, are able to read.
The beginnings of Protestant work in Korea are due to the Rcv. John Ros~, missionary of the (Scottish) United Presbyterian Church in Manchuria. He tra~slated various portions of the Scriptures illto Korean, from the year 1873 onwards. These were circulated in Northern Korea, and the result was truly remarkable-indeed, few things in mission history have been more so.* Then came the Ameri- can Mission, in 1884, being begun by Dr. Allen, a medical missionary, • See Report of Foreign Missions of (American) Presbyterian Church for 1890. In a spirit which does them much honor the Americans speak most war..lIy of the labors of the Scottish Mission, which preceded their own. whose professional skill was greatly valued in the highest quarters. An Episcopal Methodist Mission has followed, and recently an Angli- can one. Two laborers from the General Assembly of Victoria, in Australia, co-operate with the Presbyterian Mission. So far a mar- velous blessing has rested on the work. The opening of Korea has . been more sudden, and more complete, even than the opening of Japan.
CHINA.-In connection with China the eye first naturally fixes on the late Missionary Conference held at Shanghai. It was very large, very harmonious, very earnest and very hopeful. Of the arousing call to the Church of Christ to send China a thousand missionaries within the next five years we have already spoken. Especial stress was laid on the work of women. Dr. Williamson, since then, to the great loss of China, deceased, said that the permanent Christianization of China depends on the women, and that the women can be reached only by women. The conference did not take any narrow view of Christian work, and one of its solemn declarations was: "We hear a loud call to the Christian Church to supply Christian educationists for China." Lastly, it came to a most important resolution regarding the translation of the Scriptures into Chinese. Hitherto there have been rival versions, and interminable disputes aA to the rendering of im- pOl·tant words (even the name of God among them), and when the conference met, agreement on long-contested points seemed utterly hopeless. But the" great mountain" became" a plain," and satis- factory means were proposed for the preparation of versions in the high classical language, the colloquial :Mandarin, and an intermediate dialect. In addition to these there is a considerable number of local '. dialects, and arrangements were entered into by which versions into these will be made, or, if already made, harmonized. Had the Shanghai Conference achieved nothing more than this, all the labor and expense connected with long journeyings and a session of more than a fort- night would have been richly repaid.
SIAM.-Buddhism is the established religion in Siam; but here, as elsewhere, the name veils a mass of childish superstitions. The chief mission here has been the American Presbyterian, which began its work in 1840. Its operations are carried on mainly in the northern part-Laos. Some twenty years ago there was a severe persecution of the Christians; but, for some years past, opposition on the part of the government has completely died away. Education and medical work receive decided encouragement from the king and the high officials. All the missionaries seem to be full of hope.
NETHERLANDS, INDIA.-The Dutch possessions in Eastern Asia are so called by the Hollanders, though they have no connection with IIindustan. (They are part of Indict extra Gangem.) Until of late the Dutch authorities discountenanced missions, if they did not actively oppose them. '1'0 this day religion is at a low ebb among the Dutch inhabitants of Eastern Asia, and the clergy are often ,avowedly rationalistic. But the missions have done much faithful work, and the blessing from on high has rested on them. We give some remarkable figures in a note. * We understand that the oppo- sition of the authorities to missions has entirely ceased. They admit that the native Christians are visibly superior to the heathen (incluiing Mohammedans) in industry, cleanliness and morality. The owners of plantations in Java prefer native Christian laborers to all others. Let it be observed that, though the Mohammedans are zealous in proselytizing, yet the conversions from Islam to Christianity have been very numerous, especially of late.
INDIA. t-In this great field the battle between the Gospel and heathenism becomes hotter every day: "All reports of religious affairs are growing in urgency and interest."! 'l'he next Decennial Missionary Conference takes place two years hence, and the proceedings may be expected to be of absorbing interest.
There are vast diversities between different parts of India. Even the languages spoken amount, according to the census report, to 106, and some have reckoned as many as 132. The diversities among the inhabitants are astonishingly great. To use Lord Dufl'erin's words: "At one extremity you have the naked, savage hill-man, with his stone weapons, his head-hunting, his polyandrous habits, and his childish superstitions; and at the other extremity you have the Europeanized native gentleman, with his refinement and polish, his literary culture, his Western philosophy, and his advanced political ideas."
Even a lifetime barely suffices to supply a full, comprehensive idea of India. We are, therefore, continually in danger of drawing too general conclusions from particular facts. And hence come such ,conflicts of opinion as to the state of things in India. Some already tell us they can hear the wailing cry that" great Pan is dead"; § while others declare that, as yet, he has received no serious wound. We, therefore, entreat the friends who pay a cold-weather visit to India, and then rush home to proclaim the conclusions they have reached, to specify the part of the Indian Continent which they have studied and think they understand. On the other hand, we must request the men who knew India ten or fifteen years ago to remem- *Christians in Java (1873)….. …..•….• 5,673 " (1889) …………….. 11,229 in Snmatra (1873). .. .. .. . ….. 2,500 (1889) . .. .. .. .. …. 12,000 in all Dntch India (1873) …… 168,672 (1889) .•.••.250,000 ~ an increase of 66 per cent. nearly.
These figures are given by Inspektor Schreiber, of Barmen.
t Many of the principles we state regarding missions in India will apply to missions ,generally. :j: Last report of British and Foreign Bible Society, p. 184. § Ibid, p. 185. bel' that change now proceeds rapidly, even in what used to be called the" unchanging East."
The accessions to the Church of Christ in India continue to be chiefly drawn, as heretofore, from the races generally called abori-.
ginal-such as the Kols, Santals, Garos, Khasias, etc. (as in Burma from among the Karens). It was high time that missions should exert . themselves in behalf of these tribes; for, ere long, they would cer- tainly have been merged in the general Hindu population; the ab-.
sorption was steadily going on. We lately noticed an assertion by a high Indian official to the effect that Hinduism is gaining rather than losing ground. Quite true, in a sense. Uncivilized races are influenced by the civilized races near them; their vague demon wor- ship gives way before the more definite Hindu mythology, and their marriage and funeral rites fall gradually under the control of the Brahmans. Races that live apart eSyape this influence in a great degree; but those that have intercourse with the Hindus become more or less Hinduized. True, they are not received into the Hindu com- munity-they are not taken into caste; they are, so to speak, tied on to the great mass, not ingrafted into it. Other races, such as the Dhers, of Gujarat, or the Mhars and Mangs, of Maharashtra, no longer live apart from the Hindus; they are attached to the villages-permitted, not indeed to live in them, but around or near them. Among such races the progress of the Gospel is not much slower than among the more sequestered aborigines.
It is cheering to watch the steady elevation of these hitherto down-trodden races. The Brahmans, of course, sneer. Often have we heard them say, "We are too wary to swallow your bait, and so you go to those wretched outcasts." In truth, the missionary goes to all; but the proud Brahmans, as a rule, despise the message; while, in many cases, the poor and despised do not. And the reception of the truth raises and refines; the very expression of the countenance is changed. Then, when the children of converts are carefully taught and trained-and that this should be done is a most pressing, sacred duty-they compete, on no unequal terms, even with the intellectual Brahmans.
Thus the wrongs of ages are gradually becoming redressed; a social fabric, based on a new foundation, is slowly rising; and, by and by, the Christians will be not only the men of light, but the men of leading, too. .
Among the middle and higher classes the visible progress of the Gospel, as shown in the number of baptisms, is much slower than among the races we have just referred to. Hitherto it has been very difficult to reach these classes except through schools and colleges.
This is still true of India generally; but there are already exceptions to the rule, e~pecially in the largest cities. If evangelistic addresses were attentively listened to only when delivered in English, one might fear that the language, more than the meaning, formed the attraction; but earnest appeals in the vernacular, when the speaker wields it with any power, are also becoming acceptable. The change is immensely important. Educational missionaries ascribe it to the influence of Christian education, and we think they are right in doing so.
Attacks on educational missions continue to be made, as they have been for fifty years; but we see no new argument advanced. ""Ve suppose they will be repeated; but the missionaries will patiently toil on-aye, no kind of mission work is so toilsome as theirs, and assuredly it is not from a love of ease they take to it-and while they heartily rejoice in the extension of all kinds of missionary effort, they cannot, in faithfulness, give up their own. Education, both lower and higher, has become a necessity in India. Who is to give it? Government is disposed to withdraw more and more from its higher institutions, and (in a spirit which does it much honor) is expressing its belief that only those in which religious instruction is given can meet the necessities of India. Are Protestant missionaries to abandon the work?
Hoc Ithac1l8 velit, et magna mercentur AtridaJ. Nothing would delight the natives more; nothing would delight the Romanists more. The moulding of the higher thought of India would then be in the hands of these two classes. We hold that too much has been conceded already to the cry of " preaching, not teaching." The Cathedral Mission College, in Calcutta, in connection with the Church Missionary Society, founded by Bishop Cotton, was given up in 1880, under the impression that there were needlessly many colleges in Calcutta; but the demand for higher education has greatly increased since then, and the missionaries of the Church Missionary Society regret the closing, and for this reason, among others, that they now cannot get into touch with the influential student class as they used to do when their college was in existence.
Some people talk of educational missions as if they were merely educational. Is there one such mission in all India? We believe not. People who criticise what they call" Dr. Duff's system" should try to understand what that system was.
The fullest examination of this question with which we are acquainted is contained in the" Revised Special Report of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Church of Scotland on Educational Missions in India." The document comprises 213 pages, and embodies the opinion of eighty-four persons, connected with various churches, who were deemed well qualified to pronounce an opinIon on the important question proposed; and it shows that, after most patient and prolonged inquiry, the General Assembly of the Church resolved to maintain its educational efforts. The report deserves to be studied as a valuahle rer,ertory, not only of opinions, but of facts. We read that wheu the apostle and his companions were tossed up and down ill Adria, they "cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for the day." When some one rejoicingly pointed to the first streaks of dawn on the Eastern horizon, we wonder whether he re- ceived the chilling rebuke: "The dawn is nothing; we are waiting for the sunrise." But so speak many now. They do not believe in pro- cesses and preparations. They expect the sunrise immediately to follow midnight. Each of the higher religions of India covers as large an area as it did before; and many sorrowfully ask what im- pression, then, the Gospel is making on them. 'Ve reply that the Gospel never comes into real contact with heathenism without affect- ing it, and the influence exerted is in direct proportion to the com- pleteness of the cOlltact. The moral teachings of Christianityap- peal to natural reason and conscience; they carry with them their own bright evidence, and are acce})ted without much delay. The deeper mysteries, such as the divinity and atoning sacrifice of Christ, are, it may be for a long time, vehemently opposed by many; nor need we wonder at this, seeing that ., no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost." But when the Gospel is fully and faithfully proclaimed, it is never long proclaimed in vain. The truth is revealed to some; and these profess their faith, and, if need be, are prepared to suffer for it.
Now, in India, the higher religions are being shot through by the arrows of light; that is to say, the moral teachings-and much of the teaching regarding God contained in the Gospel is st.eadily penetrat- 'ing the mind of heathenism. The professors of heathen religions may deny that they borrow from Christianity; they may not be aware that they do borrow, but that does not alter the fact. One of the most noteworthy proofs of what we now affirm is supplied by a statement lately made by the high priest of the chief division of the Bombay Zorastrians, to the effect that the attributes ascribed in the Avesta to Ahuramazda are the same as the Old Testament ascribes to Jehovah. The statement is far from correct; but the high priest honestly believed what he so strongly affirmed. The wish was father to the thought.
We need hardly dwell longer on this. Every student of church history will see in it only a repetition of what occurred during the first three centuries. Heathenism was then compelled by the presence of the Gospel to remodel itself. "Reformed heathenism adopted features borrowed from Christianity, and even grew to be an imitation of it."* It thought to save itself by so doing. But by and by, as the lamented Liddon expressed it: "Conversions came with a rush."
Our readers must have been surprised to hear of the late sugges- * Uhlhorn "Conflict of Christianity with Heathenism," Bk. II., ch.3. tion, made by at least one man of influence, that the Bible be added to the Hindu sacred books. A very natural proposal, in the mouth of one who recognizes the steady onward march of Christianity, and would fain come to terms with it before it is too late. But the pro- gress of the truth is still more fully proved by the alarm that is so widely professed and the vehement efforts to oppose it-Hindu tracts,.
Hindu preachers-these are now sent forth in great numbers; and the Gospel is mercilessly attacked. The large society called the "Arya Samaj," gives in to Christianity so far that it surrenders po- lytheism, idol-worship, caste, and child-marriage, and permits the re-marriage of widows. It falls back on the Vedas as the sole author- itative scriptures, and, by torturing Sanskrit terms, it finds Christian and modern ideas in them. It is ienscpreecaisailnlgy.a f"rIafi d•woef cCohnrt iins tuiea nt oscshl eoeopls, ". Its propagandism is zealous and it cries, " our temples will soon be Christian churches."
But it is in vain that the Arya Samaj has abandoned three-fourths of Hinduism in order to save the remainder. Christianity is, so to speak, in the air.* It affects all the religious thinking of India; and its influence is seen in the remarkable attempts at reform which are happily becOI~ing so frequent. People may call these only social re- forms; but in India what is social is also religious. The Rajputana chiefs, bolder than the British Government, have limited marriage ex- penses and fixed the minimum marriage age for men at 18, and for women at 14. This is a stupendous change; and it involves stupen- dous consequences. The persistent efforts to encourage the re-mar- riage of widows; the refusal of the barbers of Bombay to shave the heads 'of widows; the formation of a social reform association, which held its third annual meeting in December, 1889, where it was noted with interest that several Hindu ladies were present; these and similar movements are, to anyone that knows the people of India, full of interest and promise; and, we repeat, that they are traceable, directly or indirectly, to the influence of Christianity. We spoke above of ideas changing; but there is also, though to a less extent, a change of institutions.
We have been Ilpeaking of Hindus. But the Mohammedans in India are also moving. Their antipathy to vVestern education is con- siderably mitigated. That enlightened man, Sir Synd Ahmad, tells us that his college at Alighar is flonrishing. If so, Moslem bigotry is proportionally declining.t Meantime, the uneducated Mohammed- ans-note especially what has happened in the north at Peshawur- * Since this was written, we find the same expression quoted in the Church Missionary Society Report. p. 172.
t A high Indian official, Sir Auckland Colvin, has said: "An Alighar col- lege man has become synonymous with a man of liberal ideas, advanced edu- cation and independent character." We have seen this college. We have ob-· served that its alumni are Mohammedan in little more than name. are as greatly terrified at the progress of Christianity as is the Arya Samaj among the Hindus. Zenana mission teachers are objects of especial dread to Mohammedans, as well as to Hindus. Let our sisters thankfully and strenuously persevere; their work is telling greatly.
[To be continued.] THE Church of God cripples all her mission boards and mission work by a selfish withholding of money for the Lord's cause, and then wonders at the slow progress of missions in fields where retrenchment makes all advance impossible. This absurd contradiction reminds us of the wars of Arminius (Hermann), Prince of Cherusci (16 B. C.- '16 A. D.) The Germans bored holes in the tongues of the Roman lawyers and judges, and then said, " Now, rattle away /"
ONE of the McAll workers in Paris was very much affected at finding a poor working woman, already in a dying condition, who bad strayed into one of the salles and there for the first time heard of Christ as the Good Shepherd of souls. She was trying to recall and put together in an intelligible shape the few hints she had picked up at that meeting, mere fragments of gospel truth, and when she found one at her bedside who could give her the whole truth about this great Saviour her joy was so great that she forgot even the agonies of dying! And yet there are literally millions of souls in France hungering for just such a Gospel.
MATERIALISU, like other forms of infidelity, has a basis of insincerity. At a meeting in Liverpool an evangelist publicly said: " I do not believe there is an honest man ill the world who really believes that we are all simply matter and go out of existence at death. If there is a real materialist in this audience I would like to see him." A man rose up and shouted: "Well, here is one." "Come up here," .said the evangelist, " I want all these people to see a man whose mother died like a dog, and that was the end of her." "You are a liar," shouted the man, " she was one of the best women that ever lived, and she's in h.eaven to-day /" The fellow was fairly. caught in his' own trap. He quite forgot for the moment his own creed!
THE efforts of churches which are not evangelical and which lack all true missionary spirit to found mission enterprises, simply to appear aggressive and seem abreast of other professed believers-in other words, to save themselves the humiliatio.n of a significant contrast-have always ended in disastrous failure. Often, instead of Christianizing the helthen, they themselves become heathenized. Those impulsive spurts in the direction of missions remind us of a significant phrase in the psalms, in which, referring to the triumphant passage of Israel over the Red Sea, the sacred writer adds, "which the Egyptians, assaying to do, were drowned /"
MISSION OF THE AMERICAN BOARD IN NORTH CHINA
A CONDENSED SKETCH OF THE MISSION OF THE AMER- ICAN BOARD IN NORTH CnINA.
HEXRY BLODGETT, D.D.
The history of the North China Mission is closely connected with that of the Shanghai Mission, and through that with the history of the Canton Mission, the first of the American Board, and of the American churches in China.
Mr. Bridgman, the first American missionary to China, arrived in Canton in the year 1830, twenty-three years after Dr. Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to this empire. In 1847 Mr. Bridgman , went to Shanghai as a delegate of his missionary brethcrn to assist in the translation of the Bible. This resulted in his permanent residence in that city, where he died in the year 1861. The translation made by Messrs. Bridgman and Culbertson into the written language of China is still in use, while the twenty volumes of the Chinese Re- pository, edited by Dr. Bridgm;tn, remain as an invaluable thesaurus of matters relating to China and the far East. .
In the year 1854 Messrs. Aitchison al,ld Blodget were sent out by the Board to join Dr. Bridgman at Shanghai, thus forming the Shanghai Mission. Mr. Macy joined the mission in 1858, making the fourth ordained missionary.
During the years in which the mission was continued at Shanghai, Dr. Bridgman was engaged in translating, also taking the pastoral care of the church connected with the boarding-school of girls, under the charge of Mrs. Bridgman. The three younger members of the mission were engaged in the usual work of teaching and preaching, as they were able, both in the city and the outlying country. 'rhe rule established soon after the opening of the" Five Ports,"
of twenty-fonr hours absence only, from one of the ports, was soon broken at Shanghai, and before long became a dead letter, Mission- aries made frequent tours into the interior. In the autumn of 1858 MassI'S. Aitchison and Burdon (now Bishop Burdon of Hong-Kong), after many journeys in the country together, took up their residence at Ping Hoo, a city of 100,000 inhabitants, seventy miles southwest of Shanghai. Here Mr. Aitchison remained for the winter, but re- turned at length to Shanghai in hope of commencing a mission in the llorth of China.
Such a movement seemed very desirable both to the Board, and to the memhers of the miRsion. Shanghai being the northernmost of the fi ve ports then opened, various European and American Societies had designated their missionaries to this city, so that, before the open- ing of China in 1860, more than thirty lahorers, representing as many as ten or eleven bodies of Christians in different countries were con- gregated there waiting for restrictions to be removed as a signal for advance to all parts of China. The year 1859 was one of sore trial to the Shanghai Mission. Mr. Macy died in April; Mr. Aitchison accepted in June a place offered him in the American Embassy, then about to proceed to Peking, in the hope that it might result in fixing his residence in the Northern Capital. He had only been eight days in Peking when he was taken ill, and after eleven days of suffering, died August 15th en rm£te to the .seaboard. He was buried in the Gulf of Chihli. In the autumn of the same year Mrs. Blodget was compelled by failure of health to re- turn to the United States.
In the following spring, 1860, Mr. Blodget for a like reason was forced to quit Shanghai. He went first to Japan, and, after two months at Kanagawa, embarked on a British transport, bound, for Taku to join the fleet about to rendezvous at that place. The ship ar- rived at her destination August 19th, just one year from the time, when, near the same spot, Mr. Aitchison was lowered to his watery grave.
A few days after her arrival the Taku Forts were taken, and in a short time all North China was open to the missionary and the mer- <lhant. Tientsin became an entrepot of foreign trade, and Peking the place of residence of the ministers of the various treaty powers of the West.
Early in September, of this year, Mr. Blodget landed in Taku, and on the 8th of November took up his residence in the city of Tientsin, being at that time and during the following winter the only Protestant missionary in this newly opened province.
The city was then garrisoned by the allied English and French forces. A lodgment was readily obtained in the barracks of the British soldiers, ana Christian work was commenced at once, both among the soldiers and the thronging multitudes of Chinese, who received with great friendliness the newly arrived missionary.
In April of the following year, 1861, Mr. Blodget had the happiness of welcoming to this field the Rev. J. Innocent, of the English Methodist Mission, and in May the Rev. J. Edkins (now Dr. Edkins), of the London Mission.
A journey to Peking in the month of May showed how entirely the country was open to travel, and to Christian effort; nor was any objection offered to passing about freely within the walls of the capital, even to those in no way connected with the legations.
During this month a chapel and houses for residence were rented within the city of Tientsin, and the Sabbath services were removed from the temple court, in which they had been held, to this place. Blind Chang, the first convert, was baptized in June, 1861. He was a 'veale man in humble life, but there is hope that he died a Christian.
Several journeys were undertaken, in this and the following year, for the exploration of this new field, as also for direct missionary ef- 'ort. These journeys extended to Teh-chen, in Shantung, on the South; to Pao Ting-fu, the capital of Chihli; to Tai Yuan-fn, Ta T'ung- fu, in Shansi; to Chang Chia K'eu (or Kalgan), on the Northwest;. also to T'ung Cheu and other cities east of Peking.
The Rev. J. Doolittle, of Fuhchau, spent the winter of 1862 and 1863 in Tientsin assisting in the work of the mission. Mr. Blodget spent the greater part of the winter in Peking, but returned to Tient- sin in view of the departure of Mr. Doolittle for Fuhchau. The mission was reinforced in 1863 by the arrival of the Rev. C. A. Stanley in March, and the Rev. L. D. Chapin in May. They took up their residence within the city walls, in houses which had been pur- chased the previous autumn through the aid of the late Dr. S.. W. Williams. Subsequently, on the ground of health, the residence of the missionaries was changed to the settlement, southeast of the city.
The principal labors of the missionaries have been in preaching the Gospel, and in the distribution of Christian books, both in the city and in the country. A day-school of boys has generally been maintained, and at times a few boarders have been taken in and cared for. The project of a higher institution of learning at Tientsin, in which the English language should be taught, has often been before the mis8ion, and has met with much favor.
The work of this station received a great impulse in the years foll0'Ying the famine of 1877. At that time the missionaries, furnished with funds to the amount of $10,000, more or less, by the liberality of Christian nations, threw themselves unreservedly into the work of famine relief, in which they were assisted also by members of the station at 'l"ungcheu. Their principal labors were in the region of P'ang Chuang, the central place of their work in Shantung. ~Iultitudes of the starving people were relieved in their distress. In this and the following years the missionaries found open doors and open hearts to the preaching of the Gospel. Several hundreds turned to the Saviour. The church was greatly enlarged, and a new station at P'ang Chuang was the result. The life of MI'. Smith, at one time greatly endangered by famine fever, was spared, and his labors are continued at this new station.
The importarice of Tientsin as the port of entrance, not only for Northern and Western Shantung, but also for Northern Ho Nan, for Shansi, Chihli, and inner Mongolia cannot be overestimated.
The station at Peking was formed in 1864. Though frequent visits had been made to this city by Mr. Blodget since May, 1861, it was not until February, 1864, that he took np his permanent residence here. Through the timely assistance of Dr. Williams, the present mission premises were purchased in March, and a chapel was opened in one of the rear buildings almost immediately for public preaching. This was a new departure for Peking, and one which attracted crowds of curious listeners. The pr~mises had been purchased from the Chinese for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; but that Society, being cramped by its own laws, was unable to take them over, and allowed this advantageous location to pass into the hands of the American Board.
On July 1st, Mrs. Bridgman arrived in Peking, having left New York when only partially recovered from a dangerous accident, and narrowly escaped the Alabama on the way. Mrs. Bridgman at once set herself to establish a girls' boarding-school, which has been continued ever since that time, and is now known as the" Bridgman School." She also gave to the Board the entire sum which had been expended for houses, lands and school buildings, amounting to not less than $5,000. In 1868 she left Peking, broken down in health, and spent the remainder of her days in Shanghai, where she died, in 1871. While in Shanghai, though in feeble health, she laid the foundations of a boarding-school for girls, and a dispensary, which, by her will, have passed into the hands of the Woman's Union Mission of New York.
The mission force in Peking was increased in November, 1864, by the arrival of the Rev. J. T. Gulick and Mrs. Gulick; and again, in August, 1865, by the arrival of the Rev. C. Goodrich and Mrs. Goodrich. A month before their arrival, in the early part of July, Mr. and Mrs. Gulick left Peking for Kalgan, to open a mission station in that city. The next reinforcement was by the coming of Mr. and Mrs. ·P. R. Hunt and Miss M. H. Porter, in 1868.
Miss Porter very soon took charge of the Bridgman School; Miss Chapin joined her in 1872. Under the efficient management of these ladies, and of Miss Haven, who arrived in 1879, t}Jis school has maintained a high character, and has been of the greatest service in training up young women suitable for wives for the native helpers, able also to take some part in Christian work. This school has formed the nucleus for efforts for women, botb in the city and in the country.
Mr. Hunt after twenty-seven years of service in India, came to Peking with the enthusiasm of youth to establish a mission press, and also to take charge of the financial affairs of the Mission. The press he established in 1869. It was at the time, and still remains, the only press of Protestant missions in North China. The money used for this purpose was supplied by the indemnity fund received from the Chinese Government after the burning of the mission press in Canton in 1858, and was originally given to the Board by the Bleecker Street Church, in New York, for the establishment of that press. Mr. Hunt was a skillful printer. vVork done by him was well done, whether in the establishment of the press, or in printing the books which issued from it.
During the nineteen years in which Mr. Hunt and Mr. Noble, who succeeded him, had charge of the press, there were printed on it, for the American Bible Society, the version of the New Testament, in Mandarin, prepared by the Peking Committee, that of the Old Testa- ment, also in the Mandarin, prepared by Bishop Schereschewsky, the Psalms and various portions of the New Testament; for the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, the four Gospels, with notes on the same; for the Church Mission Society, the book of Common Prayer; a series of Sabbath-school lesson papers and other works, for the North China Tract Society; a treatise on theology by Mr. Sheffield; several editions of a hymn book by Messrs. Blodget and Goodrich; a geography by Rev. L. D. Chapin; a smaller work on geography by Rev. L. W. Pilcher; a treatise on physiology by Dr. Porter; tracts and books by Miss M. H. Porter and l-Iiss M. E. Andrews, and, in addition, a con- siderable list of tracts and books not here enumerated. From the first this press has done a select work for local convenience-rather a large work for distant parts of China.
In commencing chapel preaching in Peking Mr. Blodget was assisted by the late Rev. VV. C. Burns, whose memory is still fragrant in the minds of some who heard the Gospel at that time. Subsequently Messrs. Goodrich, Holcombe and Roberts, each during the time of his connection with this station, labored in evangelist.ic work, both in the city and in the country. These are now succeeded by Messrs. Ament and Aiken. A good degree of success has attended these efforts, and frequent accessions in the city and at the country stations indicate a, constant growth in the membership of the church.
The boys' boarding-school in this station was discontinued in 1869. Two day-schools for boys have usually been maintained in the city, and at present there is one day-school in the country. There is also a day-school f~r girls in the city.
Perhaps there is no large city in Europe, or even in the whole world, more open to every sort. of evangelistic and educational labor, and to all the eleemosynary institutions of the Christian church than is Peking at the present time..
'rhe Kalgan station was opened by Rev. and Mrs. J. T. Gulick in the summer of 1865. Great difficulties were encountered in the early days of this station in renting houses and procuring suitable places for mission work. In the end unwearied patience, combined with great skill and prudence and unbounded charity in caring for the sick and needy, secured the desired result.
This station was reinforced in 1867 by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Williams, in 1868 of lIr. Thompson, in 1870 of Miss Diament, and subsequently, after Mr. and Mrs. Gulick had left for Japan, by .iYlt-. and Mrs. Sprague, and Mr. and l-Irs. Roberts and Miss Dr. Murdock.
Healing the sick and a boys' day-school were from the first carried on jointly with evangelistic work at this station. After the coming of Dr. Murdock, a hospital and a diRpensary, including an opium refuge, were opened. A girls' boarding-school was established by Mrs. "Villiams, which is now under the charge of Miss Diament. The buildings for the school were erected largely by funds contributed by one of the mission families.
The Yu Cheu Valley, seventy miles southwest of Kalgan, has hitherto been the most fruitful part of this field, and in the city of Yu Cheu it is now proposed to estahlish a new station. Kalgan and Yu Cheu are solely in the charge of missionaries of the American Board. Other societies are not likely to enter this field.
Kalgan is located at a pass in the great wall. It has an outlook upon the rolling pasture lands of Mongolia. The roving Mongols are often seen in the streets of the city, and pass through in numbers on their way to Peking, or in their pilgrimages to Wu'l"ai in Shansi. The missionaries have often proposed labor for these sons of the desert, and something has been done among them. One convert to the Christian faith has been baptized in Kalgan. It has been suggested that one missionary should devote himself to this work.
The station at T'ungcho was opened by the Rev. L. D. Chapin in 1867. No serious difficulty was experienced in securing' residences. The people in 'l"ungcho have from the first been friendly to the missionaries. The station was reinforced in 1868 by the arrival of Miss Andrews, and in 1869 of Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield; Miss Evans reached T'ungcho in 1872; Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich, after their return from the United States in 1872 spent a year at Yu Cheu, and thence removed the following year to 'l"nngcho. Dr. Holhrook arrived in 1881, Mr. 1nd ]frs. Beach in 1883, Dr. and lVirs. Ingram in 1887, and Miss Miner in 1888.
The boarding-school for hoys, early established by Mr. Chapin, has been enlarged, and expanded by the efforts of Mr. Sheffield and others, so that it has now become the Mission High School. To this pupils are sent from all the stations of the mission to go through with a thorough course of study, in the hope that many of them will enter the Christian miuistry, and that all will hecome helpful in one way or another to the cause of Christ.
The course of study embraces a thorough knowledge of the Chinese classics, learning to compose in the written language, a familiar acquaintance with the Bible, including the study of Bible history and geography, and the committing to memory of quite a number of the books of the New Testament, also some of the more impo]·tant branches of gClleral knowledge and Western science, such as geography, mental and written arithmetic, algebra, geometry, chemistry, mechanics, phy~iology, geology and astronomy. It is de8iglled to extend the course and introduce higher branches as fast as the needs of the sehool and the circumstances of the mission make it expedient. The high school is to become the college. Connected with this high school is the theological seminary of the mission, designed for those who are prepal'ing to enter the ministry. Here the various departments of exegesis, systematic theology, church history, sacred rhetoric and the pastoral charge are attended to, so far as the attainments of the students and the circumstances of the case will allow. A great and an increasing amount of medical work has been done at this station from the first.
Through the energetic labors of Dr. Holbrook a hospital and dis- pensary were opened, the work in which is now vigorously carried forward by Dr. Ingram. Dispensaries are also opened at two country stations not remote from T'tmgcho. It is proposed that medical instruction shall be given to some of the students at this station.
General evangelization, both in the city and, to some extent, in the country, has been carried forward at thif station, in connection with the work of teaching, with hopeful results.
T'ungcho is the port of Peking, twelve miles distant from that city, with which it is soon to be connected by rail. Its accessibility by water and its abundant accommodations have made it to be chosen as the place for the annual gatherings of the mission.
The station. at Pao Ting fu was opened by Mr. Pierson in 1873. At no other place has so great difficulty been experienced in obtaining suitable residences for mission familieR. For more than a year Mr. Pierson lived in a Chinese inn, and until the present time he has occupied rented houses in a crowded ,part of the city. It is only within two years that the desired plot of ground has been purchased, in the southern suburb, upon which buildings have been erected to accommodate one or two families. Happily there has been no collision with the authorities or with the people. By uniform kindnessand prudent management all causes of offense have been avoided.
Here, as in Kalgan and T'ungcho, medical aid, though administered by unprofessional hands, has from the fhst been a most potent agency in removing prejudice and opening the hearts of the Chinese. After the arrival of Dr. Peck, in 1880, this branch of the work fell to llis care. Large numbers of patients flocked to his hospital and dispensary from the city and the surrounding region of country. Under the care of Dr. Merritt, who arrived in 1886, this useful work is still continued.
A school for boys, and one al.so for girls, in each of which there have been some boarding pupils, have been maintained at this station. "Vork for women has been carried forward b~r Mrs. Pierson and Miss Pierson. Colporteurs under the direction of 111'. Pierson have labored extensively in all that part of the province.
Pao Ting fu, as being the provincial capital, is a place of much political importance. Its situation at the head of river llavigation renders it a commercial emporium for grain, salt and various kinds of merchandise. All missionaries for Shansi pass through Pao Ting fu. This is the highway for officials passing from the capital to the south- western provinces of the empire. The place is well chosen as an im- portant and convenient centre for missionary labor.
The station at P'ang Chuang was the outgrowth of the work ~t Tientsin. Mr. Hou, a man whose name is held in loving remem- brance by the Christians of that region, heard the Gospel in P'ang Chuang from a native helper, and went himself to Tientsin to learn more of this new way. In the Gospel he found the truth for which he had elsewhere sought in vain, and was baptized in 1872.* "Within a few years he became himself a helper, his house the headquarters of the missionaries at every visit, as well as the centre of the famine re- lief work, and his village was afterwards chosen as the residence of missionaries designated to the Shantung station of the American Board. From the year 1872 the work in this region graduallyex- panded until, at the end of 1877, the annual additions brought the membership up to forty-three, representing twelve different villages." 'rhen followed the long to be remembered famine of 1877, and the famine relief, and the subsequent enlargement of the church, in view {)f which the mission resolved, in 1880, to open a new station at P'ang Chuang.
It has been usual in China, in all the missions, to locate mission- aries in large and important towns and cities. P'ang Chuang is al- m08t, if not quite, the only case of a mission station established in a rural district quite away from any city 01' great mart of trade. Yet the missionaries here have a great work on their hands. They are in the midst of a very populous region of country, so that within a radius of six miles there are approximately 150 villages and hamlets, {lontaining 60,000 inhabitants. In more than sixty of these villages they already have church members, and the lines or" their efforts are constantly reaching out into the outlying villages, towns and cities which are not distant from their central station.
The fact is, moreover, to, be remembered, in considering the location of this station, that in China the reverse is true of that which took place in the Roman Empire. There the villagers, or pagani, were the last to embrace the Christian faith. In China they are the first.
The greatest success of Christian missions in China have been thus far among the country people. Not only are they more simpleminded, but they have also less to fear in becoming Christians from loss of wealth or position, 01' of the means of earning their daily bread. The most independent man in China is the small farmer, who owns a few acres of land, and by daily toil earns his daily bread.
After some delay in the purchase of land and erecting houses, and * "Skellches of a CountryPal'ish," by Rev. A. H. Smith. further delay, occasioned by the opposition of a recusant magistrate, happily overcome by the friendly aid of the United States officials, the missionaries took up their abode in P'ang Chuang, in 1882, with a most cordial reception, and lively demonstrations of affection and gratitude on the part of the people. These kindly feelings have con- tinued, for the most part until the present time.
The labors of this station at the present time are the oversight and instruction of the native helpers, the care of the churches and dayschools, teaching the scriptures to men and women, and the wider range of evangelistic work. There is daily preaching to the dispensary patients, and regular preaching both at the central station and at the six outstations.
The medical work begun by Dr. Porter, and now carried forward by Dr. Peck, has been as in other parts of Ch,ina, of the greatest value to the. Christian name. The hospital, established largely through a gift of the late Dr. Williams, bears the name of this early mis8ionary of the Board, and devoted friend of the Chinese. Its fame has extended to regions far and near, and brings to the village of P'ang Chnang patients from all grades of society, some of whom have come hundreds of miles, and even from other provinces, to be healed of their diseases.
A commodious and tasteful chapel has been erected at this central station wholly by the offerings of members of the church, and of other churches in the mission without any assistance from the funds of the Board. Some of the outstations, stimulated by this example, are now moving in the same direction.
The field of labor set before the missionaries at P'ang Chuang is immense. Fifteen miles north is the city of Teh Cheu, with its surrounding towns and villages. The southern part of the province of Chihli, the northwestern part of Shantung, and the northern part of Ho-nan, all densely populated and covered with walled cities, tOWIl8, villages and hamlets, are easily accessihlo from this central station, and all invite the labors of Christian missions.
One step forward into this unoccupied region was taken in 1886, by the occupation of Lin Ching, a Department city forty miles southwest of P'ang Chuang, by the Rev. F. ~I. Chapin. The following' year premises were purchased for mission residences, and, ill 1888, Messrs. Chapin and Perkins removed their families to this new station. A kindly reception to the missionaries has been given by the people. The medical work of MI', Atwoo(l, who labored at this station for a time, and later by ~lr, and :;HI',", Perkin~, has heen, as ellSewhere, rno~t helpful' to the evangelistic work. Should the day evo!' come when the Chinese are as eager for the Gospel as they now are for the medicines of the foreign physician, the conversion of the Chinese will be at hand. The mission in North China is of recent origin, but it has been abundantly blessed of God. After more than thirty years of labor in Canton the American Board had but one station and several tens of converts. This was in the early stages of the China missions. In North China the Lord has given us in twenty-eight years five stations in the most important cities of Chihli, two stations in the western part of Shantung, and in these seven stations more than 1,000 converts. '1'he work laid upon the mission is great. The encouragements- to its performance are also gl·eat. The outlook for the future is full of promise. If the mission and its supporters go forward in humble trust in the ever present Saviour and in patient endurance of labor and trial, they will have the honor of being used by God, with other branches of His Church, to establish the Kingdom of Christ in these populous and powerful regions of China, into which ill His providence they were the first among Protestant missions to enter.
A PRIEST, finding a young Irish lad in his parish in possession of a Bible, att~mpted to take it from him on the plea that it was the prerogative of the spiritual father to feed his spiritual babes with " the sincere milk of the Word." " Your ri verence," replied the lad~ "I would rather kape the cow mYAelf."
A CLERICAL wag says that where denominational and sectarian feeling gets the upper hand in a community, even the church bells become intolerant and get a sectarian twang in the ears of the people. The Presbyterian bell seems to peal out, " Or-tho-doxy-orthodoxyl" the Episcopalian, "Con-fir-ma-tion-confirmation I" the :Methodist, "Come to the al-tar-come to the altar!" the Congregationalist, "Inde-pend-ence-independence I" and the Bapt5st, " '1Vant to be dipped-want to be dipped 1"
THE Island of Sumbawa (Sunda series) has the Tomhoro volcano on the north side. In 1815 was a terrific convulsion lasting over three months. '1'he sound was heard 1,000 miles off at Snmatra; the sky was dark with ashes at Java, and the sea covered with them to a depth of two feet for many miles. Awful whirlwinds swept over the land and sea, and out of 12,000 persons only 26 survived.
And yet, even such distress and desolation imperfectly represents, as in a figure, the awful destruction carried to body and soul by the prevalence of heathenism and paganism. Vice is deified and cruelty enthroned. Read Alexander Mackay's just-published memoirs, and get a glimpse of the atrocious cruelties of heathenism. It reminds us. of Java's Valley of Death, half a mile in circuit, where the prevalence of carbonic acid gas makes impossihle the survival of either animal or plant life. The JlIuseo Borbonico, at N aples, ~uggests that Pompeii lay in such a valley.
BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY
BUDDHISl{ AND CHRISl'IANIl'Y-A CRUSADE WHICH MUST BE MET.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.
On the 9th of November The New York Herald published an article of four columns and a half, over the signature of Baron Har- don Hickey, a professed Buddhist and missionary chosen to promul- gate Buddhist doctrines in the United States. To an interviewer of another paper Baron Hickey has expressed the belief that America is a peculiarly favorable field for the spread of Oriental doctrines.
The design of the article referred to, which was plausible and rather ably written, was to prove that the history and doctrines of the early Christianity were largely borrowed from Buddhist sources. A reply which was sent to '['lte Herald was refused admission to its columns, but inasmuch as this crusade is being waged in all parts of the United States where it ought to be met by the defenders of the Christian faith, that reply is herewith given in the columns of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW. "While well-established Christians and friends of miRsions are not to be disturbed by slich assailment~ as those of Baron Hickey, it is to be remembered that there is a vast border- land lying between the Christian church and the infidel associations of the country, and that it embraces millions of people, especially of the young, and' so long as our weapons of defense are so numerous snd so potential, it is not wise to leave this broad, neutral territory to the mercy of the enemy. The fact that many of the most influential and extensively circulated of our secular papers discriminate in favor of skepticism and irreligion, as being more sensational, renders it all the more necessary that the Christian church should be alert, and that through every legitimate avenue, the clear and convincing truth of Christianity should be as widely circulated as are the manifold errors of our time.
The assumption that Christ became a follower of Buddha is not new. There lies before me, a Buddhist Catechism, by Subhadra. which makes the same allegation. It declares that" the fundamental tenets and the personal character of the founder of Christianity are of Buddhist origin"; that "Jesus was an Arahat and attained Nirvana." Hardon Hickey goes farther and calls him the Maitreyeh whom Buddha predicted. There are a few truths mingled with Baron .Hickey's statements which should be distinguished from his erroneous conclusions. It is true that a limited intercourse was established between India and Greece by the conquests of Alexander, 327 B.C. A few references to Indian customs are found in Strabo, Arrian and Pliny, but it is the wildest assumption to claim that an influence which was so faint even in the great commercial marts, reached and moulded the peasant population of a J udean village, or that the influence was distinctively Buddhistic. Again it is true that asceticism prevailed throughout the East; but that th~ fasting of Christ was borrowed from Buddhism is absurd. ·Moses bsted forty days in Sinai centuries before Buddha was born. Besides, Indian asceticism belonged to Brahmanism and not to the Buddha. It was, indeed, practised by the Essenes, as it was also by the ancient Druids, the Peruvians, the },Iexicans, and even the Hottentots. Among the Jews there was an ascetic school of prophets at Gilgal centuries before Buddha's time.
The field of controversy on which Baron Hickey draws his sword has beeu fought over for the last hundred years, and the parallels which he presents have been exploded over and over again. A century ago Lieutenant Wilford espoused the theory that the entire civilization of Egypt, Palestine, Greece and Rome, including Christianity, had come from India. He importuned the pundits to search for manuscripts, and for a consideration they met the demand. He filled the magazines of Europe with his discoveries. But at last he was constrained to confess publicly that he had been the dupe of Brahman fraud.
A Frenchinan by the name of J acolliot has made a similar attempt in our own time, aiming to show that the life of Christ was a plagiarism upon the story of the Hindu Krishna. He, too, collected manuscripts and translated them; but Professor Max Muller has honeycombed his pompous displays of Oriental learning, and remanded him ~o the same category of dupes with Lieutenant Wilford. In volume V. of "Chips from a German Workshop," he says: "Much of the socalled Sanskrit is not Sanskrit at all, and J acolliot's ancient Vedic quotations are not Vedic and not ancient; they simply belong to the last half of the nineteenth century."
Ages ago Porphry adopted the same tactics, alleging that many things in the life of Christ had been anticipated by Pythagoras; and Julia Domna, wife of Severus, prompted Philostratus to work up a life of Apollonius of Tyana, which should match the history of Christ. (Uhlhorn's" Conflict," etc.) The very latest charge of plagiarism against Christianity has recently been made by the Aryas of India, who allege that the Westminster catechism has stolen its doctrinal statements from them.
Baron Hickey leaves us a little in doubt as to whether the copying from 13uddha is charged upon Christ and his immediate disciples or upon the "creed-mongers of Alexandria" at a later day, or whether all were concerned in the fraud. He thinks that there is no doubt that Christ studied Buddhism and became a disciple, and that Buddhist influence widely prevailed in Palestine. This implies that the Gospel history was in the outset strongly colored by the Buddhist narrative, and that Christ Himself adapted the events of His life to the Buddhist story. The emphasis, however, is put upon the plagiarism of the Alexandrine "creed-mongers." In replying as briefly as possible to Baron Hickey, I "hall endeavor to cover all these im- plications : In strong contrast with these cheap assertions of Alexandrine {lorruption and plagia)'ism is the frank admission of such keen critics as Renan, Yeiss, Volkmar, Schenkeland Hitzig, that the Gospel story as we have it was written during a generation in which some of the companions of Jesus still lived. Renan says of Mark's GORpel that "it is full of minute observations, coming, doubtless, from an eye-witness," and he asserts that :Matthew, Mark and I"uke were written "in substantially their present form by the men whose names they bear." These Gospels were the work of men who knew J eSUSj Matthew was one of the twelve; John, in his Epistle, speaks of him- self as an eye-witness. They were written in a historic age and were open to challenge. Thcy were nowhere contradicted in con- temporary history; they tit their environment and their age.
How is it with the authenticity of Buddhist literature? Oldenberg says: "For the when of things men of India have never had a propel' organ;" and Max Muller declares to the same effect that" the idea of a faithful, literal translation seems altogether foreign to Ori- ental minds." He also informs us that there is not a single manuscript relating to Buddhism ~'hich is a thousand years old, and scarcely one that can claim five hundred years. For centuries after Gautama's time nothing was written; all was transmitted by word of mouth. Buddhists themselves say that Pali canonical texts were written about 88 B.C.
Any fair comparison of the two histories should confine itself to the writings which are regarded as canonical and whose dates can be fixed. No more importance should be attached to the later Buddhist legends than to the "Apochryphal Gospels," or to the absurd "Ohristian I"egends," which appeared in the middle ages. The Buddhtst canon was adopted by the council of Patna, 242 B.C. The legends which Baron Hickey compares with the canonical story of Ohrist are not included in that canon, or, at most, very few of them. 'rhoy are drawn from certain poetical books written much later, and holding about the same relation to the Buddhist canon that the" Paradise Lost" and" Paradise Hegained," of Milton, bear to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Who would think of quoting "Paradise Lost" in any sober comparison of Biblical truth with the teachings of other religions?
Even the canonical literature, that which is supposed to contain tlIe true history and teachings of Buddha, is far from authoritative, owing to the acknowledged habit-acknowledged even by the author of the Dhammapada-of adding commentaries, notes, etc., to original teaclIings. Not only was thi8 common among Buddhist writers, but (lven more surprising liberties were taken with the narrative. For example, the legend describing Buddha's leave-taking of his harem is clearly borrowed from an earlier story of Yasa, a wealthy young householder of Benares, who, becoming disgusted with his harem, left his sleeping dancing girls, and fled to the Buddha for instruction. Davids and Oldenberg, in translating this legend from the" 11aha- vagga," say, in a note: "A well-known incident in the life of Buddha has evidently been shaped after the model of this story," and they declare that" nowhere in the Pall Pitakas is this scene of Buddha's leave-taking mentioned."
As another evidence of the way in which fact and fiction have been mixed and manipulated for a purpose, one of the legends, which has of-ten been presented as a parallel to the story of Christ, repre- sents the Buddha as repelling the temptation of :Mara by quoting texts of "scripture," and the scripture referred to was the Dhamma- pada. The blunder here is amusing; first, because the Dhammapada was compiled hundreds of years after Buddha's time, and second, there were no "scriptures" in Buddha's time, for nothing was written till two or three centuries later; and third, Buddha is made to quote his own subsequent teachings, for the Dhammapada clai.ms to consist of the sacred words of the" enlightened one." l10st of the legends of Buddhism were wholly written after the beginning of the Christian era, and it cannot be shown that any were written ill their present form until two or three centuries of that era had elapsed. T. Rhys Davids says of the" Lalita Yistara," which contains a very large proportion ofthem, that" there is no real proof that it existed in its present form before the year 600 A.D." The" Romantic Legend" cannot be traced farther back than the third century A.D. Oldenberg says, "No biography of Buddha has come down to us from ancient times, from the age of the Pali texts, and we can safely say that no such biography was in existence then." Beal declares that the Buddhist legend as found in the various epics of N cpaul, Thibet and China, "is not framed after any Indian model (of any date), but is to be found worked out, so to speak, among Northern peoples, who were ignorant of, or indifferent to, the pedantic stories of the Brahmans. In the Southern and primitive records the terms of the legend are wanting. Buddha is not born of a royal family/ he is not tempted befo1·e his enlightenment/ he works no miracles, and he is not a Universal Saviour."
The chances are decidedly that if any borrowing has been done it was on the side of Buddhism. :Mr. Hickey's assertion that 30,000 Buddhist monks from Alexandria once visited Ceylon (and he giyes this not as a legend but as a historic fact) is absurd on the face of it; hut that a Christian colony settled in 11alabar at a very early day is at tested by the presence of thousands of their followers even to this day. Christianity has always been restrictive and opposed to admixtures with other systems. It repelled the Neo-Platonism of the "creed-mongers" of Alexandria (they borrowed from Plato, not from Buddha), and it fought for two or three centuries against Gnosticism, Manichaeism and similar heresies; and the assumption, in the face of all this, that the Christian Church went out of its way to copy Indian Buddhism, must be due either to gross ignorance or to reckless misrepresentation.
On the other hand, it is in accordance with the very genius of Buddhism to borrow. It has absorbed every indigenous superstition, and entered into partnership with every local religious system from the Devil worship of Burmah and Ceylon to the'raouism of China and the Shintoo of Japan.
In its long-continued contact with Christianity it has changed from the original atheism of Gautama to various forms of theism, and in some of its sects, at least, from a staunch insistence on selfhelp alone to an out-and-out doctrine of salvation by faith. This is true of the Shin and Yodo sects of Japan. :From recognizing no God at all at first, Buddhism had, by the seventh century A.D., a veritable trinity with attributes resembling those of the Triune God of the Christians, and by the tenth century it had five trinities with one Supreme Adi-Buddha over them all. Each reader must judge whether these late interpolations of the system were borrowed from the New Testament Trinity which had been proclaimed through all the East many centuries before.
Buddhism is still absorbing various elements through the aid of its various apologists. Sir Edwin Arnold has greatly added to the force of its legends by the Christian phrases and Christian conceptions which he has read into them. Toward the close of the "I"ight of Asia" he also introduces into the Buddha's sermon at Kapilavostu the teachings of Herbert Spencer and others of our own time.
Even the" analogies" of the Buddhist legends, as a late apologist calls them, are undergoing a rapid development. Professor Seydel was ingenious enough, with the help of fact and fancy, to make out fifty-one" parallels" to the Gospel history; Baron Hickey has up to date" one hundred." Doubtless still more are to follow.
In discussing the specific charge of copying Buddhist legends in ~he Gospel narratives, we are met at the threshold by insurmountable improbabilities. To anyone who nnderstands the spirit of Judaism and its attitude toward heathenism of all kinds, it is simply inconceivable that the Christian disciples, whose aim it was to propagate the faith of their Master in a Jewish community, should have borrowed old Indian legends, which, by the very terms of Baron Hickey's supyosition, must have been widely known as such. And our Buddhist friends must admit that it is a little strange that the Scribes and Pharisees who were intelligent, and 3S alert as they were bitter, should never have exposed this transparent plagiarism. The great concern of the Apostles was to prove to Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the Christ of Old Testament prophecy. The whole drift of their preaching and their epistles went to show that the Gospel history rested squarely and uncompromisingly on a Jewish basis. Peter and John, Stephen and Paul constantly" reasoned with the Jews out of their own Scriptures." How unspeakably absurd is the notion that they were trying to palm off on those keen Pharisees a Messiah who, though in the outset at Nazareth he publicly traced his commission to Old Testament prophecy, was all the while copying an atheistic philosopher of India.
It is equally inconceivable that the Christian fathers should have copied Buddhism. They resisted Persian mysticism as the work of the devil, and it was in that mysticism, if anywhere, that Buddhist influence existed in the Levant. Whoever has read 'l'ertullian's withering condemnation of Marcion may judge how far the fathers of the Church favored the heresies of the East. Augustine had himself been a Manichean mystic, and when after his conversion he became the great theologian of the Church, he must have known whether the teachings of the Buddha were being palmed off on the Christian world. The great leaders of that age were men of thorough scholarship and of the deepest moral earnestness. Many of them gave up their po!'sessions and devoted their lives to the promotion of the truths which they professed. Scores of them sealed their faith by martyr deaths.
But even if we were to accept the flippant allegation that they were all imposters, yet we should be met by an equally insurmountable difficulty in the utter silence of the able and bitter assailants of Christianity in the first two or three centuries. Celsus prepared himself for his well-known attack on Christianity with the utmost care, searching history, philosophy and every known religion from which he could derive an argument against the Christian faith. Why did he not strike at the very root of the matter by exposing those stupid" creed-mongers" who were attempting to playoff upon the intelligence of the Roman world a clumsy imitation of the far-famed Buddha? It was the very kind of thing that the enemies of Ch:'istianity wanted. vVhy should the adroit Porphyry attempt to wor~.;: up a few mere scraps of resemblance from the life of Pythagoras and why should the wife of a Roman emperor employ a man to trump up precisely such a story as our baronial friend now asks us to believe, when all they had to do was to lay their hands upon familiar legends which afforded an abundance of the very articles in demand?
But altogether the most stupendous improbability lies against the whole assumption that Christ and His followers based their" essential doctrines" on the teachings of the Buddha. The early Buddhism was atheistic. This is the common verdict of Davids, Childers, Sir Monier Williams, Kellogg and many others. The Buddha declared that "without cause and unknown is the life of man in this world," and he recognized no higher being to whom he owed reverence. The "Buddhist Catechism," to which I have already referred, shows that modern Buddhism has no recognition of God.
It says (page 58): "Buddhism teaches the reign of perfect goodness and wisdom without a personal God, continuance of individuality without an immortal soul, eternal happiness without a local heaven, the way of salvation without a vicarious Saviour, redemption worked out by each one himself without any prayers, sacrifices and penances, without the ministry of ordained priests, without the intercession of saints, without divine mercy." And then, by way of authentication, it adds: "These and many othel's which have become the fundamental doctrines of the Buddhist religion were recognized by the Buddha in the night of his enlightenment under the bodhi tree."
And yet we are told that this is the system which Christ and His followers copied! Compare this passage with the Lord's Prayer or with the discourse upon the lilies and its lesson of trusts-I appeal not merely to Christian men, but to any man who has brains and common-sense-was there ever so preposterous an attempt to establish an identity of doctrines? But what is the evidence found in the legends themselves? Several leading Oriental scholars, and men not at all biased in favor of Christianity, have carefully examined the subject, and have decided that there is no connection whatever. Professor Seydel, of Leipsic, who has given the most scientific plea for the so-called coincidences, of which he claims there are fifty-one, has classified them as: (1) Those which have been merely accidental, having arisen from similar causes and not necessarily implying any borrowing on either side. (2) Those which seem to have been borrowed f~om the one narrative or the other, and (3) those which he thinks were clearly copied by the Christian writers. In this last class he names but five out of the fifty-one.
Kuenen, who has little bias in favor of Christianity, and who has made a very thorough examination of Seydel's parallels, has completely refuted these five. (See" National Religion and Universal Religion," page 362.) And, speaking of the whole question, he says: "I think we may safely affirm that we must abstain from assigning to Buddhism the smallest direct influence on the origin of Christianity." He also says of similar theories of De Bunsen, "A single instance is enough to teach ns that inventive fancy plays the chief part in them." (" Hibbert Lectures," 1882.) Rhys Davids, whom Subhadra's "Buddhist Catechism" approves as the chief exponent of Buddhism, says on the same subject: "I {lan find no evidence of any actual or direct communication of those ideas common to Buddhism and Christianity from the East to the West. " Oldenberg denies their early date, and Beal denies them an Indian origin of any date.
Let us now ctmsider Baron Hickey's analogies seriatim: 1. "The genedogies of both Buddha and the Christ are traced from their fathers, not their mothers." This parallel would fit }Iohammed as well as Buddha. The whole argument rests upon the assumption that the mother of Buddha was a virgin, which is con- trary to canonical Buddhist history. The Sacred and Historic Book of Ceylon translated by Edward Upham, tell us that Buddha was born in wedlock. The late King of Siam, in a sketch of the Buddha, says that "he was born of natural generation." Subhadra in his Catechism says that "his parents were King Suddhodana and Queen Maya." Even the wild J ataka legends of Ceylon declare the same. 2. Baron Hickey declares that the conception by the Holy Ghost, announced by Gabriel, corresponds with Maya's dream of the white elephant. But his story of the white dove is manufactured for the purpose; no such myth was ever held by any Christian sect. 3. He compares the coming of the wise men with frankincense with the Brahmans who hastened with congratulations to the palace of Suddhodana. There is no canonical authority for the latter, though it was a common custom, and would have no significance. 4. "As Herod was afraid of the child, so King Bimbasara told his ministers to search the land to find whether any famous child had been born." Herod meant murder; Bimbasara, according to the Jataka legends, merely sent to inquire about the great teacher and his doctrines. 5. "The Simeon of the Bible corresponds with the Brahman Asita, an aged man who came to see the thirty-two marks and the eighty signs of the Buddha." This is a clumsy after-thought. How should anybody be looking for marks of a Buddha on a Hindu baby thirty years before Buddhism had been thought of? 6. "The presentation of Jesus in the temple is similar to a corresponding one in the childhood of the Buddha." This is one of Professor Seydel's" evident cases of borrowing." But such presentations of children were required under both the Jewish and the Hindu systems, and the claim of any particular parallel is weak. 7. "In his twelfth year Jesus was found in the temple, discoursing with the doctors, so, also, the father of Buddha found his son in the wood, surrounded by sages, etc." This does not agree with the Sinhalese legends, which say that the Buddha's youth was given to pleasure, and that his zenana contained 40,000 dancing girls. 8. "The Buddha bathed in the stream N aranjana, and J esu~ was baptized." This bath occurred when Buddha resolved to abandon his Brahmanical asceticism; he no longer regarded dirt as a means of grace. Whoever has seen a Hindu fakir besmeared with wet ashes will realize the significance of Buddha's "j:>ath, and, there- fore, of Baron Hickey's parallel.
9. "The forty days' fast in the wilderness is· common to both teachers." If any borrowing were required it would have been done from the life of Moses, who fasted forty days in Sinai. Buddha. never fasted forty days. The" Mahavagga" tells us that after his "enlightenment" he passed twenty-eight days i'njoyou8 meditation. His "Middle Path" shunned fasting as one extreme. He had begun to eat. He received his enlightenment on a full stomach-the first in six years.
10. There is no real parallel in the temptations of the two, though both are said to have been tempted. Buddha was tempted, according to Southern legends, several times and in respect to differ- ent things, but not at the beginning of his ministry.
11. "The heavens opening and the voice from heaven proclaiming the teacher are to be found in the Buddhist scriptures." Where?'
12. As to Buddha's Sermon on the Mount, high and breezy summits were often resorted to, especially the Vulture's Peak. It· was an incident of a hot climate in both caseS.
13. "The first disciples of Jesus, and even Jesus Himself, were at first followers of John the Baptist. The number of disciples in both accounts was at first five, afterwards sixty. "(?) As a matter of fact, Christ's disciples were not graduates from the school of John, but were called from their fishermen's boats. Instead of being a teacher of Jesus, John felt unworthy to unloose His shoe latchet.
14. "Both performed wonders." Buddha particularly disclaimed miraculous powers: the miracles were subsequent embellishments.
1.5. The incident of Buddha's walking on water needs a more particular statement with time and place and authority.
16. That both he and the Christ had a presentiment of death is very probable.
1 7. It is quite possible, also, that, among the thousands of Buddha's converts, were courtesans; but that the rich and brazen Ambapali who invited the Buddha and his disciples to dine, was the model after whom the Gospel narrative 'formed the picture of the crushed and penitent Magdalene, is far-fetched.
18. As for triumphal entries into cities-if a crowd of followers is meant, both, probably, had many-Christ at Jericho as well as at Jerusalem. Buddha is said to have been followed on one occasion by twelve hundred people, and King Bimbasara is said to have interviewed him with 80,000 of his overseers! 19. (( Both systems were missionary religions from the start." This is true; but how paltry is the notion that a mere motive of imi- tation prompted the wide-spread evangel of Christianity!
20. Weare told that (( Buddha fed the hungry," instead of which he was a mendicant and carried a beggar's bowl, and never performed a miracle.
. 21. As to the question asked of Jesus by the by-standers: (( Did this man sin or Bis parents that he was born blind?" If metempsychosis was in their minds, they could have borrowed it from the Greeks who had held it from the days of Pythagoras.
As to the general question, there seems to be little need of assuming that these shadowy coincidences denote borrowing on either side. Many of them are merely fanciful and are the work of modern apologists. Many others are such natural correspondences as might spring from similar causes. If incidents have in any case been borrowed, the chances are much greater that all-absorbing ever-changing Buddhism has been the copyist.
New York, November 25, 1890.
[The editor is constrained to add that the article which is printed above is, as he thinks, the most painstaking production that Dr. Ellinwood has, perhaps, ever written. It is felt by many who have seen it before it appeared in these pages that it ought to be put in some permanent form. Rev. Dr. Paxton, of Princeton Seminary, has pronounced it "a perfect rejoinder." vVe make a great mistake if we assume that merely ignoring and" pooh-poohing" at the active and aggressive movements of error are going to meet the case. The war is upon us. The old fathers of the early churcn did not confine themselves to pious denunciation. Think of Tertullian, Cyprian, Ambrose, Origen, how they fought with the beasts of Ephesus, and how magnificently they conquered the haughty heathenism of Greece and Rome. This paper will undoubtedly be reprinted in tract form.] WE often speak of ourselves as only" instruments in God's hands." It is our privilege to think of ourselves, if we are truly His servants, as agents. An instrument is a dumb, senseless, lifeless thing, which has no active, intelligent power even to co-operate with him who handles and uses it; but an agent (ago) is one who acts)· however, in behalf of, and under control of, another, yet acting intelligently and individually, as Aaron spoke under Moses' dictation. Even the ox and ass yield a voluntary, intelligent obedience, and are far above the plo}V they drag or the goad by which they are urged on. Weare God's agents, and He worketh not only by us, but in us, both to will and to work. (See Greek of Philippians, ii., 13.)
THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF'THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
II. THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH.* BY PROFESSOR HENRY WOODWARD HULBERT.
It would be difficult to point out a scene of more dramatic historic interest than that laid in the upper room of prayer at Jerusalem in the year 30 A.D., between Thursday, May 18th, and Sunday, May 28th. The Master had gone, never to return to quiet again the doubt of a Thomas with a material argument. He had left them unexpectedly, but His parting words contained a promise and a command. The little, trembling church, ~he muscles of whose lips had hardly ceased articulating the question: "Lord, dost Thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" was waiting with breathless expectation to be clothed upon with power. There sat restless Peter, the echoes of whose blasphemies had hardly died away. There were John and J ames and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of J ames. There were the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his. brethren and others, swelling the number of names to one hundred and twenty-one hundred and twenty poor, weak men and women in the midst of a rich and powerful civilization with as many millions. The minute hand in the great clock of destiny was rapidly nearingthe critical point. The child of many promises, the dream of patriarchs and kings and prophets, the only tangible outcome of the life and death of Jesus the Messiah-the fate of all seemed to hang in the balance. The whole future of the world-its wide-spread lands, its. unnumbered billions (present and to come)-lay in the prayers of a few broken-hearted, yet believing souls. 'Vho could have predicted the result?
Let us notice, in a cursory way, the geographical conditions. which surrounded this little church of six score members on May 28th,. 30 A.D. Putting aside very largely the profounder conditions, moral and intellectual, we ask: What were the natural, political, commercial, linguistic and racial features of the known world which were to compose the environment of the primitive church as it commenced its conquest of the globe? An answer to this question will involve a study of (1) the extent of the known world at that era, (2) the character and extent of the Roman civilization, (3) the commercial and' military relations of this civilization to outlying barbarism, (4) the spread of the Latin and especially the Greek languages, and lastly (5) the wide dispersion of the Jewish race throughout the world.
Take an ordinary school globe and cover up on it all that portion unknown to the geographers, 30 A.D., and we are at once impressed with * For article I. of this series see MISSIONAl!.Y REVIEW OF THE WORLD, Jan- uary, 1890, pp. 26-32. the small extent of the known world. It seems like a mere toy as contrasted with the great bustling earth of to-day. As far as civilization was concerned that was nothing more than a Mediterranean world. A stretch of three thousand miles east and west, and of fifteen hundred miles north and south contained it all. Britain was still unconquered. The fierce Parthian, hardly weaned from his pastoral life in Central Asia, was the greatest organized enemy of Rome. He had learned a little bit of the lesson of civilization from the conquered Persian, but he was still essentially barbaric. India was superficially known by navigators, and far-away China was reached by caravan routes. Travelers occasionally brought in reports of strange lands an.d peoples; captives struggled back to the confines of civilization with marvelous tales of Hyperborean paradises, and one-eyed monsters; but all about this confined areaof terra cognita lay the great, impenetrable cloud-land of terra incognita. The Pentecostal church prayerfully faced the Roman civilization, but what of the vast stretches of sea and land still veiled from their eyes, but included in their }faster's last command? In spite of ignorance, which they shared with the wisest of antiquity, the apostolic leaders were able to grasp the thought" every knee shall bow and every' tongue confess to God." Their faith was wider than the known world. They were assured that there could not be " Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman, but Christ is all and in all." Peter's vision on the housetop at Joppa, teaching the impartial love of God to every human soul on earth, was the most comprehensive social lesson the world ever received. The apostles and the earliest evangelists are supposed to have done missionary work far outside the limits of the empire, going as far as India and Sonthern Russia.
But the immediate task before Christianity was the conquest of the centres of civilization-the Roman Empire. Let us notice the geographical characteristics of this Mediterranean world as related to the company of Christian believers in J ernsalem. (1) It was an empire of cities. Rome began with a city, she conquered cities, and from beginning to end her genius was municipal. In the East this was not so strictly true as in the West. The nomad life of the Orient could not be so easily brought and held together; but Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt were honeycombed with thrifty cities. Christianity must needs then handle cities and their thronging population. As the apostles looked out upon the Roman empire they found from four to five thousand cities to be reached. For three or four centuries Christianity was destined to be municipal in its methods, and this gave a determining bent to the whole future of the Church. (2) The tideless }:Iediterranean furnished easy access by water from city to city. It was covered with sails employed ill a thrifty commerce. The Roman fleet swept the pirates from the seas and gave security to the humblest craft. A great number of the cities were situated on or near the sea, and a map of the coast looks like a string of pearls broken only at the Bosphorus and at Gibraltar. (3) Splendid Ro- man roads connected all parts of the empire so that news was carried rapidly and power was quickly concentrated and distributed. From Jerusalem one could walk over these superb roads, a few years later, all the way to Scotland, with only the narrow bodies of water to cross, a distance of 4,080 Roman miles (3,740 English). Along these highways trudged the messenger of the Gospel, from city to city, counting the mile·stones as he went, and wondermg, perhaps, whether the words of the prophet were not fulfilled: "Cast ye up, cast ye up: prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people." (Isaiah Ivii~14.) (4) Over one hundred million people were thus by land and water ways compactly drawn together in a territory containing less than two million square miles. Geographically considered, no portion of the globe furnishe.s so interesting a bat~le·field for religious conquest as the territory of the old Roman empire.
Roman civilization spread itself outside its own regions by two methods-commercial and military-and Christianity must needs follow in the track of merchants and armies. Caravan rontes came streaming in like rivers into the common basin of the Mediterranean, through the trackless Sahara from Central Africa, down the Nile from the Great Lakes, from Yemen along the Red Sea, from the Persian Gulf through the Syrian desert, and from Mesapotamia, where was centred the trade of Central Asia. To this husy mart on the eastern border of the empire, came pouring in the treasures from the Persian Susa, from Hyrcania and from Bactria, which in turn drew npon China through Statio Mercatorum and upon Hindustan and Farther India through Clisobra.
Turning from the land trade to, the sea, the routes are no less numerous or patronized. The whole coast of Southern Asia was familiar to the merchants and regular routes by sea were open, find· ing their natural termini in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Along this extensive seaboard on the Indian Ocean the rude craft crept timi,lly without the compass, but the markets of Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome were well stocked with the dainties of the far East. Another thrifty line of commerce found its way from the great river systems of what is to.day Russia, down through the Bosphorus. Still 3nother line came pouring into the outlet of the Mediterranean from distant Britain, and daring navigators pushed along the coast of the North Sea, and even penetrated the Baltic lands in search of trade. If a little later we find Christianity firmly planted in far-away places let us not be astonished. The door was providentially open and the missionaries of the early church could easily enter. A very large portion of the earliest evangelists were merchants, and the laity from the first have furnished the main agencies for the spread of the Gospel.
Garrisons of Roman soldiers were stationed all along the borders of the empire. These military barracks soon became centres from which Christianity could spread outside the civilized world. The new religion took easily to the Roman camp and these isolated spots along the Rhine, the Danube, the Euxine and the Euphrates became points of light. Tracing the legend of St. George back to the facts of which it is a distortion, we find that he was one of these Roman soldiers. When the armies pushed beyond the boundaries of the empire Christianity was sure to go with them. Christian soldiers captured and enslaved by barbarians were the means of converting whole nations.
Another geographical condition of the greatest importance to Christianity was the wide extent of the territory over which the Greek and the Latin languages were spoken. The administration of civil and military government was through the Latin. The language of business, science and literature was the Greek. At the opening of the Christian era Hellenistic Greek was the lingua Franca of the Roman world. Greek colonies had been established all around the :Mediterranean, and these had determined the language of commerce-there has never been an instance in history where the language of commerce has failed finally to win its way to every station of life. It is a truism that Greek letters and arts conquered Rome more effectually than the legions of the Republic had overcome the Peninsula of Hellas. The New Testament was composed in this universal language, and all through the early centuries Christian churches were Hellenistic. Later on the Latin tongue took the supremacy in the 'Vestern world and still remains the liturgical language of the majority of Christians.
But more important to the Christian Church than any of the conditions mentioned was the geographical distribution of the Hebrew race. Everywhere synagogues were the early preaching-places of the apostles, and the majority of the Christians of the first century were of Jewish extraction. Christianity, as the fulfillment of the Old Testament religion, naturally turned to the be,lievers in that Revelation. Providentially, it seems, these seven millions of people, with their monotheism, their nobler conceptions of God and their purer ethics and life had been scattered broadcast over the Roman world and even beyond its boundaries. The Sibylline oracle says that "every land and every sea" was filled with them. Strabo, writing of the century before Christ, says that the Jewish people had already come into every city and that it was not easy to find a place in the world which had not received this race and was not occupied by them. Josephus, Philo, imperial epistles, as well as the Acts of the Apostles, tell the same story. Forcibly torn from their country, frightened away from Palestine, the battle-ground of the Asiatic world, enticed away by flattering offers from Ptolemy, Seleucidae and Roman governors, lured to the most distant climes by the hope of gain-this race started out on the most singular career history can show us of a nation keeping its nationality without a national terri- tory.
Let" us notice more particularly their whereabouts in the year 30 A.D. There were three centres about which the Jews were gathered in masses-Syria, Egypt and Mesopotamia-although some parts of Asia Minor and Cyrene in Africa might almost be ranked with the three·mentioned. At the time of which we are dealing there were, according to the latest and best authorities, four million Jews in Syria from the Taurus range to the Sinaitic peninsula-a population twice as large as that occupying that same region to-day. Jerusalem, Damascus and Antioch were the centres; but we may suppose that every city and village in Syria had representatives, and that houses of prayer were found everywhere.
In Egypt Philo (an Alexandrian Jew born about 20 B. c.) estimated that there were one million Jews out of a total of nine million inhabitants. The city of Alexandria had several quarters occupied exclusively by this race. Prayer-houses were found all over the city. Jews were scattered overthe Delta and up the Nile we know not how far. The Falashas of Abyssinia to-day indicate a powerful Jewish influence on the upper Nile at an early period. The Jewish sect of the Therapeutre had their chief seat on Lake Maroetis. The influence of the Alexandrian Jews was all out of proportion even to their great numbers.
There were one million Jews in Mesopotamia and Babylonia, on the very b,:mier of the empire. These were the descendants of those members of the ten tribas and of the Kingdom oi Judah, who had been carried away in captivity and had not returned. In fact, after the so-called return from captivity these eastern communities seem continually to have grown by accessivns from all parts. J osephud count:'! these colonies of his people not by thousands but by millions. The Talmudic schools of Babylon were equally influential with the western schools. Elsewhere it is estimated that there were scattered one million Jews, making seven millions in all. They seem to be living everywhere in Asia Minor. Strabo divides the inhabitants of Cyrene into four classes-citizens, agriculturists, metoikoi andJewsshowing that this race, so troublesome to the Roman authorities, was numerous there. We find traces of Jews all along the north coast of Africa. In Thrace, Macedonia and Greece we know from the Book of the Acts that they were plentiful. Agrippa's epistle to Caligula. also gives ample evidence. At Rome and Puteoli there were large colonies of Jews-Cicero, Suetonius, Philo and Josephus are our witnesses for Italy. They were found in Spain and Gaul in all the cities. 'Herod Archilaus was banished to Vienne and Herod Antipas to Lugdunum (I,yons) both in the Rhone Valley. Outside the Roman empire we know there were Jews in Ethiopia, Southern Arabia, Ar-' menia, Iberia, Chalchis, Crimea, II.):rcania, and even in distant China.. In fact, it is difficult to mention a district of the known world at the date 30 A.D., which did not have representatives of the Jewish race.
These, then, were the more important geographical conditions that faced the Pentecostal church of six score members. There was the Roman empire with its roads and harbors and languages. All about this lay unknown lands and tribes with theil' unnumbered millions. Scattered all over the known world were the Jewswho furnished just so many open doors to the religion ,of the Messiah. It will be the object of succeeding papers to show how the little church threw 'itself fearlessly into the conflict, and won province after province for the kingdom of its. Master, and to show how we have entered into their labors.
THE RAPID GROWTH OF ASIATIC POPULATIONS.
. This is written you from one of our inland stations, one of ~ group of a dozen villages right round about. The one thing that always strikes me in a Chinese town or village is the number of small children that are running loose all around. One thing is certain, the population of this already overgrown empire is certain to be kept ur.
More than that, it is growing within the past twenty-five years with increased rapidity. One estimate puts it now at a yearly advance of four millions. We dwell on the growth of our own population at home, but China is advancing nearly three times as fast. Forty millions in ten years is enough to start and stock a new nation.
Japan, too, is growing rapidly in numbers. A few years ago the people were estimated at thirty-seven or thirty-eight millions. Now the government puts them at forty millions. India, too, shows remarkable results. The census is taken there with great care by the British government. The last census was taken in 1881. Since the previous one taken along from 1867 to 1872 in the different provinces, the gain had been 15,010,304. In all these cases the population is by natural increa~e, and not, as in the United States, by immigration.
These are solemn and impressive figures taken in their 'bearing 011 Christian r'nissions. It will not do to wait till the Jerusalem folks are all converted. ""V. ASHMORE. Swatow, Ohina.
ARE WE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST?
ARE WE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST?
[FOR THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.] " 'Vhosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."-Luke xiv: 33.
"One thing thou Iackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, take up the cross, and follow me."-Mark x: 21.
" But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet."-Acts v: 1,2.
Examining ourselves, as individuals and as churches, how many disciples of Christ can we find, according to the criterion He has es- tablished in the explicit rule and the explicit injunction above quoted?
No dodging! Let us not get behind the pretense of a heart forsaking, while our hands tenaciously grasp the bulk of our possessions. Let us at least not mock God and" lie unto the Holy Ghost," by saying, "Yes, Lord, I give all to 'fhee," while we actually give nothing, or a dole, or a tithe; lest we join ourselves with Ananias and Sapphira.
in infamy as well as perdition. " Itwere better not to vow."
But all of us members of evangelical churches have thus vowed.
We have all made the profession, or pretense, of Ananias and Sap- phira. 'Ve have consecrated ourselves and all that we have-our persons, our possessions and our children to the Lord. WHERE then are the proceeds? Are they fully laid at His feet, according to the profession? Or is a " part" of them" kept back"? Is it an honest profession, or a lying pretense like that of those two dreadful monu- ments of the Lord's indignation at hypocrisy in the Church? 'Ve do not know how large a part Ananias and Sapphira kept back. Proba- bly it was a small proportion, such as they thought would not be noticed. How many modern Ananiases and Sapphiras are agreeing together to tempt the Spirit of ~he Lord, while joining in the com- muniun of His supreme self-sacrifice, by keeping back, not a minor proportion, but NEARLY ALL, of that which they have solemnly and Imblicly dedicated.
Far be it from us to judge one another. But let us remember that there is a Judge, and that if we would judge ourselves we shoald not be judged. Let us not flatter ourselves, or each other, with vain hopes in Christ that are explicitly excluded by His own reiterated warnings. Can sinners hope for heaven Who love this world so well ?
And are not the ministers of Christ themselves derelict if they €ncourage, even tacitly, the assumption of discipleship on the part of those who give no evidence of a bonafide assignment of so much as thcir pr-operty to the Lord that bought them?
W. C.
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 12::>
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK.
-De Macedonier gives the following statistics for Java: 'Vest Java, 11 missionaries, 21 congregations, 20 helpers, 1,963 souls; Bagalen, 4 missic;maries, 60 congregations, 2helpers, 5,937 souls; Salatega Mission, 5 missionaries, 18 congregations, 6 helpers, 534 souls; East Java, 9 missionaries, 27 congregations, 54 helpers, 6,276 souls. Whole number of souls, 14,710. In 1886, 10,979. Increase, 3,731; yearly rate, 11i per cent.
-De Heidenbode, the organ of the Nederlandsche Gereformeerde Zendingsvereeniging (Netherlands Reformed Missionary Association) says very pertinently: "When the sigh ascends from the churches to heaven: 'Lord, the 1,000,000,000 souls of the unchristian world have no bread,' whatis his answer? The same as in the wilderness to his disciples: 'Give ye them to eat.' He was compassionately willing to feed the hungering multitudes, yet he sent down no bread from heaven, and brought up no fish from the sea. The disciples were to give them what they had, and this He blesses, so that there is enough and to spare. Even so, He does not preach the Gospel to the nations through angels, or send down Bibles from heaven in all the varying tongues of earth. We are to give them what we have, and He will add the blessing. "
-The Journal des Missions for September, 1890, gives account of the baptism at Thaba-Bossiou, in Lessuto, of 90 adults.
-The following letter of welcome from King Lewanika, on the Zambesi, to M. Adolph Jalla, is not a bad letter from a heathen king: "To the new missionary, health! Come soon with the peace of thy God. I thank thee for thy letter. I too would fain see thee and salute thee soon, new missionary! I shall soon rejoice to see thee with my eyes. Health, health, it is I who love thee.-LEwANIKA."
-The Journal des Missions, .speaking of the efforts making by some governments to decoy the missionaries into the service of their particular interests, says: "Woe to the herald of the good news of Christ's free salvation who lets himself be enticed by a worldly master, under the cover of promoting civilization, into the service of colonial interests! Here, as elsewhere, everything goes to show that no man can serve two masters, that the church and the world are two distinct domains, that the salvation of souls and the supposed interests of colonists are the most often mutually incompatible."
-The definitive recognition, by England, of Madagascar as under the protectorate (a polite way of saying under the dominion) of France, has led to well-founded apprehensions concerning the London Society's missions there, which have Christianized the ruling tribe of the Hovas. We remember only too well the declaration of the Protestant Guizot: "France abroad means Catholicism." To be sure, the treaty expressly provides that" in the island of Madagascar the missionaries of the two countries shall enjoy a complete protection, religious tolerance, liberty for all forms of worship and for religious instruction are guaranteed." But who believes that if the Jesuits once more came to govern France they would allow it to keep this treaty except evasively? And England is not now the England of Cromwell, or even of Chatham. However, the Protestant steadfastness of Queen Pomare and the Tahitians will doubtless be emulated by Queen Ranavalona and the Hova churches. It is a matter of great thankfulness that the Protestant mission of our French brethren on the Zambesi is likely to be rescued from the ignoble clutch of Portugal and assigned to the benign guardianship of England. The inroads of the children of Mammon, unhappily, cannot be restrained by any power. " Never," says the Journal, "has the world witnessed a partition so gigantic. Whatever may come of it, He that sitteth in the heavens (says yet) I have set my Ki.ng upon my holy hill of Zion."
It is not to be understood, of course, that all the French colonial officers are hostile to Protestant missions. Some are themselves Protestants, and others are friendly to every elevating influence abroad, Protestant or Catholic. M. de Brazza, the great agent of extending the French authority along the right bank {)f the lower Congo, has himself urged the Societe des Missions to establish its mission on the Congo, and promised it his best support. And, although since the loss of Alsace-Lorraine, the French Protestants are only some 600,000 out of 38,000,000, yet their greater mental freedom, more earnest religion, and higher moral standard, make them an antagonizing power manifold greater than their numbers against both atheism and ultramontanism.
-Dr. Warneck, in the Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrift, in answer to a deprecatory remark of Major Wissmann, that Protestant missions ought not to shrink from criticism, observes very pertinently that Protestants criticise their own missions rather too much than too little. Roman Catholics, possessed as they are with the instinct of infallibility, do not criticise theirs at all.
Major Wissmann puts the Roman Catholic missions in Africa above the Protestant, as putting the labora before the ora (which they would hardlyacknowledge), declaring that the Protestants reverse the order. Dr. Warneck replies that they do neither the one nor the other, but, as commanded by Jesus Christ, teach faith in Him, which then becomes the inner principle of both prayer and labor. Dr. Wissmann, like most of such men, seems to regard the Africans only in one light-their relation to the labor market. But, as Dr. Warneck remarks, the Catholic missionaries have bought children (doubtless with the most benevolent intentions) over whom they have power. The Protestants exhort to industry free people, over whom they have only influence. The immediate industrial results, therefore, are more noticeable on the side of the former. The lasting results will turn more largely to the credit of the latter. Even now Major Wissmann acknowledges that, industrially, the Livingstonia Mission equals the best Catholic misl!ions. The trouble with the Catholic missions is, that however benevolently they treat their converts, in so many cases they do not teach them how to go alone.
Dr. Warneck remarks that, although where the Roman Catholics, as in China, have been laboring for three centuries, they have naturally an absolutely greater number of converts, yet they seldom have relatively so large a number if we compare time, outlay, and number of laborers, and that in fields where they and the Protestants have both labored for nearly the same time, the absolutely greater number of converts is almost everywhere on the Protestant side, excluding the European immigrants whom the Catholic reports count in, and whom the Protestant reports count out. Even in East Africa, to which Major 'Wissmann principally refers,the Catholics (not including Uganda.the statistics of which are undetermined) only claim some 2,000 converts, over against some 4,500 of the Protestant missions.
"The present Protestant missions proceed simply in theway of the apostolic missions, when they put their confidence, not in the forms of outward worship, but in the power of evangelical truth. And to-day, also, we do not find that this confidence puts us to shame, as is shown by the results of our missions, e.g., in the South Sea Islands, as well as in West and East Africa, where we have gathered fully a million of free Christians from among the heathen into well organized, and in part already independent, churches. We may well allow that the outward worship of the Roman Church has a certain share in the results of her mission; but much more are these owing to other outward means, e.g., purchase of children, concession of temporal advantages, employment of the civil power, connivance with heathen irregularities, etc."
-In' view of the sharp national animosities, which have attached them- selves to the relations between the Anglo-American Stanley and the German Emin Pasha, the following judgment of Stanley, founded on his latest book, from the great German missionary magazine, is of much value. The Zeit- schrift, has throughout, while genuinely German, held itself clear of all exag- gerated nationalism, in matters which concern universal.humanity and the kingdom of God: "This book leaves no doubt that in Stanley we have to do not only with one of the most heroic, circumspect, enduring of travelers, but also with a warm friend of mankind, a great student of human nature, a wise dealer with men, and a conscientious performer of the commissions assigned to him. He is not lacking in self-consciousness, and the energy with which he is wont to act sometimes verges on recklessness; but without the inflexible firm- ness, which ever and anon degenerates into harshness, he would never have overcome the absolutely gigantic difficulties which lay in his way, and never have attained his end. But Stanley is by no means merely a valiant man of iron will, he has also a warm heart, is full of motherly carefulness, fidelity and devotion to his friends, white and black, nor is he wanting in humility and a sound feeling of piety." He would hardly be a Welshman if his sense of religion were not strong.
-The Societe Centrale Protestante d'Evangelisation, in its forty-third an- nual report, that of 1889, says: "It has a faith, and it confesses it. In this re- gard it has gone beyond the Synod of 1872. It used to be said, as it still is: Why these doctrines? Is not life enough? Bring near the prophets, remove the doctors; inflame the heart and take no care about the head. Inflame the heart with what? The heart, too, has need of reasons, and the reasons of the heart are the very doctrines which you reject. According as these doctrines are pre$ent or absent, religious fervor increases or declines. History teaches us that in all times moral is closely connected with doctrinal relaxation. Why, then, should we separate the prophets and the doctors, as if they did not belong together? They imply each other, they do not exclude each other. Let me only cite three names: St. Paul, St. Augustine, Luther-three glorious prophets and three illustrious doctors. But for the doctrines which it has adopted and propagated, the Central Society would not have done what it has done, for it would neither have felt nor kindled the same confidence."
-" France is divided into two camps, of equal passion, if not of equal strength. The religious society anathematizes the civil society; the civil society anathematizes the religious society, and ever and anon the one point on which they seem to agree is that it is the duty of each to murder the other. Lost in this tumult of battle, what are we doing, we, French Protestants of every denomination? We maintain religious faith and bless social progress. We show France how she may be at one with herself, and be at the same time Christian and liberal. If, weaned of their bitter and resultless struggles, civil and religious society are minded some. day to make peace, they will make it, not under our name, indeed, but on our territory. The triumph of Protestant principles, whether under Protestant forms or not, is the religious future of our country, and of every country." Free religion, not in the infidel but in the Christian sense, as against the compelled religion of the middle ages.
-The Danish churches raised for missionary purposes in 1888, about $24,000. ENGLISH AND AMERICAN EXTRACTS.
-The Church Missionary Gleaner for October reports as ready to go out six university men, six clergymen from the Islington school, nineteen single ladies and four others. Adding the wives-" whom we must never leave out of account "-and there is a total of ninety-one new missionaries. "But the day is rapidly coming when that will seem quite small."
-It seems that, as with the ark of old, each African tribe has been afraid to keep the bones of Bishop Hannington, being persuaded that the wrath of heaven has attended each attempt to detain them, until at last they are given to an Englishman who comes from the coast "by the route which Hannington" in his last moments, declared that he died to secure!"
-Miss Ridley, lately gone to China, says in the Gleaner: "I do not do much else but study. I am standing, as it were, on the brink of a wonderful ocean –this difficult, interesting and fascinating language-just playing with a few of the drops."
-It is known that the aborigines of Japan are the Ainos, or Ainus, now mostly found in the northern island, Yezo. They are very degraded, but are said to be rather of our type of race than of the Mongolian. It has been questioned whether they have retained any religion. But the Church Missionary Society missionary to them, Rev. J. Batchelor, writes in the Gleaner, that " they firmly believe in a God who is the life giver and benevolent sustainer of all, and they thankfully and dutifully acknowledge His gifts and mercies."
-It is known how highly the Church of Scotland, both Established and Free, values education in India. It is now, in the Established branch, engaged in reviewing this whole question, and corresponding widely with authorities in Indian affairs. Some of the answers deserve reporting: Sir Charles U. Aitchison, late lieutenant-governor of the Punjab, is very sure that if the chasm now yearning in Hindu belief is filled up by an unchristian theism, the church will have all the sapping and mining to do over again. He mentions the American College at Lahore, as one of the types of schools that ought to be multiplied through India, giving university training, together with the steady personal application of Christian truth by cultivated men. "God forbid," he says, "that I should undervalue preaching and evangelizing. I believe India is only waiting for some native St. Paul to turn by thousands to the Lord. But the more active you are in your schools the better you will be prepared for that day when it comes." Even now, he says, the most and the best converts are from the schools. f Sir William Wilson Hunter says that a Christian government cannot give anti-christian, and, in India, cannot give Christian teaching. The result is deplored, deservedly, by the natives of India. Missionary schools alone can make good the lack. Such schools the government feels free to aid. " It would not do," he says, "that just as Hinduism and Mohammedanism are entering the field of education more largely, Scotland should withdraw from it. Alexander Duff and John Lawrence," he remarks, " went to India in one fear. One saved India for England; the other rescued Christianity from sinking again into such a degradation as that into which the uneducated' Portuguese Christians' had brought it."
Sir William Muir, Sir Henry Ramsay and Sir Richard Temple give similar testimony.
The Rev. Robert Clark, of the Church Missionary Society, thinks that there are friendly Hindu and Moslem teachers whose influence is positively better than that of some nominally Christian teachers. He calls them "Hiram's Carpenters. " It is an error to suppose that the Scottish Establishment in India spendo chiefly for schools. £2,492 is spent for them; £5,488 on evangelistic work.
The Rev. D. Mackicham, D.D., of the Free Church, remarks that there are fewer conversions now at such schools than at first. This he attributes (1) to the great modifications of Hinduism, giving a temporary resting-place to many; (2) to the religious indifference of the age; (3) to the stronger political life awakening in India, carrying off much moral force–all temporary causes, but operative at present.
The Rev. A. Clifford, of the Church Missionary Society, says that "Dr. Duff's converts are the backbone of the native church in Bengal." Few, but mighty.
Bishop Caldwell and Mr. Sharrock declare that these higher schools are the unly way of reaching the higher castes. The Roman Catholics, moreover, are waking up to the importance of education, and the question is, into which scale enlightened India shall be thrown.
James Wilson, Esq., twenty-five years missionary in India, says that the condition of India, that is, especially of Hinduism, with iis compact society and overmastering religion, is unique. Individual conversions cannot be there, at present, the main end. India is a mighty rock to be tunneled, and educa- tion is the process of tunneling. The rate of conversion among the aborig- ines, who may be called the soft rock, does not at all give the rate among the Hindus, who are emphatically the hard rock. As yet, no method of labor has gained many conversions from Hinduism proper. That mission schools have not, therefore, is not against them, while for ultimate results we may well re- gard them as an indispensable agency.
The Hindus are beginning to be alarmed at the absence of ethicai teaching from the government schools. One Hindu journal, quite independent of direct missionary influence, calls for the introduction of a little book, called" The Precepts of Jesus," compiled by Rajah Ramahun Roy, the original leader, I believe, of the Brahmo Somaj. Says Mr. Wilson: "I have nothing to say against other methods of spreading the truth; but I, for one, have no regrets that so many years of my life were spent in India in diffusing among the young people of that country knowledge of any and every kind, including that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation."
Judge Roberts, of the Punjab, brings like testimony to the grievous decline of morality and integrity which has followed the divorce of religion and education. The Rev. S. S. Allnutt, M.A., late of Cambridge, nowof Delhi, says that this system starves the HiNdu conscience, already weak, and leaves the intellectual to struggle with. the animal nature, aggravated by an English propaganda of atheism, "rampant, vaunting, undisguised." The vile Bradlaugh has recently, we remember, visited India, partly to prosecute this apostolate of hell. Even the Mohammedans, it appears (except the heretical Shiites) disdain to acknowledge sin before God, or profess repentance of it. Mr. Allnutt wholly condemns the too usual practice of allowing heathen teachers to give formal instruction in Christain doctrine. _ The Rev. John Paton, formerly chaFllain in Bombay says: "Convert all the aboriginal types and leave the Brahmanical castes untouched, and you have only touched Hindu religion by the fringe. Neglect neither Aryans nor non- Aryans, nor the methods best suited to the genius of either. A mighty citadel (and no citadel of heathenism compares with Hinduism) must be besieged with infinite patience and manful use of every form of appliance." Principal Miller, of Madras, says that the Jesuits have a broad outlook, and the Protestant missions, as yet, a narrow one. Shall educated India, he asks, be Jesuit or Protestant? He strongly condemns the helter-skelter mutual emu- lation of Protestant schools. One-fourth of their revenues, he says, have been spent in paralyzing another fourth.
Mr. Mozumdar, the Brahmo Somaj leader, says that he knows mission school graduates above others by their superior moral principle and greater firmness of character.
A Hindu jurist, callmg for religious education in government schools, de- clares it better that a few should embrace the faith of Christ than that all should become practical atheists.
The Rev. John Monson, B.D., of Calcutta, says that if Protestants do not want Protestant Christianity in India to be absorbed by Roman Catholicism, they must not relax, but intensify, their efforts for the higher education.
The Rev. Johr. Crawford, B.D., says: "Christ has gained, because natives have seen men of all Christian creeds in Britain establishing Christian colleges."
The Rev. Herbert J. Thomas remarks: "The best that the natives of India can say of the English Government is that it is without religion; and they think no better of the English on that account, as their newspapers abundantly show."
On the other hand, various eminent authorities, among them Sir Monier Williams, speak doubtfully as to the results of these schools.
In 1863 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland decided that its higher schools in India should be deeply modified, in the direction of much fuller instruction in religion. Thus modified, it appears to be the mind of the present Missionary Committee, that they ought decidedly to be maintained, as being a needed counteractive to the irreligion of the government schools, and as peculiarly agreeable to the Scottish genius. The General Assembly is yet to take action on the report of the committee.
The Colonial and Continental Church Society, an Anglican institution, formed "to send clergymen, cathechists and schoolma:sters to the colonies of Great Britain and to British residents in other parts of the world," is important among those many semi-missionary societies called into being by the peculiar nature and relations of that dominion" on which the sun never sets." Its total income for 1889-90 was £35,668, of which £17,600 was raised at home, the remainder in the colonies and on the continent. The society takes a part in the Indian missions of British America. It also aims at commending to the French-Canadians a purer form of the Gospel. It appears to represent principally the evangelical school of the Church of England. We observe that the Marquis of Salisbury is one of its subscribers, and that his eminent competitor is not. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel seems to do the same work for the High Church party, although it is an extensive, and in various places rather an interfering, foreign missionary society.
-The Church Missionary Intelligencer for October, 1890, remarks: "The British Empire at the present time is five times larger than that of ancient Persia under Darius; it is four times larger than that of Rome under Augustus; and it is one-eighth larger than all the Russias put together; it is three times the size of the United States, sixteen times that of France, and forty times that of Germany, if we leave out of account her recently acquired territory in Africa. Now, if we admit that God guides the affairs of men, surely there must be some sufficient reason fot placing such. vast popUlations under our control, and when we remember that all these pos~essions have come to us since. the Reformation, it seems as if we had in this fact a hint as to what the reason is!"
-The same number of the Intelligencer, warning against expectations of what may be called a tumultuary movement of conversion in India, says: "In very truth there is no possibility in India of such a thing as a popular movement. There is no public opinion-how could there be in a body of 250,000,000 of people, of divers races, speaking a great number of different languages, and disintegrated by the cleavage of caste, by no means conformable to the strata of society? The conversion of a whole caste would render that of the next above it none the easier, rather all the more difficult. The ocean of Indian thought has been for ages stagnant; there are in it neither tides nor prevailing currents. But the w~ter of life is pouring into it, and creating, at all events, local eddies, which go swirling onwards steadily, spite of their back-waters, towards the throne of Christ."
-The Intelligencer quotes from two organs of·two branches of the Brahmo Somaj the two following declarations: "Christ Jesus. . is as much necessary in this age and in India as He was 1,800 years ago in Judea. As sinful children of men, we, the people of India, are as much in need of the Living Son of the Living God as the people of Judea were in days gone by." "In Christ, humanity, possessing nothing, not even a stone to lay its head upon, declared nothing good but its Father in heaven, surrendered itself wholly to His will, was tortured and killed, and finally was raised to eternal glory and everlasting blessedness. Humanity was reconciled to divinity, and the earth witnessed the rare spectacle of a divine humanity reigning over her." The editor remarks: ,. There is something of a perverse current there, a tendency to philosophize away the realism of Christ's redemption, which is characteristically Indian. But let the Indian mind take its own course-it will be guided at last to the personal acceptance of Christ."
The Rev. Worthington Jukes, of the Afghan Mission of the C. M. S., speaks of a baptized convert of ten years' standing, Hazrat Ali Shah, as being a lineal descendant of Mohammed. He has given up his government appointment to devote himself to mission work.
-The Intelligencer, complaining of the abundance of orthodoxy and the lack of moral feeling in the negro Christianity of West Africa, remarks: "It is not a Luther that is wanted; it is a John the Baptist." Yet it remarks that there is enough of the right spirit to be making a visible impression on the Mohammedans.
-It is known that there is a difference of opinion among missionaries, here and there, as to the use of the native instead of the European dress. There can be no doubt, however, as to the wisdom of Dr. Harford-Battersby's course on the Upper Niger. He says, in the Intelligencer: "For the first time adopted the native dress. Found it very comfortable, and well adapted to the climate. The turban, I believe, is far the best protection from the sun; the tabe, or gown, which is very loose, admits of free ventilation, and at the same time can be modified to suit almost any change of the weather except rain. Below we have the loose trousers and sandals for the feet-very comfortable. It is delightful altogether to have discarded boots and socks." Elsewhere it is remarked how pleased the people are to have the white men condescend to dress like themselves!
-The Intelligencer for October gives from the Matin the following statistics of Roman Catholic missions, mostly French, in Central Africa. The Catholic Missions of Lyons have in the Kingdom of Benin 6 stations, 1 college, 10 schools, 8 orphanages; on the Gold Coast, 6 stations, 3 schools and orphanages; on the Niger, 2 schools and 2 orphanages; in Dahomey, 8 stations,4 schools and 5 orphanages. The Brethren of the Holy Ghost have in Cimbabasie 4 stations, schools and 1seminary; in Gaboon, 6 stations, 3industrial schools; in Senegambia, 15 stations, 1 seminary, 1 printing office, 16 schools, 1 industrial school, 1 orphanage and 1 asylum; at Sierra Leone, 2 stations and schools; in French Congo, 7 stations, 5 schools; in the Lower Congo, 9 stations,l seminary, 5 schools; in Zanzibar, 11 stations, 6 schools, 2 hospitals, 1 industrial school. The White Fathers (Cardinal Lavigerie's missionaries) have in Nyassaland 2 stations, 3 orphanages, 4 schools; in the Sahara, 7 stations; in Kabylia, 1 station; in Nizab, 12 stations, 8 schools, 2 seminaries, 8 orphanages; Upper Congo. 2 stations, 4 schools; in Unyanyembe, 2 stations; at Zanzibar, 1 station; at Tanganyika, 3 stations, schools and orphanages.
-The Intelligencer remarks: "India is becoming more and more visited in the cold season, not only by politicians, and litterateurs, and students, and sportsmen, but by the messengers of Christ. The' missioner' is becoming as distinct a variety of them as the' missionary.'"
-The Bishop of Lahore, at a recent C. M. S. meeting in India, referred to the noble work opening in Kashmir. He said that many converts had recently been gathered in, and all over the district congregations of seventy or eighty met in the simplest of little churches for worship. These churches had not cost more than a rupee per sitting, if he might use that term, for, with the exception of the Bishop, for whom, in consideration of his infirmities, a chair was provided, sittings there were none [laughter]; the people all sat on the ground. The simple service was conducted and joined in with great fervor, and his heart was much touched by a beautiful cUdtom they had of repeating Jai Prabhu Yesu (Victory to the Lord Jesus) as they rose at the conclusion of their service.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.
Mr. Max Wood Moorhead writes that: " A Conference of the Student Volunteer Movement is to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, February 26th to March 1st. "The objects are: (1) To bring volunteers and secretaries of foreign mission societies into personal contact; (2) to acquaint the Church with the character, scope and purpose of 'the movement'; (3) to stimulate and arouse to action student volunteers. Christian citizens offer to entertain a thousand guests, and volunteers in hundreds will probably avail themselves of this hospitality. "Such a convention will give secretaries of various boards in the United States and Canada opportunity to confer with candidates, and define the relation which should exist between them; and societies will communicate their spirit and their methods. "The following societies have been invited to send representatires: Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Women's Christian Association, the American Inter-Seminary Missionary Alliance, the Canadian Inter-Collegiate Missionary Alliance, the United Society of Christian Endeavor, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, the Epworth League, etc. From many missionary agencies comes the cry of' Debt!' 'Retrench!' The Church seems largely indifferent to the Master's appeal for laborers. We earnestly hope and pray that this gathering may result in a renewed spirit of obedience to the command of Christ, and, consequelitly, the actual sending forth of many laborers. "Foreign missionaries, now at home on furlough, from' every quarter of the globe, will be present. "Will the readers of THE REVIEW pray that all prepartions may be in conformity to God's will, and that all who participate in the coming Conference may be led by the Holy Spirit?"
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND· CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Editorial Items.-[J. T. G.] mission agents, whether English or It will be gratifying to the friends African, that are, in their jUdgment, "vessels meet for the Master's use." of humanity everywhere, to know Earthen vessels they may be; we do that at the last Holland signed the not look for perfection in human in- agreement of the Brussels Confer- struments or instrumentalities; but .ence, authorizing a tariff for revenue ~ve do deeply feel that true missionary work is the Getting forth of the Lord in the Congo Free State, to raise a Jesus Christ both as Saviour and as special fund for the suppression of the King and that this work must be slave trade. If she had held out in done 'by those who, however feeble in themselves, do know Him as their her refusal to concur, the entire Brus- Saviour and obey Him as their King, sels Conference would have been a and who seek, by the power of the failure, as it required unanimous con- Holy Ghost, to be examp~es ': in w<,>r?, in conversation, in chanty, m spInt, sBeenrtlinofTtrheeatysio~f-na1t8o8r5y, powers to the in faith, in purity." to make it ef- -It would be amusing, if it were fective in this modification of the free not so serious, to note the present con- troversyabout mission comity. Here trade clause of the original constitu- are the Baptists criticising the Method- ists for entering Rangoon, and the tion. Lutherans in turn criticising the Bap- tists in. Guntur because they "im- -It is time the good people of this mersed several of their teachers under discipline for irregular conduct." Then country gave a half-hour to the man- we have the Church of England Mis- sionary Society complained of by the ner in which the United States Gov- Presbyterians in Persia, for interfer- ing with their constituency, and so on, ernment is made to play the part of sometimes with cause, and, possibly, sometimes without cause, for we do procuress in the case of Chinese w0n;ten not claim to pass judgment on any of these cases. And all this comes on us at San Francisco. We are not saymg when the brethren are reading essays and making addresses on missionary a word now in favor of letting the comity. We printed in May last an able paper read before the Calcutta Chinese in, nor about our disreputable Missionary Conference on this subject by Bishop Thoburn. That met with a violation of treaty with China; but rejoinder in the same conference by Rev. Mr. Clifford, and now the subabout those who are let in, and the ject is treated in the December num- ber of The Church Mis.'lionary Intellipurposes for which they are admitted.
No Chinese can be landed without a writ of habeas corpus from the district court of the United States. Eleven thousand of these have been issued in order to land Chinese men and women, and ninety-nine out of every hundred of these women are known to be brought hither for the vilest uses of white men as well as Chinese. The President and his Cabinet ought not to allow the majesty of law to screen slavery and lust after this fashion.
-Here is a model utterance by the gencer. The writer concludes by Church of England Missionary Society saying facetiously: "The American in connection with some administra- missionary, though often a magnifitive difficulties in one of their West cent specimen of a Christian gentle- Africa missions, which might well be man is, nevertheless, to the end an adopted as a manifesto by all mis- American, given to going ahead, and -sionary societies: not absolutely beyond the temptation of filibustering. And the English The Committee are solemnly deter- missionary is apt to be ineradicably a mined in humble dgeivpeentdheenSc~eciuetpyo'ns Divine' strength, to support only to mission agenCies and John Bull, accustomed to dwelling on an island, and with no particularpen- next ten years, and hence it is now chant for being interfered with by two-hundred-fold greater than it others." But during the while in was at the beginning of the present which these various brethren discuss century. and re-discuss the modifications nec- essary in the mission co-operative Mr. Gladstone says we have not only policy of the past, a writer in the Har- multiplied wealth in a ratio that is un- vest Fieldsuggests some modus vivendi precedented in the world's history, that the work be not hindered. but we have multiplied the variety of pleasures which wealth commands, What About Our Surplus Wealth 7 also, in a correspondingly unparalleled degree. The New York World recently pub- lished a list of the richest people ia the Archdeacon Farrar is credited with United States, with a rough estimate the statAment that the working-classes of their wealth. We say rough esti- of Great Britain are saving annually mate because when one of these five hundred millions of dollars, and gentlemen, in a legal proceeding, tes- the British nation fifteen hundred miltified, as is asserted, that he could not lions. tell within ten or twelve millions of dollars what his fortune did amount The Japan Mail some while ago to, he only represented the rest of the said there was wealth enough in a very wealthy persons whose fortunes single block of warehouses, between are in part in more or less fluctuating Cornhill and Regent streets, in London securities. It is not assumed there- to buy up the whole of Yeddo, Japan, fore, by us, that the article referred and possibly five times over. It is disto presents precise knowledge, and tinctly the Christian nations that are in some cases may be grossly incor- adding in geometrical ratio to their rect. surplus wealth.
Nevertheless, the outline stands sub- Allowing all this to stand for the stantially representative of the facts moment, take another factor, as well in the case. Here are the names, then, established as careful and consciof seventy-five individuals whose for- entious computation can make so intunes are estimated at more than five definite a propo~ition. It is stated millions of dollars. It includes three after careful examination that the inmen thought to be worth over one crease in the wealth of the Protestant hundred millions of dollars each, and Christians of the United States equals thirty-five individual fortunes which five hundred millions of dollars anexceed ten millions of dollars each. nually. That amounts to the assertion that every three years Protestant The leading statistician of Great Christendom in this country accumu- Britain is made responsible for the lates an aggregated surplus fortune, statement that the increase of the equal to the total estimated fortunes world's wealth between the years 1800 of a hundred and twenty-five of the and 1870 was greater than that of the wealthiest persons in the land, or that eighteen hundred years preceding each year Protestant Christians in this century; and, still further, that the United States lay by a fortune the increase of the wealth in the equal to the sum total accumulated world between the years 1870 and through many years by the Rockefel- 1880 was equal to that accumulated lers, Astors, Goulds and Vanderbi~ts, between 1800 and 1870. In other as estimated by the World's table. words, the world doubled its wealth in the first seventy years of this cen- Now, we have not a word, at this tury, and added an equal sum in the writing, to say about the special dan- gers to any community, in any coun- try or century, of such vast augmenta- tion of wealth. Mr. Gladstone has done well to point out that it is indi- economies; after-we repeat the sumrectly a fertile source of the negative mary-after it has used all it needed, religious tendency of our day. But given all it would, and wasted most we do not propose to moralize about wantonly, it yet has a reserve of unit in one way or another. What we spent fortune reaching the enormous write to accomplish is this: to press sum of $500,000,000 annually! home on every Christian in the land who has any surplus, who one year And this is not supposed to be thE> with another, or after an interval of "saving" of the irreligious or ignorant, ten years, finds he has accumulated but of the very best type of Christian some" savings," the question: What commonwealth. What ought we to are the special obligations growing do with this surplus? What account from savings? will we render of it at last? Not one- sixtieth of so much as these' , savings" If annually the Protestant Christians is given to save the world outside of of this land are accumulating five our country, adding what men give times the wealth of the few men who while living and leave after death. own a hundred millions of property after a lifetime, or as the accretions of We cast no reflections. We read no more than one generation, what is homilies. We prescribe no action.' this same Protestant Christendom pro- We only put an interrogation point posing to do with these five hundred before one part of the Christian millions of annual surplus? It must Church in the richest and most luxube borne in mind just what the charac- riant land on the globe over against ter of this is. It is not what these the increment of its savings. Christians now want. It is what is left. After our Protestant Christen- J. T. G. dom has supplied all its wants, catered as far as it pleases to all its whims, The Press in Heathen Lands. spent on its viands all it cared to indulge in, wornjust" as good or expen- BY J. T. GRACEY. sive raiment as it has pleased to buy, indulged itself in art and literature The area of the reading population and travel, spent on the education of of the worla has been vastly extended chilUren all it could be induced to within the century, and in heathen spend, made merry the Christmas and lands as a direct result, in large part, of other holidays, indulged ~n all lawful, the modernmission. In India the Hindu possibly some questionable amuse- and Mohammedan readers are increasments, hospitably and socially enter- ing at present at the rate of a million tained friends and neighbors; after it and a half a year. Before the translahas, besides all this, generously spent tion of the Bible scarcely one-thirtieth in charity and benevolences, sustained part of the population of Bengal could all the churches, built all the colleges, read, and at the beginning of this cenand subscribed as liberally as it could turythat vast province and its Bengalibe induced to subscribe for missions speaking millions had no prose literain this and other lands; after it has, ture; now it is extensive and rapidly in a word, been as public-spirited as increasing. it pleased to be in forwarding all humanitarianism and religion while What we say of Bengal is but typiliving, and bequeathed all it would to cal of the rest of India and of other be spent or given away after death parts of the Moslem and heathen -spent, donated, squandered, be- world where the mission has entered. queathed; and after it has wasted untold thousands, being reckless of Not to delay with further illustra- tions in heathen lands, though the literary vaulting of young Japan is a tempting theme, let us take a single illustration from Moslem literature. That we will select, not from Delhi or Lucknow, which furnish most start- publishes newspapers in a dozen oJ' ling and arousing facts of recent liter- morelanguages,would ofitselfindicate ary ventures, but from the dead-line the relation of the mission to literary of the Moslem intellect in the coun- activity. Butthe intent of this present tries lying on the eastern borders of paper is to call attention to the use the Mediterranean. We pass by the which is being made by the press of twenty millions of pages of Arabic some heathen lands in antagonism to literature issued in Beirut in 1889 by Christianity. Illustrations are abun-' the Presbyterians, because it is Chris- dant in Japan and in Moslem lands. tian, and even the great dictionaries, We will, however, limit ourselves to grammars and chrestomatics in Ara- selections from India. bic, of the Roman Catholic press at Beirut, for the same reason. All of the six hundred native news- papers of India, except a half-dozen, The Moslem literary stir is indicated may be set down as inimical to Chris- by the officially reported pUblications tianity. In all the larger Indian cities in Constantinople in three months of there'is a fair proportion of youths 1889, of which 143 were Turkish, 3 who have received an English educa- • Arabic, 2 F re~, and the others tion, many of whom are bitterly hos- in Armenian, Neo-Greek, Bulgarian, tile to Christianity. There is an abun- Servian, French and Italian. dant supply of imported European infidel literature sown broadcast Egypt is not a country to which one among these young men. But not is likely to turn to find the freshest only is the newspaper turned against literature. But the presses of Cairo us, but organizations modeled after are turning out works of vast impor- our Christian tract societies have been tance. The Turkish, dictiona~y, established and are in active operation. "Kamus," and the "Tag-al-aurus," The" Free Thought Depot" in Madras the great dictionary of classical Ara- issues a list of 124 separate works, in- bic, seven volumes-of the total ten- cl_ding 34 publications of Bradlaugh, of which have been issued in rapid suc- 19 of Mrs. Besant, 16 of Ingersoll, and cession, and which will cost, perhaps, others of Paine, Voltaire and other forty dollars, mark anything but a well-known infidel publicists. Inger- Dead Sea or a. low Nile of literary soll's lectures have the largest sale. interest. Some of these have deceptive titles. "A Bible Hand-book for Mission The modern newspaper has become School StUdents and Inquiring Chris- a power in these lands. Beirut pub- tians" and " The Bible Dissector for lishes eight political and four literary the Use of Mission School Students" and religious periodicals. Damascus, are illusive titles. The" Elements of Aleppo, Jerusalem and Bagdad have Social Economy" is said to be a most their newspapers. demoralizing advocacy of free lust, in which marriage is denounced. This We have said the missjon was the tract literature is being circulated by source or occasion of much of this benevolent contributions like those literary culture in all the lands where made to our own tract societies. Edu- it has entered. That might go with- cated natives are paying monthly sub- out the saying, but that we wish to scriptions of ten dollars to disseminate fasten responsibility on the mission to these tracts and books. One rajah in foster and direct, if it cannot control, Bengal is known to have subscribed the agency it has created or awakened ten thousand dollars for this object. into energy. That a single American Others are spending great sums for missionary society should have re- the purpose of printing literature in duced, through its agents, perhaps advocacy or defense of their own twenty languages to writing, and have published approaching three thousand writings in fifty or more dialects, and religions. Some of them are appeals of Jesus, and make a great pretence of humility. But inwardly they are to their own people to arouse them- saying: "Alas, has it come to this, selves because of the aggressions of that we should be beaten by these the Christain forces. people !" The famous poet, Shakspeare, Some of these tracts and booklets has' said: "Good wine needs no push." He means that if a thing really posare rejoillders to Christian books. sesses worth it needs not be puffed. Rev. Dunlap Moore's tract entitled For instance, a spicemonger, when "An Examination of Jainism" is an- his goods are worthless, makes a great swered in "A Reply to an Examina- display of them, and ostentatiously in- vites everybody whom he sees, saying: tion of Jainism, " or, in native words, "These are good spices; come and " a slap on the Christian face." Some buy." Not so the man who has really are curiously mixed. Here is one on good ones. People go to him wherever " A Warning to the Cow Protectors and he may be. Now you see missionaries going about. They say that the Bible, an Answer to Christians," one part de- which is impure and has not a grain fending cow killing, the other part of truth in it, is the word of God, and filled with sneers and taunts at the they shout in every street: "Come, missionaries. A Christian tract, " The brethren. This is an excellent religion, Choice of a Guru," claiming that Jesus a good caste." Why do they thus Christ is a world teacher, is answered shout? Because if they do not, not one person will go to them.
in another tract, "An Examination ***** of Jesus." Christians cast suspicion upon the More curious, however, is the cate- story that Hanuman (the monkey- -chism of the Hindu Tract Society, god) leapt over the sea to Ceylon. But an equal objection lies against the with sixteen questions and answers story of Christ walking on the sea. By bodily from the Westminster Cate- holding hi,. breath a person may leap chism, including the definition of God. an immense distance; but no amount of suppression will prevent a man All this is done because it is "good, and from drowning. To say that it will is Christianity borrowed it from Aryan- a lie. From incidents ,like these it is ism, which is chronologically the pre- clear that the Bible is the work of decessor of Christianity." man and not the word of God, and that But others are bitterly and blas- even Jesus Christ was only a man phemously antagonistic to Christianity like the rest of us. itself, and contain most wanton attacks on the Bible. This is illus- ***** llilissionaries say hat idolatry is child's play. But surely the worship trated in a wildly blasphemous Aryan of the cross is a superstition worthy of tract, published by the Hindu Tract scorn. It is only on a level with the Society, entitled "Jesus Christ a play of children who put up broom- Fool." It is said by the editor of the sticks and call them soldiers. These people put one stick across another Harvest Field to be too shocking to and worship it because Christ died on such a cross. They call our worship be translated for English readers. He, idolatry: we may well call theirs stickhowever, presents two ".mild" para- worship.
graphs, as he styles them, to show Now, there is really in all this the animus of the publication. We nothing to discour~ge, however it,may copy these for the same purpose: shock. We have long been familiar There are many sects in this world, with attacks like these from much and usually each sect contents itself with the practice of its own religion. better brains, and have learned how But it is not so with these Christians. futile they are.
They are bound to increase their num- But othertracts show still a different bers, and so they sent out missionaries, while they themselves remain quietly vein. Here is an extract from one published by the Arya Samaj, transat home. Is this just? These missionaries are ignorant and very covet- lated from the Tamil: ous. 'Vhen they are beaten or abused Missionaries come from Britain at or mocked they quote the commands a great cost and tell us that we are in heathen darkness, and that a bundle ing and virtual destruction that are of fables called the Bible is the true imminent. Hence the organization Vendanta (inspired book) which alone of clubs, the publication of tracts, can enlighten us. They have cast pamphlets, and articles in newspapers, their net over our children by teach- the appointment of learned men ing them in their schools, and they among them as preachers and defend- have already made thousands of Chris- ers of the old faith, the relaxation of tians, and are continuing to do so. caste rules and restrictions, and the They have penetrated into the most various other devices that are now be- out-of-the-way villages, and built ing employed to defeat the purpose of churches there. If we continue to the Lord and His people, and prop up sleep as we have done in the past not an effete and decaying system. And one will be found worshiping in our it is no small tribute to the value of temples in a very short time; why the the agency that we employ that our temples themselves will be converted opponents have taken a leaf out of the into Christian churches! Do you not Christian book, and are, in many know that the number of Christians is places, sedulously imitating our exincreasing and the number of Hindu ample. We engage evangelists and religionists decreasing every day? pay them; so do they; and when the How long will water remain in a well available local talent is not sufficient which continually lets out, but re- they look elsewhere, as is evidenced ceives none in? If our religion is by an advertisement for preachers incessantly drained by Christianity that has recently been appearing in without receiving any accessions, how the Bombay daily papers; the publican it last? When our country is cations of the several tract societies turned into the wilderness of Christi- are sought to be refuted by tracts and anity will the herb of Hinduism grow? leaflets, well written both in English We must not fear the missionaries and the vernacular, published and because they have white faces, or be- circulated under the auspices of a cause they belong to the ruling class. Hindu tract society; and Christianity There is no connection between the and its teachings are steadily maligned government and Christianity, for the and misrepresented with an ability Queen Empress proclaimed neutrality and an earnestness worthy of a better in all religious matters in 1858. We cause. must, therefore, oppose the missionaries with all our might. Whenever In 1786 the youthful Spaulding they stand up to preach, let Hindu preachers stand up and start rival wrote to F. H. Jacobi that he had preaching at a distance of forty feet from them, acd they will soon flee heard Biester say: "We must not reaway! Let caste and sectarian differences be forgotten, and let all the lax our efforts, and then in twenty people join as one man to banish Christianity from our land. All possi- years' time the name of Jesus, in a ble efforts should be made to win back those who have embraced Christianity, religious sense,will be no more heard." and all children should be withdrawn from mission schools. That was in Germany, and since then The Missionary Herald, of the Pres- Germany has furnished a large pro- byterian Church in Ireland, review- portion of the most intelligent and ag- ing the report of the Hindu Gujarat gressive missionary force in the world.
Tract and Book Society, says: But the stern fact remains that we The Hindus ha,e at last realized have created an agency for the adthat there is something in Christianity itself, and in well-directed Christian vancement of Christianity, which the effort, that is not to be repelled by any of the rough-and-ready methods heathen are turning against us; and, hitherto tried; Christianity is to-day felt to be an aggressive power, mov- worse, which we are not using ouring with an ever-increasing force, which must in some way be resisted, selves with anything like the I:;kill or and its influence counteracted, if Hindu society is to be saved, and the in the proportions that we should do. antiquated fabric of Hindu religious and social life is to escape the remouId- We have created a vast reading community of Christians also without giving them anything like an ade- quate supply of their literary needs.
We have not utilized the press at all commensurately with its place, power and opportunities. This is a field where the societies might combine for co-operative work much more largely than they do. There should be a great by that time India would adopt her pan-mission council on the subject reform. A few friends and organizaof missionary literature distinctively tions pledged her $10,000 annually. for non-Christian lands and for Roman Of $25,000 required for a permanent Catholic countries. There might be building, $18,000 have been raised. economic distribution of the material which would help to make much Of her work for the school in Bommore of the funds already contributed. bay, Ramabai writes as follows: It is a subject demanding special consideration by specialists.-J. T. G. "Besides visiting families, I have found it necessary to gather women Pundita Ramabai's Work. together and acquaint them with my The cultured little Hindu lady, work. I have, therefore, now and Ramabai, is carrying on a unique then, to invite ladies of the high castes, work against great odds, and we de- get up entertainments for them, leclight to note her success. A conversa- ture on different subjects, and encourtion which a missionary had with her age and implore them in various ways some time since was thus reported in to take an interest in women's educathe Bombay Guardian: The missionary tion and progress. They will not asked and she answered as follows: listen to me if I begin at once to talk " Are you saved?" to them about my school and its ob- " Yes." jects. They have been taught to dis- " Do you believe in Jesus Christ as like widows and look down upon their your Saviour? " education. So we have very carefully "Yes." to approach them, show them the " Many people believe in Christ in beauties of intellectual pursuits, make their heads and not in their hearts. them realize the superiority of en- Do you believe in Ghrist with your lightened life to one of perpetual heart 7" ignorance, talk to them about the "Yes." blessedness of useful life, and thus "Are your sins forgiven through gradually teach them to look upon Him?" themselves and the widows as beings "Yes." who have more value than cats, dogs, " Praise the dear Lord." or mere puppets in the hands of men. It will be remembered that she More opposition to our work is to be opened the school for Hindu widows met from women than from men in at Bombay in March,1889. We so- certain quarters. Many women of licited from Miss A. P. Granger, the Bombay are now beginning to take secretary of the Ramabai Association, a interest in our school, as they have contribution relating to the work that been several times invited and enterhas since been developed, and we now tained here." have the pleasure of making extracts from Miss Granger's reply. Miss Granger favors us with the fol- In March, 1890, one year from its lowing statements: opening, the school numbered twentyseven pupils, twelve of them being " In view of its ultimate dependence high caste child-widows. Five child- upon Hindu support alone it was dewidows have since been added. In- cided to move the school to Poona, on struction is given in Marathi, English the 1st of November, the objections and Sanskrit, and also in sewing, etc. first made by the Advisory Board to Ramabai asked the assistance of this its establishment there, having been country for ten years only, belieying removed. The larger expenses of an English city like Bombay, and the su- perior advantages of Poona as a stronger hold of Brahmanism, are the two most important reasons for this C'11anJ:0. " Ramabai's first idea of the location the Uriion, in this country, whose ad- of the school for Hindu widows was dress he knew. Poona. On many accounts she felt it would be wiser to place the school The library of the International there. She was, however, overruled by others and the school was opened Missionary Union is as yet an experi- in Bombay. The officers of the asso- ciation do not hesitate to state that it ment. This little sheet is sent out, has been fully as successful as they anticipated. It is not on that account after some unavoidable delays, to all that a change is now being made. A suitable building with ample grounds the members whose present address have been secured for the Sharada Sadan, at a moderate rent and wise can be ascertained, chiefly to test the arrangements made for the conduct of the school and boarding depart- question of the call for such a library. ment. On account of her approach- ing marriage, the teacher who went We have pleasure in presenting a list out from this country has resigned her position but an efficient successor of such books as we have thus far se- had been found. It was expected that all the boarders would go with Rama- cured, with an approximate indication bai to Poona. of the postage on each. Whoever " In view of this change we would ask more earnestly than ever before wishes to take out one of these books for the sympathy, support and prayers of the American people, and will close is requested to send this amount of . with Professor Max Muller'stribute to the character of our head: 'I have postage to the librarian, and after never been in India; but I have known many Indians, both men and women, keeping the book one month to return and I do not exaggerate when I tell you that some of them need fear no it by post, prepaying the amount comparison with the best men and women whom it has been my good necessary. A book may be renewed fortune to know in England, France, or Germany. Whether for unselfish- if desired a second month when not ness or devotion to high ideals, truth- fulness, purityand real, livingreligion, asked for elsewhere. I know no better hero than Keshub Chunder Sen, no heroine greater than Any donations of books or pamph- Ramabai; and I am proud to have been allowed to count both among my lets or money for the library will. be best friends.' " thankfully received; also any sugges; International Missionary Union Notes. tions as to how lt can be made more Circulating Library.-The librarian of the incipient circulating library of useful to the members. the International Missionary Union, is the Rev. James Mudge, East Pep- POSTAGE. perill, Mass. He recently sent the fol- lowing circular to all the members of Our Indian Mission, Gordon………….. 2Oc. London Missionary Conference, 2 vols, .. " 15c. Indian Evangelical 'Review, vols. 2, 3, 4, 5, 1874-1878……………. _………. " .. 14c. Romance of Missions, Miss M. A. 'Vest … 14c. Siam and Laos, Dr. House and others……13c. Decennial Conference, Calcutta ………. 120. Missionary year-Book……………. " .. 12c. Among the Turks, Dr. Hamlin………… 120. On Horseback in Cappadocia, Barrows…. lOc. Two thousand Miles in Mexico, McCarthy. lOc. Letters from India, Bruce……… …… 8c. Great Value of Missions, Liggins…. ….. 7c. India, J. T. Gracey …………………… 7c. Woman's Medical Work, Mrs. Gracey….. 7c. Ann H. Judson………………………. 7c. Sarah B. Judson………. ………… 7c. Memorial Papers of the Marathi Mission .. 30. Natural History of the Marathi Bible.. …. 30. Africa in a Nutshell, Thompson …. ,…… 20. China, J. T. Gracey …………………. lc. Open Doors, J. T. Gracey……… …….. 1c. Moravian Mission in Alaska, Hamilton … lc.
Also THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD for 1888, 1889, 1890 in separate numbers, anyone of which can be ordered as above, postage four cent.s, thus enabling any member to refer to any article or articled. Most of the papers read before the Union in these years are to be found herein. The next meeting of the Interna- when the pressing claims of India, tional Missionary Union will be held at Clifton Springs, New York, June 10th China, and especially of Africa, were to 17th. We give the notice thus early that missionaries in this country may the subject of conversation, resolved be the better enabled to make preparations to attend; and that those abroad to memorialize the Society with refermay know when to send their greetings, their suggestions, or their papers. ence to a great forward movement. Essays and letters are solicited from members now on the foreign field as That memorial seems to have prothey constitute the" Outlook Committee." All such papers or correspond- duced a profound impression upon the ence should be sent to Rev. J. T. Gracey, 161 Pearl Street, Rochester, committee of the Church Missionary N. Y., or to Rev. W. H. Belden, Secretary, Bristol, Conn. Society, and they have caused the -The members of the International memorial to be printed and widely Missionary Union, will note with active interest, we trust, the appeal that circulated with the earnest desire that Rev. Arthur H. Smith and Dr. Henry D.Porter, both members of the Union, they may be guided by the Divine make in the December number of the Missionary Herald for aid for the Spirit in their deliberations on· the Chinese suffering from flood and famine, over not less than 4,000 square matter. It is stated that the Church miles of the Chihli Province. Thousands of families are homeless. The Missionary Society is supported, even Famine Relief Committee in Shanghai, after giving $60,000 for relief of nominally, by less than a third part of the sufferers has closed its books, but the distress still continues. No two the Church of England, and it cermen within our knowledge could more judiciously distribute the few tainly is a courageous thought to add thousand dollars they ask for than to its present staff of European misthose two brethren,and we are quite sionaries one thousand within five or sure, the need will continue for some six years. Yet such is the proposal. while yet. Send money to Mr. L. S. The memorial makes certain sugges- Ward, No 1 Somerset Street, Boston, tions as to these reinforcements, es- Mass pecially the following: 1. That evan- gelists should be sent into the mission One Thousand Additional Mission- fields in groups, each group being as- aries !" sociated under a leader. 2. That the services of lay-workers should be used The English Church Missionary So- much more than hitherto. 3. That ci€'ty presents a scheme for the send- mechanics and working men and ing forth, within the next five or women whose hearts God has touched six years, from the Church Mission- should form parts of these groups. ary Society alone, one thousand ad- The suggestion of such an increase in ditional missionaries. At the Kes- the working forces is startling simply wick Convention, in July last, mem- because it is such a sudden increase bersof the Church Missionary Sodety to the present numbers. That portion gathered at the house of a friend, of the Church of Englantl which operates through the Church Mission- ary Society is amply able to provide the money, to provide the workers and the supplies for such an advance, and the need is imperativ€'. And what is true of Christians in England is true of Christians in America. The forces might be and ought to be doubled and trebled. There are abundant means of support in the hands of those who bear Christ's name. Young men and young women are in training, and a large portion of them have already pledged themselves to this work. Shall not the Christian churches of America, and the Consti- tuency of the American Board espe- cially, anew and at once "attempt great things for God, and expect great thingR from Him?" It is time for a grand forward movement. There are men enough and wealth enough in our churches to respond to the present call for an advance, if there is a will to do so.-The Missionary Herald.
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
IH.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
-After much painstaking in proof- of population not later than October, reading, the electrotyping process is 1892.
chargeable with a bad blunder in the -At the recent meeting of the January issue of the REVIEW. The American Board, in Minneapolis, the top line of page 5f belongs on page 5f) "Committee of Nine" reported that If readers will make a marginal note contributions to missions have not kept on the page to this effect, it will avoid pace with those to other benevol.
confusion. ent causes. No explanation was at- -The year 1892, which marks the tempted but they implied that the dis- 400th anniversary of the discovery of cussions and division of feeling as to America, also marks the centenary missionary policy, might account for of the formation of the first great this relative decline of receipts for missionary society of England, whose foreign missionary work.
distinctive purpose was the evange- The meeting presented many at- lization of the world. It was on the tractions and not a few wholesome second day of October, 1792, at Ket- lessons. Dr. N. G. Clark's paper on tering, that William Carey and his "Higher Christian Education as Re- brother Baptists formed the now lated to Foreign Mission Work ;" Dr.
famous Baptist Society, and laid thir- G. K. Alden's discussion of " Mission- teen pounds, two shillings and six ary Motives;" Dr. Judson Smith's pence on God's altar, as the beginning paper on the" Missionary Outlook,"
of the great enterprise of organized and Dr. Storr's address as President, foreign missionary work. were among the most notable features It is our deep conviction that it of that great annivprsary. The papers would be a great mistake if this referred to, must be read to be appre- memorable era were allowed to pass by ciated. Dr. Clark pleads for higher without another great 'Vorld's Con- Christian education in order to pre- vention, such as was held in London, serve and turn to account the religious in 1888. If such a gathering could sentiment of the people among whom begin at Kettering, in Andrew Ful- we labor; and for the sake of a native ler's old' chapel, with a consecration ministry adequate in character and in meeting in the house of Widow Beebe numbers to meet the intellectual and Wallis, which is still standing, and spiritual wants of their countrymen where that society was formally or- and to share with missionaries in the ganized, what an inspiration would responsibilities of establishing such such a beginning afford for an un- Christian institutions as shall secure paralleled series of missionary assem- the success of the missionary enter- blings! The end of a century seems prise. He holds that the " men must an appropriate time for the gathering be reared on the ground." Dr. G. K.
up of the results of missions in all Alden sets forth as motive forces: (1) parts of the world, and the projec- "Profound convictions as to this pres- tion of new lines of enterprise and en- ent sinful and perishing world and its deavor for the century to come. Is great need. (2) Profound convictions it too much to hope that this next as to the superabounding riches of century of missions may not have divine grace in Jesus Christ, the great passed Ulatil the whole world shall provision. (3) Profound convictions of have been acquainted with the Gos- the personal command, the personal pel? 'Ve hope that at an early day trust, and the personal responsibility the leaders of missionary enterprises to bear the good tidings at once to all in all parts of the world will co- men." Dr. Judson Smith says Chrisoperate to call such a world's con- tianity is becoming the dominant revention in some of the great centres ligion of the world; communication between all parts of the world is be- -In the August number for 1890, coming easier; the world, with only the statistics are given for Protest- here and there an exception, is ac- ant missions in China, which are re- cessible to the Gospel; and that mod- peated in the December issue, page ern missions are successful. At home 934, as the strength of the United missionary contributions are being en- Presbyterian force. Of course, the lat- larged; the supply of missionaries is ter is an error. It should read: "As increasing, and the church is com- furnished by the Presbyterians." mitted to mission work as never before. -The late Dr. Alexander William- son, of China, was identified for some -In Scotland the question of dis- 30 years with the London Missionary establishment has produced no little Society, then with the National Bible excitement. It seems almost certain Society of Scotland, and the United to come before the next Parliament. Presbyterian Church. As a translator There is certainly a religious interest and distributor of religious literature among the Scottish churches. The in the Chinese tongue, he filled a attendance upon church services is, we unique position, and to these labors -venture to say, better than in any was singularly devoted. His extensive other country in the world. The travels, researches, grasp of missions, number of praying men, and especially passion for a more economic distribupraying young men, struck us with tion of the working force, made him peculiar force in recent visits to Scot- an authority. His" Journeys in land. We cannot conceal our pro- North China," ranks as a standard found solicitude for the progressive work. His late wife, a most gifted theology which is moving many, we woman, wrote "Old Highways in fear, away from the old landmarks of China." Dr. Williamson died of nethe faith. No doubt there are many phritis, possibly due in part to his arwho are interested in these questions duous toil in thfl recent Shanghai intellectually, whose hearts are per- Conference. His prodigious activity fectly loyal to Christ and the truth, is rivaled by few of the most devoted but we fear the flffect of this ad- workers in the Middle Kingdom. vanced theological opinion upon the younger clergy of Scotland. At the -China owes to Christian missionsame time so deep is the interest in aries a great debt for information on a missions in this land of martyrs and vast range of topics. But a little while missionanes, that the practical work ago, the Chinese were wholly depend. of the churches, both at home and ent on the Peking Gazette; now they abroad, is largelyantidoting the influ- have some twenty-eight publications. ence of this skeptical opinion. The missionaries have supplied an enormous number of translations of We can never more speak or write of European booksonscience, geography, Scotland without the feeling which a history, mathematics, philosophy, etc. son would have for his mother. We They have translated the Bible into add the words of Dr. W. M. Taylor: not less than twelve Chinese dialects, "I say without any hesitation that and are now busy at fifteen more. when interesting foreign missions are Dr. Legge's investigations into the maintained in a church to the normal ancient systems of the Chinese phipoint, all other activities and agencies losophers are embodied in Professor at home will go of themselves and as Max Muller's" Sacred Books of the things, of course, while, if there be a East," and American authors have lack of devotion to that noble enter- given the world the "Middle Kingprise, nothing else will be prosecuted dom," and the" Chinese-English Dicwith either enthusiasm or success." tionary." So writes Mr. Johnston, of These are true words. Bolton.
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
lJy J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
China. –.:.. China is a vast field. many centuries they have been in full That is a statement that grows by enjoyment of them, and on every side· every line of comparison we can lay. the evidences of long-established Here is a late attempt by Rev. Dr. wealth and commercial enterprise are· B. D. Gray, in the Foreign Mission observable.
Journal of the Southern Baptists (see " From the great wall to the frontier December number; it is published at of Tong-king, and from Thibet to the Richmond, Va.): . China Sea the country is dotted over "A single province of hers con- with rich and populous cities, which verted would be equal to the conver- are connected one with another by sion of whole nations elsewhere. Con- well-trodden roads or water highways.
vert anyone of her eighteen provinces In these busy centres of industry mer- and you would have more than all chants from all parts of the empire Brazil and Mexico. Anyone of a are to be found, who are as ready to dozen of her provinces would be more deal in the fabrics of the native looms, than the conversion of all Italy. As porcelain, tea and other native pro- goes China, so goes Asia. She is to- ducts, as in cottons, metals and day the citadel of paganism. Secure woolens of Europe.
her to Christ, and you secure all her " The rivers and canals are crowded dependencies, as Thibet, Turkistan, the vessels bearing silks and satins Mongolia, Manchuria and Korea. from Cheh-kiang .and Kiang-su, tea Break down her idols and you de- from Gan-hwuy and Ho-nan, and rice throne the greater part of heathenism from the southern provinces to parts at a stroke! " of the empire which give in exchange CHINESE EMIGRATION. for such gifts the corn and other pro- Dr. R. H. Graves says: ducts which they are able to spare."
"There are 50,000 of these in the. In the matter of the language, Dr.
Philippine Islands; 50,000 in the Eng- Douglas says: lish colony at Singapore, where they " By means of their three classes of own four-fifths of all the real estate; characters, the hieroglyphics, ideo- 50,000 more in the Malay Peninsula; grams and phonetics, the Chinese 1,300,000 in Siam; thousands in Cochin have been able to express and pre– China. and thousands more in Borneo, serve the thoughts and sayings of theit Java and Sumatra. The colonies greatest and wisest writers through a founded by the Spaniards, Dutch, series of centuries which dwarfs int« French and English are being rapidly insignificance all Western ideas of filled up by Chinese. In the Sand- antiquity. For thirty centuries China- wich Islands there are more Chinese men have been accumulating stores of men than men of the native race." literary wealth, which are of them- China is a fertile region. Professor selves sufficiently important to attract Douglas, at University College, thus the attention of scholars and to stir described it: the literary ambition of students, and "From one end of the country to which do so in almost every country.
another the land blossoms as the rose, But by the fresh discoveries of Messrs.
and yields to the diligent and carpfu} De Lacouperie and Ball, not only is a tillage of the natives enough and to new interest added to the language, spare of all that is necessary for 'the but it is brought into close and inti- comfort and well-being of man. Nor mate relation with the tongues spoken have these advantages become the by the great civilizing nations of the.
recent possessions of the people. For world." Great changes are taking place in every form and righteousness too.
China. Rev. Young J. Allen, D.D., The doctrine of mediation is recog- LL.D., read an able paper before the' nized.
Shanghai Conference on this topic, in 4. They have some knowledge of a which he classified these changes as: true and living God, a power on whom (1) Compulsory, or those necessitated cOu.;}try, family and individual pros- by force or treaty obligations. The perity depends.
compulsory occupation by the allies, 5. They possess an implied knowl- in 1860, of the imperial capital was edge of immortality. Their emperors followed by a treaty which gave com- never die, they ascend.
merce and missions the right of un- 6. There is a providential prepara- molested access to the entire land. (2) tion. China is open from end to end.
The semi-compulsory changes, or At the Shanghai Conference this was those initiated with a view to adjust- called in question as to Ho-nan, but ments. The Chinese knew that the Hudson Taylor said it was politically treaty must be fulfilled, and that in open, though persecution and oppos- reorganizing their government they ition were great.
could not do better than copy the OBSTAOLES AND DIFFICuLTIES.
strong points of their late adversaries. 1. To the heathen becoming Chris- Hence, the innovations of foreign tians. No one can state the ca.'le of military camps, arsenals, customs, the Chinese better than the Chinese, schools, coast surveys, etc. (3) Spon- and so we "let a native Chinese taneous-voluntary changes. Inter- Christian minister state the point of national relations become cordial. The the difficulties of the native Chinaman press is callEJd into requisition, news- in learning about Christianity.
papers and books are translated. China Rev. Y. K. Yen, speaking at the has become conscious of her wants, a Shanghai Conference, said: mint, banks, post.offices follow. (4) "We must understand the peculiar Imperial, or those which define the character of the Chinese. (1) They position and policy of the country. have hazy ideas about gods. A Chi- ADVANTAGES AND HELPS. nese who went to the United States Rev. Dr. Williamson pointed out was written to by his father that his some while ago, in Evangelical Chris- sixth mother was well. What can a tendom, that there is a providential man who has six mothers know of a preparation in China for the reception mother's love? (2) The Chinese have and spread of the Gospel. hazy ideas about sin, which they con- 1. There is an educational prepa- found with crirpe, treading on one's ration. They say: "The mind is the toes, being late to dinner-the same man." The competitive examinations character for all. (3) They have hazy have quickened theinteUect of China. ideas about a future life. At a This gave rise to schools. Hence the Chinese death-bed there is never a large percentage of readers. Then word about future happiness, but only there is one written language for the about mourning and money. If they whole empire. There is asocial prepa- did Rot think the gods could affect .
ration. Through the observance of men's bodies the temples would be filial obligation has trained the nation deserted and ancestral worship would to subordination to law and order. decline. They are not to blame. It is There is no communism nor nihilism their misfortune and not their fault.
here. Divine authority can be easily The Chinese cannot see Christianity as taught. we see it."
3. There is a moral preparation. This is jUtlt what Rev. Judson Smith, The heart is recognized as the seat of D.D., has said in other language and on morals. Benevolence is urged in an opposite side of the globe: "It is not simply the greatness of anity yet they can be reached. He the population of China that makes her evangelization difficult. It is said his church in Monkdon included rather the institutions of the Chinese; it is the Chinese character; it is the in its members five or six Mandarins, Chinese history inwrought into insti- tutions; instinct in the life of the men with literary degrees; that many people. Making them a nation of themselves, exclusive, caring not, others of the Mandarins are at heart knowing not, heeding not of aught that goes on in the world outside of Christians, and many more very them; not desiring the arts we are so ready to bring them; not wishing the friendly. institutions that we would gladly see thrive among them; scorning the The mission schools are becoming a faith that we deem their life and their salvation." power for good in China. One would 2. To native Ohristians. The same fancy that there would be great preju- Christian native, already quoted (Rev. Y. K. Yen), said again at the great dice against the teaching of Christimissionary conference last year some very sensible things about the difficul- anity in connection with secular eduties to the mission work growing out of the conservatism of the Chinese. cation, but it is amongst the marvelous He said that "the Chinese Christians are not in the same favorable circum- providences of God that in scarcely stances as Christians in other lands. The former have fifty generations of any heathen country does this long heathenism behind them. They have much to contend with. We should prove an obstruction. not expect the same enterprise, activity and piety as from from foreigners. The teaching of Christianity does Missionaries often speak disparagingly of Chinese Christians. This, consider- not inure to the disadvantage of the ing the circumstances, is unreasonable and unjust. Western civilization is mission schools in China. We can furmarked by diversity. Eastern civilization by uniformity. Chinese are nish no better evidence of this than is not active physically, morally and spiritually. If I were active physi- found in the report to Government in cally I should not have this queue today. If any other Chinese would cut Hong Kong, made in 1889: off his hair and shorten his skirts I would do so too. They have a load Referring now to the 7,101 scholars upon them. All Chinese worship is who attended, during the year 1889, for selfishness. They have no knowl- schools under the· supervision of the edge of God; no recognition of being education department, there were as His sons." many as 4,814 attending voluntary schools, where they received a Chris- All classes are reached in China. tian education, whilst 2,293 scholars Rev. John Ross said at the London attended government schools, receiv- Conference that while the literary ing a secular education. The secular class in China are opposed to Christi- government schools are, as a rule, bet- ter provided for than the voluntary religious schools as regards money matters, house accommodation, school materials, staff, organization, and dis- cipline, and when charging fees, keep their fees far below the rate charged in voluntary schools of a correspond- ing class. Nevertheless, the voluntary schools, which freely teach Christian- ity without the restraint of any con- science clauses Whatever, and are in every respect conducted as denomi- national mission schools, receive from the public double the amount of pat- ronage bestowed on government schools. This clearly shows that parents of children, in Hong Kong, as Europe. prefer, on thewhole, religious to secular education, even when the latter is cheaper.
This was made by Dr. Eistel as in- spector of schools. It only confirms the judgment of Dr. F. Stewart, who was inspector of schools, but who died recently, who said: The advance in education is one of the most gratifying features in the progress of the colony. There is yet twenty-eight, is introduced at court much to be done, and female educa- by Lao-tse, is appointed chief magistion is only in its infancy; but the trate of Chung-too, introduces praclines on which the system is moving tically ajury system; for thirteen years seem to be correct, and time alone is becomes a homeless wanderer, and required to reclaim those portions of henceforth abandons himself to letters the field which remain untouched. and religion, and wanders from court to court to obtain converts to his ideal THE RESULTS ARE ENCOURAGING. government. He died, having prac- tically remained unrecognized us a The statistics at the Shanghai Con- successful reformer. After his death ference last May, showed: Of foreign his teachings became powerful. Every missionaries, men, 589; wives, 390; year 66,000 animals are now offered single women, 316. Total, 1,295. Na- in sacrifice to this sage. Here is the tive helpers, ordained, 209; unor- chorus chanted in the great sacrificial dalned, 1,260; female helpers, 180. ceremony to him: Medical work, hospitals, 61; dispensaries, 43; patients in 1889, 348,439. "Confucius, Confucius I How great is Con- Churches, organized, 520; wholly self- fucius! supporting, 94; half self-supporting, 22; one-fourth self-supporting, 27. Before Confucius there never was a. Confu- Bible distribution, Bibles, etc. Total, cius; 665,987. Communicants, 37,287; pupils in schools, 16,816. Contributions by Since Confucius, there never has been a. Connative churches, $36,884. fucius; MEN AND WOMEN ARE WANTED. Confucius, Confucius I How great is Con- fucius! " Ministers and laymen are called for. The Shanghai Conference asks soberly The emperor himself offers this for 1,000 men in five years. Their ap- prayer to Confucius: "I, the emperor, peal was published ,far and wide. offer a sacrifice to the philosopher Then there have been specific appeals. Confucius, the ancient teacher, the The mISSIOnaries of the Baptist perfect sage, and say, 0, teacher, in churches in America, now in China, virtue equal to heaven and earth, have appealed to the Baptists of whose doctrines embrace the past America alone to send 100 men. time and the present. . . • in reverent observance of the old statutes, with Oonfuoia.nism and Oonfuoius. victims, silks, spirits and fruits, 1 carefully offer sacrifice to thee. Mayst "Great men have short biogra- thou enjoy the sacrifice." (See Duphies," says Carlyle. The rule is not Bois's" Dragon, Image and Demon," broken in the case of Confucius. The p.l24.) outline of his biography can be given in a paragraph. He was born in the " If the Chinese," says an author, State of Tsow, B.C. 551, of noble an- "pay divine honors to any being in cestry whose record reached unbroken heaven, or on earth, or under the for over two thousand years backward earth, it is to Confucius." from his cradle. His father was a soldier of great prowess and of daring CONFUCIUS AS A FOUNDER OF A bravery. He was married at nineteen, rose from keeper of the public stores, RELIGION. to the cnarge of public lands. At twenty-two he taught letters, ethics, Fairbairn says, in his "Studies in devotion of soul and truthfulness. He the Philosophy of Religion and Hisearly became cosmopolitan: "I am tory," that" without Confucius China a man who belongs equally to the had been without a native religion." north and the south and the east and the west." He studies music at Dr. Legge, in his "Religions of China," boldly corrects this erroneous statement. Religion in China does not date from Confucius. His grand- son asserted that Confucius only "handed down" and "displayed" the ancient teachings and took them of etiquette, taking the place of ethics: for his model. Confucius himself said a skeptical denial of any relation be- he was a" transmitter, not a maker" tween man and a living God, taking of the doctrines of the ancients. Cer- the place of religion, while there is tainly the "transmitter" gave color encouraged a sort of worship of human to that which he transmitted. China genius, combined with a set of des- does not owe its national religion to potic political theories. But who Confucius. But if he did not originate can honestly call this a religion? " it, neither did he discountenance it or alter it'in any sensible degree. But Over and over we are told that Con- Confucius did emphasize the moral fucianism is not a religion, only a duties as taught or implied in the system of morality. This needs large religion of the ancients as of first im- modification. So far as the element portance and of much easier compre- of worship enters into the element of hension than the speculative side of religion it is distinctly, pervasively, theology or the religious superstition penetratingly, a religion. about the unseen. Dr. Faber pointed this out with One thing has been plainly pointed emphasis at the late General Conferout as to the effect of Confucius' large ence of Missionaries at Shanghai. "Religion," he says, "pervades every emphasis of practical duties. Dr. movement of official life in China. Matheson (St. Giles Lecturer) says: A glance at the Peking Gazette will convince the most skeptical of the "Since the days of Confucius the truth of this statement. We find there speculative element has declined and mentioned not only worship of ances~ the Chinese mind has sought truth tors, of Confucius, of innumerable almost exclusively in the path of deified worthies, but also of the duality morals." of heaven and earth, of sun, moon, stars, wind, clouds, rain, thunder, the Much has been written about Con- ocean, mountains, rivers, the four fucius in relation to the "Golden regions, the four seasons, the years, Rule." He is credited with being the months and days. Astrology, selection originator of this. But Dr. Legge, of lucky and unlucky days, omens, than whom he has no stouter cham- charms, exorcism and other superstipion, says here he tarnished a doc- tiQlls are sanctioned by imperial trine of the ancients rather than pro- authority." (See The Messenger, Shanghai, June, 1890.) claimed it. Confucius is said to have CONFUCIANISM AS A THEOLOGY. advocated the negative side of the Golden Rule: "Do not unto others This same Dr. Faber, at another time, what you would not that they distinctly pointed out some of the should do unto you." But the ancients aspects of absolute negation in Conwe~t further than that. Lao-tze fucianism as a religon. He says: taught: "Return good for eviL" But Confucius said: "What then will you 1. "Confucianism recognizes no return for good? Recompense injury relation to a living God." with justice, and return good for good." How nearly this shades, how- 2. "It makes no distinction between ever, to the Christian teaching! the human soul and body, nor is there any clear definition of man, either IS CONFUCIANISM A RELIGION? from a physical or psychological point of view." The China Review contained years since an article in which the writer 3. "All men are said to possess the said: disposition and strength necessary for "Confucianism pure and simple is, the attainment of moral perfection, in our opinion, no religion at all. The but the contrast with the actual state essence of Confuciani"m is an anti- remains unexplained." quarian adherence to traditional forms 4. There is wanting in Confucian- have no rights in relation to their ism a decided and serious tone in its parents; subjects are like children; of treatment of the doctrine of sin, for, human rights there are none-first with the exception of the moral retri- and last there are only duties. Po- bution in social life, it mentions no lygamy is sanctioned and presup- punishment for sin. It is devoid of a posed, so is polytheism. Filial piety deep insight into sin and evil. extends even to worship. In ordinary life the son must" manifest his rever- 5. It "knows no mediator, none ence, in his nourishing of his parents, that could restore original nature iJi in his endeavor to give them pleasure; accordance with the ideal which man when they are ill he feels the greatest finds in himself." anxiety; in mourning for them, when dead, he exhibits every demonstration 6. "Prayer and its ethical power of grief; in sacrificing to them he dis- finds no place" in his system. plays the utmost solemnity."
7. There is, with the exception of Confucius taught the supreme value ancestral worship, which is devoid of of personal character. The" charac- true ethical value, no clear conception ter of Alexander of Russia was worth of the dogma'of immorality. a constitution," says Colton. Confu- cius would make every character a 8. "All rewards are expected in constitution and by-laws besides. To this world." be and not to appear is the correctest thing. The wise man will assail his Confucius plainly held that these own vices and not another's: "I am are things beyond the grasp of human not concerned that I have no place; I intelligence. You cannot figure to am concerned how I may fit myself yourself the nature of God. You for one." The substance of three cannot certainly know that there is hundred pieces of the "Book of any point of contrast between His Poetry," says a recent author, may be nature and yours; hence prayers and expressed in: "Have no depraved sacrifices are of doubtful utility. All thoughts." this lies in the region of imagination; it may represent truth; it may not. "The man who, in view of gain, Neither can be demonstrated. Yet he thinks of righteousness, in view of did not forbid worship. "Sacrifice as danger, is prepared to give up his life, and who does not forget an agreement if your sacrifice were a reality; wor- however far back it extends-such a man may be reckoned a complete ship Shin as if Shin were really man. . . . "Man is born for uprightpresent." But meanwhile your chief ness. They who know the truth are concern is with the visible and palpa- not equal to those who love it, and ble nniverse and with the homely they who love it are not equal to those tasks of life. The opposition to Chris- who find delight in it." tian points of theology is entire and fundamental. But the rule of right is not indivi· dual conscience, but rather the uni- CONFUCIANISM AS A MORAL FORCE. versal conscience of mankind. Man must do all this without any help, hu- In what way and sense is Confu- man or divine. He fails, and Confucianism a moral force? There must cianism does not attempt to account be something in it by which it has for the failure. It only stands alongheld sway for these centuries. Espec- side of the failure and says man was ially in the face of sundry marked born to be good. It does not even furdefects in its ethical teaching. It con- nish an example. founds ethics with ceremonies and politics, it asserts that certain musical The sceptre of authority, of all pomelodies influence morals; its system of social life is tyrannous: women are slaves, and may be bought and sold ·as sheep in the shambles; children litical power, hence the centre of all guised as a Thibetan, accompanied by political government is morals. a Sikkim Lama, who was a sub-in- spector of schools employed by the "Withal," Mr. Edkins says, "Confu- British government. cianism has not made the Chinese a moral people. They exhibit a lament- Yet, it is not true that we do not able want of moral strength. The know much about the country and standard of principle among them is the people. The" Cyc10predia Britankept low by the habits of the people. nica" has a quite elaborate article, in They do not appear ashamed when which a great deal of information is they are discovered to have told an condensed, and there are many sources untruth." (See Edkin's "Religion in of information about this land. China.") We summarize from sources,learned Archdeacon Hardwick says: "How and popular, too numerous to name, many are the points in which Con- in the following statements: fucian tenets are opposed to Christianity, it were superfluous to enumer- THE COUNTRY. ate. The opposition in respect of doctrines is entire and fundamental. Thibet, or Tibet-for there seems no It is the opposition of nature and of preference in the spelling-or to use grace, of unregenerate and regenerate the native name, Bodyul " The counprinciples, of sight and faith, of earth- try of the god," or Bhotiya, or lyand of heavenly, And how vast Bhoots, is a section of table lands ten will, therefore, beth~ revolution in the to sixteen thonsand feet above the moral nature of the Chinaman if he sea, stretching from the Upper HimashaH ever learn to practice the un- laya Mountains and those of Yunnan, worldly lessons of the Gospel." (See on to the mountains of China in one " Christ and Other Masters," p. 57.) direction, and to those of Turkistan in another. It is difficult of access in all Confucian conservativism is essen- directions and equally difficult to travtial and inherent. It is the greatest erse. The world owes the Jesuits a obstruction to all progress. debt here as in so many other places for the earliest maps, though here as Thibet. elsewhere those made early in the It is quite the fashion to dismiss eighteenth century were crude and Thibet with the statement that very often misleading. There is no exact little is known of this country and its survey had, except in Western Thibet people. That is only true in a very where, as in Kashmir, it is the most qualified sense. The ordinary student complete. may not have a hand-book, as he has of Bavaria or Switzerland, and the The Britannica is full enough on casual reader may not be easily re- climate, products, industries and ferred to anyone or two volumes many other common matters to have from which to find at a glance what it suffice t-o refer our readers to that he wishes to know of what is known, source. and only now and again has any European been permitted to make any THE PEOPLE. personal investigation by actually traversing the country, as did Alexan- The most probably correct estimate der Csoma de Koros, who made his of the population is from a Russian way from Hungary to Thibet on foot; source which puts it at six millions. or as an enterprising Hindu, Sarat Chandra Das, who, it is alleged, re- The people themselves are worth n.. cently made a tour in Thibet dis- fuller note than a mere reference. The Turanian family of races separate into two great divisions-the Northen~ and the Southern. The Northern com- prehends the Tungus, t,he Mongol, the Tartar, and the Finn branches. The Southern includes the Malay, the Bhotiy,a and the Tamil races: The represent the Chinese government in Indo-Bhotiyas are in the northeast Thibet. These direct exclusively the countries of India, on the Himalayas foreign and military administration and in the valleys of the Brahmaputra. of the country. The civil and relig- The stronglanguage of affinitybetween ious government is left in native these tribes in Burmah and in Thibet hands. The number of Chinese troops is manifest if the chain of gradual rarely equals 4,500 men. modifications from tribe to tribe is followed. But the original Bhotiya The Dalai Lama is the supreme race are Thibetans, and they live in authority in civil government. He Thibet, not alone, but with Mongoli- resides in the famous temple palace of ans who are supposed to have been Potala near Lhasa. He is an incarsettled there since the days of Genghis nation of Buddha, and his soul passes Khan. from him into another body when he dies, in order that there may be a per- The HoI' or Horpa occupy the west- petual incarnation of Buddha at the ern part of Northern Thibet, and ex- head of the Thibetan affairs. They tend into Chinese Tartary or Little do not shout, but they might, with pe- Bokhara. They are nomads, not culiar propriety: "The king is-dead; agriculturists, and more Tartar than long live the king!" for the Dalai Thibetan in their habits. They are Lama never dies. He only disappears mostly Buddhists. But some of them in the form of one man to reappear are Moslems even within Thibet: at the same instant in the form of Turks in blood, Bhots in language. some infant born at the moment of In Ladak both the creed and the liter- the apparent death of the king. They ature are Buddhist, but in blood and search the land to find this childlanguage they are Bhot. Ladak's po- Buddha, place him on the throne, and litical relations are with British India run the Government through a vice. and Kashmir. The Bhot element in roy till he comes to maturity. His its distinct type can not be seen but duties are simply to sit cross-legged in in Chinese Thibet. his temple, and from time to time ex- tend his hand in benediction on his In appearance the Thibetans re- worshipers. semble the Chinese and the Mongols, though, according to Hodgson, many This joint headship of state and of the mountaineers differ entirely church has inhered in the Dalai Lama from the Turanian, and approach the since 1640. There are many other Aryan type. No absolutely white grand lamas, but they are subordinate skins are seen, but often a very pale to the Dalai Lama who is at once brown complexion with red hair and emperor and pope. Below these still gray eyes, and a good deal of bloom are monk-lamas, who act as scribes, on the children's faces. In appearance physicians, sorcerers, etc. It is frethey resemble Chinese and Mongols, quently the case that the correspondnot Hindus, and are more athletic ences of Lamaism with the Roman than either. They are of the same Catholic form of Christianity are overfamily as the Burmese, and their emphasized, at least very incorrect languages are like. Yet Thibetans inferences are made from these. The have no tradition or notion of a pro- Lama ceremonies of baptism, confirgenitor of the human race. There is mation. The ecclesiasticism of pope no caste, yet the social habits are and cardinal, archbishops, priors, Hindu in most r~spects. Polyandra monasteries and nunneries, abbots, prevails, and Polygamy obtains. etc., are all here. But these similar- ities are often strained, and the differ- Since 1720 Thibet has been a depend- ences in them are very great. ency of China, under the Viceroy of Sze-Chuen. Two imperial delegates Lamaism is a compound of Shamanism, Sivaism and Buddhism. The But Thibet was not without a re- Thibetan form of Buddhism is, how- ligion till it imported Buddism and ever, wholly unique. Writers are Sivaism from India. It had an earlier constantly saying this is the strong- creed, though but illy formulated till hold of Buddhism without any ap- Buddhism came. It is known as the parent discrimination. Buddhism in Bon Religion. Eighteen principal ,"ods Burmah is one thing; in Ceylon it is are enumerated. Originally it was a another thing; it is still another sort of nature worship, mixed with thing in Thibet. It is not in its ori- a superstitious element; later on, ginal purity in Thibet. It is strongly adopted from Shamans and the Sivamodified by surrounding religious ites of India, and now further mixed notions. It was born in Thibet contem- with Buddhist ideas. poraneously with the Sikh religion in the Punjab and with the Lutheran CHRISTIANITY IN THmET. Reformation in Europe. In its monasteries in Thibet are preserved heaps The Roman Catholics nave tried to upon heaps of Buddhist literature, the introduce Christianity on the Chinese language Thibetan, but the alphabet border. They began this in 1846, and being Indian, and they may date from made some inroads till 1865, when the second century. They differ in their mission property at Bonga was their language much from the spoken destroyed by fire by the Thibetaus. language of Thibet to-day. Again they endeavored to work, but in 1887 were again driven out, only For much of this class of informa- two of their nine centres being untion one must search ethnological and touched. philological works, like Brace's "Races of the Old World," " Latham's On the west the Moravians have Philology," Hodgson's great works, sought to enter the country, but have and other books like Cunningham's had to stay in British Lahore. They Ladak (the title has gone from us just commenced this mission at the sugnow). gestion of Gutzlaff, in 1853, by send- ing Messrs. Pagell and Hyde, two Max Muller, too, will often let in laymen, who endeavored to reach light, as for instance, in his" Chips," Thibet by way of Russia, but were deetc., where he says: feated in the attempt, and then tried the -India route by way of Simla, in "People have complained of the 1854, to Kyelang in Lahore, and eslength of the sacred books of other tablished a mission house 10,000 feet nations, but there are none that ap- above the sea, and at Poo, in Kunaproach in bulk to the sacred canon of war, in 1865. At this latter place they the Thibetans. It consists of two col- number forty converts. They have lections, commonly called the Kanjur done a large amount of translation of and Tanjur." Scriptures, grammars, etc., into Thibetan, and sent these into Thibet, The Kanjur consists in different where it is said all the lamas can editions of 100, 102 or 108 volumes read, and the lamas, remember, folio. It comprises 1,083 distinct number eighty thousand! works. The Tanjur consists of 225 volumes folio, each weighing from -Father Agostino, a preaching four to five pounds in the Peking edi- friar, has been addressing flocks of tion, which edition was sold for $3,000 people in Rome, and among them by the Emperor Khian-Lung. A copy even skeptical scientists. He is an of the Kanjur was bartered for 7,000 impassioned orator, and has been oxen, and a copy of Kanjur and called the "modem Savonarola." Tanjur together was sold for 1,200 Nevertheless, he is an ignorant Romansilver roubles. (See Vol. XX., ist and worships the Virgin. " Asiatic Researches.")
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
-Mr. H. W. Frost writes that the Missionaries employed, 121; days inundation in the region about Tient- labored, 23,182; stations supplied, 710; sin, in province of Chihli, was caused miles traveled, 200,443; sermons by very heavy rain-falls in the moun- preached, 12,029; Exhortations and tains: The waters spread with unex- other religious addresses, 6,587; total ampled suddenness. Mud villages sermons, 18,616; baptized into mission were completely dissolved, and swept churches, 1,893; received by letter away with their inhabitants; some and restoration by mission churches, who escaped with life lost ~he crops 2,267; total received by mission Dn which they depended for the eight churches, 4,160; professed conversions, months to come. Probably 4,000,000 2,619; churches assisted in organizing, Df people will depend on charity, in 103; prayer meetings assisted in orthis province alone, until May next. ganizing, 405; Sunday-schoolsassisted Active relief committees are at work, in organizing, 250; prayer meetings ascertaining the extent of the calam- led, 3,224; elders or bishops assisted ity, and devising means of help. The in ordaining, 43; deacons assisted in government is repairing the embank- ordaining, 98; pages religious literments, and has issued an imperialre- ature distributed, 522,789; reliigious script ordering Tls.60,000, to be dis- visits, 28,611; church houses built in tributed among sufferers. All this, connection with labor, No. 39, cost, however, is inadequate to raise the $29,965.00; books, Bibles, etc., distrirecipients above the bare preservation buted, No. 2,406, cost, $1,061.03; colof life. Rev. G. W. Clarke, of the lected for State missions, $35,357.77. China Inland Mission, writes, that to keep these people from November 15th -The Dutch Reformed Church of to March 15th, at two cents a day for Cape Colony, which has 175,555 bapadults and one cent for children up to tized white members, is coming, says twelve years, would cost $9,000,QOO. the Rev. Charles Starbuck, under Even now famine is upon the people Scottish and English Stimulus, to who can get but one meal, and that show a much more animated missionvery poor food, every twenty-four ary zeal. "Stellenbosch, with its theohours. Here is a chance not only to logical institute, is very especially a help the starving, but to reach them focus of missionary zeal." Among the with the b.read of life. The judicious others, the Wesleyan Missionary Sohelp given in 1871, 1878, 1888, re- ciety is most prominent. It has (in the moved many prejudices against mis- west) 9 stations, 6 missionaries, 96 na. sionaries and resulted in soul-saving:. tive helpers, 1,476 communicants, 1,467 scholars. The South African If any feel moved to contribute, a Wesleyans are quite independent of draft on London, England, sent to the the British conference. In the whole Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Cor- Colony they have 71 stations, 156 poration, Shanghai, China, or a post- churches and chapels, 55 clergymen, office order or New York draft, sent to 1,198 native helpers, 16,840 communi- Mr. H. W. Frost,No. 30 Sheeter Street, cants, 88,000 baptized adherents, 218 Toronto, Canada,will be forwarded to schools, 310 teachers, 13,803 scholars. the relief of the suffering millions. "But no other British society laboring in South Africa compares with the -Mr. J. B. Cranfill, superintendent Scottish societies as respects' capabilof missions, incloses summary of ity, sobriety and diligence, combined Texas (Baptist) mission work, from with true evangelical piety." The Free September 30,1889, to September 30, Church of Scotland has 9 stations, 10 1890: ordained Europeans, 2 ordained na- cational and industrial training. The tives, 23 native helpers, 4214 commu- United Presbyterians have 11 stations, nicants, 12,113 baptized adherents, 12 missionaries, 60 native helpers, 2,307 3,510 scholars. Their institute at Love- communicants, 8,080 baptized adherdale (largely assisted by the colonial ents, 43 schools, 1,735 scholars.-Illu8government) is a great force for edu- trated Weekly.
Foreign Mission Notes, by Rev. James Johnston, Bolton, England.
The Missionary Death Roll. secrated in Edinburgh on All Soul's Bishop Callaway.-At the close of Day, 1874, he settled at Umtata, March last, in his seventy-third year, around which grew up a small town, passed away the Right Reverend a pro-cathedral, a theological training Henry Callaway, D.D., first bishop of college for natives, schools for native St. John's, South Africa. Born in and European boys and girls, a hospi- Crediton, Devonshire, on the 17th of tal, and other institutions. Through- January, 1817; he early attached him- out his wide diocese he toiled with self to the Society of Friends. He inexhaustible zeal. On the failure of pursued the medical profession with health, in 1886, he formally resigned marked distinction, in London, and returned to his native land. True though his interest in religious ques- to the apostolic spirit, he devoted all tions and pre-eminently his strong his property to Spring Vale when he convictions on missions ultimately in- withdrew, and subsequently gave to duced him to join the Established the Established Church a sum of Church. On the formation of the £2,000 on his retirement. Bishop Cal- See of ~atal, he responded to Bishop laway will rank with Africa's most Colenso's call and was ordained laborious and enlightened missionary at Norwich Cathedral, August, 1854. heralds.
After a voyage of fourteen weeks to Mr. A. M. Mackay.-By the death Port Durban, he was appointed in the of this eminent missionary a lament- capacity of priest, in September, 1855, able blank is created in the Uganda to St. Andrews, Pietermaritzburg, the Mission. Most probably this event oc- first church erected in Natal. He ClIrred at Usambiro, on the southwest speedily became a conspicuous worker of Victoria Nyanza, 750 miles inland.
among the heathen and in the study Mr. Mackay was born at the Rhynie of the Kaffir language. Three years Manse, Aberdeenshire, in 1849, where later he obtained a grant of 3,000 acres his father was a noted Presbyterian of land, a day's journey from Rich- minister. Educated partly at home mond, where he founded the famous and at the Northern University, he Spring Vale Station, a prolific centre later went to Berlin in order to follow of Christianizing influence. He as- the profession of engineering. There sisted in reducing the Kaffir language he won no inconsiderable reputation to written form, and chiefly in trans- for ability and accomplislmIents. Mr.
lating nearly the whole of the Scrip- Stanley's historic letter, inviting mis- tures and Prayer Book. In this sionaries, in 1885, to the dominions of tongue, followed by a literal transla- Mtesa, moved the young engineer in tion in English, he wrote a book en- Germany to offer himself for service titled, "Zulu Nursery Tales." On the as an artisan missionary to the Church Scotch Established Church founding Missionary Society. He was readily in 1873, the Bishopric of Independent accepted, and on the 27th of April, Kaffraria, lying between Natal and 1876, sailed with the first party.
Cape Colony, Dr. Callaway was of- His desire to go forward on landing fered and accepted the. charge. Con- was frustrated by a serious illness. During his months of waiting by the classes. A pamphlet named "Times seaboard he made important surveys of Refreshing in Spain," recently pub- and laid out a useful road as far as lished in Glasgow, contains a bright Mpwapwa. When the news of the narrative of his toils for the better tragic deaths of Lieutenant Shergold school accommodation of the families Smith and Mr. O'Neill on Victoria Ny- connected with the Rio Tinto Com- anza came to hand, he resolved at pany, and increased facilities of wor- every hazard to join the lonely re- ship. He was equally esteemed by maining missionary, the Rev. C. T. the officers and seamen at the ship- Wilson. In December, 1878, he ping port for whom he opened a res- reached Mtesa's capital. Through a taurant and readiug-room, and as ~uccession of hardships, perils and ca- steadfastly sought their spiritual wel- lamities, he displayed the highest de- fare.
votion and splendid fortitude. House Rev. T. German Jones.-By the and boat-building, implement-mak- unexpected decease of this notable ing, teaching agriculture, managing mISSIOnary, the Welsh Calvanistic the printing-press, and proclaiming Methodists are bereft of one who held the message of eternal life, occupied a foremost position in the mission his nights and days among the tribes cause in the East. An overworked of Uganda. Under threat or in cap- system compelled him to sail from tivity he tarried within Uganda Ter- Calcutta, with his wife, on the 17th of ritoryuntil he was driven forth by the last March. The relatives and friends Mohammedan revolt in 1888. At his who repaired to Gravesend to await temporary abode, Usambiro, every the incoming steamer were terribly one knows how faithfully he succored shocked to learn on her arrival that the followers of Stanley and Emin on the home-voyaging missionary died on their coastward march. His decease the previous day, April 14th. In many robs the Church Missionary Society of respects his career was a remarkable its most conspicuous foreign agent,and one. A native of Anglesey, he was the whole missionary world of one of employed for some years as a working the most energetic and successful mis- quarrier. On completing his studies sionary pioneers of modern times. in Bala College he was called to the Rev. James Lundie, M.A.-To ministry of the Welsh Calvanistic the deep sorrow of the English and Church. His foreign labors began at Spaniards at Huelva, Spain, this be- the mission station of the Khasia loved missionary died unexpectedly Hills, India. By an unremitting en- on the 21st of March. At Edinburgh thusiasm he was witness to abun- University, where a few years past he dant spiritual harvests. His services received the Master of Arts degree, to the British government at the time two of his brothers on that occasion of the Indian mutiny were the means had the same honor conferred upon of averting a general rising in the them. One of the latter, Mr. Marsh- neighborhood. All through the awful all Lundie accompanied him to Spain cholera plague in India he labored un- and there ultimately succumbed in flaggingly, e5pecially in bearing the the Master's cause. The third of the stricken to the crowded hospitals.
brothers, the Rev. John Lundie, re- For his devotion on successive famine presents the Scotch United Presby- outbreaks he won the public thanks terians in Kaffraria, in which capacity of the Indian authorities and the he is sustained by a genuine mission- grateful affection of the poorest classes.
ary partner. The subject of this me- With fine literary tastes he combined morial notice was on the eve of com- an extensive and profound Oriental pleting special work for the benefit of scholarship. A large concourse of the English residents and the native mourners and spectators attended the funeral at Smithdown. Cemetery, here. My church, after many years Liverpool, on April 18th. of imancy and adolescence under another, and a part of the time under United States. my ministry, is giving signs of growth. New Orleans, June 30, 1890. EDITORS OF THE MISSIONARY RE- My church is a missionary church, VIEW:-As chairman of the Assembly'S and our young members are being dili- Standing Committee of' Foreign Mis- gently trained as soldiers for the war, sions, at Chattanooga, it was my duty and I hesitate not to declare that the to shape and present the favorable re- Church is so essentially missionary in ,sponse to an overture from the pro- her constitution, that to neglect or to fessors of our colored institution at do slackly this work, is to forfeit the Tuskaloosa, to begin a mission in the charter received from the King. Dark Continent. ,Two missionaries, -one white and the other black, are Yours, in our dear Lord, now on their way to Africa, and our R. Q. MALLARD. Assembly, at its late session in Ash- ville, resolved W reinforce them with Lutherans in all Languages. four additional laborers as soon as the means could be realized. In order to The Lutheran is a church of many deepen the interest of our people in languages. The latest statistics show this new mission, and stimulate that of her baptized membership greater generosity and prayerfulness, throughout the world 32,000,000 speak I sent the article enclosed, entitled, German, 5,300,000 Swedish, 2,500,000 "Wheah's Appeal," to our organ, The Norwegian, 2,300,000 Danish, 2,048,- Southwestern Presbyterian. Possibly 000 Finnish, 1,250,000 English, 1,113,- it might he made of larger service in 000 Hungarian, 624,000 Livonian, 480,- awakening interest in the evangeli- 000 Courlanish, 272,000 Esthnian,70,000 zation of a land long neglected, but French, 70,000 Icelandic, 48,000 Bohetoward which the eyes of the whole mian, and that in every other civilized -civilized as well as Christian world are tongue she is well represented, num- bering in the world 28,406 educated now being turned.* ministers, 38,381 church edifices, and 50,061,280 baptized members. This Your REVIEW, which I have only of church, though taking its origin in late been able to take, is invaluable to Germany, seems to know no fatherme in the preparation of missionary land or mother tongue. She is at sermons, and in the monthly concert home everywhere. of prayer, which I have always observed in my ministry. It is of great Wesleyan Missionary Society.- value in keeping my own soul stirred The society is reported struggling -on the matter which engaged the last against financial difficulties, for the thoughts of our dear Master before He relief of which an earnest call is made. mounted the throne. Your REVIEW Notwithstanding a carefully admin- ~nables the soldier of the Cross to istered expenditure, the current inmount occasionally above the dust and come does not keep pace with. it. smoke of the battle to the serene Possibly for the decrease the embitmountain-top, whence he can, at a tered controversy with Dr. Lunn and glance, survey the entire field of con- Mr. Hughes may be partly accountflict, only to descend with heightened able. The majority of the older courage to his place in the host. British missionary organizations re- gard the obstacles in the way of rais- Allow me to thank you warmly for ing their necessary incomes as multithe help you are giving m~ in my work plying rather than diminishing. The birth of numerous modern societies • We regret that space compels us to omit largely explain this dilemma, for they this strong appeal.-ED. draw upon supporters identified with " Word has been received from the long-established agencies. illustrious Department of Instruction The Salvation Army derives a at Constantinople, addressed to the princely income from the Christian government guarding the interests of public, whereas, General Booth does Syria, to the effect that there has been not aid any other organization, even issued an imperial order in favor of those traveling on corresponding lines Mr. Henry Jessup, a subject of the to his own. honored American republic, based Interest was shown at the Man- upon a statement and petition ad- chester Auxiliary of the Wesleyan dressed by him, permitting him to Society, attended by the Rev. W. H. publish the Weekly Neshra, which Findlay, M.A., of Negapatam,and the had been previously suppressed, this Rev. Professor Patterson, of Madras, permission being granted on the con- in the presence of two old-time Wes- dition that the paper shall not treat of leyan advocates of missions. One of· any political matters, nor of any oc- the veterans, who presided, Mr. Oeo. currences whatsoever which may taktf Cussons, was within a few days of place within the empire or outside its completing his eighty-eighth birthday; borders, but shall treat solely of re- the other patriarch, Mr. John Napier, ligious, scientific and moral questions.
has already entered on his ninetieth But this permission is restricted by the year. The occasion was made deeply condition that nothing shall be printed memorable by the masterly defence in it which directly or indirectly of educational work amid the great opposes any of the religious beliefs centres of population in India. Pro- current in the governments ruled and fessor Patterson held that the policy guarded by the Sultan, and also by the which had been maintained for many condition that a copy of the contents years by the Protestant missionaries of the paper be sent before it is in regard to this phase of activity was printed and published to the govern- wise and justified by its results. ment censor that he may sanction its printing and publication after he has -Liberty of the Press in Turkey. ascertained that in no respect, in The Neshra, an Arabic newspaper single words or in sentences, has there published by the American mission in been any infringement of this condi- Beirut, Syria, was suppressed without tion. The exalted local government cause, months ago, by orders from will inform him of the nature of this Constantinople. Efforts have been concession. "
made, by interviews with the local Turkish soldiers, hemmed in by authorities and by petitions to Con- bayonets and cannon, shout at the stantinople, by the intervention orthe close of their daily reviews, "Long United States consul and of the am- live the Sultan!" American Chris- bassador, to secure permission for its tians interested in the redemption of resumption, but all in vain until the Turkey will wait for further proofs of pre~ent time. the fostering care of the Sultan's gov- An Arabic paper from Beirut, re- ernment before heartily echoing this ceived here recently, publishes the fol- prayer.-Church at Home and Abroad.
lowing notice of the Sultan's gracious edict, from which our readers can Jews.-Baron Hirsch gives $10,000 judge of the nature of the " liberty of a month toward the relief of the Jews the press" in Turkey, and of the re- exiled from Russia and seeking homes strictions to which the missionaries in the United States. The American are subject in their work. This is a Hebrew says: literal translation of the Arabic "A census of the district south of copy:' Houston street and east of Broadway shows Russian and Roumanian Jews were clothed with different clothing; far in excess of one hundred thou- and were of different habits and ways sand, and the average increase by im- of life. Yet I never realized the one migration is about twenty thousand ness of the human family more than I per annum. The committee propose did that day. The poet says, "One using the Hirsch fund in educating touch of nature makes the whole world these people so as to become self-sus- kin." But one touch from the hand taining by entering trades or occupa- of Christ can do far more than that. tions which are new to them, and to It can abolish all differences, makes enable them to amalgamate rapidly us feel that we are the children of a with the people among whom they common Father, saved by a common work or dwell. Classes have been Saviour, heirs of a common inheriopened for teaching children sufficient tance, pilgrims to a common home.- English to prepare them to attend the Samoa, Past and Present, by Rev. public schools; for instructing adults Oharles Phillips. in English, in American history, methods and customs; for fitting girls Monthly Bulletin. for other occupations than tailoring, for making men handy with tools, -A Chinese society of Christian whereby they can more rapidly obtain brethren, organized in East 39th renumerative employment. It has Street, New York City, has, on the first been proposed to teach them various floor, a room for religious meetings, trades, and put some at agriculture, and, on the second, apartments for and so scatter them in different voca- the sick and homeless. It began with tions. With the aid of the employment twenty-six members, who paid $70 bureauofthe United HebrewCharities, per month for the house. positions have been found for a large number of men, the Hirsch fund pay- -A school for the Chinese, opened ing the expense of transporting them at Kelley's, North Carolina, called the to the points where they are to work, " Oriental Academy," began with and in some cases tools have been seven pupils direct from Canton, and given them." is on a farm, and the system is indus- trial. It is designed for Chinamen Samoa. – A South Sea Com- wishing to be educated, but prevented munion. At the close of a service by race prejudice or lack of funds several hundreds remained to com- from entering an American school. memorate our Lord's death. For bread The school is non-sectarian, is under the natives have often only the kernel the auspices of leading Chinamen, of the cocoanut, and for wine only the and will offer opportunities for selfmilk of the cocoanut, the natural support. bread and wine of the country. The scene was very striking. Only four- -In the Sabbath-school of the teen years since the mission ship first Clarendon Baptist Church, in Boston, approached the island. Then they whose pastoris Rev. Dr. A. J. Gordon, were only a herd of naked savages. is a class of one hundred of native Now" clothed and in their right Chinese. They support three of their minds," numbers of them gather countrymen as preachers in their own around the table of the Lord. There land. seemed hardly any point of resemblance between preacher and people. -A united prayer-meeting in con- We were of different races; spoke nection with the week of prayer, for different languages; were of different woman's work in the mission-field, coloring; ate different kinds of food; was held in Exeter Hall, Friday, January 9th, at 3 P. M. Representa- tives of various zenana societies were present and took part in the proceed- said that not until the end of the ings. seventeenth century did the popula- tion number more than 60,000,000, If -A converted Chinaman on our so, what remarkable growth has Pacific coast sold himself as a coolie characterized these last two centuries, in New Guinea, for the sake of work- notwithstanding famines, droughts, ing among his own countrymen. pestilences and wars. Within the last Before he died he was the means of two centuries has occurred the two the conversion of two hundred of his notable reigns of Kanghi and Keincompanions. lung, each lasting nearly sixty years, and were characterized by tranquility -The statement is again made that and good laws. The educational Mr. C. F. Studd, one of the China system also stimulates the increase of Inland missionaries, placed his for- population. The cultivation of silk tune of $500,000 in the hands of the engages a large number of persons, trustees, the interest of which is to go from the tending of the mulberry to the mission, while he shares the trees to the last step in the production common lot of missionaries. Whether of the fabric. About one in nine of this statement is true or not we are not the people is a washerman, one in ten able to say. is engaged in the cultivation of the soil, one in 100 is a bricklayer, or a -Laotsze Yaotze Nahtsze, a cele- stonemason, or a carpenter, and one brated philosopher of China, founder in 120 is a tailor, while one in 140 is a of the Tabu Sect, or Sect of Reason, blacksmith. was born 104 years before Christ. His name means" old boy," because -France is now much the largest he is believed to have been eighty land owner in Africa. Her territory years old at birth. will extend from the Mediterranean almost to the Gulf of Guinea. Even -Forty societies are at work in the great Sahara will now be under China, with between eight hundred French control. and nine hundred missionaries and teachers: -From mid-China we have news of a remarkable revival, great numbers -Dr. J. G. Kerr, of the China Mis_ being brought out of the darkness of sion, read a paper at a meeting of the heathenism. The Rev. George Clark Medical Missionary Association, at has preached to audiences numbering Shanghai, on May 20th, last year, his 4,000. Even the intensely cold weather subject being "Medical Missionaries did not prevent the people from in Relation to the Medical Profession." coming night after night. Stanley He lays great stress upon the moral Smith reports two hundred and ten value of the work of those who, to- baptized at one time and as many gether with the healing of the body, more inquirers. offer to the people that religious faith which has produced the best men and -A missionary home and business women, husbands and wives, citizens agency has been established at No. 8 and neighbors, and governments upon Seward Road, Shanghai, of which Mr. the face of the earth. Edward Evans writes: -Canton is a real Chinese city, but "It is designed as a halting-place Hong Kong is simply:a British settle- for all arriving and departing missionment. aries, of which there is now a large travel through Shanghai, which, with -The population of China is be- the exception of Hong Kong, is the port lieved to be, according to the most re- of entry for all China for Europe and liable statistics, 380,000,000. The America. The China Inland Mission people show a marvelous energy in multiplying. They thrive upon what others regard as starvation diet. It is has recently erected a beautiful and you can lift first the children of the commodious place, costing over rising generation. $50,000, for its own missionaries. The American Presbyterian is the only -At a recent session of the SociaL other society, of all who are repre- Scientists in Saratoga, N. Y., Dr. T. sented in China, who have any home W. Couthers advocated a practical for its missionaries in Shanghai. method of treating drunkards. He' All the more need is there for a Chris- would put the inebriate on the plan of tian home to welcome and shelter and the small-pox patient and put him into pass on new arrivals, often suffering quarantine till he recovers. He would after sea-sickness' of a long voyage, take away his personalliberly, declare and bewildered with the new and him both incapable and irresponsible, strange sights and conditions they are and so strike a death blow at' the entering. The missionaries in the saloons with the pauperism and crime interior have need also of some one to that proceed from it. receive and forward supplies sent them from home, and purchase such things -Samoa has recently attracted'. as they require for home use. The much attention. A large proportion agency is designed to meet this need. of the Samoans are Christians, and a The home is not supported by any missionary says that he would be denomination or society, and is a willing to match any twenty men, simple effort of an independent women and children that he might worker. It is to be carried on so as to meet there against any twenty met at just cover its expenses." random in this country as to their knowledge of the Word of God. -Rev. Dennis Osborne (India) baptized over 500 persons last winter, -In Africa the number of missionand hopes for similar success this sea- aries exceeds five hundred and the son. number of converts four hundred thousand, increasing by about twenty- -Count Campello is addressing five thousand a year. During the very large gatherings in Italy, urging past five years Africa has furnished his hearers to renounce Papacy and more than two hundred martyrs. affirm the infallibility of none but Jesus Christ. He presses the Gospel -A Missionary Reading Circle remessage upon the careless and skepti- cently organized at Columbia, Mo. cal, but his preaching is not unmixed It is an endeavor to unite young with politics. people in a systematic course of read- ing upon the subject of missions. The -Rev. John McNeil, who succeeded course will cover about three years, Rev. J. Oswald Dikes at Regent Square and those who engage in it will be Church, London, is to be relieved examined and certified as graduates from his evening service, that he may upon the completion of the course. proclaim the Gospel in destitute The course for the first year covers regions in London and round about. the lives of Judson and Livingstone, Mr. McNeil has very remarkable gifts Dr. Strong's charming book, "The as an evangelist, and it seems as Missionary Review and the Crisis of though he should not be confined Missions." The admission fee is fifty within the limits of anyone church. cents per annum. We would be glad if such reading circles might be estab- -The motto of Dr. Guthrie's whole lished in every part of our country. Ragged School work was " Prevention Information is what is particularly better than Cure." It is impossible to needed to awaken missionary con· raise the lower classes in towns unless science,
The Missionary Review of the World — September 1889
THE WALDENSIANS AND THEm BI-CENTENNIAL
MISSIONARY REYIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XII. No. 9.-OldSeriea.–SEPTEMBER.–VoL. II. No.9.-N6w8eTia.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSION S. THE WALDENSIANS AND THEIR BI-CENTENNIAL.
BY PROF. HENRY W. HULBERT, MARIETTA, O• .. Lux lucet in tenebris."
ON the 16th of August, 1889, the Waldensians of Italy and their friends throughout the world will celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the return of the exiled Vaudois to their homes in the AlpIne valleys of Piedmont. That heroic episode finds its parallel in few, if in any, of the religious struggles since times apostolic. Shrouded from view as were the beginnings of this body of reformers, the brilliant action of patriotism and faith, which we now celebrate, stands out as the most obvious landmark in the history of that church. It will be interesting and profitable to briefly run over the incidents preceding this event, that we may fully grasp its bearings on subsequent affairs.
As the tourist stands beside the old Capuchin monastery on the hills to the east of Turin, a magnificent panorama is spread out before him. At his feet rush the green waters of the Po. Just across is the city that can boast of a Cavour, and which Dlay be truly called'the nnrse of modern Italy. Beyond the regular squares of the old capital of the kingdom of Sardinia stretch the farm lands, twenty miles away to the feet of the Cottian Alps. Then the eye rises up through the green of the foot-hills to the gray of the high pasture land, and on up thegreat gorges to the snow line, then up and up the glistening heights until the sharp peaks cut the azure blue. Directly to the west Mont Cenis may be picked out among the jumble of mountains, and the course- of the river Dora may be traced. To the southwest the eye turns instinctively to Monte Viso, that throws up its sharp point into the sky, like some glittering cathedral spire, flashing in the morning sun. With a little care you are able to trace three valleys lying at the foot of the mountains directly between yourself and Monte Viso-the valleys of Lucerne, Perouse and St. Martin, called technically vallees Vaudoises. !lere the Waldensians have been at home for centuries. The vaneyof Angrogna, with which their name has been especially connected, is but a branch of the Lucerne valley, and pours its stream into the pepice just below the crag of Casteluzzo and in th~ ~ountain _!~llag~ of Torre Pellice (La. Tour). How early the Waldensia.ns settled in these V8Uey~ of rushing streams and wooded hillsides history cannot definitely inform us. This venerable church probably took its rise at Lyons on the Rhone in the twelfth century and its name from Peter Waldo, that ancient Count Tolstoi, who disposed of, his property that he might give himself to the special work of his Master. Banished from Lyons at length, during the crusade against the Albigenses the new sect betook itself to the mountain retreats south and east, and finally settled in Piedmont, among the beautiful valleys under Monte Viso.
The Waldensians (Vaudois as 'they call themselves) were not long left undisturbed in their new home. Clinging to the pure and simple Word of God and rejecting churchly authority, it was certain that the vials of wrath from Papal Consistory and royal throne must be poured out sooner or later. It is not our purpose to trace t;he long story of horrors that gathers headway during six centuries of persecution before the heroic event we celebrate. Denounced and ex-communicated by papal bulls, exiled by temporal rulers, their homes and villages reduced to ashes, harried, by mercenary troops, wandering up the mountains, hving in caves, wasting away in deathly prisons, and burned at the stake, the devout Waldensians, without a ray of hope coming to them from any quarter of the world, clung to their simple faith desperately and successfully. "For us," they said, "we hold to the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, while we ignore the statutes of the church. Everything that cannot be found in the gospel ought to be repudiated. To be legitimate the ordinances of the church must date back at least to the date of our Lord's ascension; otherwise they should be regarded as non-existent."
They left little record of themselves during these centuries of persecution, and we must seek their history in the bloody records of the Inquisition. Listen to the testimony of one of their bitterest enemies-the inquisitor of Passan : "They must be recognized," he writes, "by their manners and discourse. They are sober and modest; they avoid pride in their dress, which is composed of materials neither valuable nor worthless. They have nothing to do with trade, as they do not wish to expose themselves to the necessity of lying, swearing or cheating. They live by the work of their hands as journeymen. Their very teachers are weavers and shoemakers. They do not accumulate wealth, but are content with what is needful for this life. 'They are chaste, the Leonists especially, and moderate at their meals. They frequent neither tavern nor ball-room, not being fond of that species of vanity. They refrain from anger; although alw:ays at work, they find means to study or teach.'. • • They are also known by their discourse, which is both SObel" and modest. They avoid speaking evil of anyone and abstain from all foolish or idle conversation, as from lying. They do not swear; they do not even use the expressions' verily' or 'certainly,' or anything of the kind, for. in their estimation, such are equivalent to swearing."
At last after weary C!llltlU'i(l13 tp.~ lW!9rPlatiol1 d~wl1ed. In the vast chaos of spiritual darkness points of light began to appear in England, in Bohemia, in Germany, Switzerland and France. The rays flashed from peak to peak and began to unite. The lonely, suffering hearts in the valleys of Piedmont plucked up courage. Help at last 1 Oom- munications were interchanged. Messengers went back and forth, and on Sept. 12, 1532, at the Synod of Ohanforans in the valley of Angrogna, Farel and Saunier from Geneva were present, and the little . Waldensian church became an active partner in the religiousreforma- tions of the ceuturies to follow.
As may be conjectured, this final and public committal of the per- secuted Vaudois to the new doctrines began a new era of horrors. Ex- terminating edicts, indiscriminate slaughter, overflowing prisons, agonizing cnes for help at last aroused the attention of Protestant Europe. In 1655 the Duke of Savoy commanded the Waldensians to return to the Ohurch of Rome on pain of death. They refused. The terrible work began. Underthe Marquis di Pianezza 15,000 troops marched to the valley of Lucerne, and butchery seattered the flock far and wide upon the mountains. It was at this point that the veice of blind Milton sent a thrill throughout Protestant Europe: "Avenge, 0 Lord, thy slaughter'd saints, whose bones Lie scatter'd on the Alpine mountains cold; E'en them who kept thy tl'uth so pure of old, When all our fathers worship'd stocks and stones. Forget not: in thy book record their groans Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold Slain by the bloody Piedmontese that roll'd Mother with infant down the rock. Their moans The vales redouble to the hills, and they To Reav'n. Their martyr'd blood and ashes sow O'er all th' Italian fields, where still deth sway' The triple tyrant; that from these may grow A hundred fold, who having learn'd thy way Early may fly the Babylonian woe."
Oromwell flew to the rescue, raising £40,000 for the wretched outlaws. Switzerland interfered; the King of Sweden, the Elector of Palatine and the Landgrave of Hesse Oastle interceded. Sir Samuel Moreland was dispatched from England as Envoy Extraordinary to France and Turin, and the dogs of war and 'persecution were called off and sent skulking to their kennels.
It was evident that this forced peace could not last. The great Cromwell was dead, and Milton's tongue was forever silent. Europe plunged into an era of spiritual indifference. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes reawakened the spirit of persecution. Ohurch in- fluence .at Turin at once aroused the temporal authorities, and the de- cree of submission or death once more went forth. In 1686 the pris- ons of Piedmont contained 15,000 unoffending victims, only 3,000 of wl:!Q:m ever Qatne out a.liV9. Again Europe interfered enough to compel the authorities to give the Waldensians the privilege of leaving their country forever. So great had been the destruction that omy 7,000 were left to attempt to make the journey over the Alps; Neatly one hundred of these perished in the snow in crossing Mont Cenis. From thence they were sC.1.ttered in various parts of France, Switzerland and Germany, the larger part remaining in Switzerland in sight of their beloved mountains, and Protestantism seemed blotted out from sunny Italy forever.
But such was not the decree of Providence. Milton's prayer was yet to be answered. The" martyr'd blood" was yet to yield its" hundred fold" " o'er all th' Italian fields." Throughout the Waldensian world the 16th of August, 1689, is counted a sacred day. It is to them more than a "4th of July," and more than the" landing at Plymouth Rock." That day gave as grand an exhibition of Christian faith to the world as it has ever seen. It was more like the faith of Israel as it crossed the Red Sea. and started for the promised land. In this case it was the instinct of patriotism, the love for those beautiful valleys under their old cathedral Monte Viso that made the hearts of the heroes strong. Although the scattered Vaudois were under strict surveillance in the countries through which they had been dispersed, they managed to make an arrangement for a secret meeting on the shores of Lake Geneva. Under cover oinight on the 16th of August, two hundred years ago, under the leadership of their beloved pastor, Henri Arnaud. the homesick refugees, much less than a thousand in nnmber, with no friends on earth who could or would help them, embarked in small boats at Nions with the purpose of landing on the hostile :l!'rench shore, to force their way through the rugged defiles of Savoy and over the Cottian Alps, and to trust in God alone to give them back the valleys of their forefathers. Rudely armed and half clothed they started, 800 fighting men. Under strict discipline they marched as swiftly as possible past hostile villages, paying for food whenever the inhabitants would sell it to them. They were fortunate at first in anticipating the soldiery, but every tum in the rough way showed them their extreme peril. Beleaguered and half-starved they toiled over Mont Oenis Pass by a circuitous route, and at last looked far down upon the valleys of their birth. But their uifficulties were here just beginning. The Duke of Turin, on hearing of their approach, sent out an army 2,500 strong,composed of 15 companies of regulars and 11 of militia. At the bridge of Salabertraun the troops met the little band of half-starved patriots, the most of whom had never handled a musket in battle before. When the stubborn fight was over 600 of the Italian army lay dead on the field, while the victorious Waldensians had lost only 15. This was on the 24th of August, 1689. The chagrin of the authorities at this signal defeat led them to send out the Marquisde Oatinat with 20,000 troops. The long, cold winter stared the alw.ost helpless Vofmdoif! in the face on those bleak meuntains. 1»00 .or tongue will never fully tell the su:fferings and 'horl'Ot"s ot -those choorless months. But the patriots found the impassable snows' of 'Winter aud the eaves to be their true friends. The spring brought on the struggle for life or death. On May 1, 1690, came the heroic storming of the Balsi by the Vaudois, and a second terrible de:fea.t of their enemies. On the 14th of the same month they made a. second attempt ou the same fortress, but with a most disastrous result. They were defeated and scattered. And thus the bitter struggle went on. For six months 3{)7 Vaudoifl, confined in the Balsi, repelled 10,000 French and 12,000 Piedmoniese. But at last, shattered and dispirited as they were, the sacred cause seemed all but lost.
Then it was that the God of battles seemed to the wait~ng eyes of His serVlitnts to bare His arm, and the mountains were indeed full of horses and chariots. Help came as unexpectedly as it did to young Prussia when her very eocilltence trembled in the balance at the close of the seven years' war, and a friend unexpectedly mounted the throne of Russia and saved Prussia to hold the balance of power in ,the latter part of the nineteenth century. A rupture took place between the courts of Versailles and Turin. War was declared by the latter power. The Duke of Turin saw that he could not afford to waste his energies on a few mountaineers who had so baflled the allied French and Italian troops. He needed more soldiers who knew the frontier. He forgave the Waldensians, established ,them in their old home, while in turn many of them volunteered in his service. Peace settled down at last on Piedmont, and Protestantism was finally established in Italy, never again to be vanquished.
The W.a1densian Church to-day, spread over the length and breadth of sunny Italy, and sending its missionaries and money to South Africa, is a sufficient return for all the heroic sufIerings nndergone during almost seven centuries of the most aggravating persecutions. To-day it teaches the pure, simple gospel under the very walls of the Vatican, and no one can say it nay. Most appropriate is it, then, that this 16th of August shoutd be celebrated throughout the evangelical world. As the voice of praise goes up in the assembly at the little AlpiJ;le village of Torre Pellice on this anniversary, let Christendom join in the glad refrain I As the Waldensians look back over two hundred years, they recount many a weary struggle, but the way was ever leading out into the light, and most appropriate is the legend upon their official seal – " Lux Zucet in tenebris." During the struggle between Victor Armadeus and France the Vaudois were faithful soldiers in his service. Atone time the Duke fled to the valleys and was protected by the deve~tpatpiots. In 1726 he publicly promised them security from·llo11 their ,enemies. Frieuds cannot live always, but the Ohurch of Rome 1iI88Dl, roo Uuder the rulers of Turin that followed. the Waldensians were frequently oppressed. In the days of- Napoleon Bounaparte the Vaudois were given civil liberty and the maiutenance of .the Romish clergy was abolished by an imperiaJ decree. The funds which up to this time were used for this purpose were handed over to the evangelical pastors. 1814 saw another setback for the Waldensians, when the King of Sardinia, after Bounaparte's fall, recovered his authority. The valleys once more lost their civil rights. The Vaudois came out to welcome the returning monarch, but within four months Victor Emanuel renewed against them the oppressive edicts.
Such was the condition of the Walde:nsian Ohurch when a few years later the churches of Holland, Prussia, Scotland and England began to take an active interest in the religious condition of Italy. Christian gentlemen, such as Dr. Gilles and 001. Beckwith, visited the valleys. The found the pulse of the little church beating but feebly. Such was the inevitable result of centuries of the most cruel oppression. Encouraging words and active self-denying labor on the part of brethren from beyond the Alps stirred up a new life in the heart of the little bano, and from that moment the Waldensian Ohurch has gone forth conquering and to conquer. In 1831, in Turin, a Protestant chapel was opened at the Prussian embassy, and a Vaudois pastor was selected. At the Synod of St. Jean, 1839, the constitution of the Waldensian Ohurch was revised on the basis of the decrees of the Synod of Angrogna, 1632. In 1848 Oharles Albert, immediately after the promulgation of the new constitution of Italy, placed the Waldensians on an equal.footing with the rest of his subjects. Then the heroic little church rose in her might. She established herself firmly at Turin, the capital. From Turin she moved on to Florence, and from Florence to Rome. Since 1870 her progress has been remarkable. Milton's" hundred fold" "o'er all th' Italian fields" has been more than realized.
Let us stop and consider the tremendous task this little communion places before itself. The home or mother church is confined to three Alpine valleys of Piedmont. In all Piedmont there are only about 25,000 adherents. Italy itself is a sort of foreign mission field to them, with its 30,000,000 people, held for the most part in the grasp of the most unscrupulous ecclesiastical organization the world has ever seen. To recover Italy to the pure gospel is the mighty task of the W11.1densian Ohurch. With her college at Torre Pellice, her theological school II.t Florence, her advanced schools for girls, and her primary schools scattered throughltaly; with her" commission of Italian evangelization," with its 44 churches, 38 pastors, 8 evangelists, 67 evangelical teachers, 9 colporteurs, 6 Bible readers, besides her 24 ministers in the valleys, she calls upon the evangelical world for its prayers, its moral support, and its gifts into the treasury. We have no right to let her struggle alone. Let the 16th of August, 1889, then, be an occasion when this heroic little church shall receive a specill.l baptism 188fl.] A BUDDHIST DOCTRINE OF SALVATION BY FAITH. 647 from on high. Let us join our prayers with hers, and heap our gifts upon the altar; for however much we give, the staunch hearts in the valleys of Piedmont are giving more.
A BUDDHIST DOCTRINE OF SALVATION BY FAITH.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D., NEW YORK.
THE Buddhism of Gautama was atheistic. Such scholars as Monier Williams, Max Muller, Hardwick, Coppen and Edkins are agreed that the teachings of the canon adopted two hundred and fifty years after the Buddha's death discarded all divine help, and at least ignored a first cause. "Trust in thyself and in no other, God or man," was the word of the Indian saint to his disciples. Cotemporary and rival Brahmins charged him with atheistic teaching and influence. They claimed him as the ninth incarnation of Vishnu, on the theory that Vishnu, wishing to destroy certain demons, came in the form of Buddha in order to betray them into the fatal doctrines of atheism. Gautama also denied the permanent and distinct entity of the human soul. By a sifting process worthy of Herbert Spencer, he considered what we call the soul as only a succession of conscious experiences. In his view it is only the current of our thoughts and emotions as they pass. To regard this as a soul is an illusion similar to that of a boy who whirls a lighted stick and thinks'he sees a ring of fi're. Thereisno ring, but only a succession of points of light. It is not a soul, then, that passes over in transmigration.
Only the "kharma" or character remains at death, and that becomes the responsible inheritance of a new-born successor. There is no permanent being of any kind, but only a perpetual becoming. Everything is in a state of flux. There are ranks of intelligence superior to man, but they, too, are subject to the eternal round of life and death until Nirvana shall cut off the necessity of rebirth. Such was the early and canonical Buddhism. I propose to show how its subsequent evolution has been a complete revolution or reversal.
When Gautama died and became extinct, leaving as was believed an interval of four thousand years before another Buddha should appear, his disciples began to realize the cold and desolate logic of his teachings. They could not worship or pray, for there was no object of worship. The heavens were dark and the universe a profound abyss. The cheerless doctrine of Nirvana had practically no attraction; what mankind longed for was a divine sympathizer and helper, and, in spite of its own canonical authorities, subsequent Buddhism has groped its way toward some such being.
It was understood as a deduction of the system that other beings destined to be future Buddhas were already in existence somewhere in the round of transmigration, and to these" Bodisats," as th.ey were called, human expectation began to turn, and especially to the" Bodi-
A BUDDHIST ·DOCTRINE OF SALVATION BY FAITH. [SEPl'
satva," the one who should appear next iu order. Among the Southern Buddhists this expected Messiah was called Maitreyeh, and in Oeylon his image was placed in the temples as an object of worship beside that of the exti!lct Gautama.
Pursuing the same idea as the expression of a felt want which the orthodox system did not supply, the Northern Buddhists went still further, and by the fourth.century, A.D., they had developed a trinity of Bodisats with distinct personalities. One represented creative power; another was the embodiment of wisdom (Logos); the third was an omnipresent spirit pervading all Buddhist communities upon the earth. Whether this new doctrine was partially the result of contact with Christianity, or whether, as some contend, it had crystallized Hindu philosophies around the Hindu trinity or Trimurti, it expressed the want of that supernatural element which Buddhism had vainly striven to discredit and destroy. It was an importaut-Btep toward a return to religious faith. Most modern types of Buddhism are theistic, but only so far as they have departed. from the essential teachings of the early founder.
The worship of Quan Yen, or Goddess of Mercy, which is still exceedingly -popular in Ohina and Japan, was another step in the same direction. This worship sought for itself a still nearer and more available divine sympathy, and as in the Romanist Virgin Mary, it sought a more tender sympathy in the female sex. As the legend runs, Quan Yen was a princess who attained Nirvana and was entitled to exemption from rebirths. But on the brink of extinction Sh9 waived her privilege and wisely concluded to continue her existence for the purpose of commiserating the world of mortals. Meanwhile she went to Hades, as in the dream of Dante, and beheld the woes of the condemned, that she might the better understand the problems of human suffering. She has been for ages the representative and expression of divine compassion and help in all the wants and distresses of the millions of Buddhists. Whoever has visited the temple of Asokosa in Tokio has seen a large apartment filled with wax figures, illustrative of the many miraculous rescues accomplished by Quan Yen, from fire, earthquake and shipwreck; from famine, plagues, serpents and dragons. Such as it is, the worship of Quan Yen is a religion of faith. It involves a confession of human weakness and dependence, and it belies the cold, atheistic self-confidence of the original Buddhism.
A further advance toward the fundamental principles of Ohristianity is seen in the doctrines of the Y odo sect, found both in Ohina and in Japan. In Dr. Edkin's account of Chinese Buddhism references are made to this sect, but a fuller account is given in a little book published hy Bunyiu Nanjio, a Japanese graduate of Oxford. It is entitled" A History of the Twelve Buddhist Sects of Japan." The doc- "trines given are from purely Japanese sources, and most of them claim to have been transmitted from India to China. between the 'Years 252 and 400 A.D.
According to this sect, there is a Pure Land far to the westward, separated from us by a succession of worlds and systems whioh lie between. Over that world presides the Buddha Amitabhu, quite a distinct being from the Indian Gautama.
Amitabhu "will transport to his realm all believers who keep perfectly in memory his name for seven days, or even one day without any reliance upon their own effort in any otherrespect." Theefficacious grace is his gift, only the act of faith involves a sustained remembrance of him for at least a day. Once transla.ted to the Pure and Heavenly Land, the soul of the believer may there pursue ,thenecessary steps to Arahatship under more favorable circumstances than here. This is a doctrine of faith, but it involves conditions which are absurd and difficult to observe. Dr. Edkins describes cer-tain devotees of this faith in China, whose stupid and endless repetitions of the name of Amitabhu seem well caloulated to annihilate the mind itself and end in idiocy. And the Japanese allege that Gen-ku, their great apostle of the Y odo faith, followed the rule of repeating the name of Amitabhu 60,000 times a day. Nevertheless, they claim that the graoe of Amitabhu, and not the repetition, is the ground of hope. In any case it is an absolute abandonment of orthodox Buddhism.
A much greater advance has been made by the Shin sect of Japan. Its founder, Shinran, discarded the vain repetitions, considered as in some sense prayers, and taught that "believers must depend upon the saving power of the original prayer of Amitabhu alone, who by his great merit had sufficient efficacy to save all who should believe in him.
It is easy to Q.iscover a manifest progress here and a nearer approach to Christianity. Shinran was born in 1173 A.D., though, like all fonnd· ers of Buddhist sects, he claimed to trace his doctrines from Gautama through a succession of high priests and patriarchs of India,China and Japan.
The efficacious" original prayer" was rather an imprecation and ran thus: "If any living beings of the ten regions who have believed in me with true thoughts and desire to be born in my oountry (the Pure Land), and have even to ten times repeated the thought of my name, should not be born there, then may I not attain perfectknow}edge." "This orighial prayer," says Nanjio, "sprang from his great compas- sionate desire, which longed to deliver living beings from suffering. With this original prayer he practiced good actions during many kal- pas (long ages), intending to bring his stock of merits toroatwity ,for the sake of other living beings."
Here is a doctrine not only of faith but of substitution. And "Ami- tabhu, thus endowed with power to save, is known as Light and Life, with infinite wisdom and compassion. Therefore he can take hold of the faithful beings with his own light, and let them go to be born in his Pure Land."
The believer's faith is defined as involving three elements, first, the thought of; second, belief in; and third, desire to be born in the Pure Land. "If we examine our heart," says the Japanese expounder, "it is far from being pure and true. It is bad and despicable, false and hypocritical. How can we cut off all our passions and reach Nirvana by our own power? How can we also have the three-fold faith? Therefore, knowing the inability of our own power, we should believe simply in the vicarious power of the original prayer. If we do this, we are in correspondence with the wisdom of Buddha and share his great compassion, just as the water of rivers becomes salt as soon as it enters the sea." "
It is interesting to see how this abandonment of the all-prevailing Buddhist doctrine of works is harmonized with a proper requirement that works shall not practically be abandoned. The doctrine which covers this point seems marvelously at one with the New Testament" faith which works by love." "If we dwell in such a faith," says our author, "our practice follows spontaneously, since we feel thankful for the favor of Buddha, remember his mercy and repeat his name. This is the repetition of the thought (of the Buddha's name) only ten times as spoken in the original prayer. Of course it does not limit tci the number of ten, so that the words nai shi (even to) are added. There are some who may repeat the name of Buddha for the whole life, and while walking, dwelling, sitting or lying down. Some may, however, do the remembrance of Buddha only once before they die. Whether often or not, our practice of repeating Buddha's name certainly follows 'oUJr faith." "This faith and practice," he goes on to say, "are easy of attainment by anyone. ,Accordingly, the general Buddhist rules of becoming homeless and free from woi-ldly desire in order to attain Buddhahood, are not considered essential in this sect. Consequently even the priests are allowed to marry, to eat flesh and fish, while those of other sects are not."
In other words, asceticism, which is the very soul of Buddhism, is here rejected entirely. "In order to -make this perfectly clear," the author says, "those who belong to this sect are to keep their occupation properly and to discharge their duty so as to be able to live in h~rmony. They should also cultivate their persons and regulate their families. They should keep order and obey the laws of the Government, and do the best for the sake of the country." This is Buddhism, turning its back upon all its past history and its essential doctrines. The" noble path'" is no longer" the life of droning idleness and contemplation, but that of thrifty and industrious citizenship" It h/ils caught something of Paul's terse motto, "Not slothful in busineBB, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." It is worthy of notice also that in place of the doctrine of endless transmigration there is a permanent abode in heaven. According to the Yodo sect, those who are welcomed to the Pure Land may there attain Buddhahood by long continued practice in that land, but in the Shin sect" when believers abandon the impure body of the present life and are born in that Pure Land, they at once accomplish the highest and most excellent fruit of Nirvana. This is because they simply rely upon the power of the original prayer."
We have now reached as the highest stage of a long-continued development in Buddhism a veritable doctrine of salvation by faith. It does not depend upon any stipulated number of repetitions of the name of Amitabhu. It abandons ascetic practices totally as grounds of hope. It trusts in the stored-up merit of one who is able to save all men. Yet, while it refuses to depend on human merit, it still recommends works as the result of faith and the fulfillment of loyalty, gratitude and love. It dismisses at once the whole doctrine and practice of asceticism as well as the endless and hopeless career of transmigrations. It points to a heaven to which the redeemed shall go immediately after Jeath, and in which they shall dwell forever in the presence of the being by whose merits they are saved. This certainly is a wonderful approach to Christianity. It seems to have been worked out upon the recognized wants of the human soul, and thus bears unconscious testimony to the still more perfect adaptation of the Christian faith to meet those wants. If it has borrowed aught from the Gospel of Grace, that is a tribute; if it has not borrowed, it still pays a tribute to the divine wisdom which has suited the gospel to human needs.
The two sects of the Yodo and the Shin embrace the majority of Buddhists in Japan, and when rightly understood they present the most promising of all fields for missionary effort. It may be said that they are not far from the kingdom of heaven. In one sense they are not; in another they are at an immeasurable distance from it, in that they are trusting in a myth instead of the Son of the living God. Amitabhu is not in the highest sense divine. He is not a self-existent crea- . tor, and is not necessarily supreme. Broken cisterns were never more skillfully hewn and were never more empty.
There are in Japan twelve distinct sects of Buddhists, while China claims at least thirteen. Among these are the most conflicting varieties. Some are atheistic, others the thinnest nebulre of mysticism:. others subtle systems of pantheism, while in the two sects above named we find near approaches to theism and to the New Testament. What shall the missionary do who knows nothing of these distinctions? Instead of indiscriminate blundering, how important that whoever encounters the believers in Amitabhu should be able to say with glowing heart, "Whom ye ignorantly worship him declare I unto you."
6i2 THE PRAYER-BASIS OJ!' JUSSION W.o&X
IJ.rofessor Mu Muller, who Values everything according t@ its relati~ to what he calls the" science of religion," seems to regret theBe . modern departures from the old theoretic Buddhism of Southelln India,.and he invites young Ja.panese representatives 0( thes~ adva.need sects 4;0 come to Oxford where they may study Sansorit and learn the true Buddhism of the old time. But those who hope for Japanese evangelization can hardly share his regret. We rejoice rwlther with the brightest hope and expectation. We look for a time not :far distant when those who have already abandoned real Buddhism and are trusting wholly in the merits of Amitabhll shall transfer their faith and hope to Him whose right it is to reign and who alone can save.
THE PRAYER-BASIS OF MISSION WORK. (EDITORIAL.-A. T. p.] 'il.'lIE work of mission!! has, as its central encouragement and inspiratiOfh the prml).i,se of a supernatural presence and pow.er. " Lo, I am with you always, .even unto the end of the a.ge," means nothing if it dQ.lls not mell<n ~hat in a speciaJ sense, an exceptional manner, the.o:tJ1.nipresent One will acoompany the maroh of the missiJnary band.
This we firmly believe is the most emphatio of all the arguments for missions, a.nd the .all-sufficient compe!1sation for the self-sacrifices which a true missionary life ~ways and necessarily implies ~d involves. It is, however, a trlth that belongs to the highest altitude both of divine teaching and human experience, that there is but one way fQl' man to command the supernatural, and that way lies through the closet. Real prayer is a divine inbreathing and therefore has a divine outreaohing; it is of the essence of the miraculous, and works essentill<Uy miraculous results. The pow~r of prayer is the perpetual sign of God's working in the blu.n~ soul and among men. It is the standing mirll<cle of the ages. Upon .no one thing does the word of GOd.8O frequently and so heavily lQ.y,th~ stress of both injunction and invitation; to no one agency or i.l.l,Strulllentll.lityare effeots so marvelous both assured and attributed. Nothing wp.rks the decline from primitive piety, and the virtual apos- taSJ of the moderl;l church" more than the secondary place assigned to prayer both in the individual life and in publicwol:ship, tmd :the for- 1I1~ that substitutes liturgical, or, still worse, mechanically tame, stale, lifeless saying of prayers, for pra.yer,s found fir.st of all in the sup- plia~t's heart.
We have affirmed that prayer can be interpreted only by conceding a superhuman element. Much of the benefit and blessing that eo.mes topra.-ying souls lI1(1.Y doubtless be traoed to natuml {Iond 8econdary ~lSeS, bllt in numberless other cases we are compelled either to deny i~~c.t of the aD,swer or Ell~e.to allmit a supernatural factor. If:we deny divine jnterposition, tp,ere are events and experiences in the ootual history ()t every praying soul which, without that interposition, would be as ine~liclible as the deliverance of the three holy Ghildren ftom the furnace, or of Daniel from the den of lions.
Those who are familiar with the biography of Jonathan Edwu.i1ds must have been struck with the fact that he lived on the verg&' of the unseen world, and was in peculiar contact and communication with it. From ten years of age, his prayers were simply astonishing, a.like for the faith they exhibited and the effects which they wrought or secured. The intellect of Edwards reminds us of a cherub, and his heart, of a seraph. And, therefore, we can distrust neither his self-knowledge nor his candor. His communion with God was neither 3' dream of an excited fancy nor an invention of an impostor. Yat it was so rapt and rapturous, that the extraordinary views which he obtained of the glory, love and grace of the Son of God so overcame him that for an hour he would be flooded with tears, weeping aloud. Such prayer brought power not less wonderful than that of Peter at Pentecost. HlS sermon at Enfield on "Sinners in the hands of an angry God," terrible as it was, and delivered without a gesture, was clothed with such unctIon that it produced effects almost unparalleled. Persons in the audience leaped to their feet and clasped the pillars of the meeting-house, as if they literally felt their feet sliding into ruin.
God chose that one man, in the midst of an apostasy from God that well-nigh wrecked religious society in England and America, to turn, by his prayers, the entire tide of church-life from channels of worldliness and wickedness into a new course of evangelistic and missionaryactivity. In 1747, Jonathan Edwards pooled out his trumpet call, summoning the whole Christian Church to prayer. In his rema1.'kable tract in which he pleads for a "visible union of God's people.in au extraordinary prayer," he refers to the day of fasting and prayer observed the year previous at Northampton, and which was followed that same ni.tht by the utter dispersion of the French Armada, under the Duke d' Anville; and Edward adds, "This is the nearest parallel with God's wonderful works of old in times of Moses, Joshua and Hezekiah, of any that have been in these latter ages of the world."
That trumpet peal to universal prayer, one hundred and forty-two years ago, marks a turning point in modern history, and especially in modern missions. Edwards felt that only direct divine interposition, would meet the emergency, and his whole tract shows that he expected such divine working. in answer to believing prayer. The rcsnltsthat followed reveal anew the fact of which we need to be practically con- vinced beyond a doubt, that, if the Church of God will but pray as she ought, every other needed blessing and enlargement will come to her missionary work.
To emphasize this truth is the sole purpose of tWa' micitJ,ami_to impart that needed emphasis we must go back to Edwards' day and get a sufficiently high point of prospect to command the whole horizon. Only an intelligent survey of the state of the world and the church a hundred and fifty years ago would reveal the desperate darkness that drove disciples to tlie mountain tops for communion with God and kept them on their knees till the light broke forth as the morning.
At the opening of the eighteenth century spiritual desolation was so widespread, that a prospect more hopelessly dreary has not alarmed true disciples since the dark ages. Hume, Gibbon, BolinglJ.roke, the giants of infidelity, were acknowledged leaders in English society. In France, Voltaire, Rousseau and Madame de Pompadour ruled at the royal court, and at the'tribune of the people. In Germany, Frederick the Great, the friend and companion of Voltaire, flaunted his deistic opinions and dealt out to his antagonists kicks with his thick boots. "Flippancy and frivolity in the church, deism in theology, lasciviousness in the novel and the drama,"'these were the conditions that prevailed in England, which Isaac Taylor declared was "in a condition of virtual heathenism," while Samuel Blair affirmed that in America "religion lay a-dying."
And what was the pulpit of those days doing to offset this awful condition of apostasy? Nothing! Natural theology without a single distinGtive doctrine of Ohristianity; cold, formal morality or barren orthodoxy constituted the staple teaching both in the established church and the dissenting chapel. The best sermons, so-called, were onlyethical essays, a thousand of which held not enough gospel truth to guide one soul to the Saviour of sinners. There seemed to be a tacit agreement to let the devil alone; instead of Satan being chained so that he could work no damage, it was the church that was in bonds so that she could work no deliverance. The grand and weighty truths for whose sake Hooper and Latimer dared the stake, and Baxter and Bunyan went to jail, seemed like the relics of a remote past, curiosities of archreology and paleontology. A flood Of irreligion, immorality, infidelity, flooded the very domain of Ohristendom. Oollins and Tindall stigmatized Ohristianity as a system of priestcraft. Woolston declared the miracles of the Bible to be allegories and myths, and Whiston denounced them as impositions and frauds. By Clark and Priestly Arianism and Socinianism were openly taught, and to heresy was thus given the currency of fashionable sanction. Blackstone, the legal commentator, went the I'ounds from church to church till he had heard every clergyman of note in London; and his melancholy testimony was that not one discourse had he heard among them all which had in it more Ohristianity than the writings of Oicero, or from which he could gather whether the preacher were a disciple of Oonfucius or Zoroaster, Mahomet or Ohrist ! Archbishop Seeker in one phrase gave as "the characteristic of the age" an "open disregard of religion." The bishops 'themselves led the van in the hosts of the worldly and gay; Archbishop Cornwallis gave at Lambeth Palace balls and routs so scandalous that even the king interfered.. It was jocosely s.aid that the best way to stop Whitefield in his work of reform was to put on his head the bishop's miter.
It was such a state of religion and morals, of corrupted doctrine and perverted practice, that bowed tru,e disciples in great humiliation and drove them to God in sheer despair of human help. They felt as David did when he wrote the twelfth Psalm: " Help, Lord! for the godly man ceaseth, For the faithful fail from among the children of men."
Over the entire extent of the Christian Church there began to be little praying circles of devout souls who entreated God once more to pluck His hand out of His bosom and show Himself mighty to deliver.
Of such a character was that little gathering which, eighteen years before Edwards blew that clarion blast, began to meet in Lincoln Colo· lege, Oxford; when John Wesley and his brother Charles, Mr. lforgan and Mr. Kirkham, burdened with the awful condition of an apostarte church, conferred and prayed together for such a reviving as could come only from the breatli of God. Six years after these meetings began there were only fourteen who came together; but, out of that humble meeting where prayer to God was the entire dependence, was born Methodism, the mightiest movement of modern times, excepting only the Moravian, in the direction of evangelical faith and evangelistic work.
The God of prayer heard these suppliant voices, and Whitefield and the Wesley brothers began to preach with tongues burning with pentecostal flames. They were resisted by a rigid, frigid church; but driven into the open fields and commons, they so reached the masses of the people as they could never have reached them within chapel walls.
It was at this precise juncture that, as has been said, Jonathan Edwards in America, profoundly impressed with the dreadful condition of both the world and the church, urged upon the churches of this country concerted prayer; and across the seas another trumpet peal echoed his own, summoning all disciples to unite in special prayer "for the effusion of God's spirit upon all the churches, and upon the whole habitable earth." The era of prayer was now fairly inaugurated. In England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and throughout New England and the Middle States, believers began to pray for a specific blessing and to come together for united supplication.
We have not space to trace minutely the remarkable interpositions of God; but a few salient facts stand boldly out in the historic page. ]n 1780, under the influence of the Haldanes, Andrew li'nller, Rowland Rill, Sutcliffe and others like them, there came pulsing over the church the mighty tidal wave of genuine revival. . William Grimshaw, William Romaine, Daniel Rowlands, John Berridge, Henry Venn, Walker of Truro, James Hervey, Toplady, Fletcher of Madeley-these are some of the men that belonied in this grand apostolical succession that during this period of reformation kept feeding and fanning these revival fires. How was it that, in such numbers and at such a crisis, they were raised up to stem the tide tha.t with resistless momentum threatened to sweep away every landmark of religion and morality? But one answer can be given ; Jehovah of Hosts was conspicuously answering prayer. The full significance of those concerted prayers can never be fully known until eternity opens its august doors and unfolds its sealed books. But we can even now trace to those prayers, at the darkest hour of modern church history, the inauguration of the n8W era of universal missions. Out of these prayers came the establishment of the monthly concert of prayer in 1784, the founding of the first distinctively foreign missionary society of England in 1792, the consecration of William Oarey to Oriental missions in 1793, and all the wonderful work of that pioneer who, with his co-laborers, secured the translation of the Word of God into 40 different tongues, and the circulation of 200,000 copies, providing vernacular Bibles for 500,- 000,000 souls, within the space of a half-century!
But this is only the tracing of the results of those prayers in one direction. All that modern missions have wrought on four continents and the isles of the sea; all the doors that have opened into every new land of pagan, papal, heathen or Moslem peoples; all.the 120 organizations that have been formed to cover the earth with this golden network of love and labor; all the 300 translations of. the Bible into the tongues and dialects of mankind; aU the planting of churches, mission stations, Ohristian homes, schools, colleges, hospitals, printing-presses and the vast machinery of gospel effort; all the thousands of laborers who have offered to go and have gone to the far-off fields; all the Ohristian literature created to supply the demand of awakening minds hitherto sleeping the sleep of intellectual stagnation; who shall say what is not to be attributed to those prayers that from Lincoln Oollege and Paulerspury and Northampton went up to God a century and a half ago!
We might show, had we space at command, that to those prayers even the details of missionary history are closely linked. For example, take Asia as a continent to be evangelized. To reach its teeming populations the strategy of the gospel struck at the heart of the continent and sought to pierce its …ital. working center, India. England was already there in the East India Company, but that company was virtually the implacable foe to missions, for the unselfish and uneompromising morality of the gospel interfered with a lawless greed that subordinated everything to trade; and so India was really close4. ~ the gospel. The presence there of representatives of an enligh,tened Christian government had erected new barriers more insurmount~ble than any that existed before Elizabeth signed that primitive Trading Company's charter!
But prayer for the" whole habitable globe" included India. And God had heard those prayers and was moving. He had given Britain territorial possessions and political rights in India, and a scepter over 200,000,000 peoplc. Time was close at hand when in this central stronghold of Brahminism, this central field of Oriental missions, Christianity, through that sordid East India Company, was to get a firm foothold. England had an incipient empire in the Indies; this made necessary an open line of communication with the home government in order to maintain an open highway of travel,· traffic and transportation between London and Calcutta. Hence, in the providence of God came that political necessity which ultimately determined the attitude of every nation along that highway that was opened through the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. All along that roadway, through great waters, the bordering nations must, if not favorable to Christian missions, at least be neutral.
Those who care to look more minutely into the providential process by which a highway for the gospel was prepared will note how, within ten years after that trnmpet call of Edwards, the battle of Plassey occurred, which deserves to rank among the decisive battles of the world. Robert Clive, the scourge of God, in that conflict settled it that Protestantism, and not Buddha nor the Pope, was to rule in India. Then just one hundred years later the Sepoy rebellion swung the great English power in India to the side of Christian missions and put the great heart of Asia under control of the foremost Protestant and missionary nation of Europe, if not of the world. We have given this one instance with some fullness of detail, as one example of prayer as swaying the balance of national history and a world's destiny. But all we could do was to indicate the bare outlines of that grand march of events which is even now in progress, and whose magnificent movement, if not originated, was marvelously accelerated by the bugle call of the angel of the Lord in response to prevailing prayer !
For thirty years the writer has made the philosophy and history of missions a constant study side by side with the Book of God. Once more with careful and deliberate pen he records his humble but una.lterable judgment that the whole basis of successful missionary work is to be found in believinJ! and importunate prayer. Whatever enthusiastic appeals are made to human ears, however compact and business-like our Missionary Boards and organizatiuns, however thorough and systematic our methods of gath ering offerings, it depends primarily and ultimately on prayer, whether the appeals really move
OUR EXTANT SYDNEY SMITHS•. [SEl'T
men, whether the organizations prove effective, whether the offerings are cheerful and ample. The men, means and measures for a world's evangelization have always been hopelessly inadequate and disproportionate to a world's extent and needs; they always will be while selfishness is lord of even nominal disciples. But what we need is supernatural power; then one shall chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight. And this divine working comes only in answer to united prayer. No time is lost in waiting for the Holy Spirit and the tongues of fire. FIre means light and heat for the believer, so that he shall no longer walk in the darkness of doubt or the chill of indifference. Fire means a consuming force that burns away, melts, subdues, all obstacles to human souls. Better, therefore, than any new standard of living and giving is a new experience of praying. As surely as believers take their stand on the promises and plead with God as Jacob did, they shall become like him, princes of God, and shall prevail. For a praying church a dying world is waiting.
OUR EXTANT SYDNEY SMITHS.
BY PROF. D. L. LEONARD, OBERLIN, O.
WHILE recently reperusing some of the earlier numbers of the Edinbur~h Review, I was not a little interested to notice how re- markably, away back in 1808, the clerical editor of that magazine, in his famous and furious assault upon certain attempts to introduce the gospel into heathen lands, had fully anticipated the diatribes against all similar movements in our day. And it plainly appears that Canon Taylor and his co-critics are not originals in the least, but only indif- ferent copies,- and their great, swelling words of wisdom but echoes of Sydney Smith, their prototype, and much the greatest of their kind. Except in lack of brilliancy and wit, they differ from him scarcely more than in the order of their allegations, and the phraseology in which they set them forth. To aU such objections I can most cheer- fully recommend the essay on Indian Missions, and two others of kin- dred character on Methodism, as a treasure-house of argument and invective, a very arsenal, all bristling with weapons of the best pattern and choicest workmanship. And, certainly, whoso would decry the task of preaching the gospel to every creature, mark, learn and in- wardly digest those able'productions.
As this old-time and redoubtable paladin goes forth to bloody war with lance in rest, it is instructive to observe what are the sore griev- ances which fill his soul with righteous indignation, and why he feels compelled to smite the missionaries and their supporters hip and thigh. It must in candor be confessed that one argument against publishing the gospel to pagan lands does honor to the writer's intellect and moral sense. It is clothed in the guise of grim humor, of sarcasm most cutting• . The suggestion is that" Since England has exemplified every crime of which hmnan nature is capable, if she had common prudence she would not sufIer the nations to discover that the Bible :forbids to lie, murder and steal, and so would keep the gospel at home, and tell the heathen that Machiavel is our prophet, and the god of the Manichians is our God!" What would have been added if he had heard of opium forced upon China, and of Africa flooded with rum shipped straight from Boston!
But this learned detractor is in a nightmare of mortal fear lest the preaching of the cross sha.ll so stir Brahmin fanaticism to the depths that widespread outbreaks will occur, and wholesale slaughter. " It is not our duty to lay before the nations the gospel scheme so fully and emphatically as to lead to the death Of their instructors. Our conduct in India must bo most dextrous, or 30,000 Britons will fall a prey to 70,000,000 sable subjects." And it is on such grounds that this clergyman and fine scholar, this man well versed in public affairs, would have every missionary sent home! What is it all but the sluggard's cry, a lion is in the streets. But, in addition, though of the same hysterical sort, the greatest material damage is certain to ensue to the converts. His postulate is: "The duty of conversion becomes less imperative when it exposes proselytes to great present misery. The laws of caste are so rigid that he who becomes a Christian is at once al.>horred and cast out, and all human comforts are annihilated forever. Being likely to starve, he must be supported. The slightest success, through the demand for brcad ensuing, would eat up the revenues a.t the East India Company I" This is the wisdom of the wise.
It is, moreover, a mistake to push mission work in civilized portions of heathendom, while so many regions are unvisited where the woes of savagery abound. If Christianity cannot be extended to all, then it IIhould be heralded first to such as need it most. The Hindus, e. g., are at least a moral and civilized people. " We believe a Hindu is more mild and sober than most Europeans, and as honest and chaste." That setting forth would seem to contain an over·large element of rose color, nor does the theory, however plausible, appear to be exactly Pauline, for the great apostle confined himself to the Roman Empire, and mainly to the most populous and enlightened portions. :Besides, what strange strategy to pass by the dominant races whose relation to human welfare is vastly more important. And, then, if India, China, Japan, the Turkish Empire, etc., were untouched and only Fiji and Patagonia, Hawaians and Hottentots were looked after, how quickly would infidelity raise the scornful cry, "How impotent is Christianity, a religion fit only for babes."
And further, in the judgment of the scholarly reviewer, missions are a deplorable failure. So few converts are made, and in these the change wrought is of such slight account that the game is notworih the candle. Why all this so great waste? Carey went out in 1793, and' fifteen years thereafter behold, India is yet heathen f Moreover, it il. no man's duty to preach the gospel to pagans, if he merely destroys the old religion without really and effectually teaching the new one.
Re who bears the Christian name is commonly only a drunken rep- robate who conceives himself at liberty to eat and drink anything he pleases. " After stuffing themselves with rum and rice, and bo:rrowing money from the missionaries, they run away and cover the gospel with every species of ridicule and abuse." And the despairing conclusion is: "Better believe that a deity with a hundred legs and arms wil1 punish hereafter than that he is not to be punished at all." What extant Daniel come to judgment can put the matter so pungently? The facts according to most excellent testimony are far otherwise, but let that go.
Next, and in great part as accounting for this deplorable poverty in results, the instrumentalities employed are so unfit, that is, the mis- sionaries are intellectually and spiritually such a sorry lot. The duty of conversion becomes less imperative when it is impossible to secure proper persons to undertake the task, and reCOurse is therefore had to " the lowest of the people." No man of modE-rate good sense is to be found among them. " We believe their fingers itch to be at the gods of stone and clay." Why send out" little detachments of maniacs?" The wise and rational find enough to do at home, "but if a tinker is a devout man, he infallibly sets off for the East." Such hard phrases . as these are hurled plenteously at their poor heads: "consecrated cob- bIers,"" delirious mechanics," " didactic artisans, whose proper talk is of bullocks and not the gospel." And the fact is most lamentable that these incompetents will stand in the way when the fit time arrives to undertake the world's evangelization by men that are men. Rere again we are reminded of some in our day in whom the ·soul of Sydney Smith still goes marching on.
But finally and most conclusively the task on hand is too great, and belongs to the doleful category of the impossible. Think of it, ye people. Carey's sermon led to a subscription to convert 420,000,000. In other words, a gentleman actually promised £30 and four guineas a year, and later six and a half guineas were added; and what are these among so many? The weighty question is asked and no answer is appended. Where are the clergy to come from and who is to defray the vast expense? And even to-day, after so long a time, the same query is put by unbelieving souls.
And what shall we say to these things? Row could one like Sydney Smith, among the brightest lights of his time, a liberal Whig and rad- ical reformer, with the courage of his convictions, a man most genial and greatly beloved, and as a shepherd of SOUlil faithful, sympathetic and self-denying, how could he pen words so irrational and almost insane? Well, we are to remember that missions were in their in-
THE lIIN·lSTB"Y OF )[ONEY
fancy when he wrote, and so tangible evidence of their value and potency was but slight and uncertain at the best. Then, he was a churchmlln possessed with holy horror for all the irregular and unauthorized movements in the hands of dissenters. He would have everything in religion done by the socially respectable and cultured. But yet the fac tcannot be gainsaid that he, like hosts of others, both before and since his day, walked but little by faith in the things of the kingdom, or was so far forth of the number of the wise and prudent from whom much is hidden which is revealed to babes. As to spiritual make and mood, he would seem to be closely akin to one who expressed his conviction concerning the blacks of the West Indies as follows: "To bring them to the knowledge of the gospel is umloubtedly a great and good design, in the intention laudable, and in speculation easy; and yet I believe that the difficulties attending 0/1'8 and ever will be insurmountable." And to another who made this oracular utterance: "Europe, and especially England, would fain save the savage, but he cannot be saved." So thought Oharles Darwin, once of the Fueginians, but lived ,long enough to see and to confess his error. So judge all who have no eyes but for perils and difficulties and are stone blind as touching all invincible heavenly helps, whose cry is always" It is possible," and never" We must." Doubtless when the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Ohrist, some sapient cavilers will yet be Iound laboring upon volumes concerning" Missions to wrong places, among wrong races and. in wrong hands." . But, somehow, every year the Ohristian world is more and more thoroughly persuaded that the Oareys and the Ooans, the Goodells and the Mofiats, the J udsons and the Scudders, were wiser than their critics and calumniators. The tide of faith and zeal steadily rises. The choice sons and daughters of the church are sent forth in numbers, ever increasing, with millions of money to match. And who can doubt that at last the assaults upon missions made by the unsympathetic and ill-informed will be found to have performed important and essential service in quickening fervor and in improving the quality of missionary work. For ours is a God who knows how to make both the wrath and the foolishness of man to praise Him.
THE MINISTRY OF MONEY.-No. I.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. P.] THERE is a material basis for spiritual interests and enterprises,a financial basis for evangelization. Oould that basis be built Qroad enough, firm enough, and permanent enough to sustain the structure of our benevolent, philanthropic and missionary work, a new era would begin in our whole church life. Malachi records a representative promise: .As far back 8S Leviticus ii.: 13 we read these significant words: "And every oblation of thy meat offering Shalt thou season with salt; Neither shalt thou suffer the salt Of the COVENANT OF THY GOD To be lacking from thy meat offering.
With all thine offerings shalt thou offer SALT."
Here we perceive an unmistakable parallelism. A divine principle is laid down not only for meat or food offerings where salt is naturally applied as imparting a savor, but to all offerings it is to be applied. Salt represents covenant relation with God, and hence it is used symbolically to express the great truth that offerings to God have the savor of acceptableness only when salted with a covenant relationship.
This is remarkable as the only certain reference to salt in the cere- * moniall~w, and yet so emphatic is the command that from this point increasing importance is ascribed to it. [Compare Numb. xviii. : 19, 2 Chron. xiii. : 5, Ezek. xliii. : 24, Mark ix. : 49, 50.] This was the one symbol never absent from the altar of burnt offering. What was its significance? Some have carelessly interpreted it as the unfailing sign of the unperishable love of Jehovah for His people. But is this the natural interpretation of the command concerning salt? In its unalterable nature it is the contrary of leaven, which is always held up as an evil and corrupting principle to be avoided as rendering offerings unacceptable. Salt is not only capable of imparting savor; it saves as well as savors and seasons. It has a cleansing power and is even an antiseptic, owing to the presence of chlorine. It stands as the opposite of leaven. As leaven made offerings corrupt and offensive and gave them the savor of death, salt made offerings pure, acceptable, and imparted the savor of life. Hence it is clear that in order to an offering being acceptable to God, the offerer must be abte to salt it with a covenant spirit and reZation. God not only has no need of unconsecrated and unsanctified offerings, but will not accept them. He demands first self-surrender, then as a logical consequence-nay, as a logical part of that self-surrender and involved in it-the surrender of what we have, or, as we say, "possess."
If anyone doubts this law or principle let him carefully study Psalm 1., which is the fullest exhibition of this truth in the whole word of God. That Psalm is simply Leviticus ii. : 13 expanded into a sublime poem of twenty-three verses. It is a Psalm of Asaph. Its keynote is in the fourth, fifth and sixth verses, which close the first or introductory stanza. Then follows the first address to His people, verses 7-16, and a second address to the wicked, verses 17-:!3. Both addresses are on the subject of sacrifices or offerings, and set forth fundamental principles. Let us carefully examine them.
First let us sound the keynote of the Psalm: • Exodul xxx.: 85, ma.rgin. [SlIP'l'., "He shall call the heavens from above And to the earth That He may judge His people. 'Gather my saints together unto me; Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice,' And the heavens shall declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge."
Here two things are plain: God is for some reason taking the judgmeut seat as if to render an important decision, and He summons to His august presence His own saints, especially those who have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice, or, as the literal rendering is, "those that set more by the covenant than by any mere offering" (Cf. Exod. xxiv. : 7,8), or who "ratify my covenant with sacl;ifice." In other words, Jehovah solemnly summons to His presence those who have been offering sacrifice and have not properly understood the relation of sacrifice and covenant. And now what has the Judge to say? First to His people; let us translate literally: I will not reprove thee on account of thy sacrifices, For thy burnt offerings are continually before me.
Jehovah was not now, as afterward through Malachi, reproving His people because of a lack of offerings. Now His reproof was on account of a wrong spirit that lay behind their formal obedience. To Asaph himself, a chief among the Levites, whose whole life was devoted to temple service, it was given to set forth in Jehovah's name the inefficacy of all outward offerings, however costly and ample, without the prior offering of the heart and life. All godless or unsanctified giving to God proceeds on the principle that God has need of money, which is not true and is here especially disclaimed.
" For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills. If I were hungry I would not tell thee; For the world is mine and the fatness thereof. WillI eat the flesh of bulls Or drink the blood of goats? "
God is neither hungry nor in want of anything. If He were, He would not need to appeal to man, for His resources are infinite. Any offerings, therefore, that proceed upon the principle of supplying a need in God or His work simply are a mistake! Hence the conclusion: " Offer unto God thanksgiving,"
literally, "Sacrifice thanksgiving;" i. e., instead of the legal sacrifice of peace-offerings for a thanksgiving or vow, the acceptable offerer must bring to God that which the sacrifice represents, viz.: praise from a loving, loyal, grateful heart. In other words, the salt of the covenant must not be lacking. Outer offerings are worthless in God's sight that do not express first of all genuine devotion and obedience to the will of God. Here, then, is the great lesson. Our offerings are not primarily intended to relieve or supply any 'want of God or His work, but to express obedience and gratitude on the part of the ofierer., Hence they imply the salt oLthe covenant, previous offering of self.
The same lesson is taught in the second part of this judicial address.
God now turns 10 the wicked, and in the. plainest words rejects his offering: – " What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, Or tha.t thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth; Seeing thou hatest instruction And castest ,my words behind thee."
A different class of persons 'is now addressed-willful transgressors who bring offerings, while they are living in sin and disobedience.
The salt of the covenant is lacking-and their formal sacrifices God indignantly rejects, and warns such that instead of accepting their offerings, He may tear them in pieces and none can deliver.
Then the lesson of the psalm is reiterated III a closing stanza: " Whoso oifereth praise glorifieth me. And to him that ordereth his way of life aright Will I show the salvation of God."
We utterly mistake the plain ethical sentiment and spiritual lesson of this psalm if it be not a solemn setting forth of the fact that the primary condition of acceptable offering is that the offerer be in cove- nant relation with God. God is not a beggar 01' a beneficiary in any sense whatever. He is not dependent upon the help of any man for carrying on His work. He simply admits us to a double privilege; first, of giving expression and expansion to our best impulses; and secondly, of taking part with Him in a holy ministry of benev01ence and benefi- cence. Hence, we repeat the first condition of acceptable offering is that the salt of the covenant with God be present to savor and season the sacrifice. . .
Hence it logically follows: First, that no unconverted man can offer an acceptable gift to the Lord. While he hatcs instruction and casts His words behind him, the conditions are essentially lacking which make a gift acceptable. Instead of being salted, it is leavened; the corruption of unforgiven sin and an unreconciled heart spreads itself through the offering and challenges God not only to reject the gift but to destroy the donor!
Secondly, it irresistibly follows that for believers to depend upon unconsecrated money for carrying on the benevolent work of the church is diametrically contrary to the expressed will of God. We have long felt that appeals to unconverted men for pecuniary aid in mission work are both inconsistent and harmful. We remember an instance. A very rich but godless man was approached with a request that he would give $500 to relieve a pressure of debt in a Foreign Missionary Board. His answer was: "You ministers say from the puipit that we unconverted rich men are idolaters; but you come to us idolaters for our money to carryon what yl)U call the
AND HER RELIGIONS. [S.BP'l'••
Lord's work!" That was a deserved rebuke to which the Church of God has often laid herself open b! her indiscriminate appeals for money.
We believe that thel church ought to be bold enough and spiritual enough to take high ground, and appeal only to disciples for money for mission work. Great as is the need of money, it is not so great as to justify an unscriptural plan for raising it. God calls us to take the plane of faith, to remember that He owns all; that the hearts of meu are in His hand; that He can unlock the treasuries of the rich and make the abundance of poverty to abound unto the riches of liberality. All these frantic appeals for miscellaneous collections; all this eagerness to get large gifts without regard to the character of the donors; all this representation of the pressing needs of God's dearest cause, as though God were a pauper; all this flattery of godless givers which leads them to think they have put God under some sort of obligation by their gifts, ;while living in rebellion; all this slavish dependence npon those who are not disciples to furnish funds for the work that only disciples can either conduct or appreciate; all this is, we believe, in violation of Bible principles and is a prominent cause of the blessing being withheld from our financial methods!
We write these things sadly but with the intensity of deep conviction. We have watched for many years the unsound and rotten basis of our missionary finances. We have seen Herculean efforts,to raise funds, with a trumpet flourish over success, to be followed by a reaction, a proportionate decline in giving, depletion of treasuries, and a minor strain of complaint and despondency. Surely this is not God's way of carrying on missions. Weare not raising money according.to a Bible fashion; we are walking by sight, not by faith. We are using pressure of appeal more than the prayer that prevails; we are depending on our importunity with man more than our importunity with God. We forget who it is that opens human hearts and sends forth laborers into His harvest, and bestows the spirit of liberality. We look to human patronage in a wo!'k that by its nature disdains any patron but the Lord Himself.
KOREA AND HER RELIGIONS.
BY PROF H. B. HULBERT, OF THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL, SEOUL, KOREA.
THE kingdom of Korea stands related to the Empire of China very much as the United States stand related to Great Britain. Not, of course, as respects their relative power or importance, but simply from an historical point of view. Many centuries ago the peninsula of Korea was inhabited by a race of men who left no records of themselves, and whom we call aborigines in default of any knowledge of an anterior race. This, to a certain extent, can be said of the American Indian. Again, Korea, in early historical times, became an asylum
1889·1 KOREA AND HER
for Ohinese refugees. In course of time these refugees obtained the ascendency over the aboriginal inhabitants, and formed a kingdom, tacitly considered to be a vassal of Ohina. The two races, living in such close relations, were slowly amalgamated, which resulted in the gradual estrangement of the little kingdom from the authority of the mother country. In coming from Ohina the refugees and emigrants brought with them the traditions and customs of that empire. It is to one of these imported customs that we desire to direct attention. All the great Asiatic religions were from time to time imported from Ohina. Each had its period of growth, of supremacy and of decline. The only one that came to stay for any great length of time was Oonfucianism, which is, indeed, if such an expression may be allowed, the least objectionable of any of the religions of the East. Of Shintoism and Taoism there are no traces left. Buddhism still struggles for existence,. although it is confined to certain monasteries scattered about the country, and has no following among the masses. But for many centuries the people have been devoted Oonfucianists, observing its fundamental tenet of ancestor worship with the utmost punctiliousness.
One might ask why it is that Oonfucianism holds its own so powerfully, holding to-day as high a place in the minds of these peoples as it did a thousand years ago. I think it can be easily explained. In the first place, it is based upon a real and powerful feeling, that of reverence for parents, a thing good in itself and worthy of praise, but very dangerous when made to answer the demands of the religious nature. The founder of Oonfucianism seems to have been a deep philosopher in this, that, recognizing the mysticism and the essential powerlessness of the ancient Hindu religions, he was bound to offer something which should have in it a reality, something tangible, and he fixed upon the" filial fedin.i" as being the highest and most sacred reality. Using that as a basis he worked out his system and launched it upon a long voyage.
We have called it dangerous, and so it is, for half truths are more dangerous than entire falsehoods. Perverted truth does more harm than direct falsehood. It is what makes Mohammedanism more dangerous than Buddhism, for the former makes Ohrist one of its prophets, while the latter is wholly mythological. A second reason for the power of Oonfucianism is, that it has no priests, no temples, nothing that would make it liable to become an eEJl;ablishment. We think it has become evident that established religions are comparatively short-lived. It is surely so in the· East. Suppose, if you will, that a certain emperor of a certain dynasty should make Buddhism the court religion, and compel the people to adopt it. It would have a phenomenal growth, for obvious reasons; but suppose further that flo new dynasty should come in; it is morally certain that in the
AND HER RBU6l0N8. [SIIPt'"
general political housecleaning that political religions institution wouid go by the board. It is a rule in .the East that new dynasties shall have things as different as possible from the old. Tho natural conservatism of the people renders changes in many directions im- possible. But to give a concrete example: Each time there has been Ii. change of dynasty in Korea the capital of the country has been changed, and no one from the old capital allowed to move to the new one. It is probable, then, that a court religion would not survive the change. But Confucianism, or ancestor worship, has none of that pomp and circumstance, that gorgeous ritual which endear some forms of religion to the heart of princes. It, therefore, survives the dynastic changes to which others would suc- cumb. Another reason, derived from the last, is, that the total absence of temples and priestly order render unnecessary those heavy religious taxes upon the people which are necessary in the case of other religions. It may be objected, that the voluntary giving of money creates an interest that makes the devotee even stronger in his adherence. But that objection does not hold here, where the masses are engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with poverty. The few pence that they spend in the simple rights of ancestor worship are all they can spare, and nothing but fear could extort more from them. _ There are various other reasons why ancestor worship holds snch a prominent place in the East, but let one more suffice.
It appeals to a side of man's nature that is always open to approach, and that is clannishness. It is the most subtle form of flattery. Confucianism is no religion, properly speaking. It is merely a make- shift. It presents itself in a flattering form, at the same time basing itself on a real affection of the heart, and claims to satisfy the religious sentiment. But it only acts as an anresthetic to the conscience, con- vincing, not by the cogency of its real natnre, but by the power of collateral and adventitious advantages, in view of which the man loses sight of the essential need-a soul religion.
In spite of these reasons it must be confessed that the great majority of these peoploare Confucianists because their fathers and their fathers' fathers were such. Custom rules here to an extent that is never im- agined by those who have not seen it, Not one man in a million, we venture to say, is a Confucianist on any purely rational or philosophic grounds. Independence of thought or a speculative tendency would be considered evidences of lunacy. Custom is the criterion•. Schiller's words may have been applicable to Europe, but they are vastly more 80 to Asia: "Out of the common is man's nature framed, And custom is the nurse to whom he clings; Woe, then, to him whose daring hand profa.nes The honored heit'looms of his ancestors. There is aconsecl'ating power in time. And what is gt'ay with years to man is God-like."
188G.] RlfI'IORICAL OUTLINE OF MIBSIONIiI AMONG THli
We ha.ve said that Confueianism is the least objectionable of ali the Eastern religions, and at the same time the most dangerous. It is dangerous in that it appeals most directly and forcibly to the super~ ficial man, and for out~ide reasons is most likely to maintain its power; but, on the other hand, it is the least objectionable from the Christian standpoint, and for this reason, that it does not satisfy the religious na~ ture t~ any extent. Why? Because there is in it no element of faith. It requires no faith in its devotees. It must be admitted that the element of faith is what makes any religion powerful. In other words, the religion must be higher than the man, beyond him, or it will not hold him. In breaking down the bulwarks of Confucianism, then; the principal thing is to get through the wall of oustom, and to prel!1ent a real, living truth for the moral nature to take hold upon. There will be little then to unlearn, for, until that moment, faith will have been asleep. But in the mysticism of the Indian, religious faith has been exercised, and the task is a double one, destructive and reconstructive. With Confucianism it is mainly constructive.
HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF MISSIONS AMONG THE JEWS.
BY REV. B. PICK, PH.D., ALLEGHENY, PA.
THE mission among the Jews is as old as the Christian Church, and the church can never fully do justice to the last words of the Saviour without preaching the gospel unto them "who are Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants," etc. (Rom. ix.: 4, 5).
Although the cross was a stumbling block to the Jews, yet the first Chrii;tian community consisted entirely of Jews. In spite of the many difficulties and troubles which St. Paul had to suffer from his own people during his life-time, it could be said. unto him: "Thou seest, brothel', how many thousands of Jews there are which believe, and they are zealous of the law" (Acts xxi.: 20). According to Eusebius, up to the reign of the Emperor Adrian (120 A. D.) there were fifteen Jewish-Christian bishops at Jerusalem. Among the tea.chers of the a.ncient church, who were of Jewish origin, we may mention Heg68ippm (A. D. 150-180), author of .. Memorials of the History of the Church;" Ariston ofPella, author of a colloquy between Jason, a Christian, and Papiskus, an Alexandrian Jew; and especially the church-fathel' Epiphaniu., Bishop of Constantia. the man of earnest monastic piety and of sincere but illibel'al zeal for orthodoxy, and whom Jerome called the five-tongued. The same Epiphanius tells (Haeres. cap. 30) of the conversion of the Jewish patri- arch Hillel, a descendant of the famous Gamaliel.
Without dwelling on the manner in which the Christian Church developed itself, which, on the one hand, g-ave cause t.o the Jews for complaining of the great zeal of the church in converting them, and, on the other hand, to ,the church for complaining of the great obstinacy of the Jews, we will glance at some of the most famous converts prior to the Reformation, and be it re- membered that these instances of Jews converted to God are only samples of a whole host of witnesses to the force of the truth-single ears selected out of a multitude of sheaves gathered into the garner of God.
We commence with '
SPAIN.
Spain in the Middle Ag-es; Spain, with its Inquisition and its baptized heathenism; Spain, plundering and murderin&" the Jews by the thousands and tens of thousands, at the same time that it throat int.o their faces the crucifix, witk the alternative, "Baptism or death; "-,this Spain. on&wow.~ think, was a soil in which a Jew, of all beings, was the least likely to become a Christian. Yet this very Spain produced some of the choicest of God's servants among His ancient people. In the latter part of the seventh cen- tury 1l0urished Jutian PomeriU8,* Archbishop of Toledo, author of a work against the errors of Judaism concerning the coming of the Messiah, entitled "De demon8tratione 8cetae aetati8" (Heidelberg, 1532). Julian's death in 690 was a great loss to the Spanish Church. Between 1066-11081l0urishedPedr9 Alfon80, t formerly Rabbi Moses of Huesca in Aragon, physician to King Al- phonso VI., and author of an apologetical work against the Jews. A contemporary of Pedro Alfonso was Samuel,t by birth an African, but baptized in Toledo in 10S5. He returned to Morocco, where he held a public discussion with a learned Arab, on the truth of Christianity_ Of other converts we mention John de Valladolid, also John de Podico§ of the fourteenth century: Joseph HaJlorki, called after his baptism Furony- mus de Sancta, Fidel, of the fifteenth century, famous as Talmudist and phy- sician.
But the greatest of all was Paulus of Burgo8, ~ also De Santa Maria, for- merly Rabbi Solomon Levi of Burgos, and baptized with his four sons in 1390. He studied theology after his baptism, and received from the Univer- sity of Paris the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was appointed Archdeacon of Burgos, and subsequently Bishop of Carthagena, and lastly Bishop of Burgos, where he also died August 25,1440. His most important work is his" Additions" to De Lyra's" Postils," a work highly spoken of by Luther and Reuchlin. Of his four sons, Don Alfonso, who for many years was Arch- deacon of Compostella, succeeded his father in the bishopric of Burgos. He took his seat at the Council of Basle, in 1431, as a representative of Castile, and was treated with high honor on account of his great talents and distin- guished excellence.
We could greatly increase the number of this catalogue, but let this suffice. It must not, howevel', be imagined that all these conversions were the direct result of the preaching of the gospel in those dark ages-for dark they were, especially for the Jews. All that was done in those days for the spiritual welfare of the Jews was anything but the preaching of the gospel. To per- secute and kill the Jews was regarded as the most charitable work of the Christian Church, and kings and priests vied with each other in this respect. The pages of Jewish history of those days are stained with the blood of that poor, unhappy people, shedfor thegreater glory ofGod. "Baptism ordeath"- this was the cry of the church. NO'country, however, has developed such mad zeal for the conversion of the Jews as Spain. Not only were the chil- Idren taken away from their parents and baptized, but gray-headed men and women were dragged by their hair to the baptismal font. True, the mem- bership of the church was increased by' such forced baptism, especially through that hellish invention Called the Inquisition. But was such an addi- tion in harmony with the spit-it of the gospel? For really what seemed to be gain was in fact no gain. The church can gain nothing by hypocritell who most naturally constituted a part of,these so-called converts, who re- lapsed into Judaism again when a chancQ was found, as can be seen from . the life of Orobio de Castro,* * who, after having been released from the *For more information the reader is referred to my articles in :IIoclintoek & Strong's Cyclopredia.. See Pomerim Julianus. tSee Pedro, Alfonso. ;See Morocco, Samuel. ASee Podico, John de. I See HterOllyrnouB a Sancta lfide In the twelfth or second supple- * ment volume. " See PaulWl Burgemi8. • See ()robia. pangs of the Inquisition, went to Amsterdam, where he openly profesSed Judaism. And this is not the only instance. At last the religious madness reached its climax, especially in Spain, and in 1492,200,000 Jews were driven from the peninsula who would rather su1fer anything than become the spiritual children of that monster of humanity, the grand inquisitor Torquemada. And when the poor exiles took refuge in Turkey the Sultan Bajazet exclaimed: "You call this a politic king (Ferdinand) who impoverishes his own kingdom to enrich mine."
FRANCE.
In France the Jews did not fare much better than in Spain. Of Jewish- Christians who became famous we mention Nicola8 de Lyra, professor of theology (1300–1340.) He is known as the author of" Postillae perpetuae in universa Biblia" (Rome, 1471-72, 5 vols.). How much Luther and the Refor- mation were indebted to his commentaries may be seen from a compari- son of the respective commentaries and from the couplet of the reformer's enemies: .. SI Lyra. non lyrasset (i. e.) LutheruB non sa.lta.sset." It Lyra had not ha.rped on protana.tlon Luther would not have planned the Reformation.
Besides De Lyra we mention Philipp IJ'Aquin (died 1650), professor of Hebrew at Paris; Loui8 Compiegne de Veil and his brother Ckarles;* Pierre Vignoles (died in 1640), for fifty years professor at the College of Paris.
ENGLAND.
In England the Jews had also their vicissitudes. Yet in spiteo! the man- ifold troubles special care was taken of those who embraced Christianity.
Special buildings, "converts' houses," were erected, in which the gospel was not only preached to the Jews, but the converts were educated there and many a dignitary in the state and church proceeded from these houses.
We shall again speak of England in the sequel.
ITALY.
In Italy the Jews were treated on the whole very friendly, and popes and monks were anxious for their spiritual welfare. Since the time of Gregory XIII. the Jews had to listen once a week to a sermon, and many a one was thus led to the feet of Christ. Paul Ill. founded in 1550 a. special institute for the conversion of the Jews. The sixteenth century is especially rich in Jewish converts, of whom we mention the following: Andreas de Montet, Jechiel, PisaurenBiB, t philosopher and physiCian, and his contemporary, Paul Eustachius de Nola/13 Hebrew teacher of Thomas Aldrobranuin, brother of Pope Clement VIII., EJi,(lJtu8 SenenBiB, I author of the" Bihliotheca Sancta"
(Venice, 1566); Alessandro di France8co, friend of Clement VIII., and Bishop of Forh; Flibianus Foghi, professor of Hebrew at the college of the Neophites at Rome; Emmanuel TremelUus, ~r one of the most celebrated men of his time (said to have been converted by :Marco Antonio Flaminio), who died in 1580; Paulus Cano88a**, also Paulus Paradisus, professor of Hebrew (died 1543); Felw PratenBiB (died at Rome, 1539), editor of the First Rabbinic Hebrew Bible; RaphaeZ .dquuino t t, John Bapti8ta Elianu8, and others too numerous to be mentioned.
GERMANY.
In Germany the Jews had to undergo many sufferings. The inroads ofthe Tartars, the Crusades, more especially the BlackDeath,were causes for per- * .. See Veil de. t See Monte, Andreas de. See Pesaro Jechiel. I See Nota Paulus• I See SirdtUI Senenai8. 'I See 1'remeUitUl. .. .. See PalUtUI Canosaa. tt See Aqulino 111 drst s,llpplement volume. secutioBs. Compulsory bapti~m8 were the only means of escaping tlile fiercest persecutions, and it was in vain that some popes and teachers like Bernard of Clairvaux protested against such compulsory measures. Yet there were not wanting such among the Jews who cOUld not resist the work- ings of the divine grace, and who of their own conviction joined the church. / This we see especially in the case of Herman of Cappenberg, who after his baptism entered in 1123 the order of the Premonstratensians, and became Abbot of Cappenberg, in Westphalia. He. too, protested against compul- sory measures, but in va.in. In the 19th session of the council at Basle in 1434 it was enacted that the bishops everywhere should see that the Jews were instructed in the Christian religion. The worldly powers showed a better disposition toward the Jews by protecting them, although this, pL'O- tection was bought at a great price. Yet, after all, shortly before the Ref- ormation a better spirit seemed to prevail in Germany, which had the good effect that many a Jew was brought to the truth as it is in Christ witj:J.Out any compulsion.
A brighter morning came with the Reformation, though on the whole, the Reformation,whether in its early days or in lat'er times, with all its great teachers and numerous adherents, effected little or no change in the dispo- sition of the Christians toward the once chosen people, now so sadly de- cayed and scattered over the earth, because of their heinous sin. Luther appeared well disposed toward them in the beginning of his career as a re- former. In a treatise especially, which he wrote in consequence of some accusations of heresy concerning the virginity of Mary, "to prove that Jesus Christ was of Jewish bit'th "(da.~8 ChriBtuB ein geborner Jude war), he • spoke of the Jews in a manner which seemed likely to overthL'ow popular prejudices against the nation itself, and cause men to set some value on the imperishable privileges of theIr descent. "Our fools," he says, "the popes, bishops. sophists and monks,.those coarse asses'-heads, have hither- to proceeded with the Jews in such afashion, that he who was a good Chris- tian might well have desired to become a Jew, and if I had been a Jew, and had seen the Christian faith governed and taught by such blockheads and dolts, I should sooner have become a hog than a Christian, For they have treated the Jews as though they were dogs and not men; they have been able to do nothing but scoff at them, and seize their property; whE'n they were baptized, they showed them neither true Christian doctrine nor life, but simply subjected them to popery and mockery. My hope is, that if we act kindly toward the Jews, and instruct them tenderly out of the Holy Scriptures, many of them will become genuine Christians, and so return to the faith of their fathers, thp- prophets and patriarchs. But we shall only frighten them further away therefrom, by utterly rejecting their views of things, allowing nothing to be right, and treating themselves with haugh- tiness and contempt. If the Apostles, who also were Jews, had acted to- ward us, the heathen, as we, the heathen, act toward the Jews, never a heathen would have become a Christian. Inasmuch as they treated us heathens in so brotherly a manner, we ought to treat the Jewsin a brother- ly way, if so be that some may be converted. And be it remembered, we are ourselves not all up to the point, much less far advanced. My request and advice therefore is, to go gently to work with them, and so to instruct them from the Scriptures, that some perchance may be drawn in."
But afterward he spoke very differently of the Jews, either from indig- nation";.1 some theologians of Wittenberg, whom he looked upon as infused with the leaven of rabbinisrn, 01' from disappointment because the Reformation, by which he had promised himself a favorable influence over the minds of the Jews and their conversion to the gospel, found no more favor or assistance than Romanism with this entirely singular nation.
Yet after all it cannot be denied that the influence which the Reformation exerted, especially by the more careful study of the Bible and its transla- tion, had a salutary effect on the people in general and on the clergy especially. In speech and in writing the preachers and teachers endeavored to impress upon the Jewish mind the truth as it i3 in Christ, and in this respect they were assisted by the writings of such Jewish Christians as Paul Stajfelsteiner,* professor of Hebrew at Heidelberg; John Harzuge, who in 1540 published his translation of the New Testament in rabbinical type; Okristw,n Gersont and Georg Phaip Lichtenstein,t both ministers of the gospel of the Lutheran Church, and by Victor 'Von Carben, I a priest at Cologne, Paul Weidner,§ and others of the Roman Catholic Church.
Anew impulse was given to the mission among the Jews in the seventeenth century, especially by the efforts of Esdras Edzard of Hamburg. He had studied at different universities, and had especially devoted himself to the study of rabbinic literature. BuxtorI in Basel, and the Jewish rabbi of his native place, Cohen de Lara, were his teachers in Talmudic literature. In 1656 he took his degree as licentiate of theology at Rostock without enter- ing upon the academical career. Being a man of means, he lived as a private man at Hamburg, devoting his knowledge and time to the conver· sion of the Jews, and he succeeded in bringing a great Inany Jews to Christ. He not only preached the gospel, but also helped those in a practi- cal manner who had joined the church, and founded a sinking-fund, the interests of which were to be devoted for the mission among the Jews.
From all parts of Europe scholars flocked to Hamburg to hear from him how to converse with Jews and how to refute their arguments. After hiS death in 1708, Edzard's sons continued the work of their father, and the 'sinking-fund founded in 1667 is now under the administration of the Ham- burg Senate, still serving the original purpose. The good seed sown by Edzard bore its fruit in due season, and in many places houses were built for the temporal relief of Jewish converts.
Outside of Germany, the Christians of Holland showed an especial in- terest for the conversion of the Jews, to whom, toward the end of the six- teenth century, permiSSion had been granted to settle again in Holland. The synod held at Dort in 1619, at Utrecht in 1670, at Delft and Leyden in 1676 and 1678 passed resolutions concerning the spiritual welfare of the Jews.
Men like Hugo Grotius, Labbadic, Isaac Vossius, John Hoornbeck, the two Span- hems, Coccejus, Episcopius, Hulsius, Witsius, 8erariu8, and others, wrote with a view of convincing the Jews, and many a Jew was received into the church.
The Jews formerly banished from England were again allowed to settle there under Charles II. We have already spoken of the early missionary work among the Jews in England. Suffice it to say that after the re- settlement of the Jews the work of converting them was continued. Of the literary productions of this period we only mention Bishop Kidder's A demonstration of the Messiah, in which the truth of the Christian religion is defended, especially against the Jews, London, 1684-1700, and translated also into German by F. E. Rambach, Rostock, 1751. Another missionary work was Leslie's: A short and easy method with the Jews, London, 1698, * and often. Ibid. s. v. I Ibid. 8. v., Carben. • Ibid… T. * See my art., s. v. t Ibid. 8. v.
{Oonoluded in next number.{
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MA.GAZINES
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.: BY REV. CHA.S. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MA.SS.
THE Finnish Missionary Society has also a Jewish missionary in Finland itself, where the number of Jews hardly amounts to 1,000. He writes in the Missionstidning for Findland : .. Israel needs to be converted. But this work of conversion the Lord has committed to His church to carry out. Not by extraordinary means will He gather-again His wandering people; in His wonted way, by preaching,of the gospel, is He minded to accomplish the work; for He is the God of order. Assuredly we cannot ma.ster His plans, and it is yet, in a. certain measure, a mystery to us how He is to carry out His couusel concerning Israel. Meanwhile, however, so much is clear, that He will first give individuals of Israel to find the Saviour of sinners, even as came to pass with and through the apostles in the early time. Thereafter He will in His own time cause the individual souls, when their number is complete according to His counsel, to bring ~he blessing of Abraham to Israel as a people. Our present work. accordingly, is to gather tile individuals of Israel into Olirist's fold. Should that be esteemed an insignificant work? Or should we hold aloof from this work becau.e, in seemin~, it bears scanty fruit? In no wise I This work is precious in the eyes of the Lord, and a joy for the angels. For they rejoice when one sinner repents. The mission to Israel may be compared to a stone cast into the water and raisin!:, a ripple on its surface. This ripple broadens out into wider and wider rings till they tonch the strand. So also does the word of truth which is cast into the soul of a Jew cause a rlppling. which extends itself in broader and yet broader rings, till they extend themselves to the uttermost ends of the earth, where the people are dispersed, and its sanctifying infiuence continues to awaken and touch other souls, yea, reaches even the heavenly strand. Therefore I rejoice with all my hea.rt that our Lutheran Church has begun to find time to think upon the so much disparaged Jewish mission. So has it been in Germany,Denmark, Norway and Sweden. And now the Finnish Zion has also begun not only to think upon butalso to work for this people's deliverance through the messengers of the gospel. To the Lord be thanks and praise forever."
Terrible as have been the ravages wrought within Christendom by the old belief in witchcraft. which is computed to have caused the death of 9,000,000 human beings, yet even these pale compared with the omnipresent terror and suspicion which poisons the whole air of African society. We give something bearing upon it from the Finska Missionstidning : .. To be suspeeted of witchcraft is the worst thing that can overtake a. man or woman in A.frica, and at every death it is the priests' business to make out who has been the cause of the death. On such occasions a brother, sister. father. nay, in many cases even a mother, may be accused of the unnatural crime of having'occasioned the death of their dearest. ,Against such a charg" there exists no defense. Free room has been left to the priesthood for the execution of its malicious plottings and selfish designs, as they mostly are. It is khard to say which men dread the most, the effects of witchcraft or being themselves accused of practicing it. People avoid with the utmost carefulness and solicitude every look. every word, every act, which is in the slightest measure open to misinterpretation. Ifanyone is seriously ill. careis taken not to be too cheerful, lest it shouldappear aSlf one was rejoicing over the expected decease. But, again. one does not dare to seem too solicitous, lest it should be surmised that he is concealing ~is guilt under a mantle of hypocrisy. And yet, with all these precautions, one is never secure. If such a suspicion has once been uttered against anyone, neither age, nor rank. nor even known nobility of character defends him from the necessity of submitting to the ordeal of poison, the Issue of which is held infallible."
The Finnish Mission in Southwestern Africa has been put under a hard trial. The heir to the throne, Nehale, who had secured the exclusive control of a parlof his expected inheritance, within which were some of the Finnish nations, had become so outrageous in his exactiollS, stripping the mission, al'ies of their very clothes, and then of their wagons and oxen, that th€'y have been compelled to flee into the domain of the chief king, who has dealt with thenl very,kindly, and has severely condemned the behavior of his brother, It is gratifying'. as an evidence of real conversion, that nearly all the Christia.ns have given up their homes and followed their teachers. The number of the baptized is about 200.
Missionary Stosch, of the Lutheran Mission in South India, who .has lately gone out, writes: "During the service in the beautiful Madras church in the Pnrsewakam quarter, we witnessed the baptism of a heathen Pariah family, and were thus allowed a view into the glory of the missionary work. A ringle Mathen soul is worth our coming out. It is true, to us the glory of Word and Sacrament is veiled as yet by the shifting mists of a foreign tongne. Bnt the mists will fall by God's help, and then we shall find as familiar a home at the altars olthe foreign people, 8S in onr own I}ermany. And, Indeed, I felt well at home to-day, when present at the celebration of the Lord's Supper In the venerable Jer1lsalem Church of Pranquebar. The same tones of adoration and of consecrating prayer resounded as with us; the same faith bows the knees and lifts the souls of the Tamil Christians; they receive the same hallowed elements-perhaps with greater Simplicity and devotion than many Christians at home. Yes, there is something unspeakably great in the misslollBry work, when we pierce throngh Its unassuming exterior into its inward. glory."
The Pariahs, our outcastes, among whom the work of the Lutheran Mission largely lies, constitute a peculiarly large proportion of the popula- tion of the District of South Arcad, in the Presidency of Madras, namely. 26 per cent_ Missionary E. Just, of the same Leipsic mission, gives a very interesting account in the Evangelisch-Lutherisches Misllionsblatt of some of his ways of disputing with the heathen. For instance: .. I asked how It comes that the god Bama, when his wife is stolen and carried off, knowa noth- ing about It, and had to inquire her ont from the monkeys, though himself an avatar Ii. e., Incar- nation) of Vishnu. He replied that God, on becomillg man, could very easily limit himself in even his omniscience. I thonght of the Lord's word: • Bnt of that day, and that honr, knoweth DO maty. • • neither the Son,' and was silent. He no more believed in Vishnn as tme God than I, so that I could very well let this point drop. Bnt It was a good Iesson to me never to use a point against the heathen, which they, if they knew how to use it, could jnst as easily tnrn against uo. Here there is often a neglect of fairness, and we are not unreasonably chastised by the socalled Hlndn Tract Society, which makes It its business thus to tum our own arms against ns.
.. I therefere turned the discourse from Bama to the Vedanta parable. A king, from the violence of his longing for a beautlfnl magic horse, fell into a faint. Dnring this his spirit was borne away by the horse into distant regions. The furious chase ended In a magnificent garden. There the king saw a beautiful maiden, and became her hn.band. Tbey lived happily together for many years. with children aronnd them. At length the king began to long after his old bome. As he came thither, the prostrate and inanimate body awoke, and the bystanders assured him that not more than two hours had passed, since he had fallen down as. if dead. Then the king apprehended that these various events had not been a reality, but a dream, and from this he drew the knowledge, that It is so with our whole life, that our whole life is a dream. This seems to us a desperate leap, but to a Hindu thinker It Is perfectly natural. I am persuaded that ninety of every hundred, even if not Vedaists, would take no exception to this application. This doctrine of' Life a Dream' seems dreamy and innocuous at home, for there it occurs to no one to deduce its consequences. Bnt here it is otherwise. The Hindus think their principles to an end; the more astounding the conclusion is to which they arrive themore firmly they hold to it. If now, in reality, we do not live, do not think, do not speak, do not sin. where, then, is the responsibility for my actions? Who will punish me for dream sins? Who can blame me for dreaming as agreeably as possible, so far as depends on me? Whoever comes to know the doctrines of heathenism somewhat Intimately will always find that they all come out to the same result. the dulling oj consctence. a.nd the complete extinction of that spark light which God still caused to glimmer in the conscience."
.The Allgemeine Missionszeitschri/t, referring to Canon Taylor's slashing criminations of the native Christians of West Africa and elsewhere, says: .. Mr. Taylor Is an Anglican clergyman. I do not know his community, but it i8 probable that there are Connel in it. : Mr•.Talkatlves, hypocrites, apostates, drnnkards, wranglers, impenitent Magdalene, etc. What now would the reverend canon say, if anyone were to draw from this the eoncluiion that hiB discharge of his oftlce had been • a great failure'? Everywhere in all ChristendOlll, not mereIJ in IncUlP. aud West Africa, but also in England, Germany, etc., w. find ~ among tM wheAt, Mld that not only to0day, bnt MBO In the good old ti!b~. Is it therefoi1lrllasoilabte to infer that the whole history of Christianity is • a great failure?' Eveli the most skilil'llll51ll'!J6bU find many of their OperationS to fall ; what would the medical world say If an An~lic3u cation should on the ground of these unsuccessful operations proclaim that the whole of modem surgery 18 • 8 great fallnre '? The devil of old found his way into Paradise, and among the twelve chosen by Jesus Himself was a traitor. It would be strange if there was any lack of scandals in the young churches of converted heathen. The reverend canon would have a right to turn tbls Into a charge, only If, as is the case, on principle, in the Ronian Catholic missions which he extols, they were suppressed or denied. But he himself cites mi8sionaries, as a proof, that this Is not alone. Every Protestant missionary magazine would overwhelm him with authentic testimony that our reports from abroad are not pictures painted on a sheer gold background. If our missionaries in their reports suppress the shadows, they are forthwith charged with dishonest embellIshment; if they frankly put in the shadows, these are perverted inte testimony for the unfruitfulness of missions. What a great ado is sure to be made whenever any lapse into sin comes into view in ,a missionary congregation, and that by people who themselves are by no means In the odor of sanctity. Very well, that is the way of the world; bnt we cannot but wonder when an Anglican clergyman, who ought to be more capable of discrimination, joins these scandal mongers."
The work of the Rhenish Missionary Society in Sumatra goes steadily on. At the station of Pearadja, on July 1,1888,86 persons were baptized. At the out stations, 176 were baptized. In the station of Lagubotethereare 133 catechumens j in Haunatas, 75 were baptized in July j in Tambuman, 71 j in Butar, 93; in Pilgrim, 77, besides 37 near by j in Hutatalum there are 600 catechumens. In the Sumatra mission great use is made of the native elders. These leading laymen seem to be a very efficient body of men. The missionaries train them and they train the people. Missionary Mohri writes: .. Twice a week they, with the teachers, have to come to me to read and learn God's Word, above all, the gospel for the following Sunday. Then the elder, on Sunda;y afternoon, must look after the m6rnbers of the congregatiou who have been absent from the service. Each elder holds a Bible-class twice a week in his village, visits the sick and sees that they use no heathen charms, but procure mediClne from me; urges the children to school, aud insists on th,e sanctification of the Sunday, and particularly that the women do not then take their baskets on their heads and go to their fields. Since then I can observe that the churches are filling more and more, as well as the Bible-classes, and the Wednesday evening prayer·meeting has visibly revived."
Herr E. Dachselt, of the Leipsic Mission, gives an interesting sketch of a young Hindu Rajah-Rajah being precisely the same word as the Latin reg-B, rex, king-and of his Prime Minister: .. The present Rajah of Pudokotei, in the Madras Presidency, is a • little' highness, for he is yet under age. He was adopted ;'y his grandfatber, the late Rajah. as the latter had no lliale issue. The English Government ratified the adoption, and acknowledged the boy as Crown Prince. July 8,1886, the little prince, Rajah Marthanda Bhyrawa Tohdiman, by commission from the Government, was Installed in hiS dignity. Notwithstanding his youth-he is only 13 years old-he is physically well developed, knows how to demean himself agreeably to his rank, of Which he is thoroughly conscious, though as yet he has rank without authority. At a late distribution of prizes in the college here, a.t which the young.
Rajah presided, I had opportunity to observe him. He "lVas In European ga.rb a.nd wore a.
gold cap. During the ceremony he sat silently at the table, on which Were the books Intended for distribution. His Divan, or Prime Minister. spoke for him. The Rajah merely condescended to touch the books as they were given by the director. whereupon they were presented to the schola~s. Their obeisances he acknowledged with a gracious wa.ve of his hand. After the ceremony the Divan presented me to him and I exchanged a few words with him. He makes on the whole a very pleasant impres5ion, and has a. sagacious face. His education is under the cha.rge of a.n English chamberlain a.nd of a. Brahmiu. Unha.ppHy, the Inftueuce of the Brahmin is in the ascendant, and Is only too sure of its purpose, namely, the moral ruin of the young Rajah. These people understa.nd that a.rt only too well."
wa.s Of the Divan he says: He has formerly discharged several high offices in the Engllah service; then be Divan in Tra.vancore, from which he still draws a monthly pension of 500 rupees. Finally he wa.s ea.lled to be Diva.n in Pudokotei, a.nd after the old Raja.h's dea.tb. wa.s appointed Re-'
-·1 BRIEF NOTES FROM OUR ENGLISH CORRESPONDENT
gent. He receives a. monthly al1owa.nce of. 1,000 rupees (much more than with 1UI, in a cOuntry where a laborer can live on six cents a day.) In ackoowledgment of his services the order of the' Star of India' has been conferred on him. As his name indicates, he Isof the Brahmin caste. It is a principle of the English to favor the Brahmins above &11 other ca.B~8.and especially ~Q intrust them with the Illgher civil offices. whicll hI.3 giv!,n repeated occasion for compia.inta in the journals. Whoever has once lIelln tile Div.n Rej:ent ot Pudokotei will not easily forget him. 80S he is posse~sed or a ve~y imposing personal circumference. There are very many well-developed people among the Brahmins, becanse, 80S is said. tll~y drink a great dea.l of clarifieu butter. but 110 8tollt a gentlE!lUl!on I haVE! neyer seen before. He is already prE!tty well in Years. Ilas a very friendly and intelligent face. and is a man of IUl!orked and facile ta.lentil. lie understands how to bear himself in a very winning .&nddistlngui~hed manner toward Europea.ns; speaks admirable English. seldom hesitating for a word; is very eloquent and an entertaining companion, by no means Ia.cking in a seemly fa.cetiousness…
Herr Dachselt describes hill polity toward ~he millllio~ as o~e of which he has no reason to complain. ——– BRIEF NOTES FROM OUR ENGLISH CORRESPONDENT, RIl:V. J~1iES JOHNSTON, A. S. A.
I. THE SITUATION IN THB NYASSA REGION. C.~PTAIN LUGARD.
THE chivalrous Captain Lugard, D.S.O., belongs to the British Norfolk Regiment. When on half-pay and traveling in 1888 as a sportsman around Lake Nyassa he consented, at the unanimous request of the English near the lake, to take the cQmmand of a small force about to make an assault on a.n Arab stockade. In the first attack, when he was heroically leading the contingent over the stockade, he was severely wounded. Though Jalling heavily to the ground he rose, and, refusing assistance, struggled off to the "Hospit@.l 'free." Thia spot chQaen for the I!>mbulance party consists of .two imIllense baobab trees lying between Karongas and the ferry, which is crossed by passengers taking the "Stevenson Road." It was already consecrated earth. Beneath the deep shade of thjlse African giants are the graves of some of the Scotch and English who have given their lives for the country which Arab slavers are now attempting to wrest from trader and miasionary, IjLnd for the natives whom they are endeavoring to enslave. There slellP thlllamented Stewart and McEwan, affectionately remembered on the stratbs of Scotland Cor their toils in East Africa. When Captain Lugard waa a!Jked to join the wounded in the Itala, sailing for the south of Lake Nyassa, his laconic reply was that he "would· stop to see it out." A second courageous assault by the British traders in February last was equally fruitless. 'fhe Arabs had increased their nUJIleriCjLl force and strengthened their barricades.
The Oaptain claims to have had a definite object, vi".: "to oust the slave_ traders from their st,ockades, or, failing that, to hold them in check, and by continued raids and attacks, which, though they may not at pnCIl lj.ccom- plish our hope and drive the Arabs out, it would yet be a mi!lnoJller tQ call 'failure.s,' to bold pur own and deter theneutrala from active participation, andso to prevent the coalition of the slavers anI! the surrender to their com- plete domination the whole of the west coast ofthe lake."
This devoted Englishman is warmly eulogized by all the missionariea. One of them says: "The Captain has been with us for many months, has taken great interest in every detailand beara the respect of every gelltlemanhere." Dr. Laws of Bandawe writes borne: .. Perhaps you may see Cl!>ptain Lugard wheIj. he is at home. He has suffered much and without a murmur in seek- ing to check these slave.rs. He is a cousin of Mra. Fraser, whose husband did B,uch good work I!>t home in pleading for Nagpore in 1886 Assembly." When the intrepid lel!-<ler was leaying thtl north end of Nyassa overlf!Jld IfIr Quillimane through Makualand the Scotch traders and missionaries pre- sented him with a regulation sword and field-glass. He subsequently sailed for England to report himself to the War office; and also to confer with ,the African Lakes Company (a lay auxiliary 01 the Established and Fl'ee Church of Scotland Nyassa Missions), and the directors of the Scotch Missions.
n. CAPTAIN LUGARD'S PORTRAIT OF DR. KERR CROSS.
The eminent Free Church missionary, whose escapes are as thrilling as his courage is unwavering in succoring the wounded III the campaigns against the Arab slave-raiders, is thus described by the Captain in a letter to Dr. Laws, received in Edinburgh, June 28. The communication is dated March 18,1889 : .. When passing through here in May, last year, on my way to the North end, in command of the expedition at that time setting out against the Arab slave-dealers there, I wrote, askin:: you, as head of the Fr"e Church Mission, to consent to the Rev. Dr. Kerr Cross join- iug us as a nOll-combatant medicalorocer. Before leaving I would wish to place on record my sense of the noble and unselfish wo'k he has done, not In order to inform either you or him-both of whom are well aware of the estimate I have formed of the debt we owe to Dr Cross-but rather that, as commanding the expedition, my testimony may be a witness t'; those friends and supporters of the mission at home who are naturally proud to hear of no- ble, good work done by its members. The sickness a:t Karongw. has been very great. More than half of those who have been up, for however a short time, have been so mas to have been in danger of their lives, and of Dr. Cross's life I almost at one time despaired. Many rave been wounded, too, and I myself owe Dr. Cross a personal debt ot R'l'8.tltude I caa never repay for his skill and devoted care of me when wounded, though extremely ill at the time. He has faithfully aud earnegtly done the highest work that a missionary can do, and he proved tbe disinterested nature of tll&t work by oll'ering to the Arabs to tend their wounded, if they would take advantage of hisoll'er and send them for treatment. I cannot speak too strongly of my admiratiou for his self-sacrifice in remaining on with us in dan- ger, in an extremely uncongenial climate, i. uncongenial work, prompted only by his sense of duty. If there should be unthinking critics at home who condemn the presence of a mis- sionary where fig-hting is going on, I hope that this testimony to the consistent missionary and medical work done by Dr. (;r08s at Karong6s may cause them to reconsider their judg- ment."
III. UKUKWI-A NEW MISSION STATION.
In the spring of the present year an interesting letter from Nyassaland informed the Foreign Mission Committee of the Free Church of Scotland . that the Rev, Andrew C. Murray, of the Dutch Reformed Church (whose representative is working in conjunction with the Free Church Mission), and Rev. J. Alex. Bain, had surveyed upward of 90 miles of country due north of the lake. At the extreme point of the Livingstone range they discovered an extended plateau, known as the Ukukwi territory, occupied by a large tribe who were well disposed to Europeans. The climate was good, and the people spoke in a tongue totally differing from that of the Mwiniwanda on the west. A station was built at Maindu, 35 miles northwest of Nyassa on the Kiwira River, and good hopes were entertained of a successful mission- ary center being permanently "smblished.
In May last the following account of the place and its inhabitants was sent to England by Mr. Murray: .. The Ukukwi country is fairly well wooded, well watered, the soil fertile, and food apparently abundant. They raise sweet potatoes, beans, maize. pumpkins and a kind of pea, but their principa.l article of food is banana dour. The people are intelligent and cleanly. Nor are they such inveterate beggars as elsewhe'e along the lake.
The villa.:res, pla.nted with banana. tTees in regular rows, are models of neatness and cleanliness. The men are, as a rule, dignified (not haughty like the AngonD, a.nd the women modest. Olothing is at a discount there. The women wear a strip of bark-cloth very neatly, while the opposite sex Is often protected by a twig of some tree, suspended hy &. piece of banana bark. Boys enjoy nUdity. However, as cloth is introduced, I believe matters 11'111 Improve-if, indeed. clothing is an improvement. The hair is either shaven ot!: entirely or into a.U manner of patterns. a.a halt-moons, circles. footpaths, etc. The, amoke a &'ood deal both of tobacco and wild hemp, drawing the smoke of the latter throul'h a gourd full of water. Cattle are fairly ab'undant, while a.lso sheep and goats are found. But for the occa.sional raids of Merere's people and the Magwangwara cattle would be more plentiful. At the village of the Chiet Kavaramuka, in Ukukwi, we spent the last four or five montbs of 1888, the intention being to establish a visitill$ station thereabouts, and build a small house. After looking about on both sides of the Kiwira, a spot was selected about 400 yards from the village we were staying in. During our stay there we were engaged superintending the house bnilding, in teaching Ul.der some trees a small school with an average attendance of between 40 and 50, and in nursing one another when necessary."
Mr. Murray's temporary sojourn in the Ukukwi district was interrupted by a painful attack of sunstroke in November, 1888. For several weeks he lay in a paralyzed condition, and subsequently returned to his station at Njuyu, Anguniland, inland from the west coast of Nyassa. Reviewing- his experiences he writes; "I arrived at Njuyu In the beginning of February, and may stay still after the rainy season, a.fter which I hope, God willing, in visit some of the parts southwest of Bandaw8, more especially the Angonl chief, Chiwere, in order to see what opening there is for mi.slon work in those regions. On the whole, I have no reason for complaining of ill·health during the time, now nearly eight months,l have been in this country. The attacks of fever 1 have sutlered from were slight. Looking back, then, my motto must ever be that of Chrysostom, 'Thank God in everything.' "
IV. SHOCKING BARBARITIES AT UKUKWI.
The bright prospects at Ukukwi have been tragically overshadowed.
Wide-spread sorrow will be caused by the perusal of the subjoined narrative. The Rev. J. Alex. Bain writing to Scotland says: .. You have heard. too, how cordially we have been received by the natives wherever we have gone. The most serious obstacle to our work here presents itself from a source entirely outside of us, as you will see. At daybreak on Friday. the 15th of this month (March), we were roused from our sleep by a number of shots fired irl rapid succession. and at no very great distance from us. We were told that it was Merere or Nzukuru, as the natives call him, who had attacked Mwasyoghl (whose village was seven miles from the Maindn station), our nearestneighbor, as his land is coterminous wi~h that of Kavaramuka. Two large bands of Arabs were with Merere. The surprise was complete. Upwards of 30 women, with their babies, and several young girls were captured. The men. scarcely awakened, tried to defend themselves and to save their wives and children, but Were driven back by the murde.rous fire of the Arab guns, and finally driven from their villages. The miscreants, having securely intrenched themselves in a stockade of bamboos and banana stems, settled down to enjoy themselves in their own brutish way, gorging themselves on the spoil, and glutting their sava£"e lust by outraging the women and young girls. Two children (weeping over the mutilated bodies of their mothers), who disturbed their beastly revel, were fiung into the Ilames of some-of the burning houses. All the next day and the next again were spent in plundering, destroying the food. and burning the villages of which they had made themselves masters. Two poor women escaped by night. They alone will ever see their home again. The cattle, of which some 20 were seized. are Merere's; the women go to these merciless scoundrels, the Arabs, who will probably sell them when they have sa.ted their fiendish lust. Alter burning everything that would burn, the enemy went his way, much to our relief, as you may suppose. for we were all greatly alarmed. EIght of Mwasyoghi's people were killed, and almost as many wounded. The people here regard their deliverance as due to the presence of the white man. You may tell them that God is over all, and overrules all; they will turn round and tell you that you are God.. Poor people I their Ignorance and their helplessne~s are terrible to contemplate. Well may we pray, 'Thy kingdom come.' We have begun school again, which was Interrnpted from severa.l causes, chielly. however, the busy harvest a.nd the heavy rains, which, without school buildings, make teaching uncertain and uncomfortable for us all. The interest excited at home a.bout this part of Africa IS good, If it does not end ia mere excitement. I wish people conld only know of and see, as we know and aee, the oppression and sl!l.very and bloodshed of which tbese cruel Arab inTaders are the cause. There are things which cannot be written or spoken of in the narrative of the lat. raid by the Arabs In this neighborhood. The description I send you is therefore very in adequate to the ctrcumstances."
A later communication to hand, dated April 29th, from Mr. Bain at Ban- dawe, whither he had removed, tells the story of the mission being tem- poral'ily aba.ndoned. .. qIrukwi is vacated in tl1e meantime in deference'to the una.nimous requeBt ot the de- fenders of Karonga station, who declared that by remaining there I was endangering the successful termination of tpeir dl1Hculties with the Arabs. On the 15th I was able to leave the Wakukwi, who were reluctant to let me go, but agreed on condition that Dr. Cros8 was speedily to reoccupy the station. On the 17th the school was closed. Our roll wa853, but the average attendance much less than that. Upwards of 20 had mastered the alpba.- bet. The Arabs seem to be growing weaker, but may hold out for some time yet. All the Bandawe friends are well, and taxed to the full extent of their powers by the mu,l:nitude of the work."
V. DR. LAWS.
This honored missionary of Bandawe (lat. 12 deg.), the headquarters of the Free Church Mission, writes with joy on the 27th of April : .. In Angoniland the gospel is making progress as a leaven, and the comparison of the present time with that of the first visit made to it shows how the leaven is working. Last Sabbath I had the pleasure of baptizing bere (Bandawe) five adults and three children.
Theadults belong to the Yao, Tonga, and NyanJa tribes. We have thus been privileged to receive the first fruits of our work among the Abonja. On the coming Sabbath these five adults will sit down with us a.t the Lord's Table. To God a.lone. be all glory, thanks, and praise."
VI. REINFORCEMENTS.
It is announced that Dr. Crombie's eldest daughter, the only child by his first marriage, has sailed for Africa to strengthen the heroic band of Scot- tish missionaries on the shores of Nyassa. At the late meeting of the Gen- eralAssembly of the Free Church of Scotland it was resolved to nominate Mr. George Steele as an additional medical missionary to Livingstonia. It is anticipated that Mr. Steele on his graduating M. B., C. M., in Glasgow University, will sail in 1890 for the dark regions of East Central Africa.
VII. COMMANDER CAMERON ON CENTRAL AFRICA.
On the 6th of July I was favored with a letter from V. Lovett Cameron, R. N., the distinguished African traveler and author of "Across Africa." The intelligence it conveys will be appreciated by those who know the unquestionable superiority of the British over the Portuguese in whatever pertains to the. advancement of commerce, colonization, and Christianity. Commander Cameron says: " I am in hopes that we shall very soon see a great development of British authority in Central Africa, and that those to whom power will be intrusted will be pledged against slave trade, slavery, and the liquor trade. I am not free at present to say more."
VIII. DEATH OF ARCHDEACON GOoDYEAR OF THE UNIVERSITms' MISSION.
A telegram from Zanzibar states that Archdeacon Goodyear, of the Universities' Mission, died at Magila, of jaundice, June 24. He had been a member of the mission since 1883, and was appointed Archdeacon of Magila by Bishop Smythies at the beginning of the present year. The death of two missionaries in this important district, at such a short interval, calls for immediate reinforcements from home; but an almost greater need to which it points is the presence of a duly qualified doctOl' in that district in succession to Dr. Ley, who was re{lalled to England by his father's decease. Bish.' op Smythies mentions this as "the pressing want just now. Who will come forward to fill this gap foJ;' Christ's sake?"
One of the secretaries of the mission makes a pathetic appeal for medical assistance. "If anyone," he writes, "of our many Christian medical men feels it his duty to offer himself, for the love of the Great Physician, for this work of self-sacrifice, it will be well for him to communicate with the Secretary of the Central African Mission."
It is only a few months since Archdeacons Hodgson and· Farler were obliged to relinquish their part in the work, which they had faithfully served by uniting fervid zeal with conspicuous gifts. Yet another discouraging
GBNDAL MISSIONARY
paragraph must be added touching the mission, with reference to the inde- fatigable and self-forgetful secretary, the Rev. w. H. Penney, with whose labors at the office of the mission in Westminster every visitor is acquainted.
Says the editor of the Universities' organ: "We ~t to announce that Mr. Penney's health has 80 far given way under the colltluued strain of the work in Delahay street that he has received imperative orders !'rom his medical adviser to take. at least, a year's total rest. The prayers of all our friends will follow him for his fnll restoration to health and strength. The ~ommlttee have great pleasure in being able to announce that the Rev. Duncan Travers has undertaken to act as assistant secretary during Hr. Penny's absence. Mr. Travers (twice driven through ill·health from laborlnll' in Zanzibar) Is a relative of Bishop Smithies, and will bring to the post a personal knowledge of the work in Zanzibllr, and the members of the mission, that will prove of the greatest service to hUn In the heavy task he bas so kindly come forward to engage.In."
WE append this additional paragraph from the July number of Region8 Beyond.-EDS. THE STRUGGLE ON LAKE NYASSA.
The miserable Arab campaill'n in defense of slavery is still continuing a.round the shores of Lake Nyassa, and, judging by their conduct, the Portuguese are playing Into the hands of the atrocious slave-traders. Captain Lugard, to whom Mr. Moir, of the African Lakes Company, committed his powers when leaving Nyassa.,.has had the greatest ditllculty in holding his ground against his assailants, severe illness having attacked hIS little troop, and he himself being laid aside from the effect of wounds he had received trom the Arabs. They were obllll'ed for the time to remain on the defensive, instead of taking any further measures to drive away their assailants. Even when the cannon arrived from England they had not strength to work it, especially during the rainy season, in which sickness is exceedingly prevalent. It seems almost impossible for a little band of Europeans to hold out unless they are quickly and etHcientlyreinforced, Yet tbe interests they are protecting are most important, and any loss of prestige on the part of the anti.slavery English colonies of Nyassa land would be a deplorable event. It would immediately enable the Arab slave-traders of the north and of the east of the lake to combine. and put an end to all the important improvements that have been introduced into the country already by the missions and by the Lakes Company.
It seems deplorable that our Government cannot lend a hand of help at this critical time, when the fate of the land of Livingstone is trembling in the ba.lance. Such European governmental interference as does exist is of an adverse character; for Portugal is acting clearly in the interests of the slave- traders. Her words are fair, but her deeds are worse than equivocal. English" consular protection and diplomatic effort" have been liberally promised, but the Englishmen, whose interests and lives are in danger on the spot, receive little or no actual benefit. The English Consul seems to have informed the Arabs at Ka.- ronga that the English Government would take no part in the struggle, and that its ,ubjects on the lake would receive no otHcial help. Captain Lugard writes that hewould rather have had the Arab forces doubled than have had this declaration made by the Consul' It was a withdrawal of the moral support that existed In the very presence of a British Consul on the lake. A" Nyassa Anti-Slaveryand Defense Fund" of £10,000 has been raised by private liberality, to organize an armed force designed to resist tbe Arab attacks against the Scotch settlements on Nyassa. This will, we trust, soon alter the position of affairs on the lake. Finding they are to be resolutely opposed, the Arabs will give in and retire from that district to less protected regions, where they can work their wicke<l. wiles unseen by the white man. 0 for tbe day when Christ shall break in pieces the oppressor, and deliver the needy and" him that hath no helper '"
n.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Heroic Women. Wbile great praise has on an island in Lake Tanganyika. ]Jrs. Hobeen bestowed on certain heroic missiona- lub was with her husband when he was atries and explorers who have braved the tacked by the natives and robbed of everydangers of Africa, little has been said elm- thing, and endured with him the hunger and cerning the women who have endured equal fatigue of which they both well-nigh perhardships amid the Same ho.tile tribes and Ished. Mrs. Pringle traveled in a Canoe Inhospitable climates. Mrs. Livingstone several hundred miles up the Zambesi and laid down ber life while accompanying her Shire rivers to Lake Nyassa. Lady Baker husband on his second great tour in Africa. wa,:; traveling compl!onion to her husband Mrs. H~e made her home for several years when he diSCQverjld .lbert Nyanza. Md 1l0W we are told that tbree ladies will ac· low places, and apinst the inll.1ot1oD.of company Mr. Arnot and his wife as mission· wro~g upon the defenseless? Whoare.tllose aries.to Garenganze, and to accomplish the whose exa.mple of righteonsness and purity iourney they will have to be carried in ham· and gentleness conforms with their OWn mocks for hundreds of miles. Women who spirit, the legislation of governments and accompanied Bishop Taylor have shown a. the sentiments of society? The followers <iegrlle of coura.ge in venturing into the of the ~azarene. • The foolishness of God perils of Africa. which promise well for their is wiser than men, and the weakness of God heroic enterprise. The New York 8un, is stronger than men.' "-Selected. which furnishes most of these facts, says: "White women ha.ve certainly had their -Spurgeon and Revivals. .. Oh for s great full share of the hardships and sufferings of pioneer work in Africa."-Ohri.tia" Advo- and general revival of true religion I Not a cate (New York). burst of mere excitement, but a real awake ing, a work of the Eternal Spirit. This would -Mohammedanism. If it is true that Mo· be a glorious reply to skepticism, and would act hammedanism is again reviving and rapidly like a strong wind in clearing the air, and driv- spreading over the Oriental world. threat· ing away the miasmata which lurk in the stag- ening to dislodge every other form of relig nant atmosphere. Let us pray Cor such a visita· ious faith, it is no cause of alarm and no tion of the Holy Ghost with onr whole sonls. ground for discoura.gement. As a missionary It is not only desirable, it is essential; we mnst religion,resortmg to the sword for the prop, either be revived by the Lord mmseiC, or the agation of its doctrines, its success is not churches will descend until error and nngol!li- surprising; and it may provideutially open ness swallow them up. This calamity shall not the way for Christianity by.the destruction happen. bnt only divine grace can avert it. oHdolatry, which is its chief negative work. Though the most stubborn of all foreil:'n reo "At the same time, we cannot expect a graciouS ligions and the most difficult to subdue. it revival till we are clear of complicity With the may be instrumentally effecting a prepara. deadening influences which are all aronnd ns. tion for the better religion that is not in our A man of God writes U8: 'Yon cannot well calCUlations. Just as the Mohammedan overstate the spiritual death and dearth wblch power in Europe is crnmbling to pieces, and prevail in the provinces. Where the" minister when no Mohammedan peopie, province or is snccessful" no Unitarian wonld be olfended empire is rising into Significant strength, it with the preaching. and where .. not successful,.. is not the time to ima.gine that as a religion we see a miserably superficial handling of the Islamism will check Christianity or drive it Word, without power. Of course there are from the field. The Mussulman himself he- "aluable exceptions. What can be expected as lieves that his religion is doomed, and his to spirituality in the chnrch when deacons are present activity may be but the temporary better acquainted with" Hamlet," and Irving's hrightness of the light that is about ready actlngs, than with the Word of God , And what abont the next age, when the children are to expire.-Methodut Review. treated to pantomimes, and a taste is created -The Cross. .. I was thinking the other for these things f' This brother's lamentation is of a piece with hosts of others which load day whether I could not find out one single onr table. They come from men who are 1!8C. ( :force, acting for the benefit of the human ond to none in spiritual weight. Either these race, that did not come from the cross-that brethren are dreaming, or they are located in had not its origin from the cross. I cannot specially bad places; or else there is gr!evons find one. Who discovered the interior world cause for humiliation. We will not go deep into this qnestion ; it is too painful. The extent ot Africa, and set in motion the intellect of to which sheer frivolity and utterly insane amnse- ment have been carried in connection with that people, snd made them an intelligent some places of worship would almost exceed people? Missionaries. Who has solved the belief. . • • problem of preaching liberty to the women of India Y Missionaries and their wives. U Those who through Divine grace have not Who first brought into modern geography defiled their garmente must not content them- the hidden lands and rivers of China, un- selves with censnring others, but mnst arouse sealed for inspection the scholarship, and themselves to seek a fuller baptism of the op.med for the enrichment of commerce the Spirit of God. Perhaps these evils are per· neatest empire of the East? Missiona.ries. mitted that they may act as a sieve upon the Who first dared the cannibal regions-the cannibal shores of New Zealand and Tonga heap ,gathered on the Lord's threshlng·lIoor. and Fiji-and converted wolves. whose ap- Possibly they are allowed that onr apathetic petites were for blood. into a nation? Mis- churches may be aroused. We know already sionaries. To come nearer home. who are of several cases in which true ministers have those in Europe who a.re now lifting up their gone over the foundation truths again with voices against war, that horrible perVersion their people, and have preached the saving of the intellect, and of the soul of man? Word with clearer emphasis. In other cases Who are devotinJr their means alid inll.uence churches have been summoned to special against vice in the high places, and vice in prayer about this matter. This is a good be-
1889·1
.cinDJng; ·let it be carried out on the widest shows Be had no such dread .." ~he1l11dt1- scale. As one man let us cry mIghtily ·unto the tude; and it would do much to dill&bWle the Lord our God, that He would arise and plead gospel of the halo of sanctimoniouBuseleBII- Bls own eause. Now, il never before. let those ness that so obscures it in our da.y, if we who are loyal to Jesus and His Word be up could onlyrea1ize the clouds of dust and ~he and doing. A. boundless blessing is awaiting for buzz of Oriental chatter that procla.imed the asking. We believe in prayer. Let ua in His day the coming of the Son of Man. pray like EllJahs." To win the million there must be the put· ting forth at every turn of such efforts as Gen. Booth, of the SalvationArmy, writes only sprin&- from the most enthusiastic par- Yigorously in the North American on the tisanship. • • • necessity of enthusiaBm if the world is to be won for Christ. We give an extract: .. We shall yet, by God's help, turn the mil- lions right about ·face. Need I say that I .. The world has become so sadly unaccus- regard what has been called the enthu~iasm tomed to the sight of men leaving all to fol- of humanity as one of the most invariably low Christ, or putting themselves to any distinctive marks of the true follower of serious trouble on His account, that they Jesus Christ 1 When once a man has found are naturally incredulous when they in Him the one grand source of light and meet with anyone who professes to happiness, love to his neiehbor mUlit above . have commenced so extraordinary a Ilfe. all demand supreme effort to lead that Therefore the man who attempts it with a neighbor to Christ; and this principle, in weak and trembling spirit is not likely to view of a world determined to fortret Christ as much as possible, must needs imply a IIfe- persevere. The same man, filled with the long struggle to lead the crowd to the cross• joy of the Lord, and rushing upon the world The masses are ne ver likely to take partic- with the ardor of a. soldier eager for battle, ular interest in a religion whose meeting . will be far more likely to endure the cross, places remain closed most days of the year, despising the shame. How often do we see and most hours of the exceptional days on men a.nd women who have a.11 their lives which they are utilized. Enthusiasm Is been indifferent,or even opposed to religion, necessary to perseverance In hard work. To suddenly reverse their course. declare overcome the disastrous results of so much themselves sorry for the past, a.nd resolve religion without enthusiasm; to drive out to be godly in the future. If we sent such the strange gods that to-day comma.nd the people out with multiplied cautions, with honor and devotion which are due to the one doubtful looks, a.nd exhortations to be very Almighty Saviour, and to disciple all na- ca.reful not to be too loud in their profes- tions for Him, demand an amount of self- sions of devotion to their new Master. in denying and painstaking effort such as en- ninety-nine ca.ses out of a. hundred, if they thusiasts alone can put torth. We have to did not relapse immediately into their tor- turn one of the smallest and most insignif- mer life, they would become timid, re- served, ineflective servants of God. But ot icant of minorities into a majoJ:ity. IIoIId for we welcome them into His kingdom with a shout. We help them to sing as if they such a purpose anything short desperate real1ydid believe In Jesus Christ, and meant activity is absurdly inadequate. In ..n to follow Him. We make them understand age devoted above all to &-ain, I haTe seen that we rely upon their daring to stand up many thousands of men and women give up as public witnesse. for Him the very next ho~e, friends, situations and prospects to become the despised officers of the Salva.- day, and we find the Swede and German tion Army. How is it that, with a.1I the capable of becoming as fiaming zealots in prizes of the world before their eyes, young His ca.use as the Hindu or the Irishman. men can be relied upon a.mid the snows of We are anxious to avoid saying any word Canada., or Sweden, the jungles of India and tha.t may reflect upon any other fol1owers Oeylon, to carry out the same system of of the same King. But do not the sermons daily toil for others, enduring want and and speeches of the leading ministers of suffering only too uncompla.iningly rather most cburches tell us plainly enough that than even trouble with the story of their perplexities the leaders who are supposed. where the motto, expressed or understood. to be so cruel to them 1 I say that such is' No enthusiasm al10wed here,' the whole lives would be impossible but for the re- body sinks to a level of indifference that no production by the Spirit of God in our own person is capable of stirring 1 Enthusiasm day of the very enthusia.sm which brouJrht is valuable in its infiuence uPQn the crowd. the Saviour from His throne to a manger, But, unfortunately, the last thing that a.nd from the Mount of Transllguratlon.to many able teachers of religion desire to see Calvary." is any crowd. 'They have a notion that the excitement of the multitude on the subject Afrlca.-The Society which carries On the of religion must bring with it a profane and most extensive missionary operstions in Africa irreverent result; as though there were is the English Church MissiOnary Society. It dalljtCr of crowding Jesus Christ Himself. The story of His three years' ministry h4!' I4rge llIissions a~ Sl"l'l'a Leone, the Niger Dot a little wheu tb. iliaD-who bad probably never seen me betore-reRlIed: "Pay the lUlU Territory, the YOf'Dba country, and in Eastern tim!) you come along." Missionaries lDO'Y,e Bquatorial Africa, from Mttmbasa to Uganda. about freely In Chinese crowds and they are Soon after the organization of .the society missionaries were sent to West Africa, and when generally treated with respect. The county Sierra Leone became an English colony It was magb!trate at thla Rlace has several times made the Rrincipal field of the 8ocMy's oRera- taken Rains to Indicate hla friendly feeling totions on that coast. Tbe living cargoes of slave ward us. sblRS which English crnisers caRtured were taken to tbls colony, and to tbem the climate I The Rrovlnce Is occnRied by 60 missionaries was not unsuited, but It l!Toved to be so fat~1 to Europeans that the expressive 'title the" White (Including wives) at 17 stations. The English Man's Grave," was givim to the region. Mis- Baptists have 2 stations and 11 missionaries; Sionaries droRRed In the first rank, but others the China Inland Mission has 18 statlol)8 and 40 came forward to take their Riaces and fell In missionaries; the British and Foreign Bible thelrlurn. SOCiety has 1mlLrrled missionary, and theAmer- Ican Board has 2 stations occupied by 7 mission- In a work entitled" The English Chureh in aries. Several of the Shansi missionaries are Other L!>nds," It Is stated, that" In thfl first persons of wealth who have leftall for the ser- twenty years of the existence of the misSion, vice of Christ in this land. 53 missionaries, men and women, died at their Rost;" but these losses seemed to draw out With snch a 8taft' of laborers great resulta ne,,!, zeal, .nd neither then, nor at any subse- may be expected, and the expectation will no quent period, has there been much dlftlculty in doubt be realized In the future. At Rresent, ftlling UR the ranks of the Sierra Leone lItlsslon, however, the main work Is to sow the seed; or of the others established on the same coast. and If this is well done, the reaping time will be The first three blshoRs-Vldal, Weeks and sure to come by and by-when "both he that Bowen-died wlthlu eight years of the creation soweth and be that reaReth may rejOice toof the See, and yet there has been no difficulty In gether."! But the work mast proceed slowly. keeping up the succession. All interested In the conversion of China need to cultivate patience. President Angell well The Rresent results are a SUfficient reward for expressed the situation in his lucid address at all the selt-sacrlficing devotion. There is now the annual meeting of the American Board at at Sierra Leone a self-sustainingand seli-extend- Cleveland Ilist year. I The conversion 01 a Ing African church. The only white clergyman Chinaman is indeed a dlftlcult task, but, thank In the colony is Bisb0R Ingram, the whole ofthe God, it Is not an impossible one. There are Rastoral work beinl( In the hands of native about 300 church members In this Rrovince, and clergymen. Many native missionaries, both the number Is Increasing.! Indivldaal missionclerical and lay, have been furnished 10r the aries have tried t4e "Instantaneous baptism" Niger and Yoruba missions. A recent Rubllca- plan of mal!:ing cOllverts, but this short and tion ot the Church Missionary Society says: easy method of filling a Christian church with "Tbe society's work In West Africa is now rep- baptized heathen has been found to be altoresented by 25,000 adherents, under seven Euro- gether unsatisfactory, and it Is now wisely l!8an miSSionaries, 40 native clergymen (one of abandoned; and the more advlsahle mode of whom Is an honored bishop ofmany years' stand' )laving a Rrevloas Rrobatlon Is the general Ing), 9,000 communicants, 7,000 scholars in 110 practlce.-R61). J. B. Tkomp'on, Mi88ionaf'1/ schools and seminaries, and by ],228 baptisms In the las~ year."-Oanadian Church Maga- qf tlu Americar> Board-/ trine. Cermany.-A striking illustration ot the reflex Infiuence of missions is seen in the Ch I n a.-Mission Work in Shanal. Prob- case of the Hermannsburg Parish, Germany. In 80 years from the time the Reople began their 'ably nO part of China Is more accessible to the foreign mission enterprise this church had gOSl!81 messenger than the Province of Shansi. about 150 miSSionaries and more than 200 native Here tbe door is wide open and the peoRle are helRers ,In their missions, with 8,920 commuulquite friendly.! It may be that when converts cants. During the first 17 yeara ot this time the become numerous persecutions will arise, oc- home church received 10,000 members. Tbe recaSioned by the temRie taxes falling more ftex Infiuence of the foreign and domestic work heavUy upon those who shall continue to ad- Is recognized by aU. Tbe dome of the Pantheon here to heathenism; but until then tbere Is at Rome suggests to BrnnneJ1eschl of Florence nothing to be feared. At present the mission- to build the magnlftcent dome tbat for these 500 ary Is tree to travel anywhere over the years has crowned the historic church 01 that Rrovlnce. At some places he Is even wel- city; Rome gets back her Ray through lfichael comed by many of the ReoRie, and everywhere Angelo, who, equally !it home In Florence and he Is regarded as a man of honor. Recently at In Rome, building St. Peter's Chllrch In the 1sta strange city I went into a restaurant tor my ter city, taking the hint from Florence, crowns dinner. After dinner I sai. to the RroRrletor, that marvel of architecture with the noblest .. . , money is at the Inn. Send a man with me dome in all the world. The high-domed edlftce an~ I will RBY him there," this being a common of Christianity we erect In this land shall set practice among the Ohinese. It surprised me the pattern tor yet nobler edlftces that are to
1_1 GJtNEJiAL IllSSIONA..RY INTELLIGJl:NOE
on eta.itd the ~t heights of foreign llinds; th&! the frnits ot IdS JiMra WUI be care1uD7 preserved.-Dr. (};J)rge BmifJl, in JItrPe ckurcA where the;, in turn, incorpOrating such b~auty and glory 80S the.£onlus of other peoples shall. in- qfScotland Montltlg. .dieate In the edifices the; rllar, shall make the -Mr. Caine's letters on mission!! III II'ldla. helpftil B~llst1on to America herself In turn, to contain 80 most mischievous 8uggestlon btilld ail the tillghtier and nobler structure for that our missiona.ries should imitate the methods ot the Salvation Army by living the King oC kings. like fakirs. Such 80 8uggestion is just the Indla.-The Lateat Hero MIssionary. In one that is likeliest to captivate the popu- lar fancy at home. and lead unthinking William Himdei'llon Stevel1son the Church of people to think that the existing system is • Christ has lost another of those beroic martyr- extravagant. On this point Dr Conders of Leeds says, .. Granting that 80 Hindu can' misslotlllries who have not been wanting to the understand, as Mr. Caine contends, a relill'- Free Church of Scotland. Under circum@tances ious teacher who is an ascetic after the almost precisely simUar to those In which Adam model of their own fakirs and holy men, is White laid down his liCe at an early age, when it our business to adapt Chrilltianity to his tending the Hindu people in the Western India prejudices,or to lift him outof his heathen- town of Pandharpoor, during an epidemic at- ish narrowness into the light of a religion tack of cholera, WUllam H. Stevenson has died meant not for fakirs. monks, and nuns, but for the Santals oC Eastern India, to wbom he had for mankind-fathers and mothers, hus- given 12 years of a most fruitful missionary bands and wives, brothers and sisters 1 life. So, too, Stephen Hislop was suddenly cut Why begin by presenting 80 false ideal of 011", but by drowning, near ltagpoor, in Central ChristIanity, even if It be to him more ac- India. While In the vigor ot his best days, after ceptable than the Christianity ot Christ 20 year~' service to 1tIarathas and Gonds. So and His apostles? .. David 1l:wart, D.D., fell a victim to cholera in CalCUtta. but In the ripeness of his career, the After years of observation, Sir William second of Dr. Dn1rs eatly.colleagues. We are Hunter says, .. You may pass 80 whole life &tll1lamenting for Ion Keith-Falconer and Cor in contact with the mIssionaries who are our Central African saints. Letters from the doing the actual toll, without having to Rev.WlI1iam Milne of Calcutta, the Rev. Andrew listen to a single insincerity. The results Campbell of our Santal MiSSion, the Rev. John of their labor need neither over-statement Hector. and Dr. Walter Saise, a devoted friend nor concealment. I believe that those re- oC the mission (ot tbe :tast India Railway Coal sults justify the expenditure of money and Company), tells tbe story ofWlJIiam H. Steven- the devotion of the many lives by which son's last days. Leading articles and sketches they are obtained. And I am convinced jn the Englishman and the Indian Witness that if Englishmen at home knew the mis- bewail the loss suffered not only by the cburch sionaries simply as they are, there would but by the government of Bengal and Santal be less doubt as to the merit of their people, of whom 800.000 are intrusted to our claims, and 80S to the gtlnuine character of spiritual care. HIs work lay In a qtilet, secluded their work." district, and was of .Itself of a nature little likely to attract public attention. But among Scotland.-New departure In mIssions. tllose who were lIrivileged to know the miln, -The Ayrshire Christian Union, which and to observe the infiuence he dllfnsed alike has been in existence for 12 years, ha.s among Europeans and natives, it was com- associations in over fifty towns and vil- iliOnty recognized that he was one in whom the la.ges and projects a. .. New departure in miSSionary light burned brightly, and who Missions." It is proposed to send out to among an aborigiual people raised the estima- Southern Morocco, 80 va.st and virtually tion in which his couutrymen are held. Modest u'ltouched field of missionary labor, young In manner and thought, Inspired by a lofty ideal men full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and (ree from the slightest tincture of cant, Mr. who have proven their fitness for work Stevenson had indeed achieved much of that abroad by faithful and successful work at work of .. conciliation and concord" which Is home, and have the overwhelming conyie- so large a part of the national task assigned to tion that they are called of God to this the missionary in this conntry. Mr. Stevenson work, and will go forth prepared to suffer was enga~ed for some years as Government 111- hardship and persecution, and. if need be, spector of Schools In Santalia, and no better to lay down their lives for His name's sa.ke. olllcer cOUld have been desirM. as a visit to his Approved candidates will be supported at own school at Glridlb wotild attest. HaVing de- the Mission House at Mogador, while a.c- , voted himself to an exact study of the Santali quiring the language and otherwise prepar- language, he was at home among the people, and ing for the work. When deemed ready for might Cairly be considered a valuable link be- active duty they will be sent forth, two and tween these primitive simple-minded people of two together. without salal·y,a.nd without ours and the Sirka,. (state), of which they stand in no Uttle dread. We believe that' for some any provision for their journey, having to ~6 past ·tl1e deceased had been at work upon depend upon God alone for g-uidance, pro- a Santall dictionary, and it it; to be hoped tection, and the supply of all their needS. Na.;tlve COIItume will be adopted and native being diverted and distributed ~ .. $0 food ueed. £00 per annum will suffice for form a system of irrigation for the differeat the support'of each mis"ionary while un- crops-Mr. Buohana.n'. plantation is a pledergoing his preliminary training. ture of beauty and prosperity, and offers -The MancMster Guareian publishes a every prospect of health and permanence.
letter from Bisbop Smythies which gives But aU these settlements must depend very interesting information respecting the much for their welfare on their waterway Church of Scotland missioDs near Lake to the coast-the rivers Shire and Zambezi.
Nyassa. The Bishop urges the British na- They were established under the belief that tion to maintain open communication With this waterway would be always open to them both ends of La.ke Nya.ssa, now serio'lsly without interference. It would be very threatenE'd at the north by the Arabs, and disastrous if they felt that they were ell- at the South by the arrogant claims of tirely at the mercy of what the Portuguese the Portuguese to levy customs. now that on the coast might at any time choose to British enterprise has made this an object. do. Those who live there have good reason rhe Bishop says: .. The one outlet for the to watch jealously any encroachment on waters of Lake Nyassa is the river Shire, liberties hitherto enjoyed and supposed to which llows into the Zambesi. Except for he guaranteed, and there is no doubt that a a short distance in oue part. this river is Iittle firmness on the part of the English naviga.ble throughout its course. • Government is all that is wanted for their About halfwa.y between Katungftg and Ma- adequate protection. The difficulties of tope is the African Lakes Company's store establishing missions in the region of Ny- and settlement at Mandala. and a little assa are sufficiently &Teat without any ob- more than a mile from it the 1I0urishing stacles being put in their way by a Euro- mission viIlage of Blantyre of the Estab- pean power.
lished Church of Scotland. It is wonderful United States.-u Father" Hecker, to see this village. with its gardens, schools, a Romish priest, who died in New York and houses, in the midst of Africa. The lately, and whose fnneral was attsndad by writer has twice witbin the last three years, a number of the chief dignitaries of the when visiting Nyassa, experienced the gen- church, was nearly seventy years of age- erOUR hospitality of Mandala and Blantyre. In his early years he wa.s a. dweller at Brook and so can speak from his own personal ob- • Farm in Massachusetts, where that" Tran- serTatlOn. Being sitna.ted on such high scendel1ta.lism." which Emerson called an ground. the climate is much more favorable .. excess of fa.ith," was professed. He was to Europeans than is tbe case in most other in preparation for the ministry of the Epis- mission stations in that region. It Is copal Church, when a strong Puseyistic easier, also, for the same region to grow drift bore him into the Roman Catholic fruits and vegetables imported from communion, in 1845. He went to Europe Europe. It is difficult to overestimate and obtained from Pius IX. liberty to estab- the effect of such a settlement as a lish a new order of American priests to be civilizing ag'ency in the country. Mr. called the Congregation of St. Pa.ul, of Hetherwick, who was in charge of the sta- whom he beca.me the head, and wh«*J tion for some time in Mr. Scott's absence, members went everywhere, preaching Rom- has mastered the language of the great Yao ish doctrine. Ueanwhile, his brothers es- tribe, and has lately published a translation tablished the tlourishing .. Hecker FlouriDg of 81. Matthew's Gospel, which shows a won- Mills" of New York City.
derful grasp of the genius of the Ia.nguage. -The Only Regenerative Force. God Mr. Hetherwick has now returned to his never repairs. Christ never patches. The misaion station, some fifty miles to the ,,"osp..l is not here to mend people. Re- northeast, nnder Mount Zomba. Mr. Scott generation is not a. scheme of moral tinker- is said to ba equaUy a master of Chinyanja, ing and ethical cobbling. What God doea, the language of the Nyassa tribes. The He does new; new heavens, new ea.rth, neW English Government have recognized the body, new heart-" Behold I make all things important inftuence these settlements are new." In the gospel thus we move into a likely to haVE> by appointing a consul to new world and under a. neW scheme. Tbe Nyassa, who bas lately built. a house olose creative days are back again. We step out to the llourishing coffee and sugar 'planta.- of a regime of jails. hospitals, and reform tions of Mr. Buchanan, under Mount ZODlba, shops. We Iret live effectsdirectfrom God.
'a some forty miles from Blantyre, and near That is the gospel. The gospel is a perma- Lake Kllwa, or Shirwa. Mr. Buchanan Is nent miracle. God at ftrst hand-that also … good Yao scholar, and takes care to miracle. The gospel thus does not classify teach the people, who come to him in con- with other schemes of amelioration. They siderable numbers for employment. Sit- are good, but this is not simply hetter, but UJl;ted high up on the slopes oOlount Zomba, diJl'erent, distinct, and better bella_ dis- which rises precipitously above it-the tinct; ·it· works in a new way, and works strealD& which rush down from its summit aBotherwork. Compare tile wronght1lha.inll
MISSIONARY COBBBSPONDENCE FROM ALL
rh'eted on the demoniac, and the divine ea.me leTel of indltlerence. There ill onlj word working a new creation in the demon- one true, saving, transforming reItgt~; Iac. It is all there. It is like theditlerence All others are false and valueleaa. That between the impotent Persians lashing the one divinely revealed ·religion haa given turbulent sea with chains, and the gracious birth and form to American institutions. Lord saying to the tronbled sea, .. Peace, be It Is their life blood still. To ignore or to stm." That is undeniable truth. And deny this relation Is natlona.! sUicide. The that Is the reason why civil gOTernment need of the hour, the indispensable safewhich has to deal with vice and crime can- guard against some of our sorest perils, Is not Ignore or be Indifferent to the only re- the frank and intelligent avowal and care" generative force in human life. And as ful maintenance of our national Christian- – – – – – – – – between religions, it cannot hold all on the Ity.-O. H. Parklivr", D.D.
I1I.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
Ohina. famine has caused. Vast sums of money Letter from Rev. H. Corbett. have come from England, America., and else.
CUElI'OO, MAY 16, 1889. where, and thousands of lives have been My DEAR BROTBIliR: To-day'smail brought your welcome letter of April5th, with checka saved. Surely God will use this in opening and letters inclosed. AU were read with thrilling Interest, and my heart was deeply the hearts of men to receive the truth/ stirred by the assurance of your constant prayers, and your constantly increasing in- In two weeks our new theological class terest, a.nd great and selt-denying liberality in reference to the missionary work her•. will assemble here for a term of st.udy. One Also tha.t God is rai.ing up other liberal and praying friends to share in the same young man who is to join it is ~ 811·Who, blessed work. On my late journey, baptized the first one of our school boys. He has gra.duated woman received in a new district. Her husband, a military man, when in camp, many from the college at Tun:rchow, and subsedays' journey from his home, heard the truth and was subsequently baptized. He quently taught school two years (or our is a rather weak Christian, but two of his children, through his testimony, became mission at Chenanfoo, the capital of this earnest Christians. One of them, a young man of much promi~e, he brought to the province, and has this year been out preachcollege at Tungchow. Soon after, when home during vacation, he was taken snd- ing in a district 100 miles south of this. He denly ill and died. During the last night of hlsHf. his mother was watching with him. gives promise of being a very able and ef- Baing In great pain, he pleaded with his mother to kneel by his side and pray for IIcient preacher. He has a wife and two him. She had never learned to pray, but she knelt and he taught her what to say. children, and will require at least $&>a year His (aithful and clear testimony and trust in his Saviour made such an impression on to support him in three months' study and his mother that she has been daily praying ever .since and has been received into the three months' preaching alternately. church. Two days ago word came (rom a district. I have sent for two other men, Fan Yinn three days' journey to the southeast of a number of Inquirers, and among them some Fa, 40 years old, a.nd Kao Yoong Tih, 42 years, women who greatly desire to have us send a. Bible-woman there to teach them. Every- to come and study with a view of being lay where on my late journey I found people ready to listen with an intentness I have preachers. They have both been in my trainnot before met. The famine and the high price of grain outside of what is known as ing class two years and are g;fted and the famine district have sobered the people and caused them to think as never before. earnest men. I trust God will use them in Surely God has rich blessings in store for 1'.1;1.1.~le following the terrible distreSB the doing a great work in China. Fi.Jtu dollar.
per year for each will, for the present, en- able them to give their time to preaching.
Who will provide for these men r Pray for them a.nd for us all. H. COBB.TT.
[We append the following state- ment from Rev. S. T. Davis, Princi- pal of the Christian Mission Institu- tion at Denver, Colorado, to whom the above letter was written.-EDS.] The Christian Mission Institution sup- ports 14 of these preachers. It depends on means sent in answer to prayer (John xv.: 7, 16) without soliciting money from any one. Alter prayer, and a 10DJr-time desire 110 send out 70 of these native preachers, I add these three names to the list, making In all 17, trusting God will hear prayer for their support. A report of the work will be sent to anyone. Dr. ABa. Mahan died praying tOGod to sead out lO,oooforeil11 mi8- sionaries. But what are the present 80000 missionaries among so many heathear Two things are sure, if the church rises to her privUeges: First, the gospel can be know. (What marvelous changes have come preaohed to "every creature" thisoontuf'1/. Second, this ca.n be done by .. foreign mis- about since then I There ts now quite airinan 8101l&rie8" ra.isin~ ut> a.nd training NATIVE ~" (1 Cor. xli.: 28-31). And thou- arlllY of Australian missionaries beSides Our BaUaD ofOlJristians can have 0. native preac/l- 0'ItD baM.) In 1884 the health of one of our er"s .. ~ub[;;ltute a.t only S50 per year. ladles broke down, Slid in greatsorrow of mind "1.01"(;, :ncre[,~e our faith," and help us to and disapoointment she was forced to return to Australia. But oot of that ruin God raised Ii a.nswer ou:;, own prayer, "Thy kingdom glorions monument of His power, for during the fifteen months the doctors detained her in the cOme." Southern HemISphere she was able to traverse the colonies of South Australia. Vict.oria, New India. Sooth Wales, Queensland, TaSmania, and New WE are sure our readers will peruse Zealand, and to plead for the heathen in nearly every Baptist church, and also In others. The tlie following letter with deep inter- ignorance on missionary topics was most appallest. ing, but the people had warm hearts, and it only wanted inrormation and organization to start a COHILLA, EASTERN BENGAL, Hay 30,1889. grand work for Christ in Eastern Bengal. In DEAR EDITOBS : Several. weeks ago, nn read- about ten months, societies were furmed in each ingthe January number of the MISSIONABY RE- of the colonies, and districts have since been VIEW, kindly lent to me by a friend, I was seized aJ.Iotted to them. Each society works independ- )Vlth a desire to help you, if ever so little, in the ently, except Tasmania, which has become an sustaining of such a splendid magazine but auxiliary to South Australia. In 1885 oor sisbeing" only a poor missionary," and having a ter returned to India with four new workers very heavy strain upon me while endeavoring to and additions have come every year nntil at gut a ztnana mission house erected here, mone- the present time our united staff numbers 13 tary help was out of the question, and 80 I thought a few Cacts might be oCuse to you. zenana missionaries and one man, bnt two ot Judging from various missionary publications olthe present day, Australia and New Zealand our ladies, who came ont in 1887, have gone are still regarded as fields for missions from the home luvalided. one bei~g certain not to return. older countries, but this idea the Australians Most of the missionaries have lived at Forreedresent, and in fact sustain missions to the abor- pore dorlng the tlrst year, as the first house was built there, but now we are getting houses elseiNgeinwesGoufmtheeai,rIonwdina,caonlodnbieess,itdoesthceonStoriubtuhtSinegast~ where our agents will procoed direct to their own stations as they can be accommodated. English and Scotch missions already established in other countries, and a good number of Aus- The stations at present occupied are: tralians have gone as missionaries to Africa Il'urreedpore, by South Australia (1384). India, Ohlna, New Guinea, South Sea Islands' Mymensingh, by Victoria (1384). etc. To speak more particularly of what I kno'; Oomilla, by New South Wal.es (1885). pel'Ponally: As early as 1864, a missionary from (Zipperah.) India, Rev. J. C. Page, of the English B. M. S. Narayangunge, by New Zealand (1388). visited the colonies of South Australia. VictOria Pulna, by S. Australia (man). and :New South Wal.es, and was Instrumental in Noakhali, by Queensland (1889).) arousing a good deal of missionary enthusiasm In Oomllla and Mymensingh the English B. amongst the Baptist churches of those colonies_ H. S. had missiouaries for three or four years, In South Atlstralia he found a small missionary but have gladly made all the work over to the organization (Baptist) which was looking about Australian brethren. The other stations have for a field of labor, and he induced them to un- never been occnpied by anyone, except that the dertake to sustain work In the district ot Fur- Romau Catholics are in Noakball. There Is a reedpore, E. B. Victoria was also persuaded to strong family feeling amongst us on the field undertake to support native preachers in the and we work and (eel as one, going to each district of Mymenslngh, but no separate mis- other's assistance when nec~ssary, and once a sionary SOCiety was then formed in that colony. year we have a family gathering at one or other and perhaps for this reason the work did not of our stations-generally about Christmas advance very much for some years. In N. S. time. W. no organlziug was done, and so the atrair The workers now on the field are: soon died down. The work of Sooth Australia contitmed In Furreedpore, and the number of Hiss Gilbert, 1882. ) Agents Cor preabhers was gradually increased, un~lln IIj8(). Miss Papptu, 1881i. South Australia. when line of them, who was a ()')nvert of the 1I11ss Pearce, 1888. minion, visited South At:3tralia, there were five Hiss Parsons, 1888. Be1Igall men employed.. Mr. Summers,1887.
In 1ffi2 Miss Gllbert and I were sent out to Hiss Fuller. 1885. A,j{ents for COJIIDUl1ce zenaua work, being the first mie- Miss Wilkins, 1885. Victoria lIiollal1. sent out t'ld sostained by aD Indepen- Miss 0lelland, 1887. (now In Austra- MiSs Seymour,l388. } 1f8). dellt Anetrallan Mlaflloilll17,8ociet,. 80 far 88 we 'Miss Denness, 1887. ~ ~t8.rorN. S. W. Hiss Arnold, 1882. (muel'en'ed froau S. A..l88'l). MIss MaeGeorge, 10.0.0.•..} NeAwgeZnetaslfaonrd whlle learning the vernacular. After two Kis8 Newcombe, 1887. (now in Australia) years' waltlng, praying, and depending on the Miss Plested, 1885, agent (or Queensland. Lord, we now have a healthy site secured to We have great reason to thank God for these our society. and a suhstantlal house in course workers, as they are all true mlssional'ies, and of construction. The Lord has moved the seem to be especially fitted to adapt themselves heart of one triend in Australia to give us sulllto clrcumstsnces, and to put up with inconven- cient money to construct the lower story, which eDCleS such as·would seem hardships to people will only accommodate two ladles, and we are who have been delicately reared It! the old coun- expecting large reinforcements next November try. Our work Is purely evangelistic, and a little and the following one~ So we are beseeching medical (which work so greatly wins the hearts the Lord to seud UB enough money to construct olthe people), and we have never taken anything an upper 1I00r (or sleeping rooms. In tbis but the plain gospel, backed by practleal sym- damp, swampy conntry Europeans havea,much pathy In Sickness, into the zenanas. We are better chance of keeping well when sleePlDg on often asked to teach fancy work, English, etc., an upper /loor, especially newcomers. So while but always reply we have not the time. Yet we Ceellng very averse to have any lUxuries, we do are nearly always kindly received, and our mes- feel we must tbrow onrselves on the Lord for sage is heard with varying degrees of attention. this second story. You can have little Idea Many of our dear women in each station (except what building a house in this place means.
the two last new ones) give us ample reasou to Only God knows the well-nigh Insurmountable believe tliey have really accepted Jesus as their dlJllculties, the delays, disappointments, }Vor- SaviOUr, and we know what It is to rejOice OVer ries, responsibilities and fears. Then there Is as distinct eases of conversion as you have at the anxiety about funds, and the work of home, but these would not satisfy Mr. Caine and aronsing people at home to give when they his friends, since the names are never tabulated think they are already doing their utmost. But on earth. When we look back and think how we one by one the obstacles have been overcome.
were received when tlrst coming to this station, God has never forsaken us, though He has often and how it Is now, we wonder if we are in the tried our faith, and we have sometimes to feel 18me country. as though our hearts would burst with gratl- In spite of all the severe criticism of missions tnde to Him. It will be eighteen months before now going on"':"which cannotbut hurt our feellugs this building work Is finished. May God move verymnch, not that we fearinvestlgatlon,but peo- His people to hold up our hands, and to push ple mlsunderstaud and misrepresent us so. whl~e this good work on to completion.
they know literally nothing of our work,-lD There Is much more I would like to write, spite of all this, I say, we were never so sure but my letter has already grown too long. If that the work Is progreSsing, and the mIssion- you want more Australian news Rev. S. Mead, aries I know could not leave the work even if Flinders street, Adelaide, South Australia, the friends at home were to withdraw all sup- would be the man to give It, as he Is the port. God grant they may not so sin against. .. father of Australian Baptist Missions," aud their own .ouls, but even If they do, we m'U4t has been used of God to set the whole thing go on, and God will provide. When hee the va- gOing.
rions criticisms in print It alwaY8 seems to me I cannot help mentioning that the elder the writers cannot have seen or heard ot our school.boys, who are fast being turned Into in- Australlan'misslonarles and work. I don't be- fidels by the present-day education, COlDe to lieve what they say of any missionaries is true, our mission houses In considerable numbers to but I'm sure and know.it Is utterly false of the read the Bible dUring hours In which we are at Australians. liberty trom our zenana work, and good is .Time (alls to ten yoU of the'great trials we being done amongst them. Please pray for have had lately, in common with many of God's these youths who are just at the most critical . people. Here in Comllla we have been dragged period of their lives, and over whom we through the criminal court over a bUilding site, may gain a holy InIluence. .apologizing for but the Lord put onr enemies to ('onIusion. troubling you with so many dry details, an~ We have been burnt out of onr home, there hav- praying that God may greatly prosper To ing been five attempts at fire In two and a half RS"IBW, .months. Three times the house roof was found I remain yours falthCully, in a hlaze, but God graciously .tsyed the lIames Eu.SN AlNOLD. before we suffered much. Once all our out- P. S.-The miSSion houses belonging to our houses went, and In a most miraculous way societies are as Collows: the /Ire suddenly stopped before it reached the dwelling-house, and once our chapel was just ·Fnrreedpore, constructed 1st part, 1883; Sd saved. During our two years In Comilla we part, 1885. Oost £1.350. have moved trom house to house and sadly need a /lxed residence where we may live and Mymensingh, constructed 1886, £750. properly organize our work, as well a8 to have a place where our new agents may remain Oomilla, commenced last April.
'IN l'lIB JUNGLE, NORl'1I 01' ELLICIIPOOR, December 24, 1888. DJIWt DR. PIZlISOlI'.-Your editorial note in answer to Prof. Drummond's suggestion· at material and commercial prosperity. r.at the London Conference-" that it is not right to go on sending missionaries into Africa. in year in the Madras Mail appeared the· folplace of. what seems a providential barrier against a European missionary living there lowing table: '- at all," etc.-was deserved. The remarks of Prof. D. were unworthy of him, whether as Percentage of increase of foreign tralle in a Christian or a scientist. Dr. Livingstone knew Cantral Africa better than any other 1884 as compared with 1878: man, and it was his decided conviction that England •••••…..•••••••. :••••••• 0.8 the highlands of Central Africa would be Ita.ly. . . . . •••• . ••. •. .• ••• ……… 3.14, found comparatively healthy for Europeans 'Frauce….. ……………. ••••• '1.1f1 and others. Mr. Stanley-no mean judge, gives as his opinion that they will be found 21.' Germany …………………… '1.89 as healthful as India. It is Satan's device to make Chdst's servants ia Christian lands United States•.••••…••.•••••.• believe that the climate in heathen lands is India•..••.••••••.•••••••.•••••••• 59.49 much worse than it is. I have spent here upward of 12 years preaching, principally The increase of trade in this decade is to the hill tribes in Western-Central India. thus shown to have been a.bout three timea I have found the reports of the terrible unhealthiness of the country incorrect. The as great in India &8 in the United States, health of myself, wife and family has been and almost 100 times as great as in England. as good on the whole here as in ~ew York and Maryland. In 1883 we came 30 miles The export of some articles has increased, away from the nearest civil station to Bhairdahi, a small town of nearly 3,000. Here we as shown below: built a aouse, 24 feet by 60 feet, having a 1875. 18M. Increaae. chimney and two fireplaces, costing about Indigo ••••••• $12,881,510 823,2tW.1l5II 810,323,«5 Rice …..•.. 23,826,670 41;816,(00 17,989.730 $200, and planted a small garden. We had Whea.t ••. .•• 2,457,21» ",479,0.16 42,re1.8OO no good acco'lnt of the place from the Eng- Other gra.in. 1,156,920 1,822,455 665.1135 lish officers of the district. We found tbat Gums.. .. . •• • 895,075 1,986,005 1,090,930 thermometrically Central India differs little Hides& skins 13,386,835 23,333,940 9,945,105 from Southern California, the extremes run_ Horns… …• 895,060 782,790 887,730 ning from 51 degrees to 102 degrees here JLuatce…..•.•.•.•…..•. 16,234"nO 22,963,175 6.782,765 and the same year. in Los Angeles, from 52 1,270,055 2,776,800 1,506,745 degrees to 102 degrees, Fahrenheit, a differ- Oils. . . ••• •. •• 1,771,295 2,602,3'10 881,075 ence of but one degree I Seed……… 16,179,750 61,472.300 35,292,550 Spices……. 1187,455 2,004,650 1,015,196 PLys,cians In Italy, etc., believe malMia Sugar.. . ••. .• 1,971,920 5,898,600 3,926,680 to consist of a fungus fioating in air and Tea………. 9,817,750 20.671,105 10,8113,355 soaking in the water, and likely to enter the Oth'rarti'I's 6,290,410 10.714,605 4,424,195 system in much larger quantities through the water drunk than through the air $109,526,370 $256,529,205$147,002,835 breathed. Hence, in malarious districts all drinkinll" water should be boiled and then !'here has been an enormous increase of filtered. In India 11lters are often made as nem-Iy $150,000,000 in the exports of India In nine follows: Three earthen pots. made in the years I Oriental fashion, each containing about four gallons, are placed on a wooden frame, What has cansed this material and commer- one above the other. The upper one is about cial prosperity? Some ssy It is the result of lIalf filled with charcoal (animal charcoal is the beneficent rule of the British Government. the best), broken into pieces about the size But while India owes much to British rule, yet of small peas, or finer; in the second vessel a government which has in India monopolized two or three quarts of clean, fine sand; in the cultnre and· trade of opium, and forced the the bottom of both vessels a small hole is punctured and a short straw placed in the body and soul-destroying drug on the Chinese hole; in the lowest vessel is held the 11ltered at the cannon's mouth, to add £7,000,000 to its water. These ungla:r.ed vessels cost about revenne, cannot lay claim to any great moral ac- two cents each. Elevated locations Ilore complishments. deemed safest for residences, swept by the winds on all Sides. Low, deep ravines should Whether the story of Qneen Victoris and the be avoided, except toward the close of the African prince be fact or fiction, an .. open Bi- dry season, during the hottest months, when they may be visited with comparative ble " in nearly all the languages of India's 260,- impunity, if pure drinking water is secured. 000,000 is the secret of Indis's developing pow- er, whether commercial or otherwise. Zlegen- India. is making extraordinary strides in baIg, soon after landing on the Trsnquebar coast in 1703, began his Tamil New Testament, and the work has been going on ever since.
How mnch India owes to translators like Carey and Henry Martyn, only the last day WIll revesl. From Ziegenbalg's arrival,ln 1703, about 1,800 Protetltantmis.ionarie8, according to Bad- ley. have come to India. Some of the most glited servants of Christ have here labored long with martyr devotion. No other heathen country ean show such a long list of missionaries, with liebwartz, Carey, Henry Martyn, J ndson, etc. Why, then, someask,have there not been more conversions in Indis' When New Orleans was buut, they had to pnt three spiles down, in 80me places, one upon the other, to get a foundation. Thishashadto be done, morally and spiritually,in India. But the day of results hall come among We population, which lucludes one-sixth of the till the bour of our writing this letter of 118_ Inhlbltants of the globe. India now needs diction. Again we pray to the Almighty, tile Christians endued with power from on high, to Ruler of rulers, that He may be your help; tllat go everywhere preaching the Word. Let those He may not forsake you, but grant unto yOU who cannot come to India at least give liberal- perfect joy, and the light of Bis countenance ly and pray earnestly for those working the field before His awful and highly exalted throne: and for the native Christians. thus thrO'Ugl/, the wayer8 of Mary wM gBU birth to God, and of those who have been dear Yours in Ohrlst, to God and done His will, the prophets and apostles, martyrs, and the righteous. Amen. ALBERT NORTON. Now, 8S regards our present work we declare to your unfeigned love that It has properly Valuable contribution from R~v. terminated by the grace of God, and the Rajab S. Mateer, Travancore: has given us permission to go about visiting the churehes of our people aceordlng to the Spirit, 7he S1/rlan Ohri,tiafIB.-Of the ancient. and the Rajah has also given written orders to Christians so-called there are several dis- all the omcers of his heathen government whleh tinct sections such as theChaldeans (under shines in God, requiring them to listen to all the Pope),the Nestorians. the Jacobites, and our matters, and be subservient to us and to do 'the Syrian Christians of Malabar. Some of honor to us with due respeet. If the Lord now this name visit England occasionally to grant us life we start on the third day after make appeals for aid to establish schools writing this letter of benedietlon, and will come amoll&'st their people and teach Bible truth. to you if the Lord will, and we hive, therefore, . It is important, however, to inquire whether sent beforehand Kojab Curien, onr beloved and such schools will not teach the superstitions spiritual son, that hl' may come to you and that of Marlolatry, pra.yer to sa.ints, prayers for you might make the college ready for us, nrepar- the dead, and such like. For instance, when log and adorning it suitably before our arrival_ the Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch (who You should all love one another and present claims jurisdiction over the Malabar yourselves to us on our arrival, clothed In white Church) visited England about 1874, he was dresses aceording to the Spirit, !lnd we shall re- received by many as evangelical and was joice and feel satisfied by your comely and largely helped, but shortly afterward he agreeable appearance. Again we pray to the came to Malabar and set himself by all Lord God who blesses, and is the Lord over means available to crush those of the ali, beseeching Him of His goodness to watch Syrian Church there who sought reform over you with His merciful eyes, to be united from the ancient superstlti('ns of Antioch. to you and your sons, and to open before yonr His address to the Syrians in Travancore, faces the door of His blessings and the treasury carefully translated from the Malayalane, of His grace, this through the prayar 'of Marll we give to show his real sentiments. '111M gave birth to God, and oll'ers prayer un- ceasingly, and does not put to shame those who .. In the Holy Name of the Eternal Essence who Is the Infinite fullness, the Lord of All, to pray to her. She will strengthen you. 8M whom belong praises, Peter the Third, Ignatlns, Patriarch of the Apostolic throne at Antioch will heal your slek ones. She will drive away who his authority over the Syrian nation and the oceurrences that pollute you. She will all the East. May the Divine goodness and sanetify your souls. 8M will eleanse your eon- heavenly blessing come and dwell on the heads science. She will restrain your passion.. She of our spiritual children, the priests and will loose from you the bonds whicb aftUct deacons, the chiefs, the church wlIrdens, and all our people residing in the blessed land of Cot- your minds. She will make your path straight. tayam, believers who hear and obey the voiee of She will confirm your footsteps. She.will their Shepherd, and are built on the rock of at01Ul for yoor otrensu. She will blot out your faith of the three unchangeable Synods. May errors. She will gird up your loins. She will the blessing ofGod rest on you and your houses, help you. She will uphold your aged. She your ehlldren and s11 you have, by the prayer of will sereen your virtuous women. She will Ma,." who gaf!e birth to God, and of all the support your children, your chaste females, and Saints. Amen. Tbe blessing andpeaee we have babes. She will bring baekln peaee andgentla- now twice Invoked for you we again give you, ness such as walk In strange and grievous paths. while our weakness and infirmity InqUire of 8he will eomfort the souls of your deceased be- your state and health. We pray to the Lord lievers who have confessed her only begotten God who blesses that ye may always have satis- Son. She wfll remove and cast away from you faction In the sonI and health in the body, aod the wickedness of the wicked, and all evll-dla- that ye may bave joy by the streogth of the posed men like the noted Belial. and the Re- Lord who gladdens everyone, and that ye may forming Metran. She will protect yon rejOice In the Salvation of God, tbe Higb One, from the hands of unmerclfnl rulers. She your Saviour, that He may grant you long life will guard all the offspring of the Holy and years of plenty. Bnt If you Inquire of our health, we oft'er unto God the sacrifiee of grate- Church who rely on Her spotlessness and Cui voices thlt we are well by the grace of God take refup:e In Her that She might be to you a covert and hiding place to shelter )'ou and pre-
INTERNATIONAL
~e J011 !rom aU the miAchleC. done b110ur :,ride.. Guardla~ of the mdtans and of.aUthe Salnted neret or open Coes throngh tbe prayers, indeed, of Mar Thomas the Preacber, Apostle, men and women. Ameh. .. OUr Fatber art in,beaven," etc.
I / IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Sixth Annual Meeting of the In- Mrs. L. W. Kip, China, 18111-89; Rev. G; T. ternational Missionary Union. Verbeck, D.D., Japan, 1859-89; Prof. M. N. Wyckofl, Japan,1881-89. THE International Missionary Un- This makes an aggregate of 47 mis- ion met in its sixth annual convoca- sionaries, representing 9 different tion at Binghamton, N. Y., July 5, missionary societies. The fields rep- and continued in session until the resented were as follows: Africa, 2; evening of July 11. The missionaries Bulgaria, 2; Burmah, 4; China, 13; at home temporarily or permanen tly India, 11 ; Japan, ~; Persia,6; Siam, who were present were as follows: 1; Malaysia, 1; Turkey, 4; West Of tbe American Board, Rev. W. H. Bel- Indies, 2. Total, 11. There were den, Bulgaria, 1879-81; Rev. J. H. Bruce, also present two candidates and India, 1~; Rev. Cyrus Hamlin, D.D., eleven secretaries and delegated rep- Turkey, 1837-77; Rev. C. W. Park, Iudia. resentatives of miSSionary societies, 1870-81; Rev. Kenry J. Perry, Turkev, making a grand total of 60 persons. 18/16-86; Rev. Henry D. Parker, M.D., China, One of these delegates represented 1872-811; Miss Maria. A. West, Turkey the Society of Friends, one the 18153-87; Rev. Geo. W. Wood. D.D., Turkey, Seventh Day Baptists, one the Con- 1838-88. Of the America.n Missiona.ry Asso- gregational Woman's'Board, and one cia.tion, Rev. George Thompson, Africa, the Woman's National Indian Asso- 1848-1i6. Of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. ciation. There were also present 8. R. House, M.D., Siam, 1846-76; Rev. R. M. Mr. Boonit, III native of Siam, study- Mateer, China, 1881-89; Miss Maria Morgan, ing in this country for the ministry Persia, 1879-8l; Rev. Charles B. Newton, in his own; Rev. M. Oshlkawa, of India., 1867-89; Rev. H. V. Noyes, China.. the United Church ofJapan, and Rev. 1&66-89; Mrs. H. V. Noyes, China., 1872-89; J. Honda, the first native of Japan Rev. T. J. Porter, Persia, 1884-85; Mrs. T. ordained to the ministry in the Meth- J. Porter, Persia, 1884-85; Rev. J. L. Potter, odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Honda Persia., 1874-89; Rev. H. W. Sbaw, India, has been President of a Provincial 1850-56; Rev. J. H. Shedd, D.D., Persia, Congress in his native country, and, 1860-89: Mrs. J. H. Shedd, Persia, 1860-89; it is said, might reasonably anticilolis8 Sarah A.. Warner, China, 1878-89. Of pate nomihation for a. seat in the the Canada Presbyterian Church, Rev. John Parliament of Japan next year, but Morton, Trinidad, 1867-89; Mrs. John Mor- that the Constitution prohibits the ton, Trinidad, 1867-89. Of the American Bap· election of priests or ministers, and tlst Missionary Union, Rev. M. B. Comfort, he prefers the ministry to civil and Assam, 1887-7.; Miss Julia M. Elwin. Bur- political promotion. mah, 1881-89; Miss Ellen E. Mitcbell, M.D., Burmah, 1879-88; Rev. John Packer, D.D., The sessions ot the Union were Presideht Rangoon College, Burmah,1873-89; Mrs.M. E. Ranney, Burmah, 1858-62. Of tbe held in the First Presbyterian Free Baptist Church, Rev. J. M. Phillips, Church, while the memb.ers were the M.D.;India..1865-89. Of the Baptist Mission- guests of all the churches in the city, ary Society of England, Rev. E. C. B. Hal- and occupied the pulpits generally on Ia.m, India, 1858-89; Mrs. E. C. B. Hallam, Sunday. The order observed was India, 1866-89. Of the Methodist Episcopal much as is usual to the Union. De- Church, Rev. Georce A. Bond, SingapOre. votional meetings for one hour in Malaysia., 1886-87; Rev. J. T. Gracey, D.D., the morning, discussion of themes Ilidia, 1861-68; Mrs. J. T. Gracey, India. during the da.y, and platform ad- 1861-68; Rev. Ja.mes Mudge, India, 1873-83; dresses in the evening. The devoltev. M. L. Taft, China, 1880-89; Mrs. M. L. Taft, China, 1880-89; Rev. J. H. Worley, Obina, 1882-89; Mrs. J. H. Worley, Cblna, 1882-611. Rev. Ross Taylor, Africa. Of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, Rev. J. A. Davis, Ohina, 1-'1870; Mrs. J. A. DavIs, China, 1861)-70; Rev.L. W. Kip, D.D.,China., 1861-89i tiona! meetings were, as they have Lutheran countries of the North of ,always been, seasons of rare spiritual Europe has divided into five cOBfa– power and inspiration. Th~y elude ences with 37,000 comlnunica;-qt~.
the pen, and hence none but a de- This work began through emigrants tailed and protracted delineation of to this country. The influence of them could bring a reader even into Methodism on the torpid state of the'
the outer court of apprehension' of .churches of those European coun- them. One may go in the strength tl'ies has been very salutary.
of them many days. The papers pre- In America our workcovers ground sented were varied and strong. Rev. which most other societies reach by Mr. Ballagh, of Japan, sent from separately organized home boards.
Tokyoa paper on "The Outlook in We preach the gospel in thirteen Japan," and a letter from Rev. Mr. foreign languages in the United Candor,of Colombia, South America, States, not to mention the Indian pointing out the needs and opportu- languages. We have on,e mission in nities for evangelistic work in that Liberia, which has, however, been land was read, also one from Rev. J_ very disappointing, and has barely H. Fagg, of China, and one from succeeded in keeping the American Rev. Dr. T. J. Scott, of India. Rev. emigrants from sinking back into the Dr. Hamlin read two papers, one of condition of their neighbors.
which will be found in the current India, China and Japan are the number of this REVIEW, on "Char- principal fields of our work. We have acteristics of the Recent Adverse one mission, just started, in Corea Criticisms Upon Missions," and an- and another in Singapore. The Jap- other, which we will print also at an- anese mission is the most progres- other time, on "The Missionary in sive, and it looks as if it would be the the Midst of Poverty." first to set up for itself.
The Rev. Mr. Mudg-e read a paper We entered China in 1847. In on "Missions of the Methodist Epis- 1857 the first convert was made. The copal Church," an able production; whole number of communicants in the first of a series contemplated to the church now number 5,207. To be furnished to the Union on the gain this result we have spent one several leading missionary societies. and a half million dollars.
The following is a brief summary of Our largest missions are in India, the paper: especially in the north of Ind.ia. The The chief work of the Christian latter were begun soon after the Se- Church, he said, should be the evan- poy rebellion. A convert from Mo- gelization of non-Chl'istian nations. hammedanism was gained within a The Methodist Church has, however, year, and we have now a native paid more attention to work among Christian community of 11,000. Con- Roma.nists abroad a.nd Home Mis- ver!.s have been mainly from low sionary work. Speaking for his caste Hindus, as is true wherever church he said: We have three mis- large accessions have been made. A sions among the Roman Catholics, network of schools has been spread One in Italy, one in Mexico, and one over the country. Closely related to in South America., but it is only re- the day-schools are the Sunday- cently that aggressive work has been schools. In 1888 we had 26,885 pupils done. The Mexican mission has in these schools, and though most of about 5,000 adherents. Italy has not these are not Christians, they meet been so fruitful, there being only to worship with us. Our Asiatic about 1,000 communicants. We have missions altogether have 2O,oooeom- one mission among the Greek Ca.tho- municants.
lies in Bulgaria. Our work in the As to the question whether all this isasuccess~ he would ask whatissuc- author and price, somestatement~ cess, what is failure? The duty was what the work treated and how well. before us ;.nd its performance can The preparation of a list in this wa.y not oe measured by figures. Statis- would be a grand work for the union. tics I What has He who ruleth the to undertake. He had prepared a army of heaven to do with them? partial list according to his idea, which he read. Later it is proposed The thought and feeling of these to publish this complete list in foreign nations are being revolution- this REVIEW. ized, and the missionaries are doing much in bringing this about. We The special themes taken up for propose to keep right on in the old discussion were not so numerous as path and we shall increase our ef- heretefore. "Is Hinduism or Moforts. The twentieth century will hammedanism securing new adhersee triumphs of the cross that you ents as rapidly as Christianity?" can hardly think of. brought out a good deal of informa- tion and was the occasion of some Rev. Dr. Packer's paper on the wit concerning statistics. One mem- Element of Success in the Karen ber thought statistics to be of great Mission, Rev. Dr. Porter's pap(:r value when correct. They should not on China, Rev. Dr. Shedd's on Persia, rely much on statistics. A prophet of Rev. Dr. Verbeck's on Japan Affairs. old constructed an argument on his and Rev. Mr. Morton's on Trinidad ownstatistics,but subsequently found MissionaryWork, will probably all himself 6,999 out of the way of a find their way hereafter to our total of 7,000. The question of the readers. Rev. Mr. Noyes' paper on "Comparative merits, as tested by "The Chinese Question" awakened history and experience, of colonizaa great deal of interest, and roused tion, or self-supporting schemes of one of the local papers to severe missionary labor, and the ordinary comment. Rev. Mr. Belden's paper plan pursued by missiona.ry socieon Books on Missions suitable for ties," brought out much adverse general use took a wide survey of criticism to asceticism in general, in the whole range of missionary cur- missionary work. Many' instances rent literature. He spoke at .some were cited where missionaries had length on the character of mission- thrown away their lives by exposing ary books that are getting into the themselves to too great hardships. Sunday-school libraries. He said The Salvation Army was quoted as there was a demand for a list of the greatest missionary society, but available missionary books. The the greater mortality amongst its total of titles of books on missionary laborers on foreign fields indicated subjects in English is 1,575, besides too great self-denial for such clia large number in other languages. mates. The discussion on "How The work of classifying and prepar- may returned missionaries render ing a list of such of these books as the best service to the cause of miscould be recommended was, how- sions while at home?" took largely ever, very arduous. Many were out the direction of the bearing on misof publication, and in order to sionaries' health, of the demands recommend a book to the Sunday- made on them for addresses, when in schools or missionaries, it was neces- feeble health, which often resulted sary to know something of its con- in the postponement or prevention of tents. To attempt to review all the their return to their field. The conbooks on missionary subjects re- clusion reached will be found in th.e quired a great deal of time and labor. resolution adopted, as found in A list of books to be valuable another place. Rev. Dr. Wood was should contain, besides the title, asked to prepare an article on the had deceased during the year, and subject, to be pnnted hereafter. the following minutewas'ordered en- ',rhe ladies had all of one day for the grossed: consIderation of W oman's Work, holding a morning and an afternoon Resolved, That we express our deep sense session alone for this purpose, and an of loss iu the removal during the year ot open meeting in the evening, with two of our number,Mrs. Mary D. Culbertson lady speakers. and Miss L. E. Rathbun, from the' duties and experiences of earth to the high"r du- Miss Abbie B. Child, Secretary ties and the blessed experiences of heaven. of the Congregational Woman's Board, Boston, and Mrs. A. S. Quin- Mrs. Cnlbertson was born Jnly 19, 1823. ton, President of the Woman's Na- near Salem, Washington County, N. Y.; Was tional Indian Association, as mem- married May 16, 1841. to Rev. M. Simpson bers of the Committee appointed at Cul.)ertson, of the Presbyterian Board of the London Conference to secure co- foreign missions; soon after went to China, operation amongst the women of the where she spent eighteen years in faithfnl several churches, on missionary service until the death of her husband. In lines, were present throughout the 1862; since that time she has been In this day, and addressed the Union and country. spoke at the ladies' meetings. Mrs. J. T. Gracey was appointed by the MillS Rathbun was born in Conquest, Cay- Union to represent its lady members uga County, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1838; went to ontheWorld'sCommitteeofWomen. Rangoon, Burmah, in 1877. where she re- mained in constant service until her death. The Union made a new departure with the exception ot two years spent in in beginning a Lending LIbrary this country. through the post for the use of its members, and appointing Rev. James Various letters were received from Mudge, of East Pepperill, Mass., Librarian. It also provided for the absent members of the Union and initiation of a Central Bureau of from secretaries of societies expres- Missionary Information, placing ing their regret at not being able to the development of the same in charge of Rev. J. A. Davis, of New- be present. The following from Rev. ark, N. J. Dr. Barnum, about to return. to his The closing session was a farewell meeting to fourteen of the mission- field 'of labor, was amongst the numaries, soon to return to their fields of labor. Rev. Dr. Wood gave a fare- ber: well blessi,ng to the outgoing missionaries. Miss Bruce, about to ac- AUBUBNDALE. :MAss., Julv 6. 1889. company her father to India, sang a I am glad to have had the privilege of athymn in Mahratti. Rev. Dr. Packer tending two meetinis of the International sang" Nearer my God to Thee" in ,Missionary Union, and glad to be counted Karen. Dr. Hamlin spoke of the among its members. Our return to Harhigh appreciation of Binghamton poot. Turkey. next month gives me so much and its hospitality, and the pastor to do that I am not able to be at the Bingof the church, Rev. Dr. Nichols, who ha.mton meetinlr. a.nd that I regret. No had welcomed the Union at its meetings that I have attended during my opening session in an able address, two years' vacation have been more delightspoke graceful words now in recog- ful than those of our Union. Nowhere else nition of the great value of the have I seeu Christian fellowship more beaumeeLings to Binghamton. tifuUy ilInstrated. a fellOWShip which rises above denominational differences. and Two.f the members of the Union which. it seems to me. must be a foretaste of the fellowship ot heaven. But our meetings have not been mere love-feasts. It is worth much to us all to compare missionary methods. and it is a stimulUS to faith to see along how many lines the Lord's hosts are moving in their endeavor to conquer the world for Him. If I might be allowed to give a messa.ge to the brethren and sisters which more than anything else represents my idea of our &,reat need as missionaries. it would be. Be ye filled with the Spirit I Indispensable as were the teachings of Christ to His diSCiples. one hour of Pentecost was doubtless of greater value still. Why may we not have the same baptism and in the Same measure that; tbe, disciples had, and go to our work with the critics as specimens of the cIaes.
sa.me Irresistible eMclency' If we take the Rev. Canon Taylor. May the Lord bless this present meeting d to 101 the dear brethren and sisters, and Mr. W. T. Caine, M. P., an Rev.1Jr. may it be even more fruitful of good to the Knapp, the Unitarian missionary to people of Binghamton than the last year's Japan, we shall have good represen- meeting was to Bridgeton. tatives of a very large number'of men and women. Ever sincerely yours. A. N. BARNUM. The first characteristic I shall A committee was appomted to bear the fra.ternal greetings of this notice, and it is common to them all Union to the Inter-Seminary Mis- as a class, is that they are very ear- sionary Alliance at its next meeting; nest friends of the cause. Their criti- and also to confer with the organi- cisms are for the purpose of enlight- zation representing the" Students' ening the friends of missions and of Movement." The following were leading to very important and much adopted: needed changes, very greatly to the Resolved, That the Christian governments, by advantage of missions. They would thus appear as the champions of mistheir forcible protection and promotion of the sions. Mr. Caine, M. P. is very opium traJllcand ofthetraMcin alcohollcllqnors, strenuous in protesting his high and and by nnjust and oppressive treaties wltll sacred interest in missions. . heathen nations, do thereby oppose the greatest obstacles to the snccess of Christian missions.
Resolved. That in the judgment of this Inter- The second very noticeable characnational Missionary Union every missionary re- teristic is the rash and inaccurate turned from his field, and so withheld from work statement of numbers. !Ir. Caine abroad on account of impaired health, shonld be subject explicitly to the advice of his physicians in making out his case against the in nndertaklng any missionary service at home. . English Baptist Mission overstates Other resolutions of appreciation the number of missionaries by 47 per of the hospitality of the churches cent., and understates the converts and citizens of Binghamton, and of by 67 per cent. He had every facilihigh ap~~eciation of the services of ty for ascertaining the facts.
the retIrmg Secretary, were also 0, .jHe declares that no one of high ~class has been proselyted by the misheartily adopted.
T.he suggestion was made that the sionaries, and that all their gains Umon adopt the hour from five to werefromtheverylowestclassesand six o'clock on Sunday evening as a were persons of no influence.
prayer hour for the members for all Now, evel'Y one who has followed miSSionary workers, and for the the history of Japanese missions t~ speedy conversion of the world. past ten years knows this represen- The following officers were elected tation to be notoriously false. The for the ensuing year: declarations of Japanese writers, of ~esident:-Rev. J. T. Gracey, D.D.. travelers, the journals of mission- VIce-PresIdents-Drs. Cyrus llamhn, S. L. r. t fbi' t· . Baldwin. William Dean. aries, epor s 0 pu IC mee mgs In Secretary-Rev. William H. Belden. Japan, the history of the Doshesha Treasurer-Prof. M. N. Wyckolf. University, all prove the statement Librarian-Rev. J. Mudge. to be utterly without foundation in Executive Committee-Dr. J. L. Phillips. f ,., C d ' bl efuted Rev. M. B.Comfort,Rev. C. W.Park, Rev.E. act. JJ.Lr. ony a mira y r C. B. Ha.llam, Rev. J. A. Davis, Miss Daniels. the assertion and quoted from a. Japanese Christian newspaper a com- M.D., and Mrs. M. E. Ranney.
Oha.racteristics of the Recent Adverse plaint, 01' regret, that while many of Oriticisms Upon Missions.* the learned, the students, the schol- ars, the intelligent of the Japanese BY REV. CYRUS HAMLIN, D. D. had embraced the truth, compara- WE need mention only three tively few of the common people had been reached, and nOw the question *,Read before the International Mission- ary Union, at Binghamton, N. 'Y., July, 1889.
1889.1 INTJtBNATlON.A.L DlIP~TkBNT
is, how shall we reach. them? Such ments. In the antagonistic misaion a course discredits any statement everything works with them and lor which Mr. Knapp may make, if it de- them and they have had a. long pends upon his testimony. How career. Papal missions have been in many similar statements in tone and the field nearly four times as long as spirit have been put forth to the Protestants and Islamites ten times public which were equa.Uy destitute as long. This is an important matter of truth? which none but the special pleader Canon Taylor shows a marvelous would pass over.
readiness to be deceived; tobe "hum- Christian governments and Chris- bugged" by any story that makes tian commerce have united in certain against Protestant missions. He things which form the chiefbarrierto narrates that in one of the Christian Protestant missions and our "friend· villa.ges a quarrel arose in which a ly" critics were bound in honor to number were killed. The victors give them full weight. The English then cooked and feasted on the bodies opium trade with the Chinese is de.
of their neighbors, whom they had stroying tenfold more men than all killed. For this offense the native the Christian missions to China are pastor suspended them from church saving. The enormity of the ~rade privileges f()r a season. Cannibal- is rightly estimated by the Chinese ism a temporary suspension from Government, and many thousands of holy communion! This in his view lives and untold millions of property seems to be an exponent of the suc- have been sacrificed to prevent Chris· cess of Protestant missions. Canon tian England from pel'petrating this Taylolo was not ashamed to publish nnparalleled atrocity. This, more this deliberately in the Fortnightly than heathenism, blocks the way to Review. If he supposed it would in- the entrance of Christianity into jure the missionary cause so much as China.
his own reputation, he would be a Another great and more widely victim of that blinding prejudice that spread enormity is the trade in alco.
leaves no place for common sense. holic drinks. In this our own country There is a large crop of such stories has a most disgraceful share. No always ripe on foreign fields. The sooner do E'rotestant Christian socie- guides and commissaries of hotels ties begin missionary operations in furnish them according to the ., gul- Central Africa than millions of gal- libility" of their subject. Canon Ions ofMedford rum foUow them with Taylor seems to have rendered him- most destructive effects upon the na- self a willing subject to such an tives. The nations ofEurope, too, vie operation and probably rewarded him with each other in this work of de- with a backsheesh for his interesting struction and demoralization. There statement. There can be nothing too are many Christian merchants who monstrous to be believed and circu- have become noble and generous Jated by this class of "fdendly" friends of the missions but they are critics. not rumsellers. As a whole the so- Canon Taylor, and with him others, called Christian commerce with while exalting the characterand suc- heathen and Mohammedan lands is a cess of hostile missions, Moslem, pa- huge barrier to Protestant missions.
pal, or Buddhistic, passes over light- Co-operating with all these obsta.- lyor lIilentIythe real obstacles which cles a.loe the licentious and infamous Christian missions have to struggle lives of foreigners from Europe and with-the character of foreign com- America, who, bearing before the merce and of foreign residence and heathen and Mohammedans the the measures of Christian govern- Christiall name, run riot in all the sinful indulgences which Christian- friendly. We cannot accuse theM. ity condemns. Heathen and Mos- of such II!ental obtuseness as would lems avail themselves of this abomi- free them from moral responsibility nable treasury of scandals against for false statements. Canon Tayl(>r Christianity. has made himself notorious by this free use of numbers. Such criticisws Our critics before proffering their fall to the ground as worthless and advice wel'e under obligations to sur- make us pity the critics. He has vey the field and know something of also placed himself before the public the real work. Their ignorance or as an exceedingly weak and silly readishonesty is marvelous and is soner in hls use of admitted facts, or equaled only by their cool effrontery as a man so blinded by prejudice that and the hypocrisy of their friendship. he is blind to the true meaning of The advice given should be carefully facts. and dispassionately considered by all missionaries and other societies. It It is admitted that the natural inmay be summed up in " Asceticism crease of the heathen population far the true law of Protestant missions." exceeds the number of conversions This is old advice and it has been to Christianity. The Canon says in often tried. It has always brought the Fortnightly Review that for every forth some sublime and noble char- Christian convert added to the acters. But take its history as a church 180 heathen are added to whole and it has been a sink of cor· heathendom! Hence he infers that ruption, a " habitation of devils, the missionary effort to convert the hold of every foul spirit and a cage world is just as absurd as the rac!' of of every unclean and hateful bird." a tortoise with a railroad. The long- As a system Protestantism has l'e· er it continues the farther apart they jected it with overwhelming abhor- become. Now we have nothingto do ence and scorn. The Papal Church with his numbers but only with the and the Jesuits have consecrated it absurdity of his view, which a decp.nt to themselves and have made it" a regard to his reputation should have cage of every unclean and hateful made him ashamed to utter. It is bird." just like this. Suppose two brothers begin business, one with $100,000 It is noticeable that these critics capital and the other with $1,000. are generally men who are living in The elder with his $100,000 engages all the enjoyments of modern civili- in a business which yields him six zation and their luxurious lives are per cent. annually on his capital. the only qualillcation they possess The younger begins a business which for becoming the teachers of mission- yields him fifty pel' cent. At the end ary asceticism. That the general of the first year one has gained $6,000 effect of these criticisms has been a and the other only $500. Now the greater confidence in the missionary Rev. Canon Taylor contends that it work there are significant facts to will take the younger brother twelve prove. They hav~ called forth abun- years to reach the first year's interest dant and worthy replies from the of the elder brother's business. If he Christian press. It is easy to pro- had only a schoolboy's knowledge of nounce the results of any enterprise arithmetic he would easily find that "poor and miserable," if one may in twelve years the younger would take such liberties with the facts. have just about lhe capital with This same misstatement of easily which the elder started and in twelve known facts runs through the more, having passed up into the mil- .. friendly" criticisms of all these lions, would leave the elder so com- critics, and inevitably suggests the paratively poor that be would not be substitution of some other ,word for able to invite him to his table to din- tians, yet in the main the results are ner, as the world goes. mIserably inadequate and surely dis- couraging." It is difficult to discern But if we suppose that the learned friendliness or fairness, or even Canon had forgotten his arithmetic truthfulness, in a judgment passed and knew nothingof the laws of com- upon such principles. pound interest which govern populations still he had the facts before There is another general characterhim in the published statistics of his istic of these critics. It is to magnisubject. He knew, 01' should have fy excellencies and ignore defects in known, that Christianity is increas- the systems, heathen 01' Mohammeing at a much higher per cent. than dan, or papal, which are antagonisheathenism and that makes the Ca- tic to Protestant missions. Canon non's reasoning ridiculous. He knew, Taylor has made himself famous by or should have known, that native his eulogy of Islam. He magnifies its Protestant Christians in India in- missionary character, especially in creased from 91,000 in 1851 to 492,882 Africa, and conceals all the atrocities in 1881, more than five-fold', and the of the most inhuman slave trade, numberof communicants in the same slave capture a.nd slaughter of the time nearly ten-fold, the native min- aged that accompany it. He defends istel"S twenty-seven-fold, and the the Koran against the charge of number of lay preachers six-fold. If sanctioningslaveryand concubinage. only this rate is kept up India will be He must know that tbesealready ex- Christianized in less timethan ittook isted and the Koran refers to them to Christianize the Roman Empire. as existing and sanctioned. But the Canon Taylor claims thatit can never great fact passed over by him withbe done; that missions are a miser- out a mention is that Islamic law, able failure. He ridicules their work. under which allIslam lives and works and dies, is derived in a very small What shall we think of the critic? part from the Koran. He ought to Wecannot avoid havingsometheory know that he can no more underwith regard to his moral and mental stand Islam from the Koran than he condition. Is he mentally "want- can understand the whole Roman ing" so that he cannot think and Catholic Church from the Epistles of reason straight? Or is he morally·fJer- St. Paul. He must go to the "Tradiverse, a hater of missions, and bent tion" and especially to the" Multeupon doing them all the mischief he ka" (the" Confiuena") that is of aU can with no scruples as to the means? laws and. traditions. This he has not The other two critics seem to have done and has exhibited the most dethe same inability to use numbers plorable ignorance of his subject. correctliy. Mr. Knapp, the unique This makes his comparison of Islam missionary of Japan, professing a with Christian missions absolutely very careful use of statistics, takes worthless except to those as ignorant theexcess of the conversion of the last as himself. That may be the condiyear over those of the former as the tion of many readers and it makes whole number of conversions for the the responsibility of a man of repyear. A man must work very hard utation for learning very great to make such a mistake. Mr. Caine when he plunges haphazard into a visits the least successful portions of subject of which he knows little the Baptist missions in India, ignores and from his high position pours entirely the more successful fields, forth his own ignorance as authoriand although he admits that some tative truth. societies can "show districts in which success of a marked kind has This disposition to make positive gladdened the hearts of all Chris- assertion take the place of inquiry
'700 'l'BB ~Y OONCBBT OJ!' 1IIB8ION
and ascertainment of fact is quite results of Protestant missions. and. common to these unfriendly critics. try to make them appear ridiculous. Such friendship is hypocrisy. it is The common sense of the Christian assumed in order to make the shafj; public has condemned the attacks as strike deep. unjust and untruthful, and consequently there has been a decided The Church of Christ on earth is reaction in favor of the institu- not pure. It has never been. In tions thus assailed. as eJrhibited in apostolic days there were many de~ largely increased contributions. eeivers and "manyanti-Christs" in the church. The apostle John de- It is important that the friends of clares it to be a characteristic of missions should understand the real "the last days." origin, the true inwardness of these calumnious attacks. In character Such men as Canon Taylor are they strike one as hypocritical. very numerous in the church. They They profess to result from a friendly are enemies of the cross of Christ. interest and a desire to remedy de- They can have no sympathy with fects. This is flatly contradicted by Protestant missions. Their hostile eJraggerating the virtues and hiding attacks influence only those who the defects of hostile systems. giving wish to be thus influenced. Their credence and circulation to mon- effect upon missions and missionaries strous libels upon the missions, and should be to make them more watchconcealing the difficulties under ful, more devoted, more Christ.like, which they labor. There is no ele- more consecrated to Him who had ment of friendship in all this. The called them to the work and will not wounds they give are not the wounds allow the ga.tes of hell to prevail of a friend. These critics minify the against them.
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY ARTHUR T. PIERSON, D.D.
JAPAN, THE SUNRISE KINGDOM. distrust on the part of the natives.
GOD gave to the United States the Portugal and Spain were at that time privilege of unlocking the doors of united; and a Spaniard, when asked this island empire,after they had by Taiko Sama how his king (Philip been 'bolted and barred for centuries. II.) had managed to possess himself In the middle of the sideenth cen- of half the world, replied, "He sends tury, Francis Xavier. the" apostle priests to win the people; he then of the Indies," visited the Sunrise sends troops to join the native Kingdom, and conversions to the Christians, and the conquest is Papal Church were reported in vast easy." Such an unwise answer acted numbers, even Japanese nobles and like a wind to fan the flres oC distrust princes being among the converts. already kindled. In 1587 Taiko de- In 1582 the Catholic converts sent creed the banishment of the missionan embassy to Rome bearing letters aries; the edict was renewed by his and presents to the Pope in token of successor in 1596, and the next year their allegiance to the Supreme 23 priests were put to death in one Pontiff. Their return was the signal day at Nagasaki. The Romish confor new conquests over the na- verts, instead of seeking to concili_ tives, and in two years 12,000 ate, defied the government and at- tacked the religion of the islands, more were said to have been bap- destroying both fanes and idols. Pertized. The haughty disdain with secution kindled her fires, and in 1612 which the Portugese merchants and 1614 many converts were put to treated the Japanese. their lordly as- death, and their churches a.nd sumptions and arrogance, awakened
1I0!f'TBLY CON'OERT OF :trI8SIONS
in schools la.id ruins, and their for- In 1858, on the Lord's Day, he,-with seven ships-or-war, cast anchor ID eign fa.ith 'was anathematized as the bay of Yeddo: Sprea.ding the treason both against the gods and American flag over the capstan of the government. Again, in 1622, So his vessel, from an open Bible he read fearful massacre of native Christians the one hundredth Psalm, and then, took place ; and when, fifteen years with his crew, sang Kethe's version: later, a conspiracy was detected between the Japanese, Portuguese, ., All people tha.t on ea.rth do dwell,'< etc. and Roman Catholics to overthrow the imperial throne, and erect the It was the signal of a peaceful Papal See upon its ruins, persecu- conquest, without firing a gun or ting violence swung to its last ex- shedding a drop of blood. Commotl·eine. Edicts forbade the Japanese, dore Perry delivered a letter from on any pretext, to quit the country, the Presldent of the United States to 01' any Christian, or even the the Emperor; andon March 31, 1854, Christian's God Himself, to set foot negotiations were concluded and tne on the islands. treaty signed, followed by similar treaties with Britain, Russia and Hol- The exact form ofthis ancient edict land. is worth preserving: "So long as the sun shall warm the earth, let no During these 35 years the progress Christian be so bold as to come to of Japan toward the civilization of Japan; and let all know that the the Occident has been without prece- King of Spain mself, or the Chris- dent or parallel. Between thirty and tian's God, or the great God of all. forty millions of people within the if he violate this command, shall pay average lifetime of a generation Cor it with his head." have changed in everthing. In- tellectua.lly, socially, politically, re- By the close of 1639 the Portuguese ligiously; in government, education, were expelled, and their trade was and religion; in individual life and transferred to the Dutch, who, as family life; in trade and manners; in their enemles and the enemies of army and navy, finance and polit- Roman Catholicism, were tolerated. ical economy they are scarcely rec- In 1640 the native Christians openly ognizable. A young Japanese conrebelled, seized a fort, and were vert, a student in Johns Hopkins only subdued by the aid of the University, said lately in Bethany Dutch. When their stronghold fell Church, Philadelphia, that" nothing the thousands within its walls were is left as it was thirty years ago, exindiscriminately slaughtered; and cept the natural scenery; " that" the henceforth Japan would have no in- Light of Asia is fading and waning; te~course with ;foreigners and even but while it is at its sunset, the the Dutch were confined to the island Lightof the World is rising on that of Desima. island empire."
The ports of Japan remained shut The Mikado is showing himself one even against vessels of commerce. of the most progressive sovereigns until the middle of the present cen- in the world, and the people do tury. In 1852, in consequence of not lag behind. In building ships complaints as to the treatment and machinery; in projecting lines of American seamen wrecked on of railway and telegraph; in estabthe Japanese coast, the United lishing schools and universities; in States sent Commodore M. C. cultivating mind and soil; in postal Perry with an expedition to de- system and political economy; in mandprotection for American ships ba.nishing feudalism and disestaband their crews and secure a treaty lishing Buddhism; and in a hundred for purposes of trade. othl'r radical changes and giant
'l'BJ!l J(ONTHLY CONCERT OF
~tride8, Japan is asto'llishing man- be not even tolerated, now with kind. If it be true that the newspa- equal vehemence urges the adoption per is an index of civilization, Japan 01 OhriBtianitll by the Japane.s; ,thirty years ago had not one; now and this not as a religiOUS convert, she has more than Russia and Spain but on purely economic and political combined or all Asia besides. grounds, as the best thing for Japan ethically and socially. Meanwhile Japan is going everywhere. The sea, no longer her" bul- Dr. Gracey says: "Japan is ripe wark," is now her "pathway," and for the Christian religion as no other at every,European capital are Japa- country is on the globe, f:l.nd may nese representatives. Caste distinc- become Ohristian by royal decree in tions are giving way to democratic a day." ideas, and the old cumbersome alphabet to Roman characters; there About 13 years ago the fl1'8t Protare new coinage, new tax system, estant church was formed with 16 new social life. In 1881 the tota!' of members; now there are 250, literary pUblications was about 5,000, with 25,500 members. In five years and in one year the total increase of the number of Protestant missiona· pupils in schools was 200,000. ries in Japan has increased from 240 to 443. The number of native minis- At the beginning of the year 1886 ters from 50 to 142; of licentiates the old ministry with its privy coun- and helpers from 160 to 28J. But cil gave place to the modern "cabi- b('st of all, the church membe1'8, net," and the Mikad~ decreed the in jive years, from 1888 to 1888, grew intelligent reorganizing of the whole more than jive-Iold, from 5,000 to administration. The new cabinet 25,514 I Buddhist priests are in danembraces eleven departments; the ger of being driven to work to avoid President and Premier, the Minister starvation. The popular faith in of Foreign Affairs, and tlie head of Buddhism is about dead, and instead the Department of Education are be- of the vast sums formerly spent on lieved to be the most progressive temples, it is estimated that not men in the empire. Official orders more than $150,000 are now exdecreed the organization of the Im- pended, and an ex-da.imio sent $500 perial University at Tokio, with five and a chandelier as a Dresent to the colleges of law, medicine, engineer- misl'lion church at Sanda atits tenth ing, letters and science, and branch anniversary. institutions in four other cities. The people accepting the new regime are We were recently favored with a. to choose a constituent assembly in most eloquent address from a native 1890. Japanese, ~ev. K. S. Kurahara, a graduate of Auburn Theological The calendar of Christian na.tions Seminary, who gave most startling has displaced the pagan, and since a.nd vivid views of the marvelous 1873 Anno Domini determines all progress of Japan. He mentioned, dates. In 1876 the national "fifth however, four difficulties needing day" gave way to the "one day in prompt consideration: ' seven" as a day of rest. Theancient edict against Christians is a dead 1. The indifference of the upper letter; editors, ora~rs, authors and classes to religion. statesmen openly advocate absolute toleration, and as a measure of po- 2. The hold of Buddhism as an litical economy advise the accept- ethical system. ance of Christianity as a State religion. Mr. Fukuzawa, who some years 3. The necessity of the alliance of ago pliblicly urged that Christianity political and governmental ma.tters with the future religion, wlJ,atever it shall be.
4. The present activity of skeptical' scientrsts and philosophers in influ- and only He could know when it was encing the awakening mind~ of the hot.
people. Yes, God not only chose His own Never was 'such opportunity pre- way, but His own time, for opening sented to the Church of Christ; and the doors of Japan. At the very woe be to us if we come not up to crisis of affairs, when the dual gov- God's help in this juncture. ernmentof seven centuries was over- Japan remarkably illustrates the thrown, and the Tycoon and his di- sudden .subsidence of obstacles and vided followers surrendered to the barriers. Such a preparation as was Mikado as the sole ruling power, at there found fOI' the gospel no other this providential juncture of a.ffairs, land ever, perhaps, presented to the when the various elements of Japan- same extent; and it could not be ese life were in a state of fusIOn, traced to man, for Japan had been ready to be molded anew, God pro- for centuries a hermit natlOn, shut- vided a matrix in which the new ting herself in and shutting others Japan should take shape. Foreign out. There was every reason why, commerce was knocking loudly at according to all human expectations, the long-shut gates, bringing with the institutions and character of this it Western thought, enterprise, and exclusive people should have been manners. It was not only easy, but found, after over two thousand five natural, to accept the new order of hundred years, petrified and fossil- things; and consequently revolu- I ized into Impenetrability and immo- tions have'taken place, intellectual- bility. Yet God has gone before His ly, socially, and religiously, that people, and, in advance of their a.p- centuries have not wrought else- proach, thrown down gigantic bar- where. which astonish not only all riers. Here was a people tired of a outside observers, but the Japanese dual government, an oppressive feu- themselves.
dal nobility, and a dead state relig- ion. Revolution had paved the way KOREA, THE HERMIT NATION.
for political reformation and social THIS country has been suddenly regeneration. A nation by temper- thrown open to evangelistic labor"
ament aggressive and progressive, after centuries of strict isolation.
divinely prepared for a new order of Its territory is partly peninsular and things, waited for a day dawn. Just partly insular; the peninsula, which at this critical, pivotal era in Japan's extends southward between the Yel- history, the foremost of Christian low Sea and the Sea of Japan, is nations peaceably knpcks at her about 400 miles by 150, and shaped doors and asks entrance. A great like Italy. Numerous adjacent is- republic and a great monarchy, both lands constitute the Korean archi- Protestant and evangelical,approach pelago, chiefly of granite rock, some for trade, and bring the gospel. This rising 2,000 feet above sea-level.
awakened nation finds at once a bet- The population cannot vary far ter model of government, a higher from that of Siam, from eight to type of civilization, a loftier plane of twelve million. The climate differs education, and a purer form offaith; greatly in the north and south; and and with incredible rapidity is tak- in vegetable and mineral products ing on the complexion and character Korea compa.res favora bly with other of Chl'istian nations. Was not God lands.
in this subsidence of obstacles? Was Thepredommant religion is Buddh- not this another example of the ism, though there are some Confu- coming of the fullness of His time? cianists and Shintuists. Indeed, re- He struck when the iron was hot, ligiously, Korea seems a cross be-
< TBlI: :MONTHLY OONOERT OF :MISSIONS
• < tween its two immediate neighbors. wounds with wax, .won the admira;- tion of the Korflans. The King's China and Japan. . nephew declared that they beHeved him" sent from heaven to cure the Since 1882 Korea has been opened wounded." The gratitude of the King for his medical services to the to American commerce; and the key royal family found expression in the encouragement given Dr. Allen to used by God to unlock this empire to huild a government hospital, which the King names Bay Min Lo, House the gospel was the medical mission. of Civilized Virtue, and which is under the care of the Presbyterian Somewhere between the sixteenth mission and the supervision of Dr. Allen. The mission was begun in and eighteenth centuries Romanism 1884. Rijutei proved a true helper to the mission, and devoted his enwas carried into this country by pa- ergies to giving the Koreans theNew Testament in their own tongue. Mr. pal converts from Japan and China. Arthington, of Leeds, paid for print- ing 3,000 copies of the Gospels of About one hundred years ago Seng- Luke and John; < and so the last door opened for the admission of the goshuni, a distinguished official, pro- gel. The working force has been in- creased by the addition of Rev. H. C. fessed conversion and was baptized Undel'wood,lately married, and J.W. Heron, M. D., and his wife; also Mrs. under the name of "Peter;" the Annie Ellers Bunker, M.D., and Miss Lillian S. Horton, M.D., and SIX namissionaries were popular, and the tive helpers. And there is everyindi- cation that here, as in Japan, God more educated classes saw that even is going to work a great change, whereat we shall all marvel. Papal this corrupted form of Christianity missions, with all their perversions of Christian doctrine, God used to was an improvement upon paganism. prepare the way in part for the en- trance of the gospel. Japan, wakin.go The government became alarmed; to the knowledge of God, has been a help to Korean evangelization. the priesthood led on a persecution, Fragments of evangelical truth, brought by stealth from the Sunrise and the Catholic converts recanted, Kingdom, found their way to the heart of Rijutei. Years passed by, fled to China, 01' endured torture and and the crisis came. Rijutei was the means of saving the life of the Queen.. martyrdom. In 1835 Roman Cath- and so earned favor with the King. At once he went to Japan, where he olic missions again found a way into learned the way of Christ more per- fectly; and so was led to undertake, Korea by way of China and Mantu- like Luther, to give his own country- men the Word of God in their own ria; and the Jesuits claimed 15,000 tongue. Here is another proof of God's seal on the work of missions. converts, even as late as 1857, after A few years ago we were just begin.
being again driven from the-field.
In 1876 Korea made the first com- plete treaty with her neighbor, Japan, across the channel; six years later, partly through the aid of the great Chinaman, Li Hung Chang, a similar treaty was made with the United States. In 1884 the Presby- terian Board, at the solicitation of Rijutei, a Korean of rank, who was converted while representing his government in Japan, established a station at Seoul, H. N. Allen, M.D., a I!ledical missionary from China, . going there. Gen. Foote, the Amer- ican resident Minister, appointed him physiCian to the legation. Dr. Allen was simply tolerated at first; but during a l'evolt in Seoul several per- sons of rank, who wel'e wounded, recovered under his care; he saved the life of the King's nephew, Min Yong Ik. His skillful treatment, so in contrast with the methods of the native doctors and surgeons, whom he found trying to stanch the
1889·1 EDITORIAL NOTES
ning mIssionary teaching in Japan; set forth with marvelous clearness and beauty· and now Japanese converts are pro- both the nature oC Sin and the nature of &#!Daposing to go to Korea as evangelists ! tion. Sin is a condition of Lostne88. The sheep has no Instinct like the dog by which to find his The work in Korea has during the way back. The piece of sliTer Is utterly dumb last two years been making rapid and senseless, the original image and superscr!pprogress, the propagation of Chris- tion oC God worn away, aud no consciousness tianity among the natives being ap- even oC a lost state; but self·recovery impossiproved formally by government. ble. The lost son, estranged, enslaved, dead to Here especially the importance of his Cather's love. SALVATION is of God. The medical missions is seen. Dr. Allen shepherd l'oes after the sheep, the woman first gained access by medical skill, searches for the silver until found, and then the and was rewarded by the royal con- sheep is borne back, and the silver picked up fidence and that of the court; and and restored to the necklace. Salvation is also altel'ward was intrusted with the re- dependent on human activity. The first two sponsibility of a confidential relation- parables might leave us to infer that God does ship to the Korean Legation at the all-that man is passive. The third is added to United States capital. His associate, shoW us that as all the departure and depravity Dr. Heron, was put in charge of are voluntary, so must be t1J.e repenting, resolvthe government hospital at Seoul, ing and returning. and became physician to the King. Mrs. Bunker is the Queen's medical These three parables beautifully portray the attendant, and the success of all work of the Trinity in human salvation. The these accomplished physiCIans and first sets forth thle vicarious work of the Son; surgeons has not only won for them the third presents the Father yearning over his distinguished favor but has helped erring child. May we not find in the second a vastly the cause of missions. hint of the Holy Spirit in the church, like a wiCe·mother, jealous for the necklace of silver The work of the clerical mission- pieces, and by the esndle of the Word and the ary, Rev. H. G. Underwood, has been broom of diligent seal'ch, recovering the lost to highly prospered. In 1887-8 a church the place among the elect. of 30 members suddenly sprang up, and the outlook grows brighter every What a comment is the group of parables here day. Several applications for bap- upon modern indi1ferenc6 to the lost condition tism have come from the old capital, of men. While we treat the sonIs of men with Song Do. He think~ Korea will ad- apathetic listlessness, God so rejoices over a vance more rapidly than even Japan. repenting sinner that He cannot contain His joy: it overflows, and there is joy in the pres- TIIXTS AND THElIlIIS. ence oj the angels of God. They rejoice, indeed, but it is a second-hand joy, primarily that of The Seeking and Saving oj the LoBt, Luke God, and theirs only as participating in the overxv., is a group of three parables in which are flow.
What an argument these parables furnish for foreign missions I The very degradation, de- pravity, insenSibility of men, the deCacement and almost effacement of the divine image, which men use as an argument for apathy, il God's motive to activity.
VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The African Sla.ve Tra.de. with Africa opened, accessible PROFESSOR DRUMMOND in the June on every side, to Europeans and Scribners', and a writer in a recent is- missionaries from all lands, with sue of the United Presbyterian Mag- great European interests already azine, give us a chapter of horrors planted there and railways intro- on the slave traffic as at present car- duced-is a disgrace to the civiliza- ried on in Central Africa, so terrible, tion of to-day. Combined Europe so diabolical in cruelty and atrocity and America could put a stop to it as to call loudly for a combination speedily. The blood of these friend- of all the civilized nations of the less and slaughtered millions cries world to arrest and put it down. aloud to Heaven; and is there no The continuance of so tremendous power in Christianity and in the a curse as this, and the rum traffic, Christian civilization of Christendom to avenge it a.nd cause the hor- nature of the work a.nd the fatallnaa.lubrlt"y ror to cease? Oh, for another Milton to thrill the nations as did the of the climate the death rate here is temblind bard two centuries ago when the DUke of Savoy slaughtered the ble, and a ceaseless trllltllc with the coast has to be kept up to supply the almost daily W aldensians in the. valleys of Pied- blanks."
mont. "Cromwell flew to the res- Says Regions Beyond: cue, raising £40,000 for the wretched outlaws. Switzerland interfered; "Cardinal La.vigerie has stated, and the the King of Sweden, the Elector of statement has never been caned in ques- Palatine, and the Landgrave of tion, that 400,000 slaves are annually Hesse Castle interceded," and the brought to the coast of East Africa. Liv- ingstone reckoned that for everysiave embloody work ceased. So would it be barked from the cQast, at least ten human in this case, if the nations interested beIngs had perished, either in the capture or on the march. Many even of the number in Africa would rouse themselves embarked die on the voyage, or are purand combine the'ir efforts. posely drowned-thrown overbQard with stones tied to their feet-to escape capture Says Professor Drummond: by the cruisers. This gives O'IIer taur .mil_ Zions of our rellow-creatures Emsla.ved. tor- "Do not let it be supposed that this hor- tured, or killed, year by year, continually, ror is over, that this day of tribulation is at to gratify the inhuman greed of gain of II an end. This horror and this day are now. few murderOUB Arab thtet't!s. Is this to be It is not even abating. Slavery is on the in- suffered to go on 1 Cardinal Lavigerle takes CTeaIe. Time, civilization, Christianity, a much I<;>wer estimate, and assumes that are not really touching it. No fact in re- only jlve perish for each slave secured, but lation to the slave trade is more appalling he is probably below the mark. The track than this. of the slave-caravan Is marked by aline of bleaching bones. Never, in any part of the "The cause of this revived activity of tbe known world, or In the pages of history, has slave trade is not far to seek. It is the nor- there been such butchery and I)'lurder… m&i expansion of a paying busmess. More men engage in it; more capital is invested Father Bridoux, a Roman Catholic in it. The Arab never retires from busi- missionary, writes from the southness. With the prophets of his first small east coast of Lake Tanganyika that caravan he equips and heaas a larger one. on his journey from Mpwapwa to As the years pass, his flying columns grow the lake he passed many carava.ns of larger and larger, and fiercer and fiercer. slaves, who Wf're for the most part Now he can attack with impunity a region living skeletons. In spite of their which, in former days, he must have let miserable condition, the men wore a.lone. Formerly he fraternized and traded the slave fork on their shoulders, with the great interior nations; now he while the women were fastened tooverthrows and carries them off bodily. gether in long lines by chains. All Having much capital and better fire arms, the children who could walk bore he can push farther and fa.rther into the burdens in proportion to their size. country, establishing depots as he goes, Father Bridoux tells terrible stories which become minor centers of the trade. of finding wretched captives who. Long ago the Arab dared not venture be- overcome by weakness, had been left yond a limited distance from the coast line. to die along the route, and who were Now he pervades and almost dominates the still alive when he saw them. The continent. As one region after another Comoro Islands, south of Zanzibar is drained of its slaves and ivory, fresh and and Madagascar, have in the past remoter fields have to be sou",ht out. So been the destinations of many thouhome after home is made desolate, region sands of slaves captured by the Arabs after region is ravished, state after state on the mainland. The Sultan Abis demolished, UI"tion after nation is mowed dallah of the Comoros has now, undown like grass. Such being the state of der the influence of Dr, Ormieres, matters in the interior of the country, to the French Resident at his capita.l, talk of the civilization of Africa, till this issued a proclamation abolishing butchery is stopped, is but a mockery•••• slavery in his islands. He forbids It Is an open secret that several large and defined markets for slaves exist in the purchase and sale of slaves, and many parts of Africa and In the adjoining islands. Off the Zanzibar cQast, for instance, the extensive plantations of Pemba a'" wrousht by slave labor, Owin&" to the announces that any person landing have told us that, Owing to the pecruiaritlesof on the Comoros shall be free, what- their ConStitution, they are not very ann011ll to ever his previous condition. There enter Into obligatious with foreign powers to' America has never been provincial. She mnst are about 28,000 slaves in the Como- not become so. So manifold and pressing are ros, who have been brought from the now the interests of her own great country that mainland. March 8 the Queen of she might also be pardoned If she- did. But Madagascar issued a proclamation the world win be bewildered and disappointed to her people, in which she says that if she separates herself now from the rest of all slaves who are landed in her do- mankind in facing those great wrongs oC hu- minions shall be free when they manity from which seas cannot divide her and touch her soil. "If the natives of which her poorer brethren In every part of Africa are brought across the sea Europe are giving themselves to relieve. and introduced into any part of America does well in refnsing the entanglements Madagascar to be slaves, they shall of European polities. _Let her be careful. lest not be slaves, but free subjects." she isolate herself from its humanities. None who know her will fear for a moment that the From all parts of East Africa breadth of her sympathies and the greatness oC comes the same horrible story. On her national heart will not continue to be his second jour'ley up the Congo shown In her sustained philanthropies, In her Stanley found 118 villages, which on joining hand to hand with the advanced nations his first trip he had seen smiling and of the earth In helping on all universal caUSIlS prosperous, desolated, burnt, de- which find their appeal In the world's grea -serted! On his present expedition, need and tribulation." in the region between the Congo and Lake Albert, he nearly perished with Thank God there are signs that the all his party in consequence of fam- ine in the desert produced by th~ two most crying evils of the nine- destruotive raids of the Arabs. Peo- ple, villages, stores, fruit-trees, all teenth century, as they apply to were gone, enslaved, or killed, or Africa, are to receive the considera- burnt, and naked desolation and gaunt starvation had to be faced, tion which they demand. Two Con- where human hearts and homes gresses are to meet this autumn to abounded a year ago. deal with the difficult 'an.d tremen.
The brave words of Prof. Drum- dous problem. One is to assemble at mond ought to crimson our nation's _cheek with shame, and call forth a Brussels. For more than a year the proper response to his burning ques- King of the Belgians h:l.s wished to tion. He asks: convene a Congress of the signa- .. What will America do to help; Time was tories to the acts of the Berlin Con- when the United States kept a cruiser on the ference. But the German troubles West Coast of Africa to check this trade. But in East Africa prevented the realiza- when the attitude of America to the Congo tion last autumn of this desire. Now treaty Is remembered, and her refusal to touch the question of the exportation to Africa of most of the Great Powers have arms, ammunition and liquor,. can It be said agreed to the proposal of such a that she keeps her place to-day In that moral Conference to be held this coming reformation of the world which Is the duty and privllee:e of all the foremost nations f Is It autumn. It is to consider not only true of that Constitution of which she Is so the slavery question, but the scarcely worthily proud, that with reference to these questions. and In the words of the PrIme less pressing one of the demoraliza- Minister of England: "They(the United States) tion of the native races by drink; and also that of the supply to them • Tbe reader will remember tba.t In tbe Con_ of arms and ammunition. – ference in regard to tbe Congo Free Sta.tes The other Conference assembles at trea.ty, our representa.tlve refused assent to the Lucerne at the invitation of Cardinal provision excluding tbe Importation of Uquor, etc.-an eterna.l stigma. to U$ !-En. Lavigerie from the 3d to the 10th of August next. The Council of the Canton have granted the use of the local "House of Commons," and in- vited the Convention heartily. The Convention will, it is hoped, repre- sent most of the experience gathered on the painful subject, and will use its united wisdom to discuss, devi!!e, pubJlc had been sooner Informed of the extent and recommend the practical meas- and atrocities of the slave-trade In Afrlca. as ures most likely to succeed in putting an end to the present horrible they are portrayed In a recent lasue of 2'fIj state of affairs. It will be a popular United Pl'eBbyterian Magazine, though It Congress, composed of the lovers of God and of men-the ministers, mis- might not have been more elllclent. The sug" sionaries, philanthropists, travelers, explorers, and other benefactors of gestion ot our Assembly's resolution should rethe human race. It is hoped that by means of this conference public opin- ceive prompt and elllcient action by Government ion throughout Europe will be roused so that the governments will unite IUhe way for it ean possibly be opened. It cerin such pacific plans as will lead to the suppression of the trade. tainly can be opeued, if instead of contenting .. The assembUng of these two great Conven- ourselves with praying • that Ethiopia may tlons," says IleUiO'll8 Beyond, .. is cause for profonnd thanksgiving to God. The evil with which soon stretch out her hands unto God,' and with they are to grapple-the East African slavetrade-has already assnmed gigantic proportions, sending half a dozen white missionaries into and Is still growing greater. Unless It Can be arrested and extirpated, the civilization and Africa every year, we awake to elllcient civil Chrlstlanizatlon of Africa Is hopeless." and political action under this trumpet call of Says the Ohri8tian Union: Divine Providence." J. M. S. .. The :/Jrltlsh and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society has for a long time past been agitating the Oritioism of Dr. Oyrus Hamlin. snbject, and has done much to educate and direct public opinion In England. The most Editor 01 Missionary Review of tke World: effective and hopeful Instrumentality, however, DEAR Sm.-Will yon allow an aged mission- Is to be found In the organization of anti-slavery societies all over Europe-the noble work of ary of 35 years' residence in Turkey, at the cap- Cardinal Lavigerie, wbo, like Peter tbe Hermit, ital, to dissent from your criticism upon Presihas gone from country to country, pleading elo- dent Harrison with regard to Mr. Strauss? quently and paSSionately for the mute tbousands In Atrica. Tbese anti-slavery societies are Mr. Strauss got up a treaty between the rapidly spreading In Germany, France, Belgi- United States and tbe Porte, or at least he alum, Italy, Spain, and other countries, and large lowed himself to be tbe olllcial medium of the sums of money are being raised tbrough their treaty. It was kept secret from Americans in endeavors.·' Turkey until it had been sent away to Washing- ton. Many citizens In Turkey wrote a strong It gives us great pleasure to add protest against It just so soon as they knew of that the General Assembly of the It. When I saw its provisions I knewthat they Presbyterian Church, in which Pres- would be Injnrlous to all onr interestll-national, ident Harrison is a Ruling Elder, at missionary and educat10nal-a treaty, as I susits recent session in this city, di- pect, concocted in Russian interests. I hastened rected its s,tated clerk to officially to Washington to protest against it, fearing tbat announce to the President of the .some peculiar points might not be seen in tbelr United States that it views with hor- Oriental bearine:. Our foreign olllce cannot be ror the present slave trade in Africa, hoodwinked by Oriental diplomacy. I bad no and to inquire if some steps cannot need to make the journey; but at all events the be taken for a co-operation of this treaty was shelved, and I rejoice, as a missioncountry with European powers for ary, that its author was sbelved with It. lIIr. the suppression of the traffic. Strauss is doubtless a very kind and admirable gentlem'lD, but he is wholly wanting in tbat The New York Evangelist adds acuteness, or penetration, or comprehensive these pertinent words to this an- view wblch can make a man safe in such an of" nouncement: flce as Oonstantlnople offers. President Harri- son has made the change patriotically and .. It cannot be charged, nnder the circum- wisely, and he call be condemned only by those stances, that this action Ia either premature or who are entirely unacquainted with the real too vigorous. It might have been earlier. if the merits of the case. W!11 you do me the favor. so far to present the other side as to insert this note in your next number' Yours sincerely, CYBUS HAXLIN.
LEXINGTON, July 16, 1889.
We give place to the above ont of respect to Dr. Hamlin; at the same· time we .. disoent" from some of his statements, and see no reason for changing our views. We did not write In Ignorance of tbe essential facts Involved, and hence our criticism waS not tbat of one .. en- tirely unacquainted with the real merits of the case." Dr. Hamlin has not resided In Turkey for years, and bis letter betrays .. ignorance" respecting the genesis and history of this treaty, and ot tbe fact that Its provisions were known' and canvassed in Turkey long before it was "sent ..way to Washington." We give below Hamlin objects so strongly have lal"gc;ly . the testimony of one long, and till within a Cew arisen since he has been In AmeriCa., and months, a resident of Constantinople-the Rev. very possibly he is not fully aware of them. Edwin M. Bliss, for years associated with his The principle of extra territoriality by father, the late Rev. Isaac G. Bliss, D.D., in the which foreign residents are amenabl~ony work of the American Bible Society in the Le· to their own consular authorities has given vant. We leave Mr. Bliss'letter to speak for rise to a sort of foreign protectorate by the consulates, over many persons who were in itself. reslity Turkish subjects. The United States Our readers will note that we based our opla- Government has in years past been quite free Crom the complications resulting from ion as to the value of Mr. Strauss' services this abnormai, though necessary, system. wholly on the general tenor and results of his There were a number of naturalized Ameri- administrative skill and integrity, particolarly can citizens who had returned to Turkey, his manifold friendly 01lloos in behalf of our but they resided chiell.y In the seaboard American schools, while Dr. Hamlin condemns cities, were law-abidiug and gave occasion and declares him nnll.t for the 01llCE> because of for no special difficulty. Of late years, how- the part he took in this single transaction. ever, their number ,has greatly increased. They are, not confined to the seaboard, 'Since writing the above we see in the August where they are within easy reach of the consulates, but are scattered over the whole Jli8$ionary Herald additional proof of Mr. empire. Whenever they are educated men, there Is comparatively little danger of com- Strauss' lI.delity and usefulness. He procured, pUcation, but there are more and more who, entirely uneducated, have no conception of as late as May 16 last, a very important order American citizenship except as a means of avoiding police supervision and the payfrom the Turkish Government which interdicts ment of taxes. There are now in thiS coun- try large numbers of these men, whose local authorities from interfering with establish- avowed purpose in coming here was to remain just iong enough to secure their naturalizaed mission schools. The order is too long to tion papers, and then return and claim all the immunities and protection of Amcrican citigive here, but we wUI give It in our next issue. zens, even in towns and villages many days' journey from the nearest American consul. Says the Mi8rionar/l Herald: .. The import- It is easy to see what complications must result-as has already been the case-comance of the new order consists in the declaration plications, too, which cannot faU to injure •all our interests, nationa.I, missionary and • that establisbed American schools shall not be educa.tional' to a degree that is appall- ing. The general justice of the treaty does closed for the Jack of 01llclal permits ; and it re- not, however, relieve the specia.l injustice against which many have protested, by quires that complaints against schools must be which a number of bona Jl.de worthy Ameri- can citizens are classed with and subjected sent to the capital, and not be closed by local to the same law as these pseudo Americans. Much more might be said, but space forbids. o1IIciais. Mr. Strauss has shown himself by far the .. Tltisorder wasprocured through tkefriend- most successful minister the United States Government has had at Constantinople for 11/ qfJlces and WiS6 management of Mr. StraU8B, many years. This involves no criticism upon such men as Horace Maynard, Geo. II. the/ate United States Minister; and it isiJut one Boher aud Gen. Lew Wallace; it simply means that he has had peculiar adaptations of many valuabl8 services which he has ren- fur the place. Had Dr. Hamlin consulted with him in his office, as have many others dered." The Italics are ours. J. M. S. of as long and even wider experience, I feel lIure that he would never have spoken of NOTE l'ROI( REV. EDWIN 1(. BLISS. him as •wholly wanting in that acuteness or penetration or comprehensive view which "Dr. Hamlin's opinions always carry can make a man safe in such an office all Weight. In this case, however, he seems to Constantinople oft'ers.' be under certain misapprehensions. President Harrison would have been no 1. He is mistaken in giving the impression less patriotic and far more courteous had that the Americans in Turkey knew nothing he, in appointing Mr. Strauss' successor, about the treaty uutil it had been formally followed many examples in seeking the presented at Washington. To my personal knowledge it ha.s been under discussion In Constantinople for at least two years. Its general provisions were well known, and received almost universal approval. One point, however, which seriously aft'ected .. number of persons long identified with American interests in Turkey was universally regarded as unjust, and It is that which occasioned the protest of a number of the residents there.
2. The treaty was conducted on the general lines laid down by two successive administrations, one Republican and one Democratic.Mr. Strauss merely took it up where Mr. Cox left it, and he in turn received it from Gen. Wallace. It was not by any means • concocted in Russian Interests,' but directly in the 'interests of the United States Government.
3. Thecircumstancesthathaveocca.ioned the peculiar form oft;he treaty to which Dr. counsel and deferring to the desires of THE editor has rMeived a letter from a. very prominent author and those interested in American work in Tur- Christian advocate of missions,from key. This he did not do. which we print extracts.-A. T. P. .. EDWIN M. BLI88." .. I have just been reading with interellt NJlw YOBK, July 29,1889. your • Retrospect of the world's confer- ence,' and think there is much truth in THE trial of Dr. King, Bishop of yonr strictures. It is much easier to note what was unsatisfactory than to estimate Lincoln, for ritualistic practices, is the practical di1ficultles that weresuccellll- fully overcome. and it is oniy in view of awakening much interest. On both possibly improving the arrangements for some future conference that one would nosides the controversy waxes warm. tice any defects. But there are two that I hope will be remedied if ever a like meet- Some fear a disruption of the church ing is convened again.
if the Bishop is condemned. The six .. First. there was hardly any representa- tion of the native churches in the fields of points to which he holds are: missionary labor. Bishop Crowther. WU- liam Kalopathekes. and two or three others "Lights on the altar, incense, east- contributed very much to the interest of themeeting. Butfrom India. South Africa. ward position, vestments, mixed and I suppose from some of the American missions there might have been delegates chalice and wafer bread." ThIS able to speak very well in English. and whose testimony would have been in·valuatrouble is the outgrowth of long- ble on very many of the subjects discu88ed. Such, for example, as the organiza.tion of continued practices. "The Church na.tive churches. elementary literature. social customs. etc. It would, also have Union," composed of ritualists, is a refreshed and stimulated them to be pres- ent. strong body and zealously push rit- .. Secondly. there was an extraordinary ualism to the extreme, with a large lack of arrangement for the conduct of praise. At the pnblic evening meetln~8a measure of success. In the last good choir was always secured. but at the national meetings the singing was often a twenty years fifteen bishops and complete breakdown. :Mr. Moody has shown how much of the heartiness of reliltious deans have been appointed by the meetings depends on the service of praise. and there oua-ht at least to be one compe- Government. Of these ten are rit- tent leader responsible for this at each meeting." ualists, three Broad-church, one Dr. F. F.Ellinwood writes iIi. a per- English Church Union and oneEvan- sonalletter : gelical. 'fhe Bishop of Lincoln has .. Do not -go to the circumscribed parish wide influence over clergy and stu- work. It is a good work. but it is in a bot- tle instead of an ocean. It we are ever dents. During the ten years that he going to spread the gospel over this earth we must avoid co~estion In spots. That was Principal of Cuddesdon College is what cripples us now. We have organ- ized societies all throngh the country. haveight geutlemen were perverted to ing local mission work In charge. with nu- merous branch associations. That is what Romanism, and of 160 who passed Paul hated. No grand Cephas a88oclatlons; no Apollos' societies; no Pauline J~ues. through tke institution during that One Master only. and one distribution. and that as fair and just and equitable as was time 129 have joined ritualistic SOC1e- that of the loaves and ftshes, where, to pre- vent all grabbing. jostling. etc•• the multi· ties, or signed papers in favor of tude was made tosit down In eXAQt squa.rea.. It was a splendid object lessoll which the ritualism. He claims that "the church constantlyforgets."- struggle is for the sacerdotal charac- ter of the Christian ministry." Arch- deacon Farrar asks: "Is it on behalf of such petty innovations on its ritual that the glorious Church of England-so wise, so learned, so beloved-is to cease to be the church of the nation?" We add another question: Is 1t not more than a pity that at a time when the world is open as never before to missions, a great church should be convulsed- nay, a whole denomination-by a question of "flexions and genu- flexions, postures and unpostures,"
bowings to the East and aU sorts of man millinery and Romanizing rit- ualism? A. T. P.
1~.] oRG..NIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS
VII.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS.
London Missionary Sooiety.
Ul'ORT FOR YUR ENDING APRIL 30, 1889.
BALANCE SHEET.
Receipt.: E:i:pendit'UTes : £ 8. d. £ 8. d.
Contrlbntlons………………. 111,280 4 11 Deficiency……. ……. ……… 7,960 5 8 Legacies. . • . •. . . . . .. •…• .••..• 9,562 17 6 Expenditures……………….. 122,596 5 1 Dividends. . . . .• ••……•.••…. 4,407 8 6 Investment………….. …….. IiOO 0 0 Total Income …………….. . 125,250 5 11 Snbject to Annnity ………. '" • 500 0 0 Investments drawn ………….. 2,570 0 0 Balance against Society………. 2,786 4 10 Total…………………… £181,056 10 9 Total…………………… £131,056 10 9 STATISTICS.
.a,i "'d,.=",',.f-, .; SUNDAY DAY ;:: ~ "".<:I .f , ., . SCHOOLS. SCHOOLS. ..gj ~" . ";1:<0->'" "'=oj o="S .I> …,: …;. ~i .§r= …:.,<,,'"<~ i'S.1'O>0 lrlISSlONS. 0 :'i"ii O.~ ~" ~ '"0…< .I> .o.0S. "10- ~=" ~0~-r' E" . .';l ",E S "00 :iii <l -a 0=0", …~ ~ -a -! ,5)11 ol ~ " .c ":<'< S ~ Z Ii'l ~ I £ •• d. 1. China…………………. .. 80 14 11 75 4,001 1,580 7 450 60 2,124, 1.763 9 8 2. North India …………….. . 16 13 8 84 578 1,965 29 l,0ii9 98 6.018 2,795 7 2 3. Sonth India ……………… 26 4 16 117 1,485 8,106 28 1,131 145 8,198 2,900 4 4 74 4. Travancore ……………. . 8 1 19 25 5,365 44,638 295 13,229 1,049 3 0 5;58i; 823 64,959 3,]59 3 8 5. :Msdagascar…………….. . 26 4 8193,47543,135 198,7J11 :: … 91 6. Africa …………………. .~ 2,~-: li:~ '3 'siil 2Jl 1,~~~ ~~ 1~ ~ 7. WestIndles….. .. …… .. – – – – – – . – – – – . _ – – – . – – – – – – – 8. Polynesia ………………. , 22.. 812 49916.301 47,322 27714,673 565 13,833 3,273 4 11 T<>tal…………………. , 154 86 1,185 4.319 74,127 316,855 418 23,711 2,005 110,027 16,319 11 6 The heavy deficiency from the last year been decided (under certain conditions) to led the Directors to examine very carefull:i accept men who have not had a course of theo· every line where retrenchment seemed possible. logical collegiate education, and send them out Failing in this the ollly alternatives were with- for a term ofyears as lay evangelists. drs wal trom some .fields or a special appeal. The latter was made and the response was so hearty The ~; on·Conformist stndeuts of Cambridge have formed a University Auxiliary to the 80a8 to give a new cause ot gratitude and hope. ciety similar to that a.t Oxford. The reports from the different fields are full otencoursge· Twenty·two missionaries (of whom 6 were ment and hope. ladies) have entered the foreign field. It has Ohuroh Missionary Sooiety.
JlEPOJlT FOR YUR ENDING lIURCa: 31, 1889.
Receipts; £ •. d. Pavments: £ s, d.
Contributions ……………. .. 182,422 7 9 General Fond ……………… 205,97310 11 Legacies ………………… .. 24,482 10 2 Disabled Missionaries' Fund… 8,889 14 2 Interest, etc ……………… .. 4,473 /) 7 £214,363 5 Ordinary receipta ………….. £211,378 3 6 Less borne by Extension Fond. 8,651 4 o Contingency Fund.. ………… 866 0 5 Extension Fnnd…. ..•……. .. 3,425 19 10 Ordinary payments ………… £205,712 1 1 Varlons Special Fnnds………. 36,346 9 8 Special Fonds……………… 21,46115 3 £227.l7li16 Total receipts.. .. . .. .. .. .. … £252,016 13 5 Total payments………….. 4 STATISTICS: municants, 64,194. Schools, 1,759. Scholars, 75,126. (Incomplete returns from some mis' Stations, 299; European missionaries: or- sions.) dalned,~; 18Y,45; ladies, 40; total,lJ55. Native lind Enraslan clergymen, 286. Native lay and fe. Out of 350 who made'lnquiries about miasionmale teachers, 4,556. Native Christian adherents ary work, 132 Were actually considered by the (Including catechumens), 188,936. Nativ:e com· Committee, and 53 accepted, including 12 Clergy. men, 8 physicians, 28 ladles. or the ladies, it al'1'llnges for divine services duriUg the sea- son at 112 otherpla.ces in France. Germany, and about one-third go out at their own charges. Austria, Italy, Norway and Switzerland. Tbe Committee lIrmly uphold the principle Reformed Presbyterian Ohurch. that family life exercises a most important influence among the heathen. At tne same time, REPORT FOB YEAR ENDING lIIARCB 31, 1889. they have lately adopted new marriage regula- Receipts: tions, applicable to all missionaries, so as (in ordinary cases) to require thr~eyears' probation Balance from last account……•…… 82,323 22 in the fleld before marriage; and they have en- Contributions.. .. . .. . .. .. . . •. .. .. .. …. 9,304 fr{ couraged the formation of bands of associated Bequests and Individual donations….. 2,71040 evangelists, who are to live In common on small Special donations …………………. 2,832 30 allowances. Interest On Investments ..•……..• , .. 1,585 Balance, dedc!t…………………… 1,014 86 The field reports are eucouraging, show- 1ng especial advances in Africa. Total………………………… 819,77065 London Association in aid of the Payments: Moravian Missions. General expenses……………….. $19,436 65 Transferred to account of Boys' In. REPORT FoR YEAR ENDING FEB. 20, 1889. dustrial School••.•••..••.• " ••.. '. 334 Recetpt,: F 8. d. Total……………………… : $19,':7065 Balance……………. ………. 32 11 11 STATISTICS. Contributions …… '" •.. •• .. . … 3,690 12 10 Legacies…… ..•••••••. ……… 756 10 0 Special Funds. ••••••. ••. . . •••. . .. 863 I> 9 Total…………………….. .£5,343 o 6 Payme1J.t8: STATISTICS• .£ 8. d. ——— – – —– To Treasurer Moravian Missions. 4,091 15 0 Expenses. …. … … .•. •. ••• •• . .. • 911 5 7 Latakiyeh……….. 91234 6 186 :j7 25 735 Balance. . .• •….. •• … . •. •. •. •. . . 339 19 11 Tarsus. .. • …. …… 4 3 13 3 48 16 11 245 Total ……………………… .£5,343 0 6 Totals…………… 18 1547 9 2345336 lBO This SOCiety carries on no independen t work. In our next number we shall give the full statis- The great difflculty the Board has methas tics of the Moravian Church and its missions. been the deficit. It is not generally under- stood that the administration costs the Oolonial and Oontinental Ohurch Board not a dollar, even for postage. Every Sooiety. cent contributed goes direct to the foreign field. The Covenanter Church is doing a REPORT FoR THE YEAR ENDING IIIARCH 31, 1889. ha.rd and noble work.
Receipts: British Syrian Mission Schools and. Subscriptions…………………….. £ 757 Bible Work. Associations……… ……… ……… 6,363 Legacies …. I. .. .. • • • .. • •• .. • • .. .. …. • 1,030 REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1888. Donations, etc ……………………. 1,767 Continental receipts. . . . . . . •. . . •. . . .• •. 5,416 Receipt.: £ •• d. Special Funds ………. ~ •. •• .. …… 2,840 General Fund………………. 4,136 10 8 £18,173 Amounts locally raised and expended.. 18,900 Br. and Foreign Bible Society.. 211 o 0 Total Income…………………….. £37.073 Contributions Syria. ………… 1,482 18 11 Payments: FromPupU..:……………….. 252 8 1 These are not tabDIated, but are stated as '£1,761) in excess of income. The heaviest strain Books, etc… ………. …… …. 63 15 4 is in connection with debts on church buildings, for which the Society is liable to the snm of £6,146 13 0 $10,000. Jthas heen decided to do no more in Less pa.ssed to Reserve Fund .. 251 7 7 that line, bnt to conIIne the payments of the SOCiety to the expen3es of living agents. with Total …………………… £5,895 I) I) special reference to tbe great and pressing needs of the newer colonies. There are agents of the Payment.: £ ,. d. SocieV' in 28 Colonial Dioceses in Canada, West 416 Indies, Mauritius, India, Africa, Anstralia and Bala.nce Dec. 31, 1887 ……….. 5,060 11 7 New Zealand. Permanent chaplaincies are con- Curreut expenses………….. 304 4 10 nected with IUn 59 cities on the Continent, and Building expenses…………. 113 19 2 Ba.lance Dec. 31,1888……….. 9 10 Total. …………………. • £5,895 I) I) ::;J .,.~~ Ohma. Inland lIission.
0 ~U REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING DBC. 81, 1888.
B Receipts: (II I' ~g~ £ •• d.
rD ~1Il: Balance, general account…….. 52 17 9' 9" 0 ; Property, etc., acCounts……… 455 13 2 9'1': f ;:~: III (II S0'l19:Q':' £508 1011 !" : ~ g~ Donations, general account …..20,457 3 7 p._. Donations, special account and ……,0<-3•9'<•'.' sales ofgoods and publications 12.467 7 9 Donations. ChinaandAmerica.. 2.672 15 9 . . Ol' • Interest, etc………………… 413 12 2 ~ : : Total. ……………………..£36.519 10 2 : I~ Gentlemen. Payments: £ •• d. I c.1t01CX1 Ladies. ~I i~ To China ……………………26.308 5 10 ~I .,.""::: ITotal. ~I r~~ll~~ll Candidates and outfitll………. 3.787 13 2 Publications. etc……………. 1.788 2 4 General expenses……………. 2.751 19 7 ~~~ 1Native Teachers. Balance………………. " ….. 1.988 9 3 !:ll TotaL …………………..£86.519 10 2 fBI I :::"'~ Schools. Igt' I I J~» STATISTICS.
o~ ~~.~l'" Scholars. Highest ..,r …:.. Entry. ..Q .e,r I … .. " • "" ,.; .r …r. ..r, bO . . . I to….. 1Preaching Stations. ..Q • "~"II ~ A V'era.ge CI t.1.. ~I …. .. .", .II,I ,.;§..!..lCo . . ., CI ,"g 'a" .r . . .. .. "'j;:~ 'i I g:g~ Congregation. til .r ." "a .;3 .8.r, '5. til til ..Q Bible Women and CI OJ 'a 8 g~ .; 0 0 :ii :z .~.n. Co ~ ,.S., Co 0 ..Q tIl.. Z .<:: 0 -" – – ~A< I I ~"'<O Scripture Readers. 2.. — " -.".. —— -00 0 rLI -rLI ~ ~8g Women's Classes. 6:: INumber of Children 15 77 68 332 144 127 80 2.464 472121 225 38 il in Sunday SCllOOls. The year was one of unprecedented trial.
For the first time the amount of sickness The pupils as classified by race and relig- and the number of removals by death ex- ion are: Roman Catholic, 321; Greeks. ceeded the average of the whole missionary 1,347; Jews and Proselytes.74; Maronites. staff in China. There have been persecu- 157; Protestants. 194; Druses. 236; Mos- tions and disappointments. but on the lems and 'Metualies. 450. Of the numerous whole a.dvance and encouragement. Dur- pupils of the Moslem girls' schools. who have ing the year 55 new missionaries were sent been married not one has been divorced, out. most of whom proceeded to tbe Traianor has a second wife entered the harem. • ing Homes at Yau K'ing and. Yang-chau.
In addition to those regularly commis- sioned by the Board six members of the Keith-Fa.looner Mission, South Ara.bia.. Bible Christian and three members of the REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING lURCH. 31, 1889. Swedish Missionary Societies a.re working This first Annual Report since the death of under the general directions of the mission.
the beloved founder of the mission is naturally -Dr. Georce Smith. in The Fre~ Churcll. qf one of prospect rather than retrospect, an exam- Scotland ltfootllJ'V, reviews the last ten years ot ination of the problems before it, more ·than a the foreign missions of that church, and finds statement of resnlts already reached. The much encouragement therein. In 1878 the mission force consists of three missionaries. adults baptized were 277; in 1888, 815; in 1878 one male and female native Abyssinian teachers. the uative commnnicants were 3,317; in 1888 Dr. Paterson's medical work has been most thsy were 6.272; the pupils had also doubled and successful. In Oct., 1888, about 62 Galla children the contributions from native churches and the were rescued from three slave dhows. Their number of nstive Christian ageuts. The revlanguage was almost unknown, and many of enue has also increased in the same proportion. them died from the efl'ects of change of climate, It was £48,775 from all sources in 1878and £!I7,- food, etc., but it is hoped that much good may M2in 1888, the home donations being £Bl,2G3as be done among them. A full account of Hon. against £1l4.999, and the foreign £17,512 as Ion Keith-Falconer will be found in the June against £32,543. Starting now on the next denumber of the MISSIONARY REVIEW. cade with what is practically £100,000 8 year, it is to be hoped they may again double it. ThiB little church has a missionary record of which it xnay well be proud.
of the Brazil Mission of the Northem Presbyterian Ohul'Oh
. ., . r!I & fi .i.. '" i… .i.. .. 0 &, d: , g 0 .. . …. ci .. _gi i i '8 1 " . j0.1g'1 Name. of Churches. .<:I ;~a .t:> aa::s Contributions in Dollars, at Two Mil.reis to Dollar• .!! 8 1>.'" .: … ., ~. .<:I 0 0 OIl ~.~ .8 N .. h ~ .! ~ .S ~ B~ ,gi ….. i ;as '" .. :a '1:1- ]"~.''8=~ 0.; .£ dI" dI .<I .! ~ ~ 0 8.~ . ., . ., ~ I . i. ~1 Ii .,~ "' ;.. ,D .t:> 1::'1s .<:I dI ::s ~ .J 0 ! ~ 1>0 ,D al …. .8 I>. .1s'1 .~ 1'1 II> 'fS" 1'18 :;:s dI .!! 0 0 '0 "00_ .01 1'1 0 Z z0 0 '0" 0 0 !! ~8 -iii- -Z – -Z – Z Z lIiI <II – – – – – – – – – – – – – 1..1862 Rio de Janeiro•.••…•- – . c:<lc:<l 0 ~ B99 5 1 223 5 13 'i ·i 9 2M 82,2110 l3 12500 8330 50 82,642 43 811 86 288 15 'I' 182 12 22 80 1,~ 02 (()982 588 .1 1364 .. .. .. …… 8.•1865 Brota.s…………….. 2,~25 1 ..1865 Sao Paulo………….. .. .. .. …… •.•186~ .. .. …… 6..1800 283 8 1u58 2 15 1 1 18 122 50 5526 1'l'l76 118 5'1' 1 4711 479 8i Lorena …..••. 88 '6 ii 1 ·i 2i 80M 'iil'OiI Soroca.ba .•.••. 27630 814 15 'ai'oo 1500 125 • .. .. .. .. .. 6..187~ Petropolis………….. i95'76 245 39 743 • . ~::::: 130 " 12 .. .. .. .. .. 7..1M72 Bahia ………………15 38 1500 6't '2 '2 " 19783 8..1~3 Rio Novo ………….. 179 a9 165 1 22 .i 60 '2 8 85 111 50 2650 ioo'oo 138 85 64 138 58 3 6 21738 Ji600 63838 .. .. .. .. .. 10..1813 Oal das…………….. 7 5490 215 00 2850 211840 9..1873 Rio Claro………….. 9" '0149 …… 11. .IS!! Ma.ell ado………….. 62 2 38 1 5 25 ·s :3.. 1~15 Dous Corregos…….. 6500 1000 7500 63 1 " 40 1 6 " 90 98 165 T5 16't 1115 10 146 /I 19 183 61 4628 .. 13.. 1874 Cruzeiro ………….. 38' D 8 1 60 80 89100 3803 '29'57 27673 169 M 3 13 .. …… 14..1875 1:1. Carlos do Plnhal••• 15 26146 '1'02 85 5 80 'i ·i '82 ~03 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. …… …… 15, .ld16lCachOeir a ……….. ,. 1 '1'9. 112 8 1550 1550 119 84 18 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16, .1871 Campos ……………64 U .. .. as .. 7..1800 Borda do. Matta…….65 •1 '2 'i4'2i; '86'00 'iil'oo '86'75 "i'88 ·s .. .. 18..1879,Faxina ……………. ·i 'i 16u5o8o0 .. .. . 19.•1879 Araraquara…. , .•.••• 22 9..8..2.1. 6't 59 ·~·OO 192 119 9 '5 86 8 8 00 8520 160 10 26 115. 10 i~'oo .. .. .. .. .. .. …… 20..1880 LeneoeB, ………….. 181 94 8 16 .. ·s .. .. .. .. …… 21. .1880 Ubatuba………….. 16 1M 'I' 122 .. .. .. .. .. .. …… 22..1881 Cabo Verde……….. 58 :.I 92 8 136 .0 426'00 '37'00 482'00 "S'.o 151 19 .. .. .. .. .. ….. 28..1881 Area.do……………. ·s .. .. .. …… U ..1882 Guarehy…………… 89 8 26 25 13 5000 2500 7500 288 86 26 74 48 1550 963 86 13 7500 100 00 .. .. .. .. …… 25.•1884 Ca.mpanha.•.•.•••…. 25 13 64 85 18 19 '9 ·i 17500 500 .. .. .. .. .. .. …… …… . …… 27 26}1884 {CUrityba………. } 211- 122 211 122 20 ……. .. ~ ….. .. .. …… 88..1884 Larangeira.s ………. Castro…………. .. .. .. …… 211..1835 Pirassununga……… 189 22 62 17 59 17 8 20 1 1 16 l3 81 45 41 2580 286 .. …… 80..188') Itapetlninga ………. 28 13 12 20 480 2150 92 30 12 5 2 1 .. 1 2 442'00 62 78 6 7 ..0. 4.i7'4B '25'45 .'5' iI8 …… 81 ..1865 Botucatu …………..65 6 82 1 '2 40 ·i ..8 188 38 .. …… 82..1887 Rio Grande…………45 4 .i 27 183 38 '.i.5.'.W.. 5'1'8 • .. …… 33.. ~= Latuhy…………… , .2..2..4.2 45 5 40 45 5 18 ..6..5..0 -.-….5.-0 19 11 8 – -19- 11 . -13- …… 84..1 Canna. Verde ………. .. -'9- -'i- ·i 30 — — — — — — — . 8,896 844 76 2.420 287 862 6 465 18 80 604 $6,61}3 79 81,922 11 81,llU 00 89.841 6.'i $40 .86 -Brazilian Missions.
OltGA.NtZED MISSIONARY woax A.ND S'tA.'turtlCS
Table of the Oatholio llissiona of Ohina.
&published from the 8h.angh.ai Ocrurier fOr 1887.
: :I~ '8I1l11TNIJI:IlS ~~~ ~i~~~~~~~~~~§!~~~~~~~§~~lj : l:g '1I'IId.IlcI .,…. ….. 'P"'t ~ P'II …. ~,…,…,…..,f :1 .1 'B'IOOHOg ;,..l'
: :I~ . 'B'lILlTHO <DIT IIXHOUOHO ~~i~~e~~e~~~~~~~~~~~~~~iiSI~$:~~~~~I~ '!IDJI.(lHO:IlJ.YO 'SOl'lOJLLTO j{ ' owu1'lO .. .. .. S e~~ ·~ ·'Uf>ad'o.m{j[ 1""'t ,… o,..-t ~~~~o f …~ .-.l. .eN ~; e~~~~~~ …. … ~~~ ~~ …o O~l , .~ ~. 'I~ 9"" · •• .. ~~~~~ =~~~~=e~~~~~~i~~;~a~~~~~~~~ii~11 ·axalUl0.!l 1!~!!~~i~~~~~~!I!~~!il!~!~!!~!!~~I~1 .4 !
0 ~ ~ ~ II< . :.;:…;! : :J.J : :…; ::.;::J.~.~t:.:~:.~S::~J~~:-I~lt~,:::}.~:!,~:;I•J;::l'.IJa';',t;il:i_~~: w"' '. :~ ct! .' : .:fA ~:.·O..S. OS",•::S•o•S :-S.g:3 :~:fi~!;f~i!; :; :• :"(~£I ;;~~~:~:~s O:~~ :~5 :;~:~:s~::~s . :·c~""
= s~ ;1zi!12 ·:o~=~: :~s . = :. JI:·.. =.:; _ . '3 o~=ld-;:: . : ~~- c:I r.t :-r- .-.- :-V-~ : :-v-' : bi :-v-" :-v– : : ~–.- : ~~~! ~ E = ~~~:<I:~s0"<I ~ ~< bDII':i bI) ::– iii c:e ciG) Q ..w!! :.:a: ~ ~ r.lI s:J ~l~i ~ l=i itQi.. lg~~· ~~=~~I)-~=3 ~ .; ~0 til @ ~c ~5:1 ~.,Q Chlna.-The American Presbyterian Mis- Prot. E. P. Thwing, M.D., who has the chair 01 810n at Canton report the last year 30 mlssion- norvous diseases in the New J eraey Medical arles,8nativ9-ordained preachers, 89assiatants, Collejte, expects to spend the winter. with Dr. S chorches, 509 members, oC whom 82 added on Kerr. There is great need at once tor the esprofession the past year, a gain of 19 per cent. tsbUshment of a hospital for the insane. over the previoos year; 32 day schools, 804 pupils or 1,000, including 3 boarding schools. -The following is a summary 01 the new . Dr. John G. Kerr continues his invaluable work 11ft of the missionaries in China issued by 10 the hospitsl and in translating medical books. the Presbyterian Pre..: Total British,231 Dr. Thompson has pubUshed medical and his- Cputlemen, 183; ladies, unmarried or widOWS, torlcal matter. .'f). China Inland Mission,262 (gentlemen, There have been 1,558 patients indoor; 417 visltedat their homes and 311,226 outdoorpa- 148; ladies, unmarried or widows, 119). tielitstreated; 8,454 on country trips ; total, 40,- .4.merican and Canadian, 301 (gentlemen,lOO; G85. There have been 2,777 surgicaloperatlons. la.clles,unmarrledorwidows,101i). Continent- ,,1,40 (lI'entlemen, 86; ladies, unmarried or wI4ows,4). Grand total (wives excluded),884.
'7l6 "' PROGRESS OJ!' HISSIONB-J[ONTHLY BULLETIN. [SEl"l'
VIll.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Afrlca.-The railroads of Africa are be- present unsettled state of affairs) and·.
coming quite a faeror In its civilization and devel- sta1f of 102 workers. Of these 36 are natives. opment. The Portuguese are now constructinga and 19 are Englis h ladles. railroad In the proVince of Angola, from Loan- The Church Missionary Society has some da to AIDbacca, a distance ot 2IiO miles. The seven workers in the Int.erior, but the Ger- man operations and native quarrels sur. work Is progressing rapidly. Several locomo- round their work with both difficulty and tives and cars have alr6lldy arrived. A railroad da.nger. At Mombasa. on the last Sunday of III also plsnned to go around the Congo Falls, on 1888 the communion was Observed by UO the south Side, some distance from the river, communic&ats, all but eight belUg na.tives. where the ravines &nd mountaiu gorges are not The work here has been goingonfor thi"teen s~ diJIlcult oC passing as near the river. years, anda Divinity cl&8s has been started, -It is announced in England that the Lon- -The British East Alrica Company Is don Hissionary Society has come to the con- about to start a railroad which is expected clusion that more et8.sticity is required In ultimately to connect Victoria Nyanza the appointment of missionaries, and have with the sea. The company has sent two decided to send ont bands of celibate mis- cara.vans of a thousand people mto the sionaries to selected centers, to work for a interior for purposes of exploration. If term of years at the Jowestsahl.ryconsistent the church were half as enterprising as with health, nnder the guidance of some commerce, the world would soon be con- experienced head. verted to Chl"ist.
-Missionaries for Central Africa. The de· -At Msrija (a. station of the French Prot· parture of Mr. T. H. Horris, Dr. Fisher and esta.nt Mission among the South African others, to join Mr. F. S. A.rnot's mission In Basutos), 75 new converts were received Central Africa., hall been awaited with lively Into the church on the 30th December last. interest by many churches and congrega· An assembly of 1,5()() natives witnessed their tions throughout the country. Now the de- baptism, and 35 persons previously careless parture is a historical fact. Last w..ek .. asked to be placed under special instructelegram was received from Mr. A.rnot, who tion. was still at Benguela, stating that transport -Bechuanaland postal runners carry the inland was difftcult. Thereupon Mr. and ma.iis at the rate of 130 miles a day, each Mrs. Morris determined to leave their chilo runner covering fifteen miles. The route dren in England for tbe present. The last between Tangier a.nd Fez, in Morocco, is 150 days of the devoted band in tbis country miles of mountainous crooked roads, bridgewere happily spent, ma.ny friends commend· less and ferryless rivers. The Arab carriers ing each and all to the God of all grace and run, walk, and swim this distance in three power. On Thursday lastweel< a large fare- and a half days. well meeting was held in the Folkestone -Effect of the Blockade. We learn from Road Gospel Hall,Walthamstow, and it was letters of African missionaries in the Engfelt by many to be a very blessed season. lish papers that the international blockade The party left the London Docks Cor Lis- on the east coast of Africa has prevented bon on Saturday in the stea.mship Gibraltar. the export of slaves, but it has not dimin- In addition to Mr. aDd Mrs. Morris and Dr. ished the slave traffic in the interior. Mr.
Fisher, there were: Messrs. Gaul, Thomp- Robson, of the Church Missionary Society, son and Johnson, and Misses Davies and writes from Mombasa., near the coast; north Gilchrist. An inspiriting meeting was held of Zanzibar: just before the ship left, twenty or thirty .. If the blockade Is preventing the transfriends being present. Among the melodies portation of slaTes in boats It has not arthat were sung was .. Go ye into aJl the rested the trade. The crimes committed World," with its stirring and cheering re- by the Arabs in the interior are worse than frain, •• All Power is Given unto Me." After· ever. No longer able to export the negroes, ward a pra.yer.meeting was held on the tbey drag them far ·north by land, and green near the docks, the loved ones who scarcely one in ten slaves reache" his des- ha.d gone forth being earnestly committed tination. Many of the slave bands tha~are to the loving care of the Lord of the har- passing north througb thia country come vest. On the same ship were three Ameri- Crom the Makua district east of Lake Ny- can workers, also bound Cor spherE'S in the assa. By the time they reach this region interior of Africa-Hr. Cotton and his Wife, they ha.ve traveled several hundred miles."
the latter a Doctor of Medicine, and Mr. Lee. Belgium. -An interesting account is -The (Jhriatian (England.). given in TluJ Sundall'Sclwol Timea, by one of -eaatral Africa. The Universities' Mis- Its correspondents, of the Evangelical MisSion- sion report four mission fields (no stations sI")' Church of Belgium, which was fully argall- haviDg as yet been abandoned through the ized in 1849, Its ftrst small society having been established in 1887. It has now 26 regular 100 we;k, with convegations varylngtrom churches and 112 other congregations, meeting statedly tor worship. It has also 60 Sunday- to 700. The additions to the churohes in schools, with about 2,500 children In attendance. Ha.vana. average about ten a week. Lead- The present membership of the churches is ing men in high IIOcia.1 position, who have nearly 7,000. There are many cases of perse- been alie_ted from the Roman Catholic cution ; the people are very poor and the funds Church by the ignorance and arrogancze of scanty, but the workmen do not fail, and the the priests, are in sympathy with the Bapgrowth is steady. There is in the country an- tist work, and give It their active co operaother branch of the Protestant Church,· support- tion. The mission is under the care of the ed, along with the Roman Catholic, by the Gov- Home Miasion Board Of t·he Southern Bapernment ; but of its numbers and condition we tist Convention. are not Informed. Enll;land.-The Foreign Mission Re- Ch I na.-Inland Mission. Mr. BroomhaII, port, given In by Mr. M'Murtrie, the Con- Secretary of the lllsslon, stated at the late anni- vener, if it had to tell of a decrease Inspeversary that during the past year 54 new mis- cial funds and of difficulties surroundingour sionaries have joined the C. I. M. from England East Africa Mission, nevertheless told of and America. The total Dumber ot workers Is advance in many directions. The addition now 328, including the wives of miSSionaries, of ablA missionaries to the working statf, most of whom were thems.lves missionaries be- the large ingathering of converts In the fore their marriage; 15 accepted candidates are preparing to enter the field; 472have made pro- Punjab and at Darjeeling, the impression fession of faith throughout the year, and 13 new created by the admirable addresses of the statlonshave been opened In di1l"erent provinces. missionaries at home on furlough, both in In speaking of progress in the province of KI- the country and at the Assembly, were matangsi, Hudson Taylor observed that it was al- ters of congratulation and of thankfulness most wholly due to the devoted e1l"0rt8 of the to the Lord of the harvest. The figures in sisters; nothing, indeed, had more deeply im- the report were instructive. In Africa, pressed him of late than the way in which God India and China the church has 83 European has honored the labor of the lady missionaries. missionaries, 19 of whom are ordained; and It is clearly through them that many of the 195 Christian native agents, of whom 7 are higher ranks of the Chinese can be won for ordained, and 2 licentiates. There are Christ. 3,700 baptized converts, of whom 800 are communicants, while the scholars in the -Dr. J. Hudson Taylor says: "I have mission schools number 5,400. The income for the year for Foreign Missions had been labored in China and for China for over £35,OOO.-Home and Foreign MiaBion Record. thirty years, and I am profoundl,. convinced that opium is doing more e.,.n in China in a -The income for the past year of theChnrch week than the missions are doin!!" good in a year." a' lllssionary Society, which Is now 90 years old, -Dr. Nevius, at Chefoo, writes: "In 1885, was stated the annual meeting to be higher while itinerating in a region about 260 miles than that of any previous year. The amount is Irom here, previously unvisited, I was, by prov- £211,378. Adding the receipts from special idental circumstances, drawn aside from the funds, there is a grand total of £252,016. The road· I was traveling, and a person whom I report thought such a financial success especislly should not have met in the proposed course of striking, seeing that Protestant missions had my journey, was providentially drawn from his been so sharply attacked during the past year. home to meet me. While the crowds with whom It seemed as if the Christian public, by their In- I met In the market town where I was stopping creased liberality, wished to cast a vote of consought me, and listened from mere curiosity, fidence in missionary methods, and to show how this man llstened with Intense interest. After unmerited they considered the hostile demonsome time he introduced himself, and said: stration to be. Fifty-nine new missionaries had 'This is what I have been waiting for for twen- joined the statf, 26 of these being ladies. ty years. I have been earnestly sebking for light and guidance, but without success. This -The World's Sunday-School Convention is the very truth I want.' This man-his name opened very auspiciously in London. Among Is Yang-yiu-shln-recelved and embraced the the Interesting facts brought out in reports truth at once as a person prepared and called. are the following: 10.000,000 people weekly He has been an earnest and successfnl stndent study the international lessons ; out of 5().,- of the Bible ever since, and he has been God's 000,000 children in India, only 100,000 are in instrnment in establishing three churches in and Sunday-schools, and 217,000 in miasion dayabout his home. I ha…. met with no similar schools. France and Switzerland do not use calle in my experience." these lessons, thinking the cycle-seven years-too long and the subjects too dUll. CUba.-The Baptist Work in Cuba, cult for children.-Union 8tgnal. under the leaderlOhlp of Bev. Mr. Diaz, is in a very flourishing condition. There are six France•.,–The Mi88ions Oatkoliquetl pubpreachers in Havana. who hold 20 services a lished at Lyons, has given interesting letters to CardinalLavlgeriefrom Mgr. Livlnha.c, the Bishop of the Roman Cathollc Missions on the Victorta Nyanza, describing the)lr8t oftha ra- «:ent revolatlonslD.Uganda; BUd from one ofthe India, wonderful splrltnal Intereets, are ~ … other French misslonari8ll, D,~arratlng the incidents 0 ,he tIeCOnd revolntlon, the sacking of velopsd. .. The' ground floor Ia devoted to the "e IJl8sions, thl' expnlsion of the missionaries, boarding and tralning-sehool for ~Dpli glr~, the vonge across the lake. It bas all along One of the npper rooms is the olllce of the been of great interest to observe the venions weekly Methodist vemaeniar newspaper, tile 3lven of events In Uganda by the French m~is~ labor and cost of which are dlvl.ded between sionaries. The chief point In liIgr. Llvinhac~s the British and American Methodist missloll8. letter is this, tbat he and his coUeagnesendeav- Last year revised editlona of Methodist cateored to dissnade their leading adherents from chisms, translations of Wesley'S sermons and jOining in the revolt against Mwanga, on the collections of Bengali hymns were also pubgronnd that" rebellion, even against the worst lished. The miSSionary has also gsthered bis of kings, is forbidden by the law of God." helpers into a band of disciples, who learn the The principal Roman Catholic convert, named Greek Testament, Sanscrit grammar, allJ Honorat, seems to have held aloof, bnt church history in pleasant talks, while paddling falled to indnce his followen to do so. When across the lagoons or tramping the dusty roads Kiwewa was pnt on tile throne, Honorat was to their preaching appointments." appointed to the olllce of Katikiro. The writer ofthe narrative expresses warmly his gratltnde -The M. E. Church has three Rnnnal conto .. Messienrs les Anglais" for bringing him ferences in India. According to the latest reand his comrades away In the Eleanor. ports these conferences have an aggregate of84 foreign preachers and 51 native, 10,318 members oIeW8.-Rablnowich and his Mission to Ia- and probationers, 138 ~chnrches, 126 parsonages rael. Thesecond aonnalstatement of theConnell, and 20,138 scholars In day schools. who snpport Rabinowich in his work in Rnssia, ahows that the Interest in him has not abated. -Rev. J. Newton, D.D., of Lahore, in a Not only by his preaching bnt by his printed sermons, he is reaching thonsands. .. His ser- recentietter gives it as his opinion that the mons, published in Hebrew, Russian and in the number of secret believers in India. is very Jargon, reach, in ten thousands of copies, the great. We believe tb.is is the opinion of masses of the Jews iu eastern Europe. Tl:ey every missionary Wllo has wide acquainflnd eager readers in the most remote districts tance with the people. We have it on good of Siberia, and In the secinded valleys of the authority that quite a number of Hindus Carpathian monntains. A preacher so highly living in a city of the N. W. P. meet regugifted, so versed In the Scriptnres, so deeply larly for the study of the Bible and the rooted in the Divine Word of the New Cove- worship of Christ. They arEl deterred by nant, the Jewish nation has not possessed since caste ties from an open confeasion of Christ the days of the Apostles." by baptism.-Makhzan-i-Masihi.
-Statistics have been published in confir- -In several towns near Bombay olrers mation of the growth of Jewish em~atlon have been made to the missionaries to open from Russia. In 1886, 18,000 Russians landed schools among the natives, no objection in New York; In 1887, more than 25,000; and being ra.ised to tbe assurance that the eduin 1888, abont 33,000. Scarcely 10 psr cent. of cation would be on strictly Christian printhe latter are Christians, the bnlk of the immi- ciples. A lack of money to occupy these grants being Jews, chiefly from Poland and Llth- centers was the only reason tor refusal, aa nanla.-J6!Di8h Chronicle. freedom to teach the Bible was fnlly granted by the Brahmins, who desired the thorough I,nd la.-"Bombay," writes a missionary, teaching and high mora.l influence of the missionaries. Several societies of Brahmina .. isa perpetual wonderland. Whence came in Southern India have been formed for the 800,000 inhabitants! Last week a Greenlander called. seeking work. ~ Two days the sole purpose of stndying the Bible. Quesafter a man from Australia wrote me, ask- tions are often sent to the missionaries for Ing a favor. A few weeks ago a West Indian replies on serious points, and these are dl…. came to attend to repairs on my house. cussed, on being retnrned to the societies., Last Sunday night I preached to a congre- in secret session. The Sanscrit Bible la gation in which sat, side by side, a Russian anxiously studied by some of the high from the Baltic and an Armenian from the priests of Hinduism…,a token tor good to foot of Mount Ararat. Among my parish- those who watch for signs of the times. ioners Is an AbYSSinian. Turks from the Darda.nelles, Greeks from the Adriatic, Sld- -At the recent Nlltional Congres8 in India, hee boys from Zanzibar. Norwegians and '100 representa.tives were gathered at Mad- South Africans live, do business and die in ras from all parts of India. They spoke nine this human hive. Is It not a wonderIa.nd ! dilrerent languages, and EngUsh was the God is working in this city. I found the only common medium of commnnicatlon. Greenlander trusted Him; the Abyssinia.n All the proceedings were in tbAtiaugnage. wept as he talked oC Him, and the Sidhee boy from Zanzibar needed Him." -The Fourteenth Annual Report of the Mission to Lepers in India. of which the -At the 1Ii..lon Ho_ in Dum ~, Rev. W. C. Bailey is Secretary, shows tbat good work bas wonderfnily spread over In- dia, Burmah, and Ceylon. The very exil- tence ot .uch a~ soctetl atrords strlll;lng proof that Christ still lives on earth. No Church. The tlrree Baoltic provin~_~' hluDali beings seem more mlsera.ble, and the gOspel a.lone ca.n smooth their pa.thway land.Esthonla.a.nd Livonkr,-have I!o totI!J pqf.- to the gra.ve. We a.re glad to see that increa.sed a.ttention i. given at present to the nla.tion of nea.rly 2,600,000,thegreater por.tiOQ .ubject of leprosy, a.lthough much sa.ld of whom a.re Luthera.n8. Thls Is ejlPOC11IUY ··.bout the sufferers In the pa.pers Is very the ca.se with the la.nded gentry. whose sym- llI.rsh, If not Inhuma.n. We ha.ve little pathies a.re essentia.lly Germa.n. This Ie alldoubt tha.t this terrible aftllction sta.lks in other step in the e1rort to fully Rus,l&I)i~e the wa.ke of a.nother almost equa.lly terrible the Baoltlc prOVil1cell, edicts suppres,lng and repulsive disea.se, the fruit of aocia.1 Germa.n schools and t4' holding of Ia.nds bY' vice. In a. remote province Into which a. citizens of Germa.ny having preceded it. regiment of soldiers introduced syphilis Atta.cking the religious prejudices of the people, this step is regarded a.s much more _..during the Mutiny. the leprosy became al- serions than the others. a.nd, a.s the Sta.te Church of PruBBia. is singled out. it will probmost epidemic, but everywhere followed ably give rise to a. protest from Berlin." the pa.th of the other disea.se.-Indian Wit- Scotland.-A great farewell meeting -Indian Rallways. Sa.ys the Administra.- for Africa.n a.nd India.n miBBiona.ries wa…· tion Report of Rallwa.ys in India. for 1888- held in Music Ha.ll. Edinburgh, on the even- 1689: ing of the first Frida.y of the Genera.l As- sembly. The missionaries were Rev. Alex. .. The length of ra.ilwa.ys open for traftlc in Hetherwick. F. R. G. S., Miss Christie (sent India. a.t the end of 1887-88 was 14,383 miles; by the LOOies' Associa.tion). Mr. Dunca.n. the length a.dded during 1888-89 wa.s 888 and Mrs. Fenwick, a.bout to proceed to miles; deducting certain branch lines Africa. ; a.nd Rev. Henry Rice. Rev. Robert which ha.ve been closed, the tota.l length of Kilgour, a.nd Miss Augusta. Reid (of the open line at the end of 1888-89 wa.s 16.245 Ladies' Association), who proceed Ia.ter in miles. Of the tota.l open line of 16.245 miles, the season to India. The meeting. which 9,'l96 miles a.re worked by Gua.ra.nteed, As- was presided over by Rev. Dr. Scott, of St. sisted a.nd other compa.nies; 4,998 miles a.re George's. wa.s large and enthu8ia.stic. worked by direct. Government a.gency; a.nd 461 miles a.re worked by Na.tive Sta.te&. South Amerlca.-The Transit and During the yea.r sa.nction ha.s been giTen Building Fund Society of Bishop Taylorsent. for th!! construction of a.ddltiona.1 milea.ge from New York on the last Satnrda.y of to the extent of 680 miles. The tota;l sa.nc- May. six more missiona.ries to South Amertioned mileage on B1st of March, 1889. wa.s ica.. a.nd $10,000 more to erect school and 17,607 miles, showing a.n Increase over the corresponding figures at the end of the pre- church buildings.-A/rican New. vious year of 637 miles."-Allahabad Pion- Spaln.-The Protesta.nt Church of Spain eer. numbers at present 112 cha.pels a.nd school- houses,l11 pa.rochial schools with 61 male Madagascar.-"Mr.Henry E.Clark,of and 78 female teachers, B,Ii4Ii boys a.nd 2,Q9Ii tire Friends' Foreign Mission Association, girls. There a.re 80 Sunda.y-schools with 183 who has been for many yea.rs a missionary helpers. a.nd 3.231 scholars. The churches in Ma.dagascar, ha.s written to us in ref- a.re ministered unto by 56 pa.stors and 35 erence to the pa.ra.gra.ph in our last week's eva.ngelists; the number of regular a.ttendissue on Dr. Cust's new book, and thecha.rge ants of Divine service is9,l64; of communihe brings that some English missiona.ries ca.nts. 3,442. Pa.stor F. Fliedner reports in Ma.da.gasca.r countena.nce sla.very. :Mr. steady progress on a.11 sides. Cla.rk sa.ys that it is altogether Incorrect to sa.y tha.t English missiona.ries in Mad- -The Irish Presbyteria.n work in Spa.in. a.g&sca.r countena.nce either slavery or the The Rev. Wm. Moore writes from Puerto sla.ve tra.de; tha.t on the contra.ry their Sa.nta. Ma.ria.: .. The work wa.s never so action is gradually undermining' the system. a.nd is prepa.ring the wa.y for its ultima.te fiourishing as it Is now. I ha.ve been spenda.bolition."-The OhriBtian (London). Ing my leisure hours in' setting up' a. new geography (elementa.ry), sorely needed for -A new hospital Will shortly be erected our schools, a.nd which we a.rt' going to a.tat Ma.da.ga.scar by the London Missiona.ry tempt to bring out on our little printing Society, a.ssisted by the Friends' Foreip press. This geogra.phy is the tra.nsla.tion of MiBBion Committee. one compiled by Miss Whately for evening schools in Egypt and the Leva.nt. It is the Russla.-Peraecutions. A dispa.teh from one branch of study of which the Spa.nlll.rds St. Petersburg, dated July 12, is to the fol- seem to know nothing. IIond a.ny school textlowing effect: .. The Government has tota.lly book one ca.n find Is so complica.ted and suppreBBed the Luthera.n Church in Russia.. a.bsnrd a.s to be useless for elementa.ry Accordin&' to the la.test oftlcla.l reports of tb,e. ~oly Synod, those for 1886, there were schools." 2,1I/iO.OOO Protest&nts in Europea.n RUBBia., United Stat••• – The Int.ernatlonal ADd the bulk of theae belonc to the Lutheran Medical MlBsIOll6ry Soclety, U8 East FortY-lI.fth street,held Ita annlv~ryexerclBetj!D,J;>J'. ~k" hurst's Ohurch; itwu ioU ~ of 1'IIf'.!D,~r" est. Dr. Wm. M. Taylor and Dr. F.F.Eilinwood 475,608; added on confession, 25,994; added by madeaddressea full of eloqueut appreciation of letter, 19,042 ; added total, 45,036; increase, 18,- the work accompliBhed by the society, and were 024; Sunday-schools, members, 580,672; gain, followed by others In the same strain. And no 28,981; benevolent contributions ofthe churches, wonder; tor the facts presented by tbe Medical $2,205,563 ; gain, $110,(1; 8.
Director, Dr. Dowkontt, were inspiring. Dur· -Word and Work (London) points out that ing the pa'St year two houses have been occupied Moravian missionaries have long been doing a in Forty·fifth street; containing 59 students. work similar to and not less valuable than that Seven dispensaries wer" maintained, and near- of Father Damien. In 1818 a Moravian hospital ly 15,000 attendance on the sick poor were re- for lepers was itarted amongst the Hottentots, corded. With the medical help to the bodies, and has been kept up ever since, the mission- there Is a ministry to minds and souls aries residing amongst the patients. The Rob- diseased, and these medical missionaries are ben Island asylum, with its hnndreds of suffer- trying to imitate the Great Healer, the Lord ers, was soon after started by the Moravian Jesus Christ, in curing all the ills that :flesh is Missionary Society, and still exists in fnIl work, heir to, in His Name. As Dr. Ellinwood said, the missionaries of course living with the lepers.
one might as well talk of" countenancing the In 1867 an asylum for lepers was started inJern- Bun" as of indorsing a work like this. The salem by the same society, and has since been amount of good done in the past year by SO much enlarged, four missionaries having de· small a sum as $9,829 is almost beyond beUef. voted their lives to the work.
We refer to the society now, to remind our -The Southern Baptist Foreign Mission readers that it is entering on its summer work Board last year received $99,023.75 and ex- in the hot and crowded sections of onr great pended $101,818.41. The balance on hand last city, and that being undenominational, it looks year is reduced to $814.97. Eighteen mission- to all denominations for the means to carry It aries were appointed. The Board calls for on. $150,000 for the next year's work.
-At the closing session of the Mormon -In the 65 years of its existence the Ameri- Conference, April 8, Geo. Q. Cannon read can Sunday-school Unlun has organized more the sta.tistics of the church, which are: than 84,000 Sunday-schools, and gathered In 12 apostles, 70 patriarchs, 3,719 high-priest., 4,000,000 scholars and teachers. It has been 11,805 elders, 2,069 priests, 2,292 teachers, organizing on an average fonr Sunday-schools 11,610 deacons, 81,899 families, 115,915 officers everyday.
and members; and 49,302 children under -At the convention ot the Christian En- eight years of age, a total Mormon popula- deavor Societies, recently held In Philadelphia, tion of 153,911. The number of marriages it was stated that the number ot societies now for the six months ending April 6, 1889, was organized is 7,671, with a membership of over 530; births, 8,754; new members, 488; ex- 470,000. They are attached to evangelical communications, 113. churches in 22 different denominations. -Baltimore Brown Presbyterian Memoril~i -The Executive Committee of the American Church, under the earnest lead of Dr. M. B. Baptist Missionary Union has Issued an appeal Babcock, at a recent monthly concert, raised for eighty men to go abroad without delay-16 $700 to support one of the" VOlunteers," for Burmah, 4 for Assam, 9 for India, 2 for Rev. Wm. Langdon, who has gone to Pekin, Siam, 80 for China, 10 for Japan and 10 tor China. The money was raised with enthu- Africa.
lasm, and without abatement of other·usual -It w1ll surprise most people to learn that benevolences. the Icelanders are numerous enough in this -Dr. Arthur Mitchell of the Presbyterian country and Canada to maintain a distinct and Board of Foreign Missions expects to sail early vigorous religious organization of their own. It In August for a visit to our missions In Japan, is called the Icelandic Lutheran Church of Korea and China. He wIll leave New York In America, consists of 29 congregations, and has time to observe operations On the Paci:flc coast just held Its :flfth annual conference at Argyle in among the Chinese and Japanese before sailing. Manitoba.-New York Sun.
-The Chinese Evangelist of New York «ives -The demand ror the Arable Bible ls so a list of ~ Chinese schools and missions in great that although the printing presses at Beirut this country. The average attendance,so far as are working day and night, pace cannot be kept «iven, is about 1,600. This total does not In- with the orders.
clude the missions of the Pacific coast. in con- -Abeel, David. Of Rev _David Abeel, D.D., nection with which there are 217Christlans. In tor many years missionary in China, Dr. Samoel this city and Brooklyn there are 85 schoolS, Wells WIlliams, the aothor of the "lIIiddle with an average attendance of 700, of whom 64 Kingdom," said that he came nearer to. his are Christians. ideal of a Christian missionary than any other -The Congregational Year Book will be man he had ever met.
ready for issue next month. The following are -There are still over 10,000,000 square miles among the more Important summaries: Num- of unoccupied districts In various heathen her of churches, 4,569; number of new churches, lands, where missionaries thus Car have never !
:1M; gain In number, 165; number of memberS, entered,