The Missionary Review of the World — January 1892
NARAYAN
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XV. No.l.-0ld Series.–JANUARY..–VOL.V. No.1.-New 8erie3.
THE MIRACLES OF MISSlONS.-NO. XXI.
[EDITORIAL, A. T. P.] THE BEGINNING OF MODERN WONDERS.
The Society Islands were so called by Cook in honor of the" Royal Society j" and the largest, having a circuit of one hundred and forty miles and containing about six hundred square miles, is known as Tahiti. It consists of two rounded peninsulas joined by a narrow isthmus, and is crowned with a majestic peak called The Diadem. The name was a prophecy, for this island furnished the first conspicuous diadem of modern missionary labors.
It was first seen by an English Captain-Wallis-in 1767. The inhabitants were tall, stout, brown skinned, with dark eyes, and seemed unusually good.natured and playful j but they were thieves, liars, and murderers.
When the knowledge of the Tahitians reached England, the directors of the London Missionary Sooiety determined to send the Gospel to this island, and at last found thirty men who were willing to go, four of whom were ministers, the rest tradesmen ; and six of them were married. A ship called the Duff was bought, and pious Captain Wilson took charge of it.
This memorable missionary band left the Thame.s on August 10th, 1796. A purple flag waved in the wind, with three' doves bearing olivQ branches as its device; and as they set sail they sang the hymn, " Jesus, at Thy command we launch into the deep."
A seven months' voyage brought them to the shores of Tahiti. and they were welcomed by about seventy-five canoes, whose natives clambered over the ship's side, and in various ways expressed their joy, hoping for knives and axes and other useful implements. They had brought with them hogs and fruit for the purpose of barter; but as it was the Sabbath day the missionaries tried to make them understlOlnd that they neither sold nor bought upon the Day of Rest. Most of the natives returned in their canoes, but about forty stayed on deck, and the missionaries had a service. While they prayed and sang the natives looked on in silence.
Two white men were already at Tahiti, one of whom had been shipwrecked, and the other left on shore a few years previous. Their names were Peter and Andrew, and they were. clad like savages. Being able to speak some Tahitian, they served at first as interpreters between the mis-
MIRACLES OF MISSIONS
sionaries and the natives, but they turned out to be very wicked men, though born in a Christian land.
An old man, Mane-mane, was high-priest to the idol gods, and was held to be some great one. A chief showed the missionaries an empty house about one hundred feet long, but unfurnished, which he said should be given to them. 'Upon thsir arrival on the beach they were met at once by strange customs. They found the king, Otu, and his queen both riding on men's shoulders. Wben those that carried them changed the burden to other shoulders, the royal feet were not permitted to touch the ground, because whatever land they touched would become their own, so they jumped over the head of one man upon the shoulders of another. For the same reason, when the king and queen visitcd the ship, they refused to go on deck, because if they touched the ship it would be theirs, and none but their own servants might dwell there or eat there henceforward. Afterward, when Mr. Lewis unfolded his umbrella, they warned him not to hold it over their heads, as it would thenceforth become sacred to their exclusive ust'.
Thc missionaries found dancers on these i~lands called Areois, who were a most wicked set of people. Their bodies were blackened with charcoal and their faces dyed red. They committed murders, killing their little children as soon as they were born. They had no occupation but dancing, boxing, wrestling, and sporting.
The first night, in presence of the natives, the missionaries sang and prayed and thanked God for inclining these strangers to receive them so kindly; and the first Sabbath they turned their dwelling into a chapel and Mr. Jefferson preached, being interpreted by Andrew, the Swede; and so through the vehicle of an ungodly man the first impressions of the Gospel were made upon these natives.
The father of Otu was called Pomare. He was a very wise man; had formerly been not only a chief, but the supreme king of the chiefs of the island. He had, however, many fauIts. He was a liar, a glutton, covetous, and pre-eminently selfish. On the second Sabbath, however, he attended the service of worship, when Mr. Cover preached from that text which has been probably the subject of more sermons than any other in the Bible-John 3 : 16-and after the service Pomare pronounced what he had understood very good.
The favorite g')d, Oro, was simply a log of wood about the size of a man, kept in a shed among trees surrounded by a stone wall. . In this place were altars on which lay pigs that had been dead for months, and it was called a Marro, and was a habitation of cruelty. Men were sacrificed and their flesh hung in large baskets on the trees around till it decayed. No woman was counted worthy of the honor either of approaching the Marre or being sacrificed in it. The priests used to roll themselves up in a great bundle of cloth, and in a squeaking voice pretend to represent the gods; and though tlw people knew that it was the priest that was speaking, they dared not disobey. They kept in their houses some of their gods, and fancied them to be in disposition like unto themselves. Hiro was the pro- tector of thieves, and when they went out to steal, they promised Hiro a part of the booty if he would not expose them ; and the missionaries found that the natives were very much like the god th'ey worshipped. Nothing was safe within their reach. Murder was quite as common as stealing; and one Sunday Mr. Lewis preached upon the commandment, " Thou shalt not kill." Mane-mane advised the people to leave off their wicked ways, yet he had not left off his own; and when he wanted to kill a man, drank wine to keep up his courage for his horrible work. His own wife killed her offspring, and when remonstrated with, said she would keep the customs of the country and defy the missionaries' displeasure.
Some of the idols were made of stone, but most of them of wood, or of a kind of string made from the outside of the cocoanut. Sharks and birds were worshipped, and there were more than one hundred gods. When 9 sacrifice was demanded for Oro, it might be the guest who was eatir.g beneath the roof of a chief. If one man of a family were offered, the people of the same household were usually chosen until the whole was destroyed. When the beating of the sacred drum gave the signal that II human sacrifice was required, the natives would flee to the mountain dens and caves for refuge. The Tahitians believed that at death their spirits went to cruel gods, who first devoured them three times over, after which they passed into the body of a beast, bird, or man, and lived again on earth.
If thus cruel to their friends, their cruelty to enemies may be inferred; their bodies were left unburied to be devoured by beasts and birds. Sometimes a hole was made through an enemy's body, and he was worn as a Tiputa by the man who slew him. The conquerors destroyed all the women and children of their foes, and taught their own little children to kill those of whom they would naturally have made playmates; and sometimes these little children of conquered foes were strung on a spear like beads.
Among such a people these missionaries began their apparently hopeless labors. Three weeks had not passed before they were robbed, and, because they did not punish the offenders when detected, they were regarded as cowards; but they sought to win by kindness, and determined they would not seek to defend themselves, but confide themselves entirely to the keeping of Jehovah. They placed near their house a hospital, and offered to nurse all who would come. Though many natives were suffering from terrible diseases, they would not accept the proposition. Satisfied with food and raiment, the missionaries gave up their blacksmith shop and store room to Pomare, and even offered to surrender to him all their own private property, but he would not accept it. During the first year there was a quarrel between Pomare and Otu, and, as Mane-mane had stirred up the rebellion, Pomare order~d him to be killed. Thus perished the wicked old priest, the great man of the Tahitians. The more the missionaries saw of Otu the more wicked he was found to be ; and the continued unbelief of the peo~le was a source of much heavi- ness to these servants of God. Nothing offended the natives more than to rebuke their wicked customs. rdia, the queen, bad destroyed three chil- dren of her own within three years after the missionaries had arrived.
On March 5th, 1800, three years to a day from that when the mis- sionaries first saw the island, the first wooden posts or pillars of a Christian chapel were reared; and they besought God that these, like the pillar that Jacob set up at Bethel, might be a memor.ial of the presence of God.
The next June, in the Royal .Admiral, eight new missionaries arrived, and were welcomed by Pomare. It was agreed by the brethren that Mr. Nott should go around Tahiti to preach to all the inhabitants. He was accompanied by Mr. Elder. Sometimes Mr. Nott preached three or four times a day. They lodged in the houses of the natives, and took with them on the journey some of the Tahitians themselves, who thus had the advantage of hearing him preach during a five weeks' tour, and UpOll his return he found that they were able to give a clear account of the Gospel truths they had heard. Constant prayer went up to God that He would pour down His Rpirit from on high. The missionaries endured great suffering for the natives' sake, especially in consequence of desolating wars. When the natives were entreated to believe in Jesus Christ, like ancient unbelievers, they asked, " Has Pornare or any of the chiefs believed 1" They were, in fact, the greatest enemies of Christ, and discouraged the natives from attending to the Gospel. The tenacity of idolatry seemed to make preaching a hopeless task.
The natives had great confidence in the power of red feathers, attributing large success in fishing to their presence on the canoes, but had little conception of the soul or of duty, and while faithless toward God they were credulous toward the most absurd imposture, placing their trust in fortune. tellers, dreams, and signs of good or ill luck.
While Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Scott were travelling in Tahiti and lay down to rest, a chief invited a guest to go with him to the beach, killed him with stones, put his body in a basket of cocoanut leaves, and sent him to Pomare as calm and unconcerned as if he had only killed a hog.
In 1803 Pomare himself suddenly died, and the wicked Otu had more power than during his father's lifetime. He styled himself Pomare II. It was he who was destined to be the first convert of the Gospel work at Tahiti. He had taken pains to learn to read and write. He was greatly feared, and it was believed that he could kill a man by his prayers and imprecations. In the spring his queen had a child, and he himself was privy to its death. The queen died in 1806.
In May of this year a day of fasting and prayer was appointed by the missionaries, and particular pains were now taken to teach the children. They learned to repeat a short catechism by heart, and in November Mr. Davies opened a school in the new houee, and invited the boys who lived near by to attend it on three afternoons in the week. A month afterward they asked to be taught oftener, and were instructed daily. They learned to read and write, being first taught to make letters on the sand. Spelling- books !lnd Bible histories were made for them and sent to England to be printed. A!I the missionaries began to be 'familiar with the language, they discovered that it was unfitted for the expression of Christian ideas. There was, for instance, no word for "thanks," and no proper expression for " God."
A vessel arrived from the directors of the London Missionary Society, bearing a letter in English for Pomare. He was pleased with it, answered it courteously, and consented to the request of the directors, and promised to banish Oro from the island. He acknowledged that his land was a bad land, a foolish land, and one that knew not the true God ; asked for a large number of men, women, and children from England, and said he would adopt English customs. This letter appears to have been insincere, for shortly afterward he desired thai a man might be killed at Atehuru as a sacrifice, and taken in a canoe to another place ; and he sought to conceal it from the missionaries. He seems to have made his fair promises only as a "loak for his covetousness.
In 1807 another war broke out at Tahiti, which lasted about three years. The missionaries were obliged to leave the island, Mr. Nott and Mr. Hayward going to Huahine near by, and all the rest to Port Jackson in New South Wales.
The king, who had. gone to Eimeo, invited the missionaries to come to that island. There were now seven missionaries in Eimeo-Nott, Hayward, Bicknell, Scott, Wilson, Davies, Henry. They had settled at Papetoai, and built a small chapel and opened a school. Events occurred which inclined them to stay in Eimeo, and they observed that the king appeared £0 regard idols less than he had done in times past. For instance, in 1812, when a sacred turtle was caught, instead of Rending it to the idol's temple, he had it dressed in an oven in his own kitchen, and served for his dinner, which was an ast.ounding blow at idol customs; and as no harm befell him, he was confirmed in his contempt of idols, and the power of the popular superstitions was greatly weakened. Pahi, the brother of the King of Raiatea. made a still bolder experiment-destroying in an oven a sacred log which had been worshipped, and then ate bread fruit that had been baked in its ashes.
Pomare declared that he would now have henceforth but one wife. He married Teara, daughter of the Raiatean king, and on the birth of her little daughter the customs of the ages were disregarded, which permitted no fires to be lighted for many days, nobody to leave the shore, and no persons to approach the child except sacred persons in sacred garments.
On July 18th, 1812, Pomare asked to be baptized, and declared his fixed purpose to cleave to Jehovah and His people. He said, " I wish you to pray for me," and proposed to build a larger chapel. He declared that he had tried to persuade the kings of other islands to do as he intended to do, and when they answered that they would cleave to Oro, he told them that was cleaving to Satan. The missionaries, full of joy, waited anxiously to see whether Pomare was really a converted man. Subsequently his grief for his sins, his observance of the Sabbath, and his efforts to persuade his friends to turn to God, convinced them that he had been changed by the .grace of God.
When the missionaries found the people in Eimeo ready to attend their instructions they heard that the people in Tahiti were likewise inquiring after Jehovah, and Mr. Scott and Mr. Hayward were sent to see whether the joyful report was true.
Missionary labor at Tahiti was apparently in vain for from fourteen to sixteen years, and, notwithstanding untiring, earnest, and faithful effort, but one solitary instance of conversion had taken place. The wars of desolation continued, and abominable idolatries and iniquities reigned. " The heavens seemed as brass and the earth as iron i" and when God's time to favor the work in Polynesia came, the beginning was such as to turn all attention to Himself. For at the time the war had driven the missionaries from the island and cut off all communication. Two native servants, formerly employed in the missionaries' families, had, unknown to them, received favorable impressions, and had united together for prayer. They had been joined by others, and at the return of the missionaries to Tahiti, at the termination of the war, they found a number of praying people, and had little to do but to aid in a work which God had thus singularly begun.
These years of fruitless and apparently hopeless toil had almost determined the directors of the London Missionary Society to abandon altogether the work at Tahiti. Dr. Haweis, chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon, one of the founders of the society, and the father and liberal supporter of the South Sea Mission, earnestly opposed such abandonment of the field, and backed his arguments by a further donation of a thousand dollars. The Rev. Matthew Wilb, the pastor of Mr. Williams, declared with great emphasis that he would sell the clothes from his back rather than give up the mission, and proposed, instead of abandonment, that a season of special prayer should be observed for the divine blessing. Such a season was observed i letters of encouragement were written to the missionaries, andmark it I-while the vessel w~s on her way to carry these letters to Tahiti, another ship passed her in mid-ocean, which conveyed to Great Britain, October, 1813, the news that idolatry was entirely overthrown in the island, and bore back to London the rejected idols of the people; and so was fulfilled literally the Divine promise, " Before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear."
We have already mentioned the fact that, while the missionaries were driven away from Tahiti, two natives had begun to call upon the Lord Jesus in prayer. One of these lads was named Tuahine. Another native, impressed by some remarks from Pomare, had gone to make some inquiries of Tuahine, who had lived for some time in the missionaries' families. Finding his mind was in a similar state they resolved to retire to some secret place to talk and pray, and after a little while several young persons united with them ; and this little band, without the guidance of any missionary, determined to abandon idols and the wicked practices of their countrymen, keep the Sabbath, and worship Jehovah alone. As Christianity spread, Tuahine helped the missionaries by directing inquirers, teaching in the schools, and translating the Scriptures. Sometimes he spent from eight to ten hours a day in this last work, and rendered invaluable counsel and aid to the missionaries. He proved himself to be a Barnabas and an Apollos both in one, and had a surprising gift in prayer. He discharged the office of a deacon with great faithfulness, and died about forty-five years old, a model of a converted native.
The chapel that Pomare had desired to be built at Eimeo was opened for worship July 25th, 1813, and the next evening thirty-one natives cast away idols, and their names were written among the disciples of Jehovah. Shortly after, the number had risen to above three hundred. embracing, among others, a priest called Patii, who led the way in the burning of idols. He brought out the gods one at a time, tore off the sacred garments and ornaments, threw them one by one into the flames, pronouncing their names, repeating their foolish histories, and challenging the people to observe what helpless logs they were. The joy of the missionaries may be imagined. The queen's sister about the same time publicly showed her contempt for the idol gods; and Pomare himself, though gnilty of many things inconsistent with the character of a Christian, made a tour of Eimeo, seeking to persuade the heathen to turn from idols.
Meanwhile at Tahiti persecution arose against the native Christians. They took refuge in the woods and lonely vaUeys at midnight for prayer. One young man suffered martyrdom, and another bore a lifelong sear received at their hands. The year 1815 was the most remarkable that had ever been known at Tahiti. A plan was laid to destroy the Christian natives entirely, and the night of July 7th was fixed upon, when the Christians were to be assembled for prayer. Having been adTised, however, of this conspiracy, they sailed for Eimeo, and their departure was the cause of a quarrel among their enemies themselves, in which they largely destroyed each other.
The missionaries at Eimeo received the Tahitians with great affection, but feared that the heathen might rise up in both islands and destroy all the worshippers of Jehovah. July 14th was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer. Soon afterward two chiefs from Tahiti came to Eimeo, inviting the Christian chiefs who had fled to return. The invitation was, however, a mere cover for a plan to destroy the king and his friends. A battle ensued in November, 1815, in which Pomare and his little army were victors. Instead of killing his enemies the king determined to destroy their idols. The multitude stood astonished, both at the helplessness of their gods and the audacity of their destroyers j and when the great god Oro was carried to Pomare's feet, he set it up as a post in his kitchen, fixing pegs upon it on which to hang baskets for food, and subsequently burned it as fuel. Such was the end of the great war god.
Mr. Nott and Mr. Hayward soon went to Tahiti, and made a tour of the island. They found the people busy in destroying Marres and build- ing little chapels. Pomare himself had written a prayer, which he often read in these places of worship-a prayer worthy of any Christian author.
The missionaries found the people very anxious to learn to read, and the king had not only destroyed his public idols, but now wished to part with the family gods, always kept in his house. He sent about twelve of these frightful little images to the missionaries in Eimeo, with a letter ask- ing that they might be sent to the Missionary Society in England, that they might know the likeness of the gods that had been worshipped in the island. The idols were accordingly nailed up in a wooden case and sent to the directors of the London Missionary Society. Family prayer became common, and the people retired to the bushes for private supplication.
The missionaries could scarcely get any rest, so continually were they besieged with inquiry. In every place they found chapels-sixty-six in all -in which the people assembled four times a week.
About this time a printing-press was brought to Eimeo, and from a neighboring Marre, polished stones-pieces of pavement upon which worshippers had knelt before the altars-were dug up and placed where God's Word was to be printed. Satan was robbed that God might be honored. The first book printed was the Baba, or spelling-book, and Pomare was permitted to aid in setting up the first page, and to strike off the first impression. The Tahitians were very anxious to have these printed.
books, and sent to the missionaries plantain leaves rolled up, with the request for spelling-books written on the leaves. This was the beginning of the spreading of the knowledge of God from isle to isle by the power of a sanctified literature. Catechisms followed, and little books containing col- lections of texts j schools were multiplied, converts increased, and there was a general spirit of inquiry. .
For years Mr. Nott had been translating the Gospel of Luke into Tahitian, assisted by Pomare, and while the book was in press the natives often constrained Mr. Ellis to stop printing to explain to them what they read. The missionaries wished to bind the books before they were dis- tributed, but the impatience of the people compelled them to give up wait- ing for proper binding materials. The natives, however, did not suffer these precious books to remain without proper protection j dogs and cats and goats were killed that their skins might be prepared for covers, and the greatest anxiety was manifested to obtain these new copies of the Gospel. Five men from Tahiti landed at Afareaita, and did not go into any house to lodge lest some one might anticipate them in the morning and buy up all the books, so that they should be compelled to return without any. Mr. Ellis gladly gave them copies of the precious Gospel, which they wrapped in bark, put in their bosoms, and set sail for Tahiti without having taken food or drink during their stay at Eimeo.
And now the brethren determined to form a missionary society in Eimeo, and on May 13th a great meeting was held, and numbers of natives came from Tahiti. The prayers began at sunrise, and long before the chapel service at three 0' clock they were obliged to leave the chapel for the grove outside to accommodate the crowds. The king was seated with the queen, her ladies, and many chiefs, and Mr. Nott preached from the words, "Understandest thou what thou readest~" (Acts 8 : 30,31.) 'An address from Pornare hims.elf followed, advocating the formation of the. Missionary Society, and hundreds of 4ark arms were lifted toward heaven in assent.
The" Royal Mission Chapel" at Tahiti, so called, was finished in the spring of 1819. It contained 133 windows, 29 doors, and was 712 feet long and 54 feet wide-212 feet longer than St. Paul's in London. As no preacher could speak loud enough to be heard to the end of the chapel during a whole sermon, three pulpits were placed in it, with a minister in each. Six thousand people joined in singing God's praise in this new place of worship, and three sermons were preached simultaneously.
The next day after the dedication service in May, 1819, laws were publicly given to the people, condemning murder, rebellion, theft, Sabbath breaking, these prohibitions being followed with becoming sanctions. After the law was read the king asked the chiefs, " Do you agree to this law~" and Tati, a ringleader among the rebels, held up both hands, and called upon the people to do the same. At the close of the Sabbath service, Pomare solemnly pronounced his faith in a crucified Redeemer. Let any reader consider how different were these assemblies from the feasts at which Pomare and his father had distributed the bleeding limbs of human victims as offerings to the gods.
The rest of the year was full of rejoicing; new customs obtained, and the preaching of the Word was greatly blessed. Pornare was shut up whole days with Mr. Nott, helping him to correct the translations of the Gospel of John and the Acts.
We can give no further space to this wonderful story. The king himself was a leader in all good works, and on December 7th, 1821, died in the faith of Christ at the age of forty-seven years. Though naturally proud, covetous, deceitful, intemperate, and treacherous, he not only believed the Word of God himself, but persuaded many others, while he forced none to turn from their idols, and we cannot but believe that, not- ,withstanding his many faults, he sincerely belonged to Christ.
A fitting conclusion to this narrative may be found in the coronation of the young king, four years old, on April 21st, 1824. He was dressed in his coronatiou robes in Mr. Nott's house, and borne to the church on the highest platform. A hymn was sung, a prayer was offered. and Mr. Nott
lIONQR OF' A MISSIONARY
made an effective address. The laws of the country were placed upon the table, and the young king was asked whether he would promise to govern the people in justice, and mercy, and obedience to these laws and to the Word of God; and he replied, "I do, God being my helper." Oil was then poured upon his head, and a blessing pronounced upon him by Mr. Davies. The crown was placed upon his brow while Mr. Nott spoke words of benediction, and the Bible was presented to him as the most priceless treasure in the world. From the platform of coronation, the procession went to the " Royal Mission Chapel," and the young king sat in the royal pew.
Contrast this scene with the coronation of Pomare II., who had been declared king according to the heathen fashion, robed in a girdle covered with red feathers, the ceremony attended by the slaughter of men and followed by the worship of the god Oro. Now a little prince began his reign with the sweet sacrifice of prayer and praise to the living God.
In the end of the summer of 1835 many people in various parts of the island were converted, especially by the preaching of Mr. Nott, at Papao, and in July, 1836, the queen found that only two openly ungodly persons were to be found in the whole district of Pare; and Mr. Davies was almost as much blessed at Papare as Mr. Nott was at Papao. The translation of the whole Bible into Tahitian was completed in 1836, the greatest part of the work having been done by Mr. Nott; and in February of this year Mr. Nott set sail for England. He presented the translation to the directors of the London Missionary Society, and remained in England for two years. He appeared at Exeter Hall at the great anniversary in 1838, and after showing the Ailsembly a copy of the Tahitian Bible, bade them a last though not an everlasting farewell, and returned to Tahiti, rejoicing in the privilege of spending the remainder of his days in the service of Christ in the South Seas.
HONOR OF A MISSIONARY.
I should not like you, if meant by the gifts of God for a great missionary, to die a millionnaire. I should not like it, were you fitted to be a miRsionary, that you should drivel down into a king. What are all your kings, all your nobles, all your stars, all your diadems and your tiaras, when you put them altogether, compared with the dignity of winning souls for Christ, with the special honor of building for Christ, not on another man's foundation, but preaching Christ's gospel in regions far beyond ~ I reckon him to be a man honored of men who can do a foreign work for Christ; but he who shall go farthest in self-annihilation and in the furtherance of the glory of Christ shall be a king among men, though he wear a crown no carnal eyes can see.-Spurgeon.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AND THE HIGHEST USE OF WEALTH
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AND THE HIGHEST USE OF WEALTH.
B. C. AN ADDRESS BEFORE THE A. F. M. AT PITTSFIKLD, MASS., OCTOBER 14TH, 1891.
BY PRESIDENT MERRILL EDWARDS GATES, LL.D., OF AMHERST.
The incarnation of the living God as the Redeemer of man has made it forever necessary that the man who would know God must see something of God in his fellow-men. In all ages the men whose hearts God has touched, whose eyes God has opened that they may see Him and make others see Him, have been men mightily moved in soul and heart toward their fellow-men. The nearer we come to God's view of human life, the purer and deeper and mightier will be our love of human souls and our pity for wasted. sinful. and benighted human lives.
LOVE OF GOD AND WORK FOR MEN.
There is a Divine revelation of the very heart of God Himself in the description Christ gives us of the scenes of division at the judgment. Our Master takes as His own not those who selfishly cry, "Lord, Lord!" and boast familiarity with God's power and achievements of their own in cast- ing out devils; but the men who have shown" the mind which was in Christ Jesus, " and under the constraining power of Christ's love have served Him by serving" in His name" their fellow-men for whom He died. It is by the faith that is in Christ Jesus that we stand; but the absolutely vital, the indissoluble connection of faith with love and with works of love and help- fulness and mercy, is made startlingly clear in this revelation by Christ of the things whi.ch shall be made manifest at that day. It is only by living out a vital principle of life to its issues that we can come to know it thoroughly. True Christians are men and women who are bent upon reducing right theories of life to right living. Life-power and moral truth are the mightiest forces in the universe. In Christian character these two forces are combined. God is life and truth ; godlikeness worked out in life is character; into sound character has entered the " omnipotence of a • principle," and the almightiness of God Himself is pledged to make char- acter, which is vitalized truth, the mightiest power within the control of man. And since God is Jove, and God in Christ is the supreme revelation of that holy and infinitely attractive love which spared not His own Son that He might be just and yet might Jove us out of our sins into lives of holiness, Christians can never Jearn large lessons of God's love in Christ without sharing in Christ's love for their fellow-men THE TEST-OUR FEELING TOWARD MULTITUDES OF UNSHEPHERDED MEN.
Always, then, for the individual Christian, and for any body of Christians who are acting together, there is a supreme test in the question, How deep a concern do you feel for the welfare of the great body of your fellowmen ~ What are your feelings, what are your purposes, what is your attitude of soul t.oward the benighted ones, 'our brothers and sisters, who are ignorant, debased, sin-burdened, and hopeless in the world ~ Sharp and clear is the contrast between the spirit of the Pharisees and the spirit of Christ in this matter of caring for crowds of the commou people. When their returning officers said, " Never man spake as this man speaks," and when "the common people heard Him gladly," the Pharisees waved aside the divine meaning of the message with that contemptuous phrase, the essence of selfish vanity and arrogant pride, " This people that knoweth not the law is accursed." But" the mind that was in Christ Jesus," the mind that dwells in every true child of God in richer fulness as the Holy Spirit shows him the things of Christ, is revealed in the words, " But when He saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion upon them, because they fainted aud were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. " In those words speaks from the heart of God the loving voice of the Good Shepherd j and "His sheep know His voice and follow Him."
This mind that was in Christ, this deep yearning love for lost men, has always marked the true Church. It began its growth among men with the growth of the early Church at Jerusalem, and it had to break its way through that intense spirit of exclusiveness which, with the Jewish Church, had been a cult for centuries. For generations God had walled in His chosen people, had separated them from the rest of the world, that their knowledge of Him and their realization of His presence might be intensified by exclusion. In the fulness of time, when the Word was made flesh, when the love of God was poured into the life of men through the life and the words of Christ, this spirit of love for all mankind burst the cerements of the old dispensation, and the Christian Church began its wondrous growth on earth. It came into life, it grew and prospered under the teaching and guidance of the Third Person of the Trinity, the ever-living Holy Spirit, whose office it is to take of the things of Christ and show them to His followers, who is with us here to-day guiding His Church. Peter first felt the power of this mission-spirit of love for all mankind. Then the heavenly vision came to Paul, and flaming with the spirit of Christ's love he went through all the provinces, fiery-hearted with the spirit of missions. With the growth of the Church this spirit has increasingly prevailed; the walls of separation between nationil have been broken down by it. It is to the growing spirit of Christ, not to the evolution of a perception of a subtly selfish interest for the individual to be attained by the promotion of the we)£are of the whole-it is to the spirit of Christ and not to "enlightened self-interest," that we owe the deepening sense of the solidarity of the race which binds men together the world around.
In the history of the Church it is the men whose hearts have'received this spirit in the largest measure whose names illumine the annals of the Church and the pages of universal history. In their hearts was condensed so much of the thrilling force of Christ's love that heat passed into fiery rays of light, and they became beacons to men for all time. From Paul, longing to visit Spain, yearning over the Romans, melted with love for the Galatians, holding all Greece and all Asia in his heart, down through the glorious roll of saints and martyrs and missionary heroes till we reach the names of the missionaries whom we have seen in the flesh, and whom we love, hearts and lives on fire with the love of lost and benighted men have been the evidence of the spirit of life in the Church of Christ.
IN A LIVING CHURCH, ALWAYS A LOVE OF MISSIONS.
There can be no living Church without a glowing love for mlSSlOns. Christ has made this very clesr to us. In the glimpse He gives us of the judgment. in His parting words as He ascended, "Go ye and make disciples of all nations," and, ,. Lo, I am with you all the days, even unto the end of the world," we find the very essence of His teaching, the flowering of His spirit of service. To seek and to save that which was lost, was the mission that brought our Divine Redeemer from heaven to earth j and to seek and to save the lost is the Divine commission, from the glorified Christ in heaven to each believer who looks up to a Divine Redeemer for direction in a life of grateful service.
What has this to do with the question of money and its use ~ Let us ask ourselves this question thoughtfully.
MEN AND MEANS.
As members of the Church of Christ set to do Christ's work in the world, assembled here in the interest of one of the most important agencies in that work of evangelizing the world, which is pre-eminently the one work given by Christ to His people to do in His name, we are brought face to face with the question of the means to carry out this important work. Here, as in every other important undertaking which is to influence many lives, men and means are the essential requirements. Men never were offered to a praying Church in such numbers as stand confronting us today, saying, ' • We are ready, send us." Under the influence of the spirit of God, the immeasurable importance of bearing the glad tidings to the dark places of the earth has dawned upon young men and women in our· land with a vividness and a power never before seen or known in the history of the Church. Do you who are past middle age remember the " missionary concerts" of your youth, when prayers were regularly offered that God would" break down the walls" that shut Christians out of China and Japtm V That prayer has been answered. This year the Emperor of China issues a royal edict calling upon the governors of his provinces to protect the missionaries against misrepresentation and violence, and declaring that the object of Christian teaching is to make men better. We have been witnesses of this marvellous change. We have seen Japan rise suddenly to highest standards in civilization 'and ih government-a nation born in a day. Japanese Christians are setting the Christian world an exam- ple of unity and loving fellowship in work. The testimony of all observers is that never was a great nation in a more receptive mood for Christian truth than is Japan to-day. In India there is a special call for laborers.
Another generati0n of educated men, broken loose from the old faith, will soon be anarchic in morals unless Christianity shall supply the basis of morality in life. Ve need not raise any questions of a future hell; there will be hell let loose upon the earth unless Christian truth gets hold upon India, unless the love of Christ cherished in the heart shall more than make good the loss of restraints of the old order. In unharvested fields the grain, ripe and ready, falls to the earth in rich, decaying masses, un- garnered. Unless these years that are now upon us be used, the oppor- tunity is forever lost. It i~ now or never, for India! .
"TIME-VALUE" AND" PLACE-VALUE."
Political economists talk of a " time-value," which belongs to a commodity that is ready precisely when it is wanted, like seed corn in spring, and of a " place-value," which is the result of the presence of an instrument or a commodity at the precise place where it is needed, and at precisely the time when it is needed. The time-utility of missionary effort just now is immense. Who can estimate the place-utility of Christian effort DOW in Japan and in India ~ Of Africa I hardly dare to speak. Africa, no longer the totally" Dark Continent," first pierced through by the rays of love and light where Livingstone carried his well-read Bible that rayed out life for him and made his path a trail of love and light until that night when he knelt alone beside his cot under the great tree in the wilderness and, kneeling, met his God; Mrica, now slowly rising to a place in the world's history, but still as booty to be struggled for in a contest of diplomacy, if not of arms-to save and uplift Africa, what need of Christian giving, what a call for help from Christian America, who owes the heaviest debt to that continent which is mother of the race, long fettered and beaten with many stripes, whose unrequited toil made" cotton king" !
We see these open doors. We hear these calls from perishing men. We see the" time-value" and the " place-value" of efforts now put forth for Christ. Loyal subjects of Christ our King, we see clearly the importance of these strategic points to be seized now for the advancement of His kingdom among men. The old walls about the isolated nations, which our fathers and mothers prayed to have thrown down, lie flat before us. The opportunity 'is ample. The need is pressing. The demand from the field is imperative. The loss of life, the loss of souls, is deadly. WHAT HINDERS THE WORK ~ In those monthly concerts, when the walls about China and.Tapan had fallen, the petitions began to take on this stereotyped form : "Lord, raise up men and women who shall be uJilling to go into these opening fields.," The sacrifice involved in foreign mission work has always been immense, but the fruit of it has been abundant and rich. Partings with kindred and friends, departures into strange lands-these have always been essential to the propagation of the. truth since the time when God said to Abraham, the father of the faithful, " Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I will show you." By such self-sacrificing obedience to God's commands have new nations learned of that brotherhood of man which has no meaning, no power, save as all nations learn that they have a commGn 'Father, even God. Much of what is called the " spirit of the nineteenth century," this awakening of the world to the conviction that all men are of one blood, and that property in man is impossible, is the manifest result of mission work done by strangers who, for Christ's sake and at God's call, have sojourned in strange lands among despised peoples preaching peace and brotherhood through Christ. But the cost of leaving home and friends and native land, the sacrifice involved in expatriating one's self and one's children, has always been so serious 8 matter to contemplate that those who love their own ease have always wondered when the call of God has been potent enough to carry His consecrated servants as missionaries to foreign fields. The supply of men and women willing to go has never been equal to the need of the field, seldom to tbe means at the disposal of the missionary boards. It has been taken for granted by the Church for the last two generations, first, that the walls that shut in mighty nations could not be broken down short of centuries to come; and then, that laborers willing to go could not be found in sufficient numbers.
FACE TO FACE WITH ANSWERED PRAYERS.
But what is time to our God, when He wills to send His kingdom forward by a mighty unfolding into the growing season, into the flowering time! A thousand years are as a day with Him. He laid the walls level. He opened the way. His will and wisdom' brought in the age of steam. Railroads and steamship lines girdle His globe to make ready a highway for his messengers, " speaking peace to the nations." He sets a Stepherason and a Fulton, a Morse and a Bell and an Edison at His tasks when they know it not. Corporations of selfish men do His work, as heedless of the plan of God as are the stones which are framed into the mighty arch of the cathedral, or the liquid elements that are seized upon by the growing plant and drawn up into a place in the beauty of its unfolded blossom by a power utterly beyond their ken! Mission fields are open. The world is the field. AU fences are down. A Christian Church, the Church of America, stands to-day face to face with its answered prayers. It is as if a throng of men and women had been standing in the ante-room of the King's chamber, half drearily telling eachother in monotonous voices what they wished to ask for if the King would only give them audience. Suddenly the King steps in among them and declares, " I know your wishes j you have them now!" And with stammering voices and uncertain gestures the would-be petitioners stand abashed in the presence of a royal Giver, whose readiness to give exceeds their readiness to receive!
THE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FOR MISSIONS.
For a generation the Church has been praying for men and women who were ready to go. The Holy Spirit hae tried the hearts and searched the spirits of young men and women at our higher institutions of learning. No one who bas been among them, as I have been, and has seen this searching work of the Lord, can fail to recognize it as God's doing, and as altogether wonderful and like His mighty power and the gracious constraining force of His own love, that to-day over six thousand young Christians of America are volunteers for Christian mission-work.
The years when young students look out upon life from the· mountain heights of youth are favorable to a clear vision of comparative values. While the wish is eager to make one's life count for the utmost possible in the service of God by serving one's feHow-men, those whose eyes God touches that they may truly see discern the truth that no other work compares in potent possibility for good with this light-bearing in dark places. Our" young men see visions;" and this is the fulfilment of God's glorious promise of rich blessing fO,r any nation. They see that the Holy Spirit describes the highest object of a liberal education, when He speaks of one who" has tbe tongue of the'learned to speak a word in season to him that is weary." And the spirit of God has so moved upon the young people in the Church of God in this land, that as a class of Christians they say today to the Church of God, " Weare ready to go. Weare eager to try within this next generation to fulfil the glorious command of Christ and , make disciples of all nations.' "
THE ALMIGHTY BANKER CALLS IN HIS LOANS.
Since the work is Christ's work intrusted to us, since the would.be workers are ready and call upon our mission boards to send them, since the great, the rapidly growing wealth of this Christian nation is in the hands of Christian men and women of mature years, my brothers, what answer can we give for ourselves before the jndgment throne of God, if this glorious work of preaching the Gospel of light to dying men is checked and dwarfed, and fails of its glorious pORsibility, because we who are God's stewards hold fast to God's money for our own selfish uses 1 There is a time when the Almighty Banker of the Universe calls in His lo~n81 There is a time when the Master, about to return from far countries, Himself makes rigid yet loving inquiry of every steward concerning the talents, be they one or ten, intrusted to his use. Are we so using the money God has given us as to give to Him" His own with interest" 1 But, some one will say, this is an unnatural view which you present. Christians are to use their money as do other men, subject to the laws of. political economy and in accordance with the general spirit of the time in which they dwell and with the standards that prevail in the grades of society where their lot is cast. Let us look at the question for a moment.
HIS PROPERTY IS.A MAN'S" OBJECTIFIED WILL."
A man's property has been said to be his" objectified will." Mere things, which apart from man are impersonal and utterly outside of moral and jural considerations, enter into the domain of rights, of justice, of morality, through their relation to the will of their owner. The object into which you have introduced your will, which you have willed and worked to make your own. has become in a sense a part of you. There is a true sense in which the man who touches your property toltches you. Property that is truly owned and used becomes in a sense a part of the owner and user. His intelligence permeates it, his will directs its use. Since wealth is often labor stored up in portable form, it has in it a man's life. It partakes of his personality. A man's wealth, through his acting in it. becomes a personal force in social life which may be used for the noblest ends or prostituted to the bagest uses.
No man can escape the fullest responsibility for the use he makes of his wealth, which is potential power of service. Every man holds all his powers in trust j for the use he makes or fails to make of each power, he must auswer at the judgment-seat of God. Our divine Teacher has warned us that in wealth there is a subtle and dangerous tendency which leads it to seek to escape this law of service. Wealth, whkh should be a useful servant, seeks to become a tyrannical master. Christ in His warnings to His followers personifies but one power in the universe as likely to become a dangerous rival for that throne in man's heart and life which belongs to God Himself. The subtle power against which He thus warns us is Mammon, the love of money. Between the mad pursuit of gain and the service of the living God, He warns us that every man must choose. "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. " The property that you have must be as fully and entirely subject to the Jaw of the service of God in serving your fellow-men, as must your powers of heart and will and hand and head.
THE CONVERTED HEART INVOLVES THE CONVERTED POCKET-BoOK.
Talk of men as converted, as Christian men, who con~ciously and deliberately allow their property to be used for debasing and ruining their fellow-men! Imagine that a man'M heart and will can be converted to the service of God, and his property remain in the service 0" the devIl! 'Tis an utter imposRibility !
The cOllversion that does not reach a mall's use of his property is no true conversion. There is no truly Christian man who keeps an unconverted pocket-book or bank account. God'~ universal law of unselfish service is as supreme in the domain of material possessions-in the realm of that wealth which extends a man's power" to bring things to pass"-as it is in any other department of man's possible efforts. The unvarying law of God, which uttachcs an obligation to every opportunity and places a duty over against every right, makes no exception of wealth with its vast powers of service. God has so ordered the tiocial life of our race that no man can make the most of his powers of mind and heart and will until he employs those powers in the service of his fellow-men. This is an accepted law in the realm of mind and spirit. It is no less binding upon the power which material wealth places at a man's disposal. No man has the slightest light to say of his wealth, " It is mine; I may nse it selfi&hly if I will." No man has arrived at a true conception of the responsibility that attaches to the possession of property, until his relations through it to his fellowmen fill a larger place in his views of life than does his ability by his wealth to serve his own selfish ends. No man is free to make an option as to whether he or his property shall come under God's law of service. He and his property are under that law, of necessity, as he is of necessity a member of society and of the State, without his leave having been asked. In the use of his property, as of all his other powers, he olVes steady allegiance to that law of 5ervice, by virtue of the solidarity of God's universe of law; and though in managing his property he may disregard this obligation, he can never escape it.
Now, wealth must be used for service according to its own laws. Wealth is productive only as it is used. as capital-that is, as wealth employed in the production of new wealth, of new values. Since wealth is " the usufruct of skill, intelligence, and morality," it places its owner under obligation steadily so to use it as to reproduce morality, intelligence, and skill.
RESTRIOTED SERVICE, TO GAIN WEALTH.
My brothers, Christian men who have put much of your life into money-winning, as you remember how much of time and effort have been withheld by you from more definite Christian work that you might concentrate yourself upon money-winning, is there not an especial call upon you that you redeem (" buy back") the time that was withheld from God's work by you while you were making money ~ Take the case of a man who has won his wealth by years of concentrated effort. Often it is true that he has gained it by a constant withdrawal of his time and his strength from other occupations in which a generous, public-spirited man wuuld like to engage. "Follow this line of study with me," said a friend, in his early mallhood. " No; business demands all my time," was the answer. "Take hold and help us in thi.; effort at political reform in our city," said his public-spirIted neighbor. " I haven't the time, business claims me." "Will you undertake part of the work of special visitiqg to be done by our church people this winter ~" " Really, you must find some one else, my dear pastor, I am so pressed by business." It was by such restrictions of effort, by such exclusions of everything that did not tend directly to the winning of money, that he made his way to wealth.
But clearly, God meant that man to cultivate his mind, to be a useful citizen and a Christian worker. In some way, then, the time and strength withdrawn from other duties and from public service should be given back to serving the public, to the enriching of the life of others.
LET THE LIFE INVOLVED IN WEALTH-WINNING BE EVOLVED IN THE RIGHT USE OF WEALTH.
The time owed to distinctively Christian effort, to work for the good of his fellow-men, may be in part made good, if the wealth into which his efforts and time were coined is used nobly and wisely. And while no giving for Christian work can take the place of personal interest in Christian activity, yet many men could do infinitely more by free and consecrated gifts of large sums of money than they now do by formal expressions of their sense of unworthiness and lack of effort in the past, unaccompanied even now by any large use of their wealth for Christ's cause.
"Redeem the time" that was withheld from God's service by you while you were making money. Redeem it, buy it back, by using your money conscientiously and generously for God's work.
If you have inherited wealth, let the time and labor that were involved ill the rolling up and the transmission of a fortune, be evolved again in days and years of active philanthropic and Christian work, done by the Christian workers whom your money supports in mission fields.
" PECUNIA ALTER SANGUIS."
For everyone of us, a part of his life-effort is stored up in money-in his possessions. It is the clear perception of this fact that gives significance to the old phrase, " pecunia alter sanguis. " In the money your life acquires is stored up the life-blood of your effort; not because gold is as precious as one's life, but because the power acquired by past effort, stored up in money, enables you to set the efforts of others in motion to carry out your purpose and your will. How shall this life-blood of your past effort be kept pure and noble? How will you use it?
Wealth is concentrated power of service. Whether our wealth be great or small, it is still concentrated power of service. Is the wealth that is in the hunds of Christians also 0/ co.ns~cmted power service? Upon thi.~ blood of your past life, which has in it a life-giving power if used for noble ends, has there fallen the touch of consecration ~ Is it not an awful danger of our times, the greatest peril that threatens professedly Christian people, that though we are Christians, we 80 persistently ignore all true ends in the use of our money 1 Is it not too much our habit of thought to regard only those as people of wealth who have much more money than have we ~ When we read upon page after page of the New Testament the most searching warnings as to the use of wealth, is it not our habit to pass them on to the very wealthy, whose fortunes far exceed the means at our disposal ~ MAMMON MAY BE WORSHIPPED BY THE POOR AS TRULY AS BY THE RICH.
Yet the essential nature of wealth does not lie in its quantity, in the amount of money at a man's disposal. The god Mammon may be worshipped with a man's whole heart, though his business transactions be petty and his savings small. Some rich men give to good causes small contributions, with a hypocritical allusion to "the widow's mite i" but our Lord bestowed His regal blessing upon the widow's mite not because it was small, but because she gave her whole living to the Lord. And in the countless warnings addressed by Him who is the Truth to Hill followers, cautioning them as to the deceitfulness of riches, as to tho difficulties that those who trust in riches will find in entering the Kingdom of Heaven, the word used is one that does not lay stress upon great wealthis one that may be used of very small possessions. The essential meaning of the word is usable values embodied in material things. The warning is against trusting in material things for our happiness, our security, our power. Rather are we to trust in the living God, to use for the glory of God all the powers we have of body, soul and mind, every means by which we may bring things to pass in our life here. The warning is against the comfortable sense of safety that comes from" having means behind you." large or small. Whatever possession is capable of standing between a man's soul, and a vital living dependence upon God day by day, is to be suspected, dreaded, and used with fear and trembling as in the sight of a jealous God, who has personified this love of possessions as His great rival in the hearts of men.
" DECEITFULNESS."
The peculiarity of riches, great or small, ·lies in their deceitfulness. They that trust in possessions cannot enter into the kingdom, even in their conception of what that kingdom is, and of what are its powers. And the awful danger in dealing with riches is, that the material advantages they secure are so obvious. so universally recognized, that most men never get beyond these advantages in thought, desire, or fear. How lightly and apologetically we Christians are accustomed to deal with the awfu! emphasis which our Master has laid upon the perpetual, essential danger that lies in the use of wealth! Our Lord has spoken of this danger again and again, in words that stand out luminous with such lurid light as burns in His warnings against the unpardonable sin. Yet too often we hear these warnings tossed aside with a half smile, even by preachers of the Gospel who are accustomed to preach to the rich, as though they would say, " Of course, Christ said this j but what He meant was so essentially different from this that it need not for a momeut make you gentlemen with large bank accounts uncomfortable, especially if you respond kindly to the special appeal I make this morning, and drop into the box a contribution a little larger than usual." Let us, who believe in the living Word of the living God, take time to read together a few of the many utterances in God's Word which bear directly upon this point. Who c~n doubt that the iteration and reiteration of these warnings is, for us and for all Christians, profoundly significant ~ THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORD OF GOD.
" The rich man is wise in his own conceit" (Prov. 28 : 11). " Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12 : 20). "The deceitfulness of riches chokes the word" (Matt. 13 : 22). "But they that will to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Tim. 6: 9), "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after, have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Tim. 6: 10). " Let not the rich man glory in his riches." " Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly" (the Greek is [duskolos] dVC1,,6A.wS, meaning literally that his diet and his digestion are such as to put his life entirely out of harmony with the heavenly life j it " goes against his stomach j" before he can enter in, he must be fed upon other food !)-" shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19 : 23). " How hardly shall they that have riches" (the Greek is [chremata] xpf]/LaTrJ." not necessarily great riches, but possessions enough to trust in) "enter into the kingdom of God" (Luke 18 : 24). "Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God j that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate-that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim. 6: 17, 18). "Go to, now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted; your gold and your silver are rusted, and their rust shall be for a testimony against you" (James 5 : 1-3). It is the rust, not the gold, that is the witness against them. Their means are not used for Christ, and the selfish rust on them" shall eat your flesh as it were fire." "There is a grievous evil which I ha,"e seen under the sun-namely, riches kept by the owner there9f to his hurt j and those riches perish by evil adventure" (Eccl. 5 : 13).
Can there be any question that these clear declarations of God cut sharply across the tacit assumptions of many of the Christian congregations of our times 1 CHRIST TEACHES CHRISTIANS TO USE ~~EALTJI, BUT NOT TO "TRUST" IT.
Yet this awfully dangerous power of wealth is entrusted to Christians. The parables and teachings of our Lord, time after time. hold up the property relation as the basis of a lesson in Christian living. The great majority of His parables deal with this relation in one form or another. Nothing can be clearer than that He holds every Christian responsible for the right use of all his possessions, however small, however large, they may be. For the right use of the ten talents and tho two talents, there is tht' same commendation, the same relative reward j while 1he awful stress of contrast is laid upon him who had but one talent heeause ho declined to use that one for his master. There is no one of us here present, then, who can feel that the warnings and the responsibilities that attend the possession of wealth for a Christian do not concern himself. For the right use of all his powers of service, God holds each one of us responsible; and certainly the income that each one of us receives, the property that each one of us possesses, has in it latent power of service for the promotion of the Master's kingdom.
Now the divine law of political economy applies to this whole matter. Dangerous as is the use of wealth, God calls upon Christians to URe all they have of it, be it little or much, in His service and for His glory. We sing in moments of devotion, " All that I havo I 0'11'0 to Thee, I hold it for the Giver."
The proportion which each man of us is free to spend upon his own personal gratification, upon the personal pleasures of his family, upon the embellishments of his home, we cannot determine for each other j but everyone of us is bound conscientiously to determine it before God, and under the searching vision of the Spirit of all Truth, whom no detail and no selfish motive can escape. The Holy Spirit in the heart of Christians can and does make " sumptuary laws" for us.
To HELP MEN TO HELP THEMSELVES.
When we become convinced that there is in our hands as stewards money to be used for our absent Lord-for om Lord in bodily presence withdrawn, in spirit dwelling in us-then how gloriously does the scope of this mission work open out before us ns wo look at the money in our hands! Wealth must be used for unselfish ends, or it cannot be used as the Lord wills. To help others, we must help them to help themselvcs. The greatest work which Christian wealth can do in the world is to bring men one by one under the sway of that one Supreme Personality, the Lord .Tesus Christ !
HELP THEM TO CHRIST.
The only hope for men is in a close personal relation with a personal Saviour. Not in masses will men be Iiftf~d out of vice and sin. Society will be purified, institutions will be made better and kept better, only as men are drawn one by one to IIim "Who has been lifted up." The grellt social discontent of our time, whose hoarse warning voice comes to our ear from every continent on the globe, finds its canse in thp. Jack of a true centre for each man's life in Christ. The pitiable, blind yearnings of socialism must touch the hearts of true Christians, because they are the gropings of men after that true brotherhood which men find only when they see the Fatherhood of God. Christ is the" Desire of the Nations," though they know Him not. The truest, wisest use of wealth is in promoting efforts to bring the Gospel of Christ home to the hearts of the people, and to bring the people home to Christ. "They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ranEOm for him." But the power of the Holy Spirit can transmute these money gift!;, wllich we here and now before God pledge ourselves to make for the promotion of His kingdom, into Christian influences which will win souls for Christ. Oh, what a glorious thought, that dead and wasted years, which have been coined into money, if that money be laid at the feet of Christ, may be made to live over again, His Spirit touching the dead past and quickening it into living service, as this money shall send to the dark places of the earth souls fired with the wish to preach Christ!
" Defer not charities till death," says Bacon, " for certainly if a man weigh it rightly, he that doth 80 is rather liberal of another man's than of his own." Be your wealth great or small, use it for Christ while you can yourself direct its use, while you ~an yourself see and enjoy the mighty moral and spiritnal values which are produced from the right use of wealth. Where is the man or the woman of large wealth who will set tlle world a Christian example of that free, cheerful, joyous giving which God loves (" God loveth a cheerfnl giver") by taking a whole mission station to snpport from his abundant means, as a rich man keeps a yacht" for his own pleasure" 1 vVho will thus prayerfully "rcde~m" large sections of his great wealth, of his coined time, by prayerfully using it for these noble ends 1 Vie look for the speedy appearing of such great benefactions, as the re-
THE GOSPEL AFLOAT
sponsibility of wealth comes to be more clearly felt. Meanwhile, let us see to it that by loving and free giving until we feel it in the sweet deprivations that we are willing to meet for Christ's sake, we each one of us show to the world something of that spirit that brings a blessing from the Lord, Who still" sits over against the treasury. "
THE GOSPEL AFLOAT. (With .Map.) BY REV. ROBERT W. :/d,ALL, D.D., PARIS, FRANCE.
[NOTE.-At the Editor's request Dr. McAll has sent to the REVIEW an account of the new enterprise for French waters, and a plate of the proposed boat.- EDITOR.] Not long since there WaS issued the following appeal for a McAll mission boat for river and canal-work throughout France.
Each summer, for many years past. the boats lent to the mission by Mr. Henry Cook (Seamen's Friend), of Portsmouth and Gosport, have visited various French seaports, and a remarkable blessing has resulted.
Last summer immense interest was awakened during the sojourn of the boat in Paris, moored for two months in the Seine, beside the celebrated Pont de la Concorde.
Henco has arisen our intense desire to have our own boat adapted to the system of rivers and canals which is spread like a network all over France, and which consequently could be used at all seasons of the year. By this means hundreds of hitherto umisited places can be reached with the Gospel message. The estimated cost of such a vessel, containing a saloon for meetings and seating 120 to 140 persons, with lodging for those in' charge, is estimated at £1000. Captain and Mrs. Pim, of Valence, members of the Society of Friends, generously offer to give their services during seven months of each year to carry out this enterprise. The annual outlay for dues, watermen, lighting, warming, etc., and the expense of an evangelist sent to aid in the services, will amount to about £200.
We plead earnestly for special donations toward building the boat, and annual subscriptions toward working it. Without these, this most desirable undertaking cannot be accomplished, the ordinary income being already taxed to the utmost.
While we were using Mr. Cook's boat, Le Bon .Messager, one writer, in a popular French daily newspaper, professing to be very friendly, asked, " What is to be done when, in a few days, this little ship.has to quit the Seine and put to sea again ~ A happy thought occurs to us, which we submit to the promoters of this effort. "Ve recommend them to engage a
I,S,SIonRB.Y
anal~ tn 'l1RllCeI J • f–'—I IIan -:i- + -+– 'ecHon + PARIS – FEBRY 1891 H. R~&. It€'Y.
H(!c;~itecf D. by I~( ;;tale
THE GOSPEL AFLOAT
balloon and hold meetings in the air, high above the Tour Eiffel. The audience being thus already part way to heaven, it will be easier to guide them upward for the remainder of the journey."
This and similar pleasantries clearly attracted thousands to the boat, and numbers who came expecting to be amused remained as earnest listeners. It would be difficult to compute in how far we are indebted even for the new, permanen.t boat to the popular interest thus awakened, evidencing how especially this novel mode of evangelization is adapted to reach the French people.
When the ship was about to leave Paris, a pleasing little incident occurred. Mr. Henry Cook, of the Portsmouth Seamen's Society (who lent us the vessel), and our missionary, the Rev. S. R. Brown, had to go from one marine office to another to carry out some formalities. The distances were considerable, so they hired a small carriage, and were directed from bureau to bureau, a wearisome round. When it was finished Mr. Brown asked the driver what extra sum (beyond the small legal fare for a single drive) was due, on account of the many calls and long waiting. " Gentlemen," he said, his countenance brightening, " I will not receive one sou extra. It has been a pleasure and privilege to conduct you. I and my son have attended the boat meetings whenever we could, and have found great benefit there. I am only too happy to offer this small mark of my gratitude."
The new boat is now in process of building; the special donations have warranted ordering it, but there will be the annual cost of working it, river and canal dues, mariners' support and cost of sending evangeliststhough the good captain and his wife will receive nothing, not even their own support. We tried to believe the annual cost would not surpass £200, but to work well we must rather reckon on £300. It certainly promises to be the means of sending far and wide the Gospel message in France to numbers of places in which it is as yet never heard. We hope to launch it about the end of October.
From the Nineteenth Annual Report of the McAIl Mission we append a few statements which will interest all who are watching the new developments of this work. The missionary boat on the Seine has found the door open wider than ever in France. This was a new experiment in the heart of the vast city. Moored at the well-known Pont de la Concorde, it was wonde~ful to descend into the cabin on a summer afternoon, and find everything orderly as in a regular place of worship, and hear the hearty singing, and mark the reverent attention pervading the crowded assembly, composed chiefly of men; then, so soon as one meeting was ended, to see a new audience eagerly rushing in and filling the cabin a second, third, and even fourth time. What a resistless evidence of a widespread desire to listen to the Gospel message! The gross attendance, during the seven weeks, was 23,500, comprising all classes of society, and many, evidently, hearing the Gospel for the first time in their lives. By a vessel permanently connected with our work the G08pel could be conveyed not only to the cities and towns, but to ~ multitude of remote places where, as yet, its glad sound is never heard.
Every ycar brings new proofs that, so long aR the workers, whether for young or old, keep strictly to the faithful declaration of the Gospel, and the direct effort to win souls to Christ, the people will ncver grow weary of listening to them. Our special work during the" Exposition Universelle" evidenced this anew j each of our two temporary halls at the gate!! has ceased to be temporary. In each a little permanent cl)ngregation of residents in Par'is remained after the Exposition had closed. Were-entered the large salle of Avenue Rapp with the New Year, the influx of these new-comers having rendered the neighboring one of Avenue Bosquet too small, while the little room at the Trocadero has bcen retained. In both "We have the joy of recognizing a certain number of true converts.
Another striking indication that the present i~ a peculiarly favorable time for Gospel work here is found in the fact that in two of our central llalls in Paris-those of Rue Royale and Boulevard Bonue Nouvelle-the gross attendance during 1890 (omitting all extra mcetings) exceeded that of 1889 by 24,300, and this without any novelty of procedure or 8pecial attempt at publicity.
Mr. M. L. Dodds has written: "Never before did this 'Salvation Navy,' as the new~papers call it, attempt to take Paris hy storm, nor dare to cast anchor and hoist flag just below the Pont de la Concorde. Soon, however, the curious crowd gathered, and were welcomed to the nicely fitted-up saloon. The hours of meeting were at first from three to four and from eis-ht to nine. They were gradually extended, till three meetings occupied the afternoon, the saloon emptying and refilling each hourhardly emptying, for often there were a dozen or more people who did not stir, and whom the longest discourse did not frighten away; people who seemed rooted to the spot-both sexes. The greater number are men -men of all classes. One quite young fellow sat in his place from halfpast two till six, and again from eight to nine, magnetized, as it were, by what he was hearing. He was a Catholic, from the North) and had never been to meetings of this sort before. Many took the thing less seriously; they like to whet their intellects on the discourse. 'These are good things,' said a young man to his companion, as they went out, ' but one takes and leaves.'
" Anything like steadiness of attention did not, of course, come all lit once. At the first there was a grcat dcal of coming and going, ~ometimes II little staring and laughing; some were amused at the faint sickly swing of the boat IU! other vessels passed it. Some found the steep companionladder ridiculous-' fit for English people,' they said-these Parisians do not see these ladders as often as they do in England. Some tried to join in the hymns, and sang out of tune, amusing the others. Some came only frOID curiosity, which being satisfied, they retired, never to return. h short, the meetings on the boat began exactly as those first meetings in 1872 began. If anyone wanted to stand again, in imagination, at the cradle of the miRsion, he could have seen the same curiosity, the same criticism, the same bewildered qnestions, the same falling off of wayside hearers, the same process of selection by whieh others stayed, and returned, and listened, and wondered, and often received life for their souls. .
" The French daily papers, describing the work, gave us lengthy advertisements for nothing! Think of it! Advertisements are expensive in France. 'With what gold should we have bought a column and a half of the Figaro .2 " All the French papers were talking about our Bon Messa,qer. Under some such title as 'Le bon Dieu .~ur l' eau ' – ' La religion Ii voiles'- , Une cJwpeUe flottante,' they gave a piece of clever and not ill-natured banter, and llometimes of not too inaccurate description, which helped to send hundrcd~ on board. Le Monde Illustre had some capital comic ,;l:etehes. The crowd pressing down 'en queue '-the saloon filled with peopll1-the lady open-mouthed at the harmonium-the orator keeping time with his llymn-book-were all represented. Even the texts eould be deciphered in full in the pictures. Le Monde made a mistake, however, in giving us too many old ladies in the front seats j but that may be passed over.
" The Rappel said : •• • A yacht is moored below the Pont de la Concorde. To its masts is attached a large ensign, white, on a blue gronnd, " Evangelical meetings every day, free entry." A fixed gangway gives access to the yacht j by a steep staircase we reach the cabin, transformed into a meeting hall. " , A dignified English lady, a little leather bag hangin"g on her arm, gives you a red book. The title is" Popular Hymns." You are warned, by a notice on the cover, that the book is not for you. Comfort yourself -you will get other presents! There are tracts for all tastes.' Butenough. The speakers and players are in turn described or caricatured. Thc singing and reading is carefully described, then the address by M. Mabboux. Then it is naIvely remarked, 'The meeting is closed with a prayer, which must be said with the eyes shut j , for to elose the eyes during prayer strikes these people as a new and peculiar action. "The Figaro also describes the steep ladder, and the hall, 'which might contain about two hundred persons. It is a meeting hall, with a reading. desk at one end j wooden benches arranged in order, and all round the walls are little sentences setting forth the adyantages of having to do with God (commerce avec Dieu), such as "God is your refuge." Jesus Christ said, " Venez d moi vous tous qui etes travailtes et charges, et je vous s01dagerai. " " The Lord is my Shepherd," etc. These' go all along the cabin, in French and English.' "One tract was given down-stairs, and one Gospel on deck. The tract was usually offered by a lady to each one going out, and within its cover was placed a complete list of the mission halls in town, so that any one could choose the hall nearest to his place of residence if he wished to attend. On deck a young man offered a copy of a gospel. Some!imes curious but too rapid conversations took place with those going out.
" A lady, being offered the Gospel of John, said she wi&hed that of Matthew too. ' It is not here to-day, madam, but would you not like to buy a New Testament g, '" A New Testament g What is it g, " , It contains all the four Gospels, and other matter. ' " Ah ! then I should like that j is it expensive ~ , " , Four sous.' " And it was bought. "Miss B– gave a tract to a lady, who stopped, and said abruptly; " , Then, what must one do to get to heaven g, " , Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. His death saves you.' " , Yes-but what must I do g, " , Just what I have told you-believe.' " , And then ~ , " , Then you must read His Word and do His will.' " , Do you believe in hell and in purgatory? ' " , In hell I do, not purgatory.' " , According to that, we are all condemned.' " , We are. Only Christ saves us.' " , Are you saved g , "But a rush of people through the narrow doorway, up the ladder, separated the two. Others had to be attended to. Will she come back again and inq~ire further ~ Who knows !
" They get good speaking on the bateau, and they get plain speaking, too. These Frenchmen make a noble use of a noble language. Some came from the country to help, as Messrs. Mabboux, Vernier, and Sainton. When possible, four or five took turns in the course of the afternoon. And they rose to the occasion. The best gave their best here. I suppose the sight of those wistful faces appealed to them, and they , stirred up their gift.' What the people got was the simple Gospel, suited to their needs. Christ was exalted as Saviour and as King of kings."
M. J. Sainton, who labored very earnestly in the meetings, adds: "The audiences were very mixed, from the consequential lady and gentleman to the street urchin j but, with few exceptions, after the first moments of surprise, our listeners were respectful, attentive, and even sympathetic. By these meetings on the boat we have reached a new contingent of sinners in the midst of our Parisian society, till then strangers to the Gospel. lIad this been the only result, thc work carried on had been a real success, for we should have been carrying out the commandment of our Master, , Preach the Gospel to every creature.'
" But, besides this, we can say that from this time the work of God has begun in very many hearts, a work which the Holy Spirit will deepen unto salvation, "One day a young man, with a fine open face and well dressed, said to me, 'For several days I have been without work, my savings permitting me to wait and look out for a good place. Meanwhile, I am profiting by your good conferences, where I am glad to hear, in regard to religion, things quite new to me, and which I desire to know more about.' Since then I have seen this young man several times at our evening meetings. He has become one of onr regular attendants.
" Another young man, whom I had noticed at different times, and who always appeared most serious, said to me in reply to a question, • Yes, sir, I begin to understand that what you say is the truth.' Later on, I spoke to him again, and he said, 'Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ. I want to live according to the Gospel, and not only that,' added he, with as much seriousness as naIve simplicity, " but I should wish to become a preacher like you. '
" Another day a young man came, accompanied by some companions, and with a mocking smile on his lips. By degrees his expression changed. After two or three meetings his companions dropped off, but he returned alone. He always sat in the same place, and sang and listened quite earnestly. I asked him one day about his spiritual state. He could not answer, bllt I felt that a good work was going on in his heart. He told me that since coming to our meetings he has ventured into II Protestant church, and that the simplicity and beauty of our religion had greatly impressed him. I gave him the address of the hall near which he lived, and he said to me that he would certainly attend the meetings there.
" Another time a gentleman, a merchant from the Provinces, waited for me at the door. That day we had to some extent touched on controversy on the subject of 'confession of sins.' • It is the first time,' said this gentleman, ' that I have been present at your meetings, and I wish to tell you with how much interest I have listened to you and your colleagues; but,' added he, • I should have liked to see our Catholic priests defend their points, and to know what you would have replied to them. ' , If the priests,' said I to him, • do not accept the Word of God as the common ground of discussion, we would not argue with them, for God has not given any other foundation for our faith in the doctrines of the truth. If, on the contrary, they accept it, all discussion is quickly settled, for not only can they not base the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church on the Word 'of God, but they have against them numerous and striking texts.' Then followed a most interesting conversation, which ended in the gentleman declaring: 'I also have had religious convictions from my childhood. In youth I rejected certain ordinances of my Church without abandoning the faith, and I see to-day that I am much more Protestant at heart than Catholic.'
SOME HINDRANCES '1'0 THE WORK 01' FOREIGN MISSIONS
"Unfortunately I did not think of taking his address, and he has probably returned to the provinces, for I have not seen him again."
Pastor Aubanel, of PariiO, says of the missionary ship at Fecamp : " The meetings held at Fecamp during August, 1890, on board The Herald of Mercy, were specially noteworthy because of the number of hearers, and the earne:;t attention with which they listened to the fundamental truth of the Gospel. For some days they were led by Pastor Cresseil, of Paris, but he had to leave, to conduct the evangelistic work at Trouville during the bathing season. The committee sent me to replace him. Every day, aided by the captain and Mlle. M–, I held a meeting and proclaimed a free salvation through repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ to a number of sailors and their families.
•, Perfect order reigned on board during the whole time. The missionroom was constantly full of attentive and interested hearers-often too slIlall to hold all who wished to come, so that the deck also was crowded with persons eager to hear the glad tidings-which they could do, as the skylights were open; many also stood on the edge of the quay. On those days it is estimated that as many as 250 were present. The average was 180.
" A plentiful distribution of tracts and Scripture portions was made at the end of each meeting. New Te:;taments were on sale at the low price of one penny for the small edition. The people were so eager to buy that the stock on board was soon exhaustcd.
" When I took leave of the audience after the last meeting, very many of them, with a warm shake of the hand, said how sorry they were that the meet.ing" were over, and how much they hoped that they would be begun agaiu in a ncar future. "
SOME IIINDRANCES TO THE WORK OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.
BY REV. GEORGE W. NORTHRUP, D.D., LL.D.
[We venture to reprint from the Baptist Missionary Magazine the masterly address of President Northrup before the Se;"entv-seventh Anniversary of the American Baptist Missionary Union, held in Cincinnati, May 25th, 1891, hoping thus to bring it to the attention of some who may not have !lad an opportunity of reading it. -ED.] I purpose to speak of some of the hindrances at home to the work of foreign missions, or some of the causes of the comparative failure of the Church to evangelize the pagan nations. Before expres5ing my thoughts on this subject, I beg leave to uttcr a word of a personal nature. It is possible that my remarks may not Eecure the approval of all ; may, in fact, give offence to some who hear me. If such shall be the case, let me assure you that I am not mored by a pcssimi6tic spirit, nor by a disposition to disparage the missionary history of our people. I am not willing to admit that I am inferior to any of my brethren in loyalty to the denomination with which I have Leen identified for fifty years, and which I have served, in a public way, for more than a third of a century. The feeling which I am most distinctly conscious of, as I stand before you to· day, is that of heartache in view of the apathy of Christian people, and especially the apathy of our denomination, in regard to the temporal and eternal salvation of the vast population of the pagan nations. I have put the question to myself once and again, within a few weeks past: " What can be done to change this state of things-to awaken the feelinl! of love and compassion which ought to exist for the hundreds of millions of our felloW'.men involved in the darkness, degradation and misery of heathenism g I speak in behalf of a billion human beings, for everyone of whom Christ died, every ODO of whom has a place in the heart of God, everyone of whom is of as much worth in His sight as any citizen of the great republic. It is certain that God has done all that He could wisely do in bestowing grace UpOll His people. It is also certain that, if they would use the grace bestowed with greater fidelity, He would give more and still more-, " opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing, that there would not be 100m enough to receive it." The speedy eVaI;gelization of the pagan world, and shall we not also Bay, their salvation, is, in a real and profound sense, in the hands of the Church.
1. Among the causes referred to, we notice, first, the departure from the method of Christ, in laying chief stress, not on salvation here and now, the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth, but upon salvation in a narrower seuse of the term, as escape from the retrihutions of hell. To use the words of another: "It has been too much the habit of Christian people, in looking abroad upon the heathen world, to regard it, Dot as a kingdom to be congucred for Jesus Christ, but rather as a seething sea of drowning men, a few of whom might bo saved from the general wreck by those whom the Church sent out on her gallant life-boat service." But certainly this is not the conception which Christ empllasizes when He sets before men the object of their immediate aud supreme devotion. He hegan His ministry by preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and bclieve tho Gospel." He frequently called the kingdom which He came to establish the" kingdom of heaven." not because it is in heaven, but because of its heavenly origin and nature. The prayer given by our Lord indicates plainly the location ned nature of tho kingdom for tho establishment of which He enjoined His disciples to labor ~and pray: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done"-where g in heaven? " Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The objects presented in these two clauses are identical; the petition, "Thy kingdom come," means" Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The end here presented-universal obedience among men to the will of God-is the burden of the Gospel which Christ preached, and which He commanded His disciples to preach to " all nations," "to every creature;" an end which includes the whole duty of man, and in the accomplishment of which the earth will reflect, in II degree beyond buman conception, the love, purity and blessedness of the heavenly world. True, in a few instances, Christ spoke of the infinitely diverse destinies of men in the future world; "but for once that He spoke about tho ';;iVing of the soul, lIe spoke fifty times about the kingdom." Since Christ's method is the wisest and best, in the measure that the Church has departed from this method, it must have lost in reli~ious power, llow much power, in the way of missionary appeal,' has the doctrine of the eternal perdition of the great majority of the pagan world 1 I received, a few months ago, a letter from a missionary in India, accompanied by a printed appeal to all evangelical churches, in which he states that, while last year (1890) fifty thousand heathen had been rescued, twenty millions had died, few of whom had heard of the love of God in Christ. And he exclaims- " Twenty millions of immortal souls swept into hell in a single year I"
It is probably an approximately correct estimate that, during the missionary year just closed, twenty millions of pagans, who had reached the age of moral accountability, have passed away, the great majority of whom never heard of the Gospel of the grace of God. Is there not, in this fact, considered in the light of the commonly received view of the Bible relation to the final doom of the heathen world, a power of appeal to the people of God sufficient to impel them to all possible labors and sufferings necessary to make known the way of eternal life to every pagan on the face of the globe 1 Rave they been greatly moved by this fact of overwhelming importance 1 Row much have the Baptists of the Northern States, numbering eight hnndred thousand, contributed to aid in sending the Gospel to the vast multitude who have passed to the awards of the eternal world since the Union met in Chicago, one year ago 1 If we allow to these twenty millions their due share of our contributions according to their number, it will appear that the members of our churches have given, on an average, not to exceed two cents for rescuing from hell a number of our race equal to one third of the population of the United States. Is not this an amazing fact 1 Does it not ~eem incredible 1 Does it not furnish a moral demonstration that the idea of the exposure to everlasting puni8hment of the pagan world has but an almost inappreciable influence upon the great body of Christian people 1 Brethren, I would submit the matter to you j I would ask you, each one, to state, clearly and fully, to his own mind, the considerations which render it credible that the Baptists, represented by the Union, believe what they profess to believe in regard to the final doom of the heathen world, and yet give, on an average, not to exceed one cent a week, to send the knowledge of the way of eternal life to a billion heathen, and not to exceed two cents to rescue from perdition the twenty millions whose day of probation has closed since the last anniversary of the Union. Would it not seem difficult to find eight hundred thousand non-Christian men, of average natural benevolence, who would not give as much, if necessary, to prevent the everlasting misery of an equal number of irrational creatures ~ 18 it a matter of wonder that the world does not believe in hell, or that it does not believe that the orthodox churches believe that the heathen" shall go away into eternal punishment'" Do you say that for the world to deny that Christians believe what they profess to believe on this point is to charge them with the most culpable insincerity-a charge which involveR, logically, universal historical scepticism, rendering it irrational to believe in the existence of faith and goodness among men 1 True, but we would inquire if the charge involved in the other alternative is less damaging-the charge, well grounded, of continued practical indifference, on the part of the great majority of the members of all evangelical churches, to the eternal welfare of a thousand million of their fellow-men, whom they profess to love, and whom they are bound, by the most saered obligations, to love as they do themselves.
We would not have you misunderstand us at this point-to regard us as doubting the reality or under-valuing the importance of salvation as escape from the retributions of the future world. We believe that everlasting punishment will last forever; and we believe this awful truth because it iii taught in the Bible; and we believe it is taught in the Bible because it is a fact in the universe; and we believe it is a fact in the universe because the infinite God, in the plenitude of His resources, conld not prevent its existence, acting, as it behooves Him to act, in accordance with the immutable principle of His holy nature; and we believe that this truth ought to have the same place of relative importance in the instruc- tions of the pulpit which it has in the Bible. And yet we affirm that Christ did not dwell chiefly upon salvation as pertaining to the future world, but as a good to be realized here, through the reign of love in the souls of men, constraining them to grateful and self-sacrificing labors that the will of God might be done everywhere on earth as in heaven. Salva- tion is deliverance from sin, and sin is of all evils the essence and the sum. "It brings present disgrace and ruin to body and soul, to home and country ; it breeds distrust; it enervates manhood and womanhood; it incitp.s to murderous revenge; it arrays class against class; it kindles the fires of volcanic social hate; it is a menace to peace, to social order, and to international amity; and from all this there is salvation only by that personal integrity and "ocial righteousness which are the gifts of God to man through Jesus Christ." Salvation in this world involves salvation in the world to come ; the kingdom of God on earth is the foundation of the everlasting kingdom of God in the heavens; and in the measure that salvation is wrought out here, and the kingdom of God extends among men, will the end be accomplished which Christ set before His disciples as the object of constant and paramount devotion. The whole ministry of Christ was a ministry of love to all the sinful, sorrowful, lost sons of men. He was moved with compassion for the multitude because He saw them "in distress," "scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd," living mean, ignoble, wicked lives, ignorant of God and of the place which they occupy in His infinite heart, with latent spiritnal powers capable of development, with solemn re!!>ponsibilities of moral agents, with features of the divine image not yet wholly effaced and that might he restored. How strongly did He nrge, by word and deed, in life and death, the duty of self-sacrificing love for men, not merely for the souls of men, but for men, women and children, in all the relations of life; and how impressively did He emphasize, in the sublime programme of the judgment day, the decisive importance of deeds of love and mercy. "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these My brethren, y0 did' it unto Me." " Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto Me." "Come, ye blessed of My Father." "Depart, ye cursed." Who are the brethren of Christ in this judgment programme? His disciples ~ Yes, but not these alone. For the event which He describes is that of the general judgment, when all nations, all the generations which shall have thronged the globe, will stand before His judgment seat, among whom there will be countless millions who never saw one of His disciples. The brethren of the Son of Man are "the poor, suffering, sorrow-laden sons of men, and the principle on which the judgment proceeds is that as men treat those, they would have treated the Judge had they had the opportunity. "
Are not the heathen among those who are in greatest need of the offices of love? Are they not hungry, famishing for lack of the Bread of Life q Are they not sick, consumed by the fever and leprosy of sin! Are they not poor, bankrupt in estate and character? Are they not in prison, compassed about by walls which they can neither scale, nor dig beneath, nor break through? If this great passage does not teach that men are saved by works of love, it certainly does teach that a faith, which does not produce these works, is vain and dead, and that those and those only who possess the spirit aud do the works described by Christ, are justified in regarding themselves, or in believing that He regards them, as His true disciples. The question for us to answer, as Mr. Spurgeon is reported to have suggested, is not, May the heathen be saved without the Gospel, but, Will we be saved if we do not carry the Gospel to the heathen ~ And it may be confidently affirmed that those who cannot be moved with compassion, in view of the wrath of God which has come upon the heathen, will not be moved with compassion in view of that which is to come upon them; that those who will not make sacrifices to rescue the heathen from the hells in which they are in this world, will not make sacrifices to rescue them from the hell of the future world, which seems far off, vague, unreal.
What, 'then, is the greatest need of the Church to-day ~ We answer, A divine enthusiasm; a mighty passion for the kingdom of God on earth, embracing all the populations of the globe":"'all China, all India, all Africa, all Enrope, all America, and all the islands of all the oceans; a kingdom as wide-reaching as the manifold life of man, involving obedience to the will of God in all positions and relations-in the sphere of the family, of social life, of business life, of political life; a kingdom whose progress shall be marked by the growing consecration of the people of God, the preaching of the Gospel to the poor, the overthrow of oppression, the extermination of drunkenness and the passions of lust and the greed of gain, the destruc,tion. of superstition, idolatry and all forms of infidelity, the sway of truth, and love, and righteousness over all the earth, a divine enthusiasm-a mighty passion of love and loyalty, impelling the soldiers of Jesus Christ to conquer for Him all the kingdoms of the globe on which His cross of shame and agony was set up, and from which He uttered the cry of expiring and redeeming love.
II. We mention, as a second cause, the failure of the evangelical churches to apply at home the principle of comity which they recognize in their foreign mission work. .
It is estimated that there is, on an average, one ordained minister to every three hundred thousand of the pagan population of the world.
There is good authority for the statement that in China, and t.he popula- tion accessible to the American Board, there is only one missionary for every six hundred thousand people. Moreover, there are whole nations, numbering scores of millions, in which no disciples have been made. We are confident that all who have any adequate conception of the interests involved will admit that the two following statements are thoroughly reasonable : 1. "That the Christian churches of the world should be satisfied with nothing less than sending out one ordained missionary for every fifty thonsand of the accessible pagan population of the world."
2. "That no church ought to call itself thoroughly aggressive and evangelical that does not expend, for the support of missions at large, at least one dollar for every five it expends for itself. "
What would compliance with these propositions require of the evan- gelical churches of the world ~ Twenty thousand ordained missionaries instead of four thousand, as at present; an immediate reinforcement of sixteen thousand, of which the quota of our denomination at the North should be not less than twtlve lmndred, making our foreign force of ordained ministers at least fifteen hundred. This would require our churches to give annually five times as much as the committee planned for expending during the current year, as authorized at the last annual meeting of the Union, or $2,500,000, a sum which, large as it may seem, is $400,000 less thau would come, annually, into the treasury of the Union if. the members of our churches should give, on an average, one cent a day for the cause of foreign missions.
We ask you to consider most seriously the vast relative waste, in men and money, involved in the condition of things existing in all the Northern States-the part of the country represented by the Union.
To illustrate the matter which we have in mind, let us take an example of numberless cases, with many of which everyone is familiar. Here are five fields, each having a population of fifteen hundred, and five evangelical ministers-one Baptist, one Presbyterian, one Congregationalist, one Episcopalian, and one Methodist-twenty-five ordained ministers preaching the Gospel to seven thousand five hundred people. while on the other side of the globe there are twenty-five fields, each having a population of three hundred thousand, and but one ordained minister; twenty-five men preaching the Word to seven million five hundred thousand people-one thousand times as many as are under the care of the same number of religious teachers at home. We ask now, in all earnestness, Would it not be infinitely more reasonable and Christian, if these several denominations would apply at home the principle of comity which they recognize abroad, keeping five of these ministers here and sending twenty to aid their brethren, each of whom is confronted by nearly a third of a million pagans? If it would be wrong in the sight of God to put five ministers of different evangelical denominations in a village of fifteen hundred people in China, or Africa, or Burmah, restricting their labors to that locality, is it not wrong and equally wrong, yea, wrong in a greater degree, to do the same thing here, while hundreds of millions o£ our fellow-men are living and dying in the darkness and misery of heathenism ~ The field is the world. The whole world is missionary ground. Every city, every village, every neighborhood, in which there is one man, or woman, or child who is not a citizen of the kingdom of God, is a missionary field. We challenge any man to adduce reasons which will approach to a justification of the course of the Christian churches in distributing their forcet! over this common missionary ground-the whole world-in such an extraordinarily uneven way, putting one minister in charge of three hundred people, many of whom are Christians, and another, of no greater ability, in charge of three hundred thousand, of whom all, or nearly all, are pagans. If the great evangelical denominations would act on the principle of comity here suggested, it would be an easy matter for them to send an immediate reinforcement of sixteen thousand men, so that there might be one minister to every fifty thousand pagans; and it would be an undertaking of no difficulty for us to send our quota of twelve hundred, and to furnish them with adequate support.
Is it a violation of truth or charity to say that the existing state of things is a great religious scandal, an offence against God, and a crime against our brethren of the heathen world, sit.ting in the region and shadow of death, perishing for the lack of the Light of Life?
What are the lessons taught by these facts? What are the duties which they should impress upon us? One duty, and that of paramount importance, as clear to our mind as if it were written on the heavens in words of fire, is this: That the evangelical churches ought to emphasize strongly all points of doctrinal agreement and all methods of Christian work in which they can unite, coming as closely together as possible, and presenting a united front to the enemies of God. Consider, we beseech you, the most obvious facts of our condition. Here are the evangelical churches, in all but a few millions, confronted at home by three hundred million members of two powerful and thoroughly corrupt organizationsthe Roman and Greek hierarchies-and by vast masses of men connected with no churches, dominated by sensuality, greed of gain, lust of powcr, and social distrust and hate, tremendous principles of evil which have brought to untimely destruction cities and nations, many and great, all down the ages; and abroad, confronted by a billion heathen, all involved in deepest moral ignorance and most debasing superstition, and half of them held in the thraldom of false philosophical systems of extraordinary power; and joined with these forces, both at home and abroad, the spiritual hosts of wickedness, nnder the leadership of the god of this world. In such a war as this, fighting the organized evil forces of earth and hell, the combined powers of "the world, the flesh, and the devil, ,. united in the strongest compacts, shall we not, all soldiers of Jesus Christ, stand together in the closest relations possible, help each other heartily on the march and in the deadly assanlt, cheer each other amid the fire and storm of battle, knowing that the Leader is one, the army one, the foe one, the final triumph one, the eternal glory one-the glory due unto Him who is " worthy to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and blessing" ~ But we hear objections, many and plausible, urged against what some may be pleased to call an impracticable and fanatical appeal.
1. It is said that we, as a denomination, hold the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; that it is of supreme importance that we secure the widest possible acceptance of onr views at home; that we dare not compromise with error by consenting to give up any community, however smail, to the care of Predobaptist churches, etc.
The question, then, for us to consider is reduced to this: Shall we give over more of the population of our country to the Predobaptists, or more of the heathen world to the devil ~ Are we to regard the errors of all Christian churches, other than our own, as more destructive than the errors of heathenism ~ And, then, if we have the truth, in its purity and fulness, are we not, of all Christian bodies in the world, under the greatest obligation to go to the regions beyond ~ Surely, the very fact of the purity of our creed immensely engances the claims of duty resting upon us to secure its worldwide acceptance. What an inspiring and uplifting event it would be to the whole Christian world, if we should send out, at once, the number of missionaries suggested-twelve hundred-moved by the spirit of apostolic self-sacrifice and heroism, whose labors might be the means, under the blessing of God, of winning to our pure faith tens and hundreds of thousands in heathen lands, creating at many points, as among the Telugus, Baptist communities numbering fifty thousand! Furthermore, is it not evident that the fundamental principle of our people ought to constrain them to go, in large and increasing numbers, to the nations of the pagan world ~ For the fundamental principle of our churches, that of which. we boast and in which we glory, is loyalty to Jesus Christ, implicit obedience to His commands. We discard and repudiate all assumed authority of a human source, whether of popes, or councils, or traditions, or creeds. But loyalty to Christ, in order to be such in truth and not in name only, must include obedience to all His commands, especially to those which are of supreme importance, among which stands the Great Commission. Does our action, as a denomination, justify or contradict our profession of loyalty ~ What is the command of Jesus Christ, as distinct and imperative as if we heard His words ringing out from the height of heaven ~ Is it not, "Go ye, Baptists, preach the Gospel to every creature, make disciples of all nations~" Is it not the belief of our churches, that the Great Commission was given originally, not to Presbyterians, or Congre- gationalists, or Episcopalians, or Methodists, but exclusively to Baptists- the very people of whom we claim to be the only living representatives ~ The first body of Baptists were right loyal to their Lord; they went every- where preaching the Word; they carried the good news to aU quarters of the known worM. How is it with the people known as Baptists in the last quarter of the nineteenth century ~ Is their obedience such as to justify their claim to be the true successors of those early disciples of Christ ~ Have they discharged, are they now discharging, in any true and worthy sense, the high and imperative duty imposed by the risen and glorified Redeemer, loyalty to whom they claim as their distinction and horlor ~ Is it obedience to the command, "Go, make disciples of all nations," for a people, numbering eight hundred thousand, to contribute $400,000 a year-on an average, one cent a week-to give to a billion pagans a knowledge of the incarnate Son of God, who loved them and gave Himself for them, and through whom alone they can attain eternal life ~ Brethren, mere profession will not justify our claim of special loyalty to Christ, nor ~ill obedience to His requirements in the matters of baptism, communion and church government justify it while the great majority of the members of our churches are in a state of mutiny against the Great Commission, saying, if not in words, yet practically, We will not ourselves preach the Gospel to the pagan nations, nor will we make sacrifices to aid others in the work of preaching to them. .
How is it that the belief has come to prevail so widely, among all Christian people, that there is au enormous difference, in culpability and danger, between disobedience to Christ in rejecting what He requires them to believe, and disobedience to Christ in disregarding what He commands them to do ~ Why is it that the heresy of unbelief is regarded with such apprehension or alarm, while the heresy of inaction is viewed with comparative indiffer- ence ~ Is faith without works any better than works without faith ~ Are they not alike dead and displeasing to God-equally vain and perilous 1 To the heresy of inaction, far more than to the heresy of unbelief, is due the deplorable fact that the midnight darkness of heathenism still envelops nearly two thirds of the population of the globe. What, then, shall we do 1 The alternatives are: Either cease to claim to be the true successors of the earliest Baptist churches, or obey, with the devotion which char- acterized them, the Lord's command, "Go, preach the Gospel to the whole creation."
2. But we hear another objection urged with great frequency and confidence. It is said that the United States is destined to be the leading I nation of the future, that it occupies a position of immeasurable importance in the world's history; so that whatever we do, or fail to do, in relation to the evangelization of the pagan nations, we must seck, by all means in our power, to make our nation thoroughly Christian. What shall we say of this utterance, heard everywhere, especially on anniversary occasions, in the pulpit and on the platform ~ Is it not largely an utterance of national conceit, inspired by national pride and selfishness, and utterly opposed to thll example and teaching of Christ and His apostles 1 1. The ruling motive force of Christianity is love j and it is the nature, the irrepressible instinct, of Christian love to help the most helpless, the deformed in body, the feeble-minded, the moral refuse of. society for whom none care.
2. Jesus gathered around Him the weakest, the lowest, the" publicans and harlots," the social outcasts-the nobodies of ilis time, according to the prevailing standards of the world.
3. Does the Great Commission read, Go ye, therefore, make disciples of the leading nations, preach the Gospel to those who hold positions of great stategic importance? . This would seem to be the form of the Lord's final command as given in the English version most widely current in our churches. But the oldest manuscripts, beyond question substan- tially identical with the "Original Autographs" of Matthew and Mark, read very differently, as follows: "Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations;" "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. "
4. The history of the Church justifies the method of Christ. Chris- tianity has won its most notable victories among peopla of little account in the judgment of the civilized nations, as among the Karens, the Telugus, the Sandwich Islanders, the ancient inhabitants of the British Isles, who, though they were regarded by the Romans as too stupid and brutish to serve as slaves, have built up the most magnificent empire known to his- tory-an empire upon which the sun never sets, which has endured for a thousand years, and is influencing now, as never before, the thought, and life, and movements of the world. .
5. The only principle of missionary strategy recognized by Paul, the foremost missionary of all the ages-as appears from the inspired record of his life-was to preach the Gospel where men were thickest. And for the adoption of this principle he had divine warraut j for when he was at Corinth, the Lord said unto him in the night by a vision: . " Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace j for I alll with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee; for" -what did the Lord say? Corinth is a city of culture, the eye of Greece, occupying a position of great strategic importance? No, no ; but, " no man shall set on thee to harm thee, for I have much people in this city."
o brethren, can we not hear our Lord calling us one uy one, by name, and saying, " I have much people in China, much people in Africa, much people on all the continents and islands of the globe?" Let us take deeply into our minds and hearts Christ's idea of the people! the people! the people! He accounted man transcendently great, not because of the external distinctions which gain for him recognition and honor in the world, but because of what he is as man, the divine image in him, his inherent powers of intellect, heart and will, which have revealed but an insignificant fraction of their latent energy, even in the case of those who stand forth in history as the greatest of the sons of men, and to whose expansion and growth there is no goal this side of the infinitude of God.
In Christ's esteem, all men, of whatever race, or rank, or condition, ar~ of equal worth in virtue of their divine endowments and immortal destination.
The people have been of but little account in the past. It has been the great ones of the earth-emperors, kings and nobles, the rich and the powerful j for these it has seemed that all things were made; for these the people have labored, and suffered, and died like the beasts of the field; but thanks be unto God for the signs, multiplying on every side, betokening the growing power of Christ's idea of the greatness of man as man, the worth and dignity of the people. It cannot be doubted that one of the chief causes of the agitations and revolutions which are taking place in all Christian nations, working the di&integration and overthrow of institutions of social and political wrong which have survived the destruction of dynasties not a few, is the growing conscionsness, on the part of the people, of their divine rights and powers of manhood; their dignity as moral agents-deep calling unto deep-the strivings and aspirations of the human soul, like the ceaseless ground-swell of the ocean, in response to the presence and quickening touch of the Spirit of God. And as the Christian idea, which is Christ's idea of the people, shall grow in power and splendor, it will mould more and more profoundly all social and political institutions, and will constrain all the true disciples of Christ to labor with equal love, devotion and joy for the temporal and eternal wellbeing of all men, irrespective of race, or nationality, or color, or sex, or social condition.
But who knows that the United States is destined to be the leading nation of the future, that the Anglo-Saxon race will rule the coming ages ~ To whom has the assurance been given that God will not build up in China a kingdom far surpassing, in intellectual and moral power, the British Empire or the great republic 'I Where is the prophet who can foretell the destiny of the " Dark Continent," having at the present time a population of two hundred and fifty millions-four times that of the United States ~ Who can forecast the turnings and overturnings which shall precede the coming of Him whose right it is to reign, and who shall reign over all the nations of the earth ~ Is it nrged that certain of the pagan nations and races have no future, that they are worn out, their powers of expansion and growth exhausted? We reply that the judgment of those who thus speak is certainly shallow, and probably false, because they fail to estimate adequately the restorative and re-creative power of Christianity. The error is like that involved in the conception of "a mechanical world and an outside God." The idea has widely prevailed that the material universe is a " closed system"-a system of finite forces, acting and reacting upon each other, excluding all divine causality-its goal quiescence and death. The conception is fundamentally false, because it does not include, as it should include, God as the universal and abiding ground of all being and all life, as immanent and active in all chemical forces, in all vital forces, in all souls-to His almighty will energizing throughout creation from the atom to the archangel." This view compels us to reject, as irrational and incredible, the notion that the goal of the material universe is quiescence and death, and to affirm that, through the immanent and energizing power of God, it will abide, and pass on from lower to higher stages, " from the nebulous matter to the glory of the new heavens and the new earth."
But God is in history in a sense infinitely more real and profound than He is in the realm of physical nature; and hence we believe that there are no effete and worn-out peoples, no races whose powers of expansion and growth are permanently exhausted. For though the words of the apostle that" all live and move, and have their being in God" declare a universal fact of history, yet, in these last times, God has entered, in Jesns Christ, into new and more vital relations with mankind, and is creating them anew by His spirit. awakening and invigorating their dormant and paralyzed powers, thus enabling nations and races, as well as individuals, to enter upon a new career, far higher and grander than would have been possible to them before the Advent.
In concluding these remarks, we desire to say, that we have spoken as truly and earnestly in beha!f of the work of missions at home as of the work of missions abroad. The cause of home missions and the cause of
MISSIONS AND THEm RESULTS
foreign missions are one in principle and one in interest. And, therefore, along with the motto, " America for Christ," but high above it, we should place the motto, "The World for Christ:" And the speediest and the only infallible way to gain America for Christ is to give to the world's evangelization the place of supremacy, in labors and gifts, which it holds of right. This our churches, this the churches of other denominations, have lamentably failed to do. The most general and conspicuous act of disobedience to Christ, on the part of the Christian people of the United States, is their deliherate and persistent refusal to discharge the high and imperative duty to evangelize the pagan nations-a work for the accomplishment of which, within the period of the past twenty-five years, their resources, in men and money, have been ample. It is, in our judgment, no exaggeration to say, that the Baptist churches of the Northern States could have done and ought to have done, during the past year, as much for the cause of foreign missions as has been done by all the evangelical churches embraced in the same portion of our country.
Brethren, I would that one half of the Baptist ministers at the North would give themselves to the work of evangelizing the heathen. Disastrous to our denomination at home, do you say ~ Impossible. It would bring to our churches an unparalleled degree of prosperity; the places left vacant would be filled by men called of God from the ranks of the laity; ministers of other denominations would be won to us, convinced that we were holding the truth in its purity, and living it with apostolic fidelity ; Christians of other names, moved by the power of our example, would obey in a worthy manner the Lord's final command; and this powerful missionary "movement" .would confound infidelity at home, would convince the world that Christianity is, indeed, what it claims to be, and would mightily advance the Kingdom of God in all parts of our country.
May the Divine Spirit enable us to penetrate to the heart of these great paradoxes in the kingdom of Grace-that we saVtl our life, not by seeking, but by losing it; that we become rich, not by keeping, but by giving; that we become great in moral power among men, not by self-assertion, but by self-abnegation, by self. sacrifice from love to others; that it is through our poverty that we are to enrich the world, according to the way of Him who, " though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich."
APOSTOLIC MISSIONS AND THEIR RESULTS.
BY REV. JOHN RUTHERFORD, ROTHE SAY, SCOTLAND.
" Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." Such was the word of the Holy Ghost which came to the church in Antioch as they ministered to the Lord and fasted.
This was the actual beginning of Chris.tian missions; those two men were the pioneers of all in every age who have gone forth to carry the Word of Christ " far hence unto the Gentiles."
It was a vast work that lay before them. As Paul afterward wrote, " Who is sufficient for these things~" so would he feel now. Alone and single handed they were to attack the ignorance and superstition and vice of the world. Their difficulties could hardly be overestimated. What amount of credence were they likely to meet with from hostile Jews, from subtle Greeks, or from tl1e military Romans ? Was it probable that the minds of the heathen could be easily turned from the saturnalia and idol festivals to which for generations they had been addicted? Systems of priestcraft, of degrading mythologies, of widespread epicureanis~, of an utterly debased home life, of slavery and of revolting games and pleasures kept the world crushed beneath corruption and sensuality. And who, then, were Barnabas and Paul, to attempt to overthrow institutions venerable with the traditions of centuries? who were they to try to change the religions and social face of the world? "Two Jews of obscure name, of no position, without rank, without wealth, without influence, without either literary, political, or military genius, without any culture but such as a Roman noble would have despised as useless and grotesque." Yes, and even after years of working at this their chosen work, they did not find it either popular or remunerative, for it fell to their lot to approve themselves the ministers of God in affiictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in prisons, in deaths, being beaten, being stoned, being shipwrecked, Iiving in weariness and painfulness, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness.
Were they sufficient for these things? sufficient to cope with false philosophy, with heathenism, with abounding moral pollution, with a world which knew not God? They realized that their sufficiency was of God j they had been called by the Holy Ghost.
And so Barnabas and Saul went forth from Antioch, taking with them as an attendant and companion John Mark. Barnabas was one of the noblest, most manly, gentlest, and most effective of all the apostolic band. A Christian of the highest type, he had already been of the greatest service to Paul on more than one memorable occasion, a man of large heart, of wide sympathy, of great generosity and liberality j devoted and earnest and Joving, a " son of consolation," a good man, who rejoiced iu all good by whomsoever wrought, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.
And Paul, still known by his early name of Saul, was a man whose character towers far above that of ordinary men j a gentleman in the true sense of the word j a Christian, devoted, body, soul, and spirit, to Christ; courteous and orave, tender-hearted and true, full of enthusiasm and of sobriety of mind j a man of the deepest power of thought, eloquent, persuasive, able to organize and to manage, able to bear with weaknesses and prejudices, a man whose life was yielded without reserve to the glory of Jesus Christ and the welfare of men.
These, then, were the first Christian missionaries. After a farewell meeting with the church in Antioch they made their way to the port of Seleucia, where there stretched at their feet the waters of the great welltern sea. Here they found a splendidly built harbor in which the ships were lying protected from the swell of the waves outside. The ruins of this harbor remain in great perfection to our own day, only silted up with mud. From just such a harbor and such piers as we are acquainted with in any of our great shipping centres, the first New Testament missionaries set sail. It was the noblest use to which the masonry of the port of Seleucia had been ever put, when it sheltered the ship into which Paul and Barnabas stepped as they went at the divine bidding to evangelize the nations. Their vessel sailed out into the west-westward was the call of God to the Christian Church for many a century, until Europe and America should have received the Gospel-and soon arrived at Cyprus. Arrived at length in this, the first country to which God had led them, what would the results be? What would be the results of discussions with unbelieving Jews and with opposing philosophers? of weary journeys on foot-journeys continued for weeks together, while the preachers endured hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, and had no certain dwelling-place? what would be the result of their residence in foreign cities among neVI' faces, all of whom were alike ignorant of" this Jesus whom Paul preached"? 'Would the results be commensurate with the time and labor expended V Modern critics would say, No ; for upon their principles Paul would have done better if he had not interfered with other people's religion, if he had let the world alone, for the religion of Greeks and Romans, of Celts and Britons was no doubt good enough for them, and they would somehow or another all turn out right enough in the next world. It was not after this fashion that Paul reasoned or acted. No ; he had a gospel to make known'-" woe is me if I preach not the Gospel." To make all men know the mystery of Christ he was willing to be buffeted and reviled, willing to undergo abuse and bodily injury, willing to be scourged, to be stoned and left for dead, as he was at Lystra. What, it is asked, are men to undergo treatment like ihis for the sake of propagating the Christian religion? Here is his reply : "I count not my life dear unto me, that I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I received of the Lord Jesus."
But what were the results? A handful of converts in each of half a dozen or a dozen towns, and those converts by no means the mature, well-informed, experienced Christians who are to be seen in modern congregations. It is difficult to realize how inexperienced those converts were, how crude their ideas, how imperfect their morality ; they required mIlch patient teaching and exhortation; and even the best of them, who were appoicted deacons and deaconesses and elders, knew very little, for they had but recently turned from idols to serve the living and true God. All their previous life had the dead weight of heathen custom, heathen ideas, heathen morality, heathen vice; and it took long years of patient labor on the part of the apostles to raise their converts to anything like a proper appreciation of the behavior that is beeoming a Christian. Were ,OJ these results, then, worth the labor ~ WaR it worth while to have gained these new churches in heathen countries, when the gain had been achieved at the expense of such bodily injury to an apostle as had made him prematurely old and taken many years from his lif,e 1 Similar objections are constantly made against modern mission work-Is the conversion of a handful of Jews or of a few thousands of negroes or Hindoos or South Sea Islanders worth the life and the moncy that are spent in the process ~ and the verdict of many is in the negative.
But surely the actions of a divinely inspired apostle are a safer guide than any negative or hostile theories. Look again at Paul as he is returning from the second of his great missionary journeys. He has been away, from Antioch and his friends there for perhaps three years, and years and,hard work are telling upon him; he is not the same strong man he once was; no, he bears in his body the branding marks of the Lord Jesus. Since he and Silas set out-for Silas is now his companion-they have undergone the" shameful handling" which fell to their lot at Philippi; and violence of that kind no man can ever fully recover from. But Paul has a brave heart j none was ever braver than he. The devotion of his whole being to the Son of God, who loved him and gave Himself for him, this personal affection to the Lord Jesus ever urges him on to spend and be spent for the glory of Christ and the salvation of man. He feels himself debtor to all–to slave and freeman, to Jew and Greek; and therefore as Jesus Christ's minister he is abundant in labors; life is too short and too precious to waste; eternity will give him rest. Therefore. does his heart bound onward to the work, although even in this second journey he has been in stripes above measure, in prison, in deaths oft, in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the wilderness, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and painfulness.
Yes, this was the kind of life Paul chose for Christ's sake. There was then no other educated man of his position who was acting in this fashion. They looked on him as a fool, and regarded those journeyings of his as fanaticism. He knew that this was the estimate formed of him by his former associates, " Weare fools for Christ's sake j" but he had counted the cost, and Christendom of to-day thanks God for the sufferings, the journeyings, the fearless enterprise, the manly Christian resolution of St. Paul-a resolution to live not for applause either in the Church or outside of it; but to live for Jesus Christ alone and for mankind of every nation, for slaves and outcasts, for little children and for women, for those whom the world despised. One thing this Paul ever does, one thing engages his thoughts by day and his dreams by night, that Christ be glorified in his body whether by life or by death.
Was it worth while ~ Would Paul and Barnabas and Silas not have done better to have stayed at home and taught the home church ~ Suppose they had, where, then, would our European and American churches have been to-day ~ Simply nowhere. Had there been no apostolic missions, Anglo-Saxon Christianity would have been non-existent.
Are missions worth the money ~ Do they pay? Alas! that such a question should even be asked by a worldly church. Ask Christ, and listen to His answer, " Make disciples of all nations." Ask Paul, " I am debtor to all men." Ask the martyrs, they counted not their lives dear to them for the name of Jesus. Go with me to Central Africa, to Lake Victoria Nyassa, and see what divine grace can do for the most benighted races. One of the missionaries, Rev. Mr. Ashe, writes as follows: "Picture the tyrant playing the first act in the tragedy. One of the elder storekeepers, a Christian page, is brought into the royal presence. 'Can YOIl read 1 ' asks his majesty. 'Yes,' boldly answers the page. 'I'll teach you to read!' cries the king, catching up a spear and laying it about the lad's shoulders till it broke in two ; then, taking up the blade, he gashed the head of his faithful servant and kicked him, till in a state of exhaustion he handed the weapon to one of his chiefs nearly as cruel as himself, to continue the lesson. He then sent and had fifty of his pages arrested and cast into prison. After being imprisoned for a week thirty-two of them were burned in one huge funeral pile. "
The spirit which animated these martyrs was the same which inspired the early Christians, who endured a similar death, as Tacitus narrates, in the time of Nero. Wrapped up in sacking which had been previously smeared with pitch, they were hung upon trees in the royal gardens and then set fire to, there to burn to death, blazing as lamps in the darkness of evening; or again, encased in the skins of wild beasts, they were thrown to dogs and worried till they died. The early martyrs and the martyrs of the nineteenth century in Madagascar and China and Africa were faithful to Christ, faithful unto death. Most assuredly work which God blesses with results such as these is worth the while.
The work is Christ's. The command to carry the Gospel to every creature is Christ's command. It is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus, who still breathes into His people something of the compassion of Christ for those who are even to-day sitting in the shadow of death; and the results of Christian ,missions are Christ's. The handful of converts in Cyprus, in Pisidia, in Derbe, and Lystra, and Iconium, a]ld Athens, and Corinth, and Rome, and Spain, and Egypt, and Gaul, and Britain continues to increase throughout the centuries, until in this year of grace, 1891, we have Christian churches everywhere, the prelude to the timc when the earth itself shall be full of the knowledge of God, when sin shall be made to cease out of God's world, when in the fulness of the joy of the wholo human race ccnsciously redeemed, the shout shall. rend the skies, " The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever."
NARAYAN BHESHADRI, D.D
NARAYAN SHESHADRI, D.D., THE BRAHMAN APOSTLE OF THE OUT-CASTE MANGS.
BY GEORGE SMITH, LL.D., EDINBURGH, SNTLAND.
[We venture to reproduce from the Free Church of Scotland Monthly a superb paper which many readers have not seen.-ED.] The same Scottish newspaper announced the death of two remarkable Asiatic converts of Dr.. John Wilson of Bombay-the Parsi, Rev. Hor- mazdji Pestonji, and the Brahman, Rev. Narayan Sheshadri, Doctor of Divinity of the University of Montreal. There still survives the oldest of all, the Rev. Dhanjibhai Naoroji, at the head of the native Christian community of Western India.
Vilhen, in 1839, Dhanjibhai and Hormazdji left the fire-worship of Zoroaster for the only Name given under heaven whereby men may be saved, Parsi and Hindu society was moved to its centre. In vain was the civil court appealed to. But the Institution was almost emptied. .tmong the few sons of caste and superstition who clung to it through ill.report were two Brahman brothers-Narayan and Shripat. What Dr. John 'Wilson and Mr. Nesbit began, Dr. Murray Mitchell continued, and the good work resulted in their determination to put on Christ by baptism. Narayan, who was confessedly of age and could not be hindered, became the first convert of the Church of Scotland, Free, in the year 1843, when Dr. Wilson and Dhanjibhai were in Scotland founding the home organization of the missions anew. Shripat was not sixteen years of age, and Sir Erskine Perry handed him over to the Brahman priests, with a sneer at the plea of the age of discretion. He was torn from Mr. Nesbit's arms, as he sobbed forth the question, "Am I to be compelled to worship idols ~"
While the younger brother was thus driven back by a Christian judge into Brahmanism, and submitted to the humiliation of swallowing the five products of the cow, that he might be restored to caste, the elder began that apostolic career which, for this life, ended in the committing of his body to the Atlantic on the 21st July last, in the hope of a glorious resurrection in Christ Jesus, at the very hour when the Foreign Missions Committee in Edinburgh, all unknowing of the fact, were discussing the arrangements by which Dr. Mowat was to share his toils next October.
After spending some years as a missionary teacher in the Institution and preacher to his countrymen, Narayan Sheshadri was ordained by the Presbytery of Bombay, and the highly educated Brahman became for the rest of his life the apostle of the Mangs, the out-caste poor of the Deccan centre of India. Leaving ordinary British territory, he resolved to annex the great native state of Haidarabad to the kingdom of Christ.
The year was 1863. As his base, he worked from Jalna, a military cantonment, in which mission buildings were easily acquired. Three miles south he gradually obtained three hundred acres of land, which forms the centre of the mission to the Mangs. As the Spirit of God blessed his incessant evangelizing, he made that spot the centre of what grew to be his extensive mission to the out-caste. He formed a Christian church and a Christian community, calling both" the House of God," but using the Hebrew" Bethel" rather than one of his own beautiful Marathi words. After ten years of blessed toil he visited Scotland and America, to tell the churches of his work and to raise funds for the necessary buildings. His winning face and irresistible personality, his native eloquence alike in English and the vernaculars, and his contagious earnestness, captivated not only Christians in all the lands he visited, but the Parsi official of the district, and even the proud Arab prime-minister of the Nawab, Sir Salar Jung. For the mission he received three hundred acres of gautan, or chnrch land, free of tax, and never to be cultivated save as a grass common; for the Christian peasants he was installed as patel, or headman, over six hundred acres, in which office his son Yeshwant-rao, lately agricultural professor in Nagpore College, has succeeded him.
Year by year the work went on increasing, when he paid a second visit to America and Scotland. The writer was with him a deputy to the Presbyterian Alliance at Philadelphia in 1880, and went up and down Scotland with him, pleading alternately for the Livingstonia and for the Bethel Mission. After his first visit some of our generous Glasgow elders, led by Mr. William Mitchell, formed a committee to' help his village mission. Congregations specially charged themselves with the support of his catechists. The children of the Free Church, above all, built him his church, and year by year supported some of his schools. By 1886-87 the work had so far extended that we published this appeal for him : " Before we pass away from these earthly scenes, we should like to see the thirty villages, wherein our Christians reside, supplied with pastors duly qualified, called, ordained, and settled over their respective congregations.. How is this to be accomplished 1 However, we have most encouraging promises in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. , I shall take out of them (namely, Gentile nations) for priests and Levites, saith the Lord.' Has He not given a full realization of this promise in the experience of once heathen European nations; and what He has done with respect to European and American nations, lIe is able and willing to do with reference to the Gentile nations of India, China, Burma, Japan, and all Eastern nations. We mean to submit to the Free Presbytery of Bombay a scheme of studies to train up village pastors in connection with our Bethel Mission. Last year we had the pleasure to dedicate a new church at Rewagao, two miles to the south of Bethel, to the worship of the only living and true God."
In 1888-89 our deputies visited the Deccan Village Mission, and Rev. Dr. Lindsay made this report to the children of the church: " First, there was a most interesting series of baptisms, with an address to the baptized; then the nsual service, when I preached and Dr. Sheshadri interpreted; and lastly, the communion service, at which I had the privilege of presiding. No pews exist in the Bethel churcb. The congregation sit on the floor in row after row, devout and attentive; and th,e babies, most of them without a stitch of clothing on, crawl about everywhere. An bour or so after service the catechists and Bible-women met in the church, and we had an interesting interview with them. A great number were present besides Bible-women and catechists, and I could only get at which was which by act.ually taking hold of each and finding out by question whether the person I had hold of was a catechist or a Bible-woman, and separating them from the rest.
" One or two of the Bible-women made a very great impression on us. Their story of work was simple, clear, and interesting. 'Have you made many converts ~' one of our number asked. 'There is one,' she replied, pointing to one of the men among the catechists. Mrs. Mackichan and Mrs. Daly examined these Bible-women, and their questions drew out very interesting answers. Mrs. Daly gave them some very sound practical advice, which produced more immediate results than longer sermons usually do. All the small children came to the Monday village family worship clothed, although most of them spent the hour of service in getting rid of their inconvenient garment. One small urchin, having divested himself, to his own evident satisfa~tion, of every vestige of garment, toddled to the church door, carefully put on the largest pair of shoes he could find, and then tumbled down the steps in them. When he reached the bottom he picked himself up, got into the shoes again, and shuffied off out of sight-a happy child 1 "Dr. Sheshadri sends his men out in small bands to preach in the villages round about Bethel, and in this way has formed small Christian communities in most of them. One sees at Bethel genuine native Christians, who preserve all their primitive habits, and who are not Anglicized by their Christianity. The evangelists all collect at Bethel on the first Monday of every month, and are regularly instructed by Dr. Sheshadri, who is a born teacher (to hear him give a Bible lesson to school children, and to see the small eyes twinkle with eagerness, is a sight not to be soon forgotten), in the interpretation of Scripture, and in the best ways of meeting the various objections commonly brought by Hindus and Moslems against Christianity.
" In the afternoon we started for the neighboring village of Rewagao. It possesses the first of those village churches which Dr. Sheshadri proposes to build in the principal hamlets in his district. A congregation of about ninety people gathered, and three baptisms took place at the close of the service.
"Dr. Mackichan and Mr. Daly returned in the evening from their visit, and reported a cheerful little Christian community in the far-off village they had gone to see. These Christians lived in a distinct quarter of the village,- and though greatly outnumbered by the heathen, were full of hope and courage.
" I hope that Dr. Sheshadri's plan of building ten or twelve village churches will .be carried out, and that each church will have attached a prophet's chamber, in which the missionary may reside when on his rounds. The great defects of our mission in the Bethel district appeared to be the want of adequate provision for the training of the children, and the wide extent of country which Dr. Sheshadri has to superintend."
Of converts still living in 1890, Dr. Sheshadri reported 1062 as the number, besides 649 adherents. Mr. A. G•.Mowat, M. B., C.M., was sent ont from Glasgow last year to work the northern division of the mission from Jalna, after learning Marathi with Mr. Small at Poona. He has just been instructed to repor~ on the whole mission, after a year's survey.
Accompanied by his son, Dr. Sheshadri left Bombay for Japan last February on sick leave, proceeded thence to America, preached almost daily, and addressed the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Canada. He sailed for Glasgow in the (Jircassia very well,* even at his age; but as the result of a storm on leaving. New York, he succumbed to bowel disease, and was buried in mid-Atlantic.
It is a strange story from man's point of view. The Brahman lad, fruit of our educational Institution, who confessed Christ before thc Supreme Court of Bombay, was enabled by the Spirit of God to bring, from first to last, some two thousand of his countrymen to Christ, notwithstanding defects of a purely secular kind, which he was ready to acknowledge and bewail. He has left a goodly heritage to the Church of India.
Do we ask what is missionary work g Rather ask what is not missionary work g for wherever there are Bouls to be saved, ignorance to be enlightened, human wrong to be righted, vice to be uprooted, and woes to heal; wherever the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, is obscured by reason of darkness, there is missionary work; and wherever in the homes of Christendom there are hearts unrenewed, lives wasted in folly and trifling, God-given powers dying for want of holy exercise, money, time, influence and example diverted to unworthy objects, there is missionary work.
* This was his last letter to Dr. Graham, of Edinburgh, now ninety years of age : – " WALNUT STREET, PHILADE~pmA, July 14, '91.
"My DEAR FATHER GRAHAM: I see that in all probability you'll have me once more in my temporary home, Ashfield Villa, Greenhill Gardens, 1 Chamberlain Road.
"You and your dear minister, Dr. Wilson, and all inquiring friends in your beautiful city, will be gratified to hear that I have been restored to health and strength. I have been travelling from San Francisco to New York, and thence to Chicago, Washington, and Bostoll, very often preaching twice on the Lord's-day, and once or twice on week-days.
"We leave New York on the 18th instant by the Circassia, on or about the 29th in Glasgow. I shall let you know when we-that is, my son Yeshwant-rao and myself-will be at Edinburgh.
Morningside. With warmest love to you, Miss Graham, and Miss Martha, and all Inquiring friends, ever afi'ectionately yours, NARAYAN SHESH~DRI."
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The census just taken shows India to have a population of 285,- 000,000.
-The Report of the Free Church of Scotland remarks: "A work on which Dr. Duff laid great stress in connection with all educational operations in the country, from the lowest indigenous vernacular primary school up to the highest college class, was the compiling or selecting of good, pure text-books, thus superseding the impure, immoral rubbish which at one time prevailed to so large an extent in all schools in India. Of course a good deal of this work has been accomplished, but a good deal remains to be done. The Government of India has put itself in communication with all the local governments on this subject of pure text-books, passed resolutions and laid down principles for the guidance of the various educational departments throughout the country. One of these principles is to the effect that at least one half of every school-book used as a reader in English or in vernacular teaching should consist of lessons having a direct bearing on conduct, either by way of precept or of example. The fact is becoming more patent to missionaries every year that the progress of Christianity rests on a sensitiveness of conscience as to conduct. Wherever there is an indifference as to conduct, there can be no conviction of sin. Wherever I God or the Supreme Authority is regarded as indifferent as to whether actions are good or bad, and also wherever men are regarded as under the compulsion of fate, so that they can do nothing of themselves and are therefore blameless as to bad conduct, there can be no conviction of sin. Now these are two of the fuudamental principles of Hinduism, and taught in most of their school.books. Hindus are trained from their infancy on these Ii nes.' '
-Mr. F. N. Farquhar, B.A., of Christ Church, Oxford, has lately gone out to take up work in the London Missionary Society College at Bhowanipur, Bengal. He writes: "Nothing impresses me so deeply as the extreme difficulty of the work of leading the class of men we have to deal with-educated Bengalis-to become Christians. They are not only proud of their own hoary cult, and filled full of arguments drawn from the purer and nobler parts of its teaching, but their want of physical vigor and moral greatness makes them far more difficult to rouse than stndents at home; and the fear which is now felt by Hindus concerning the advance of Christianity has led them to form almost a sacred dread of allowing any shred of Christian teaching to find a place in their heart.
"Yet though this seems to be true of a very large number of these young Babus, there are many whose hearts have been touched, and who are anxious to learn more about Christ.
" My little experience and few scraps of observation since I came here confirm my belief that the educational work done here is of extreme value and importance. That these young Christians should be taught by earnest Christians rather than by careless Christians or by Hindus is of immense importance, o,'en if we do not consider the actual Scripture work and direct Gospel teaching. And the magnificent set of educated native Christians dependent upon our mission here is a proof of the power of Christian educational work. The native pastors and other educated natives have impressed me deeply; they are kings among the ordinary Bengalis here, and their Christian character seems far advanced, and is most beautiful, most helpful, and most encouraging."
-The English Baptists, in their Annnal Report, announce as their policy" Aggressive Concentration." "Ooncentration and consolidation of missionary effort, rather than unwise diffusion, are the methods most ownea and blessed by God in Indian mission enterprise." The report of their deputation says: "vVe have in India to-day just one thin long line of stations, in most instances with extensive distances between. We have located our brethren in great cities far distant from each other, and by so doing removed from them the strength and inspiration that come from working in touch and contact in mutual sympathy and brotherly counsel. We ha'e set one or two brethren down in a vast and densely peopled city, and written' Occupied' over the entire district stretching far away, until we have treated a similar centre hundreds of miles distant in precisely the same manner. • . , 'Spread the Light!' 'Spread the Light !' is a cry in which we would all thankfully join j but it is surely well to remember that the light of missionary zeal and usefulness resembles that of live coals, which if kept together may long continue to burn brightly and diffuse a genial warmth, but which if unwisely scattered will soon become dim and cold."
Says the deputation: "Even putting all distinctive missionary effort out of the question, the mere contact of Western thought, culture, and education is inevitably breaking up the older forms of Hindu thought. But it lies with us to say whether that contact shall be charged with infinite blessing, leading them on to a higher, deeper, truer faith, and a new national life j or whether, cutting them adrift from their old moorings, we leave them without Christ, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world, to be ravaged by intoxicating drinks and made imbecile by opium."
-The Rev. L. P. Weinberg, of Jaffa, quoted in the Jewish Intelligencer for February, writes: "The general topic of conversation among Jews at the present time is Palest.ine, and almost every Jewish newspaper speaks of this country as ' the only place of refuge' for them." , Arias, missionary of the London Society for the Conversion of the Jews, reports a significant remark of some Italian Jews: "Till the Chris- tians treat the Jews well, we shall never beliE)ve that Jesus is our Messiah."
Most of the Italian Jews that he has met with seem to be in the dregs of Judaism, with few signs of longing for anything better.
-Professor A. R. Simpson, President of the Edinburgh Mediclll Missionary Society, says, most aptly, that in the Old Testament the" place of God's feet" is the Temple, but that the feet of the God-man are found most often "where the sick lay and the bereaved were weeping." ,. These were the places of His feet, who Himself bore our sicknesses and carried our infirmities; and these are· what He would seek our wealth to make glorious." Brave encouragement, Professor Simpson well says, to the medical missionary, to show him that he is in the track of the Saviour of the world.
-The West Himalaya Mission of the Unitas Fratrum was begun in 1853. Not until 1890 has a meeting of all the missionaries of the three stations been found practicable. Compared with the giant heights among which theY' live, saY's the Missions-Blatf, the Alps seem mere ranges of hills. And hardly had they broken up from their first meeting, when a veritable deluge converted the whole valley of Leh into a sea, swept away every bridge over the Upper Indus except one, and swept many persons out of the world. The Brethren do not seem to remit their ancient passion, " To plant successfully sweet Sharon's rose On icy rocks, and 'mid eternal snows."
– " See," said a sick child in India, "the goddess Kali's bloody tongue, wicked face, cruel hands. necklace of skulls; our gods are terrible; I cannot help screaming when I see them."-Canadian Church Magazine.
-Whether the late English reviewer, who is greatly displeased that Christians should endeavor to disturb the sweet calm of Buddhism, would be equally displeased that they endeavor to discredit the worship of the venerable goddess Kali, is not certain. Perhaps he would grudgingly allow this one exception.
-The Missions-Berichte gives a stinging remark of a South African Caffre, that among the whites they became acquainted with two thingsthe Bible, to save their souls, and brandy, to destroy their bodies. Butt he added, he was content with the former.
-In China, it appears, at least in some hospitals, wherever a patient. on returning home, expresses interest in spiritual things, an evangelist is sent after him, and thus, says Dr. ~iain, of Hangchow, much fruit has been gathered unto life eternal. E,'ery year there pass through that one medical mission 10,000 patients.
-The China Central Mission of the Presbyterian Church makes a very strong appeal for reinforcement. The field immediately accessible to them includes the whole great valley of the Yang-tse-Kiang, the" Son of Ocean." The four provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, Nganhui, and Chehkiang have 121,000,000 inhabitants within an area of 204,287 square miles.
There are signs of a sudden breaking-up of the fallow ground of general indifference. They want to be ready to answer spontaneous calls from all parts. The accession of a new emperor, and an uneasy expectancy of political change, join with an extraordinary frequency of natural calamities, of flood or drought, famine or pestilence, at once to unsettle and humble men's minds.
The province of Szechuen, on the Upper Yangtse, with some 45,000,000 of people. ought to be occupied in force. Untouched by the 'l'ai-ping insurrection, it retains all the glory and prosperity of ante-rebellion times.
The people are a hardy, straightforward, enterprising race, as is shown by their various and productive industries. For centuries they have been boring salt and gas wells from three to five thousand feet deep, and using natural gas for evaporating the brine pumped from the bowels of the earth.
Their bronze, silk, and white wax industries are noted over the empire.
Their language is Mandarin, in which a Christian literature is already prepared.
The Central China Mission statistics for last year show an increase of a little over eight per cent. Five of their fifteen churches pay their own pastors. Everything is encouraging. "Come .over and help us," they say. The great Church to which they speak wlll /.Issuredly not be heed- !es~! .
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
n.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Week of Prayer. begun; all the Protestant churches can scarcely muster 7000 men and women as [EDITORIAL.-J. T. G.] ,. witnesses to the uttermost parts of the It was at the request of a smr.ll band earth;" the members of the Church of of missionaries in the Panjab that the England in its richer portion alone have Evangelical Alliance originally appoint- an income of $1,750,000,000 annually, ed a Week of Prayer for supplication for but last year, 'gave only $1,450,000 to for.
the conversion of the world. Since eign mlSSlOns. What is true of them is then there have been many other weeks relatively true of the rest of the churches.
and special days set apart for the same The circular appeals for a fuller recog- purpose. The Church of England Mis- nition of the principle of the missionary sionary Society, for instance, has a entel'prise: ,. Missionary work is not a Day of Special Prayer, or, as they phrase voluntary, supererogatory work of a few it, of "Intercession for Foreign Mis- more devoted souls. It is a charge sions," and many other churches have which is given to all as Christians."
adopted more or less regularly, the cus- It also mentions as a matter of special om of a set time for united prayer for thanksgiving the altered tone of the pub- the same object. We note with pleas- lic press toward missions. It reads: ure several statements in the introduc- ., Since the death of Bishop Hanning- tion to the week's programme of the ton, slowly but surely much of the Eng- Evangelical Alliance this year, such lish press has changed its tone with re- as these: ,. The privilege of prayer rises spect to the missionary enterprise. How to the topmost height attainable on often now have we thankfully to ac- earth, when, in common with believers knowledge that current literature brings of every name the wide world over, the missionary subject before house- we agree to hold a concert of prayer, holds who otherwise would remain ab- so that the globe may be girdled with solutely ignorant of the work! How assemblies of believers of one heart often of late has the public press done and of one mind, interceding with signal service in defence of missionary God for each other, for the Church agency – notably regarding work in of Christ, and for the spread of the China, India, and Uganda! In this, Gospel. • .• Looking abroad on the with profound gratitude, let us distinct- world in the light of the Word, we see ly acknowledge God's gracious hand."
the predictions in the Holy Book being All this can be readily transferred to fulfilled all around us. Be it ours to the Universal Week of Prayer, and a wait on God and to v.ait for Him in holy study should be made of the topics concord of faith and prayer, 'looking named in the programme of the Evangel- for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus ical Alliance, and'illustrations searched Christ.' . •. Wherefore,' holy breth- for of the special topics mentioned in it.
ren, partakers of the heavenly calling,' To these suggestions we venture to as in the opening year we gird ourselves add that the Church of God on earth has anew for fresh service and faithful testi- good realmn to render praise for the mony, let us invite each ot'her again to workmen God has raised up. We ought gather unitedly before the Eternal to pause to shed a tear at the grave of the Throne in praise and prayer." missionary dead of 1891. The list is but The Church of England circular names an appendix to the eleventh chapter of groundlifor humiliation, as found in the Hebrews. Bishop French ascended from fact that nearly nineteen hundred years Arabia; Bishop Boone, ha.,-ing only for have rolled by since the Head of the a short time been enrobed in the mantle Church gave the great missionary com- of his father, the renowned missionary, mis!lion, and yet the work ill !lcarcely died in China; Newton, "the beloved,"
of the Panjab-" a man sent from God, Harmony and Proportion in Missions.* whose name was John"-was followed to beUer than India's palaces by Winter, REV. CYRUS HAMLIN, D.D., LEXINGTON, of the Delhi Mission, who loved his special work more than he did a bishopric. MASS. Amid the lamentations of thousands, that" good servant of the Lord," Bishop The foreign missions of the Church Caldwell, was laid to rest after fifty-four of Christ are becoming numerous and years of labor in India for India; Dr. complicated. Many missionary socie- Luther H. Gulick. the founder of a large ties are in the field, separated from each missionary family, went up to the other by differences of nationality, lan- "bosom" of the" Father of the faith- guage, and church organization. ful ;" and dear and great John Inglis dropped his finished transhtion of the When these different organizations ocvisions of him of Patmos to open cupy the same field there is, there must his eyes on the beatific vision of the be, more or less of denominational fric- Ancient of days; Red slob, the Mora- tion, sometimes of antagonism even, vian sentinel of the outer patrol limit of and generally there will be a want of Chri~tendom on the edge of Thibet, that co-operation that always constitutes awoke to know the richer meaning of strength and progress. In that wonder- Nam Thang Song, and to find it "all ful prayer in ?hich the Son of God bright again" forever; Mrs. Bennett, poured out His soul as His hour drew more than sixty years in Burmah, went near, He prayed most earnestly that the to join again the Judsons and the Father would keep His disciples" that Boardmans; Sheshadri, the first Asi- they may be one, as we are." .. Neither atic whom America ever honored with pray I for these alone, but for them also a doctorate of divinity, found a fit- which shall believe on Me through their ting sepulchre in the sea for his body, word, that they all may be one, as Thou, while his soul went to the .. sea of Father, art in Me, and I in Thee; that glass;" and Goloknath of Jalander was they may be one, that the world may becarried to his burial by .. devout men," lieve that Thou hast sent Me." and honored by the presence at his funeral of European officials and a thou- The missionary work has given birth sand Hindus and Mohammedans. Time to a great measure of the true spi~it of would fail us to tell of others who have unity for which the Saviour prayed-a I gone from remotest mountains and val- unity which exists between true discileys, from the habitations of cruelty and ples, notwithstanding all this diversit;,r. spiritual solitude, to the .. general as- The existence of this International Missembly" and the" Church of the First- sionary"Cnio-n is an answer to the Reborn" on high. But surely in the crowd deemer"s prayer, and must be an object of our on-rushing thoughts at a season of His approving regard. like this, we can pause long enough to thank God for such examples of the In order to remove so far as pOBsible highest missionary spirit and loftiest the occasions of conflicting views and spiritual achievement, and to ask that measures which perplex and scandalize their tribe may increase, and the Church the heathen, it has been generally agreed universal catch the radiance of their that one society shall not interfere with lives and be inspired to emulate their another society's legitimate sphere of devotion and their deeds. labor, marked out by actual occupation. And as surely, turning from this missionary nave in the great Westminster Where the different societies are alof the Church, we cannot fail of interest ready intermingled on the same terriin prayer for the great host of stillliv- tory, there is danger of injury to the spiring missionaries, both men and women. itual element. One will say, ., I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos." It requires of the missionaries thus divided, great wisdom, prudence, and brotherly love. There is evidently a growing *ltead before the International Missionary Union at Clifton Springs, N. Y., Jnne, 1891.
ht-rERN.A.-rtONAL DEPARTMlllNT
spirit of unity on mission fields, and fields that some of them are a law unto those who intrude upon fields already themselves. 'rheyhavenotroubleabout occupied are guilty of a great sin. They proportion in their work. We have: become the authors of a great wrong and 1. The sslf-supporting missionary, injury to the Master's cause. The grow- who has property that makes him inde- ing spirit of harmony will make such in- pendent of missionary bodies and Bocie- trusions more and more difficult. De- ties. He may be a very happy, useful nominational friction will be avoided, man. If his means enable him to call and denominational comity as to enter- to his aid native helpers, he is equal to ing each other's field is becoming, or a whole station. In prosecuting his rather, I would say. has become a recog- work he is sole judge of the depart- nized international and interdenomina- ments of his work, and in what relation tionallaw of missionary strategy. to each other he will develop them. It Japan is now a field of special tempta- is impossible to work only in one.
tion, so many societies are earnestly 2. There are self-supporting missiona· engaged in the work. The Holy Spirit, ries, who depend upon their own indus- the Guide unto all truth, the Paraclete, try or upon some secular employment He alone can deliver the work from this for support. Their object is to exhibit danger of divided counsels and of weak- the example of an honest, industrious ened efficiency. Christian life, and lead the heathen both The law of proportion in the mission- by precept and example into the same ary work must be regarded as well as life. They would show them and help the law of harmony. them also to experience that disciple- There are many departments of this ship to Christ has the promise both of work, as preaching, education, the press, the present life and of that which is to the formation of churches, the erection come. Thls scheme of missionary work of buildings, the care for the poor and can be fruitful of much good only by suffering, anyone of which may be put combination. The Inland Mission in forward out of proportion and to the in- China is partly of this nature, but it re- jury of the rest. It requires great wis- quires the oversight and management of dom and judgment to develop all the in- gifted men, like Hudson Taylor and his terests of a mission so that no one shall compeers, to gu~e its affairs, direct its be neglected and no one shall overtop labors, and provide for expenses that the others. The missionaty needs to every progressive work will demand.
have" an unction from the Holy One, Bishop Taylor's mission in Africa is and to know all things." He must neg- of this partially self-supporting kind.
lect nothing, he must push nothing be- He gathers from Christian friends at yond its value. I think to a very re- ·home what is needed for the complete- markable degree this wisdom has been ness and efficiency of the work beyond given. the productive results of the laborers.
Where there is Episcbpal government I would bid God-speed to all such efforts, a great responsibility falls upon the and yet they must be exposed to certain 'bishop. He can more readily remedy infelicities. Untrained men and women mistakes and harmonize the depart- will be found in them who, when they ments, or, if he should lack wisdom, he encounter the grave difficulties of a for- may get them into a muddle. eign language and find the native proud But many missions are more demo- and contemptuous, will Boon be dis· cratic in their organization. They are couraged, and retire in black despair.
largely self-governed, although the home Such cases have too frequently occurred.
societies fix upon the general principles In future they may be avoided.
upon which they must proceed. 3. By far the greater number of mis· Let us not forget, however, that there sionaries on the field are supported by are so many kinds of agents in different _.. mi s -s-i-o–n-'a. ry s o c i e t ie s , The operatiDZ and ~ ";"' :' largely apportioliating power is in those established, and for a time, it may-be, societies. But the officers, being far chiefly officered by the best-educated from the fields of labor, must depend missionaries. But from the very begin- upon the missionaries for the facts, and ning the object to be aimed at is the upon their judgment as to the meaning raising of native laborers for every de- of the facts. WhilE! here is an oppor- partment of the work_ tunity for difference of opinion between ]'or a time the native agency, in press- the officers and the missionaries, which ing forward into new fields, must be perhaps sometimes occurs, yet there has supported in whole or in part by the been remarkable harmony on the whole. mission, otherwise it cannot exist at all.
When earnest discussion has arisen it A mission is prosperous only so far as it has been conducted in a Christian raises up an efficient, well-trained na- spirit, and has resulted in the advance- tive agency. One missionary with four ment of the work and in the settlement well-qualified native preachers will reach of important principles. Sometimes the people more widely and efficiently education has been too much pushed, by far, than five missionaries with no and sometimes preaching. In Buresal, nath's assistant, and the expense will India, preaching was almost the only not be half so great. The work will be- work attempted. Education was left come in this way self-developing and entirely to the native Christians. In self- perpetuating.
consequence the children were growing It follows then by necessity that when up in such deplorable ignorance that a the funds of a mission do not keep prog- general meeting of missionaries took up ress with the missionary work, the for- the subject and demanded that Chris- eign missionary should be withdrawn, tian education should accompany the that the native work m~y go on. If dur- Christian native Church. ing the past year the societies that have But the subject which is most exposed been compelled to cut down their ap- to disproportion has regard to the work propriations had, instead of doing so, of the native Church, with its pastors, refused to send out a single missionary, teachers, and helpers. Generally in all they would have saved their work from departments of the missionary work in a calamitous set-back. Some missiona- the ministry, in education, in editing ries have seriously contemplated resign_ and translating, the native factors must ing and leaviDg the field in order to be our chief reliance for ultimate suc- avoid this great evil.
cess. Fifty years ago the prevailing An early movement in the missionary idea was that the world is to be convert- work of sending ou~ laymen to teach the ed by the preaching of missionaries. various arts of ci vilized life proved a That idea is no longer held by anybody. failure; but the time has now come The nati ve Ohurch is to be the true mis- when there is a call for such co-opera- sionary Ohurch. Native preachers and bon. The converts from heathendom helpers are to go everywhere preaching must live by their own labor. The the Word. They are to do the chief sooner they are emancipated from many work of evangelization. The great work of the filthy modes in which all heathen. – of the missionaries is to bring forward, dam, including even the Chinese, live to educate, to train the native laborers the better for a pure and honest Chris- and native churches unto this work, and tian life. The glorious example and life give the whole over to them as soon as of Mackay of Uganda have taught us possible. This is the only way in which what a lay missionary-a mechanic, a the great work of the world's redemp- civiI-engineer-can achieve for Christ tion from sin and darkness can be ac- under the darkest prospects. The Lord complished. It is the most effective will have many Mackays ready when the and the most economical way. Ohurch shall really call for them. Mis- Schools, colleges, seminaries must be sionary societies must learn that CODverts must have daily bread not by hundred dollars a year for the support charit.y, but by their own labor. And of each one, three millions of dollars 8 all missionaries, men and women, year will be needed for their bare sup· should have that practical knowledge port, and certainly not less than nine of the common arts and activities of life millions more for the prOilecution of the which will enable them to gnide the work through native agency. Then the porsecuted and boycotted into inde. six thousand would soon be one hun. pendent self-support. dred thousand, and that number a mill- ion of native preachers.. By that time, There is great danger at the present moreover, the million would be mainly time of looking more to the number supported by native churches, and the than the quality of the laborers. Men promise of the Almighty Father to the of mere sentiment are sure to fail. Son, "Ask of Me and I will give Thee They find themselves confronted with the heathen for thine inheritance, and the difficulties. of an unknown, strange, the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy barbarous language, and by a proud, in. posse~sions," would approach its glori. solent, contemptuous people. After a ous fulfilment. year or two of heartless effort they reo treat in black despair or sink into a list. Ohinese "Blue-Books." [J. T. G.] less :Mfe. None but men who are strong in the Lord and in the power of His Whoever has carefully studied the might are needed in this work. splendid volume containing the Records of the Missionary Conference which met It follows, from all we have read, that at Shanghai in 1890 will have noticed in this great and marvellous movement the essay of Rev. Timothy Richards on among the youth of our colleges is " The Relation of Christian Missions to in danger of involving the Christian the Chinese Government," his reference Church in an unexpected embarrass- (pp. 407-10) to what he .is pleased to ment. To send out all who are willing style" Blue Books." It is a collection to go and are fitted for great usefulness of public documents on all State queswould necessitate the entire abandon. tions published in 1826, in one hundred ment of the element of native co-opera. and twenty books. It was republished tive help, of pastors, teachers, trans. by the Shaghai publishers in 1889; a lators, common schools, and, to some supplement to the same, also in one extent, of colleges and seminaries. A hundred and twenty books, bringing the greater catastrophe could not befall the subject down to date, was published in work. 1888. These books, he says, are in the catalogue of the books for sale in the What, then, is the meaning of this Government book.shop at Tientsin, and wonderful movement? probably in all the provinces. Two books of the supplement are devoted to It brings before the Church the tre. Christian missions. mendous reality of the missionary work. It cries aloud to all Christians, Aban. Mr. Richards proceeds to give some don your luxurious living, your piling idea of their "scandalous" contents. up of millions. Pour your millions into First, a history of the way in which the missionary work, und see if the Lord Christianity has gradually corrupted will not pour you out a blessing that China. This is followed by an attempt there shall not be room to receive it. to stamp out Christianity in the provo inces of Hlman, the source of the pres. But these six thousand crusaders must ent Ohinese riots, and Kiang Suo Sun. not be encouraged to go forth while the dry other documents follow. Mr. Rich. Church stands back and refuses to de- ards proceeds to recite that the books velop the work already in progress, having the evident blessing of God and the co-operating work of the Holy Spirit. Their going forth must be to aid, not retard the work. At an average of five affirm that six hundred years after Bud- able books translated; of the tens of dha all India followed the Christian thousands of youllg and old taught; ot'
religion. Among the statements are the hundreds of thousands saved from found assertions that the founder of death during famines, and of'the tomb- Christianity was a criminal, and Joseph stones of those who have given their was not his father. lives for the good of China, this collec- The great rebellions in the Ming tion of obscenities and lies is their dynasty and of the various secret lOects version of what we have done for in the present dynasty, with all their them."
, horrors, are attributed to these Western The relation of the State to these so- religions. It is an insult, the author called" Blue-Books," and of their rela- says, to suggest that all these vile here- tion to the present disturbed state of the tics could have 'had the same origin as country, as it originates in hatred of the Chinese. The writer says that four foreigners, has become the subject of taels were given to each convert, and considerable discussion in China. It is that the books of the Roman Catholics well known that the riots have been in- were full of obscenity, and that the Gov- cited by the literati and gentry of ernor Man of Chi Kiang memorialized China ; and it is this class that read the throne regarding their evil deeds, such statements as are contained in requesting to have their churches turned these books, Which, be it borne in into charity schools for a hundred years, mind, are for sale at the Government to cleanse away their moral filth. book-stores. It would seem, therefore, "After this," says Mr. Richards, of little avail that the imperial authority "follow scandalous quotations from Wei at the Peking Yemen should by royal Yuen, who says that men and women edict declare that Christianity was a re- sleep promiscuously together in the ligion of good moral influence, so long churches; that one hundred and thirty as it permits these documents to be taels of silver are given in three instal- placed on sale under its auspices. To be ments to the converts to help them to sure. it might be claimed that the edict do business; that the Christians' eyes counteracts their influence, and even are scooped out by the priest after that it was so intended. It is much death; that when these eyes are melted more probable that the Government up with lead, eight per cent of the lead chooses to blow hot and cold at the same is turned to silver; that a pill is given, time, for whatever else the West mlly which makes the convert pledge him- teach China, it is not likely to set it any self for life, and so bewitched is he that lesson in the duplicity of diplomacy.
the first thing he does is to destroy the In the North China Herald the vener.
ancestral tablets; that several other able and highly esteemed missionary, things are practised by Christians which Rev. Griffith John, calls upon the for- I consider too vile to print… Mr. Rich- eign powers to demand the suppression ards closes his remarks on the" Blue- of these books. He says that it is to be Books" with the following grave reflec- hoped that some one will take these tion: Ie Thus end the 'Blue·Books' books in hand and bring their vileness without the slightest acknowledgment of and falsehood to the light. He has any benefit derived from modern mis- afresh examined them, and declares that sionaries. They wish to convince their " anything more false, disgraceful, and people that Christian missionaries only inflammatory it would be difficult to come here for mischief, and that the find, even among the vile placards of converts are the scum of society! In Hunan." He deems it of the utmost im· face of about a million taels spent an- portance that their publication, as they nually for the good of China; in face of now stand, should be suppressed. He tens of thousands of patients gratuitous- concludes by saying that the Hunan ly healed annually; of the many valu- placards are intended for the multitude;
JartUBl'j'
these books are intellded for the officials out-patients belong to the Syongtn, or and literary classes. 'rhey are to be low-class people, many of whose wom- round in every yamen, and in thousands en, except the newly married or those of private libraries. The foreign powers of marriageable age, go out upon the have decided that the Hunan publica- street in the daytime. I would like to tions shall cease, because they poison open an evening olinic for those Korean the minds of the people. For a still women who must not be seen upon the stronger reason they ought to decide street in the daytime, and I want to that these" blue books" shall cease in open a dispensary in another part of their present form, because they poison the city, and perhaps one outside.
the minds of the officials and scholars. Quite often at my morning clinic I have Just how far the foreign powers had women from the higher class who should go in aUempting an " Index" of have come in closed chairs. They al- literature that must be expurgated in ways inform me that it is a great ell.cep- China, or whether they should attempt tion for them to go out, but their dis- at all to coerce the Government to cause ease was difficult, and they had heard certain parts of current literature to be that I was a very wise doctor, and there- suppressed, may be grave questions. fore came.
But that they might demand that their .. My out-calls have, many of them, sale should be prohibited in Govern- been to people of quite high rank-from ment book stalls would not appear alto- the daughter of a ' Chusa' to the moth- gether unreasonable as a political meas- er of the late Prime-Minister-but others ure or as a war measure, if you please. have been to those most miserably low We have not called attention to the mat· and poor. I, have visited a niece of the ter with a view to second the call to the late queen-dowager, living in a large foreign powers to demand their suppres- stone house built within two or three sion, but rather to show some of the court-yards, with foreign lamp-posts sources by which the prejudices of the here and there ; nice-sized rooms, easily literati and gentry are stirred against made larger by pushing back the Korean Christian missionaries. Perhaps we shove-doors and throwing two rooms may even come into greater charity into one ; large Korean screens here and toward some of those whose minds have there ; a fine mirror and Korean dress- been thus poisoned ; and perhaps we ing-case ; the patient and her attendants may come to better apprehension of clothed in spotless white, in mourning why the literati and gentry, rather than for tho Queen; the under-garments of the common people and the coolies, dis- the patient made of soft white Korean like foreigners and missionaries. At silk. She was covered with light downy any rate, if we are to proceed with judg- comfortables of colored silk, and lay ment, it is manifest we must become upon a soft mattress with a beautifully more closely acquainted with the in- embroidered Korean pillow on the warm· digenous influences affecting the people est part of a highly polished 'Rang'
of Ohina. floor.
" In the same afternoon I have visit- ed a poor sick woman of the Coolie class Medical Work for Women in Korea, in her little tive-by-eight room, with ceiling so low I could not stand up- We know so little of the" Land of right, one small window covered with the Morning Calm" that it is with inter- oiled paper, the patient lying on a small est we quote from a long oommunication mat and covered with a coarse cotton from Miss Rosetta Sherwood, M.D., of comfortable. The history of many of the MethodistEpiscopal MissilJll in that the wretched cases one meets with in a country, the following paragraphs: practice like this are appalling and "The majority of the hospital and heart.sickening. "
" Why is the Ohina Inland Mission Suo- mission in China, suggests that a longer period of time is required before we cessful?" can predicate success or failure of the mission in its evangelical enterprise. The editor of the lIarvest Field, the Wesleyan magazine published in India, " That it has heen a wonderful suc. some while since addressed the above cess at home everybody must admit. question to the Rev. David Hill, the The rapid pouring into one field of so Britisb President of the Shanghai Con. large a number of missionaries is un. ference of Missionaries laboring in exampled in modern times as far liS I India. We have so long heard and know, and demands close study. Two read conflicting statements of the effi. or three reasons for this success have ciencyand value of Mr. Hudson Tay. occurred to me : lor's methods, and those of his associ. ates, that it was with rather more than "1. The mission is steeped in prayer, usual interest we read Mr. Hill's reply, and its founders and followers have Ilnd we are so confident of a wide inter. boldly made the grand experiment of est in the subject that we quote the testing and trusting the promi~es of article bodily. Mr. Hill says: God.
"You inquire as to the reasons of the " 2. Appeals for men have been made success of the China Inland Mission. at meetings for entire consecration to The assumption implied in such in. God. This consecration has been quiry some would question, if it refer urged home first of all-then the de. to the work of the mission in China, mand to show cause why this consecra. and the number of members gathered tion should not flow in China cbannels into the Church. This is not large as has been made. Full surrender has compared with that of several other opened the ear to China's claims. missions having a much smaller staff of missionaries, and does not demon. "3. Speedy entrance on the work. strate Ilny very marked success. No protracted waiting for examination after examination, or for a long college "On the other hand, 2000 and odd course. This attracts men. Christians gathered into the Church in twenty-five years does tell of success, "4. Then the offer of a life of sacri. and that Mr. Hudson Taylor should fice rather than one of ease has a great have been used of God to this end is deal to do with winning the right sort matter for profound thankfulness. of men. Faith, too, fascinates. That it is not large may be accounted for by the perpetual pioneering of "5. Besides Mr. Taylor's magnetio many missionaries. In opening the influence, Mr. Broomhall's untiring way to regions beyond they have been energy and the broadcast sowing of llbundantly successful, hut this per. China's millions have marvellously aided petual" motion has not favored large the progress of the mission. harvests of converts. Where steady, persevering work has been the order of "These have appeared to me the the day, conversions have been most chief causes of success, and I as II numerous. Methodist feel I may learn a good deal from them." " Then the genius of the mission is so largely that of witnessing rather -Mrs. Maria T. True, of Tokyo, tem· than winning, of sowing rather than of porarily in tbis country, in writing to reaping, that that doubtless has had us says: "Some Japanese ladies have something to do with the comparatively purchased an acre of ground and built small ingathering. And the very large a small house for an industrial school proportion of new men occupying new for young women. About forty pupils places, as compared with any other are enrolled, and during tbe little more than one year since the school was opened they have by their own labor
liTElRNATlONAL :l)Et'Alt'I'MEN'l'
earned their board, and in some cases ful, as it is certainly entertaining, other expenses. The main industry is called" In Brightest Asia," which Mr. silk embroidery, but they also have in- Corthell, of Tremont Temple, publishes. troduced various other kinds of work, Its 127 illustrations are a panorama of and have still more comprehensive the trip and much besides. plans, to be carried out when the fund for another building have been secured. -Rev. Henry N. Cobb, D.D., Corre· This is a Ohristian school, and is blessing sponding Secretary of the Board of those who have established it and are Foreign Missions of the Reformed carrying it on as well as those who are Church in America, has started to make taught in it. a visit to their missions in India, China, and Japan. Rev. J. N. Conklin, "One of the native pastorR has also of the Arcot Mission, temporarily in been the means of opening an indus- this country, has assumed Dr. Cobb's trial home for young men. I know both official duties in his absence. We of these enterprises well, Bnd am sure learn from him that the native Christhey are worthy of our warm sympathy tians of this Arcot Mission are suffering terribly from food scarcity, and cholera " A letter just received from a Japan. is likely to follow. The report about esc minister contains the following: the cholera at Amoy, Mr. Conklin says, • This is my strong conviction: we can· has been greatly exaggerated. not evangelize Japan with a method like child's play; if we evangelize such a -Our Baptist friends are getting heathen country as Japan we must take ready for the observance of the great a gigantic method. The Bible and the Carey Centennial this year. A good Holy Spirit are the only weapons needed deal of literature will doubtless be forth. in our battle.field.' coming, which will be helpful to them, and to all of us. The American Baptist , • Then he goes on to outline a meth- Publication Society, Philadephia, has od by which he thinks work could be just issued ., A Century of Baptist For. carried on in every town and village in eign Missions," by Mrs. Titterington. Japan. He asks advice concerning It is an outline of annals, briefly stated, leaving one of the best churches in and with a list of questions at the close Tokyo in order to give his time to this of each chapter, suggestive of its being country work. used as a text·book. It is confined to American Baptist missions in Asia, .. It is ~ard to realize how heavily Africa, Europe, and South America. burdened the few earnest workers in Japan are, unless one has seen the con- -The Congregational missions in ditions there." South Africa have been the subject of many an inquiry with other than mis. -The Rev. Dr. Mabie, Home Corre- sionary intent. Ethn ologists, :philol. sponding Secretary of the American ogists, and others have found the mis. Baptist Missionary Union, presently sionary's arcana of knowledge the after getting well seated in his position, most valuable and resourceful that started on a trip round the world, chiefly could be investigated. There have to visit the Baptist missions in Asia. been heroes and statesmen among the About two hundred Baptist mission· missionaries of that country. Rev. aries were visited. They must have Josiah Tyler furnishes a fresh fund of enjoyed his calls, for there was nothing knowledge for mllny classes in " Forty of the bugbear of a .. deputation" in Years Among the ZulUB" in autobjothem. He did not go to make official examinations into their larders or their learning, nor with any authority to upset their plans. Dr. Mabie tells his side of the cheery journey in a sketchy way in a book that must be very help. graphical form of narrative. (Congrega- ent at the celebration of the sacrament tional House, Boston.) in a church other than their own; to have inter-mission discipline, by which -In April, 1890. Rev. Mr. Large, of an agent of one mission should not be the Canada Methodist Mission, in Japan, engaged by another until after mutual was murdered. The murderer has been, consultation, and strangers coming from as is supposed. found out, and on Au- another station should be provided with gust 25th was arrested. He is described letters, of commendation from the as a youth about twenty years of age. church which they had left; to foster At first it was supposed he was insane, social advancement by means of obtainbut fuller investigation does not sup- ing grants of land from the Government, port the theory. He is a native of the the endeavor to have Christian regiprovince of Kazuza. ments formed, the adoption of technieal pursuits, the encouragement of capital- -Rev. Dr. T. J. Scott, President of ists among Christians, the institution of panchayats among them, and the pur- chase of land in the villages as sites for schools and churches which should be the property of the missions."
the Methodist Theological Seminary at Bareilly, India, writes us: "God is -We have received the following com- wonderfully blessing the work in this munication from a representative of the part of India. Just think of a thousand Protestant native congregation at Bag- baptisms a month! At least ten thou- dad: sand will be added to the Christian •• I beg to inform you that there are community during the' year. What a work in supplying pastors and evange- about twenty houses of Evangelical Protlists! In places of course the devil estants here in Bagdad, reaching from rages. In AImorah, while a young man sixty to seventy persons, male and was being baptized in the London Mis- female. You will be very glad, of course, sionary Society's church, a mob smashed to know that there is such a light and salt the windows and doorl!. Dr. Butcher in such a. big city of Turkish-Arabia, had his "coat tOfn off, and would have where thousands of people are living in been brained by the mob had not Dr. darkness and the shadow of death. How Parker seized the ringleader and got Dr. many difficulties are on the way of the Butcher into the church. The colonel Lord's laborers in such places! But commanding the station got word, and faith, patience, and perseverance over- • doubled quicked' the Sepoys down; come everything that hinders the extenthe magistrate arrived, and the mob sion of the kingdom of our Heavenly quailed. The young man stands firm. Father. We hope we shall never fail in We may expect more mobs and more fulfilling our sacred duties toward our victory. Pray for us." God, ourseIve~, and our neighbors. For the establishment of this, our Protestant -Apropos of Dr. Hamlin's admirable native congregation in Bagdad, we need article, which we present this month, on to have soon registration, cemetery, "Mission Comity," we take the follow- school and church, without which we ing from the Report of the Church of cannot enjoy success and progress in Scotland Mission, setting forth an agree- such lands. To get what is mentioned ment to which the missionaries of the we must apply to the Sublime Porte in various societies in the Panjab came Constantinople and the Turkish auin a Conference of their members, held thorities here to get the necessary orders, last April : that we may possess all our national " At this Conference it was resolved rights. I am very glad to say that we to adopt a common course of instruction have already got orders for registration for inquirers before baptism; to admit and cemetery, so there is firm hope that and welcome to the communion mem- we shall get an order for school and bers of the various churches when pres- church too. Our registration was partly made by the local Government here; but I am sorry to say that burial-ground has not yet been given to us for ceme- tery, as we have not enough money to buy a piece of ground, to pay official fees, and all expenses concerning such serious matters, for our Protestants here are unable to provide the necessary SUUlS."
·EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
I1I.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The Editor's Salutation. himself one of the tery foremost mis- sionary biographers of the age, the au- METBOPOLITAW TABEBWACLE, thor of the 'standard classic on Carey's life, will contribute a series of papers NEWINGTON, S. E., on the great cobbler of Hackleton, and LONDON, ENGLAND.
The editor salutes all readers of the other writers of scarcely inferior merit REVIEW and friends of missions with will take a part in this symphony of the most cordial good wishes for the testimony to the work of a world's new year! May it be indeed a Happy evangelization, and the duty and priv- New Year to us all individually and to ilege of the Church to push her COD- the whole Church of God! flicts and conquests to the extremities The year 1892 ought to be a year of of the globe.
grand advance all along the line. It is Once more we emphatically call our the centennial year of modern missions, readers and all who are linked with the • for it marks the hundredth anniversary work of missions to a new consecration of William Carey's great movement, the to prayer. Here lies the hope of the organization of the first distinctively Church and the world, in a new spirit foreign missionary society of Britain, of gracious supplication. God will be at Kettering, May 31st, 1792, and will be inquired of when He is to do great observed all over Britain, if not all over things. Our hope must be in no com the wider realm of Christendom, as the pleteness of organization, no abundance ~ completion of the grand century of of gifts, no sufficiency of laborers, no modem missions. multitude of agencies, but first of all But it ought also to mark the begin- in God, in the Providence that opens ning of a new century of far more in- doors and keeps them open, that pro tense Christian zeal and far more self- tects workers, that rrues even rulers and denying missionary effort. The open controls all things; and in the grace doors now before the Church, the sin- that works even mightier marvels in gularly complete equipment providen- anointing the messengers of Christ and tially given for world-wide work, the inclining lost sinners to hear and heed amazing successes of the century past. the message. Let us remember those the strange withholding of laborers and two wonderful words of promise: Matt.
gifts from the service of the Lord-how 17 : 20 and 18: 19, 20. One of them ought such considerations as these to reminds us that in faith there is the stimulate the whole Church of God to seed of God, the secret of divine life undertake new enterprises for Him, to and power to upheave even mountain lengthen her cords and strengthen her obstacles; the other teaches us the 8takes until the canopy of her mission- power of a symphony of prayer, when ary effort shall stretch over the Whole believers who live in the secret of God area of the unevangelized world.! are like keys of a musical instrument The pages of this REvrnw will be that the hand of God touches, and largely given up during the year to the which give forth a sweet chord in har- rehearsal of William Carey's life and mony with His will. To abide in God, work, and to the exhibition of its mag- and so have power in united prayer, is nificent results; While it will be our the first and last secret of missionary aim to suggest and inspire far larger success. This is one of the essential hopes, stronger faith, and wider en- truths to be impressed by perpetual deavor, in behalf of the coming of the repetition.
kingdom of our God! May the prayers Here in the great Tabernacle we have of every devout reader be with us! had an exhibition and illustration of ~eor~e Smith, LL.D., of Edinbur?h, the power of importunate and believing prayer. In May last pastor Charles H. 8th, to propose another union of prayer Spurgeon was attacked with a violent in tbat place. for the greatest outpour. and virulent influenza. After partial ing of the Holy Spirit ever yet known, recovery, in June he was the victim of upon all flesh. If this spectacle has a relapse that brought him to the very been sublime to angels and men, who jaws of death. His recovery was pro. can describe the sublimity of a holy nounced impossible by human means, agreement of all disciples in supplica. and this great congregation of six thou. tion for a worldwide effusion of the sand souls united in daily prayer to Spirit of all grace! God for him. For twenty.one weeks This Metropolitan Tabernacle is a daily meetings for prayer assembled in house of prayer most emphatically. the Tabernacle, early in the morning, Here are numerous rooms, under and at 7 o'clock, and again at the same hour around the great audience.room, where, in the evening. They were thronged, for almost forty years, this one servant and not only by Mr. Spurgeon's own of God has held forth the Word of Life; people, but by Christians of every name. and in these rooms prayer is almost No sublimer spectacle has appeared to ceaselessly gomg up. When one meeting human eyes since apostolic days than is not in progress another is. This is a this union of discipIes, in believing hive of bees, where there are campara. prayer. As for Peter when in prison tively few drones. There are prayer· awaiting Herod's axe prayer was made meetings before preaching and others without ceasing of the Church unto God after preaching; evangelistic associa· for him. Baptists of every "grade;" tions, zenana societies-all sorts of work Methodists, Primitive, Wesleyan, and for God find here a centre and all can· Episcopal; Congregationalists and Inde. secrated by prayer. Before I go upon pendents ; Presbyterians and Plymouth the platform to address these thousands, Brethren; even the members and clergy the officers of this great church meet of the Anglican communion were pres· me and each other for prayer as to the ent and participated. Meanwhile Mr. service; and one feels upborns on these Spurgeon was overwhelmed with per· strong arms of prayer while preaching. sonal and official attentions from all No marvel that Mr. Spurgeon's ministry classes and conditions of men. Up to has been so blessed. He himself at· the time of his departure for Mentone, tributes it mainly to the prevailing on October 26th, he told me that over prayers of his people. Why may not seven thousand messages of condolence the whole Church of God learn some· and sympathy, resolutions of various thing from the Metropolitan Tabernacle religious bodies, etc., and other docu. of London as to the power of simple ments, from the lowest and highest in Gospel preaching backed by believing society, had reached him. Fifty tele. supplication! grams of inquiry a day came to Beulah Referring to this great church, one Hill, until clerks were unequal to the cannot forget also its divine mission as reading of and the replying to these a standing protest against the secular. messages and inquiries. Even bishops izing of the house of God by the attrac· and archbish~ps called to offer not only tions of worldly art and restheticism. sympathy, but service, if such were Here is nothing to divert the mind from possible; and Jewish rabbis called to the simplicity of worship and the Gas· assure the sick man that all Israel was pel. No attempt at elaborate architec. praying to Jehovah for his restorl't· ture, furniture, garniture. A precentor tion! What wonder he was raised as leads con"gregational song without even from the dead-taken out of the jaws the help of a cornet; prayer and praise of the lion! In view of all this, I ven· and the reading of the Word of God, tured, in presence of a great congrega· with plain putting of Gospel trnthtion i:Q. t4e Tabernacle, on November these 4nve been Mr. StJur~eon's lifelon~ " means of grace" and weapons of war. a year of praise also, a new year of mis- And yet this remains to.day the largest sions, introducing a new century of mis- congregation in the world, even when a sion triumph and glory to God!
stranger attempts to fill the place left vacant by the pastor's withdrawal to a -The editors of American newspapers place of rest and recuperation. are, as a rule, a sagaeious folk. They This lesson has, in my opinion, a beating on all work for Christ, at home cannot be hoaxed. But not all of those and abroad. Our reliance is too much on the charms of this world, in drawing who have the l'equisite " nose for news" souls to the Gospel and to the Saviour. The Holy Spirit will not tolerate our are favored with the reciprocity of the idols. If we will have artistic and secular type of music, substituting unsancti- senses by which they" know news when :lied art for simple praise; if we will have elaborate ritual in place of simple, they see it." An instance is at han~. believing prayer; if we will have eloquent lectures in place of simple, ear- In, the summary of Dr. Pierson's open. nest Gospel preaching, we must not wonder if no shekinah fires burn in our ing sermon at the Tabernacle, made by sanctuaries. If Ahaz is allowed to dis· place God's plain altar by the carved, the Christian, we :find the following: idolatrous altar fro!ll Damascus, we need not be surprised if God withdraws " The Holy Ghost never tolerates idols His power. Perhaps the reason why the work of God abroad shows more in his courts. The success of this great signs of His presence and power than our sanctuary services at home is in Tabernacle is owing to nothing more part this, that our foreign mission work has never been embarrassed as yet by than to this-that the paster has preachthose elaborate attempts at resthetic attraction which turn many of our home ed the Gospel, and has never preached churches into concert halls and lecture saloons and costly club-houses. May anything else, for well.nigh forty years, God grant us to learn once for all, that nothing in our mission work can make He prayed God that some calamity might up for Holy Spirit power, and that Holy Spirit power itself makes up for the happen to the building itself before it lack of all else. If the angel troubles the pool, there is healing in the waters ; was ever prostituted by unsanctified and but if God's angel comes not down 'all the doctors in Jerusalem, with all'the secularizing methods of attracting the drugs in creation, cannot impart healing virtue. people. We want to keep out of our v.orship everything that turns away at- tention from God, or hinders the power of the Holy Ghost."
An irate reporter, by whom the" in_ terim" pastor declined to be interviewed rushed off and cabled to this countr; that Dr. Pierson had most wantonly and uncharitably attacked Mr. Spurgeon in his absence, and had ~harged his con- gregation with doing the very things which he had commended them for not doing. We extend our sympathy to so much of the secular press as became tho victim of this hoax and falsehood. Yet on its face they should have been able to recognize its improbability_ Even a caricature must be a likeness. But to present one who is '
LET us PRU! Oh, for a new spirit of " the president Of nobleness and chevalree" prayer to God! Oh, for a whole Church on its face before the throne, with in snch a roll was too much out of align- mighty pleading for a blessing as wide- ment to afford amusement or to do spread as the race of man, and as deep- harm. The editor.in· chief of this RE- reaching as man's depravity and degra- VIEW answers too closely to the en- dation, guilt and need! Let the year comium on Sir Philip Sydney, in hav- now opening be-whatever else it may ing ., mildness which is associated with not be-a year of prayer; so shall it be courage, erudition modified by refinement, and courtliness dignified by There is one preacher to eight hun. truth "to render it necessary to correct dred inhabitants in the home land; so m:mifestly gross a canard. It may one preacher to four hundred thousand be that he will not so much as thank us in non-Christian countries. for an allusion to it. [J. T. G.]. Estimated wealth of Evangelical Christians in United States•… $13,000,000,000 Increase of wealth last :year (sur- plus after paying all expenses Facts and Figures. of living and contributions for benevofent purposes)….••…. 450,000,000 REV. c. R. BELL, D.D. Contributions for Foreign Mis- sions during the year……… . Population of the world ……….. 1,500,000,000 Total foreign missionary contri- 5,000,000 Living in Asia •••.••.. 800,000,000 Living in Africa •.. •. 210,000,000 butions during the century …. 90,000,000 Living in Europe……. 350,000,000 Annual expenditure for home Living in America, churches….. .. •.. .. … …. .. .. 80,000,000 North and South ….. 110,000,000 Average per member. . •. . . . . • .• •• $6.00 Living in Island World 30,000,000 Annual expenditure for Foreign M.issions, per member (average) .37 – – – 1,500,000,090 Evangelical Christian Commnni- The annual increase of wealth was' ninety times more than the foreign cants………… …………… 35,000,000 missionary offerings during the year. Adherents.. … .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. . 105,000,000 The estimated increase of wealth of Total Communicants and Adher- 140,000,000 the evangelical Christian population of ents………………………. . 90.000.000 the United States last year was more 205,000,000 than four times greater than all the Greek Church……………. . .. .. 8,000,000 foreign contributions by all American Romanists…………………… . 175,000,000 Christians d~ring the entire century. Jews……………………… .. 882,000,000 Startling statements I M.ohammedans ……………….. . Pagan and Heathen………….. ..
Converts to Christianity in heathen 1,500,000,000 lands one hundred years ago did not exceed…… …. … …. .. .. .. 300 Communicants now………….. . 800,000 Adherents ………………….. .. 2,200,000 Total Communicants and Adhe- Signs of the Times. rents…….. ………… …….. 3,000,000 There are signs of a general upheaval Then there were very few Christian all through the pagan, papal, and Mosworkers abroad. and they were chiefly lem world. Japan has suffered from a peasants and artisans who accompanied recent earthquake, in which thousands enterprising merchants. Then the are said to have perished. China was Church for the first time began the visited by most destructive floods, and great enterprise of organized foreign now is the scene of widespread riot and missionary work. not a little bloodshed. South America -Brazil, Chili, and the Argentine Re. Now there are 170 missionary boards public-has been and is undergoing and societies directed by men, and 110 civil and political disturbances, which by women-all actively in service as in some cases amount to a convulsion. agents for their respective Christian Russia is expelling the Jews and preconstituencies. Now at work in non· paring for war, and all Europe is either Christian lands 7700 missionaries, male in a state of ferment or of uncertainty and female, consisting of and apprehension. No one on the con. tinent feels sure of the peace of Europe Ordained…………………… .. 3,482 for thirty days ahead, and a European La,Ylllen …………………….. . 829 war means a world's upheaval. Africa WlVes of missionaries…………. . has been the scene of almost continual Umnarried women…………… .. 2.005 conflict since the Zulu and Soudan 1,384 wars. Turkey is on the verge of per. petual disturbance. The isles of the Native workers ………………. . 7,700 sea are the scenes of repeated and some· Of whom 4,250 are ordained 36,000 times widespread antagonisms, either preachers within their own coasts or with foreign 43,700 foes. No one can predict how long Total force …………………. .. 13,500,000 UNITED STATES ALONE. 80,000 Evangelical church-members..•… Ordained preachers …………… .
Ordained preachers abroad……. . 1,000 Unordained missionaries, male and 1,750 female, abroad…………….. ..
2,750 Mexico and Central America, Burmah Pierson has met with the warm welcome /lJld India, Thibet and Korea will keep and hearty support of the officiary and their uncertain quiet. There are some congregation of Mr. Spurgeon's Taber- sagacious students of affairs who boldly nacle. Our English exchanges make say that never within this century has kindly mention of his entrance upon his there been such a general murmur of new responsibilities. The Ohristian says approaching conflict; and that only the of the opening service: "The great destructiveness of modern engines of building was thronged with worshippers war prevents its outbreak. In the re- in every part. At the opening of the cent naval exhibition, we saw a fac- service the crush was not BO great as we simile of a trial target upon which one have generally seen it, when Mr. Spur- of the largest of modern English ord- geon was the preacher; but before the nance, a HO-ton Armstrong gun, had commencement of the sermon there expended its explosive force, aud the were very few vacant seats." After giv.
ball-a conical one-had been driven ing a column to a synopsis of the in- through six feet of steel and iron, tell terim pastor's sermon from the admir- feet of oak timbers, five feet of solid ably chosen text Acts 10 : 29: .' There- granite, fifteen£eetof concrete, and six of fore came I unto you without gainsay- brick masonry, in all penetrating forty- ing as soon as I was sent for; I ask, two feet before its progress was arrested! therefore, for what intent ye have sent Meanwhile, let it be recorded with for me?" the editor says: "His brief thanksgiving that never has such a ministry at the Tabernacle has open.
spirit of benevolence been exhibited as ed auspiciously." He further quotes now among God's true children. For from a Tabernacle correspondent, who example, Mr. Thomas M. Russell, a writes: Scotchman, has just willed £60,000 ster- " • With the hour the man' is a prov- ling to Rev. John Wilkinson for his erb which hail received a very happy work among the Jews ; £8000 were con· illustration in the presence and minis- tributed by a. single donor in Australia try of Dr. Pierson as Mr. Spurgeon's to modern missions, and we hear almost locum tenens at the Metrollolitan Taber- every week of large gifts to home and nacle. The arrangement is according to foreign evangelizatIOn. A prominent Mr. Spurgeon's mind and heart; and, lady, a well-known countess, has sold judging from the welcome which has all her jewelry and ornaments except been accorded to our American brother, heir-looms, that she may send her valu- the indorsement of the church and con- ables to minister to God's kingdom ; gregation has been assured. Possessed and amid all modern apostasies in doc- of the rare qualifications necessary, there trine and inconsistencies in practice, is every reason to believe that Dr. Pier- there is a practioal protest of conse. son will fully justify Mr. Spurgeon's crated souls in the more complete self. choice, and his own acceptance of the surrender that includes property. Oh, appointment, and that the happiest re- for the new spirit of war for the Lord! sults may be expected from his three When will the world be convulsed not months' ministry. An enthusiast for by the preparations for gigantic de- missions, the aggressive work at the structive conflicts of arms, but by the Tabernacle is not likely to flag; an ear· universal uprising of the Church of nest and an able exponent of the Gospel, God in behalf of the world's conquest the living ministry which has been car· for Christ! ried on so long by Mr. Spurgeon is sure to be maintained."
On Sunday evening, November 1st, The Editor-in-Ohief Abroad. the audience numbered some 6000 per- Our readers will not bE' surprised, bu!; sons, 2500 of whom remained to the the,}' will be gratified to know that Dr. after-meeting. [J. T. G.)
18112.] THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY J. R. MILLER, D.D.
The World-Field-Hints for Prayer and Our very life must be in it, in the tem. Work. per of the divine self-sacrifice. But what a privilege and joy thus to work -An artist was asked, "What is your in it, with God Himself and all the best .picture?" He replied, "My saintliest spirits of the earth, now and next. " That was a good answer for an aforetime! Is it not the grandest testi. artist to make. When a man looks mony to the magnificence of human na. back for his life's best work in any ture that God made us co-workers, not line, his feeling should be that of the in the primary work of creation, but in other artist, who wept when he saw his the far grander work of redeeming the completed masterpiece, because his sat- world? In this work we can make isfaction with it marked the climax of our lives luminous in this world, and his lifework. It should be the same bright forever with a celestial glory in with 1>ur years; we should always look the next." to the next as our best. This is a good thought, too, for every Christian and -For a good while the burden of the every church with regard to the work prayers at monthly concerts was for the of missions-our next year should be opening of doors, the breaking down of our best. We should surpass our best barriers. Now from all the fields comes past in praying, doing, and giving. We the cry that the dOOTS are open everyshould make our monthly concerts for where, and that the want is for men to 1892 the best we have ever had. We go in and occupy them. Later the should become more familiar with the prayers were for men and women who needs of the mission·fields, and with would go to the opening fields. These the nature and extent of the work that prayers have been answered, too, in the Church is doing. We should seek most wonderful manner, and to.day to kindle missionary interest among there are 6000 young Christians in our our friends as in no former year. We country alone who have volunteered should pray as never before for the for mission work, and are ready to go cause of missions. We should give wherever they are sent; and now the more than in any former year. cry from all societies is for money. Thus the responsibility for the work is -One of the address!ls of President thrown back upon Christian people Storrs at the recent meeting of the themselves. God has done His part in American Board closed with these opening doors and inclining men and strong words: "It is a vastly critical women to be willing to go as mission.
time in the progress of Christ's king- aries; He has answered our prayers.
dom, with all the world uprising before Are we going to fail him now? Said us, with wealth enough and men President Gates, in an address at the enough to meet the need, with only last meeting of the American Board: the spirit to use them wanting. Let us .. Oh, my brothers, what answer can settle it in our minds that the world is we give for ourselves before the judg.
not to be converted to God by good ment-throne of God, if this glorious people sitting in pews and listening to work of preaching the Gospel of light sermons, even the best, or sitting in to dying men is checked and dwarfed, rocking-chairs and reading good books. and fails of its glorious possibility, be.
The work is vast, difficult, possible-a cause we who are God's stewards hold work that calls for the labor of enthu- fast to God's money for our own selfish siasm, for prayer and tears, for sweat· uses? There is a time when the AI.
drops, and, perhaps, for blood-drops. mighty Banker of the universe calls in Contributions of money are not enough. His loans. " 68 THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS. [January -There are indications that the time mooring from all its past, and is emis at hand for a great blessing in India. barking upon a movement that must This " slow old land" is beginning to lead on to the greatest of revolutions in arouse from her sleep of centuries and its internal life and external relations." respond to the tender touch of a faith He adds: "The time is most opporthat regenerates. Dr. Phillips writes tune for the pressing of missionary almost enthusiastically of the outlook. work at every point, in every. form, There are open doors on every side. with all our power. The present dis- Prayers are being answered and long, turbances, while not without elements patient labor is having its reward. All of anxiety, are rather symptoms of the India is ready for a forward movement. general ferment that is spreading than In Life and Light we are told of a wide- of a reaction, and will doubtless in the spread restlessness and a spirit of in- end lead to a far more open door for all quiry in India. In a Madras paper eTangelistic work. " these lines are given as the cry of a multitude to-day: -The condition of things in Japan is such as calls for much earnest prayer "We are weary of empty creeds, at the opening of a new year. The Of guides who show no man the way, country is undergoing a wonderful Of worship linked with lust and shame; transformation. Great progress is Life is an iiI, the sea of births is wide, being made in all departments of na- And we are weary-who shall be our guide 1" tional life. The influences of Chris- tianity and of civilization have swept Thank God for those consciously weary through the country in the last few and heavy laden, to whom the mission- years with marvellous rapidity, The aries may carry the pitying, "Come new empire with its constitutional govunto Me, and ye shall find rest for your ernment takes its place almost alongsouls." side the most enlightened European governments in its freedom and liber- -It is to be hoped that the troubles ality. In the Parliament of 300 memin China are not altogether discourag- bers, 13 are professedly Christian men. ing. May there not be an indication The work of Christian missions in that in them of the beginning of a change land has been prospered beyo'nd the in that wonderful country which shall most sanguine hopes of the Church. leave it a new China? Western thought is breaking in among the peo- But in the midRt of all this progress ple. Modern science is forcing itself and success there are dangers besetting through the old walls, and the country the interests of Christianity and of the is feeling its power. Telegraph wires empire, through which only the hand are stretching everywhere. Western in- of God can guide the country. Says ventions are revolutionizing everything. Dr. Ellinwood: "At the present time China is about breaking its old bonds. the forces which array themselves This is the fruit of Christian missions. against the missionary work in Japan The Bible is doing it. There is unrest are entering into a strong alliance, with for the time; there are persecutions a determination to resist the aggressive of missionaries; but while these things influence of Christianity. Very natuare disheartening in a sense, yet there rally the advocates of the old systems is in them an element of victorious- of Japan, as well as the converts to ness. The leaven of Christianity is various types of western infidelity, are working. Says one of the mission sec- alarmed at the influence which Chris· retaries: "Internal changes of striking tianity is gaining in Japan. . • . Books character assure us that this nation of also have recently been published by venerable antiquity and proverbial con- native authors, which earnestly advo· servatism, almost without its knowledge oate a union of all Buddhist sects and and against its will, is in reality unan alliance with the philosophies (in- worship and schools in their own fidel) of the West, in resistance to the dwellings, this order, whioh has not yet missionary efforts of the Christian been executed, but which at any time Church. Evidently Japan is now the might be, is one which may cause serio theatre of one of the most active con- ous trouble. These outcroppings of a flicts of religious and philosophical persecuting and intolerant spirit show thought that the world has known, and a disposition at least to trouble and in. the Christian Church needs to regard terfere with the work of missions in it the more seriously, from the fact that that old country_ Christian truth has no such advantage there as in countries where the momen- -Africa is wide open now to the tum of many generations of Christian Gospel. The explorations of the last influence constitutes an immense con- thirty years have revealed a heretofore servative force. All questions in Japan, terra incognita, and where the old maps to a generation which has had only the had" Great Afrioan Desert," the newer' antecedents of error, are open ques- maps have rivers, lakes, and mountains tions ; and Christianity must take its and great peoples. Rnilroads are being even chances with every other form of built to supplement the splendid water belief or unbelief, save as the omnip- highways whioh nature has provided. otent Spirit of God shall prompt and The doorl;! of language are also being direct the work in answer to the pray- opened ahd mainly by missionaries ers and efforts of His people. " themselves. Four hundred and thirty. eight languages and 143 dialects have There should. therefore, be earnest been oatalogued. Thus a new world is and importunate prayer for Japan, that open to the Gospel. In the Congo Val. wisdom may be given to the men called ley alone is a population equal to that to direct in missionary work; that the of the United States. Stanley travelled Christian Churoh there may be kept in 999 days 7000 miles and never saw from yielding to worldly influences or the face of a Christian, nor of a man counsels, and from all divisions and who had had the opportunity to become dissensions; that the cause of Christ one. Yet he moved among a populamay be advanced until the empire shall tion of fifty millions. What will the be indeed Christian. Church do to send the Gospel through these wide open doors into Afrioa in -There is trouble also in Turkey, 1892? appealing to the prayers of Christian people everywhere. The government -It used to be said that in India the seems desirous to check moral and intel- birds never sing, the flowers have. no lectual progress, and therefore is assum- fragrance, and the women never smile. ing an unfriendly attitude toward mis- No wonder the women of heathen lands sions. Several acts have been com- never smile. Their lot is sad beyond mitted whioh show this hostility. Mis. description, but a better day has come sionaries have been arrested without for them. The Christian women of cause and kept in close confinement, Christian lands are hastening to give as it they were guilty of some grave their sad sisters the blessed story of offenoe. The government also con· the Gospel. There are in the United fisoated a large number of hymn-books States 34 women's foreign missionary and Bible diotionaries belonging to the societies, 10 in Canada, 24 in Great Amerioan mission. In October last the Britain, 1 on the continent of Europe, Sublime Porte issued an order prohibit. and 1 in South Africa. The work that ing the holding of public worship or has been done by these societies, espe. conduoting of sohools in dwellinghouses. As many missionaries conduot cially for the women of heathen lands, only a desire to please white people in is one whose value and influence can- the awkward appointments of their not be estimated. It would be easy to home, they would be of little account; gather up and present here a table of but in many cases it is the outward sign atatistics (see page 954, December num- of a prooess of change which will eventber of REVIEW), but large as ,the figures ualIy rectify even their distorted family would be, they would give no adequate relationships-a heritage from their view of the resulta of the work which heathen ancestry. The desire for a woman, with her loving hear' and her better home life has somehow been imgentle touch, is doing for her sister planted in the young wife's heart during woman in darkened countries. One her school.life. looked at an opal as it lay on a jeweller's case, and it seemed cold and lustre- -Faraday showed that a drop of dew less. Then the jeweller held the stone oontains electrioity enough to rend a in his hand for a few moments, and rook. The Gospel of Christ has in it now it shone with all the colors of the all the power of God and can work marrainbow. It needed the touch of a hu- vels, as it has already wrought marvels man hand to bring out the iridescence. in saving men. Like that stone in its case are the millions of women in heathendom. Their -If we can do nothing else, or whatlives are dull and sad and without ever else we may do, we oan all pray beauty, but they require only the for the blessing of God upon the work warmth of the hands of Christian women of Christian missions, and prayer has to draw out all the beauty that.slumbers mighty power. The worship of Durga, in their nature. "Godly women have the blood.goddess of the Hindus, is atproved themselves the link, so long tended by the most terrible excesses of missing, to bring their sisters in East- sin. Some native converts have agreed ern lands to the feet of Jesus." that every evening this worship goes on they also will meet to pray to God to -The establishment of Christian put an end to the wicked practices. homes is one of the finest results of " Let us go on praying night after night missionary work in heathen lands, and year after year," they say, .. tm we hence the beauty of a picture which a have prayed down the Dllrga Puja. missionary draws of what is being done Let us pray it down. ' , Christians for Zulu girls in the Inanda Seminary: everywhere should join in all such The humble little home shows that the prayers. wife and mother has tried with the little means at her disposal to give a home- -Some idea of the difficulties of city like look to the place. There will be a evangelization may be gotten from a curtain at the window, a cushion on the statement, by the President of the wooden settee, and a bit of frilled cre- Methodist Church .Extension Society, tonne about the shelf which holds her that within one square mile of New lamp and a few books. If it be objected York City there are 20,000 people, nineby the wise in such matters that the teen twentieths of whom are foreign Turkey red and white of the window born and speak 30 different languages. decorations are not artistic, nor the Yet no work is more important just now friII of cheap cretonne, nor the patch- than that which needs to be done in work quilt whioh covers the bed, we our great cities if they are to be saved say, perhaps not, but the mark of the for Chrh!t. The real heathenism that woman's hand and care to our 'mind is found in many of them is appalling. make the dark little room much less One of the most hopeful of recent cheerless. If these things indicate movements is that which looks toward poses purely religious. Within the cen.
the regeneration of the slums. In Lon. tury now drawing to a close 150,000,000 don and now in New York there has copies of the Bible have been printed been an arousing of the people which in 226 different languages. Fifty years promises much. The work should go ago there were 502 mission stations in forward till all the cities have been foreign parts; there are now 5765.
cleansed. One of the saddest things Fifty years ago there were 653 ordained about the slums is that they are fed missionaries; to.day there are 6696 from the churches and Sunday-schools such servants of the Lord. Then there and from Christian homes. The peo. were but 1266 other laborers and help.
pIe there have fallen out and have ers abroad; now there are 50,552.
drifted downward to where they now are. Many of them have memories of -There is a view of the benefits of better days, even of holy things. In foreign missions which should appeal our prayers at the Monthly Concert, the even to worldly men. General Arm· efforts to evangelize our cities should strong says: "America, through the have a place. American Board, expended in fifty years a million and a quarter dollars to -As nearly as can be computed from evangelize Hawaii, and during that the reports of various societies, the fol. time has received about $4,000,000 a lowing summary of Protestant foreign year in trade. England's missions are missions is correct. From churches in said to bring back £10 in trade for United States, Canada, Great Britain, every pound given to convert the and Continental Europe there are in heathen. Christianity means a demand foreign lands 8048 stations and out- for clothing and utensils. The first stations, with 5594 missionaries, 35,343 sign of grace in a penitent savage is a native helpers, and 681,503 communi· request for a .shirt.- cants. The amount of money given last year was $11,429,588. Of COUlse -A writer in the Children's World this summary is incomplete, as there says: "Of every six infants in the are unreported missions and mission. world, one is born in India; of every aries. six orphan girls, one is wandering in India; of every six widows, one is -The reports of the Americsn Board mourning in India; of every six men give the following facts: The Board that die, one is passing into eternity in has under its care 21 central missions India. Think of it, and give India a with 97 stations, 1136 out·stations and part of your prayers•• , 1287 preaching places. A total of 538 missionaries are employed, with 2648 -After two missionary sermons in native laborers. There are 410 churches Melbourne recently a hard.working man with 38,226 church.members. During sent in thetitle·deeds of 93t acres offarmthe year the additions were 3554. In land, worth about $2500, to be divided schools of all kinds 46,403 pupils are between India and New Guinea. Being reported. Medical relief was given duro asked afterward about his gift, he said: ing the year to 100,000 patients. ." This is how I look at it. Supposing I were a boy and my father gave me $5, -The following figures are full of but afterward wanted part of the money interest. Seventy.five million dollars back again to help him in some work are contributed yearly in the United he was doing, and he came to me to States to the sustenance of the Church, help him, and I gave him a five·cent $31,000,000 more being given for pur. piece, what sort of a Bon should I be ?"
'12 GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Orga.nized Missionary Work and Statistics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard, Bellevue, O. .
-Hermann Wagner and Alexander upon them as touching the redemption Supan have recently published a vol· of the world. All the more since they ume of statistics relating to the popula- are such inveterate and indomitable tion of the globe. Of course the figures travellers, traders, colonizers, and buildthey give for countries not a few are ers of States. Most of all is the call of but estimates, and sometimes are but Providence to British Christians to beguesses; but taken all in all are no stir themselves for the Master, since the doubt the best to be had. They fix the sway of their government is so supreme number of the human family at 1,480,- over so large a fraction of the human 000,000, Of these there are in Europe, race. 326,000,000; in Asia, 826,000,000; in Africa, 164,000,000; in America, 122,_ -India is ten times larger than Ja- 000,000 ; in Australia, 3,000,000; and pan, China nearly three times as large in the Oceanio Islands, 7,500,000. as India, and Africa twice as large as China has 350,000,000 and India 324,- India and China combined. The 000,000, of whom 286,000,000 belong to "Dark" Continent is of vast propor- British India_ Russia has 93,000,000 ; tions as well, and contains a vast multithe German Empire, 49,000,000; Aus- tude which is well-nigh altogether either tria-Hungary, 41,000,000 ; Franoe, and pagan or else Mohammedan. Call the Great Britain and Ireland, 38,000,000 population 164,000,000, acoording to eaoh; Italy, 30,000,000, and Spain, 17,- the latest estimate, that of Wagner and 000,000. But another authority, Pro- Supan, and what impression has been fessor Von Juraschek, gives 1,544,000,- made upon it by the Gospel? Accord- 000 as the population of the world, of ing to a Danish authority, the Rev. whioh Europe has 358,000,000 and the Dean Vahl, in 1890 there were laboring Americas 124,000,000. in Africa, and representing all Christen- dom, 1004 missionaries and 206 women, -" When Shakespeare lived and and 878 native missionaries with 8389 sang, 300 years ago, on the whole globe other native helpers, or a total force of there were less than a million more 10,477, and the fruit of their toil is English-speaking people than now in- found in 214,561 oonverts or communihabit London alone. There were be- cants; but the" Encyclopredia of Mistween 5,000,000 and 6,000,000. So re- sions" gives a list of 43 missionary socently as a century ago, even after this cieties at work between the Mediterrarepublic was founded, there were only nean and the Cape, with 611 ordained 15,000,000 English-speaking persons on men, 170 unordained, 387 women, 209 the globe. At the same date 30,000,000 ordained natives, 4891 native helpers, spoke French and 40,000,000 German. or a total of 6268 persons engaged in Now we find that While the French and bearing the glad tidings to the perish- German tongues are spoken by a rea- ing. Into 565 churches 101,212 souls sonably increased number of individ- have been gathered, 9439 were admitted uals in the world to-day, in Australasia, last year, and 53,235 pupils are receivthe British isles, and in America 115,- ing instruction in 861 schools. These 000,000 olaim English as their mother figures stand for what Protestant Christongue. This is 40 pel' oent of the in- tians are doing-that is, they have sent habitants of the oivilized world." If 1168 men and women to Africa, or such is the fact, it follows that Anglo- about one to every 150,000. Saxon, English-speaking Christians have a tremendous responsibility laid -Next see-one item from many- what the devil and his angels are doing to maintain his widespread and fear- single Christian of every denomination, fully well-established sovereignty over at least 2 Buddhist priests (not head- Africa. The following tabulated state- priests). So there is a population of ment, printed in the {!hristian Union and over 39,000,000 of Japanese without a obtained from the Boston Custom single Christian among them. Once House, shows the exportation of rum to more, if all the Christians in Japan were Africa from the Port of Boston during congregated· in the city of Osaka (500,- the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1891 : 000), there would be in that one city 4 times as many heathen as Christians, …. …. and not a single Christian in any other ;:~ :~ :: :: :: :. part of the country. No, Japan is not r … :: ::: yet a Christian country; and there is room and need for hundreds if not I thousands of missionaries and native evangelists, if this people is to be saved il ere the Lord come." Then ponder this concerning India: "Since 1881 the For two or three years this traffic, which population has increased by 29,000,000 partakes so largely of the inhuman and -that is to say, almost as many souls the hellish, was reported as steadily have been added to the people of India falling off, but now it has again reached in ten years as are comprised in the high-water mark. whole population of England and Wales. The total is now 286,000,000. India -More than one fourth of the earth's contains more people than all Africa inhabitants are crowded into China and and South America combined; more Japan, and more than one fifth into than all Europe, excluding Russia; India; but after all the phenomenal nearly ten times the popUlation of Engsuccess which the Gospel has had in land. Or take the provinces, Bengal Japan, but a trifling beginning has been alone has more souls than the United made. An English missionary states States and Canada combined; the Punthe following facts: "To-day there are jab more than Spain and Portugal ; the 40,000,000 in Japan, and not 40,000, Madras Presidency, equal to Italy and Protestant Christians-that is, one in Belgium together. Each missionary, 1000. For every 2 Christians there are on an average, has 250,000 Bouls to 5 Buddhist temples, not to mention reach." And then, as for China, "not Shinto temples. There are 10,000 more one in 10,000 has as yet ever even heard head-priests of Buddhism than there are of Jesus Christ." Among China's 350,- Protestant Christians, and for every 000,000, 30 ProtAstant societies sustain in all less than 1300 men and women (at the rate of one to 270,000 heathen), something more than 40,000 have been gathered into churches, and about 15,- 000 are receiving instruction in Chris- tian schools. Evidently the call for 1000 more missionaries to labor in China alone is a most modest and reasonable one.
-Or, glance at South America with 7,500,000 square miles and a popula- tion of about 35,500,000. Over almost the entire continent the papacy bears undisputed sway, and heathenism holds the rest. Including the American Bible committed to our trust-as contrasted Society, 8 societies are endeavoring to with the superabounding opportunities diffuse a pure Gospel-the Methodist of this Christian land, where one per- Episcopal Church, North and South, son in every 600 of its 63,000,000 is an the Presbyterian, North and South, the evangelical minister, and one in every Southern Baptist, -the Moravian, and 5 is a professed disciple of the Lord the South American Missionary Society Jesus Christ? Is $6 out of $100, $94 of England. The number of men and being retained for work at home, is $20 women at work is but about 325, and out of $100, $80 being retained for be- the number of communicants is less nevolent work at home, a fair propor- than 15,000. There remaineth yet very tion ?"
much land to be possessed. -0£ the 15,730,000 people of Hun- gary, 3,200,000 are Protestants. Of -Of course there should be some fair these again 2,030,000 are Reformed -that is, some truly Christian-propor- and 1,120,000 Lutherans. The latter tion established and maintained in our have 1195 pastors and 1433 congrega- churches between home expenses, home tions; the former 4241 congregations missions, and foreign missions; and served by 2283 pastors. The Unitarians hence these words of Secretary Alden, number about 1i0,000, organized into of the American Board, are well worthy 187 congregations with 107 pastors. of careful consideration. His figures The Protestants are very active in edu- relate to the Congregationalists. He cational and literary work. The num- says : " There are 4817 chnrches with ber of their schools is 3826, besides 14 a membership of 506,832, a Sunday- preparatory schools for teachers, 52 school membership of 613,810. The high schools, and 13 theological schools. reported contributions for 1890 for , home expenditures' in round numbers -Says Bishop Walden: "Italy has were $6,100,000, and for the several de- above 30,000,000 of people, of whom bepartments of home benevolence $1,900,- tween 25,000 and 30,000 are connected 000, a total of $8,000,000. The reported with some Protestant organization-not contributions for foreign missions were more than one in every thousand of the $350,000. Suppose we add the gener- population. In 1890, 6 Protestant bodies ous sum of $150,000, t6 represent possi- reported 23,452 members, but besides ble unreported contributions, and thus these there is the mission of the Plycall the contibutions to foreign missions mouth Brethren, a few small indepen- $500,000; we have then a total from dent missions, and the several Anglican benevolent contributions, excluding and other foreign churches. The entire legacies, of $2,400,000-that is, $80 out Protestant force, however, must fall beof every $100 is for work at home, $20 low 30,000. The Methodist contingent for work abroad. Bringing in, how- is about 2500, a little more than 1500 ever, the entire home expenditures, are found in the Wesleyan, and a little which is a proper thing to do, we have less than 1000 in the Methodist Episcoan aggregate of $8,500,000. On this pal Mission. The Waldensian Church basis, $94 out of every $100 is devoted began the work of evangelization in to the support of Christian institutions 1848, and reports 18,000; the Free and Christian bene,olence at home, and Church of Italy, united in one body in $6 for the corresponding work abroad. 1865, reports 1800; the Baptist less We ask, Is this a fair proportion? We than 900, and the 'Italian Catholic repeat the question, Is this a fair pro- Church' about 100. Such is the nuportion, particularly when we remem- merical strength of Protestantism in ber the perishing need of the unevan· Italy."
gelized nations-not less than 120,000,- -Belgium received its Roman Catho- 000 of their popUlation being specially lic impress under the iron rule of Philip of Spain, and is to-day, along with Agency, South Dakota, says: "We Spain, the country most devoted to the have just closed the convocation of our papacy, and is in the eyes of the Ro- Indian deanery, which, despite the late man Catholic Church, a true, ideal disturbances, was the largest in num- state. Among its 6,000,000 inhabitants bers and offerings we have ever had. not more than 20,000 are Protestant. Over 1500 people camped around an In 1837 a number of Protestants, among open circle. The women, representing • whom was the well-known Merle d' Au- 36 local branches of the Woman's Aux_ bigne and the church elder Mertens, of iliary, presented in cash $800, and the Breslau, founded the" Evangelical So· young men $170 for all sorts of chari- ciety of Belgium." In 1848 a church, ties, among them being work in Japan consisting of 49 converted Catholics, and China, missions in South Dakota, was organized upon a Presbyterian ba- the Episcopate fund, the native clergy sis, under the name of the" Christian fund, and other objects." Mission Church of Belgium." Accord ing to the statistics of 1889 it consisted -The secretaries of the Missionary of 2; churches, 22 ministers, 81 elders, Society of the Methodist Episcopal 104 deacons, 4 evangelists, 8 Bible Church have issued a circular letter readers, 5 colporteurs, and 4 students showing how the collections for mis- of theology, all under the direction of sions have been steadily advancing, bnt 3 local synods and one general Synod. calling attention to the fact that the In 1888 the number of communicants demand is advancing at a greater rate was 4396 ; Sabbath-schools, 59; schol- than the supply. The table appended ars, 2631. Besides this free church, gives a snmmary of the collections for there is also the Belgian National (Prot- the past seven years for the general estant) Church, whose ministers are work of the Society, both at home and paid by the State. abroad: -What a spectacle was beheld at the 3 … ""~~~o;~~&? :.''","e; Yankton Agency, S. D., a few weeks since, when 1000 Sioux, representing 0 8i~~~f8~~ 0~0 16 tribes-the Omahas, Santees, Yanktons, Yanktonnais, Brules, Ogalalas, E-< :l:g-o"o&'<5~ g,..f…,.t…§….,.,…g……,.,l……i…<is Minnecaujus, Two-kettles, Blackfeet, Hauhapapi, Sissetons, Wahpetons, As- … .,; &3~~8~~~ ~ siniboins, Rees, Mandans, and Gros … ~~E~~~~ <Xi Ventres-came together to hold an an- ~ ~'" nual meeting to tell and to hear the '" ~~~~"t:!~fi 0> story of the victories of the cross. And 0 Ui>""''''''''''' ,…. it was only a year before that the" Mes- c0>r siah crRZe" and the war were on. These were all Christian brethren and Presby- ~ terians and Congregationalists. Among the subjects in which the Indians took -"'" g;:ll~c;;188;g1~ an active and eloquent part were these: " How to Prevent the People from Being … .,S,-. ~_~_~_~_~_~.~_c:!~: Led Away by False Religions," " Should "'"::: 0 Mourners Refrain from Attending Pub- … ~ ":'g~<"o'&~5g"s'"'''','..'..'~'..S.'..;~lIo~ ~> lic Worship 1" "How to Make Prepara- 0 tion for the Sabbath," "The Proper 0 Uses which the Dakotas Should Make of Money Annuities." And further, Ii Bishop Hare, writing from the Rosebud ~ ~ E-< illi§JOCi§OJl&:51-2-O&O5~0g0 I ,…. ""'''''''''''''''''''"'''i?""t -The Presbyterian Church, North, is doing earnest work with excellent results in Western Persia, Rev. J, H. Shedd states: "Four of the churches, with professing Christians of the country.
an aggregate of 879 members, support The system of church polity, which has themselves, and 2 of them contribute slowly developed itself, is rather a com- largely for helping others; 5 other bination of Independency, Presbyteri- churches, with less than 100 members anism, and Episcopacy. An Anglican each, pay half or more of their ex- mission works chiefly on the East Coast, penses, and 28 others pay a less sum to with a bishop and cathedral at Antan- self-support. The tacit understanding anarivo. A Roman Catholic bishop is is that a church of 100 members ought also stationed at the capital. There to be self-supporting. There are some are about 28 missionaries of the London 20 other mission stations-for the nomi- Missionary Society in Madagascar, 10 nal Christians-home missions. One of the Friends' Mission, 10 of the Angli- fourth of this advance work is from the can Mission, 26 of the Norwegian Lu- native missionary fund, and three therans, and about 40 priests and fourths from our mission. The whole brothers of the Roman Catholic Mission.
of this agency cost the New York Board as well as sevflral Sisters of Mercy.
last year $3741, an average of $62 a The London Missionary Society has congregation, to help the development about 950 native pastors and about 100 of the native church and home mis- evangelists or native missionaries sta- sions. Last winter nearly 100 schools tioned in various parts of the country, and over 2000 pupils were cared for at many of them in quite heathen dis- an expense to the Board of $1582.50, an tricts. There are about 350,000 Protes- average of $16 to a school, about 75 tants and about 35,000 Roman Catho- cents to a pupil. To this should be lics. Five sixths of the Malagasy are added the sums given in self-support. still pagans. Schools have been estab- A few schools are entirely self-support- lished, and education is compulsory ing, and all pay some part of the ex- wherever the influence of the central pense, except in a few very peculiar government is effective. All the mis.
cases. In a few places Moslem pupils sionary societies at work in Madagascar attend. The higher education of the col- have colleges and high schools, the lat- lege or female seminary costs the Board ter both for boys and girls, in all of a larger sum. The number of pupils which education is given ~reely, with in the united schools, male and female, but nominal charges for books, etc. Al- was 337 the year past. Of these 202 most every congregation, except the were boarding pupils. The income smallest and the weakest, has its school.
from these is almost enough to pay for The London Missionary Society has their board. The charge to the Board also an industrial school for teaching aside from missionary salaries was handicrafts. Hospitals and medical $2200, which covers expenses of teach- schools are also connected with this So- ers, buildings, rooms, and some inci- ciety, as well as with the Friends, Lu.
dentals. It is about $11 a pupil for the theran and Anglican Missions, and boarding departments." there are now a number of trained doc- tors and surgeons. It is estimated there -A large portion of the Hova and of are about 1800 schools and about 170,- the other tribes in the central districts 000 children under instruction, but it is of Madagascar have been christianized, difficult to get the statistics of the Ro- and Christianity is acknowledged and man Catholic Mission.
protected by the government. There is no state church, although the queen -The Moravian (Bethlehem, Pa.) very and principal officers of the government properly, and in excellent spirit, calls are Qonnected with the churches formed attention to certain misstatements con- by the London Missionary Society, tained in the" October" number of THE which comprises the vast majority of MIsSIONARY REVIEW, "usually so accurate," relating both to the total expen- misstatement referred to is found not diture for missions made by that body in October, but in November instead.
of Christians aD.d the amount contrib- uted by friends from outside. Now, he who would knowingly offend in that way, and thus" belittle the liberality" Monthly Bulletin. of a church which just there comes nearest to the Gospel ideal, would by -News of the death of Miss Jennie the act prove himself the chief of sin- B. Small, a missionary of the Presbyteners. The mistake is deeply regretted, rian Board of Foreign Missions, at and originated wholly from partial and Petchaburee, Siam, on June 2, has been so defective information. However, received. Miss Small taught school for Borrow is not altogether unmingled several years in Mansfield, Allegheny with joy, since the opportunity is thus County, Pa.
afforded to present the facts, which for -The Zambesi Chief Lewanika has substance, The Moravian being author- sent his eldest son Litia to Morija, in ity, are as follows; "The total cost of Basutoland, to receive Christian inour missions in 1890 was $350,475. struction. The chief has many excel- The largest proportion of this-more lent parts, and for some time has been than two thirds-was raised in the mis- on terms of friendship with M. Coilsion fields themselves, through the con- lard, of the Paris Society of Missions, tributions of the converts and also from and Litia himself is a promising young the proceeds of trades carried on in man of Christian character. certain mission-provinces for the benefit of the missions. The sum of $24,060 -The London Christian says; "The is to be credited, as THE MISSIONARY Chinese Government is now taking very REVIEW puts it, to the ' Brethren's con- vigorous steps to suppress and to pregregations,' but this is not all. The vent attacks on missionaries. We may Labrador and the Alaska accounts do therefore reasonably trust that those not pass through our General Board. who are carrying the Word of God into Labrador entailed an outlay of $9800, that distant land will be in less danger Alaska of $8400. The gifts from friends than has recently been the case. This in Britain, including therefore those of is something to thank God for not only the London Association referred to were for the sake of the missionaries, but of $26,686 ; on the Continent of Europe, the future weal of China itself."
$22,656 ; in America, $285. [Total gifts -The work among the blind in Syria from friends, $49,627.] Mite societies is full of interest. The number of blind in the various Moravian congregations seen in the East is very distressing. contributed $3430. Legacies were receiv- There are blind schools at Beirut, Daed to the amount of $23,670, and the in- mascus and Tyre. Blind Scripture come from funded legacies was $37,264. readers have the entree of Moslem homes, How much of the last two items should a privilege which blindness confers. be credited to members, and how much One of the earliest pupils in the Beirut to friends of the Moravian Church, we Blind School, after completing his are not able to say. It may be added studies in Edinburgh University, has that the entire cost of administration been ordained pastor of the Presbytewas but $16,570, and that the total of rian church of Knox, in Brussels, Onadherents is now 90,020, while the tario. home churches number less than 35,- 000." It will be noticed that a portion -The first section of the little rail- of the $350,475 is derived from the road which is to connect Jaffa with Jern- " proceeds of trades." salem has been completed, and tourists Surely, humanum est errare, and the are now able to travel by rail from Jaffa to Ramleh, about one third the dis- Glasgow, said, at the annual meeting of tance. It will not be long before pil- the London Missionary Society, that grims to the Holy Land will be whisked missionaries did not sufficiently raise in an hour from the sea to Jerusalem, the veil and tell what Hinduism is.
to the ~reat disgust of camel owners One could not speak about it and and stage proprietors_ scarcely write about it. Almost every -Some of the Indian women on the temple in India had from 30 to 200 Yakama and Puyallup reservations have priestesses engaged in vice. That was asked that women evangelists be sent how Hinduism dealt with woman. to them, and in response Mrs. E. C. Miller has been sent to Yakama, and -The Bev. Allen Hazen, formerly a Mrs. Bell to Puyallup. The doing of missionary in India, and more recently Gospel work among Indian women will a pastor in New Zealand, has returned, result in great good. If they can be at the age of sixty-eight, accompanied taught the blessedness of peace, and be by his daughter, born in India, to re_ made to know the Prince of Peace, sume, at his own charges, his old work in the Marathi Mission.
Indian wars will soon come to an end. –In an interesting paper in a recent -At the "Keswick Convention," in number of The Church of Scotland Home England, there was a missionary meet- and Foreign XtSsian Record, Rev. Dr. ing, at which many addresses were Mackinnon, of Heidelberg, calls attenmade by missionaries from many lands tion to the thoroughness with which -among others, by Mrs. Grattan Guin- German missionaries are trained for ness, representing, as she said, mission- their work. Their systematic method aries on the Congo River, Mrica, and is said to be remarkable indeed in comby Mr. Robert Wilder, who described parison with the lax preparatory trainthe great volunteer missionary move- ing in some other countries largely enment in the United States_ A very gaged in missionary effort. After satispractical issue of the Convention was factory proof of their fitness for the the fact that a multitude of gifts, vary- life, the candidates in Germany are ading in amount from a few shillings to mitted to attend the Mission House one hundreds of pounds, and reaching the evening in the week for a year. They grand total of £1814, were sent in to be are then entered upon the books of the devoted to the cause of God at home preparatory school for two years for inand abroad. struction in Latin, etc. After this they have a course of instruction of a theo- -A Japanese converted to Christ logical nature, including the study of seems at once to betake himself to the the Bible in the original tongue, and a labor of teaching the truth to his friends few sessions of medical training in the at home and at a distance, and thus is hospital. The years thus spent are use- the way prepared for the minister of ful in developing in the future mission- Christ. No wonder that, with such ary many qualities which are of the ut- preparatory service, the truth is run- most value in the mission field. The ning in that land, and being glorified. rllsult is that men are sent out who are -Mrs. L. J. Newton, in a recent ad- in every way worthy of their work, and dress to the Missionary Conference held who undertake it thoroughly equipped at Chautauqua, speaking of progress in for the master's service. the Punjab, India, said: "We have $7000 invested in our church and hos- -The American Baptist Missionary pital at Ferozepore, every cent of which Union is supporting eighteen preachers was given by native converts." in Russia. One has been exiled to Si- beria for preaching the Gospel, and an- other sent out of the country with only -The Rev. Professor Lindsay, ..··of three hours' notice. -A Misil Agnew, of New York, it is cheerfully, 'and he lived there in the said, when only eight years old gave most frugal and primitive fashion. He her heart to· mission work. She went had no notion of being too valuable in to Ceylon, and spent forty-three un- Europe to be hidden away in the almost broken years. A thousand girls passed inaccessible uplands of Asia. He was through her school. She taught the a true Moravian.
children and the grandchildren of the first generation. The natives called -King Mwanga of Uganda has proher the mother of a thousand daughters. hibited slavery in his dominions.
IShe led six hundred girls to Christ. -The Queen of Madagascar, with They became the wives of the chief 200,000 of· her subjects, is ranged on men, and were shining lights. There the side of Christianity.
are also forty Bible women in India -At Oyamada, Japan, the church of who were trained in her school. 100 members has built a church costing -A few weeks ago a leading Brahman $1300, of which they paid $900 them· in Bombay, an official in the education selves.
department, married the widowed -England proudly boasts that the daughter of another Brahman prominent sun never sets on her dominions. The in the literary world. The ceremony United States may say as much, for was attended by many Hindoos of note. when the sun sets in Alaska it is an The other Sunday a Bombay pleader hour high in Maine. convened a meeting to get sentence of expulsion pronounced upon all the -A medical missionary in China reo Shenvi Brahmans who were present at cently treated fourteen men in one day the marriage. The temple was crowded, who represented eleven of the eighteen but it is a remarkable evidence of prog- provinces of the Empire.
ress that only nine persons voted with -The four gospels have been transthe convener of the gathering. The lated into Uzbek, the language of 2,250" Shenvi is one of the most powerful 000 people in Central Asia, and pub- Brahman castes in Western India. lished by the British and Foreign Bible -The Moravians are alive to their in- Society.
dividual responsibility concerning the -Tunis is under the protection of unevangelized nations of the world, and France. It has a population of 2,000,.
they hold themse~ves in readiness to go 000, mostly Mohammedans, among out as missionaries when called upon whom drunkenness is prevalent.
to do so. This is true of the most -The work of telegraph building in scholarly and distinguished among them South Africa is pushed far ahead of rail· as well as of others. Henry Augustus road enterprise. Savage Africa will Jaeschke, late Moravian missionary in thus be joined with civilization by elec. Northern India and Thibet, besides Ger- tric wire. man was master of Polish, Danish and Swedish, and was acquainted with Eng- -The first section of the Congo raillish, Hungarian, Bohemian, Latin and way has been completed, from Matadi Greek, and, after going to the East, al. to Leopold Ravine, and construction ready knowing Sanskrit, Persian and trains are running.
Arabic, and, no doubt, Hebrew, he -The Chinese Government has fully learned Hindustani and Urdu, and compensated the missionaries in Honan lastly Thibetan. He was likewise for the injury to their property by a versed in mathematics and natural sci. mob only three months ago. ence, especially botany. He obeyed the call of his Church to go to the -The Comber family will be noted Himalayan regions unquestioningly and ,. in the martyr list of Congo Missions, having given five lives already to that -The Rev. Mr. LeWis, of England, work: Dr. Sidney Comber, Thomas J. died recently. In 1842 he went to Comber, Mrs.' Hay, Mrs. Thomas J. India, and having reduced the language Comber, and Mrs. Percy Comber. of the Khassees to writing, he devoted himself to translations, and was able Ohina.-The 32,000 native Chinese without any help but that given by his Moravian Christians gave year before wife, to translate the whole of the New last $38,000 for missionary work. Testament into Khassei. From the work which he started have developed -It is reported that, as a result of 60 churches with a membership of 7000. the great assistance given to the faminestricken people of Shantung, in 1889, -The Rev. W. F. Bainbridge tells the when over $200,000 were distributed following touching story of a Brahmin and over 100,000 lives saved, a great convert hemet in India: .. Ashe talked many have been drawn to pay special of his work and urged me to labor hard attention to Christianity as the religion in the interests of heathen evangelizawhich influences people for such deeds tion, I felt that it was not he, but Christ of kindness and mercy; and during speaking through him. Last mgnth a 1890 it is said that over a thousand per- Conconada brother wrote me of his sons were baptized whose attention was death. He had just officiated at a weddrawn' to the religion of Christ by the ding. A sudden sickness came on befact that the missionaries were so promi- fore he had signed the marriage certifinent in securing this aid and distribut- cate. 'Just your name, brother,' they ing it. Not by any means were all these said, as they put the paper unner his recipients of aid, but they saw what was hand, and the pen between his fingers_ being done for their fellow.men, and , Name? • said the dying Brahmin, compared the fruits of Christianity with , name? There is none other name the fmits ,of heathenism. given under heaven among men where- by we must be saved.' • Yes; but we -It is stated by Dr. Joseph Simms, want your own name. Quick I Write it.' who has lately returned from China, , My name? I have none other name that at least 200,000 girl babies are than the lamb's name written in my brutally killed in various ways every forehead.' And the pen moved and the year in that empire, to get them out of hand dropped, and the spirit was gone; the way. In every large city there are and they looked, and he had written asylums for tl:ie care of orphans, sup- 'Jesus.' .. ported and conducted by foreigners, who save yearly from slaughter tens of thousands of female infants.
India_-Sir Charles A. Elliott, the new -The Methodist Episcopal Church Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, speak- has three conferences in India, North ing at Simla, has added his testimony India, South India, alild Bengal. The to the value of missions as judged from statistics have recently been published the standpoint of high Indian officials. of the three combined, together with cor- .. I make bold to say," were his words, responding figures for 1870, and the " that if missions did not exist it would growth of 20 years thus shown is most be our duty to invent them." This is cheering. The figures for two decades what was said by the famous men who ago are put in parenthesis: Missionbuilt up the administration of the Pun- aries, 72 (19) ; wives, 62 (17); Hindustani jab, and who, when it was !1nnexed in missionaries, 54 (5); Zenana mission- 1849, among their first requirements, aries, 33 (2); baptisms in 1890, 7661 along with courts, and codes, and roads, (471); native communicants, 11,991 and police, wrote home to the Church (600) ; day schools, 853 (117) ; scholars, Missionary Society for a supply of mis- 25,540 (4309) ; money collected in India sionaries. in 1890,217,287 rupees (24,478).
The Missionary Review of the World — September 1891
THE YEAR 1890 IN JAPAN
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No.9.-OldSeries.–SEPTEMBER.–VoL.IV. No.9.-NewSeries.
THE YEAR 1890 IN JAPAN.
BY REV. PROFESSOR GEORGE WM. KNOX, D. D., TOKYO, JAPAN.
The foreca!l.t of 1889 was fulfilled in 1890. The year was full of difficnlty, and in empire and Church the cheerful confidence of the past gave way to uneasy anticipations and fears.
THE SUFFERING PEOPLE.
A short harvest in 1889 sent the price of rice up so high that thousands could not buy it. The multitude who ever Jive near the starvation liue became wholly dependent. Had benefactions not been large and constant they would have died from the lack of food. In the spring and summer the suffering was at its height, the abundant harvests of the autumn first giving permanent relief. During the summer cholera carried off tens of thousands, and late in the autumn the influenza paid a second and virulent visit that was fatal to very many.
Business suffered in sympathy with the general distress. The poverty of the people interfered with the usual course of trade; and a number of circumstances, which need not be repeated here, combined to render business unprofitable; failures were very many. But for the most part the distress, both physical and financial, was endured in silence. These Orientals have not yet learned our Western fashion of loud wailing over the misfortunes which they accept as a part of nature. Does our thought of the Heavenly Father, in whose hands are the issues of life, render us less patient than these who know no such all-loving guide and God?
THE STRUGGLING POLITICIANS.
Politics occupied a new place of importance in the popular esteem. The struggles which had been obscure and underground came out into the light of day as the elections for the first members of the Diet drew near. But no great issue divided the nation, and the contests were between factions and individuals. No faction or individual obtained a decisive majority of the whole number of members, though the" Liberals" constitute the largest group. When the Diet met in the autumn, only one thing was settled beyond doubt-the Lower House of the Diet was not friendly to the present Ministry or to the system which that Ministry represents. It was clear that a struggle for power. involving fundamental constitutional questions, would ensue. The leaders on both sides deprecated such a struggle, but they have proved unable to prevent it. The weeks passed have been tempestuous. The Diet has won some victories on minor points; but the most Radical section has forced the fighting on the budget, demanding such reductions that the Ministry declares itself wholly unable to comply. The Moderates seek only such economy in administration as may reasonably he agreed to. The Radicals want the fundamental political problem solved at once j the Moderates seek a compromise that shall permit a gradual and peaceful emergence from the difficulties that everyone admits. There is no party which advocates the Government outright, or def4ilnds the present system. As in so many other questions, all are progressive, the dispute being as to the pace. And all well-wishers to Japan must Jeilire the defeat of the Radicals, since their victory will result in the sharpest crisis the empire has k~wn in years. Unfortunately they control the Lower House by a decisive majority.
THE MEDDLING YOUTH.
The oddest feature, and the most inexplicable, of the situation, is the fashion in which young men of no apparent claim to influence or position constitute themselves the guardians of the empire's honor. As in years past such men have assassinated ministers of State, so now they band themselves together that they may coerce the Diet. Their influence is Radical, and they have repeatedly attacked members not of their way of thinking, and their threats of vengeance are constant. Some of them have been banished from the city; but the strangest element in the situation is the comparative immunity from punishment which they enjoy. Some influence seems to protect them, and accordingly reports are not wanting that they are in the pay of various influential personages. Until Japan learns in private and in public, in the family, the school, and the State, to discipline and restrain the youth who now grow rank, we cannot expect a peaceful and orderly development.
THE FOREIGN TREATIES.
The parliamentary struggle has diverted attention somewhat from the question of treaty revision, but indications in plenty show that the subject is not out of mind. And t-he popular demand rises with each delay. The foreign powers missed their opportunity when, years ago, Count Inoue was ready to grant all that reasonable men had any right or wish to demand. But the foreign powers could not agree among themselves or with him. Now popular sentiment must be taken into Rerious account. No minister would dare make a treaty which public sentiment disapproved. His life would not be safe for an hour. And public sentiment is not more reasonable in Japan than elsewhere. Since in the past the representatives of the powers have been unable to agree with the most reasonable and fair-minded Japanese ministers of State, there is small chance that now they will listen to the people. In the past Japan has been in the right j but it is a question whether the popular demands do not put it in the wrong. This much is sure-so long as the treaties are unrevised, so long will the anti-foreign agitation continue, so long will it be impossible that foreigners in any calling shall regain their former position. At the same time every new demand makes foreign compliance more difficult, so difficult, indeed, that revision would seem to be indefinitely postponed.
THE YEAR'S MISSIONARY WORK.
All of the facts related above have affected injuriously the work of foreign missionaries. The hard times have reduced gifts to the Church and hindered its extension. The political struggles have diverted the public mind, the meddlesome young men have given some of their attention to missionaries and to foreigners, and the question of treaty revision has so affected society in general that even the Church has participated to some extent in the anti-foreign spirit. The table of statistics just published shows the effect of these and other causes. The entire net gain of the whole Protestant body in Japan for the year is 1199, a gain smaller than single missions have repeatedly reported in the past. The table is not wholly trustworthy, it is true, 111 spite of every endeavor to make it 80 j but I do not know that the errors are greater than in other years. The Methodist Episcopal Church reports a decrease of 198 in the total membership, and the Congregationalists a loss of 169. The latter is in spite of the facts that they report 1615 baptisms for the same period. It can be accounted for only on the supposition that the reports for the two years have been made up from different data. The Church of Christ (Presbyterian) I·eports 1280 baptisms and a net increase of 517, the losses being through disaffection caused by the Plymouth Brethren, and, to a much larger extent, the revision of congregational rolls. The Nippon Sei Kokwai (Episcopalian) shows the largest net gain, 578 j but the figures are only approximate, and appear not to allow for the losses so noticeable in the other reports. The Canadian Methodists are the only others who show a gain of more than one hundred.
The contributions show a gratifying increase, the total being, en 69,3.24.95, a gain of 15,821.22. (The en is equivalent to the silver dollar.) Most of this increase is to be credited to the Congregational churches, though the Methodists and Episcopalians also report an increase.
Most of the other columns show a decrease, and some hardly show the full extent of the losses. Especially has the year been full of discouragement to those engaged in the higher schools. The mission schools were never so well prepared for large and successful work, and were never before so little esteemed. Some of the boarding-schools have lost half their pupils, and the losses continue. A strong national feeling is asserting itself. It insists upon a training that shall be more distinctively Japanese in management, methous, and subjects. It strongly objects to institutions that seem to subject Rtudents to the control of foreigners. The change of sentiment on this subject within the past two years amounts to a revolution. It is to be hoped that a reaction will before long restore the schools to their old position. Shonld such prove not to be the case· the question of the discontinuance of some of the schools must be seriously faced.
THE MISSIONS AND THE MISSIONARIES.
One mISSlOn has been added during the year-the Universalist. The Unitarian Mission also gives its report. The entire missionary force is 577, including the wives. This is an increase of 50 men and women. The force is distributed in 29 societies.
I would again venture the opinion that our prescnt missionary methods are in the extreme wasteful of money and life. Rightly distributed and massed, one half the present force could accomplish all, and more than is now done. Instead of so much earnest appeal for men and money I propose a year of appeal for the better use of the forces we have. UntiI something is done to combine the Protestant forces the waste must continue. Is confederation in the great work of evangelizing the world still impossible ¥ Can we expect thinking men to continue and increase their gifts if the half goes to waste 1 Doubtless the case is not so pressing in other lands; but, for the things I see and know, my language is none too strong.
Nor can I fail to say that the time is not auspicious for an increase of missionaries, apart from the great waste resulting from divergent plans and aims. It is not impossible that in certain parts of the field the missionary adds little to the effectiveness of the work. The complaint is heard, e.g., that schools have too many missionarws in their faculties, and the popular demand for addresses and sermons from foreigners has greatly fallen off. The way iR not so open, nor the invitation so pressing, as a few years ago. It may be only a passing wave of sentiment, but while it lasts we may well give the precedence to calls from other fields, as they, in the past, have given way to us.
And yet the time is by no means past for foreign missionaries in Japan. In some parts of the empire, in the interior provinces and in the south and west, they can still repeat the triumphs of the days gone by. They are still welcomed, and their leadership is ardently desired. They can still, even in Tokyo, find work of the last importance in educating a Japanese ministry, and in the preparation of a theological literature. And wherever there are earnest, spiritually minded men, their influence must be felt. But beyond all this the missionary organization is still necessary. The Church and the work would suffer were it withdrawn. The missionaries supply the unmoved framework, the inner form little influenced by superficial change, that is essential to the strength and permanence of the Church as an organism. Premature withdrawal would subject it to a strain we may well wish for a while postponed. Such function may be far from the ideal entertained by the missionary of his own position; it is certainly less imposing than the missionary position in most lands; but if thus service is rendered to the Master, we shall be content.
TIm THEOLOGICAL UNREST.
Japan participates in all the movements of our age. No wall or tariff shnts the empire out from frecst communication with the world, and the ideas which agitate thinking rilen find ready entrance here. For years the leaders of the Japanese Church have followed with intense interest the course of theological thought. They read freely both sides. Papers, reviews, and books are in dcmand in proportion as they reflect the current intellectual life. Not the wisdom of ourfathers, but such as our age can furnish, they desire. Coufucianism has satisfied their longings for an ironbound conservatism. They are proportionatcly eager for progressive thought. Disposition and public sentiment combine to urge in one direction, and there is no opposing power that shall attempt to hold them back. If the intelligent, influential young men are to be orthodox Christians, it will be because orthodoxy makes the strongest appeal to mind and heart. The newest and extreme thought is not left to the printed page, it has its living representatives. The German Evangelic Mission is led by men of solid learning and strong ethical and spiritual powers. They are naturalists in their exposition of the Bible, denying all miraculous elements. '1'hey reject the Divinity of Christ, His miracles and His resurrection. Yet, with what seems to an American a peculiarly German inconsistency, they declare that their one desire is that Christ may be accepted by the Japanese, and in walk and conversation they breathe the spirit of the Master. They give in lectures and printed articles a wide circulation to the advanced views of the German schools, ancl their words are eagerly read and heard by the young men of our churches. The Universalists and the Unitarians, from different points of view, are in sympathy with the Germans, and the three bodies form one party of considerable strength and influence. Some of the ordained ministers of other bodies have returned from the United States more or less in sympathy with the cruder forms of the new theology.
This condition of things fills some of the conservatives with alarm. But I deprecate the views they insert in American periodicals. Weare not in a panic at all. We welcome and rejoice in this full and free and fair discussion. When did the truth ever ask more than a fair field and no favor ~ It is a strange novelty that we who profess to hold the truth should seek to hide timidly behind traditional defences. If the truth cannot protect itself-but who would thus doubt His power who is the Truth ~ If some of our opinions cannot stand, is not the truth better than our opinions, howefer venerable 1 For our part, we do not fear the result. We do not for a moment doubt the final triumph, nor can we believe that the Church has been mistaken all along in accepting Christ as Son of God, and the Bible as supreme in doctrine and life.
THE SYNOD OF THE NIPPON KIRISUTO KYOKWAI.
The most significant event of the year in matters ecclesiastical was the meeting of the Synod of the Nippon Kirisuto Kyokwai (the Japanese Church of Christ, with which are connected the Presbyterian and RflfOimed mis- sions). This Church has long been considering the revision of its constitu. tion. In 1877, when the present organization was effected, the Church yielded to the earnest desire of the missionaries, and adopted unabridi!ed and unamended a Form of Government, Book of Discipline, and Confession of Faith, imported from the United States. The Confessions-there were two of them-had not even been translated, but were adopted purely on faith. They were adoptcd, but thcy have never been the true Confessions of the Church's faith. Years ago a committee was appointed for their revision, but its labors were interrupted by the negotiations for union with the Congregationalists. After those negotiations were broken off a nf>W committee on revision was given df'fi~ite instrnctions. The committee rcported in the early summer and Synod met iu December to discuss the report.
Synod was a thoroughly representative body, most of the leading men being present. Foreigners were in a small minority, and from the start the Japanese took the lead. The result is their work, and this it is which renders the meeting so significant. We have a fair test of the true faith and spirit of the Church, and not a mere reflection of foreign missionary sentiment.
The Japanese Christians think for themselves, that is the most evident comment. They are almost morbidly avcrse to leading-strings-especially now are they eager to show their intellectual independence. Any attempt to coerce them will result in disaster. At the Rame time they will listen to advice and reason.
The Church is soundly evangelical. It stauds firmly by the great essentials of the faith. It is not infected with Unitarian or Rationalistic virus. No one expressed himself as other than in entire sympathy with the truth once delivered to the saints.
But the Church inRists that there shall be widest liberty in non-e8sentials. It is eager to reje,ct the systems of theologians. It would embrace all who truly accept our Lord and Saviour. In its brief creed it desired to embody these two aims, and to show itself thoroughly evangelical and yet so free that none may be excludEd who do not deny the faith. It would have no imported Confession. It asserted at onpe its indifference to thc strifes and shibb(lleths of Westem lands, and its desire to hear testimony against the errors that threaten in Japan. Whatever may be onr opinion as to the snccess of the endea'or, or as to the sufficiency of the Confession as finally adopted, there is no doubt about the sincere purpose of the Church. Nor need there be question that this purpose in the main was right.
The Church has a strong missionary spirit. The debate on the Confession was dominated by the desire to make it an effective missionary document. The Christians never forget their position in the midst of a non- Christian people, nor their duty as witnesses for Christ, however much their labors fall short of their admitted obligations.
The Church accepts gladly the Presbyterian polity as a form of organization, but it rejects all exclusive claims even for its own forms, and occupies theoretically no position that may hinder union with other bodies. A strong desire for the organic union of Christians of every name was manifest throughout, though there is no immediate prospect that such desires may be realized.
TIlE HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.
It is not to be denied that the year has left a feeling of uncertainty and fear in the minds of many. Some ev{;n look forward to indescribable dis-" aster; but a calm review of all the facts warrants us in saying that the out- look is full of hope.
Even with so strong an anti-foreign spirit as the last year has shown, our Japanese Christians have held their own. Thirteen were elected to the Diet. One of them was chosen President of the Diet, and a second, permanent Chairman of the Committee of the Whole. These two posts were most keenly sought, and their occupants are very prominent and important in the public's thought. Christianity has further shown its wide influence by the long-continued agitation against licensed prostitution, an agitation that has enlisted a large share of popular approval and sympathy. It is no small triumph that Christianity so soon manifests itself as a moral force in the national life, and that it is so secure in its place that its profession is no hindrance to high political advancement.
The fact that the Church contains so many men of prominence, so many men second to none in their wide influence, is high encouragement, although, as a natural consequence, the foreign missionary is thereby remanded to a somewhat secondary place. As the Church thus reckons judges, professors, members of the Diet, prominent journalists, and high officials among its active members, we cannot expect the same position we should occupy in lands where the converts are for the most part from the lower walks of life. But we must be narrow indeed if this success becomes a source of discouragement. Let us thank God and take courage.
Though the year has been a trying one to forcigners, still has the Church remained remarkably friendly. There have been sharp criticisms of lIlen and methods, it is true; but we should hesitate to demand submissive silence from our friends. And it is not to be forgotten that the prevalent hostility to foreign institutions of every kind, and the association of the Church with missionaries in the popular mind, has been the cause of denial;
OR. GRIFFIS ON JAPAN
that the Church and foreigners are identical-a denial that has sometimes been more emphatic than agreeable in expression.
The theological nnrest, too, gives rise to hope. One minister joined the Unitarians, bnt he carried no one with him, and there is no disposition to follow his example. Already there are signs that the Radical flood has Ilassed its height and begnn to recede. We shall hear less of it in the years to come. It is not to be overlooked that the Unitarian Mission has a new leader of a spirit very different from the former " ambassador, " whose hostility to orthodoxy and to other missions is rep~aced by friendli- ness and a desire for such co-operation as is practicable. . The Plymonth Brethren, too, have about exhausted their capabilities for mischief, and almost cease from troubling the congregations. Some of the keenest of the Japanese ministers feel that the tide now sets with us.
There is no falling off in the numbers of young men who press into the Christian ministry. And for the theological department of the Meiji • Gakuin I may say that our junior class is not only the largest but the best that has entered the school. There is no better test of the true condition of the Church.
The difficulties have culminated in Tokyo. In the provinces the state of things has been by no means so trying. In a letter just received, a mis- sionary of much experience and sound judgment writes: "The condition of affairs in Central and Western Japan was never more promising. Con- verts are not gained so rapidly, perhaps, as in some years gone by, but the churches were never in so good condition before." That testimony can be duplicated by many witnesses in widely separated fields. And even in Tokyo onr most intelligent pastors say they find no widespread opposition to Christianity, nor any cause for real discouragement.
Surely God has done great things for Japan, and His Church may trust Him for the days to come. lIe does not leave us without evidence of His presence and blessing. Through His grace the Church shall go forward, that it may be Hi~ witness and the preacher of His Gospel to all the inhab- itants of the land.
MEIJI GAKUIN, TOKYO, February 12, 1891.
DR. GRIFFIS ON JAPAN.
BY THE EDITOR-iN-CHIEF.
Dr. Griffis has recently published an article on the Constitution of Japan which deserves wider circulation. He refers to the meeting of the Imperiltl Diet, which entered upon the work of sharing with the Mikado the government of the forty millions of Japanese, and remarks that on July 1st, 1890, the national election took place and proved to be quiet and decorous. The privilege of voting for members of the House of Representatives was restricted to certain taxpayers, so that the electorate probably did not number more than one million yoters. Bya decree dated July 10th, the administration of the two houses was organized by the appointment of a Chief Secretary, ten assistants, two probationers, and twenty subordinatcs for each branch of the Diet, and the proccedings were opened by the emperor in person.
Mutsuhito, the one hundred and twenty-third Mikado, was born, by a strange coincidence, on the very day that Commodore M. C. Perry stood on the deck of the Mississippi ready to sail for Japan. 'Vonderful changes have taken place within these thirty-nine years, and Dr. Griffis asks what grounds have we for believing in the solidity and permanence of representative political institutions in such a nation.
The story of the Japanese begins with the foundation of the empire, B. c. 660, which is in many other respects a very marked era in the annals of the human race. Their actual hIstory begins very nearly a thousand years after. The dual system of government, under the Mikado at one end of the empire and the Tycoon at the other, lasted until 1868, when the Tycoon gave way to the Mikado. Japan has always suffered from having no external foe or force to compel national cohesion, and society was split up into eight or more grades from gods to pariahs, and the country itself into three hundred feudal clans. Historical research and the fear of subjection by foreign nations begat that new thing in Japan, public opinion, and to save the unity of Japan from divisions such a& were seen in India, the dual system of government fell at the dictation of public opinion. The American Naval Expedition of 1853 simply brought the crisis. The Tycoon, hitherto despotic, felt compelled to ask the opinion of the clans as to wtat should be the answer to Commodore Perry, and the first informal Parliament was summoned.
The events from 1853 to 1890 simply record the march of public opmlOn. Dualism first went. down and feudalism followed. Provision was made for a permanent national parliament, and the leaders of the revolution constrained the Mikado, then but sixteen years old, to swear that he would call a deliberate assembly and submit to it affairs of State. This charter oath of five articles forms the basis of the new Japan. The way was accordingly prepared for the complete separation of the executive, legislative, and judicial functions, and in 1878 provision was made for the education of the people in their new political duties.
After much popular agitation in behalf of a national parliament, on October 12th, 1880, the Mikado signed the decree promising to limit the imperial prerogative, and call a parliament to meet in 1890. The constitutions of various other governments were carefully examined, and on February 11th, 1889, on the anniversary of the ascent of the throne, B.C. 660, by the first Mikado, Jimmu Tenno, this grand document was published, the magna charta of Japanese liberties.
The constitution consists of Rcven chapters with seventy-six articles, which treat of the Emperor, his subjects, the Diet, mini8ters of State, the Privy Council, etc. The upper house, or House of Peers, is a mixed body. Members of the Imperial family, princes, and marquises sit for lif",. Counts, viscounts, and barons are elected for seven years. Certain men notable for ability and learning have a life term. There is also a provision for commoners to be elected to this house, which thus involves representation from the three estates of the realm.
The constitution approaches closely the model of Germany and Great Britain. Most important are the thirty-two articles of Chapter II., which grant and define the rights and duties of the subjects. Hitherto the masses had politically been ciphers, bound to obey, pay taxes, and hold their tongues. Now the status of every subject is fixed by law, and by law his rights are guarded. Modern Japanese law is based Oil the code of France. The judiciary conllists of local courts, district courts, court of appeal, and a supreme court, and judges are appointed for life..
Western nations look with intensest interest to the unfolding of Japan's future.
JAPAN AND THli: BIBLE.
Twenty years ago the people of Japan had never seen any part of the Scriptures in their own tongue, and placards prohibiting Christianity were displayed on the corners of the streets.
In 1872, aided by a grant from the American Bible Society, Dr. Hepburn's version of Mark and John wall printed in Yokohama, and a committee was formed for translating the Bible.
' The. first edition of the New Testament appeared in 1880, and the entire Bible in 1888. From 1874 until now the American Bible Society has circulated in Japan more than 550,000 volumes of the Scriptures; and there are now more than 250 churches with over 30,000 members.
In view of the many agencies employed, it is gratifying to have so competent an observer as Dr. Hepburn ascribe one half of all the results of Christian missions in Japan to the work of the Bible societies.
Similar work is being done in connection wi.th the labors of American mi2sionaries in various parts of the world, and a secretary of one of our largest missionary boards has recently said : "I know of no single agency which can for a moment begin to compare with that of the Bible Society in giving permanency to Ollr missionary work in every field. I find myself depending upon its work more and more as I come to appreciate more fully what its volume is and what its significance is."
Of the publication of the complete Bible in Japanese, Dr. Griffis further says: "An able English editor declared that the publication of the Bible in Japanese was 'like building a railway through the national intellect.' This was perhaps the proper metaphor to employ in this industrial age, when civilization moves on rails and wires. To ono not hlind to the !esthetics, or deaf to the harmonies, of a noble work of letters, the human mastery over difficulties suggests rather the slow building of a glorious cathedral. The Bible in Japanese as we have it to-day-despite our thrills of joy and pride that it is mainly the work of American missionaries-is not a finished product. It is, however, so substantially near the ideal that it must be the basis of all future enterprise. Even its very shortcomings, felt most keenly by the master·builders of this stately edifice of language, point in the direction of final triumph.
" When in Tokio on the 3d of February, 1888, the veteran translator, Dr. J. C. Hepburn, suiting the action to the word, took the Old Testament in one hand and the New Testament in the other, and reverently laying them down-a complete Bible-sa~d : 'In the name of the whole body of Protestant missionaries in Japan, and of the whole Church of Christ in America and England, I make it a loving present to the Japanese nation,' the audience, made up of Christians from three continents, was deeply moved at the simple and touching ceremony. It was less like capping the obelisk at Washington with its polished aluminum finial than it was setting the headstone upon a glorious cathedral. In that completed work of pen and type, as in the splendors of some saintly minster, were embodied the hopes and aspirations of a nation awakening to new life, the prayers and sufferings of martyrs slain for Christ's sake, the toil and tears, the patience and hope of noble missionaries, the triumph of success after many failures. Of one of the first translators who delved for the foundations, laid the first courses of the edifice, and even saw its fair walls arise, it may be said with truth that he rests from his labors, but his works do follow him. The labor is over; the work remains. As I hold in my hand the comely duodecimo volume, which moves the scale at twenty·one ounces avoirdupois, I think of the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory which it suggests.
" In the presence of the mountain of to-day it is well to remember the plain. Before our shoutings of' grace, grace unto it,' and praises richly deserved to consecrated workmen, let us look back at the toils of the masterbuilder!!.
" There is a pathos, and there are streaks of humor, in the evolution of this, the fittest expres~ion of the Word in Japanese, which is sure to be a survival of the first order. The naturalists who follow Darwin or Wallace may not be able, owing to ' the imperfection of the geological record '-or otherwise-to furnish at call the 'transitional forms ;' but in the processional movement toward a perfect Bible, even our slender Japanese library holds some interesting and grotesque 'missing links.' True, we have searched the story of Roman Christianity in Japan from 1539 to 1637, and find no translated Scriptp.re; nor does Mr. Satow in his' Jesuit Mission Press in Japan,' though he has ransacked all Japan and the libraries of Papal Europe. Have we not, however, the amazing and amusing first attempts of Dr. Bettleheim in Loo Chooan 1 Do we not possess that wonderful translation of Matthew, by an immersionist, in which we read of 'John the Soaker, preaching the Gospel of sqaking unto salvation;' , Whoever believeth and is soaked shall be saved,' etc.? It is 'soak,' , soaker,' '!loaking,' 'soaked,' to the end of the book, when hitashi, meaning to steep, macerate, moi&ten, is used to translate tho C; reek variants of a certain much·discussed word. VVould that we had what we know existed, the versions of ' the books of Genesis and Matthew, and the Gospel and Epistles of John,' made in China by Dr. S. Wells Williams, and the work of Dr. Gutzlaff; hath of whom learned the language from castaway Japanese sailors. It would touch heart and imagination deeply to look upon the translations made from the Dutch Bible by native interpreters for themselves or others! It was for reading these that men, groping after God, seeking Christ when there were none to lead them, suffered imprisonment, torture, aud bloody death. How thrilling also are the stories of the power of the Bible in Chinese, bought from junk-captains or Chinese tradcrs at Nagasaki, over such men as the father of l'tev. J. T. 1se, who started the first- Japanese students to the United States, and Joseph Ne~sima, of whom we all know! Mr. 1se's father was assassinated in Kioto in 1869, because he was a Bible student, and was suspected of being a Christian, as he indeed potentially was. In 1888, his son, pastor of a Christian church in Tokio, the new capital of the new nation, made the principal Japanese address at the completion of the Bible in his own and his father's tongue.
"The writer, in 1870, saw the chips in the workshop, the dust and debris of foundation laying. lIo hoard the groaning of the missionaries concerning the difficulties and hardships, the gloom of the situation, the refractory and unspiritual nature of tho vernacular, etc. Yot already Dr. Hepburn had made a beginning, and tho writer, on disappearing from civilization into the interior, in February, ] 871, took with him to Fukui a manuscript copy of the four Gospels, of which he made good use, in a Bible class which he began in h.is house, with some of the students. Stopping for a day at the sunny home of onr veteran, Rev. Dr. D. C. Greene, he found him already expert in nirely discriminating Japanese equivalents for the crystal-clear terms in the Greek New Testament. It afterward be· came Dr. Greene's pleasure to translate four of the New Testament books, to do years of work in revision, and with Rev. Dr. L. H. Gulick to superintend the printing, and to read all the proofs of the entire Japanese Bible.
" It was not till 1872 that a convention of missionaries formed definite plans for translating the New Testament. After several years of labor, in which Dr. Hepburn and Rev. Messrs. S. R. Brown and D. C. Greene were the chief, though by no means the only workers, the Scriptures of the New Covenant were issued, and at once widely read by the Japanese. Far more than is the custom in American churches, the Japanese bring their Bibles to church with them, and follow the minister in his reading.
"From the first the native brethren, with characteristic and laudable ambition, desired to take part in the work of rendering the word of God into their mother tongne, despite their lack of acquaintance with the original texts. Six years of training, however, and daily intellectual and spiritual contact with the missionaries during the prpparation of the New Testament, gave to several elect native scholars a wonderful grasp of the general subject, as well as mastery of the problems of translation. The men of God from America and Great Blitain enjoyed the reciprocal and inestimable benefit of these native scholals, such as Rev. Messrs. T. Matsuyama, Uyemura, and Ibuka, and of the brilliant and versatile man of letters, Takaha~hi Goro. From the very first day until the last, Mr. T. Matsuyama wrought with fervor and untiring patience, and· it is the testimony of a missionary of nearly twenty years' experience in Japan that' the influence of this native scholar is seen in almost every sentence of the translation.' Mr. T. Matsuyama, who is now pastor of the Hei-an Church in Kioto, is one of the most learned and painstaking students of the old Japanese literature. His acknowledged excellence as a scholar not only shows what kind of material and personnel the missionaries have been enabled in God's providence to utilize, but makes both ridiculous and contemptible some recent criticisms, spoken even in Tremont Temple, upon the work of our missionaries in Japan.
"Plans for translating the Old Testament were not made until 18'76, nor perfected until 1882. Portions were printed at intervals between 1882 and 188'7 ; but the difficulties were great, and the failur~s were many. Delay in this case proved neither dangerous nor fatal, but eminently advantageous; for it secured uniformity of style. In this one respect, the Japanese Bible excels even the English, and can safely be ranked among the most successful missionary translations of the world. Pmctically the same men, with many assistants, performed the whole work from Genesis to Revelation. In the gracious providence of God, Drs. Hepburn and Verbeck, Rev. F. K. Fyson, T. Matsuyama, Takahashi Goro, Rev. D. C. Greene, and Rev. David Thompson, were spared to see the completion of the work. The Rev. S. R. Brown was unable to witness on earth the crown of his hopes, for he died in 1880. The translation, first in separate portions, and then in its complete form, was printed at the expense of the American, the British and Foreign, and the Scotch Bible Societies, all of which had also made generous contributions for the snonort of the translators, and the expenscll incident to their work.
"The style of the version is as loyally close to pure Japanese as the form of the book language will allow. Indeed, it is the very simplest form of the book language. In it special prominence is given to the pure native element, as against the Chinese-Japanese so fashionable during the last half century or more. It is the style best adapted to liturgical use, and its fitness is generally recognized. Indeed, in his grammar of the written language, Professor Basil Hall Chamberlain, of the Imperial University of Tokio, and perhaps the highest living authority in Japanese literature, quotes from this version in illustration of points in Japanese idiom, thus acknowledging it in some sense as an authority as to idiomatic usage. The gem of the Old Testament work, as all acknowledge, is Dr. Verbeck's rendering of the Psalms. To this labor of love-one of the most scholarly pieces of work in the Japanese language-he devoted much time during a
BUDDillSM: AND CHRISTIANITY
period of seven years in .constant association with natives who were acute, learned, and devout.
" It is not too much to hopc thlt this version of the Bible may do for the Japanese mother-tongue what the English Bible has done for our own noble language and literature. Competent native observers declare that it has already exerted a noticeable effect upon the development of Japanese literature. How comforting and full of reward it must be to the translators, who have toilcd long on certain passages, to hear them quoted by the eloquent native preachers in impassioned discourse that sways the lives and eternal destinies of thousands !
" In briefly outlining the history of this noble monument of scholarship and consecration, the writer trusts that his brethren, Thompson, Davidllon, :Maclay, Cochran, Piper, '''right, Waddell, Goble, Knecker, Shaw, Blanchet, and others, who have borne a noble share in the grand work of giving the Bible to this nation of nearly forty million souls, will forgive the shortcomings of this article, limited as it is in space. In due time, the Japanese Christians, becoming masters of the Semitic and Greek tongues, will erect on the foundations laid by the missionaries a still more stately edifice of sacred scholarship to enshrine that word of God which liveth and abideth forever. Yet the writer is presumptuous enough to hazard the prophecy that even future generations of native Bible translators will no more be able to ignore Hepburn, Verbeck, and Matsuyama than were the English revisers of 1611 or 1881-85 able to forget Tyndale.-Congregationalist.
BUDDHISM AND CHRISTIANITY.
BY REV. E. SNODGRASS, TOKYO, JAPAN.
The Buddhists of Japan, especially the well-informed Buddhists, are by no means ignorant of the scientific references in the Bible ; and, more than this, they were not ignorant of Sir Edwin Arnold's attitude toward Christianity, the deadly antagonist of their withering faith. This being well known on both sides, it was not surprising that Sir Edwin, in his addre~ses in Japan, should say that man is made" not of clay or dust, as is ignorantly said, but of carbon, lime, etc." And, moreover, it was not surprIsing that Sir Edwin experienced the unpleas~nt necessity of having to refuse "numerous influential invitations to address the Buddhists of Japan." Dr. Ellinwood's reference to the fact that Christian phrases and conceptions were read into Buddhism by the author of "The Light of Asia" is parallel to the fact of the same author's attempt to harmonize Buddhism with modern science in a lecture which he delivered here before the Japanese Educational Society the third Sunday in December, 1889. "The Sun Goddess is tempted from her cave by Ii mirror. This is more scientific and less mythical than the legend of a Hebrew chieftain commanding the snn to stand till he could finish a bloody battle. The now to us incognizable sounds, colors, and distances are the Maya of Buddhism. Darwinian evolution is the lJharma and Karma. " 'With these revelations before us, why has it not occurred to some one to start the cry 10at modern science is plagiarized Buddhism 1 But what is the worth of such an unfounded claim that Christianity has borrowed from Buddhism 1 Nothing. I, for one, feel grateful to Dr. Ellinwood for the excellent store of facts given in his article in the February REVIEW. I wish to simply emphasize some of them.
1. The very I!tarting-points of the two religions are antagonistic, and hence oppose the idea that the superior could have copied from the inferior. Ask an educated Japanese to-day, " Has Buddhism a god f' The answer comes, "None other than the man himself." Buddhism is now thoroughly atheistic, though it may not always have been so. The most reliable history we have of Buddha sets him forth as a reformer. His early teachers were two Brahman ascetics. At first Buddhism may have held an idea of a supreme being, a Brahma j for in the oldest writings it is often mentioned that the supreme Brahma influenced Buddha. This may have been the foundation for the divinity which was afterward bestowed upon Buddha.
In regard, again, to a supreme being, Dr. Oldenberg* reasons that the Indian Brahman worked out a supreme being from the inner consciousness -the ego, the Atman. Separating the Atman from the individual, a new being is found which converges back into Brahma, the one and supreme being. Mr. Collinsf would reverse the above and say that the Hindu had gradually dropped the supreme from his faith, and in Buddhism the Atman, the ego, the human mind, is the only god j and this the remaining vestige " of a once purer faith and a truer worship. "
2. An argument often used here by Japanese evangelists is that Buddha worked no miracles. This is another vital difference iuimical to the life of Buddhism.
3. The most serious obstacle probably in the way of the theory of Christianity copying from Buddhism is the date of the Buddhist scriptures. According to the Ceylon books (Buddhism still survives in Ceylon), Gautama Buddha was born 623 B. c. It is not certain that he was not born later. Job probably lived 1500 years before Buddha. Moses lived 1000 before Buddha. Daniel was contemporary with Buddha. This was the time of the captivity, when the Jews were scattered throughout the East, probablyeyen as far as to China j we know that Jews were in China, but at so early a date that we know not when.
As far as we know, Buddha wrote nothing. The claim for the earliest written Buddhist scriptures is about the beginning of the Christian era, or later. Before this date we have all the Old Testament books. We must not forget how the great Babylonian and Syrian kingdoms intellectually • Oldenberg, Buddha, p. 23, et. seq. t Buddhism in Relation to Christianity. linked Judea with the East. We remember some time ago the bronze gates of Shalmaneser the Second were discovered at Balawat. The date is when Jonah visited Nineveh. Upon this monument are shown Jewish sacrifices. It is claimed by some that the Jews in great numbers after the seventy years' captivity emigrated toward the East. I do not know how much truth is in such a claim j but the fact of the Jews being early in China would lend some weight. We cannot close our eyes to the fact that Jewish influence went into the East.
4. What is the state of the claim that Buddhism came West? It is easier rather to prove that Christianity extended East early enough to influence the composers of the Buddhist scriptures. There is no historical evidence that Buddhism came West before the third century A. D. Clement of Alexandria speaks of some who follow Boutha. He derived his information probably from his teacher, Pantamus j and the latter gained his information from Megasthenes, who in India wrote his Indica about 300 B.C. Between Clement and Megasthenes there is no reliable evidence that Buddhism exerted any influence westward.
5. But what abont Christian influence eastward? Cosmas Indicopleutes found Christians in Ceylon in the sixth century. There are still probably 250,000 Christians on the coast of Malabar. Near Madras is an ancient cross with Pahiavi inscription. It belongs probably to not later than the seventh century. There are other inscriptions. The most reasonable explanation of these inscriptions is the early connection between the Indian Christians and Edessa. One of those Pahlavi inscriptions reads: " Who believes in the Messiah, and God above, and in the Holy Ghost, is redeemed through the grace of Him who bore the cross." Pantamns found a Hebrew Gospel of Matthew in India in the second century. A bishop, " Metropolitan of Persia and the Great Indi," was at the council of Nicrea in 325 A.D.
6. Whether or not at first it was the genius of Buddhism to borrow, it is certainly its genius now in Japan. Externally it is becoming a parasite of Christianity. Besides adopting other Christian methods of propagation, it is plagiarizing Christian names. For instance, instead of using the word temple as the designation for their religious houses, they say church now. On the road from Tokyo to Yokohama was a temple to which was attached a school for children. Recently the temple and school were burned. The man who kept the school made an ingenious appeal to foreigners here for help for the poor school which was attached to the church. No doubt many subscribed, thinking that the church was a Christian house of worship. The story of the god Krishna is manifestly taken from Christianity.
7. It is said that asceticism came from Buddhism, and through the Essenes ; that John the Baptist was a half Buddhist j that he was a Gnostic, which has the same meaning as Buddhist. * " Bunsen's Angel-Messiah. Asceticism was practised in the time of Job, 1500 years before Buddha j and the doctrines of the Essenes connect them more with Greece and Persia than with India. The real marks of Buddhism, the Karma, are not found in the Essenic doctrine.
S. What are the false parallels resorted to to establish claims of Bud- dhistic priority ~ That Buddha was born of a virgin j that there is a close con- nection between Maya, the name of his mother, and Mary j that Buddha's birth was attended by miracles j that he taught the doctrine of " vicarious suffering j" that Buddha was born on December 25th; that prophecies were made of the coming Messiah. These and many other claims are made for which no reliable proof can bc produced, as that he was miraculously conceived, presented in the temple, tempted by Mitra.
9. From the earliest Buddhist writings we learn a simple story of his life. He was the son of Suddhodana, a king residing at Kapilabatthu. He married, but at twenty-nine years of age left his home and became an ascetic, with two Brahmans as his teachers. Dissatisfied here, he went to Uruvela, near Patna, where he spent seven years in discipline and study. It is said that he det.ermined to be a " follower of the Buddhas [sages] of bygone ages." In this we find nothing very remarkable.
But when we turn to what are true parallels, we find something remarkable. The Hindu temple is on the same plan as the Jewish temple-two rooms, an inner and outer one j priests, altars, sacrifices, propitiations, oblations, sacred feasts, sacrificial fire, etc. Whence came all these things 1 Mr. Collins claims that they came from the divine revelation of God made to man long before the dispersion. They are vestiges of the true and primitive revelation to man, carried both into the East and vVest. The Western worship was reformed by Moses.
Again, when we look into the two moral codes we find much similarity, which confirms a primitive revelation. The ten prel!epts of Buddhism are remarkable. The reader can note for himself their similarity to the Ten Commandments. The last six are uttered against the prevailing sins of * Buddha's day. It is discouraging to reflect that these rules have been so utterly abandoned by Buddhists in Japan to-day. Buddhism teaches that freedom from suffering comes by righteousness.
This presupposes a deliverer j and this idea must have come from some primitive revelation. But in emphasizing the precept the revelator has been forgotten. This revelator was surely the one true God. While Buddhism is now atheistic, and the doctrine of the Nirvana annihilation, in the be- • 1. The taking of life. 2. Stealing. 3. Adnltery and sexual interconrse. 4. Lying. 5. The nse of intoxicating drinks. 6. The eating of food after midday. 7. The attendance npon dancing, singing, music, and masks. B. The adorning of the hody with flowers, and the use of perfnmes and ungnents. 9. The nse of high or honorable seats or couches.
10. The receiving of gold or silver. ginning this was not so. A dialogue in a passage of the earliest writings represents the present doctrine of annihilation as unorthodox. Sariputta says: "Thus then, friend Yamah, even here in this world the Perfect One is not to be apprehended by thee in truth. Hast thou, therefore, a right to speak, saying, ' I understand the doctrine taught by the Exalted One to he this: that a monk who is free from sin, when his body dissolves is subject to annihilation; that he passes away; that he does not exist beyond death'~" Yamaka replies: "Such, indeed, was hitherto, friend Sariputta, the heretical view which I ignorantly entertained. But now, when I hear the venerable Sariputta expound the doctrine, the heretical view has lost its hold of me, alJd I have learned the doctrine. "
'Vhen the past course of all religions shall have been traced, the investigator will probably arrive at the primitive av.d divine revelation recorded in the Book of God.
BUDDHISM AND ROMANISM.
BY REV. GEORGE L. MASON.
The author of the chart, the" Twin Monuments," which appeared in the June issue, did not seek its publication in this REVIEW, and d028 not know how a copy of it came into the hands of Dr. Sherwood ; but he now begs to add a word of explanation.
A cartoon teaches only in broad outline. It deals with gpneral truths rat.her than details. It depicts a system or a tendency rather than individuals. The picture in question judges no man, but describes systems. That it is fairly accurate and just the following considerations may show.
By Buddhism is meant not the teaching of Gautama or the early Buddhists, but the developed form of doctrine and worship as it now exists practically in eastern Asia, and especially as seen in Thibet, at least since the fourteenth century. Its resemblance to the papal system has been noted by Nevius, Gilmour, Du Boge, and other Protestant missionary authors; and with such candor by the Roman Catholic traveller, Abbe Hue, that his book was placed on the" Index" of writings to be expurgated, as is stated by Max Muller in his "Chips." Professor Monier Williams, who has finely drawn the contrasts between Buddhism and Christianity, says, "Koeppen, Rhys Davids, and other writers have well shown thnt the Buddhism of Thibet, with its pope-like grand Lilmas, its cardinals and abbots, monks and mendicant friars, nuns and novices, canonized saints and angelic hosts, temples and costly shrines, monasteries and mummeries, images and pictures, altars and relics, robes and mitres, rosaries and consecrated water, litanies and chants, processions and pilgrimages, confessions and penances, bell-ringing and incense, is, in everything except doctrine, almost a counterpart of the Romish system." The most of thes() features exist in China proper, as well as in Thibet i and to the list might be added self-torture, vigils, compulsory fasts, charms to prevent accident, wayside shrines, dependence on State endowment, alleged miracles, indulgences, prayers to the dead, and worship in a dead language.
Further, is there not some resemblance in doctrine also, at least in its practical working 1 1. Theology. By this is meant here the teaching as to the objects of worship. In books the Roman Catholic Chinese are taught the truth concerning the Creator; but this teaching is invariably joined with many commands to worship men, so that man practically holds the place of God, as in Buddhism. Perhaps the most popular god in China is Kwan-yin, a female form of Buddha, often represented as a fair woman holding a child. Certainly the most devout worship of the native Catholics is given to Mary. That this is idolatrous has been clearly shown by Dr. Blodget in the Chinese Recorder. The cult of Joseph, "patron saint of China," is growing. The natives are taught to bow to the images and pray to the spirits of deceased Jesuit missionaries. Even the living 1ishops assume the title " A god (or spirit) by imperial decree."
It is not true that God alone is worshipped and all the rest only reverenced ; for the distinction between latreia, hyperdoulia, and doulia, which Catholics like to insist on, is very rarely made in their Chinese books, one word being commonly used for all degrees of worship.
2. 'Phe .Doctrine of Redemption. Sin against God, requiring His forgiveness, of course is not known to Buddhism. But the necllssary misery of life may be more or less, according to one's evil or good deeds. Here comes in the value of merit, stored up on one's own account or transferred to another's credit on payment of money. The rich often hire women to recite rosaries and monks to say masses, the merit of which accrues to those who pay the money, or to the deceased whom they designate. This is the precise principle of papal masses for the dead.
In theory both religions emphasize asceticism, especially celibacy, as the path of highest virtue. Destroy desire, reduce life to its lowest terms. In practice the "religious" of each are very comfortable livers. The monks may even be drunkards, or opium smokers, or dissolute, and still retain good standing. Immorality does not involve excommunication, but only removal to some other field.
3. Eschatology. The Buddhist heaven is a later addition to the popular belief. But the interest of the people centres far more in the dreadful physical pains of hell, which are represented by images in the temples; and most of all in the state of the departed souls who are awaiting re-birth in the endless round of transmigration. Chinese Buddhist monks get immense sums for masses for the relief of these souls, just as the Catholic priests everywhere become very rich by the pretended release of souls from purgatory. Indulgences reduce the pains of the good Catholic, according to the amount of money paid. And millions of Buddhists toil up to famous moun. tain shrines and buy of the monks stamped cellificates wl,ich have a cash value of thousands of dollars when presented at the bank-in purgatory.
4. Doctrine of the Clturclt. No higher authority can be named than T. W. Rhys Davids, who says, in the Encyclopcedia Britannica: "In Thibet especially the development in doctrine was followed by a development in ecclesiastical government which runs so remarkably parallel with the development of the Romish hierarchy as to awaken an interest which could scarcely otherwise be found in the senseless and fatal corruptions which have oVE'rwhelmed the ancient Bnddhist beliefs." In China the ecclesiastical resE'mblance is l~ss than in Thibet. The Buddhist monks, with vows of celibacy and poverty, though lIot of obedience, are more like the begging friars than like the regular Catholic pliests. Yet in each case superhuman sanctity and merit nre supposed to reside in the person, robes, and office, and espeCially in the ceremonies performed; and such belief is enforced by pious frauds and lying wonders. In both Romanism and Buddhism, not the whole company of believers, but the clergy alone are the Church, holding all property and privileges, and so recognized by civil law.
5. The Doctrine of Public Worship. The ritual resemblances have been sufficiently indicated in the sentence quoted above from Sir Monier Williams.
6. Ethical Teaching. Here there is both likeness and contrast. Both systems condemn murder, stealing, lying, adultery, covetousness; but Buddhism is without any authorized system of casuistry by which, when desired, these offences may be regarded as very light and venial faults or eveu as virtues. That this is true of Romanism, and that a lax Jesuit morality has during the present century repeatedly received the highest official approval of the Catholic Church, no one will dispute who has studied in the impartial Encyclopcedia B1·itannica the articles" Probabilism" and "Liguori." One example is enough to quote here-the four sentences which any priest may suggest to an unfaithful wife, with any or all of which she may deceive her husband, without harming her own conscience. Buddhist ethics are defective; but Roman Catholic ethics, a strange mixture of truth and error, can hardly be described in terms too severe.
With these resemblances in doctrine, do papal and pagan systems tend to produce the same practical results 1 Again let Rhys Davids answer, "That the resemblance is not in externals only is shown by the present state of Thibet-the oppression of all thought, the idleness and corruption of the monks, the despotism of the government, and the poverty and beggary of the people." Buddhism in temperate Mongolia or torrid Siam, and Romanism in Canada or Mexico, in Ireland or Ecuador, are fairly judged by their fruits. Widely varying environments of race and climate do not prevent a marked sameness in moral re.'Ults. It would have been quite as pertinent to picture an Italian wedged under the column of Romanism as an Irishman.
EDUCATION AND EVANGELISM
I might give from various parts of China ana .Tapan such testimony as this in a letter from an experienced English missionary, " It is well known that the Roman Catholic people are not a whit better than outsiders. Some smoke opium, many gamble; they are not a bit better in morals than the heathen. Their Sabbath consists of mass soon after daybreak, after which they work as on other days. The priests arc ever ready to assist in lawsuits; in this and in financial aid lies the secret of what success they have."
The apparent ruling motive with the leaders of each system is love of gain. "No money, no worship" is as true in Buddhism as " no money, no sacraments" is in Romanism. The revenue of great estates does not satisfy. By systematic begging, by sale of masses, and by taxation or through political influence vast sums arc got from the public, and no account is given of how they arc spent.
In conclusion, no friend of missions can afford to neglect the study of this chapter in comparative religion. One of the best-known American missionaries, with a very successful experience of thirty years in China, said to me last year. in substance, "During the next fifty years our struggle will be not so much with Asiatic idolatry as with Romanism. "
EDUCATION AND EVANGELISM.
THE FREE CHURCH MISSIONS IN INDIA.
BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
It is known how predominently Scottish Presbyterianism in India, especially as represented by the Free Church of Scotland, has devoted itself to education, particularly to the higher education. It would be impossible that Presbyterianism could neglect this and, above all, that Scottish Preshyterianism could. That remarkable intellectual strength of the North British race, which before the Reformation led the French nobility to en· deavor always to secure Scottish tutors for their sons if they could, makes it impossihle that it should ever content itself with missions that are not deeply interwoven with knowledge of the world as it is-in other words, with the higher education. This was first brought more distinctly to our knowledge in this country when Dr. Duff made his great "iisit to us in 1853. Those of us who have had the privilege of being helped onward all our lives in our interest for missions by his wonderful eloquence can never have had any douht that the deepest and most central interest for the evangelization of India glowed ill the mind of the man who, with a far-sighted regard to the future, was content for awhile to forego the repute of large immediate fluccesses in order that in Christian education he might lay" the foundations of many generations. "
To this policy of a firm and large prosecution of the higher education, the Free Church of Scotland declares itsclf immovably resolved to adhere, as providentially determined for it from the beginning, as hallowed by the memories of Duff and his a!lsociates, as crowned with many noble results, and as peculiarly agreeable to the Scottish genius. And of the many eminent gentlemen, clergymen and laymen, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists and others, who have been consulted whether by the Established or by the Free Church, the great majority, as already shown in the REVIEW, heartily concur with the judgment of the Scottish churches themselves.
Nevertheless, the question has lately been moved in the Free Church at home, whether this prol'identially designated work of the higher education may not have been pursued with a disproportionate zeal, and whether the evangelistic side of missions, towards which the educational work ought always to tend, and from which it ought to be reinforced, may not have been unduly depressed. Accordingly, the Free Church of Scotland has sent out to India the Rev. Professor Lindsay, D.D., and the Rev. J. Fairley Daly, B.D., as a deputation to examine thoroughly every branch of the missions of the Chnrch in India, and to report accordingly. We wish to note the general results of their investigation.
The deputies begin with a cordial testimony to the work. "They have seen mission work growing and spreading out in every direction, a native church taking visible extent and increasing, devoting itself in some cases to hearty evangelistic work, and they have rejoiced to observe the beginnings of self-support. E"erywhere they have seen their missionaries enjoying the respect and confidence of the people among whom they are laboring, and their unselfish and devoted work appreciated by the most eminent and thoughtful members of the European and native official class." They say also: "Our mission work has vastly iucreased within the last forty years, and on one side has necessarily come in contact with the educational policy of the Indian Government. Our missionaries in the old days were accustomed to combine the evangelistic and the educational sides of our mission in a manner not possible now, owing to the pressure of the Government University and upper school systems, which has compelled them to concentrate their attention on the educational side, and to give an amount of time and strength to prepare their students for examinations which was not required in the earlier days. In former times one man could attend equally well to both sides of the work, but this is impossible now. We need one set of men to take the educational, and another to take the evangelistic side. " The Church years ago perceived this, and "during Colonel Young's Convenership much was done to increase the evangelistic side of the mission, and two resolutions of Committee attest the fact that the committee have had it in mind to cnrl, the educational Ride until the evangelistic bas been bronght into line with it." The deputation declares its sugge~ tions to be mainly in the line of this already determined policy of the Church. The deputation says: "We have been greatly impressed with the vast- ness of the missionary enterprise of our church in India, with the high po- sition almost universally accorded to our missionaries among their brethren of other missions, and with their devotion to the work given them to do by the Church." The Free Church, indeed, has in India not one miflsion, but four mission~, scattered over an area of 543,000 square miles~ and among a population of 12;,000,000. In Bengal, its centre, Calcutta, has a population of 872,000, commanding a population of 70,000,000, and a region of 193,000 square miles, almost as large as France. The South India Mission is centred in Madras, with 406,000 inhabitants, commanding a district of 141,000 square miles, with a population of 31,000,000. In the west the mission is centered in the twin capitals of Bombay and Poona, having a population respectively of 774,000 and 129,000, and commanding a region of 124,000 square miles, more than all Great Britain and Ireland, and a population of 16,500,000.' The Central India Mission, of Nagpur, and two outlying missions in Hyderabad and the Derar, make out the whole.
But this "astness of operation, while stimulating the imagination and increasing interest at home, has made it impossible to combine the work of the four: missions. There has been no esprit de corps. Help' given to one has done nothing for the others. They are in exact contrast to the concentrated and wonderfully successful work of the American Presby"' terian Mission of Lodiana, to say nothing of the Methodist Episcopal Mission around Bareilly, or the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Mission on the Khasi hills. The early Scottish missionaries, being bitterly opposed by· the authorities, were glad to find lodgments where they could. Later missionaries, since the tide of feeling has turned, have been at leisure to choose their strategic points in view of effectiveness and concentration. The deputies, however, after fuJI reflection, by no means advise withdrawal from any of the present centres. But they earnestly advise that new centres bo not opened, but men and money be given for the consolidation and development of the work at the centres already occupied.
The deputation regards the Free Church work as wisely cootred, like that of most of the missions, in great cities, but it finds less laudable that, beyond all others, it has been concentrated on them. Village and district work has not been neglected, but it has been too much subordinated, and wherever retrenchment was necessary it has usually been the country work that has suffered. The deputation expresses admiration of the self-denial which has led to the preference of the much harder work among" the large restless masses" of the great cities, but expresses a decided doubt whether this has always been guided by wisdom. At Bhandara, in Santalia, and at Chingleput (near Madras) the combination of country and city work has given a peculiar heartiness to the missions, which earnestly commends it to the forces at all the great city centres.
India, the deputation remark, is a mere geographical expression, co"- ering a perfect chaos of races, languages, creeds, social conditions, and degrees of civilization. No generalizations, therefore, can be ventured on without the most careful delimitation of meaning and application. And these varieties may be again included, though very inexactly, in three or four great categories. vVe must first set aside 50,000,000 Mohammedans, and six or seven millions of nondescript sects. Caste Hinduism, numbering perhaps 125,000,000, rests on a ba!;is of depressed castes, estimated at from forty to sixty millions. These again are surrounded by a ring of aboriginal tribes, which have no relation whatever to Hinduism. Of these, such as the Ghonds, the Santals, the Khasis, there are probably more than twenty millions. The Free Church l1as mainly worked within caste Hinduism. Those missions which have secured large numbers of converts have mainly labored among the depressed castes and the aboriginal tribes. These more numerous converts, a matter of great rejoicing in themselves, have as yet had little influence on Hindu society at large. Caste Hinduism has yielded few converts, but these few commonly men of great influence.
The main difference between high caste and deprflssed caste, or out-caste Hinduism is not so much religious as social. Hinduism, though having a curious pantheism as a common basis, has developed into the most widely divergent and, indeed, largely antagonistic variety of creeds. But the true castes put the caste above the family. The depressed castes put the family above the caste. Therefore, let a high-caste man be converted, and he is simply thrown out, and the wall closes up smooth behind him. But if an out-caste is brought in, he often brings in his family, and from that conversions not infrequently go on extending far out into the whole kindred community. Dr. Sheshadri's success in the Deccan, remark the deputies, is largely owing to this use which he knows how to make of the family as an indirect agency for propagating the Gospel. But within true Hinduism also, the deputies observe, family feeling (which in India is always intrinsically strong) 80emB to be asserting itself with growing strength against caste influences, and seems likely to become, as in thc lower strata, an important missionary agency.
As to the great qnestion of education versus direct evangelism, the deputies acknowledge that this problem, like all Indian problems, is exceedingly intricate. But they lay their general impressions before the Foreign Missions Committee.
Education, remarks the deputation, as a missionary agency may be regarded as a mcans chiefly of edification or chiefly of conversion-that is, it may chiefly be directed upon the successive generations of a Chris· tianized community, or upon the children of parents who are still heathen. The Scottish work has mainly occupied itself with the latter, and has too much neglected the former. It has done better by tIle daughters of Christians than by their sons. " It is certain tllat our Church, with all its educational work, does not use education as a means of upbuilding and consolidating our native Christian community in a way that many other missions do, an<l has undoubtedly mffered in eonsequel'ce." " To begin with, we must lay it down as a principle that the one ab- sorhing aim in all real mission work is to bring onr fellow-men to know Jesus Christ to be their Saviour, and to profess their faith in Him in bap- tism. . . . Therefore, in discussing the mission value of educational mis- sions, we must put aside all arguments drawn from the spread of humanitarian and civilizing idea~. These are welcome accompaniments, but, after all, the question is, Is all this educational work calculated to draw men to faith in .Tesus as their Saviour, and to a profession of that faith in baptism r'
As to this, the deputation remarks, the higher education must be given an important place among missionary agencies, if caste Hinduism is to be made an object of missionary effort. It is too much to say that only through this can high-caste or true-caste Hinduism (the Hinduism of Brahmans, Vaisyas, and Sudras) be wrought ul:>0n. But that great missionary authority, Bishop Caldwell, admits that, while few converts have come from caste Hinduism, these few have come from educational missions. And in the higher schools of the Free Church the overwhelming majority of the students (at Madras 83 per cent) are from high-caste Hinduism, although of late, especially in Bombay, there is an increasing proportion of Mohammedans.
Preparation is important in all missions, but supremely important among easte Hindus. The one unpardonable sin in Hinduism is that a man should act for himself. The caste is everything, the individual nothing, except within the caste. But for this very reason, when the leavening forces of Christian missions, one of the most potent of which is the higher education, have reached a certain point of advancement, the very disposition of castes to go or stay as a whole, is likely, as it now works against conversions, at some point in the future to work the other way. And although the deputies do nut say so, we suppose that what would be true of a whole caste might be sooner true of any large local section of a caste. Indeed, we judge that many, even of the true castes, are locally circumscribed.
Caste Hinduism is, in fact, seriously alarmed. The disintegrating infiuences of general British infiuence are great. But these are, above all, concentrated and brought to a determinate issue by missionary agencies, above all by Christian colleges, high schools, and zenana missions. That caste Hinduism feels itself gradually being undermined is generally allowed. It is comparatively indifferent as t.o whether the depressed castes and the aboriginal tribes are Christianized or not. But the manner in which it is bracing itself up now againRt Christian effort, founding Hindu high schoolR, denouncing zenana missions, forming Hindu tract societies of a singular virulence, and (like Julian befofll it) endeavoring to meet the Church at this point and that by heathen counterparts of herself, shows the seriousness of its alarm. This is not groundless, for it is common enough for caste Hindus to be found canvassing the possibilities of a general move- !TIent from Hinduism over to Christianity. The converts made by the high schools, though few, are precious. In themselves they are no more precious than other Rouls.. But they have far-reaching influence. "One of our educational converts," say the dep- uties, "has converted twelve hundred Mang j another has organized a splendid system of girls' schools at Mhdras, and has been able, by quiet, continuous work, to provide Christian schoolmistresses for every class; a third is a Jeading pleader in Calcutta, and the foremost Christian orator in Bengal-perhaps in India."
Nevertheless, direct conversions are no longer, as in the days of Dr. Duff, a frequent result of the higher education. Why!
(l) Formerly the only alternatives were gross Hinduism, with all its crudities and abominations, or Christianity. Rut there are now all manner of half-way houses, such as Brahmo Somaj. Prarthana Somaj, Arya Somaj, attempts to graft Christian morals on a Hindu stem. The same commixture of Christianity with all forms of heathenism and heathen philosophy, which in thc Roman Empire so long made head against the simple acceptance of the Gospel, is witnessed now in India. Hinduism is endeavoring, by all manner of concessions and accommodations and self-transmutations, to stave off the hour of the inevitable acknowledgment, "Thou hast conquered, 0 Galilean 1" And, as Principal Miller suggests, it may be with the Hindus, as to Hinduism, "a necessary part of the divine training that they shonld discover its futilities for themselves." Meanwhile, conversions from caste Hinduism are largely at a stay.
(2) The development of the government system of education makes necessary such a development in educational missions as, indeed, leaH'S unimpaired the attention to Bible study which, unless it be in Calcutta, is pursued thoroughly, and with genuine interest, by the non-Christian pupils, but largely takes away fro:o the educational missionaries their old times of leisure for quiet personal talks with the students.
(3) If the government standard is not to be maintained in the missionary schools, the government subventions would collapse in proportion to the resulting shrinkage in the number of pupils-a reduction of means that cannot be confronted without ample deliberation as to all that it involves.
" If our educational agency is to produce its full results it must be supplemented by an evangelistic agency working side by side, and in visible connection with it. Weare afraid that we must confess that our Church has not thoroughly faced this evangelistic work, and it must be prepared to face it and go through with it before the full fruits of her educational work can be gathered in." The deputies insist that every college centre ought to be also an evangelistic centre, and that although there should be an evangelistic missionary, who should act as a superintendent, having subordinate to him a whole force of vernacular workers, of various degrees of cultivation, yet neither side of the work can dispense with the presence in the evangelistic branch of it, in greater or less measure, of the educational missionaries. While fully maintaining the permanent importance of the high school., and colleges of the Church, the deputies declare: " We have no hesitation in saying that our Church is spending an amount upon the higher education which is out of all proportion to its present resources." In Calcutta they think that the college of the Established Church of Scotland ought to suffice for both, and that the cost of four of the high schools ought to be trans- ferred to the evangelistic side. How many high schools there are we are not quite sure, as the accounts of the four missions are given with tru~ British exhaustivtlness and confusedness, but we believe we have hunted out ten. This would be a reduction, indeed, in the second grade of in- ~truction. Poona has ceased to be an educational mission, and they recommend that it be kept up as an evangelistic mission, especially as its excellent climate makes it a good foothold from which to resume the long-abandoned work on the Konkan, or table-land abutting on the eastern wall of the "Vestern Ghauts.
The deputation is also dccidedly of opinion that the Church has far too many non-Christian teachers in her schools. The public service i~ much more remunerative-gives assured position, good social prestige, and a retiring pension. Bnt the deputies remark that those missions which arfl careful to provide boarding-schools for Christian boys as well as girls, are much less embarrassed to find Christian teachers.
They lament also that the educational missionaries, absorbed as they are in their English teaching, have no time to master the vernaculars, and therefore are at arm's length from all except the educated natives of European culture. Instead of gidng, like the American Board, two years to learn a native language, the Free Church seems to give no time at all. And Indian languages, say the missionaries, are not to be mastered by the way.
The deputies have also had occasion to consider the question of cheap miSSIOns. They designate as the type of such the China Inland Mission, where remuneration is small, but the European are twice as numerous as the native workers. On the other hand, in the Church of Scotland Mission at Darjeeling or Kalimpong, the missionary is paid a comparatively high salary, but is at the head of twenty or thirty evangelists. He thus " co,'ers a larger extent of ground, does more thorough work, and gets into closer connection with the people than a number of Europeans, who have no staff of native evangelists, can possibly do. He and his native evangelists cost the Church at home a great deal less money and do a great deal better work than a number of Europeans paid at a much lower rate could do." They therefore do not advise a reduction of salaries, nor a depression of the powerful evangelizing influence of the Christian family by tho employment of many unmarried men. At the same time, they admonish Scottish Christians of means, that in India there is a glorious opportunity for them to serve Christ at their own charges. They wish to know why women should volunteer in this way and men not.
They think, now that the government is doing so much for the WEldica,l, relief of the people that medical missions ought only to be maintained where they are distinctly needed, in the remoter districts, and that they should be made distinctly and effectively evangelistic, or given up as not within the range of the Church's work:.
The Madras Mission is much the most effective of the four educational missions of the Free Church, and its Christian college is pre-eminent in India, and at the same time the evangelistic work is much the best developed there. Yet there also the Scotchmen know but little of the Tamil.
The Santalia Mission is entirely different, being among an aboriginal tribe, and not differing particularly from other evangelistic missions of this kind.
This report has been submitted to tho judgment of the missionaries themselves, who have oriticised it with great pungenoy. They differ from it, however, rather in relative emphasis than in substance. They think that the deputies have kept the opponents of the educational work too much in view, and have been needlessly, and somewhat humiliatingly, deprecatory in their tone over against them. They think that they have made it appear too much as if the fornI of the Scottish work was determined by early obstacles to other forms of work, whereas it was laid out from the beginning with full consciousness of a providential call, and has been (however restricted here and there by obstacles) steadily followed up ever since in the same consciousness, having been largely normative for other missions. They think, moreover, that government pressure has much less to do with the rise of the educational standard than the healthy pressure of a growing public demand.
The missionaries themselves dosire, and have long urged, a large extension of evangelistio work. But they hold it agreeable to the providential vocation of the Free Church that this should be mainly not.in regions where caste Hinduism is weak, but in those where it is strong, and where, oonsequently, the number of conversions, even under the most faithful and immediate evangelistio effort, is likely for a long time to come to be comparatively small. In other words, they hold that while some missions have been well guided to work along the lines of least resistance, the Soottish missions have been speoifically called to work along lines of greater resistance. And undoubtedly the Soottish character shows at its best in continuous stress of effort against formidable difficulties.
The Rev. A. Andrew, of the valuable evangelistic station Chingleput, Madras Presidency, which the deputies have peouliarly commended, bears witness to the report as of exceedingly great value, but decidedly disagrees with it in one point-namely, in its apparent assnmption that the higher education only can reach oaste Hinduism. He points out that Bishop Caldwell does not say that the few caste converts have been the fruit of the higher schoo);., hut have been the fruit of mission schools. The higher education can reach bnt a fraction of the higher oaste~, and primary educa- "tion is an indispensable adjunct of evangelization among all the castes /lnr!
A PLEA FOR MEDICAL MISSIONS
ttibes. "In our Chingleput Mission we preach to thousands of Brahmans and other high castes as regularly and faithfully as to the low castes, and await the outpouring of God's Spirit on our labors. The testimony we give to the power of Christian truth in our rural mission is just as valuable as that given in mission colleges. The American Arcot Mission and other rural missions conduct the work, so far as I know, on the same lines." Mr. Andrew, therefore, thinks that the indefinitely large development of evangelistic work in the country districts (a work which has been starved in the past) is the next forward step lying before the Free Church of Scotland.
The Santal missionaries make one mihl criticism-namely, that the conversion of the aLorigines and of the out-castes is by no means so ineffective on caste Hinduism as the deputies seem to think. And, indeed, it is hard to see how the proudest castes could very long resist the influence of fifty or sixty millions of the humbler classes, if these were regenerated and elevated by Christianity. Hindu religion and Hindu language have both been influenced through and through by the aborigines when in a lower grade, and why not when they begin to ascend ~ But, after all abatements of criticism, it is evident that the general judgment, in India and in Scotland, is expressed by A. H. L. Fraser, Esq., of the Bengal Civil Servicc, who declares his" respect and admiration for the great pains, thc unwearying labor, the candid investigation that must have combined to produce, after so short a pcriod, so elear and generally accurate a view of the subject-matter of that report."
The Foreign Missions Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, having maturely weighed both the report and the criticisms passed upon it, has taken action substantially in agreement with its recommendations, and, in particular, has decided" still to limit to the present amount the resources spent on the educational institutions, and to devote to the evangelistic side whatever increase lllay be received and any saving that lDay be e:ffected with educational work, without detriment to its efficiency."
In other words, the Future is still to be kept steadily in view, but the Present ig no longer to be so much overlooked as in the past.
A PLEA FOR MEDICAL MISSIONS.
BY CLARENCE THWING, M.D.
The work of missionary physicians in foreign lands has been growing very rapidly of late. Introduced about fifty years ago as an adjunct to the preaching of the Gospel, it has by steady strides come to be in Ulany places the most successful pioneer work of missiuns. At the present time there are about three hundred medical missionaries, while twenty-eight years ago there were less than a score, and ten years later not more than forty * in all lands. Nearly every well-equipped mission now has one or more physicians constantly engaged in medical work; and not a few ordained clergymen have also a medical education and give a part of their time to attending the sick and digpensing medicines, particularly in their travels from one station to another.
The reasons for the rapid development of this branch of missionary enterprise and its present recognition as a prime factor in mission work are few but forcible. Iu accounting for thc success already attained by medical missions, we shall necessarily state the reasons for a still greater enlargement of the work and for the more hearty support of this very important department of onr Christian propaganda.
First, we IIave in the Scripture'S a divine warrant for medical as well as spiritual work in evangelistic operations. This is found in the example of both our Lord and His disciples. Jesus, the" Great Physician," cared for the body as well as the soul. Many instances are recorded of His healing the sick and arresting disease. His ministry'was spent in " preaching the Gm;pel and healing all manner of sickness" (Matt. 4 : 23). Moreover, He commissioned Hi,; twelve disciples and" other serenty also" both to "preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick" (Luke 9 : 1, 2, e ; 10 : 1, 8, 9). Thus the three orders of the first Christian ministry were aU engaged in a medical mission. In the third order, corresponding somewhat to our lay evangelists, the medical work was given the precedence, although joined with preaching (Luke 10 : 9), just as in the labors of the missionary physicians of to-day.
If anything further than the example of our Saviour were needed to show the divine sanction of healing as well as preaching by missionaries, we have, with the final command of Christ-" Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature"-the prophecy and promise of witnessing signs, among which is this: "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16 : 15-18).
Since, then, the wisdom and providence of God thougilt it well, for the glory of His name and the spread of His kingdom, that the preaching of spiritual truth should be accompanied by a ministry of physical benefits and the relief of bodily needli, should we not also unite these ministrations ~ The history of missions shows that where such union of effort exists we have far greater snceess than any achieved by preaching alone.
Second, the instincts of humanity and Christian fraternity move us to send the benefits of medical science with those of the Christian religion to our brethren in foreign lands. The science of medicine has made such advances in Western nations during the last century that we do not realize that in many of the most thickly populated Eastern countries there is almost no medical science, and those who profess to practise the art of healing are ignorant of the very principles of medicine, and are often mountebanks * Vide" Dr. Christlieb ell :MedIcal Missions~' in MISSIO~ARY REVIEW, August, 188l. and conjurers. The methods of treating injuries and disease are often barbarous in the extreme; and when sickness is not allowed to take its course by neglect, the suffering is sadly aggravated by careless or improper attentions, if not by positive cruelty. The reports frequently sent to us by those in mission fields concerning the destitution, ignorance, and suffering of thousands who are without proper medical treatment and often with no treatment at ali, should touch our hearts and lead to greater generosity (even to the point of sacrifice, which is seldom reached) in the matter of sending the help and helpers, the medicines and men that we can so easily spare in our own enlightened larrd.
It is well, in tbis connection, to recall the story of the" Good Samaritan," and our Lord's commendation of his neighborly and humane action in giving medical aid to the stranger of a different country and religious belief, whom he found in distress. The precept following this parable is one we should apply to ourselves: "Go, and do thou likewise" (Lukc 10 : 37). The Scriptures also teach us that ministry of whatever kind to our needy fellows is regarded in God's sight as service rendered directly to Him: "Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me" (Matt. 25 : 40). But if we had not this promised recognition of our Lord, the promptings of humanity and natural sympathy ought to impel u~ to offer to the sick and suffering, wherever found, a balm and cordial for the body as well as the soul.
The unselfishness and true friendliness shown in giving such succor and relief appeal most forcibly to the hearts of many whom we could not otherwise reach. They respond to our humanity when not to our piety. By exhibiting in a practical, helpful way our brotherly feeling for them, we secure an answering affection and respect which efforts at proselyting alone would never meet. Convinced of the generous regard of brother men, they are prepared to know and love the" friend that sticketh closer than a brother. "
Third, as an evidence of Christianity and an example of Christian beneficence, medical missions deserve a foremost place in our scheme of evangelization, and should be undertaken in all lands where suffering or diseased bodies are found with unsaved or misguided souls. Our religion should be shown to be a practical one-not simply a matter of faith, but also of good works. VV-e need to teach not only the doctrines of truth, but also the virtues of holiness. It must be explained that belief in a divine Saviour and acceptance of personal salvation are not all of Christianity ; that our religion is not for individual benefit alone; but that" faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone," and that" by works is faith made perfect" (James 2 : 17, 22). This is a lesson we have not well learned ourselves, and we cannot properly 'teach it unless our example is in harmony with our precept. There is no better way of teaching to the heathen the Christian charity that "seeketh not her own" than by practising it, and we cannot bettcr instruct them in Christian b~neficence than by a living exhibition of it. No morc convincing proof of the divine origin and truth of our rehgion can be given to unbelievers than the benevolent instituticn·; which it has established everywhere. The actual demonstration of whllt Christianity seeks to do and does for the temporal and material welfare of mankind is a potent argument in favor of its introduction. What benefit will be more readily sought than relief from bodily pain? AnJ what more welcome than freedom from exhausting disease ~ A tree that will bear such fruit will find grateful soil for its transplanting.
Experience has proved the efficacy of medical work in the spread of missions. It has placed thousands of people who were (or might otherwise have been) enemies of the missionaries under obligations to them which are long remembered, and whieh are often the motives for friendly assistance and the saving of life and property in times of peril. Many instances might be given to illustrate the friendly feelings awakened and antagonisms conquered by the quiet, generous, self-sacrificing labors of medical missionaries, but ~pace will not permit them to be quoted here.
Fourth, as the direct pioneer of the Gospel aud one of the most efficient aids to the Christian preacher, the medical missionary deserves our earnest sympathy and support. The efforts for bodily relief are undertaken as preparatory for and subsidiary to the higher work of saving the soul. A service to the physical man having been rendered, the spiritual wants are described and the source of divine help pointed out. The specific for spiritual maladies is prescribed with the remedies for physical ills. Patients are taught that their eternal interests are greater than the temporal, and they are directed to the" Great Physician," who will cleanse them from the leprosy of sin, open their eyes to the knowledge of the truth, save them from the pains of future punishment, and redeem their souls from eternal death. While failure may attend the most intelligent and faithful efforts of the human helper, and bodily ailments may be incurable by medical science, yet the assurance is given that, " He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him" (Reb. 7 : 25), and "The Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither Ris ear heavy, that it cannot hear" (Isa. 59 : 1). Many thousands every year CQme to the mission hospitals and dispensaries, and many ~ore are treated by the medical missionary in his country tours, who would not in any other way be brought in contact with Christian teachers, and to all alike are presented the story of the cross and message of salvation. The time and labors given for physical relief are well spent, though they be in some cases futile in recovering bodily health, provided they are the means of bringing darkened minds into the light of truth and of securing the gift of eternal life to souls which would otherwise be lost.
Admitting the value and duty of medical missions, there remains the question, Row may the cause be advanced and its usefulness multiplied 1 First-to answer briefly-by larger financial support for the work already undertaken and in operation. Second, by increasing the circulation of missionary intelligence, and awakening further interest in the subject. Third, by more frequent and earnest prayer, both individual and united. Fourth, by educating Christian young men and women to recognize the claims of the work upon them and the opportunity and privilege of engaging in it. Fifth, by giving a thorough training, both medical and spiritual, theoretical and practical, to those who offer themselves for service and those who intend to do so but arc yet employed in preparatory study. * There are not wanting many encouragements in the prosecution of medical missions, and the outlook is a hopeful one ; but there is room for all to help. The present is a time of particular nflcessity ; the fields are" white already to harvest," and" the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few j pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers" (Luke 10 : 2). The difficulty now is not so much to find consecrated laborers as to secure the means to " send forth" those who are ready to go. Let us all have a part in answering our own prayers.
In closing, it is fitting to repeat the words of a veteran missionary physician, Dr. J. G. Kerr, of Canton, China, who writes: "Itis no doubt a source of gratification to all missionaries-it is certainly so to us, who are among the older medical missionaries-to see the churches at home awaking to the great importance of medical missions, not only as a means of relieving suffering and saving human life, but of aiding in the evangelization of heathen lands, and we hail the addition of so many noble young men and women to this department of mission work as evidence that Christianity, with its blessings, is being offered to those nations which hitherto have not enjoyed them, in the manner best calculated to secure their acceptance "
We gladly welcome from that Prince of Missionary Biographers, George Smith, LL.D., of Edinburgh, Scotland, the following paper on " The Free Church of Scotland's Twenty-Seven Medical Missionaries-Men and Women." – [EnIToR. ] DR. DAVID H. P.A'fERSON'S EARLY WORK IN MADRAS.
Dr. Smith says: More than a generation ago, or in the year 1856, the Free Church of Scotland unitcd with the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society in sending out to Madras Dr. D. H. Patcrson, F.R.C.S.E. From the Medical Mission House, he was enabled, during sixteen years of incessant toil, to spread the rays of Gospel light and healing all around. He tended the souls and bodies of some 43,000 poor natives every year. He sent forth twelve educated nativcs, from all missions, to be medical missionaries in their own districts. His wife and he won an entrance into * This latter work has been undertaken iu a limited way by the International Medical Missionary Society of New York, of which Dr. George D. Dowkontt is the Superintendent. By means of a Training Institution (at 118 E. 45th Street) and several city mission dispensaries, students are educate1 in practical evangelical work as well as equipped with m~dical experience before going to tbe field. The society is doing a good work; it is carried on faithfully and economically, and deserves hearty support. native households from which all but the physician was excluded. He died of abundant labors in 1871. Himself son of Dr. Chalmers's" Missionary of Kilmany," he has given his eldest son, Dr. Alexander Paterson, to the Church's medical work in the Keith-Falconer Mission III South Arabia. Dr. D. H. Paterson was succeeded by Dr. William Elder, and he, for a time, by one of the native medical missionaries, Rev. T. K. Itty. The Free Church of Scotland purchased all the buildings, added to them, and made the mission its own. Now it has come to be worked by the first woman medical missionary sent out by the Ladies' Society, Dr. Matilda Macphail. She is likely to be joined by Dr. Janet Hunter, of the same Society; that, the two helping each other in the missionary work, the mission may go on in full strength, notwithstanding occasional sickness and furlough. This Tamil Medical Mission has borne rich spiritual fruit in the two native congregations of Rayapooram, the busy railway suburb which is its centre, one Tamil and one Eurasian.
DR. DUFF'S EARLIER WORK IN BENGAL. WORK IN CHINA.
The founding of this cnterprise in 1855 was not the first attempt of our missionaries to use the Lord's method of healing as a door into His kingdom. Twenty years before that, in 1834, Dr. Alexander Duff induced government to give his ablest students-Brahmans, till conTersion-the full medical training which has ever since sent a large nnmber of our best native Christians into the Indian Medical Service as army and civil surgeons and medical professors. The story of the first efforts to get Brahmans t6 dissect the human body, as told in our first missionary's" Life," reads like a romance (vol. i., chap. 8). That was the beginning of medical missions in India, just fifty-five years ago. Here, in this as in all missionary methods, Dr. Carey had been first-his colleague, Dr. Thomas, having in 1790, when surgeon in an East Iudiaman, begun to heal the sick as well as to preach to the sinful Bengalees. But that was long a solitary case. In 1740 the Moravians had sent five medical men to Persia, but unsuccessfully. In 1798 Dr. Vanderkemp, a physician, was a missionary in South Africa. With their more free medical system the Americans of the United States took up the policy, but by 1849 there were only twelve medical missionaries in all the non-Christian world, chiefly in China and Syria. Now there are four hundred, and every year sees an addition to the number. China, however, has the distinction of being the earliest scene of medical mission work, steadily developed. Dr. T. R. Colledge, when in Macao as an East India Company's surgeon, in 1827 began those Christ like labors among the poor, and especially the blind, which Chinnery has immortalized in a famous picture. The Rev. Dr. P. Parker, who had done medical mission work in Singapore in 1831), and in Canton, was the first to give an impetus to the whole· Evangelical Church in this matter, when his visit to Edinburgh resulted in the godly and skilled physicianA there establishing its MedicalMissionary Society. Now, besides that valuable agency, under Rev. J. Lowe, F.RC.S.E., for training medical missionaries side by side with the university and medical schools, there are three other training institutions-Dr. J. L. Maxwell's, 104 Petherton Road, London, N.; Dr. G. D. Dowkontt's, 118 East Forty-fifth Street, New York; and Rev. Dr. Valentine's, Agra.
WOMEN BECOME QUALIFIED MEDICAL MISSIONARIES.
This third step was the greatest. Long opposed by the teaching and licensing bodies in the United Kingdom, Christian women, yearning to relieve the misery, spiritual and bodily, of the millions of their sisters in the East, by teaching them of Christ the Healer, were dtiven to America or Switzerland for training. Of the women missionaries sent out by America, no nobler has lived and died for the women and children of India than Mary Seelye, M.D. She worked alone in the vast population of Calcutta, and the gigantic work killed her in the midst of her success. The same fate befell other solitary and unaided workers-establishing the lesson that it is more true of womeu than of men, and more true of medical than of other missionaries, that they must go forth at least two and two.
In the year 1860 Mrs. George Smith began to reside in the famous Bengal town of Serampore. Soon the jealously-guarded homes (zenanas) of the best Hindu families were open to her, and, aided by the municipality and the Baptist missionaries, she opened girls' schools for the poorer families. What she took up as a work of Christian vernacular education, sad experience led her to develop into a medical mission also to women, so far as that was possible without a fully qualified co-worker. What she witnessed, and often in vain tried to relieve, can be told only to women, but our Ladies' Society published these sentences from her pen on her return to Scotland : " The women of Great Britain would stare if they saw what we have seen. A woman of gentle birth kept apart with her new-born infant for a whole month, in a small chamber, with only a grating for a window, and , laid on a damp floor-a small fire in one corner, and no chimney !
,"A lady doctor, who was alone in her mission, felt it almost impossible to attend native women at the birth of their children, from the repulsive practices which prevail. . •. A son was born in a zenana to which I had access, and as it was a first-born, one would suppose that as much honor as possible: would be done the poor mother, who was only fourteen years of age. But she was kept apart in the damp little room, laid on the floor, and she and her babe were looked at only through the grating. Even her husband dare not touch her, nor his son j anyone so touching them would at once become impure.
" Need the people of this country wonder at the importunity of those who know that these thingl!! are-at their anxiety that teachers should be sent out to clear the minds of our poor Eastern sisters from the misti of prejudice and heathenism 1"
The writer gave up her little leisure to plead for the 127,000,000 of women in India that they might have Christian physicians of their own sex. She, bfling dead, yet speaketh. Great has been the progress since 1860, and even since 1876 when these words first appeared. In a paper on" Women's Work in the Mission Field,." read at the London Missionary Conference in 1888, Miss A. Marston, M.D., of the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission, made the following statement: "Of the sixty female practitioners on the English medical register, ten have given themselves to the work of foreign missions." That is only the beginning. Already the number is increased, and soon will be doubled.
THE QUEEN-EMPRESS AND THE MARCHIONESS OF DUFFERIN'S ASSOCIATION.
Because there were none to attend a Hindu woman in sickness save immoral native quacks, the Maharani of Panna, still the great diamondbearing state of Ceutral India, contracted a long and painful disease. An Englishwoman, a medical missionary, was the means of curing her, and when going home on, furlough took a ilhort letter from this Hindu feudatory queen to the Queen-Empress Victoria, petitioning Her Majesty to provide a remedy. Dr. Murdoch thus tells the story: "The letter was put into a small gold locket, which the lady was to wear round her neck till she gave it into the hands of the queen. An interview was granted, and the tender heart of Her Majesty was touched_ She sent a kind reply to the Maharani, and Lord Dufferin could say at a public meeting in Calcutta, ' In endeavoring to launch a scheme for the improvement of the medical treatment of the women of India, we are fulfilling the special injunction of Her Majesty the Queen. Lady Dufferin's first work was a careful survey of the field and consideration of plans. In August 1885 an association was formed to promote the following objects: 1. Medical tuition. 2. Medical relief. 3. The supply of trained female nurses. "
Lady Aitchison, after whom the Women's Hospital in Lahore is named, and others, took up the scheme in' each of the Provinces of India. The Marchioness of Lansdowne is now at its head. All classes of the natives have subscribed a sum, which is invested to the equivalent of £55,000.
"Five lady doctors and a nurse have been obtained from England. About two hundred young women are being educated in the medical colleges of India, a number of them maintained by the branches of the Association. There are twelve female hospitals and fifteen dispensaries more or less aided. Classes have been formed for the training of female nurses.
" One rule of the Association has been qtxestioned by some. Religious neutrality is to be observed by its agents. It was felt that the work: wa, of such magnitude that it could be carried out effectually only by the cooperation of native princes. Municipalitiq,s include Hindus and Muhammadans. Government officers would also feel unwilling to connect themselves with a missionary agency. One result is that large donations havc been made by non-Christians. The Hindu high priest of Tripati, a large temple near Madras, has offered two scholarships for hospital assistants, two gold medals, two scholarships for female nurses, beside other help.
" Indirectly, Christian Missions are benefited. Indian women, at present, trust mainly to charms and other superstitious ceremonies for the cure of disease. Successful treatment by medicine alone will help to dissipate such belief.
" The Christian Vernacular Education Society is co-operating as far as possible in the work which Lady Dufferin 80 zealously commenced. Its , Ranitary Primer,' with a few omissions, has been adopted by the Association as the most suitahle for diffusing an elementary knowledge of t.he laws of health. The Society has also published simple treatises on Childbirth, the Health of Children, and Sanitary Reform, which are having an encouraging circulation. "
RAPID EXTENSION OF MEDICAL MISSIONS BY THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
The necessity is the greater that the Church of Christ, as such, should do its duty. In 1855 we began with Dr. David H. Paterson at Madras; in 1891 we find that the one medical missionary has increased to twentyseven. Our medically qualified mi8sionaries are: Rev. William M. Alexander, B.Sc., M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Bombay, India; Rey. William Carslaw, M.D., Glasgow, Syria; Rev. J. Kerr Cross, M.B., GM., Gla8gow, Livingstonia, Central·Africa; Rev. James Dalzell, B.D., M.B., C.M., Natal, South Africa; Rev. J. A. Dyf'r, L.Re.p., and S. Edinburgh, Santalia, India; W. A. Elmslie, M. B., C. M., AlJerdeen,
PAUL THE MISSIONARY
Living8tonia, Central Africa; Wiliiam Gunn, LR. C.P., and S. .n:dinburgh, Futuna, New Hebrides; Rev. R. Eannington, M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Constantinople ; l~ev. George Hem'y, M.A., M.B., C.M., Aberdeen, Livingstonia, Central Africa; J. B. Henderson, M.B., C.M., Madras, India; Rev. R. Laws, M.A., M.D., Aherdeen, F.R.G.S., Livingstonia, Central Africa; Adolf Lippner, M.D., Buda-Pest, Europe; Alexander Paterson, M.B., C.M., Edinburgh, Keith-Falconer Mission, South Arabia; Rev. Alexander Robertson, M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Nagpoor, Central India; Rev. J. Sandilands, M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Bandhara, Central India; Rev. J. Stewart, M.D., C.M., Glasgow, F.R.G.S., Lovedale, Souih Africa; D. W. Torrance, M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Tiberias, Palestine j W. Walker, M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Conjevaram, South India.
WOMEN.
Janet Hunter, M.D., Brussels, L.R.C.P. and S., Glasgow, to be appointed to Madras; Matilda Macphail, L.R.C. P. and S., Glasgow, Madras, South India; Agnes E. Henderson, M.D.
StUdying for Full Qualification.
Ladv from India, in Edinburgh and Leith; two other ladies.
NATIVES OF INDIA.
Not yet Qualified in British Sense.
Lazarus Abraham, Tanna, India: Rev. T. K. Itty, Madras, India j J. Nanji Kotak, L.M. and S., of Grant College, Bombay, India; T. Khisti, Bombay, India; James M. Macphail, M.A., Glasgow, Santalia, India; Dugald Revie, Glasgow, probably Livingstonia, Central Africa; A. G. Mowat, M.B., C.M., Glasgow j Dr. Fotheringham, M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Livingstonia; Rev. G. Steele, M.B., C.M., Glasgow, Livingstonia.
The Church has enjoyed the services of the late Dr. Robson in Calcutta, of Dr. Young in Bombay, of Dr. Cowen in South Arabia, of Dr. Weir in South Africa, of Miss Waterston, M.D., in Central and South Africa, and others. It has gladly sent not a few of its best sons to the missions of the Church Missionary Society, like the lamented Elmslie in Kashmir, and John Smith, Lake Nyanza; of the Presbyterian Church of England in China; of the United Presbyterian Church in Manchuria, and of the London Missionary Society in several lands.
For every living, and therefore missionary church, rejoices to remember that the Lord Jesus Christ, in proof of His power to utter the sweetest words ever heard by man, Thy sins be forgiven thee, ~dded, Arise and walle.
PAUL THE MISSIONARY.
BY REV. JOHN ROSS, MOOKDEN, MANCHURIA.
It is a cause for thankfulness that the church atmosphere is resounding with theories as to the best modes of evangelizing the world, for this indicates on the part. of the Church of Christ an acknowledged sense of responsibility. But it seems to me strange that in the world-wide proclamation of some popular theones, the missionary chapters of the New Testament appeal as if expurgated from the Bibles of many who have at heart the in- terests of the kingdom. -Where the influence and lives of the workers ana the spiritual well being of untold multitudes are at stake, it is surely a paramount duty to investigate, ~o understand and, as far as practicable aud wise, to imitate the example of those who initiated the work of evangelizingthe world. It is my desire in this paper to briefly examine, for the consideration of all earnest Christian people, the missionary career of the Apostle Paul. This task is the less difficult because the history of his career, as far as it was under the guidance of his own free will and judgment, is contained in nine chapters of the Acts, beginning with the 18th and concluding in the 21st.
Persecution drove from Jerusalem many Christians, who fled as far as Phenice in the north and Cyprus in the south. Preaching where they went, many of them made a favorable impression not upon Jews only, but upon Gentiles also. Some believers were originally from Antioch, and on their compulsory return spoke to Jew and Gentile of the way of life. The wonderful results stupefied the Church which had remained in Jerusalem, and Barnabas, as a well-tried Hellenist, was sent to examine and report. Learning what kind of men they were who became believers, and what sort of men opposed the movement, he went to Tarsus to find out and bring with him, as best adapted for the work, his former friend Saul, who was apparently living in retirement. How long the two men preached in Antioch we know not, but the time was long enough to prove their incomparable superiority to all the other preachers. This pre-eminence was the reason why they were selected (Acts 13) as the first Apostles to go to the " regions beyond."
Through Seleucia and Cyprus, where the Gospel had been already proclaimed, they simply passed on, and called a halt only when they got to Antioch, in Pisidia. Long and plainly did Paul speak in this place, reasoning with the people and fully expounding to them the truth. So great was the concourse of people to hear him on the following Sabbath that envious Jews drove him out of the city.
Driven from Antioch, the preachers made their way to Iconium, where they remained a considerable time preaching and explaining, till they were compelled to abandon the city. At Lystra they created a great sensation, which ended in Paul being left for dead from stoning by the enraged citizens. Having recovered, he retraced his steps, strengthening the hearts and more fully enlightening·the understanding of the believers.
After the question of circumcision, which threatened to create a rupture in the church, was settled in a common-sense manner by mutual concession, Paul and Barnabas separated over a dispute regarding a third colleague. Each took the man of his own choice, and Paul went through Syria, passing, as formerly, through the places where the Gospel had been preached, by the way strengthening and instruct.ing the believers, so that these ~ight be the better able to push forward the work in their own neighbor- hood. He rested only when he crossed over into Europe and arrived in Philippi, whither the Gospel had not yet penetrated. There he sought out those anxious to lead a better life, and continued his public preaching till serious maltreatment threatened his life.
From Thessalonica the animosity of the Jews compelled him to a speedy Hight. The people in Berea were more liberal and ready to listen to Paul's arguments. But jealous orthodoxy pursued and drove him away. Thence he went to Athens, where he encountered the Greek philosophers, whose contemptuous treatment sent him on to Cormth, where he remained for a lengthened period. A tumult there made him again a wanderer. Passing through Ephesus at that time, he returned to it and baptized twelve believ. ers. For three months he continned arguing from tho Scriptures that Jesns was the· Messiah, till orthodoxy closed the synagogue ngainst him. But a school was thrown open to him, where he daily discour"iJd for so long a time that all the people in the city knew somewhat of the doctrine and its preachers. After a brief absence, though anxious to go to Jerusalem and Rome, he went back to Ephesus, where a great uproar terminated his stay. Still eager to ilIlpart some further instruction, Ilnd because from his urgency, to depart for .Terusalem he was unable to go in person, he sent for the elders to confer with them at the port of Miletns. In this last discourse he informed them that he had declared to them the" whole counsel of God," which in modern language means that he had passed them through a theological course.
After his hurried journey to Jerusalem, he was no longer a free agent, but went where his soldier-keepers led him. Though his subsequent history is, therefore, a magnificent example of enthusiastic preaching ~f the Gospel in the most trying circumstances, it does not, beyond his epistles, show us the principles of action and the methods of work which his unfettered will would have suggested. "Ve have enough, however, in this summary to learn (1) the kind of agent, (2) the form of itineracy, and (3) the style of preaching which were considered the best, and which turned out the most successful in Apostolic times.
1. The agent was the man already proved to be the best in the Church -the best spiritually, intellectually, lind educationally. This" best" man did not go of his own accord. He was called to the work and" sent" by the Church. Now, the work of preaching the Gospel in China is more difficult than any the Apostle Panl had to undertake. He had learned Hebrew at his mother's knee. In the celebrated Rchools of Tarsus, with their famous stoics, he hau become familiar with Greek thought, literature, and language. And he whose father was a Roman citizen, and who lived in a Roman settlement, could not well have been ignorant of Latin. Whatever, therefore, the meaning of the gift of tongues, it did not signify in Paul's case the miraculous possession of a llitherto unknown· Janguage ; for from Arabia in the east to Rome in the west Paul did not preach in any place where some one of these three languages was not well and generally understood. He did not require to spend weary months in learning a new language before communicating Christian truth to a strange people, though his reception at Athens proved his Greek pronunciation not unimpeachable. He was not compelled to wade through a ponderous and foreign literature, nor patiently to wait to learn the manners and opinions of a people in order to ascertain their special mental and spiritual views. His early education and his knowledge of those languages enabled him at once to address an audience as if they had been old acquaintances. Let the Church learn the lesson proclaimed by this trumpet voice. God demands your best, as He did of the Jews. The beast with a flaw was not to be offered on the altar. The man with a blemish was not to become a priest.
2. The itineracy of Paul differed toto cwlo from the itineracy now recommended by many good people. Paul" itinerated" through all the places where the Gospel was known. But in places where the Gospel had not been preached he remained for days, weeks, months, and even years, till he was driven away by attempts on his life. To impart a knowledge of what Paul considered essential truth required not a few lessons, but the preaching and teaching of years. The lesson from this characteristic of Paul should be seriously pondered both by missionaries and all interested in mission work, and especially in China, which presents a field far more difficult than any in which Paul labored. A racing over the ground and a few addresses in a place which is then abandoned, is a mere waste of men, of labor, and of time. You must" teach" the people to " know," or your labor is in vain. Captain Bobadil's plan will convert China after it has destroyed the nrmies of France. Itineracy in a Christian country, where even unbelievers are theoretically well acquainted with Christian truth, is one thing; in China, where its elements are unknown, quite a different thing.
3. Paul had no particular form of sermon. He had no tricks of speech or manner, no craving for popularity. He first of all learned the mental and spiritual condition of his hearers, and adapted what he had to say to their knowledge and wants.· This is what he signified when he wrote of " taking people by guile." It is unnecessary to dwell upon the versatility of his mind, as shown in the manner in which he addressed his varied audiences, whether Jews or Greeks, soldiers or philosophers, an angry mob or a proud king. But in all we have evidence of remarkable human wisdom fired by the enthusiasm begotten of the Spirit of God. He reasoned, declaimed, recited historical facts, quoted from authors, and adopted every plan to further the end in view. His logical powers were employed in argument, his whole soul poured forth in appeal. He combined the art of the rhetorician with the reasoning of the logician. Thus he was able to make himself" all things to all men j" whence his unexampled success.
As to the matter of his discourses, he was not content with merely proclaiming that Jesus was the Saviour. He explained the terms he employed.
18911 THE RECENT AUDIENCE WITH THE EMPEROR OF CHINA
He spoke of the nature of sin and of holiness. He declared man's duty to man and his relationship to God, what man should be and do in this life, and what he may hope to possess in the life to come.
The success of Paul was not in the least degree dependent on the few cases of healing recorded of him; his miracles brought him into trouble. Nor yet was it by the plan of planting schools and colleges. But it was by the earnest, continuous, intelligent, and intelligible preaching of the sound system of truth embraced in Christ's Gospel. And if the facts of the modern mission field were properly understood, the lesson would be learned that, however excellent are subsidiary aids for levelling down the thick wall of prejudice which raises its proud head high against the Gospel in China, nothing can possibly gain that people for Christ but the plan of Paul. How can they believe if they do not understand? How can they understand if they do not hear intelligently? How can they hear intelligently if the preacher is without understanding? And how can they have preachers of understanding if the chUl'ches fail to send them? "I speak as to wise men i judge ye."
THE RECENT AUDIENCE WITH THE EMPEROR OF CHINA.
BY BOUDINOT C. ATTERBURY, M.D., PEKING, CHINA.
A most interesting episode took place in connection with the foreign relations of China on March 5th, this year. It was the interview granted by the" Son of Heaven" to the foreign ministers living in Peking, and repre· senting their various countries. For years past this question of the right personally to present credentials to the Emperor has been the subject of great discussion between the legations and the foreign office. In 1874 Tung Chih, the uncle of the present ruler, after much pressure was brought to bear, granted an audience. Since then, however, the questIOn, although agitated, has never been seriously insisted upon until the present young ruler him8elf took control of the government. Unexpectedly to many, three months ago an Imperial edict was issued stating that the Emperor was willing to receIve the ministers and charges d'affaires. No matter what may have been the reasons for this step on the part of the Chinese Government-reasons perhaps chiefly political, in order to cultivate more close relations with other governments one thing is certain, that the express wish of the Emperor himself was also It powerful factor in bringing about the wished-for event. Those living outside of China can scarcely realize how many were the preliminaries which had to be arranged before the interview could take place. Long conferences were held between the legations and the Chinese ministers. On the one side were a set of men anxious to sUl'round their ruler with all the ceremonies which they consider to be his due as the representative of heaven upon earth j on the other hand were the foreigners, willing to accord any etiquette customary at a European court, but determined not to do anything implying in any sense that their countries were in vassalage to China. The principal difficulties were the right' of separate audience and the place of meeting. Mutual concessions smoothed over these points, the former being granted by the Chinese, and the foreigners waiving their preferences in the latter. The place agreed upon was the" Hall of Shining Purple," where the usual receptions are accorded to the tributary States, sucb as Mongolia and Corea, with the understanding that on future occasions another place within the palace grounds must be prepared. The ministers with their suites started about 10 A.M. All the foreigners, thirty-one in number, sat in green sedan chairs, each carried by four men. Passing through the" Gate of Flowing Prosperity," they arrived at the point where the officials of the foreign office stood ready to receive. Descending from their chairs they entered, through long lines of soldiers, a temple, where some time was 8pent in chatting and eating various delicacies. Then the entire party advanced to the HaH of Audience. It is a picturesque building, with yellow tiles and painted in many colors. Three flights of steps lead up to a terrace in front of the hall doors. The central set are reserved for his Majesty; others use those on the sides. On the terrace were four tents comfOltably furnished with stoves and carpets. When the summons into the Imperial presence came, each minister, with accompanying interpreter, was conducted by two officials to a point where two columns, the" Dragon PilIars," marked a distance of about six feet from the raised platform on which the Emperor was sitting. First the German Minister was received; then follow('d the representatives of America, England, Japan, Italy, and the Netherlands. The large room presented an imposing spectacle, being lined with military officers. Back of the Emperor, who was sitting cross-legged on the dais raised about three feet, were some dark stone tablets carved with Manchu and Chinese inscriptions. In front was a small table, and at the side a naked sword on a stand. On the way to the" Dragon Pillars" each minister made the obeisance given at any court to the Sovereign. He then read an address which was rendered into Chinese by the interpreter and handed to Prince Chung, who, on his knees, translated it into Manchu. The Emperor responded in turn. The minister than advanced to the platform with his letter of credence, which was received by Prince Chung, who, with a low bow, laid it on the table. According to custom, the Prince should have knelt when presenting the letter. This, however, the foreigners would not allow, since, for the moment he represented them, thus kneeling would imply a concession of inferiority. Afterward a general reception was beld, and the entire company, with their secretaries, were presented. The German Minister, as doyen of the corps diplomatique, read an address; the Emperor replied in Manchu, which was turned into Chinese by Prince Chung, the head of the Foreign Office. A grand banquet the following ,jay ended the audience. Of course, the Emperor was the central figure.
ENCOURAGEMENTS IN THE WORK OF' MISSIONS
He has an intelligent face and large dark eyes. lIe looks even younger than he is-eighteen years old. His physique is not strong, but his bearing is manly and self-posse!sed. His dress was a purple robe embroidered with gold dragons. He wore a large official felt hat, on the top of which was a plain red button. All hope that the outcome of this interview will be a still greatcr desire on the part of the Chinese to break down the isolation with which they have snrrounded themselves.
ENCOlTRAGEMENTS IN THE WORK OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. A. A. PFANSTIEHL, ST. JOSEPH, MO.
One of the questions that is asked in regard to the work of foreign missions is, Does it pay? It has been figured out by those who look upon this work from a political-economy point of view that it costs about $1000 to make a single convert in heathendom, and that at the present rate of progress it will take two hundred thousand years to convert the world! In view of this they ask, Is it worth while to spend so many millions of dollars, to expend so much valuable energy-for it is admitted that the missionaries are among our most energetic Christian workers; were they not so, they would never go into the arduous work in foreign fields-when, after all, so comparatively little is accomplished? But look at this a moment. This calculation would perhaps be legitimate and correct were each convert a dead one; but as it is, he is a living influence, he has in him leavening power, so that he sets work of conversion in motion in remarkable ratio. Max Miiller well says: "An intellectual harvest must not be calculated by adding simply grain to grain, but by counting each grain as a living seed, that will bring forth fruit a hundred an(l a thousand-fold." Therefore, however comparatively little seems to be done in the vast fields of heathendom, yet when we take this work, representing hundreds of thousands of adult converts who, together with their families, form Christian communities scattered over nearly every portion of the heathen world, it represents a power that is incalculable, a power in itself capable of marvel- lous work for God, without help from abroad. * But now add to this power the additional force given to it with increasing intensity every year by the Christian world at large, will it take two hundred thousand years to evangelize the world 1 Missionary efforts and * As a matter of fact, to prove this take these figures of but one mission field: Burmah gave in 1880 to the Baptist Union $31,616.14, while Massachusetts gave the same year but little more-viz., $41,312.72, and New York gave only $38,469.78. "Japan," it is said, " is alive, energetic, eager-a nation with a destiny; and a Church of Christ in Japau would be throughout all EMtern Asia an ally that would be invaluable." And this is what Max Miiller says about India: "If we think of the future of India and of the influence which that country has always exercised on the EMt, the movement of religious reform which is now going on appe(lrs to my mind the most momentous in this momentous century." expenditures do pay! and there is nothing discouraging in the calculation, even though it be that it takes $1000 to make a single convert in heathen- dom. On the contrary, there is every encouragement possible to continue the work and make it more and more agressive. 'Tis this that I desire to press briefly from 1. What has been done in the past, and 2. What it is the declared purpose of God to do in the spread of Christ's kingdom.
Considering the extent, the power, the influence of Christianity to-day, and then looking back 1800 years, when it began with a mere handful of people, working against opposition that came from principalities and powers, the strong forces of Rome, the prejudice, the enmity of the carnal mind, and the deadly hatred of the Jews, have we occasion to be discouraged~ ay, must we not greatly be encouraged when the kingdom of Christ has now grown to be in the ascendancy 1 But look especially at the mission work of the last one hundred years! What giant strides have been made during these years! And these are but the first slow steppings of the Church, that will, if indications for the future mean anything, continue to advance rapidly. For 'tis but a short time since the vast openings for work have been presented to the Church-openings that were closed to the Christian world until these latter years-commercial openings, and facilities for work afforded by discoveries of religious books of the heathen, enabling missionaries to work intelligently among the people. " We have now be- fore us the canonical books of Buddhism j the Zend Avesta of Zoroaster is no longer a sealed book j and the hymns of the Rig Veda have revealed a state of religion anterior to the first beginnings of that mythology which in Homer and Hesiod stand before us as mouldering ruin. The soil of Mesopotamia has given back the very images once worshipped by the most powerful of the Semitic tribes, and the cuneiform inscriptions of Babylon and Nineveh have disclosed the very prayers addressed to Baal or Misroch. "
Hence, by the providence of God, we are led into the very citadel of the power of those whom we desire to win, and we know intelligently how to lay the siege. Discouragement ~ Nay, nay, for this advantage has already been so helpful that victory is in sight, if the Christian church will only vigorously press the siege for the next few years! '
But another encouragement. Max Muller, a few years ago, wrote about the dying and death of what he calls the nondescript heathen religions.
These, such as Zoroastrianism, etc., that he puts down as 8.7 per cent of the number of the population of the world, have ceased to struggle, and all we need do is to apply the strong battery of God's" truth as it is in Jesus"
to them, and they will live ancw with redeemed, everlasting life. Brahman- ism, too, one of the two living Aryan religions, is existing in a living death, and " for gaining an idea of the issue of the great religious struggle of the future, that religion, too, is dead aud gone." And Buddhism-what about it 1 Many of the readers may remember a significant paper that was sent, in 1887, to the Presbyterian churches of the Unitcd States, signed by all the Presbyterian ministers in Japan-31 in number-wherein we find this language: "Buddhism is condemned already. That is the common position assumed by the press. And what the press encourages the government allows. . . . The tone of Buddhism is a tone of defeat; Christianity is confident of victory." And this is confirmed by the quotation from one of the tracts published in India, given in the March, 1891, number of this REVIEW, which says, in order to call the heathen religionists to vigorous action against the progress of Christianity: "Missionaries have cast their nets over our children by teaching them in their schools, and they have already made thousands of Christians, and are continuing to do so. . . . Do you not know that the number of Christians is increasing, and the number of Hindu religionists decreasing cvery day?" The enemy himself here is the judge.
This much encouragement from the past. Now what, from a consideration of what we know, is the purpose of Almighty God in regard to the leaven of Christianity introduced in the world? It is His purpose that the .. whole lump" SHALL be leavened. And can anything thwart that purpose 1 Chri~tian churches and individuals need not lend their help with II discouraged feeling; they need not with a shrug of the shoulder look at this work of evangelizing the world.
To this appeal of Mr. Pfanstiehl, the editor cannot forbear to add that the only real discouragement in the work of missions is the slowness and sluggishness of the church to fall into line with the command and the lead- ership of our Royal Captain. Open doors stand before us on every side.
In the most difficult of all mission fields, India, the most abundant harvests since Pentecost have been reaped and continue to be reaped in the Tin- nevelly and Telugu districts. The church has numerical force and finan- cial resource sufficient without a doubt to bear the Gospelmess:tge to every soul before the century ends. The only real lack is the lack of the spirit of mis.~ions. In the Apocalypse there is a significant succession in the messages to the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea. To Philadelphia the key-note is encouragement-" Behold, I have set before thee an open door." To Laodicea, which immediately follows, the key-note is warning-" Because thou art lukewarm . • • I will spew thee out of my month." Both these messages may be applied to the Church of our day. We are Philadelphians for opportunity and Laodiceans for lukewarmness. And if the church of this generation does not arouse herself to new consecration and enter God's open doors, it is to be feared that He will cast away such II faithless church, and out of its remnant construct a more loyal people.
Bishop H. T. Bachman, of the Moravian Church. is at present engaged in an official visitation of the Moravian Alaskan missions. He will have to travel from the Kuskokwim to Meshagak, some 200 miles, overland in pioneer !ltyle. It was two summers ago that the wife of Bishop Bachman went to Alaska to nurse the sick missionary's wife, Mrs. Kilbuck.
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The Rev. J. Johnstone Irving, in the Voice from Ituly, says, what anyone moderately familiar with Roman Catholic affairs knows to be perfectly true: " Within the unity of the Roman Church there are divisions and differences as numerous and embittered as those found in Protestantism." It is, therefore, quite to the point when he adds: "I am not prepared to admit that a house divided against itself is in a more satisfactory condition than a number of neighboring houses whose social relationships are not all that might be desired." Indeed, as the clergy are so inordinately powerful among the Roman Catholics, theological acrimony is more apt with them to verge toward malignity than in Protestantism, which, comparatively speaking, is a religion of the laity. Unhappily, among the Roman Catholics the only class that has perhaps even more influence than the clergy-namely, the lay zealots, seem to be the most uncharitable of all toward their fellow-Catholics whom they suspect of liberalism.
-The Ohristian says, most appreciatinglyand justly: "The Friend of Missions, published in England, and the Friends' Missionary Advocate of America, are full of interesting information of Friends' work in India, China, Japan, Madagascar, Syria, Palestine, Constantinople, Mexico, Philippopolis, Alaska, and among the North American Indians, thus indicating that the spirit of ' early days' has returned to the Society of Friends. As a basis and incentive to foreign work home missions are growing and increasing in nearly or quite all the yearly meetings in the world. The needs of men socially, morally, and spiritually are pressing the hearts of Friends, and under the Divine impulse lives and money are being surrendered to the service of humanity and the glory of Him' who is the Head of all things' to His people. The Friends have a great and increasing place to fill, and are needed among the churches and in the world. Happily they are in some measure realizing their responsibility, and trying to obey Him who has given them their name if they keep His commandments: Their mission is that of living and teaching spiritual and vital Christianity as 3 commonwealth of believers. . .. Among them there is no ' layman.' "
-Notwithstanding the revival of a very vexatious law in restriction of church building in the kingdom of Travancore, in southwestern India, the Chronicle for April bears witness to the cordiality of the Maharajah, and remarks that miRsionaries have probably more freedom there than they would have in British India.
-The Moslems must be hard pushed to find their prophet foretold in the Gospels. One in India assured Mr. Greaves triumphantly that he had found Mohammed's advent clea.rly announced by our Lord. Being asked where, he produced John 14 : 30, "The prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me." Mr. Greaves quietly remarked that he had no objection to the application.
-Missionary Gehring, of the Leipsic Society, remarks, apropos of an unexpected though brief attack of lIeasickness, that it did him the' good of ridding him of the disagreeable advances of the American ap<J!!tate, Colonel Olcott, " who in India makes it his business to flatter the heathen by disgusting eulogies on their reli~don. " This may not be very urbane, but the free expression of moral disgust toward "the enemies of the crOSH of Christ," whether their name is Olcott, Ingergoll, Bradlaugh, or BeS1lnt, is sometimes better than the smirking complaisance with which contemporary Christianity is somewhat too deeply infected.
-Here is part of a hymn addressed by hundreds of thousands to the cruel goddess Kali, in deprecation of a law which simply protects the persons of child-wives until they are twelve years old. We remember Kali, with her pendant necklace of skulls, and her blood-dripping tongue thrust out to her waist. Such a hymn wcll becomes her. "In great distress at thy door we have come, mother, source of all good. Horrified, that is why we raise this cry, 0 mother! queen of the universe. What to say ~ We are about to be undone, mother, by the word of some outcastes. Intending to do an act of kindness, the government is destroying our religion. Our hearts shudder through fear," etc.
-NachTichten aus dem Morgenlande, speaking of the needs of the Protestants of Bethlehem for church and school, says, "If the wise men from the East brought aforetime to Bethlehem the most precious gifts of their native land, would that the wise men from the vVest would also lay down there their art and their gifts of beauty at the feet of the infant Christ!" If Protestantism will not take its place and see to it that it finds a worthy representation in Palestine, by the side of the splendid outlays of the Roman Catholic and of the Russian Church, it mnst accept the consequences.
-It is known that the London missionarie3 in Madagascar have labored principally among the ruling and central race of the Hovas and the neighboring tribe of the Betsileos. The Norwegian missionaries, it appears, are also actively at work among Betsimarakas of the southeast, and the fierce Sakalavas of the west.
-The atrocions massacre of men, women, and children by a Hova governor in Madagascar (followed, it appears, by his own ex.eeution) has, remarks the Ohronicle, left a sad blot on the good name of the Christian queen. The general horror aroused by this act of her deputy, it is to be hoped, will recall her government from that retrogression into the old barbarons ways of which there have been signs lately. Her husband, tlw prime-minister, knew the governor to be an unworthy character, yet allowed favoritism to carry the day in his appointment.
-Mr. Barnett, of Jaffa. writing in Service/or the King, says: "It is very significant that while from various causes the Jews lire beginning to awaken to the fact that their future destiny is bound up with this land, the 'l'urks and Arabs seem to be nnder a presentiment that their time here is short. I am told by several friends who have great experience in this country that some of the natives are very negligent in the cultivation of their fields and gardens, and the reason they give when asked is, ' What's the good, the Jews will soon have it.' "
-Mr. Van Tassel, who devotes himself to the evangelization of the Bedouins, shows that, as with most remote tribes, accnrate knowledge not only monilies, but often almost revolutionizes previous ideas. He says, "The Bedouin Arabs are usually given a very unenvi.able character, and are looked upon as being most desperate men, thieves, murderers, and almost everything else that is bad; but that is almost entirely wrong. The Arab seldom takes life, unless it is in battle or eelf-defence. There is a standing law in the desert that in case a man is killed his death must be avenged by the members of his tribe. It is not necessary that the murderer himself be put to death, but anyone of his tribe who may happen to fall into their hands. Owing to this custom they are very careful about the shedding of blood.
" There are, of course, some thieves found in the desert, but not all the Arabs are such by.any means, and those who are so are despised by the others, and well puuished when caught."
Mr. Van Tassel remarks that the Bedouins, at least those of the north, have a very slight tincture indeed of Mohammedanism. Their feelings of natural religion are strong, and they are exceedingly fond of having the Scriptures of either Testament read to them. Of course, in the Oriental allusions of the Bible they are perfectly at home.
The North Arabia Mission is a branch of the North African Mission.
– " The missionary work of a church is both fruit and measure of its inner spiritual life. "-De Heidenbode (Rotterdam).
-The Free Church of Scotland Monthly. referring to Cardinal Lavigerie's far-reaching missionary plans, remarks, "Whatever may be said about the Papacy, it is showing at present a i'pirit of enterprise which we cannot but admire. The zeal it is manifesting ought to act as a stimulus to our Protestant sO<.:ieties to devise larger and, if we may say so, more adventurous schemes for the conversion of the nations."
-The Ghu1·ch Missionary lntelligencer for April, 1891, very justly refers to the American Board as " one of the best-managed societies in the world," and supports by its high authority its own preference of special contributions for objects designated by the Society, rather than for the somewhat narrowing and capricious designation of special objects by individual donors.
-The printing of the whole Bible in the language of the Sunda Islands (Dutch Ea"t Indies) is now complete, as appears by the Or.qaan of the Netherlands Missionary Society. Between 300 and 400 person~ have been engaged upon it.
– " The business instinct is indispensablj"l for the conduct of a missionary society; but it is not sufficient, it is even injurious, if it is not founded in piety and joined with a real zeal for the cause of the Gospel." -Journal des Mislions.
THE UNITED KINGDOM.
-The English Baptist Missionary Society, whose cen enary occurs in 1892, intends to endeavor to raise a Special Centenary Fund of £100,000, and to seek also to increase the annual income of the society to £100,000.
-The Ohurch Missionary Gleaner for April says: "The approaclling census again suggests a comparison of past and present. When the last eensus was taken in 1881, the society was working under a resolution, solemnly arrived at on account of financial pressure, to send out only five new missionaries each year for three years; but we were rejoicing that special gifts had enabled the committee to send out twenty instead of five. It is a fact like this which we have gleaned from the report of that year that makes one realize just a little of what God has done for us in the past ten years. Three times twenty is not considered a large number now. "
-This is a most racy bit from a tract, Do Not Say, published by the Church Missionary Society. The author is the Rev. J. Heywood Horsburgh, C. M. S. missionary in mid-China: "Imagine our sending to the heathen just one man more than we could spare, so that for one parish we could not find a rector! 'Vhat an outcry there would be! Why, even those who take the most thorough interest in foreign missions would be afraid we were' really going a little too far.' Yes, though that clergyman had left but five hundred, nominal Christians already (many of them true Christians?, and gone to a parish of a thousand thousand, all heathen, and. he the on y worker aILong them all, it would still be thought a dreadful thing for this English parish to be without a clergyman, albeit there were a dozen other churches half empty in that very place, and perhaps an excellent chapel on the other side of the road. When shall we wake up and understand that' taking an interest in foreign missions' really ought to mean something more than giving the heathen a few fragments, after spreading a most bountiful table for ourselves ?"
-The Reaper says that the flaw in Mr. Stead's sanguine and well-meant endeavors to bring about a social revolution has been pointed out very clearly by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford : "It seems to me we differ because we begin from different ends. You begin with the creature and his miseries and wants. We begin with the Creator and His plan or system of redemption and salvation." There is no use in trying to conciliate the Christian view of benevolence with the anti-Christian. The two may coincide materially in a thousand points, but their formative principles are irreconcilably antagonistic.
-The Christian says that Dr. Marshall Lang recently startled the Glasgow Established Presbytery by quoting the remark of a local historian, that" the public houslils in the' second city in the empire' were beating the churches," and that "one public house in a populous locality was capable of undoing the work of ten churches."
– " Let us not think less of what Christ has done on the cross by His death, but let us think more of His resurrection and what He is doing now. "-Rev. EDWARD BALMFORD, in The Christian.
– " Foreign missionary is an unfortunate term. To the Lord Jesus up there in heaven there is no home mission and no foreign mission. He sees at once on both sides of the wall of China, and to Him it is all one field and one work; and slowly we are beginning to see through His eyes and to find out that work at home and work abroad are not, so to speak, two things, but one; that this we ought to do, and not to leave the other undone; ano. that what we call foreign mission work is not a thing to be done by and by, when we get a lot of other things done, but that it ought to be going on all the time."-J. CAMPBELL WHITE, Esq., Convener of the Livingstonia Mission Committee.
-Medical Missions at Home and Abroad (cited in the Free Church Monthly) shows that of 13~ medical missionaries holding British degrees or diplomas, the Free Church of Scotland has 24; the Church Missionary Society, 21 ; the London Missionary Society and the English Presbyterian Church, 13 each j the United Presbyterian Church, 11. There are 13 ladies.
The largest proportion among all the missionaries belonO's to the English Presbyterian Church. 0 . • -Medical Missions at Home and Abroad, rejoicing in the great victory won in the House of Commons over the defenders of the opium traffic, says: "A few days ago an Indian general said, in my hearing, that the opium traffic is a heritage from Warren Hastings. He was right; and I would add that there is nothing in our Anglo-Indian history in which the strong, determined, but godless spirit of that remarkable man has seemed so to persist and to be incarnated as in the long, sad story of our opium traffic with China."
-The Accounts of the Schemes and the Lists of Collections, Contributions, and Legacies of the Church of Scotland for the year ending December 31st, 1890, as prepared by the auditor, are given in the May Record. The total income shows an increase of £18,812 14s. 9d., or 12t per cent over the previous year,. being in all £170,282 5s. 5d. Legacies alone are increased by £6643 16s. 5d. Foreign missions show an increase of £3049 15$. 2d. ; home missions of £2475 19s. 10d. ; the Small Livings Fund of £3316 6s. 9d.
-Arrangements have been made for the fusion of the two English Baptist missionary societies. The common management ill to be conducted according to the plan of the larger society-that of the Particular Baptists. It appears, then, that Calvinism and Arminianisffi are recognized in England as having ceased to be a dividing force among the Baptists. The qUElstion of strict or open communion has long been an open one in both the Baptist bodies. "The Particular Baptist Missionary Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Heathen" was formed in 1792, and " The General Baptist Missionary Society" in 1816. The Orissa Mission, Bengal, in which our own Free Baptist brethren concur, will doubtless continue to be supplied with General Baptist missionaries.
-The Special Centenary Fund of £100,000 which it is proposed to raise will be devoted to seven objects, the first being the extinctit,n of the debt, the seventh the construction of a new Upper Congo steamer, estimated at £5000.
-It seems strange, but Northern Bengal, where Dr. Carey first preached the Gospel, has to-day no missionary provision (at least no Protestant missionary provision) for its 9,000,000 inhabitants.
-The debt of £10,561 88. lId. incurred by the English Baptist Missionary Society during the year is owing to a falling off in legacies. General contributions have been £42,257 28. over against £42,072 188. 7d. for last year.
-The Ch"istian states that many of the working classes in England have'lately joined the Society of Friends.
-,-" There are 400 workers in the Irish Home Mission connected with the Society of Friends, and Sunday-school work is progressing in their hands."- The Ohristian. .
1891]. INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. 1. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Low Pressure Belt of Morality as Marked by the Marriage Law in India. [J. T. G.l It is very difficult for persons living sion among tolerably decent people and remote from India to realize the condi. even among low and lustful classes.
tion of society which has grown up there These memorialists specially empha- in the course of oenturies through un- size that all this is covered by the sanc- challenged customs in Ule matter of mar- tity of British law in the Indian Empire, riage. Even those long resident in the which permits marriage to be consum.
midst of the social order know but little mated in childhood, and even covers about it. The introduction of Western homicide in the marital relation, which physicians, especially of lady doctors, to under other circumstances would be practise in the homes of the people, has criminally punished. They say, " The resulted in the disclosure of a state of system panders to sensuality, lowers things at which even much of heathen the standard of health and morals, de- sentiment revolts. There lies before us grades the race, and tends to perpetuate the Memorial to His Excellency, the itself and all its attendant evils to all Viceroy and Governor-General of India, future generations."
presented by sundry lady physicians, They, with thousands of others, peti- which enumerates instances of cruelty tioned the great British vice-regal au- and. unnatural crimes occurring to their thority and his counsellors in the Ind- notice in the order of their own profes- ian Government to advance the age of sional duties, which, though couched in consent to fourteen years. And yet, professional phraseology, we cannot de- with all these facts before them, the scribe, much less translate into the limit of twelve years was all that this vernacular of ordinary literature. When great government felt it dare ordain. It young girls of seven, eight, and ten years is not our intent now to show that they of age are visited by physicians who ought to or could have gone further.
find their bodies crushed out of shape, Too many factors enter into this case to their flesh hanging in shreds, or now reach a summary conclusion. It is not crippled and crawling to the hospital for that we write. Our purpose is on hands and knees unable to stand rather to call attention to the debasing erect, others partially paralyzed, others influence of the heathen religions, which dying after days of agony, all because showed itself in the tremendous resist- of premature admission to the marital ance developed by the very fact that relation, sanctioned by the laws as well child-marriage was to be called in ques- as the customs, and largely by the sen- tion by the government at all, and the timent of the land, one can read a com- threatened outbreak of violence because mentary on " the habitations of cruelty" the council and viceroy did enact that quite beyond any strain his indignation twelve years should be the legal mini- will bear. Mrs. Nancy Monelle Man. mum of marriageable age. A corre- sell, M.A., M.D., and her associate spondent some while since thus de- lady doctors deserve unstinted com- scribed for us a specimen of this popu- mendation for the moral courage, which lar resistance : led them to the distasteful task of mak- "On Sunday, March 15th, a mass.meeting known to the Indian Government, ing of over 80,000 Hindus was held at that which they could testify to, as in- Kali Ghat-one of the Calcutta suburbs stances of such debasement as makes –to pray to the Goddess Kali and seone desire to find refuge in some theory cure her aid against the pending Bill of demoniacal possession, as a cover for raising the marriageable age of Indian lustful cruelty which passes comprehen- girls from 10 to 12 years. Two hundred native priests had been engaged for the occasion, and were observed preaching so that all unea.siness may cease, Her furiously in various directions among name is Nectar. Drink it, and your the crowds. Processions were formed hearts shall be cool, all your grief shall and marched up to Kali's shrine, shout. cease, desires be fulfilled, and all dan. ing as they went along, 'Hari bole!' ger averted. That is why we all, with 'Save us, Kali, from all interference hands uplifted say, save us, oh! kindly with our religion! ' Some of the more mother. Keep us at thy feet, oh! fanatical had come up from Calcutta on mother of the universe. Who else is their hands and knees; others had there but thee to protect that priceless measured the entire distance by pros. treasure, our national religion, which trating themselves continuously and we are about to lose by the King's mancrawling on their stomachs. A strong date. Help us, oh ! goddess, and for thy body of police kept order; there was help we are taking thy name to.dllY. much subdued excitement. One fanatic To ruin us the cruel law is about to he placed his head on the altar at which passed_ Stop this, oh ! mother, and let many hundreds of lambs and goats had us be happy, who are rich in religion, been sacrificed to Kali, and demanded by singing thy name. When Srimunto the officiating priest to sever his head, was in danger, thou didst take him up as 'he would die for his country.' in thy lap. Thou didst give protection The priest declined, and the man, ris· to Kalkatu at thy feet, source of all good. ing up, was heard to say that the' law We are thy children too; why shall we unfortunately prevented his setting suffer then, oh ! mother Kali P" them all a good example.' While the bulk of the crowd was composed of We are not presenting all this ail news. ignorant persons, there were lots of lawyers, pleaders, merchants, bankers, lt will,not be such to a great number of schoolmasters, and other heads of the people. Poor India !" our readers, yet to others it will be more We had from several sources accounts or less so. We present it as a conten.
of the 80ngs composed for and sung on tion. We want to thrust home the the occasion by theatrical companies. whole facts on that not insignifica;:;t The Statesman gave a rough translation company of excellent people who can see no difference between ., our heathen of one of these, as follows: at home" and the heathen society of a .. FOR THE PROTECTION OF RELIGION. great people; a patient, ingenious, in. .. Sankirtan of Kali at Kalighat. dustrious, intellectual, and in many reo .. In great distresR at thy door we have come, mother, source of all good. spects not an unlovely people, who have Horrified, that is why we raise this cry, oh ! mother, queen of the universe. been systematically debased and im- What to say? We are about to be undone, mother, by the words of some out- bruted through the most sacred avenues castes. Intending to do an act of kind. ness, the Government is destroying our to the human soul; and who, we may even religion. Our hearts shudder through fear. Oh! goddess, save us from this believe, are sincere when they say, that great danger into which we have fallen. We, sons of Hindu families, who have the removal of child-marriage will result hitherto forgotten thee, are now crying to thee for help, as your children, and in a more debasing condition of society pray take us up in thy lap. Protect the modesty of our domestic maidens, thou than has been depicted, or rather hintwho savest people from shame. Kings make laws to make their subjects happy, ed at by the petitioners above quoted, but this law will oppress the poor and helpless. Make this clear to Govern. and by thousands of others who know ment, and say, , Don't make this law.' FOl"give us, oh ! goddess. Make Govern- of similar brutality and bestial outrage ment to understand a.nd to put an eml to all this confusion and disOl·der." under cover of marriage rights. Take " • Sankirtan' sung by the Burra Bazar them at their own rating, and what Sadharan Rori SaMa. must be the sentiment. what are the re- .. Let U8 all to-day sing hymns to g()odess Kali. Let U8 sing in her name, straints on society of the religions they cling to, if there is a worse state, .. a lower depth" imaginable, in conse- quence of shifting the protection of law for girl wifehood from ton to twelve years? It is an open confession that reo ligion, as they understand it has fur- nished no moral restraint against lust, against debauchery, against lechery and .cruelty. And the worst of it all is that those who know them best do not esti- beginning with Alexander III., the Czar mate the moral power of their so-called of Russia, and so on down to Bulgaria religions any higher than they do them- and Greece, to obtain at an early date selves. an international, conference "to con· sider the condition of the Israelites and It is in our heart to make another their claim to Palestine as their ancient plea, and that for sympathy and more home," etc. [J. T. G.] prayer for those sensitive and saintly souls who have to go down into such a Dr. Hamlin said: "The Christian moral maelstrom for years, to try to re- benevolence of this petition is beyond lieve this moral (or rather immoral) con- criticism. The sufferings of the Jews in dition, and, if pity can go farther, then Russia and other parts of Europe defor those parents who for the love of mand the sympathy as they excite the their Divine Lord have to try to rear horror and detestation of all Christians their children in the midst of such un- the world over. But it would be well measured and unmitigated miasma of for the petitiollers to consider the folimmorality. And yet why our cry for lowing points: pity? They seek none of it. All they are asking 01. the Christians of the "1. Have not the Jews forfeited all homeland is help to stay there and to do rightful claim to Palestine? They were the Christly work they have undertaken given over to the Romans because they -and in which they are succeeding– were rebels against Jehovah and His even if it be only to lie down as these anointed. noble lady-doctors at the foot of the throne of power, and cry for relief for " 2. The right of property has limitathe heathen even against themselves; or tions of time and circumstances. After to create a sentiment, as all missionaries eighteen centuries of dispossession and have been aiding to do, which will en- foreign residence no claim can be alable the political powers who care to do lowed in earthly courts. so, to protect young maidens from brutal marital relations till they are at least "3. The people that now inhabit Paltwelve (!) years of age. estine are the rightful owners of the soil. Their ancestors had held it for many Dr, Cyrus Hamlin on Restoring Pales- centuries before the Mayflower cast its tine to the Jews. anchor on 'the wild New England shore.' What would the President pro· The symposium at the Annual Meet- pose to Europe to do with them? They ing of the International Missionary are Arabs, Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Union on the several points of special Syrians, and of some ten or twel ve interest in the Jewish discussions of the other nationalities. Destroy them? times, which was conducted by Dr. Drive them out? Whither? Kellogg, of Toronto, Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, and Mr. William E. Blackstone, Super- "4. The Jews are not agriculturists. intendent of the Chicago Hebrew Mis- They generally hate the employment, sion, was one of great interest and abil- and the colonies established there have ity. We had hoped to be able to give a still to be aided. synopsis of the subject by each speaker prepared by themselves. We are fortu- " 5. The Jews have shown no general nate in having the points of Dr. Ham- desire to return to Palestine. The few lin's paper thus kindly furnished by who have gone have been induced to go him for our use. by offer of aid.
The paper was occasioned by a peti- " There is a small number who fancy tion numerously signed to " The Presi- that Jerusalem is to be rebuilt, the tem. dent and Mr. Blaine" to use their influ- pIe restored, the altar of sacrifice rekin. ence with the governments of Europe, dIed, the Jewish state exalted above all nations, and its enemies destroyed. But this is to be done by Almighty power, and the President and Mr. Blaine would cut a small figure by their interference. "6. • The Sacred Places' and other Government provoke such a humiliation possessions of the Oriental and Latin before all Europe? The explanations churches will be an awkward thing to which would be made would go for nothmanage in the 'return.' They would ing. The worst construction possible be an offence to the Jew; but for a Jew would be put upon every fact. So long to touch them would fire tJ:.e heart of the as our Government, especially our Sen_ Latin and the Greek churches to a white ate and House of Representatives, are heat. under the control of saloons and saloon- iets, so long as alcohol is king, we had "7. But, above all, the petitioners better not champion any cause of humanwould plunge the President right into ity in Europe. the middle of the Oriental Question. This was expanded to considerable " The one insuperable obstacle to any length, and the impossibility of our in- general return of the Jews to Palestine terference made very clear. is the Jews themselves. An awful cloud is over the land. 'His blood be upon ., 8. Is it probable that Europe would us and upon our children.' It must be be pleased with such a movement on the purified of Christianity before the Israelpart of our Government? 'rhe powers ite can look upon it but with abhorhave generally accepted the Monroe Doc- rence. As mendicants, as 'assisted trine. But that forbids our appearing emigranti '-always a worthless set-or in their affairs just as much as it ex- escaping from the inhumanity and savcludes them from ours. agery of Russia, a few tens of thousands may return. But they will be a sorry ,. 9. As precedents sanctioning the lot, and will ' suck the milk of the genreturn of the Jews to Palestine under tiles' for a living. European dictation, the example of Bulgaria, Servia, Montenegro, etc., under " , When the veil shall be taken away,' the dictation of the Berlin Congress, is and they shall become the glad and renot well taken. By the Berlin Congress joicing disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, autonomy was conferred to a greater or their own Messiah, and when they shall less extent upon those peoples in their see in Him the glorious fulfilment of ancestral homes. No man was deprived all their prophecies, there may spring of an acre of land. If Moslems wished up in many hearts a new love for Jeruto emigrate, as many foolishly did, they salem. Their flowing thither at their were allowed their own time and way of own expense would be a spontaneous doing it. In the • return' one people is and natural immigration that would acto be driven out and another brought in. commodate itself to circumstances. If It would be a very bloody and expensive only two or three millions should return affair all round, and the driven out and in this way they would soon possess the the brought in would alike perish. land, and there would be no question of oppression or of protection. Then all "10. Is our country specially fitted nations would hail their return, and the by her history for this proposed media- Church of Christ would see in it the tion? The outrages that have been dawn of the millennial day." committed in the United States upon the colored people in the Southern States, The Need of Speoial Preparation for Forand upon the Indians and the Chinese, eign Servioe. the murders, the expulsions from their native soil. the destruction of property, REV. A.. P. HAPPER, D.D., CANTON, CHINA. the slaughter of men, women, and children, the fiendish mobs, the rapes, the The General Missionary Conference thefts by Government agents, the' Cen- of China. in May, 1890, sent forth the tury of Dishonor' would all be brought call for 1000 missionaries for China up against us, and would make the persecution of the Jews in Russia appear in comparison a slight affair. Should our within five years. Within ten months he was a layman and an engineer, had after the issue of that appeal 127 mis- no special preparation to be a missionsionaries had arrived in China for one ary; and as he was so successful and mission, working in China, and 50 have uSPful as a missionary, it is supposed he arrived for all other societies. The is a proof that no special preparation is statement has been made in the news- necessary in order to be useful. The papers that when this appeal was pub- facts, on the contrary, in regard to Mr. lished in Australia, hundreds of young Mackay, are just the opposite of what is people offered themselves for this ser- supposed in regard to him. He had vice. The statement is also published very special preparation and experience in that the number of names given in to Christian work before he went abroad, the secretaries of the volunteer move- which led those who were acquainted ment in America is over 6000 ; and that with him to give the very highest testimore than 300 of those who had given monials of his preparation and qualifica. in their names have gone to foreign tion to be a missionary to teach and lands. preach the Gospel, in addition to being a capable engineer. Mr. Mackay had All the friends of missions will rejoice been brought up in his father's house, in these evidences of an extendinj:( in- who is an eminent Presbyterian ministerest in the cause of missions to hea- ter in Scotland, with special care and then lands among the young members under his own instruction. He had the of Christian churches in the home lands. best advantages of education in mathe- matics, the classics, and applied sci- But while rejoicing in this extending ences in the high schools and universiinterest in missions to the non-Christian ties of Scotland. He engaged in Chrislands, and in the increasing numbers of tian work in the original ragged schools those who are offering to go, I wish to of Rev. Dr. Guthrie and the Sabbathdirect attention to the great importance school of Rev. Dr. Horatius Bonar, in of thorough preparation for the work by Edinburgh. These educational and rethose who are sent abroad as missiona- ligious advantages were enlarged and ries. There is great danger that in the extended by a two years' residence and warmth of Christian sympathy for the practice in Germany, where he acquired perishing, and on account of the consid. a knowledge of the German language. eration that the people in heathen lands When he was appointed to go to Africa are ignorant, many will think that no he improved every hour of his time be_ special preparation is needed by those tween the time of his appointment and who go to teach them. It is evident his departure in getting some knowledge that many think that personal piety of different practical arts from compeand love to the Saviour and to the soulll tent professors and teachers, as those of of men are the only essential requisites for photography, printing cotton, and glass those who go as missionaries. This is manufacture, and the details of teacha very great mistake, and it is one which ing and training teachers. So that the will bring great injury to the cause of pre-eminent success and usefulness of Christian missions unless measures are Mr. :Mackay during the fourteen years taken to prevent its being carried into of his labors in Africa. which led Mr. practice. H. M. Stanley to speak of him as second to Livingstone, were the proper result I would call attention to the words of and outcome of the thorough and manithe lamented Mackay of Uganda, in his fold preparation which he had made last appeal for twenty men to come to during his youth and early manhood. Africa. His words are these: "You When, therefore, he speaks to the " sons sons of England, here is a field for your of England" and asks them" to bring energies. Bring with you your highest their highest education and greatest taleducation and your gre.atest talents; you will find scope for the exercise of them all. ' , Many suppose that Mr. Mackay, because ents, and assures them "they would widely ramified service as was necessary find scope for the exercise of them all, he in the details of government over such was only asserting what he knew to be numerous population, we must inquh-e a fact in his own experience. He only how these able and qualified men were asks for what all experience has proved obtained. They did not come by haphazt,o be necessary to success-viz., com- ard. The East India Company were petent natural gifts, with the necessary wise in their generation in some things. acquired knowledge and training. He The covenanted civil servants were aphimself is one of the most illustrious pointed under the system of open comexamples of the truth of this statement. petition. Thus the picked youth of the land are selected. The company estab- As the missionary work enlarges and lished a special college for their instrucexpands, the necessity that properly tion. Their college at Haileybury, in qualified men be serlt forth is more and Hertfordshire, had the ablest professors more emphasized. It should be spe- in the country in their several departcially urged upon all concerned in send- ments. The 'names of Henry Melvill, ing forth missionaries that they also James A. Jeremie, Richard Jones, Wilhave special care as to the quality of liam Empson, H. H. Wilson, Monier those they send forth. A few able and Williams, and Major J. W. J. Ouseley are well_qualified men will, with God's found among those of the professors. blessing, accomplish more than treble Selected young men from Rugby, Eton, the number of feeble and insufficiently and other distinguished schools and the qualified men. In confirmation of this, universities went there for two years' let all study the apostolic history. Paul, special instruction in the languages, the apostle of the gentiles, was a man of laws, customs, administration, etc., of great talents; he had the advantage of India, by these specially qualified teachthe best education at the celebrated ers. Is it any matter of wonder or suruniversity at Tarsus, and of the best prise that with such means such able Jewish masters in Jerusalem. He has and competent men were provided for left his impress on Christianity greater every department of the service, and in than that of the whole of the other numbers adequate to the needs of the apostles. two hundred millions of people? Is it strange that such men as Lord John There are two results of human efforts Lawrence, Sir Henry Lawrence, Sir Wiland labors that are marvels in their sev- liam Muir, Lieutenant-Governor James eral ways. One of them is the estab- Thomason, Edward Thornton, Sir Roblishment of the British rule in India, ert Montgomery, Donald Macleod, and the administration of the govern- George Edmonstone, Sir Bartle Frere, ment over such a numerous population and many others, literally too numerous to with such success. The other is the mention, were raised up to meet every German war against France in 1870. emergency, and to illustrate the energy But their wonderful results have not and efficiency of the Anglo-Saxon race? come by chance nor without the use of The training, the capability of the the appropriate means. As we study men, and the opportunity have produced the history of the establishment of Brit- such an administration of the Governish rule in India, the names of many dis- ment as has not been seen before in the tinguished names come in review be- history of the world. fore us. In the review of these names the conviction is forced upon us that the Europe was astonished at the results leaders in the successive decades of of the German War of 1870. But when this work were the picked men of the the facts are known, those results were public life of Great Britain. But if we the natural and sure results of the antewould fully understand how it was that cedent training of the officers of the Gerthere were a sufficient number of young man army. These officers had been men for every department of such a trained in the work to be done. Every Tarsus, after his conversion, was told strategic point in the French territory by Ananias of Damascus that " he was had been examined and marked out; a chosen vessel to bear the name of every difficulty and impediment had Jesus among the gentiles,' , he wpnt into been made known; the nature and char- Arabia to commune with the Lord; and acter of the country to be marched over it was three years before he entered fully had been mapped out; so that the lead- upon his glorious ministry. These ers of the invading armies knew what three years were the time of the special they had to do, what difficulties they preparation of the great apostle of the would meet, and, were trained to carry gentiles, though he, previous to his call, out the campaign as they had been in- had the benefit of the instruction in the structed ; and the proper and expected Roman university at Tarsus, and of the results all followed in their natural order. most learned Jewish teachers in Jeru- These results, however, were greatly to salem. How different is the course purthe astonishment of those who knew not sued in these latter days in sending of the thorough preparation which ,had forth many to the laborious and rebeen made by the German officers. sponsible duties of the Christian mis- sionary without any preparation or In the history of the world no such training! wonderful enterprise has been planned as that which has been committed to With the diffusion of Western knowlthe Christian Church-i.e., to convert edge and science, and of the agnostic this world to Christ, to extend this and infidel views of Western sceptics glorious Gospel of the blessed God till among the peoples of India, China, and the kingdoms of this world have become Japan, the importance and necessity of the kingdoms of the Lord and His the missionaries being more thoroughly Christ. prepared are strongly increased. They have now to meet not only the difficul- For its accomplishment it presupposes ties and hindrances of the native idolathe Divine aid of the great Captain of tries and errors, but also, in many cases, our salvation. When He gave the com- the objections and scoffs of Western inmission" to preach the Gospel to every fidels and atheists. Those who go forth creature," He prefaced it with the so readily without any really careful glorious assurance" all power is given preparation show how imperfect is their unto Me in heaven and in earth; go ye, conception of the work to be done, and therefore, and teach all nations, baptiz- give evidence of their own want of ing them in the name of the Father, and qualification and preparation to perof the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; and form it. lo! I am with you alway unto the end of the world." But the presence and It becomes the missionary societies power of our gracious Lord does not do and the committees having in charge the away with the necessity of providing examination and reception of candiand using the necessary and appropriate dates for missionary appointment to be instrumentality. The Saviour Himself especially careful in the reception of all spent three years in instructing His applicants, and to seek those of high apostles before He sent them forth on and suitable qualification and adequate their high mission. When the disciples preparation for the great and laborious filled the place of Judas, who had fallen calling. from that ministry, they placed in nomination two of "these men who A Word About the Student Volunteers. have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among usu_ In the minds of a great many people so careful were they to secure one who there is a marked incongruity between was thoroughly instructed and prepared the statement of the Student Volunteer for the solemn vocation. When Saul of Movement that some six thousand per- sons are enrolled by themselves as pledged from foreign service, and the to us all the more important that they unmet demand of so many societies for gat thoroughly prepared, because from men and women. All oC the societies them must come so much that certainly are not without candidates enough to cannot be looked for from the large supply their needs, but some say they number of persons who are nowencourare in vain calling for missionaries. aged to enter foreign service with very meagre intellectual furnishing. We do Several things ought to be borne in not enter upon the discussion to what mind. For instance, a great proportion extent unlettered and inexperienced, of this volunteer corps are not yet and. perhaps, even, untried persons through their collegiate and seminary should be encouraged to go abroad. studies. Certainly there is little dis· There is some difference of opinion on position on the part of experienced ad· that subject. There may be uses for a ministrators of missions to rush men greater number of men than mill be and women into the field with partial found ready trained or than the institupreparation, if they can remain to com· tions can furnish. Of that we are not plete their studies. Dr. Happer raises writing. But facts patent justify us in a note of warning on this sllbject in the raising the question as to tho pressure article we now present from his pen. that should be put on these in the He is entitled to speak on this subject. schools to hurry into the service. The He was of the original first company of Scandinavians have been rallied of late Presbyterian missionaries sent to China, both in Norway and Sweden and in and that was as long ago as 1844. It America by an earnest and probably WaB ten years from the time he formed well· meaning brother, to offer for the the purpose, God willing, to be a mis. foreign service. Some fifty or more sionary till he went abroad. During his have been recruited from Brooklyn, New college course his reading was connect· York, lind Chicago, and over a hundred ed with his purpose, and all his plans fmm Scandinavians in various quarters were subordinated to it. And yet, firm· of the world have gone to China alone, ly holding his purpose, he taught four and mainly are connected with a single years after graduation, then spent four mission- the churches at their startingyears in professional studies-medicirie place, we are informed, pledging them and theology-for the work, and in the fifty cents a day for their support, all of study of the history, geography, phi. course being unmarried. We are not losophy, and other features of China; prepared to say whether there is here a and medicine, teaching, and preaching movement which demands special guidhave been the lines on which he has ance by those experienced in missions, done such grand work these forty.seven but we do think that this emphasizes the years in that great empire. We could need of thorough preparation on the furnish instances enough to fill many part of the recruits which are to come page·s to show the great work accom- from these volunteer stUdents, and that plished by men and women who have the churches should not demand that developed a sturdy purpose through great numbers of them hasten away just similar years of steady subordination of now, but should rather advise their cauall aims to the one work of preparation tious preparation for wise leadership for a great life service. It is from this than press them too speedily into the corps of trained men and women repre- great responsibilities which await them. sented by the student volunteers that We say all this in the face of the fact we are to look for persistent patient that China calls for 1000 missionaries in leaders. Hence we suggest that too five years, and that they are not forthmuch pressure be not put on these coming in proportionate numbers. It pledged persons in our schools of learn- is true that some 175 have gone to China ing to hllsten unduly to the great fields since the appeal was iBllued, but of these which call so loudly for them. It seems 125 have gone to the Inlanu Mission, way to advertise so indiscriminately the leaving only about 50 among all the fact that 6000 persons are" waiting to other societies; and that would scarce· be sent," and much else of like phrase ly more than keep up the numerical that is not in accordance with the standard as it was. But let us not be facts. The great bulk of them are not disappointed if many of these student ret>dy to go ; but the fact that God has volunteers never go abroad. We are moved to create 80 missionary interest in quite confident that a very large propor- the hearts and minds of so many young tion of those enrolled by the excellent persons among those pursning their brethren who have charge of this stu- studies deserves very thoughtful and dent movement will never reach the prayerful consideration and devout field. They are not in position to form thanksgiving as well, while the" pledge"
a final judgment now in their school- should be made the" outward sign of days, and there has been no concurrent an inward grace" rather than an oath, judgment solicited from any boards or which it is not.-J. T. G.
churches as to the adaptation of these persons severally. Then they may be Men Needed in North Ohina. adapted to work which may not at the time when they offer themselves need Rev. C. A. Stanley writes to us from reinforcement, or the speciu.l church to Tientsin, North China: which they belong may not want men, "Our annual meeting has recently and they may not care to leave their de- been held here. At all our seven sta- nominational relations even if some tions there has been progress. Over other board would be willing to take 200 have been added to our churches those not of their own part of the fold. It during the last mission year in full will thus happen that a number of those membership. But our working force, honestly intending to be faithful to their both foreign and native, is not equal to pledge may not find the way open to the work in hand; and on all sides them. Then some of them will be there are doors of opportunity wide adapted to the demands of their own open, into which it is impossible for us societies at a time when the funds of to enter. There are several scores of the societies will not enable them to vlllages around Tientsin, in very few of send them. There are many good and which the Gospel has ever been able persons found in the churches be- preached, which, through the distribu- sides those just out of school, and some tion of relief to the sufferers from last volunteers may not be called by the so- year's flood during the winter, are cieties because such other persons are peculiarly prepared to listen to the at their command equally or better pre- Gospel message. Raving been appoint.
pared or more suitable. Thus from a ed to direct this distribution, and the great variety of causes there may be a work having been mainly done by mis.
great disparity between the total num- sionaries, it has associated itself in the ber of volunteers and the part who reach minds of the people with missionary the field. Thus not all the demand for operations. Thus they are ready to reo foreign service will be met from these ceive us and listen to our message.
ranks. Let this grand impulse of the Books were left in these villages when young people have time to find its provi. relief was given, and were there labor.
dential meaning and method. We see ers, native or foreign, to go and work many points at which these very capa- amc.ng them in the Master's name, I ble and devout young people of the Stu- have no doubt but that many would be dent Movement need wise guidance; brought to a knowledge of the truth. I but there is also need for wise conduct hope to be able, with my small force of on the part of the churches in relation workers, to do something in the fall and to them. It is, perhaps, not the best winter; but triple the force at my command would scarcely reach this imme- reache'! you of the riots of Wuhu and {liate need, not to speak of what is and Nanking. The animosity of the rioters would open beyond from this. Relief seemed to be directed chiefly against the was given in about 70 viJIages to about Roman Catholics. Demand was made 70,000 persons-not the entire popula- for the release of the children of the Lion by any means-the most distant Roman Catholic orphanage. At Wuhu one being some 12 miles. The city and all foreigners fled for their lives, and suburbs contain 600,000 souls. Similar their buildings were looted and prop- opportunities are present at all our sta- erty stolen or destroyed. At Nanking tions and with all the missionary socie- the Methodist property was looted and ties laboring in North China. And now destroyed, as well as that belonging to and again a devoted laborer is called to the Roman Catholics. No lives were his reward, largely because of overwork, lost. There seems to be general un- because the churches have not met the easiness all up the Yangtsi River. I demand, and he has had to attempt more judge the excitement to be largely politi- than he could do, and succumbed to the cal, aimed against the authorities and strain. The L. M. S. has just lost such rulers, and intended to make them un- a man in Mr. Gilmour, down from Mon- popular and to secure their removal. golia to attend tb e annual meeting of his It seems to have been instigated by society held here. He was sick twel ve some' secret society' men and literati, days, and had not physical strength to which abound in great numbers in the rally when the crisis came. And there Yangtsi Valley. They would like to stir is no one on the ground who can take up a rebellion if possible. Several of up his work, even at the expense of the rioters have been beheaded, and the some other phwe and work. This is local authorities have already begun to not a lone case-they are many." rebuild the premises, and will make restitution for damage done. We have The Riots in Ohina. no fear of trouble here; and yet I do not know that any place in China was We have long known that the great regarded as more secure for foreigners Chinese Empire had a dispensation of than Nanking. It was a great surprise " politics," as well as occidental nations, to have this outbreak there." and not unlike our own. They have the " ins" and the" outs,' , and it has been But it will go hard with the anti·forplain for a few years past that the eIgn party if they cannot find a better " outs" would make all the capital pos- way to manage their internal politics sible against the administration on their than by the murder of such missionaries conduct toward foreigners. The pres- as Mr. Argent, a lay missionary of the ent " Government," as they would say Joyful News Mission, for whose death in Europe-that is, the present prime there is no doubt the" secret societies" minister and his party-are strongly in are responsible. Those societies are not favor of advancement along Western good instruments for anti-administra- tion politicians in China, as they are as little controllable by the Celestial em· peror as the Mafia are by King Hum- bert. But the martyrdom of missiona- ries will only the more show the Church the way to the thorough evangelization of that great people.-J. T. G.
lines; but there are eminent and able statesmen who lead the anti-foreign feel- -We received some suggestions from ing. They may stir up the people even India some while since which indicated to a gigantic rebellion against General that Pundita Ramabai was restricted Li and his party. From private but very responsible sources our advices con- in even the mild religious teaching she firm the general statements as to the thought wise to introduce into the outbreaks in China. One correspondent school at Poona by representatives of writes from Foochow under date of June the American administrators of the 9th: funds raised for her use. We hope there is no ground for this thought. "You will have heard before this Ramabai knows how far to go to keep faith with the people of her own nation in the matter of religious neutrality; and nobody supposed that she would school, it is not fair to ask them to do receive any direction from American more now while it is so hard for them to management in simple and fundamental carryon the schools under their own religious matters. If she finds her way control. to have prayers or the reading of the Bible in her school, and can carry it -Miss Adaline D. M. H. Kelsey, with her Hindu constituency, surely no M.D., of Yokohama, writes to us as fol- Christian (?) hand would obstruct her. lows: If such should be the case, her American society would soon have no funds "It has been thought that the need to administer, and her executive com· of missionary physicians is not so urgent mittee would become executors of the in Japan as it is in other non-Christian school. Weare glad to see that the lands. This opinion is so widespread Harvest Field, the Wesleyan missionary it would be well to have it understood magazine for India, one of the ablest of in what respect the statement is true, our exchanges, .gives in a late issue the and in what other respect it is not true. chief place to some interesting articles on the wives and widows of India, in- " There is a medical department concluding a visit to Pundita Ramabai's nected with the Imperial University Home at Poona by the Rev. D. A. in Tokyo where advanced medical in. Rees ; and the history of the widow re- struction is given; an M.D. qualified to marriage movement in Bombay. With make a diagnosis and write a medical regard to the results of Pundita Rama- prescription can be found in every large bai's work we just quote one paragraph from the story of the interview. On city of the empire. being asked, "Are you satisfied with " It is also a fact that the Imperial the results so far?"' the Pundita replied, " I should have rejoiced to see larger University and normal schools of Japan results, but considering the difficulties, send out highly educated men and wom· I feel I have much cause for thankful- en capable to teach. Why, then, do we ness. Take that one fact-out of these send missionaries there to erect costly thirty widows I have the assurance from buildings and organize schools toleducate their own lips thai, their coming here has the children? Is it because we want to 8aved nearly TWENTY of them from SUICIDE, give them a secular education? If that STARVATION, OR A LIFE OF SHAME. This is our chief object, many givers to the fact alone is an abundant reward for all cause have been decei ved. But that has our toil and expense."-J. T. G. not been our avowed object. Our real aim and chief desire has been to get hold -Miss Susan A. Searle says of the of the people to influence and lead them American Board Girls' Boarding School to Christ by exemplifying His love to at Kobe, Japan: them in our own lives of self-denying labors of love for them. And do we send " During the last year and a half there physicians merely to heal the sick? Is have been urgent calls from the Japan- not the higher objQct the real answer ese themselves for such lengthening and here also? If there is not so much broadening of the courses of study in medical work to be done as in China and the school as shall make it, in fact, a India, more time and strength can be college. Having come at a time when given to the higher work of teaching the Japanese were especially impatient Christ's love and mission to souls that of anything like foreign control in are starving for the Bread of Life. To church or school matters. the request do this work the M.D. must of necessity seemed significant of their confidence be a real missionary as well as a physi. in the management of the Board. To ciano There is plenty of this combined accede to this request, and at the same work to do in Japan. 'fhe number of time carry out long-cherished plans for Christians among the Japanese physi. the school, it is necessary to have, for cians is so small that, in an extensive buildings and other equipments, a much acquaintance with them throughout the larger sum of money than the annual empire, only four are known to be appropriation from the Board. The Christians. Two of the four are women, Japanese Christians are supporting educated in mission schools, and studied nobly several Christian schools, which are becoming to a greater extent every mAdicine in America. These two are year feeders of the Kobe school. They doing a good work for their countryare already heavily burdened; and women in making greater revelations to though in past years they have given them than they themselves can at. pres. generously toward buildings for the ent know. There is such a difference between working for money or fame and working for love.
"There are two Japanese girls now in this country fitting themselves to return as Christian healers. More are needed,"
'EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
III.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The Student's Summer School a.t North· all about $5000 and upward raised for field. Bishop Thoburn's missions in two years.
The sixth of these remarkable gather. The movement was quite spontaneous ings has been held. They began in and, of course, quite free from all con- June. 1886, at Mount Hermon, and this, siderations of denominationalism. Not which was held from June 27th to July a few have found fault because for two 8th, was regarded by many as exceeding successive years the missions of the in interest as well as numbers any Methodist Church in India have had so preceding convention. About five liberal a support, while the boards of the hundred students were enrolled. Mr. Baptist, Congregational, and Presby- Moody, of course, presided, as he is the terian churches are struggling to keep main attraction, and daily services were out of debt. But the simple fact is, held, at whioh Bible studies were con- there was little or no thought of the fact ducted and addresses of various sorts that Bishop Thoburn is a Methodist occupied attention. The main purpose bishop. His plan struck the conference of these conferences is known to be the as apostolic and feasible and as accom- consecration of these young men to lives plishing more for the money than any of higher service. The controlling other that has been proposed, and the thought in Mr. Moody's mindwas a bap- response was very hearty and im- tism of the Holy Spirit. Much time was pulsively generous: perhaps it erred ( given to missionary meetings. "Round on the side of catholicity and generos· Top" has already come to be, like the ity. There may be a doubt whether it " Hay Stack" at Williamstown, connect. is expedient in a conference composed ed inseparably with missionary consecra· of all evangelical denominations to take, tion. Here, at twilight every evening, especially for two successive years, an the young men meet to consider the offering so large as this for the mission question of individual obligation to the work of anyone church. It is liable to world·wide field. Here the call for new be misunder,;tood and to occasion hos- volunteers was daily sounded, and the tile criticism. Bishop Thoburn's meth- claims of a dying world were weighed. ods have not the entire support even of We doubt not thatfrom that sacred spot his own Methodist brethren. No little many young men will date the begin- doubt has been expressed in our own ning of a new era in their lives. hearing as to the thoroughness and per- The missionary fires burned brightly manence of the work, and the expediency in more than one general meeting. Last of hiring such laborers, even at so low year Bishop J. M. Thoburn, of India, a cost. But the action taken was in told of his work and of the plan he is both years a simple outburst of genuine pursuing of employing native evange- missionary enthusiasm, and there was a lists, at an average cost of $30 a year, to noble impetuosity and liberality about proclaim among their fellow-country- it, peculiar to young men. It is not men the good tidings. The scheme im. open to the same criticism as a deliber- pressed the audience as so simple, eco- ate and previously planned course of nomical, and sensible that on the spot, action.
by Mr. Moody's enthusiastic leadership, This gathering was representative.
the pledges were made for support of It contained young men from all quar.
100 such evangelists. This year a re- ters. Not only were Great Britain, port was, made of the work done by Canada, the United States, represented, these hundred workers during the year, but China, Japan, Australia, Persia, and at once enough more was pledged Scandinavia, Germany, France, etc.
to support seventy-five such evangelists Indeed, it may be doubted whether for the current year. This will mnke in 'in any similar IIssembly so many various peoples and tongues have ever been "Our Oonntry." represented by Christian disciples. A new edition of Dr. Josiah Strong'8 They were like the Pentecostal assembly remarkable book is issued by our very " from every nation under he_en, " and enterprising friends, the Baker & Taylor every man might hear "in his own Co., 742 Broadway, New York. The tongue tho wonderful works of God." new edition, revised so as to embrace Too great care cannot be taken by the latest information of the census of those who have these gatherings in 1890, is greatly increased in value; and charge as to those who, on such a plat- the little book, already the most helpful form, present the truth. We feel con- contribution to home mission litera- strained emphatically to dissent from ture ever given to the American public, some teaching which we have heard, or has doubled its practical worth as a book known to be allowed, in such gatherings. of reference.
There is a special tendency in these Of this work of Dr. Strong we can days to depreciate the importance of say nothing too laudatory. It is muUum sound doctrine. Christianity is em- in parvo. But fifteen chapters long, con- phasized as a life, and often the doctrinal tained in 267 pages duodecimo, and side is treated as of little consequence. about 100,000 words, there is an amount H has been free. uently said that if one of information and inspiration which accepts Christ as his personal Saviour many ordinary volumes would not BUp- it matters little what he believes or ply. The words are picked and packed; doubts; that the creed is of small the illustrations are forcible and sim- moment if the heart is anchored to pie; the statements are lucid and Christ. Such teaching is perilous, es- vivid; the argument is terse and telling.
pecially before young men. Paul says, It is plain that the book is the product of 0' Hold fast the form of sound words with all time previous. It took many years faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." to prepare the hand and brain of its dis- There is no power in error to develop a tinguished author to give such a prod- beautiful life, and if there is any beauty uct to the public. And all this can in the life of a sceptic it is in spite of be had for 30 cents in paper and 60 his error, and in consequence of the cents in cloth! It has made a sensa- truth, mixed with error. Christianity is tion like" Uncle 'fum's Cabin."
both doctrine and deportment, belief and life. It is quite too fashionable in these Dr. George Smith, the missionary days to apologize for loose notions of biographer, who is also Foreign Secre- inspiration, atonement, the divinity of tary of the Missionary Board of the Christ, the work of the Spirit, and a Free Church of Scotland, writes from future state of reward and punishment, Edinburgh, June 3d, 1891 : on the ground that if one is sincere it My DEAR DR. PIERSON: Should I live matters little what he believes We to write Henry Martin, an even more protest in the name of all that is good important life has got to be writtenthat the highest Christian life, and es- that of Charles Grant, who inspired pecially the largest service in saving Wilberforce and Carey, and was himself souls, is inseparably connected with led to Christ by Schwartz. His grand- doctrinal soundness. A missionary son, the present Sir Charles Grant, has must believe the truth if he is to be an the necessary papers, which are in beaueffective and successful worker for God. tiful order, for myoid friend, John We regal'd the growing laxity in doc. Marshman, had them, and died before trine, and especially the prevailing dis- he could write the book. Meanwhile, position to tolerate all forms of unsound to test the matter, I will have, in an opinion, as tending to undermine the early number of Good Words, a con- whole structure of missions, both at densed sketch of the greatest Scotsman, home and abroad. next to Duff, who ever went to lorlia. Use my name as you kindly propose, respondents the lady workers in Madrid (Mrs. Fenn), San Sebastian, Puerto Sta if it will be of any service, on your list lIIaria, Figueras, Seville (Mrs. Barosso), Pradijon and Santander, to whom their of editorial correspondents. members may apply.
Do not overtax your strength. I From Manoh, SaJijah, Sierra Leone, W. Africa, April 27th, 1891, we have the began life in India at twenty, and have following: worked hard-sometimes too hard in I have to thank you for the MISSION- ARY REVIEW, which is so free from a Bengal, so as to suffer. But work just up party spirit, so full of fervor that we who are out in the mission field cannot to the limit of strength is as healthy and but feel how little we are doing to what we ought. May the Great Head of the delightful as work even a little beyond Church enable us faithfully to battle with the heathenism of the pagan and strength is perilous, and bad economy, the easily satisfied conscience of the converts, who seem to have grasped the and truly sinful. Gladstone is a noble truth of their redemption and justifica- tion, but seem to forget they have daily example of a hard worker just up to the to overcome and grow in grace. We who have had the blessed Gospel in our limit, who has feared God and done His country for generations cannot possibly tell what these poor children have to service as no other statesman in history overcome.
has done it, I think. He is a friend of I am the only foreign representative of the Episcopal Church here. Our missions, as I know from personal in. mission is situated at the most northern point of the republic of Liberia. Our tercourse with him. My book on " A work is entirely among the heathen. The Board appropriates support for 125 Modern Apostle" has just gone to a sec- children, 85 of whom are under my es- pecial care. There are two student ond edition. Yours truly, teachers to assist. I am hoping to wel- come a teacher from Sierra Leone soon• G. SMITH. Many of our girls are growing into wom- anhood, and it is a cause for devout God may move some generous souls to thankfulness that we have been able to respond to this appeal; but the editor keep them so long under the sound of owes it to himself to say that no funds the Gospel. Twenty-eight of them are have been yet entrusted to his care for regular communicants. Of course all any such purposes: their own mending, making, washing, ironing, and domestic work is done by DEAR DR. PIERSON: Confident of your them. The little boys work in the coffee interest and sympathy in the work of farm of an afternoon, as also do the the Student Volunteer Movement for senior department or elder boys, who Foreign Missions, I am writing you to are under the superintendence of Mr. say that we are in financial straits. To Jones. He also is a son of a convert, be more definite, we are in immediate and will be ordained next Christmas. and pressing need of $1500 for current He is very ambitious to establish workexpenses. shops, where they can be taught differ· I have been thinking that you might be inclined to turn over to our use some of the funds entrusted to your care for •, foreign missionary" purposes.
Whether or not you are led to send money, I venture to ask you to join with me in prayer that the Lord will send the money for His own work. I ask you because I know you believe in prayer, and because it is laid upon my heart distinctly that I shall see this money in view.
Yours very heartily, MAX WOOD MOORHEAD, Chairman Finance Committee. June 23d, 1891.
Rev. J. E. B. Meakin desires us to add to the statistics of the work in Spain that the London Y. M. C. A. has for corent trades -it is so necessary to train we had lengthened conversations on the their muscles as well as intellect out great subject of missions.
here. He published, many years ago, a In 1858 I was under the auspices of " Missiunary Atlas," accompanied with the C. M. S., London, and remained in most valuable explanations and histori- Sierra Leone for seventeen years. cal notices. As all the letter-press was The ages of the children vary from in Danish, the circulation of the work two to eighteen years. Our little ones was necessarily limited. He hoped an give us much pleasure, but we need edition might be published in English, more help. So much has to be left un· but, for reasons mentioned by the dean, done for lack of strength and time. the idea was not carried out.
M. It. BRIERLEY. Dr. Grundemann is another most dili.
gent and laborious student of mission From Forsyth, Georgia, Mr. J. C. history. He also published an atlas of Davidson writes: great value, which, in the rapid advance "Your statistician gave' the M. E. of missions, is now necessarily some- Church, Soutb, an incorrect report what out of date.
under the head of ' Foreign Missionary It is high time that we had a work Societies,' page 476, in June number of carefully representing the mission field REVIEW. as it now is. The two gentlemen I have "I send you the statistics of that named are ready to unite in preparing church's missions : it if they can be freed from pecuniary "Missionaries: Total maleH, 142; responsibility in connection with the wives of missionaries, 39 ; totalfemales, large undertaking.
30 ; total, 211. (From Woman's Mission In my conversations with Dean Vahl it Advocate, June, 1891.) Native laborers, was quite understood that the work 262 ; other helpers, 17; members, 14,. should be in English. Both Dr. Grun- 702 ; probationers, 291 ; total, 14,993; demann and he are acquainted with that churches, 184. language.
" These figures I take from the report You will see that the dean hopes that of the Board of Missions, 1891." the missionary societies may patronize These letters, from Dr. Murray Mitch. the undertaking. I trust that the pub. ell and Dean Vahl, are of great interest. lication of his letter may bring this im- Dean Vahl's "Atlas" is the best we portant matter under the notice of the have ever seen. societies in America and Europe, and of the public generally. It will be lament- EDINBURGH, May 22, 1891. able if, when two men so admirably DEAR FRIEND : The letter I enclose is qualified for the work as Dean Vahl and from Dean (Provost) Vahl, of N. Ulster, Dr. Grundemann are prepared to under- Denmark. take it, their proposal should not meet I doubt whether any living man is with a hearty response.
better acquainted with the history and If the missionary societies should not bibliography of missions than my much- see their way to help as Dean Vahl pro- esteemed friend, Dean Yah!. Every. poses, is there no large.minded, large- thing he has written regarding missions hearted friend or friends of missions -and he has written mueh-is brimful who will render the needful aid in this of accurate and interesting information. important undertaking?
After attending the late Evangelical I hope you can kindly insert Dean Alliance Congress at Florence, to the Vahl's letter in the MIsSIONARY REVIEW, work of which he made a very valuable and so draw attention to the subject.
contribution, in which he compared the I remain, dear Dr. Pierson, Protestant missions of 1845 and 1890, Ever very faithfully yours, he dE-all paid me a visit in Nice ; and J. MURRAY MITCHELL. Dean Vahl's letter follows: to.do people, and such a book would April 18, 1891. be too dear for them.
DEAR DR. MURRAY MITCHELL: 1. AA It could be done almost in the same you know, we have sometimes spoken way in which, a year ago, we started a with one another as to getting my missionary review in I::lcandinavia. If " Missionary Atlas" translated and pub- twenty of the great missionary societies lished in English. You have asked me in Great Britain and America would give to explain myself more explicitly about £50 each toward the publication of such this matter. As you know, the Re- a work, we should havo £1000 (and, if ligious Tract Society of London had necessary, perhaps twenty smaller socie. thought thereabout, and an agreement ties would give £25 each) ; thus, I think, was made; but the matter dropped, and a very large part of the expenses could I do not like to press it forward. Some of be paid. I think it would take three or the secretaries of the missionary socie- four years of our time to make the work ties have said that all that was in my book as complete as it ought to be. But a was quite correct, but they wished that complete budget of the expenses can I had dwelt more on the work of their on a later day be produced. I find that special societies. Had I done that, the Dr. Grundemann is willing to work on book would have been twice or thrice as such a plan. large, for all other societies must have been treated in the same way. Perhaps every society could open a subscription at net price, whereby it There have also been negotiations might be possible for numbers of them about a German edition, but they have come to nothing. The book has been to get the atlas at a reduced rate. You praised by German critics like Dr. War- may use what you will of this letter, neck, Dr. Grundemann, and Rev. G. and I should be glad if this plan were Kurze, as the most complete book on settled in one'way or another. this subject found in any literature. Yours very sincerely. 2. You know that Dr. Grundemann about twenty years ago published a (Signed) J. VAHL. " Missionary Atlas," the best ever published. Now it is a little out of date, and This REVIEW would gladly assume one a new edition should be brought out. subscription of £50 sterling ($250) to But it has been impossible to find a pub- insure the succes~ of Dean Vahl's plan. lisher. Some will say there is no need of Who will join us? Let the parties resuch an atlas, as the different societies sponding send names and amounts to can each publish an atlas of its own. the editor.-A, T. P. Quite true; but it would be only, or mostly, of their own missions; to buy One of our correspondents sends the them all would be very expensive; and following" unillersal prayer of all who besides, the outlook of the whole world read aright the signs of the times" : would be wanting. (TUNE, America.) Some time ago Dr. Grundemann wrote to me, proposing that we should " God save our fellow.men, work together; he would draw the Save them from every sinmaps, and I should give the letter-press Make them thine own. in the same way as I have done it in From heaven, Thy dwelling-place, my own .. Missionary Atlas." Such a Look on our helpless race. thing would be of very great importance Save them through Jesus' gracB, for students of mission· history. But Thou Holy One. how can it be done? No publisher in Germany would care to undertake it, " 0, Thou impartial Friend, nor, perhaps, any in England or Ameri- On Thee their hopes dependca. I fear it would not pay. The stu· Thou bidd'st them come. dents of missions are generally not well- May thousands turn to Thee, Thy true disciples be, And ever dwell with Thee In Thy blest home.
" Bless all who own Thy Word, O'Thou, our only Lord, , Thy will be done.' Bid all o~r strifes to cease, Let Christian love increase, Give us Thine own sweet peace Oh, make us one. "
Yours faithfully, W. K. AZBILL, Special Agent F. C. M.S. ,Indianapolis, May27th,1891.
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
JAPAN. oppressive and offensive ever since their adoption in 1858. The mihtary commander of the Japan- ese forces, when he saw the walls of the One of these exempts foreigners from fort crumbling beneath him, under the being amenable in Japanese courts. fire of Commodore Perry's guns, while Whatever offence a man from the West he paced to and fro, swore by all the may commit, he cannot be brought be- gods of Japan that he would find out fore a Japanese tribunal. He is only how it was done. The whole nation amenable in the consular courts of his presently thereafter resolved to find out own nation in Japan. The Japanese how Europe and America did everything recognized that this discriminated else. A people, whose written history against their equality among nations; reaches back in uninterrupted tale to but the foreigner urged against them the time of Nebuchadnezzar, was revolu- that they acknowledged standards of tionized in government, in commerce, offence, and "cruel and unusual punin its army and navy, in material and ishments" to which foreigners must not social science, in its very dress and be subjected. They said they must wait manners in a few months; and witbin until the Japanese civilization became a third of a century they underwent modernized in these particulars. Japan maze changes than they bad previously now comes forward to say that she has done since the time of Crcesus. The met the conditions and adjusted her result was a New Japan. Newspapers, jurisprudence and procedures so that a postal and telegraph system extending there is no longer any reason for this from end to end of the empire, and al- humiliating discrimination against her. most everything elsE! that entered into She demands the revision of this part of tbe externals of Western civilization the treaty. Many foreigners in the were adopted. great cities of Japan, however, still lire not willing to be subjected to Japanese The Christian missionary was ad- authority, and stoutly oppose this remitted as a part of this new regime. vision, and the result naturally is an The foreign schoolmaster, too, was in anti-foreign feeling among the Japandemand. Foreign literature was im- ese. ported until it flooded tbe land. But now-and suddenly in the estimation of A much more practical question than SOIDe people-aU this iii reversing. We, this of political dignity, however, is anhowever, can scarcely see it that way. other feature of the old treaty, which It rather seems to us that Japan is pro- dictates the amount of revenue that gressing straight along the same path Japan shall receive from imposts on she entered thirty-five years ago. She foreign importations. The Westernnacan recognize the standard of political tions set their own rate of customs for self-respect of the West as well as she Japanese goods entering their councan Western forms of dress ; and she tries, and then obliged Japan to take has never adopted any ideal of political what they chose to give her for their eJwellence that would lessen her inde- own products taken into her ports. And pendenue and equality among the na- this was fixed at the uniform rate of five tions. per cent. This was destructive of her national dignity in a still greater de- She was humiliated by the Western gree, and pushed her to the very verge powers and made to accept a treaty of bankruptcy. Our view is that in reagainst particulars of which she all the sisting these unjust obstructions Japan while most vigorously protested. 'l'wo did not start on any reactionary path. special features of the treaty have been way. She only still further demanded Church of Japan came to feel they must to be allowed to do as Western nations have something simpler, and concluddo. This agitation and resistance to ed that they knew how to state their Japanese demands only called the more faith for their own people much better attention to the fact that Western na· than the missionaries had done; anci tions hold to national pride and inde. hence the intensity of their resistance pendence, and developed a high spirit to any foreign aid in drawing up the of patriotism. Japan must do the preamble to the Apostles' Creed. '1'h6 same, they argue. She must love her preamble was, however, orthodox own and respect her national habits throughout; and in this respect does and life. This may be called reaction, great credit to the apprehension of the but is it not relll progress? Imitation Japanese Church of the fundamental is peculiarly active among primitive teachings of their missionaries. Some peoples. Asiatics from the Bosphorus very able missionaries think that the to the Yellow Sea are expert imitators. di"position to independent church ac- But Japan discovers that the strength tion has elements of good in it. They of the West is in its power to originate say it will shift the burden of responsiand appropriate without imitating. She bilityon to the Japanese native leaders, will do that way too. She will have and they will strengthen under it. everything now original. This may be There are some perils, doubtless. Some only a new phase of Japanese imitation, of the Japanese think they do not need and may not prove her strength. It has any more missionaries from abroad. exhibited some ridiculous instances. They feel the Japanese to be capable to One of the most curious was in the sixth develop and lead their own churches; meeting of the synod of the Japanese· but they, perhaps, never needed able Presbyterian Church, when they thought missionary guidance more than now. they must adopt an original creed ob. They have not measured the forces that jecting to all those of the other nations. are arrayed against them. Darwinism The committee nearly gave up in despair flourishes in Japan. Japanese flock to when the Apostle's Creed was objected Germany as well as to the divinity to as foreign. Finally one of their own schools of America. French Romanists, number went to his honse and drew Greek Catholics from Russia, Unitaup a creed, which being presented and rians, Universalists, infidels, and heterobjected to as foreign also, assured them odox forms of the Christian teaching of that np to a half hoUl' before its pres- every shade are present among them_ entation no foreigner had so much as They never needed the earnest prayers seen or known of it, and it was then and wise counsel, as well as financial only that they adopted it as a preamble resources of the West, more than they do at this hour. But they will have to the Apostles' Creed. It is true there strong leaders, or none, from afar.
wa!! other reason for this particular nov. IOREA. elty. The Prcsbyterians of Japan had combined that they might present fewer For four hundred years Korea was divisions of the Protestant Church to isolated from the rest of the world, exconfuse the Japanese mind. They cept as hostilities· now and again broke agreed in 1877 to the organization of the monotony. It is a small country the United Church of Christ in Japan about double the size of Ohio, with a out of the Presbyterians of America population variously estimated, but (North), the Reformed, and the United which we may put down at 12,000,000. Presbyterians of Scotland. They recog- It has a coast line of 1800 miles, though nized the symbols of the Westminster the tongue of land is only about 400 Confession of Faith. the Canons of thfl miles long; numbers among its mineral Synod of Dort, the Heidelberg and the products coal, iron, lead, tin, silver, and Shorter Catechisms, and the infant gold. It pays tribute to China and fields for trading purposes. On the Japan, but beyond that is not controlled seaboard modern missionary influences by them. Its' existing records reach flowed to Korea from Japan. The back for 3.0.0.0 years. Its trustworthy Methodists and Presbyterians began history begins about A.D. 2.0.0. In 1876 missionary work in Seoul in 1884. A the present progressive king entered great int erest was felt in this movement, into treaty relations with Japan, open- because this " hermit nation" was one ing to them three Korean ports. In of the only two countries that remained 1882 the United States made a treaty positively shut from missionary influ- with Korea, and in 1883 first sent a min· ences. Now all doors are open except ister to its court. The land is owned into Thibet. Korea may prove to open by the people, and held for them by the a pathway for Christian forces into king, and rented to the people, which Manchuria. takes the place of all other taxes. The capital, Seoul, contains about 35.0.0 MEDICAL MISSIJNS. hou~es and a population of from 15.0,.0.0.0 or 2.0.0,.0.0.0. In religion Korea has fol- Outside of Christian countries nearly lowed China and Japan from an original all disease is esteemed to be of supernature worship to the adoption of Bud- natural origin. The belief. in diseasedhism, Confucianism, and Romanism. spirits is found from the Eskimo to the Of late years there has exhibited a strong Patagonian; in Oentral, Western, East. tendency to emphasize the primitive ern, and Southern Africa; in Borneo, Australia, the Indian Archipelago, nature-worship. * among the Malagasy, and if! well· nigh world. wide, and has existed through Christianity was introduced into uncounted centuries. The treatment of Korea through some Jesuit books from disease is in consonance with the theory Peking in 1777. The first Korean con- of its origin. Even where the rude vert was baptized in 1783. The new medical notions of Greece, Egypt, and faith spread rapidly; but here, as else- Arabia have migrated, there is ever where, Jesuit political intrigue led to found the superstitious treatment of revolt against them, and sixty years of disease. Medicine and religion go topersecution followed, in which thou- gether in the thought of the non·Chrissands of Korean converts died within tian man. He is quite ready to receive this century with the names of Jesus them together from the Christian misand Mary on their lips. Other thou- sionary! "The recovery from disease sands apostatized; but some estimate is the kindliest exhibition of Divine that there are still thousands of secret power; and the Christian medical misdisciples of Christ in the land. sionary occupies a lofty vantage ground in his work." A missionary of the Netherlands Society reached Korea in 1832 and reo The results of medical missions mained one month, distributing tracts abundantly sustain these statements of and religious books. The missionaries what might be expected of them. Of of the Preshyterian Church of Ireland, the twenty stations in the region of the living in China on the borders of Korea, English Presbyterian Hospital at Swaexerted the first of the more modern tow, China, seven or eight are said to Protestant influences in Korea through owe their origin to hospital patients. Koreans that came over to their mission In the hospital of the London Mission- ary Society at Amoy it is said twelve to • Rev. J. Ross some while since gave It list in fourteen thousand towns are yearly the Chinese Recorder of over twenty gods which represented. Intelligent natives from are popnlarly worshipped in Korea; gods of the all parts of China going to Canton visit road, gods of the monntains, who protect from the hospital and dispensary there, it is tigers; gods of the rain and of war, gods of the said, as one of the great sights of the kitchen, the Virgin Mary, and Ancestral Tablets are enumerated. city. Twenty thousand patipnts a yEar, harm should befall either houses or peo· pie. SODle of whom have come hundreds of .. And so it came to pass, So grateful miles to it, are treated at this hospital, was Abdullah for services rendered by the doctor that he contrived to restrain and hundreds of them have been led by the ferocity of his men for the whole seven weeks during which the siege it to give up idol worship. All these lasted and firing was kept up. Not a missionary, not one of the five hundred institutions illustrate the power of native Christians who took refuge with medical missions to lessen the anti.for. the missionaries, was touched. Their goods and their cattle, too, were in eign feeling, to diminish the power of safety in the mission buildings. Even the five Christian villages outside the superstition, and to exhibit the un- town were, for Dr. Cochrane's sake, left unmolested. This is all the more reo selfish character of the Christian reo markable when we consider the natural disposition of the Kurd, the fanatic fnry ligion. Medical missions have opened to which he is roused by his religion-=- eminently a religion of the sword-and the way into many countries where the annoyance felt by Abdullah at the long reHistllnce of the Persians. prejudice otherwise shut out all Chris· tianity. It was so in Jeypore, India, ., I found that wherever I went in Koordistan Dr. Cochrane's fame and and in Korea. name had 8pread everywhere. I was asked aftpr his health and whether I The story is the same in every land had seen him," etc.
whither the medical mis,;ionary goes as There is a small pamphlet published to the effects in winning the people. by the Missionary Echo Publishing Dr. Scranton, of the Methodist Mission Company, Toronto, Canada, to be had of Seoul, Korea, says: by mail for six cents, entitled" Medical "Our patients, as well as stUdents, Missions: Facts and Testimonies to their come to us from all parts of the realm. The 'patients many times come with Value and Success," compiled by W. J. more faith in a cure than our diplomas will warrant us in promising or at· Wanless, M.D., which is brimful of tempting. We have thus far been per. mitted to influence hundreds of Koreans most interesting statements about medi. toward a belief and reliance in what foreigners can do and teach. and have cal missions at Canton, Amoy, Swatow, reliAved much suffering. Sometimes our simplest operations are not much Bangchow, Tientsin, Hankow, Fot. short of miracles in their eyes, and our renown and welcome are increasing shan, Chefoo, Pang.Chuang, Foochow, daily. One of Ollr first steps is to make the country glad we came, and make Hainan, and other parts of China; in them put reliance in what we can teach. This is fast being accomplished in all Mongolia, Formosa, Korea, Siam, Ara. departments … bia, Persia, Syria, Africa, Madagascar, Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop, author of •, Unbeaten Tracks in ,Japan" and other and other countries.
volumes about her wide wanderings over Rev. J. H. Corbett, of Shantung.
the world, in addressing an English China, says there would be a mighty audience recently, said she was an en· upheaval in China if into every district thusiast on the subject of medical mis. of the empire a Christian physician and sions. She told the well·known instance a trained preacher were sent two and of the effects of Dr. Cochrane's medical two. .. Missionaries who have some work in Persia. An English exchange knowledge of medicine may do good,"
thus reports the story as she told it, saysJ. Hudson Taylor, ., and win golden and testified to it : opinions while on journeys," But Dr.
,. On one occasion the chief of the Edward Chester well says, "The medi- Kurds-Sheik Abdullah–sent for Dr. Cochrane, and told him that he was cal work in missions is nothing save as about to make war upon the town, but that if he would indicate the exact posi. it helps to show to the heathen that the tion of the mission buildings, and warn the missionaries to keep within their Divine Christ is the centre, the soul, shelter, he would guarantee that no the life of Christianity, and that we are His disciples and followers."
America has not failed to see the value of medical'm:ssions for women by duly proof of their discipleship in holy livqualified women doctors. There are ing and moral reform, rather than in said to be 109 medical missionaries in formulating theories or musing specula. China, of whom 38 are women; and of tion. Already the earnest efforts to these women physicians 36 are from secure sexual purity, Christian mar- AmeriCl~. Medical missions have been riage, sound Bible instruction, purificabegun in all but four of the provinces of tion of the home, temperanoe, and hon- China. The work of American medical oring the Lord's Day, show the lines of lady physicians in India has been the activity and victory. Without undermeans of leading to a national move- valuing science or philosophy, our bement for sending women physicians to lief is that the American missionary to that country. We refer to the Lady Japan or the native preacher needs, first Dufferin Movement. This had its in- of all, to be a consecrated Christian and spiration in the medical mission work a minister of the pure Gospel of Jesus of the American lady doctors. But of Christ. the manifold and direct and indirect favorable results to evangelization from -It is cheering to report that the mismedical missions we cannot even fur- sionary societies are not yet so much ther hint. No department of mission- embarrassed by the uncertain monetary ary service will probably require greater condition as was at one time feared. expansion in the near future, nor yield Since the adjournment of Congress the more satisfactory results, provided the price of silver has been falling, and it is professional work be not allowed to ab- not now greatly in excess of what it was sorb the evangelistic accompaniment. last year at this time. So the oost of exchange is not likely to be so heavy the -Dr. William Ellis Griffis quotes and last six months of 1891 as it was the writes in the Presbyterian Review of To- first six months. ronto as follows: The prudential committee of the "Basil Hall Chamberlain, in his American Board, in view of the ad- 'Things Japanese.' says: 'Our … proph- vance of nearly $70,000 in this year's ecy is that the Christians of Japan will be contributions, has gladdened the hearts occupied with questions of morals and of the workers abroad by making practice-the temperance question, for $15,000 additional appropriatIOns to instance, and Sunday observance-· fields whence there has been an urgent rather than with subtle doctrinal theo- call for help. Six times this sum <'ould ries, the Japanese mind being too essen- easily be disposed of in extra gifts to tially unspeculative for the fine distinc- missions which have been terribly tion of the theologians to have any scrimped. charm for it, much less for it to seek to split new hairs for itself. The failure of -The Presbyterians of Canada did Buddhist metaphysical abstractions to better for home missions than for foreign take any hold of the national sympa- missions in the year recently closed, thies is a finger-post in history point- giving to the former $111,988, and to ing to what may be expected in the the latter $87,185. The great advance, future.' they say, has been made by the Women's Foreign Society. Beginning 14 years "This testimony, by a veteran and ago, they have brought up their income expert, will be concurred ie, I think, by from nothing to $34,629, and are every those who know the Japanese best. A year advancing in the vigor and success few of the Japanese 'will seek after wis- of their efforts. dom ' of the Greek sort. The majority of the forty millions need the Gospel, -The American Bible Society holds while of the 30,820 enrolled Protestant in trust the sum of $373,796.56. The Churoh Blembers the majority will give income is to be used for general benevo- lent and missionary purposes.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Organized Missionary Work and Statistics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard. Bellevue, O.
-How lavishly money is expended to India. The Bible Society has six auxgratify the lusts of the flesh! "The iliaries. From the Calcutta centre alone, annual beer product of the world is the circulation in 1890 was over 100,000 about 17,700,000,000 quarts, of which copies, and this was 27,000 less than the United States produces 3,200,000,- those issued, by the latest return, from 000." Madras. Lahore follows with about 47,000. Bombay reports some 40,000 -At a horse race, held in the vicinity for 1889, and Bangalore, 14,000. of New York City, the" book-makers" received the snug sum of $180,000. And -According to Russian sources, the lo! the Baptist Missionary Union closed total population of Russia is 103,912,- the year with a debt of $61,593, the 642. Of these, 75,541,644 are adherents Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions of the Orthodox Church. Of the others with a debt of $90,102, the English Bap- 11,000,000 are Pascolnites or "Sectatist Society with a debt of $52,500, the rians" -i.e., Stundites, etc. ; 7,6106,796 English Wesleyan Missionary Society are Roman Catholics; 5,104,200 are with a debt of $96,885, and the British Protestants (nearly all Lutherans); and Foreign Bible Society now has a 2,620,000 are Jews; and 2,000,000 are debt of nearly $100,000. Mohammedans and heathens.
-Why all this "waste" upon mis- -The principal missionary work in sions? is often the cry, though the savor Palestine is done by the English Church long since became decidedly ancient Missionary Society, which has a Euroand fishlike. But, if waste it were, how pean force conllisting of 9 ordained, 3 trifling by the side of the waste of war! lay, and 7 female missionaries. The According to the estimates of French native clergy number 8, with a total of 72 and German statisticians, 2,250,000 men lay helpers. The stations are Jerusalem, have perished in the wars of the last 30 Jaffa, Gaza, Nablous, Nazareth, and one years, while the money cost has been east of the Jordan. The number of bap- $13,000,000,000. The Crimean War cost tized is 1428, of whom 455 are com- nmnicants. A little over 2000 pupils of $2,000,000,000; the War the Rebel- are in the schools. The Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews lion, $5,100,000,000 to the North and also has stations at Jerusalem, Jaffa, half as much more to the South, etc. The and Safed, with a force of 4 ordained $12,000,000 a year expended for the con- missionaries and several assistants, version of the heathen is paltry by com- about 20 of whom are Christian Israelparison, but a bagatelle. Or, if set be- ites. side the amount that annually goes for liquors and tobacco! Not one tenth as -According to tables very carefully much has been given during the cen- compiled by Professor Dr. V. Juratury to Christianize the Zulus as was scheck, and corrected by Lic. Dr. G. paid to conquer them in the single cam· Dalman, the Jewish population of the paign of 1879-80. The expedition of globe is 7,404,250, divided among the Commodore Wilkes to the Pacific called continents as follows: Europe, 6,301,- for as great an outlay as the evangeliza- 550; Africa, 507,500; Asia, 294,000; tion of the Hawaiian Islands from 1819 and America, 285,200. Unfortunately until to-day. for them, more than half (3,236,000) re- side in European Russia, 1,005,000 in -There is nothing more significant Austria, 641000 in Hungary, 579,000 in than the steady and increasing diffusion of the Scriptures among the people of Germany, 400,000 in Roumania, 200,000 average of nearly $2 per member. The each in AbYRsinia and Morocco; but report speaks hopefully of the condition 195,000 in Turkey in Asia (Palestine in- of the evangelical work in Italy. cluded), and 230,000 in the United Statl"S. -According to the Annuario J!Jvan. gelico for 1891. the total number of Prot- -The National Bible Society of Scot- estant pastors, evangelists, and teachers land in 1890 soM outside of the empire engaged in Gospel work in Italy is 553. 36,796 Bibles, 108,115 testaments, and The Protestant churches and preaching 282,758 portions; in the colonies, 17,054 places in all number 479. The majority Bibles, 10,188 testaments, and 3f)34 por- of these are found in the larger cities, tions; at home, 118,919 Bibles, 70,919 Bologna having 6, Florenco 14, Genoa testaments, and 24,734 portions. Total, 12, Livorno 7, Messina 4, Milan 8, 172,769 Bibles, 189,222 testaments, and Naples 12, Palermo 5, Pisa 4, Rome 20, 311,026 portions. Total sales and gifts, San Remo 7, Turin 8, Venice 7. These 673,017. Total income, £35,5211s. 10d. Protestants are distributed among quite a number of denominations. The Wal- -The International Medical Mission· densians number 13,691 in the historic ary Socie•.y, whose work is to educate valleys, and 4428 in the so-called" Mis- physicians for the foreign field, has sionary Districts;" the .. ChristilID celebrated its tenth anniversary. The Church" (dei Prabelli) do not give exact income for last year was $9,976.50, statistics, but they number only a few and the number of students under its thousand. The Free Church reports a care was 52, of whom 9 were women, membership of 2350; the Wesleyan and they came from 7 denominations and Methodists of 1336; the EpiRcopal 17 countries. The United States led Methodists of 763 ; the Baptists of 885 ; with 19 students, alid Canada followed the" Catholic Church of Italy" (found- . with 7, and England 5, etc. The Bap- ed in 1886) has 119 communicants. In tists had 14 students; the Presbyterians, addition to these a number of inde- 13 ; Congregationalists, 8 ; Methodists, pendent but 8maller bodies are laboring 7, etc. for the evangelization of Italy.
-The British m:issionary societies, -The Board of Foreign Missions Qf according to Medical MUlsions at Home the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gen- and Abroad, have 139 physicians engaged eral Synod, in its biennial report, shows in missionary work, 13 of whom are receipts for the two years $97,544 ; ex- ladies. Of the whole number, the Free penses, $100,128, though a balance on Church of Scotland has 34 ; the Church hand of $15,101 prevented any actual Missionary Society, 21; the London Mis- deficit appearing at the close of the cur- sionary Society and the English Presby- rent year. The Sunday-schools report. terian Church have each 13; the United ed collections of $6075, besides con- Presbyterians, 11, and 25 societies have tributing $5070 for the support of stu_ less than 10 each. dents and workers in foreign fields, making thus a total of $12,145 from the -From the twentieth report of the young people. The Woman's Society Evangelical Church of Italy, formerly contributed $17,363 out of the $42,268 called the Free Italian Church, it ap- collected for all purposes. Four new pears that it has 29 churches and 24 missionaries have been appointed, three stations, besides 61 places which are to India and one to Africa. In the visited regularly. Connected with these India Mission at Guntur there are 371 churches are 2350 communicants. Be- congregations, 7952 communicants,. 3103 sides 13 ministers, thllre are 16 evange- clIDdidates for baptism, 233 Sundaylists and 36 elders. The gifts of these schools with 9094 scholars, 220 schools churches for all objects amounted to with 310 teachers and 4960 students. 16.326 francs, which amounts to an The contributions by the native Church the Free Church for evangelization out,- were $2635. side of the United Kingdom £113,813, against £52,030 ten years ago. The -Of, say, 650,000 Caffres in Cape Col- number of missionaries emplo!'ed in ony, about one fourth have been bap- India. Arabia, Syria, Africa, and the tized. In Zululand, of 50,000, about New Hebrides was 165, including 35 2000 are Christians. In Pondoland (still sent out by the Ladies' Society, and 33 independent) out of 150,000 at least 3000 missionaries' wives; and the total of are Christians. Christian workers was about 800. The number of nati-ve communicants was -Japan is said to have 191,168 Shinto 6895. The additions to the Church temples, with 14,489 priests; and 72,039 were 696 adults and 731 children, and Buddhist temples, with 56,266 priests, there were 1788 catechumens. There or a grand (that is, lamentable) total of were 6 colleges and 307 schools, with a 263,207 buildings for the worship of total membership of 27,951 youth of false gods, and 70,755 men to lead and both sexes. inspire.
-Official reports from the Vatican -The Paris mission in Basutoland show that in the pontificate of I,eo XIII., has 6933 communicants, 3055 catechunow in the fourteenth year, the Roman mens, and 6502 scholars in the schools. Catholic Church has made substantial The number of adult baptisms in 1890 progress, The new positions created in were 626. the hierarchy are the following: the Patriarchate of India, 12 archbishoprics, -The Presbyterian Church of Jamaica 65 bishoprics, 43 apostolic delegations, has 1 synod, 4 presbyteries, 8814 comvicarates, and prefectures. Then 10 municants, 8000 in Sunday-schools, and bishoprics have been made archbish- 6213 in day schools. Two missions are oprics. The total number of dignitaries sustained in Africa, and one Zenana in the hierarchy are the following: 8 mission. Latin patriarchs and 5 of the Oriental Rite; 783 Latin Archbishops and arch- -In the Basel Mission upon the Afribishops and 52 of the Oriental Rite; can Gold Coast are 10 stations and 70 308 Titulary Bishops, 23 bishops nullius' out-stations, 35 missionaries, more than dilEceseos. The greatest progress of the 9000 adherents, and about 3000 pupils Church is reported from North America in the schools. The Wesleyan Gold and England. Coast Mission has about 6000 communi. cants and about 19,000 adherents. -The annual report of the Free Church of Scotland's Foreign Missions -The Presbyterian Church of Engshows a total revenue from all sources land has in its missions in China and of £94,385. Of this £16,394 were collec- India 19 ordained missionaries, 10 meditions, £5364 were donations, £8179 lega- cal missionaries, 8 native pastors supcies, £9351 from the Ladies' Society, ported by their people, 108 native £1853 juvenile offerings, £17,610 college preachers, and 41 theological students. and school fees, £13,588 grants in aid The Chinese communicants number from the Indian Government, and the 3716. The expenditures last year were greater part of the remainder was made £19,275 15s. 6d. up of special gifts to particular missions, interest, etc. The Livingstonia -The Methodist Protestant Church Mission received thus £7095. Other reports $13,322.73 as the total of receipts mission committees of the Church raised for missions last year. Of this sum £8991 for the Jews, £6872 for conti- $5788 came from ehurch collections, and nental work, £3247 for colonial work, $5798 was gathered on children's day. making the total missionary revenue of A new school building has been erected at Nagoya, Japan, and an additional missionary is soon to be sent -to Yoko- hama. -The North China Mission of the Syria, $58,824; 8iam and Laos, $55,- Methodist Episcopal Church was estab- 406; Africa, $35,040 ;.Korea, $16,117; lished by 2 missionaries in 1869, but is and Guatemala, $10,658. now represented by 15 missionaries and 58 native helpers. It contains 18 homes Monthly Bulletin. and 29 places of worship, 28 schools, with 569 pupils, together with Peking Africa.-The Bible has now been University, with an atten<1ance of over translated into sixty.six of the languages 200, as well as 4 hospitals and 8 dis- and dialects of Africa. pAnsaries. 'l'he churches have 1299 members and probationers. -Dr. Cross, of the Free Church of Scotland MisBions on Lake Nyassa, Af· -The Cumberland Presbyterian rica, has up)n the roll of his school the Church sustains missions in Japan and names of 300 children rescued from M:exico, with 3 stations and 3 out-sta- slavery. tions. 18 missionaries, of whom 6 are ordained, 2 native pastors, and 17 other na- -The King of the Belgians has hontive helpers. The 11 churches contain 632 ored one of the Baptist missionaries on members. The additions last year were the Congo with a decoration. This gen- 63. In the 4 schools 298 receive instruc- tleman, the Rev. George Grenfell, is not tion. The income for foreign missions only a preacher, but an explorer of was $22,260, and of this $10,169 came note. Great interest attaches to his from woman's societies. Native con- discovery of the Mobangi, which he has tributions for all purposes amounted to proved probably to be the Congo's great. $1812. est tributary.
-The Baptist Missionary Union re- -Bishop Tucker, the successor of ports $492,275 as the total receipts for Bishops Hannington and Parker, reach- 1890, aUlI of this the woman's societies ed Uganda in December last, and since gathered $127,690. The 68 principal then the situation has brightened very stations and 1322 out – stations are much. He found the bitterness which manned by 364 ordt.ined missionaries, existed between the Roman Catholic of whom 232 are natives. In addition, and Protestant parties was not based 216 women from America are employed, upon religious, but ~pon political differand 626 unordained native preachers. ences. The French priests have been The total of laborers is 1645. Of the jealous of the British East Africa Com- 681 churches, with 76,603 members, 481 pany, and the strife on the Nyanza was are self-supporting. The baptisms last between French and English as really year were 8708. In 1038 schools 20,107 as in Europe. These feelings the bishop are taught. Total native contributions, was able considerably to pacify. His $51,038.12. own joy was full in the Christian aspect in Uganda. The day after his arrival he -The Board of Foreign Missions of preached to fully one thousand men and the Presbyterian Church (North) re- women. ceived last year $942,691. Of this sum the churches, as such, contributed $346,- -The Rev. W. G. Lawes, one of the 780, and the woman's boards and the pioneer missionaries in New Guinea, has Sabbath-schools $374,258-a fact curi- translated the New Testament into ten ous only, or truly alarming? That mill- languages of the savage islands; the last ion almost was divided as follows, one, in the Motu language, being in the among the 13 fields with 23 principal publisher'S hands. missions: China, $164,986; India, $161,046 ; South America (Brazil, Chili, -The Wesleyan Missionary Society and Colombia), $104,827 ; Japan, $fl7,- has decided to begin a mission at once ~48 ; Mexico, $89,644 ; Persia, $83,662 ; in British Zambesi, South Central Af- rica. The country is a high plateau, fertile and well watered, rich in min· has been accepted. The Wesleyans have erals, and healthy for Europeans. many converts in South Africa, who have gone northward as colonists and A native Christian in Uganda will miners, and this fact gives them an adwork three months for a copy of the New vantage in efforts for the evangelization Testament in Swahili. Only a limited of the natives. Mr. Rhodes has p~om_ edition has been published. iset! to the Wesloyan Society a subsidy of 2500 fran os annually." One whole tribe of Zulus, in Southeast Africa, is likely to be exterminated by China.-·The Executive Oommittee of the ravages of rum furnished by the Foreign Missions of the SoutherD. Pres. white men. byterian Church has appointed Rev. J. M. Sykes and wife, of Meridian, The government of the Congo Free Miss., and Miss Ruth Swain, Alexan- State has granted a large concession to a dria, Va., nissionaries to China. They commercial comp.1ny covering nearly all will sail thig autumn for their work. of the southeastern part of its territory. This will probably lead to the opening -Over one hundred new Protestant of the country sooner than if it were left missionaries have reaohed China and to the government to effect. The com· begun work there since the Shanghai pany is called" The Company of Ka· Missionary Conference in May, 1890. tanga." -The arrival recently at the Boston -Bishop Taylor says "that when a City Missionary Society of 1000 copies Kafir dies the body is placed in a sit· of the Bible and 520 tracts in Chinese ting posture near the grave and left there from the native Christians in Hong for two or three days, that all who wish Kong, designed for their countrymen may come and give to him messages for now in Boston. shows that the foreign their friends who have departed to the lands are waking up to the needs of happy land; thus showing that even the Amerioa and its alien populations. Kafirs, whose very name, given to them by the Mohammedans, signifies infidels, -At the end of Maroh 12 applicants believe in the immortality of the soul. for baptism were accepted in Peking, 8 But of a Saviour they know nothing." of whom were from the village of San Does not the duty of the Ohristian Ho, where there were 70 inquirers, in- Church to disciple all nations become cluding 20 women. more important each day? -At the great Missionary Conference -The foreign population of the Congo in Shanghai, in May, 1890, one committee Free State is now over 800,of whom about of twelve persons was designated to se· half are Belgians, the remainder being cure a translation of the Bible in simple English, Italians, Portuguese, Dutch, but chaste Wenli ; another, to secure a Swedes, Danes, and French. Of the 72 translation in the higher classic style, English and 35 Swedes, as enumerated in and a third of ten persons, to secure an December, 1890, the greater part-over improved version of the Old and New 80 in all-are missionaries. The open· Testaments in Mandarin. ing in March of the Congo Railroad from Matadi to the Leopold Ravine is an -A band of 35 men and women for earnest of the great work that will soon the China Inland Mission recently be completed, and which will rendermiR. reaohed Shanghai. An additional 10 or sionary advance much easier and safer. 15 are expeoted, so that the whole band will be 45 or 50. To the Scandinavian -Says the Missignary Herald: "Mr. churches of the United States belongs Oecil Rhodes, the Prime Minister of the honor of having sent them as their Oape Oolony and leader of the British representatives, and to the China Inland South Africa Company, has invited the Mission the privilege of receiving them English Wesleyans to commence a miR- as its associates in the name of the Lord. sion in Mashonaland, and the invitation Half of this band are men and half are and Hungarian divinity students. A women. The majority are Swedish by new' financially independent German birth, though a few came originally from Reformed church in Buda-Peeth has Norway. mainly resulted from Scottish labors.
-The insurreotions against the Catho· The leading Hungarian pastors express a lic and Protestant missions in China are warm sense of this catholic co-operation: attributed to fanatical Buddhist priests. To stir up the people, they aUege that lndia.-Thecensus of Ipdiawas taken the Chinese childrQn are maimed by the in one night between February 26th and Christians, and that their eyes are torn 27th. Th'clre were more than a million of enumerators.
out for the purpose of making medicine -Before Christianity entered India, to bewitch the Chinese. lepers were treated with shocking in- F!ii.-The latest report concerning the humanity. Many of them were buried religious condition of this group of alive. The English rulers have put a islands covers the year 1889. The total stop t:> this custom, and for fourteeI4 area of the group is about the same as years there has been a special Christian that of the State of Massachusetts. mission to the 135,000 lepers in India.
There is a European popUlation of about -A correspondent of the Harvest Field 2000, while the natives, inoluding other thinks the Salvation Army workers in Polynesians and Indian emigrants, India have fallen into the snare of number 123,000. Of this native popu- .. premature reporting." Last year it lation 103,775 worship in the churches was stated that at Paij, a Gujarat village, of the Wesleyan Mission, while 10,302 hundreds had joined the Army. They attend Roman Catholic churches. The have now" in hundreds" left the Army.
Wesleyan Mission has 10 European mis'- He suggests that it would be wiser to sionaries and 72 native ministers, 49 wait a year to see how converts stand catechists, 1838 local preachers, and before rushing into print concerning 1095 teachers; these laboring in connec- them.
tion with 909 churches and 414 other -Dr. Sara C. Seward, a niece of the preaohing places. In the sohools of the late Secretary Seward, who fOT several Wesleyan Mission are 40,667 children. years has been a medical missionary The Roman Catholic Mission has 18 among the women of India, died recent- European ministers with 148 native ly at Allahabad. teachers and 76 native churches and chapels. Aside from the 18 Roman -In Jhansi, where mission work has Catholic priests there are three lay Eu- been carried on since 1886, the first ropeans and 14 female Europeans. It is Christian church is now being built. It interesting to notice that the total value will contain a reading-room for the eduof exports from Fiji for the year 1889 cated natives, and English books will be amounted to $1,821,000, while the im- provided.
ports were $945,000. Is there anyone -Pnndita Ramabai held the second who believes that there would be such a anniversary of her" Sharada Sadhau," record of prosperity for these islands or widow's home, recently. Mrs. Rahad it not been for the preaching. of the nade, the amiable and intelligent wife Gospel therein? of a cultured native gentleman of Poona, Hungarian Jews. – The Buda – Pesth a member of the Legislative Council, Mission among the Hungarian Jews had presided with grace and dignity; and an important incidental result in knit- another well-educated lady with remark- ting various closer ties of brotherhood able self.possession moved an address of with the Hungarian churches. Scottish thanks. This assuredly indicates prog- liberality has provided bursaries at the ress in the conservative city of Poona, New College, EditlQnrgh, for Bohemian a Iltronghold of Brahmanism. The Pundita a·elivered a long and eloquent ltaly.-There o.re in Florence two Walextemporo address with her wonted deosian churches, one Free Italian energy. She reports her work to be church, two Baptist churches, and one prospering. Plymouth Brethren church, all of which, except the Baptists, ha.ve good houses -It i~ said that every week there are of worship of their own. 'rhe Waldenprinted in the Bengali language in Cal- sia.n Theological School, with three procutta, and circulated, 10,000 sermonettes fessors and a dozen students, is there; written by Bishop Thoburn. If the and the Methodist School, soon to be funds are furnished, it is proposed to transferred to Rome, is there at present. print them in five different languages Of the Protesto.nt day schools the oldest every week. and largest is that of the German Dea- conesses, with more than a hundred -Dr. Pentecost writes: " An aston- pupils, all girls. Besides these instituhlhing feature of the National Indian tions there are the Domenge Institute, Congress was that there were lady dele· for boys, the Mackenzie Institute, for gates present; and on the last day one the training of lay workers, two evanlady, a native of high caste, appeared gelical orphan asylums, a medIcal mis. on the platform unveiled, and delivered sion, a soup kitchen, and six churches an address extemporaneously in pure for foreign Protestant residents. English. This is an innovation so marked that it will do much toward Japan.-Foreign missionaries resident shaking the foundation of the hateful in Japan are now granted passports to and terrible Zenana of India. Once the reside outside of foreign concessions, on women are set free in India, then away the ground that they are" employed in go the iron fetters of caste, and the church work"-a concession which has whole empire will be freed from super- hitherto been given only to teachers. stition." Coming at this time, it indicates a spe- cial appreciation on the part of the Jap- -The report of the M. E. Conferences anese Government of the beneficial in. in Northern India for the past church fiuence of the missionaries. year is cheering. There have been added to the churches 980 full members and -The Rev. Dr. William E. Griffis, 2935 probationers. There were 1256 writing on the outlook in Japan, asks adult baptisms. The number of schol- the question: "Does Japan want phiars in the Sunday-school hail increased losophy or the Gospel? Missionaries over 3000, making the present number capable of filling chairs of psychology 28,400. The mission is embarrassed by at Harvard, or consecrated Christians its very success, for the large ingather- and ministers of the pure Gospel?" ing requires an addition to the native And he answers unhesitatingly, "The pastorate, while funds do not increase latter." He says a few of the Japanese proportionately. will " seek after wisdom" of the Greek sort, but that the majority of the 40,- –Figures that are almost startling are 000,000 crave the Gospel, while the given in connection with the Telugu majority of the 30,000 Protestant church- Mission (Baptist) in India. The bap- members will give the best proof of tisms reported in five months of the last their discipleship in holy living and missionary year were over 5000. The moral reform rather than in formulating work is still progressing. theories or nursing speculation.
-The native Christians of Ko.limpong -The recent annual meeting of the are themselves undertaking a" foreign' , Congregational churches in Japan mission to Bhutan, within their country. marked a real advance toward unity. It is to be supported by the prayers and An earnest spirit pervaded the gathermoney of the Christians within the ing, and the theological tone was more Guild Mission District. conservative and harmonious than had patients were treated the last year, and been expected in some quarters. A religious services are beld regularly on statement of belief was formulatecl as a the Sabbath, with an attendance of up- basis of faith for consideration next ward of two hundred. One of the ladies year. A large share of the debt of $600 of the Presbyterian Mission has a week- on the Home Missionary Society was ly sewing class at her house, where raised by a spontaneous and enthusiastic women of all ranks and conditions come, outburst of benevolence among the dele- and, while engaged in needle-work, the gates themselves. A theatre meeting, Gospel story is read to them and ex- with 2000 people in attendance, was one plained. Another lady of the same mis- of the features of the season. sion has a class in the city away from her home. The hospital, in charge of a -One evidence of the reaction against Methodist lady, is the centre of a very foreigners in Japan is the fact that the interesting and efficient Christian work. empress and members of the aristocracy Sometimes women come, not because have given up the wearing of the west· they are sick, but because they want to ern style of dress for women, and the hear about' the new doctrine. ' " native historical costumes are again to be worn exclusively. -Korea presents a striking illustra. tion of the irresistible advance of the Arrangements have been made for kingdom of Christ. One of the most the preparation of a commentary on remarkable works of grace known in the New Testament in Japanese. Bish- modern missions is that among the op Bickersteth, of the Church of Eng. Koreans. Without having heard or land, is to be tho general editor. seen a missionary, thousands of people have heard of Christ and turned to the -All that Japanese law requires a service of God. These converts are the man to do in order to put away his wife fruit of the circulation of copies of the is to have her name erased from the offi- New Testament by the Rev. John Ross, cial register of his family. and have it late missionary of the Presbyterian re-entered on the register of her family. Church of Scotltmd in Manchuria. Strong efforts are being made to aUlend this easy plan of divorce. New Guinea.-At a recent meeting of native Christians at Port Moresby, the K07·ea.-Writing to the independent, collection taken for the missionary cause Mr. Appenzellos says: "It is less than consisted of $37 c!lsh, 320 spears, 65 seven years since the first Protestant shell armlets, 92 bows !lnd 180 arrows, missionary came to Seoul or to Korea. besides shields, drums, shell necklaces, Both the Methodist and Presbyterian feathers, and other ornaments. Most of missions have had lady missionaries in the people have no money. Korea from the beginning. Mrs. ·M. F. Scranton has the honor of being the frst Persia.-From Oroomiah comes the one to open direct work foJ," the women following good news: .. The villages of Korea. More than once have I heard are being revived little by little. In her say that the women think so little one, 58 persons have professed converand their ideas are very narrow. But sion, m!lny of them heads of families. the work of educating them was begun, In other villages 50, !lnd in others a less then medical work, and finally direct number have come to repentance. evangelical work. Results are not to be looked for before the seed has had time -Pastor Joseph, of Gulpashan, which to take root. Yet there are a few things is one of the self-supporting churches, that cheer us even while breaking the writes the following cheering news: fallow ground. Korea has two girls' .. The winter past, as you are aware, schools, with an attendance of about has had its share of difficulties. One 40; one hospital, where nearly 2400 great diffieulty W!ilI in, fegard to our church building; a fine of three hun- invaluable in the acquisition and proper dred tomans ($450) had to be paid by use of the Turkish language.
us. Another was a sad division made by Y. M. O. A.-Twenty. five years have 80me of the members that for a time. was seen a ma.rvellous growth in Young a great evil. Notwithstanding these, Men's Christian Associations. Then God's blessings have been abundant. they were only beginning to secure a Special meetings were attended with recognized standing, but now they have power from on high. Over 60 are can· gotten a hold in all our leading cities, didates, and at the next communion and exert an international influence nearly all of these will unite with the through their various organizations. In church." 1886 there was only one building erected Scandinavia.-The Swedish Mission- for association purposes; now there are ary Society is actively at work among 231, which have a money value of $1,946,- the Laplanders. The society has an 085. In different lands the entire prop· orphanage at Ange, and 6 mission erty owned by this Christian agenoy schools in other parts of Lapland, amounts to $11,907,381. Besides, the where 173 children have received in- contributions for its current expenses of struction. In spite of a grant of 2000 looal work foot up annually $1,841,966. crowns from the king, the expenses for These figures show progress, and indithe past year were 1500 ?rowns in exceSli cate a vitality and permanenoe for this of the receipts. form of Christian aotivity whioh augurs well for its future. -" The Norwegian Lutheran China Mission" is the name of a societyorgan- General.-Dr. Woloott Calkins, in his ized a year ago at Bergen, with John sermon before·the Amerioan Missionary Brantzaeg as president. During the Sooiety, on the responsibility of busiyear 5431 crowns have been collected. ness men, gave some striking figures. Brantzaeg, his two brothers, H. Seyf- The wealth of the oountry he found to be farth, and S. Samuelson will go to China over $62,500,000,000 distributed among as missionaries. The establishment of 13,000,000 families, of whom 11,500,000 a mission house at Shanghai is under, families are those of wage-earners. consideration. There are 135,000 families whioh have an average wealth of $186,000. Seventy- Syria.-The girls' school in Tripoli five per oeut of our business men are has 35 house pupils and 115 day scholars. members or adherents of Protestant -An association has been established churohes. Of the 68 riohest men in the in London to send colonies of poor Jews country only 4 are Roman Catholic. to Palestine. So many are going to .Teru- There are probably 400 Christian famisalem that it is one of the most rapidly lies in this country with an annual ingrowing cities in the world. come, over and above expenses, averag· ing $500,000 apieoe ; and 8000 Christian Turkey.-The work of evangelization families with an average income, above in Turkey will be greafy facilitated by expenses, of $25,000 each, and 100,000 the Turkish dictionary just published Christian families with an average in- under the editorship of the Rev. H. O. come of $10,000 above expenses. A Dwight, who has spent several years in great share of the $1,400,000,000 added a careful revision of the work previously yearly to the capital of the country be- done by Sir James Redhouse of Lon- longs to Christian business men. The don. Drs. Riggs and Pettibone and a gospel for rioh Christian men is not so former grand vizier have also scrutinized much that we need their money as that the proofs. It is a fine piece of literary they need to get rid of it, if they would work, there being no less than 2224 not have their wealth drive them into pages in the volume, and it will prove insanity or provE) a curse.
The Missionary Review of the World — August 1891
THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. S.-Old Series.–AUGUST.–voL. IV. No. S.-New Series.
THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS.-NO. XX.
[EDITORIAL, A. T. P.] THE DAY-DAWN AT THE HAWAIIAN GROUP.-II.
IN 1808, thirty years after the diticovery of the Hawaiian Islands by Captain Cook, a lad was brought to the United States by a shipmaster of New Haven.
His name was Obookiah, and he had been trained by his uncle, a pagan priest, to the practice of idolatry. On the eastern shore of Kealakekua Bay, opposite where Cook was slain, may yet be seen, rising above the ruins of a small heathen temple, a cocoanut tree planted by that boy when as yet he had never heard of J esns.
Obookiah was intelligent, and not long after his arrival at the City of Elms, Mr. Edwin W. Dwight, passing the college buildings, saw him seated on the doorsteps weeping because the treasures of learning, so freely opened to others, were 10ckAd to him. Sympathy led Mr. Dwight to become his instructor, and he was the instrument in his conversion. The next year Samuel J. Mills, the father of modern American missions, wrote to Gordon Hall, from New Haven, suggesting a mission to the Sandwich Islands. Eight years latAr a foreign missionary school was established at Cornwall, Conn., of which Mr. Dwight was the first teacher; and fiye 'It the ten earliest pupils were Hawaiians. Obookiah, while being taught here, died in 1818, aged 26, and that which seemed a sad blow to the prospective missionary work among his countrymen God nsed as the means of awakening greater interest by the published account of his life and death. Hiram Bingham, a student at Andover, offered to go as a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands, and found in Asa Thurston, a classmate, a worthy colleagne. These two men were ordained as evangelists, and on October 15th, 1819, in the Park Street Church, Boston, a mission to the IIawaiian Islands was organized with the following members: Messrs. Bingham and Thurston, ministers, with their wives; Messrs. Whitney and Ruggles, teachers j Thomas Holman, physician; Elisha Loomis, printer; Daniel Chamberlain, farmer, with their wives, and three Hawaiian young men from the Cornwall Missionary School. These seventeen went forth, having among themselves the essential elements for creating a Christian civilization upon pagan shores, for they represented the Gospel, the common school, the printingpress, the medicine chest, and the implements of agriculture.
They set sail from Boston Octobel' 23d, 1819, and reached the Hawaiian coast March 31st, 1820, after somewhat more than five months. They had expected a long, hard struggle with paganism, with its human sacrifices, bloody rites, and deep-rooted prejudices.
But God had prepared their way. Only ten months before, Kamehameha I. had died, and, strange to say, forbidden human sacrifices during his illness or in connection with his obsequies; and so the people offered three hundred dogs instead. This first blow at the idolatrous customs of the people had been dealt by a professed idolatcr! Liholiho, his son, succeedcd, Kaahumanu, the king's widow, sharing the government during life. The king's mother, Keopuolani, saw foreigners violating the sacred r'lles of the tabu system with impunity, and even the natives, when intoxicated, trampling heedlessly upon them, and yet no divine wrath pursued the violators; and satisfied that her fears were groundless, she herself dared to break over the sacred limits and eat with her son. Such an example would naturally find followers; other chiefs, and finally the king, yielded, and then began a ruthless disregard of these tyrannical caste restraints. They saw that the gods did not punish their profaning of sacred laws, and naturally concluded that their gods were but the creatures of their superstitions j and thus the chiefs actually led in a revolt against the national religion, ordering the tabu system to be disregarded and the idols burned and temples razed. Stranger still, the high-priest resigned his office, and " first applied the torch to this Hawaiian structure of an idolatrous faith !" He was Joined by many of the lower pries~hood, so that, before the arrival of the missionaries, idolatry was abolished by law, and heathen temples were laid in ashes. Perhaps for the first time in human history idolatry threw down its own altars, and a nation was without a religion. Moreover, in the civil war that had followed this abolition of the national religion, God had given victory to the king, and thus established the new order. The newly arrived missionaries found the old religion abolished, but no desire for a new faith. The king objected to giving up his polygamy, and feared the effect of an American mission on his political relations. The old high-priest, however, favored the missionaries, and the king's mother counselled toleration j and, after twelve days, royal consent being given for them to reside on the islands for a year, they disembarked, April 12th, 1820. Part of them were ordered to Kailau and part to Honolulu. Mr. and Mrs. Thurston and Dr. and Mrs. Holman for a time abode in one small thatched hut assigned by the king, which was less than four feet high at the foot of the rafters, and had neither floor nor ceiling, windows nor furniture, in the centre of a noisy, filthy village! Those at Honolulu likewise found themselves destitute of common comforts j but, as God's providence dispersed them among the people, they went without fear, and were kept from all evil. The king, his brother, his wives, and other prominent persons became their pupils. After two years the printing-press was called into use in re- ducing the language to a printed form. The Hawaiian tongue having but twelve letters-seven consonants and five vowels, every letter having bu~ one sound, and every syllable ending with a vowel-it was easy for the na- tives to learn' to read and write, and a large portion of them made rapid progress. Thus a foundation was laid for introducing the Bible in the na- tive tongue. Unfriendly foreigners represented the missionaries as politi- cal spies, and that their presence would be offensive to the English king, who bore to the Hawaiians the relation of protector, and declared that the missionaries at the Society Islands had robbed and enslaved the people j but these falsehoods were exposed at the very crisis, when the king threat- ened to banish the missionaries. An English vessel, touching at the Hawaiian port in 1822, had on boardfrom the Society Islands two chiefs on their way to the Marquesas group as missionaries, and had also on board a deputation of English gentlemen, who had been "isiting the islands on a missionary tour; and so the exact means were suddenly supplied to expose the false statements made by the enemies of the missionaries. Who could so well tell the true influence of missions in the Society Islands as the two converted chiefs! and who represent the feeling of the English Gov~ ernment so well as these men from British shores! God thus directly interposed at this juncture! Meanwhile, the wife of the late king made a tour of the i:>lands, searching out and destroying idols. Hymns were written in the native tongue; in 1823, twenty-four chiefs, male and female, were learning to read and write, and the missionary band was reinforced. The same year Keopuolani died, the first convert, baptized. In this daughter of a kingly race, wife of a king lJ,nd mother of two other kings, the Sandwich Island church began visibly to exist. She forbade the customary heathen abominations to be practised at her death, and from that day dates their permanent decline. Liholiho, in this same memorable year, visited America and England with his wife and two chiefs. The whole party were attacked with the measles in England, and the king and queen died. Liholiho had already, before leaving home, declared his belief in Christianity, attended public worship, and urged it on his people. At his death the favorite wife of his father became regent, and gave emphatic support to the Gospel and schools. Kapiolani, a female chief, made a journey to the great crater of Kilauea, where the great goddess Pele was said to dwell, and there purposely set at naught the power and wrath of the supposed deity to show the people their superstitious folly.
At the time of the visit of Lord Byron, in the British frigate which brought the royal remains, the government had begun to assume a Christian character, and the council formally acknowledged the authority of the Christian religion. Efforts were made, with royal sanction, to prevent murder, theft, infanticide, Sabbath desecration, licentiousness,. and drunkenness; and Kauikeaouli, the heir to the throne, now nine years old, was put under the instruction of the missionaries, that he might shun the errors of his deceased brother! A little more than five years after the first missionaries came, Kaahumanu, the regent, and nine chiefs were received into the church, and afterward died in the faith-a rare instance of a pagan govern- ment embracing the Gospel in advance of the people! Yet there was never a formal nnion of Church and State, but only concurrent action.
At Kawaihae 10,000 natives assembled, in 1826, to hear the Gospel. Governor Adams, the same year, built at Kailua a rude house of worship holding 5000 people, and at its dedication the rulers of the nation pledged it to Christianity. Schools were already in every district of the islands, with 400 teachers and 25,000 pupils, mostly adults. Such marvels had God wrought in six years!
At the regent's request, a second reinforcement was sent out in 1828, and another house of worship built at Honolulu. Another prominent chief, Kalanimokll, died in 1827 a triumphant Christian death, and during the three succeeding years, Governor Adams and other persons of great influence joined the church.
In 1832 Kaahumanu died, universally lamented, and the young prince of eeventeen, on assnming the sceptre, replied to the godless chiefs who sought to turn him against Christianity, " The Kingdom of God is strong!"
It bas sometimes been said, " Civilization first, Christianity afterward. " But on these islands Christianity far outran civilization. In 1836 the young king and chiefs applied to America for a carpenter, tailor, mason, shoemaker, wheelwright, paper-maker, type-founaer, agriculturists skilled in raising sugar-cane, cotton, silk, etc., cloth manufacturers and machinemakers; but already for ten years the Christian religion had been espoused by the government.
Rev. Mr. Richards was released from the service of the Board to act as Minister of Instruction, and Rev. Dr. Armstrong became Overseer of Schools. Dr. Judd, a physician, also retired from the missionary service to aid in administering the goverument finances, and it was he who, during the strange usurpation of the government by Lord Paulet in 1843, withdrew the national records to the royal tomb; and there, with the dust of dead sovereigns around him, using the sarcophagus of Kaahumanu as a table, for weeks he passed his nights in labors for the Hawaiian Government and people! To such aid and counsel of pious men, in secular affairs, the Hawaiians owe their progress and civilization.
As early as 1825 the spirit of God had begun to work conspicuously upon the Hawaiian people. In not less than fifty families in Lahaina morning and evening prayer ascended to God, and the number daily increased. Mr. Richards was interrupted every hour by calls from earnest inquirers. He woke in the morning to fi~d people waiting at the door; during the day the house was never empty, and even up to midnight there were those who came to ask the great questions of the soul! Six months before, he says that he wOl~ld have been satisfied if assured of such results aftflr the lapse of a whole generation! In 1835, when as yet the missions had been established barely fifteen years, the American Board felt their work to be fast drawing toward its elOISe. They looked forward to the Christianization of these islands as a glorious example and proof of the Gospel's power and as the greatest incen- tive to missionary zeal, but they dared not look for this result in less than a half century.
In hope to hasten this consummation, it was determined to concentrate efforts for a time upon this field, and in 1836 thirty-two additional laborers were sent out, and had scarce been distributed over the islands and begun to use the strange dialect, when a wave of spiritual influence, like the billows of the sea, swept over the islands, bore before it all traces of idols and idol temples, and left the Hawaiian people virtually cleansed of their pagan superstitions.
The first sound of its approach was heard in the general meetings of the missionaries in 1836-37, in resolute, importunate pleading for the conversion not of these islands only, but of the whole world j and a printed appeal to the churches of the United States was sent forth from the mission press.
Among the natives this great work of reformation began in 1838 at Waimea and at nearly all the stations on Hawaii, as also on Maui, Oahu, and Kaui. The power of the work left no doubt whose work it was! Dull and stupid, imbecile and ignorant pagans began to think and feel; grovelling, vile, and wretchod slaves of lust and passion began to aspire after holiness and rise out of their dust and degradation j hard and insensate consciences began to suffer pangs of sorrow for sin, and manifest the quickening of a sense of duty, and proved a' force at work, higher in source, deeper in reach, than any that man can wield! The islands became vocal with the cries of penitence and prayer! Crowds flocked to hear the Word. Intoxication became rare, Sabbath observance well-nigh universal, and family worship common, even among those who had not as yet publicly professed faith in Jesus !
In 1839, May lOth, the whole Bible was given to the people in their own tongue, and the diffusion of the Holy Scriptures greatly promoted the work of evangelization. Three years afterward the number of professing Christians had reached 19,210, nearly sixteen times greater than five years before. In one year more there were 23 churches, with an average membership of over one thousand! and during this season of extraordinary interest, the congregations at Ewa, Honolulu, Wailuku, and Hilo numbered from 2500 to 6000. From 1838 to 1841, 8000 were added to the church, from the districts of Hilo and Puna whose whole population was but 14,000. Mr. Coan admitted 5000 in one year and 1700 in one day; and only after eareful inquiry into each individual case.
When before did a half century produce such changes! They were idolaters of the grosser sort j human sacrifices were common; they worshipped the great volcano, had their Poison God and War God, and Tiari, with inferior deities and licentious revels. They lived under a tyrannical tabu system, were sunk in ignorance, without a literature or even a grammar in their own tongue, or a knowledge of the simplest principles of arithmetic. They were savages of the lowest sort, living in grass huts, almost naked, without the arts or sciences j superstition was their religion, absurd fancies had all the power of facts, and they lived in fear of their own thoughts. Government was the strong oppressing the weak, and subjection was slavery.
Shameless nakedness has disappeared j the people are decently clad j respect is paid to the natural, social and domestic relations, and wholesome statutes with appropriate sanctions sway the people.
Forty years ago it had become rare to see a drunken native! and the average morality and practical religion was as high as in any other nation. The arts of civilized life were practised j the laws protected and encouraged virtue.
Thirty years ago R. H. Dana, Esq., wrote to the New York Tribune: " The missionaries of the A. B. C. F. M. have, in less than forty years, taught this whole people to read, write, cipher, and sew j given them an alphabet, grammar, and dictionary j preserved their language from extinction, given it a literature, and translated into it the Bible and works of devotion, science, and entertainment, etc. j have established schools, reared up native teachers, so that the proportion of the inhabitants who can read and write is greater than in New England. Whereas they found these people halfnaked savages, living in the surf and on the sand, eating raw fish, fighting among themselves, tyrannized over by feudal chiefs, and abandoned to sensuality, we see them decently eIothed, recognizing the law of marriage, knowing something of accounts, going to school and public worship with more regularity than people do at home, and the more elevated part of them aiding to conduct the affairs of the constitutional monarchy under which they live, holding seats on the judicial bench and in the legislative chambers, and filling posts in the local magistracies!
"In every district are free schools for natives, where they are taught by native teachers reading, writing, singing by note, arithmetic, grammar, and geography. At Lahainaluna is the normal school for natives, in which the best scholars from the district schools are carried to an advanced stage of education, or fitted for teachers. At Punahou is the college, now having 70 students, and the examinations in Greek, Latin, and mathematics, which I attendcd, were particularly satisfactory. In no place that I havc visited are the rules which control vice and regulate amusements so strict, so reasonable, and so fairly enforced. A man may travel in the interior alone, unarmed, eYen through wildest spots. I found no hut without its Bible and hymn-book in the native tongue, and the practice of family prayer and grace before meat."
When Rev. Dr. Anderson visited the missions, in 1863, he bore witness that the government rests upon an avowedly Christian basis, and the Magna Charta of the kingdom is worthy of any government on earth, re6ognizing, since 1840, three grand divisions of a civilized monarchy: king, legislature, judges j and going beyond our own in declaring that no law &hall be enacted at variance with the letter or general spirit of the Word of God. In 1846 the religion of Christ was established as the national religion, and freedom of conscience in faith and worship, Sabbath observance, etc., were guarded from invasion.
These people have from the first profited by a literature in their native language, learning to read and write, and evincing capacity for literary culture not only by eagerness to read, but by original contributions to the press, and by grappling successfully with the problems of arithmetic, algebra, surveying, geography, etc.
From the beginning the Bible has been a text-book in morals and religion.
How can such results be regarded with indifference ~ An organized Christian government, with a constitution and laws accordant with the Word of God j nearly onethird of the whole population numbered among the members of Protestant churches j native education provided for by the government j houses' for worship everywhere built, and regular service maintained-in a word, all the requisite machinery for healthful, intel~ lectual, social, and spiritual development, and all this as the fruit of less than forty years of toil !
Well has it been said that, as to the progress of this nation in Christian civilization, the history of the Christian church and of nations affords nothing equal to it.
A CALL TO NEW PRAYER AND EFFORT.
A MEMORIAL from the Presbytery of Los Angeles, California, was sent to the late Presbyterian General Assembly at Detroit, asking for the issue of a Pastoral Letter, addressed to the churches, and calling upon pastors and people to make the coming ecclesiastical year-the year 1891-92-a year of specific, continuous, prayerful, and hearty endeavor for the salvation of souls. Though this is always the chief business of the Church of Christ, the General Assembly is entreated to give special emphasis to the enforcement of this duty now. Facts and figures are given to show how vast is the work before the Church, and how inadequate are the efforts to overtake this work. The memorial urges the need of a great, powerful, all-pervading Revival of Religion, which is to be looked for only through the "ministry of personal, systematic, untmimf!us work for souls."
When such a story as this of the Hawaiian Islands is before us, and similar marvels of grace in modern missions, one is disposed to ask, What is to pre'ent such mighty works in our day, and in every part of the habitable globe ~ Surely God's arm is not shortened, nor is His power straitened. We are straitened in ourselves. Let unbelief, prayerlessness, and selfishness be put away, and mighty prayer go up to God.-EDITOR.
PRAYER ANSWERED IN MISSIONARY WORK
PRAYER ANSWERED IN CONNECTION WITH MISSIONARY WORK.
BY MISS HELEN L. BURNET, NEW YORK CITY.
THE explicit declaration of Scripture that God i3 the Hearer and the Answerer of prayer. coupled with the experience of " those who humbly try to do His will," brings rest to the trusting heart, although this subject is hedged about with philosophical doubts and difficulties whioh reason cannot fathom nor wisdom solve.
In addition to instances already published in these pages, the following cases of great emergency in which the faithfulness of our prayer-hearing God has been put to the test by His people will tend to confirm the faith of every devout Christian reader : 1. Dr. Chamberlain, a veteran of the Areot Mission in India, relates that while on an extended missionary tour, he found himself overtaken by the rainy season on the outskirts of the jungle, where the ground was covered with water, and where lurked fever and man-eating tigers, from fear of which his guard of coolies soon ran away. With difficulty he procured mother escort for sixty mi:es, where he expected to find a boat which would float him down the river. "Above the cataract not a boat could be found, and the river had overflowed its banks. All day they waded in the jungle under alternations of heavy showers and a boiling, sickening sun. Toward evening nothing but water, and endless stretehe!1, of it, appeared, and not even a hillock on which they could spread their tents for the night!
" Must he and his band perish ~ In this extremity, the doctor, on the back of his horse, prayed to his covenant God for help as His ser"ant, and in obedience to whose call he had come to India to preach the Gospel. Immediately an answer came, distinctly pronounced in the ear of his soul, , Turn to your left, go to the river, aud you will find that which you need I ' "
Twice he consulted his guides, who assured him that rescue from that quarter was impossible. But a second and a third time the voice came with the same explicit direction. " Then, as master in command of the company, he gave the order to turn to the left, and, coming to the river-what did he see ~ The very thing he needed most-a large flat boat, and in it two boatmen, who, mistaking him for an English officer, began to apologize for the boat's appearance in such a strange spot. They said the flood in the river had loosened the boat from its moorings, and that the' devil himself seemed to be in the boat,' for, despite their efforts to the contrary, it persisted in floating to the spot where it was found."
Dr. Chamberlain, armed with authority from the English Government, took possession of the boat, which he found just broad enough to allow the spreading of his tent, under which they safely rested that night undisturbed by the hungry tigers, who were heard howling in the jungle. The next morning they began floating down the river, and continued fioating till they came to the next cataract, where they found another boat, and with it relief from all anxiety.
2. Aniwa, in the New Hebrides, is a coral island on which there are no streams, lakes or springs, rain water being the sole dependence of the people. One morning their missionary, Rev. John G. Paton, said to one of the chiefs, '" I am going to sink a well deep down into the earth to see if our God will send us fresh water up from below.' They looked at him in astonishment, and said, in a tone of sympathy approaching to pity, , 0 Missi! wait till the rain comes down, and we will save all we possibly can for you. Rain comes only from above. How could you expect our island to send up showers of rain from below ~' But, " he writes, " I started on my hazardou!! job, selecting a spot where my prospective well might be useful to all. I began to dig with pick, and spade, and bucket, an American axe for a hammer and crowbar, and a ladder for service by and by. The good old chief now told off his men in relays to watch me, lest I should attempt to take my own life, saying, 'Poor Missi ! That's the way with all who go mad! ' "
Becoming exhausted under that tropical sun, he for a time secured the aid of the natives, by the promisc of English fish-hooks, in taking out buckets of earth, although, he continues, "the shaft seemed to lower very slowly, and my fish-hooks were disappearing very quickly. I was thankful one evening to find that we had cleared more than twelve feet deep, when, 10 ! next morning one side had rushed in, and our work was all undone. The old chief and his best men remonstrated with me very gravely, assuring me for the fiftieth time that rain would never be seen coming up through the earth on Aniwa! 'You are making your own grave, Missi, and you will make ours, too, for when the man-of-war ship comes, and we tell the captain that you are buried in the well, he will think that it was our work and will kill us.''' Mr. Paton quieted these fears, and constructed a sort of derrick, so that, with pulley and block, the bucket could be lifted from the bottom of the well. But not a native would enter that hole. Day after day, digging with his own hands till he was fairly exhausted, he reached the depth of about thirty feet. He says that the phrase, " Living water, living water," kept chiming through his soul like music from God as he dug and hammered away. At this depth the earth began to be very damp, aud he believed that he was nearing water, but he had coustant fear that it would be salt water. One evening he said to the old chief, "I think that Jehovah God will give us water to-morrow from that hole." The chief said, "No, Missi j you will never see rain coming up from the earth on this islanrl. 'Ve expect daily, if you reach water, ta see you drop through into the sea, and the sharks will eat you. That will be the end of it j death to you, and danger to us all. " "I still answered, 'Come to-morrow. I hope and believe that Jehovah God will send you the rain-water up through the earth.' At the moment I knew that I was risking much, and probably incurring sorrowful consequences had no water been given; but I had faith that the Lord was leading me on, and I knew that I sought His glory, not my own. Next morning I went down again at daybreak and sunk a narrow hole in the centre. about two feet deep. The perspiration broke over me with uncontrollable excitement, and I trembled through every limb when the water rushed up and began to fill the hole. Muddy though it was, I eagerly tasted it, and the 'tinny' dropped from my hand with sheer joy, and I almost fell upon my knees in that muddy bottom to praise the Lord. 11; was water! It was fresh water! It was living water from Jehovah's well. True, it was a little brackish, but nothing to speak of; and no spring in the desert cooling the parched lips of a fevered pilgrim ever appeared more worthy of being called a well of God than did that water to me. The chiefs had assembled with their men near by. They waited on in eager expectancy. It was a rehearsal, in a small way, of the Israelites coming round, while Moses struck the rock and called for water. By-and-by, when I had praised the Lord and my excitement was a little calmed, I filled a jug which I had taken down empty in the sight of them ali, and ascending to the top, called for them to come and sec the rain which Jehovah God had given us through the well. They closed around me in haste, and gazed on it in superstitious fear. The old chief shook it to see if it would spill, and then touche4 it. At last he tasted it, rolling it in his mouth with joy for a momp.nt; he swallowed it and shouted, 'Rain! Rain! But how did you get it ? ' I repeated, 'Jehovah, my God, gave it out of his own earth in answer to our labors and prayers. Go and see it springing up for yourselves.'
" And then they went and saw, and marvelled and gave praise to God, and company after company returned to the spot loaded with their gods of wood and stone and piled them in heaps amid the tears and sobs of some and the shouts of others, in which was heard the oft-repeated word, , Jehovah, Jehovah.'
"The old chief said, ' Missi, I think I could help you next Sabbath. Will you let me preach a sermon on the well ?' 'Yes,' I at once replied, , if you will try to bring all the people to hear you.'
" , Missi, I will try,' he eagerly promised. And preach he did a rousing sermon, closing with these words, 'The Jehovah God has sent us rain from tbe earth. Why should He not also send His Son from heaven? Namakei stands up for Jehovah!' In those intensely exciting days we sat still and saw the salvation of the Lord. "-From Autobiography of Rev. John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides.
3. "One evening, after commending ourselves, our friends, and the mission to God, I went outside my house, and right under my window was a tiger about twelve feet off. My first thought was to turn and fiee, but fearing that he would jump on my back and shake me by the neck, as the cat does the rat, till I was dead, and seeing that I was too near to fiee, I resolved to walk straight np to him, and begged Jesus to go with me and preserve me. What a blessed thing that my soul was in my Saviour's keeping! On the veranda was lying my Scotch dog, who rushed at him and barked furiously. The tiger had never seen impudence like this. He had taken his prey from his youth, and had always seen dogs taking to their heels much faster than he cared for. He snarled at us and went a few steps on one side, and I made a shave between the wall and the tiger, praying all the time. I expected every moment that he would paw me, but after walking twenty yards I realized that I was safe and thanked God, and ml dog, saved also, was barking at the far-off tiger. "-Rev. .A.
Haegert, in the Missionary. 4. In 1885 the work of the Church Missionary Society, London, Eng- land, having greatly increased, a special day was appointed to pray for workers. The evening previous more than one hundred graduates of the University Church assembled who desired" to dedicate themselves to foreign missionary work, ready to go at the command of the Master when their studies were completed. Thus the meeting which had been called for prayer became a meeting for thanksgiving." "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isa. 65 : 24).
5. In 1872 a missionary in the city of Cadereita, Mexico, made it a special subject of prayer that the Lord would open the way for the return of himself, his wife and child to the States for a little season, the circumstances seeming to indicate this as a duty. The needed means were provided, but the country was in a state of revolution, and his friends tried to dissuade him from going, as General Cortinas would probably cross their path, who was a murrlerous man and regarded as having a special hatred for Americans. He determined to go forward, however, trusting to Divine protection, and they started for Matemoras, some three hundred miles distant, two hired men and their wives accompanying them, the brethren " promising to pray daily for their safety." "The third morning, after commending ourselves as usual into the care of our covenant-keeping God," he relates, " we started on our journey, and soon espied the troops of General Cortinas two miles distant marching toward us. We again all looked to God for protection, then went on until we met the advanced guard, who commanded us to halt and wait until the general came up.
" Riding up to our company with the usual salutation, he asked whence we came and whither we were going; he then asked the news from Nueva Leon. After replying to his question, the missionary inquired if the road was safe between his party and Matamoras. He replied, ' Perfectly; you can go on without any fear, and as safely as you would in your own country;' then, bidding us good-morning, he rode on, not even inquiring about or examining any of our baggage. " Upon reaching Brownville, Texas, friends pronounced the conduct of General Cortinas as truly a miracle, for they " could not have believed him capable of such kindness to Americans so in his power."
6. A missionary of the Amcrican Board among the Maharattas in India once wrote thus: "The first Monday in January, 1833, I shall ever remember. At our morning prayers, in the native language, three strangers were present who said they had come to inquire'about the' new way.' At ten 0'clock Babajee returned from his morning visit to the poorhouse in an ecstasy of joy, saying, 'The poor people all come about me inquiring, " What shall we do g" , I appointed a meeting of inquiry at three o'clock to-day, and to my joy and surpl:ise there were sixteen present. A heavenly influence, I am persuaded, was with us. Our Christian friends in America must be praying for us." Although unknown to the missionary, that very day" had been set apart by the General Assembly in the United States and by other bodies of Christians as a day of fasting and of prayer for the heathen world."
7. A friend of the Rev. Benjamin Slight, of the Methodist Church, while journeying as a missionary in Africa" came to a fork in the road, one branch going round a hill, the other np the hiII." Hesitating which to take, he besought the Lord to give him direction. He was decidedly inclined after prayer to take the up-hill road.
Reaching the summit, he saw clearly on the rejected path several large lions. Making a memorandum of this remarkable escape from certain death, he had occasion on his return to England to refer to it, and learned that on this very day his friend was so impressed with the thought that danger threatened his missionary brother that he had" made him a subject of earnest intercession. "
8. Many years ago, in a New England village, the widowed mother of a large family in narrow circumstances was called upon for a contribution for missIOnary purposes. She went about sad-hearted all day because she had so little to give in aid of a cause so near her heart. Calling her children together for family worship, she brought her burden to the Lord, and prayed that He would accept one of her children for such glorious work. A daughter was much impressed by this prayer of consecration. This daughter afterward became Mrs. Wilder, a missionary to India, wife of the late editor of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW, and in her old age and widowhood she returned to India with her young daughter to labor on till life shall end among the people of her love, soon to be followed by her son, who has also given himself wholly to the work.
9. It is related that Dr. Adoniram Judson, while laboring as a mission- ·ary to the heathen, felt a strong desire to do something for the salvation of the children of Abraham according to the flesh. But it seemed that his desire was not to be gratified. During a long course of years, even to the closing fortnight of his life, in his last sickness, Dr. Judson lamented that all his efforts in behalf of the Jews had been a failure. He was departing from the world saddened with that thought. Then, at last came a gleam of light which thrilled his heart with grateful joy. Mrs. Judson was sitting by his side while he was in a state of great languor, with a copy of the Watchman and Reflector in her hand. She read to her husband one of Dr. Hague's letters from Constantinople. The letter contained some items of information which filled him with wonder.
Ata meeting of missionaries at Constantinople, Mr. SchaufHer stated that a little book had been published in Germany, giving an account of Dr. Judson's life and labors; that it had fallen into the hands of some Jews, and had been the means of their conversion; that a Jew had translated it for a community of Jews on the borders of the Euxine, and that a message had arrived in Constantinople, asking that a teacher might be sent to show them the way of life.
When Dr. Judson heard this, his eyes were filled with tears, a look of almost unearthly solemnity came over him, and clinging fast to his wife's hand, as if to assure himself of being really in the world, he said: " Love, this frightens me. I do not know what to make of it." " To make of what 1" said Mrs. Judson. " Why, what you have just been reading. I never was so deeply interested in any object; I never prayed so sincerely and earnestly for anything but it came-at some time-no matter how distant the day-somehow, in Borne shape, probably the last I should have devised, it came !" What a testimony was that! It lingered on the lips of the dying Judson; it was embalmed with grateful tears, and is worthy to be translated as a legacy to the coming generation. The desire of the righteous shall be granted. Pray and wait. The answer to all true prayer will come. In Judson's case, the news of the answer came before he died, but it was answered long before. So we may know the results of prayers and toils even while we sojourn here; but if not, what sweet surprises shall await us in the great beyond !-JVorthwestern Christian Advocate. Queen Mary trembled at the vrayers of John Knox. What a quaking in the kingdom of darkness would come if our great sisterhood of churches would band together to fathom the meaning of that glorious promise, " All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive !"
The conviction grows upon us that upon a revival of the praying spirit everything else depend!! in the further prosecution of missions. Hence we give space to the testimonies of a prayer-hearing God. vYe hope to publish still other papers, from time to time, which put on permanent record the remarkable interpositions of God in the critical and pivotal periods of missionary work. These proofs are countless, but they are scattered through various biographies and narratives, and hence lose their cumulative force. In these pages we hope to gather them, and thus give them fuller opportunity to impress the hearts of our readers with their joint testimony. To know and feel that God is a present living and faithful God, that Christ is with us on the battle-field as He is with the Father on the throne-who shall say what new energy and power would come into all work for God if this conviction could once more become the ruling thought of the Church in her work for souls !-[EDITOR.]
"A FEW PAGES FROM THE HISTORY OF THE HUGUENOTS."
"A FEW PAGES FROM THE HISTORY OF THE HUGUE- NOTS,"* BY EUGENE BERSlER.
BY ALICE BERTRAND.
THERE is hardly a more melancholy definition of death than thls expression of the Psalmist, The land of forgetfulness. Few of us aspire to a posthumous glory but whose heart does not yearn for a kindly remembrance ~ We are then happy to think that the memory of Eugene Bersier seems as yet far from sinking into oblivion. A full year has elapsed since his death, and never, perhaps, has he been more present in the hearts and thoughts of all.
On the mournful anniversary of November 19th a crowd filled the Etoile Church and, moved to tears, assisted at the inauguration of a black marble slab which had been placed under the pulpit" in memory of thE) first pastor and founder of this church."
Almost at the same time a little black and gray volume appeared in the windows of all Protestant booksellers-and very soon disappeared, too. The friends of the regretted preacher had gathered together a few lectures delivered by M. Bersier on different occasions and entitled them, " A Few Pages from the History of the Huguenots."
The Huguenots! Eugene Bersier, in relating their sufferings, was not only accomplishing a useful task, he was almost performing a filial duty. This descendant of French refugees, though born in a land of exile, was proud to feel the blood of martyrs still running in his veins. But, recalling the tortures of his ancestors, there was no bitterness in his heart. He loved his country too dearly to bear her any resentment. And if a word were needed to give the substance of this book-and perhaps of the whole life of M. Bersier-no better could be chosen ~han this motto : Faith and patriotism.
M. Bersier's favorite hero was Admiral Coligny, undoubtedly because he thought with the historians, Michelet and Henri Martin, "that Coligny was the best Huguenot and the best Fren~hman of his time." He commenced a history of Coligny of which, unfortunately, we have only the first volume. But this was not enough. M. Bersier, thinking of the statues of poets and orators which crowd the squares of Paris, resolved that Protestantism should be represented in this army of the illustrious dead. , And Coligny was destined to stand up once more for his religion before the people of Paris.
It was precisely to defray a part of the expenses occasioned by the erection of this statue that M. Bersier delivered a remarkable lecture on Coligny in many towns of France and of foreign couutries.
An analysis, somewhat complete, of this conference would either be too long or too dry. But a few facts will suffice to throw some light on the noble figure of the admiral.
• Paris, Fischbacher, 0telques pages deB l'histrnre' de Huguenots, par Eug. Bersier, with a remarkable preface by Professor Sabatier. Gaspard de Coligny was born (1519} at Chatillon, in the green valleys of western France. He was brought up in that solitary castle by his pious widow mother, who had quitted the brilliant court of the Valois to devote herself to the education of her three sons.
Gaspard was, from his youth, eminently qualified to be a soldier. He had nothing, truly, of the knightly valor of a Due de Guise, but his strength of character, his indomitable perseverance and, above all, his unselfish patriotism, were unparalleled. But alas! fortmie had few smiles for him.
" Gentlemen," said M. Bersier, in opening his lecture, " I am about to relate the history of a vanquished soldier."
His two great deeds were two failures. IIis plan-wonderful for the age -of establishing a Huguenot colony in Florida wretchedly failed. The Huguenots were murdered by a band of Spaniards, who hung them on the neighboring trees, with this inscription, " Not because they are French- men, but because they are heretics. ,.
The defence of St. Quentin was more glorious. The north of France was threatened by an invasion of Spaniards, directed by the" iron-headed general," Philibert-Emmanuel, Duke of Savoy. Coligny, though sure of being defeated, went to the little town of St. Quentin to oblige the Spanish general to besiege it. On the duration of the siege depended the salvation of France. Coligny knew it, and resisted heroically. The town was taken by the Spaniards, and Coligny sent to jail; but the French king had had the time to assemble the troops and to protect Paris. Yes," we feel that some defeats are more glorious than victories, and that true heroism is sacrifice. "
But the bitter cup had to be drained to the dregs. Coligny heard, in his dreary captivity, that the Duke of Guise, haviug possessed himself of the admiral's own plans, had taken the town by surprise, to the enthusiastic admiration of France. " God, in chastising Coligny, had, as Calvin said, called him aside, that he should better listen to the heavenly Voice." The admiral's brother, a prisoner like himself, had sent him a copy of the Holy Scriptures, which Coligny studied with the greatest care. He then began to correspond with Calvin, and soon after his release he openly entered the: ranks of the Huguenots. .
M. Bersier, who had shown the patriotism and courage of the Frencn soldier, dwelt here on the simple faith and the austere piety of the Christian. It would have been interesting to have followed him in that beautiful castle of Chatillon, ornamented with the sculptures of Goujon and the paintings of Primatice, and which is now, alas! little more than a heap of ruins. It was there that, under the superintendence of a learned and pious tutor, the young Colignys received a sound classical education, for their father, says M. Bonnet, the Protestant historian, hated ignorance almost as .
bitterly as he did ungodliness. Every morning and evening the children and servants gathered in the great hall to hear the family prayers said by the chaplain, or, in his absence, by the admiral himself. But whereas, peace and happiness were reigning there, on the other side of France, in the village of Vassy, a hundred Huguenots had been murdered while they were singing their psalms in a barn.
This news caused an immense sensation. What could the Huguenots do 7 Clamor for justice 1 Alas! the government was openly with the murderers. The Protestants had no choice left, except death or fighting. " Ought not religious liberty to be defended as other liberty is 7"
However, such a decision could not be lightly taken, and we fully understand the hesitation that tortured the admiral's noble mind.
One night Coligny, who was awake, heard the sobs of his wife, the Lady Charlotte de Laval. "I regret," said she, " to disturb your rest. But think, my lord, that while we are reposing here in luxury, the bodies of our brethren, our own flesh and blood, are lying in prisons, or in the fields, at the mercy of dogs and ravens. I tremble to think that your prudence may be worldly. Oh! my lord, the blood of our dead weighs heavily on my soul !"
Coligny explained to her the difficulties of civil war, and added, "Put your hand on your heart, and think if you would have the courage to endure flight, exile, shame, and hunger not only for yourself, but, what is worse, for your children; if you will suffer death by,the hand of the public executioner, after having seen your husband exposed to the mockery of the rabble, and your children servants to your bitterest enemies. I give you three weeks to decide, and if your heart is strong enough to bear all this, then will I go and die with you and with your friends. "
Charlotte de Laval answered with these sublime words: "My lord, these three weeks are over !"
Death was merciful to the heroic woman ; it spared her most of the calamities of the civil war, and the direst of them all, the murder of her beloved lord.
The Protestant nobility had been invited to meet in Paris, on the occasion of the wedding of Margaret, Charles IX.' s own sister, with their prince, young Henri de Navarre, who became afterward King Henry IV. Coligny had joined them. But it is not only in poetry that a dagger is hidden in the jewel casket of a bride. This maniage was but a snare to entrap the Huguenots.
A few days after the religiotls ceremony, the bell of the Church St. Germain l'Auxerrois rang for the massacre of the Huguenots. It was about two o'clock in the morning. Coligny, hearing a great noise and cries in the house, understood at once that his last hour had come. "Monsieur Merlin," said he calmly to his chaplain, "will you pray with me~" Then -he begged his friends to leave him and save their own lives, for he was too ill and weak to escape. The murderers soon rushed into his room. "Art thou the admiral ~" cried one of them, called Besme. ., Young man," answered Coligny, "how-dare you attack an old and wounded man 7 However," added he, with resignation, "you will not much shorten my life." BesUle, swearing fearfully, pierced him through with a spear. The body of the admiral was then thr.own out of the window. Henri de Guise turned it over disdainfully with his foot.
]?ut, thanks to M. Bersier, France has now, in a certain measure, atoned for this oqious crime. A beautiful statue of the admiral, which M. Bersier had the happiness of inaugurating some months before his death, now adorns the Oratoire Church, on the side toward the Rue de Rivoli. Coligny stands in a proud attitude, one hand placed on his heart, the other grasping his sword.
M. Bersier read, on that occasion, a speech which might, ioo, be r.om- pared to an antique statue for the perfection of its form, with something, if I may say so, of the coldness of thc marble. Tuese were the concluding words of his speech: "It is worthy of a great nation to honor those who have served her, as Coligny has, with this noble aim : The glory of God and the public welfare !"
The following lecture is a description of the intellectual candition of the French Reformed Church in the seventeenth century. With patriotic pride, M. Bersier enumerates our glorious Protestant academies of Nimes, Sedan, Caen, and Saumur, where Dubose was professor, that same Dubose of whom Louis XIV. once said, "I have heard to-day the best orator of my kingdom." And the illustrious pastors of Charenton, Daille, and Claude, the worthy rival of Bossuet in theological controversy. . . . But why are they so little known 1 It is not because of their lack of learning. Professor Samuel Petit, listening accidentally to a rabbi's attacks on Christianity, retorted on the spot by an extemporary Hebrew speech. It is more probably on account of their heavy and somewhat provincial style, bnt, above all, it is because they were too conHcientious to be very fashionable.
The Protestant erudition proved to be favorable to Catholic theology. Thanks to frequent controversies, the Scriptures were attentively studied, stupid legends became discredited, and a great reform of the doctrines and of the morals of the Gallican Church was at hand.
But the Revocation, like a deadly wind, soon blasted these fair promises of a rich harvest.
The 18th of October, 1685, Louis XIV., incited by the clergy, as,M. Bersier has proved once more, revoked the famous Edict of Nantes, which granted to Huguenots the free profession of their faith. This revocation had been prepared by petty cavillings whic~ deprived Protestants of many legal rights, and now this last safe-warrant was taken from them.
H the Roman Church did not lay claim to infallibility, she would feel a pang at the thought of the persecutions of the seventeenth century, for she then not only tortured the body of the heretic, but attempted to disunite his family and to destroy his conscience.
We know what the Protestant homes were, for historians have told us of the austere piety of the wife and of the mother, of the authority of the father, a priest in his own house. • •• Now, a troop of drunken soldiers invaded this holy of holies, insulted the women, and tortured children be- fore the eyes of their mothers.
Poor mothers! a decree was issued at that time, which authorized the legal kidnapping of children, that they might be brought up in the Cath- olic belief. .
But some persons think that, at least, the inmost recesses of the con- science were respected during these persecutions. The facts prove too clearly, alas! the worthlessness of this opinion.
" What can we say," writes M. Bersier, " of these peasants of Saintonge, forced by the swords of dragoons into Catholic churches, to receive there what was told them to be, the holy body of the Lord? Horror-stricken, they spat it out of their mouths, as soon as they were unobserved. . • .
Do not be mistaken, this is the greatest of all crimes, the attempted mur- der of the soul !"
But no one-the victims excepted-dared to protest publicly against those iniquities. Nothing bnt praises were to be heard. The greatest orators, Bossuet (who calls Louis another Constantine), Massillon, thc mystic Fenelon himself, La Bruyere, the moralist; La Fontaine, the poet- all congratulate the king of having accomplished such a great deed. The women are not more tender-hearted. Witty Mme. de Sevigne gayly writes, "The dragoons have been such very good missionaries j" and Mme. de Maintenon, the granddaughter of the noble Huguenot d' Aubigne, is not ashamed to affirm "that it will soon be quite ridiculous to profess that religion. "
" This universal approbation is certainly one of the scandals of history. ,.
But is there not a compensation for us in the praises given to our Hugue- not refugees by foreigners 1 " Oh!" writes M. Bersier, in a page which is one of the most eloquent of our Protestant literature, " they must allow us to exclaim in the bitterness of our hearts, It is no consolation for us !
We know that France has received a deep wonnd, out of which a large stream of blood has flowed. . . . Aud we needed these lost riches! these severe virtues! Tenacity in trial, respect of liberty, austerity iu conduct- all those traits are now missing in our national character.- " We have often lamented it in many a terrible crisis, in many a battle that our people fought to conquer their rights and their liberties. In these dark hours we look for our absent ones, we call to our dead, and, as Augustus to Varus, we cry to him who exiled our fathers, ' 0 king, give us back our legions!' "
These legions were not, according to an opinion generally accredited, an army of noblemen. M. Bersier, in a most interesting essay on " The French Refugees and Their Trades," has victoriously proved that, as Coligny used to say, "The little ones are before us in the kingdom of heaven."
Thanks to their rare holidays, to the practice of lending money on in- terest, and, above all, to their intelligence and industry, they soon became the first manufacturers of France. Their cloths, made at Sedan or Elbenf, their Lyons silks, their Angouleme paper, etc., were universally appreciated. And the Caudebcc hats were quite a celebrity. The cardinals themselves, in spite of their dislike for heretics, would wear no others.
The Revocation was the death-blow of all this prosperity. But Huguenots were not men to be easily disheartened. Facing the greatest dangers, they fled from their ungrateful mother-country. Whole families sailed on the ocean in a small boat; men and women hid in empty wine-casks; little children-Bonnet, the future founder of New Rochelle, was one of themcrept into vegetable baskets, at the risk of being wounded by the dragoons' long lances. Most of them reached the hospitable lands of Switzerland, England, and Holland. These strangers, moved by a noble pity, did their best to assuage the sufferings of their martyr brethren. And a great reward was in store for them.
Thanks to the Huguenots, Geneva was endowed with its now worldfamed watch-making. But the "Ark" of the refugees was Holland. They were in such a wretched state when they arrived there that most of them had no other food than the snails which they picked up in the woods. However, before many years had eJapsed, they had founded the famous mannfactories of paper and of that yellow velvet known as Utrecht velvet. And England! I am sorry for Albion's pride, but the list of her debts to the refngees is far from being a short one j it is sufficient to mention Sheffield cutlery. Irish lace, mutual help societies, etc. We might note also that a great many members of the House of Lords and the qneen, Victoria herself, are of Huguenot origin. Of Huguenot origin, too, alas! the famous ox-tail soup. They were such very good housewives, these poor Huguenot ladies, they knew how to make use of everything, and when the butchers threw away the tails of oxen, they bought them and made this soup, which all loyal Britons believe to be a national dish.
These discoveries may be a little hurtful to national pride, but, seriously speaking, are they not, as M. Bersier observes, far more painful for our own patriotism? And when we remember that we have wantonly despised these treasures, it is sometimes rather hard to find comfort in saying, " Our Huguenots have well deserved the gratitude of mankind."
But all the Huguenots could not flee. The rich only-rich in money, heroism, or health-could face such perils. What became of the others ~ Ah! this is the dreary story of the Church of the Desert, of nightly assemblies -held in the woods, of pastors sent to the rack, of women shut up for life in the Tower of Constance. Persecutions slackened little by little, but in the middle of the eighteenth century Protestant marriages were as yet illegal; the austere Hnguenot lady was considered no better than a mistress, and her children were bastards, incapable of inheriting their father's fortune.
M. Bersier enumerates the efforts made to obtain, at least, the legal marriage of Huguenots. Rousseau, alleging his bad health, civilly refused to lend a helping hand to his brethren. But Voltaire roused Europe to
LETTER FROM MRS. HELEN W. GIBSON
indignation about the unjust sentence of the Protestant Cal as. It was not, however, without many difficulties that the Toleration Edict of 1787 was issued. It granted to Protestants legal birth, marriage, and burial, and the right of trading in the kingdom. Two years later, under the Revolution, they enjoyed at last the benefits of a full liberty.
The best conclusion of this volume is in the words of M. Bersier on the Revolution, but which might apply still better to the history of the Huguenots, " We must pity them who have not learned in those tragic scenes the respect of the human soul and the hatred of all religious oppression."
MRS. HELEN W. GIBSON, of Pari.s, writes as to " a call from over the sea :" "all true followers of Christ are missionaries, and devote their lives (in one form or another) to carrying the glad tidings of salvation, the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, to those that are ' without.' These outsiders are found crowding the boulevards of Paris, as well as turning off prayers by machinery in China; they are found wallowing in the slums of our civilized cities, as well as vegetating in the wilds of Africa. Wherever exists a soul ' without hope and without God in the world,' there is a mission field for the Christian worker. The' all the world' of Christ includes the places nearest home, as well as the far distant 'regions beyond. I How many in civilized France are bowing down to stocks and stones! After having during several years burnt, broken, and thrown away the relics of their 'former ignorance' given to us by our converts, we are just now beginning to form them into a little museum. The people cling to such' heips' only until they get the real thing in their hearts; they then feel them to be 'hindrances,' and hasten to put them away.
" God has greatly blessed our mission work lately, especially in Paris and its suburbs. The old Methodist mode of after-meetings and direct personal dealing with the people is employed, and with marked success. We have no parti pris as regards these meetings, otherwise they might become formal and defeat their own end. We sometimes close up with the first service, but always try to lay hold of the people as they leave, and get one here and there into a corner (in a double sense)! Then, if we find, as we often do, that the Spirit of God has been beforehand with us ih preparing the way, we are soon down on our knees together.
" When the people give evidence of sound conversion to God, or even when they seem to be sincerely seeking, we invite them to the classmeeting held in connection with each hall, where they are further instructed in the Bible and helped by the i~terchange of experience, and last, not least, taught to give systematically. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered to the members every month in the various halls, and is always a time of blessing. These dear French converts live well; many of them have the old Huguenot spirit of endurance. They stand not only open persecution, but the annoying pin-pricks of domestic taunts /lnd mockings; and they die well; one of our members has just gone home proclaiming her joyful faith in Christ as the only Mediator, though the priest stood by her bedside cursing her, and telling her she was damnee and' going to hell!' Two young men, also, saved at the eleventh hour through the visits of another of our converts (himself a bigoted Romanist up to last November), have just died exulting in Christ, but followed to the last by the threats of the priests. The work is precious in France. I wonder when I look at the recent successes of our little mission, which has been hitherto almost unknown outside of English Methodism. We are a mere handful of workers, and most of our helpers are ignorant and milearned men and women; but they are full of faith and the Holy Ghost, such agents as God can best use, and He opens doors before them everywhere. The fact is that every human heart is craving for God in Christ, but His professed disciples show Him up so poorly that the weary seekers turn disappointedly to the world. If we Christians would best see our duty and then tarry on our knees till we receive the power from on high to do it, there would soon be a universal revival.
"There is no room for details in a short article. Let our American friends come and see and hear for themselves! Let them listen to the glowing testimonies and the fervent prayers of men and women who a fe". months or. weeks ago were, some of them, on the brink of suicide, and all of them either defying God altogether, or mumbling over their beads to the Virgin! I earnestly beg that visitors to Paris from all churchesfor surely we may make common cause against the errors of Romewill call at our headquarters, 4 Rue Roquepine, and ask to see my husband, Rev. William Gibson, conductor of the mission, who has his bureau there. We need sympathy, and we need practical help beyond what our own. people can give. The conversion of Romanists appeals equally to all churches and to all Protestant countries. May God awaken an effectual response !"
Rev. Dr. Gibson supplies to us the following further facts as to Methodist Evangelization in France among Roman Catholics : " The. Methodist Evangelistic Mission in France, under the direction of the British Conference, consists of Ii stations: 8 in and around Paris. 2 at Rouen, 2 at Havre, 1 at EIbeuf, and 1 at St. Servan.
"During the last three or four years the work has made great progress, and some of the stations have been marvellously blessed. The methods employed are: Lively popular Gospel meetings, followed by aftermeetings, in which the people are spoken with personally on the subject of their salvation; women's and children's meetings; and the Methodist , class,' in which the converts are trained and led on higher. All these meetings are aided and followed up by assiduous visiting and tract distribntion. Our journal, La Bonne Nouvelle, of which we distribute about 10,000 monthly, is of great help to us.
"The mission costs yearly $11,000, of which $5000 is ' granted' by
NEWS FROM CONGO AND ANGOLA
the Wesleyan Missionary Committee of London, and the remaining $6000 is provided (mainly collected in England) by myself. The substantial premises in Rouen, which have cost £4000 for the building and £2000 for the ground, are composed of a large shop on the ground ftoor, the rental of which will, with the collections, make the station self-supporting j a handsome hall for public services, good reading-rooms for French and English sailors, and ministers' and evangelists' houses.
" About £1000 had already been collected in January, 1871, and the debt on the ground can be paid off by yearly instalments; but for the remaining £3000 I am personally responsible, and it is in a great measure the pressure of this burden which brought me to America. The work is, as far as possible, to be made self-supporting. A missionary restaurant has been opened in connection with our principal hall in Paris, and promises to be a help financially as well as spiritually to the station. I believe that France is on the eve of a revival. Already we have felt the first drops of the showe,r in the numerous and satisfactory conversions from Romanism to Christ that we have seen with our own eyes. Methodism suits the French temperament. Our converts are prompt and fearless in their testimonies, delight in prayer and praise meetings, and soon become active workers according to their light and opportunity. Two of our evangelists were brought to God in the mission.
, , We are in urgent need now of generous help for Rouen, as well as fOf many other objects less costly but equally important. We also earnestly request yearly subscriptions toward the support and extension of the work. Doors are opening all around us j France is craving for the Gospel as perhaps never before since the days of the persecutions; her fields are white unto the harvest j disgust of snperstition is hurrying her along toward atheism; nothing can save her but the pure Gospel of the grace of God, preached and applied to the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost."
NEWS FROM CONGO AND ANGOLA.
From Banana, mouth of Congo, April 14th, Bishop William Taylor writes: " Last night I slept aboard our steamer, the' Anne Taylor.' No snch cabins on any other river steamer on the Congo. This steamer will be the best and cheapest sanitarium for Congo workers this side of Europe or America. She has made one trip to Boma and return. We go on to Angola in the Gaboon. I will visit our mission stations in that province, and hope to return in five or six weeks to open new fields in the North Congo region.
" We anchored at St. Paul de Loanda, Angola, April 16th. Rev. A. E. Withey, our presiding elder for Angola district, came aboard and remained all night. He is looking well, and reports general good health among our people and prosperity in their work, including abundant selfsupport in all our Angola stations.
"Thursday, P.M., April 17th, arrived at the Missio 'Americana. Brother Burling and family all well."
THE GOSPEL IN BPAIN
THE GOSPEL IN SPAIN.
* BY J. E. BADGETT MEAKIN.
I.-INTRODUCTORY.
SPAIN! What an array of historic associations is brought before the mind in dwelling upon the connection of this stronghold of popery with the light of the Gospel, and how black they look! Instinctively one thin;s je, of the fiendish Inquisition, of the brutalities of the autos de and of the more recent but no less determined efforts of the priestcraft to stifle the voice of protest which has earned for us our distinctive title of Protestants. In the study of the blood-stained pages of her past history one is apt to think that in this day of progress and religious freedom, Spain has marched forward with her compeers, and that now her spiritual condition must be more or less that of other countries equally advanced in civilization. But this is not. the case, and the only vital difference between religious Spain to-day and the religious Spain of three centuries ago is the lack of sufficient temporal power to carry out all it could wish.
For some time past the country has been split up into two pretty sharply divided parties, the priest-ridden monarchists and the atheistical republicans. It is the history of France and of Italy repeating itself. The one party, ever on the decrease, includes most of the wealth and political influence of the kingdom, and the other comprises a large proportion of the poorer classes, and those who may be fitly described as " Adullam- ites. "t The vast majority of these, disgusted with the inherent rotten- ness of the phase of Christianity presented to them by the Church of Rome, have rejected religion entirely. Even among the ranks of the first party are numbered thousands whose only ties are those of position and politics, and whose religious opinions only remain unchanged on account of their indistinctness. If they think at all, the result is almost inevitable. They either turn to the truth in the measure in which it has been ~evealed to them-by human agency or not-or they lapse into the condition of infidelity so prevalent around them.
Between these two, which are no less than manifestations of the crumbling to pieces of the State religion, there is an open door for the Gospel. It is true that the task of entering it is one of difficulties and discouragements, but " if God be for us, who can be against us ~" Would to God that there were this day more laborers in this vineyard, for the harvest truly is plenteous, and ripe withal. Here and there, scattered up and down the Peninsula, are bright and shining lights to guide the wanderer home, but oh, how few and far between in comparison with the need for them!
Having just concluded a five-weeks' tour through Spain, from Cadiz to * For some years editor of The Times qf Morocco.
t .. Every one that was in distress, and everyone that was in debt, and everyone that was discontented" (1 Sam. 22 : 1, 2). France via Barcelona, during which I have visited all the mission stations I could bring within my course, I"will endeavor to give some idea of what is being done, and what opportunities this country offers for Christian effort. After what I have said, there is no further need to dwell upon the need, and our marching orders are to "all the world." I may mention that a knowledge of the lang.uage of the country, and a previous residence of some years among Spaniards, have placed me on a better footing than the majority of travellers to judge of the state of the country and the value of what is being done, while it also enabled me to gain some personal experience from attempts to make known the Good News on my way.
n.-THE AGENCIES AT WORK.
At present there are no less than tweh-e foreign societies more or less engaged in work in Spain and the Balearic Islands, mustering among them some eighty preaching places, while there are about forty more managed independently of any society. Owing to the number of agencies at work, exact statistics are very difficult to obtain, especially in connection with the independent workers, who, it will be seen, occupy about a third of the field.
The eighty stations were thus distributed when the last general survey * of the work was made two years ago, and since then very little change has taken ~lace, insufficient to warrant the labor of going over that task again.
" ~ ~wl . OIl~ '§w w ~~ ~~ zj C2'5 :a~ QJ ~s"~ ~g s'5 " i " " ~]I "" ~ """"~A:;bll ~:l ~~ 0 A'5 E-< oj p.. oj 00 "".El 0 "'" ~ w'" ""E-< > p.. f"1 ::;J P'Ih :§ 00'" 0 — — — — — – — – – – –1– – AmerlcanCongregationalists 14 8 3 1250 413 14 4 11 262 215 13 20 466 American Baptists …….•.. 5 2 3 155 34 2 2 6 6 158 58 English Wesleyans ……•.. 20 6 9 1540 269 17 12 13 306 299 11 30 387 Church of England..•.•••.. 15 6 3 1884 1194 13 6 8 236 292 1 1 30 Scotch Presbyterians ..•••.• 4 4 1 290 284 8 4 4 256 118 6 25 276 Irish Presbbterians ……… 4 4 1 108 22 4 3 2 111 52 3 7 60 Dntch Pres yterians….••.. 3 3 127 67 5 3 2 75 68 2 7 165 Swiss Presbyterians …….. 6 .. 2 3 223 1922 9 5 6 120 104 11 23 310 German …. …………. 2 60 80 6 6 3 184 56 2 11 168 ~~~~~~-~~~~~l i~rl's~~~: 3 8 1425 154 7 3 4 118 92 3 5 91 2 1 27 15 E~IiSh Congregationalists. 1 2 4 '57 70 30 321 60 ll~ 2 – In ependent ……………. 35t 12 11 20351688 23 11 24 759 784 -2-0 -4-4 100.1 – – – — Totals ………. 114 54 35 9194 3442 111 61 78 2545 2095 80 183 3231 The general position may be briefly summarized thus: preaching places, 114 j t pastors, 54 j evangelists, 35 j attendants at divine worship, 9194 j eommunicants, 3442 j day-schools, III j day-school teachers, male, 61 ; day-school teachers, female, 78 j boys on the lists, 2545 j girls on the lists, 2095 j Sunday-schools, 80; Sunday.school teachers, 183; Sundayschool children, 323l.
The above figures are those which each pastor or evangelist supplied, and therefore rest on their authority. With reference to the number of * By the Rev. J. W. Brown, of Barcelona, to whom I am indebted for these figures.
t There are a few more of whicb no statistics were obtainable. commuuicants of the Church of England Mission, which is known in Spain as the Reformed Church, it should be mentioned that little care is taken in granting admittance to this church, as evidence of the New Birth is not consiaered necessary. 'l'hen again, though the numbers of school children in all cases are those on the lists, the average attendance is from three fourths to four fifths of this number. The average number of attendants at the services, too, is to a large extent conjectural.
In addition to these agencies, the British and Foreign Bible Society has a representative at Madrid, in charge of a central depot, with a body of colporteurs in various parts of the country, as also has the American Board.
The Religious Tract Society of London, too, has a branch in Madrid, with a committee of the leading workers of each mission, and a depot from which are issued periodically a vast number of most excellent tracts, booklets, and periodicals suited to meet the objections of Romanists and infidels. In addition to these there are published, in one place or another, one weekly, two fortnightly, and two monthly periodicals, devoted to Christian enterprise and the spread of Gospel truth, in Spanish.
I1I.""':"THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORK.
If my readers will open the map of Spain, they will have no difficulty in following me in an imaginary trip through the country, calling at all the principal mission stations, for I will commence with the northwest corner and take them in order as they come.
The province of GALICIA is almost entirely occupied by workers belonging to the Brethren community. At Ooruiia Mrs. ChAsterman, at Vigo Mr. and Mrs. Hoyle, at Marin Mr. Blamire, are all carrying on an earnest warfare for the truth, with out-stations at six minor towns, in all of which blessing has been received. There are schools for children of both sexes at Marin and Coruna. The only other station in this province is that of the Scotch National Bible Society, at Ferrol.
In ASTURIAS the only evangelical chapel and schools are at Besullo, under the direction of M. Fliedner, of Madrid, while there is work carried on at three smaller centres.
LEON, as a larger province, has more to show. The Reformed Church is here to the fore, with chapels at Salamanca and Villaescusa, in the charge respectively of Senors Antonio Garcia and Regaliza, who engage also in work of more or less importance in eleven neighboring villages. At Villaescusa the result of the work has been greatly exaggerated in some reports, but it is fairly prosperous, and a small church is being erected. In this province are also two out-stations maintained by Mr. Hoyle.
Several bodies are at work in the next province, OLD CASTILE. At Santander, on the sea-coast, is a station of the American Board, under a Spanish pastor, Don Enrique de Tienda, with chapel and schools. Owing to the efforts of the Romanists, during the sixteen years that this church has been in existence it has had to move seven times in search of a meeting-place, and was once nearly two years houseless. This is an in- stance of what goes on in most parts where the work is prospering, and the churches own no property of their own, showing how important it is that this need should be provided for. This mission has other stations at Logroiio, Pradejon, and Roa. At the first-named place Don Angel Dijon is pastl>r; a worthy old saint who founded the church at Saragossa was long in charge here, but has at length retired to the south to end his days with his family. At Pradejon, for the past year or two, opposition has been more than usually intense, owing to the arrival of a stern and bigot- ed parish priest. Nevertheless, progress is steadily made. Owing to lack of workers, this is in the same charge as the one previously men- tioned. Roa is able to boast of a purchased place of worship for the Protestants, but as yet it has no fixed pastor, and remains in the care of the evangelist from Pamplona, through whose means its church was founded. Mission work is also carried on at Oaniego.
The Reformed Church has a chapel at Valladolid, ministered to by Sr. Martinez, with mission work in six or seven villages round, and an out- station at Palencia. For many years a most valuable work was done here by Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, independent workers, who have now removed to Murcia to open a new station, leaving Mr. Macarthy here in charge of their chapel and schools.
In the little province of BISCAY is the head station of the American Board, at San Sebastian, nnder the direction of the Rev. W. H. Gulick, with a chapel and schools, one of the latter for the preparation of female teachers, superintended by Mrs. Gulick, being a most important work. In all there are about a hundred and twenty day. scholars and thirty boarders. There is another chapel at Sestao, and a mission at the mines of Triano.
The important town of Bilbao would seem wholly given up to Roman- ism, for though it is full of priests and nuns, and a vast amount of money is ever ready to add to its numerous Mary-temples, Jesuitical convents, etc., the Protestants have for two years been unable to secure premises for public worship. Is it not a disgrace and a shame to our wealthy Christians . that they are not forthwith supplied with funds to purchase a site and build 1 The work here is sustained by the Evangelical Continental So- ciety of London, but under the superintendence of Mr. Gulick. There is also here a mission for sailors of all nations.
The only miilsion station in NAVARRE is that at Pamplona, where a lit- tle group of faithful ones has existed for several years, often without the presence of a pastor, who is now maintained by the American Board.
In ARRAGON the same mission has a pastor, the Rev. Carlos Aranjo, with chapel and schools, at the idolatrous town of Saragossa, and an in- teresting out-station at Tauste. Mr. Armstrong had formerly a chapel here, but this has recently been given up.
The next province, CATALONIA, has a most flourishing work at Barcelana, one of the earliest attempted in Spain. Here several bodies are engaged. The Brethren are represented by Mr. Henry Payne, who, with Mrs. Payne, has labored here for nearly twenty years. Under their care are three chapels, each having its schools for girls and boys, which are supported through Mr. Muller, of Bristol. They have gathered around them quite a large number of souls plucked from the fire of Rome, and their schools are well attended. The Wesleyan Methodists have long been represented here by Mr. Simpson, who has, however, been for a year or two laid by in England, and his post ably filled by the Rev. W. J. Brown. Here, too, are good congregations and excellent schools, five of the former and three of the latter, with four out-stations. The Swiss Presbyterians have also their representative here, M. Empaytaz, who has grown gray in the work. Under his direction are chapel and schools in the town, four other chapels and schools in other localities, and three out-stations, two with schools. The Swedish Baptists support Mr. Lund, who has here a chapel and schools, and one out-station. Another important institution in Barcelona is a Protestant hospital, managed by a committee formed of the gentlemen named. This meets a deeply felt want, and is a work which should have the fullest sympathy. There is also a B1ble and tract depot here. Apart from the Spanish work there is an English chapel, and work among the Swedish and Norwegian sailors.
From various causes the work at this, the second city of Spain, has been proportionally more successful, perhaps, than anywhere else in the country. I was delighted to see the well.managed schools and earnest services, and the good attendance at lectures which I was asked to give in Spanish at two of the chapels. As I had visited nearly all the chapels and schools, I was able to form some idea as to their actual condition better than by the comparison of reports.
Near the famous shrine at Montserrat, the Reformed Church has a station at Monistrol and another at St. Vincente de Castellet, with chapels and schools at both places, and four out-stations.
At Figueras, farther north, is an independent mission carried on by the Rev. and Mrs. Lopez y Rodriguez, the latter being English. They are assisted by several English ladies and two brothers of Sr. Lopez, carrying . on work in quite a number of villages round. The American Board has also an evangelist and school at Figueras, and another at La Escala. An independent work at Villafranca concludes the list in this province.
In Y ALENCIA and MURCIA there are chapels and schools at the town of Valencia and at Carthagena, the one under the Swedish Baptists and the other under the Swiss Presbyterians. As already mentioned, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are just now occupied in commencing work at the port of Aguilas. The only other work is at Sagunto, an out-station.
In the province of NEW CASTILE there is but one mission ceatre, except in Madrid, though here several agencies are busy. In the capital, again, the Brethren are to the fore with a chapel and three schools supported through Mr. Miiller, all excellently managed, and giving evidence of real spiritual blessing. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Fenn have charge of it, and have labored at Barcelona and here some twenty-one years. They are assisted by several English ladies. At· YunC08 they have an out-station, with schools, but work in the villages round the capital has all along proved very hard and unencouraging. The Reformed Church in Madrid is represented by the Rev. J. B. Cabrera, the bishop-elect, who has a chapel and a mission room with three schools. A church is about to be built for this congregation with funds from England, by which also the pastors and 8chool1l are supported. The Scotch Presbyterians had formerly a good deal of work here, but latterly they have been abandoning it piecemeal. The only remnant here is a good congregation, with schools, eloquently addressed at their services by the Rev. Sr. Tornos, and under the superintendence of the Rev. John Jameson, once supported by this Society, but now British and Foreign Bible Society agent. They have also an outstation at },{ocejon, with a bOYI:!' school. The Wesleyans have a chapel and a boys' school in Madrid under the superintendence, just now, of the Rev. J. W. Lord, but the work having suffered recently from various causes, has not come into Mr. Lord's hands in a flourishing condition. The remaining mission here is a German one, that of the Rev. F. Fliedner, assisted by a preacher, Sr. Vargas. He has a chapel and schools, with a small orphanage, accommodation for a few boarders, and a "sick bay" over them, as also a cottage near the Escorial as a country branch. Mr. Fliedner likewise directs the Protestant book-shop and tract-depository, and is honorary chaplain to the German Embassy. There is, too, an embryo Young Men's Christian Association here, which is at present in but a crnde state, though it should develop. For English-speaking people, there are formal services in connection with the British Embassy. The only other station in this province is at· Criptana, where Mr. George Lawrence is at work, with his three daughters, in chapel and schools j they are independent workers.
Sad to say, the adjoining province of ESTREMADURA is totally without evangelistic work, and only that of ANIULUCIA remains to be noticed. The Edinburgh "Spanish Evangelization Society" has several stations here, under the superintendence of the Rev. ·William Moore, M. A., at Puerto Santa Maria, close to Cadiz, where they have a school for the training of young Spanish converts for evangelists and pastors. This again is a most important branch of the work, as no one can reach people like their own countrymen when properly prepared. At Cadiz itself this society has a chapel and schools under the care of Don Rafael Bianco, with an outstation at Pto. Real. At Huelva the English residents set an excellent example by supporting a boys' school, which is under the same superintendence, the Rev. Antonio Jimenez being pastor. They have here also girls' and infants' schools. At Seville the Rev. Sr. Barroso has a small chapel alild schools under the same auspices, while the remaining station is at the village of Escornaz, near Granada, where there is a chapel and school. One or two out-stations are under the same society, which allo supporto the Rev. John Murray at Granada. The Irish Presbyterians have here taken over the work of their Scotch brethren, who had grown disheartened, and now maintain a mission in Jerez, where they have a wellbuilt chapel and schools, under the Rev. Jose Viliasid, and a chapel and schools at San Fernando, on the other side of Cadiz. Friends in Amsterdam support the Rev. Camilo Calamita at Utrera (chapel and schools) j the Rev. C. Carrefio at Oordova (ditto), and Sr. J. Alhama at Gmnada (chapel only). At Malaga Sr. Manuel Carrasco has a chapel and schools where good work is being done, and there is another independent worker. The Reformed Church supports the Rev. Jose Vila in this town, with chapel and schools, and in Seville the Revs. V. Baquero and Palomares, with built churches formerly belonging to monasteries, and schools, with an outstation at Triana. Farther north, at Sinares, Mr. Wigstone, of the Brethren, works both in Spanish and English, and at Algeciras, opposite Gibraltar, a new work was begun nearly a year ago, under the direction of an independent worker, Mr. Simpson, aided by several ladies. There are two more out-stations in this province.
IV.-CONCLUDING REMARKS.
This brings to an end the list of mission cent~es in the whole kingdom, and the reader will not have failed to note how far they are from supplying its great need for the Gospel. As forming part of the same domains, the Balearic Isles should not go unmentioned, for here a good work is going steadily forward under the Rev. F. G. Smith, Wesleyan minister at Mahon, who has nine chapels and five schools in his charge. At Gibraltar, too, there is work doing among the Spaniards, though on a small scale, by various laborers too much engaged in English work to spare much time for it. Just over the straits, on the Morocco coast, is a work among the Spanish colony at Tangier, which promises well. Mr. H. N. Patrick and two or three ladies, all under the North Africa Mission, are laboring there, and have a Gospel coffee hall, with services and night schools.
It will be understood, in the above brief sketch, that except when a " built church" is specified, the chapel and schools usually consist of one or more rooms in a private house, or of a store, the same apartment in many cases serving for both purposes. This is a very great dra.wback, as it is not allowed in Spain to put np any sign outside to denote an evangelical place of worship, and only special edifices will attract outsiders, unless they hear the singing as they pass. Then again, a large proportion of the people consider the present places" hardly respectable," who would be quite willing to enter a " regular church. "
Space will not permit of my discussing fully the various methods of work employed in Spain, or of the causes which concur to retard the spread of Gospel truth which it might lie in the power of those engaged to mini-.
PLANTING CHRISTIANITY IN GERMANY
mize or, in some cases, to remove. Though the vi8ible resnlts of the twenty years of toil which have been spent upon the country since its doors were opened to the Gospel are still small, this must not be made an excnse for staying our hand. We have sent but one company of soldiers to stay the on-rush of a mighty host. How can we wonder that they can do little else than keep their ground ~ Where one of the enemy falls there are ten to to rush in. If we want !lee results, let us send our thousand devoted men and woman to Spain not unprepared, but equipped with some knowledge of the language if possible. Let us not leave them struggling for lack of funds, but empty our full coffers and lay them at Jesus' feet. Let us break our pots of ointment and devote our strength to using in His service what is of greatest earthly value. How many who read this will accept the call and say, " Lord, here am I, send ME" !
PROTESTANTISM IN BELGIUM.
BY MARGUERITE DE LAVELEYE, SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER AT LIEGE.
Two Belgian monks, Henri VillS and Jean Esch, were burned alive in Brussels in 1523. These were the first Protestant martyrs in the Netherlands. The Spanish Inquisition continued its bloody persecutions till the Reformation was completely suppressed. During more than two centuries Belgium was thoroughly dominated by the Romish Church. In 1848 a society named Eglise Missionnaire BeIge was constituted at Brussels for the spreading of the Gospel.
This society comprises now 27 churches and missions in full activity in 170 communes composed o£ 7000 members, 420 only of Protestant origin. Thirty-eight clergymen and Bible-teachers preach the Gospel in private houses, churchyards, and in public, presiding as well over Sunday services and Bible classes.
The Belgian missionary church might rapidly extend its blessed work if it was not constantly prevented by the insufficiency of its means. It requires about 140,000 francs yearly, and as nearly all its members are poor workmen, the receipts are always much below the expenses, not to mention the requirements of the new missionary stations. In January, 1890, the deficit reached 45,000 francs, and the missionary society will have to diminish its activity without fresh help.
We therefore appeal to all those who take an interest in the promotion of evangelization on the Continent that they may" come over to help us. " The treasurer of the Belgian Missionary Church is M. Kennedy Anet, 123 Chaussee d'Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium.
PLANTING CHRISTIANITY IN GERMANY.
BY REV. HENRY GRACEY, GANANOQUE, CANADA.
IN contemplating the spread of Christianity in the seventh and eighth centuries among the barbarous peoples dwelling in the north and northeastern districts of Europe, one cannot but admire the energy, zeal, and courage shown by many of the missionaries. Their methods cannot always be commended, nor can all their doctriues be approved; still we must admire their fervor and glowing devotion. And our modern missionaries might find not a few things worthy of imitation in the conduct and character of those early heralds of Christianity. The tribes or peoples which inhabited at that time that part of Europe now known as Germany were fierce, warlike, and barbarous; and the first missionaries who went among them did so at no little inconvenience, and some of them at imminent risk of thcir lives.
We read of several attempts made by zealous missionaries to get a foothold among the tribes on the eastern borders of the kingdom of the Franks; but they met with comparatively little success. About the middle of the seventh century one Amandus, a bishop alDong the Franks, extended his labors to the Frieslanders, a fierce and powerful tribe occllpying part of what is now called the Netherlands, and also certain districts in Germany. Unable to subdue the barbarism and idolatry of the people, he procured an order from the Frankish king, Dagobert, by which all might be compelled to submit to baptism; but in trying to carry out this violent measure he raised such a storm of indignation against himself that he was in danger of losing his life. He was, however, a man of resources. By acts of benevolence, by redeeming captives, and by pretended miracles, he managed to recover his lost ground, and to persuade some of the people to destroy their idols and embrace Christianity. Another Frankish bishop who did something for the spread of the Gospel among the German tribes was one Eligius. He had been a goldsmith by trade, and was rich, benevolent, and very devout. "'hen engaged in his trade he spent large sums of money in the interests of Christianity. A favorite plan with him was to redeem captives, which he did in large numbers-sometimes as many as one hundred in one transaction-and after giving them some knowledge of the Gospel he would send them back to their homes, from which, hy the fortunes of war, they had been carried off. In 641 this pious and worthy man was appointed bishop of Tournay and Noyon, and during 18 years he continued to carryon missionary work in the neighboring territory. He was noted as much for his liberal and evangelical views as for his piety and generosity.
But the most extensive mission work among the German tribes in this seventh century was done by missionaries from Ireland. At this time the zeal, learning, and devotion of the Irish Church had attracted considerable attention. The religious schools there were noted for their many excellencies and their numerous students. The monasteries were said to be crowded in the fifth and sixth centuries with pious monks willing to engage in enterprises of Christian activity.
The first of these of whom we have information as undertaking mis- sionary work WaS one Columban, near the end of the sixth century. His method was very practical. Born in the province of Leinster, he was ed~ ucated in the famous monastery of Bangor. At the age of 30 he felt im- pelled to enter a larger field of usefulness than seemed open to him in Ireland, and taking twelve young men with him, he crossed over to the Frankish kingdom. Christianity had been established there. Still, find- ing a great deal to be done, and being entreated to remain within the king- dom of the Franks, he did so. His aim was to make his colony of monks support themselves by their own labor, and while doing so they could set an example of industry to the natives around them, teach them some of the arts of husbandry, and also the truths of the Gospel. Accordingly a suitable spot was selected at a place called Anegrey; a humble lodging was built as a monastery, and the forest was cleared by the labors of his monks. At first they had great hardships, and were reduced to the greatest straits for the very necessaries of life. But Columban was a man of great determination and courage, and his influence over his followers was lIuch that even in the greatest difficulties he was able to cheer them, and induce them to persevere. After a time the method and discipline of Columban became very popular, and families of every rank committed their sons to him for education; and so numerous did his monks become that he established several monasteries. Hard work was a prominent feature in his discipline.
But he had other difficultIes to contend with than the poverty and privation met with in planting his mission. His severity of discipline and the strictness of his morals were unpopular with the worldly and dissolute, and he became an object of dislike to many in high places. Then there was another cause of trouble. The usages of the Irish Church did not harmonize with those established in the Frankish kingdom. The most prominent di"ergence was in respect to the Easter observance. The feeling at that time was running strongly in favor of entire u",iformity in the Church. The popes Gregory the Great and Boniface IV. both pressed this matter very resolutely, and Columban was urged to yield and give up his practices imported from Ireland. This he could by no means be per~ suaded to do. And to the Pope Boniface IV., as also to the Frankish bishops, he wrote very earnestly, counselling unity in essentials, while divergence was permitted in such matters as were complained of. He disclaimed any intention of trying to change the customs of the Frankish Church. He only wanted liberty to follow his own methods in his own monasteries in the wilderness; and he intimated pretty plainly to the Frankish bishops that there were other matters of reform of more importance to which they might with profit to themselves and their flocks tum their attention. His appeal did not meet with their approval. A synod was called in 602 to deliherate on the matter. What the immediate result of the synod's deliberations. were does not appear; but shortly afterward a feeling of hostility to Columban sprang up in the Burgundian Court, within whose territory three of his monasteries lay, which became S'J strong that he was forced to yield to it and retire. An order was issued that he should be seut back to Ireland. This, however, was not carried OUL; but, on the invitation of the Frankish king, he removed to a place within the territory of Zurich, intending to carryon a mission to the Alemanui and Suevi, who dwelt in this district. But his zeal deprived him of the opportunity; for, unable to restrain his indignation against gross idolatry, he indisereetly set fire to and destroyed a heathen temple. This rash act raised such a strong feeling against him among the savage natives that he was forced to seek refuge in flight. The result was he forsook this region altogether, retired to Italy, and founded, near Pavia, the monastery of Bobbio. One Gallus, a disciple of his, resolved, however, to remain and continue the work. Following the method pursued by Columban, he selected a suitable spot in the forest, and gathering to him some monks, he set about clearing the forest and cultivating the soil, aiming in this at two things: First, he wished to secure a living for his missionaries, and second, to set un example of cultivating the soil that might be followed by the people. While engaged in these works of husbandry, however, he preached the Gospel. He described to the people God's plan for saving men, and told them that he and his associates were messengers sent to tell them about this great matter. He carefully pointed out to them the sins they were to avoid, reminding them of the judgment of God in time and eternity. By those means Gallus became very influential in the neighborhood, and established a great reputation for sanctity.
But other missionaries, resolved to engage in the same work, also came over from Ircland. In the seventh century it was a common thing for young men to go over from England for the purpose of leading a spiritual life among the monks of Ireland, or to gather learning in their schools. Such visitors were readily welcomed by the Irish Church.
Among these was a young man named Egbert, who, in a time of very severe illness, made a YOW that if spared he would devote his life to work among the heathen. Having recovered, he made arrangements to carry out his vow, and several others of kindred spirit resolved to join him in the work. For reasons that do not appear, Egbert, who originated the mission, did not go with it j but the others carried it out. One Wigbert became the leader j and the northern part of Germany, adjacent to the German ocean, was the field selected. But, on account of the determined and Ditter hostility of Radbod, a powerful native king, little was accomplished, and eventually the mission was given up. This failure, however, did not discourage, and shortly after the same enterprise was undertaken by another man from the same school. A young Englishman, named Willibrord, when about the age of twenty visited Ireland and spent twelve years in study there. After that, moved by the missionary spirit, he set out to prosecute a mission among the Germans where his countrymen had failed. By this time Pepin had subdued part of Friesland, and was able to give some protection to the missionary. Willibrord took twelve compan-
CHILDREN OF FOREIGN MISSIO!iAIUEIl
ions with him, and for more than thirty years he continued his labors amid distressing privations, and in the face of many great dangers and difficulties. King Radbod continued his implacable enemy j but although he threw many difficulties in the way of the missionary, he failed to dislodge him as he had dislodged his predecessors. A characteristic story is told of this king which illustrates his haughty spirit and the strong doctrinal convictions of the missionary. It is said that on one occasion the king presented himself to Willibrord for baptism j but before submitting to the ordinance he wanted to know whether the kings, his ancestors, were in heaven, and whether he might hope to meet them there if he were baptized and went to heaven himself. This question presented no difficulty to the missionary, who at once told him his ancestors were certainly all in hell, as they had died unbaptized. "What business have I, then," said Radbod, "with a few poor people in heaven 1 I prefer to abide in the religion of my fathers." And so he did; he could never again be induced to entertain the doctrines of the missionary.
Throughout the seventh century missionary work in Germany was carried on in a desultory fashion. There were a number of independent laborers, characterized by great zeal and self. denying devotion, yet having no bond of union and no common centre, nor, indeed, any means of sympathizing with and helping each other. There being no central authority, there was no organization, and the different missionaries labored under great disadvantages. And not only did these earnest men lack the stimulus of mutual encouragement, they lacked the help of material support and backing. They often found themselves without supplies in the midst of savage enemies. It can hardly be wondered at that in such circumstances, while many devoted men had engaged in the work there were no results that made a deep impression in respect to the conquests of Christianity. Yet the labors and instructions of these piom! men from Ireland, continued with varying snccess through the seventh century, prepared the way for the work of Boniface in the beginning of the eighth century, who has been called the Apostle of Germany; and to them belongs the credit of in~ augurating that great missionary enterprise and sowing the seed, while the harvest and the glory fell to Boniface.
CHILDREN OF FOREIGN MISSIONARIES.
BY A MISSIONARY.
One of the difficult questions foreign missionaries have to decide has reference to their own children. Climate, want of proper schools, and other canses compel them to pursue one of the following courses: they must either send or take their children home a.nd leave them to the care of others, or abandon their work at a time when best fitted for it, and when it may be most needed. This necessity is one of the severest trials mis- ~j.ollaries have to meet, and calls for strong faith and earnest prayer, It is difficult to see how the work can go on with efficiency if, as a general rule, missionary parents must permanently leave it when it becomes necessary for their children to leave the country where it is done. But is this necessary ~ May not these parents, having cons~crated their children to Christ, leave them, for His sake, to the care of others ~ Evidence of special care bestowed by the Master upon such children has not been wanting, as may be found, it is believed, in the following communication.
The writer has the names of all missionaries sent by the American Board to its different missions in India and Ceylon previous to 1874. And though he has not the names of all their children, he has known many of them, and had the means of learning much respccting the history of others.
While he was himself connected with one of these missions for nearly forty years, it was the practice in each for its members to observe a season of special prayer for their children at a particular time each week. How far the facts here given are the result of this concert of prayer cannot be told. But they are interesting and encouraging.
The following statement, though not claiming to be complete, is the result of careful notice, and is certainly within the truth. Of the sons of missionaries sent by the Board to India and Ceylon before 1874, twentyeight became foreign missionaries, seventeen clergymen in this coun'ry, and seven physicians. Fourteen, after graduating at college, became teachers, or engaged in other useful employment, and eleven are known to have become useful men without a collegiate education. One lost his life in the Union Army during the Civil War. Two died in college, and one soon after graduating. One was pursuing his studies in college a year ago, and three in theological seminaries.
Of the danghters of missionaries mentioned above, twenty-seven, as is known, became missionaries or the wives of missionaries, arid eleven others married clergymen or educated men in other professions. Ten, after completing their education, engaged in teaching or other useful employment, and three, not graduating at public school!'!, became uscful as Christian wives and mothers. One had just entered the institution at South Hadley a year ago, one was in her last year of study preparatory to Wellesley College, one was in an academy iu Massachusetts, and one in a normal school in New Yqrk City.
The following account is confined to the children of a single company of missionaries who went out in the same ship. The company consisted of four men, with their wives, and an unmarried lady. About two years later the young lady was married to a missionary. Fifteen sons and eleven daughters born to this company lived to adult age: All but two or three were sent or carried home by their parents and left in the care of others. These would have been thus left had not their parents been prevented by other causes from" returning to their work in accordance with their earnest wishes. All early became members of the church. Ten of the sons graduated at college. . Six of these became ministers, of whom three went abroaJ. as foreign missionaries, and another would have gone but for the failure of his health. Two engaged in journalism. One studied medicine, and settled as a physician in New York City. One, ha,'wg taught for five years in a college in India, ill now studying in a theological seminary in the United States. Of the other five, one died while a senior in college. One. having graduated at a medical college, is a practising physician in Massachnsetts. One, an eldcr in a Presbyterian church, is a journalist in one of the principal cities of the Northwest. The two others, in useful callings, are active workers in the Sunday-school. Of the eleven daughters, two, after several years' work in a foreign mission, became the wives of missionaries. One graduated at Mount Holyoke Seminary, and went to Ceylon as a missionary. One, after graduating at the same school, engaged in teaching in New York City. One died not long after her marriage to an educated Christian man. One, graduated at a normal school in Massachusetts, taught five ycars, and married the pastor of an important church. One, having received an education in other schools of high standing, graduated at the vYornan's Medichl College, in Philadelphia. One graduated at W cHesley College. taught six or seven years, and is now giving assistance in missionary work in Spain. The other three are all useful as intelligent Christian wives and mothers. These accounts are given with the hope of affording encouragement .to missionaries called for the sake of Christ to put their children from them, and to those who give them sympathy and help. Does not the Lord care for such children?
DECEMBER, 1890.
THE ANATOMY OF NATIONAL LIFE.-In a recent lecture on " Oriental Thought," Professor E. P. Thwing, M.D., of Brooklyn, Member of the Royal Asiatic Society, drew attention to the initial elements, the physical fa!tors revealed in the geographical position of a continent, its climate, scenery, and soil. He quoted the remark of Dr. Coan, of the Sandwich Islands, that the Gulf Stream gave Europe its ,present civilization, and the occlusion of the Pacific at Behring Strait made Polynesia what it is. Volcanoes and seismic disturbances and typhoons, are related, he said, to the abnormal development of the imagination, and the thanatophidia of the East to demonology. Thermal extremes produce indu8trial and so moral instability. The study of physical geography and ancillary themes is fundamental. Only by a patient analysis is a true synthesis and so a rational science gained of human ciyilization. Buckle drew notice to this method thirty years ago, but modern research hal> illuminated the subject and emphasized its importance to every student of ethnology.
ISIDOlt LOEWENTHAl•
ISIDOR' LOEWENTHAL.
BY ROBERT MORRISON, FULTON, MO.
In the Youth's Companion of April 23d ult. there is a quotation from a book entitled" Stories from th,e Battle Smoke," as follows: " A missio~ary to India was shot, as he sat in his veranda in the dusk (If the evening, by bis own chowkeydar, or watchman, whether intent iollally or hy accident will never be known. Near a public road stands hi~ solitary grave. On the stone at the head is the inscription: SACRED TO THE MEMORY of the REV. – – SONNENTIIAL.
J[e tran8lated the Script7£res in the Afghan tongue, and wa.~ I1hot by his own chowkeydar.
, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' "
The above epitaph recalls a flood of memories of the years gone by. The real name of the missionary refeITed to above is Isidor Loewenthal.
God's dealings with him were so strange that a sketch of his history . ,,,n hardly fail to interest God's people of the present day.
lIe was born in Posen, Prussian Poland, A.D. 1826. His parents were .rews. His father knew but little and cared less about religion. His mother was a devoted follower of the traditions of the rabbis. She, however, endeavored to instruct her children in the principles of morality. These parents were in moderate worldly circumstances, and with eight children to rear and educate, of whom Isidor was the eldest, they were unable to give them a liberal or university education. They however did what they could, and did that fairly well.
Our young schoiar was sent to a Jewish school to learn some of the first principles of science, and to repeat prayers of whose meaning he knew nothing. There was no attempt to explain their significance or interest him about such matters more than would have been done to a pet parrot.
By and by he was sent to " a Christian school" -so, at least, in name. There religion, as the teachers understood it, was taught as an accomplishment to fit one for general society or for office in the government, and, of course, was taught in a very lifeless sort of way. There were 01]. this subject two recitations a week, and attendance thereon was optional. The Greek language was in the course, but no hint was ever given that the New Testament was written in that tongue. Hebrew was taught, and Isaiah was read and pronounced by the professor to be nearly equal in beauty and snblimity to Homer. Snch Jews as Philo, Spinoza, and Mendelssohn were commended in contrast to such Christians as Voltaire, Rousseau, Rume, and Bolingbroke. Milton and Locke were called fanatics, and while the learning and genius of Newton were admired, he was pitied because unable to free himself" from the common superstition of the greater part of mankind."
Being unable further to pursue his studies, young Loewenthal became clerk for a merchant; but selling goods was not to his taste. To be among books was his delight. He was a born student. Having no other work, however, open before him, he kept on with his clerkship, and becoming acquainted with some young men about his own age who were radicals in politics, met with them secretly for the discussion of political questions. At such times essays and poetry of their own composition were often read. One of these pieces Mr. Loewenthal was indiscreet enough to publish. Because it criticised the government, he indirectly learned that his arrest had been determined on. He knew the horrors of such a risk as that. This was but two years before the great upheaval on the Oontinent, of 1848. With haste he fled to Hamburg, and with a good deal of trouble secured a passport to New York, whither, in a short time, he arrived, a stranger in a strange land, with but a poor knowled,e of English. He had but little money left, and he hnnted for work very earnestly in New York and Philadelphia, but failed entirely. He then struck out to get work in the country, but failed there too. In despair, he invested -all he had in a small basketful of notions, and began the life of a peddler.
In Novemher, 1846, when but a little over twenty years old, he ealled one forenoon at the house of Rev. S. M. Gayley, near Wilmington, Del., drenched with rain and suffering with cold; he was invited to the fire and to stop for dinner. After dinner, when he had disposed of some of his wares to Mrs. Gayley, he rose to depart, but the kind preacher, noticing how thinly clad the young stranger was, invited him to halt for the night, which he readily did.
Upon inquiry he found, to his surprise, that the young peddler had studied some philosophy and seience, and was master Qf the Hebrew and several modern languages. The preacher became very much interested in his guest, and persuaded him to stay with him until he eould see if some more suitable employment eould be found for him. This he soon seeured in having a elass formed for him in modern languages in Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa., and which he took charge of January lst, 1847. The few weeks, however, that he spent at the house of his benefactor were eventful times to him. Writing to Mr. Gayley some time afterward, lle says: "It was at your house, by your earnest prayers (at family worship), to which I first went half from curiosity, half from politeness, by your humble supplications, that I was first awakened to apprehend my danger, to consider that I had an immortal soul. I began to open the Bible. I was astonished. I waited with eagerness morning and evening for the summons to family worship to hear you pray. I was more and more convinced I was on the wrong path." During the young professor's absence at col-
tsmon
lege, Mr. Gayley followed him with kindly religious counRel, which, though a bow at a venture, proved under God to be the right things said at the right time, and in the autumn following Mr. Gayley baptized him as a member of the Presbyterian Church.
In the fall term of 1847 Mr. Loewenthal entered the senior class in Lafay- ette, and graduated in the June following. Shortly after graduating the Rev. Samuel Miller offered him the position of a teacher in the collegiate school at Mount Holly, N. J. This he accepted and retained for three years, when he entered the Princeton Theological Seminary, where he took a full course and graduated with great credit in 1854. He was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick. While in the seminary he taught classes in the modern languages in the college of New Jersey. He was an early riser and a tireless worker. As a linguist he had few equals and, per- haps, no superior, considering his age. He was a thorough student, at the same time, in mathematic1l and philosophy. There were plenty of open- ings gladly awaiting such qualifications as he had, hut he cheerfully offered himself to the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church to go to the Gentiles of India, and was accepted and sailed for his field in August, 1855.
The Society of Inquiry of the seminary selected him as essayist for 1854, and his subject was India as a Missionary Field. The prouuction was one of great merit, and was soon after published in the Princeton Review.
He was below middle size in stature, but lithe and wiry. He had a large hooked nose, a fine black eye, and raven black hair. He was a quiet, modest man, and a man of thorougll consecration. All his powers were cheerfully laid at the foot of the cross.
At Peshawer, the advanced station of missionary enterprise in Afghanis,…, tan at that time, he landed in 1855. He was the pioneer there and alone, but he addressed himself in earnest to the acquisition of that difficult language, the Pushtoo.
Nine years of patient, hard labor passed, and he was able to preach in Pushtoo, Persian, Cashmere, Hindustanee, Arabic, and, in fact, in all the languages and dialects of that polyglot region which he had chosen as his field of labor. Besides this he had just completed a translation of the New Testament in Pushtoo, and was about to begin work on the Old Testament when his earthly work suddenly came to an end.
When in the seminary he was subject to terrible headaches, which caused him to rush out very early in the morning to take an airing, and Rome of the theologues who rose betimes in the mornings used to see him coming back from a walk of two or three miles just as they first looked out. One morning in July. 1864, about daylight he was shot by his own watchman, who said he thought it was a thie;: 'Vhether what he said was true, or whether he was paid to kill one who was hated and feared, as did some men of Asia who were not ahle to resist the wisdom of the Spirit by which Stephen spoke to thEm, will not likely be known on this side of eternity.
ISIDOR LOEWENTIIAL
Tt is hardly probable that that was the first time in all those years that Mr. Loewenthal had come home at that hour and in that way!
To human view it seems mysterious that one so gifted, so eminently fitted for such a field and on the ground and anxious to work, should be cut down. So, however, was it with another grand servant of Christ and misEionary to India, Henry Jl,Iartyn. Both were men of wonderful intellect and rare scholarship, especially in the line of language; and eaeh gave a final work of a New Testament of his own translation-the one to Persia, the other to Afghanistan. Each died young and alone in differents parts of the field, but Tocat and Peshawer are drawing nearer to each other, and hosts of pious dead will soon surround the graves of these young, brave, lonely pioneers.
From Chefoo, China, Mr. G. P. Bostick writes, April lOth, 1891 : " Rev. B. C. Henry says, , The Chinese dress too often means a Chinese house pure and simple, and native furniture, native utensils and native food.' This statement is unjust to a large number of missionaries who wear the dress,· which no more means, in itself, the other things specified than wearing a Prince Albert coat in New York City necessarily means a brown-stone front with all attending luxuries, or a plain dress, squalid poverty. Many who wear the dress live in good foreign style otherwise, and some of them under the same board with Mr. Henry. The C. 1. M. policy is economy, whether you wear the dress or not. I know some of them in foreign dress who live harder than some others who wear the Chinese dress. I know not how to account for Brother Henry's statement, unless he has not mingled with those who wear the dress. " I also read recently something like this, 'If you are shaking in yonr faith and tend to looseness of views, throw yourself into the mission on a foreign field and it will eure you.' Some haye tried this, resulting in their finally giving up the Bible, religion, and God. Work at home might have the desired effect. But for heathen lands we need men well grounded in the faith at all points; others, if not entirely thrown off, will get looser, and teach loose views to others. Faith of all workers on foreign fields will be thoroughly tried, and needs an immovable foundation. " I read also recently an appeal for sending out mechanics as missionaries, to establish all kinds of shops for the natives. In this part of China there is danger of burying the Gospel beneath the accompanying civilizing agencie~, so that God's power unto salvation will not be seen. My vote is, first and last and all the time, for men and women to preach the Gospel, pure and simple, and depend on God for results; already too much time and money are expended in heathen lands on thc side issues. " Amid the many societies undertaking to do the work of the churches, would it not be well to consider how much stress is to be put upon the individual Church-Christ's organization g"
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN l'EitIODICALB
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FORELGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The Annual Report of the National Bible Society of Scotland has a very "aluable letter respecting the state of France from Mr. Charles Faulk- ner, " whose long residence in that country, and careful study of events in it, entitle him to be heard on such a question" : " Pius IX. himself never made a greater mistake, and that is saying a great deal, than when he dro"e Jules Simon, one of the fairest, most moderate, and most religiously disposed men in France, from power; and he who would form a just estimate of the acts of the French Govern- ment in relation to the Church, is bound to take the 16th of May, 1877, into account. Passion is an evil counsellor, and the systematic persecution that followed was a great mistake; but the Church only reaped what she had sown. She had tried to strangle the Republic."
Mr. Faulkner then describes all the familiar outbursts of passionate hostility to clericalism, aud, in the train of that, to religion itself, and adds, "In all these respects there is a great change. The government is no longer professedly hostile to the Church, and makes an effort even to be fair, and this is true notwithstanding many seeming exceptions. The programme of an anarchical socialist meeting no longer of necessity in- cludes blasphemy. The administration has ceased, at least openly, to persecute. Priests are no longer eaten every day by the extreme Radical journals. Civil funerals are a diminishing quantity." Notwithstanding various measures bearing hard upon the re"enues and exemptions of tho clergy, Mr. Faulkner says that "there is reason to think that the re- ligious influence of the Church is greater now than it was when the Pope drove Jules Simon from power. In the matter of education she has estab- lished free schools, both primary and secondary, which, her opponents being judges, are a great success. In other departments of work there is the same energy, and it seems possible that the latest attempts to cripple her may have the opposite effect." The Jesuits having been greatly disabled, it should seem as if this revival was measurably independent of them, and guided rather by the deeper religion and stricter ethics of the Dominicans. This, however, is an uncertain guess of my own.
"The same is true of the Reformed Church of France. • .. Ten years ago, a few leading men determined to seek the reorganization of the Church by means of non-official synods, both provincial and general. The attempt was regarded by many with fear and trembling, but it has suc- ceeded beyond expectation, and three fourths of the churches are now formally connected with this revived organization, and the Church, as a whole, is throbbing with organic life as she has not done since the dark days of Louis XIV:'
Mr. Faulkner says, moreover, as fully attested by men of all schools, that" the educated French mind is in a marked degree turning its atten- tion to religious subjects, and that in no hostile spirit; indeed, one of the extreme Radical papers complained the other day that among periodicals such as the Revue des Deux ]tfondes there was not one that treated scepticism with due respect."
Is French Catholicism competent to detach itself from its accretions of superstition ~ It should seem not impossible, since, as Pere Hyacinthe attests, the doctrine of Transubstantiation has been there spiritualized to a degree which seeIllS to leave it hardly distinguishable from Calvin's own teaching, except that the presence of Christ is assumed as existing ante usum. The coarse medireval conceptions of t.he Roman Catechism in this Pl!rticular have never found much acceptance in France.
-The Societe des Missions EvangUiques mourns the loss of M. Eugene Casalis, the eminent founder, with M. Arbousset, of the admirable Lessuto .(or, as we sl,ould say, Basuto) Mission, in South Africa. He died March 9th, at the age of 79 years. M. Eugene Casalis, after his return from Africa, was director aud then honorary director of the mission house. The remembrances of the reawakening of French Protestantism, and of its first development of zeal for the extension of the Kingdom of God in the world at large, were peculiarly embodied in him. His missionary character, profoundly Christian, is described as being peculiarly French, marked by that pervasive sympathy and ready flexibility which distinguished St. Paul, and is a special French characteristic. He was distinguished also for his unmoved adherence to the central missionary idea, the salvation of men and the advancement of the kingdom of God, resolutely putting and keeping all the distracting invitations of science, civilization, national interests in their thoroughly subordinate place, " sacrificing, at need, everything which, in our hands, might become an obstacle instead of remaining a lIimple means."
Various children and grandchildren of M. CaRalis have been or are now his successors in Basutoland.
-The April number of the Presbyterian :Jfessenger, of the Presbyterian Church of England, has a letter from a Chinese graduate addressed to W. Faber, which is interesting, though certainly amusing, as showing the enormous over-valuation of mere literature which is characteristic of China, as, in a less degree, it has until lately prevailed in Europe. Says the worthy gentleman, "The excellent men who undertalw to propagate Christianity and are zealous for the salvation of the world have themselves, of course, good methods as well as beautiful intentions; and assuredly they are not waiting for any prosing of mine on the subject. Still, since Jesus, in revealing the truth of God, has eyen sacrificed Himself to save all mankind of all generations, with a tender commiseration which might move to gratitude even the creatures we eat, why is it that to this day so few in China follow Him ~ ". . . Good medicine is that which cures disease, but good medicine is, for the most part, not palatable, and people are apt to loathe it. If you can by any means make medicine smell fragrant and taste sweet, your use of it in the curing of the disease will be marvellously facilitated and quickened. The doctrine of Jesus is indeed beautiful and is indeed good; but much of the translations of it are inelegant and crabbed, and scholars despise it. If you could by any means impart to the translations a just amount of grammar there would be a rush of believers, and no holding of them back. I would, therefore, advise that the Old Testament be translated on the model of the earliest literature of China (that of the Three Dynasties), that the New Testament be translated on the model of the Han Wei and Tsin writings, that hymns be translated in imitation of our elegant praise songs and ceremonial chants, and that Christian literature generally be rendered in the style of the best masters of Pang (A,D.600-900)."
That translations and hymns should be thoroughly Chinese in form and genius is an altogether reasonable requirement. 'But assuredly the Greek New Testament is not written with any care to make it Attic. To some who complained that Salva tor was not classical, Augustine nobly replied, "Christ made it classical when He came into the world." But the letter, as a whole, which is long, is exceedingly good. The graduate points out how the charge brought against Christianity of neglecting an- cestral honor might be met by tracts showing the thousand ways in which, in Christendom, wealth is diverted from ceremonial wastefulness before the dead to a thousand forms of beneficence, public and private, toward the Jiving." Again, all that can be found in Chinese books which is in harmony with the doctrines of Jesus should be collected into a volume for distribution and for use in preaching." The author says, after speaking of the former prevalence of Buddhism, utterly foreign to Confucianism, " That the religion of Jesus should not mightily prevail in China is a thing totally unprecedented. For myself, I barely know the English alphabet, and have no acquaintance with European literature. Hitherto mathematical and mechanical studies have absorbed my attention and dragged me down, so that I dare not hope to achieve anything in the way of illustrating loftier themes. But I cannot help wiping my eyes in tlager expectation of a glorious moral advance and uplifting."
-The Messenger, speaking of the opium traffic, says, "With the great problems staring us in the face of the future of the Chinese race and of the Russian Empire, in both of which we are deeply concerned, surely it is time for us to set our house in order and get rid of the accursed thing. If we do this in the fear of God it will be the surest safeguard should the day of evil come."
– The Ohinese Recorder for March says, " There is an idea prevalent among foreigners that China can make no advance because she is unwilling to become westernized. If these Asiatics would only array themselves in broadcloth or tweed, and throw aside their strauge tongue and ancient literature for our classic English; or if they could be induced to ape our customs, buy our general merchandise to the exclusion of their own, and submit at once and utterly to the demands of the Westorn diplomat-then we might look for progress. But the fact should be emphasized that China's conservatism has an importance at least in potentia; and what- ever of value in our civilization and whatever of truth in our religion comes at length into her possession will be held with invincible tenacity."
-North Africa mentions t.hat a Shereef not far from Cape Juby, West Africa, has sent for" books and information about the religion of Je~us, the Son of Mary." Mr. W. Summers was expecting to visit him.
-North Africa gives an account of the baptism of EI Hansalee, a Moslem" saint" of Morocco, which reminds one of Simon Magus. He had long vainly striven to reconcile two hostile villages. At laRt the reconciliation was achieved by 1 simple Christian believer. EI Hansal!'!', finding that his power came from his faith in the Messiah, was baptized, but scarcely disguises the fact that it is in the hope of gaining, like Simon Magus, a new degree of " power."
-A Moslem .woman in Morocco,becoming a Christian, besought her husband with an honest but exaggerated zeal to divorce her, which he did, , though very unwillingly. She since supports herself by sewing. A Chris- tian desired to marry her, but desisted from his suit on learning that Christ forbids marriage with a divorced woman. Her husband still wishes her to return, and it is a wonder that her instructors do not refer her to St. Paul's teachings. It seems, strange as it is, that in Mohammedan Morocco Moslems are free to change their religion.
-It seems that there are various sects in North Africa which are almost or quite purely Unitarian, paying little or no attention to any historical claims of Mohammed, hardly as much as our Unitarians of the left pay to the claims of Christ. They will probably be found the least hopeful objects of Christian missions.
-The Calwer Missionsblatt for April, 1891, mentions that all the churches nnder the sway of the King Kscholokol, brother and successor of Sekukuni, have seceded from the Berlin Missionary Society, to set up an independent Basuto Church. The movement is headed by Herr Winter, a nnivcrsity man and a son-in-law of the director of the Society.
-The Mission Record of the Church of Scotland asks, "Is it possible to find healthy sites in Central Africa? On the low belt of country near the c9ast, along the banks of the great water-ways, or on the shores of the inland lakes, such places are rare, if they can be found at all. But on the great central plateaux above the level pf two thousand feet there are large districts where Europeans can enjoy health as good as it is possible to secure within the tropics. Such districts are de!jtined to be the great saving centres of Africa. As examples of such regions one thinks of the Shire Hills, the Lomwe Hills, the Angoni country west of Nyassa, and the lofty table-land lying between lakes Nyassa and Tanganyika. From these centres, when once missionary societies see the reasonableness of such a method, the Gospel of Christ will be carried all round until mission meets mission, with a network of workers allover the continent. The low-lying malarious districts, where no European can live or work, must be won by the native African Church, born and nurtured on these hill regions of Africa, and sent out in its manhood to win the rest of the Dark Continent for Christ. "
-It is known, bllt seldom fnlly apprehended, that the great bulk of the· people of Africa so"uth of the equator, belonging as they do to the Bantu race, are not negroes, though they may not inappropriately be called negroids. A traveller, quoted in the Missionary Record of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, says: "The Bantu is a fine, tall, upright man, with delicately small hands and well-shaped feet, high, thin nose, beard and mustache. They are not black, but generally of a warm chocolate. Some of the men are perfect Greek statues as regards the splendid development and poise of figure. They have pleasing faces because of the perfect good humor that'enlivens their features." One tribe, to the south of Stanley Pool, are described as having not a stupid face among them. The noble heads of the.men make thenl appear as if they were all "members of Parliament." Like the negroes, they are born orators, but apparently on a higher range. ,. A sermon that I heard from one of them," says a missionary, " was as fine as ever I heard in Europe or America, nut only in point of delivery, but in its clearness of reasoning, and in its profound perception of spiritual truth."
-The Moravian Missionsblatt, speaking of the Cafl're tribe of the l'embus, remarks discriminatingly: " The heathen is, on the one hand, not the devilish abomination into which sometimes he is disfigurEd in all good faith, out of pure ignorance, by those who in Christendom, so to speak, beg from door to door for pity on him. No; he has also redeeming traits, clearly discernible traces, though sadly marred and discontinuous, of the original imprint of God's similitude. But, on the other hand, assuredly he is far from being that uncorrupted, harmless child of nature that dimly dreaming worshippers of man would make him out to be. No j his true portrait does not merely include individual shadows and unclean disfiguring spots, Lut the whole foundation of his moral being is awry, untrne, impure, and unholy, plainly attesting his indispensable need of the redemption in Christ, that only through the energy of grace and the inner transformation wrought thereby can he be restored to his true temporal and eternal destiny. "
-The Rev. E. C. Gordon, in the April Intelligencer, gives a dismal picture of the devastations wrought in Uganda by the wars of succession. " When I read in the papers, of Buganda being a garden, and its population 2,000,000, I see what Buganda once was, not what it is now. It is very difficult to judge of numbers j still I do not fancy more than 10,000 fighting men could be found in the whole land."
-Bishop Smythies, before returning to Africa, was presented to the Emperor William. The latter remarked significantly, "The Mohammedan religion is a very simple one, and takes great hold on those who profess it. Surely in the face of it there is great necessity for Christian missionaries to act unitedly."
-The French missionaries of Lessuto are devoting special attention, by large ~ssemblies and otherwise, to the spiritual unification of their work, being convinced "that to have in a heathen country a church strong, compact, zealous, and pure is the best means of presenting to unbelievers the Gospel, with its most attractive and most convincing fruits."
M. Vollet, of the Zambesi Mission, has attended these reunions, and takes back with him Pauluse, a native Basuto evangelist, and his wife, to labor among the Barotsis.
-M. Boegner, Director of the Paris Maison des .Missions, well sums· up the difficulties of Northwestern Africa, "These African churches give you the impression of vaHt caldrons in ebullition j everything there is in fermentation, in conflict j good, evil, the influences of race, of environ- ment, and, above all, of Christianity. We have to belicve, to hope that this last will carry the day and bring forth noble fruits in the moral life, as it already does in the domain of religious feeling. The former are not lacking, but are behindhand. This is the characteristic trait of these churcl~cs: a retardation of character compared with sentiment and the manifestations of this sentiment. " – -Blantyre has had stroke upon stroke in the deaths of Dr. Bowie, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, and the pioneer, the Rev. Robert Cleland. "But though the workman dies, the work goes on." A pastor and a physician in Scotland have already offered. The Free Church, which has already eleven missionaries on the banks of Lake Nyassa, sends out five mOle this spring. Adding the Moravian Mission and the Berlin Mission, about to be established here, Lake Nyassa will become an eminent centre of Christian effort in Africa, hesides the close connection of friendship hetween Blantyre and the Universities' Mission. As says the Journal des Missions, their numerousness is an added element of success. "Into these mUIder- OUB climatcs men should go in numbers, or remain away." _co As was to be foreseen," remarks M. Kruger, in the April J01J,rnal, " the great partition of AfriM in 1890 has given a new impulse to the zeal of the Christ.ian Church for the advancement of the kingdom of God in the Dark Continent. This fact attests anew that Christian missions do not hover in the ether of a faith detached and isolated from everything which agitates and interests mankind at large; they cling, by their natural fibres, to all the preoccupations of their time, to the character of the race, of the people, of the church which maintains them. But a supernatural principle, the Spirit of God, governs Christian missions, predominates over every other motive, and keeps in view, without suffering itself to be divested from it, the propagation of the Church of Jesus Christ."
-After thirty-six years of labor, the London missionaries have baptized a man and a woman, the first two converts of the terrible Matebeles, between the Zambesi and the Limpopo. Hitherto, whenever promising dispositions appeared in any way under the long tyranny of Mselekazi, the man disappeared. A second tyrant has sncceeded, but apparently somewhat less implacable.
-C. Busse, in the April Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrijt, says of Mackay, " Although he was not an ordained clergyman, his deeply rooted piety, his burning missionary zeal, his many-sided cultivation, his splendid adaptability, his inexhaustible energy, his blessed activity, and his childlike humility have given posterity the right to number him among the greatest missionaries-to set him by the side of his great. countryman, Livingstone."
-The Zeitschrijt just.ly designates the French mission on the Zambesi as " one of the most heroic of our day." It is, though now entirely diiltinct, an offshoot of the Lessuto (BaRuto) Mission. having been founded seven years ag-o "by the valiant COILLARD and his courageous wife." "The difficulties of this remote mission are enormous: a savage people, despotic princes, crnel manners, unbroken power of abject heathen superstition, frequent wars, a dangerous climate, a fearfully oppressive isolation -verily here is the patience and faith of the saints." Their firstling, Nguana Ngombe. gives them infinite comfort. The king's son, Litia, seems likely to be the second. Lewanika himself is thoroughly friendly, upholds the Sabbath and temperance, begins to be ashamed of plundering forays and of the cruelties of his old time, though he shows no signs of a renovated heart. Few missions, for their intrinsic interest, deserve more attention or sympathy of prayer."
-King Kharna, who has transferred his capital to the 20,000 strong town of Phalapye, at once proceeded to build a church for 3000 hearers, to which his subjects contributed about $13,000. This well-ordered Christian government, it is to be hoped, may survive the impact of white seekell! of land and gold. Khama is a convert of the London Missionary Society.
-The Basel Mission in Cameroon (West Africa) in 1890 lost four laborers by death, while the superintendent was obliged to return for awhile to Europe. Nevertheless, says the Zeitschrijt, a series of joyful expcrieneps hal:' in a measure given compensation, and awakens excellent hope for the future. The mission has grown both in influence and extent. A number of out-stations have been added to the four main stations, while " from almost all the towns of tue country men resort to us to learn about , God's matters.'" In many places there are formed societies of "men of God"-i.e., seekers for the truth. More than twenty native hclpers, a number being of marked capacity, assist the missionaries.
-The sad experiences which the Church Missionary Society has had with its mission on the Niger have led it to decide on supplying hereafter the principal stations with Englishmen, to whose oversight the colored clergy lire to be submittcd. The aged Bishop Crowthcr, remarks the Zeitschrift, seems thereby to become rather ornamental than effective. No charge lies against him, however, except too easy a discipline, and the 8US- pension of his 80n, Archdeacon Crowther, has been annulled by the Society. The Zeitschrift well says, "Go forward in the use of native helpers, but make haste slowly."
-The Allgemeine Missions·Zeitschrijt for April says, "In reatling the books of modern African travellers and contrasting them with Livingstone's journals, we cannot avoid a feeling of sadness on a double account: first, that they have not kept their hands frce from the shedding of hnman blood, and then, that in their reckoning, modesty does not appear to count for a virtue. "
-Tho colonial politicians of Germany seem to have concluded an alliance offensive and defensive with Roman Catholic missions, which lend themselves very easily to political schemings. Of this the hard-hearted and almost wantonly mnrderous Dr. Peters is a notorious example. lIe boasts of having persuaded Mwanga to ordain" that Mohammedanism should be absolutely forbidden, and made subject to the punishment of death 1"
-Stanley is said to be sufficiently open to blame for recklessness of human life; but Peters actually taunts him with cowardice, because he not unfrequently, in order to spare bloodshed, preferred circuits, and sometimes paid toll, etc. 1 Any way seems to be the object of contempt to Dr. Peters which is not cloven right through human bodies. Have the Germans reverted to the heathenism of thAir ancestors? But against all this cruelty the leading missionary magazine of Germany, with the missionary magazines generally, raises an unfailing protest.
The Ohurch Missionary lntelligencer for April remarks, " Although the name of the United States does not appear among the Powers whose , spheres of influence' and protectorates arc being so carefully marked out upon the map of Africa, the American' sphere of mis.~ionary influence' is neither small nor unimportant. On the north, in Egypt, the United Presbyterian Church has a vigorous mission, with over thirty·five missionaries from America, and over 3000 communicants in their churches. Their educational work is far advanced, and in the regions about Cairo and As~iout Christian enterprises are successfully prosecuted. Down the west coast, at Mendi, there is an American mission, while in the Republic of Liberia (whatever its shortcomings may be), the Protestant Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, and American Presbyterian churches are all hard at work. At Muhlenberg, on the St. Paul River, the Evangelical Lutheran General Synod has a prosperous work, while the Presbyterian Board is located at the Gaboon and Corisco. On the Congo the American Baptigts find a congenial field of labor, while on the Lower River and in Angola, Bishop Taylor is established. To the south of Angola lies the West Central Africa Mission of the American Board, which after only ten years of labor gives promise of great efficiency. The work of the same Board in Natal, where it has been established for fifty.five years, is well known. I~ has now sixteen churches wIth nearly 1200 members. To the north of Natal again the Board has its East Central African Mission, near. Inhambane, whence it is purposed to push forward into the interior. There are in all nine American missionary boards laboring' for the redemption of the Dark Continent, with 204 missionaries, 359 stations, and an annual expenditure exceeding $237,000."
-Th~ Burma Bible and Tract Society, in its Annual Report for 1890, says, "How every true heart is pained at the thought that the two great English speaking nations that are doing so much to bless heathen lands, are at the same time doing so much to curse them! Oh, that they would cease to do evil, and learn to do well! Then would they bless only, and not curRe ; and in blessing they wonU be blessed. But in cursing, they shall certainly be cursed. The God of the terrible Civil War in the United States, and of the Indian Mutiny, is unchangeable and cternal." ~Te notice that Sir Charles II. T. Crosthwaite, Chief Commissioner for Burma, is President of the Society.
-The Indian Witness statell that the Viceroy, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and Lady Lansdowne, have taken particular pains to manifest, by personal attendance and otherwise, their interest in Dr. Pentecost's labors.
-Bishop Thoburn, quoted by the Bombay Gum'dian, avows that there is one Hindu notion to which he is a good deal of a convert-namely, that there is religious merit in planting a tree. "In India it certainly ought to be everyone's aim to plant as many trees as possible, in every place where they can have a chance of taking root and growing, either to yield fruit or shade to generations yet unborn. Every missionary should see that his compound is well planted with trees; and there are hundreds upon hundreds of small plots of ground under the control of missionaries in villages and country places where valuable trees might easily be planted and cared for. "
-Here is a pleasing piece of information from Kaukab i Hind (Star of India), "During the past year the profit on opium for the Government of India fell much below the estimate, and for several years the cultivation of opium in Cawnpore District has been a losing business, and consequently the offices have been closed and the buildings will soon be sold."
-The Harvest Field, published by the Methodist Episcopal brethren of Madras, opens, in its March number, with a paper by the Rev. G. Pittendrigh, on the New Testament place of preaChing in the New Testament as a means of propagation of the Gospel. The author, before taking this up, lays strong and, as it appears to us, just emphasis on the entire flexibility of methods allowed by the New Testament, so that the object is the same, and of course that possible aberrations are continually checked by a Christian instinct kept fresh from the New Testament. He signifies that to worship the mere Jetter of "apostolic methods" is something that is thoroughly unapostolic. The Lord God of the prophets and apostles is still with His people. And lie who gave wisdom to Paul to work in the Jewish and Roman world will not withhold it from Paul's successors, who are called to work in the Indian world. New Testament method, are often inapplicable in new conditions; New Testament principles are always supreme.
Mr. Pittendrigh believes that educational and medical agencies in India are largely leavening the Indian mind, and preparing a class a good deal like the imperfec.:,t proselytes of the Empire, among whom, in the fulness of time, as among them the word of preaching will run like fire among dry grass.
-The Harvest Field says of this REVIEW, "The tone of the magazine is healthy. the articles readable, the information generally fresh, and it is unquestionably the best missionary magazine."
-Mr. Whitton, writing in the Helpmeet, the women's organ in connection with the Free Church of Scotland, says, "You will have heard of the bill at present before ·the Viceroy's Council to raise the age of consent ftom ten to twelve. I am sorry to see that the Calcutta native press are almost universally against this change. Calcutta is gaining an unenviable notoriety by its resistance to all reforms. I hope the government will stand firm, and that the bill will soon become law. The law will do good in many ways. Among others~ it WIll tend to keep girls longer at school, and so help on the great cause of female education."
-The Rev. William Stevenson, of the Free Church, says, "Every Hindu girl of respectable family must be married, not merely as soon as she reaches maturity, but long before it, while she is still a mere infant.
The higher the caste, the earlier does tyrannous custom demand the cele- bration of the ceremony. The origin of this extraordinary system is attributed to the old times of disorder and insecurity, when there was no safety even for little girls, save under the legal protection of a husband.
However the custom may bave first originated, it was established at a very early period in the history of Hinduism, on a more sacred foundation.
It was declared to be a divine ordinance and incorporated with the most hallowed rites of their religion. The dogma that underlies this iustitution, as well as the other outstanding institutions regarding women in India- their seclusion within the zenana and perpetual widowhood- is the thorough and irredeemable depravity of woman's nature. Hinduism first publishes the grossest libel on woman, and then treats her as if it were true. It de- clares her utterly incapable of freedom, and then enslaves her. Notbing is too bad to expect of women, and accordingly the only guarantee for the purity and respectability of the family is the maintenance of a system which marries them as infants, secludes them 'as wives, and practically entombs them as widows. And this system is guarded in every part of it by the most sacred sanctions of religion.
"Strange as it may appear, the women who suffer are themselves the main upholders of the corrupt idolatrous system that enslaves them. They hug their own chains, and bind even the men in the same bondage. But it is because they do not know any better. Their life is entirely centred in the home, and all the reverent instincts of their heart cling to the sacred traditions of their caste. To them, hid in their prison houses, Christianity is invested with all the terrors of the unknown. But let its pure and gra- cious light shine in upon them, let them see their own dark customs in the brightness of its beams, and their hearts will respond, their consciences will spring into activity, and the woman's influence, which is ever the subtlest, most penetrating, and, therefore, most powerful force for'the elevation of society, will erelong dissolve the ancient system of corruption and cruelty.
For this let us labor and pray." , -The Marchioness of Dufferin, whose husband has been Viceroy of India, says, as quoted in the Church of Scotland Mission Record, "In Oriental countries generally emancipation from the strict rules of the purdah, and the education of women, are apt to mean dissipation and French novels; but in India tbey seem really to lead to a bigher life. The educated Indian ladies I bave met retain all the remarkably feminine character of their race; they lose none of tbe modesty of their demeanor, and I have never seen a sign nor have I ever heard the faintest whisper of any levity of their conduct."
-The Mission Field says that a native Christian, who had been very unwilling to make the customary annual offerings, but had done »0, paid the next year three or four times as much as was looked for as bis tithe on plantain cultivation. "I have realized," said he, " the blessing of making God my partner."
-The late Bishop Sargent's venerable coadjutor in the fruitful field of Tinnevelly, the eminent Bishop Caldwell, wbo bas so long worked for Christ there, in connection with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, as Bishop Sargent in connection with the Churcb Missionary Society, has at last felt constrained by the burden of age to lay down his episcopal cbarge. Both these bishops have been, in form, coadjutors to the Bishop of Madras, but each has in fact had a distinct episcopate over the converts of his own society.
-The Ohurch Missionary Intelligencerfor April, 1891, has a profoundly interesting article by the Rev. G. Ensor, explaining more thoroughly than anything we had seen before the slow but irresistible advance of Brahmanism, and the gradual way in which, in a large part of India (especially in the Ganges valley), it has so interwoven itself with" the kindred points of heaven and home," tbat the influence of the medireval priesthood of the west, though supplying to Mr. Ensor various illustrations of startling force, appears in the comparison a light and shallow thing. Anyone that will read this article on the Sanctions of Sapinda will rather wonder that Chris- tianity has made so many converts in India than that it has made no more. That the fortress has not been found altogether impregnable seems to have been largely owing to the fact that the Dravidian South has never yielded to the full force of Brahmanic pretensions. And the Aryan current, in sweeping over the Punjab, had not yet developed its sacerdotal strength. But between the Five Rivers, the Eastern Sea, and the Vinethya Mountains . there was seen in full force that junction of the king and the priest, out· giving in fact the proud theories of Boniface VII!., and of which Sir Henry Sumner Maine says (as quoted by Mr. Ensor), "A more awful tyranny never existed than this which proceeded from the union of physical, intel- lectual, and spiritual ascendency." And though the teeth of the lion have been drawn by the island conquerors, yet the terror of a hundred genera- tions of subjection still weighs the people down.
It should appear that, by a canonical though neglected doctrines of Hin- duism, referred to in a government decision quoted in the Bombay Guardian, native Christians ought to be accounted equal to Brahmans. The Shastras, it seems, declare that the caste of the monarch, be it what it may, is always equal to the highest!
-The fluctuations and gradual advance of an Indian mission are in- terestingly illustrated in the table of average annual increase of communi- +, +, +, cants in the Ahmednagar Mission of A. B. C. F. M. during twelve quinquen- nial periods, beginning with 1831. It is as follows: 3 3 1'1 +, +, +, H t, 1'1 74 51 42 +, 92, l46, 149, 171 -r. .
1891]. INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
BDITED A!{D CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Internationa.l Missionary Union-Eighth Annual Meeting, [J. T. G.] It was a great meeting-that of the ble of covering with its spacious verano International Missionary Union at Clif- das a thousand persons. There must ton Springs, N. Y., from .June 10th to have been that number seated in the 17th. Many things which have inter- audience the evening it was dedicated by ested the cider members of the Union the President of the Missionary Union, took on more satisfactory and definite when the beautiful service which had'" form. The Union has from its begin- been arranged was presided over by ning been" on wheels." These were that widely known and everywhere loved taken off, probably never to be used servant of all who come near him, Rev. again. The Union has determined to L. Bodwell, chaplain of the Sanitarium. meet always at Clifton Springs, and al- We will not try to describe the taberwayson the second Wednesday of June. nacle itself. It is not like the taber- One object of this is, that persons may nacle of old, but no architect gave the know without notification, in making pattern, and yet it is perfectly adapted their alTangements for returning from for all the purposes for which it was de· their foreign fields, where and when they signed. A double ·roof secures ventilaare to meet with this grand body of their tion when the glass doors are closed on fellow-laborers from all quarters of the account of chilly weather, and the tranglobe, for a week's consultation, devo- soms further this object. All can be tion, and fellowship. It is well to say thrown open, and the freest circulation now to all missionaries abroad that they of air secured as needed. Members of need not wait for invitations to the the Union in every land will rejoice, and meeting. Service in foreign fields con- all missionaries will recognize with gladstitutes any person a member of the ness that there is here a great centre Union on signing the Constitution. where the entire mi,ssionary force is They should come without ceremony. afresh made to feel that they have a but not without notification to the Presi- home. dent or Secretary, unless that is really unavoidable. The number of missionaries in at- tendance this year was slightly in ad· There were advantages attached to the vance of any former year. Ninety·two .. movable feast," but there are greater missionaries who had rendered an aggrein the settled life of the Union, as things gate of perhaps twelve hundred years are possible that were not under the old of service in connection with the sevplan. But how has all become possi. eral societies were present. They came ble? Just this way. Dr. Henry Foster from fields stretching from Hudson's has loved the Union and built them a Bay to Buenos Ayres, and from the tabernacle and asked them to be his great wall of China to the Sandwich guests always. That seemed wonder- Islands; from the Bosphorus to Ispafully in the order of God's Providence. han, and from Africa on the Zambesi, and the union accepted the proposal the Gaboon, and the Kongo, and the with more gratitude than often gets form Cape of Good Hope. It was a polyglot in words. The tabernacle itself was crowd. speaking, singing, and writing formally tendered on the evening of its more languages than could perhaps be dedication, Jnne 9th, and the action of spoken by any philological society in the Union formally announced to the the)and. if not more dialects than any public with grateful phrase to Dr. Fos_ learned society ever used in assembly. ter at the closing session of the meeting. It represented very widely all depart- And what a beautiful edifice it is! capa· ments and branches of the General Church of the United States and Cana- others we have no room to write. da, and even took its members from Neither can we do more than mention the English Presbyterian, and the Free the excellent symposiums of the ladies' Church of Sootiand, in its noble repre- meetings, in which vast stores of insentative, Rev. Dr. Narain Sheshadri, formation were disclosed, and much of Bombay. 'l'hey only tarry. Three heroic work reported. We may furnish fourths of the number are expecting just one illustration of the work which to return to service in the foreign field, these and other missionary ladies have and to do yet more to hasten the con- done beyond their usual lines: version of the benighted peoples of the 1Imh. There were two new missionaries ,Mrs. Mix, of the Baptist mission in who had just been appointed by their Burma, took the manuscript of the Sh~n boards to enter upon foreign service. Bible, beginning with the New Testa- ment, and gave it a careful reading after The papers which were read were of it had been compared with Dr. Cusha high order. Dr. Cyrus Hamlin pre- ing's own copy, and was supposed to be sented two, one on "Proportion and perfect, and before it was sent to the Harmony in Missionary Work," and printer. She found many mistakes to one in connection with the able sym- correct, and frequently found places that. posium presented one day by Dr. Kel- she wished to change in expression. logg, of Toronto, Dr. Hamlin, and Mr. Dr. Cushing accepted and incorporated William E. Blaokstone, of Chicago, on many of her suggestions. the Jews. That was in every way a remarkable discussion. Sometimes she took charge of the printing for a short time and gave Dr. Among the papers was one by Dr. Cushing a chance to take a much-needed George W. Wood, giving some special change. When she had finished the features of the History of the American reading of the, New Testament and be. Board; one by Rev. J. Taylor Hamil- gan on the Old Testament, Dr. Cushing ton, Secretary of the Moravian Millsion- said he had no time to look at the arySociety, on the Leper Hospital at "copy" and she must compare it with Jerusalem; one from Professor Gil- his and make it ready for the printer. more, of Rangoon: on the New Tide of This she did with about half of the Old I=igration into Burma, and its Bear- Testament before leaving for Amerioa. ing on the Future of Missions in South- During her stay here she has underwestern Asia; one on the Present taken the reading of the stereotyped Movement among the Pariahs of South- proof.sheets of the Shan Bible in order ern India, in Relation to the Christiani. to make it as perfect as possible, and zation of the Country, by Rev. Dr. has read all of the New Testament and John McLaurin, for many years a mis- more than half of the Old Testament, sionary in India, now Secretary of the the reading of which she expects to Baptist Missionary Society of Ontario finish. and Quebec. This paper contained most fundamental theories of mission- The discussions on how to increase ary development, and awakened great the intelligent interest in missions in interest and discussion, receiving most the home church was opened by Dr. hearty endorsement. The Rev. J. M. Nevius, in reporting the Students'Vol- Allis, D.D., of Chili, furnished a good unteer Meeting at Cleveland, and speakpaper on Missions to tbe Iberian Peo. ing on the Movement in general. The pIes. Rev. Dr. Happer, of Canton, and consideration of this subject was broad- Rev. Dr. Shedd, of Persia, also sent ex- ened into a general conversation on cellent papers. ways of stirring up the churches, the young people as represented in Young Of the many able addresses by such Men's Christian Associations, Christian men as Drs. Nevius, Jessup, Chamber- Endeavor Societies, and similar organi. lain, Kellogg, Hamlin, Sheshadri, and zations. The platform meetings were of a high order, not one dull nor tame Kelsey, M.D., Japan; 1883, Rev. W. C. Longden, China; 1883, Mrs. W. C. Longspeech being made in all the week. den, China; 1847-54, Mrs. D. D. Lore, Argentina; 1879, Mrs. A. W. Marling, The following officers were elected for W. Africa; – – , Rev. J. McGuire, India; 1870, Rev. J. T. McMahon, the coming year: President, J. T. India; 1851-76, Mrs. L. W. Mellen, Natal; 1879, Mrs. B. ,T. Mix, Burma; Gracey, D.D., Rochester, N. Y.; Vice- 1873-83,Rev. James Mudge, D. D., India ; 1868, Miss Isabella A. Nassau, W. Africa; Presidents, Cyrus Hamlin, D.D., S. L. 1881, Rev. F. L. Neeld, India; 1881, Mrs. F. L. Neeld, India; 1853, J. L. Bald.win, D.D., M. H. Bixbee, D.D.; Nevius, D.D., N. China; 1853, Mrs. J. L. Nevins, N. China; 1876, Rev. A. A. Secretary, Rev. William H. Belden, Newhall, India; 1879, Miss Ella J. New- ton, China; 1882, Miss Mary W. Niles, Bristol, Conn.; Associate Secretary, Mrs. M.D., China; 1872-89, Rev. Albert Nor- Dr. C. C. Thayer; Treasurer, Rev. James ton, India; 1883-88, Miss A. E. Ottaway, Mudge, D.D., Clinton, Mass.; Librarian, Guatemala; 1880, Miss F. E. Palmer, C. C. Thayer, M.D., Clifton Springs, Burma; 1866-86, Rev. H. T. Perry, Tur- N. Y.; .Executive Committee, Rev. E. P. key; 1884, Miss Fidelia Phelps, S. Africa; Dunlap, Rev. J. A. Davis, D.D., Re,.. 1878, Miss Harriet P. Phillips, India; M. H. Houston, D.D., John McLaurin, 1882, F. D. Phinney, Burma; 1879, Rev. D.D., C. W. Cushing, D.D., Mrs. O. L. N. J. Plumb, China; 1878-80, Miss Mary George, Rev. Henry T. Perry. Priest, Japan; 1880, Rev. E. H. Rich- ards, Zambesi, Africa, and Upper Kon. A farewell meeting was had the last go ; 1878, Rev. W. H. Roberts, Burma; evening to bid God-speed to the large 1878, Mrs. W. H. Roberts, Burma; number of the misRionaries present who 1885, Miss Eva L. Rolman, Japan; expect to return to their fields before the 1884, R9v. W. B. 8cranton, M.D., next annual meeting. The Secretary, Korea ; 1884. Mrs. Mary F. Scranton, Rev. Mr. Belden, having been detained Korea; 1883, Susan A. Searles, Japan; by illness, the Rev. James Mudge, D.D., 1869, Rev. D. Z. Sheffield, N. China; served in his stead during the week with –, Rev. Narain Sheshadri, D.D., marked efficiency. India; 1886, Miss L. B. Smith, Japan; 1870, Miss Fannie J. Sparkes, India; The following missionaries were present: 1874-78, Mrs. S. C. Adams, Ja· • David Stevensoii., M.D., China; pan; 1874, Thomas Barclay, Formosa; 1874, Mids Mary E. Tulmage, China; 1886-87, Mrs. G. A. Bond, Singapore; 1874, Miss K. M. Talmage, China; 1864, Mrs. T. W. Burkholder, India; 1868-73, Rev. C. C. Thayer, Turkey; 1853-83, Mrs. Albert Bushnell, West 1868-73, Mrs. Mary F. Thayer, Turkey; Africa; 1862, Rev. G. W. Chamberlain, 1883, Mrs. M. T_ True, Japan; 1871, Rev. Brazil; 1862, Mrs. G. W. Chamberlain, L. M Vernon, D.D., Italy; 1867, Miss Brazil; 1879, Miss L. B. Chamberlain, Isabella Wat8on, Bllrma; 1872-90, Mrs. Turkey; 1884, Rev. Charles T. Cocking, Rev. J. E. Walker, China; 1882, Rev. Japan; 1884, Mrs. Oharles T. Cocking, G. L. Wharton, India; 1880, Rev. W. Japan; 1879, Miss A. M. Oolby, Japan; J. White, China; 1880, Mrs. W. J. 1878, Miss Edna S. Cole, Siam; 1882-86, White, China; 1849-89, Mrs. A. T. Mrs. S. Cross, Siam; 1878-79, C. W. Cush- Wilder, Natal; 1880-90, Rev. O. W. ing, D.D., Italy; 1881, F. W. Damon, Willits, China; 1838-86, Rev. G. W. Hawaiian Islands; 1884, Mrs. F. W. Wood. D.D.. Turkey, and Mrs. G. W. Damon, Hawaiian Islands; 1875, Rev. Wood; 1881-89, Miss M. P. Wright, E. P. Dunlap, Siam; 1882, Miss Anna Turkey; 1862-68, Rev. Egerton R. S. Geisinger, India; 1874, Mrs. O. L. Young, Hudson Bay, and Mrs. Egerton George, Burma; 1861-68, Rev. J. T. R. Young. Gracey, D.D., India; 1861-68, Mrs. J. T. Gracey, India; 1881, Rev. G. H. SUMMARY Oll' MISSIONAllIES PRESENT. Gutterson, India; 1874, Rev. J. G. Hall, Mexico; 1837-77, Rev. Cyrus By Fields: India, 16; China, 15; Hamlin, D.D., Turkey; 1883, Miss M. L. Hammond, Guatemala; 1866, Japan, 12; Turkey, 7; Persia, 1; :Rev. V. C. Hart, China; 1864, Rev. A. Africa, 7; Burma, 7 ; Siam, 5 ; Korea, Hartmann, Australia, and Delaware Ind- 3 ; South America, 3 ; Central America, ians ; 1864, Mrs. Mary Hartmann, Aus- 2; N. W. America, 2; Australia, 2; tralia and Delaware Indians; 1879-89, Miss Mary E. Hartwell, Siam; 1879, Miss Italy, 2 ; MeXiCO, 2 ; Syria, 2 ; Hawaiian Ada Haven, N. China; 1881, Rev. J. W. Islands, 2 ; Syria, 2 ; Mr.laysia, 1. To- Hawkes, Persia; 1846-76, Rev. S. R. tal missionaries, 91 ; newly appointed House, M.D., Siam; 1881, l'[iss oJ. H. Honston, Mexico; 1887-89, Miss Meta missionaries, 2 ; grand total, 98. Howard, M.D., Korea; 1862, Rev. Samuel Jessup, D.D.,Syria; 1862, Mrs. AnnieE. Jessup, Syria; 1864-76, Rev. S. H. Kellogg, D,D•• N. India; 1878, Miss Adaline Action had by the L M. U. on Public in that country, so vast in possessions Affairs. and so rich in promise.
TEE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT'S PAT- American Relations with Ohina.
RONAGE OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIO Viewing the Chinese as a civilized though heathen people inhabiting a ABROAD. country in climate, soil, and many geo. graphical peculiarities like our own, The International Missionary Union with a population six times greater than would express its regret and amazement ours, with a power for muscular effort at the act of our Government through and endurance inferior to no nation on the Secretary of State, by which the earth -our neighbors on our Pacific Government has been committed to the shore-we lament the unjust and cruel policy of undertaking to increase the and, to us, disgraceful treatment which sale of the products of our breweries they have received at our hands. by officially introducing and commanding them to the favorable notice of the We view it as being unwise as well people of Mexico and other adjacent as unjust to provoke hostility and recountries. taliation from the greatest empire of the East, now rapidly adding the ele- It can scarcely be conceivable that ments of power in Western civilization the intelligent officers of the Govern- to-her own mighty system. It will be ment are ignorant of the fact that such to the great injury of oUr commerce, and action puts a serious obstacle in the other nations will reap the advantages way of the work of missionaries who that naturally belong to us. are laboring in those countries, since there is no greater hindrance to the Our very greatly extended and rapprogress of Christian work than the idly increasing Missionary interests defree use of intoxicating drink. serve the attention of our Government as well as our commerce, and our Gov- We therefore, as a convention of ernment has no right to break them up, missionaries, most earnestly beg that to the grief of many millions of Chrisour Government will adopt such meas- tians of all denominations in the United ures as will fully counteract the influ- States. ence of this most unfortunate transaction. We therefore, the missionaries of the International (and Interdenominational) The Brussels Treaty. Missionary Union, in Annual Meeting assembled at Clifton Springs, N. Y., do This Union is not undmindful that earnestly req]1est all our Missionary Secgreat interest has been awakened by the retaries in the United States of America fact that the United States Senate did to petition the Government at Washingnot see fit to declare in favor of uniting ton to redress the wrongs inflicted upon with other powers in Europe in what the Chinese, and to establish and seek to is known as the Brussels Treaty, the foster the most friendly relations with ostensible aim of which is to secure our great neighbor. the abolition of slavery, the suppression of the rum traffic, and the indis- Appeal to the Ohnrches. criminate sale of fire-arms in Africa. The International Missionary Union, to While we do not assume to be in possession of all the facts which would en- the Ohurches which they representable us to judge accurately of all the political bearings of this subject, we sin- GREETING: cerely hope that some adjustment may be made which will secure the full moral We, members of the International effect of the Government's participation Missionary Union. on behalf of the sevin the suppression of these evils, which eral missionary fields from which we are such deadl'y foes to all real progress have come, and in the name of our sociations and Christian Endeavor Sobrethren now laboring in those fields, cietie8, and similar organizations, and and of our former associates who have we would urge all Christians to unite fallen at their posts j and, above ali, in with us in the prayer that these organithe name of our blessed Lord, who has zations may be still more abundantly commissioned the Church to disciple blessed and used of God for the adall nations, make this appeal to the vancement of His cause in the future. churches which we represent. Finally, with a full conviction and We have fallen upon a time of great realization of the utter uselessnesfl of all privileges and responsibilities. The human efforts and pecuniary gifts, prayer of the Church that God would without God's presence and aid, we open the world t'1 Christian effort im- would call upon God's people to unite plied a pledge and promise on the part in earnest prayer, that the Holy Spirit of the Church to perform her duties as may be poured out on all nations; the way might be opened. that the Lord of the harvest may choose and send forth from Christian lands, At the present time world-wide op- and from converts in unevangelized portunities, and the possession by the lands, many laborers into His harvest, Church of men and means adequate to and that Bis kingdom may come alld world·wide efforts, give to our Lord's His " will be done on ea.rth a.s it is in command to evangelize the nations an heaven." emphasis and urgency hitherto unparalleled. Ordinary consistency and sin- The Outlook. cerity as well as loyalty to Christ, gratitude for our distinguishing mercies, Rev. J. L. Phillips, M.D.. recently compassion for the many millions of appointed Secretary of the Sunday- God's lost children, a sense of personal School Union of India, said: .. Reachindebtedness to them, and the fear of ing Bombay November 30th, 1890, I increasing God's displeasure and the began a Sunday-school tour of India, withdrawal of His spirit from our home and during these five months have churches by neglect or delay in the dis- travelled more than 9000 miles. India charge of present duty, conspire to never presented so many open doors as awaken us to immediate action, and now, and we could find places for thousuch action as shall b'e in some good sands of Sunday-school teachers within degree commensurate with our obliga- a week if we had them. Missionaries tions. of all sects and nationalities are giving our Sunday-School Mission a very We therefore request and beseech hearty welcome. Auxiliary Sundayall pastors and teachers to seek by the school unions have now been organized prayerful study of God's Word, and a in Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Punjab, and familiar acquaintance with the condi- Burma, and before long we hope the tion and needs of heathen nations, to Northwest Provinces, Rajputana, Cenknow more of God's will, and our duty tral India, and Ceylon will be similarly with reference to the world's evangeli- organized. At an annual meeting of zation, and to teach those under their the India Sunday-School Union, held influence the relations to the whole here in Calcutta last December, we world which are necessarily implied in started a Sunday-school journal in Eng- Christian discipleship, and the privi- lish for all India, which is being very leges and duties growing out of those kindly received and will' prove a stron~ relations. bond of union between workers in dis- tant parts. We recognize with devout gratitude to God the work for foreign missions " On returning to my own dear India which has been accomplished by Wom- I find II. very hopeful feeling among IUl'S Missionary Societies, the Students' Movement, Young Men's Christian Asmissionaries generally. The Lord is slave trade of East Africa, though dreadworking wonderfully in this land, and ful, does no~ kill souls, and the nations we look for larger ingatherings. The will soon stop it (not by Cardinal Lavinext Decennial Missionary Conference gerie's society-I distrus~ him; I do not will be held at Bombay at the end of favor his method). In my speaking 1892, and plans are already being made thus (comparatively) lightly of slavery, for it." no one who is acquainted with my poli- tics will misjudge me. But the rum -Rev. Dr. H. N. Barnum wrote from trade kills soul and body and all the Harpoot, Turkey: "I have not the time nations are guilty, America among the to speak of the work here, except to rest, Germany about the worst. HollIay in a general way that it is encour- land, the last to lately assent to a high aging; that prejudices are overcome, custom duty on liquors in the Kongo, and doors are opening much faster than does not, I think, deserve much praise. we can enter them. The greatest source Now the Kongo nation have learned to of discouragement now is the failure of like rum, they will have it at any cost. the home churches to appreciate the The only safety for the nation of Africa emergencies of the foreign field. The is prohibition. I am not radical on the rallying cry of the Student Volunteers, temperance question. I am unable to • The evangelization of the world dur- stand with the per se brethren. Pracing the present generation,' is the true tically I am a total abstainer, under one. Were the whole Church of Christ Paul's • weak brother' decision. It is aroused with this as her motto, she one of the regrets to me in the pending would be irresistible. It seems to me transfer of our African stations situated that the first, the most pressing need on French soil (Gaboon and Ogove) to now, is that the home Church be awa- the Paris Evangelical Society, that our kened to such a sense of personal re- natives will see the lower standard our sponsibility as shall lead ChrisUans to French brethren hold on temperance enter heart and soul into the work of and Sabbath observance. I beg to say giving the Gospel to the unevangelized we are not deserting our native churches nations at the earliest possible moment. simply because we are wearied with ab- We have prayed for open doors; the surd French colonial regulations, but prayer has been answered. 'Ve have because French pIIStors, as Frenchmen, prayed for re.enforcements, and they will be better able to save our native are coming six thousand strong. But Christians from often cruel injustice; how can they preach, except they be our appeals have little effect. The losent? How can they be sent, if their cal governors are vexed with our Engcoming involves the dismissal of native lish language, and think that we love laborers? This will be the result with- England more than we do France." out an increase of funds. Tbe silver and the gold which are the Lord's is Pressing Needs. kept back by His servants; it does not find its way into His treasury." REV. J. H. SHEDD, D.D., OBOOMIAH, PERIlIA.
-Rev. R. H. Nassau, M.D., of West [Among the excellent communica- Africa, sending salutations, wrote: tions to the International Missionary ., Were I with you I could tel you what Union, at its meeting at Clifton Springs, I would talk about ad fatigandum, THE was the following from Dr. Shedd :] AFRICAN LIQUOR TRADE. African domestic slavery is a very mild thing; it " It seems to me, if permitted to SAY corresponds in its deprivation of liberty a word to the Union, my first plea would to unrequited service to our criminals be in behalf of the missionaries in the in prison labor; and even the export work and the supply. I cannot say as to other fields, but in Persia the percentage of mIssIonaries, especially of the need the patient continuance in well- unmarried ladies, who are compelled doing that can even wait for results in to give up the work in a short time such a field as ours! God has sent very after they come out, is very large. The eminent missionaries into Persia, and young,man or woman in America joins noble men and women are coming still, the ranks of missionary volunteers, and but it is a subject that the International it seems that the great question is set- Union DIay well consider again and tled. But facts show that the real cru- again, and emphasize the qualities needed cial period is the first three years on in missionaries, and how our Boards are the field. Many break down in health to get the right men and women, and how or yield to discouragement before they see that each one is in the right place. I have acquired the language or know the am sure you will .pray earnestly for all joys and rewards of the work. in the field. You can realize, as those who have not tried it do not, the strain e. We are very isolated here in Persia and trial, the temptation to despond- -one thousand miles inland from Oon- ency and irritability and dissatisfacstantinople-three or four weeks' travel tion, and the danger of losing faith and to the nearest railroad or seaport_ The courage, and of failure of health and climate is not tropical, but it iii malari- hope-how helpless unless sustainell ous and most of the year very dry, and by the great affection for Christ and by the altitude on the plateau of Persia the power of God through His blessed is four thousand or five thousand feet. Spirit. These hard fields of Islam Our mission station is just now in must have patient, it may be long lagreat need of two single ladies to work bor. They are strongholds, and cannot in our girls' school. Our college in- be captured by a crusade of ill-prepared dustrial departmant seeks in vain, from though zealous missionaries, but by the thousands of volunteers, for the only the fullest offering of ability and right man to act as superintendent. devotion united. Consecrated artisans like Mackay, of Uganda, seem to be scarce in America. " Another phase of the subject is the The words of our Lord are often our relation of young men educated in prayer, 'That the Lord of the harvest America, but natives of the East, to the will send forth laborers into His har- Boards and Missions. Our station has vest.' The need is great of God-sent a large constituency of young men who laborers, who are called as Paul and Bar- have gone or are anxious to go to nabas were, and who shall be called by America. Some twenty of them are the Church, after full trial, beloved now in America, and hoping to come men who have hazarded their lives for back in some capacity to their native the name of our Lord .Tesus Ohrist- land. I send a paper prepared· by our I hazarded,' have given up, placed their station on the subject, which if you lives in a sense out of their own power, have time is well worth considering in fully surrendered all to Christ. Equally its bearing on all fields. important are other New Testament qualities of the true ambassador to the "My second plea to the brethren of unevangelized, such as Jives compleled the Union would be, I think, in behalf in Christ (Col. ii. 10), lives' fully dis- of the native church in our field. This ciplined, or self-control, self.mastery, was presented fully two years agothe temperance of the New Testament, what has been done for the Nestorian and oontentment or self·contained power people and the reformation going forto meet varied difficulties and emer- ward among them. The young misgencies and not become helpless as the sionary is sent out by the home dangers and trials increase, but such as churches. He considers himself as ca.n win their own way and help others their ambassador, and goes back after a to do the same. How much, too, we time to rehearse all that God has done with him, and how he has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. But as held last Sunday, and it was a memoratime goes on and he becomes an old ble day-the communion Sabbath in missionary the relations are changed. more than twenty of our churches, and He is identified with the peopJe and nearly one hundred and fifty new mem-. church of his field, and is one in his bers received to full fellowship. I can interests with his brethren and sisters well recall the time when all the conand sons and daughters in the faith. verts came together in a single com- Thus in my own case. My church reo pany, but now the bands of believers lations are all here. The Iittle com· are two hundred miles to the west of U8 pany of communicants of thirty.two and still farther east. The outlook for years ago, when I entered on this work, the future is hopeful of rapid growth, have increased tenfold. Our evangeli· if we fail not in well.doing. cal Knooshya or synod (which uses the Aramaic or Syriac language, spoken by " The question of steady supplies to Christ and the apostles) now numbers meet the expansion of this work in co- 42 presbyters, 26 preaching deacons, 19 operation with the native church is allicentiates on trial, 90 elders in the ways with us. For example, in church churches, 91 deaconesses in the building there are twenty places in churches, and about 2000 other memo need, and for this year our two thirds bers, a total of over 2250 in full com· of the funds should be at least $1000 ; munion. This is a little company, but but the board can only say, • Alas! this it is big in its relations to the broad work must wait.' We have at our station field of millions of souls about us that the college and female seminary, with need a Saviour. Last fall I was chosen a united attendance of over 300 in the the moderator or president of the graded departments; 9 are in theology, Knooshya for three years. This means 6 i:a medicine, 50 in the college course, more than simply to preside at the 50 more in the seminary course, etc., meetings. It is an executive office to down to the lowest preparatory. Gardensee that the ecclesiastical affairs move ing, carpentering, sewing, housekeepon smoothly, and that the work of the ing, etc., are going on beside the medi- Church in its boards and missions and cal work. The press, with its monthly pastorates is carried out. At first it paper, school books, and Christian literseemed too great a responsibility to ature needs about $1000 a year to help add to my already full duties, but the it do its work; our church and evangegreat need and possibility of helping listic work some $4000 ; our educational our Church in flO many ways led me to work, $2000 for college ani seminary, accept. Now the words of the apostle, and $1200 for over a hundred other • The Ilare of all the churches,' have an schools; as much more for the hospital, emphatic ~eaning, and lead me to ask that has an aggregate of several thouyour special supplications for our native sand out-door patients and several hunministry and for the whole household dred indoor patients in the year. The of faith. Our Church has many ob- missionaries to keep all this work and stacles in its way, some within Rnd the woman's work over the field besides Bome without, in these lands of intoler- in motion, are now but four families and Illce and anti·Christian influence. The four single ladies. Outside of mission winter and spring just passed have salaries the native church supplies brought some signal blessings. System- about one quarter of the expense, and atic labors, in which missionaries and our mission three.quarters. When the native brethren worked side by side, word of retrenchment comes, • Cut have gone forward in many congrega- down 20 per cent or even 10 per cent,' tions, and always with more or less of we have a serious time, ani! pray more the power of the Holy Spirit. The earnestly that God would put it into Feast of the Resurrection (0. S.) was the hearts of His people to give us just enough steady supply to help on our work in co·operation with the native A NeN Churoh Edifioe at Constantinople. church, without these annual embarrassments and discouragements to us and Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, now mOle than to them as well. But the work goes on fourscore years of age, does not " die notwithstanding, and I ask again your at the top." He is one of the most prayers for our beloved native church vigorous thinkers of the age. But we and people. supposed his well-earned retirement was not to be disturbed; but he is earnestly " r meant to add a third plea for our at work trying to raise funds for a new church at Perea, Constantinople. He needy field of Persia. and Kurdistan. says: In its Christian population in many places it is ripe for the harvest. In " The building is designed for a place the tenfold larger field of Moslem and of worship, and for a church home for anti·Christian sects our native brethren the first Armenian or native Protestant say the spots of harvest are appearing. Church ever formed in the Turkish Em- In places the way is open. In places pire (1846), and for other uses which the way is strongly barred against Chris- will be mentioned. tian influence. One most interesting feature in our work the past year is the .. The history of the many efforts and spirit of a number of young men who failures for a church building cannot be are volunteer workers. Without asking here given, but the set time seems now any help they go from place to place to have come, after forty'. five years' wanpreaching Christ, both to Christians and dering in the wilderness, to cross over Moslems. They find the hearing ear, into the promised land. and are full of faith in the power of the truth and the working of the Spirit. I "This church building will be a hope, if spared till next year, to report monumental church in history. It will more fully of this part of our tield and commemorate the signal and singular work." triumph of God's providence over the well-planned measures of the Czar of -Rev. G. S. Wilder, of South Africa, Russia, to efface the Pl"otestant movewrote to the missionaries at Clifton ment from the empire, and at the close Springs: "I hope some member of the of 1845, the Emperor Nicholas, having Conference will think to submit, and obtained the most exact information of the Conference judge wise to pass, a the progress of the work and of the fail. resolution urging upon our next Con- ure of previous persecutions, advised gress the advisability of its reconsidering the Catholicos ofEtchmiadzin, the titular its late hasty action, whereby it refused head of the Armenian Church, to put to unite with the other powers in the forth his entire ecclesiastical power to convention to suppress the slave trade, efface this disturbing element forever to regulate the sale of fire-arms, and from the empire. the supply of liquor in Africa. Before the last Congress adjourned an honor- " Acting through the Armenian patriable member giwe motion to reconsider. arch and primates at Constantinople, However, it is not at all certain that sustained by the secret influence of the Congress will be ready to reconsider its Russian embassy, the ' Great Anathe. action. It seems to me that all mis- ma' was thundered forth, which de. sionary and religious conventions should prived every evangelical of not only his pass resolutions in strong terms on this spiritual but civil rights. They were subject, and if possible bring our Can. thrust out like Turkish dogs into the gressmen into the light before they streets. Sir Stratford Canning (after.. meet in December next." ward Lord Stratford de Redcliffe) im. mediately took up their case with that firmness, wisdom, prophetic insight, and unconquerable will which haVE) made his name immortal. Ho com· pelled the Sultan, despite all the dip. lomacy of .Russia, Austria, and France, pUblications, but that for the last twenty to organize Protestantism as one of the years her sight had not permitted her legalized religions of the empire. The to do this kind of work."-J. T. G. story is magnificent, but cannot here be narrated. The great emperor was foiled, -Mrs. Gracey. who prepared the artiand most singularly defeated. cle on the Women's Missionary SOCieties, has received the following from Mrs. " Under the new and surprising char- L. R. Keister, editor of the Woman'8 ter of freedom the first native Evan- Evangel, the organ of the Woman's Misgelical Church was formed July 1st, sionary Association of the United 1846. Instead of annihilation there was Brethren: life, there was joy, freedom, wonder, thanksgiving, triumph. What had God " In the May number of THE MISwrought! SIONARY REVIEW you have us reported as collecting during the year $4567. The " From this beginning more than 150 correct figures, as given in the June churches have been formed in the em· Evangel, are $14,567, a difference of pire-1I5 under the American Board- $10,000, probably caused by the accibut in this work the American and Pres- dental dropping of one figure by the byterian Boards were one; and yet this compositor. " first, this mother of all the churches, has no home of her own to this day, and This is the true explanation; but the no visible proof of her existence and his- result is a very great depreciation of the tory. That it has held together for forty- noble work of these good women. Let five years in a nomadic state shows a all persons who make up tables, or otherlife of inextinguishable vitality. wise study the figures, take note of this correction. It seems as if the Church .. It will cheer the whole Protestant on earth was like the Church in heaven, body throughout. It will prove to all in one respect at least, it is a company the world at that central point that the that no man can number, at least not Protestant Church has a permanent and exactIy.-J. T. G. solid existence, which to this day many affect to doubt because its first organ- -It really seems amusing to mark ized body has no sacred temple. the sensitiveness of the English over the wounding of the sensibilities of Moham. " It will be a place of worship for as medans in India by the introduction of many languages as can find a suitable Mahomet into a play in Great Britain.- time on the Sabbath-the Armenian, J. T. G. Greek, Bulgarian, Turkish, English. It is a polyglot capital, and religion takes in all the languages.
.. The native church in its poverty has done nobly in pledging $11,000. "- J. T. G.
-Bishop Thoburn, who has recently -On the 17th of February last the been in Rangoon, Burma, says: largest missionary party ever landed in China arrived at Shanghai from San ,. I enjoyed the delightful privilege a Francisco. It was composed of thirtyfew days ago of calling upou Mrs. Ben- five men and women, who were to be nett, of the Baptist Mission, now in her followed the next week by ten or fifteen eighty-third year and in the Hixty-first more, the whole being a party of misyear of her residence in India. She sionaries sent from the United States seemed to be in excellent health, cheer- by the Scandinavian churches of this ful and hopeful. She remarked that for country to labor in Hudson Taylor's twenty years she had worked every day China Inland Mission. correcting proof of Karel! or Burmese
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
1II.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The success of the MISSIONAlIY REVIEW on the mission field, or preparing for it, seems now to be assured. For the past who are unable to pay for the REVIEW.
three years the cost of production has We take pleasure in a public and for- been scarcely covered by the subscrip- mal acknowledgment of our indebted- tion list, notwithstanding the fact that ness to many subscribers who ha'l"e, of at least one of the editors, and he the their own accord, undertaken to induce one who furnished or provided nearly others to subscribe, and some of whom all of the literary matter for its pages, have sent us as' many as a score of did his work almost gratuitously, for the names. Acknowledgments are likewise sake of securing the permanent estab- due to others who have encouraged our lishment of a much-needed review of efforts by helpful, stimulating, and sug- missions that should be independent in gestive words, sometimes of approbation utterance, undenominational in char- and sometimes of advice and kindly acter, world-wide in scope, and cosmo- criticism. We have scarcely ever re- politan in sympathy. ceived a letter of causeless complaint or After more than three years Bnd a half unjust and harsh censure; and when since the REVIEW took its present form, one such has come to our table it has the income of this REVIEW begins to as- been buried under a pile offraternal and sure the publishers that the large amount appreciative commendations.
of money embarked in this enterprise is Just now we have been particularly likely to be returned through the increas- gladdened by receiving the sum of ing number of patrons who give these $207.80 in ope gift, to be applied to fur- pages a welcome to their homes and nishing the student volunteers and sim- hearts. To establish a first-class month- ilar intending missionaries with copies ly magazine of misRions ; to secure con- of the REVIEW. This is the largest sin- tributors to its pages of the highest gle contribution ever received by us for ability, accuracy, and authority from all this purpose. It has been our prayer quarters of the globe; to get an eqitorial that we might be able to put a copy into staff representing the great leading de- the hands of every student preparing for nominations, and a large corps of edi- the mission field at home and abroad.
torial correspondents scattered through We have from the first offered to send a all lands ; to command the support and copy for one year to some such person approval of the most intelligent and now preparing for the work, for every consecrated friends of missions; and dollar sent to us, paying from our own withal to undertake to compensate, even pockets the lacking sum to cover cost on an economical basis, those who write of production. But the aggregate 8um articles for its columns, was no small received to be applied to this object has venture, as we can attest, and it is with been comparatively small and inade- no little gratitude to God and the friends quate. The" friend" above referred to of missions that we now find the scale desired to go to the foreign field, but be- turning favorably toward self-support. ing providentially constrained to "abide Our readers have always outnumbered, by the stuff" instead of going into the four to one, our list of subscribers. Often battle, he sends this generous donation.
times one copy has found interested He will thus be the mesns of supplying perusal on the part of an entire family, the REVIEW to 208 persons not now re- or even larger circle of students in col- ceiving it. This fund we should like to leges or seminaries. With no little joy see increased to at least $1000 a year, as the editor-in-chief found one of the most we could well invest it in furnishing free busy and wealthy men of Chicago read- copies to students whose limited means ing aloud from its pages to his whole hinder them from paying even their cost.
household on a Sabbath afternoon; and H may not be amiss to add that ar- he informed me that he found no better rangements have now been made to have reading for such times, and that his a regular resume in these pages of the whole family regarded it as a privilege work of the foreign missionary societies to hear him read the REVIEW aloud. One of Great Britain. We hope soon to se- man in Montrose, Scotland, in his zeal cure equally satisfactory reports of the for the wide perusal of these pages, doings of all continental societies.
sends his copy every month to fifteen There is no design to be partial to any other persons, who otherwise would not missionary organization, field, or work, see them. Beside this fact of the com- or to treat otherwise than fairly every paratively limited Jist of subscribers, we brallch of the Christian Church. But have been at a disadvantage, pecuniarily, to present each month within the thirty in furnishing copies free of charge. or less pages assigned to the Department ot than cost, to the volunteers and others Missionary Intelligence a proper account of the work of some three huudred mis. ously blenderl, which the Alliance forms !lioniry organizations, though only in as a sign of peace, the brilliant French outline, requires unusualfacilitiesfor ac· colors should not be lacking. The cess to theirreports, and uncommon abil. presence of a goodly number of breth· ity for classification and condensation. ren from France and Switzerland was desired, and your attendance is a good Much of the missionary" news" in. omen for our meeting. evitably gets stale before it comes before the readers' eves. The weekly religious " Honored and dear Brethren of Hoi. press, not to say the daily newspaper, land, which was also, and in fact pre. easily anticipates us, as we appear but eminently, a refuge of the Reformation, once a month, and it requires at least with whom could we group you? In ten days after the matter is in the print. everything you are yourselves, only er's hands to set up, correct, electrotype, yourselves. Therefore we, specially do tbe press work and binding and salute you. The absolute tenacity of mailing. But with God's help and our the ancient faith is still seen in your readers' indulgent sympathy, we shall Protestantism, while at the same time aim to make this REVIEW more and more we behold the extreme daring of modern the indispensable inspiration to all in. thought. You bring to the Alliance the telligent and aggressive missionary work benefit of two extremes, namely conat home and abroad. stancy of faith and freedom of thought, both so dear to us all, and so needful This number being especially devoted for the times. to papal Europe, we pu· here for per. manent record the admirable address of "Honored and dear Breth.ren of th.e the President of the Florentine Com. mittee on the reception of the Evan. German tongue, one of the richest of langelical Alliance at the Ninth Universal guages, in which the Gospel resounds Conf(;renoe in Florence in April last: with such force, and yet with such sweet· ness, in consequence of the Reformation ., Honored and dear Brethren: It is an of your Luther, who by the power of his event, a benediction, a festa for the speech was a true king without a crown, Evangelical of Italy, tbis solemn reunion you form a vast group comprehending of distinguished co-religionists from in language and doctrine brethren of every land, froIil Greece, Turkey, Egypt, various countries to the South, to the India, Australia, Austria, Germany, Rus. North and to the West of Germany. sia, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Spain, Britain, North America and "Your thought is as rich and com· Canada. plex as your language, and your immense periods. In your books and your Uni. .. 01 611'0 T~~ ITaAia~ a<J1rlii;ovTal VflU.~ : versities we all drink at the fountain of Those of Italy Salute you, and heartily bid your profound knowledge. you all welcome. "Religic.n among you blossoms and "Languages distinguish us, but they abounds not less in erudite theology do not divide us ; rather they unite us, than in poetry and music, which pro. forming special groups. Permit us to ceed from the heart and rise sublime. place together the delegates of countries where the same language is spoken, and " Your good part, which shall not be to address to each group a few words: taken from you, consists in heart, in sentiment, im GemiUhe, and it is this "Honored and dear Brethren of the that brings a blessing and is your most French tongue, in you we salute, 011 the precious gift to our Alliance. one hand. the descendants of the heroes of the Reformation, who with unheard. •• Honored and dear Brethren of the Enrl· of constancy have fought and suffered lish language, you COIlle from all parts for the cause of "the Gospel; and, on of the world; your group comprises the the other hand, the sons of generous Globe, now made small by your active Switzerland, refuge of the persecuted enterprise. You cover the earth with and bulwark of liberty, who received Bibles, translated and printed in all with equal affection the emigrants of languages, and sow the seed of the King. France and of Italy. dom of God among all nations.
"The Reformation did not become " You have mllltiplied denominations. national in France, but its effect has pushed individualism to extremes, and been universaL It founded the rights of man with respect to his fellow·man and shown a divided Protestantism; yet, on to the State on the Sovereignty of God. the othel' hand, you seek after anrl mani· fest unity through the Evangelical Alli. .. That principle, still worthily repre. ance, of which you al'e the strenuous sented by you, is essential to Protestant. and constant promoters. Unity through ism, and necessary to the Alliance. In liberty, this is God's way, and it is also the rainbow of variollii tints harmoni. the way of the Alliance, of which you are the advance-guard.
" And those of us who are but small minorities in the midst of catholics, both strive to attain. But these principles Roman and Greek. and likewise in the of Evangelical Protestantism, and these midst of Turks and Heathen, brethren only are universal, truly catholic, comof Italy and Spain, of Belgium, of mon to Christianity, which holds the Greece, of Turkey, and of other coun- Lord Jesus Christ as the only MaBter. tries, we are all born in the arms of the Mediator and Saviour; and these ends Alliance; we too are welcomed here, so are all included in the universal applimuch so that on this occasion we the cation of that supreme precept of the last have become the first. Law and the Prophets, which suffices to establish and maintain the best rela· " Honored and dear Brethren, we have tions between man and man, between not yet in Florence a temple large family and family, between chureh and enough to enable us to receive you in a church, between nation and nation: consecrated place. Not unfrequently a , Whatsoever ye would that men should temple is transformed into a theatre; do unto you, do you even so unto them. for a few days let us prove that a thea- for this is the Law and the Prophets.' tre may become a temple. We begin by reading from God's Word, Matt. xvii. 1-5. "' Protestantism, founded upon tho Holy Scriptures, rule of faith and life, " Our earnest desire and prayer, be- has various forms, among which each loved brethren, is that by the presence one may find freedom and a suitable of the Lord, by the Spirit of grace by sphere of action, and it has no need to the joy of fraternal communion, you be transformed or reformed; it needs may feel that it is indeed good to be only to be transfigured, so that the glory here, that you wonld even pitch yonr of Christ may shine through all these tents and abide with us, that no one various forms in justice, truth and holiwill regret having come. ness. Thus unity is manifested in diver- sity. Thus the ideal is realized, and "' Is there less of blessing here than the Kingdom of Heal'iln is advanced. upon the Mount, whence the disciples were loath to descend? Nay, there is " May these reunions strengthen our cven more and better. Lifted up on ties, leave among r's blessed traces, and high infinitely above all, behold the Mas- give fresh power to the Gospel everyter, our Lord Jesus Christ, in His pres- where, among all the churches, and in ent glory, His eternal glory, of which that which shone forth on the Monnt all lands. was but a symbol, a momentary sign. "Is it really in Itily, in Florence, only "On the right, and on the left, be- a few steps from Savonarola's wool1-pile hold Moses and Elijah, the Law and the and the Bargello, that we are assembled Prophets, which testify of Him, and re- for this work of liberty and faith? Is it mind us of the Golden Rule, to do unto really in Florence, where the Madiai for others as we would that they should do the sake of the Gospel, in August of the unto us. Below, the disciples looking year 1851. were arrested, and in June of up humble, attentive, ecstatic, repre- 1852 condemned for years to the galleys; sent the attitude that becomes us in the where an honored deputation of the presence of our Lord Ilnd His HolyWord. Evangelical Alliance came to implore from the Grand Duke their liberation, " The souls of the three disciples ex- and could not obtain an official henring ; ulted at the sight of the glorious specta- is it on this very spot that we open this cle. Here we are, hundreds of disci- free Conference of Evangelicals of all ples, representatives of thousands Ilnd nations? Scarcely can we believe our millions, who, from all parts of the eyes. Never did Italy in the times of World, look up with us to Jesus Christ. her republics, never did this classic Joyful day! Glorious spectacle! Should land, never did Florence, tbe most libnot our souls rejoice? eral and the most cultured city of Italy, ever enjoy religious liberty, the highest "In the Transfiguration beheld by and the holiest form of liberty, until tho the first disciples, we see the ideal, into entire nation rallied around the house which the sad reality ought to be trans- of Savoy, which with firm hand held formed, into which it has already in part been transformed; the ideal which is the sceptre of i ustice. gradually being realized by the fulfilment of the V'w and the Prophets, by " Hence we could not inaugurate the the Gospel of Christ, who with righteous- present Congress, which to the eyes of ness 8S white as the light clothes every all is a great event in the cause of libsoul that calls upon Him. erty, and to our e:res greater still for the " The Evangelical Alliance in its sol- Gospel, without heartily exclaiming: emn assemblies represents that ideal, , B:GESSINGS FOREVER REST UPON and by its labors seeks its realization. THE HOUSE OF SAVOY AS IT NOW " The Alliance has principles which it Jll~st maintain, and !)Jlds whieh it mllst REIGNS AT ROME !' "l'AOLQ GE}Cr.roN4T, P.D."
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
Italy, France, Spain-Papal Eurape.
[EDITOBllL.-A. T. P.] -Papal Europe embraces about 150,- independence, declaring to all offers of 000,000 of Roman Catholics, who con- outside help, "L' ltalia fard da se," in stitute, in all Germany. over 52 per cent plain worda, "Italy is able to take care of the population; in Bavaria, 71 per of herself."
cent; in Austria, 76; in Ireland, 82; The year 1848 was a year of earth- in France, 96; in Belgium, over 99; quake in Europe, but it broke the bonds and in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, twenty of Italy. Liberty awoke, and Sardinia years ago, almost the entire body of became the asylum of such heroes as people. While geographically Protes- Gioberti, Tommaseo, Manin, and even tantism is dominant in the north and the Vaudois martyr saints were preach- northwest, and the Greek Church in the ing at Turin. The Act of Emancipation east and southeast, Romanism holds came in 1848. Ten years later and sway in the south and southwest. It is more thrones fell, and 6,000,000 more also to be noted that the principal re- Italians found the joy of freedom; cen- ligious faiths thus correspond not only tral Italy began to rise into the at- with certain geographical limits, but mosphere of liberty. In the town of with certain race features. While the Aoste, at the descent from Great St. Ber- German races are mostly Protestant nard, a memorial of persecution be- and the Sla~ic mostly Greek, the Latin came a monument of emancipation.
are mostly Roman Catholic. When Calvin crossed the Alps to bear Our space forbids that we should do the cross into the land of the crucifix, more than throw out a few outline facts he set up his standard in the Cite and hints, especially as to the condition D'Aoste, and for a time lived there.
of Italy and France. But afterward he fled for his life, and 'Ihe history of Italy and France for his flight was kept in remembrance by the past seventy-five years has been full the enemies of the archheretic, who set of interest. Victor Emanuel I., by the up a column opposite his hired house.
treaty oj Vien-1a in 1815, was restored When the Waldensians gathered the to his kingdom of Sardinia, and six converts into a house of prayer, they years later was succeeded by that stupid observed-what they had not before per- monarch, Charles Felix. Then the very ceived-that directly opposite to the word" liberty" was proscribed in Italy, memorial column that told of the and Alfieri's tragedies could not appear Romish persecutions of three hundred on the stage, lest that Italian Shake- years before, they had set up the cross speare should kindle a new fire of love of Christ, and were preaching the apos- for freedom. It was a double despot- tolic gospel! From that year (1858) ism of kingcraft and priestcraft. A Italy's progress has been upward. Vic- book was a rarity; a Bible or testament tor Emanuel recognizeq the rights of was seized even from a traveller's conscience, and defended them against satchel, and the Inde:c Expurgatoriu8 it- interference by magistrates or ecclesias- self was forbidden, lest people should tics. Baron Ricasoli supported religious desire books because forbidden. equality. Count Cavour, whose public Charles Albert succeeded to the life reached from his eighteenth year to throne, and in 1847 left to his country his death at fifty-one, as soldier, jour- the statute or constitution, to which his nalist, deputy, minister of agriculture son, Victor Emanuel II., faithfully ad- and commerce, of marine, of finance, hered. In the revolution of 1848 Charles as premier, directed as well as originat- Albert became the champion of Italian ed the Sardinian policy, improvedfinan· cial conditions, introduced free trade, being enlightened. The day has dawned consolidated constitutionalism, weak- on fair Italy.
ened clericalism, and achieved eminence The Waldensian Synod multiply their in Italian history as .. the pure-hearted, missions, evangelists, and colporteurs, broad-minded, sagacious leader in the and could they have the money they field of diplomacy and statesmanship need, might plant one hundred centres for the reviving and reunited Italy." of gospel work where they now have As Dr. Richard Burgess finely said,* five. The Israel of the Alps desire to .. The polluted streams of an idolatrous take possession of all Italy, from tho religion had, like burning lava, pro- Alps to the sea.
duced moral devastation in Italy among The changes taking place before OUl"
twenty generations." eyes we do not appreciate, The travel- Some hope for Italy came with the ler in Italy in 1850 passed through the revolutions of 1848-58. Liberty of con- dominions of nine enthroned rulers be_ science, worship, speech, was pro- tween the mountains and the southern claimed from the Alps to the Straits of cape. Now the Pope whines because Messina when Italy became united and he is " imprisoned in the Vatican," and free. But the spirit of Romanism and Humbert rules Italy. Temporal domin- Jesuitism is not dead. Pope Gregory ion is gone and gone forever, notwith- XVI. and Pius IX. after him pro- standing frantic efforts to recover it; nounced liberty of conscience a dream, and if th9 common school and an open a delirium, and liberty of speech and Bible continue, the Pope will lose hi!!
press the mother of all heresies. Never- spiritual sceptre too, or radical reforma.
theless, the triumphs of freedom move tions must take place in the papal on. At Perugia, at Turin, at Naples, at church.
Florence, at Rome itself, have been Meanwhile we call attention onCQ printed attacks upon the Church of more to the fact that since Luther Rome, her priests, her saint worship, nailed up his theses, the balance at masses for the dead, papal bulls, etc., power has been transferred from papal as bold as the utterances of Gioberti or to Protestant Europe by sheer infertility- Tommaseo. To-day, where forty years of papal communities in offspring.
ago no Protestant worship would be The revelations as to France's decline.
allowed, there are thirty pht.ces within in population, which threatens soon to sight of St. Peter's dome, where Prot- take the appalling form of there being; estants worship and preach unhindered; more deaths than births, are made still.
and Siguor Arrighi predicts that before more startling when a comparison is; long the Evangelical Alliance, that met made of France's relative position in in May last at Florence, may yet short- the past. A century ago France had a lyassemble in St. Peter's, and Bend its population of 26,000,000; Russia had delegatus to lodge in the Vatican. only 25,000.000; Austria, 17,000,000; A few years ago the Bible was hunted Prussia, 15,000,000 ; and England 12,.
by spies from the Alps to the GuU of 000,000. To-day Russia possesses 90,- Tarentum; now it is freely bought and 000,000 inhabitants; Germany, 46,000,.
read, and was printed by sections in a 000; Austria. 38,000,000; and France.
daily paper. Signor Capellini's Sol- 36,000,000. The birth-rate is 6.7 pel'
diers' Church sends out hundreds of 1000 in Italy, 10 in Germany, 12.9 m converted cadets every year into the Russia, and 13.7 in England, and it does homes of Italy after the military service not exceed 1.19 in France.
is fulfilled. An ignorunt people is being Austria has been shorn of much of educated – a superstitious people is her strength, and she no longer COD- trois or leads the great German Empire.
Poland haR disappeared from the roll of .. Exeter Hall Lectures, 1865. nations. England, then so feeble, has spread over 1Il1 lands. Prussia has be- ligions orders-an army of at least come a giant, and Russia, then un· 123,131." This vast host moved obediknown, is in numbers almost equal to ent to the supreme pontiff sooner than the whole of papal Europe. Rome, the h the word of the king, or even the seat of ecclesiastical power, is now the written Word of God. capital of an united and free Italy, over which the Pope has no political control. The traveller in Italy and France and These wonderful changes have in no way Spain observes that papacy has now lit· strengthened the papacy or enlarged its tie hold on the more intelligent part of influence among the nations of the the people, especially in France. A earth. It has been weakened by each. man may go to his first communion, but The very efforts put forth to augment he seldom enters a church or the con· its sway have in the divine orderings fessional, or sees the priest until per. enfeebled it. haps he gets extreme unction on his death·bed. France is no longer Roman Protestantism has not only grown Catholic-France is without a faith! politically, but numerically in Europe. Spain is scarcely Roman Catholic- Compare Spain and Great Britain. At Spain is dead of spiritual torpor and the Reformation the one was greatly sloth. There is not energy enough to 'superior to the other in numbers and breed another Torquemada. In that political influence. Now Spain has just Land of the Inquisition, where in 36 about one half the popUlation of Great years, from 1480 to 1517,13,Q.00 persons Britain, while in this period the latter were burned alive, 8700 burned in effigy, has peopled Australia, New Zealand, and 169,423 variously pnnished. you United States, and other countries. may now buy a Bible on the street cor· During the last fifty years, England has ner! increased her population 119 ; Prussia, 72; Austria, 27; and France, 12 per Dr. John Cumming used to say that cent. This difference led a French it is essentially popish to sacrifice truth Roman Catholic to write, a few years to uniformity, to make men tell lies, and ago, as he called attention to it : "On then hide reality in order to keep np comparing the respective progress made the appearance of unbroken nnity with since 1814 by non·Catholic Christian a central regulating power -like atnation3 with the advancement of power tempting to make clocks strike everyattained by Cath~lic nations, one is where the noon honr when the great struck with astonishment at the dispro- pontiff at Greenwich signals the merid· portion. • . . Unquestionably since ian, although the earth does take 1789 the balance of power between twenty.fol'lr hours to move ronnd, and Catholic civilization and non·Catholic any spot fi$teen degrees away from civilization has been reversed." Greenwich must be an honr away in time. The relative growth of Protestantism is much greater than that of Romanism. Every year in the church hf Ara In 1825 the Protestant population stood Cee/i, at Rome, takes place a, sort of to the Roman Catholic as 3 to 13 ; now child's religious filte. A chapel is ar· it is as 1 to 2. ranged as a stall, in which are wax fig- ures of the Holy Family and the beaRhl Dr. Burgess called attention a qnarter about them, etc. Decoration and wax of a century ago to the vast hierarchy of tapers abonnd, and hundreds of chilwhich the Pope was the head. "A dren are brought there to adore the string pulled at Rome moved the follow· B,lmbino, or wax image of the Holy ing puppets: 6 cardinals, 15 arch. Child. All day long, too, little folks bishops, 69 bishops. 158 vicarR.general, are set up on a pulpit, one ata time, to 660 canons, 3396 higher clergy, 39,630 speak their little speeches in honor of priests, 3000 seminarists preparing for the sacred doll. prie"thood, and 50,000 members of re- This wax baby is a " miracle work. er;" and when anyone is ill who can otherwise of Lord Archibald's asser· afford so costly a. doctor, this figure is tion. Bent for, and by the monks brought with all solemn formality, followed by Here are two extracts from .. The a bill for the visit the next day. Since Glories of Mary," a work heartily com· a woman attempted to pass off a new mended by Cardinal Manning, and wax doll for the old one, the Bambino stamped by papal infallibility: is suffered to go out only in his own carriage with guards. "0 Lady in Heaven, we have but one advocate, and that is thyself." I think it was about thirty-two or thirty-three years ago, when the tax put "Thou, 0 Mother of God, art om· upon bread, in the Eternal City, excited nipotent to save sinners." the indignation of the Bambino, and on the principle that even the" stones cry Rev. Frank H. White well says, "In out," he lifted up his voice, and in an view not only of the blasphemies poured awfully solemn way enjoined on the forth by the Church of Rome on this government to remove the bread tax. subject, but also of the incl'easing ten· One wonld think he had got hold of a dency in the Church of England to an copy of Adam Smith's ,( Wealth of Na- idolatrous exaltation of the Virgin, it tions." His utterances caused, of would be well if this tract were more course, a serious stir; and a day or two widely circulated." after, in order to emphasize the warning, the wax doll again spoke. The Dr. George W. Chamberlain, of San government proposed to be supreme, Paulo, Bra:<il, likewise testifies that in and to hold even the Bambino in sub. Brazil St. Joseph is held as of practically jection ; and so the police informed the higher rank than the Virgin Mary or monks who take care of the Bambino Jesus, inasmuch as " she,like an obedithat no such miracle must henceforth be ent wife, submits to her husband; and allowed-it might create a revolution. Jesus, like an obedient Son, submits to Once again the baby spoke, and this her ;" and such was the public teachtime· the message was peremptory and ing of the archbishop in Rio Janeiro final. The head of police sent at once when he returned from the festival of to infonn the monks that if the doll the" Immaculate Conception." opened its head once more, they would be turned out of their situation as Those who think Roman Catholic nurses; and remarkable as' it mayap. lands need no missionaries should read pear, the Bambino's mirq,eulous utterances the letter which appeared in the New ceased from that very day I York Trib'tme,* written from Siena, where dwelt the famous "Saint" Cath. As to Rome and Mariolatry, Lord arine. If the Roman religion was the Archibald Douglas, in his pamphlet en- same then as now, it passes comprehentitled « A Voice of One Crying in the sion how its practice could make her Desert," declares that .( the Roman " holy." Catholic Church upholds the Bible in its entirety," and" hates" priestcraft "I stepped into a church where mass and Mariolatry. was being celebrated. There were fif- teen priests in the chancel and three If our readers will look at the four. persons in the congregation. 'fhe acopage leaflet "most respectfully ad. lyte who rang the bell appeared to neg. dressed to all sincere Roman Catho- lect his duty, for the celebrant turned lics," entitled .. Which is Right-the and shook his fist at him. The boy re- Ch1IrCh of Rome or the Word of God?" taliated, after the priest went to the published by the Irish Church Mis. altar, by running his tongue out at him, Flion, 12 D'Olier Street, Dublin, all can which seemed to give convulsions of then judge for themselves the truth or quiet laughter to the priests near the altar who sang the responses. A French lady came 'Up to me and expressed her indignation. and said that there was no religion in this country. I assured her • September 7, 1890. that our Irish and American Catholics As to the l'[cAlJ missions in France, 'Would not tolerate any such irreverence in church. She answered that nllither they are remarkable for their number 'Would the French, and that here many and influence. They are spreading all of the educated people were infidels be. over France. and are the most powerful cause of the irreverence of the priests. Protestant influence of modern times in Yet the Italians pay an immense price for their religion. that RepUblic. Some trace this movement to that " In France, where there are 35,000,000 inhabitants, there are 60,000 priests, bold enthusiast, Napoleon Roussel, who, paid wholly, or in part, by the govern- in about 1830, scattered the fire of a ment. In Italy, with 29,000,000 inhabitants, there are 250,000 priests. In true religious zeal. Roussel came of e. France there is a priest for every 58;j of noble stock of Protestant martyrs. At the population, and in Italy one for twenty-five he was spiritually aroused every 116. More than one of our Roman by the great revival then spreading over Catholic churches in New York have 10,000 parishioners of all ages. Such all Switzerland and France under the parishes, according to the Italian ratio, leadership of Robert Haldane and would be obliged to maintain 86 priests. others. Roussel had been a close stu- Siena has 62 churches for 23,000 inhab- dent from his youth, and was quite itants. familiar with the whole religious status of Europe, and especially of France. " I went to the cathedral t""qee the festivities of the Assumption, said to ex- oeed in pomp those of any other festi- When, therefore, set on fire by the Holy val. The cardinal was seated on his Spirit, he was soon zeady by his scholar- – throne, lind they were robing him for ly education and theological training to the oelebration. A little ohild was seat- stand forth as a target for the Roman ed on the floor playing with a doll and singing to himself. There is oeaseless Church. He feared nothing, shrank movement of people, and everybody is from nothing. and went through France talking, so that you hear nothing from as a firebrand. His preliminary work the chancel. There are many priests was done in PariR, as editor of a in the congregation and some monks.
On the right of the chancel is a high religio-political paper. But PariR and platform for the orchestra, and the cele- the editorial chair could not long hold brated tenor and soprano of the city are him. Where there was the greatest to sing. The orchestra begins. It sounds persecution and the greatest call for like a military march, and gives a crescen- do to the conversation about me. The hard work there was Rouosel, till finally tenor is fine. When will this ceaseless clatter of talk and movement end? Is in 1847, returning to Paris, he estabnobody going to pray or pay any atten. lished a school for the instruction of tion to the celebration? Occasionally Protestants for the ministry and for some one bows for a moment toward mlssIOnaries. Out of this grew many St. Catharine's chancel and then rises small churches in and out of Paris. and salutes some friend with lond talk. But the revolution of 1848 seriously em- This continues throughout. 1t did not b:llT8SSed his efforts, and finally Napostop when the Host was elevated! At the moment a lady in front of me was pre- leon III. arbitrarily prohihited his senting a gentleman to a friend with great clatter. A few were kneeling on noble work. Seed, however, had been my left. I heard laughter on my right, sown which sprang up later as the McAll and turned to aee what occasioned it at Missions. There are now more than such a solemn time. A priest and a 130 of these in France, each the nucleus young man were playfully contending for a chair that a lady had just left. of saving power for the multitude. n The music was finely rendered. The is now eibhteen years since this Inove· orchestra and the two soloists did most ment became a vital power. For the last of it. The chorus parts were weak. few years it seems to be setting all There was no preaching. But after the cardinal had been unrobed and gone France in a blaze. Each mission is a out, I did not feel that I had been in a radiating point of such extensive work place of worship, but that I had seen a and numerous bands that make the spectacle unsurpassed in scenic splen. number of meeting-places and street dor in a place that the artists had abandoned for 600 years." services almost innumerable.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Organized Missionary Work and Statistics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard, Bellevue, O.
-The population of Europe may be -From the organization, in 1848, of set down in round numbers as 350,- ' a society called ,. Eglise Missionnaire 000,000, and is divided religiously about Beige" at Brussels, there have sprung as follows: Roman Catholics, 165,000,- up 27 active churches and missions 000; Protestants, 90,000,000 ; members with 7000 members, the greater part of of Oriental' churches, 85,000,000, and whom are converts from the Romish about 5,000,000 each of Jews and Mo- Church. There are 38 preachers who hammedans. Italy with 31,000,000 as are spreading the Gospel throughout well as Spain and Portugal with 25,- the country. The yearly expense of 000,000 are almost wholly Catholic. this work-about $27,000-exceeds the Belgium with 6,000,000 is papal about receipts, which come mainly from per- twelve to one. In France out of 39,- sons of limited means, and outside help 000.000 less than a million are Protes- is being solicited.
tants. Austria contains some 37,000,000 -The Free Church of Italy recently inhabitants, of whom 12,000,000 are held its annual convention, 37 delegates non-Catholic. In Switzerland nearly representing 40 congregations and 7 two thirds of the 3,000,000 accept the stations being present. There were Reformed faith. The German Empire reports of progress from nearly all holds 30,250,000 Protestants in a total places. The convention decided upon of 48,000,000. Denmark, Sweden, Nor- the name of .. Evangelical Church of way and the Netherlands, with a com- Italy" as their official title in the future_ bined population of 13,;;00,000, are al- Among tho representatives of other most solid against the papacy, the latter Protestant bodies present were two being overwhelmingly Presbyterian, from the Waldensian churches, who and the others Lutheran. Great Britain declared that their communion still and Ireland are Protestant by 29,620,- cherished the hope of being able to 000 against 5,640,000. Of the Catho- unite with the Free Church. lics 1,370,000 are found in England and Wales, and but 330,000 in Scotland. -In 1850 the Oatholic Church in In Ireland are found 1,155,000 Protes- Denmark had 3 missionaries, 2 stations, tants and about 4,000,000 Catholics. and 300 members. Now it is repre- Russia and Greece have a population sented by one apostolic prefect, 37 of 100,000,000, of which two thirds be_ missionaries, 14 stations, 3700 mem- long to the Greek Church. Moham- bers, and more than 150 members of medans comprise about one half of religious orders. In 1856 there were Turkey's 5,000,000. no Oatholic churches in the kingdom; -The Catholic missions in Bengal now there are 10 churches, 6 publio under the conduct of the Belgian Jesu- and 6 private 'chapels, a Jesuit college, its have been very successful. Com- and a high school for boys. Nowhere mencing in 1881, the first year for in the world are the spiritual interests which we have exact figures, we find of Catholics so well provided for, there the converts amounted to 16,149. In being a clerical representative for every 1886 their numbers had increased to 18 members and a church for each 168.
20,000, and in 1888 these had advanced -·According to the latest synodical to 53,281. In 1881 baptisms num- reports the Waldensians have, outside bered 378, in 1886 they had increased of the hiBtorio valleys, 44 congregations to 3274, while in 1888 .they reached the and 36 pastors. In addition to these total of 35,000. there are 46 preaching places. The regular pastors are Ilided by 20 evan· 000. Mr. MUller planned to go out as gelists, 68 teachers, and 14 colporteurs. a missionary to India, but insuperable The total number of communicants is obstacles prevented. But, remaining 4266, an increase of 192 in the last at home, he has been able to raiSe anlI tweh'e months. 'l'he reports complain distribute for missions $1,116,800. that Catholic parents send their children to the elementary classes of the -The Denmark societies in 1888 con- Waldensians, but withdraw them as tributed to foreign missions $33,422.64. soon as they are old enough to partici- The Danish Government has a mission pate in the religious instruction of the in Greenland with 6 stations and 6 orschools. dained toilers, and the Danish Mission. ary Society has 7 ordained men in -The Methodist Episcopal Church India. has 6 missionaries in Italy and 24 native preachers, and a church member- -In 1889 the Netherlands Reformed ship of 743 with 198 probationeril in Society had in Java 60 churches with addition. The Southern Baptists oc- 5937 members distributed throngh 397 (lUPY 12 stations with 15 ordained mis- villages, and last year the number had sionaries, and have gathered 272 into increased to 70 churches, 6794 memo churches. The American Board sent bers, in 411 villages. The contribu. its first representatives to Austria in tions of 18 Netherlands societies to for· 1872, and now sustains 2 with 17 native eign missions amounted to 315,134 helpers. The 3 churches have a total gulden ($137,319). of 364 members, and the schools have 104 pupils. -The Protestants of Germany and Germau Switzerland are said to con· -No less than 15 Protestant societies tribute for foreign missions at the rate are at work in Spain, occupying 115 of but 12 centimes each, and those of houses or rooms as chapels and school France but 45 centimes. Now the buildings. The American Board has 3 centime is only the one hundredth part missionaries and 33 native helpers, 18 of a franc, or the fifth of a cent! churches with 349 members, and 604 pupils in schools. The American Bap- -The Society for the Propa~ation of tists in Spain and France together have the Gospel held its 190th annual meet- 18 missionaries and 13 churches, with a ing May 7th. The receipts reported for membership of 900. the year were £164,382, an increase of £26,000 over the previous year. As a -In nineteen years the Protestant consequence, the Society had enlarged churches of the United Kingdom con- its work, especially in New Guinea and tributed to foreign missions £21,166,- Korea. The number of ordained mis- 164. During the last half of the period sionaries, including eight bishops, on the gifts were greater than during the the Society's lists was 660-in Asia, first half by £665,315. The increase 220 ; in Africa, 142; in Australia and was 64 per cent on the part of the the Pacific, 17 ; in North America, 215 ; Church of England, and on the part of in the West Indies, 34; and 32 in Eu. the Dissenting churches was 24 per rope. Of these 127 were natives laborcent. ing in Asia and 29 in Africa. There were also in the various missions about -George MUller has under his care 2300 lay teachers, 2600 students in the 75 schools, of which 13 are in Spain, Society'S colleges, and 38,000 children 2 in Italy, 2 in the East Indies, and 7 in the mission schools in Asia and in the English colonies. In May of Africa. The Bishop of Calcutta in an last year these schools contained 6250 address called attention to the very im· pupils, and the total number since the portant position of India as resulting first one was opened in 1834 was 112,. from the fact that her popUlation were ~37, The expenses have been $489,- spreading so widely over the globe. In -The Wesleyans of Great Britain the West Indies there were 280,000; in have a membership of 424,303. The Mauritius, 2<15,000 out of 500,000 in. total receipts of their missionary sohabitants were from India, and South ciety for 1890 were £122,072, and the Africa was swti.rming with them. expenditures were greater by £10,813. Missions are sustained in EU1'ope, India, -The Anglican missions (Church China, West Africa. the Transvaal, eto. Missionary Society and Society for the The principal stations number 363 with Propagation of the Gospel) in the Tin. 1572 chapels and other preaching Develly district, South India, in 1888-89 places, 338 missionaries and assistant covered 1636 villages, with 113 Dative missionaries, ann 2163 other paid clergy; tho schools contained 23,52<1 agents, 34,722 church members, and pupils; the churches, 20,024 communi. 5250 probationers, and 65,803 in Sabcants, with 18,396 catechumens, 77,171 bath and day schools. baptized persons, and 95,567 adherents.
-The latest report concerning the reo -The. Society of Friends in England lci~"vieoruss condition o f the Fiji group and America, though numbering but the year 1889. The total area is 1u0p0~0a0r0d oontribute to foreign missions about the sa.me as that of the State of of $90,000 annually. A begin_ Massachusetts. There is a European ning was not made until 1866, and since population of about 2000, whilo tho na· then representatives have been sent to tives, including other Polynesians ancl Syria, India. China, Madagascar, Mexi.
Indian emigrants, number 123,000. Of co, and the American Indians. Their this native population, 103,775 worship Woman's Foreign Missionary Union in the churches of the Wesleyan mis- raised $23,164 last year. Though effi- sion, while 10,302 attend Roman Catho- cient work is done in other fields, yet lic churches. The Wesleyan mission Madaoascar has been the scene of their has 10 European missionaries and 72 great:st successes. Entering the island native ministers, 49 catechists, 1838 in 1868, they now have 18 missionaries, local preachers, and 1095 teachers; 40 native pRstors, and 37(1 other native these laboring in connectbn with 909 assistants. 130 churches with 4000 mem- churches and 414 other preaching bers and 40,000 adherents, lind 132 places. In the schools of the WeslAyan schools with 14,600 scholars. Special mission are .ro,667 children. The Ro· emphasis is laid upon educational work, man Catholic mission has 18 European and they are gen~rous contributors to ministers, with 148 Dative teachers, and the funds of the missions of other 76 native churches and chapels. Aside churches.
from the 18 Roman CatholIc priests -This table gives a partial statement of the work of 18 German missionary there are 3 lay Europeans and 14 female societies as it stood at the close of 1888.
Europeans.
SOCIETIES. MiE'sion- Co~~~.ni. Adherents. Receipts. aries.
—-·———–·i–·– —- —- —– Moravian Chnreh ………….. …….. .•.. 1IM03 3101..509812 2827,,216832 $18607.412280 Basel Society…………….. ………… 75 10.735 35.7"01 79,120 Rhenish Society … : . . . •. .• …….. …… 0 0 0 ' 5 068 38 461 HermannBburg SOcIety…. ..•. ……….• 71 (1)7. .. . 61'""" 2616 170,.0358;4) 2113..191422 ~2,8.71"!)'8"1 Berlin Society……………….. …. … 12 000 c 36 000 Leipsic Society- . . . . . •. . . .. ……………. ou NG~~~~eG':rSmoacnIestoyci~iy:':: :::.-:::::::.:::: 1118 c., . '71707 1213',,010046 SchleBwig·HoIBt~in. Society…. ……….. ~~ 408 Nine smaller sOcIetIes…. …….. .. …… 200 660 30,993 ________ – I 89,452 – – 5 6 1 Totals ………………………… 232,714 $599,677 =firlrlng 1890 there were built in the contributions are $53,351,103. He United States 8500 churches; ministers also concludes that the other evangeli. to the number of 4~00 were ordained, cal denominations just about double anI a membership, in all denomina. these figures, and hence these and tions, of 1,090,000 added. those together number 13,000,000, and have.invested for the maintenance and -It is computed that the English spread of the Gospel $800,839,154. If tongue is now spoken by nearly twice the same rule be applied to the annual as many people as any other European contributions they would aggregate language. The estimated ligures are: $106,702,206. English, 125,000,000 ; Russian and Ger· man, 70,000,000 each; French, 50,000,. – World· Wide Missions sends out a 000; Spanish, 40,000,000; Italian, ringing caIl to the Metbodist Episcopal 30,000.000; Portuguese, 13,000,000• Chnrch for a grand, general uprising . At the beginning of the century Eng. under the head of Financial Possibili. lish stood only fifth, being exceeded by ties, and with One Penny a Day as the French, Russian, German and Spanish. watchword. bespeaks the speedy ap- pearance of a second Wesley to inaugu. ~Well might Dr. R. S. Storrs say, in rate the revolution, to trans{orDl the a recent number of the Sunday.School scheme into solid fact, and presents nmes, .. It is something that Ameri. some astounding figures which would can missions alone now occupy more result, such as $3,UOO,000 for mis. than 4000 stations in unevangelized sions, $1,000,000 for evangelistic work lands, with 2350 missionaries Rtmt from in cities, $750,000 for Freedmen's Aid, this country and more than 10,000 nil.· $400,000 for the Women's Foreign Mis. tive helpers; that there are at these sionary Society, etc. The total, $10,- stations more than 2700 churches, with 000,000, though so great, is yet a smaIl nearly 237,000 communicants, of whom one for the vast Methodist host, num· 26,000 were added last year; and that bering 2,783,967. $4,000,000 are contributed annually in our country to carryon the work. It -At the 75th anniversary of the is something, certainly. that all Protes- American Bible Society the last year's tant missionary societies have now 46,- receipts were reported as $512,388.18, 000 missionaries and helpers in the and the issnes of Bibles, Testaments, field, ministering to nearly 700,000 and portions as 1,497,637, of whiah oommunicants and to more than 3,000" 524,096 were for circulation in foreign 000 of adherents to Christianity, and ex· lanrls. Sinae 1816 over $20,000,000 pending every year at least $12,000,000 have been received, and with these in the distant and costly work." 54,000,000 copies of the Sariptures have been printed and distributed. The -Mr. Charles A. J. Marsh, of Minne. legacies of the first quarter century apolis, has gathered with great oare reached $109,504.57, and grew to $3,204" Bome interesting statistics relating to 460.68 in the third quarter, and the the money investments made in behalf churoh coIlections inoreased from of the Lord's kingdom by four of the e28,938.04 to $353,307.29. leading denominations of this country, the Methodist!! (North), Baptists, Pres· -The reoeipts of the Southern Bap. byterians (North), and Congregational. tist Convention for last year were $113,- ists. He finds that they have 67,274 522.37. Its missions are found in Afri. churches with a membership (,January cB, China, Japan, Haly, Bral'lil, and 1st, 1891) of 6,500,000 ; that they hold Mexico. The principal stations are property worth $359,828,994, with en· 38. The miRsionary foroe numbers 86, dowments (,f colleges, eto., amounting with 23 ordained and 53 unordained na. to $40,590,000, or a total of $400,419,. tive assistants. Into the 67 churohes 577 thus invested, and that their a.nnual 2377 have been gathered, 'and 361 were received in 1890. The church-mem- reassuring. The cruel King Mwanga, bers in China are 790, and 98 were now restor~d to his throne, is evidently added last year. forgetful of all his pledges to be a bet- -The American Presbyterian Church ter sovereign. He is also being mahas in its Clanton mission 35 mission- nipUlated by the French priests_ The aries from the United States, and 3 or- little band of Protestant missionaries dained and 94 unordained native assist- which are striving to carry on the work ants; 10 churches with 690 members, of the noble and lamented Mackay have of whom 95 were added last year; 3 a friend in the Prime-Minister, but the boarding schools with 231 pupils, and outlook is grave with such a selfish and 3a day with 864 pupils. The medical revengeful man on the throne as· work of the mission is set forth by 63,- Mwanga. Meanwbile this fair province 785 visits to out-patients and 3489 sur- in the heart of Africa suffers in every gical operations. part because of the bloodshed and deso- lating warfare of recent years. -The Marathi mission, India, of the American Board, covers 17,000 square From Uganda, Africa, letters are miles, embraces Bombay, Ahmadnagar, printed in England showing that there and 8 other cities, besides 3600 villages, is a genuine progress in all Christian and a population of 3,286,889, of whom enterprises. The peril from persecu- 285,000 are Mohammedan. This field tion has entirely ceased, but peril of an is held by 33 missionaries, 18 native exactly opposite character has arisen on pastors, and 19 native preachers. The account of the outward advancement 35 ohurohes have 2306 members, of of the Christians, who are becoming whom two thirds have been received rich and powerful. during the last ten years, and 215 last year. The schools number 200 and the American Indians.-Many methods pupils 3382. In the hospitals 12,289 have been devised for raising money have been trealed. The native oontri- for benevolent purposes, but some IndbU'tions were $1617 in 1890, ian boys in the Northwest have hit upon the newest plan. They were very poor, but wished to pllt some money in the collection. They saw a premium offered Monthly Bulletin for killing gophers. The gopher is a mischievous little animal, devouring a A£riclI..-Since the partition of Africa large amount of wheat, com, and other the governments of England, Germany, grain every year. The farmers pay two Italy, and Portugal have made an agree- cents for each dead gopher_ The proof ment for the reciprocal protection of that the gopher has been killed is his their missionaries in the Dark Conti- tail. Now these little Indian boys had nent. Armed with a passport from the been so interested in the story told of government to which they belong, the the work being done by the Snnday_ missionaries will enjoy the proteotion school Society that they spent their of each of these powers, Saturday afternoon holiday lnaring gophers_ They brought the tails in the One of the methods which Bishop envelopes of the Society as their oon- Taylor is said to be employing to some tribution. elltent in carrying on bis work in Africa is unique in the elltreme, Young negro girls are purchased, the market price Brazil. – The Methodist Episcopal being $30 a girL When introduced into Mission in Rio Grande do SuI, Brazil, the mission schools their families and is finding speoial opportunities for friends have no further claim on them, work among the immigrants that come and Chri!ltian influences can be brought pouring in in hundreds. While the to bear on them much more effectively. work at the capital is conducted in Latest tidings from Uganda are not Portuguese, that in the colonies is in Italian, and is under the care of a na- Peking; Methodist Church, North, at tive of Italy. In two of these colonies Nanking; Methodist Church, North, at there are organized churches which have Fuhchan ; Presbyterian ()hurch, North, secured ground. (Jut timber, and securcd at Shantung; Presbyterian Church, material for chapels. North, at Canton.
It is said that the Catholics of Brazil Dr. Judson Smith SBYS: " The Chi. have been very much opposed to the nese are manifestly the governing race provision of the Constitution of the of Eastern and Central Asia, They evi- Republic, which deprives pdesta und dently hold the key to the future of al. employes of the Church of the right to most one half the unevangelized people vote, and also debars priests from be- of the globe; so long as they remain coming members of Congreas. It is without the Gospel. the great bulk of understood that the reason this pro- Asia will be pagan; when they are evan. vision was inserted was that the officers gelized, the continent will be Christian of the Church really held their allegi. and the world will be won." unce to their spiritual superiors us stronger than their allegiance to the There is need for yet more mission- State, and therefore are not such true aries. Kweischow and Kan-suh each citizens of the Republic as would entitle has only three missionaries for 3,000,000 them to a voice in its governments. people. ShenBi has ten lllissionarie';l This provision, however, has been Bome- for 10.000,000, Yun-nan has four miswhat modified. sionBries for 6,000,000.
Brazil, with its fourteen millions, is Dr. Happer writes from Canton, far behind the age in education. With China : "I am preparing to take my ninety-nine per cent of its population fourth and last departure from China. rated as Roman Catholics, it reports It is a terrible work to tear up the eighty-four per cent as illiterates. The roots that have been growing deeper priests have not taught the people mo- and deeper for forty-seven years. But rality, and they in their blindness and as the Lord has laid thc necessity upon ignorance have followed their leaders. me, I can only say, in humble gratitude But a reaction has come, and they are for the privilege of laboring so long in seeking light and life. The Presbyte. this populous land, Thy will be done. rians lire making an earnest effort to When the gracious Lord called me to put upon a good foundation a thor- return to Amel'ica, in former yeBrs, Hd oughly equipped Christian university. each time gave me the privilego of working there, I trust and pray He Canada.-Two Chinamen were re- may give me the privilege of working cently received into the membership of still in some quiet way, as my strength the Church of Christ in Knox Chnrch, may enabl" me to do. I am sending Winnipeg. They had both been under my books home, and hope to resume Christian instruction for several years my studies and use my pan, or do what and had given good evidence both of my hand may find to do." their acquaintance with the great truths of the Gospel and of their desire to Egypt.-M:r. L. D. Wishard, who is lead a Christian life. travelling in the East in the interests of the Young Men's Christian As- China.-The condition of Christian sociation, was recently in Cairo, Egypt., education in China is encouraging. Be- and the United Presbyterian missionsides the Imperial University at Peking, aries there tried the experiment of of which Dr. W. A. p, Martin is presi- advertising a lecture on the relations dent, there are no less than seven other of Christianity to American civilization, colleges-viz., St. John's Episcopal, at The result was an audience of above Shanghai; Southern Methodist, Bt three hundred young men, who listened ShBnghai; Methodist Church, North, Bt attentively. although the lecture was in- terpreted. This is most gratifying in a city like Cairo. Many of the young helpmate, that a woman's condition, men were Moslems. whether as wife or widow, can become more honorable and more worthy of reo The Rev. William Harvey, for many spect." Lady Dufferin gives the opinyears a faithful missionary of the ion that the velY best way in which we United Presbyterian Church in Egypt, can help our Indian sisters is by sup. is at present in this country for a brief plying them with medical relief: 1. visit. He is continually engaged, how- Because it aims at diminishing suffering ever, in making missionary ad(hesses, and at saving life. 2. Because education and will return to Egypt during the and general enlightenment must follow present year. He is at Monmouth, lll. in its train. 3. Because it encourages and inculcates respect and considera- Formosa.-The Rev. Mr. Mackay tion for women. 4. Because it brings has recently written from the island of cultivation and learning in contact with Formosa, to the Canadian Presbyte- the Zenana; and 5. Because in medi. rian Mission with which he is connect. cine and nursing Indian women will ed, concerning an extraordinary turning find professions in the exercise of from idols on the part of the people of which widows, deprived 8S they are of Ka-le-oan, a village, or rather a con- home and family ties, may fill their geries of villages, recently visited by lives with all the interest, occupation, him. A native assistant had com- and honor so sadly wanting in their mtlnced work in that district, but Mr. present state, Mackay had been hindered from going there, though he had had the matter in The census of India, recently com· mind for a dozen years. On his recent pleted, shows that the tolal popUlation visit he found many of the people hav- is now 285,000,000, an increase of 30,- ing a clear idea of Gospel truth, while 090,000 in the last decade. Of this inall of them were wearied of idol wor- crease 3,000,000 is due to accessions of ship. The three main facts in the case territory by conquest. It is calculated Mr. Mackay states thus: 1. Nearly five that the population of India is about a hundred idolaters cleaned their houses fifth of the whole human race. of idols in our presence. 2. ~'hey declared themselves anxious to worship The comments of the Calcutta press the Lord, the Redeemer. 3. They gave on Dr. Pentecost's evangelistic work in a temple built for idols as a house of India are full of appreciation. The worship for the living and true God. editor of the Statesman of that city, and also the missionaries of different de- The Rev. Mr. Jamieson, of the Canada nominations, unite in saying that few Presbyterian Mission in Formosa, died preachers if any have produced such recently at Tamsui, He was a native a profound impression for good upon of Scotland, and went to Formosa in all classes of people, including the 1883. lIe was a devoted missionary, European residents, as Dr. Pentecost. and his death is a sore loss to the work. A society has been formed in Eng- India.-Lady Dufferin, writing in Jand called "The India Widows' the Nineteenth Century on "The Women Union. .. It is an organization of Chrisof India," expresses the fear that their tian women for the purpose of improvsocial condition cannot be modified to ing the condition of Hindu and Mohamany great degree by legislation or by medan widows in India. The membErS outward reforms. She says: "It is are widows only, but any Christian only by the education and elevation of woman may becom!' an associate memwomen that any change can come OVEr ber. They pledge themselves to pray the feeling of the people with regard to that God will break the yoke and set marriage, and it is only when public the captive free. They raise money to opinion ceases to regard her as a chat. be expended in training widows to usetel, and begins to recognize her as a ful industries, and they gather and diffuse information with regard to the people. Nearly ten dollars was saved condition of the widows. in this way.
Dr. George F. Pentecost. who went North Sea."'-The Sailors' Magazine to India last fllli on an evangelistic mis- sllys : "One hundred thonsand dollars sion, took Mr. and ~s. George C. Steb- were contributed in England last year bins with him to lead the singing. to sustain missionary operations on the After laboring a few weeks in Calcutta North Sea among English deep-sea among the Europeans, it was decided fishermen. Ten fully equipped evanto turn to the ed ucated nati ves, and the gelizing vessels, three of which are hossingers left Dr. Pentecost and accom· pital ships, are employed in the work. panied Bishop Thoburn in a visit One of the fishermen" greatly moved by through the country, travelling several the earnestness of a woman missionary, thousand miles and singing in all the expressed his B1lfprise and gratitude principal cities of the Empire. On that she' had come out to do us North their way home they will stop in Egypt, Sea dogs good.•• , P4lestine. Italy, Germany, and England, reaching homo by midsummer. Palestine.-A Scotch missionary at Tiberias says that whereas almost every The New York Evangelist, in a brief Jew in Sated and Tiberias understands paragraph on ,. Hinduism and the Signs Arabic, not more than twenty or thirty. of the Times," says: "An encourage- out of five or six thousand understand ment to missionary effort is found in Judeo·Spanish, and a preacher in that tb.e increasing number of Somaies and language would in truth be "a voice Congresses for securing healthy reforms crying in the wilderness." Two of the in the social life of the Hindus, and in missionaries there are prepared to the preceding changes which made pos- "quote Hebrew" and to conduct sersible the establishment of those asso- vices in it whenever that is seen to be ciations. The time has now come when necessary. To hold Hebrew services Hinduism finds fulfilled in its history would, he insists, be absurd, as the the prophecy of the Christ, 'A man's Jews do not use the language, and very foes shall be they of his own house- many do not understand it. The mishold.' Its most decided and efficient sionaries have thought it wise to conantagonists are the converts from its verse with the Jew'! in the ordinary ranks to Christianity. Under the in- language of every·day life-i.e., with creasing number of these, and of others the Sephardim in Arabic and with the who, while abjuring Hinduism as the Ashkenazim in Jargon, but to preach result of Christian labors and influAnces, only in the language that all could unare not yet fully prepared to embrace derstand. Christianity. Hindu society is comiug to understand its needed reformations; The many recent movements among the Hindu conscience is awaking from the Jews cannot but attract attention. its long slumber; child marriages and Among others it is announced that an the rigid enforcement of caste rules association for the colonization of Palwill be things of the past within the estine has been successfully established lifetime of mllny now living, and the by the Hebrew Workingmen's Club. of end of Hinduism will not be long de- London, which is situated in Whitelayed." chapel, one of the most densely popu- lated districts of the metropolis, where Japan.-It is reported that when the thousands of Hebrews carry on their people in Kobe, Japan, were suffering occupations. The association is sendgreat want, several starving to death, ing shiploads of poor Hebrews from the students of the Kobe Girls' Scho<>l London to Palestine, and will provide for three weeks ate nothing for break- them with funds with which to purfast but rice and pickles, that they chase land and start a home. might save something to give to poor Patagonia.-There has been little into th~ mission field in a place where mission work accomplished in Pata· they can live a community life and work gonia, but the Roman Catholics have a together. They take no vows or permission centre at Viedma, in the south- manent pledges, and receive merely ern part of the country. ~hey have what is necessary for their support. twelve colleges with 5000 students, and The offer has been accepted, and four an industrial school with thirty appren· men are ready to go. The field of thtlir tices of carpenters, blacksmiths, boot- missionary work will be Chota Nagpore, makers, tinkers, and tailors. They a district in India, lying twenty-five have also a dispensary and the only miles west of Calcutta, about as large hospital in the territory. as all England, and containing peoples speaking twenty different languages. Russia.-The persecution that the poor Christians in Southern and Cen- " Missionary teas" have become poptral Russia are suffering should excite ular, and are found a means of drawing wide sympathy. The name " Stundist" larger numbers of people together to was given to them originally on account gain intelligence of missions. and thus of their meeting for an hour for reading increase the interest. The English the Word of God. The first who did have long availed themselves of this so were emigrants from South Germany, means of making meetings of all kinds who called their meeting from the Ger- more popular. The trouble of preparman word sluMe, for hour. Although ing the very slight refreshments is a the persecution has hardly had a par- mere nothing compared with the results allel in Europe since the Reformation, in awakened interest by the good feelthe adherents of this movement are in- ing engendered by the simple breaking creasing rapidly, now numbering many of bread together. thousands. The" Brotherhood of the Sea" is the Spain.-There is news of a triumph name of a new society of two hundred for the cause of mission work from a Norwegian sea captains, who have town in Spain-Rosas-where the peo- pledged themselves to have regular reple elected the Protestant pastor mayor; ligious services on board their ships, and when, on account of the pressure and to conduct everything there and on of his own work, he was obliged to re- shore in the fear of God. fuse the office, his brother; an evangelist, was accorded the honor. The American Board has given out a summary of the results of Protestant Turkey.-The ravages of the cholera missions in recent years: In Japan the in Central Turkey, though extensive twenty-seven Protestant missions have among the Moslems, have not greatly a total adult native membership of affected the Protestants. In noting 28,977. About 5000 members were this fallt a Moslem official exclaims: added to the church rolls during the " How is this, 0 Christians! has God past year. Of the 300 members of the spread a tent over you, out of all the new Japanese Parliament which was people of this city, to preserve you elected last July, twelve are professedly from death ?" Christians. There are about 527 Prot- estant missions in Japan, the first ar- General.-A new missionary move- riving in that country less than twentyment has been inaugurated within the two years ago. In China there are 1295 walls of the University of Dublin, in Protestant missionaries, while the num_ connection with the Society for the ber of adult native communicants is Propagation of the Gospel. A number 37,287. In India and Ceylon the re- sults are the most satisfactory of all, the at young men have approached the Uni- nativA Christians in the schools alone numbering 74,386, though the number versity Auxiliary Committee of the So- of missionaries is less than 300. A ciety, intimating their desire to go forth summary of the number of missionaries to Christian intelligence an aggregate in foreign countries supported by Prot- of not much less than 600,000 children estant societies in the United States, and youth. together with the number of churches, native communioants and contributions The receipts of the Presbyterian for the year 1890, shows the following Woman's Board of the Northwest for totals: 2350 missionaries, 2721 churches, the year recently closed reached the 236,187 native communicants, of whom handsome total of $91,069.70, which 25,963 were added in 1890; $524,217 was made up as follows: Cash from contributed by natives, and $3,977.701 auxiliaries, bands, and Sabbath-schools, contributed in the United States. $77,018,69; legacies, $12,581.96; in- come from real estate, $954.89; mis- According to the American Baptist cellaneous, $199.86 ; with balance from Year Book for 1891, the Regular Bap- previous year, $314.30. tists have in the United States 1382 associations, 34,780 churches, with a mem- Some very humble CJ;1ristians make bership of 3,164,227, an increase for the noble confessions of Christ and become year of upward of 94,000 members. most efJ'ective missionaries. He was only a cabman who died the other day The annual meeting of the Woman's in Edinburgh, but he did not consider Board of Foreign Missions of the Pres- his vocation bcompatible with the serbyterian Chnrch was held recently at vice of his Master. His cab bore the inscription, " What think ye of Christ ?" Auhurn, N. Y., with an attendance of and in the hayloft of his stable he used to hold meeHngs for prayer and testimore t1:an two hundred missionaries, mony. His mates called him" Holy delegates, and visitors. The reports Peter." It was the kind of holiness showed sixty-four missionaries and which attracts and does not repel. He twenty-six Bible readers in the employ " reached th/l masses" withont making of the Board in Africa, South America, any fuss about it. Mexico, China, Japan, India, Korea, Siam, Persia, Syria, and among the Christian Endeavor.-The plan of North American Indians. The receipts attempting to raise a half million dolwere $67,000, an advance on the pre- lars yearly for missionary work through vious year of $10,000. The employ- Christian Endeavor SocietieR, each ment of female physicians was specially member giving two cents a week, is mentioned, and regret expressed at the meeting with greRt success. One hunnecessity, through lack of funds, of dred and fifty societies report 5000 closing a hospital in Persia. names-that means $5000 ; which sum will support seventy first-class native Some one states St. Paul's missionary preachers in India and China. creed thus: 1. I believe that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord A son of a Modoc chief is the presishall be saved. 2. I believe that no dent of the Christian Endeavor Society heathen will call on Him in whom he in Yainax Indian School, Bly, Ore. has not believed. 3. I believe that in order for the heathen to believe the Henry M. Stanley tells that oncey Gospel they must hear the Gospel. 4. in the heart of Dark Africa, a native I believe that the heathen will n(Ver was dragged before him by some of his hear the Gospel till a preacher preaches followers for stealing a gun. Stanley it to them. 5. I believe that a preacher, looked at the gun; it clearly belonged in order to preach to the heathen, must to his expedition. The poor man who be sent to them. This creed is found had it was frightened at the mention of in Rom. 10 : 13-15. Stanley's name, and could hardly 'find his voice or say a word, only, " I am a The sohools Bustained by the various son of God, I would not steal!" This American missionary societies contain almost 175,000 pupils, and the 12,000 Protestant missbn schools are training he repeated again and again. It was have given cause for offence quite apart all he could say. from their being Christians. It is so hard ever to get at the truth underlying Stanley was interested, and it dawned apparent facts. Anyhow we often talk on him that this man was probably one as if there were no more martyrs. Are of the converts of some of the mission. not these poor people hungering on the aries laboring in that region, and he mountains, almost within sight of their accordingly gave him the gen, and 0.1. old homes, martyrs in the truest sense? lowed him to go, while they pursued There are very many Roman Catholics their way. here, and fuey seem to be a power in the land, which in itself must be an At the next station where they stopped offence. But other Christian bodies they found the gun waiting for them. seem making good helldway."-China It appeared that the gun had probably Mail, April, 7th, 1891, Hong Kong Pape1·. been lost. This man had found it, and when he was set free he at once went The Christia~ at Work will pay a with it to the missionary for instruc· liberal sum for information giving the tions, and by his directions it was sent names of the United States senators where Stanley would get it. who voted against the ratification of the Brussels Treaty formed for the sup. But what a light must have touched pression of the African slave trade, the that darkened son of Africa, who, abolition of the rum traffic, anu for. though brought up in all vileness and bidding the selling of fire-arms to the theft and sin, had come to realize the natives. glorious dignity of a divine paternity, and say, " I AM A SON OF GOD; I WOULD A missionary from China says" that NOT STEAL !" if there is anything which lays hold on the poor people there, it is the simple A Chungking correspondent of the story of the crucifixion of our Lord North Carolina Daily News writes: Jesus Christ. It is not the morality, or " When not schwa-ing, the people here the miracles of the Gospel, or even the seem by preference to go in for a little wonderful saying and speeches of our bit of persecution. Last July only Lord Jesus Christ, but the old story of sixty miles from Chungking, Pere Pons, the cross, of the blood, of the sacrific!", one of the Roman Catholic Fathel's of the satisfaction of Christ in dying here, was suddenly warned to fly, He for sinners on the tree-that is the could not believe it, But, happily for power for good in touching the heart him, he did fly when he heard the guns and awakening the conscience." firing. The mob had risen, and eight Chinese were killed, and their bodies The Scotch missionaries in the burned in the fire of their burning Punjab of Indio. rejoice over a rich har. houses, The others fled, and some vest of souls. At the station of Sialkot 2000 native Christians are still starving they baptized thirty converts four years upon the mountains but for the help ago; but last year the number was 0.1. sent to them from time to time, What ready eight hundred, and the blessed makes it specially hard upon the poor work is going on increasingly. people is they had just got in their crops. The Chinese authorities have The Baptist Missionary Union sent to punish the offenders, and it sends out this year the largest number seems one or two poor people have been of missionaries ever sent in a ~ingle pnnished, but not the ringleaders, so year. Forty-four of the sixty are newly the poor refugees dare not return. appointed. It is wort.h noticing that The Chinese authorities say they dare the largest band-eighteen-go to Bur. not do more, because the whole district mah, that field where Baptist effort has is incensed against the Christians. been so greatly blessed from the begin. This may be only an excuse. On the other hand, the Roman Catholics may' ning. Ten go to the Teloogoos of India, .. It is with missionary work a8 with eight to Assam, and the remainder are everything else. ThQse who know lit- scattered in China, Japan, and Africa. tle, care little and give little. Those who know most are most interested, and Missions and Commerce.-At one give liberally." time it was thought that the money given to the cause of missions was At a recent missionary meeting of wasted. No intelligent man thinks so the Reformed Church at Saugerties, Mr. now. England gives more for missions Scoville said: " We hear the complaint than all the rest of the world combined, of draining a country or community of but English commerce has gained ten needed funds. Listen to the telephone pounds for every pound England has of the ages, ' Why was not this ointinvested in missions. Christianity and ment sold for three hundred pence and commerce go hand in hand. The Gos- given to the poor?' Would it have pel is God's power to save from sin, and been? The blessing of missions is from all the imbruting and degrading that it is the work of the Church. consequences of sin. The Gospel un- Why was it not completed before this derlies our commerce and our civiliza- age? Because this age needs to do it. tion as a root underlies a plant. – A. Missions now are a test of Christian McLean, D.D. character. The Church needs a touch of heroism in it. Is the cross an orna- There are, so it is said, five hundred ment ot the declaration of a princimillionaires in New York, lIome of them ple ?" worth from one hundred to three hundred millions of dollars. We suppose A Japanese converted to Christ these men are-Buddhists! seems at once to betake himself to the labor of teaching the truth to his During the last four years seventy- friends at home and at a distance, and nine English university men have be- thus is the way prepared for the mincome missionaries. ister of Christ. No wonder that with such preparatory service the truth is •• You wish to teach our women to running in that land, and being gloriread, do you?" scornfully said an offi- fied. cial of the Hindus to a missionary from America, and added, .. Next you will There are those who wish to be seek permission to teach our cows!" Christians in secret, and those even in But what good has come to the Hindu lands where it is deemed no reproach by his supreme selfishness toward to follow Christ. But we hear of a mother and sister, daughter and wife? Japanese workman, who was necessarily He has not progressed one inch in thou- away from his shop most of the day, sands of years except as men who look who put the following notice on the upon women as their equals have placed door: .. I am a Christian; and if any in his un~killed hands the inventions of one likes to go in and read my Good Occidental civilization and taught him Book while I am out, he may. Buddhour ideas of literature and law, of art ist priests need not come here. I do and commerce. He has not risen one not want them any more." hair in the scale of being except as our missionaries have brought to him that There is but one lake on the surface Gospel which says, .. There shall be no of the globe from which there is no more curse, for the former things are outlet, and that is the Dead Sea, which passed away," and which restores the receives much, but gives nothing. joint headship set forth in the Divine Such a lake is a perfect illustrfltion of a words: " Let us make man in our im_ church all whose efforts termi nato upon age after our likeness, and let them have itself. Around it there will be desodominion," lation, and in it there will be no life.- William M. Taylor, D.D.
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1891
THE REGIONS BEYOND. .[March
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. S.-OldSeries.–MARCH.–VoL. IV. No. S.-New Seria.
THE REGIONS BEYOND.-PART II.
[EDITORIAL. ] Beside the literal ground unoccupied for Christ, there is the unclaimed, untrodden, territory of Divine promises. What did God say to Joshua in chap. i., v. 3 1 "Every place that t~e sole of your foot shall tread upon, . that have I given unto you," and then "He draws the outlines of the Land of Promise-'-all theirs, on one condition: that they shall march through the length and breadth of it, and measure it off by their own feet. They never did that to more .than one third of the property, an'd consequently they never had more than one third; they had just what they measured off, and no more. Now, if we turn to the New Testament, in the Second Epistle of Peter we read about that other" Land of Promise" that is opened up to us, " Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be "partakers of the Divine nature, having es- caped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Mark the close analogy between those two passages. Here is God's true Land of Promise, "exceeding great," " exceeding precious j" and it is God's will that we should, as it were, mtlasure off that territory by the feet of obedient faith and believing obedience, thus claiming and appropriating it for our own, becoming partakers of the Divine nature, and escaping the corruption which is in the world through lust and which was typified by the Canaanites that had to be expelled before the Land of Promise could be possessed.
Now, let us look at these promises. They are marvellous I How many of us have ever imagined the wealth and the extent of that land 1 And how many of us have ever taken possession of the promises of God in the Name of Jesus Christ? It is a territory for faith to lay hold on and march through the length and breadth of, and faith has never yet done it. The faith of the Church has, thus far, taken possession only of a very small portion of this exceeding great and precious land, and the rest lies in " the regions beyond." .
We are limited by sight; sight makes a great deal of the visible and temporal, and unbelieving disciples prefer that which iil tangiblQ tQ that which is unseen and eternal. Sight emphasizes numbers. Hear what God says: "One of you shall chase a thousand, ~nd two put ten thoueand to flight." That is God's arithmetic. Twice one thousand is two thousand, but in God's arithmetic twice one thousand is ten thousand. God is sublimely indifferent to numbers. It is not quantity but quality for which God cares; He would rather have one consecrated Ulan or woman than a thousand who are halfhearted in His service; so He keeps sifting down, and down. and down, just as He did Gideon's great multitude, till He gets the choice "three hundred" with whom He can do mighty works.
Sight emphasizes power. See how'sublimely indifferent God is to power. While we are seeking the patr(mage of great, or rich, or mighty men, God is taking up the poor and the weak, and the despised and the base, and the things that are nothing, and with them bringing to nought the things that are something.
Fellow-believers, we have to take possession of this region of unclaimed promises; and, inasmuch as we are applying this truth especially in the interest of missions, let us give onrattention to a most important distinction. Christ says, in Matthew: "Go, . • . make disciples of all nations. All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age." That is His promise. Then, in Luke, He says: "Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you, but tarry yc in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high."
THE PROMISE OF CHRIST AND THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER are not the same thing. Christ's promis~ is the promise of His personal presence, and the exercise of His omnipotent power in behalf of His missionary band. The promise of the Father is 'the promise of a descending Holy Spirit to break down internal barriers in the minds and the hearts of men, and to endue His own disciples with the wondrous unction from above. Now, these are two promises–not to speak of any others. Think of them in their bearing on Christian missions.
When Joshua saw a man standing in the neighborhood of the city of Jericho, he said, challenging him, " Art thou for us or against us~" This strange personage said, " Nay, but as Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come;" and Joshua perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord, and took off his own shoes in reverence, and waited for His commands; and, in accordance with the precise directions that He gave, Joshua moved round that city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day; and then, without a blow being struck, the walls fell, and they went into Jericho and took captive all that were within it. What is that but an historic allegory in the Old Testament illustrating the facts of the New 1 When. the Acts of the Apostles opens, which corresponds, in the New- Testament, to the book of Joshua in the Old, we have there the hosts of God on the Day of Pentecost simply surrounding the fortress of Jewish prejudice, superstition, and alienation from God, with the trumpet· blast, the preaching of the Gospel, and on that day also without a carnal blow being struck, without any human philosophy to account for it, three thousand were pricked in their hearts, and said, " What shall we do 1" and were taken captive for God. What is all this bnt. the Captain of the Lord's host going before the missionary band, and repeating the miracle of Jericho ¥ Walls fall at once that might have stood for a thousand years but for His presence. All human calculation is disappointed when the Captain of the Lord's host appears on the scene.
The promise of the Holy Ghost is one of special grace from above on teachers and preachers; and then also on those that hear the vVord j as, in the house of Cornelius, it becomes converting grace to the hearers as it has been anointing grace to those that speak.
Look at this territory of promise. Suppose that the Church should pass all that has been attained, overleap all barriers, disregard the measure· of past human attainment, and simply march over the length and breadth of these promises, claim the presence of the Captain of the Lord's host, claim His intervention, the fulfilment of His word, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age," claim the prostration of barriers that no man could prostrate without the power of His presence and influence! Suppose that the Christian Church should get down on her face before God to-day, and pray the Captain of the Lord's host to remove the obstacles that prevent our going into Thibet, that has stood there on her heights, walled about by her mountains, and thus far defied even the Moravians to obtain access to the shrine of the grand Lama worship,-what might we not see in the year 1891, if we believed that this Jericho that could not be taken by the power of man could be taken by the simple fiat of the Captain of the Lord's host I And suppose that there was this believing appropriation of the Promised Spirit in anointing power on teachers and preachers, and in converting power on audiences that hear the Word in the communities in the midst of which these men are laboring, vhat new things we might see! It is vety noticeable that Peter did not say, on the Day of Pentecost, that this was the fulfilment of what had been spoken by the prophet Joel. TiLe more minutely we study the Scriptures the more we shall believe in the inspiration of the very words of Holy Scripture. Thore is no mistaking the words Peter uses here. He does not say, "This is the fulfilment of what Joel said." He simply says, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. This is not spirituous intoxication, but spiritual exhilaration. It is not new wine, but it is the new wine of the kingdom, even as Joel foretold." This wa~ a foretaste; the fulfilment of Joel's word is yet to come. There is to be a greater Pentecost, to which that was only like the first few drops that indicate the mighty rain that is to come down on the mown grass and refresh the earth j and we ought to pray to-day for, and claim from God, a Pentecost so much greater than the first Pentecost, that it should at last begin to fill up to the full the language that Joel uses in that remarkable prophecy. III.-REGIONS BEYOND OF PRAYER.
is This suggests regions beyond even the promises that faith has not taken possession of,-namely, those regions beyond that prayer yet to tread. Faith and prayer are so intimately associated that we cannot speak of one without at least implying the other. But let us mark that there are different levels of pmyer. As we follow our blessed Lord, as He teaches His disciples, He goes from one rung in the ladder to [mother, and lifts them with Him, higher and higher, to a sublimer level of prayer.
Our Lord's first lesson on prayer was, " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." But then, as we go on in Matthew and come to chaps. xvii. and xxi., a new element is empltasized: "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shan receive." Now, it is not simply asking, but asking in faith and receiving according to faith. But when we come to the Gospel of John, we read, in chap. xvi., the most marv:ellous words our Lord ever spoke on prayer, in the New Testament: «Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name He will give it you." Now, this is beyond simple asking; beyond even asking in faith. This is asking by virtue of, and because of, our identification with the Lord Jesus Ghrist. His Name is His person. To ask in His Name is to ask by virtue of our identity with Him, our individuality being merged into His personality in the sight of God, so that God does not look on us as we are, in ourselves, but looks on us as we are in Ghrist Jesus. Here is a " region beyond," in the matter of prayer, that one man or woman in a thousand has scarce dreamt of. When I go to the Father in Jesus' Name-reverently let me say it-Ghrist is the suppliant rather than myself; and because th·e Father can deny the Son nothing that He wants, it is certain that what I ask in His Name I shall receive-nay, I have already received it; and it is my privilege to believe that I have received that which I ask.
Now, suppose the Christian Church should get hold of this power of prayer, and get above the level of simply asking, or even of asking in faith, and realize her identity with her Lord and the privilege of praying in the Name of Jesus; then, keeping in fellowship with Christ, nourishing and cherishing this daily walk with Him, and therefore having, within, the motions that His Spirit creates, the groanings unutterable awakened by the Holy Ghost-.these, presented in the golden censer of Christ before the throne, shall certainly be heard and heeded by the Father. And so I believe that the greatest need of missions to-day is NEW PRAYER-prayer on the highest level of prayer.
IV.-REGIONS BEYOND OF GIVING.
There is yet another" region beyond" that has not been taken possession of, and that is the region of sanctified giving. We are coming now to a very practical matter. There is a whole world of promise and of power to be 'taken possession of in the matter of consecrated means. The Church of God is doing nothing to-day in comparison to what she might do and ought to do. We feel ashamed, however, to speak of giving as a duty, because it grows on our convictions more and more that we ought to lose sight of it as a duty, and only think of it as a transcendent privilege. There is something in love that takes off the asperities of duty. "I delight to do thy will, 0 my God." That is the atmosphere of service-not the law atmosphere-" I ought to do this thing," but the love atmosphere, " My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work." Now, in this unclaimed and untroddcn region with regard to giving, there are three or four things to which we want to call especial attention.
In the first place, individual giving is a region beyond, yet to be reached by the Church of God. "Let everyone of you lay by him in store." God's principle is not that the rich should give, nor that the poor should give, but that rich and poor should alike give j and every man, woman, and child thus have part in this consecration of substance.
Then we need systematic giving. ".Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by in store j" at stated times, with regularity, as a matter of habit, so that, just as regularly as the week comes round, there should be an account with God that is audited, corrected, adjusted, to see that there be no failure in this part of our duty. Just as we are to bring a certain portion of our time and set it entirely apart to God, so we are to bring a certain portion of our substance, statedly and habitually offering it to the Lord.
Then there must be proportionate giving. We must give, first, according to our ability, and, secondly, " as God hath prospered us." And this law of proportion must never be overlooked. The difficulty with the Church to-day is that, too often, we are calculating how little we can give to satisfy the claims of conscience, whereas we ought to ask, " How much can I give to God ¥ and how little can I reserve for myself, and yet satisfy the absolute necessities of my own reasonable wants ~" Vv'e ought to turn the rule of our giving entirely round. Give to the Lord the first portion, not the last. Give to the Lord the largest portion, not the least.
Then there ought to be self-denying giving, which lies still further beyond in this untrodden territory. A woman went round in a church to get offerings from the women of the congregation for foreign missions, and her uniform plea was, "You can give this, and you will not feel it a bl:t." That was the damaging recommendation. Here is the trouble in the Church of Christ: we give and we do not feel it j neither does the world feel it very much! 'We cannot conceive how God can take much pleasure in a gift that costs us nothing j and let us pray God never to let us use such an argument as that. Rather give until you do feel it.
Much is said from time to time about the generous giving of disciples. There are thirty millions of Protestant Church-members to-day, and twelve millions of dollars is the aggregate sum that is given to foreign missions by these Christians; whereas, if everyone of them gave one cent a day, it would amount to over one hundred millions, and if everyone of them gave three cents a day, it would give us over three hundred and twenty-fh'e millions a year! There is something wrong when, in the coffers of American and British Christians, there lie twenty-live thousand millions of dollars, and God cannot get for the whole work of foreign evangelization more than twelve millions of that immense sum!
At the same time, individual examples show us what giving is possible. There was Sarah Hosmer, of Lowell, Mass., a poor woman living in an attic, and working with her needle. She saved, on six different occasions, fifty dollars, and sent it to educate a native preacher in Oriental countries j and, when she was borne to her rest, six men were preaching in foreign lands whom she had helped into the ministry.
Travellers pass by, in Scotland, the estates formerly owned by Robert Haldane, in the neighborhood of the Bridge of Allan, and one feels a degree of reverence that inclines him to take off his shoes, for it seems that he is standing on holy ground. The fragrance of the act of that godly man who sold those estates, and offered the $175,000 that they yielded to establish in Benares, the centre of Hindu idolatry, a mission for the Lord Jesus Christ, is still shed abroad all through that country, and people pass those estates not without a reverent thought of Robert Haldane, and a grateful recognition of the power of a consecrated life.
Then, in Alloa, when the writer of these lines was delivering the closing words of one of his addresses, he saw an old man there, leaning on his staff. He was nearly ninety years of age, and the chairman whispered, " That is David Paton. He has given his entire fortune-$l,OOO,OOO-to missions, and he is living now on a little annuity which has been reserved that he may not come to absolute want." And yet, when that man heard my plea for missions, he managed to get out of the little that was left him $1250 more, which he gave the next day, and subsequently sent yet another $2000.
There was Mr. Hamilton, a mere clerk in a surveyor's office in Glasgow, and all the income that he had was perhaps $350 a year-yet he annually gave to the U. P. Church $100, nearly one third of his entire income. And when, in 1887, there was a special call made by the Synod for $100,- 000 for missions, that man furnished one-hundredth part of the amount. He sent $1000, one hal£ of the savings that he had made all through his lifetime. And after his death his cash account was found, with the Lord's offering indicated there, and it was discovered that he spent only one shilling a day on his own needs, besides the three shillings a week for lodging -ten shillings sterling a week in all-that he might give the more to the cause of the Lord J csus Christ.
Well may we feel that we have never denied ourselves anything for our Master when we read the story of such a man as that, living seventy-one years with slender income, and in that frugal fashion, that he might be one of the noblest givers in all Scotland, giving~unobtrusively and quietly" as to the Lord, and not unto men. "
God showed the church in that annus mirabilis, 1878, to which we have referred, what could be done by a few consecrated givers. In that one year there was given to the Lord, on the altar of missions, by less than twenty individuals in the United States and in Great Britain, nearly one million pounds sterling, or $5,000,000! Thus God first showed ns, in 1858, what wonders He can do in opening the way before His Church. And then, in 1878, lie showed both what wonders He can do in giving la1'ge harvests from the seed sown, and what other wonders He can do in moving His people to come forward, like Barnabas at Cyprus, to lay the proceeds of their estates on the altars of Christian missions.
V.-THE REGION BEYOND OF HOLY LIVING.
We notice one more region that lies beyond-namely, the region of holy living. That is the most important region of all. We must not measure onrselves by ourselves, or compare ourselves among ourselves, or stop where others have stopped, or where we have now attained; but we must go on, if this world is to be evangelized, to a life of which very few know much. We compress all that we would say on this point in one maxim: ".A holy life is a life in a supernatural realm-a walle with God." That is strong language, but the New Testament is stronger: "He that dwelleth in love d welleth in God, and God in him. " Notice the expression that Jude uses – " praying in the Holy Ghost"-as though the Holy Ghost were a divine atmosphere in which the praying disciple moves, which he breathes, which exhilarates him, which nerves him to duty, which vitalizes him, which strengthens him 1 And that is exactly the truth. A man that is a truly holy man is breathing the Holy Ghost as a sacred atmosphere. And that is the atmosphere of missions.
The thing that, more than anything else, has led the writer to devote hims.elf to the advocacy of missions has been that he has recognized in the working of missions the nearest approach to the repetition of all the supernatural occurrences of the Old Testament and of the period of the Acts of the Apostles. There is the Pillar of cloud and fire, going before God's people,' causing Red Seas to present a passage on dry ground, causing fortress walls to fall instantaneously without a blow being struck, causing the enemy, like Amalek, to be defeated as long as the arm of faith and prayer is extended. When Christ says, "I am with you," He means omnipotent power; He means guidance, guardianship, government. Jesus Christ is with us in even sense that is most precious, when we seek to proclaim the Gospel to a dying world.
We must learn to look for DIVINE INTERPOSITION. In Psalm ii. the kings of the earth are represented as conspiring together to break the bands of Jehovah, and cast away the cords of His dear Son. Wh~t does Godeay,to them 1 "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion j" and He says to His King, •• Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. " That text has been preached from a great many times asa missionary text, as though it meant that the whole world is to be converted. But the next verse addR: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron: thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." This Psalm is the encouragement of the Church of God, but not in the direction of the harvests that are to come from the sowing. There are abundant such encouragements elsewhere; but here the encouragement given is that, although the kings of the earth conspire and rulers take counsel to obstruct the work of missions, to defeat the plans of the great King Himself, He who has even His enemies as His inheritance, and the hostile territories of conspiring kings with which to do as He wills, shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel, and break them with the iron rod of His just rnle.
Missionaries of the Cross have seen many such interpositions of God. We refer again to two as examples of many.
In Turkey, in 1839, at the crisis of missions, the Sultan Mahmoud said, "There shall not a representative of the Christian religion remain in the empire. " And Dr. Hamlin came into the house to Dr. Goodell, and said, " Doctor, it is all over with us-we have to leave; the American Consul and the British Ambassador both say that 1t is no use to meet, with antagonism, this violent and vindictive monarch.!' Dr. Goodell, sitting in his chair, rocked to and fro with undisturbed serenity. Dr. Hamlin said, " Well, you do not seem to give yourself much anxiety." That devout and godly man looked up to heaven and said, " Dr. Hamlin, the Sultan of the Universe, in answer to prayer, can change that decree." And they, gave themselves to prayer, and the next day the Sultan Mahmoud died, and the decree has never since been mentioned, save as a matter of history. There a ruler conspired against the King of Zion to defeat the plan of evangelizing His empire, and to expel His missionaries; but He stretched forth His rod of iron and instantly " dashed him in pieces, like a potter's vessel. "
And in Siam, in the crisis of missions, in 1851, when another hostile king would not even allow the missionaries to get premises in which to live, or ground upon which to build, and would scarcely lIuffer them to obtain a lodging; and when they were only waiting for a vessel to bear them away from the harbor of Bangkok, believing that their work was all in vain ; meanwhile they called upon Almighty God to interpose, and again the King of Zion stretched forth His rod and smote that monarch, and broke him likewise in pieces, "like a potter's vessel." And when his corpse was borne to burial, the question came up, " Who is to be his successor 1" and again God was besought to interpose. The man that was selected was the only man in the empire that had ever been trained by a Christian missionary. Though not himself a Christian, in studying language and philosophy and history and political economy with the missionaries, he had imbibed tolerant and catholic principles and impulses, and he inaugurated in the Empire of Siam the n;l.Ost aggressive and the most liberal policy in all Asia j and his successor, Chulalangkorn, is to-day the most enlightened sovereign on that continent. He and his wife are nursing father and nursing mother of Christian missions. Only two years ago they made munificent presents to our American missionaries to enlarge the borders of their hospital and dispensary work, as they have again done more recently.
Verily, A NEW STANDARD OF HOLY LIVING IS NEEDED. These" regions beyond" must be entere,d. Faith must enter the unclaimed territory of promise. Prayer must enter the unclaimed territory of divine power in the diviue presence. We must get a new standard of giving, that shall be individual, that shall be systematic, that shall be proportionate, that shall be cheerful, and that shall be self-denying. And we must get a new standard of living, that shall dare to invade the supernatural, that shall walk with God, and dwell in God, and pray in the Holy Ghost, and shall recognize the word of our Master, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," and the word of the Father that the Holy Ghost shall come down to anoint disciples, and bring the unconverted to the knowledge of Christ. Oh! we must enter this nnclaimed and untrodden territory, and then it may be permitted to some of us to see the glorious day come, when the Gospel, having been preached as a witness among all nations, the King himself shall come in His beauty, and those that have looked long for Him, with fainting desire, shall be permitted to share in the glory of His enthronement and coronation !
A very dear friend of the Editor, Miss Agnes E. Henderson, M.D., daughter of ex-Provost Henderson, of Aberdeen (for many years a director of this society), goes out to. India as a medical missionary in connection with the Free Church of Scotland. At a large and deeply interesting farewell meeting held in Aberdeen, Professor Salmond, who was in the chair, stated that Miss Henderson had with high distinction completed her curriculum as a tnedical student, obtained her degree, and dedicated herself to the service of Christ. She was about to go first to Bombay, there to stay for a year, to learn the language, and acquire a knowledge of the peculiar character of Indian diseases. After that she would proceed to Nagpore to labor as a medical missionary. Her services would cost the Church nothing, as provision had been made by the liberality of her father for carrying on the whole work of this post of which she was to be the first occupant without any charge to the Church.
That was not the only instance of It missionary going out at her own cost, because,. as Professor Salmond said, another missionary was present who occupied precisely the same position. How is it that there is not far more of this kind of thing? Many a Christian family might with ease support one of its number in foreign service, and thereby show allegiance to the Master, take a noble share in evangelizing the heathen, and bring a rich blessing upon themselves.
THE MISSION' OUTLOOK
THE MISSION OUTLOOK.-III.
BY REV. J. MURRAY MITCHELL, M.A., LL.D., NICE, FRANCE.
Let us now glance at the Asiatic countries in which Mohammedanism is the ruling religion. There has been, in varIOUS quarters, a disposition to think well of Mohammedanism. Its one merit is its discouragement of intemperance. It may raise savage races up to the Arabian civilization of the seventh century, but it fixes them there; and further progIess is attainable only by rejecti ng it. But how difficult to make it relax its grasp! Mackay of Uganda speaks of the" strange venom" in Islam which makes it almost impossible to Christianize any race that has accepted it, however imperfectly. Still, when Mackay speaks of "the universal failure of missions to Moslems," his language is much too strong. In fact, he admits so himself when, at a later date, he writes of " the work already accomplished among Mohammedans in Persia and India" as having proved "a decided success" (Memoir, p. 419).
Throughout the Turkish Empire work among Mohammedans is exceedingly difficult. After the Crimean War it seemed as if the door was opened for work among the Turks; and good Dr. Schauffier said to us in Constantinople, in October, 1859, that the prospects were most cheering. But from about 1864 Islam has wakened up as from deep lethargic sleep; and the command has evidently gone forth from high quarters that mission work among Mohammedans must be suppressed if possible, and in all cases opposed. This is what is called" the new departure of Islam." Theconcessions of the Hatti Humayoon of 1856 are ignored. Mission schools are closed, and when representatives of foreign powers are able to compel their reopening, Moslem children are forbidden to attend. Mohammedan schools and mosques are provided with a zeal formerly unknown.
In Persia the repression is not so strong. The missionaries believe that the Shah's three visits to Europe have considerably liberalized his views; and although the persecution of the Babis shows that fanaticism is not dead, yet the Bible can be circulated to some extent among Mohammedans, and religious inquiry goes on in private.
In Arabia, so far a~ it is under Turkish dominion, the public preaching of the Gospel would be at present impossible. But a majority of the Arabs do not acknowledge Turkish sway; and a definite effort ought to be made, on their behalf. Medical'missionaries at least would be safe, perhaps, even where the blighting shadow of the Turk has faUen. The Scriptures can be circulated-from Aden especially. On the whole, Arahia has been unreasonably overlooked in the distribution of the missionary force.
We come now to speak of Africa. Every portion of the field at which we have glanced has interested us deeply; but as he names Africa one feels his heart swell in his breast. The Dark Continent! Dark as Erebus it has been for generations without number. One of the latest testimonies regarding its religion is that of Mackay. He tells us that the Africans aCknowledge God, but worship only devils. They are "guilty of every form of uncleanness, and robbery, and tyranny, and murder." Yet we must not despond. The possessing demon can be cast out. Mackay de- clares it indisputable that" the African is capable of Christianization, and of rising to take his place among the foremost races of men.' , We ask anxiously, as the prophet did of old, 'What of th'e night 1 that is, how much of it is past ¥ Thank God, the midnight is gone j yes, there are streaks of light on the eastern sky.
Let us glance first at North Africa. Time was when all North Africa, from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, was Christian j and not a few of the men who stand high in the records of the Church were born and flour- ished there. But the sword of the Moslem swept the professors of the faith away, all except a small, oppressed remnant in Egypt. It is a Rolemn question why this was permitted by Him who has the hearts of all men in I1is hand j and the answer is equally solemn which good men have given- namely, that the civilized people of North Africa took little or no interest in the extension of the Gospel among the aboriginal inhabitants, and that the lamp-stand was removed because the lamp gave little or no light. Steadily Islam has advanced in all North Africa to within six or perhaps * four degrees of the equator, almost exclusively by war and conquest j and the Arabs have ruined many fair provinces to the south of the line. But we believe that the wave of devastation ,has stopped in its onward march, and in the goodness of God will henceforth steadily recede. Stanley has spoken of an early date, when he hopes that Islam will no longer be seen to the south of the equator.
But let us begin with Egypt. Much toleration prevails j conversions from Islam take place from time to time; the circulation of the Holy Scrip- tures is considerable; and more than 800 Mohammedans attend the mission schools.
Then, as to the rest of North Africa, under which designation we include Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, and the Sahara, more than forty agents are at work exclusive of those connected with the Bible societies.t The people generally are not hostile j but the priestly and 'political authorities are strong in their opposition. Yet conversions take place. Travelling south, we come to the Soudan-a region more than three thousand miles by fifteen hundred, and containing perhaps fifty millions of people. Here reigns the Mahdi with his fixed belief in his commission to conquer the world. The Moslem in this region have set up schools for the blacks-schools which succeed in proseletyzing. Protestants are doing next to nothing. A young Englishman, Wilmot Brooke, is working his .. So said Mr. Joseph Thomson some years ago. But now that Emin Pasha's power in the equatorial parts has fallen, we must say the sway of I.lam reaches the Equator.
t Mr. C, F. Baldwin mentions that there are more than thirty in Morocco and Mogador. See MISSIONARY lbrvlBw, Oct., 1890, p. 776. way to the Soudan by the Niger. Several young men from America bad chosen this sphere of labor, but alas! they all perished on the way.
Then comes Central Africa-between the Soudan and the Zambesicontaining the mighty Congo, with its innumerable tributaries, and the region of the Tanganika, Victoria, and Nyassa lakes. The churches have not been regardless of the claims of. Central Africa; in the Congo Free Statc alone eight missionary bodies are laboring, the London Missionary Society on Tanganika among them; the C. M. S. has done admirable work at Lake Victoria; the Universities Mission and the two Scottish Missions are diligent in Nyassa land. Here, then, is an excellent beginning.
To the south of the Zambesi there are older missions, all of them doing admirable service. How eagerly the great European Powers have partitioned nearly all Africa among themselves! We trust it is well; for at least the hideous slave-trade will be retarded and gradually extinguished; but while we rejoice that Divine Providence will overrule for good the earth-hung.er that infects the European races, and while we acquiesce in this part being for Germany, and that for France, and this other for Britain, and so on, let the desire and determination of the Church be-all, God helping us, for Christ !
Our remarks are lengthening out too much ; yet we dare not' conclude without a reference to the work among Eastern Christians. Under this name we include the Nestorians, the Armenians, the Jacobite Syrians and the Syrians in South India, the Copts and Abyssinians, and the members belonging to various nationalities of the Greek or " Orthodox" Church. The work among these venerable communities is carried on-chiefly, though not solely-by the American Congregationalists and Presbyterians. It is of immense consequence for the Eastern churches themselves. It is hardly less so for the Mohammedans among whom the Christians live, inasmuch as the spiritual life of the churches has been low and languid, and their ritualistic worship appears, to the followers of the Koran, to be absolutely idolatrous. Unhappily it is believed, in many influential quarters in England, that the Americans desire to break up the constitution of the ancient churches among which they labor. This the missionaries very earnestly deny. In faet, they began by endeavoring to spread light among the clergy, and turned, only when the attempt was unsuccessful. to the ordinary members of the churches. And new communities have been formed only when those who receive scriptural truth and seek to walk in accordance with it are persecuted and excommunicated. One of the most statesman-like acts of the" great Elchee" (" the great ambassador," as the Turks called Sir Stratford Canning, afterward Lord Stratford de Redcliffe) was the securing of the recognition of the Protestant Armenians as an independent community with guaranteed rights. This was in 1846. Since then the Protestant Christians in the Turkish Empire, including Egypt, have increased to fully 70,000. Their teachings among the Nestorians in Persia and the Bulgarians in Europe have also been greatly blessed. Bulgaria has wonderfully sprung all at once into national life j but had it not been for Robert College on the Bosphorus, such an.,awaken- ing would have been impossi?le.
The influence exerted on the old churches of the East by these new communities is by no means small. In some cases the missionaries, or the pastors of the reformed churches, are invited to preach in the pulpits of the older. The priests, as a rule, oppose the reformation j but the people are often friendly to it, or at least not unfriendly.
. We dwell on these things all the more earnestly because of the scant justice that is done in certain quarters in England to these important missions.
We must now hasten to conclude. We do so, as we promised, with a few remarks suggested by the survey we have taken.
We have expressed our·admiration of the feeling which prompts the Shanghai Conference to make the demand for a thousand missionaries. Mr. Hudson Taylor asks as many for the" China Inland Mission." But these things unavoidably suggest the question, What are the claims of China as compared with those of other mission fields ~ Missionaries in India will be slow to admit that the necessities of that great continent are inferior to those of China j they .will probably maintain that, in its present sorrowful unrest, the claims of India are paramount. Then, not to speak of Japan, Korea, and Siam-each, it may be urged, in a condition that may rightly be called critical-what are we to say of Africa? As now so won- derfully revealed, its demands are overwhelming. Its hideous superstitions, its fetich-worship, its demon-worship, its human sacrifices, its cannibalism, its inter-tribal wars, its slave-trade-yes, we now see the heart of Africa, and we see that it is bleeding at every pore. Then, let us remem- 'ber what fearful mischief the Christian nations of the West have done to unhappy Africa by the drink traffic. Oh, that it were possible to be as great a blessing as we have been a curse I The population, perhaps, ex- ceeds three hundred millions. What is to be done for the vast Dark Continent' It seems to us that, when God Himself has opened a dooraye, doors-which were closed from the beginning of the world, He is distinctly calling on His people to enter. But further, there are the Mohammedan kingdoms, both in Asia and Africa, and the battle with Islam is barely begun.
The question then occurs, Is it not needful that a survey be taken of the entire heathen world, and an estimate formed of the relative claims of each portion ~ It is a difficult task, and would require the co-operation of many men to do this with any approach to accuracy. Yet the Romish Propaganda attempts a solution of the problem j and the comprehensive mind of Cromwell contemplated the formation of a similar institution.
It might, perhaps, be possible to form an international commmittee, representing all Protestant missions, to map out the great battle.field and suggest a plan Qf campaign i at present, each mission, each regiment chooses its own field and fights its own battle, with little or no reference to others.
But, in the mean time, the topic should be taken up in such magazines as the MISSIONARY REVIEw,and suggestio~s offered, out of which some orderly scheme might erelong be evolved. Unless something of this kind is done,. there will be increasing collision, however unintentional, in the foreign field. Connected with this is the question of what is called mission comity, which is of vast importance and no small complexity.
In the earnest call for European missionaries, in which we heartily rejoice, let not the Church forget that the evangelization of each land must be conducted mainly through its own believing children. When conversions take place churches must be formed and, after the example of Paul and Barnabas, elders" ordained in every church" (Acts. xiv. 23). Next, the raising up of native preachers and teachers is a matter of primary im- * portance. We say teachers-i.e., schoolmasters, as well as preachers.
At the present time a large body of Christian teachers would be of unspeakable value in India and Japan. This matter has been far too much overlooked. In recent discussions we have heard much about the necessity of self-denial. But we have not heard enough. The principle is both deeper and wider than many think. We have been told that it is binding on all missionaries-" Missions arc 80 expensive j" but is there any reason for saying that it is more binding on missionaries than on other Christians? Ministers at home j all office.bearers in the Church j all members of the Church; every man that professes himself a Christian-is not self-denial the imperative duty of all such? Yet how much luxury among multitudes who, in the judgment of charity, mnst be held to be real Christians!, Has any Christian a right to try to be a millionaire? If he has become so, has he a right to remain so? For meanwhile the outlay of the Church by no means keeps pace with the increase of the wealth of the nation or, as we believe, of the Christian portion of it j and all our missions languish for lack of funds. A trumpet-blast is needed to rouse the slumbering Church. Fields are white to the harvest j the laborers are ready to go forth; but means to send them are a-wanting. "Well," says a ~elf-complacent church, " let us have cheap or even self-supporting missionaries. " Self-support, in many places, would be easy j for example, in India a well-educated man could readily find Government employment, and have three or four times the salary of an ordinary missionary. Is that desirable, seeing that very little time would remain for evangelistic work 1 Many seem to think it is. Yes; these are enlightened days j many have got far beyond the standpoint of St. Paul, and they think it well to muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.
As we have glanced over the recent history of missions, we have been greatly saddened by the many deaths that have met our eye; and the .. In a paper read before the Decennial Conference at Calcutta in 1882, the writer had occasion to dwell on this snbject at considerable length. question has repeatedly arisen, Was this a necessary sacrifice 1 We gaze with tearful admiration on the men who go forth in entire devotedness to meet, in Christ's name, almost certain death j but how awfully accountable are they that send them forth if they do not, with much prayer and forethought, take every possible precaution against danger! It is certain that, in the ardor of their souls, the young warriors, eager to. be in the high places of the field, will themselves seldom do so j it must be done for them. And we must give a word of waUling to the young warriors too. Is there no danger that sometimes they may take the suggestions, of their own fallible minds for an impulse from on high 1 do they prayerfully seek to distinguish between these things 1 We have been led into this train of thought espccially by what has happened in the case of the young American missionaries whom we referred to as having lately sought to reach the Soudan. All have perished. * Their precious lives were simply thrown away. So has it been in other cases. 0' est magnifique; mais ce n'est pas la guerre. Of old the enthusiasm of martyrdom became in many cases the fanaticism of martyrdom j and the Church had to put forth her most strenuous efforts to repress the evil. Something of the same kind may rise up in modern days. Weare aware that these remarks may be thought to savor of cold, worldly prudence. "Ve are willing to bear the imputation, if we can only help to save very precious lives which ought to be dedicated to the Master's cause on earth. Heaven, we believe, can afford to wait for these men. Earth cannot afford to lose them.
Already there are cheering examples, not a fcw, of men and women possessed of means who have dedicated themselves and their possessions to the work of God abroad. Such cases will multiply as the pulse of the Church beats higher. Let rich parents encourage their children to go forth, and supply them with sufficient means to do so. We must not rest satisfied till the noblest of the land shall count it their highest distinction to become missionaries of the Cross. So was it in former days. Columba and many of the Celtic missionaries were of noble jf not princely descent. Raymond Lull was a nobleman of Majorca. Xavier was a Portuguese of position. And in our own day Keith Falconer, so early snatched away, was an earl's son. If such examples awaken any snrprise, it only shows how deplorably defective is the conception which the modern church has formed of the" grace" of being called to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. "
There are not quite three hundred medical Il!issionaries, men and women, in the foreign field at present. Why should there not be as many medical missionaries, whether ordained or unoruained, as there are ordinary missionaries 1 Why not more 1 Such Mohammedan countries * See the MU8Wnary Herald, Oct., 1890, p. 394. They were three young men and the wile of one of them. They arrived at Sierra Leone at the beginning oC the rains. They were implored to wait till the dry seasou before penetrating into the interior. But they refused. .. It was the Lord's work, and He would surely protect them I" Here was beautiful zeal, but not according to knowledge. ' are Turkey and Arabia, which will hardly tolerate preaching missionaries, will pay high respect to medical men. We believe that medical ladies also 'Vould be welcome. Assuredly there is much need of them! What a glorious sphere of usefulness would be opened up to lady doctors among the inmates of the Harems, accessible only to women, throughout all Mohammedan lands! But now we really must conclude. May God grant that the heart of the Church may glow with a warmer and warmer mis- sionary spirit-not mainly the excitement aroused by passionate appeals from pulpit or platform or press, but with the deep and holy zeal which springs from a clear perception, imparted by the spirit of truth, of the supreme glory of the enterprise; yea, may we all drink more and more deeply of the missionary spirit of the great Master Himself-a spirit that combined the most perfect devotedness, the most perfect calm, and the most perfect assurance of full and final and eternal victory I [P.S.-Since the above was in type, Dr. Mitchell sends the following additional notes.-ED.] I.-MOHAMMEDANISM IN CRINA.
There is great diversity among the estimates that have been given of the number of Mohammedans in China. In the last issue of the Nordi8k Missionstidsskrijt they are reckoned as 20,000,000. In the reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society they are said to be 30,000,000. Some years ago inWestern China-especially in Yunnan and Kashgar- the Mohammedans were active in proselytizing. In these provinces, however, they were entirely crushed; the cruelty they had shown being far exceeded by the retaliations of the Chinese.
From 'the beginning of Islam efforts were made to win over the Chinese. An uncle of Mohammed visited the Chinese Emperor Tai Tsong in the year 628. In 755 about 4000 Arabs were sent to the assistance of the Emperor Song Tsong, and for centuries thereafter there was a close con- nection between the Chinese and the Arabs. * H.-SCANDINAVIAN MISSIONS.
As the readers of the MISSIONARY REVIEW are probably not so well lOformed about these missions as about many others, we may give one or two notices in addition to what we have mentioned above.
In Zululand the Norwegian missions have 9 stations. In Natal they have 3, and the Swedish Mission, 4.
In Madagascar the Norwegian missionaries, in 1888, baptized 4393 persons. The attendance at church was 49,069, being about 10,000 more than in 1887. Among the Sakalavas, on the west coast of Madagascar, they have in Morondava (which is under the Hova Government) a church of 140 souls. On the south coast there are 2 Norwegian missionaries and 7 native teachers.
In the Congo Free State there are about 20 Swedish missionaries. ~<bout two years ago Dean Vahl, writing in the Allgemeine Missions Zeitscnrijt, said : "Including teachers in Lapland, there are 57 Swedish missionaries' of these 16 are ordained, 18 are women, and 31 are native helpers.
ANSWERED PRAYERS
ANSWERED PRAYERS.
BY MISS LAURA M. LATIMER.
The 16th of September is the great day when the Mexicans celebrate their independence. I was living in the city of Guanajuato–a strange, quaint city, where the streets are veritable stairways, and the houses are so built into the rocks and the rocks so encroach into the houses that onp. can hardly tell where rocks end and dwellings begin. Because of its rich silver-mines, it is one of the first cities taken in revolutions. Its towering crags that. surround the city afford a safe hiding-place for the attacking army. This national festival was my holiday, and for a little rest I went to Silao, a city thirteen miles away. When I reached the mission house I found the portera and his wife alone, and greatly alarmed. He told me that a thousand robbers had entered the city of Guanajuato to commence a revolution, in order to sack the city. The Governor of the State had telegraphed to the President of Mexico for fresh troops, and they were just beginning to arrive. The mob was already gathering in the streets of Silao. To quiet their fears, I reminded them of the Sabbath-school lesson that week. I opened the Bible and read to them-" And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the. Lord opened the eyes of the young man i and he saw: and, behold, the moulltain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." All that day I could hear him reading aloud to his wife from the book of Kings; Sev- eral members of our little church came and stood with them all night by a little grated window, watching the street. With an earnest prayer for protection I went to bed and slept soundly all night, although the streets were filled with a mob, who broke every window in the great hotel, with yells of, "Death to the Americans." The next day the stones began to come into the mission house, but I securely locked the great street door, and the crowd passed by, and we were not molested. When I returned to Guanajuato the portera oiold me that at the time of greatest danger the surgeon of the hospital called at my house. He said that he was very tired, for he had been dressing wounds all day, but he could not rest until he knew that I was safe. He stood by the door, on the street, until all danger was passed, and his presence there was a protection. He was a Catholic, and a stranger. But I always felt that a kind Providence had in this way, in answer to prayer, protected my home. The mayor of the city sent two policemen to guard the street door. The daughter of my cook heard one policeman say to the other, " Why were we sent here ~" " To protect a lady," was the reply. " But who is the lady 1" he still questioned. "She is a Protestant i" and that satisfied him. The soldiers quelled all disturbances, and the robbers fied.
In this same city, several years before, the missionary heard the mob coming down the street with yells of " Huerte a los Protestantes /"-death , to the Protestants. He ran in haste to the street door to close it, but it was too late. He could see the flash of the knives with which they were to kill him and his family, and with an agonized prayer to God for help, he turned to face death, when suddenly peal after peal of thunder shook the house; the rain began to fall in torrents; and the terrible lightning so terrified the mob, just as they had reached the threshold, that everyone of them fled affrighted to their homes. And thus the lives of the missionaries were saved, and the mission church was not destroyed.
At the time of the last revolution in Mexico, the army marched upon Pachnea, and from the hills that overlook the city they threw their bombshells upon the defenceless inhabitants. The mission church had just been completed, and the congregation had assembled for the first time in this new chapel to worship God.· Mr. Ludlow, the pastor, knelt down to pray, and he commenced by thanking God that now they were able to worship under their own vine and fig-tree, with none to molest or make them afraid, when suddenly, without any warning, the bomb-shells came crashing into the city. He opened his eyes and discovered that everyone had left the church in haste, and he was alone. The bomb-shells fell thick and fast. First one part of t.he mission house went crashing in, then another. The pastor and,his family took refuge in a little passage-way be~ tween the school-room and house. He opened his Bible and read to them the promises of God, promises of protection in hours of peril, and they sang" Jesus, I rest in Thee," and then they knelt in prayer. When they rose from their knees the danger was over and they were safe, but their beautiful church was in ruins. There were cannon-balls everywhere in the school-rooms, fresh and hot. The doors and chairs and benches were riddled with bullets. The streets were filled with the moans of the wounded. Death and ruin was everywhere, except in the little passage-way where they prayed.
One of the most unmistakable interpositions of God in answer to prayer was the way that Mexico was opened for the Gospel. It took an army of soldiers to carry the Bible into Mexico. The Americans won every battle. They were in a strange country unknown to them. They had only a few thousand men to battle with the vast hosts of the enemy. It was not nqmbers that won the victory. It was God. Our invading army changed the future of Mexico. The Bible agents and chaplains who accompanied the United States Army scattered Bibles everywhere along their route, and the Word of God broke the power of papal Rome in that oppressed country. Those who have carefully studied the marvellous results of the Mexican War have been amazed at what God has wrought.
AFRICA.
In the depths of a dark African forest, Henry M. Stanley was obliged to wait for a company of his men who were missing. It was midnight. He was hemmed in by hostile savllges on all sides. The terrible shadowhaunted, pathless wilderness lay dark and dismal before him. All his plans had been brought to naught by une~pected obstacles. He was sick with fever. " Death and disaster, disaster and death," encompassed him. He feared that his brave followers had been massacred, and he prayed earnestly to God to protect those brave men who were in peril. Alone with God in his tent at that midnight hour, reaHzing his utter helplessness to accomplish what he had 80 bra~'ely undertaken, conscious that the issues of every effort were in other hands, he made a vow that if the lives of his heroic men were spared, and his own efforts crowned with success, he would acknowledge to the world that all the way through that perilous journey it was God who had led him and brought him safely, iu answer to prayer, when all his own plans had failed. The following day the missing ones arrived, and they soon emerged upon the plains, and the deadly, gloomy forest was behind them. The marvellous success of that expedition has given to the world one of the most inspiring examples of the power of prayer. One day Dr. Livingstone, in the heart of that Dark Continent, became disheartened. He was surrounded by the cannibals, sick with fever, and his men were about to desert him to return to their homes. He says : " The prospect of being obliged to return distressed me exceedingly, and I went into my little tent with the mind directed to Him who hears the sighing of the soul j but soon the men entered, and with the most artless simplicity of manner told me to be comforted, they would not forsake me, thcy were all my children and would die for me." Dr. Livingstone was 'greatly oppressed with the vastness of the " Dark Continent," and his constant question was, ""Vho will penetrate Africa~" The weeks that Stanley remained at Ujiji with Dr. Livingstone were a time of preparation and inspiration for future work. Was it chance, or was it God in answer to prayer, that led the most successful of all explorers of Africa through so many dangers to find Livingstone 1 During the recent cruel persecutions of the Christians in the kingdom of Uganda, the missionaries, driven from their homes, found refuge near the lake, and there they waited, praying to God to interpose and put an end to the cruelties of the brutal king l'Iwanga, for their mission was broken up, the native Christians were clubbed to death, burned alive, and torn to pieces. Their prayers were soon answered, for just as Mwanga was meditating a general massacre of all the Christians, he was dethroned, pursued, and hunted by his enemies. ,This bloodthirsty, savage king fied to the Christians for safety. One of the French missionaries took him into his house, fed him, clothed him, and King Mwanga became a Chris- tian. And he wrote this letter to Mr. Mackay : June 25, 1889.
I, Mwanga, beg of you to help me. Do not remember bygone matters. We _are now in a miserable plight; but if you, my fathers, are willing to come and help to restore me to my kingdom, you will be at liberty to do whatever you like. Formerly I did not know God, but now I know the religion of Jesus Christ. Consider how Ka1ema has killed all my brothers and sisters; he has killed my children too. Mr. Mackay, do help me; I have no strength, but if you are with me I shall be strong.
I am your friend, MWANGA.
The scattered, persecuted native Christians placed the penitent king again upon his throne, and restored to him his kingdom.
Every year the river Nile overflows its banks and floods the country. The natives go out in little boats and sow their seed by casting it upon the waters. The rice sinks down into the mud, takes root, and when the flood is over they gather a rich harvest. For many years the brave missionaries in Africa have been sowing the seed of the kingdom upon the water in floods of persecution, and now the harvest has commenced.
At Banzameteke a missionary had labored six years with no success, when suddenly he was astonished at the pentecostal answer to his prayers j for one Sabbath morning the people collected all their fetiches and gin bottles and burned them in the public square, and nine hundred men, women, and children were baptized that day.
The saddest of all stories is the story of the graves in Africa. The heroic Bishop Taylor, on foot, going from station to station, and at each mission finding new graves of his missionaries j passing on his weary way, leaving the silent dead in their lonely graves, to " wait till Jesus comes j" passing missions where the carefully built houses are vacant, the churches deserted, the school-rooms silent, and only a missionary's grave to tell the sad story.
Slavery and rum have so desolated Africa that a cry, piteous and awful, ascends from that country, " How long, 0 Lord, how long~" "Home after home is made desolate, region after region is ravished, State after State is demolished, nation after nation is mowed down like grass."
I attended the Women's National Temperance Convention which met in Chicago. I sat in Battery D, and watched the ladies as they came pouring in at the door by hundreds. There were ladies from, California, from Oregon, and from every State all the way across this continent to Maine-earnest Christian women, who had come from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South, to plan together how they could put down intemperance. They were reaching out their hands to help remove this evil from every country on the globe. .
That same month across the sea there was a remarkable conference in session at Brussels, a congress unique in history. The representatives of seve~teen great nations-Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Congo Free State, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Persia, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, and the United States-the nations that rule the world, had come together to put down slavery in Africa, to save a land that had no claim upon them but its utter helplessness.
While the great Christian powers were convened in Europe to devise means to ,overthrow the horrible slave-trade in Africa, the slave-dealers were having a remarkable congress on the Nile-200 delegates, Moham- medan Arabs, met to suppress the traffic in liquors; for the rum-trade, which destroys so many lives, diminishes the number of their victims. The action taken by them is " to surround the entire coast of Africa with a cordon of armed dhows, and confiscate every European vessel containing liquors, and sell the crew into slavery." It seemed to me that God had rallied all the great religious forces of the world, Christian and Mohamme- dan, to help those patient, suffering, praying missionaries in Africa.
The whole history of missions is made up of remarkable answers to prayer. The beginning of the great work in Japan was traced to a little room where the missionaries met every day to pray.
In the State of New York is a little village nestling among the hills. , Near by is a river, where the high ruggeq rocks and rainbow falls have a wildness of beauty unsurpassed. In this little village a minister once lived in a parsonage which was much too small for his increasing family. His salary was hardly sufficient to feed and clothe the six little children. He had been for several years principal of one of the public schools in Brooklyn, and his oldest son, who was sixteen years of age, was ready for college. He was eager and impatient to continue his studies, and the father found it hard to control the impetuous boy, who would not brook delay. He was at work in a store, but complaints came constantly fro.m the merchant that he was more interested in his books, which he concealed behind the counter, than in selling goods; and finally the boy declared that he would run away to sea if he could not go to college. It was a time of great anxiety to the father and mother. They could never expect to feed and clothe and educate six children on a preacher's salary in those days. After much worry and planning and anxious thought they could see no way out of the perplexity, and so they dropped the burden that , they could not carry, and gave their children to the Lord for special work in His service, with earnest prayer and as careful training as the mother of Moses gave her little one, though she knew that he was no longer hers, but the king's. The children grew to realize more and more that the prayers of their par3nts followed them constantly.
In those days people knew but little about misi>ions. -A few years be- fore Lee, with one of the flat-headed Indians from Oregon, had visited them, and after t.hat there was a new interest in the cause of the heathen in the minister's family. The pastor carefully scattered the Missionary Advocate among the children Of the Sabbath-school. There was one little girl in his congregation into whose heart the preacher's words sank deeply. She eagerly listened, and stndied with intense interest the missionary paper, with its strange pictures of lands and people be- yond the sea, and always as she gazed upon those dark pictures of heathen cruelty a feeling came to her, a dim foreshadowing of the future, that sometime she herself would sit under those palm-trees in India. As the years passed by, and there seemed no way to realize the dreams of her childhood, she forgot her early resolve to. be a missionary. But one day, years afterward, just a few weeks before she graduated in the medical college, suddenly the forgotten VOWI3 of her childhood came to her. The rush of recollections came like a revelation, and in a flash she realized what all the training of years had been for, and she was so overcome that she burst into tears. She was the first lady physician sent to heathen lands from America as a medical missionary. The daughter of her early pastor said to her, "How were you led to become a missionary 1" She replied, " It was your father who did it j the result of his labor and prayers."
The faithful minister lived to see his prayers answered also in a remarkable way in his own family. His sons became ministers of the Gospel, and his youngest daughter a missionary. His eldest son was the late Dean of the Theological Seminary of the Boston University, a school which has sent scores of missionaries to foreign lands-to China, India, Japan, Mexico, South America, and to the islands of the sea.
Captain Hore, F.R.C.S., is returning to England via United States, after a successful mission tour in A~stralia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. To the regret of his co·workers and admirers, he is forbidden to return to the region of Lake Tanganyika, where he has for thirteen years done such ser- vice to missions. The doctors prohibit such return. He built a steamer there, made valuable explorations, surveyed Tanganyika, for which he re- ceived the Royal Geographical Society's Award, and for two years lived at the famous slave and ivory mart of Ujiji, where he was much in contact with Tippoo Tib. American friends who know of his journey through the States will doubtless avail themselves of his presence to get him engaged in lectures describing the Central African missions, native tribes, and customs, and the development of civilization. Mr. S. E. Bridgman, College Rook Store in Northampton, Mass., will act as his medium of communication. . Here is a rare chance for those who wish missionary lectures.
Dr. G. F. Pentecost seems to have met a cordial reception in India. He held his first meeting with the educated natives of Calcutta on December 24th, and the Albert Hall was full to overflowing. The Opera House was then engaged for a fortnight miEsion to the higher classes of residents, and 'great expectations are indulged. We hope they may not be disappointed. Nevertheless, we believe that our brother has taken on his hands what Lincoln would call a " big job," and nothing will make thiR mission a true success but the power of prayer. We know personally that many, both here and on the other side of the sea, are engaged in earnest supplication to God that this errand may prove to be guided by God's good Spirit. The Engtish residents of India are very difficult to reach. They are mostly of two classes, either very High ChurchAnglicans-mere formalists and rituaIistsor else absolutely indifferent and often infidel. Such walls are of adamant, and only the power of God can break them down.
1891·1 THE GREAT COMMISSION
THE GREAT COMMISSION [EDITORIAL. ] The four Go~pel narratives, at the close of each, and the Acts of the Apostles, which has been well called the "Fifth Gospel," has at its beginning words which are intended to instruct and guide disciples as to the great mission and commission entrusted to the Church. Each differs from the other, yet each presents something essential to the full and complete knowledge of the Lord's will and our duty. And as in a composite photograph we get various facial forms and features blended in one portrait which combines individual peculiarities in a collective result, so, if we carefully project these five forms of the commission upon one sensitive plate and get a composite picture, we shall see at a glance the mutual relations of each special word of instruction, and the completeness of the grand total. While we reverently seek to combine these five fragments, we do not mean to imply that they were all thus blended in our Lord's own teaching, nor to assume to settle either their logical or chronological order; our aim is simply to present a summary from which nothing shall be omitted which belongs to anyone narrative, and to group together words of instruction or promise which seem to belong together by closer affinity. The attempt so to arrange and combine has been attended with such profit to the writer that he hopes it may prove no less a blessing to the reader. The obvious parallelism of the thought we seek also to represent.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying: •• Peace be unto you!"
And, when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again: "Peace be unto you !"
All power is given unto Me In heaven and in earth.
As My Father hath sent Me Even so send I you."
Then opened He their understanding That they might understand the Scriptures; And said unto them, " Thus it is written, And thus it behooved Christ to suffer, And to rise from the dead the third day; And that repentance and remission of sins Should be preached in His name Among all nations, Beginning at Jerusalem: And ye are witnesses of these things.
Go ye, therefore, into all the world, Make disciples of all nations, And preach the Gospel to every creature : Baptizing them in the name of the Father And of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things Whatsoever I have commanded you: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; But he that believeth not shall be damned.
And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you. Depart not from Jerusalem But wait for the promise of the Father, Which ye have heard of Me.
For John truly baptized with water, But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, Not many days hence. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem Until ye be endued with power from on high. Ye shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost Coming upon you; And ye shall be witnesses unto Me, Both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, And in Samaria And unto the uttermost parts of the earth." And when He had said this, He brElathed on them And saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost !"
., And 10 I am with you alway Even unto the end of the age.
And these signs shall follow them that believe : In My name shall they cast out demons ; They shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; And if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them ; They shall lay hands on the sick And they shall recover. "
So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, He led them out as far as to Bethany; And He lifted up His hands and blessed them, And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them ; And while they beheld, He was taken up And a cloud received Him out of their sight And He was carried up and received up into heaven, And they worshipped him And returned to Jerusalem with great joy And were continually in the temple Praising and blessing God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, The Lord working with them And confirming the word With signs following, Amen.
1891.J JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH, AS DEVELOPED BY BUDDHISM IN JAPAN.
BY HENRY C. MABIE, D.D.
Among the objects of most striking interest which the traveller sees in the ancient city of Kioto, Japan, are the temples of Hon-gwan-ji- " Eastern" and "Western," so called. One of these temples is quite new, in fact it is yet building. To those sanguine souls who are inclined to think that the force of idolatry in Japan is spent, that idolatrous shrines generally are in the last stages of decay, and that no more will be built, we commend a few facts concerning the present building of this new Hongwan-ji structure. It is built entirely from the free-will offerings of the people of the Buddhist sect which it represents, from all parts of the empire. These contributions are of costly jewels, metals, woods for the building, human hair, and money without stint.
On one of the platforms of the temple are twenty-four coils of rope from three to four inches in diameter made of this human hair. Attached to one of the coils is a placard with this inscription: " Since the thirteenth year of Meiji (1880), when the rebuilding of the two halls of the Eastern Hon-gwan-ji was 'begun, the faithful laymen and laywomen of every place have been unanimous in presenting to the principal temple, Hon-gwan-ji, strong ropes made of their own hair, to be used for the work of erection. The number of these ropes reached fiftythree. Twenty-nine of them became worthless from use. The total length of the remaining twenty-four is 4528 feet, and the total weight 11,567 pounds. "
Besides these ropes were several large coils of hair, several of them gray, the gifts of the aged, which came in too late to admit of being used. The total cost of this temple is to reach the enormous sum of $11,000,000. The offerings of devotees in Kioto, apart from gifts for erecting the temple, ' to these two shrines, during the year 1889 amounted to the sum of $367,000, Mexican. And yet most of the contributions were from people who are extremely poor. Out of Kioto's population of nearly half a million less than five hundred people pay a tax amounting to $15, so poor are they.
Magnificent, however, as the temple is, and regal as the offerings were, the peculiarities of the sect whose primal shrine is here are of far more interest to me. Specially so, on account of the characteristic worship and belief of the sect.
These people are a sect of the Buddhists, but they represent a departure from pure ancient Buddhism of rare significance. They worship Buddha, indeed, but him only in the character of Amita, or Amit,abha, whom they conceive to be the idealization and glorification of highest discipleship to the primitive Buddha; they eschew all works of merit; they depend on the absolute unconditioned mercy of Amita j they have a doctrine of justification by faith only, apart from meritorious deeds; their priests are not celibates nor ascetics; they carryon active and aggressive missionary operations, and to this end they highly educate their young priests,send- ing some of them to the Doshisha Congregational College in· Kioto, and even to Oxford, England. Three hundred of these neophytes are gathered in one school near their chief Kioto temples.
They base their doctrine on that portion of the Buddhist Scripture known as the" Sam-bu-Kio," in which is recorded the peculiar vow made by Amitabha that he would ., accept Buddhaship, but under the condition that salvation was made attainable by all who should sincerely desire to be born into Buddha's kingdom, and should signify their desire by invoking his name ten times." This vow is called the "Former, or Real V ow," and hence the name given to the two great temples in Kioto, " Hon-gwan-ji," meaning" Temple of the Real Vow," referring to their basal doctrine.
This sect is now divided really into two, the one known asthe "Jodo" sect and the other as the " Shin Shin."
Originally they were one, taking their rise in the beginning of the· twelfth century under a great teacher, known as Honen Shonin. This man was enough in earnest to break with earlier Buddhists, and to outline a doctrine far in advance of Buddha's in some respects. He taught the worship of Amita, and also the doctrine of justification by faith in Amita's boundless mercy; but he also urged the value of meritorious deeds, and insisted on the cardinal idea of Buddhism, that no help can be expected in the conquest of passions outside of one's self. It was at this point that there sprang up early in the thirteenth century a departure from the teaching of the Jodo sect. The man to inaugurate the departure was Shinran Shonin, a disciple of Honen.
This Shinran is described as a sort of Luther of his time, and presenting a striking parallel in his teachings and in his martyr-like devotion to their maintenance. He was determined enough to submit unflinchingly to banishment for conscience' sake, and to bravely maintain his school in a monastery among the mountains at Takate in Shimo-tsuke. He is buried at Otani, on the mountain-side above Kioto. To his grave myriads of his disciples make annual pilgrimages from all parts of Japan. The Shin Shin sect is the outgrowth of his influence, and the new Hon.gwan-ji temple is specially to his honor. The Shin Shin sect differs from the J odo sect in its teaching at the following points: first, it holds that salvation is due to faith only in the power and willingness of Amita to save mankind, and that the invocation implied in the Real Vow is to be used only as an act 'oj thanksgiving, and not .as an act of merit, for mercy received; secondly, that this Elalvation is received at once, and not at death, and that the believer is taken thenceforth under Amita' s merciful protection; thirdly, that morality is of equal importance with faith; fourthly, that while Nirvana, or eternal happiness, is to be attained (as all Buddhists teach) by the extinction of the passions through many deaths and re- births, yet this extinction of passions (contrary to the usual Buddhist teaching) may be reached through help from another-that is, from Amitabha, he being the chi~f of the Buddhas. The name Amitabha signifies "boundless life" or "im- measurable light."
The Shin Shins maintain that their rival sect, the Jodos, have departcd from the former and true teaching at these several points. The Shin Shins have undertaken to restore the true teaching respecting the" Former Vow." Hence they are sometimes called the Protestants of Japanese Buddhism. The proportions to which this sect of reformers has grown is remarkable. They have in all Japan 18,000 temples and shrines, and are accounted the wealthiest and most powerful of all the sects. They possess no fixed properties which might be considered endowments, but depend entirely on the offerings of the people for support and for purposes of propagandism. They actively undertake missions abroad, especially in Corea and China.
In support of these general statements respecting their belief, I quote a short creed prepared by one of their later apostles, Rennio Shonin, and given by Murray in his " Handbook of Japan. " The creed runs as follows: " Rejecting all religious austerities and other action, givi~g up all idea of self-power, we rely npon Amita Buddha with the whole heart for our salvation in the future life, which is the most important thing, believing that at the moment of putting our faith in Amita Buddha our salvation is settled. From that moment invocation of his name is observed as an expression of gratitude and thankfulness for Buddha's mercy. Moreover, being thankful for the reception of this doctrine from the founder and succeeding chief priests, whose teachings were so benevolent, and as welcome as light in a dark night, we must also keep the laws which are fixed for our duty during our whole life." A most extraordinary statement this to proceed from men presumably destitute of revelation. Substitute for Amita Buddha, here conceived of as the chief of the Buddhas, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and you have substantially the New Testament doctrine of justification by faith as amplified by Paul in the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians.
A still more modern statement of the belief of this remarkable sect is given by Mr. Akamatsu, a distinguished member of the sect in Kioto, and published in the April number, for 1881, of the Ohrysanthemum, now discontinued.
Says Mr. Akamatsu: " Amita Buddha always exercises his boundless mercy upon all creatures, and shows a great desire to help and influence all people who rely upon him to complete all merits, and to be re-born into Paradise. Our sect pays no attention to other Buddhas, but putting faith only in the great desire of Amita Buddha, expect to escape from the miserable world, and to enter into Paradise in the next life. From the time of putting faith in the saving power of Buddha we do not need any power of self·help, but need only to keep his mercy in heart, and invoke his name in order to remember him. These doings we call I thanksgiving for salvation.' "
I Is this an uninstructed groping for" the grace of God which bringeth salvation," which is accurately and specifically met in Paul's great exposi· tions ~ Is this an ignorant worshIp of the essential Christ under the phrase of Amita Buddha r We would not dare say that these doctrinal conceptions, purely considered, are generally entertained by the adherents of the sect, much less that they have popular power to bring spiritual rest and the sense of salvation to the mass of q,evotees! But who shall say that, where so explicit ideas of mercy, grace of some sort, justification through belief of some sort, and hence salvation, however inadequately conceived, are formulated and taught, that they have redeeming power over none ~ How shall we account for the existence of the conceptions at all in any measure, by even a single mind, except on the ground that " He hath not left himself without a witness among any nation" 1 Be all this as it may, what a prepared soil is here, in the providence of God, for such missionary endeavor as shall be able. to go in among such a people and explain to them the real way of God more perfectly! What an evangelizing oracle the Epistle of Paul to the Romans would prove in meeting this unique state of heathen mind! May God raise up and bring some man to the Kingdom of the Sunrise for such a time as this !
KIOTO, JAPAN, Oct. 15, 1890.
How MISSIONARIES ARE MADE.-Dr. Cyrus Hamlin has told in a fiveminute speech how it was he came to be a missionary. He said: "In the vast majority of cases missionaries are made by the influence of the family. My widowed mother made me a missionary. She had me read every Sunday out of the Panoplist, and then later out of the Missionary Herald. We had in those days in our town a missionary contribution box, a cent box, and we were enoouraged to earn some special cents for that box. I remember well one occasion which was, I think, a turning-point in my experience. When the fall muster came every boy had a pocketful of cents to spend. My mother gave me seven cents, saying, as she gave them, I Perhaps you will put a cent or two in the contribution box in Mrs. Farrar's porch on the common.' So I began to think as I went along, Shall I put in one or shall it be two ~ Then I thought two cents was pretty small, and I came up to three-three cents for the heathen and four cents for gingerbread ; but that did not sound right, did not satisfy me, so I turned it the other way, and said four cents shall go for the heathen. Then I thought the boys will ask me how much I have to spend, and three cents is rather too small a sum to talk about. I Hang it all,' I said, I I'll put the whole in.' So in it all went. When I told my mother some years after that I was going to be a missiollllry, she broke down and said, I I have always expected it.' "
lIIISSIONARY GEOGRAPHY
MISSIONARY GEOGRAPHY-COMPARATIVE OPENINGS FOR THE GOSPEL IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.
BY REV. DR. J. H. SHEDD, OROOMIAH, PERSIA.
In glancing at the fi~ld which our Lord says" is the worIel," one thing is clear now which was not so clear one hundred or even fifty years agonamely, the actual condition of the inhabitants of our world. The maps and globes have changed. Vast tracts of Asia, Africa, America, 2nd the islands of the sea, that were a terra incognita or laid down as unknown deserts, have been explored and now are delineated j and the names of lakes and riverll and nations, and their populations and resources, and their political and religious condition are known. The missionaries have usually been the pioneer explorers. In crossing China, in describing the tribes and haunts of the Himalayas and all Western Asia j in first setting foot on the cannibal islands of the sea j in penetrating the thousandll of miles of interior Africa, the constraining motive has been the same which led the great Apostle to preach the Gospel not where Ohrist was named, but carried him from Jerusalem to Philippi and Athens, to Rome and to Spain. This exploring work has been done, and few places upon the surface of our globe -from Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral strand or to Africa's sunny fountains-remain unrevealed. We know the actual state of the unevangelized world in all its terrible depravity, suffering, and need.
This vast increase of knowledge is acting and reacting on the Christian Church and Christian nations. The parable of the Good Samaritan is better understood. The question, Who is my neighbor ~ is answered from the seven hundred millions of Asia, and the two hundred millions of Africa, who are our fellow-men, fallen among thieves, wounded by sin, and robbed of their birthright by the vices and superstitions and errors of their false religions. Certainly there is a growing interest and sympathy. The dense mist of passive neglect that hung over the Protestant world has lifted. A great and happy change has taken place since Carey, the shoemaker, in England, began to plead for the heathen a century ago, and was told by the wise old fathers, "Young man, mind your own business. When God wishes to convert the heathen He will do it without your help j" or since the young men by the hay-stack at Williams College began to pray eighty years ago, and only. two or three of them dared to offer themselves to the cause lest the Church would take alarm, and refuse to have any part in so fanatical a movement. Now the volunteer missionary students in this country number nearly 5000 since the Northfield meeting in 1886., and some 200 of these have already sailed for the foreign work.
This increase of knowledge also awakens a deeper sense of responsibility for those with whom we are brought into relation and contact. The world is brought together by commerce and easy and rapid travel. The prophetic words are fulfilled, "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. " Every day the telegraphic wires flash the news from distant lands-so often the echo of the woes and miseries of mankind without the Gospel. To the ear that is open, what sounds of sorrow and cruelty and suffering come from the dark places of the earth! Now it is the .horrors of Siberian prisons; next, famine, with several millions of famished and dying in.en in China; then the cholera, starting up from the hot-bed of Hindu or Mohammedan shrines, and the sacred festival and holy pilgrimage carrying the seeds of death to myriads of victims; or it is the open sore of the world in the awful slave-trade of Africa. Surely the dark places of the earth are filled with the habitations of cruelty even to the bodies and earthly life of our fellow-men, such as we, in the comfort and ease and security of this happy land, little understand. Yet here is the responsibility, not only for the temporal welfare, but for the immortal souls of onr fellowmen. Here is the fact that the world is daily growing smaller, that a young lady in seventy-three days can travel around the globe.- In no time in all the Christian centuries has the providence of God been so plainly p'ointing to momentous events and changes. The present century has cleared the way for rapid movement.
Another fact stares us in the face, that whithersoever we turn the people are fast awakening from the mental and moral apathy of centuries. The Bible and the missionary have set the world to thinkmg. The crisis is confronting us of a world awake and alert for action. The current of intellectual activity is very sluggish in Oriental and tropical lands; but there is not a nation, nor tribe, nor island but has been touched by the awakening from afar; and every year the breeze is fresher and stronger. The calico and sheeting, the sewing-machine, the telegraph or other wonders of science, :ind the missionary tract and testament are everywhere; and men are wondering what will come next. As in the host of Midian, when Gideon and his little band were encamped against them, men are telling their dreams to their fellows, and expecting conflict and change.
Another very significant fact is that in the van of this ceaseless and onward impulse of progress is the English-speaking race. Says a recent writer: " 'We stand at the dawn of a new epoch, which from the point of view of universal history is quite as momentous as that in which the Northern tribes broke in upon and destroyed the fabric of the moribund Empire of Rome. It is a revolution vaster and more rapid than that which founded the modern European world on the wreck and ruin of the Roman Empire. The world is passing into the hands of the English-speaking races. Already the English tongue is becoming the lingua franca of the planet. Already the territories over which the laws are made and justice administered, in the language of Shakespeare and Bacon, exceed in wealth, in extent, in the number of their populations and in the limitless latent possibilities of their development, all other lands ruled by all other nations of the earth. In a hundred years, unless the progress be checked, Englishspe3king people will outnumber all the men of other tongues in the world. English, ideas, English laws, English civilization are becoming as universal as English speech. The future of the world is English."
The young Greek who marched with Alexander across Asia to the waters of the Ganges and back saw a most wonderful expansion of human knowl- edge, and was filled with expanded views of human destiny. The man who could say Romanus sum considered the world his tributary, and his heart dilated at the extent and power of his empire. The young Christian soldier. who marched with Constantine under the luminous symbol of the cross to the overthrow of Paganism saw a brighter vision-Christianity ruling the world in equity and love. The young reformer who was thrilled by the religious fervor of Luther's age was lifted to a higher elevation still. The heroes of the Elizabethan era, with their legend, "Westward ho I" and the new world and new seas to be explored and delivered from the Spaniard, were inspired with a still nobler purpose and wider vision. What shall the young man to-day diseern? Have the romanee and adventure and high purpose of life all faded out? Or is there an inspiring vision} The Christian young man to-day leads the progress of a raee of exhaustless resourees and energies that is re-making the whole world. How great must be the responsibilities of living at sueh a time, at the threshold of such momentous changes I Reverently we may say: .. We are living, we are dwelling, In a grand and awful time, In an' age on ages telling- To be living is sublime."
Add one more fact : it is the rapid and great increase in the resources of the Church in connection .with the openings and changes in the world. In the century past Christian population has more than doubled, and the Protestant population has quadrupled. It is not now a little company of despised Galileans who hear the command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," but it is the mighty Christian Church of the foremost nations of the earth, with means and men and women in exhaustless abundance. It is especially to the generation noW' coming forward to whom God intrusts the great commission to take possession of all nations not for worldly gain or honor, but for Christ's kingdom and glory.
It were pertinent..to ask the question here, How far our so-called Christian nations shall yield to the spirit and law of Christ in their dealing with ignorant and heathen people ~ Vice is more easily planted than virtue. Shall drink and opium and fire-arms and social immorality go to the ends of the earth in every ship? Shall purely selfish and mereenary counsels rule in our intereourse with China ~ What profit if Africa is saved from Arab slave-traders to be ruined by European rumsellers ~ How far the nations of the earth are open to Christian influenee depends largely on the treatment they reeeive from Christians. But this broad subjeet I pass, calling attention simply to the great work yet to be done before Christian nations and rulers shall love their neighbors as themselves, doing justly and loving mercy toward the weaker and inferior races.
We turn now to the outlook in unevangelized lands. To what extent can true Christians work in faith that all other religions and systems shall yield and fall before the religion of Christ F We can see that the influence of steam, electricity, science, education, commerce, and civilization-the mingled good and evil-is permeating all lands. Row far can the true religion conquer?
Let us not overlook the difficulties. The cry, " On to Richmond," in the great Civil War was a sad illusion. There is no mistake worse than to under-estimate the stubborn resistance and mighty power of evil in the world. When we review the forces of Christianity, go about Zion and count her towers and weapons, think of Providence and truth and enlighten- ment and the Divine Spirit and grace, all on the Christian's side, it may seem easy to many missionary volunteers to go out into the heathen world, or to gather in the ignorant souls and teach them and see their conversion.
But in reality the spies who have gone and examined can truly say, "The cities are walled and very gteat, and we saw the children of Anak there. "
Let us notice some of these strongbolds that are walled and thoroughly entrenched in opposition to true Christianity. Geographically we fiud : , 1. Buddhism, and the allied systems connected with it, holds sway over a full third of the human race in Eastern and Southeastern Asia. Thibet, China, Japan, Siam, and Burmah contain nearly 500,000,000 souls.
2. Hinduism, in Southern Asia, in India with nearly 200,000,000 votaries.
3. Mohammedanism, from India westward over Asia and Northern Africa, with nearly 200,000,000 adherents.
4. The corrupt forms of the true religion, Judaism and the Russian and Roman power in so many parts of Christendom, might be mentioned.
These are the Religions of the Books, entrenched by ages of dominion and tradition, and defended by organized systems of worship, education, and priesthood. Then beyond the Religions of the Books are the outlying regions of barbaric heathenism-all Africa to the west and south, the islands of the sea, the primitive tribes of Asia and America, a mighty host of nearly 200,000,000 of lost and dying men. – A fact of great significance is that in all phases of this great conflict there are, with special difficulties, also special features of encouragement.
Let us turn our faces to the two hundred millions of heathen without sacred books. They are the lowest in the scale and the most repulsive, requiring for their redemption that the messengers of Christ follow them in patient sacrifice of comfort and of life to the habitations of cruelty and the abodes of cannibalism in the jungles of Asia, the islands of the sea, the forests of America, and the recesses of the Dark Continent. These, it might be thought, are the most hopeless and the last to be elevated; certainly they are not the races that human wisdom would select for mission work. Let us remember that our ancestors were such barbarous heathen till Christian missionaries planted their schools and stations of beneficence in the forests of Europe and Britain. The colored population of this country is but one hundred or two hundred years removed from savage ancestors. The Indians of our country and of Mexico and South America are not yet fully Christianized.
But we should notice that in the last eighty years wonderful changes have taken place through missions for these lowest heathen. We see the Hawaiian, Fijian, Samoan, and other groups of islands as truly Christian- ized as any of the higher races. Thirty years ago cannibals in Fiji were eating missionaries and their converts j now 100,000 out of a population of 110,000 are found in places of Christian worship. We see Madagascar turning from the bloody work of martyring Christians only thirty years ago, now to ask admi.ssion into the family of Christian nations. Heathen- ism is virtually ended in the islands of the Southern Ocean. The greatest island in the world, New Gui.nea, is waiting for God's law. A greater Bririn is rising in Australia and New Zealand and South Africa, and the Southern cross is fast becoming the brightest constellation in the Southern Hemisphere. .
In Africa we see changes quite as wonderful. April 29th, 1873, Liv- ingstone died. Alone, upon his knees, in the heart of Africa he died. He thought himself a defeated man, a failure! But he had travelled 29,000 miles on foot to explore that continent j and instead of .failure his life thrilled the world and converted Stanley, and his death opened the very heart j)f the Dark Continent. There is that heart of Africa to-day, throb- bing with savage humanity, and waiting for the touch of divine compassion and sympathy. Shall the disciples of Christ go and teach the savages by the slow and sure ministries and the loving words of the Gospel, or shall the cruel trade in rum and fire-arms destroy them q The King of Uganda is a case in point. He is seeking a religion-at least a change j a year or two ago accepting the Arabs and murdering native Christians and such men as Bishop Hannington j this year turning from the Arabs and begging Stanley to come and help him Christianize his whole nation.
Here is certainly in Africa an immense missionary field, among millions of men too degraded and ignorant to have any learned systems to set against the Gospel. Their very ignorance and barbarism is an encourage- . ment not for one Bishop Taylor only and his mission to strive for self- support j but a field so ripe and perishing that it will be strange indeed if the next half century does not witness laborers by the thousand, foreign and native, braving all the difficulties, and gathering in the souls by the million.
In Asia, too, this class of heathen is the most hopeful of all mission fields. The Karens are such. Among them the Baptists have hundreds of churches, and thirty thousand strong are marching on to conquest. The lnlooloos, of whom thousands were baptized in a few j1j.01).tps, ~re of the same class. In fact, according to Sir William Hunter there are fifty millions of indigenous races in the confines of India that in the near future must succumb to one or another of the stronger religions. The query is, Shall it be the holy religion of Christ ~ It is well to distinguish this most inviting and open field in all parts of the world. It is well to know that among our Indians and Africans, and among all this class in Asia aud Australasia, there is no organized obstacle to the pure and loving faith of Christ. The only obstacle is the wicked heart, full of sin and superstition, on the one hand, and the lukewarmness of the disciples of Christ on the other. It is well to know that thus far the greatest successes of missions have been gained among these ignorant and barbarous races.
But do you say that these are only the outworks, and, if captured completely, beyond them are the mightier systems rearing their walls in defiance and scorn at the soldiers of the cross?
What of Buddhism in China and the East? The answer comes back again of special difficulties and special encouragements. The difficulties certainly are great. The conquest of China will be a greater event in the Christian annals than when the religion of the Nazarene ascended the throne of the Cresars ; yet though so far off I can remember when Neander, the historian, wrote words like these: "It will be a great epoch in the history of the Church when the Gospel enters China, and Chinese converts truly accept of Christ." At that time Japan was entirely closed. There is still one isolated land from which Christian teachers are entirely "excluded. This is Thibet, the home of the high-priest of Buddhism.
But look on the other side. The barriers have given way. The Christian religion is well established to-day in China and Japan. The native brethren and the missionaries also consider that the thirty years before us will suffice to plant the Church in Japan, and to cast the mould for all future time of a natIOn of forty millions to be on the east of Asia a Christian power, as the British Isles are such a power on the west of Europe. It is not impossible, for now is the hour of opportunity for Japan. Later will follow Siam, where the prime-minister says, "My country was not opened to the West by cannon nor by fleets, but by the American missionaries."
Then also comes China, where the way is open to Christian missions on a scale never before seen. The China Inland Mission sent out over one hundred men and women in a year. The advance is clear, and America, with Christian influence and intelligence, is in the van. Every town in our land. could as well as not send a missionary to China, and support him or her in that land. It is nothing chimerical nor improper, with the cheap means of travel and the love of Christ constraining us, and the awful condition of China's millions, that we make the same efforts we would to rescue men and women from famine and death or from fire and earthquake ill our own land, Let us tum to Hindustan. The same might be said of Hinduism ih India that I have just said of Buddhism and China; except that Brahmanism is more firmly entrenched, is the very citadel of heathenism; and the key of the citadel is Ca8te. The encouragement to mis~ionary labor in India is constantly increasing. The field is completely open surely, and the' opinion of Sir John Lawrence, the wise statesman and thoughtful observer, may be taken as correct: " It seems to me that year by year and cycle by cycle the influence of these missionaries must increase, and that in God's good will the time may be expected to come when large masses of the people, having lost all faith in their own, and feeling the want of a religion which is pure and true and holy, will be converted and profess the Christian religion, and having professed it, live in accordance with its precepts."
The contest must be more difficult and longer against such a system than among the savage heathen, but the results are just as certain. Already a church of more than 150,000 members is gathered, and this church is doubled every ten years.
But what of the still more difficult system of Islam 1 I can only allude to this field and to our work in Western Asia, the Bible Lands, the lands where our Saviour lived and the Apostles preached. The centre of the enemy's camp is stm there.
There meets the missionary in those lands first a false or corrupt Christianity that blunts the conscience and hardens the heart by its selfrighteousness and formalism. Back of this confronts us the religion of the false Prophet, aspiring to rule the world, and hence the bitter supplanter and enemy of the cross of Christ. How is this stronghold of specious error and half-truth, of blind fanaticism and pride, to be pulled down 1 Where is the weak place that invites assault and promises victory? Let me answer in a word: Fifty years ago Islam would allow no Christian missionaries to labor for Mohammedans, and by its organic law will allow none to-day. Every apostate is an outlaw, and is exposed to the death penalty. But in India under the British Government this penalty cannot be executed. In Persia the government is weak and the system is divided against itself, and the rulers are not disposed to aid the ecclesiastics in religious matters. In Turkey the pressure of Christian powers is also felt, and Christian missions cannot be entirely destroyed. In Egypt the revolutions of the past few years give practical toleration to Christian work. In all North Africa there is as much toleration as existed in the Roman Empire in the days of the Apostles and early Church. This may be said of all Moslem lands, even of the Soudan and Afghanistan. Consider, also, that over against this mighty system of intolerance is another advancing power, the Englishspeaking races, pouring into every Moslem land an increasing volume of capital and commerce and influence. This is true of Egypt and the Upper Nile, Arabia, India and Afghanistan, Turkey and Persia; and we can see that the chances of Islam making head as a rival power are indeed small.
Then we should reckon another factor still more important. The old churches of the East, by their unfaithfulness, were the occasion of the great heresy or apostasy of Islam. Their revival is the pledge of its downfall. There is now an evangelical church of 2500 members in Persia, a similar church in Egypt, a similar church in Syria, and another of over 12,000 active members in other parts of Turke,y. These are bodies of living Christians in the midst of Moslem conquerors; the scattered leaven to leaven the whole lump, inwardly; the materials for the spiritual assault, outwardly. They and the missionaries are at work with the Bible, the press, the power of prayer and of the daily life. The Moslem is now on the defensive, with no hope of converting the Ohristian to this faith, while the Ohristian is on the aggressive, full of faith in the ultimate triumphs of the truth. The converted Moslems all along the line, from the Ganges to the Straits of Gibraltar, are the pledge of many more. Great events may transpire suddenly to change the face of the East, and when such events come we know they wiIl be guided by the pierced Hand that rules the world. Thus the very difficulties of the problem invite to greater achievements. There is no more inspiring work in the world than to labor for the overthrow of Islam. The conflict may. be a long one before the last Moslem yields to Jesus, but the irresistible influences are at work, the motives of the cross are sufficient, and the end is as sure as the promises of God.
I cannot pursue the subject further, and will only add: Happy is that young man of education and "Ohristian experience and consecration who shall enlist for his life work in some one or other of the divisions of the great conquest of the world for Christ!
"ON Sabbath, January lIth, 100 ministers in Edinburgh and Leith preached, by common consent, on the divine authority and permanent obligation of the Sabbath Day. The preachers included ministers of all evangelical denominations, mauy of them prominent men in the three great Presbyterian churches, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Baptists, and Wesleyans. The evidence of unanimity in conviction and feeling in defence of a divin(> institution which is at prtlsent the object of continual assault, it cannot be doubted made a good impression on all the churches, as well as on the general community.') So writes that prince among men, Dr. Andrew Thomson. May we not suggest that if, on the same Sabbath, at a future day, all pastors conld similarly agree to present the great facts of modern missions with especial reference to the increased obligations resting upon God's people both to occupy the whole world field and to multiply very largely their gifts, the effect would be like a thunderstorm all around the sky.
FAITH HALL, LERADO, MEXICAN BORDER MISSION
FAITH HALL, LERADO, MEXICAN BORDER MISSION.
BY MISS JENNIE BROWN, TUSCALOOSA, ALA.
Faith Hall, of Lerado, stands as a proof of Miss Holding's descent from Israel, "who as a prince had power with God, and prevailed"-a witness to the world of God's power and willingness, in answer to believing prayer, not only to open the windows of heaven in spiritual blessings, but when the material interests of His kingdom must have pecuniary aid; in proof that the gold and the silver are His, and that His stewards, solillited only by the influence of the Holy Spirit, will respond to the prayer of faith, and send their gold from afar to build the" waste places of Zion.", When the recipients of God's bounties will not give even the crumbs that fall from their children's tables for the Master's use, the disbursers of the impoverished treasuries of the house of the Lord are obliged to protest many drafts written in love, and signed by the blood of perishing souls. When this Christian heroine's petition was refused on earth, with inspiration high as heaven she turned from the limited treasuries of earth to the limitless pledges of heaven, and made request, "The heathen, thino inheritance," are in want, and "man shutteth his bowels of compassion against them. " The fixed and eternal laws of the kingdom were fulfilledknock, ask, receive.
In the year 1887 Miss Holding attended the Woman's Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which met at Catlettsburg, Ky., to requestthe society to grant her $7000 with which to build a house containing a hall that could be used as a school-room and chur~h. None who heard her will ever forget her earnest pleadings. Such words could only come from a heart where human love had touched the Divine, and gone forth reflecting the Christ-like compassion for the multitudes" in • error's chains." She drew a strong contrast between Mexican darkness, defilement, alld falsehood, and Christian light, purity, and truth. The mission buildings were so small they could not receive those who were longing to learn to read the message of life. They had no room to accommodate those who would see Jesus.
"For months they had not been able to take those who crowd their doors. None but a missionary who stands in the midst of a down-trodden and poverty-stricken people can comprehend the anguish of spirit when compelled to turn away from their pleading 100K;S and words, and leave them in their helpless misery."
"Can't you, won't you, my dear sisters, give us $7000 for this building? God's work demands it; we must have it this year. " As that saintly woman resumed her seat, she must have felt, Surely my petition will be given me.
When the Executive Committee had made the appropriations for the obligations of the society, it was found impossible to give a grant of $7000 to the Lerado Mission. None but those who have assisted in distributing missionary funds know how the heart aches as they look at the discrepancy between the demand and the supply j how the soul cries out, " 0 Lord! how long shall those who are clothed at the expense of Thy love, and called by Thy name, shut their ears to the cry of a perishing world ~"
The president sorrowfully told Miss Holding of the inability of the society to grant her request, assured her of their continued sympathy and prayers, commending her to the care of the God of Jacob; who would de- fend and" send her help out of Zion."
What seemed disappointmeut proved to be love most true. Christ would lead His chosen one into a richer experience, a broader faith j into extremity, that she might prove the exceeding greatness of His promises.
Miss Holding rose to bid the society farewell, preparatory to leaving for her mission at Lerado. With a voice full of tears, she said, "My dear sisters, we must have that building this year." With inspiration she said, " I have asked for that building j God's work demands it j we shall have it." Every heart present, touched by sympathetic faith, repeated the as- surance-" shall have it." Heaven echoed back to earth-" shall have it." A triune Deity ratified the promise of incarnate God, " according to thy faith be it unto thee."
On Miss Holding's return to Lerado she was greeted by many anxious and expectant faces j because of the tumult of hope and fear, all hesitated to ask the question so near to their hearts.
As soon as possible, Miss Holding assembled the whole household. She did not wish to give them disappointment without sharing with them her hope and expectation that" deliverance should arise from another place."
After explaining to them that it was impossible for the Woman's Mis- sionary Society to give them the building that year, she asked them if they would all join her in a day of fasting and prayer, asking the Lord to supply the means for building. All heartily joined their beloved teacher in. calling upon the Lord, who had promised to deliver in the day of trouble.
Three public prayer-meetings were appointed for the fast day. As Miss Rolding was stepping out of the door at the close of the evening prayermeeting, a little girl-the youngest pupil in the school-took her by the hand and said: " Will we commence to build to-morrow 1" Miss Holding said, " The child's faith had gone beyond mine. " I hesitated just a moment, and replied, ., No, dear, we will not commence to build to-morrow, but we will get the lot ready.' " Miss Holding requested that the pupils, and all that could help. be in the orchard at six o'clock in the morning to transplant the trees and prepare the lot for the building of the house. . Promptly at six o'clock they were on the ground to show their faith .by their works. Accounting Him faithful who had promised, they made ready the ground. As soon as the orchard was cleared the first pledge of a covenantrkeeping God arrived-a letter containing money for the buildings.
Miss Holding, surely gathering that God intended that she should com- mence to build, without gainsaying began the work, knowing that He who had begun the work would also finish it.
Miss Holding said, " I knew God had heard our prayers, and would give us the building; but I thought in my heart, surely our Heavenly Father will move on the heart of some rich man or woman to send us the $7000 ; but it came in small sums, just as it was needed. I had to pray and believe all year." .
The bountiful Giver of all kept the dire~tor of His building, the con- servator of His funds, asking at the door of mercy, tarrying at heaven'i!
gates with thanksgiving; not that he would weary His beloved, but that in the audience chamber of heaven, beholding His glory, she might" be changed into the same image from glory to glory," and become to this people a living expression of the graces of thc Holy Spirit.
This sanctuary, which is of the Lord's own right hand planting, is an inspiration to the faith of the donors from almost every State in the Union, and those which hear of it will rejoice to know that justification by faith alone will be preached to a people" where superstition usurps the place of the Gospel, and priestly absolution supplants a divine forgiveness; where baptism is synonymous wit~ regeneration, lying wonders of relics are put in the place of the work of the Holy Spirit."
At the next meeting of the Woman's Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1888, at Nashville, Tenn., Miss Holding presented the fOllowing report : " , This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.' As I come to my fourth annual report, I find in my heart only a feeling of praise and thanksgiving. So manifestly hath the Lord been with us our cup runneth over; prosperity in every part of the work, health and happiness maketh the soul glad. We would not rejoice so much in these outward things if we did not look upon them as the manifestation of , the good hand of our God upon us.'
"Last year we realized the necessity of enlarging our buildings. We asked for an appropriation for that p,urpose. / You did not have it in your power to grant our request j we remember how sorrowfully you refused us j we turned to Him 'who holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands,' and whose spirit' moveth upon the hearts of men,' and He gave us the thing which we asked.
" The new building or, as we call it, the house we prayed for, and which you have christened' Hall of Faith,' is completed and occupied, and free of debt. It is a large two-story building, containing nine rooms. How eagerly we have watched it grow into its present fair proportions, becom- ing, indeed, ' a thing of beauty!! There it stands, a blessed reality- a tangible evidence of direct answer to the prayer of faith. "
" So great has been the increase in numbers that we have found it necessary to become an organized church. To meet the exigencies of the case, by my request Brother Sutherland preaches twice a month at the seminary, both in English and Spanish. We have a membership of twenty-four. The Sunday-school numbers seventy-nine.
" Our missionary society-Lerado Band-has a membership of seventytwo. The year's contributions, $59.60. The baby of the school-Maria Villareal, six years of age-is supported by the Band. All things stand out as beautiful tints. upon the dark background. When we take into consideration the sloth and utter carelessness of the Mexican character, we can more perfectly approximate the advancement of our pupils. Our souls are encouraged by drawing comparative lines, present and past. From one flashes rays of light which give promise of the full life ; the other, only a dark line of simple existence, into which no glimmer of light had ever entered. The three natures of the household have in a measure kept pacephysical, intellectual, and spiritual. This one school upon the border can no more meet the demand of this people tban one drop of water can quench the thirst of famishing millions. We have pleaded, 'and we plead again, and will continue to plead as long as strength and life remain, for the establishment of Christian schools in every city of Mexico. The rapid growth and unrivalled prosperity of this border mission lead us to hope that th-e Board, and through the Board the women of the Southern Methodist Church, will be encouraged to enter the numerous doors now standing invitingly open."
Weare told of an Irishman who, when his opinion was asked as to the comparative merits of the sun and the moon, replied that he preferred the moon, because the moon shone by night and the suu shone by day when there was no need of shining. He reminds us of some Christians, who, in their comparative estimates of Christianity and morality, give morality the preference, on the ground of the Irishman, that Christianity is an unnecessary luminary in the presence of nineteenth-century ascetics, forgetting that nineteenth-century ascetics are the reflection and product of Christianity.
The Presbyterian churches of Great Britain and Ireland held their annual season of prayer for foreign missions during the week beginning November 30th. The Presbyterian churches in the United States, in accordance with the direction of the General Assembly, held" simultaneous meetings" for the same purpose during the week following December 6th to 13th.
A native Japanese, in Bethany Church, Philadelphia, gave a fine definition of prayer and its answer. He said: "They remind me of two buckets in an old-fashioned well, while one was going up the other was coming down."
'tHE WALDEN'SIAN' CHURCH
THE WALDENSIAN CHURCH AND ITS EVANGELICAL MIS- SION IN ITALY.
BY PASTOR J. P. PONS, TORRE PELLICE, ITALY.
[Last April I had the pleasure and honor of a visit to the Vaudois Valleys, as the guest of that rare man of God, Rev. J. P. Pons, President of the Synod. and author of the paper which follows. I spent the whole day- Saturday-in" walking over the hills and valleys of Angrognia, and visiting the beautiful and historic scenes connected with the Waldensian history. I went to the Rock Simon, where one saint, bound about with cords, was" hurled one hundred and fifty feet on to the rock below. I went to the Church of the Cavern, where for centuries the little body of believers escaped persecution, hiding from their implacable foes in the merciful shelter of a cave. I had to get down on hands and knees, crawl through a narrow opening, and then I found myself in an apartment cut out of solid rock by some convulsion of nature, and where hundreds of people could be comfortably accommodated; and I went also to the neat little chapel of Pra de Tour, and saw the very pool that the persecutors threatened to make flow red with the blood of the martyrs. On Sunday I preached four times at successive services in the valley, from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M., to attentive and decorous audiences, Rev. M. Peyrot, Bonnet, Meille, and Pons being my courteous hosts and attendants. The impression left on my mind by these experiences was that God has a great work to do for these descendants of His precious witnesses who counted not their lives dear for His sake. The young men studying in the college at Torre Pellice on a few francs a week, that they may get into the sacred calling; the self-sacrificing pastors, accomplished men as they are, who are living on a pittance that they may serve these poor saints; the whole aspect of affairs in these valleys, where a baptism of blood made every spot a Golgotha, impressed me with a peculiar solemnity, and seemed to say that before this martyr people a great future lies, in the evangelization of Free Italy. Think of a people, poor and few, who since Apostolic days have steadily and steadfastly kept the flag of the cross at masthead even in the stormiest seas, and when the little ship of their ecclesiastical organization seemed to be sinking, and would have sunk had not Christ been in it-think of all the marvels and miracles of deliverance God wrought for them, of which the siege of La Basille is only the most prominent and historic-and then say, whether a people so preserved and so persevering for Christ must not, like the Saviour, have been made perfect through suffering, in order to become Captains of Salvation to the poor, down-trodden, priest-ridden people of Italy. Let us help the Waldenses by prayers and by money, and make up for their poverty by our liberality.
The Waldenses in Piedmont, Italy, have recently held festivals in various places, celebrating "the remembrance of the return of their forefathers to the paternal firesides, where they learned to pray to God, where their fathers fell asleep in peace, where they struggled and suffered for liberty." Although the persecution of the Waldenses did not wholly cease until about the middle of the eighteenth century, an event of much importance in their history occurred in 1689-the permission then granted them to return to their mountain homes from the various parts of Europe to which they had been driven. Here they have since remained. In 1848 the Sardinian Government granted them full religious and c~vil liberty. They are now also permitted to establish congregations elsewhere in Sardinia besides the three retired valleys of the Cottian Alps to which they had before been obliged to confine themselves.-EDlToR.] The Waldenses both are and always have been" a peculiar people," not only of Italy, but of Europe j and the place where they live and have lived for more than seven centuries is also totally different from the country which surrounds them j and the valleys of the Cottian Alps, near Pinerolo, seem to have been especially provided by God for their preservation. If they had not been hidden from their enemies behind a rampart of mountains, they would have perished as a nation long ago.
I.
As to the origin of the Waldensians, my confined limits do not allow me to speak about such a controverted question. There certainly is a great interest in knowing whether they werQ a pure, primitive church, which never went wrong nor needed reformation, or whether their religious principles were due to Peter Valdo, the merchant of Lyons. After all, we would better leave this question to the historians as a matter of no consequence in the present state and to the present duties of our people.
For ages every man's hand has been against them, though their own has been against nobody except in self-defence. Nor can we wonder at this, because they have ever been, since the twelfth century, a thorn in the side of the Church of Rome, a perpetual witness against the errors of the papacy, a light, greater or smaller, shining in darkness, as the Waldenses' motto says, " Lux lucet in tenebris. •, But though thus preserved from destruction, the Church of the Valleys was not shielded from great and numerous persecutions, nor guarded from cruelties such as have been seldom equalled, and never surpassed j and all that during not less than five centuries. That such things should have been allowed may seem mysterious, but we know that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church, and that seed is even now bearing fruit, and will, we trust, do so henceforth.
When God prepares a suitable instrument for His will and purpose, before everything He breaks it! The last of this series of persecutions has been the most atrocious and dangerous for the existence itself of the little flock. It took place in the year 1686, the year in which all the people were imprisoned-viz., 14,000. The following year about 3000 emaciated
1S91.J TlrE WALl>ENSlAN Cnu1WJt
beings crossed the Alps and took refuge in Switzerland; but alas! about 10,000 had perished in loathsome dungeons! The remnant of the exiled were hospitably received, housed, and fed by the generous inhabitants of Geneva and other cities of that generous country, or in Germany.
But after living some time in foreign countries, the poor Vaudois were seized with an unconquerable home-sickness, and resolved to return to their native land, to kindle again their lamp. After much prayer and consultation a party of 800 men, led by the heroic Henri Arnaud, succeeded in entering their valleys, on Sunday, August 27th, 1689.
That glorious return was solemnly celebrated by the Waldenses in the year 1889, and we had the honor of seeing our king partake of our joy, who was there represented by Count Lovera, Prefect of Turin.
The worst days were over, but still the Waldenses had troubles from the Church of Rome, till the beginning of this century living in constant dread of bad edicts. They received moral and temporal aid from their brethren from England and Holland, which enabled them to keep up their schools and their worship.
In the early part of this century three noble men of England-Dr. W. S. Gilly, General Beckwith, and the Rev. Dr. Stewart-were providentially sent into the valleys to help us in the foundation of the College of La Tour and in the improvement of the instruction of youth, as in the foundation of a theological seminary. We said, providentially, because the 17th of February, 1848, the King of Piedmont, Charles Albert, emancipated the Waldensian Church from the oppressive disabilities and restraints under which she had so long suffered and labored, and that event found us ready to occupy the field open to the truth of the Gospel.
The barriers were removed, and the Waldenses, under the impulse of their newly acquired freedom and revived spiritual life, were prompt to undertake the great work for which God had certainly preserved and prepared them. If their " Barbes" had not feared, in the past centuries, to go through all Italy preaching the Gospel, despite the danger their life ran, their descendants were quite decided to continue the interrupted mission-" Woe is unto Me, if I preaoh not the Gospel !"
II.
The first mission to the Italians was' begun by the W aldEmsian Church in Turin, and after some years it had congregations in that city, in Genoa, Alexandria, and many other places in Piedmont.
When, in 1859 and 1860, all the Dukes of Tuscany, Parma, Modena, and the King of Naples were driven from their thrones, and their States annexed to the kingdom of Sardinia, the largest part of Italy was so opened to the Gospel, that the ancient Church of the Valleys sent its evangelists, teachers, and colporteurs everywhere, including the distant island of Sicily.
To prepare fit men for that great work of evangelization, the Theolog- . ieal Seminary of La Tour was removed from there to Florenae, as hetter adapted, that city being the Athens of Italy. In the same year,. 1860, the Synod appointed a special Committee of Evangelization, as the Table could not provide for the wants of the native churches in the valleys, and the new congregations spread throughout Italy, which were increasing every day.
Some years later the provinces of Lombardo-Venitia were liberated from Austrian power, and immediately the principal cities, as Venice, Mantua, Verona, were visited by one or more of our evangelists. At last Rome was opened, and our Church, availing itself of this liberty, sent the first pastor who has preached the Gospel to the Romans in modern times, after the fall of its walls. He was the actual president of our committee, the Rev. Dr. Matteo Prochet.
The mission has been gradually extended, and its progress will appear, looking at the following statement: Forty years ago the Waldenses had 15 native churches in the valleys and 18 ministers (15 pastors and 3 professors). Now the ministers are 81, and the settled churches more than 60.
I give here the statistics of the Waldensian missionary field : Settled congregations.. • • •. . . . . . . . . • . . • • •. . .• 44 Missionary stations…••.••….•..••……… 53 Ordained ministers……………………. . I41 ) . . Lay evangelists …•…•••……•…, …….. . 9 Teacher evangelists……………………. . 588 ( II Teachers or schoolmasters……………… . 8I I all 132 workers Colporteurs ……….•••••. , ………….. . Bible-readers and Bible-women………….. . 8J The regular attendants at the church amount to …..•. " …… . 6,536 The occasional hearers of the Gospel to ………………….. . 49,929 The number of communicants (members) ……. _…………. . 4,428 Members admitted last year ……•……… , .•…••…. , .••.. 586 Catechumens last year…..•••••••..•…….•………••• " •.• 618 The day-schools last year…………………………….. .. 67 The attendance of pupils last year………………• " ..•….. 2,560 The Sabbath schools last year. . . .. . . .. . . .. . … …… .. …. .. 57 Attendance of pupils last year………………………….. . 2,866 There are also 17 evening schools, with 582 young people or adults. The present expense of the mission is about $60,000 per annum, of which about $16,000 are contributed by the Waldensian churches, the offspring of the mission. For the remnant we seek the help of other churches. As our missionary congregations in Italy "four times exceed in number the native congregations in the valleys, our agents in the field of evangelization are 132, and they are doing a great work j some of them having many places to visit in a week, we need aid. We say to all our brethren in faith, in the words of Carey to Pierce and Fuller, " We will go down into the pit, if you will hold the rope !" The progress made by the evangelical movement is not completely indicated if we look only at the figures. As they stand they represent, no doubt, a gain; but it is quite impossible to show by them the general impression produced by the preaching on the many thousands of occasional hearers.
We have ascertained that a general improvement of the public opinion has been the happy result of our labors.
It was evident last year, when the prefects, senators, and many members of Italian Parliament assured their sympathy to our church, coming to La Tour to assist at the Second Centenary of the Glorious Return of our forefathers. They spoke cordially to the descendants of the martyrs, and we felt how imp?rtant is the change of the opinion and attitude of our countrymen toward us. The daily press also gave to us many precious tokens of this great and real improvement.
All this awakens rejoicing, but it is not yet the conversion of the multitudes, which we long for so much. Our evangelists have done their best to attract and retain the hearers, bq.t we know that all the country is under the spirit of indifference, unbelief, and the deepest superstitions. The more we approach Rome the greater the darkness and errors are. Your Catholicism in America is a great deal less intolerant and superstitious, because the influence of Protestantism forces the Papacy to adapt its practices to the milieu in which it lives and works.
When I read, in this REVIEW, an account of the Roman Catholic Lay Congress of 1889, held in Baltimore, I felt more than ever the necessity of evangelizing Italy. Here is the head of that universal army, here is the " man of sin who exalteth himself against all that is called God, . . . setting himself forth as God." England and the United States mnst keep their ground, but all evangelical Christians share the duty to unite their efforts to hasten that day when we shall hear the mighty voice saying, " Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great."
Now, in that hope, " we beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with us in your prayers to God for us."
A Methodist Episcopal bishop of this country boasts that in the last ten years the gifts of the churches for missions had increased steadily by the sum of $50,000 a year. For the coming year the missionary committee has appropriated the following sums: Foreign Missions, $566,352 ; Home Missions, $459, t348. This seems a small sum for so large a body. The United Societies of Methodism, under J ohn Wesley, now !ncludes about six and a third millions of ministers and members, and a domestic and personal affiliation of about thirty millions of adherents. The Methodist Episcopal branch alone has 2,252,621 ministers and members, 26,200 Sunday-schools, and 2,554,000 teachers and pupils.
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-M. Saillens, in a pleasant little tract entitled L'.Age d' 01' (" The Age of Gold"), occasioned by a discourse of the noted female anarchist, Louise Michel, whom a good nun has well described as une sainte egaree, " a saint that has lost her way," remarks, after speaking of the many points which anarchists and Christians have in common, that nevertheless they are exactly opposed as to two points. the cause and the cure of present ills. "The revolutionists say, Change societYI and men will be good. Christians say, Change man, and society will be good." "Anarchism," he remarks further, "is merely Jesuitism reversed. The same fanaticism, the same blindness, the same implicit obedience to secret chiefs, the same contempt of morality, of justice, of the rights of others."
-The report rendered to the Synod of the W aldensian Church, September 1st, 1890, by the Table, or Executive Commission, which is chosen annually to govern the Church ad interim, is interesting. in view of the recent celebration, so interesting to .the whole Protestant world, of the Glorious Return, when, two centuries ago, the expatriated Waldenses forced their way back to their native valleys, in which they have since maintained themselves. It was hoped that this great celebration might issue in a great spiritual reawakening. But patriotic celebrations, with all their benefits, do not always give much room to the" still, small voice" of the Divine Spirit. It is the general testimony of the parishes that no fruits of revival have been seen. In some the crust of religious indifference seems to be growing thicker and thicker. The catechumens, once confirmed, partake of the Holy Supper once or twice, and then remain absolutely indifferent to it. But in most of the parishes attendance is good, great interest is manifested in the services, even to tears, but there is a noted unwillingness to do. The pastor, elders, and deacons seem to be regarded as charged with the sole responsibility of all the administration of the means of salvation. To overcome this paralyzing misconception of a private Christian's duty seems to be the point toward which all the endeavors of the leading brethren are bent. And it is plain, notwithstanding the dead weight of old habit, aggravated by that of modern unbelief, good progress is making in the right direction. In many pariAhes a large number of the brethren are becoming active in prayer, in Bible study, visitation of the sick, and other offices of piety and charity. The old confusion between "the Vaudois people and the Vaudois Church" is giving way to a more spiritual discrimination. There, as. elsewhere in Europe, the national or quasinational crust may break away altogether; for" all are not Israel which are of Israel." But the living nucleus, the true inheritrix of the traditions and the· promises, will be set free for unencumbered energy in the works of conversion.
-In a very interesting essay by the Rev. Arthur H. Smith, of the North China Mission of the American Board, on "The Natural History of the Chinese Boy and of the Chinese Girl," the author quotes a description which, he says, sums up the whole system of Chinese education- "gnawing a wooden pear. " A very small proportion of boys and next to no girls enjoy this dismal privilege. "The great majority of pupils, when they leave school, cast aside all their little store of learning as a wornout pair of shoes." There seems to be the same difference between the Chinese and us as that which some French journal declares to exist between Catholic and Protestant countries. In the former countries, parents are as fond of their children as in the latter, but have but a glimmering conception that childhood has a world of its own, which must be divined, entered into, and provided for. In Protestant countries alone, says this journal, is there (fairy stories apart) a children's literature. The full significance of the Saviour's blessing on the little ones seems to have been reserved for the lands of the Reformation.
In China, Mr. Smith remarks, a youth learns two excellent lessons which do much to make amends for the dreariness of his biting on the " wooden pear"-if he has done so. He learns obedience and he learns industry. " But of intellectual independence he has not the faintest conception or eVlln a capacity of comprehension." An uneducated Chinese youth " knows that he knows nothing, that he never did, never shall, never can know anything, and also that it makes very little difference what he knows. He has a blind respect for learning, but no idea of gathering any crumbs thereof for himself. The long, broad, black, and hopeless shadow of Confucianism is over him. It means a high degree of intellectual cultivation for the few, who are necessarily narrow and often bigoted, and for the many it means a lifetime of intellectual stagnation. Measured by what it has totally failed to do, when it might and should have done it. we charge Confucianism with being intellectually one of the most elaborate, compendious, and far-reaching failures which has ever wrought out its ultimate results upon this distracted earth !"
As to daughters, the Chinese say, "A daughter with the virtues of the eighteen Lo-hans"-whatever they may be-" is not equal to a splayfooted son." Why ~ Because a daughter cannot offer the ancestral sacrifices, without which a family is given over to ignominy and, as is supposed, to every conceivable evil. The reason also why girls are as good as never educated is, that after marriage they are (not socially, -but legally) no longer the children of their parents. To educate them " is like putting a gold chain around the neck of some one else's puppy." If the puppy is whistled away, what becomes of the chain ~ Neither man nor woman being recognized by Confucianism as having any eternal and therefore individual value, the selfishness of mere Socialism has full sway.
" One of the weakest parts of the Chinese social fabric is the insecurity of the life and happiness of woman. But no structure is stronger than its weakest part, and Chinese society is no exception to this law. Every year thousands upon thousands of Chinese wives commit suicide, tens of thousands of other persons are thereby involved in serious trouble, hundreds of thousands of yet others are dragged in as co-partners in the difficulty, and millions of dollars are expended in extravagant funerals and ruinous lawsuits. And all this is the outcome of the Confucian theory that a wife has no rights which a husband is bound to respect."
-The Rev. George Ensor, in the Church Missionary Intelligencer for November, 1890, makes an important remark respecting heathen systemsnamely, that usually in them the moral and the religious elements are in inverse proportion to each other. Thus the highest morality· is perhaps found in Confucianism. Yet Confucianism is very nearly atheistic. On the other hand, an extraordinary depth of religious feeling appears in Hinduism; yet morally it is worse than worthless, it is foul and cruel. This may well remind us of what Dr. Dorner so justly says of our Lord, that in Him we cannot separate ethics from religion. There is no saying of His of which we can declare that it respects man without equally respecting God, or God without equally respecting man. . But, says Mr. Ensor, the much-lauded Islam, in its Paradise of lust, • displays a moral corruption of which the foulest Tantras of Hinduism, the most immoral votaries of Krishna, are simply incapable. They cannot even comprehend it. Our own Mormonism alone approaches it.
-The Rev. Henry Rice, writing in the Harvest Field for November, 1890, on " British Influence in India," remarks: "We may point with just satisfaction to the improved state of the country, to communication by land and water, to railways, electric telegraphs, etc. This is unde- niable. But all the while religion has been largely shuffled off or almost entirely left to missionaries. Little or nothing has been done as a com- munity to let our light shine before the heathen. We have feared that we might acknowledge Christ too openly, and that the natives of the country would imagine that we wished to enrol them forcibly among the number of His disciples. We have, perhaps, feared their numbers. and practised a cautious timidity, until it has come to pass that goodness has been left to itself, and greatness made the foundation and support of our authority. There has been an endeavor to rule by power, and make a display of what may be called great works, tacitly trusting that the Hindus would be awed by wonder, and render the obedience due to superior knowledge and energy. The most subtle and the most formidable forces of heat and electricity have appeared alike obedient to our will and subservient to our convenience. The effect has been very great upon a people who believe in sorcery, whose jugglers and snake-charmers perform feats which at first sight can hardly be accounted .for by anything short of Satanic agency. But we may. say without hesitation that the higher means of spreading the true religion in this country have been largely wanting. Living example in ordinary men has been the exception, not the rule. All has been too much confined to externals. The influence held by the British is an in- fluence derived from wonder at the visible greatness of their power and energy. It excites awe, perhaps, but it does not create the feeling of reverence which internal goodness of principle alone can call into being. Where there is no reverence there can be no love."
The Harvest Field remarks, speaking especially of female agency, and of India as " weirdly fascinating" to cultivated women, " In the divine enterprises to which India invites the V{est, America· is aiready doing an almost equal share with Britain. Could anything be more admirabJe? Divided there, and disposed sometimes to emphasize division, the two nations join here."
The same article speaks at length of the broad and fruitful efforts mak- ing by our countrywoman, Mrs. Brainerd·Ryder, M.D., to advance general and also technical education among the women of Bombay.. These efforts are not specifically religious, but they allow full discussion of religion, and are of course underlaid by Christian motives. The Society for Technical Education of Women has, as its president, the Hon. Justice K. T. Telang, C.LE. The Vice-Presidents are Khan Bahadur, M.C., Murzbun, a Parsi, and Pundita Ramabai j on the Advisory Board are the Bishop of Bom- bay, Bishop Thoburn, of our M. E. Church, and the Vicar-General of the Jesuits.
-The Rev. W. J. Chamberlain, of Mandanapelle, says: "We baptized here a young Brahmin of twenty-five years. He came to us a year ago, entered into full and earnest converse with us, and left with a promise to return in eight days. He did not appear, nor, after the most diligent inquiries, could we find him, He came to town a month ago, and walked directly to the mission compound, as he said, 'driven by God.' He was baptized on the following day, and soon after accompanied me on a tour into the region of his home. "
-The Rev. F. Hahn, of Gossner's Mission among the Kols, quoted in the Harvest Field, says: " How is it that Roman Catholic/! are permitted to break the marriage law with impunity, .•• while Protestant minillters are liable to punishment for doing so?" Protestant Christians should com· bine, not to persecute the Roman Catholics, but to insist that there shall be one manner of law for all Christians in India. Otherwise, without any intention of the Government, of which Mr. Hahn acquits it, it may be throwing the mighty weight of " Cresar in India" (as the empress is officially called) into the scale of the sacerdotal Cresar of the Tiber.
-A non-Christian graduate of a Christian college in India remarks, in a Christian magazine, quoted in the Missions-Blad for October, 1890, that one hostile European of high place can counteract the work of ten. missionaries. He refers to one who used to tell the people that if any applicant for an appointment was recommended by missionaries, he would reject him without any further inquiry. The writer, however, remarks that so desperate a hostility to missions as this on the part of Europeans is very rare. But," before the missionaries rises a strong and gigantic fortification, whose garrison are by no means despicable soldiers in intellectual wars. Behind they are assailed by a Bradlaugh and an Ingersoll. And to render the situation yet more perplexing, there sometimes come flank attacks from hostile local officials of their own nationality."
"The missionaries are not likely in the near future," continues this non-Christian adviser, "to advance the banners of victory very widely in any direction. But they may and ought to accustom the Hindus to look upon them as assailants worthy of their steel. And this is what educational missions are in a fair way to accomplish." '" A patriotic feeling,' many say, 'is awakening among the people of India, and their resistance is about to become more energetic.' This is the exact truth ; and let me say to the educational missionary, You have no occasion to be ashamed when you are declared to be largely responsible for this state of things. Hitherto the lion has been couching in serene disdain of you. Now he feels that, after all, you are not so much to ·be despised, and he is rousing himself for defence and for a counter attack."
" There was a time, " says this Christian]y educated but not Christian theist, "when the inner world was almost the exclusive object of human study, while men looked down upon the physical world with contempt. We are now veering to the opposite extreme. Weare so completely taken up with the visible and palpable, that we act as if everything invisible was chimerical." Tillthe tide changes, he thinks that conversions in India will be few.
" True it is," he remarks, "that often, when by a Christian education one devil has been driven out of the young Hindus, seven devils worse than he come in his stead. But he who believes that Christ is mighty to drive out every devil must believe that sooner or later his power and lordship will be acknowledged by all."
He says in conclusion, in reference to the contemptuous criticisms of the missionary work, " As the Chinese say, a tower is measured by its shadow, and greatness by its slanderers."
Mr. Herman Jensen, who comments on this article, remarks that we lllust. not exaggerate the present position of the Brahmins in India. A poor Brahmin will feel honored to stand side by side with a wealthy and educated Sudra.
He remarks also that missionaries formerly were too much in the way of recommending their converts, simply as such, to the Government, which has given a handle to those who wished to discredit their recommendations altogether.
"This writer also," says Mr. Jensen, " has learned that missionaries are too willing to exaggerate. Till the severity of absolute truth is exacted of all missionary reports, every missionary society will end its days with sorrow, if not with shame."
There are as yet many more "free-livers" than" free-thinkers" in India. The latter tendency is as yet a mere rootless result of the former. -It is known that the English Universities' Mission in Central Mrica ill very distinctly of the Anglo-Catholic type. But happily it is absolutely free from that arrogant and encroaching temper which sometimes renders the missionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel hardly less uncomfortable neighbors than the most encroaching Roman Catholi~ orders. In particular, remarks the Church of Scotland Home and Foreign Record, the relations between the Universities' Mission and the Scottish Mission in Nyassaland have always been of the friendliest. Archdeacon Maples, of the former mission, writes of the latter: "The hospitality and friendliness of the Blantyre Mission to ourselves are so well known that I will not dilate on them here, but will content myself with remarking that if there is a place on the face of the globe where the Church in occupation of the field extends the entente cordiale to missionary visitors from another, that place is Blantyre. The mission buildings, with the beautifully laid out' square,' with its home-like looking lawn, its deodoras, and the noble church seen at the end through a vista of greenery, form a coup d'a!il which surpasses anything I have ever seen at any missionary station in Africa. " The Record quotes the following from Vaughan's standard work, "The Trident, the Crescent, and the Cross:" "Thousands with slender faith and scanty knowledge have embraced the name of Christ. Among these were many hundreds of Mohammedans. One of the Mohammedan converts, with a simple and ingenuous candor, said' he hoped God would be more favorable to him when he worshipped Jesus Christ than when ho worshipped Mohammed, for then they had nothing but trouble, but with the Christians they found pity, as also money and rice [largely bestowed also on those outside] which they did not obtain from the Zemindars' [Mohammedan landlords]_ He might have been the spokesman of the majority [of these , famine' or 'rico ' Christians] thus gathered within the Christian fold.
, We find pity and help' was really the voice of converted thousands. It was a voice which fell far short of the agonizing cry, , Men and brethren, what shall we do ~' (Acts ii. 37.) And yet it was a natural voice, and it was true. They began, no doubt, at a very low level; yet, commingled with the selfish aim was a certain vague impression that Chdstianity rested upon a basis of truth and justice. Many a pleasing story might be told of those who, star~ing on such a defective principle, have rapidly advanced in light and knowledge and faith, until at length they have become burning and shining lights. . . . But there is another picture, and one which charms the eye with its glowing and beauteous tints. Numbered among the Christians of India are multitudes of persons, the narrative of whose conversion would grace the fairest page in the history of the Church of Christ. • • , If deep repentance, earnest faith, and burning love, if complete self-sacrifice, if a fearless confession of Christ at any cost, be marks of genuine conversion, then has the Church of India multitudes within her pale distinguished by these marks. . . . Try them by whatever test we may, we find them approved as the regenerated children of the Most High. It has been our privilege to mix with many such, and we have uo hesita_ tion in saying that among them are Christians so advanced in the life of grace that we have, as it were, sat at their feet and learned the deep things of God."
Much is made by many of the fact that by far the most of the converts in India are from the lower classes. As to this, the Indian Witness, Calcutta (as quoted in the Record), says: "It is very true that four fifths of the converts are from the lower castes-many of them, indeed, from the lowest; but those who reject the idea of such people becoming the successors to the Brahmins have not probably given much attention to the rapidity with which many of them rise in the social scale. A youth of eighteen, perhaps the son of a sweeper, becomes a Christian, and begins to study. Three years later he is a student in a high school, and at twentyfive he is the most intelligent and cultured man in the village where he lives. His wife is so superior to all the other women in the village, and is able to help them all in so many ways, that the young couple are everywhere received with honor. Already their sweeper origin is nearly forgotten." How much more in two or three generations !
-The Rev. George Cockburn, M.A., writing in the Record from Ichang, China, says that the Mandarins, who are apt to have a smattering of Western culture, show a disheartening readiness to truckle to the JUost puerile superstitions of the people, and that since the young Kwang-su has come to the throne, the hands of the clock have gone backward. It is rumored, we may remark, that the young emperor seems sullenly resolved not to appear too much under the influence of his father, who has become a decided advocate of Vvestern progress.
-Whatever may be thought of the West African, or Negro proper, the East African Bantu (of which race the Caffres and Zulus are a branch) is, says the Record, "sharp and clever, and although a spirit of levity does seem to rule the African, it does not make him, as Major Wissmann contends, impervious to spiritual truth." Of two East African boys at school' in Edinburgh, one took the highest place in his class, " and both showed themselves not in the least degree inferior."
-Mr. Frederiek WellsWiIliams, a native of Macao, China, and the son of the author of " The Middle Kingdom," says of the Chinese civilization "that, with such a cast-iron system, any change must come from outside. • • • Almost inevitably the great tonic of new life and aims must be from Europe and America. Chinese statesmen recognize the radieal nature of the change to come, one of whom declares it a greater change for China to find herself face to face with the nations of the far West than anything that has occurred in her history. How to adapt herself to this imminent transformation is the problem for years to come. The next two or three generations will be best employed in observing and applying the institutions of other lands. As a cat watches a mouse, China watches Japan, whose rapid progress irritates the Celestial and shocks his pride. Japan may be to China the hyphen, the copula, between the old life and the new. But we shall see no more than the beginning, for Asiatic civilization moves slowly, by centuries j yet some day a great destiny wiIl be realized."
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GBACEY, D.D.
Korea.'s Political Relation with Ohina. be 80 gracious as to give me to take back to my master. For, if the Throne It is a matter of no small interest to sends envoys, we will not be able to ac· the missionary world to know the exact commodate them properly. Then measure of the independence of Korea would we be sinners evermore. '" e as a kingdom. A late occurrence throws beg your Celestial Graciousness, our a good deal of light upon the subject. most affectionate parents, to treat us Being strictly official, it shows China's like a red child (i.e., a new-born babe), claim to sovereignty over Chosen, and and not inflict any penalty upon us for Chosen's evident disposition to secure expressing this desire. If your Heavthe recognition of at least a little larger enly Majesty bestows the letters of conautonomy, possibly as testing the tem· dolence upon me to take back, so as to per of the Court at Peking as to Chosen's save the trouble of the envoys, my tendency to secure acknowledgment of Prince and my country will ever bathe her independence. in thankfulness."
The immeditate occasion of this reo To this, however, the Government of assertion by China of her Imperial con· China declined to accede; but seizing trol of the little peninSUla was as fol. the only argmuent in the petition based lows: The Queen Dowager of Korea on Korea's poverty, adapted the former died. It has been the custom hitherto custom merely to a more economical for the Government at Peking on such base, but reaffirming the sovereignty occasions to send an embassy of con. of China over Korea. The reply was: as dolence to Korea, as to a vassal. Korea follows: sought to reduce this to an ordinary let. ter of official sympathy as between "RESCBl:PT FBOM THE THBONE-MEfriendly and equal sovereigns. Accord. MOBIAL NOTED.-That Kingdom for ceningly, the Korean First Envoy at Peking turies past having been the Eastern was instructed to solicit a modification vassal and reaped Our Graciousness of ullage, and addressed to the " Board always, on occasions of any death of of Rites" at Peking the following com. that Kingdom's household, We have munication : always sent Envoys to convey Our Sym- pathies. Such Missions have hitherto II This small kingdom, a vassal to the gone overland, making many halts on Throne which has from time immemo. the way. But this time, not having the rial reaped the benefits of Imperial slightest doubt but what that Kingdom favor, even as late as 1882 and 188!;< is in poverty, We will depart from the notably during the two rebellions when old rule and make slight changes. the Throne raised us from the earth and Therefore the Mission shall proceed by saved our ancestors' ashes, we thank water [sea] with the Pei-Yang squadron again and again for having given us new to land at that Kingdom's port of life. But this small kingdom has Jeuchuan [Chemulpol. When the cersuffered grievously from these two reo emonial shall have been performed. the bellions, and the people being in pov. Mission shall return by the same route. erty d1j.ring the past six or seven years, By such a temporary change that Kingthe condition has been getting worse dom will incur no heavy expenses. and worse. This unfortunate year the When the Prince of that Kingdom premother of my Prince died, and the sents you both with presents, you are funeral expenses are such that we must not allowed to accept anything. That economize. Most humbly prostrating Prince, hearing this Heavenly Declaraourselves, we beg the Great Emperor to tion, will forever be grateful. But you give us the instructions and the letter will see that all rites are strictly obof condolence which the Throne would
2:13
served. Let this Decree of Mine be at not take in the Gospel. All atonce obeyed by the Superintendent of Pei-Yang (of the Northern Seas, Li-Hung tempts to bring them to a knowledge Chang, the Viceroy of Chihli). Let the Board of Rites at once instruct that of the true God have as yet failed ut- King to obey." terly… ' Poor brutes in human shape, We ha7e no room to recount the exact manner in which this edict was executed . . . they must perish off the face of on the one part, and accepted on the other. These were, of course, religious the earth like brute beasts." (" Serproceedings, and might appear as if the relation was similar to that of some mons on National Subjects," p. 234.) Europeansovereign recognizing the Pope as religious emperor in his dominions. The article we now present on this But there can be no mistaking the recognition of the political relatiQl1s involved people has been translated and conin Korea saying" This small Kingdom" is a "vassal to the Throne," and the densed for our columns at our request by authoritative utterance of China that " that Kingdom for centuries past Rev A. Hartmann, from the German having been the Eastern vassal, ..• let the Board of Rites instruct that King of Rev. H. G. Schneider, a missionary to obey." This indirectly and directly involves serious political questions. among these aborigines. Mr. Hart- Korea has existing treaties with European nations, and receives minis- mann was himself a missionary of the ters from the same, such as are accredited only to sovereign States. But if she Moravian Church among these Black recognizes and China asserts her vassalage, what then? Fellows of Australia from 1864 to 1873, , This is diplomatic correspondence incidental to religious rites, but Korea and is now a missionary to North Amermay not alone have the decision of her fate. Japan may have something to say ican IndiansatMoraviantown, Bothwell, when the issue is pushed into practical politics, and 80 may western powers; Ontario, Canada. It strikes us that nevertheless it must be said in the face of Korea's confessed vassalage to China. Mr. Kingsley would have found a bet- J. T. G. ter specimen to put in evidence of the The :Black Pellows of Australia. bottomless pit of original depravity, on FmsT PAPER-PBs-MORAVIAN MISSIONS. the other side of the court room. The PREPARED llY REV. A. HARTMANN. " Settler" and the Colonist might toss It is a no less brilliant and benevolent dice with the poor Papuan for front rank, author than the Rev. Charles Kingsley who, taking the position that man might in the lowest depth of submerged actually fall by original sin too low to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and humanity. Read and judge. be recovered again, points his proposition by the illustration worn threadbare J. T.G. by saints, sinners and scientists, of the poor Papuan of Australia. He says: The continent of Australia was taken " The black people of Australia, exactly possession of by Captain Cook in the the same race as the African negro, can- name of the English Crown. It was taken, not bought, from the original pos- I sessors of the country. The first settlers were convicts. They, and alas! too many of the emigrants who followed, treated the aborigines as they thought fit, robbing them and abusing their wives, and killing them if resistance was offered. Colonial history gives no rec- ord of an organized war with the na- tives; the latter must have been few and weak, and the severities and cruelties practised upon them were therefore unwarrantable. Their thefts and attacks were in many cases incited by want, or by revenge for wrongs suffered by them. By the introduction of intoxicants, the low became the lowest of the low. A disgusting sickness, of which many of the blacks suffered and perished, as a consequence of vice, was also introduced among them. Of the cruelties inflicted on some of them in individual cases we would rather not speak. Just think of a cowboy glorying before his master that with his own hand he had killed six or seven blacks, and that for the mere sport the chase of human beings afforded him! Dismissal from service piled up the dead bodies and kindled was the only punishment for this mur. over them a large fire to destroy every derer. It is not too much to say that trace of their awful murder. Through the majority of European inhabitants a combination of peculiar circumstances looked with contempt on the blacks, the crime was discovered, and the murconsidering them little if any better derers condemned to suffer the extreme than dangerous animals, for whose ex- penalty of the law. During the trial tirpation any measures were justifiable. the whole population of the colony was in a great excitement. Many, and even So matters went on for fifty years. But men of influence, were full of sympathy in 1838 II society was formed for the pro. for the murderers. All possible means tection of the aborigines. In 1839 a law were employed to have the murderers was passed appointing land commission. acquitted. Large Bums of money were ers with full power to put a stop to the raised to employ the most skilful lawcruelties perpetrated on the natives by yers in their defence, and witnesses reo the settlers beyond the colonial boun. ceived terrible threatenings, and even daries. At the same time, the following the chief witness, one of the most honnoble proclamation was made by the orable men of the district, hardly ven- Governor: ., As human beings, who tured to return to his home. The govpartake of the same nature as ourselves; ernor himself, a brave man, occupying as the original possessors of this terri- the most difficult position in this catastory, from which we derive much of our trophe, nevertheless signed the deathwealth and prosperity; and as subjects warrant of these murderers. Although of the Queen, whose power extends over the blacks now enjoyed the protection every part of New Holland, the abodg. of the law, yet slow progress was made ines of this country have the same right in the improvement of their condition. as Europeans to the protection and as- Still, during the last thirty years the sistance of the law. His Excellency be. moral obligations toward the natives lieves it his duty to inform every inhab- have been fully acknowledged. Efforts itant of this colony that each new de. have been made by the government and spatch from the Secretary of State in by private individuals to better thei~ England speaks of the increasing stress condition by supplying them with food, laid by Her Majesty's Government, the clothing, schools, churches, and mission- Parliament, and the whole people, on aries. But alas! much that was well the proper and humane treatment of the meant came too late to save them as a natives of this land. His Excellency race. Too long these unhappy beings also most urgently and solemnly de- had been treated as animals; too long clares that it is their conviction that had there been no place on earth where nothing whatsoever is so essential to they were suffered, cared for, or loved. the honor and welfare (or interests) of Only at the throne of God, the Just and the colony as humane care and consid- the Merciful, was compassion shown eration of the aborigines. " for them; but the poor blacks did not know Him, and it was long before As one result of this Proclamation, those whites who did know it showed and the laws put in force with it, mur· them the way to Him. derers were punished. Seven convicts who, by the Government, had been ap. EFFORTS TO IMPIOVE THE NATIVES. pointed shepherds to some of the squatters, went out on horseback to hunt There is no rule without exception, blacks. They discovered a small tribe and in this case the rule was bad and of about thirty, men, women, and chil- the exception good. Among the many dren. They surrounded them, tied who looked down and trampled on the them together with a long rope, and natives of Australia there were found then butchered them in cold blood in some noble souls, whose hearts were full the dell th of the wilderness. They then
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
of love and sympathy for them. For in. poor parsonage at Paramatta, a few stance, since the beginning of this cen· miles from Sydney. Mr. Marsden tury there have been noble, humane gov· preached to the convicts and to all the ernors, who did everything in their colonists" Jesus Christ and Him cruci. power to ameliorate and improve their fied" with undaunted courage and un· condition. These efforts sometimes met tiring love. With the blacks, however, with resistance and ingratitude on the he pursued another plan. With the help part of those whom they sought to ben- of Governor Macquarie he established a efit. The blacks would stay for a week model farm, in which several families or two in the paradise prepared for of natives were placed under the guidthem, and then suddenly disappear and ance of a qualified overseer to be trained return to their wandering life. Too to farm work. much was expected of them; the most beautiful palace would have been a pris- Besides this, a boarding-school was on for them. Instead of being grad. commenced for native children, in which ually accustomed to order and a civilized they should be taught reading, writing, life, a degree of liberty being allowed arithmetic, and the elements of the them, they were expected to settle down Christian religion. The whole undertakat once. Many such efforts· were made ing was a failure, and after a few years' and proved failures. The hearts of the trial had to be given up. The children natives were difficult to reach, and the were not to be confined within walls, love of a wandering life was not to be nor were the minds of these ignorant eradicated in a hurry. Even the friends heathen to be prepared by the disci. and benefactors of the race were dis_ pline of civilization for Christianity. couraged, and came again and again to The idea was to teach them first to be the conclusion that for this race there men, then Christians. People forgot .was no hope of deliverance. As, on the that though a missionary is a civilizing one hand, too much was expected from agent, yet that civilization must be the them, so, on the other, too little was giv. fruit, not the root of Christianity. Mr. en them, causing again failure. Marsden in his old age acknowledged this mistake, and spoke thus concern. We are reminded here of the noble ing it : "The Bible," said he, "pro- Governor Macquarie and the chaplain claims free sovereign grace for poor sin- Rev. Samuel Marsden. Thelatter, born ners. No self.righteous person can enat Leeds in 1764, was the son of a poor ter heaven; he would rather hunger and artisan. He attended first the parish perish than accept this free gift. Civschool and then the grammar school at ilization is not necessary before Chris- Hull. His father, being unable to sup· tianity. Let both go hand in hand, if port him any longer, and needing his you will ; but you will find that civilizahelp at home, desired his return. But tion rather follows than precedes Chris· Joseph Milner, the author of a well. tianity. Speak to the heathen of the known Church History, desired that the living God and the Saviour who died talented boy might remain, and procured for them. That will come home to for him the assistance of a company of their hearts !" pious and wealthy men, who made it a point to support poor and talented the· Further efforts were made by pious ological students. After completing his and zealous Methodists. The first, studies preparatory to the ministry, who was sent exclusively for work Marsden, after repeated requests, at among the natives, was Walker, of whose length accepted the position as chaplain work, however, nothing is known. Tho to the convict colony at Sydney, Aus- missionaries Leigh, who commenced tralia, and started thither with his ex- work in 1815, and Cartwright, who folcellent wife in August, 1793. On March lowed in 1820, began at once to speak 2d, 1794, they arrived and entered the of the main point, but the natives did not then understand English, and their teachers did not learn Papuan, forgetting of the work to the pouring in of unprinthat the Word of God reaches the heart cipled colonists and the absence of of the heathen only when translated into such law protection as would have prehis native tongue, and that the first and vented desolating wars between the most important work of a missionary is native tribes and guarded the latter to make the language of the heathen against the outrages of the whites. tribe among whom he labors his own. Herein he touches indisputably the sore point in the condition of New Holland; In the year 1828 they relinquished and sad as his conclusion is, it in notheir work for the time, justifying their wise represents the natives as beyond step by the unsteadiness of the abo- improvement. rigines and the great expense of the mission caused by journeys and repeated Another recorded failure in the hisattempts at founding stations. tory of Australian missions is that of the Church Missionary Society of London, Meanwhile, Missionary Threlkeld, of England. Marsden, who died in 1838, the London Missionary Society (prop- had already prevailed upon this society erly intended for the mission in the to send out missionaries. Watson and South Sea Islands), came to New South Handt were appointed to Wellingtondale, Wales, and was desired by the governor north of Sydney,and were joined later on to remain and devote himself to the in the station they had formed by Gun. work among the natives. The society ther. But after eleven years of faithful approved of the plan, and Threlkeld re- and self-sacrificing labor they were ceived from the Government 10,000 obliged to leave, for the shepherds and acres of land at Lake Macquarie for a workingmen of the district (it was the settlement of natives. With firm faith, old story of liberated convicts) exercised unwearied perseverance, and holy love the most baneful influence on the na· he set to work. After laboring for six tives; and to this came drought and years without visible results, the Lon- grasshoppers, which drove the natives don Society, which had spent £3000 on from the district. The missionaries, the work, thought it right to use their therefore, devoteq their energies to work funds in more promising fields. Threl- among the colonists. keld, however, could not leave his Papuans. He carried on the work, The Methodists had again established partly from his own means and partly mission stations in different places in by the assistance of friends and the 1838 and 1840, and met with some de. government. He learned the native gree of success. In the saIDe year mis. language, prepared a grammar, trans- sionaries were sent out by the Lutheran lated parts of the Bible, as well as a Missionary Society at Dresden (now number of hymns. Leipzig), and a number also by Gossner, at the request of a Scottish Presbyterian Generally three or four tribes lived on minister in New South Wales. The the reserve, but their stay was never of a Lutherans, after a few years of fruitless long duration. The news of a corroboree labor, left the natives and became pas. (er dance) or oftener the information that tors to various congregations of Euroa hostile tribe was approaching was suffi- peans. A few years Jater the Gossner cient to scatter them,in spite of all Threl- missionaries followed their example. keld's efforts to keep them. All the ef- The natives had, indeed, begun to dis. forts,sacrifices,and pains of this excellent tinguish between these whites and those man remained fruttless, and as the con- whom they had known hilherto. They tributions of friends flowed more scan- put confidence in the missionaries and tily, and the support of the Government showed at times a desire to work, but was stopped, this champion of the Gos- soon tired of it, and rewarded the kind· pel found himself compelled to leave the ness and patience of the messengers of station. That was a bitter pill! Yet peace by continual thefts. At length still the noble man attributes the failure all the tribes of the district formed tive, is it to be expected that he will themselves into robber-bands, who at- make a distinction in favor of those few tacked and robbed the neighboring sta- who giT8 themselves out as his friends; tions in broad daylight wherever the that he will put full confidence in them, objects of their plunder were not pro- and accept their word, their advice, their tected by revolver and gun. But, in the message? Will he not rather take admean time, the missionaries had the joy vantage of their kindness and, by stealof seeing two of the natives converted. ing their goods, recompense himself for Still the results were, on the whole, so what has been taken from him? Sad sad and unsatisfactory that some of the to say, that in Australia it is not the obmissionaries left the place, with a view duracy of the aborigines but the hardto Illbor among the settlers. Those who heartedness of professing Christians remained directed their efforts to the which has been the greatest stumbling- Bame object, without losing sight of the block in the way of the Gospel. poor natives; and Missionary Gerler wrote, in 1855, "I llm convinced that The Glad Tidings in Morocco. the time is not far distant when the blacks will cry out, ' What must I do to BY JAMES EDWARD BUDGETT MEAKIN. be saved?'" Further efforts made by the English Church, under the direction (For some years editor of the Times of Moroc()/).) of the energetic Archdellcon Hale, of Adelaide, were put an end to by the It is only of late years that any sysdying out of the natives. Of later trials tematic attempt has been made to bring and successes experienced in connection the Gospel before the people of Morocwith different churches and societies we co, though they live, as it were, at the will not now speak, but notice them as very doors of Europe. A small body cotemporary with the missions of the of missionaries are laboring among the Renewed Brethren's Church (Mora- Moors. So far, however, only' a very vians), of which it is our intention to small number have sufficiently surspeak in the next paper. mounted the initial difficulty of the language-Arabic-to be able to do T,he enumeration of aU these failures much in the way of direct teaching or is very discouraging, yet it shows the controversy. But there are other ways difficulties attending the work of evan- in which the people may be reached, gelizing this spoiled and degrllded race. such as by medical treatment of the sick. Let us weigh these well, not forgetting that by the grace of God they may be The benighted condition of Morocco surmounted, and we have a strong proof is such that the aims and objects of misof 'the necessity and duty of carrying sionary laborers are not yet realized, and on mission work. The faith and love the Mohammedans cannot imagine that of Christendom and of its messengers anyone of their number could prove can llnd should overcome, in spite of all himself, weak enough in their faith to the opposition of the servants of sin seriously entertain any other. Once and Satan. Still, in considering what they become fully alive to the,facts of has been and may still be said regard- the case trouble and fierce opposition ing the work in Australia, we must take may be expected. into account not only the sad state of the natives, but also the bllneful influ- The initial difficulty in dealing with ence which has been exercised upon the Moors is their utter self-satisfiedthem by thousands of ungodly whites ness and indifference to outside influduring the last century. If contempt, ences. What was good for their fathers bad treatment, robbery. violence, and is good for them ; and they are brought murder are connected with the idea of up so sure of a heaven of material bliss, the white man in the mind of the na- even after a life of sin, provided that they comply with certain forms, that they see no reason even to listen to the emissaries of Christianity. But, thank God! there are many who have listened, with certain religious duties which are and some among them who have obeyed carefully defined in the' Book to be Read' and been baptized, but these are few (the Quran), we are sure of eternal bliss I"~ and weak, needing much instruction. We who have lived in Morocco can The next ob,stacle to the work is the testify with one accord that this empire utterly erroneous ideas possessed by the is too steeped in sin to allow us to lay Moors concerning Christianity and bare the truth. Crime and misery Christians. They believe, to begin abound, and justice is all but unknown. with, and often tell us so, that we wor- Possessed of a beautiful country, the ship a woman as equal with God-a Moors drag out an almost torpid existmost awful idea to such strict Unita- ence without enjoying one tithe of the rians as Muslims are. They say then blessings within their grasp. Such is that we worship bread and wine as Morocco to-day, and I do not hesitate God; that we have introduced the to give as the reason that it is a victim greater part of the history of Christ into to the spell of Islam. the Gospel, and that we have eradicated every prophecy about Mohammed ex- The difficulties to be met with are not cept John 14 : 26, which they declare small nor few. The fear of the" powrefers to that teacher. It is easy to see ers that be," and the feeling that the whence these ideas come, but still more acknowledged convert must become an Bad to note what they judge from the outcast, cut off from his dearest friends; specimens of nominal Christians with and subject to bitter persecution in whom they have had to deal, to be proportion to his boldness in his new equally tenets of our religion. They faith, is a very serious matter, and s have no doubt that every good Chris- man's change of heart must be real and tian gets drunk once a week or more thorough before he can be expected to often if he can, and that it is their in- make an open profession with such revariable rule to make up for only being_ sults. Even when he has the example allowed one wife by supplies from the before him of others who have stood streets. The wearing of a hat and the and suffered it is easier for him. Neveating of pork are looked upon as ertheless, thousands of Moors have equally essential to the Ohristian life, learned the difference between nominal and it ill generally considel."ed that dis- and real Christians, so much so, that honesty, venalism, and every abuse of while the name Nazarene is still applied power are matters of course with the fol- to all, the names MaseeaM and Kitab~ lowers of the Messiah. (Christian and Biblical) are now given by them to the missionaries and their "The difference between your way few sympathizers to distinguish them and my way," said an intelligent Moor from the others. Medical work among one day to a lady missionary, "is that them and the kindness shown to them yours is hemmea in on either side by re- in many ways are steadily taking effect; strictions which must make your life and although few have come forward miserable, and you have nothing to from among them, and after careful hope for, after all, for your heaven has teaching and examination have been no earthly joys. My way, on the other baptized, there is a pleasurable certainty hand, leaves me room to do much as that a far greater number have the truth I like in this world, and in the next the planted in their hearts, that they know pleasantest sins of this will be our law- the way of salvation, and that but for ful and continual pleasures. Think of fear of man they would acknowledge it. that! Then, too, our lord l'rlohammed, We must not think hardly of these weak the messenger of God-the prayers of ones. God be on him, and peace I-is so good and powerful that, however we may sin BISHOP HANNINGTON'S BONES.-It was against God now, so long as we comply a remarkable Providence that enabled the Church of England Missionary So- ed that he would get rid of the bones by ciety to recover the body of their mar- taking them to the white man. He tyr-Bishop Hannington, who was mur- passed the place twice, and I fancy it dered in Oentral Africa, under circum- was on the second journey that he took stances that would have seemed to the bones to Mr. Jackson. forever preclude the possibility of his receiving Christian burial at all, much "The above is in substance what less the return of the remains to Chris- Marko says. Some of the details may tian England. The story has been most be incorrect." vividly told, but now we have the de- tails of the way in which God's provi- -The American Board has rightfully dence kept ., all his bones." applied to Mr. Blaine for the protection of American property interests in con- It was with peculiar interest that we nection with the newest outrages of the read the communication made by Rev. Spanish authorities on the American R. H. Walker to the Church of England missions in the Caroline Islands. We Missionary Society, in explanation of the trust our Government will speak with manner of the recovery of Bishop Han- some vigor to that anachronism in modnington's body. A strange interest will ern civilization known as the Governhang around this story for a long time to ment of Spain. It is little worth while come. Little wonder that it has recalled allowing this representative of an effete the story of the Ark of the Lord turned civilization to be strutting with misused loose under divine supervision alone. authority in a remote corner of the Mr_ Walker wrote: .. When Bishop globe. At best, Spain is out of joint Hannington was murdered, the same with the times. She feeds on memories day his body was carried to another and mumbles beads; her battles are place, because the people feared that the bull-fights and her victories autos-daje, dead body of a white man might bring and she might as well be relegated to evil on them. But the people of the some museum of political antiquities. next place refused to have it ; and so it Has Mr. Blaine ever secured any indemwas carried from place to place, each nity for Mr. Doane, and will he now refusing to alJow it to remain in their call Spain into court for protection not country. A coast man, who we under- of missicnary, but of American interstand was one of Bishop Hannington's ests? porters, accompanied the corpse. At last it reached a place on the boundary -There is a tract entitled" Christian of Busoga, or in the country of the Women of North China to the Christian Bakeddi. Here they agreed to build a Women of England upon the Opium Inhouse for it, and on a framework or bed- iquity." In this these Chinese Christian stead, such as they make for smoking women declare to all Europe, and to all meat and fish on, the body was laid, and mankind, that" foreign opium in Chinais left to decay. An agreement was made a greater scourge than war or pestilence." with the coast man to live at this house These China Christians are taunted with and to take care of it, and in return the having adopted the l'eIigion of "the people would give him food. foreign devils, who are making China into a hell by their opium ;" and what " To this place Marko, the messenger is worse, the poor weak little Christian from Mwanga to Mr. Jackson of the Church in the Celestial Empire is well- Imperial British East Africa Company, nigh decimated by the use of the drug. came on his way with letters. He seems to have heard that the people -A collector of Bombay has among there had experienced bad harvests and his curiosities a Chinese god marked drought of late years, and that they at- "Heathen Idol," and next to it is a tributed this to the fact of their having gold piece marked " Christian Idol." the white man'~ bones; and he suggest-
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
III.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
RUSSIA is exciting no little criticism special attention to the instruction of and animadversion by her course toward mISSIonaries. Miss Swain, M.D., was the Jews and the exiles' in Siberia. the first woman medical miSSionary to Lately the details have been published Asia. of a horrible outrage upon a Jewish lad named Rutenberg, at Bialystok, about The EpOCH OF ORGANIZATION seems to one hundred miles from Warsaw, by a have come. Certainly in Christian work Russian medical man, Dr. Gravonsky. the organizations are both multiplying The boy, with some schoolmates, had and extending their bounds. Some of plucked some apples off a tree and, being them have overleaped the limits of caught in the act, was carried into a stable States, denominatIOns and even conti- where he was brutally branded with nents. For instance, "The Young lunar caustic on the forehead, chin, and Men's Christian Association," "The both cheeks with the words" Jew" and Young Women's Christian Temperance "thief" in Russian, Polish, and Hebrew. Union," "The Society of Christian A photograph has been circulated show- Endeavor," now enrolling one hundred ing the horrible branding of this lad's thousand members, "The White Rib- countenance, and has awakened snch in- bon Army," "The Boys' Brigade," dignation that the authorities have " The King's Daughters," "The Shut· prohibited its sale or circulation. in Society," "Kitchen Gardens," "Guilds," "Christian Workers' Train- THE HONOR ROLL of Wesleyan Meth- ing Classes," "Bible Corresponding odist and Methodist Episcopal mission- Schools, .. "Parochial Associations," ~ aries is a very long and illustrious one. "Chautauqua Classes," "Working- Among Wesleyan Methodists the name men's Clubs," and others. of Thomas Coke stands pre-eminent. He had a hold upon both continents, being Our only apprehension is that these the first bishop of the Methodist Epis- forms of Christian effort and organiza- copal Church under Wesley's commis- tion may wean away from the churches sion. He died on the way to India. those whom they should attract to them, He poured his private fortune into the may fail to acknowledge the supervision cause of missions. The Rev. John of pastors and church officers, and es- Hunt will always have front rank for pecially may, in the pride of numbers, work among the Fiji people. The Rev. commit that fatal mistake of overlook- Elijah Hoole was fifty years in India. ing quality in quantity Samuel Leigh won undying fame in New Zealand, and John Thomas in the There are many Christian parents, Friendly Islands. says the Ohurch Missionary InteUigencer, who are leading people in the Christian From the Methodist Episcopal world, who claim reserved seats at Church, Melville Cox died in Africa. crowded missionary meetings, and join George Bowen, of Bombay, was known in congratulations over the increasing as " Good George Bowen." Among the number of candidates for missionary ser- living missionaries, William •Butler, vice, but who will not bear of their own founder of twenty missions of this sons and daughters offering for that ser- church in India and Mexico, Bishop vice. What a rare jewel is consistency! Thobum, of India, and Bishop William Taylor, of Africa, are perhaps the best Among missionary books we feel con· known generally. Dr. Maclay, who strained especially to recommend " Mis- spent forty years in China and Japan, sionary Enterprises in the South Sea now in his old age is professor in a the- Islands," by John Williams, an edition ological seminary in California, giving of which is published by the Presbyte. rian Board, 1334 Chestnut Street, Phil- dially to every reader who is interested adelphia. It was this remarkable bopk in missions. which led the Bishop of Ripon to ex- claim, when he laid it down, "This is We have received from the publish. the 29th chapter in the Book of the Acts ers, James Nesbit & Co., London, a copy of the Apostles." It is the story of a of a little work known as " Once Hindu triumphal progress. John Williams -Now Christian," edited by Dr. J. Mur- moved in every direction, 2000 miles ray MHchell, our esteemed correspond. from the shores of Tahiti, and within 22 ent. It is the autobiography of a very years, from 1817 to 1839, carried the admirable man, one of the ablest and Gospel to all the islands within that inost devoted Christians in India, Baba radius, and saw not only some of those Padmanji. It is intensely interesting, islands, but whole groups of them, turn- and gives us a remarkable insight into ing from idolatry to the living God. the difficulties of a native convert in India, and it shows how remarkably Perhaps the most compendious ency- useful a man may be who is brought clopredia of missions which has yet ap. out of East India society into a thorough peared is that entitled" Conquestsof the espousal of the Gospel. Mr. Padmanji Cross," by Edwin Hodder. It is pub. has been the author of about seventy. lished by subscription, Cassell & Co. five books and tracts published by the being the publishers. Only two vol- Book and Tract Society of Bombay, umes have as yet reached my table, but Christian Vernacular Education Society, those two volumes far surpass anything and others. If there be any profits from else in the line of comprehensive mis- the book they are to go to Mr. Padmanji sionary biography and history which I himself. We wish the book might be have seen. thoroughly circulated.
The Editor would again call attention In March, 1887, certain papers ap. to "Alden's Manifold Cyclopredia," peared in the Ohristian (London) on which has now reached volume No. 25. the subject of "Unemployed Native Though not a distinctly missionary Agencies in Heathen Lands." They book, we have found the articles in it were by Hudson Taylor, Reginald Rad. which pertain to missions to be exceed- cliffe, and James E. Mathieson, some of ingly helpful and excellent in every re- the most devoted students of missions spect, and we are coming to regard this to be found in the world. These cheap and handy cyc10predia as an brethren regard the raising up of a vast authority. host of native converts, who shall take up this 'Gospel mission for their fellow· Dr. S. A. Mutchmore, editor of the countrymen, as the only practical way Presbyterian, has already published a of reaching the nearly four hundred volume describing his travels in Eastern millions of native Chinese. They con· Europe and Asia Minor. The second tend that a few hundred European mis· volume has now been issued, "The 110. sionaries, not exceeding six hundred, gul, the Mongol, the Mikado and the do very little toward the evangelization Missionary." These letters have of this great empire, and they quote Dr. already appeared to a large extent in Nevius, who has been very successful the Presbyterian, and for raciness, read. in the employment of such unpaid ability, originality, and power to grasp, agents. Rev. Donald MacIver, of South. and present the most interesting mat· ern China, says that the rapid increase ters of foreign travel, we know of noth. of converts has been accomplished, 110t , ing published in modem times that sur· by Dr. Nevius's sermons, or those of , passes them. We commend them cor- his assistants, but by the simple wit· ness of the converts. Eight agencies are at work in China to accomplish its was presiding officer. It was a fit choice. Mr. Field's" Draft Outlines of evangelization. (1) Bible distribution; an International Code" is regarded as an (2) tract distribut,ion ; (3) chapel preach- authority. In it he favors arbitration 'ing; (4) translation and literary work; as to the dispntes between nations by a (5) schools; (6) itinerations; (7) med- reference to disinterested parties. If ical missions ; (8) work among women. we may judge from appearances, the Dr. Nevius says, "I am disposed to time of Universal Peace is not very think that the number of conversions near. All Europe seems rather prepardue to each of them would be found to ing for war. increase about in the order in which they are mentioned above; arid that An Anti-Slave·Trade Conference sat the number traceable to them all to- at Brussels from November 18th, 1889, gether would be but a small fraction of to July 2d, 1890. The beneficial results the whole, and that by far the greater seemed liable to be frustrated by the reproportion is to be referred to private fusalof the Netherlands for a time to social intercourse. That is (lertainly sign the stipulations. The Congo Free our experience in the South of China. State must have a revenue if it is to re- Probably seven eighths of our member- press the slave-trade, and this revenue ship have been brought in, not directly must come from a tariff on imports. All as the result of the preaching, either of the other powers and now also the the European missionary or of the ap- Netherlands have consented to this. pointed Chinese evangelist, but simply The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce at from private Christians telling to their first protested to the Government of friends and neighbors about the Baviour Great Britain against the signing of the they have found. This state of matters stipulations, but the Government nobly is, on the one hand, cause for thankful- replied that these duties were levied ness, for the evidence it gives of the only in the interest of human rights. reality of the religion of these Chinese Every year it is said that four hundred Christians ; and it also is full of hope thousand human beings are carried into as to the future of Christ's kingdom in abject slavery from the Congo region. China. If every individual member of 'he 30,000 Christians in China were a A Hebrew-Christian Conference was true missionary, then the Middle King- held in Chicago on November 24th and dom would soon be evangelized. 25th last. This gathering has excited a lively and extensive interest, as well it •• But it seems to me that this state of might. The Conference seems to have matters is full of important lessons for been called mainly through the efforts all interested in the progress of the Gos. of William E. Blackstone, Esq., whose pel in that land. We are to give most interest in the Jews is known everyattention to the method God's Spirit uses where. We have heard of no other conmost. We are not to give up our preach- ference in modern times where Chrising tours, nor our distribution of Scrip- tianA and Jews have met together for tures and tracts ; we are not to close the friendly discussion of points of hIour hospitals and schools; but we, as terest and matters of difference. The foreign missionaries,should give most audiences were very large, and some of attention to the work of training our the Jewish rabbi were present and took converts in the knowledge of Scripture, part. It is very noticeable that in the developing their gifts and graces, and present time the attention of all Chrissuperintending and guiding their efforts tendom seems to be drawn to God's anto bring to the truth their friends and cient people. Our attention has been kindred." called to the fact that a somewhat sim- ilar gathering was held two hundred and At the Universal Peace Congress, held in London, David Dudley Field forty yeBl'S ago in the Plain of Ageda, in upon the part of persons not accustomed Hungary. Some three hundred rabbis to such surroundings. We think that met in this Council in a large tent, and this}s the only charitable if not the the discussion lasted seven days. We only possible explanation, and we pre- anticipate only good results from a gath- fer to dismiss this horrible story with- ering of this character. In all our ap_ out further comment. proaches to the Jew, we have this great advantage, that he is familiar with the It seems now to be generally admitted prophesies of the Old Testament con- that the position taken by Dr. Lunn and cerning Christ, the Messiah, which have Rev. Hugh Price Hughes as to Wesleyan been so remarkably fulfilled in Chris- missions in India was a mistake. Dr. tian history. Lunn had been less than two years in India, and wrote impulsively and indis- We have purposely abstained hereto- creetly. As to Mr. Hughes, he did not fore from any reference to the startling know of the facts, except as obtained stories concerning Stanley's rear gnard. through Dr. Lunn ; but as it was in his pa- The terrible revelation with regard to per that Dr. Lunn's strictures were pub- the brutality of Barttelot and the cruelty lished, Mr. Hughes acted as his sDcond. of Jameson have caused to be applied A competent committee has examined to this history the appropriate title of the whole matter, and thrown consider "The African Chamber of Horrors." able discredit upon Dr. Lunn's testi- The scheme for poisoning the nephew mony. This is another example of the of Tippoo Tib, the statement that Ma- fact that foreign missionary work will jor Barttelot actually fastened his teeth bear even the severe and searching crit· into the :flesh of a woman, and even icisms to which :it ~has been lately exinto her face, his fatal kick upon the posed. boy Soudi, his fatal flogging of the lad John Henry, whose ears he threatened We regret to learn that M. Saillens, to cut off, and to whom he administered who has been one of Dr. McAll's printhree hundred lashes, his stabbing of cipal helpers in his French work, has the chief Ungunga, etc., might easily resigned connection with the McAll account for the shooting of such a missions, with which he has been conhuman fiend as he showed himself. nected for seventeen years. This will be a great loss to the mission, but the The story of Jameson's cruelty, buy- separation has been made in an entirely ing. a little girl with six cotton handker- friendly spirit on both sides, though it chiefs, causing her to be murdered, was caused by some little differences of cooked and eaten, that he might have a opllllOn. From personal acquaintance practical illustration of cannibalism, with M. Saillens we can testify that a and calmly taking six sketches with his more accomplished and perfect gentle- Kodak to represent the stages of the pro- man we have not met, even among the ceedings-all these things defy descrip- polite French people. Although he will tion and almost credence. It is our no longer be a director or agent of the judgment that all these were acts of per- mission, he will speak in the Salles from sons virtually insane __ that there is no time to time. possibility of otherwise accounting for such atrocious cruelty and barbarity on Dr. McAll writes, .. Our work gives the part of the representatives of a us much encouragement, both as to Christian nation; we cannot believe numbers and evident seriousness. We they were in their right mind; and it cannot enlarge; our resources do not is a well·known fact that climatical in- allow that, to our great regret. No an- :fluenge, together with prolonged expo- swer has yet been received from Dr. sure and privation. som etimes brings on Loba, of Kalamazoo,-Mich., who was ina peculiar type of insanity or monomania vited to join the, work, and who seems especially adapted to it from the fact congregation, but all this served as grathat he is a native of France." tuitous advertisement, and saved us all outlay on this head. One paper, La We perhaps owe it to Dr. McAll to Rappel, suggested that as soon as the say, with reference to an article which ship would be towed away from Paris, appeared in this REVIlIlw in July last, in we should hire a balloon, and so have which the Editor indulged in some our hearers part way to heaven to begin friendly strictures on the mission, that with." Dr. McAll remarks that he is" not prepared to express an absolute agree- The announcement has been made at ment with what is there said respecting the Wesleyan Mission House, in Lonthe overtaxing of the workers. With a don, that the Rev. Alexander McAulay few exceptions of voluntary painstaking, has suddenly died at Sumerset East, the requirements laid upon our mission- Cape Colony. He was an ex-President aries are not at all extreme. In the of the Wesleyan Conference, on an evancase of some of them, they undertake gelistic tour among the Wesleyan other and collateral engagements, good churches in South Africa. He was in in themselves, but not favorable to full his seventy-third year. More than activity in the mission, and liable, to- thirty years ago he began work in the gether with its duties, to bring on over- East End of London, where he spent fatigue. Mr. Greig is a tremendously fourteen years, beginning with a congre-· hard worker, but does his work with gation of eighteen persons; in ten years peculiar facility, and in a way quite vol- he built four large chapels, each seating untary." Dr. McAll confesses the over- 1000 persons, besides organizing other taxing of himself, especially since losing enterprises. He had also during the two of his most valued helpers, but past ten years visited the West Indies, hopes for relief when an assistant is where he exercised a most helpful reobtained. Dr. McAll says that David vival influence. Such a man cannot be Paton, .Esq., to whom we have already other than missed in the great mission referred, had given more than any other work of the world. contributor to the McAll work, probably nearly if not quite six thousand pounds, In the Ghristian (London) for Decemand that he left no money behind him, ber, Mrs. Grattan Guinness gives a long but gave it all away during his lifetime. and critical examination of General Booth's book, "In Darkest England." Dr. McAllfurther says, " The' Bateau She especially calls attention to many Missionaire '-' Le Bon Messager,' we existing agencies which in his book brought to Paris for about seven weeks, ending in July. Certainly it was a great a are entirely overlooked, and the hrissuccess-moored at the Pont de la Concorde. On Bome Sundays we had four tian adds that Mrs. Meredith, with her meetings on board, the people waiting Prison Mission to Women, aud Mr. anxiously to be admitted. It would George Hatton, with his coadjutor, Mr. hold 160 or 180 in the cabin. I think William Wheatley, long before led the that about eight hundred were there in way into this philanthropy, and that the one day. To the close we kep t up four Salvation Army is indebted for its methmeetings daily in all. I think the at- ods to the plans which they have been tendance was about twenty-five thou- following. The Ohristian mentions sand. Never did I have or see greater George Holland, of Georgeyard, whose attention and respect-very many were work is like the waters of Siloah, that intelligent,and many young Frenchmen. flow softly; then there comes to mind Almost all never heard the Gospel be- a multitude of names, each of which fore. The infidel and worldly news- awakens memories of orphans housed papers tried to write the affair down, and homed, or girls rescued, or, still beteven inserted pictures of the ship and ter, prevented ; of work of every conceivable kind for the glory of God and Mr. Silas Farmer, of Detroit, Mich., for the good of men. Miss Macpherson, gives the following reasons why we Archibald Brown, F. N. Charrington, should be specially interested in mis. Henry Hill, William Cuff, Dr. Stephen- sions to the Chinese. First, the an· son, Peter Thompson, Miss Steer, Miss tiquity of the nation and the interesting Child, Evans Hurndall, J. W. Atkinson, peculiarities of the people and the coun. Christian Community, Strangers' Rest, try. Secondly, the peculiar and friend- Seamen's Missions, Mrs. Birt in Liver- ly feeling toward America and Ameri. pool, William Quarrier in Scotland, and cans. Third, the debt which America innumerable others all through the owes to Chinamen for labor in this coun· land. Positively one's heart aches to try, notwithstanding the persecution to think of the noble army of God's ser- which they have been subjected. vants who serve Him and slle His face in Fourth, women especially should be in· the squalid parts of our great cities, who terested because of what the Chinese are, for the moment at least, forgotten women are, and because of what we obby lllany of the churches, and by indi- tain from China. Fifth, the unusually vidual donors accustomed to contribute favorable conditions for missionary to their funds. effort. Sixth, the unusually large field which China presents for missionary Notwithstanding these statements, it labor. seems to us that General Booth's scheme ought to have a full and fair trial. We Lord Wolseley believes that the believe that if it be not entirely success- Chinese are the coming nation, that the ful, it may at least lead the way to a great battle of Armageddon will take larger and more prominent work for the place between the Chinese and the Eng. poor not only of London, but of all our lish.speaking people; that a general is great cities. to arise among them who will train them in the science of arms and prepare them A young man's guild has been formed for a great assault upon the Russian in connection ~ith the Church of Scot- Empire. The Chinese are capable :of land, and the ninth annual convention wonderful endurance, have a stolid in. of delegates met in Hamilton, Scot. difference to death, and he prophesies land, from the 5th to the 7th of October that before them Russia will fall; that last. Delegates were present from all then they will overrun India, sweeping parts of the country, even from the Ork. the British into the sea, and at last Eng. neys. The membership of the Guild lish, Americans, etc., will rally for a desembraces about twenty thousand, with perate conflict. Lord Wolseley is an over five hundred branches, extending authority on military matters in Britain. from Montreal to Ceylon. This Guild Whether or not he is a prophet remains is marked with peculiar missionary zeal; to be seen. no less than eleven of the Church's mis. sionaries have gone through this Guild. The compression of ladies' feet in We have seldom read with greater in· China is merely a mark of gentility. terest the account of any similar meet- Various accounts are given of the origin ing. The Town Hall on October 7th of this custom. One is that an emperor was crowded to overflowing. Mr. Camp- was jealous of his wife, and to prevent bell, M.P., presided, and among the her from gadding abroad put her feet speakers were Professor Charteris, Dr. into iron stocks. Another is that a cer- Marshall Lang, Mr. Hoxier, M.P., Mr. tain empress, Tan-ke (B.C. 100), was Parker Smith, M.P., Mr. Somerville, born with club feet, and that she caused M.P., and Rev. Archibald Turnbull, the emperor to issue an edict adopting . B.D., Darjeeling. Five Guildsmen her foot as the model of beauty, and rehave, during the past year, gone into quiring the compressing of female inthe mission field. fants' feet so as to conform to the imperio untarily chosen as a permanent order of al standard; while a third account is that things implies either a very imperative the Emperor Leyuh (A.D. 961) was amus- call of duty or a great lack of prudence. ing himself one day in his palace, when The duty may and very often does exhe thought he might improve the ap- ist, and then the course adopted canpearance of the .feet of a favorite concu- not be too highly commended. But bine. He caused her feet to be so bent economics have a place in missionary as to raise the instep into an arch, to life as well as elsewhere, and· there is resemble the new moon. The figure certainly a very terrible waste of vital was much admired by the courtiers, energy in this mode of life. Men may who soon began to introduce it into endure it, as soldiers endure the hardtheir families. It is said that another ships of the camp or the march, but it emperor, two hundred years later, is cruelly hard for the ladies. One has placed a stamp of the lotus flower but to look at many of the ladies at the (water-lily) on the sole of the small shoe Conference to see that they were mere of his favorite concubine, so that at shadows of their former selves, their every step she took she left on the ground heroic spirits not being proof against the print of the flower; hence girls with the physical and mental trials of such a small feet are complimented at the pres· life. The statistics of the great society, ent day as "the golden lilies." The whose name is synonymous with the operation of bandaging and compress- highest consecration and self-abnegaing the feet is very painful; children tion, show a terrible sacrifice of precious cry very much under it. Mortification material. It is said that one half of of the feet has been known to result those who enter China under its ausfrom the cruel practice. Cnstom, how· pices return within two years, either to ever, imposes it as a necessary attrac- their homeland on earth or to the home tion in a woman. An old gentJeman at above, and that the average term of ser- Canton being asked the reason why he vice for the whole body is only three bandaged his daughter's feet, replied and a half years. The policy which that if she had large feet she could not leads to this alarming sacrifice must be make a good marriage. backed by the strongest arguments of necessity before it. can be fully justified." A " Heavenly Foot Society" has been formed by Chinese women at Amhoy. The Habitations of Ornelty. Rev. John Macgowen, missionary at Amhoy, now in England on a visit, in a Bishop Crowther, speaking of the speech delivered at Manchesterrecently Niger xegion, says; "About four days stated that the Society was the result of before our arrival at Ohambele, an old his persistent teaching that the Chinese rich woman died and was buried. The custom of binding the feet was in open proceedings of the burial were stated as – violation of the precepts of the Gospel. follows; When the grave was dug, two It is his belief that the example will be female slaves were taken, whose limbs extensively imitated, and that the final were smashed with clubs. Being unresult will be a death·blow to the bar- able to stir, they were let down into the barous practice. grave, yet alive, on the mat or bed on which the corpse of the mistress was laid, Rev. B. C. Henry says, with regard to and screened from sight for a time. Two the wearing of nati ve Chinese costumes other female slaves were laid hold on by the missionaries in China : " Chinese and dressed up with best clothes and dress too often means a Chinese house, coral beads. This being done, they pure and simple, and native furniture, were led and paraded about the town native utensils, native food. These, to show the public the servants of the when necessity requires, may be cheer- fich dead miatresl! whom they would fully eqdllred tor a time, but to be volattend in the world of spirits. This foreign missions, addressing requests to was done for two days, when the un- ministers in different parts of the fortunate victims were taken to the edge Church to write briefly on some aspect of the grave, and their limbs were also of foreign missions and the Church's re- smashed with clubs, and their bodies sponsibility. The first series in the laid on the corpse of their mistress, and symposium appeared on December 10th, covered up with earth while yet alive. discussing the supreme motive of mis- We can only imagine what would be the sions-the _prayer, " Thy Kingdom feelings of these unfortunate victims. Come" -the Missionary-the Mission- Some of the Bonny oonverts attempted ary obligations-the need of consecra- to rescue these last two females by a tion-the debt to missions, and the large offer of ransom to buy bullocks for necessity for a full presentation of the the occasion, but it was refused them. facts. The idea is a good one, -and Can there be any doubt as to the urgent might be well imitated in other quar- necessity of sending Christian teachers ters. We must not only strike while the among this poor ignorant people, who iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. are slaves to Satan, and yet glory in their shame? After these atrooious deeds It is no smaIl gratification to the ed_ were performed, volleys of trade oan- itor to have received from France a copy nons were fired for days in honor of the of "La Crise des Missions," which is dead. I counted ten of these cannons a translation into the French language in the street opposite the house of the of the " Crisis of Missions." The ed- dead, about four or six pounders eaoh." itor supposes himself to be desoended from the Huguenots, his original name From Bolobo, Congo Free State, having been Pierre, the Frenoh for an English Baptist missionary writes: Peter; after the expulsion of the Hugue- " Our neighbor's wife died; a man and nots and their arrival in England, it bewoman were killed, so that she might came very natural that the next generanot go alone into the spirit world. Her tion should be known as Pierre-son, or spouse was then wound up in oloth, and Pierson, Peterson being another form of wrapped round and round with piece the same name. Having his little book after piece until it made a big barrel translated into the Frenoh language at shaped bundle two yards long and one this orisis of foreign missions, he feels in diameter. Hearing that two more as though he were like a son, bringing victims were to be sacrificed on the day to his old mother a tribute of filial love. of the funeral, I determined at least to put in a protest, and, together with An aged clergyman met a man who Miss Silvey, arrived on the scene just was declaiming against foreign misas the executioner was carrying the sions. " Why," asked the objector, young woman to the grave, at the mouth "doesn't the Church look after the of which the young man who was to be heathen at home?" "Oh, we do, ' , her companion in misery was bound and said the olergyman, qllietly, handing the ready for the last act-that of being man himself a tract. placed in the grave in a sitting position and bnri~d alive, with the corpse sup- One of the singular revenges of hisported on their knees. It was, indeed, tory is noted in the fact that the first a sad sight to see a couple of well-built stone of fhe monument erected to the young people, with fine, intelligent memory of the missionary John Willfaces, weeping bitterly at the prospect iams, who was oruelly killed in the of a cruel death and making their mute South Sea Islands, was Jaid by the son appeals for help." of the man who slew him.
The Ohristian Intelligencer of New York has started a symposium on
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
[EDITOBIAL. ] The Land of the Aztecs.
-Between the southern limits of in either direction may be found all the California, New Mexico, Arizona and featnres of a continent.
Texas, on the one side, and the conti- Historically, this country is equally nent of South America on the other, interesting. Here is the colossal there stretches an irregular triangle of museum of American antiquities.
land which, from a breadth of eighteen Cortes' conquest of Mexico dates back hundred miles, gradually tapers down- neaxly four centuries; yet this era is com.
ward to a narrow isthmus less than fifty paratively modern. Far back beyond the miles from sea to sea. Spanish invasion, into the dim distance The upper and much the larger part of of prehistoric times, stretches Mexican this triangular country is Mexico, which civilization, the monum(mts of whose dips down into the great waters of the unique, antique grandeur even now are Gulf like the arched head and neck of a among the wonders of the world. For camel. Below it lies Central America, example, there is the Teoccali of Cho- in shape somewhat like a half square, luba, its four stories coinciding with the bisected at its diagonal and resting its cardinal points of the compass, its balle base line on the Pacific. more than fourteen hundred feet square, This country of Mexico is, from every its summit rising to a height of one point of view, one of the most interest- hundred and sixty.four feet. Though ing in the world. In physical features undoubtedly built as a temple or grand it is very l'emarkable, having the capac- altax, it was also, like the Pyramid of ities and possibilities of an occidental, Cheops, a sepulchre; and a square sep- tropical paxadise. The Tropic of Can- ulchral chamber has been found with- cer divides Mexico into two nearly in, having no egress, and supported by equal parts, one of which lies on the cypress wood. In it were idols of Temperate, the otheron the TorridZone. basalt, curious vases and two skeletons.
On the western coast is the long, narrow At Mitla, in Oaxaca, have been discov- gulf of California, seven hundred miles ered very unique ruins, palaces with in length, famous for its pearls, and quaint, arabesque ornaments; a vast once known as the Vermilion Sea, from hall. whose ceiling is borne up by six its reddish hue; on the eastern side the porphyry columns, the like of whicli are Gulf Stream has its mysterious fountain. not elsewhere to be found in this hem- The configuration of the country is isphere, and which bear the marks of peculiar. A vast plateau, with a series the primitive days of art.
of table-lands varying in elevation from Politically, the country of Mexico six thousand to eight thousand feet, wields a peculiar fascination over the dotted with volcanic cones, forms the student of political history. In a double great bulk of the interior; and this sense this is a land of earthquakes and plateau abruptly descends toward the volcanoes. Frequent and violent social Pacific, while it gently sbpes to the upheavals characterize its annals. From broad lowlands which border the Gulf. the conquest, about 1522, until now, it Such a country must present all varie- has enjoyed little respite from these po- ties of climate. A few hours' journey litical eruptions and revolutions. After enables the traveller to pass from torrid exactly three centuries of Splnish dom- heats to the frigid realms of ice and ination, in 1822, it became for a short snow. There are three distinct and time an independent State under an well-defined climatic zones, with cor- emperor; in 1824 it was constituted a responding varieties of fiora and fauna. Federal Republic, but afterward came Within a range of five hundred ·miles under military dictatorship. In 1862, by French intervention, it became sub- twenty thousand victims were slaugh- ject to the sovereignty of an Austrian tered upon it. The papal religion has prince, and then again became a Repub- been forced upon the people, but it has lic. There is no social stability; quiet scarcely lifted them above the level of is but the interval between eruptions these old rites and superstitions. To and explosions. keep them down and keep them under, it was necessary to leave them in that The population is of a mixed hetero- ignorance which is the mother of super- geneous character, composed of every- Btition and to cater to their vices. thing, but compacted into nothing; and Hence to-day seven eighths of the pop- this is one secret of social disquiet. ulation cannot read or write. Marriage The whites of Spanish descent, called has sunk into concubinage. The Bible creoles, constitute at once an oligarchy is almost an unknown book, and the and a landed aristocracy. There is a name of Jesus is inseparable from that much larger body of mixed Spanish and of Jesuit. With a drunken and disso- Indian blood who count themselves lute priesthood for teachers and exem- among the whites, but are not of pure plars, with the very churches and con- lineage. Indians form the bulk of the vents identified with extortion and population, and their abject poverty re- licentiousness, the drift of society has .duces them to practical sl.:.very. With been toward atheism on the one hand this mixed mass are further mingled a and the indifference of religious apathy few negroes, and everywhere may be on the other; while the more abject poor found the mestizos, with their varieties, and oppressed lower·clas~es, pulverized the zambos, mulattoes, terzerons, and beneath the millstone of social tyranny quadroons. Add to all these the numer- and slavery, are only waiting for oppor- ous foreigners, especially French and tunity to feed their resentment. The German, and you have the body politic, only power that can remould such a pop- which throughout, like the feet of Neb- uIation is the pure Gospel of Christ. uchadnezzar's image, is of elements that Notwithstanding the sway of a nominal refuse to assimilate and combine, out- Christianity, Mexico is as much a field for wardly mixed but not mingled. Protestant missions as China or Africa.
The Mexican religion is well symbol- This popuIation of over ten millions, ized by the Teoccali, to which we have with a score of cities having each over already referred. The elevated summit- 20,000 inhabitants, lies on our borders, platform once sacred to the Aztec our next-door neighbor. Contact there deities now bears aloft a chapel to the must be, and it must be more close and Virgin. Another race has succeeded it frequent, as modern enterprise is so rapand supplanted the Aztec; so another idly annihilating space and time, and religion, with its new deities, saints, and pushing railways and telegraphs through sacrifices has reared its very shrine on the heart of the land of the Aztecs. the temple platform of a more ancient Lacking a river system and good harbors, superstition. Yet down beneath the Mexican commerce naturally Hoats to corrupt Romanism of Mexico, we find our ports. Awaking to the superiority the old relics of an abandoned faith. of our civilization, Mexican society be- gins to court closer fellowship with our That ancient Aztec religion was a institutions. Now is the tum of tide strange mixture of countless deities and in the affairs of this neighboring nation. deified passions and cannibal cruel- Whether avarice and ambition shall ties. That huge round block of red conquer Mexico in the interests of trade porphyry in the museum of the City of and traffic, or the spirit of the Gospel Mexico, once the capstone of the great shall impel laborers to till these opening pyramidal temple, was once the bloodi- fields for Christ, is the pivotal issue of est stone of sacrifice known on earth. the hour. Its side bears graven records of horrible cruelties, and it is said that every year Forty.four years ago, in 1847, in con- still in the State of Guerrero, until Manection with an unjustifiable war, the thilde Rodriquez went with her Bibles United States troops invaded Mexico, and tracts and anointed tongue to the but they bore in their knapsacks that homes of the people. Eight years ago, blessed book of God, which thus by the Rev. J. Milton Greene went with Rev_ strange fate of war found its way into Procopio Diaz, and found a welcome the Aztec land. The furrows ploughed again in Guerrero. Within seven weeks by cannon were strange furrows in they held thirty-two services, estabwhich to sow the seed of the Kingdom. lished six churches and thirteen congre- Yet so it was. Then seven years later, gations, and baptized two hundred and Miss Melinda Rankin, in Brownsville, eighty converts. Texas, just across the border, a few miles from Matamoras, set up her sem- There were similar signs, elsewhere inary. The revolution of 1857-8 open- in Mexico, of a breaking down of the ing Mexico to Protestant missions, Mr_ barriers of ages. When Mr. Forcada Thompson, agent of the Bible Society, entered Zilacuaro twenty.four years ago, crossed the Rio Grande to Matamoras he found that for six years Bibles and in 1860 ; and that heroic woman, Miss tracts had been making ready the paths Rankin, followed in 1864, and in 1865 of the Lord. A Mexican had opened a personally raised in our country the bookstore and taken with him four hun- $15,000 to push on her pioneer work, dred Bibles and a large lot of tracts, and herself training and sending out native had sold or given away the entire stock_ colporteurs. In 1866 she began work The circulation of the blessed word of at Monterey, and six years later the God had proved a similar John the Presbyterian General Assembly formally Baptist in Tabasco, preparing the way took up Mexico as a mission field. In of the Lord. September of that year a pioneer band of seven, Rev. Messrs. Pitkin, Phillips, The true policy of missions in Mexico Thompson, with their wives, and Miss is to raise up an efficient native ministry Ellen P. Allen, took ship from New to whose charge the churches may be York and went straight to the Mexican entrusted. In the theological seminary capital. There they found a large body at San Luis Potosi, this training work of people prepared for organization into is carried on. The girls' boarding- Protestant communities, and in J an- school, in charge of Miss Snow for five nary, 1873, Rev. M. N. Hutchinson and years, passed into the hands of Miss wife took charge of the work. During Bartlett, when Miss Snow became Mrs. the same year Zacatecas became to the Hamilton. Twenty-five pupils were here northern what Mexico city was to the gathered. southern States, the evangelical and evangelizing centre, and from these The fact that even figures sometimes points evangelism radiated. lie is illustrated in the reports of the statistics of the Mexican field. The re- The methods of work were simple duction in the number of converts and and effective. Protestant worship, with church-members reported by the Pres- Scriptural ordinances and sacraments, byterians, for example, led some to de- Christian schools, Bible teaching, evan- preciate the work and even to affirm gelical hymnology and the education of that it was going backward. But at first a native ministry were the seven-fold all baptized persons were classed with secrets of success. Of course these de- communicants, and so reported; but voted men and women had to breast according to Presbyterian usage elseopposition and sometimes dare and bear where, the lists of baptized children persecution. In the outbreak in Aca- haye been separated from those of compulco in 1875, several persons lost their muning members, and the latter only lives, and the work for a while stood reported. The fact is that, instead of a large loss, there has been a total gain of ten per cent over and above all reductions and losses by death, and the work made Juarez Governor of Oajaca. Revois growing both in interest and promise. lution having broken out there, his position was very difficult, but he not It is very difficult to give any fairly only reduced chaos to order, but sent accurate photograph of the present con· out armed forces to effect pacification dition of missions in Mexico. Before elsewhere in the Republic. In 1857 he what is written can be put in type, the was made Constitutional Governor of whole condition may have undergone Oajaca ; then in November, 1857, Presisuch change as to demand a revision if dent Comonfort made him . Secretary not reconstruction of the report. At of State, and afterward he became Presithe time of the Jubilee Report of the dent of the Supreme Court of Justice. Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, In January, 1858, he became ell-officio they had a total force of eighty.nine Constitutional President of Mexico, by laborers, of whom fifty.six were native the withdrawal of Comonfort. To him preachers, teachers or helpers, twenty· Mexico owes a great debt. He secured one licentiates, and four women. There recognition from the United States. were ninety churches, with 4314 com- In 1860 he drove Miramon, his rival, municants, and a gain of one sixth dur- from Mexico ; then, entering the capital ing the year. Over six hundred pupils in 1861, he was formally elected Presiwere gathered in schools. This repre- dent for four years, and executed with sents but one denomination. great severity the decrees against the clergy, by the confiscation of church Some reference ought to be added as estates. He was governor when France to Benito Juarez, the Mexican Presi- invaded the country and put Maximilian dent, and the descendant of the Toltec into power. In 1865 this ill-fated prince race.· Educated by a wealthy family, he issued his fatal decree declaring the rebecame distinguished in the law, and public extinct, and sentencing to death afterward, as a politician of most liberal all J uarists taken in :arms. Though ideas, went from the position of justice the term of Juarez had expired, the bold of the peace to presiding judge. In Toltec issued a proclamation that he 1846, at the age of 39, he was made should hold office until the driving out deputy to the Constitutional Congress of invaders should make possible a new in Mexico City. He was prominent in election. The United States now inthe administration of the famous manos terposed, our own Civil War being at an muerias, whereby the clergy had to end, and in 1866 Napoleon withdrew furnish a loan to pay war expenses in his troops, and Maximilian was shot in the conflict with the United States. 1867. Juarez probably would have been Then for four years he was Governor unable to prevent his sad end, as it was of Oajaca. During the period of peace judged by court-martial a justreprisalfor he opened roads, built up schools, re- his guerilla mode of warfare on Mexico. formed finances, and left the public treasury enriched when he retired from After a ten yeo.rs' struggle, in which the government. After being banished Juarez had held up the standard of the under Santa Anna, in 1853, he spent republic against treason at home and time in Havana and New Orleans, and armed intervention from abroad, he WIlS in 1855 joined Alvarez, whom he ac- again elected President, and died still companied to Cuernavaca, where he rep- in office, June 18th, 1872. He was an resented his native State in the choice of honest reformer and a man of statesa temporary President for the Republic. manlike ability. He is believed to have Alvarez being selected, Juarez was made done more than any other man of his Minister of Justice. To him was due generation to deliver Mexioo from tIle the Ley Juarez, the law abolishing the despotism of a corrupt papal church privileges of the clergy and the army. and open the way for the Protestant re- General Comonfort, who became Al- ligion and repUblican freedom. varez's substitute in December, 1855,
GE:NERAL MISSIO:NARY I:NTELLIGE:NCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
The Scandinavia.n Mission in Liverpool, by Rev. James Johnston, Bolton, England.
No lack of encouragement is sup- Kjaldstrom, of Hull, and Pastor Snellplied by the pUblication of the nine- man, of London, who have conducted teenth annual report of the Scandi- services in the Finnish tongue. This navian Mission in Liverpool, to sailors, brief record of what is being accom- ~migrants, and others who chiefly hail plished yearly for thousands in the great from Northwestern Europe. Last year port of Liverpool, who would otherwise marked the fifth anniversary of the be spiritually destitute, constitutes the opening of Gustaf Adolf's Church in most eloquent appeal for assistance. the famous English shipping port. The organization has the cordial aid of sev- Organized Missionary Work and Statiseral prominent Li veTpool citizens. Its tics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard, committee further includes the Swedish Bellevne, O. and Norwegian, Danish and Russian Consuls, and the most influential mem- -The China Inland Mission sent out bers of the resident Scandinavians. As no less than 59 missionaries in 1890, of in previous years, the work has been whom 32 were unmarried women. The continued among the mariners and number sent the year before was 55. American-bound emigrants without in- These toilers represent various societies, terruption. The services of the year such as the Swedish, the Norwegian, the 1889 number 331-averaging from six to German Alliance, and the Bible Chrisnine services weekly-and the attend- tian missions. ance in the aggregate to 31,000. Day by day the pastors and laymen have vis- -The number of missionary stations ited the ships, boarding-houses, Sailors' in Africa now exceeds 500. There are Home, emigrant houses, and hospitals, 400,000 converts, and the number is ininviting the wayfarers to the services, creasing at the rate of about 25,000 a comforting the sick, and distributing year. Within five years more than 200 religious books and tracts. During the natives have suffered martyrdom for year the British and Foreign Bible So- their faith. ciety presented the society with 2500 Gospels. The spacious reading-room -It is stated that not one in 10,000 in the basement of the church, which is of the Chinese have yet heard of the provided with admirable supplies of Saviour of mankind. The province of newspapers and religious literature, has Shen-si, which possesses 88 walled cities, become an appreciated quarter for rest, has 86 without 8. missionary. Another conversation, and general knowledge. province has 56 such cities, and 54 ut- When it is repprted that 549 Scandi- terly unreached by the true Light. Nine navian vessels dropped anchor last year other provinces of the empire are equalill the Mersey no greater proof of the ly destitute. need of the mission is required. For the maintenance of this remarkably suc- –The Free Church of Scotland had cessful undertaking the Hon. Treasurer, last year 181 branch stations; 51 or- Mr. C. Brodersen, 10 South Castle dained European missionaries; 14 or- Street, Liverpool, will gratefully ac- dained natives; 10 licentiates; 8 medknowledge the donations of friends ical missionaries ; 3 nati ve physicians; whether in Europe or America. Pastor 23 male and 35 female teachers; 15 lay O. Heden has been assisted in his min- evangelists and mast~rs of industrial istrations by Pastor J. A. Axelson and departments; 625 native helpers; 42 Mr. A. Andersen Hetland. Occasionally native churches; 6620 communicants; help has been volunteered by Pastor 26,826 pupils in schools of all grades.
-The Y. M. C. A. is spreading all over the world. There are now formed upward of 4000 associations, and of these 1000 are in papal lands, and nearly To which add Brazil Mission, 365 ; Cen- 300 in Mohammedan and heathen coun- tral Mexican Mission, 1650 ; China Mistries. There are 21 in India and Ceylon, sion, 348; Mexican Border Mission, 12 in Turkey, 6 in Syria, 12 in Africa, 5 1838 ; bishops, 8 ; travelling preachers, in China, 7 in Persia, and 200 in Japan. 4862 ; grand total, 1,177,150. There are going to be openings in every quarter for the young men who have a -Though the Salvation Army has fitness for secretaries and evangelists In Great Britain as its principal work-field, connection with these associations. and finds its chief. task in ministering to the poor and degraded of the great -Statistics of the Lutheran Church, cities, aggressive operations are also gathered by the Rev. J. N. Lenker, of pushed continually and with vigor in Leadville, Col., show in Europe a total heathen lands. Thus a few weeks since of 22,980 ministers, 29,644 churches, and a detachment of fifty young men and 43,133,696 baptized members; in North women sailed for India to reinforce the America, 4710 ministers, 7964 churches, members of the order already there. and 6,511,500 baptized members. In. These new recruits volunteered for this eluding the statistics of Oceanica, South particular service largely as an affec- America, Africa, and Asia with those tionate tribute to the memory of the already given, he makes the grand total late Mrs. Booth. As showing the in the world of 28,406 ministers, 38,381 financial strength of the Army, it is credchurches, and 50,061,280 baptized memo ited with owning property in various bers. countries to the amount of $3,250,000.
-Methodism in this country has over -The Methodist Episcopal Church, four and a half million members, led by North, with its 2,236,000 members, conover 30,000 preachers; Baptists nearly tributed last year for home, foreign, and four million followers, led by over 28,000 freedmen's missions, $1,799,000. But ministers; Presbyterianism, a million though this sum is large it yet repreand a half, led by a ministry of 11,500 ; sents an average of but eighty cents per besides a host of smaller denominations, member, while the Congregationalists, and a band of Sabbath·schools scholars with a membership of only 492,000, gave numbering over nine millions. In the to similar objects $1,877,000, or at the whole country there is a gain to the rate of $3.81. In all its foreign work Christian churches the past year of this great and active church reports a 1,089,853 members, 4867 ministers, and gratifying growth. The largest gains 8494 churches. were mads in North India, where in a single district last year 2677 were bap- -Statistics of the entire membership tized of whom 1020 were adults. The of the Methodist Episcopal Church, total increase in all the fields was 5553, South, are given as follows: Georgia, or nine per cent. The Methodist Epis- 132,606; Texas, 126,884; Tennessee, copal Epworth League, though but two 114,351 ; North Carolina, 111,630 ; Vir. years old, has 300,000 members. ginia, 108,341; Alabama, 88,702; Missouri, ~2, 933; Kentucky, 80,685 ; Mis- -Madagascar, with its 230,000 square SISSIppi, 72,203; Arkansas, 69,378; miles and population of 3,500,000, is South Carolina, 67,094; West Virginia, one of the wonder-lands for missionary 24,779 ; Louisiana, 23,269 ; Florida, 23,- success. The Church Missionary So- 044 ; l:[aryland, 10,866; Indian Terri- ciety has 12 representatives at work tory, 8130; California, 7491; Illinois, upon the island, and has gathered 6361; Kansas, 2803; Oregon, 1569; 10,000 adherents, and the Society of Colorado, 1138 ; Indiana, 1104 ; District Friends, with a force of 15, has gained of Columbia, 772; New Mexico, 542; 32,000. But the London Missionary Montana, 456; Washington, 342; Ne· Society, first in the fiel d, and called to braska, 300; Arizona, 225; Idaho, 80. bear the heat and burden of the day, can easily reckon up by far the largest are 6271, and the expenditures for the results. To her 30 English toilers are year were $lJ4,742.42. The Japan Mis- joined as auxiliaries 827 native ordained sion was opened in 1873. and has 1686 ministers and 3459 other nati ve helpers. church-members, an increase for the In the churches are found 40,000 mem- year of 211, and the cost was $27,503.50. bers, while 160,000 adherents listen to the Gospel. The local contributions Christian Church (Disciple).-Secamounted last year to $18,340. retary, Rev. A. McLean, Cincinnati, O.
Arabian Mission.-Treasurer, Prof. Report for the year closing October J. G. Lansing, New Brunswick, N. J. 18th, 1890.
Report for the year closing October This church has a membership of over 1st, 1890. seven hundred thousand, and sustains missions in India, China, Japan, and This Society was formed in August of Turkey, in addition to work in England 1889, and the field chosen for its first and Denmark. It has in heathen lands operations is likely to be Southern 32 stations and 33 missionaries from Arabia and the Aden region. Two America (of whom 16 are women) and missionaries are already there or on 25 native helpers, a total of 58. The their way thither, and making prepara- church-members number 1418, a gain tion for their work by studying the for the year of 158, a net gain of 135. language. Its receipts for the first year In day-schools 817 pupils are found, ani 'were $4738.47 with a bequest of $5000 2063 in Sunday-schools. The receipts in addition, and the expenditures were were $67,750.49,8 gain of $5820.34, but $3144.64. $12,000 came froll} a single bequest. An earnest call is issued for $100,000 in Evangelical Association. – Secre- 1891. tary, Rev. S. Heininger, Cleveland, O. Reformed Church in the United Report for the year olosing Sept., 1890_ States.-Secretary, Rev. Allen R. Bar- This society has a mission conference tholomew, Harrisburg, Pa. in Germany and another in Switzerland, but its work for the heathen is wholly Report for the year closing May 6th, confined to Japan, where 5 missionaries, 1890. with 10 native itinerant preachers and 3 local preachers, sustain 31 appoint- Until 1865 this church contributE1d ments. A theological seminary gives through the American Board in all training to 13 students. The number about twenty eight thousand dollars, of church-members is 378. of whom 115 and had its representatives in Asia were received last year. In 1888-89 Minor and among the American Indians. the receipts for the Japan missions were In 1878 a mission was opened in Japan, $9513.03. to which 7 missionaries have since been sent. The number of native preachers Methodist Church (Canada).-Sec- is 17. The churches are 12, with a retary, Rev. Alexander Sutherland, D.D., membership of 1656, and the contribu- Toronto. tions for nine months 'of 1889-90 were $2835.15. The number of converts was Report for the year closing June 1st, 218. A girls' school is sustained, and a 1890. theological school with 26 students. The cost of the mission for three years is This church has a membership of $59,209.64. 233,868, and has increased by 36,399 in four years. It sustains missi;;ns among North Africa Mission.-Secretary, the French, Indians, and Chinese in Edward H. Glenny, 21 Linton Road, Canada, Manitoba, and British Colum- Barking. bia. Its foreign work is confined to Japan. In aU fields the missionaries The figures are from the Monthly number 67, with 44 native assistants Record, December, 1890. and 46 teachers. The church-members This society was organized in 1881, is undenominationol, and has its work Income. sundry funds ..•……•.••• $10.172.35 among the Mohammedans, Jews, and Tuition and public funds. •…….• 40,066.75 Europeans in Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, U. S. Gov't, on account of tuition Tripoli, and Northern Arabia, with a 24.700.08 population of 14,000,000. It has 53 mis- and subsistence for Indians. _… . 8,900.00 sionaries in the field, of whom'31 are lo- Slater Fund, paid to Institutions.. . cated in Morocco and Algeria, 2 are physicians, 36 are women and 28 are Total …………………. $408,038.97 unmarried. In November 7 were sent Balance in hand September 30th, out, and 4 others have been accepted. 1889…….. …. ……………. 4.471.67 Canadian Church (Episcopal).- Secretary, Rev. Charles H. Mockbridge, Total….. ……. ……… $412,510.64 D.D., Toronto. DANI1IL H.um Fmm. INcoHlI: ACCOUNT. Report for the year closing July 31st, Income collected 1889-90……….. ~,686.76 1890. Balance in hand September 30th.
Hitherto this church had contributed 1889…………………… …. .. 16,688.56 through the Church of England, but last year sent out its first missionary, Total……… …. ……… $51,375.32 and to Japan. The total expenditures Amount expended in the South….. $47,482.27 were $14,785, of which these are the Balance in hand and appropriated… 3,893.05 principal items: Total. … ………………. $51.375.32 S. P. G………………………….. $1,880.59 REC1tIl'TS J'OR THlI: WORK OJ' THE YEAR. C. M. S…………………………. 1,410.44 S. P. C. K……………………….. 470.15 For current work • •. •. …..•..•.••• $408.038.97 Income from Daniel Hand Fund…. 34.686.76 Colonial and Con. Church Society. . •• . 470.15 Proportion of General Expenses.. . . . •• 245.00 Total …………………. $442,725.73 Appropriat~d Contributions. American Board.-Secretaries, No.1 S. P. G…………………………. $3,301.73 Somerset Street, Boston, Mass. C. M. S…… _…. ……….. ••• •••••• 275.71 Bishop of Madras ……………….. 305.00 Report for the year closing August Zenana Missions…. . .. .. . .• •••• ••• •• 1,289.53 31st. 1890. Parochial Missions to Jews………… 1,424.06 London Society, Jews …………….. 2,321.81 No. of missions………………… . 22 Rev. J. Cooper Robinson, Japen Fund. 1,227.06 Stations and out-ltatiOns •••••••.•••• 1,053 American Missionary. Association. -The main work of this society is in Ordained missionaries.••••••.•••.•.• 183 the Southern States among the freedmen and the" Mountain whites," with large Lay …………. .. 17 emphasis given to education. but missions are !Llso sustained among the Ind- Women (wives. 181) .. .. 333 ians and the Chinese in this country. Whole No. from America.••.•••….. 533 The Treasurer's Report (October 1st, 1889-September 30th, 1890) gives a grati- Native pastors………………… .. 174 fying exhibit. showing a credit balance of $2,089.24, an increase of receipts over Total native helpers…………….. . 2,417 last year of $31,820.09, a total of $408,- 038.97, and if the income be added from Total American and native •..•.•.••. 2.950 the Daniel Hand Fund, $34,086.76, the aggregate amounts to $442.725.73. the No. of churches……………….. .. 387 largest ever received by the Association. No. of church-members…….. _…. . 36,256 RECEIl'TS. Added during the year…………. .. 4,554 From churches. Sabbath schools. missionary societies and Individ- No. of adherents……………… .. 127,000 nals…………… ………… ••• 8186,470.61 No. of church-members from the be- Estates and legacies.:…. • •••••• 137.739.18 ginning……………… …….. .. 115,000 Average congregations….. ………. 62.200 Under theological training.. . .. . . . . .. 247 In 66 colleges and high schools.. . . . . . 4,600 In 56 girls' boarding schools. . •..• .•• 3,180 In 889 common schools…. .. .. .. .. .. 33,114 Whole number under Instruction…. 47.329 Native contributions….. …. ……. $117,494 Total receipt…………………….. $763,434.07 Protestant Episcopa.l. – Secretary. Rev. WilliamS. Langford, D.D., 22 Bible House, New York.
Report for the year closing December 31st, 1890. According to the Living Chu.rch Alma- Nonconformists in this total is thus nac for 1891, this church has 4163 stated: clergy, 299 candidates for orders, 2330 parishes and missions, and 508,292 com- Wesleyan Missiouary Society……….£124,883 municants. The number of baptisms Londou Missionary Society…. . . .• . . . . . 98,830 IMt year was 61,665, of which nearly Baptist Missionary Society. . . . . .. . •… . 63,470 47,000 were of infants. The contribu- English Presbyterian Foreign Missions. 14,492 tions for the year are $12,754,767. .. Friends" Foreign Mission Association. 13,156 Wesleyan Ladies' Auxiliary for Female In addition to work carried on in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Education…….. …. ……… ……. 7,661 Greece, and Hayti, missions are BUS- United Methodist l!"'ree Churches' Fortained among the Indians and freedmen, and in West Africa, China, and eign Missions.. .. . …. …………… 6,283 Japan. These are the figures for the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists Foreign three fields last named : Missionary Society.. . …………… 7,195 Bishops….. .. ….•. …. …. •… 4 Eight smaller societies and value of Presbyters (of whom native, 14)…….. 32 needlework….. …. … …. ………. 33,682 Deacons (native).. .. •. … ..•. . .. . . . . . .. 18 Total. ……………………….£364,652 Candidates for holy orders……… •••• 22 Scottish and Irish Presbyterian soci. eties contributed £185,646, aud Roman Catechists, readers, etc. (native)……. 'J7 Catholio societies £9819. The amount for 1888 was £1,334,491, and for 1887 Stations……………. …. …. ……. 196 was £1,228,759.
Baptisms……………. …………. 585 United Presbyterian Church, Scot- land.-These figures set forth the growth Adult baptisms…………………… 331 witnessed by this society in thirty years, and in six important and decisive par- Confirmations……… …. …… ….. 265 ticulars. As will be noticed, the de- velopment of both causative forces and Communicants ……….. " …. .. .. … 2,242 of results has been steady, and the two have kept pace in a remarkable manner. Increa.e……………. …… ……… 305 The first column includes ordained na- tive pastors, Zenana missionaries and Scholars in day schools …..• …….. 2,434 European teachers, but excludes all native evangelists and teachers. Scholars in Sunday·schools…….. .. 8,247 Native contributions………….. : …. $5,527.79 The appropriations for work among the American Indians and freedmen is $85,007.50, and for foreign missions $162,504, or a total of $247,511.50.
British Contributions to Foreign ~! "'"Q)~ ..d~ 1>,' Missions.-Canon Scott Robertson has ~lS ~~ "[;Q ;.0) prepared with great care the following .~+::.£ ,>:IS -"il ~,g summary of the gifts of British Chris- ~~ j~ ~~ tians to foreign missions in 1889. Os .s :9~ Though somewhat smaller than in 1888, ~~ ~t. it is yet larger than for any previous -bS year. Of the grand total, £1,301,306, ~ ° – – " — – he estimates that £670.000 came from – § 8"t0d 0 members of the Church of England. The channels of contributions were: – — – -0 – 1859…. 30 1 85 4,552 £16,900 £2,090 Church of England Societies•…•….. £523,226 1869…. 63 7 48 5,740 29,100 8,020 Joint Societies of Churchmen and 1879 …. 81 12 68 9,187 32,300 6,500 1889 …. 117 l!3 96 14,899 40,500 10,470 Nonconformists ……………… .. 217,963 English and Welsh Nonconformist 1 Societies ……………………. . 364,652 Missionary Failure.-The cry about Scotch and Irish Presbyterian Socie- the failure of the modern mission sug- gests a close study of the following statis- ties ………………………….. . 185,646 tical table, compiled to show the growth Roman Catholic Societies. . …..•…• 9,819 at intervals of five years during the past thirty years, or from the beginning of Total contrihutions…….. . … £1,301,306 missionary work in the Methodist mis- sion of North India. The number of The share of 'English and Welsh communicants given is, with the ex- ception of 217 Europeans and Eurasians, native membership. ~~!~ln=~:~~:::':':::':::::.:':::::::.::::~:::::: 1858~ 186~ 1:~ 1::~11 '~I'~I ':; Number of Sunday..schoo!s ……………. , ……. 9 31 104 164 4-30 703 " "school scholars…… …………. 397 860 4,540 6,~ 17,366 26,585 " ~1 :~~~f~~~:::::::: ::::::::::::::::~:::. 4~ 1,Jll 3,~ 6,~,1 7,~7 t2j~ 16,~~ Christian boys in schooL……………. 4 130 257 296, 442 t,243 2,027 " girls in school. .. " …… .., 126 168 350 715 971 1,327 Baptisms during past year……………… …….. .. 115 289 5701 7B9 1,169 1,959 Christian community.. .. .. .. .. .. …. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 11 .. . . 11,000 " men teachers and evangelists………….. …. women teachers and Bible readers. ,…. .. …• 320 300 The number of children in schools tive Christians live. Christian con. includes only 260 pupils other than verts reside in more than 600 towns and pure natives. Twenty missionaries direct work in 225 centres where na· villages, where they BUpport their own work.
AMERICAN MISSION IN EGYPT. A COMPARISoN SHOWING THE lIHSSlON'S GROWTH AND STATUS, DEC. 31, 1889. 1854-1889.
PERIODS: FmST, 5; OTHERS, 10 YEARS. 1859. 1869. 1879. 1889.
Number stations and churches. . ……………….. .. 3 8 48 112 ~. organized congregations, Christians. . …. . 2 11 29 1 5 12 pastors (native) ………………………. .. 1 6 7 licentiates" . .. ……………. …. . .. . 13 . 8 *14 theqloglcal students …………………… . 180 9B5 2,971 communicante, Dec. 81. ……………….. ' 48B 2,088 5,654 4 $566 $4,726 " of attendants, Sabbath A.M'……………… . 100 5 39 $6,495 Amonnt contributions for church purposes……….. . 118 1,575 9B Number Sabbath schools ……………………… '. 2 (1) 100 4,427 h school pupils…. .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. , .. . 20 $829 H 400 1,200 50 300 83 Amouut contributions Sabbath·school pupils…. , …. . 2,150 Number harem workers ……………………… . "i4 44 " women taught in harems. …. .. ………… .. 'iii 2,218 4,557 females hearing word in churches, harems, 633 1,537 1,156 schools, etc…. ………………….. . .. . 60 352 female ~om!ll~nicant8, ~ec: 31. . ………….. . 281 681 4 women s mISSIOnary SocIetIes …….. ……. . 12 61 159 members women's missionary societies. . . . .. . 10 29 $273 $596 $2.723 100 Amount contributions women's missionary societies .. 6,446 20,720 2,100 6,350 6,304 Number day and training schools……………….. .. 4 $2,051 $4,694 4,386 $3,213 $12,148 1,918 :: pURils, enrollmeutt ……………………. .. 100 51 199 boys ………………………….. .. 45 31 117 100 20 35 " H girls., ………………………… . 55 25 13 $13,872 Teachers {Males…. ………………………. .. 3 B 31,067 Females…………………………. .. .23 10,184 Amount paid by natives for school purposes………. . 3 883 $6,384 Book department: Total volumes sold …. …….. . 600 '(f)' $860 $27,358 250 Scriptures …………………………………….. . (?) 75 Total receipts…. .. .. .. .. .. .. …. .. .. .. . .. … .. …. .. (?) 50 Total paid by natives for all purposes……………. . (?) 68 Training college: Pupils…….. .. ……………. .. 25 NUl;'!-ber of gra?ustes… .. '.' …… _. ………. …. ..- ~11 III servIce of Chnst.. . ……… . teachers trained and workiug. ' ……….. ' .. . 64 2,981 pastors. preachere, etc., trained …….. , ….. . 1,315 college pupils in theological class. .. .. …. .. . $2,123 " sch~ols.-outgrowth.. . .. . .•• .. .. …. .. ….. .. . puplls III same………………………… . Total enrollment, college …………………….. .. Amount fees paid by pupils ………………….. ..
* In 1890, theological students, 19.
t Sects, 1889: Protestants, 1,822; Copts, 3,718 ; Mohammedans, 831 ; others, 433. ~ Seventeen in 1890. Monthly Bulletin. steamer. The annual drink bill of Japan is $86,000,000, an average of -Wo hive Bishop Walker's church $2.40 for every individual in the Emon wheels, and now the Free.Will Bap. pire. It is encouraging, however, to tists have built a floating ohuroh, whioh learn that a total abstinence society has was launched recently at St. Louis. It been organized in that country, and that iii intended to 0lrry the Gospel along many are uniting with it. the Mississippi from St. Paul to New OrleanEl. -The missionaries in Africa deem the work of one woman equal to that of -TJie Presbyterian Church has now twelve men, since the women can go in Alaska seven missions and fOllr anywhere, even among the fiercest ohurches, with seventy to eighty com· tribes, unmolested. The female mismunicants each. Besides the Presby- sionaries are held in high esteem; their terian. the Moravian, the Protestant motives are never questioned, and they Episcopal, the Methodist Episcopal, the are listened to with greatest respect. Roman Catholio, and the Anglioan ohurches have missions in Alaska. -From the recent report of the Jap- -The Church Missionary Society of anese Minister of Education it appears England proposes to send out one thousand new missionaries during the next that education is now offered to all the fi ve or six years. A much larger proportion than heretofore will be laymen. children in Japan, and that there are -It was recently reported from the nearly three millions of pupils in the Presbyterian Mission at Wei Hien. China, that there were 650 inquirers, pllblic schools of the Empire. There and that 150 had been baptized. This is most gratifying news. is a remarkable growth of intelligence -The spirit of intolerance seems to among the people. The standard of rule unmitigated in Russia. It is stated that the procurator of the Holy education is advancing, as is shown in Synod has advised the Czar to banish all foreign missionaries, and to suppress the fact that many new studies have foreign worship except in the Baltic provinces, where the Lutheran religion been introduced in the Imperial U~:liis barely tolerated. versity of Tokyo. ' -The working of the marriage laws of India is illustrated in a recent inci- -A congress of French Protestants dent. A marriage was arranged between was recently held in Paris, having in an edllcated young girl of twelve and a view new consecration and practical lawyer of twenty.three who was suffer· study. The meetings were very earnest. ing from white leprosy. The girl was The subjects considered were such as ,kept in ignorance of the disease of her the relation of the evangelist to the paspurchasing husband. and learned it only tors and churches, difficulties in the way when she met him at the marriage ser- of evangelization in Roman Catholic vice. She merely looked up with tearful countries, and the getting of converts eyes to her father, and then submitted into the church, especially where differto her lot with a resignation character- ent denominations are represented in istic of the Hindu maiden. the same place. A resolution was adopted asking the French Evangelical -American enterprise is now sending Alliance to study means for promoting :r;um to Japan, as well as to Africa. It a confederation of French Protestant is carried over the Union Pacific Rail- churches. way an4 forwarded to Yokohama by -Another mission is to be established in Alaska by the Reformed Episoopal Church. The government having prom- ised $1000 for buildings and $1000 toward expenses, Miss Benson, of Phil. adelphia, offered to contribute one half of the remaining expenses on condition that the Church would raise the remain- der. These propOSitions bave been 00cepted, and an appeal has been made tions on the confines and books prepared for funds. in Thibetan to equip the missionary as . Boon as the wall is broken down. A -The interesting fact is stated that prayer union has been formed among while the number of Christians in Japan the Moravians to pray for the opening is only about one in one thou~and, and of Thibet. in no province do Christians even' approach to a majority, yet there have -Dr. B. H. Badley, 'President of been eleven members of the House of Lucknow Christian College, writes to Representatives chosen from their num- the Independent of the North Indian ber. There are also three professed Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Christians in tho House of Peers. A Church. Its foundations were laid in Christian has been ohosen President of the dark days of the mutiny of 1857, by the new House of Representatives. A Dr. Butler. In August, 1858, the statisformer vice-president of the liberal tics were: Missionaries, 3 ; helpers, 7 ; party is an active Presbyterian elder. church members, 1; probationers, 4; After his ~lection he was advised to give orphans, 6; day scholars, 41 ; native up his office in the church, as it might congregations, 35. In 1889 the figures create prejudice against him, but he re- were: Missionaries, 30,; Zenana and plied that he regarded his office in a native, 72 ; helpers, 389 ; church-mem- Christian church as more important bers, 4989; probationers, 4793 ; than his seat in the Diet. It was then orphans, 617; day scholars, 17,241; suggested that he absent himself from Sunday-school scholars, 28,400 ; native the meetings, but he answered that he congregations, 13,529. The mission has rega.rded attendance at Christian wor- its own publication house, a theological ship as a greater privilege, as well as a seminary, a college, and 8 woman's colhigher duty than any other. This shows lege, and is in all respects splendidly sturdy Christianity in Japan. equipped for work.
-It is said that Hebrew is rapidly -In the year 1800 only one twentybecoming again a Iiving tongue in Pales- fifth of our population was in towns of tine. Jews driven by persecution from more than 8000 inhabitants. Now more other countries are gathering in the land than one fourth of our population is of Israel. They do not know each massed in cities. Thill fact is startling. other's language, but all of them under- It has its great lesson for the Church. stand something of Hebrew, and the Here is where the work of evangelizaconsequence ia that Hebrew is becoming tion must be pressed. While we are the medium of communication among sending missionaries to fOl,eign lands, them. Two weekly newspapers are now God is sending thousands of foreigners published in Jerusalem in Hebrew. It to us, that we may Christianize them would seem expedient that missionaries right at our own doors. The problem of to the Jews in Palestine should be able city evangelization is one of the great to speak in the Hebrew language. problems of Christian missions to-day.
-Thibet is one of the few countries -Dr. Arthur Mitchell, Secretary of where the preaching of the Gospel is the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Misprohibited. Very little is known of the sions, was greatly impressed in his repeople. The population is set down as cent visit, with the vast unoccupied 6,000,000. They have two forms of re- fields in Central China. He found cities ligion, one of which is a type of Buddh- of from 75,000 to 300,000 with not one ism. Various attempts have been missionary of any denomination. These made to carry the Gospel into the coun- fields are open, too. "There is as littry, but they have all been practically tle excuse," he says, " forIeaving a city unsuccessful. The Moravians have long of 100,000 on the New York Central Railwaited to enter the field, having sta- roe.d without 8 single ~reaqber of the GOIl_ pel, as for leaving cities of that size and Miss Frances E. Willard, "no steamer double that size utterly neglected with- could revolve its wheels fast enough to in twenty-four hours of Shanghai." convey me to the Dark Continent. I should go where my color was the cor- -The Rev. J. A. MacDonald, a Wes- rect thing, and leave these pale faces to leyan missionary in Bengal, says that in work out their own destiny." India idolatrous practices are coming into disrepute. He thinks that the -Along the West Africa coast thirtyreign of false gods is drawing to a close. five languages, or dialects, have been mastered, and portions of the Scripture -The Foreign Mission Board of the and various religious and educational Reformed Church has sent out an ear- books and tracts have been translated nest appeal for special contributions to and printed, reaching thus about eight meet the needs of the work. It makes million people. these suggestions: "One cent a day from every member of the Reformed -This is woman's age. Even in Church in this country, 90,878, would slow-moving China, women are coming give $331,707 a year for this blessed ser- to the front. The Amhoy MontMy Ohurch vice. Five cents a week (a single car- Magazine contains a prize essay by a fare) saved and given to it would yield young woman on " How Shall Christian $236,283. Women Lead their Heathen Sisters to Worship God." -An ignorant Hindu woman became a Christian. Her husband told Dr. -The Moravians, at the close of a Murray Mitchell that his wife was century of missionary work, show a realways singing. Dr. Mitchell asked the markable record. The total number of man to write down some of the words their members at home is but one-third she sang and bring them to him. He of those in the mission fields. One in did so, and the following is the transla- every sixty-five of their adult members tion: has gone to labor as a missionary.
" To my poor house there came a lofty strauger- -Reginald Radcliffe says that the Oh, it was Jesus, the darling of heaven. sooner we understand that the New I ran to bid Him welcome. Testament does not ask nor expect the evangelization of the world to be done " With gods of stone what have I now to do ? by ministers, any more than a general I clasp my Saviour's feet; expects the fighting to be done by him- My whole soul clings to Jesus. self and his officers, but in far greater part by the rank and file, the sooner " Since to my breast I clasped those blessed feet, will the day of missionary advance be- Rich, rich am I, 0 Jesus I gin. The apostles did not send to And Thou wilt never leave:' Jerusalem for foreign pastors, but out of the converts in each town found na- -Sometimes converts in heathen tive overseers which they placed over countries may teach us older Christians the flock. lessons in systematic beneficence. It is said that the Christians in Ceylon -The Young Men's Christian Assohave four methods of giving for the sup- ciations are spreading all over the port of the Gospel. First, the tithes of world. There are now above four thoutheir earnings. Second, the offering of sand associations. Of these there are, trees-the setting apart by each family in India and Ceylon, 21; in Turkey, of a cocoa· nut tree, the produce of which 12; in Syria, 6; in Africa, 12; in they sacredly devote to benevolent pur- China, 5 ; in Persia, 7 ; in Japan, 200. poses. Third, the offering of labor-de- There will be openings in all parts of voting a certain amount of time to work the world for young men who are fitted in the interest of the church. Fourth, to be secretaries and eyangelists in conthey reserve a handful of rice from neotion with these associations. every day's meal.
-" If I were black and young," says
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 — December 1890
I•I. 882 LORD STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
Vox.; XIII. No. 12.-0Id Series.– DECEMBER. –VOL. m. No. 12.-New Serie3.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
LORD STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE. A NOBLE FRIEND OF MISSIONS.
BY MRS. JAMES S. DENNIS, BEIRU'l', SYRIA.
It is inspiring to all loyal lovers of the Kingdom of God to recalI the varied sources of its tribute, and the widely contrasted ranks in society which have yielded it allegiance. It kindles the heart to observe how the sceptre of that Kingdom has waved, up and down the centuries, compelling history to proclaim its sway. Literature has lent the charm of her gracefnl periods to exalt its pure and noble principles. Science, perchance unconscious of its unsought honor, has delved for its service. It brings its wealth from far, and unexpected gifts are poured into its treasury. Truly "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof," and, with deep gladness, we learn that "His Kingdom ruleth over all."
To those of us who are accustomed to fix our eyes intently on certain agencies of the church, as the main, if not the only, means of extending the reign of Divine law, order, beauty and righteousness, it comes almost as a delightful surprise to note how often those not directly connected with such agencies are, in their own way, helping on the one grand work. 'l'ruth is one, whether sung by the poet, painted or chiseled by-the artist, proclaimed by the orator, toiled for by the statesman, died for by the soldier, preached or taught by the humble missionary. Into this fellowship of service it is a refreshment to come.
The story of the life of Stratford Canning, Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe,* is an illustration of the valuable work done for God's Kingdom by one holding a lofty social and diplomatic position in the kingdoms of this world. Daniels there have been, starring the course of history all down the ages, men raised up to stand firmly for righteousness, justice, and the liberty of the human soul, even amid the dark though high places of sin and oppression-among these this honored name has a place. No human character is perfect, and his was marred by an imperious temper which often flashed with too hot a hlaze; but rarely do we find a more tenacious hold upon principle, * The thread of thisnaJTative is mainly drawn from the able volumes on the "Life of Strat- ford Canning,Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe," by Stanley Lane-Poole. Additional information has been derived from "Forty Years in the Turkish Empire," and an article on "Civil and Religous Liberljy in Turkey," in the Princeton Review for October, 1875, by Rev. E. D. G. Prime, D.D. gr~ater devotion to duty, stronger faith in Providence, more unre- lenting efforts in behalf of human rights and religious liberty, in the face of almost unconquerable difficulties, extending through many long years.
A brave and loyal Englishman, gladly representing his own hon- ored sovereign, his fealty was to that Kingdom which shall embrace all the kingdoms of this world. His long life of nearly 94 years began in the heart of London in 1786. It was destined to touch many lands in its influence, and, extending over so large a portion of this wonderful 19th century, to come into contact with many phases of its history and many of its earnest questions. Only after his three score years and ten had passed was he able, with any sense of abiding, to linger in England-the land so devotedly loved during all the years of his foreign service. The exceptional beauty, as well as moral and intellectual vigor, of those later years in his English home must have been something of a compensation for his long period of exile. He must, however, have found a deeper satisfaction in the consciousness that he had been able to accomplish much towards the establishment of the principles of justice and religious liberty in the land which had been the field of his most prolonged labors. Some disappointment mingled with his content and some sadness that what had been ob- tained in word had not all been carried out in deed; but, we trust, that he, too, like the men of faith of old, though not receiving the fullness of the promise, was able to discern it afar.
When only 20 years of age 11r. Canning began his association with the diplomatic service, being appointed to the position of second sec- retary to the Mission to Copenhagen, through the influence of his relative, George Canning, then at the head of the foreign department.
He left Cambridge to accept this office, which had but a two months'
tenure-the Danes continuing, at that time, to maintain an attitude of hostility toward England. Ere another year had ,passed, we find him af'l secretary to the mission of the plenipotentiary, Mr. Adair, entering the Dardanelles, and having his introduction to the scenes where, later in life, he was to wield so important an influence and to maintain so dignified a position. He was fascinated with the beauty of scenery and the historic charms of the East, which his poetical and classical tastes enabled him to appreciate well. 'l'here was, however, much in the human elements of the situation which was utterly distasteful to him. Again and again, during his residence, did he "shake the dust of Stamboul from his feet" with the firm resolve never to return there.
Still, the strangely reiterated call of duty found him ever obedient, and six times did he go back. Only at the age of 73 did he say a last farewell to Constantinople. These early years of his life there were a peculiar training for his later service. Singular and great responsi- bilities were laid on his young shoulders. In 1808, the time lVIr. Adair entered upon his mission, Europe was in a most confused and intricate political situation, Napoleon being on the scene of action. England was at war not only with France, but in a sense, with the countries under French influence. She had been in conflict with Turkey, not on account of British grievances, but for those of Russia. Later in the same year she found herself in discord with Russia herself. Such were the kaleidoscopic changes and counter- changes of the time. '1'he aim of lVIr. Adair's mission was to arrange a peace with Turkey, and the negotiations for the consummation of this object afforded young Canning his first lessons in the vexatious and procrastinating diplomacy of the '!'urks. The French, on their part, brought every possible influence to bear upon the Porte, to deter her from acceding to England's propositions. The desired result, was, however, at last accomplished, and the "Treaty of the Darda- nelles" was signed in January, 1809.
On the departure of Mr. Adair, in 1810, 111'. Canning, in his 24th year, was placed in the responsible position of minister-plenipotenti- aryat the Sublime Porte. The time was at hand for him to enter upon his true career in a contest of high importance. Napoleon was pre~:; ing on in deep-laid schemes for Eastern dominion. His aim was nothing less than the spoliation of the Ottoman Empire, To withstand, in battle, this man of prestige and might, in his grasping and selfish ambitions, was the work set before the youthful minister. Far from England, with no one in Constantinople on whom he could rely for advice, alone he entered upon the task. A mysterious silence rested upon the office of the Foreign Secretary, in London. "The fact seems incredible," says Canning's biographer, "nevertheless it is true, that not a word of political'instructions did he receive during these two years in which he (at thi::; time) ,'eprcoellteJ EllglanJ at the rurte." This was the school in which he was trained in self-reliance, and in which were developed his rare diplomatic abilities. Most keenly, however, did he feel his isolation and responsibility. Oft and oft did he besiege the Foreign Office for instructions, but for some unexplained cause the silence on the subject of his repeated dispatches remained unbroken.
.The "Treaty of Bucharest" effecting a peace between Russia and the Porte, signed in 1812, was the outcome of these labors. By means of this, the Russian army of the Danube was released and enabled to oppose the French. The Duke of Wellington afterwards wrote, in terms of extreme laudation, of the value of the work that had thus been done, rating it even as "the most important service that ever fell to the lot of an individual to perform:" Thus early in life was he pr?videntially the agent in accomplishing great results, and his writings indicate his appreciation of the deep moral responsibility resting upon him. There is something pathetic in the stripling, alone, without human <.lounsel, being left to deal with issiles of such vast import, but it is sometimes the way of the Supreme Ruler to carry-out His great designs through a single individual.
Canning, notwithstanding his success, was ever yearning for England, the centre of his affections and ambitions. Having resigned his position in Constantinople, we find him again at home, but it is not for long. In 1814, he was sent to assist in the reconstruction of Switzerland, and later, in connection with Swiss affairs, he mingles in ,the crowd of sovereigns, soldiers and statesmen who gather at the Vienna Congress.
In 1819, he went for three years as Minister to the United States, and, in 1824, he received his appointment as Ambassador to Turkey. At this time, the question of the liberation of Greece and her restoration to an independent existence, was one which enlisted the attention of many generous souls. Canning was one who, from an enthusiastic interest in the classic past and an ever-kindling indignation at cruelty and oppression, as well as sympathy in struggles for attainment of just human rights, naturally felt deeply in reference to the future of Greece. Before going to Constantinople, his instructions embraced a visit to the court:of St. Petersburg, for the purpose of negotiations in connection with the Greek question. Returning from Russia, he was married to the lovely lady who seems to have been a rare helpmeet through his remaining years. Her intelligent sympathy, restraining gentleness, and sincere piety enriched and strengthened his life. On their way to Constantinople they visited Greece. Canning there had informal conferences with the Greek patriots, and saw with his own eyes some of the horrors which had stirred so many hearts. lIe wrote, at this time: "Heavens! how I long to be the instrument of repairing such calamities by carrying my mission of peace and deliverance to a successful issue." Thus he e!ltered upon this period of his work at Constantinople which was that of mediation in reference to Greek affairs. Laborious, indeed, were his efforts, though fruitless.
These were times of tragedies. Fear of the J anizaries had so shaken the heart of the Sultan that he considered their extermination a necessity for self-preservation and they perished in blood. Murders abounded. Life was of little account. Corpses floated past the home of the British Legation, on the Bosphorus. 'fhe reign of terror was enhanced in its horrors by the presence of the plague. Conflagrations raged, but still the Ambassador, with his brave young wife, remained at their post. In the Autumn of 1827 came the battle of Navarino. The day of mediation was over. The flags of the consuls were struck and the three embassies of England, France and Russia disappeared from the scene. Canning returned to England, but in 1829 was sent to the conference at Poros, to discuss the form of governmeiIt and frontier for Gt:eece. He paused in the harbor of N avarino, where "a deep quiet had replaced the thunder of battle." Faithfully did he toil in laying the foundation stones of the new Greece. Often did his heart sink as he witnessed the dissensions and divisions among her po- liticalleaders, threatening to make valueless that for which so much had been sacrificed. The true patriots, it is said, "all hailed him as the saviour of their country."
However much we hope that an enlightened Christianity and a fuller civilization may yet do for this interesting land, we cannot visit her to-day and note ;the upspringing life, the system of common schools, the really magnificent institutions of a higher grade, and the open Bible, without a sense of gratitude to those whose services were so laboriously given in this formative period of her new existence.
Passing hastily over the period of Mr. Canning's special mission to Turkey, in 1831, his occupancy of a seat in the House of Commons, and his brief mission to Madrid, we come to the most interesting and important period of his own life, that extending over the 16 years between 1842 and 1858. These years, with short intervals of absence were spent as England's ambassador at Constantinople. He was called the "Great Elchi," this being the term applied at the Porte to an ambassador, in distinction from that given to a minister, which was simply "Elchi." The dignity of the title had special meaning in his case, for it was known ere long in the whole extent of the Turkish Empire as a tower of strength and refuge to the oppressed and wronged of whatever race or religion. In 1851 he was created Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe. His fac3 and presence were singularly noble and impressive, his manners of the old school of courtesy, his speech grave, quiet, simple, and sincere. When he felt himself officially representing his Queen and his country, he was indeed an august personage, but in the intimate converse of friendship "his frank graciousness was captivating, and he showed only the aspect of the cultivated scholar of Eton and Cambridge-the simple-hearted gentleman, the poetic idealist, the man of high thoughts and glowing imagination." He was, when entering upon this period of service, 55 years of age,and we note in him a deeper seriousness and a loftier tone. The passing years, with their varied opportunities and great responsibilities, had enriched and strengthened him. We find him furnished for what yet remains for him to do. He enters now upon a gJ;eat work of reformation in the Turkish Empire itself. During his previous residence in Constantinople his mind had been largely absorbed in outside interests, but now he conceives the idea of using all his influence to inaugurate or help on beneficent reforms. Hitherto, they seem not to have occurred to him as possible. With resoluteness, persistent determination and pj).tient devotion, he addresses himself to the task of securing not only freedom from many lesser grievances, but the establishment of equal rights and liberty of conscience. That he suc-
lDec
ceeded in accomplishing much, the grateful expressions of large num- bers testify.
That there has been but imperfect fulfillment of solemn promises, is no reflection upon him who,with such untiring efforts, obtained them. A true friend to Turkey, and seeking the best interests of her people, he was in full harmony with those men and women who were also seeking her true weal by preaching and teaching the eternal principles of truth, which, when received by any nation, must redound to its most genuine prosperity.
Great changes had, however, already come. Some glimmer of the light shining so brightly in Western Christendom had penetrated here. Turkey, even through her wars, had come into contact with a different civilization from her own. Mahmud II. had had sincere, though perhaps, indefinite desires for a better condition of things for his country. The fall of the J anizaries had put an end to a military despotism, and with the disappearance of this, Mahmud had hoped to accomplish something. The Sultan met with only opposition from the throng of Turkish officials, and little to help him in any quarter. There is something rather touching in the crude efforts he made. If he had had a fuller enlightenment and had received greater "ympathy, he might have achieved happier results. He, however, like many another dreamer, died without seeing his visions take the form of realities, but he bequeathed to his son, Abdu-I-Mejid, a disposition towards reform. This youth of 16 came to the throne in 1839. He was amiable and wellintentioned, and had much about him that was humane and kindly, but he was also weak and irresolute. The personal relations between him and Lord Canning seem to have been of unusual friendliness, and it is probable that under the influence of such a character as that of the "Great Elchi" more was obtained from him than if he had been of a different mould. Most of the Turkish statesmen were antagonistic to this influence, and sought to make the young Sultan a prey to their machinati?ns. It was, therefore, with infinite patience and skill that most of the reforms were obtained. There was, however, one 'l'urkish official, Rashid Pasha, who was in warm sympathy with these new ideas. He had been ambassador to England, and later to Paris, during the administration of M. Guizot.
Abdu-I·Mejid, very early in his reign, assembled at his palace the vassals of his empire and his officials with the foreig: I ambassadors, and caused to be read to them the first formal Bill of Rights ever granted by the Sultans. It was theo"Hatti Sherif of Gul Hane." It did not touch the subject of religion but confined itself to three points: "1st. Guaranteeing to all the subjects of the Porte security of life, honor and property.
"2d. Regular systf'nl of levying and collecting the taxes.
LORD STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE
"3d. An established system of recruiting the army and defining the period of service."
Thus was taken the "first step in a series of constitutional guarantees which afterwards took the form of charters of religious freedom, culminating in the celebrated 'Hatti Humayoun' of 1856." Not long after the charter of Gul Hane was given, the sincerity of the Turkish government was well tested. A young Armenian subject of the Porte had embraced Islam, but afterwards returned to his Christian faith, having repented of hIS apostasy. He remained firm, though subjected to severe ordeals. He was then sentenced to death. Sir Stratford de Redcliffe, in connection with the ambassadors of some of the other European Powers, exerted himself to the utmost to save his life, but without avail. The youngman was killed under circumstances of exceptional cruelty, but his death was not fruitless. Such an exhibition of barbarity stirred deeply the representatives of Christian Powers, and especially the English ambassador. An extensive correspondence with their respective governments ensued. The pressure brought to bear upon the Porte was of tIle strongest kind. Lord Canning made a study of the Koran in search of proof from that book itself that such executions were illegal. When he placed his official not~ to the Porte on the subject in the hands of Mr. Pisani, the principal interpreter of the Legation, Mr. Pisani expressed the opinion that it would not succeed. "Mr. Pisani, it shall," was the reply; and succeed it did, for Sir Stratford secured from the Ottoman Govel'llment the following pledge: "The sublime Porte engages to take effectual measures to prevent henceforward the execution and putting to death of a Christian who is an apostate."
Two days later, in a personal interview with the Sultan himself, he secured another still more important guarantee, as follows: "Declaration of his highness, the Sultan, to Sir Stratford Canning at his audience on the 23d of March, 1844: "Henceforth neither shall Christianity be insulted in my dominions, nor shall Christians be in any way persecuted for their religion."
In reference to this declaration Lord Canning afterwards said, "It seemed little less than a miracle, and God alone could have brought it about."
As time passed on, and in connection with missionary labors, the number of Protestant converts greatly increased. The result was bitter persecution on the part of the Armenian ecclesiastics, and through them communicated to the people. "Defamed, maltreated, cut off from means of support, stoned and imprisoned," the distress of these adherents of evangelical truth was extreme. Again Sir Stratford put forth his efforts, andi"succeeded after much trouble,'in securing a recognized position for the Protestants, as such, and the right of con· verts to he protected by the civil authorities from vexation on the part of their relinquished churches." The result was embodied in the "Protestant Charter of 1847." This, however, had one defect, it was signed only by the Grand Vizier, Rashid, and was liable, according to the organic law of the empire, to be repealed. In 1850, through the same influence, another firman was obtained confirming the charter and signed by the Sultan himself. Notwithstanding these guarantees, the persecutions did not altogether cease, and in 1853 another firman still was issued by the Sultan, copies of which were sent to all Protestant headmen in the empire, and also to the governors, with strict orders that it should not be disregarded. The object of this was designed to make it clearly understood that the charter was a reality, and would be enforced.
Among the illustrations of the spirit, honor and humanity of Lord Canning was that afforded in connection with the episode of the IIungarian patriots, Kossuth and others, who fled as refugees to Turkey. He used the full weight of his influence to prevent the Porte from yielding to the demands of Russia that they slOuld be given up, and sheltered, hi!llseIf, some of the children at the Legation. "The Ambassador," it is said, "with all the impressive solemnity which he knew so well how to use, bade the Porte have courage, be true to the everlasting principles of honor and humanity, be true to its own independence and dignity, and boldly refuse to obey the Czar's commands."
We now approach the period of the Crimean war, a season of great and manifold responsibility to England's ambassador. Whatever may be thought of that war and its results, it was overruled to secure greater promises of religious liberty, It is interesting to know that at this season "special prayer was offered by the missionaries in behalf of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, that he might be endued with the spirit of wisdom in conducting his important negotiations, and that in counseling the Sultan, he, too, might have counsel from aboye. Never before had the position of this representative of the British Government and devoted friend of the cause of Christ been so responsible, and never before did he hold such influential relatiollS t() the Porte.
The later grants in behalf of religious liberty were embodied in the famous "Hatti-Humayoun" in 1856. The Sultan, with solemn form and ceremony, proclaimed this edict, promising equal civil and religious rights.
There were present Turkish ministers, the Council of State, the Grand Mufti, patriarch~, rabbis, and other heads of religious communities. At the time it was issued, it "was generally regarded as a complete guarantee of religious liberty to all the subjects of the Porte of whatever creed." "In March, 1856," as stated in the Life of Dr. Goodell, "eleven missionaries of the American Board, together with four other missionary laborers and two British chaplains, united in presenting to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, through whose special agency the charter had been obtained, an address acknowledging in the warmest terms the important service he had rendered to the cause of humanity and of Christianity in Turkey." This address speaks feelingly of "the better day" dawning upon the millions of Turkey, and indulges in joyous anticipations of their social and religious free- dom. Clouds have somewhat obscured that bright dawn, but the Turkey of to-day is on a far higher plane than at the time Mr. Can- ning began his labors for reform. Those who love the Kingdom of God, and whose unselfish interest in Turkey'S millions is still steady and true, may yet see the promise of the dawn fulfilled in the splendor of the perfect day.
Many are the testimonies to the diplomatic skill and perseverance of Sir Stratford as well as to his services in the cause of religious liberty and his support of Christian missions. Dr. Goodell, who was in rare circumstances to thoroughly understand the good which had been accomplished, in a letter, on the occasion of Lord Canning's departure to England, at the close of his period of service, in referring to the changes which had taken place, says: "In these changes your name stands connected with all that is worthy to rise and prosper, with all that is stable and enduring. Connected, as it is, with the great cause of civil and religious liberty, it stands connected with that which shall never pass away, for it is as etern~l as the immutable purpose of Infinite Goodness can make it, and when this cause shall triumph in 'I'm'key (and triumph it shall), and the future history of the country shall be written, the influence and important agency of your lordship will DOt fail of a public recognition and a due acknowledgment."
It was a source of keen regret to Lord Canning, that the "Treaty of Paris," which recognized the "Hatti-Humayoun," did not contain iome provision for its enforcement. On this he strenuously insisted, hut the Powers of Europe refused to do that which might have secured more fully the advantages of the victory he had won.
An indication of the crumbling of barriers between Frank and Turk, Christians and Moslems occurred in the presence of the Sultan himself at a festive entertaiment given at the residence of the English Ambassador. It was the first time in the history of Turkey that .a Sultan had been the guest of a Christian Ambassador. The occasion has been described with picturesque beauty, but the moral import of the scene must have been deeply felt by the thoughtful gazer. The Golden Horn rang with the salvos of cannon. The brilliant throng of representatives of many races looked on with wonder as· Sir Stratford walked hand in hand with the Sultan through the lines of British Soldiers.
But now Sir Stratford's residence in the East was approaching it~ close. After his severe toil during the years of t}:te war and his sub- sequent diplomatic labors he was worn and weary, and asked for a leave of absence. This, after reaching England, principally in con- sequence of a change in the ministry, was followed by his resignation. He returned to Constantinople to close up affairs and take an im- pressive and dignified farewell. Many grateful expressions from varied nationalities touched his heart. " Nothing," it is said, " came more sweetly to the ear of the departing statesman than the memo- rial of the American missionaries, in which they recited the many reforms which he had brought into Turkey, and especially the aboli- tion of executions for apostasy, the recognition of the Protestant community, the open sale of the Bible in the 'l'urkish bazaars, and the building of the first Protestant church in Jerusalem; and added' we love to consider your lordship's influence as one of the important providential means by which God has been pleased to carryon his work.' "
Sir Stratford's last public act in Constantinople was the laying the foundation stone of a Protestant memorial church on a noble site given by the Sultan. The church was to be a monument of the brave Englishmen who had fallen in the recent war, and, at the same time, of the religious freedom which made it possible to have it there in the near neighborhood of a Moslem mosque. A great multitude gathered. The noble old man, with his white locks and imposing form, spoke a few solemn last words before he took the trowel in his hand, and then having fulfilled his office, followed by throngs of the people to whom he had been so true a friend, he went to the landingplace aud took a last farewell. On his homeward voyage he paused at Smyrna and was received with similar respect and feeling. He was there led in triumph to open the first railway line ever laid in Turkey.
His great public work was done, but he continued from the retirement of his English home to exert a wide and beneficent influence. Removed from the wear and vexation of public responsibility his often heated spirit grew in sweetness and calm, though ever ready to flash in indignation at a wrong, or to kindle with enthusiasm at a noble deed. The tastes of his youth solaced him in his old age. Poetry and literature received some worthy additions from his pen. Two small volumes, entitled" Why amI a Christian?" "The Greatest of Miracles," testify to the firmness of a religious faith he would fain leave on record for the solace and strength of others. An essay for the Princeton Review, on " The Ennobling Influence of Reverence in the'Vorld," lay unfinished on his table at the time of his death. So he went slowly and gently down the valley, which for him had but little of shadow.
" Long sweet days of golden haze "
.ended at last in one whose sunset was full of calm and beauty. Sir Robert Morier thus records his last visit to him not long before his death: "His intellect was as clear, his speech as incisive, his interest in poetry and politics as keen as when I last S3/W him three years ago. It was a beautiful English summer afternoon; a warm sun lit up his pale features, which still retained their splendid outline and were entirely wanting in the wrinkles or withered look of extreme old age. . . He seemed some grand old Titan majestically sinking to his rest in all his glory, as if he knew the Infinite was waiting to receive him in all due honor."
He was laid to rest in the little quiet churchyard of Frant village, lmt a statue in 'Vestminster Abbey is a national tribute to his memory. Dean Stanley's eloquence recounted his services to mankind, and Tennyson wrote the lines which are engraved on the base of his statue. Before his death his Queen sent him her thanks for his great and valued services. A higher meed was his from his Divine Sovereign: " Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
THE LAND OF MARTYRS AND MISSIONARIES.
EDITORIAL.
vYe mean dear old Scotland! 'Yhat other land is so full of memorials and monuments of the martyrs who died, or the heroes who lived, for the testimony of Christ's Crown and covenant ? We went llOwhere without treading on sacred ground, and breathing an atmosphere of consecration! At Dundee's gate, where 'Vishart preached to the victims of plague; at St. Andrews, where he was burned; at JEantyre, where Livingstone was bol'll; at Strathaven, whence the :Martins went to India and Jamaica; in Edenburgh Church yard, where the tablet records the Martyrs and the tombstone held the covenant signed with blood! No wonder such godly ministers succeeded such martyrs; that such great missionary meetings are held, such numbers ofIeI' to go to the heathen, and even the poorest give 1,0 missions! God bless dear old Scotland!
/ A SUGGESTION.
God's ships of treasure sail upon the sea Of boundless love, of mercy infinite; To change their course, retard their onward way, Nor wind nor wave hath might.
Prayer is the tide for which the vessels wait E'er they can come to port, and if it be The tide is low, then how canst thou expect The treasure ship to see. -Anna Temple.
AN A~mRICA~ "PERSIS THE BELOVED."
AN AMERICAN "PERSIS THE BELOVED."
BY TALBOT W. CHAlIBERS, D.D., NEW YORK.
In the interesting list of friends and disciples at Rome, to whom the Apostle Paul sends Christian salutations in the last chapter of his Epistle to the Church in that city, occurs the name of one not men- tioned elsewhere, yet highly distinguished here. It is "Persis the be- loved, which labored much in the l"ord," (R.V.)-a woman of such a character as to win affection in a remarkable degree, and at the same time an efficient worker in the Lord's vineyard. She who combined these features went to her reward ages ago, but her name remains imperishable on the sacred record, an example and a stimulus to all succeeding generations. Nor has it lieen without fruit. Again and again have been seen, in the various branches of the Church, goodly women, of whom all that knew them would be willing to use the terms which the Apostle applied to Persis. It is one of these to whom the present paper is devoted. And it is prepared with the more zeal and interest because the chiefest form of her service is one that has been very greatly and very widely misrepresented.
A striking instance of this misrepresentation is found in one of the well-known novels of the late Charles Dickens. That popular writer was a firm believer in the Christian religion, as appears from statements made in his last will and testament, and in his letters to his sons. But he had a singular method of showing it. In alll1is early fictions, wherever a minister of the Gospel is introduced, he turns out to be a self-seeking hypocrite, whose life constantly belies his profes~ sions. And not until almost the last of his books does it appear that the author had ever met a clergy,man who lived as he preached, and was sincere and self-denying. In the tale entitled "Bleak House," we are introduced to the famous Mrs. J ellaby, who figures as one of the first philanthropists of the age, and at the same time is conspieuous for the neglect of every domestic duty. She is deeply interested in an African settlement called Borrioboola-Gha, and to this devotes all her time and strength, holding meetings, instituting branch aid societies, maintaining an extensive correspondence and issuing circulars· by the thousand, while her own household is entirely overlooked and her husband and children are made wretched. The good woman does not see this, being entirely carried away by her sympathies with the human race. Nor does it occur to her that she is at all to blame, since she is not at all indolent, but indeed so overwhelmed with public business that she does not know which way to turn. The whole sketch is very lifelike and amusing; nor can anyone deny the deft hand of him who drew it. But the question arises, How much of truth does it contain? Is it drawn from life? Does Mrs. Jellaby represent a class of real personages? No one wishes to assume the responsibility of a universal negative; but I must say that I have never met, in actual life or in any biographical records, any pel'sons whose course would even suggest a hint for such a'revolting caricature.
But, be that as it may, it is certain that there is no necessary con- nection between an intense zeal and activity for the conversion of the world, and the disregard of the claims of one's own family. Rather the contrary is true. For the best friends of foreign missions are usually interested ill all minor spheres of duty and usefulness. No more shining example of this has been seen in modern times than in the excellent lady referred to in the title of this paper, as an Ameri- can "Persis the Beloved." This was Sarah Platt Haines, the wife of Thomas C. Doremus, of New.York city. She was born in 1802, and died in 1877, her life thus covering three-quarters of a century. In 1821 she was married, forming a happy connection which was broken only by her death.
She was conspicuous for interest in foreign missions, and for her continuous and unsparing labors in their behalf. The impulse came when she was a little girl and accompanied her mother to meetings, where such eminent believers as Mrs. Isabella Graham and Mrs. Divie Bethune were accustomed to pray for the world's conversion. As years passed on her interest became a settled conviction, dominating her whole life. Her husband, being like-minded with herself, so far from putting obstacles in her way, co-operated to the extent of his ability. There seem to have been no limits to her activity. Her houfre was always open to missionaries of the Cross, on their way to and from their fields of labor. She performed for them a thousand offices of kindness, seeing to the completeness of their outfit, providing little comforts that had been overlooked, and guarding against unpleasant contingencies. Nor did her ministrations cease until they had actually commenced their journey. And so on their return. Usually the first face that met the weary traveler was that of Mrs. Doremus. She was ready to make all the arrangements needful for them and their baggage, and often, by her forethought, saved them from serious perplexity. This kind attention was rendered not only to persons connected with her own denomination but also to the representatives of all evangelical churches. It was enough for her that they were heralds of the Cross, laboring in the regions beyond. She spared no pains t~ aid them in the accomplishment of their mission. It made no difference whether the work was done in Greece, in Canada, or in the wide wastes of heathenism, nor to, what body of Christians would accrue the fame arising from success; she was always ready to help. In the year 1861 she was active in forming the Woman's Union Mission Society, which has done so much in advancing the cause, not only by its direct efforts, but also by its influence in leading to the formation of similar organizations in all parts of our country. For the first fifteen years of its existence her own house was the headquarters of the society, and contained all its machinery. Besides her personal inter- course with missionaries, she maintained an extensive correspondence with them while in the field, and frequently sent them books and peri- odicals, such as would cheer them in their toils or enable them better to fulfil their calling. So active and assiduous was she in these vari- ous forms of aiding the missionary enterprise, that it is not easy even for those acquainted with all its details to mention or conceive any- thing that she left undone. She habitually did more than anyone be- forehand would have deemed possible. And. this, too, through sum- mer's heat and winter's cold, and often in periods of great physical debility.
Yet with all this intense devotion there was no one-sidedness; least of all, was there any neglect of home or domestic duties. No hint of Mrs. J ellaby could be seen in her well-ordered household, where cheerfulness always reigned, and love was the mainspring of every word and act. I remember her telling me once, that when she was married she and her husband elltered into an arrangement, according to which he was never to disturb her with any mention of his business troubles, . and she was not to disturb him by recounting any housekeeping worries. She was the mother of nine children, not one of whom was ever forgotten or neglected for an hour. Their home was always made bright and attractive. She habitually dispensed a cordial and generous hospitality, of which very many besides the writer retain a lively recollection. Her delight seemed to be in doing good, and not a few can recall little kindnesses, the omission of which would have excited 110 attention, but which it was a real pleasure for her to render and others to receive. This was particularly the case in regard to ministers .of the Gospel, all of whom she highly esteemed in love for their work's sake.
At a meeting recently held in this city with the view of procuring playgrounds for the children of tenement houseR, a lady of repute made a speech in which she said: "She was of the opinion that the hundreds of thousands of dollars sent out of this country for foreigrimission work might be better spent in educating physically, mentally and morally the children who dwell in the slums of New York, and who are going to be men and women of the coming generation."* The good lady only expressed a common misapprehension in suggesting the thought that the funds given for Foreign Missions are just so much subtracted from what would otherwise be given to philanthropic work at home. Intelligent observation shows just the contrary. One species of work reacts favorably upon another. Friends· of the foreign work are usually as much interested in the domestic. Certainly this was the case with Mrs. Doremus, as the merest mention of her course will show. For very many years she did the marketing *Reported in the New York Tribune September za, 1890. twice a week, for two and sometimes three benevolent 'institutions with which she was connected. For more than a generation she was an active member of the Woman's Prison Association. She assisted in founding and maintaining the Nursery and Child's Hospital. She did so much toward the establishment of the Women's Hospital that it may truly be said to owe its existence to her. The Presbyterian Home for Aged Women had her for one of its active managers, alld she was personally interested in the Gould Memorial for the Italo- American schools. Nor were her untiring energy and far.seeing saga- city confined to public institutions. In every good w.ork conducted by the City Church, of which she was a member, she took part, besides ministering in a private way to the needs of individuals and house- holds, suffering froll?- sickness or bereavement, or the manifold ills of narrow means.
Now, considering the character and course of Mrs. Doremus, het' varied and constant activity in every form of usefulness, it is not pre- sumptous to claim for her what the Apostle said of the bright orna- ment of the Roman communion," She labored much in the Lord.'r Her voice was not heard in the streets, nor did she ever attract public attention. She never transgressed the proprieties of her sex, yet her influence was felt from one end of New York to the other, as well as far off on the sea. She was a woman of pleasing form and features, of graceful mien, and with a bright eye and a winning smile. She had a good mind and the best culture that was attainable in her youth. And with her social surroundings she might have shone in any g~ 01' fashionable circle, but her taste did not run in that direction. She preferred to bestow her pleasant presence and gracious fellowship .where they would most contribute to human comfort and the honor of Christ. Her piety, while deep and earnest, was intelligent and genial; never obtrusive, and always simple and natural in its mode of ex- pression. She was a strong believer, and obstacles which overpowered the weak faith of others only roused her to more persevering effort. She had a passion for doing good, which grew with het· years, but there was nothing quixotic or fanciful in its manifestations. It was simply a determined purpose to enter every door of usefulness which Providence opened before her. The cause of missions doubtless lay nearest her heart, but it never stood in the way of anything else that promised to do honor to God or service to man. Her heart was large, her temper was sweet, and her tongue under constant control. Nor is there any reason to think that outward activity took the place of in- ward communion with God; on the contrary it was the deep sense of things divine and spiritual, the pervading love of an unseen Saviour .that prompted her numerous and unceasing toils. She had trials of various kinds, some of them quite severe, but they were borne with unquestioning submission, and her frequent remark that" cheerfulness is a Christian dnty" was illustrated by her own example, even amid weakness and pain.
Further details of her character and course might be given, but ~mough has been said to answer the purpose of this record, which has no other end in view than to expose. the emptiness and folly of such caricatures as Mr. Dickens drew in his account of Mrs. J ellaby, and to do this simply by a faithful and unvarnished account of a recent life spent in this .great metropolis-such a life as shows convincingly how consistent may be the most intense devotion to the conversion of the heathen world, with a perfect balance of character and a strict regard to the proprieties of woman and the claims of home.
The illustrious galaxy of holy women mentioned in the New 'restament-Lydia, Phrebe, Tryphena and Triphosa, Persis, Euodia and Syntyche, did not exhaust the possibilities of feminine excellence and usefulness. In every age they have been rivaled; in none more certainly than our own, as is seen in the consecrated career of Mrs. Doremus.
EDITORIAL PARAGRAPHS.
MR. MEIGS finely said at the late National Missionary Convention, in Indianapolis, that the object of that gathering was to "work down the missionary spiIit." He explained that usually missionary interest first· struck the head, and after a while got as far as the mouth, then the heart, conscience and will, and by and by the pocket, and last of all the legs and feet! Blessed are they on whom the missionary spirit works down far enough to produce those winged sandals-the alacrity of a messenger of the Gospel!
" IF the salt have lost his savor it is thenceforth good for nothmg but to he cast out and trodden under foot," etc. Bishop Thoburn says: "If the church should so lose sight of God's purpose concerning her, as deliberately to determine not to carry the Gospel to the world, in one second God's judgments would sweep such a church away from the earth, as no longer of any more use than savorless salt."
FRUITS OF MISSIONS.-When Rev. James Calvert was asked to give in one sentence a proof of the success of missions, he said: "When I arrived at the Fiji group, my first duty was to bury the hands, arms, feet and heads of eighty victims whose bodies had heen roasted and eaten in a Cannibal feast. I lived to see those very Cannibals, who had taken part in that inhuman feast, gathered about the Lord's table." Truly, the gospel is still the Power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth!
THE PRESENT OUTLOOK IN FRA;>cr:. 139'1
'fHE PRESENT OUTLOOK IN FRANCE.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. P.] France is just now the eynosure of all eyes. N atiolls are marvel- tlUsly attracted toward her in these days. The last year, 1889, was the centennial year of the French Revolution. On the 5th of May, of that year, was reached the full completion of the hundredth year since the "States-General" assembled, and tbe Revolution was inau- gurated-the Revolution, that for ten years was busy, through ear- nage, through many forms of severe trial and disorder, inlaying the foundations of the present Freneh nationality. That was a remark- able year of our Lord, that year 1789; and anyone who has been familiar with that most significant series of events, which we group together under the name of the "Freneh Revolution," will believe that it is no exaggeration to say that no more stupendous 'series of events, in the magnitude of the interests involved, the magnitude of the permanent results secured, and the magnitude of the sufferings and sacrifices undergone-no more stupendous series of events, in all that goes to make occurrences memorable, has been known in modern history, than those whieh oecurred between the assembling of the States-General and the first consulship of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Who could have believed that in the space of one hundred years our eyes would be looking upon a scene so vastly different in all its aspects, interests, struggles, achievements, promises. The writer confesses that he feels a peculiar interest in the French nation. It has been hinted to him that his own ancestry is Huguenot; and he is sure that he is a Huguenot in religious faith, and more than half a Frenchman in temperament.
A great deal has been said about the fickleness and excitability of the Freneh people. Some like to quote that famous saying of Daniel O'Connell's, "The Irishman's blood is quicksilver," and transfer it to the Frenchman. But quicksilver has been put to many very important uses, and it is especially noticeable that it has a remarkable affinity for the preeious metals. All people that are faithless, i. e., without a true religious faith) are fickle. If you want to insure steadiness, you must give a ship a star to steel' by, and a rudder to steer with. It may be doubted whether to-day there are any more faithful, persistent, and steady-going people than the French, when you lodge in a Frenchman's heart a pure evangelical faith. It is not certainly for those to depreciate the French, who remember the Huguenots. Where shall we find a more faithful and steadfast people than the Huguenot martyrs of France?
As to this "quicksilver"-this mercurial temperament-we COIlfess that we have a strong liking for fire. 'When fire is subdued it gets to be fervor, and if there is anything we hate it is apathy, indifference, stagnation. Electricity may do damage DOW and then, but what. should we do without it when we want motive power, and mes- sage-power, and mJminating power. There is something fascinating about enthusiasm. Weare not sure but that the old derivation of that word may be the true one-en-theism-God working in us. And the Frenchman is enthusiastic; there is nothing stolid about him and nothing stupid, and we have known some Americans who were both stolid and stupid. The.natures, or characteristic qualities of men, dif- fer according to the circumstances of their development. If you would give "staying qualities" to the character, you must give character that upon which it can stay itself.
In India, a-few years ago, a human being was found in a wolf's den. He had been carried away a suckling baby, and, instead of de- vouring him, the beast chose to nourish him. From this den was that strange creature taken, foaming and frothing at the mouth, and tear- ing at the chains with which it was found necessary to bind him; but, while they were the chains of bondage, they were the signal and the symbol of liberty. You may take a human being, born of the gentle1':t mother, and rear that human being into a wolf, if you suckle him at a wolf's breast and rear him in a wolf's den ! We must never attempt to measure character without considering also environment. It is unfair to judge of a nationality without remembering the influences that have moulded a nationality. There is no people on the face of the earth that, if you give them the pure Gospel, will receive it more readily, will incorporate it more rapidly, will exemplify it more gloriously, than the French.
We have already said that we deprecate stagnation. Intellec- "rtual stagnation is bad, but moral and spiritual stagnation is criminal. e remember, in boyhood's days, hearing the petition go up, over and over again, that God would "open the doors to the nations." It was Jlever anticipated then that France, the oldest daughter, and the right arm of the papacy, would, in the year 1871, welcome an Englishman to come and teach the pure and simple Gospel of the Huguenots, even with governmental sanction and protection. In those early days Christians were praying for the doors of access to be opened. Now our missionary boards are crying, "Retrench," which is virtually saying to God, "Close these open cl001'S! " "Ve refuse to enter the doors that we prayed might be opened. Take, for example, the Presbyterian Church -which we may refer to with the less hesitation, as we belong to that body; it has great difficulty in raising less than one-third of acent a.
day per member, through twelve months, to send the Gospel into foreign countries. The question should be not, how little I can spare for God, but how much I can sacrifice for God; not, how little can I give and satisfy my conscience, but, how little can I keep and satisfy my actual reasonable necessities.
France furnishes illustration of what we have said about open I doors and unused opportunitie~. There has not been, perhaps, in all the eighteen hundred years of Christian history anyone missionary enterprise that has been more signally commended of God, blessed of God, crowned with success, and invested with holy and divine promise, than the missio~ of Robert W. McAll and his helpers in France; and yet he says: "If I had 500 laborers and $500,000 I could place every laborer and invest every dollar within six months." There is nothing more beautiful and more sublime than a certain solitariness in labors for Christ-a certain sublime aloneness with God.We see this man going across the channel, with his beloved wife, to take up, as one laborer in the midst of a great field, the work of French evan- gelization. Marvelous man and woman, those two! When we think of McAll we think of George Schmidt, when, as pioneer, he was the only missionary in the Dark Continent; we think of Robert Mor- l·ison, when, as pioneer, he was the only missionary in China; we think of Judson, when, as pioneer, he stood alone in Burmah. '1'0 furnish Dr. McAll plenty of helpers and plenty of money is one of the sub- limest privileges ever accorded to the Christian Church in these days of world-wide missions; and so it is of all missionary enterprises. If we realized our opportunity we should shout" Advance! " all along the lines and never dare to sound the signal for retreat.
If we want to invest capital, what shall we do with it? Put it where it will yield the largest investment consistent with safety.
Will you tell us any investment in American railways, in American manufactures, that compares, either for safety or certainty of large profit, with an iuvestment in such a work as that of missions? To give to these eager multitudes a simple open Bible, to give to these mercurial Frenchmen something to turn this fire into fervor, something to transform this temperamental he~t into energy and holy enthusiasm; to make it sure that in Papal lands Jesus Christ may'be held up as a crucified, risen, all-sufficient Saviour; that the authority of the ,"Vord of God may be exalted over tradition, over Pope and College of Car- dinals, and hosts of designing priests; and to make sure that, to those who know not the simple Gospel, may be revealed the secret of salva- tion and sanctification in Christ-is not that an enterprise worth all our zeal? ,"Vhat are we doing when, with such doors open, we even l}Csitate? ,"Vhat are we doing that our gifts are not multiplied a hundred, a thousand fold? Who of us has ever come down to the actual experience of bitter self-denial, while, in every way limiting our own expenditure, we sought to increase what shall be absolutely at the disposal of the Lord ? We are honestly afraid that the finan- cial basis of evangelization is rotten; the two great Protestant na- tions, America and England, uniting with all evangelical christendom, give less than twelve million dollars annually to the regeneration of a lo~t wodd. 'l'here is but little consecration. A most godly man said to the writer on one occasion: " You never will be fit to go to Heaven ~mtil for the sake of dying souls you are willing to stay Ottt of it." There is a heavenly-mlndedness that is just as selfish in its way as the mind that is fixed on earthly gains or intellectual treasures. We ought to lose sight even of our spiritual advancement, in comparison with the uplifting and salvation of a thousand million of the human race that have never even heard of Christ. If, by prevailing prayer, we could pray about twenty years back into a life that is already past its meridian, the writer would gladly go and help Dr. McAll. No field in Papal Europe is parallel to France in attractiveness and promise.
But there is a wider question that concerns a wider field, and that question absorbs and engrosses our thoughts more and more. The Church of Christ has the world open before the Missionary Band, and yet the number of laborers is inadquate to enter and take possession. There is the problem compressed in one sentence. It is the problem of the ages. To its solution the whole church of Christ should turn prayerful attention. Something is wrong. God would not open such doors, great and effectual, if He did not mean occupation. He would not lay a duty upon us without giving us ability to do it. 'l'he blootl of a thousand million souls must crimson the skirts of the church of this generation unless that guilt is avoided by fidelity to our duty. We may avoid it by preaching the gospel to every creature. All OUt' excuses, apologies, insinuations only evade it, they cannot avoid thi" guilt. There are men and women, treasllres of wealth, resources of all sorts, abundant for the work, if there were only the disposition and determination to do it. And let us try to imagine the boundless satisfaction and joy that would thrill and expand our bosoms if at the end of this century we could look abroad over the whole earth and see not one district of territory, '01' fraction of a world's population, entirely destitute of the Gospel! 'Yhat a beginning, or at least fortaste of millennial blessedness, when at least once, to every creature, the gospel of salvation has been faithfully and lov!ngly proclaimetl !
A great German defined the difference between Socialism and Christianity in a very clever epigram :-Socialism says. " What is thine is mine." Christianity says, "vYhat is mine is thine." The difference is infinite. But the epigram needs correction. Christianity really teaches us to say, " What seems thine is not thine, what seem>! mine is not mine; whatever thou hast belongs to God, and whateyer I have belongs to God; you and I mnst use what we have accor<1ing to God's will."-Dr. E. W. Dale.
Here Dr. Dale has struck the root of the matter. vVe must have a revival of the doctrine of divine stewardship.-ED.
THE CHINESE ~IISSION,,"RY PROBLE!!
THE CHINESE :MISSIONARY PROBLEM.
• BY REV. JOHN ROSS, MOOKDEN, NORTH CHINA.
In the confusion arising from the conllicting opinions bandied about as to the value of mission work and the wisdom of missionary methods, men's mind:; have been diverted from that aspect of the misRion-problem, which appears to me, as a practical missionary, to be, beyond all others, important. The materialistic spirit of the age is the only apology I ca~ cOllceive for the extraordinary attitude assumed by many of the representatives of the wealthy Christian churches on the questions of the income, honsing, clothing and food of the missionary, while they ignore or treat as a matter of indifference the qualifications of the man, and show a lamentable ignorance of the work he has to carryon.
In order to satisfactorily undertake any work, and to wisely select the best workers, we must understand the nature of the work and the conditions under which it is to be conducted. "Vhat, then, is the work the Church of Christ has to accomplish in China? It is the introduction of Christianity to a people which was an ancient nation when Nehuchadnezzar was building the walls of his proud Babylon, which was highly cultivated when the Romans found our forefathers savages, and which, even as recently as three centuries ago, was more civilized than their contemporaneous European nations. The Chinese are a proud, conservative, Relf-sufficing, intellectual and learned race. They have the religious system of Buddhism-not the attenuated ghost believed in by some eccentric London folks-but this religion exercises no real authority over them, and the system of Taoism possesses a still more shadowy power. But the ethical and political system called Confucianism wields an unchallengable inlluence over the whole land, and among all classes-an inlluence comparable only to that of :Moses o,er Jewry. The authority of C<llfucianism is so universally paramount because of its high-toned system of morals, the excellence of its maxims on the relations between governor and governed, and the remarkable purity and unapproachable terseness of its literary style.
It may be taken for granted that before a non-Christian people is likely to pay any regard to the preaching of a stranger, he must gain their confidence and command their respect. It is also evident that what is adequate to secure the respect of one nationality may appear despicable in the estimation of another. From w1!at I have been able to learn of the world's nations, excepting the Jews and Mohammedans, whose knowledge of religious truth is more extensive and accurate than that of any other non-Christian people, lJO nationality is so difficult to gain over to Christianity as the Chinese. Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and other surrounding peoples, borrowed from the Chinese their literature, their manners, their arts, laws, customs, and whatever -other factors went to compose their present civilization. All borrowed from China, none lent to her. Hence, if we consider the 8e1£- complacent pride of the Chinese~a somewhat unpleasant and repel- lant characteristic-we can scarcely deny h a basis of justification.
Knowledge of literature and literary ability is the most highly prized acquisition in China. Civil service competitive examinatioTls have for twelve centuries been the means of filtering out candidates for official employment. To this proud, conservative people, who so highly esteem knowledge and attach such importallce to literature, what sort of man will you send to gain them over to Christianity? What must that man be who will command their attention, and com- pel from a contemptuous people a respectful hearing for the doctrines ofthe Cross?
The number of those who have gone forth to combat the evils' in- herent in heathenism, is so insignificant compared to those who min- ister to con~regations in Christian lands, that some good people are in despair of overtaking, by ordinary methods, the needs of the world. But the argument based upon the comparative number of missiona- ries and ministers is fallacious. The missionary is not a pastor and should never sink into one. The work which he goes to perform is very different from the work of the pastorate. The missionary is the mop.ern representative of the Apostles. He is the only real suc- cessor of the Apostles. If the name "apostle" is Greek and the name . "missionary" Latin, there is no difference in the signification of the terms. The "apostle" was the "sent" of the Church and the Holy Spirit-sent from a Christian community to gather in converts, plant churches and raise up pastors among non-Christian peoples. So is now the "missionary" the "sent" of the Church and of the Holy Spirit, to· accomplish exactly the same purpose. Though the work of gathering in a few converts is his first, and though the duty of ministering to them is one the neglect of which Awould be criminal, yet these do not constitute the most important parts of his missionary life. His great work is, like that of the Apostles, to·found churches, and to train pas- tors; not to plant a tree which is to stand alone, but to sow seed which will become self-propagating. The proportion, therefore, of missionaries to the numbers of the people to whom they are sent, ~s a matter of very subordinate consequence. '1'he one outstanding subject which should demand thj most serious attention of all interested in mission work, which should indeed hold so largely in their esteem that every other consideration should be relegated to a position of comparative unimportance, is the qualifications of the man sent. The question which should, like Moses' rod, swallow up every other, is whether YOll send the men who are in all respects the best fitted for the end in view: that of gaining the confidence and respect of the people, of planting churches and raising and training pastors.
All the more important will this subject appear when it is stated that the Chinese people must be brought within the Christian fold by Chinese converts. It may be taken as axiomatic that every success- ful mission in China has been succesRful in proportion to the earnest- ness, knowledge and zeal of its first converts. In our own Manchurian mission, out of a hostile population, over a thousand converts have been baptized. Many thousands know and respect the doctrines of Christianity. The work of preaching the Gospel is widely spread and rapidly extending in all directions over this large district of country.
The literary classes are many of them our ,best friends, and officials have, in most cases, ceased opposition. Within the past eight years, a couple of hundred of the inhabitants of Korea have been baptized.
A congregation has been formed in the Korean capital. Thousands of Koreans are reported to be believers and applicants for baptism.
How have these results been attained within little more than a dozen years? Of all those converts not more than a couple of dozen can be traced to the immediate agency of the foreign missionary. The others are the converts of converts. 'l'lie only claim to credit-if it be one-which the European can make, is that of careful and constant instruction of the converts. And it may be noted, by-the-way, that here is the only satisfactory method of attaining to really cheap mis- sions.
We must not lose sight of anotl1er fact bearing on this subject.
,The Chinese convert who is the most useful in defending the truth against opponents, in instructing enquirers in tlle tenets of Christianity and in rousing interest among the indifferent and the careless, is he who has the most accurate knowledge of Christian and cognate truth. He is the best qualified to "exhort by sound doctrine" the attentive listener, and to "convince the gainsayer;" wllO "holds fast the faithful word"
which he has been carefully taught, and who is ready to give an in- telligent answer to him who asks for a reason of the hope that is in him. Now, this implies diligent, thoughtful, and long-continued edu- cation in holy things. Such education was insisted on and practised by our Saviour and by His apostleR. And, among a people like the Chi- nese, who are iii. intellect equal to, and in civilization more advanced than, the ancient Greeks and Romans, is a mere slipshod fashion of planting Christianity desirable? Will it be successful even if desir- able? History emphatically proclaims against the possibility of such • success.
More important, more difficult, and demanding more varied talents than the work of any minister in the church or the duties of any pro- fessorial chair in Christian countries, is the work of establishing Chris- tianity in China. Who, then, is sufficient for these things? Who is the man best fitted for this work? Virere the conversion of the world a task now initiated, it might be perhaps more difficult to return a definite reply to this question. But the war against the kingdom of darkness is as old as the Church of God. Ve must, therefore, listeJl to the teachings of the past experience of that Church to guide us i. our action for the future.
When the Lord's people were brought out of Egypt, the choseD leader was Moses-a man learned in all the learning of the Egyptians, a man whose courage was as unshaken as his intellect was powerful, whose knowledge was as great as his faith was free from doubt. If we examine the character of the men who were moved by the Holy . Ghost to rebuke, and to undertake the reclamation of, the back-sliding J ews-rulers, pri~sts and people-we find that each is prominent in courage, eminent for knowledge of the truth, of outstanding ability combined with that humility which is the twin-brother of real great- ness. Our lesson from Old Testament history is that God, to accom- plish His great work, chooses men few in number, but this number the choicest of their race and generation.
It is stated that the New Testament lays down a different standard. The Lord Jesus is said to have sent forth a band of illiterate fisber- men to establish His Kingdom upon earth. Is this an accurate repre- sentation of the case? Of the apostles first selected some were cer- tainly educated men. Two men attained to special eminence. Peter and John were originally men who did not lack force of character, and the writers of the Gospel of John, and the Epistles of Peter and John cannot be called illiterate. Compared to the Rabbi who knew the jots and tittles of every word in every book of the Old Testament alld who could learnedly discuss the structure of sentences, alld ex- . tract wonderful meanings from the form of letters, the apostles may have been ignorant of literature. But true learning does not consist in the knowledge of roots and words, or the syntax and grammar of languages. These are but the instruments for acquiring or imparting some truth or truths. Real learning consists in the knowledge of that truth itself. And did the public appearances of the apostles not prove them possessed of more real learning than the Rabbinical book-worms ever knew or could comprehend? During a lengthened period did not the disciples pass through a system of close daily and hourly educa- tion such as no other men ever had, and under the greatest teacher the world ever saw, before they were commissioned to be "apostles" or "sent" ones? Can such men be said to have been unlearned or un- trained when they ;'ere sent forth to their work? They were, on the contrary, men thoroughly trained and carefully selected.
The apostle Paul still further emphasizes my contention that in the history of the Church of Old and New Testament times God employeo a select few to initiate the work of training men to be preachers of righteousness to tlleir fellow-countrymen. And does not the history of the church, subsequent to the Apostolic Period, 811ell out the same lesson? A strong Luther appears in Germany, and the couutlT escapes entirely from the broken shackles of Rome. An €qually robust Knox preaches in Scotland, and the Reformation is completed. Men not less learned, but of weaker character, led the movement in England, and the Reformation is still unfinished. Be- llind every great movement in the church since that time, and behind all important progress in the mission world, you will invariably find .a man of decided force of char.lcter, of soulld common sense, of good natural abilitie~, frequently of learning, and of a warmly sympathiz- ing disposition; and by devoted earnestness these qualities are all con~ecrated to the service of God. These are all select men, chosen hy God because of the necessary qualifications given to them by Himself, to adapt them for the work to which they have heen called.
To briefly recapitulate. Because of their ancient civilization and their excellent system of education the Chinese regard Westerns with contempt. Therefore, to gain their respect you must have men of prominent mental endowments, sharpened and refined by educational advantages. From political considerations and social customs there ,exist serious obstacles to friendly intercourse with Christian people. IrrespectiYe, therefore, of the argument from their enormous numbers, it is indispensahle that native converts be employed to pl:each the Gospel to the Chinese. In order to be the best possible laborers in this work the converts must he well instructed, to enable them to exhort the heliever and to convince the gainsayer. And to properly instruct these converts, to make them fit instruments for the establishment of a strong, healthy, aggressive form of Christianity, we learn from the history of God's dealings with man in the ancient and mod- >ern times, that the church must send forth to this work in China her .ablest and noblest sons, the most talented and earnest of her mem- Lers. Thus history declares the church to be shirking her most saCl'ed duty when she is satisfied with ordinary or inferior representatives to do a work which demands the greatest skill, the greatest wis- .dom, the greatest piety at her disposal. "Quality, not quantity," was the conclusion of the late Norman McLeod from his Indian experi- >ence. 'l'his conclusion is justified by Scripture, by history, and by .common sense.
Critics of missionary methods, who apparently believe themselves freed from all respoll!dbility in connection with the propagation of the Gospel, shout out in pompous tones or in hysterical screams, "Revert to apostolic methods." This is exactly what is required, and these critics would have deserved commendation had they defined" apostolic methods." What were the methods of apostolic times? Those methods did not hinge on the qnestion of money, more or less. They ignored discussions on dress. They laid no special emphasis on the kinds of food and drink to he used. Unavoidable hardships were faced with calmness and without boasting; asceticism was scornfully repudiated with the heathenism, out of whose ignorance it sprang. The essential features of the "apostolic method" are clearly un- folded in the brief account we possess of the first foreign missionary meeting held in the primitive church.
A few fugitive Christians had successfully preached the doctrines of the Cross in Antioch. The church in Jerusalem found it difficult to believe the good news, and sent the experienced Barnabas to ex- amine the facts. His soul was overjoyed. He preached, and th'e cause grew. He bethought him of his friend, Saul, then in Tarsus, whom he believed specially fitted to reason with the numerous types of humanity congregated in Antioch. The eloquence of the older Barnabas, and the keen logical reasoning of the ynung Saul overcame all opposition. Other preachers and teachers, eminent men there wer~, but these two, the oldest and the YOllngest, stood out conspicu- ous for ability, for earnestness, and for success. In the congrega- tional prayer meeting the needs of those who were destitute of the Gospel were not forgotten. And as the believers were practical men, their prayers were followed by steps taken to proclaim the Gospel where it was unknown. 'fhe claims of Antioch, one of the three largest and most influential citieR, wealthy and active, of which onlja fraction had as yet heard the Gospel, were not overlooked. But it was decided that the work of preaching there should be left to private members and the less powerful of the preachers. But their two ablest preachers-the one the most experienced and eloquent, the other the most learned and logical-they resolved to solemnly set apart to go forth to preach the Gospel where its voice had not been he:1I"'1.. These two men, therefore, who would probably not have presumed tooffer themselves for that work, were called by the Ohurch and the Spirit to become" Apostles" or " Sent" ones. That was the Ap",;- tolic method.
Need it be pointed out how very fal: all churches and all societies have departed from that method? Instead of solemnly calling tried men to this most difficult work .of the church, the Societies wait for offers of service from young men, who are perhaps all the more ready to undertake the task because they are unaware of the conditions under which it is to be carried out. The Church now makes its Pauls professors of theology, or some cognate study, and calls its Barnabases to be the pastors of fashionable congregations. One Paul did greatel' service to the Church of Christ than a hundred of the YOllng, inexperienced, and partially educated Christians of Antioch could have effected had they offered themselves or gone of their own accord. Revert, then, to the Apostolic method if you desire the Gospel to spread as it should and as it can.
Mere intellectual ability is proud, and leans upon the" wisdom of words." }Iere sentimental spirituality is weak, despising the wisdom
A LIFE THAT TOLD
of which it possesses so little. "Zeal without knowledge" is equally dangerous with ability without spirituality. Your missionaries, to be useful, must be of the Paul type, well educated, well trained, of conspicuous talent, of unquestioning faith; men whose spirituality of mind is as pronounced as their intellectual abilities are prominent.
A LIFE- THAT 'rOLD.
Thirty years ago th" region about London Docks contained as large a heathen population as any district in Africa, a rendezvous for the lowest types of humanity." The wealthy and influential class in this settlement were the l'Ilmsellers and keepers of gambling-hells. Children were born and grew to middle age in these precincts who never had heard the name of Christ, except in an oath. Thirty thousand neglected souls were included in one parish here.
A young man, named Charles Lowder, belonging to an old English family, happened to pass through the district just after leaving Oxford. He heard" A cry of mingled ago~y, suffering, laughter and blasphemy coming from these depths, that rang in his ears, go where he would." He resolved to give up all other .work in the world to help these people. He took a house in one of the lowest slums, and lived in it. "It is only one of themselves that they will hear; not patronizing visitors." He preached every day in the streets, and for months was pelted with brickbats, shot at, and driven back with curses. He was a slow, stammering speaker, but bold, patient and in earnest. The worst ruffians learned to respect the curate, whom they saw &topping the worst street fights, facing mobs, or nursing the victims of cholera.
Mr. Lowder lived in London Docks for twenty-three years. Night schools were opened, industrial schools, and refuge for drunkards, discharged prisoners and fallen women. A large church was built and several mission chapels. His chief assistants were the men and women whom he had rescued. A visitor said, "The congregation differs from others in that they are all in such dead earnest."
Mr. Lowder broke down under his work, and rapidly grew into an old, careworn man. He died in a village in the Tyrol, whither he had gone for a month's rest. He was brought back to the Docks where he had worked so long. Across the bridge, where he had once· been chased by a mob bent on his murder, his body was· reverently carried, while the police were obliged to keep back the crowd of sobbing people, who pressed forward to get a glimpse of "Father Lowder." " No such a funeral, had ever been seen in England." The whole population of East London turned out; stopping work for that day. The speciai trains were filled, and thousanils followed on foot, ",hom he had lifted up from barbarism to life and hope.:– .&change.
90S CAN WE TRUtir THE MORMON SAINTS?
CAN WE TRUST 'rHE MORMON SAINTS?
ltE'. DJeLAVAN L. LEONARD, D.D., BELLEVUE, OHIO.
'Ve mean those dwelling out in Utah, and where they seem to })l"omise puhlicly and most unreservedly to obey from henceforth the law of the land. Without much doubt the reply should be, not fully, alia neither now, nor for some years to come.
Te may admit that, at length, after a long and bitter struggle, t,he leaders of the ~Iormon Church begin to feel deeply the effect of vigorous action on the part of Congress and the courts, that they have grown weary of walking in the path of transgression,which has landed a t.housand or so in the penitentiary, and that they therefore feel compelled to change their tactics, to appear at least to yield, lest a worse thing come upon them, in the shape of legislation disfranchising the €ntire membership of the church. And further, there can be no loeasonable doubt that a large and influential element in Mormondom is heartily convinced of the blunder and folly of polygamy, and is more than willing to throw overboard both the practice and the doctrine. But these further and significant facts cannot be forgotten.
The poison of polygamy has been at work for more than a half century, and so has entered into the blood and bone of the system. The beginnings were away back in Illinois, in Missouri, and even in Ohio. Almost two generations have grown up under the amazing perversions of Scripture and reason and conscience. "Plurality" has been glorified, and fiercely defended against all Christendom.
Then, too, from first to last the iniquitous practice has led to the most wholesale and shameless lying the world has ever seen. 'rhe duplicity of the Jesuits has been altogether outdone. For some twenty yearf', for nearly ten years after the famous" revelation" in Nauvoo, it was repeatedly and most solemnly denied in pulpit and in press that polygamy was eyer known or heard of in the Latter-day Zion, and then, when it was finally proclaimed, the same was forced upon an unwilling people ruthlessly and even to the shedding of blood.
And further, from the beginning it has stood as a fundamental doctrine, whose acceptance was essential to salvation. 'Vho so rejected it should be damned. Up to a date very recent it was taught everywhere that by the strict command of God the Saints must go on multiplying wives, regardless of the law, and though they faced prisons and death. And, therefore, it does not appear how the ~udden apparent face-about can be real, how they can give the lie to all the teachings of the past, or how they can now protest–" It is of no use to fight sixty milllions." One familiar with the facts cannot but be amused by the unctious talk about being compelled by their principles to yield obedience to all" constitutional" laws. Polygamy w~s always illegal, was forbidden by Congress in 1862, again in 18'74, and yet again in 1882, and the Supreme Court has sustained the legislation. But it was not until October of 1890, forsooth, that the llews reached Salt Lake! Whence came this new light, and why?
And, finally, the way this so-called repudiation of polygamy came about is so queer as to lay the whole matter open to gravest suspicion. It is evident that a panic fell from some source upon the Utah Zion, and that under its irresistible impulse the action was taken. And the profession of repentance, the promise of amendment was made, not as all other great things have uniformly been done, to the brethren in conference assembled, but to the wieked Gentile world, the foe of Israel, and, strangest of all, by telegraph to the Associated Press! It is the first ease on record of a revelation reaching the earth by wire. And even then the high and mighty head of the Mormon Church does not command, but only" advises" the Saints to submit. Then at the conference, held a fortnight later, by a show of hands the people only own that dispatch as genuine, and agree to give due heed to the" advice." That the vote was taken, and that it was unanimous, has ~o significance whatsoever. Had the motion been directly the opposite every hand would have gone in its favor just the same, for voting against what the priesthood proposes is not tolerated in Utah, and has never been known.
And so it is very certain that we are not called upon to assume that the saints are sincere. Weare not at all at liberty to interpret their words or their deeds, as in reason and charity, we must those of almost all others professing godliness. Their ways have been much too crooked, and they have sinned in too many ways, and by far too long. Time only can prove that the leaders really mean what they say. And, hence, they must be tested, kept on probation for ten years-for five years at least-with no repeal of laws and no let-up of prosecutions. In particular, let us see if the law-breakers, now under indictment and conviction, when brought up for sentence, will promise to yield and obey-something which, hitherto, scarcely one of all the hundreds would consent to do.
The danger is that the wily and slippery hierarchs are simply dodging, juggling with words, staving off the imminent peril, hoping for better times. They would merely prevent, it may be, the passage of stringent bills now pending in Washington. They hope now to secme statehood by this cry of peccavi, and, once a sovereign State in the Union, who shall hinder the restoration of "Celestial ~Iarrilge ?"
THE MISSION IN BASUTO LAND
THE MISSION IN BASUTO LAND.-II.
REV. DR. ANDREW THOMSON, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.
In this second paper I shall give a short account of the settlement ()f M. Casalis and his congenial associates in Basuto Land, of the in- itial steps and first fruits of their mission, and of their rich harvest, after an interval of little more than fifty years. After a prolonged search for a. locality which should be the first centre and base of their ()perations, their choice finally rested on a spot which seemed to offer the advantages which they sought, particularly in abundant water, fertile land, wood for building and for fuel, with charming scenery of which the eye never grew weary. It was twenty miles southward from Maba Bossiou, the king's city, at the entrance of a deep valley stretch- ing away to one of the most remarkable peaks in Basuto Land, which rose, like steps, into a l,ligher world. They reached this place on the 9th of July, 1833. There they raised their "Ebenezer," with devout gratitizde, naming the spot Moriah, in remembrance of the difficul- ties through which they had passed, and of the Providential guidance which had been to them a.s a pillar of cloud and fire.
It took them the better part of three years to get fairly settled, and to bring themselves into circumstances in which they should be able to give undivided attention to the great work to which they had consecrated themselves, of evangelizing the heathen multitudes around them. And they lost no time in commencing the needed pre- l)aratory measures. Of different temperament, their hearts were one and their devotedness intense, so that they grudged no kind of labor, however uncongenial in itself, which brought them nearer to their ministry of love. At first they had nothing but their' tents to shelter them from the wind, and the wagon was their common sleeping place. But a little cabin, timber for the building of which had been obtained from the neighboring wood, was improvised in a week. It proved so miserable a domicile that, with all their French vivacity, nothing could have reconciled them to it but the prospect of 1)y-and:by rearing a more stable and spacious building which should give ample scope to the masonry of Gosselin. As they were finishing this first attempt in architecture, a company of youths suddenly ap- peared, commanded by Molapo, the king's second son, who had been Rent by the king to·assist them in their preparatory work, and, per- haps,. with the further friendly design of helping to protect them against unfriendly tribes and vagrant thieves. They were not long in erecting huts for themselves after their own fashion. The provi- dent king had supplied them with bagfuls of sorgho and millet, and if the hungry youths desired at times a change of fare they had only to walk into the neighboring wood, with javelin in hand, to find ante- lopes and winged game in abundance. .
Having seen his companions lodged and protected, M. Casalis proceeded to Philippolis to bring the wagons amI effects which he had left there when he set forth in search of the local habitation which he had now found. The list of "effects" was very miscellane- {Jus and may best be stated in his own words: "Tools of all kinds, vine-shoots, slips of peach, aprocot, fig, apple, quince and other trees; a herd of heifers which had cost me only 17s 6d each, and a flock of sheep 3s per head, a fine mare in foal and two horses, some wheat, some vegetable seeds, and, above all, potatoes." It is easy to see in this list that it was not so much the wants of his companions in the mission, but the civilization of the Basutos alongside of their Chris- tianization, that 1I. Casalis had in view in returning to Moriah with those carefully selected "good things." Moreover, when the wonder- ing people saw the uses to which such things could be turned-the wheat in that virgin soil bringing forth a hundred fold, and the toolM capable of being turned every day to a hundred uses, and when they were i~vited to share in the benefits, it would all tend to disarm their prejudices and to draw out their confidence and att.achment to the mISSIOnaries. In such circumstances as these, believing in the men has often been a most important step towards J:>elieving in God. .
The adventures of M. Casalis and his teamsters, on their return to Moriah, were not always of the most pleasant kind, especially when night fell and the wild beasts were attracted to them for prey, by the scent of the cattle and the flocks. On the whole, however, their precautions and attempts to frIghten ravening brutes kept them at bay, their loss consisting of a few sheep which were snatched by the prowling hyenas. One inoident shows how great their dangers must sometimes have been, and illustrates the strange methods by which a watchful Providence may at times give deliverance. Let the grateful missionary himself describe one scene: "I had one evening a proof of what a surprise will do in the way of disconcerting lions. It was about ten o'clock at night; I had gathered the whole company around the fire for worship. Just as I was about to commence, we heard very distinctly, close to us, the kind of convulsive. hiccough which the lion makes as he creeps towards his prey ready to spring. Instinctively, or rather inspired by God, I started a hymn, the air of which was brisk and lively. The men at once caught it up, there was quite a fusilade of voices-contralto, tenor, bass-nothing was missing, and we have already said what the Hottentot lungs are ~apable of. After it was over we listened, but nothing was heard. We armed {Jurselves with firebrands and scoured the neighborhood of the camp; the brute had disappeared. Perhaps, we had deceived ourselves and there had been none after all. The more experienced of our party, however, persisted we had been in great danger. In fact, the next day we discovered, twenty paces off, the still fresh track of the formidable paws which had already been bent to spring upon arid tear us." The welcome return of :M. Casalis to :Moriah, after six weeks of absence, was the signal for setting to work in right earnest. The first service to fill their hands was the planting of the young trees and sap- lings which had been brought from Philippolis, and the sowing of vegetables and wheat. Which being done, they next proceeded to prepare the materials for erecting a solid and spacious house and also a chapel. For many a week to come these followers of "Him who knew how to be abased," were engaged "from morn till eve," in hewing stones, shaping lumps of clay for bricks, felling trees in the' neighboring woods and sawing them into beams and planks. And, though the youths who had been sent from the king could not quite understand the reason of all this incessant and exhaustless toil on the part of the white men, they were always ready to lend a helping hand when it was asked; their Hot un frequent blunderings, through misunderstanding the directions given them, producing no worse effect upon them, with their overflow of animal spirits, than boisterous shouts of laughter. They were handy, however, in the use of the spade and in rearing mud walls for the cattle enclosnre and the garden. These services were rewarde~ by gifts of sheep-skins, knives, small hatchets and other useful articles, which they soon knew how to appreciate. In this way these good men escaped the one great blunder of the devoted Vanderkemp in returning labor for labor, which would haye kept them down at their original level and marred their civiliilatioll.
In the matter of food, they were obliged to content themselves with the rudest fare. But when they saw the wheat which they hall sown beginning to sprout into the blade and the ear, they were cheered by the prospect of soon eating in abundance the wholesome bread, which would remind them of theIr far-off home. As for their wardrobe, it certainly had an unmistakable look of savagisIll about it. But it was serviceable for their present circumstances. Their colony jackets made of a thick material, and trousers made of hides sewn together, were not suitable for polite society, but what was more to the purp?se, they were strong enough to resist all the thorns and briars of the country. It is quite true that a mimosa spine was sometimes all they could get to do the work of a pin or a button. And in the matter of shoes, they had not disdained to learn from their OWIl Hottentots to protect their feet by a kind of "half-shoe, half-~andal, made aut of antelope skins."
One is apt to surmise that, as a matter of course, labors and HlIrroundings like these continued through weeks and months mllst have been alike unfavorable to intellectual action and depressing to religiious life. But not so necessarily, when the men who are willing t(} live thus for a time are actuated by holy and benignant motives. The testimony of these good men themsel yes, speaking from their own expel'ience, assures us of this: ",Ve were not conscious," they tell u,;~ "of intellectual loss. "Ve preserved ourselves from decline in this re- spect by the observations of all kinds which we were making, as well as by the study of languages and of the standard works which we had brought with us. The religious side of our nature also was not too sorely tried. The daily experience we had of God's protec- tion, and the sweet'visitations of His Spirit did more than maintain our faith. There was, indeed, something, singularly strengthening to our spiritual life in the thought that we were there in virtue of a direct ordel' from Christ, that we were the representatives of his Church in places which had been closed against it up to our arrival."
One thing, however, did depress their spirits, and this was the long delay of communication from their far-off home. There was, in this way, at times a painful sense of loneliness and exile. Alas, when a letter did come at last, after a lapse of more than twelve months, it was to announce the death of the venerable father of M. Casalis. It is easy to imagine the profound sorrow which the letter bearing such tidings would: produce; but it brought with it rays of consolation also, for it mentioned that the last name which lingered on the lips of the dying old man, was that of his missionary son, when, with beaming eyes, he declared his confidence of meeting him again in the blessed world. The effect of the intelligence, when it became known among the poor people, was touchingly suggestive. "A lively sympathy," the sorrowing missionary tells us, "painted itself on their features as they saw him weep." Having only as yet a few words of their language at his command, he contented himself with saying to them, "God has done it;" "My father is in heaven." This was a surprise and a revelation to them. In their darkness and simplicity, they had imagined that people, when they died, went down into the bowels of the earth. But how great was their astonishment when told by their teacher tha,t when he died he expected to see his father again, and to dwell with him in a world into which no sorrow and suffering could ever come. They were shrewd enough, moreover, to notice that this hope of an eternal reunion with those whom they loved, calmed their grief and that death had not the same terrors to those wh:te men from the far-off land as to them. It was thus that those pOOl' people were receiving new impressions and instructions from their missionaries' lives, which brought them nearer to the Kingdom of God, and were as the first streaks in the sky before the sunrise.
In their earlier attempts to convey religious instruction to the natives, those good evangelists had bljen sorely tried and deceived by a man who had undertaken to be their interpreter. With the Basuto as his native language, he had picked up some knowledge of Dutch while serving on the borders of the colony, and, with this scanty qualification, which he posseesed in common with the missionaries, he had engaged to be their medium of communication with the people whom they had come to teach. It turned out, however, that he had no supply of words with which to convey religious ideas. Moreover, the levity of his manner, as seen in his looks and gestures, naturally produced the impression that he had no sympathy with the lessons which he professed to translate. They even found out at length that he often substituted his own inventions for their instructions and that he was, in fact, not only hindering but betraying them. It was a bitter disappointment to those patient workers, carrying with it one of the hard lessons of experience "written in dark print." Of course, the vassal was dismissed in the end with little ceremony.
But there was a way which Providence had in store for bringing these good men and their sacred lessons into direct contact with the native mind. It happened in this wise. From the time of their settlement at Moriah, they had been accustomed to hold regular religious services in Dutch for the benefit of the ten or twelve Hottentot drivers who had come up with them from Philippolis. These men, having been brought up in the missionary stations of the colony, were familiar with Christian worship. They had Dutch Bibles in which they could follow the expositions of the missionary, and they knew many Dutch hymns which they sang with taste. The natives were attracted by the singing and were accustomed to squat in considerable numbers around the worshippers. They were also impressed by what they witnessed in the solemnity and seriousness with which the missionaries, looking upward, seemed to address an invisible being. Those good men set themselves, with renewed earnestness, to qualify themselves for speaking to poor Basutos in their own -tongue "of the wonderful works of God." How great was their delight when, after no very long interval, they began to find themselves understood. 'l'heir sphere of usefulness from that moment was almost indefinitely widened.
All time which those devoted men could spare from planting and building was now spent in the preparation, in the Basuto tongue, of short Bible stories, "word pictures" and little addresses. They even ventured to compose a few hymns, which, when [<uug by the natives, formed a new attraction to the services and a new link of connection between them and the missionaries. But by-and-by it was not so easy to induce them to join in the prayers. So long as they were addressed, they were attentive. But as in the prayer the missionaries were no longer addressing them, they could not see any reason for listening. Even this difficulty, however, was not long in being overcome, by inducing them to repeat, all together and word for word, the thanksgivings and petitions that were addressed to God. For one thing, they liked to hear their voices ringing and rising in unison, and, judging from the expression of their countenances, there was something deeper at work in those dark minds than this. It was .another step forward. In that awakened interest they saw the fields ripening for the harvest.
In the midst of all these multiplying labors,and with the consciousness that in the power of addressing the people in their own Basuto tongue, a new weapon had been put into their hand, the thought began to arise in the minds of the missionaries that they should now begin religious serviceB in the king's own city. It became the subject of repeated conference and prayer, and, in no long time, ended in the conviction that the time for this new departure had fully come. They had been favored with frequent visits from Moshesh,but was it not the fact that it was to him they owed their liberty of entrance into his country and for protection and help in many forms ever since; and should not the benefit of their teaching be brought more completely and continuously within his reach? Their proposal was at once received by the friendly monarch with approving welcome, his kindly looks expressing even more than his words. For a time the work was shared by the missionaries in rotation, but ere long it ended in the permanent location at Maba Bossiou of M. Casalis, the acknowledged leader of the little band. Everything was done by the king to facilitate and encourage the man of God. The services were held in a grand courtyard called the khotla, surrounded by an enclosure of bamboos and reeds, from an elevated platform the public crier, with stentorian voice, summoned the people to worship-"To prayer, to prayer! Everybody, everybody! Women and children as well!" The king 'himself was one of the most regular and attentive listeners, and strangers and messengers from other tribes were uniformly brought to listen to the astonishing words of the white man, and charged to tell what they had heard when they returned to their own land. The simple repast, ()f clilrdled milk and sorgho leaf preceded by more solid food, regularly provided for the preacher, expressed more than a common hospitality. The notes of conversations between the missionary and the monarch are among the most interesting things which M. Casalis has placed on record, and gives us a pleasing impression of the intellectual strength, penetration, simplicity and candor of this remarkable man. We quote two instances which remind us ef Paul's description of some among the heathen in his days, as "feeling after God if haply they might find Him." "You believe, then," said the king one evening to the missionary, pointing to the stars, "that in the midst of and beyond all these, there is an all-powerful lIaster, who has (4reated all, and is our Father? Our ancestors used, in fact, to speak of a Lord of Heaven, and we still call these great shining spots (the Milky Way) you see above, the way of the godB; but it seemed to us that the world must have existed forever, except, however, men and animals, who, according to us, have had a beginning-animals having come first and men after-wards. But we did not know who- gave them existence. We adored the spirits of our ancestors, and we asked of them rain, abundant harvests, good health, and a good reception amongst them after death."
"You were in darkness," was the answer, "and we have brought you the light. All these visible things, and a multitude of others which we cannot see, have been created and are preserved by a Being, all-wise and all-good, who is the God of us all, and who has made us to be born of one blood."
Moshesh was greatly struck when he heard the missionaries enumerate the commandments of the decalogue. "That," said he, "is written in all our hearts. We did not know the God you announce to us, and we had no idea of the Sabbath; but in all the rest of your law we find nothing new. We knew it was very wicked to be ungrateful and disobedient to parents, to rob, to kill, to commit adultry, to covet the property of another, and to bear false witness."
It is also noted by M. Casalis that it was as Redeemer that the mission of Christ most appealed to the mind of this anxious enquirer and learner, and in which he was most interested-"a striking proof, surely, of the indestructibility of conscience in all lands."
Returning in thought to Moriah, we may imagine those devoted evangelists, now that they had become able to address the people in their own tongue, longing for instances of conversion among them, which should be the seal of Heaven upon their ministry. This thirst for the Spirit's blessing became all the more intense, when the colony of natives around them had increased to the number of between three and four hundred souls. They saw the wheat and other seeds which had been sown in the earth springing up into harvest, they had alsotasted the luscious fruits of the peach and other trees which they had planted, but how had their hearts begun to weary for the first cry of repentance unto life which would make the angels rejoice. At length the happy day arrived, and 1-1. Casalis, who was at Moriah at the time, was the first to hear the welcome notes of a genuine contrition. "On the 9th of January, 1836, we overheard one of our young men spontaneously offering a fervent prayer. It was towards nine o'clock in the evening, at a little distance from our house. Thinking we heard the accents of contrition, we approached in the darkness, without uttering a word. It was really so! Astonished, moved beyond expression, we fell on our knees and burst into tears. We were the witnesses of a very genuine conversion, for Sikhesa, from that day to his death, in 1881, never ceased to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. "
The first fruits were soon followed by a harvel-lt of _conversions. The sacred fire which had been kindled not only continued to burn, but circulated from heart to heart. There was no suspension of the blessing. NeT stations were opened; churches were built; day and Sabbath-schools were organized; new missionaries arrived from France and from the Cape. Native evangelists ,were trained and sent forth on the right hand and the left. Among those who at length. cast in their lot with the early disciples was Moshesh, the king, who had long been held back from the decided step by the en- tanglements of Polygamy, which was the last link in the chain from which he succeeded in shaking himself free. '.rhe missionaries well knew that'a reformation in this matter could only be the natural and Hpontaneous fruit of a cordial adoption of the great Christian prin- ,ciples. And they waited for this before they could receive him into the fellowship of the believers. But the triumph came. He openly declared himself a. Christian in a very touching way, after having proofs of profound repentance and a living faith. He died with this filial cry upon his lips, "Let me go to my Father, I am already very near to him."
The missionaries continued, in those infant years of the mission, to assist in promoting the material prosperity of the people, especially in teaching them to improve in their mothods of agriculture, and in adding to their stock of domestic animals. Among these were a. bet. tel' breed of dogs, the cat, the pig, the duck, the goose and the tur- key. They knew the hen already. The cat, especially, we Are told, was regarded by them as a godsend, for their huts were infested with rats and mice, and it was only when this favorite domestic animal was introduced by the missionary that the people succeeded in ridding themselves of this veritable scourge. Were it only for the secondary blessings that the Christian missionary bears with him into heathen lands, he would deserve a welcome.
Restricting ourselves within the limits which we had fixed for our narrative, nothing remains for us but to call from the latest mission- <try intelligence that has come into our hands, the statistics of the French Protestant Mission in Basuto Land. Our information brings us up to 1888. Out of a population of 200,000, 25,000 are adherents of the Mission, and 35,000 are under Christian influences. Of these 9,500' are members of the church, either in full communion or as candidates, and 4,500 children are in attendance on the mission schools.
'.rhe mission staff consists of 18 ordained missionaries, 1 lay worker, 15 wives of missionaries, and 7 unmarried ladies engaged in teaching. There are 176 paid native agents engaged at work, beside a gOOdly band of voluntary helpers. The central stations occupied by Europeans are 14 in number, and 94 out-stations are under the care of evangelists.
These simple figures, especially when read in the light of the previous narrative, present before us Basuto Land as one of the bright- .est spots on that "Dark Continent," to which the interest and the
A SPIRITUAL BAROMETER FOR THE CHURCH. (Dec
prayers of all Christendom are now turning. The snccess which has followed and rewarded the labors of missionaries in that part of Africa within a period of little more than half a century, would not have been unworthy of apostolic times. See how the little leaven is leavening the whole lump. The Basuto Mission is indeed a bright jewel in the crown of the French Protestant Church.
A SPIRITUAL BAROMETER FOR THE CHURCH.
REV. RUFUS W. CLARK, DETROIT, MICH.
It is the annual collection taken in the church for Foreign Missions,because· it registers as far as any visible instrument can, the climatic changes and the atmospheric influences about the pulpit and every pew. A glance at the col- lection plate will show you.
(1). As accurate an index as you have of the measure of Christian intelligence in your church. The question is inevitably raised as to whether men have been taught there the requirement of their Lord to carry the Gospel to a perishing world, and the extent to which they have been informed as to the work being done by the faithful toilers in far-off lands.
(2). It is the most infallible test as to the genuineness of the Christian profession, in owning the requirements of the Master and in not disowning or treating them lightly. It is a fair test to put to the value of redemption for one's own soul, to ask the efforts made to secure the same benefit for others. Some qualities of faith bear transportation, else we had not known of Christ.
(3). It is conspicuous above most forms of Christian benefaCtion, in the horwr paid to (Jhrist. "Yes," some may say" I help missions, but of the city and of my native land. Their utility, I see, and foreigners are here and paganism at our doors." But utility is not the motive of the Gospel. It is obedience. The same Master who said" Jerusalem and Samaria," said also, "And to the uttermost part of the earth." Christ did not consult with His Church, He commanded it.
(4). It discloses above many forms of beneficence, unselfishne88. "Charity begins at home" is well. But local and personal ends may be served here. One may help on a cause or an institution, a civilization in which an immediate advantage is realized to one's self or to one's own. But there is no giving so free from the suspicion of self-interest, and unmixed with lower purposes as that which is for those we have never seen, and for which no requital is expected here.
(5). .As an act of worship it indicates with marked explicitness the hold a Church has upon the power and promises of God.
Some give to head a subscription list, some to gratify a friend. Many calls there are in street and in the office. But the offering to the Lord comes first, if he is the dearest friend. It is made in His house, if the best gifts come from Him there, and it is for His altar where His eye alone can see it. The Lord sees it on a subscription book; but is there not a peculiar sanctity to an offering where it is from the individual for his eye alone.
THE MARVEL OF MODERN MEDICAL MISSIONS
THE MARVEL OF MODERN MEDICAL MISSIONS.
BY REV. A. M'ELROYWYLIE, BROOKLYN, N. Y.
In the illustrations of romance there is nothing more surprising than the wonders wrought by the consecrated agency of medical missionaries in heathen lands. Missionaries were not slow in learning that the order pursued by the Saviour and the disciples was the right order for the present day. The Master first healed the sick and then preached the Gospel. The same order he also en- joined the disciples to observe: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give."
Everywhere the most appalling need confronted the missionary worker. In every land he found the horrors of heathenism intensified by the cruel prac- tices of ignorant and superstitious medicine-men.
In China public opinion will not permit the dissection of human subjects, consequently the Chinese doctor is left to sheer guess-work, and to him "every- thing below the skin is a terra incognita." He locates the intellect in the stomach, and, so, enormous rotundity in the equatorial regions is indicative of mental greatness. Many of their favorite prescriptions are compounded from the dried carcasses of snakes, insects and ground bones of the tiger, or other strong animals, while it is a mark of filial devotion for a child to cut pieces of flesh from his or her body, cook them and give to parents who are afflicted with disease.
The Siamese believe that sickness is caused by evil spirits, and medical at- tendants are seen brandishing huge knives and commanding the spirits to de- part, and in other cases the bodies of the sick are pierced by long needles "with the view of locating the spot where the evil spirit has lodged itself. The main remedies in Syria are bleeding and the cautery, practiced chiefly "by barbers and muleteers.
In western Africa Dr. Summers found many sick children who had been horribly cut with knives, and Bishop Taylor saw, after the cruel incantations of a medicine man, a little girl killed, stabbed to the heart, by the side of her suffering mother, because it was believed she had bewitched her parent into a fit of sickness.
Illustrations might be indefinitely multiplied to show that the "tender mer- cies" of the heathen are cruel; that even when they set out to relieve those whom they love, their remedies are worse than the disease; and that myriads of the sick die beneath the miseries of their maladies and the far worse tortures of a treatment conceived in ignorance and applied by unfeeling superstition.
We need not wonder, then, that when the skilled medical missionary applies his scientific principles,_uses his well proved remedies, and directs his keen blade by an unerring knowledge of a true anatomy, he is able to work won- ders which are pron9unced miraculous by the densely ignorant heathen around him, and that everywhere he finds that the exercise of his healing power is the open sesame, and pioneer of the message of salvation to sinning and sinking men. Volumes might be written to set forth, in romantic and thrilling story, the ways in which the healing art has been blessed to the opening of huts, ze- 'nanas, courts, palaces, towns, cities, and entire provinces tothe unrestricted and welcomed proclamation of the Word, followed, also, by expressions of grati- tude and munificence in giving, which would prove illustrious examples in Christian England or America.
The Rev. Dr. Colin S. Valentine, on a journey to the hill country for his health, learned of the serious illness of her Highness, Maharani, the wife of the Maharajah Ram Singh, Prince and Governor of Jeypore. Calling upon the Prince, he was invited to an examination of the case, remained to treat her Highness, who had been given up by the native physicians, and the doctor was soon able to pronounce her recovery as complete.
The Maharajah expressed his gratitude in warmest terms, insisted upon Dr. Yalentine remaining as his physician, made over the colleges and educational institutions to the doctor, and added a grant of 10,000 rupees for a college library and philosophical instruments. The doctor replied that he was a missionary, and could accept of his Highnt~~'::: r:>T01!OSalS only upon the distinct understanding that, as such, he would be allowed, without let or hindrance, to teach the doctrines of the Christian Religion. His conditions were accepted and the Europeans were formed into a Church, and during the whole time Dr. Valentine was at Jeypore he enjoyed the confidence and friendship of the Maharajah, and was enabled to establish several institutions for the physical and moral advancement of the people; such as the School of Arts, the Public Library, the Philosophical Institute, a Museum, a Medical Hall, branch dispensaries, jail discipline, the instruction of prison works, etc,.
It has been said of Dr. Peter Parker, who was the real founder of medical missions, a man of singular beauty of character and eminent ability, that " he opened China to the Gospel at the point of his lancet." Thousands flocked to him for the recovery of their sight, and for healing of every sort of disease, until it was quite impossible for him to attend to the multitudes who claimed his care.
His skill became known extensively throughout the Chinese Empire, and the hospital that he opened in Canton in November, 1885, has brought not only physical relief, but spiritual blessings, to many thousands. The labors of this remarkable man were not confined to China alone, but extended to other countries. He was instrumental in the founding of the Edinburgh Medical :Missionary Society, which has sent forth scores of noble young men to bless humanity, and has been the means of founding many Home Medical Missions, in addition to those established in foreign lands.
The gre~t city of Tien-tsin, on the river Peiho, and the terminus of the Grand Canal, furnishes us another marvel among the victories achieved by medical missions. ' On a certain day the late Dr. J. K. Mackenzie was present with the native converts at prayer. At the same time a member of the English Legation, who was closeted with the Viceroy, learned that his wife was seriously ill, indeed was in a dying condition. The Englishman asked, " Why don't YOlil secure the help of the foreign doctors? " He was induced to send a courier with a message summoning Dr. Mackenzie. In a few weeks (Miss Howard, of Peking undertaking the local treatment) Lady Li was quite recovered. The news of her restoration to health spread throughout the city, and daily Dr. Mackenzie, as he entered the vice-regal palace, was beset by crowds seeking medical or surgical help. In the presence of a large number of officials, in the court facing the reception room, chloroform was administered to a patient afflicted with a tumoras large as a child's head, which the doCtor successfully removed. This operation, with others performed in the presence of the Court, exci1ied the surprise and admiration of the Viceroy and his friends, and heightened the effect produced by Lady Li's recovery. The Viceroy set apart, with great good will, a portion o{a very fine memorial temple, to be used as a dispensary, advanced the money for the immediate purchase of drugs and necessaries, and ordered that subsequent bills should be sent to him for settlement. Dr. Mackenzie, keenly alive to the value of a hospital in aid of Gospel work, recommended the founding of such an institution. The first subscription was given by a military mandarin, who was a patient, had been a Tai-ping rebel, and was bitterly opposed to Christianity. Others, all Chinese, followed, and soon the ,sum reached $4,500 (a large amount in China), and this without help from the Viceroy, who, however, assumed the expenses of the hospital as well as those <Jf the dispensary. In six months wards for thirty patients were in use, and subsequently wards for thirty patients more were added, and also other need- ful rooms and appliances, over $10,000 having been given during fifteen months, by the Chinese alone. The military mandarin returned a year later, bringing a friend with him, to whom he said, after Dr. Mackenzie had shown them through the institutions, " I will repeat my former subscription if you will give the same." "All right," promptly replied his friend, and oh that day $1,500 were added to the flinds.
'Vhat is still more remarkable, the Viceroy, now thoroughly believing in the 'Vestern medicine, was anxious that some of the Chinese should study it, .and the doctor was allowed to select-from over 100 young men, who had been recalled, in 1881, from America, where they had been pursuing their education- eight of the most promising, to enter upon a three years' course of medic!'l and ;surgical training. The Viceroy built a house for them in the mission compound, .and all .being able to read and speak English, their studies were conducted in <Jur language. The Government undertook all expenses for the support of the students, and for such apparatus as was necessary for their instruction. Rec- <Jgnizing that here was a means which, if rightly used, might, through God's blessing, secure an entrance for the Gospel among the upper classes, the mis- :sionary's one stipulation was that he should be whoily untrammeled in his Christian intercourse with these young men.
Thus did the Lord use this good and skillful man in a great heathen city, and .amongst a class of men peculiarly difficult to reach, and to overthrow a great barrier of prejudice against Western medical science, and to initiate changes, the practical issue of which are now showing themselves in the formation of various semi-recognized schools of medicine within China itself.
In Korea access to the very throne itself was achieved purely through the .skill and success of Drs. Allen and Heron, the former of whom (sent out in 1884 lly the Presbyterian Board) happened to arrive just before the emeute which ocoCurred that year. He attended the wounded prince, Min Yong Ik, and was also given charge of a score of wounded Chinese soldiers. Saving the life of the prince and treating with success the wounded soldiers, prepared the way for the erection of buildings by the Government for medical purposes, and the appropriation of money for medicines and all needed appliances. The king, gracious and kindly disposed, at once caused orders to be issued for the puroChase of a compound,of buildings adjoining the hospital in Seoul, and the fit- ting up of the same for a school-house, where young men are to be educated for the practice of medicine. In a single year 10,460 cases have been treated, and 394 operations performed. These medical missionaries have been able, during a single year, to remit to the Board some thousands of dollars beyond their salaries received. And, when it is borne in mind, that in all the heathen lands the rule adopted by the missionaries requires that preaching and Gospelinstruction shall be carried on in intimate connection with their medical work, it must at once be seen that multitudes will be reached by saving truth who <Jtherwise had never heard the terms of salvation; and let it also be borne in mind, that patients come from all classes and from distant and munerous towns .and cities. In a single hospital are found, as a missionary writes, afflicted ones from 500 villages and towns during a single year. A great work is being done hv traiuing medical missionaries in the institution at 118 East 45th Street, Ner York, under the able and devoted superintendency of Dr. George D. Dowkontt, from whom most inspiring and encouraging f~ts ca~ ~ obtained as ~ the pressing need and wonderful successes of medIcal mISSIOnary labors m the Unit3d States and foreign fields throughout the world.
ORIENTAL
ORIENTAL MISSIONS.
DR. E. P. THWING, BROOKLYN.
There is in the East a prescient fear that heathenism is doomed. You find hints of it in sacred books and traditions. You hear confessions as to the tyrannizing influence of the priesthood, its opposition to education, sanitary science, social improvement, by intrigue or violence. You find, as in India, printed appeals to the faithful not to forsake their gods; in Japan, efforts of ecclesiastics to gain a footing in the Imperial Diet-happily futile-where they hope legislation may some day exclude Christians from Japan, as we exclude Chinese from America. They feel that their case is desperate.
Over against this I find a growing assurance among Christians that the-' acceleration of God's providential movements, promised in these latter daysto eventuate, we believe, in the conversion of the world-has already begun. To the mherent weight and momentum of truth, God seems to be giving, as it were, an added pnsh, for .• A short work will the Lord make upon the earth." The plowman will overtake the reaper. The earth brings forth in a day, a na– tion is born at once. We have new auxiliaries. Science is making splendid leaps. The talking phonograph is heard in the palace of the Son of Heaven. Native papers advise their use in criminal courts, and in ordering executions. One blue button Mandarin at Shanghai, while I was there, bought four. It sr. amazed him that he, 61 years of age, began the study of English. The point is this: Science, at a startling rate, is multiplying delicate and powerful adjuncts to hearing, vision, tonch and locomotion. Hampering limitations are removed. So in the pers,onal, spiritual efficiency of the church there is to be a. marvelons reduplication of power. The lame will leap; the dumb sing; the feeble become as David; the house of David as God. Moonlight is sunlight; sunlight becomes sevenfold intense. In view of these two factA,_ there is- A third-an imperative necessity for men at the front, not of piety and consecration merely, but of intellectual breadth and sagacity, able to act in affairs of great complexity and perplexity, wisely, promptly. We have such. W" need more. A prominent New York business man listened with me at th~ great Shanghai Conference to argument and eloquence that would have honored the United States Senate, not alone on religious themes, but as to the right of the missionary to be protected by the Imperial Government from misrepresentation, calumny and violence. For the first time my friend got the true missionary perspective. He saw things at a new angle. He returned home a new man. He said to me yesterday, "I went out with prejudices. I thought mi;;- sionaries were a crotchety set, but I have been amazed at what I saw and heard." The calibre and quality of Congregational and Presbyterian missionaries, he said, were notable, though he belongs to neither communion himself. This is il1J.partial ami valuable testimony. Missionaries cannot speak thus, the Board cannot nor could an inspector, going in their interests, sharing their hospitality, speak without bias; but those of us can, who are independent in movement, action and utterance, with no pecuniary, official relation to any society. Yes, we have men and women of sterling worth at work. They are appreciated by men of intelligence ,who are not Christians. One whom I met writes: "I am speaking, I believe, the sentiments of my own nation when I tell you we care more for earnestness and conviction than for views. We would see men who love us and give themselves for our sakes, as the Saviour of men did; men who have had spiritual experiences as practical realities, and treat the things of the Spirit just as definitely as that they have touched and felt. Japan is already tired of soothsayers, theorizers, baptizers; we only need men and women of moral earnestness, who can give fruits of their own experience, taught through discipline and mental struggles of many years.
,A fourth conviction, derived from observation and the testimony of our brethren, is this: the advisability of a visit by the secretaries of various boards to the three empires of India, China and Japan, which include about one-half the world's population. Time and rates of travel are 'reduced. I have been in Europe and America the same week; but to be in Asia one week and in America the next week, was an illustration of the acceleration of the movements of steamers in these latter days. A day from Nagasaki to Shanghai, three more to Hong Kong, a dozen more to Bombay-these are present possibilities. Our native Christans, ps well as our missionaries, would warmly welcome such an apostolic visitation.
Finally, I have been impressed during tIns long journey in the East, with the fruitfulness of medical missionary work. It is having a wholesome, uplifting, moral influence on the medical profession outside the missionary ranks. It is opening the eyes of heathen to the capabilities of woman, revealed in our female physicians and in the native nurses trained by them. A Chinese admiral, grateful for the restoration to health of his aged mother, gave a gold medal ta- Dr. Mary Fulton. For the successful treatment of another lady of the household, another decoration was ordered. During a stay of a fortnight, ancient etiquette was ignored, and this American lady, and a female missionary with her, sat with the gentlemen of this millionaire's family at a table served in elegant European style. They had permission to hold Christian worship in their apartments, attended by heathen as well as believers. Continued gifts followed Dr. Fulton to Canton, suGh ,as a thousand oranges at a time. A young man from this fanlily-clan of 400 came to Canton Hospital to study medicine. The Hong Kong dailies refer to this as honoring Western ideas as truly as an individual physician. Medical service to the blind, diseased, injured-soon to the insane, we hope-is directly antidotal to the dislike awakened by the greedy, unscrupulous spirit often shown in our commerce, legislation and personal contact with China and other Eastern people. Heathenism believes in the survinl of the fittest and the removal of the helpless from the world. Our hospitals and dispensaries teach a nobler conception of existence. Our standard works ill medicine and surgery are stndied by native students. Otherscientific books are called for by officials. I found that in eight years over 84,000 copies of English and German works had been translated and sold from the Arsenal at Shanghai alone. These are on railways, military science, engineering, medicine, politics and religion. China is not aSleep. The intellectual ferment is not as visible as in India and Japan, but it is surely at work. With the blessing comes the bane; with new economic conditions unrest, discontent; with freer thought specUlative infidelity. The heart of an atheist is often found under the robe of an idolater. In no more vivid form is the true spirit of Christianity shown than in the tender, toilful nlinistry of the doctor and his nurses. The missionary is respected but the physician is worshipped. His person and work are sacred. "This hospital is safer than a gunboat," said a British consul, at Canton, in troublous times. One class of sufferers has for centuries been neglected in China. May I not, therefore, bespeak a hearty and immediate response from thf" friends of humanity everywhere to the efforts we are making at Canton? It is: a pathetic appeal to all nationalities. The consummati"n of this humane purpose for the relief of the insane cannot fail to unite the East and West in closer friendly international relations.
'924 T1LXSLATIOXS ~WM FOREIGN MISSIONARY PERIODICAL"
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY PERIODICALS.
BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The Allgemeine Mi.~sions-Zeitschrijt, speaking of the Dutch Mission in Borneo, remarks: "It is a matter of joy that the government of Holla)1d begins to comprehend the blessing which redounds to itself in its colonies from misf;ions, and urgently desires the strongest possible augmentation of missionary force. When the president of the Bornean Mission informed the Dutch presi- ·dent at Bandjermassin that he had solicited 7 missionaries from Barmen, the president replied: 'What does that amount to? You had better have asked for 70, for here there is a terrible heap of work to be done. These missions are doing a good work.' We hope to be on our guard against making flesh our arm, and founding any great hopes on such utterances of colonial officers; but we rejoice and thank God that the missionary work at last begins to be recognized, even by the Dutch colonial. statesmen, in its great significance." It must be remembered that until lately the feelings of the Dutch government towards missions were very much such as those of the East India Company eighty years .ago. Indeed, it formally encouraged the Moslem propaganda in its eastern -colonies, until at last it discovered itself to be warming deadly disloyalty into life on its own bosom.
-The Zeitschrijt for last March remarks that in China the successful introduction of railways would completely subvert that fundamental Chinese superfltition-the "wind-and-water-doctrine"-which has thus far successfully reflisted it. "Yet Old China will strive in vain against the railroad. The vast, thickly peopled land is destitute of highways, and the want of communication during the oft-recurring famines, costs the lives of hundreds of thousands, indeed of millions. Moreover, railways are a military necessity for the extensive ttirritory," which now lies between the hammer and the anvil-between the -constant advances of England on the south, and of Russia on the north. "But, whether Europe has so much reason to exult over the progress of China, is .quite another question. China is a g:iant, who, when he is once fairly awake, will become a rival of the Occident with the means of civilization learned of the Occident, such a rival as may well embarrass Western life in a fashion as yet undreamed of. Moreover, we may be allowed to warn against building too sanguine hopes for the progress of missions upon the extension of I ailways."
-The Missions-Zeitschrijt gives the official reports of Roman Catholic misflions in China for 1889, as follows (including Mantchuria, Mongolia, Thibet .and Yunnan): 623 European missionaries, 329 native priests, and 544,370 Catholics. At the end of 1887 the latter were given as 541,358. Taking account, therefore, of the natural increase of the population, there appears to have been n relative decline.
-The Zeitschrijt says of the new Japanese constitution: "Matters seem to l)e going rather too jast in the kingdom of the Rising Sun, and forms are not of necessity realities." It points out also that the guarantee of religious freedom is couched in an ambiguousness of phrase which might easily give a handle to ..Japanese reaction, a possibility by no means to be neglected. "Advancing ..Japan by no means lacks discontented elements, especially among those young people whose fathers belonged to the warrior and the literate classes, and that ..Japanese feeling can not only surge high but surge wildly against the favor flhown to foreigners and foreign ways, is sufficiently shown by the excitement .occasioned by the revision of the treaties."
-The Zeitschrijt remarks: "Even the striving for ecclesiastical independencl', which distinguishes the Japanese Christians, praisworthyand delightful nat~nal as it is, is impelled and supported by a mighty under-current, which is, perhaps, not wholly free from national vanity. In the missionary reports there is a perpetual recurrence to the idea, that in Japan it is not the natives that are the helpers of the foreigners, but the foreigners that are the helpers of the natives. All honor to the Japanese leaders of the Christian movement, to· the native teachers, pastors, elders; but it is hard to resist;.the impression that in this strong emphasis laid upon Japanese leadership there is involved an over-valuation by the Japanese of their own knowledge and strength. To Protestant missions there can be nothing dearer than to reach as soon as possible their goal, the establishment of an independent evangelical church in Japan. Yet, with full acknowledgm~t of Japanese gifts and of the Christian maturity of individual Japanese, it will be quite a while yet before they will be able to dispense with Western help, and also with Western guidance in the work of the Christianization and the Christian training of the gifted Japanese people. In Christian knowledge and experience, moreover, Japan is very young, and if history, especially missionary history, is to be a guide, the great present need of Japan is that of the largest possible multiplication of European and American missionaries, as indeed is urged by all sober judges of the actual state of things, among them the English bishop. The larger the staff of competent Western missionaries, so much the more speedily and certainly will Japan attain to a healthy ecclesiastical independence. "
".Besides all that is done for education by churches and individuals, tIlC" Japanese government spends yearly more than $600,000 upon schools. But what avail all these seats of culture, if, as too many testimonies seem to show, there is. growing up in them a mass of youth inclined to break all the bonds of natural piety and of youthful modesty and docility? And yet, with many leading representatives of progress in general, all(~ especially in the daily press, it is not the blessed and regenerating JlOwer of Christianity upon the hearts of men which secures it favor, but the ;'egard to it as 'an intellectual force in Japan.' They are, therefore, bewitched with the notion that culture regenerates' and knowledge is religion. . . . What the great apostle of the Gentiles wrote' aforetime to the Greeks, in their pride of wisdom, and what the Heavenly Master declared to Nicodemus, is no less opportune for the cultured heathen peoples of to-day. These are depressing shadows; but, notwithstanding these the number of those Christians in Japan, who apprehend the Gospel as a power' • of God for salvation, grows from year to year."
-In these days, when Mohammedanism is so glorified,the following notice of Kolle's" Mohammed and Mohammedanism Critically Considered,'.' from the Missions Zeitschrift for March, 1890, is well worth reading. Although the work is in English this independent summary and estimate of it from the Ger~ man is none the less valuable. We give but a part: "The author, who has made himself for decades practically familiar with the various aspects of Islam, as a Protestant missionary, first in West Africa, then in Turkey, felt the need 'of also setting it forth theoretically in this book. In his Introduction he solicits the reader's attention to the following points, which we are entitled to regard as the ripe fruit of exhaustive studies: (1) The- Prophetic Development of Mohammed; (2) the demonstration of a complete inner accord between the two great stages in Mohammed's prophetic career; (3) the demonstration that in Mohammedan legend the ground thoughts areantichristian; finally, the assignment, in the history of the world and of the church, of its proper place, as a specific form and phase of Antichristianity.
"Over against the half-and-half, in which most of Mohammed's later biographers have become involved, Kolle, like Arnold before him, holds the old Christian view, that Mahartmeli was through and through an instrument of the Archfiend. Mohammed, in Kolle's judgment, had thoroughly good oppor- tunities of knowing the Lord. He of set purpose withstood the Father's drawing, that would have led him to the Son, and thereby came under the power of the Prince of this world, and allowed himself to be fashioned by Him into an Anti-Christ, and tl1at in the very beginning of his prophetic activity. This, then, reveals itself most distinctly in Mohammedan legend,which has developed his .portrait, trait for trait, to the counterpart of God-man, and it becomes certain, beyond all doubt, when we see, how in the history of the Kingdom of God, the Anti-christianity ofMohammed comes in at the very point, at which the contest against the Lord's Anointed was j;o be carried on, after the earlier resistance had not been able to maintain itself against them.
" Kolle's argumentations for these positions, of course, claims evidence only for Ohristian readers. But to such it commends itself by clearness, inner coherence, solid historical proofs, and agreement, in fact, with the present attitude of the Mohammedan world toward Christendom. In essential points Kolle might have appealed to no less a witness for the justice of his view than to our past master of conscientious historical inqury, Leopold Von Ranke. Ranke also emphasizes these points: 'the original monotheistic conviction was already existent in Mohammed;' the assertion of immediate illumination is only the second step in the construction of the doctrine of Islam;' 'Mohammed was intent upon creating a national centre for the scattered Arab tribes,' and, therefore, ' on cleansing the Kaaba from idolatry' and' reforming the supreme .authority by the monotheistic idea.' , His ideas were from the beginning at the same time of a political nature.' When now we see how, in his later development, it becomes more and more evident that his' revelations' come 'at his call' to serve his political and, personal, often very vulgar, interests, we do not weH see how we can help ascribing to him a similar course of proceeding from the beginning. If it is alleged against this, how much enthusiasm we find at his first coming forward, in him and his adherents, really religious enthusiasm for the one compassionate God, the Judge Of the world, the answer is, that all this is just as apparent in him in the later stage of his prophetic career. Even to the last he apprehends religiously all his personal destinies (including his moral sickness), sees everything in the light thrown on it by his belief in God and his assumption of his own prophetic calling, and remaius to the last religious also in his behavior and conduct, not only in zealous asceticism, but also in temperance and self-control (except in puncto sexti septimt), and in his ever more arrogant claims of authority over others, as well as in absolute surrendering of all earthly possessions for the professed cause of God representeli by him, which, indeed, he sought to further by his great and prodigal liberality. That a man could remain so religious as Mohammed remained, when he had already times without number burdened his conscience with criminal imposture and bloody persecution, nay, with the assassination of adversaries, and that, despite the scandal which this now and then occasioned his adherents, these latter were ready, in growing enthusiasm, to offer up life and limu for him and his cause, and at his word to go to death with undoubting and joyful confidence, is just as wonderful, and in a certain sense inexplicable, as that he, at the very beginning of his prophetic course,had been an impostor, and yet had shown some traits of the genuine prophet, and gradually acquired .a faithfully devoted body of adherents.
" The magic formula of a gradual alteration, which is used in the sphere of natural science to bridge over the chasm between the inorganic and the organic, and then again between the brute and man, is yet more illusive in the sphere of , £piritualllfe, where a moral apostasy is to be psychologically explained. Add to this the prevailing tendency of our age, to make out that moral portents are not so monstrous after all, nor so far removed from' the kindly race of man,'
.and it is anything but a wonder that Mohammed finds his advantage in this .among our contemporaries. But Christians should not be bewildered by all 1Jris. Careful historical inquiry demonstrates that Mohamm~d, before he ap- peared as a prophet, besides Hanifism and Talmudism,was likewise acquainted with Christianity, and that as a monotheistic religion. He, morever, steadily .acknowledged Christianity as resting upon Divine revelation, yet he did not ()onnt it worth'while to explore it more thoroughly. He knew that the revela- tions of Jesus were documentarily attested in sacred writings, in the Gospel, yet he contented himself with an altogether superficial acquaintance with some Christian Apocrypha. He might have become an Ulphilas to his people, but in that event the Emperor, as a Christian, would have attained to a certain supremacy over the Arabs. Here the national and egoistic interest proves it- .self stronger than the religious. Here is his FALL. He presses the Divine, as .a means, into the service of the national and personal end. The want of the ()raving for truth, of the full and clear recognition of truth, surrenders him as .a victim to the temptation to untruthfulness. Henceforth he becomes more .and more a liar, more and more a murderer. Whose is the ,image and super- scription? And ever more decidedly does he, out of national and personal in· terests, set himself against Christ, and the legend of his person follows the im- . pulse which he himself gave to it-and yet, forsooth, he is to be accounted' a schoolmaster unto Christ for the peoples! ' "
-The Macedonier for 1890' (2d No.) gives an estimate of the Dutch East Indies, whose extent and population sufficiently explain the fact that the mis· llionaryefforts of Netherlands Christians are confined to these, and that they have, moreover, to call in the help of their German brethren for Sumatra and Borneo. From Upper Sumatra to New Guinea is farther than from Gibraltar to Archangel. From Batavia to Amborgna is as far as from Lisbon to Christi- ania. The land area is fifty times as great as the Netherlands. The population is estimated at about 30,000,000. Deducting some 350,000 Chinese, 15,000 Arabs, 45,000 Europeans, or such as are classed with them, the rest is divided between the Malay and the Papuan races.
The great island of Java has 20,000,000 of the 30,000,000, with undeveloped capacities for a good many more.
-Missionary Wolff, of the Leipsic Mission in South India, having removed to Sidambaram, a bigoted city of temples, avowed that at first he shrank from preaching in the streets, doubting, moreover, whether it would avail anything.
But one night a man appeared to him in a dream, in whom he recognized the Lord Christ, who asked him: "Have you to-day been among the heathen?"
This question, which he could not answer affirmatively, went through bone and marrow. After that, during the nineteen years that he spent in Sidambaram, until his death, in 1883, he made i~ his rule to let no day pass without preaching in some one of the 132 streets of the city or in some neighboring yillage. He left behind a Christian congregation of 893.
-The Evangelisch-Lutherisches Missionsblatt, under the heading, "Signs of the Times," describes a recent judicial investigation in Tirumalei, South India, of a case of embezzlement, the offender being the superior of the temple. Some $80,000 or more having been discovered in ancient gold coins, the Mahant, or superior, proposed to his suffragan priests, to have them buried, for special se- curity, under the great flag-staff of the temple. They consented, and accord- ingly six copper vessels, filled to the brim with gold coins were so disposed of. Soon, however, the superior's1avish outlays of gold coins in Bombay and elsewhere were tracked out, and, as his imperiousness had exasperated his pupils and colleagues, they overcame their awe of his sacerdotal holiness, and brought him before the courts.
"Accordingly, July 20th, 1889, one of the seven Atschari Purushas (chief priests) accused him before the nearest English court, demanding examination of the buried pots. There was a prodigious and universal commotion of men's minds. Bring so holy, inviolable a personage before the courts! Shall any one venture to desecrate the sacred place which no European foot has ever trodden, and dig up the treasure? The Mahant left no stone unturned to hin- der this. The best lawyers, at the highest prices, were retained as his advo- cates in both lower and higher court. These represented that the disinterment of the treasure would wound the feelings of the Hindus, that the flag-staff was the holiest thing about the temple, that there resided in it a peculiar magical efficacy, that the god was wont to sit on it, that the next festival would be dis- turbed, etc. The judges unquestionably treated the accused with the greatest consideration and patience, but the suspicion was too strong-the excavation could not be dispensed with, yet it was executed with all respect and forbear- ance. A European engineer was put in charge, but not being allowed to cross, the temple-threshold, he gave his orders sitting at the door. One hundred and twenty heathen pqIicemen, with fixed bayone1B, guarded the temple day and night. Yet first the Balalijam ceremony was performed, i. e., the flag-staff was for the time voided of i1B magic force, and a prayer addressed to the Swami, to leave his seat on the flag-staff for awhile, yet without going quite away from the temple. During this time the temple-service, which had been uninterrupted for centuries had to be suspended. A great throng assembled around the temple" but it displayed not the slightest sign of opposition or counter-demonstration: Also a sign of the times! In a few days the six pots were dug up, and opened in the presence of many witnesses and of the Mahant himself. At the top was found a thin layer of gold coins, and beneath nothing but worthless old copper pieces."
-Missionary Herre of the Leipsic Society, speaking of the imitative, and by no means prosperous,'attempts of a worthy Brahmin of Bangalore, to establish some charitable institutions, remarks: "We cannot concede to the Hindus the capacity of supporting such charities. Their benefits are intended for the upper classes, not for the poor Pariahs. So, also, in all such matters as temperance societies, etc., the Hindus leave the Pariahs quite out of the que,stion. They think: What have we to do with these? Are we to be their keepers? Of brotherly feeling toward them no one thinks. It is only the Christian that has, pity on all the poor; he concerns himself even for the meanest and most despised. Only once in the year (at the Saturnalia)did the old Roman heathenism enforce the equality of all (or rather reversed the inequalit}, subjecting the masters for eight or ten days to the slaves); only once, and that in the night, does a sect of the Hindus acknowledge this equality by unutterable abominations of all with all. Then, in bestial irrationality, 'the depths of Satan' are sounded, and the cup of impurity emptied to the dregs. At sunrise the distinctions of caste stand once more as frowningly repellent towards each other as before."
This Brahmin having courteously invited Mr. Herre to make use of his hall for English addresses which would be well understood by the educated Hindus, "begged me to speak cautiously, and not to repel the audience by laying a strong emphasis on Christian ideas, especially to be prudent in using the name of Jesus. I promised to keep in mind the rules of the hall, but begged him to remark that I could not leave the missionary at home-could not deny or con-, eeal Jesus Christ. I declared that, as He is the centre of the whole history of the world, so He must be the centre of all my addresses. I reminded him that it was well understood by everyone, why we missionaries had come to India. With this he expressed himself content. Accordingly I hope to have there a frequent opportunity of scattering some seed of divine truth among educated hearers. Such an opportunity for preaching is the more welcome as street- preaching in this city has to contend with especial obstacles. It encounters every- where hired bawlers, heathen and Mohammedan. Regular opposition societies have been formed for this end. We cannot but await, with growing interest, the things that shall come to pass. But we may well expect to be able to say, and that perhaps shortly, as Athanasius said of Julian's persecution: 'It is but a passing cloud.'"
-It appears that Buddhism is not inclined to yield the field to the Gospel without some various attempts (with the help of Schopeuhauer, Hartmann, and lesser adepts) to carry the war into Africa, or rather into Europe and America. The Missionsblatt remarks: "What a challenge to a thorough refu- tation is given by the Buddhist catechism of 'Subhadra Bickshu,' which has already reached its second edition in Bruuswick? In this he declares creation out of nothing a lunacy, and, with bold presumption, denying the being of God, he gains audacity for the insane declaration that 'everything originates through ¥-d out c4 itself by nature of its own will.' And now many unbelieving scholars are extoling this senseless talk to our people as the higher wisdom that is to save their despairing souls! How the theosophists and a part of the the spiritists work mischief with the so-called Esoteric Buddhism is well known. Is it not high time to intervene with some word of knowledge that shall bring the light?"
-Speaking of the late Bishop Sargent, the editor of the Missionsblatt, who had met him in India, says: "If he did not belong to the pioneer missionaries like Rhenius, into whose inheritance he entered, he yet must be reckoned among the more significant missionary names of India-men whose lives are so thoroughly interwoven with the missionary history of their field of labor, that we cannot separate the one from the other. What a singular growth of missions he has been permitted to see with his own eyes! This appears by a -:lOmparison of the state of the work of the Church Missionary Society in 1835, when he began in Tinnevelly (South India) as a lay helper, with 1888. The increase hasbeen: Places occupied, 224-1018; native adherents, 8,693-55,853; communicants, 114-12,112; native pastors, 1-67; schools, 112-456; scholars, 2,404-13,219.
"It was under him, and principally at his instance, that the home committee took the momentous step of recalling almost all the European missionaries from Tinnevelly, and committing the care of the youthful congregations tonanve pastors, to be supported wholly or partly by the contributions of the people, which, in 1888, amounted to 27,643 rupees. That this somewhat premature step could be taken without injuring the work more and endangering all the interests of the churches, may well be regarded as chiefly the merit of Sargent. What secured him his great influence over the natives (and here is so commonly the main ground of missionary success) was his personal amiability. ~iousness and friendliness in intercourse with them-he was loved by them _ a father by his children. He is especially noted for having completely mastered the Tamil Ianguage and become perfectly acquainted with the Tamil .ustoms and habits of thought. He was, it is true, greatly assisted in this by 1I1e fact of having been born and brought up in Madras, though of European parents.
"An Indian journal says of him: 'Not as a great administrative genius, or as a scholar, like his friend, Bishop Caldwell, will Sargent be remembered among us, but rather as a man of a strong character, of a broad and loving heart, as a prince aniong the Tamil preachers, as a great missionary, who gave to India his whole heart for Christ's sake, who made India his home, and with joy was willing to die among the people of his choice. He was a GREAT MIS- SIONARY, and this showed itself, not so much in extraordinary endowments as in this, that he, without suffering himself to be discouraged, believed unswerv- ingly on God's counsels touching India, and with all his energy co-operated for their realization,without sparing himself, until he could labor no longer. May the generation of such ' great' men never die out in this land! "
-The Dansk Missionsblad, in a detailed accoUnt of the stations of the China Inland Mission, has some vivid descriptions of regions and towns very little familiar to Christendom. Thus:" Eastward of the province of Szechuen lies that of Hoo-pih, which is only half as large, but more thickly peopled than its neighbor on the west." Here lies China's greatest lake, and perhaps the world's greatest city. It has commonly been supposed and taught that London was this world's hugest. But here, in the heart of China, lies a great city, consisting of three divisions, on both sides of the Yang-tse-Kiang, which here is about half a mile broad, and navigable even for great ships. It is given as having 5,000,000 inhabitants, and is called after the name of one of the three divisions, Vouchang. It is the greatest mart in Asia, and the throng and traffic found here both on land and water, are set forth as unique and beyond description. This city, like Tientsin, is one of the headquarters of the China Inland Mission, from which communications are maintained with the missionaries in the west and northwest. As a result of this the brethren stationed here have their hands full with the affairs of their scattered colleagues, and have therefore but little time and strength for missionary work proper. Yet there exists in the mighty city a little church of about half a hundred members, and another of'the same size in the city Fan-cheng, in the northern, mountainous part of the province. There are in all only 17 missionaries in this important province, whose inhabitants, taken as a whole, are so taken up with 'the struggle for existence' or the acquisition of riches, that they seem but slightly receptive for the message of peace, and but little desirous of the treasure which moth and rust cannot consume.
" Between Cwan-hwing and the sea stretches Keang-soo, one of the most remarkable and most important provinces of China. I~ has no fewer than three cities of a million each,which, moreover, lie close together. There is Nanking, whose former glory seems in great part to have sunk in ruins along with the fac-renowned Porcelain Tower, which the Tai-ping rebels laid waste. Here i,s Sou-tchou, the most beautiful city in the whole realm of China, of which the saying goes: 'In Heaven there is Paradise, and on earth Sou-tchou,' and, , To be happy on earth one must be born in Sou-tchou.' There is Shanghai, with its gloomy environs and filthy streets,.but with a mighty stir of traffic and diversified popular life."
-Missionary Van Eendenburg, in the Orgaan der Nederlandsche Zendingsverceniging, (organ of the Netherlands Missionary Society) for March, 1890, speaks of having baptized a Javanese gentleman of rank, Atman Oesman,who, by a pilgrimage to Mecca in his boyhood, in the company of his father, had gained the exalted standing of a Hadji, or Saint. Such a change of religion in the case of a Hadji being a thing unheard of, his baptism has created excitement far and wide. It is to be hoped that it will be a saving shock to others besides his own family.
Mr. Van Eendenburg reports having been not long since waited on by a Chinese (of whom there seem to be a good many in Java) with the request for medicine. The sick mim promised that if the missionary would cure him he .would pay him by becoming a Christian. Mr. Van Eedenburg took occasion to explain to him on which side the benefit would lie, if he became a Christian, and dismissed him with medicines, promising to send more after him through the native helper. The conversations of the latter have resulted in the estab- lishment of a stated congregation of from 30 to 50, served regularly by Mr. Van Eendenburg or his helper. The missionary has already baptized 8 adults and 5 children among them. But the Chinese, whose sickness has been the oocasion of such blessed results, still remains aloof. God grant that he may n@t save others and fail to be saved himself.
It is known that the restless, atheistic demagogue, Bradlaugh, besides the -capital which he is endeavoring to make for himself and his designs (including, I understand, the legislative suppression of religion) by throwing himself into the fullest current of extreme democracy at home, has b~en traversing India with the same purpose. He proposes giving to every male Hindu over 21, who has certain qualifications as yet undetermined, the right of voting for <E!lectors, who s~ll in turn choose Legislative .Councils, for the different Presi- -dencies, and a Supreme Council to control the vice-regal administration. Upon this the Evangelisches-Lutherisches Missionsblatt for March, 1890, remarks: "This proposition was received by the national congress with exultation, and accepted without change. The wine of democracy had intoxicated them .all. Otherwise this resolution would be hardly intelligible. We are tempted to ask whether these 2,000 'educated' men are really in earnest with their proposition. Do they really believe that in an empire whose present population is estimated at 270,000,000, and in which far more than nine-tenths of the population cannot read, and cannot form any conception of what is properly meant by a 'Legislative Council;' a country in which, during thousands of years, not so much as a shadow of a parliamentary government has had a being, now, on a sudden, the way can be opened for a popular administration? To which of the .diversified castes and religions of the Indian population would the lion's share fall-castes and communions which in part are absolutely alien to each other? To whom but to the crafty BRAHMINS, who are far in advance of all others in assimilation of Western culture, and in the most difficult university examina- tions, and, who, through intellectual superiority and their great skilfulness of speech and readiness in the appropriation of forms of action, have already a dominant position in the official world of India? But woe to the poor Gov- €rnors, who shall be obliged to expose themselves to the cross-fire of these tongues? They would soon realize Bradlaugh's explanation of the word 'loyalty.' The latter said in Bombay: 'True loyalty consists in this, that the subject shall so support the Governors as to leave but little for the government to do !"
–Several members of the Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrijt have been largely oocupied with an account of the work of the missionaries of the American Board and the Hawaiian Missionary Society, in Micronesia, both in the Gilbert and the Caroline and the Marshall Islands, drawn up with true German thoroughness. The writer, after speaking of the steady progress in the work on the Marshall Islands, speaks of the temporary disturbance occasioned by ~he German occupancy in 1885. The first thing which the German commander, Captain ROt~er, did, was to fine the Ebon Church 2,000 marks, because they had refused £0 trade with two German merchants who had brought in liquor contrary to law. This outrageous measure, taken on the mere representation of the two dealers, without any opportunity given to the missionaries or the people to speak, was severely commented on in the Zeitschrijt, whereupon the German admiralty brought suit for libel. The court, however, decided that the charge against Captain Rotger was made out. Against the somewhat han;h imperiousness of the German officers is to be set off the independence and equity of the German tribunals.
The Zeitschrwijt commends the German protectorate for its efforts to bring to an end the frequent civil wars on these islands. On the whole, however, the German editors represent the influence of their countrymen upon the work of missions on the Marshall Islands as being the reverse of sympathetic. Th~ German dealers-with the single exception of Herr A. Cappelle, on Ebon-are hostile; and the Commissary seems to side with them. Everything done for missions is viewed, apparently, as so much withdrawn from the gains of German covetousness. The Commissary, like the Czar with the Protestants of his dominion, actually undertakes to control the liberality of the people, for- bidding them to giv/i "excessively," and, of, course, reserving to himself the" interpretation of the term. On the limited resoul'Ces of the coral group he imposes a tax of 2,000 marks. To the American missionaries he continues peremptorily to refuse permission to lease land for churches 0; schoolhouses. And, most unhandsome of all, he will not allow the " Morning Star" to go on her rounds of mercy among the islands of the group, without paying a yeady license of 1,000 marks! All these things, of course, are known in this country through the Missionary Herald .. but it is a comfort to see them so thoroughl,. and severely exposed by the great German missionary magazine. If these things are done in the green tree, what may be looked for in the dry? If II. great Teutonic Protestant power, like Germany, allows greed and love of dominion to mislead her to such treatment of a kindred race and religion,what. wonder if France persecutes both in the Pacific? With this German churlishness in the Marshall group the courtesy and equity of the present Spanish Governor of the Caroline Islands contrasts most honorably. But let us hope tha.t, as the young Emperor seems in various particulars to have come to a better" mind at home, the fruits of his growing largeness of sympathies will yet extend even to the Marshall Islands.
Dr. Warneck, or rather Mr. Kurze, who writes the article, is decidedly of opinion, now that the work is so burdened and threatened, that an American missionary, besides Dr. Pease, ought to take up his residence on Jaluit-now the seat of government-and make much more frequent rounds among the islands, procuring a special schooner for the purpose.
-The same number of the Missions-Zeitschrijt gives statistics of the work of the Rhenish Missionary Societyamong the Battas Qf Sumatra. The work is now twenty.,seven years old. It embraces 13 stations and 56 outstations. There are 13,135 baptized Christians. In 1888 there were 1,244 adult baptisms. Having advanced to the inland sea, Lake Toba, it is making ready to cross it into independent territory, its present stations being all under Dutch suzerainty. The Bat~ elders are peculiarly helpful to the missionary, both at home and as evangelists. The mission has now its first unmarried female missionary (an English lady, self-supporting) and its first medical missionary.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
H.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Africa.-The Bishop of Cape Town areas of rich deposits of wonderful lias been administering the rite of con- fertility.
firmation to the lepers within his -M. Chaudoin, one of the hostages jurisdiction. Says the Evangelical seized by the King of Dahomey, was Ohurchman, of Toronto, Canada: "He kept three months in captivity, tirst confirmed nine, using the English chained, for the greater part of the language, and, using the Dutch lan- time, to his fellow prisoners. On one guage, he laid hands on 5 chronic sick occasion they were present at a sort of persons, 44 male and 17 female lepers. review of 15,000 of the king's war- His addresses, which were very ear- riors. The sight of the body of Ama- nest and touching, were interpreted zons, the 4,000 black virgins who form by a clergyman. One poor boy was the royal bodyguard, and who, armed wheeled up to the altar, and. several with rifle and knife, "stand ready to -eQuld not kneel. The ages of the can- attack at the slightest signal of their didates ranged from 11 to 90. . The master," greatly impressed him.
bishop subsequently went to the l~per -Rev. Dr. Johnston, a Jamaica mis- wards of the house and confirmed an sionary, has been for eome time train- English sailor who was too ill to attend ing as missionaries a number of ne- the church." groes belonging to his church, in Ja- -Under the name of the Independ- maica, and is about to start a mission ,ent State of Congo, its government in Africa of colored men for their ,organized after the most approved own race. This movement will be methods of Belgian administration, watched with interest, and, if success- it entered fully equipped into the ful, will greatly help to solve the ques- family of nations. There is within its tion of reaching Africa's millions with area, which is 33 times that of Bel- the Gospel. The cry may some day gium, a population of 450 white, about be, "Africans-ministerial and medi- ,one-half State officials and employees, cal-for Africa." In such a case the and the estimated number of natives negro institutions and churches of within its borders is about 40,000,000, America should train and furnish and, in the whole Congo basin, is esti- their full quota.
mated at about 50,000,QOO. -American Board of Com. F. M.
Africa is about three times the area -The following statistical summary, ,of Europe, or 12,000,000 square miles, presented at Minneapolis, shows what and some writers estimate it to con- has been done: Number of mission- tain about an equal population- aries increased from 514 to 533; places 325,000,000 souls. The enormous trade opened for stated preaching, 1,069 to developing there comes mainly from 1,402; new churches, 27; membersre- the narrow selvage which separates ceived in confession, 4,554; aggregate the mountains from the sea. It is a churches, 387; members, 36,256; at- great basin composed of plateaux, tendance at 122 high-schools and gradually ascending to 7,000 feet at colleges, 7,780; native pastors, 173; some of the central lakes. It has four amount contributed by mISSIOn great river systems: on the west, the churches for self-support, $117,000.
Congo, second only to the Amazon in The whole number of church members the volume of its water, and the Ni- secured since the Board began work, ger; on the north, the Nile; on the 81 years ago, is 114,953. The number east, the Zambesi. These rivers once of pupils under instruction is 47,329.
formed vast internal seas, which, fin- The donations, during 1889-1890, ally breaking through the mountain were $417,921.84, a gain in one year of barriers, descended by cataracts and $22,876.84. Of this, $169,2*6.37 came ,canyons to the ocean, leaving great frOln the three woman's boards, an increase of $16,450.86. Legacies re- union. The statistics of missionary ceived,$199,802.11, again of $46,148.39. Presbyterianism in China show 589 This, with the income of the general Inissionaries; wives of missionaries, permanent fund and the income of 390; single women, 316; ordained na- special bequests,. made the total tive ministers, 209; unordained help- amount of money available for the ers, 1,260; female helpers, 180; hos- Board $763,434.07. The expenditures pitals, 61; dispensaries, 43; patients in were $762,946.98, leaving a balance of 1889, 348,439; organized churches, 520; $487.09. It was stated that an income communicants, 37,287; pupils in of $1,000,000 a year is needed. schools, 16,816; contributions by na- Armenia.- The Armenian Patri- tive Christians, $36,884,64.
arch has recently secured a decree -According to recent calculations from the Sultan, granting important made by the Russian authorities,which concessions to the Armenians of that are regarded very trustworthy, the country. Among these is a restora- population of the Chinese Empire is tion to the Armenian Church of the 382,000,000. The annual increase is important privileges and immunities placed at 4,000,000. But not .one in of which it waa deprived by the pro- 10,000 of these millions ever heard of visions of a recent decree, and im- Jesus Christ.
portant concessions for the improve- -There are 109 medical mission- ment of the condition of the Armeni- aries in China, of whom 38 are women, ans of Asia Minor. and of these last 36 are Americans.
-Catholicism. – The sixteenth an- In all but four of the provinces medi- nual session of the Catholic Young cal missions have been established.
Men's National Union, 300 delegates – Churches Disbanded. In the present, met lately in Carroll Hall, Minutes of the General Assembly of Washington, for business, after hear- the Presbyterian Church for 1889, page ing a sermon in one of the churches 149, it is stated that 36 per cent. as by Bishop Keane, rector of the Catho- many churches are annually disbanded lic University. The Union is com- as new ones organized; that the ratio posed of 111 societies, coming from of disbandments is gradually increas- nearly all the States and Canada, and ing, and last year was greater than there are applications in hand from ever before. In the Congregational seventy-five other Unions or Societied Year Book, giving the statistics for for membership. They asked for, and 1889, it is stated that 241 new churches.
received by cable, the Pope's blessing. were organizad during the year, and The Cardinal delivered an address, in 121 disbanded. For every three which, among other things, he said: churches organized by the Presbyteri- •• Love. to God and His Church, love of ans one is disbanded; a~d among the country, and love for one another, are Congregationalists, for every two new the three great principles of the churches organized one is disbanded.
Union." France.-There are three principal China. – The missionaries con- French societies for the spread of Pro- nected with the Presbyterian churches testantism in France: The Societe Cen- in the United States, the United Pres- trale Protestante d'Evangelisation, the byterian Church of Scotland, the Union des Eglises E"t'angeliques libres· Irish and the Canadian Presbyterian de France, and the Societe Evange- Churches, have agreed upon a plan of lique de France; the last is the oldest, union to form the Presbyterian Church undenominational, and founded i:n of China. . The representatives of the 1833. Each society is self-supporting.
English Presbyterian and the Re- Much work is done by the American formed (Dutch) Church of America McAll Association and the Methodist are expected also to accede to the and Baptist churches. Their forms. of labor are manifold. There are in parison with these countries is not Paris alone, Bible societies, tract so- very bright or assuring. In Italy the cieties, and societies for the promotion birth-rate is 6.7 per thousand inhabit- of the circulation of Protestant books. ants, in Germany, 10; in Russia, 12.9, A work of evangelization among the and in England, 12.9, while in France sailors is carried on by M. H. Cook, it does not exceed 1.19.
with the boats Mystery and Herald of Great Britain.-ANational Pro- Mercy. There are societies to work testant Congress was held in London, among shop-girls, young washer- October 27-29. The following sub- women, coachmen, and priests who jects were selected for consideration: have left the Catholic Church. There 1. Union of Protestant Churches-(a) are temperance societies, with re.stau- common grounds of union; (b) differ- rants, where food of good quality, at ences which hinder union; (c) sug- low prices is supplied; no wine, but gested schemes of union and inter- tea and coffee. There are homes for communion. 2. The Public Worship workingmen, working girls, and for of God–{a} its true nature and char- those out of work; also societies to find acter; (b) its helps and its hindrances.
employment for them. There are day 3. Systematic Instruction in Refor- homes for young children whose par- mation Principles–{a) the plenary in- ents are at work, and homes for chil- spiration and sole authority of holy dren whose parents are in the hospital Scripture; (b) the right of private or prison. There are societies for work- judgment; (c) justification by faith ing among women and men in prison, only. 4. Conventual and Monastic £lnd to assist them when discharged; Systeins, with special reference to there are stores where the poor can the attempted revival of brother- buy at wholesale rates, and savings hoods and sisterhoods. 5. Home and banks for them; there are homes at Foreign Protestant Missions, with spe- the seashore and in the country for the cial reference to the dangers arising delicate to spend some time every sum- from Romanizing influences, and the mer. Protestant schools, lectures in best means of counteracting them.
pleasant rooms, Bible-readings, chari- Devotional-opening meeting-sub- table associations for every want, ject: "One Body, One Spirit ;" closing asylums for every age and infirmity, meeting-subject: "The Priesthood of belong also to the vast work carried Christ, and the Priesthood of Believ- on by Protestants in Paris. ers." Among those who were ap- -France is declining in population, pointed to take part, were Sir. Arthur and seems to be rapidly approaching Blackwood, K.C.B., Rev. E. W. Bul- the fearful period when the deaths linger, D.D., Rev. A. A. Isaacs, M.A., will exceed the births among her citi- Mr. James Inskip, H. Sinclair Pater- zens. She has not kept pace ingrowth son, M.D., Colonel Sandys, M.P., Rev.
relatively with competitive nations. Hiles Hitchens, D.D., Pastor Fuller A century a.go she had the lead; now Gooch, Professor Radford Thomson, she is amazingly falling in the rear. M. A., Bishop Sugden, D.D., Rev. F.
For instance, a century ago her popu- B. Meyer, Rev. Dr. Grattan Guinness, lation numbered 26,000,000, while Rev. John WilkinsOn, the Dean of Russia had only 25,000,000; Austria, Achonry, Rev. C. H. H. Wright, D.D., 17,000,000; Prussia, 15,000,000, and Rev. Marcus Rainsford, M.A., and Mr.
England, 12,000,000. Now, however, William Johnston, M.P.
Russia has 90,000,000 inhabitants; Ger- India.-The late Sir Bartle Frere, many, 46,000,000; Austria, 38,000,000, ex-governor of Bombay, tells how, in while France has only 36,000,000. 1835, he was taken by the Rev. James Then, if we consider the birth-rates, Mitchell to visit the first school opened the promise of future increase in com- in Poona forthe education of Marathi girls. He was enjoined to keep what the specific appropriation for Hampton he saw to himself, lest he should ex- and Lincoln Institutes. pose to persecution the Brahmin who had lent his house for such a purpose. Italy.-A new law has passed th.. ~ow schools for girls are to be seen Italian Parliament, and has received in all the large towns of India, and the royal sanction, which restores a. their number is continually increasing large sum of money, the accumula- -not only without opposition from the tions of beneficence in the past, to the Brallmins, but often with their con- purposes for which it was originally currence. given. An income of nearly $25,000,- 000 has hitherto been under the con- -Missionaries for India. Eleven trol of ecclesiastics, and by them di- missionaries, who started on the 30th verted to their interests, though orig- October for India, received a public inally intended for the poor. This fat'ewell on the previous evening at great income is hereafter to be placed the University Place Presbyterian in the hands of laymen, to expend in Church. Their names are Rev. J. M. homes for orphans and the aged, and Irwin and Miss Rachel Irwin, Rev. the relief of the distressed and helpand Mrs. W. N. Hannum, Miss Esther less. It is to be no more under eccle- Patton, Rev. and Mrs. A. H. Ewing, siastical control, but the civil admin- Rev. and Mrs. H. D. Griswold, Miss istration. The process of separating Jennie L. Colman and Miss Margaret Church and State in Italy has steadily Morrow. At a meeting of the Presby- been going on since Rome became the tery of New York, held previous to capital of the kingdom. the farewell services, Mr. Griswold was examined as to his qualifications Japan.-A writer in The Ohristiau for the ministry, and was afterwards at Work reports that" the Russian ordained in the presence of the large orthodox missionaries in Japan are congregation, the charge being de- said to be the most successful of all livered by Rev. Dr. George Alexan- the missionaries in that empire." But der, pastor of the University Place they receive scarce a quarter as many Church. The address to the mission- converts per year as do the Protestaries was made by Rev. Dr. Arthur ants, who have far overtaken the :Mitchell. Greek Church, and are rapidly over- taking the Roman Catholic. -N. A. Indians. The discussions in Congress over, Indian contract -The" Hochi Shimbun," a leading schools have brought to view where Japanese newspaper, says the progthe most money goes. The Catholics ress of Christianity in Japan is slow have had the lion's share of the funds, but sure. There is nothing striking and, of course, the largest opportani- about the numbe,' of converts added ties for influence over the Indians. each year to the roll of Japanese The amount set apart for the support Christians, or about the increase of of Catholic schools, for the education propagandists' ministrations. But, on of the Indian youth, has grown in five the other hand, the foreign faith ad- vances surely and steadily, planting years from $118,343 to $347,689 for its feet firmly as it goes, and never re- 1891. The whole amount appro- trograding for an instant. Those who priated for church contract schools estimate its development by the rehas grown, in the same period, from sults attained in a week or a day can $228,259 to $554,558. The Catholic form no true idea. They must watch Church had a little more than half of it for half a year or more, and they the whole appropriation in 1886, and will then discover that what it lacks it will have a good deal more than in extent it gains in stability. Opporhalf in 1891, leaving $206,869 for all tunities to test the influence it has ex- Protestant Church schools, including ercised upon the public mind are, of ~urse. few and far between. Its ing the expenses of transporting theili. to the points where they are to work, diligence in the cause of female educa- and in some cases tools have bee. given them." tion, and its untiring efforts to im- -Persecution of Jews in Russia.- prove the status of Japanese women It was recently announced that aD. edict had been published expelling are also quoted as easily discernible Jews from Russia. Official inquiry at St. Petersburg was met by denial that evidences of the progress it is making. any law on the subject had been pro- mulgated or was likely to be. But fill"- "In short," the Hochi Shin~bun con- ther investigation reveals the fact that the law was passed in 1882, but has cludes, "that Christianity will ulti- not been enforced; that it is now pro- posed to enforce it; and that when the mately attain to power by gradual Russian officials denied the enactment of anyrecent legislationon the subject, and steady accumulation of merits is they were simply juggling with words. According to the edict, ' 'No Jew is any a fact of which we are convinced by longer permitted to own or even farm land." All Jewishland-owners,farmers long observation. If it progresses at and agricultural laborers are thus ex- pelled from their village homes. Unless its present rate its future is assured." they have saved means enough for their subsistence they will be reduced 'The writer calls upon Buddhists to tobeggary. AIlJews,numberingmany thousand families, settled outside the bestir themselves in the cause of their sixteen specified counties, shall be ex- pelled. An equally large number of faith. DR. MUTCHMORE. the artisan class will be rendered homeless by the enforcement. Mr. -Jews.-Baron Hirsch gives $10,000 Benjamin Lewis Cohen, one of the most influential and respected Jews in a month toward the relief of theJews London, declares that the immediate effect will be to till"n adrift hundreds <€xiled from Russia and seeking homes of thousands of innocent and law- abiding citizens, many of whom must in the United States. Of the use made inevitably enter the already crowded labor markets in Europe. ,of this provision, the American He- -The increasing spirit of antagobrew says: nism to the Jews, of which the edicts of the Russian Czar are outwafd "A census taken of the district south manifestations, is disclosing itself in other ways. It is stated that an anti- ·of Houston Street and east of Broad- Semitic congress is to be held in Ger- many about the close of the present way, [New York], shows a population year. A congress in which every speech and every resolution will be ·.,f Russian and Roumanian Jews far levelled against one people, isolating them for the purpose of denunciation, in excess of 100,000, and the average and holding them up publicly to scorn- increase by immigration is about ful depreciation, is a novelty not to be 20,000 per annum. The committee anticipatted without pair and regret.
propose using the fund so far as pos- ,sible in educating these people so as to become self-sustaining by entering trades or occupations which are new to them, and to enable them to amal- gamate as rapidly as can be with the people among whom they work or ·dwell. To this end, classes have been .opened for teaching children sufficient English to prepare them to attend the public schools; for instructing adults in English, in American history, meth- ·ods and customs; for fitting girls for <lther occupations than tailoring; for making men handy with tools, where- by they can more rapidly obtain re- munerative employment. It has been proposed to teach them various trades and put some at agriculture, and so .soa.tter them in different v~ations.
With the aid of the employment bu- reau of the United Hebrew Charities, positions have been found for a large number of men, the Hirsch Fund pay- But the "Czar" and the "congress" morning till latest eve, and every de– may both be fulfilling that Divine pur- scription of work, every model of pose which is to make Palestine again worker, and every class of convert the possession of the Jews, and the was at this great review; nay, almost final abode of the long-wandering sons every nation under the sun was repre- of Israel. Meanwhile, better councils sented. It is claimed that 85,000 were concerning the Jew prevail elsewhere. on the grounds. Yet, though a quar- Mr. Reginald Radcliffe lately an- ter of a century has elapsed since nounced that a single donor, whose William Booth resigned his post as name is not given, had paid, through Methodist New-Connection Minister, the Bank of England, the sum of and commenced his "Christian Mis- $125,000 for a new edition of the He- sion," it was only in 1878 that the brew Testament. The editor of The name "Salvation Army" was adopted.
Christian (London) says that an ad- Two special features of our modern ditional sum of $25,000 has been given life the General has been quick to rec- for the purpose of distributing the ognize and to utilize: the musical Hebrew Testament by agencies not education of England, and England's now employed. This is better far passion for social philanthropy. We than imperial edicts and "anti-Sem- shall presently have to add to this the itic" leagues. effect upon the masses of the elemen- -Mormons abolish Polygamy.-At tary drawing, which is everywhere to- the general conference of the Church be insisted upon under the New Code.
of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints, Spain.- The conversion of Rev.
in Salt Lake, the official declaration Rafael de Zafra Menendez, ex-Roman of President Woodruff, forbidding, in Catholic priest, has greatly cheered the future, any marriage in violation Pastor Lopez Rodriguez and his de- of the law, was read before an audi- voted wife in their important work in ence numbering -10,000 persons. The Northeast Spain. Having been friar, apostles and bishops and leading eld- Jesuit, professor, apostolic mission- ers of the church, by unanimous vote, ary, parochial rector, and mission recognized the authority of the Presi- teacher in Spain, France and Af· dent to issue the manifesto and ac- rica, Father Zafra has had a varied cepted it as authoritative, and George experience. He is a Doctor of Divin- O. Cannon publicly announced his en- ity and an el<JllUeHL speake!". His dorsement of the manifesto and his public recantation of the errors of recognition of the supremacy of the Rome, and confession of faith in laws that had been declared constitu- Christ as the one Mediator, caused tional by the Supreme Court of the considerable excitement throughout United States. The conference also the province of Gerona, and a copy of re-adopted the original articles of his letter _of abjuration was sent to faith, among which is this: "We be- every priest and mayor.
lieve in being subject to kings, presi- The occasion of the recantation was dents, rulers and magistrates, in obey- admirably improved. In words of ing, honoring and sustaining the truth, lovingly expressed, Father law." This action settles the vexed Zafra declared how ardently he had question, and places an effectual bar devoted himself to all that is enjoined against future polygamous marriages by the Church of Rome, animated by in Utah. It is the most important step the hope of thereby gaining salvation, taken by the Church in more than a and ultimate glory. But he had failed quarter of a century. to find the peace and satisfaction he -Salvation Army.-"The Silver Ju- longed for. All was doubt and un- bilee," at the Crystal Palace, at Syden- rest. Like Luther, he imagined that ham, occupied the day from earliest surely in the" Eternal City," where dwells his Holiness, "God's Repre- powerful Gospel addresses to crowded sentative," he would obtain that which audiences in theatres and ball-rooms.
he so fervently desired. 'Sad decep- There can be no doubt about the sin- tion! Instead of purity and godliness cerity of the convert; for he has ex- he found a revolting mass of world- changed a position of influence and liness and hollow ceremonial. Al- pecuniary advantage for that of a most crushed in spirit, he sought a humble preacher of the Gospel, and a copy of the Scriptures, but found the mission-school teacher, with a small sacred volume distorted, and soiled . living allowance. Such of our readers, with human additions and subtrac- as desire more details of this very in- tions. At last he obtained a true teresting case are recommended to'
(Protestant) version, and as a traveler procure copies of recent "Letters in the dark seizes a torch to guide his from Spain," by Madame Lopez Rod- benighted steps, so he grasped the riguez, from Rev. J. C. Stewart precious " lamp" of God's Holy Mathias, Theberton Rectory, Sax- Word, the entrance of which gave him mundham, Suffolk, who is honorable light. In it he found all, and more treasurer of the Figueras Mission.- than he had for a lifetime so eagerly The Christian.
sought. Thibet.- The Moravians have a Satisfied that the simple Gospel is mission in this most inaccessible re- the truth, Father Zafra resolved at all gion. The mission premises lie about costs to throw off the chains of error 9,400- feet above sea level, and 1,000.'
and superstition which had so long feet above the narrow ravine, down bound him, and openly to leave the which the foaming torrent of the Church of Rome. But who was there Sutlej rushes. The village of Poo is to extend a helping hand? To have the largest in that remote district, bu.t disclosed his secret to personal friends the high passes leading to it are very or ecclesiastical brethren would have difficult at all times, and impassable for been fatal to his safety. In the dis- a good part of the year. Here live and guise of a peasant he went to the labor a missionary pair, occupying a as depot of the Religious Tract Society post about as isolated any mission in Barcelona, and inquired for a Pro- field on the face of the ea.-th. Their testant pastor. At that moment, nearest post-office is fourteen days Pastor Lopez Rodriguez, on business distant over Himalayan mountain from Figueras, entered the shop, and paths. 'Ten years or more may pass was introduced to the inquirer. Shown without their receiving a single visit into a private room, Father Zafra told from a European. But for thirty-two his story, and after answering search- years this outpost has been faithfully ing questions, the interview, which held, as a centre for evangelistic was long and interesting, closed with labors.
united prayer for grace and guidance. Turkey.-Dr. Farnsworth writes Having narrated these matters, Father of a revival in Cesarea: "We are en- Zafra solemnly recalled all the vows joying much more than our ordinary and oaths which, in days of darkness, prosperity. Rev. M. H. Jenenyan, of he had made and taken. Being thus Tarsus, is the Moody of Turkey. He free from Romish ties, he promised, is yet a young man, about 32 or 33 by God's help, in future" not to know years old, a native of Marash. He'
anything among men butJesus Christ spent some four years in America, and Him crucified." and returned to Turkey in 1888. Both Since his recantation, Father Zafra before he went and since his return, has accompanied Pastor Lopez Rod- he has been very successful in revival riguez to various towns apd villages work. The great revival at Aintab, a in the province, and has delivered year ago, was in connection with his, labors. In the spring of 1889 I spent Japan and India are there in direct 8everal days in Tarsus and met Mr. response to the call of the missiona- ..Jenenyan, and did what I could to in- ries, and are working in the closest re- terest him in ourgreat missionary field, lations with them. In Mr. Wishard's and he promised to come here when he presentation of the proposed associ- could and help gather in the harvest. ation work at the recent Chinese Mis- The result is that he has been with us sionary Conference at Shanghai, his seven weeks, and his labors have been assurance that the present missionary ~ven more successful than he had uprising in our American associationll -dared to hope. The first four weeks is 'being carefully guarded from the were spent in Cesarea, and, though organization of an independent s0- the season was very unfavorable, ciety, and is being directed into the many of the people being away, still channels of the regular denomina- he had very much larger congrega- tional boards, was received by the tions than we had ever before seen, Conference with hearty expressions of and an excellent impression was made. approval. About 175 expressed a desire to begin a new life." -Another step in the bringing of the ends of the world together is the -Dr. Cyrus Hamlin says: "Money, survey now being made for a railway not men, is what we want now. In through .Alaska, across Behring Strait, Turkey there is a large force of edu- and through Siberia into Russia. The .cated young men, one of whom, on enterprise, aside from its cost, is said -some lines, is worth two missionaries. to be entirely feasible. The Northern 'Yes,' said a missionary, 'there are Pacific and other trans-continental 400 young men and women fitted for a lines, "constitute the first American vast extension of the work, who can division of the proposed railroad. The now hardly earn their daily bread, plateaux and valleys along the base of and whom, at small comparative out- the Rocky Mountains offer a natural lay, we might send into the white route through Alaska to Behring harvest-fields. The Lord give His Strait. Bridging the Strait, the line people grace to know the times. I would cross over into Siberia and -still enjoy speaking twice on the Sab- thence running in a southwesterly di- bath, but I decline three times.' " rection, connect with the lines of rail- way now under construction, to giV61 -Yo M. C. A. and Missions.-_·-s to the Young Men's Christian Associ- the Russian government an outlet to ation sending out foreign missionaries independent of the denominational the sea at the mouth of the Amoor missionary societies, Mr. L. D. Wish- River. From this point of connection, ard, who has had so much to do with south and west, the lines would proassociations, especially in connection ject through the Chinese Empire, Inwith colleges and universities, and dian Arabia, and thence across the has lately spent much time in similar Isthmus of Suez into the Moroccos, work in Japan and other countries, and coastwise around the continent strongly urges the necessity of carrying on this work "in perfect harmony is of Africa. It proposed to bridge with the missionary societies." The action of the last IntP.rnational Con- Behring Strait, which is only 48 miles vention authorizing the International in width, with the Diomede Islands Committee to establish foreign asso- nearly midway. Bridges a little ciations, and the principles of action more than 20 miles long on either side soon afterward adopted by them, are of this island would make this conin full harmony with the policy, and nection. The water has a shallow, the secretaries already located in solid bottom in no place exceeding a depth of 40 feet.
-The mixed company at Pentecost finds its duplicate in the America».
MISSION A.RY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS. !J-H
republic. Swedes and Danes and Nor- is not an adherent. In Berlin, too, a wegians, and the dwellers in France, similar agitation has been in progress and Germany and Bulgaria, in B0- for some time, and has managed to, hemia and Poland, Italy and Russia attract a good deal of attention. and Portugal, and in the parts about Buddhism is the most highly de- Wales, and strangers from China and veloped and philosophical of heathen Japan, unbelievers and heathen, have religions, or rather ethical systems, congregatedinAmerica. Andnowthey for it is such rather than a religion. should hear, everyman, in the tongue' But with all that it is heathen and not wherein he was born, the wonderful Christian; and this is everything. works of God. Ten million souls of foreign birth are here. Nineteen mil- -Scientific fact, Among the nulion souls are here of foreign parent- merous facts interesting to science in age. The most of these are in the Mr. Stanley's "In Darkest Africa." northwest. They make up almost are some in relation to the effect of two-fifths of the population of these elevation upon the prevalence of mala- United States. Enough come to us rial fevers in Africa. This effect a pyearly to colonize new territory equiv- peared to be nil, as fevers attacked alent in extent to Arizona, Idaho, different members of the party at Montana, Nevada, Wyoming and places at sea-level, and a series of lo- Washington, peopling it as densely as calities whose altitudes varied from til} that district now is. to 4,500 feet. Mr. Stanley further observed that while ascending the Miscellaneons-Buddhism seems Congo and Aruwimi Rivers, with the to be becoming the fashionable folly winds astern, the party was unusually among religious dilletants at present. free from ague; but while descending In Paris the Orientalist, Professor de these streams, with the wind facing Rosmy, has been delivering a series of them, they were smitten with the lectures on this subject, at public ex. most severe attacks. He infers from pense, in the old university building. these facts that trees, tall shrubbery, The Paris papers report that not only a high wall or close screen interposed students and young people in general, between a dwelling and the wind curbut also men of all classes, esproially rent will mitigate the malarial infrom educated circles, were eager fluence of the latter, and suggests that listeners. They further claim that not a vail or face-screen of muslin might a few have accepted the Buddhistic prove a useful protection to travelers faith, although the professor himself against malarial exhalations.
III.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
OharleBton, 8. C. house of Judah are called in Scripture the- Ens. MISSIONARY REVIBW:-In your August Jews, a word derived from Judah and occurnumber there is a translation by Prof. Schodde ring for the first time II. Kings, xvi.: 6. The of an article by the late Dr. DeIltzsch, which people of the house of Israel are never soappears to me open to much criticism. styled, except in the case of those who ad- 1. In theflrst place this whole article is writ· hered to the family of David, as Benjamin, ten under the totally inadequate conception which was temporarily associated with Judah_ that all of Israel were Jews, and that the two Hence the Apostle Paul calls himself a Jew_ terms are in fact convertible. The one feature But the rest of the tribes can in no sense bemore prominent than any otherjnthe historyof called Jews. any more than we Americans can God's chosen people, is their division Into two be called Welshmen. houses, ofone of which Judah was head, and Joseph head of the other; the house of Judah One fact in the history of these two peopl~ and the house of Israel, called also by way of separates them as the poles assunder. The pre-eminence, Israel; also, Joseph and Ephra- Jews it was who crucified our Saviour, but im. After the separation the people of the Israel. i. e., the house of Israel, was not pres- ent, and had no hand in~e dark transaction. But, if in hi~tory,thesetwodivisions ofGod's prize such a useful gift, which some one will ancient people are seen to be so distinct, it is surely delight to send him.
not less so in prophecy. For we find from the The valuable, yet cheap gift, which he needs blessing of Joseph and his two sons by his is the writing-tablet known as the Edson father Jacob, in Gen. xlviii.; throughout the Mimeograph, manufactured by A. B. Dick Psalms and the Prophets, that this distinction Company, Chicago, TIl. I have one which I is always maintained, and that a future of find just the instrument I needed In my India widely dift'erent character is indicated for mission work. Producing hundreds of good Judah and for Israel-see Giln. xlviii., Ps.lxxx., copies from one writing, It saves much ex- Is. pasiUm, Jer. III. and xxxi.. Ezek. xi. and pense of printing, engraving, etc. In mission xvi., the books of Hosea, Amos, etc., etc. work it will prove especially valuable In re- In I. Chr. v: 2,we read that "Judah prevailed producing In the vernaculars all circulars, les- above his brethren, and of him came the chief sons, notices, etc., and even for printing small ruler, but the birthright was Joseph's." Has tracts. Native style of writing can be imi- God revoked His word? Or shaH we, because tated by this Instrument in a way that type the Almighty has hid his Rervant Israel in the cannot eITect.
flhadow of his hand, proceed to divide his Realizing the great, need of missionaries in name and his inheritance among Jews and this IIn~, and knowing of no other instrument Gentiles? to meet it like the mimeograph (1 have tried 2. Dr. Delitzsch's remarks on p. 576, that the other processes), I would urge that friends of Bible is "a book which is not less human missionaries see that they are snpplied with than it is divine, in which the human side is this most useful Instrument. Churches, Sun- flOmetimes more prominent than the divine, day-schools, mission boards, and Individual etc. " If this be so, how are we to separate the Christians, can help their foreign work greatly gold from the clay? This view of Scripture by carrying out this suggestion.
will lead toany length of infidelity and doubt, Yours, for the promotion of the great mis- and has indeed led the learned author Into sionwork, WALLACEJ. GUDWIN.
further and more questionable positions, as, 3. On p. 578 he says, that" In Old Testament Korea.
times the clear light of this divine Idea (1) (the Seoul, Korea, SepttJrnber 1, 1890.
restoration of Israel) Is obscured In rising In DEATH OF DR. HERON -THE NEED OF HORE the hearts of the prophets, In SO far as it Is HELPERS IN THIS FIELD.
colored by a national and ceremonial method You, of course, have heard of the sad death of Dr. Heron, one of the pioneers of our young of thought, which is inseparable from a re- mission; not sad for him, but only as we think of the lonely wife and fatherless little ones, vealed religion in its preparatory .stage," etc., and, as we look with wondering eyes, on the great fields, white for the harvest, from which etc. reaper after reaper has been removed, In the strange providence of God, who knows best, If we are to believe that prophetic truth has, and to whom we can only bow in submission with the words of His Son, "Thy will be done. " in ever so slight a degree, been sacrificed to No less than eight helpers have been removed from the field within a year and a half,. some national and ceremonial methods of thought, of whom were with us but a few months. We have now In our own Immediate mission Mr. or otherwise hangs upon human imperfection, and Mrs. GitTord, Mrs. Heron, Miss Doty, Mr. MolTett, Mr. Underwood and myself. Mr. simply because we cannot understand how MolTett and Miss Doty have been here only seven or eight months, and, of course, have certain prophecies can be fulfilled, then the only made a beginning as yet in the language, and even Mr. and Mrs. GiITord have scarcely bottom will SOOn be knocked out of all Scrip- been two years on the field. With this hand- ful of people what are the demands and prosture, and we shaJl find ourselves in a raging pects of the country1 Three new stations, Eni- ju, Pyng Yang and Fusan, are callingloudly for sea of rationalism, doubt and despair. foreign helpers, to take up the work which has been started by transient visits from our mis- Israel, in history and prophecy, is a subject sionaries and by the work of natives. In two of these towns a large harvest is ripe,and not only I should like very much to see thoroughly so, but they are all three great centres, and by settling some foreign missionaries In them the studied, as it deserves to be, for it is now very work could be carried through the country in every direction. As it is we receive reports from imperfectly understood. J. F.
The editor would add that, after our Lord's crucifixion the word Israel seems to be used In a larger sense to comprehend all Hebrew remnants. Compare Acts Ii : 36, II. Cor. iii : 13-15 Romans xi : 25-26, etc. We expect shortly to publish an article by the Rev. David Baron, himself a "prince of the Hou~ of Judah."
Miles, Iowa, SepttJrnber 15, 1890.
DEAR DR. PIERSON:-It would be a great boon to the many missionaries to have a mimeograph. How I have wished for an in- Iltrument of this sort during my long service in India. Any brother far away from home, t9i1ing diligently In • hard field, will greatly 'the colporteursthatvillageaftervillageisgoing the homes they are to fill, and we only seek to .over to the Romanists, who have their priests make Christian Koreans of them, not Ameri. scattered everywhere, and it hegins to look as can ladies. though the battle was to be waged between Romanism and Protestantism in this country, I wish I had ttme to tell you partiCUlarly of rather than between US and heathenism. We all Our work. • Dr. Scranton, of the Methodist . are expecting the arrival of a missionary and Episcopal Mission, and Mr. Underwood, until his wife this fall, and are intending to divide Dr. Heron's illness, were busily working over our little force, sending one man and his wife, the translation of the New Testament, which with one single gentleman, to a new station, work will soon be resumed, thOllghon account leaving two men with the ladies here at the of the severe illness of Dr. Scranton's dear chief centre, with two schools, two or more little girl, he may not he able to take up his classes of women, a church, with five native work for some time. Mr. Underwood has also services a week, the translation of Scripture, translated a number of tracts during the sum· tracts and hymns, the oversight of Bible and mer and finished the Shorter Catechism, and tract colporteurs (not to mention medical hopes ere long to publish some hymns, "Pil· work, which has for the present been dropped), • grim's Progress" and various other tracts. A ,all to be taken care of; and only one of us tract society has been established during the with any command of the language. summer, consisting of the memhers of the Presbyterian, Canadian and Methodist mis· The Canadian Presbyterians here are two in sions, and other Christian foreigners. Dur- number, and are working in harmony with us, Ing the extreme heat of summer, just after and often lending US most substantial assist- the death of our neighbor and fellow-worker, .aIlce. Mr. Fenwick has heen a year on the Dr. Heron, some of us ,took a ten,days va- ground, and is devoting his ttme to the lan- cation and trip to Nam Ham, "Southern For- guage. Mr. Gale has become already quite tress, " and found not only fresh air and reo proficient in the latter, and has undertaken newed strengtb, but a rich field for Chris· for a few months the entire charge of our tian work. Dally we were besieged by ear- orphanage. Mr. Gale has been stationed nest, interested inquirers, who, if other busi· alone at Fusan for nearly a year, and will ness detained us, would wait hours to hear and probably return there. There are about question about our religion, and who bought twenty-five boys in the orphanage, and they and carefully read many of our books and, .do a great deal of the work necessary for run- tracts. The woman's work is, perhaps, the ning the school, taking care of their rooms most promising of all, for a number of women and preparing most of their food. They rise of the higher classes have been studying the .at 5.304. )I., and after putting themselves and Bible Sabbath evenings with Mrs. Heron. I their rooms in good order for the day, study have scarcely given you thus an outline of <ihinese until eight, wb,en they have morning some of our work. prayers with one of the Foreign teachers, after which they have breakfast. Perhaps As a personal news, every member of our this will seem a very late breakfast after so mission has been more or less ill during the much work, but most Koreans breakfast be- summer, Mr. and Mrs. Gifford, perhaps more tween ten and eleven, and take only two meals seriously so than any, except Dr. Heron. Mr. a day, especially the poorer classes from Moll'ett started three days ago for the north, whom these boys come. After breakfast fol- in company with Mr. A. of the Methodist Epis· low a few English lessons (we have decided to copal Mission, and Mr. Hulbert., they will be 1;each very little English, as the best experi- gone probably six weeks at least. Mr. Moffett ence of the oldest missionaries in the field is hopes not only to scatter good seed, but to against it) and a Bible lesson. These recita- familiarize htmseJf more quickly with the Ian· tions are interspersed with short recesses and guage and customs of the people by this so· the afternoons are given to play and study journ in the country. hours, and Chinese, which is a most important factor in the education of Koreans. The board But now I must bring this long letter to a have been obliged to cut down so largely in close. If it will only interest our ladies some· , the appropriations for this school that the what in our work and make it seem more possihilltyof carrying It on at all has hecome closely their own, I shall be so thankful. I fear a very serious question. The girl's school, in the hurry of our work we do not take time now under Miss Doty's charge, consists of nine enough to make you so intimately acquainted, little girls, most of whom are about eight years as you have a right to be, with the work which ·old. They also do as much as possible of their you, as much as we, ar~ doing and are re- own work, learn to cook and sew in Korean sponsible for. fashion, are taught no English, but to read <ihinese and their own native "Erumun" lan- Yours, with love, guage, and, above all, are taught the Gospel LlLLIAsH. UNDERWOOD. and Gospel living. It is a great mistake to unfit these girls, by a foreign education for [Our readers may rememher that the great Saturday afternoon Bible Class, taught in Y. M. C. A. Hall in Philadelphia, by the Editor, has given about $700 to help publish the Pil- grim's Progress in Korean. The money is ready upon call.-ED.•
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS. [Dec_
Native Missionaries. shown to native as to foreigu missionaries_ Eight papers on subjects previously assigned. DEAR DR. SRERWOOD:-In Dr. Pierson's let- were read by them. The same liberty w"" ters from abroad (August number of THE given to them as to foreign missionaries, to REvIEW. p. 572), occurs this. sentence, found- speak upon questions presented for discused on the statement of Dr. Lunn~ "At the Ben- sion. Nine act';aIly spoke, though obliged to galore Conference of 1889, not one native speak in English-to them a foreign language minister had a place in the assembly" (italics -and some of these more than once.~' his). As there is nothing to indicate that this had reference to any particular mission, It Madras, Sept. 15, 1390. gives a wrong impression in regard to the general custom among the missionaries of South DEAR DR. PIERSON:-I call attention to the India. misstatement which occurs in the printed I attended a missionary conference at the same place in 1879, representing some twenty form of my letter at the top of the second societies in South India and Ceylon. In its reports, published in Madras and London, these colunm, page 69:3, September number. I wrote facts are given: "There were present, as members of the conference, 3 ordained native min- "This doe. not include," etc., but the senisters from the missions of the Church Missionary Society, 4 from the Wesleyan Mission ~nce has been changed to read .. This inary Society,3 from a mission of the American Board, 1 from the Free Church of Scotland cludes not more,~' etc. }fission, 1 from the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society, and 7 ordained native ministers, with 1 The inIpression would be made that of 131 evangelist not ordained, from missions of the London Missionary Society"-in aij, nineteen members, not more than 100 were "sustainordained native miniBters and one evangelist not ordained. And the same i'espect was ing" (i. e. merely contributors), which would not indicate that the young men were being reached to any great extent-ahout 30. The fact is, that we now have, in addition to lS0 sustaining members, 172 yO'Ung men enrolled (of whom 118are natives, 35 Eurasian and 111'
European). So, you see, we are growing COIl- stantly. DAVID MCCoNAUGHV.
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY SECRETARY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.
The Faith Element in Missions. ance of the law of averages, as in a The whole work of foreign missions life insurance company, for while that is in a peculiar sense, a work of faith. regards merely the natural laws of So far as'its supporters are concerned life and death, this confidence deit is a work out of sight, far away be- pends upon the free action of human yond the sea, :tmong unknown races, wills, on the degree of missionary people who do not welcome our effort spirit which may exist in the church, and from whom we expect no return. on the efforts which may be made by It is a work done for Christ and those pastors and teachers, by woman's sofor whom he died, and it is the best cieties and young people's associpossible evidence of a belief in His be- ations, and, above all and through all, ing, character and work. on the Spirit of God moving upon the It is by faith that mission boards hearts of His people. and societies make large appropriations at the beginning of their fiscal Over and above all human elements. years, when no funds are in the treas- there is certainly a divine element in ury and when possibly they are al- the case, as seen in favoring proviready borrowing the means by which dences, great spiritual movements, unto support their work. Often a half looked-for responses to missionary efor three-quarters of a million of dol- forts, revivals wrought by the Spirit lars are thus appropriated with all of God in the churches at home on the the implied obligation of a solemn mission fields. pledge. 'This is a work of faith-faith in God This faith element in missions and in His Church. It is not sufficient should never be forgotten. It needs to say that this is limply an observ- constantly to be emphasized. Instead of less pra.yer and more organization, less trust in God and greater reliance- -on skillful management, there should ing condemnations, for I recognize be cultivated a feeling of almost des- the ardent devotion of many who dif- perate recourse to that Divine Spirit, fer from me. I honor some of those- who alone can touch the dead heart of noble organizations which, while heathenism to life, on the one hand, promising partial support, have de- ;and arouse, on the other, a careless, pended in part upon the faith prin- ~asy-going church that is ever forget- ciple in fixing the amount. I believe ting its duty. that a great spiritual impulse has been given to the cause of missions by those One of the most melancholy facts in who hold that view. the history of missions is the decline of the Monthly Concert. In very many But I wish to present a few prac- ~{)aSeil pastors have not faithfully tried tical points which bear on this impor- to maintain it! but in others where tant question in its present phases: faithful efforts have been made, they have been disheartened by unmistak- (1.) It seems desirable that the for- ,ableproofsthattheircongregations are eign missionary enterprise shall be so loath to pray for anybody but them- administered as to quicken the faith selves. Perhaps itisthisgeneralapathy and arouse the zeal of the whole and the aversion of Christian men to Church, rather than to encourage the ·contribute of their substance for mis- idea that it is to be carried on by the sionary work that have led to the inau- conspicuous self-denial and self-im- guration of what are known as "Faith molation of a few. Missions." The meaning of the term, .as it is generally understood, is not a There is needed a faith which, in- work WhICh expects a greater Divine stead of dispensing with the use of blessing on the use of means, but one means, shall lead to a great increase of which dispenses with certain means means; which shall, on all hands, call which are ordinarily employed on the forth more praying and more gener- part of missionary boards and the ous giving; which shall inspire self- -churches which support them. So far denial not merely in some sicklyswamp as appears in the public discussions of Africa but in the wealthyand com- "Faith Missions" are those in which fortable Christian homes of America. stipulated salaries are dispensed with. "The missionaries depend for support The world cannot be converted by a ·on some kind of secular employment few startling' object lessons in t<>il or on the voluntary gifts of God's and suffering. We are not encamped people. before Philistines, whom it is God's plJiPose to conquer by the faith and It is fair to recognize honest differ- valor of a few young Davids,while the ences of opinion on a subject like this, hosts of Israel simply stand still and "and to welcome a "variety of opera- see the salvation of the LOld. Instead tions," but the recent death of three of a benefit there may be positive inmissionaries in Africa, who, to all ap- jury in such examples. They involve pearances, died from insufficient sup- a false theory of Christian duty; they port, and from a persistent reliance on excuse the avaricious and ease-loving; faith instead of medicine in extreme they seem to remove the burden of sickness, brings this whole subject to responsibility from the Church as a the attention of the Christian Church whole. Not only do the missionaries and demands for it a candid and dis- need fixed and reliable salaries, to free passionate discussion. them from anxiety and keep them in health and secure their success, but I shall not here appeal to scriptural the Church needs topay these salaries; authority, for that is varionsly inter- its own spiritual life demands at least preted by"thbse who are at issue on that small share of the common burthe subject. I shall not deal in sweep- den, and any theory which maintains that a fixed support is not necessary for foreign missionaries, and which so far ing for themselves, and even collect- removes responsibility from those who ing their own fuel in the rainy season, stay at home, is a downright injury to hoping thus to gain the confidence of the whole spiritual life of Christian the natives. On the 9th of July tw~· lands, and in the end will retard the of the party died, both of whom had conversion of the world instead of been such stanch believers .in faith hastening it. cure that they had taken no medicine. Two days after a third died of ex- (2). Such theories do harm upon the haustion, from neglected fever, havmission fields as well as at home. I ing been ill for nine days. As the am aware that the plea has been made fourth patient in the list refused the that Orientals are accustomed to asso- services of the physician, the latter ciate habits of self-mortification with reported to the Governor that the misreligion, and that they will be more sionaries, by the course pursued, had readIly influenced by men who are originated a malignant type of fever, in / a sense ascetics, but there is which endangered the whole comanother side to this matter. Asceti- munity. He therefore quarantined cism has for ages proved useless and the house, and advised that the surabortive, and what is now needed is vivors of the party be sent back to the plain, unostentatious and vigorous America. Upon this the patient condevotion of an alert and healthy Chris- sented to be treated. tian life. The Gospel of common sense is inwoven with the Gospel of Nothing could possibly produce a Redemption, and where this is want- more unfavorable impression upon a ing positive harm is done. community of foreign residents, in re- gard to the whole work of missions, What are the recent facts in this than an event of this kind. oonp.ection, and what has been their influence? Nine missionaries sent And public sentiment throughout out in connection with what is known Christendom will condemn not so as the "Kansas nlovement," were much the misguided young missionlanded, some months since, at Sierra aries as that self-excusing sentiment Leone. None can doubt the sincerity in the Church, which seems to call for' of their devotion. such sacrifices. So long as a mission- ary cannot receive a modest salary They had doubtless been pained by without being exposed to criticism by the criticisms of a worldly church those who ought to be his cheerful upon the " luxuries of foreign mis- supporters, so long as there are thousionaries," and they resolved to cast sands of money-getting Christians who· themselves on the Lord, and without are ready to say of the faith missionsalary, and without even medical care, ary, "There is the man that I believe' devote themselves to the establish- in; he is not after the loaves and ment of a mission in Western Soudan. fishes; he is not going abroad to live in luxury, etc."-so long will sensitive For the sequel we refer the reader you~g men be found who would rather to the statements recently published brave danger, and even death itself. by the authorities at Sierra Leone. than to depend on such grudging sup- The British Minister at Washington has porters. At Sierra Leone starvation lately transmitted to the Department led to fever and death, and by all acof State a letter from the Governor of counts came ileal' to breeding a pes- Sierra Leone, including a report from tilence, yet people will soon forget it, the Colonial Surgeon at Freetown, and the plea of "cheap missionaries'~ relative to the case of the nine Ameri- will be renewed. can missionaries at that place. The report states that upon their arrival (3). Is it quite Bound, either as thethey began to live in native fashion, ology or as fact, to assume that God. eating native food, cooking and washintends a different measure of faith plies, and the means of preserving and a less regard to means on the health. foreign fields than in the work at home? Is there any more reason to It may be safe to assume that no suppose that a fortuitous Efupport can man has a right to expose a young be relied upon for missionaries than wife to the perils of such a situation, for our own pastors? The whole subject as she must be to the incidents theory of " faith missions" proves too of married life, and with all the ad- much; for, unless it be assumed that ditional burdens and trials which tt God has two different economies for woman must encounter. the work of the Church, then every department and every interest ought Fifteen years ago, while visiting to be conducted upon trust, and all missions on all sides of the globe, I salaries, all pledges, all contracts had opportunity to call upon one who should be dispensed with. was living with a wife and small child in a locality less than five de- The intervention of broad oceans grees from the equator, close upon the d.oes not change the general laws of sea-shore,with an environment·of hills, Christian service nor invalidate any- which made the place an oven. He where the divinely authorized prin- had no fixed salary, but was partially ciples that" the laborer is worthy of supported. on the faith principle. His his hire." abode was the upper part of a ware- house, and directly under a tiled roof, Nay, a guaranteed support is even the hottest, I believe, that architecture more indispensable on the foreign has yet devised. The low-necked antI field than at home. If one is to carry short-sleeved dresses of the' mother economy to the verge of starvation and child revealed numerous boils and anywhere in Christ's service, a savage scars of boils, of which, the missioncommunity in a malarious country is ary told me, they had had ninety. To the very last place for the experiment. the intense heat there was evidently If the ministry cannot be self-sup- added a serious want of nutrition, and ported in this country, where they are a consequent poverty of blood. The surrounded by friends and abundant missionary informed me that his salresources of every kind and a great ary was irregular and insufficient, and variety of occupations which open be- that but for his personal appeals to fore them, how much less in an A.fri- friends at home it was difficult to see can community, where labor of every how they could have survived. I kind can be secured for a pittance, have no comments to make on the where few comforts of life can be case, but these are the facts. I think found ·at the best, and where no busi- it right to publish them for the beneness enterprise presents itself as a fit of those well-to-do and luxurious possibility, and where any missionary, Christians who think that virtual selfundertaking to live asthe natives live, immolation is the duty of the foreign must be almost certain of sickness and missionary. death. A.bout a year ago a letter was re- The worst of all in these rash ex- ceived from a young missionary, who periments is the sending out of mar- felt that he must yield to popular ried men, with the increased hazards criticism, and live on a much smaller that must come to a family. Ifsingle salary than that which was assigned men were disposed to take such· risks to him, which was about $700. He alone, as an explorer would venture proposed to dissolve his connection into an unknown region, the case with the Board and throw himself for would be somewhat less serious- support upon the students of one of though no explorer ever proceeds our colleges. I urged him.to consider without a thorough outfit of sup- carefully the subject, since, irrespec(;- ive of the question of amount in sal- comes still worse, for nothing so ex- ary, it would tend to dissever the stu- cites the animosity of a business com- dents' movement from the regular munity as to be brought in competi- organized boards of the different de- tion with men whose stipends from nominations, which would be a cal- home enable them to underbid all rivals in business, or in professional amity. Many months passed before a services. This is a difficulty to which a medical missionary is especially ex- reply came, at the end of which time, posed.
he informed me that he had tried the There is still another difficulty. One or two missionaries engaged in trade experiment thoroughly of living on or other secular pursuits will be likely half salary, native food and in native to convey the general impression that . houses, and had given it up. all missionaries are in one way or another engaged in some sort of busi- He had tried honestly and earnestly ness for their own emolument. Very to commend himself to the people, widely the impression prevails in the who, as he supposed, would be in- East that this is true, as a rule, and fluenced by one who came nearer to sometimes this impression is madQ their ideas of what a religious man here at home. A commission merchant should be. But he found he wasanly of New York, doing business in South despised, and that he really made no America, expressed great surprise impression for good. He lived too when I told him that the rules of all well to pass for a fakir, and not well the great mission boards prohibited enough to claim respect as a mission- engaging in any kind of secular work ary. He was neither one thing nor on the mission fields lest the impresthe other. By the Hindu community sion of a mercenary spirit should be he was looked upon as a foreign made. The facts in his case were that tramp. He had made a conscientious he had sent invoices of goods to a and heroic effort, and his experience missionary working upon the plan of should inspire the young men of our self-support, and he had formed his country with zeal, coupled with just own generalization. Whatever of views of the missionary work. real good this self – supported mis- sionary may have accomplished, he (5). With regard to the question of had unwittingly done injustice to the supporting one's self by secular pur- great body of foreign missionaries and suits on mission fields-for example, to the societies which employ them. in some of the coast cities of South America or in Africa, I would say, let I am persuaded that the whole subthis be done by consecrated men and ject of missionary methods demands women who are willing to engage in at this time a fair, courteous and business for the sake of advancing thorough discussion. Among the Christ's kingdom, but let them go young especially there is a deep interest without missionary labels; let them in the subject, and it is essential that appear simply as Christians in the sound and Scriptural views should be communities to which they go. What- adopted, applicable alike to the foreign ever Christian work they may do, they field and to all forms of Christian will find no advantages ill being work at home. While it is well that known as missionaries; on the other there should be such variety of organihand, there are positive disadvan- zation and method as shall meet all tages. The incongruous mixture of views and utilize all resources, one secularities with what professes to be missionary work, will excite sus- thing seems certain: if the world is to picion and distrust, especially with foreign residents, and more or less be evangelized the burden of duty with the natives. If the so-called must rest upon all those who go and missionaries are partially supported by funds from home, the case be-
EDITORIAL ~OTES ON CURRE~T TOPICS
those who stay. The support of the majority of Christian people are exformer must devolve upon the latter, empt from any duty in the case, for it and it is the only way in which they is impossible that all shall go, and the can bear a substantial part. If the question, "How shall they preach missionary's salary is a needless or except they be sent?" is without questionable device, then the great meaning.
V.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS..
Our beloved Associate Editor, Rev. Madagascar.
James M. Sherwood, D.D., died on [With profound sadness we print Wednesday afternoon, October 22, at the last Editorial paragraph that will his lateresidence in Brooklyn, having ever appear from the pen of our"be- been stricken with paralysis just one loved but departed Associate Editor.- week before. We reserve for the A. T. P.] January number a fuller notice of An arrangement whereby France will this most valued friend and co-worker, be at liberty to assume control of and have only to say at present that Madagascar has been assented to by his death was as beautiful as his life Great Britain, with a proviso, ho,,,_ has been, and a fitting close to his ever, that the rights of all resident career of abundant and varied service. British subjects are to be preserved and perfect freedom for missionary Our readers will understand that, as work guaranteed. While from a misthis suddenly devolves on the sU~'dv sionary stand – point this guarantee ing editor the entire charge of this may be satisfactory, yet in view of REVIEW, there will necessarily be some the former bloody struggle of the delay and difficulty in the adjustment Malagasies to maintain their political of the large amount of correspondence .freedom we cannot but be apprehenand manuscript matter now to be ex- sive of a repetition of the struggle amined and arranged. Contributors and correspondents must exercise pa- should the French attempt to take adtience and forbearance. Some manu~ scripts which would have been used vantage of the concession they have gained.
The Christian (London) says: "It is with something like consternation that British Christians learned a few days ago that Madagascar was to pass nnder the protec- may now be returned to the writers. torate of France. This refers to the appre- Some letters may have to wait many hension of hostility to Protestant missions, days for replies. Meanwhile, all cor- such as the action of the French in the South respondence referring to the business seas naturally awakens. It begins to be evi- dent that Protestant Christians in many Jands affairs of THE REVIEW may be ad- may have to help French Protestauts in their dressed to Funk & Wagnalls,18 and 20 foreign mission work by money appropria- Astor Place, New York City, and all tions to them for work like this thrust upon communications referring to the edi- them in Madagascar now, as in Gaboon and elsewhere yesterday." torial department to Rev. Arthur T. We share in these fears. The policy Pierson,2320 Spruce Street, Philaiel- – of the French colonial authorities is phia, Pa. inimical to Protestant missions. There We ask all those interested in THE are many ways in which Jesuit art REVIEW and its work to remember in and trickery can subvert this proviso prayer the surviving editor, that he and hinder, and in the end drive out, .
may be made strong for the heavy re- the English missionaries. J. M. S.
sponsibilities suddenly thrown upon his hands and heart; and, likewise, The more we study that last great may we not invoke God's blessing missionary conference at Shanghai.
and the reader's sympathies and sup- the more we are pursuaded that it was plications in behalf of the famiry left like some great Ecumenical Council, without husband and father? and marked an epoch in missionary his- A. T. P. tory. There was something apostolic about it. It exemplified the unity of two at work where one now bears the the Spirit in the practical obliteration burden alone, and twelve would be of denominational lines; gray-headed none too many, is the easy problem of fathers and warm-blooded young men, utilizing the additional band if the disciples of every sect and class and Church supplies the workers.
clime, met to confer together over the Moreover, in this great field all great problem of Chinese Evangeliza- sorts of work are to be done and all tion. Then a remarkable spirit of sorts of workers are in demand.
prayer prevailed. There was mighty Preachers and teachers, evangelists pleading with God, and a certain con- and pastors, printers and carpenters, sciQusness, at times oppressive, of the doctors and nurses, men and women, Divine Presence. And withal, there every willing heart and skillful l~and was an apostolic fervor and zeal for can find employment for the Lord; the evangelization not of China only, the highest culture and the most mod- but of the world. Faith in the Word erate intelligence, sanctified unto the of God in its entirety, confidence in Lord, can be used in this" Middle the Divine leadership in missions, Kingdom." Why do not disciples ap- and in the ultimate success of the preciate the grandeur of the oppor- work, breathed in all the proceedings. tunity! Would that reinforcements Nothing was more remarkable than might pour in until proclamation the recommendation for union ver- should almost need to be made re- sions of the Bible, which, as a demon- straining the people from bringing!
stration of Christian unity, passed all the bounds of most sanguine expec- The China Inland Mission, met with tation. distrust and even ridicule at first, But nothing stood out more boldly, seems to be meeting with phenomenal like a headland at sea, than the over- success. It has several definite princi- whelming conviction that the SOO,OOO- pIes: 000 of unevangelized Chinese must 1. It allows no debt, and conse- have more messengers of the Cross quently guarantees no fixed salary.
sent among them, and that at once. It asks everything and promises noth- Hence the urgent and impressive call ing.
for 1,000 addititional mlsslOnari"s 2. It insists on the gift of God as in the next five years. There is some- the basis of qualification in candidates thing very vividly impressive in this rather than the acquisitions of men.
call. It reminds us of Mr. Lincoln's Compo I. Cor. iv:6 (R. V.); Ephes. iv: second call for reinforcements, and 7,11. Hence no uniform educational the prompt response of the nation, standard.
"We are cOming, Father Abraham, S. It holds that there is room in 600,000 more! " missionary work for all variety of The command of our king is more gifts, and hence welcomes artisans and imperial and more imperative; why mechanics, and unordained laymen.
should not the church respond as Compo I. Chron. xxviii:21. .
readily! The number was fixed at 4. It maguifies the great funda- 1,000, not because that number was mentals of doctrine and not denomi- considered at all adequate,but because national features;' hence all disciples it was regarded as practicable to put welcomed to work on same basis.
the supply immediately required at 5. It. emphasizes prayer-definite, this number as the lowest possible constant-for individrutls. E very mis- limit. As our friend, Rev. B. C. sionary and his work remembered by Henry, remarks, even this number name in the weekly meeting at would scarcely more than double the London.
present u'orking force. And to put 6. It makes no direct appeal for money; but leaves to the free will of than a thousand ten years hence. God's people, especially encouraging Hence there ought to be a full surrenno appeal to ungodly people. der of self and subshnce.
7. It lays stress on evangelization, not Now, granting many errors and exconversion-teaching that th.. Church Ceffies needing correction and restraint, is to bear witness among all nations how can any spiritually-minded disciat once and leave all results to God. ple look at seven such principles as these and not feel that they mark the Notwithstanding this high standard, Holy Ghost's leadership, and, in fact, this mission has 383 workers in the imply a very high spiritual level , Are field, and the money and the men and we to antagonize such a movement? women are still being freely offered. Should we not rather sympathize with it, and seek to guide and control it The Soudan Pioneer Movement in with wise counsel and restraint. If God has given the spirit of power and Kansas, to which we have several of love, may we not also prav for a sound mind to be added? Some good times referred, has awakened much and wise men have felt that the Y. M. C. A. was drifting toward a certain adverse criticism on the part of the exclusiveness and in danger of becom- ing a sort of religious club, with , Y. M. C. A. Central Committee and athletic culture and good fellowship, but a lack of the evangelistic and missome pastors as well, who think THE siomtry spirit. If there be any such tendency may not God permit this REVIEW at fault in giving this move- very movement to arouse missionary consecration and infuse a more heroic ment any countenance. The editor evangelism into one of the most won- derful and world-wide institutions of would only say that in so doing he the age? The death of Warren J. Harris, Frank Gates and Mrs. Kinghas not approved whatever is unwise man, when they had only just reached the field, may be God's way of restraincor excessive in the movement, but ing all excess of zeal and deepening all real consecration. only what, notwithstanding errors of Mormonism, if we are to trust judgment or excess of Gzoeda.lc, seems President Woodruff's edict, has offimarked by the spirit of When cially renounced polygamy. The ground of this action and proclamalately we heard a plain and simple tion is not any change of either prin- ciple or practice in the Church of statement of the way the whole matter Latter Day Saints, but the necessity of compliance with the law of the cdeveloped, it was somewhat thus: land. Those who ar(' familiar with the inside of Mormonism have no 1. A willingness to go anywhere, confidence in this measure. They re- gard it as nominal, and, in fact, hypo- "especially to the most destitute parts critical-a mere Jesuitical pretense. Polygamy, though not an original and ·of the regions beyond. essential element of this system, has become inwo,en with its whole tex- 2. A resolving the duty into the ture, and cannot be separated from it question of individual obligation to a lost world.
8. A conviction that the presump- tion is in favor of the darkest regions, :and that there ought to be a plain call to justify staying at home.
4. An impulse toward associated .labor; that all ought to go, one after .another, to give mutual help.
5. A determination to serve one's ·own generation by the will of God, so that the world in our lifetime may hear the Gospel; and to choose one's .calling supremely for service.
6. The command to go means going forth and not staying-aggressive .evangelism for Christ.
7. Our privilege is to give all, not ·enly interest or income, but capital as well. Ten dollars will go farther no' without uisintpgration. Not a few 4. Can one choose his field. or must he go as sagacious observers say that, like a the Boards direct ? compulsory celibacy, which is a cover to a promiscuous concubinage, this 5. Must one wait till the Boards of the renunciation of .polygamous mar- church are ready to send him out! riages means a secret and systematic concubinage without the seal of decent 6. What steps must one take who desires forms. We hope that this surrender to go! to the law may be a genuine step in the right direction, and we hope so 7. What preparation is necessary, or is there 'the more because we are satisfied that any special preparation needful, any pre- Mormonism will not long survive if scribed course of study, etc_? Is a theological this, the head and front of its offend- course a necessity? ing, be cut off. 8. Could a graduate from a high school, who All eyes are now turned toward the has a thorough training in the higher mathe- Jews. Russia seems fast fulfilling the matics, calculus, mechanics. architecture, prophecies which are believed to out- besides a general knowledge of the sciences, line her futUl'e, in a malicious and un- find a useful field abroad? justifiable persecution of the Israelite. The edict of 1882 she is now enforcing 9. Is there a demand for teachers, and if so, mercilessly, and the result will be the what kind ? expulsion from her territory of a mil- lion or more of this proscribed people. 10. Does the Y. ~I. C. A., in foreign lands, They seem to have no rights which a open a sphere for such as feel specially inter- Russian is bound to respect; to be lim- ested in, and qualified for, work among young ited tocertain Jew's quarters; and to men? be denied the privilege of owning or hiring land except u.nder outrageous 11. Where is there a field to begin work, and restrictious. Meanwhile Bishop Blythe that has the following characteristics: 1, un- calls attention to the litera~ fulfillment occupied by any other missionaries; 2, a lanof prophecies which indicate their ulti- guage that one who is a little tongue-tied mate regathering in their own land. cou1d master; 8, where missionaries have a Whereas in 1843 there were but 800 legal permit to euter? Jews in Palestine, now, 47 years later, the number is multiplied nearly ten- 12. What books would you suggest to read? fold, and is constantly increasing; and 13. 'What part of India would you advise as they have come to stay and are build- a field? What fields could you recommend ing extensively in the vicinity of espeCially as promising and inviting? Jerusalem.-ED. 14. Would the expenses of husband and wife be less than those of two single persons sepa- Replies to Oorrespondents. rately? Should one go married or single?
The editor is constantly receiving These inquiries will give some idea letters of the following, or similar im- of the catechising process to which port and purport, end as he has to handle many thousand letters a year, we are subjected. We have numbered individual answers are impossible. the questions, and the answers will be We therefore reply to such correspondents in one general communication. found under corresponding numbers. The letters to which' we refer propound such inquiries as these: 1. The first matter to be settled with any man or woman is this: Am I cordially willing 1. Having given myself to the Lord as a for- to put myself absolutely at the disposal of the eign missionary, I wish to know how to go, Lord? The more our own will is merged and and where? lost in His will, the more usable we are. God does not allow an instrument long to be idle, 2. In volnnteering, does a person place him- which is thoroughly prepared for His uses. self under a mission Board ? And He has ways of His own of indicating both the field of labor and the path by which 3. Do the Boards pay expenses ? it is to be reached. Were there a truer self- surrender and less self-reserve; were there more believIng prayer, and less dependence on man, God's workmen would sooner get at work where He would have them. and be more suc- cessful in their spheres. This primary depend- ence on God's providential and spiritual guid- ance being assumed, ,,'e may take counsel of anyone who is presumably able to advise.
2. Mission Boards are merely the represen-' tatives of the various denominations in carry- ing forward their missionary schemes. If a volunteer wishes to go out to a field in connec- tion with any particular denomination he places himself at the disposal of the particular' Board of that denomination. There are SOllle . independent missionaries, and the field is large true preparation and for indications of His, will. Then it may be weIl to consult one's. enou«h for workmen who choose to goon their pastor, and .the secretary of the Board of too church, and learn vhat farther fitness is need,- own responsibility7 or in connection with a 10- ful, and so be guided in study and preparatory work. In our opinion, nothing is more needcal church. ful, however, than at once to enter upon Christian work at home, in the field nearest at 3. When missionaries are accepted by any hand. There is no more fatal mistake than to, postpone direct work for souls until one enters. Board, and sent forth by that Board, the sup· upon his permanent field. The most import· ant test of the reality of the missionary spirit, port of the parties is assumed by the Board, and the most important school for other work abroad is found in present, personal and direct together with expenses of transportation, and endeavor to save the lost. Actual experience in evangelistic work, especially among th.,. a certain reasonable allowance' for outfit. non-church-going classes in our towns and cities, will soon show whether a man or wo- The sum allowed for salary and outfit is de- man has any adaptation for the missionary field, and is worth more than any teaching in termined by each Board according t.o its own the class-room as a training for wider service.
scale, and sometimes differs according t.o the 7. As to general preparation, we can only say that the more complete the intellectual field chosen. Direct correspondence with the furnishing of a man or woman the better. Preaching and teaching the Gospel is a great secretaries will elicit all needful details of in- calling, and no fitness for it can be too amplH. Here, above all fields, there is no place fo,' formation. novices. Often, as in India, there is the severoot tax upon the intellectual resources of the mis- 4. Ordinarily, the Boards choose the field sionary. He finds himself confronting intelli- gent, subtle, sophistical Brahmans, and need;;, and locate the workers, according to their a well-trained and furnished mind. God is not in a hurry. Better come late to your life work judgment of comparative need of the various and come fit for it than hurry into it prema- turely. It cannot be said, however, that any fields; otherwise one field might be overstocked course, collegiate or theological, is a " neces~ sity. " God has called men into very SUCcesRand the others totally neglected. But, if for ful service, like Johnson in Sierra Leone, who have had nO scholarship or learning. But any reason a party is especially drawn to- it is foolish to neglect any intellectual pre- paration that is possible and practicable. ward, or fitted for any special field, the Board Ordinarily the churches ask of candidates for the foreign field just what they ask of will take all this into consideration, and it is candidates for the home pulpits, a school- ing in college and theolo.::ical seminary, or,its, well to state frankly to the secretaries the equivalent in private study. Exceptional cases are dealt with exceptionally. If a IQlJ.ll whole case. Sometimes a party offers to go feels Impelled to go abroad, and his age, his poverty, or other obstacles make an extended to a certain field, and others offer to support course impracticable, he should at least see that he Is grounded in a thorough knowledge him or her in that field; these proposals will of the Bible and of Christian doctrine. If he can familiarize himself with the great outlines always get a courteous hearing from the sec- of church history and learn to read the New Testament in the original Greek, and by pracretaries if they are true men, and not "wooden tice acquire facility of expressing himself in public, and by perscnal work learn how t~ perfunctorians." The best way is, ordinarily, counsel and comfort inquiring &ouls, he will have but little difficulty in getting an appointto offer oneself to go wherever the greatest ment to the fie!d. S. There is room on the foreign field for as. • need exists, • lIUtny varieties of workmen as on any other field at home. Graduates from high schools, 5. If a candidate nuts himself at the dis- normal schools, schools of technology, special- ists of all sorts, may find opportunity among' posal of a Board, of course he must wait uutil the Board is ready to send him, having a place for him, and money to pay his expenses and salary. If one is ready to go and provide for himself, as thousands should who are abund- antlyable, let bim go. We see no reason why men and women should not, at their own charges, go and undertake the work of teach- ing and evangelizing. As the lack of money is the principal embarrassment, the Boards woul4 gladly commission hundreds more workmen, if they would relieve the Boards of pecuniary obligation.
6. One who wishes to go to a foreign field would best begin by a close self-examination.
lIissions have in these days not a little ro- mance investing them. The fascination of foreign travel, the appetite for sight-seeing, the enchantment lent by distance to the view, the contagion of enthusiasm, and many other things surround mission work with a halo; and when this is dissipated, it is not easy to settle down to the real hard monotonons work of mastering a foreign tongue, and getting into closecontact with superstitious, degraded, and often dirty peopl… It is well to count the cost before choosing the foreign field, and ask whether the motive is really love to Christ and to souls, and whether there is a spirit of self-denial. Then the next step is, as already hinted, devout and belie!}ing prayer for divine guidance, and a proper waiting on God for a the papal, heathen and 110hammetbln popula- Turks" are invaluable. One would hardly go tion abroad for ample usefulness if conse- to Southern Africa without reading Living- crated to God's work. The nations of the stone and Moffat; or to China without reading ()rient are awakening to' the superiority of S. Wells Williams and Doolittle. R. N. Cust ()ccidental civilization. They are beginning has written most valOable works on philology, to demand the introduction of the improve- etc.; Dr. George Smith on the "History of ments and inventions of the most Christian Missions" and the biography of eminent men peoples, and consequently all knowledge like Duff and Wilson and Carey.
gained in our schools can be utilized in con- 13. As to fields. Every part of India has its nection with mission work abroad. Dr. Ham- attractions and obstacles. The southern part lin, when in Turkey, was known as the man has been most fruitful in missionary labor; of a hundred trades, and it is surprising how but the northern has probably the strongest his versatile genius and varied knowledge elements of popular character, and when found scope for exercise. thoroughly evangelized, will exercise more 9. Ifeachers are in great demand, and of all power in the Christian church. We question kinds, and everywhere. Japan offers to sup- very much whether it be best to select fields port them while learning the langnage if they according to the comparative attractions and will come and aid in the work of education. promise. We grow more and more into the Africa needs nothing more to-day than Chris- unalterable conviction that comparative desti- tian schools to train up a new generation from tution is the only law of choice. Fields that her millions of little children. The colleges we regard most hopeful God may see to be .and universities of Japan and India olfer most hopeless and contrariwise. Mary Lyons ·chairs to well-furnished teachers. used to say to her pupils: "If you would 10. The Y. 111. C. A. is spreading all over the serve God most successfully be prepared to go world. There are now formed upwards of where no one else 'v-ill." That deserves to be -4,000 associations, and of these 1,000 are in engraved as the motto of .a consecrated life.
papal lands. and nearly 300 in Mohammedan The most heroic missionaries have been the .and heathen countries. There are 21 in India men and women who went to those most .and Ceylon, 12 in Turkey, 6 in Syria, 12 in hopelessly lost to God without the Gospel.
Africa, 5 in China, 7 in Persia and 200 in 14. The expenses of a married couple are .Japan. There are going to be openings in generally less than those of two separate par- >every quarter for the young men who have a ties, abroad as at home. We believe that the fitness for secretaries and evangelists in con- question whether one should go married or nection with these associations. The same single must be settled in each individual case.
·conditions seem likely to prevail within There is certainly room for thousands of twenty-five years in China, India. Japan, single women; and as for men, it depends Korea, Africa, as in New York city, foraggres- largely on the field and the character of the .sive Christian work. work. If the work be largely itinerary, a wife 11. There are plenty of unoccupied fields. and family would be an incumbrance; if' the Districts 500 miles square in Africa, China, condition of society is very unsettled, as it .etc., without one missionary. Some countrieS; was in the South Sea Islands fifty years ago, a like Arabia and Thibet, have yet to be entered. man would best go single. But when a mis- Languages differ in difficulty of acqnisition. sionary settles down to a local work, among The Chinese is probably the most difficult on es..'!entially the same people, the family relation ·the whole to master; the languages of South- is a vast help, not to him only, but to his work, ·ern Europe the easiest. Missionaries have a as showing what Christianity can do for the l~al permit to enter most countries, but in household. A. T. P.
some cases the law is not adequate protection, not being enforced or restraining the popular Monster projects are now maturing prejudices. Yet in China, Japan, India, to bring the whole world into neigh- Persia, Turkey, Syria, Africa, the life of a borhood. The public mind is startled prudent missionary is ordinarily safe. to hear of the practical annihilation of all barriers to national communica- 12. The list of useful books for candidates for the mission field is very large. See the bibliography of the recent conference in – tion. London, which is the most complete list of missionary library ever published. But the Witness the new survey now in proreading ought largely to be determined by the gress to layout a route for a railway field chosen. One should have a general idea through Alaska, across Behring Strait <If the whole field and the history of missions, • by a colossal bridge fifty miles long, . .and then study the particular field where his divided in twain at the Diomede Islands, and so southwest through labor is llkely to be cast. For example, if one Siberia, the Chinese Empire, Indian is likely to go to Turkey, such volumes as Dr. <-loodell's " Forty Years in the Turkish Elnpire" and Dr. Hamlin's "Arnone' the Arabia, the Isthmus of Suez, the Moroc- {;OR, and around the African coast. would not withhold praise where it is For such a world-encircling railway due, even though we may be still the Northern Pacific and kindred' compelled to "protest" against idola- lines that span the continent furnish trous rites and iniquitous corruption the first division and the base of the and a formalism that obscures the Rocky Mountains offer a natural' vital truths of the Word of God.
route to connect them with Alaska. There is a catholicity which rises far Meanwhile three locomotives are above even our Protestantism, how- ~hipped to Joppa for the new railway ever conscientious our opposition to now building to Jerusalem, and bear the mass, the adoration of the virgin, the strange names of "Jerusalem," the intercession of saints, the supre- "Jaffa," and" Ramlehl" macy of the Pope, and the denial of the Bible to the common people.
The Editor has received an anony- mous communication deprecating, in The Presbyterian Board of Foreign .severe terms, the language of the Missions has had a deficiency of $158,- article in the October issue of THE 000 to face during the last two years.
REVIEW on the Roman Catholic move- This we regard as defying any reason- ment in Korea, as apologetic toward able justification or explanation. Here the Roman Catholic church. And our is a church with a membership of ~orrespondent thinks the article has nearly 800,000, whose adherents repre- all the appearance of being in sym- sent as high an average of intelligence, p~thy with Catholic propagandism, piety, culture, wealth and liberality as -etc. The editor wishes to say: any other body of Christians the 1. That he has not much respect for world over. All that the General mwnymOtt8 communications. When- Assembly has asked for its foreign ~ver a correspondent desires to offer mission work has been a trifle over suggestions, or even strictures, a frank one dollar a year per member-less and open letter will be welcomed, and than a half cent per day, and yet even the name will be kept in confidence if this has not been forthcoming! To desired. But no man is entitled to a make the problem the more perplex- hearing who has not the noble frank- ing, the Presbyterian Board of For- ness to avow himself the writer of a eign Missions is conceded to be com- letter. posed of the most intelligent and 2. The editor cannot be responsible sagacious ministers and elders iri the for every sentiment in a correspond- whole body, and at its head as secre- ent's paper, even though published in taries are men believed to have no THE REVIEW. We are not "censors," superiors in the world in their spe- to cut and carve communications un- cialty. Not to speak of Dr. Lowrie, til they are rid of every objectionable the senior secretary, and Dr. Gillespie, word or phrase. There is a certain the junior secretary, in order of ap- freedom of thought and speech that pointment, where can be found in any must be conceded to our contributors. church men more widely recognized Our Editorial Notes alone represent as qualified in every respect to lead the views for all of which the editor the van of the missionary host than .stands responsible. Drs. Ellinwood and Mitchell? When 3. While we have our individual the General Assembly of 1890 author- <opinions about the serious and radical ized the further employment of a field .errors of the Roman Church, we are secretary, it was hard to say how disposed to concede to many of its such a quartette of missionary generals adherents,and especially mi.ssionaries, could well find or need any addition a zeal and consecration that few Pro- to their number. We do not believe testants can hope to surpass, and we that the Preshyterian Church requires any added force at its mission house necessary that retrenchment that cuts on Fifth avenue. We are persuaded, down supplies, recalls work9rs ami and recent intimate contact with the closes schools and mission stations t churches confirms the impression, Pastors, the coming era of reform in that what is now imperatively needed missions may, after all, depend on is, that e:very pastor shall regard him- you! self as the representative of missions in his own congregation; shall take The Board of Foreign Missions of the pains to inform himself of the wants Presbyterian Ohurch in the U. S. A. of the world-wide field; shall familiarize himself with the history and 53 Fifth Avenue, biography of missions, and instruct, arouse and educate his own people on NEW YORK, October 29, 1890. the subject. The pastor is the natural organ of sympathetic connection To EDITOR OF MISSIONARY REVIEW between the Boards and the church. OF THE WORLD ;-In your Novemb(·r His advocacy costs nothing but a little number, on page 870, is an article systematic labor. His flock will hear headed" A Remonstrance that Shoul(l and follow his voice while they flee be Heard." It is heard, and will you from strangers. His appeals impress kindly endorse the response with emhis own people as unselfish, unofficial phasis equal to that used over y01l1" and genuine, while they may some- signature in the article. times think the official representative Js perfunctory and, like other special- Will you kindly say to your corn's– ists, prone to overestimate the com- pondent that the Presbyterian Board parative importance of his own work. of Foreign Missions has not and does, After no little observation, we are not " cut down the meagre salaries of prepared to affirm that no outside its missionaries?" appeals, however powerful, can accomplish a tithe of the lasting influ- The men and women who have left ence of a pastor who is full of intelli- home and kindred to carry the truth gent zeal for missions, and that in abroad are not to pay the debt of the every case where a local church is church. They, one and all, alwaysfound to be a leader in missionary receive their salaries in full, according activity and liberality such a pastor is to agreement, and with absolute regunow or has been at its head. Give larity. The burden of the debt is carthe Church such men to instruct and ried at home, and it is only fair to the inftPire its memJ.iers and 'there will be Foreign Board to have this'iactclearly an end of debts and deficiencies in the known. Boards; missionary secretaries will be left to do their proper work, to act as As treasurer of the Board I can the channels of communication make this assertion with full knowlbetween the churches and the foreign edge of the facts, and can only regret fields, while the pastors themselves that so incorrect a statement should shall become a grand body of home have become current in the Church. secretaries, supplying the channels of It has probably been occasioned by communication between the churches the unfortunate habit of thinking of and the Boards. What new intelli- the Boards of the Church as, in a gence, zeal and liberality will be way, pursuing one and thfl same evoked when such a state of things methods, and, of course, liable to tne obtains. What cheerful self-denial sa~e criticisms. Both from necessity will meet every increased demand for and on principle each Board has its men and money, instead of making own methods. Each has problems enough of its own, without being held responsible for those of the others.
We are in debt; we must have larger gifts or abandon the work. But we will not, I know, allow one farthing encouraging them when converted to unite with Gospel churches. -w be exacted from the missionaries. "We will support our public schoolfl Yours sincerely, and seek to keep in them the Bible, "YILLlAM DULLES, JR., Treasurer. and exclude from their management those who are opposed to its being the If Tetzel did not sell indulgences in the 16th century, the present Pope, it guide to our youth. '" is admitted, granted a "dispensation" "We will oppose using public funds to the Duke of Aosta to marry his own niece. Fifty thousand dollars was the for the sectarian purposes. price paid to the poor man of the Va- "We will seek to induce our Roman tican for this last quoted "indulgence." How long shall Rome rule Catholic fellow-citizens to take their Boston? and New York? and "Yash- church property out of the hands of ington ? If the spirit shown by J esuitism in Boston is a fair specimen of this the bishops, and place it in the hands upas tree, it is lligh time that every of trustees, in accordance with the Protestant in the country should pre- general law that governs other pare to uproot it utterly. churches. The Pauline Propaganda, of which "We heartily endorse the sentiment, Rev. J. D. Fulton, D.D., is president, publish, as a circular: 'In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity,' and so "This Society shall be known as the it shall be our aim to aid the brother- Pauline Propaganda. hood by any means at our command, and advance the interests of the true "The object of this Society shall be and good, so that the state may be built the conversion to Christ of Roman up in the faith of our fathers, and that Catholics and others, the calling at- God may he glorified as our rightful tention of the people to the aggressions of Romanism, the opposing by Ruler." all legitimate means the elevation to civil, political or military positions, The critics of missions are like Oscar <>f men who owe allegiance to any for- Wilde, who found fault with the -eign potentate or power. Atlantic Ocean, and thought Niagara "We pledge ourselves to pray for Falls defective in Hogarth's line the conversion of this people, and of beauty; and, like him, they are work fal' it by speaking, in love, to those whom we meet, by seeing that fast sinking into a well-merited obthey are supplied with a copy of God's scurity. Canon Taylor sought to ex- Word, and with such literature as alt Mohammedanism, and even to ahall be helpful in building them up make it appear that the late Alexander in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Mackay upheld his encomiums of this end we will support the preach- Islam. But Rev. R. P. Ashe, speaking ing of the Gospel to those now shroud- -ed in the darkness of Papal night. from personal knowledge, affirms that "We will strive to gather children the devoted missionary hero of.Uganda into Sabbath-schools, promote the oh- held that, to allow Islam to occupy aervance of God's holy day, and se- the field before the Gospel of Christ <:ure places of worship (such as tents, halls and meeting-houses), as shall be was preached would be fatal; and best suited to the necessities of the that to represent Mackay as encouragj)flople among whom Wol are to work, ing the Mohammedan Propaganda as a preparation for Christianity is out- rageously to distort the views of the plucky and energetic Scotchman. Wherever the green cloak of Mo- hammed is spread it brings men to the dead level of semi-barbarism, and beneath its folds hides a social " cancer," which, whether it develops slowlv or rapidly, is " never cured or curable except by entire extirpation of the poiaon."
PROGRESS OF MISSIONS–MONTHLY BULLETIN
VI.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Africa.-A formida ble religious movement these men are written in English and are well executed. against the Sultan of Morocco has broken -In Denver, Col., a Chinese mission school out. The Sheik Shereef, belonging to the has been carried on for some years, and as· the fruit of their labors, they have on the powerful fanatical tribe of Eldrissi, has raised churcb roll of the Central Church the names of 25 Chinese converts. the standard of insnrrection, and proclaimed -Rev. Dr. S. L. Baldwin, formerly a mishimself appointed by Allah to the throne of sionary in China, gives in The Independent instauces of thl) disgraceful absurdities occathe Snltanate. . sioned by our iniquitous anti-Chinese legisla.- tion. For example, a Chinese merchant, who. -The Country of the Oil Rivers comprises was in San Francisco before the passage of a large part of the Niger Delta, south of the the Exclusion Act, is takeu ill and must die. territory of the Royal Niger Company. It. ex- His wife and children are summoned to come tends from the principal month of the Niger to him from British Columbia. They reach (known also as the Nun), east to lohe German San Francisco, but it requires a telegram from boundary of the German Cameroons. It has the Custom House authorities to Washington a dense population. This is also under and a special session of the President and "British influence," with a capital of $10,000,- his Cabinet in order to make it possible for- 000, and the power to increase this to $25,000,- the family of the dying man to go to his bed· 000. The interest is largely in manufactnring. side "under agnard from the Custom House" It is a kind of pooling or trust of 25 or 30 Eng- and remain in this "glorious land of freelish manufacturing corporations; many of dom" only till after the funeral. them have factories in the territory. They have applied to the English Government for a France•….:.ln Paris, a few months ago, there charter similar to that of the Logos Company was formed a " national leagne against and the Royal Niger Company. Their trade atheism." Every member of the league must with the -natives is already enormons, being engage to oppose with tongne and pen, and last year $9,000,000, and their exports $5,000,- by every legitimate means, all forms of 000. In this, and the territory of the Royal atheism. The league is open to any person Niger Company. the resources of the country of either sex, of any religion, and of any increase as we pass into the interior. philosophical opinion who affirms the exist· ence of God. -Four thousand reading tablets in Uganda were shipped from London in May. They were Japan.-The old edict was, "So long as printed under the control of Missionary Ashe, the sun shall shine upon the earth, let no Chrisand contain, besides the Uganda alphabet and tian be so bold as to come to Japa.h, and letall a few exercises in reading, the Creed, the know that the King of Spain himself, or the Lord's Prayer, and a concise "Way of Salva- Christian's God, or the great God of all, if he tion." violates this commandment. shall pay for it wit" his head." Thus it is taught in Japan, -Efforts are making by the Congo Free after the delay of 200 years, "that man only State to introduce copper and silver money; proposes, and the Christian'S God .disposes." but, except at Banana and Boma, where the natives see many whites, it is almost impos- Jews.-Dr. Edward Bendeman, the direcsible to get them to touch tbe new money. In tor of the Dusseldorf Academy of Art, from the cataract region the natives will take the whose brush proceeded the celebrated pictures coins in trade if they may give them their own -" Boaz and Ruth," "The Jews before Babystandard of valne. The amount of provisions, IODt " "Jeremiah upon the Ruins of Jerusafor instance, which they sell for a dollar's lem "-lately died as a Christian Jew. worth of blue beads, they will not part with for less than $2.50 each. This has settled the -There seems to be a decline of orthocurrenc~- question thus far, and strings of blue doxy among the Je";s in this country. Those beads continue to be' the only acceptable in favor of changing their forms of religious medium of exchange. worship to correspond more nearly with the- altered condition of Jews under the liberal Chinese.-The first Chinese corporation American laws are rapidly increasing in num· of New York city is the Chinese Charitable ber and influence. A prominent rabbi refers and Benevolent Association of the City of to the movement in several cities to build New York, whose certificat.e has been filed houses of worship on a grander scale than has and recorded by the Secretary of State. The ever heretofore been attempted. In New York, objects set. forth are to ameliorate the con- a synagogne is Boon to be erected by the dition of the Chinese poor in New York city. Temple Beth-el, at Fifth avenue and 77th The trustees for the first year are Leung street, which will cost more than $500,000, and Jum, No.8 Mott Street; Mon Lee, No. 5~ }fott Street; Wong He Chong, No. 19 Bowery; Tom L. Lee, No.4 Mott Street, and William A. Hang, No. 13 Pell Street. The signatures of is designed to be the handsomest building of bands, and an aggregate income of more th!1~ its kind in America. Schoolrooms, large $1,730,000. enough to accommodate 500 children, will be arranged in an adjoining building. The Ken· -The Origin of Zenana Work. Dr. Pier- eseth Israel congregation, of Philadelphia, son, in the July number of the MISSIONARY and the Anshe Maarh' congregation, in Chi· REVIEW OF THE WORLn, prints an interestinlr cago, intend to invest large sums in new syna- note from Mrs. Sale, of Helensburgh, briefiy gogues. In addition to these, handsome syna-' describing the earliest movement in Zenana gogues are now building, or soon will be, in work, which that lady, inaugurated in 1856. Dayton, 0., Chattanooga, Tenno) Brunswick, Our readers will recollect that we published a Ga., and Providence, R. 1. All these belong to full account of Mrs. Sale's pioneer Zenana the reform wing of the Jews, and the rabbi work in an early number of the Leader. who mentioned them challenged the orthodox Before Mrs. Mullens arrived in India in 1860, to point to a single house of worship recently Mrs. Sale had obtained an entrance to three erected by them.-The Examiner. Zenanas, where the ladies were daily hearing the Scriptures read, and' some had so far -In Russia a special commission, com~ broken through their fears that they were' prising members of the Government and the learning to read. "In 1860," says Mrs. Sale, governors of the provinces which the Jews in- H my husband was ordered to Europe, when I heard of the arrival of Mrs. Mullens and her .habit, has beeh appointed to consider the daughters. . I wrote to her of this opening, position of the Jews in Russia. when she came and was introduced to the ladies of the three Zena.nas. And from that Palestine.-Jaffa and Jerusalem Railway. time the work spread rapidly. Now there is On the 21st of March the first sod of t,he new no need of work as a bribe to learn to read; Jaffa railway was cut in the presence of the so anxious are the ladies in the Zenanas for governor of Jerusalem, and the works will instruction that where we have one female DOW be actively pushed until they are com- missionary we ought to have a hundred, and pleted. It is expected, also, that steps will would if the Christian Church were alive to- immediately be taken to improve the harbor its responsibilities." – Christian Leaderof Jaffa, so that visitors to the Holy Land will (London). be able to land with comfort and proceed to the capital without delay, unless they choose -Mr. Gladstone is credited with the followto stop a train to see the house of Simon the ing: "Talk about the questions of the day: tanner. It is a striking circumstance that there is but one question, and that is the gosduring the last two years the early and latter pel. It can and will correct everything need- rains have returned-a visitation which has iDg correction. All men at the head of great been unknown for generations previously. movements are Christian men. During the One consequence of this is a revival in agri- many years I was in the Cabinet, I wasbrought culture. What it means is not clear, but into association with sixty master minds, and Russia is manifesting an extraordinary inter- all but five of them were Christians. My onl)' est at present in Palestine. She is said to hope for the world is in bringing the human have secured all the best building sites in mind into contact with Divine revelation." the hill country of Judea. -The Roman Catholic papers have a gr"air -Denominational strength. Methodism deal to say of the success of the Catholic, and in this country has over four and a half the failure of Protestant missions. We may million members led by over 30,000 preachers; prick that bubble with a few figures. The- Baptists nearly four million followers, led Catholics have been at work in India for three by over 28,000 ministers; Presbyterianism a hundred years, the Protestants for one hunmillion and a half, led by ministry of 11,500; dred. According to Marshall's "Christian Lutherans 1,023,000, headed by over 4,200 Missions, " which Catholics swear by: Vol. II., preachers, beside a host of smaller denomi- p. 147, the Catholics of British India in 1857 nations, and a band of Sabbath-school schol- numbered 895,000. By the census in 1872 they ars, numbering over 9,000,000. In the whole were 914,691, and in 1888 they were 963,958. country there is a gain to the Christian They had increased in 26 years by 68,058, or churches the past year of 1,089,853 members, 2,596 ann<Ially. The statistics of Protestant 4,867 ministers, and 8,494 churches. missions gave 102,951 adherents in 1851; 213,57~ in 1861; 318,363 in 1871, and 528,590 in 1881. This Miscellane;'us.-Less than 100 years ago gives an increase of 425,539 in 30 years, 0'- the first Protestant foreign miSSionary society 14,184 per year, or more than five times as. wa.~organized. Now there are more than 200 much as the Catholics. The Catholics have such societies. These have a force of more 701 European mission priests in India; the than 7,000 missionaries and assistant mission- Protestants, in 1881, had 658 male missionarip.8 aries, and more than 35,000 native helpers, of in India (including Burmah), and may now whom 3,000 are ordained. Thirty years ago have 760, while their decennial statistics fo.- there was nota woman's foreign missionary 1891 will show 700,000 native adherents. Now.
society in America. Now there are 00, with 25,000 auxiliaries, more than 8.000 children's let our Catholic contmnporaries muse on these that the report that these two organizations facts just a little. and try to explain them.- are about to unite, has no truth for its basis.- The Independent. J.M.S.
-As a proof that Japan is not £he only field -Those who may have chancedto seea most ~here rapid progress is made by missions, unreasonable and astonishing onslaught upon read Mr. Parmelee's letter from Trebizond, on a missionary of the American Board, in a let- the Black Sea, just where the Russians are ter from Robert Louis Stevenson, probably trying to crowd in and seize the country. discovered the antidote to ita venom in the Since 1882 the Protestant adherents have in- letter itself, and no serious reply is called for. • -creased from 170 to 697; communicants from Mr. Stevenson's own statements in regard to 26 to 125, and contributions from $97 to $800. the character of the late Father Damien $800 is not bad. furnish ample warrant for what Dr. Hyde had said in refere~ce to the matter. The Hawaiian -Moravian Mission in Alaska.-The wife Gazette well says of the letter, "It seems in- -of Bishop Bachman, who so heroically went credible t-hat Robert Louis Stevenson should be to the rescue of the missionaries on the Kus- its author. In the attempt to fiay Dr. Hyde, did kokwin in the Spring of 1889, has returned to the author fail to see that he was laying bare the states, and has brought with her two his own narrow, bitter, and pr.e;udiced soul ?" Alaskan Eskimo boys-the first fruits of the -Missionary Herald. mission-to be educated if possible for mis- -sionary work amoug their fellow-country- -Mrs. Osborn's Missionary Training Insti- men. tute, Brooklyn, N. Y., opened September 1(th -The following missionaries, under ap- pointment of the Presbyterian Board, were to with about 40 students and with increased adsail for India September 30: Rev. J. M. Irwin, Miss Rachael Irwin, Rev. and Mrs. Harrison, vantages. The students represent, as usual, Miss Esther R. Patton, Rev. and Mrs. A. H. Ewing, Rev. H. D. Griswold, Miss Jennie L. Col- various denominations and several nationali- man, and Miss Margaret Morrow. Miss Patton, who has spent ten years in India, returns after ties. Ten languages will be taught as required. .a rest in the United states. The new rooms add much to the comfort and -The American Baptist Missionary Union has just sent out about 40 missionaries to Bur- convenience of the Institute. • mail, Assam and India. We believe this is the largest number of missionaries ever sent from -The Bryant School, a flourishing instituthis country at one time by any denomina- tion at Roslyn, Long Island, N. Y., one of the tion. prettiest villages near New York city, makes a very kind o/fer to the children of mission- -Rev. Dr. Gulian Lansing, of the United aries. It will educate them as far as the close Presbyterian Church, and for 40 years a mis- of the sophomore year, so that they can enter sionary in Egypt, Is now in this country, and the junior class at college at half price. In is enjoying a season of well-earned rest at his case ,of a few ministers, who, on account of -old home, now the residence of his brother, small salary may be unable to educate their Visscher Lansing, Esq., of Lisha's Hill, N. Y. children, the same privilege will be extended. Dr. Lansing Is the father of Professor J. G. Lansing, D.D., of the Reformed Dutch Theo- -The Inter-seminary Missionary Alliance logical seminary, and one of the most useful held Its eleventh annual session in AUeglleny -()f missionaries. last month. There were about one hundred and forty young men in attendance, repre- -The great International Sabbath-school senting the theological seminaries of the Convention, at Pittsburg, reported a total of Evangelical Protestant churches in Eastern, 10,328,298 persons attending the Sabbath- Southern and Central Western States, belongschools of the United States and Canada. Of ing to the Presbyterian, Methodist, United this numher 609,014 are in Canadian schools, Presbyterian, Baptist, Disciples, and Reformed leaving 9,719,284 in the Sabbath-schools of the Presbyterian and possibly other churches. United States. -The revival influence in Turkey has -The Woman's Christian Temperance reached Cesarea. At Mardin, on the first Union and the Salvation Army. We are re- Sunday of June, thirty Persons were receivM .quested by Miss. Frances E. Willard to say into the church on confession of faith.
-There are one hundred and nine medical missionaries in China, of whom thirty-eight are women, and of these last thirty-six are Americans. In all but four of the provinces medical missioml ha.ve beeu established•
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1890
MISSIONS IN OLD SCOTLAND
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIII. No.3.-0ld Series.—MARCH.–,-VoL. m. No. S.-New Series.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS. MISSIONS IN OLD SCOTLAND. No.' II.
BY A. T. PIERSON, D.D.
The old year died in a pathetically becoming way. December 31 beheld a funeral cortege in Westminster Abbey, when an illustrious poet was laid to rest among the great dead that there find a shrine and throne. The latest of the sons was given a tomb close by the father 9f English poesy, and Ohaucer and Browning lie side by side in the" Poets' Corner."
Notwithstanding fog and frost, crowds lined the avenues along which the bier was borne, and when, at 11 :30, the doors were opened, the Abbey was at once filled, and when the tolling bell was pealing out its weird monotone at twelve, there was not a vacant place save those reserved for clergy, choir and mourners. It was a brilliant as- semblage-lords and ladies, dukes and earls, ambassadors and minis- ters, bishops, deans and canons; all were there to do honor to the pure and reverent poet, whose lines have been an honor to humanity and to God. Mrs. Browning's exquisite lyre was sung, " He giveth His beloved sleep," set to music by Dr. Bridges; and the first part of the ceremony closed with Wesley's anthem, " All go to one place." During the whole service there lay on the coffin Tennyson's floral wreath, and Miss Browning's cross and wreath of palma violets. We have said that it seemed a most fitting closing ceremony for the dying year. And those two musical selections, how they seemed to present the two sides of humanity's solemn history! The eschatology of missions! On the one hand the Christian's death and burial; "He giveth His beloved sleep ;" resting awhile until the resurrection. asleep in Jesus. And, on the other hand, unredeemed humanity, sweeping on promiscuously, a generation together, all going to one place, and that place a grave without hope-a grave of unbroken gloom. And to think how easily, if the Church would obey the Lord, and resolutely preach. the gospel among all the nations, that hopeless and indiscriminate, . sweeping of human beings into the rayless pit of sheol might be transmuted with a. peaceful, hopeful composing of saintly forms for' a sleep that looks forward to its rapturous waking! With December 31 the mission tour of Scottish churches, which has engaged my attention for more than a month, closed for the time, to be resumed in February. It is purposed to give .Tanuary to London and the great centers of population in England, and then, if God will, to give two months uninterruptedly to Scotland, until at least all the main body of the population has been overtaken.
This is a natural point of retrospect; and it may be generally said that the results every way, so far as they can be now estimated, abundantly repay all the cost in time and toil. On Monday evening, at Airdrie, I gave the fifty-seventh address on missions since the. Etruria l~nded her human cargo on the 16th of November. First, I spent between three and four days in Liverpool, of which some account was given in a previous letter. Then, on November 20th, a welcome meeting was held in the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall, in Edinburgh; and from that day the meetings were held almost daily until the year closed.
The very efficient committee at Edinburgh, with Rev. .Tohn Lowe, M.D., as chairman, supported by a committee in the west of Scotland, of which Rev. John Pagan, D D., is the energetic chairman, have arranged the entire tour, at my request, so that all I have had to <1.0 has been to go where I have been sent, thus relieving me from all needless correspondence and perplexity. The arrangements have all :been singularly complete. We have been met at trains and escorted to hospitable homes; welcomed with a genuine cordiality; we have found everywhere warm hearts and excepti<;>nally generous co-operation.. The whole tour reminds me of Paul's testimony to the Galatians, who" received him as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus," "and would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to him." We have met abundant hospitality and Christian generosity elsewhere; but never any experience of loving kindness that on the whole quite equals this.
A word further ought to be added as to the way in which the meetings have been planned and conducted. The resident clergy and leading laymen and laywomen, too, have been enlisted in the movement in advance, and their cordial support secured. Then their preference for the time, hour and place of meeting has as far as possible been consulted. The meetings have followed each other in so well ordered a sc~eme that there has been neither loss of time nor retracing of steps. During these past thirty days there have been large and enthusiastic gatherings at Leith, Peebles, Innerleithen, Dalkeith, Haddington, Glasgow, Port Glasgow, Dumbarton, HcIcnsbnrgh, Kilmarnock, Paisley, Irvine, Ayr, Greenock, Gourock, Stl'athaven, Bothwell, Hamilton, Wishaw, Lanark, Motherwell, Airdrie, etc., a.nd in all cases the audiences have been large and the attention earnest .and absorbed.
The plan has been connected with a. few features of marked value, which might be well imitated elsewhere. Afternoon meetings have neen held for women especially, and addressed ordinarily by some . .man and woman who have been on the foreign field and were at home on a furlough-as, for instance, Rev. Mr. Rice of India, Ross of Manchuria, Alexander of Jamaica, Christie, M. D., likewise of Manchuria, and Mrs. Edge of China, and Mrs. Armstrong of Burmah. Then in the evenings, general meetings, held in the largest available church or hall, addressed generally by one of thesQ returned missionaries and myself, and sometimes briefly by some one of the local clergy. Some man or woman has been called to preside at the respective meetings, whose name and known interest in missions gave added power to the gatherings; and the common custom of voting thanks to the speakers, which often diverts attention from the subject matter to the person bearing the message, has been happily omitted. We see no reason why similar campaigns may not be planned in our own land, so that without needless cost of time or money, such men as Dr. Gordon of Boston, Dr. Barrows of Chicago, Dr. McVickar of Montreal, Dr. Goodwin of Chicago, Dr. Chamberlain of Brooklyn, Dr. Taylor of New York, Dr. Gracey of Buffalo, and such women as Mrs. Bottome, Mrs. Gordon; Mrs. Bainbridge, Mrs. Rhea, Mrs. Douglass, Mrs. Capron, Mrs. Harvie, Mrs. Hoge, Mrs. Moses Smith and Mrs. Barakat, may be brought into living contact with large congregations throughout the United States and Canada.
Scotland is a land of martyrs and missionaries, and the two naturaIiy go together. The martyr spirit has survived the martyr fires, and so the vital energy that onco made martyrs now runs into the channels of missionary enthusiasm. We go nowhere without feeling ·ourselves to be on holy ground. Hallowed associations make every spot sacred. At Bothwell we had to walk but a few steps along the Clyde to find ourselves confronting the mills where David Living- Jltone worked, and the humble home of Blantyre, where that "adventurous laddie" first saw the light. At Strathaven we were but .seven miles from the battle-field of Drum Clog, where Douglass led a little band of Covenanters against Graham, of Claverhouse, with the royalist troopers; and from that little town where the hand looms still produce their beautiful products, wentfrom one house, William and Gavin Martin to India, and James Martin to Jamaica, and James Martin's son to India, and now Miss Martin, the sister, to Jamaica. What an outcome of one consecrated home! Five missionaries almost from one cradle! No marvel Scotland is interested in missions! With a view to touching as many centers as was practicable, I have generally had three services on each Lord's Day, but so aided by resident ministers as that no part of the service but the address and a short prayer just before it fell to me. The large attendance at all these services, especially those held in the evenings, has been a matter of congratulation and surprise. At Paisley, the large town hall" erected as a memorial to George Clark, Esq., of spool-cotton-thread' fame, and holding 2,500, was literally packed; and at Glasgow, St. Andrews, holding from five thousand to six thousand, was similarly crowded. Instead of coming across the sea to kindle a missionarT revival, the flame was found already burning, and needing only the fuel' of facts, and the fanning of the breath of the Spirit of God, to become a consuming fire. Could all this intelligent and aroused enthusiasm be effectually applied to action, the whole machinery of missions' would move with greatly increased rapidity and efficiency.
We think we see some signs of greatly increased giving. These meetings have not been with immediate reference to raising money" and no collections have been taken except for current local expenses. But from time to time voluntary offerings have been sent in to me, by those whose hearts the Lord has touched, and some of them have' been very significant, because the fruit of evident self-sacrifice. In some instances the facts attending such gifts have become known to me. One lady sold a bracelet and sent the proceeds to be applied to. mISSIons. One young man took off a solid gold vest chain, and another a diamond scarf-ring, and enclosed them to me. Others sent· the price of a pair of kid gloves, or a box of cigars, or a concert ticket, or a package of Christmas cards, or various other gratifications and indulgences foregone for the sake of the perishing. What· would be the result were only John Howard's maxim followed, that our "luxuries should give way to the conveniences of the poor; OUF conveniences to their necessities; and even our necessities to their extremities!" The nakedness of the indigent world might be clothed from the superfluous trimmings of the vain. That will be a new era and epoch in missions, when even our luxuries are sacrificed for the· sake of supplying the gospel to the world.
With this last day of the year we enter upon the closing decade of this century. Dr. George Smith, of Edinburgh, the accomplished biographer of Cary, Duff and Wilson, reckons the first century or modern missions from 1788. He divides the century into three periods: First, the period of preparation, when the ground was' being broken up and made ready for the seed, from 1788 to 1838. Secondly, the period of sowing, when the seed was being scattered,. from 1838 to 1858. Thirdly, the period of ingathering, when the harvest began, from 1858 till now. I have often thought of a somewhat similar division into periods of seven years each: 1. From 1788 to 1837, seven periods of seven years, the times of organization when the great missionary agencies were forming. 2. The times of aggres. sive activity, when the Church was pushing rapidly forward into new nelds, three periods of seven years, from 1837 to 1858. And 3. The times of realization of results, when both aggressive movement and great success marked missions, the plowman and reaper going side by side.
However this be, we are now in the nrst years of a second century of modern missions. Never since Christ arose from the dead has there been at once such magnificent opportunity and such inspiring encouragement. No previous generation has had suoh facilities .and applianoes for giving the gospel to mankind as have we. Divine Providence has furnished us weapons for our warfare such as men in .apostolic ages never imagined. The marvelous f:.bles of the Arabian Nights are eclipsed by the realities of printing press, steam engine, ·electric telegraph, postal system, and all the other helps which are now challenging the church to use air, earth and water in her great mission to the race of man. No man can show a sensible reason why within the next ten years the Word of God should not be published throughout the world. Thirty millions of Protestant disciples can .evangelize the world if each one will become responsible for fifty <>ther souls. If one missionary will go to the field out of every 300 Protestant church members, we shall have 100,000 missionaries in t~e foreign work, besides native helpers that now outnumber the missionary band five to one. If every such church member could be led to consecrate habitually and systematically to missions,jive cents a day, it would yield the enormous sum of about 550,000,000 dollars yearly, 01' one and a half million dollars a day! Think what could be done in evangelizing the world if there were a band of 100,000 missionaries -sent out by Christian churches, with the grand sum of $550,000,000 a year to provide for their support!
This decade ought to be the most glorious of all history in the progress of the gospel. But there must be new giving and new liv- .ing, more men and women sent t.o the front, and more money and means furnished for the work. Dr. McAll writes that for sheer laok .of money he has to close thirteen of his stations, at a time when every door is open and every demand i5 for expansion rather than retrenohment. The Churoh of God does not respond to the providence of God as she ought. The very air is vocal with the calls of God, the very horizon is blazing with signal lights. Who will come forward .and say, "Here am I, send me?" Who will bring their silver and gold with them and lay on God's altars their abundance? Who will go into that holy of holies, where wrestling Jacobs become prevailing Israels, and learn the secret of that mighty prayer which brings down ..showers of blessing upon earth's dry ,and barren wastes?
EDINBURGH, Dec. 31.
THE BOERS AND MISSIONS
THE BOERS AND MISSIONS.
BY REV. LEWIS GROUT, WEST BRATTLEBORO, VT.
Among the many new and interesting missionary developments of the present day, that which is revealing itself among the Dutch farmers, or "Boers/' as they are often called in South Africa,is oneof the most remarkable and cheering. Their two hundred years of life in that land have been years of a most unique commingling of the romantic with the real,-a life characterized for domestic simplicity,. wild adventure, independence, and a high regard for at least th~ forms and observances of a sound Christian faith. They have everhad a great love of liberty, been vigorously tenacious of their own rights; and yet have had ll- firm helief, at least many of them, that, the natives, the black people, were divinely appointed to be the servants of the white race. Out of all this have come many border' wars, repeated collisions and conflicts with the English, and sometimes a hostile feeling towards Christian Missions, all which has led many of them to a most unsettled, migratory way of living. But, now, at length, their ideas of liberty are taking on a more intelligent, scriptural aspect; their formalism giving place to spirituality, and theirfeelings and conduct towards the natives beginning to undergo a happy" beneficent change. The spirit of that true and living faith which their' pioneer fathers carried to that land, is beginning to be revived, and one of the most important reasons they originally assigned for going there and taking up their abode among or by the side of the natives -to aid them in their religious well-being-is beginning to be honored: in the mission work they have already entered upon in their behalf.. During the two centuries of their abode there, the Boers have had much to do towards developing and utilizing the secular l'~sources of the country, and in giving shape to the social and political affairs of all South Africa. Their molding influence was never greater than it is to-day, nor will it fail to increase and extend as the years go on. Their past career is fraught with instruction, if not also with admoni– tion; their present trend with encouragement to all true friends of law and religion. To all who are interested in the ever-changing fortunes of men, the different phases of social life, and especially in' knowing something of the many mighty forces now at work for thespeedy redemption of that long neglected and much wronged land of the sun, which has come to be called the- "Dark Continent," a brief sketch of the early life, general character, and present promise of the' Dutch Boers in South Africa can hardly fail to be instructive and encouraging.
When Diaz discovered the southern angle of Africa, 1486, andproposed to his royal patron, John II., of Portugal, to call it "the stormy cape," the King said: "No; call it 'the Cape of Good Hope," because of the promise it gives of my finding in it a good way to. India." So, through the moral and political storms that have raged in that region, the eye of faith sees a "Good Hope" for yet making • that cape as a stepping-stone and means of reaching a realm larger than India with the gospel of God's love. It was about the middle of the seventeenth century, 1652, that the Dutch East India Company, seeing what a good replenishing station the cape would make for ships plying between Europe and the East, sent a colony of soldiers and others there to build a fort and plant a garden, hoping, withal, as they said, that the religious interests of the aborigines might be thus promoted,-that the formation of said fort and garden may not only tend to the advantage of the East India Company, but, what is of more consequence, may also be the means of preserving many souls to the praise of God's most holy name, and for the propagation of his holy gospel,-that, by living on good terms with the natives, their children may become useful servants, and, if educated in the Christian faith, should the Almighty grant.his blessing, many souls may be brought to a knowledge of religion and saved to God. But these ends, if ever practil,lally sought in those early days, were soon forgotten, and for two centuries left virtually out of account, though they are now beginning to come to the front.
The infant colony went on to prosper. The natives brought them cattle and sheep, their gardens gave them vegetables, the plains gave them game, and the sea gave them fish, but for some years they were subject to many trials. At first, it is said, they had to ~ontend with their fears, lest the wild men by day or the wild beasts by night should attack them and their fort, and carryall by storm. They had to contend with want; and one poor soldier was sentenced to many blows from the butt of his gun for wishing the purser at the devil for, serving out penguins instead of beef and pork. They suffered from thieves, and one poor fellow was sentenced to be flogged and put in irons for stealing a cabbage. At times a Hottentot would walk off with some of the cattle, or the leopards and lions would take them for their own use. They had the scandal-monger among them, and one of them was sentenced to ask pardon on his knees, be bored through the tongue, and be banished three years for words spoken against ladies of rank. The colonists were sometimes chided by the Home Directors for want of enterprise and self-support, and told that a country which could not grow its own corn did not deserve to be called a colony_ Then the Home Company sent out fifty young farmers, and an equal number of maidens to aid them and others in their new home. Next came three hundred Huguenots, men, women and children, the salt of the earth: – – " Pilgrim fathers, noblest blood of sunny France, Broad-browed men of free-born spirit, lighted with the eagle glance."
Robbed of " freedom to worship God" in the land of their birth: " To this far nook the Christian exiles fled, Each fettering tie of earthly texture breaking; Wealth, country, kindred, cheerfully forsaking For that good cause in which their fathers bled."
To these may be traced some of the most valuable elements of the white race in South Africa; though, for a long time, the illiberal policy of the Home Company was far from giving such scope to the enterprise, industry, and influence they were prepared to exert, as the highest welfare of all parties, both immediate and future, required.
The sturdy Hollanders and Huguenots of those early days, the real Pilgrims and Puritans of South Africa, glorying, as they did, in being" free-born" and" liberty-loving," were, nevertheless, remark- ably patient under the many frivolous and discriminating laws and customs to which they were subject, touching private, social and civil life. Some of the good-hearted rulers, such as "Father Tulbagh," who lived .about :the middle of the last century, men of great simplicity of life and never lacking in rigid discipline, evidently failed to see what was really the great opportunity and object of their office, and yet were diligent enough in prescribing such laws and forms of social and official etiquette as they thought the people should observe. They had full faith in ranks and grades of society, and eschewed the doctrine that all men, even the white, were made or designed to be equal. The low vehicles of that age were admirably adapted to the fashion, made imperative by law, that every person should stop his carriage and get out when he should see the Governor approach, and should likewise give the members of the" Court of Policy" a clear pass for their carriages. The exact amount of velvet which gentlemen of different ranks might wear, the amount of ornamentation for their carriages, the number of servants each rank might boast, the particular costume of the footman, the dress of brides and their friends at weddings, the cloth and cut of dresses for the wives of men .of different ranks, as the junior merchant or the senior merchant, the wearing of diamonds, mantles, hoops, and dresses with a train, as the chronicles of thos.e days tell us, were all determined by laws made, not by the modistes of Paris, but by the Governor and his grave Council in the castle of Good Hope. And yet there was evidently much of good feeling and genuine enjoyment among that people. If they went to one extreme in the respect and deference they paid to age, rank and office, it is worth considering whether the people of this day have not gone to the other.
The religious character and observances of the Boers at that early period were not less marked and molding than their civil code and social life. Their means of education, teachers, ministers, books, except the Bible, outside of official ranks, were few. But the attachment of the scattered people to all the sacred institutions of religion was then, as now, remarkable; and evidently the guiding and re- straining influence of these simple ordinances and teachings of the gos- pel, during all the years, have done much to prevent the nomadic dasses from lapsing utterly into the heathenism of the native tribes with which they have ever been in contact. Even now, in those who lead a migratory life, rouch as the greater number of their fathers were wont to lead, " While on from plain to plain they led their flocks, In search of clearer springs and fresher field,"
-both the spirit and the forms of religion are everywhere far from rare. They hold the Calvinistic doctrines, and, in many respects, are not unlike the sturdy Scotch of three centuries ago. Rough and un- couth as the" trek Boers" (nomadic farmers) often are, they have, at least many of them, a habit of saluting their Maker at break of day with supplication and song. Nor is it any uncommon thing for the patriarch of the family to bring his household together, morning and -evening, read a chapter from the well-worn family Bible and offer prayer. They still retain tha.t resolute, republican spirit of freedom for which their ancestors were distinguished in the Netherlands many generations ago. From their religion and their politics together, it is -easy to see how they should be often thought a stubborn, sometimes a bigoted, if not also a proud race, of an independent spirit, a posi- tive purpose, and ever ready to fight and die for their rights and their liberties.
In their general appearance, domestic life and common pursuits, the Boers are tall, stout, strong, hospitable and kind, frank and cour- teous, sometimes surly and phlegmatic. Their farms and their fami- -lies are large, the former numbering from six. to ten thousand acres of land, the latter from six to a dozen children, to say nothing of serv- ants. Their wealth consists of their lands, cattle, sheep and horses. Where they have been able to settle down to live undisturbed for a few generations, they are not unlike the average New England farmer "in the general ordering of their affairs. When they are given or driven to constant change, the wide open field is their home, and the large tented wagon, usually drawn by twelve or fourteen oxen, is their house, where they sleep at night, and in which the women and chil- -dren ride by day, while the men, in their saddles, are out with their rifles for the game they need for the larder. If one thinks his stay in a place may be for a few months or years, he builds a cheap -" wattle and dab" house and covers it with thatch for himself and family, a hovel for his horses, and a pen for his cattle; encloses a few _.acres of land for a garden, and plants out a few fruit trees, and, even- .tually, if not too much annoyed by the natives, or forcibly ousted by ~the English, he comes to find he has a permanent home.
But the civil and political career and experiences of the Boers have been full of variety and trial. The original settlement went on to grow till it came to number fifty thousand souls and embrace a hundred thousand square miles of territory, when, in 1795, the English came' in and took possession, held it till 1806, then gave it back, but recov- ered it again in 1815; since which time it has continued to be an, English colony, much to the disgust and grief of the Dutch. The peculiar views of the Boers in respect to the natural rights of the na,..' tives, the frequent encroachments of the former upon the territory of the latter, and the consequent strife between the two races, all went, to make the life of each for many years one of almost constant fear' and unrest. The Boers could neVer forgive the English for taking from them what they claimed as their own country; and, being accus- tomed to take and hold many of the natives as slaves, or, a'S the Dutch said, as "apprentices," when, in 1833-7, the English abolished the system, the already disgusted Dutch became highly indignant. But the more considerate still remained in the colony and made the, best of it, while great numbers of them withdrew for good. Not less than five or six thousand of them, heads of families, gave up their big farms, gathered up their more valuable and portable effects, took, their families, cattle, sheep and horses, their Bibles and their guns, inspanned their big wagons, called the ugliest ox in the team by the opprobrious name of "England," set their faces toward the North Pole, and journeyed on till they crossed the Orange River, the northern limit of English rule, and there took up an abode wherever they could find green grass and good water. From this, in a year or two, 1837, a thousand of them inspanned their wagons again, took their families, cattle and other effects, followed up the Orange River and came down into Natal, hoping to make that beautiful country a new Netherlands, and there find rest and peace. But after two years of" war with the Zulus, and then two more of war with the English, the, land of their delight became a British colony. Again, a few of the more considerate of them remained and tried to make the best of it;, but great numbers of them withdrew, went back over the mountain, rejoined their fellows, and established the Orange River Free State and the Transvaal Republic, with an alleged promise from the English that they should not be disturbed. But, under the so-called "jingo policy" of the British Government a few years since, this promise, which the Dutch declare to have been plain' and positive,. seems to have been forgotten; and an attempt was made, or at least conceived, t.o deprive the Dutch of their independence and establish a grand Anglo-African Confedracy which should embrace all South Africa. This led to a war between the English and the Dutch, and also with the ZuIUjl. But in this the Dutch had the best of it, and are still preserving their independence.
The Free State embraces about 50,000 square miles, and has a population of about 130,000, of whom the whites number about 60,000.. The Transvaal, now called the South African Republic, embraces about 80,000 square miles and has a population of about 300,000, of whom about one-sixth are white, and of these about three-fourths are- Dutch. The eastern frontier of this State is about forty miles from Delogoa Bay. A railway to connect the capital, Pretoria, with the bay is nearly completed. Between this State and St. Lucia Bay the· Boers have formed what they call the" New Republic," of about. 16,000 square miles. This new State has already negotiated a treaty with the Transvaal, by the terms of which the two are to form them- selves into one State, to be incorporated under the name of the Dis- trict of Vryheid. Many of the English, both at home and in South Africa, especially in Natal, have been urging and hoping that British rule might be pushed northward, so as to take in Zululand, and what. was otherwise soon likely to be known as the" New Republic;" or even that the scheme of a grand Anglo-African Republic might yet be realized at an early date. But the latest utterance and phase of the Imperial policy on these points are that Mr. Gladstone emphati- cally repudiates any intention to interfere in Zulu affairs; that the Home Government is not prepared to adopt toward the Boer settlers in the New Republic district a hostil~ or aggressive attitude; and that· England especially desires to maintain friendly and cordial relations. with the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The more considerate and humane course of the Boer towards the native is taking away one considerable pretext of the British Government in former years for interfering with Dutch rule.
From interesting addresses at the World's Missionary Conference last year in London, and from other fresh and valuable sources of information, it is clear that a great change is coming over the Dutch in their feelings towards the natives and in their attitude towards mission work among them. For many reasons, probably few men are ableto give more correct; valuable testimony on this point than the Rev. John McKenrie, of the London Missionary Society. In a recent speech of his, having referred to the opposition which mission work had to· encounter from the Dutch in former years, he goes on to say that, in the course of time, such work has come not only to have their high approval, but to find their own sons and daughters engaged in it;. that the Dutch Reformed Church of Cape Colony" has its own missionary society now, and if, in any village throughout the colony, there· should be a community of black people not ministered to by a European society, there you will find the Dutch Reformed Church at. work." The superintendent of the Berlin Missionary Society, Rev•. A. Merensky, having referred to the fact that, in former years, the- Boers of the Transvaal had refused to allow any mission work to becarried on in that State, goes on to say: "Our missionaries now have· in the Transvaal alone twenty-three stations, with five thousand mem- bel's; and altogether there are now about twenty-five thousand native Christians in the 'fransvaal." The Swiss have a flourishing mission in that State. Nor is the changing of sentiment and bearing on the part .of the Dutch towards the Zulus in N atalless marked. Some two years -ago there was a religious movement of great power among both races in the upper part of that colony, in the Greytown region. Several na- tive evangelists, being employed to hold meetings among their own people, often held them, by invitation, at the houses of the Dutch, .and many of both races were hopefully converted. The pastor of the Dutch church in Greytown gave the work every possible encourage- ment. Many of the farmers not only gave it their hearty approval .and shared in it, but contributed much of their own time and personal -effort to carry it forward. Rev. James Scott, a missionary of the .scotch Free Church, was called in and" assisted at the baptizing of -about a hundred natives who had been converted by those Boers who .destroyed the station of Livingstone, and interfered with the work of .our French brethren. Having received an outpouring of the Spirit of .God two or three years ago, these Dutch farmers are now gathering . their Zulu servants together and are themselves preaching to them the .gospel of Christ."
The veteran American missionary, Rev. David Rood, for forty years a faithful laborer among the Zulus in Natal, bears similar testi- mony to the interest the Dutch are now taking in mission work among the aboriginal races in all parts of Soutlt Africa. And, as among some of the more important causes, or agencies, that have wrought .and are still working this cheering change,-a revival of religious and missionary zeal among the Dutch,-he mentions the labors and prayers ~f the many devoted teachers that have been going out, for some years, from New England, and especially from Mt. Holyoke Seminary, under the call and direction of P-astor Murray, of Wellington, superintendent .of the Dutch churches in South Africa, to establish schools of the South Hadley order and spirit among the Dutch in different parts of .all that broad field. Nor is their influence limited to the sections in which the schools are set, but" reaching Dutch families far away."
At the annual meeting of "The Natal Missionary Conference," held in Durban last July, Rev. James Turnbull, V. D., of Grey- town, read an interesting paper on "The Boer Farm Mission, or the Introduction of Christian Life into the Kraals of the Kafirs," which .serves to prove and illustrate the real practical interest the Boers .are taking in the religious well-being of the nations around them. The Boer's farm is generally large, comprising from five to ten thousand acres. On it may often be found a goodly number of Zulu Kraals; and the aim of "The Boer Farm Mission" is to fur- .nish religious instruction for these natives by providing a native
MORAVIAN MISSIONS AMONG THE AMERICAN INDIANS. 17~
evangelist from some regular mission station to labor for them~ The evangelist thus employed is to have a hut of his own on the farm, together with a field for planting and pasturage for his cows; also a small salary, part of which is to be paid by the Farm Mission and part by the farmer for whose people he labors. This evangelist is to teach and preach also on the neighboring farms, and the owners of these shall be expected to help make up the salary of the minister whose services his people may share. The enterprise promises to be attended with much success. The members of the church have increased from 45 to 96 during the last year, and some 50 candidates are now waiting for baptism.
MORAVIAN ~IISSIONS AMONG THE AMERICAN INDIANSr BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, BELLEVUE, OHIO.
It is much to the shame of American Christendom that so little is known of the character and doings in general of the Moravian Church, and in particular of her efforts to evangelize and civilize the' aborigines of this country. For not only does the story constitute one of the most thrilling and pathetic portions of our early annals~ but a number of her representatives rank high for distinguished public services among our pioneers and founders. This church was the first to cross the Atlantic upon an errand purely evangelistic. For the better part of a century she stood in the very forefront of the fearful strife with the wilderness and with savagery in New York. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Canada West. Nor did any heralds of the cross ever surpass, while few were able to equal, for patient endurance of hardships, or for length and energy of effort, such truly apostolic men as Heckewelder, for forty years a missionary among the Delawares, and Zeisberger, who for upwards of sixty years, bestowed most lavishly upon the same people the wealth of his wisdom and zeal, and died when past eighty-seven with the armor still on, and so, even more than Eliot, fairly earned the honorable title of Apostle to the Indians.
Already Dober and Nitschman had been despatched to the negroes of the West Indies, and the Stachs, with Christian David, to the Greenland Eskimos, and now in 1734, when the renewed church had been in existence scarcely more than a decade, a company of Moravians made their advent into Georgia to tell to the Creeks the story of redemption. But various troubles ensued and the mission was transferred to the more genial atmosphere of Quaker territory, and to the Forks of the Delaware. Here in 1741 a permanent settlement was made, destined to be a sort of second Herrnhut, a centre of gospel power for the New W orId, and named Bethlehem, Zinzendorf himself being present. A considerable accession soon followed of <settlers from Europe, and several tours of exploration through the forests to the north and west.
Meantime in Herrnliut Christian Henry Rauch h~d been set apart .as the first missionary to the Indians, and had landed alone and a ~tranger in New York. Only discouragements met him. But hearing that a delegation of Mohicans was in the city, he sought them out, and, sad prophecy of woe, found them in beastly intoxication. They had learned the Dutch language from their neighbors, and taking advantage of a few rational moments, he offered to return with them as a religious teacher, and in due season set out for Shekomeko, in Dutchess County, and near the Connecticut line. For a time his message was heard with interest, but when the novelty was gone his hearers fell away, rebuffs and insults became his daily portion, and he was bidden to be off' by the way he came. However, additional helpers were sent, and at the end of a year the seemingly barren soil suddenly began to whiten with a harvest. Tschoop (Job) and Shabash, the debauched wretches he had followed to their homes, through ,deepest penitence entered thoroughly into the kingdom, though one of them before had been "the greatest drunkard and most outrageous villain" in all that region. Savages came twenty and thirty .miles to listen to the" great words," a church of 70 was gathered, a ,-second station was opened further east upon the Housatonic (Pachgatgoch), and five missionaries were kept busy preaching, teaching and visiting from lodge to lodge. But those were troublous times. Evil doers found their gains from the vices of the Indians sadly les- ,1lened by the success of the Moravians, much sectarian bigotry and jealousy were abroad, and, worse, there was constant peril from the French. So from these combined sources fierce opposition arose, and their arrest followed upon the charge of being" Jesuits.in disguise," and finally in New York an act was passed which ordered" the sev- -eral Moravian and vagrant teachers to desist from further teaching .and preaching, and to depart the province." Thus expelled and the mission broken up, teachers and converts were presently transferred to Bethlehem. This was the first forced exodus in a long and lament- .able series.
In 1745 a Delaware chief and his wife were baptized, the first converts from that tribe upon which the bulk of Moravian fervor was henceforth to be expended. But just now great things were planned in behalf of the Iroquois to subdue their haughtiness by the power of the Cross, and inspire their hearts with the pity of Christ. .A mission board was formed. Young men were to be chosen and trained for the task by years of study and familiar intercourse. David Zeisberger was one of the first appointed (destin irter Heidenbote), and was sent to the Mohawk Valley to study the language. Arrested as a French .8P'!I and sent ba<?k, and little later with Bishop Spangenberg he made .a trying and most perilous trip to Onondaga to secure from the Grand Council permission for teachers to reside among the Six Nations. This was followed by several other visits of similar character, <and by two periods of residence, by which he gained such great ad- miration and affection from those redoubtable warriors that by the ·Onondagas he was with great ceremony adopted into the tribe of the "Turtle. As another means of reaching and winning the Iroquois, a mission was opened at Shamokin upon the Susquehanna, a great gathering place, with a blacksmith shop to sharpen their tools and weapons, and Zeisberger as an assistant. For some reason nothing flubstantial came of all this planning and labor. The French war <lompelled suspension, and after twenty years' continuance the attempt nnally ceased (1766).
But the work was vigorously pushed in the Wyoming Valley and <at other points. With <what heroic spirit is shown in a resolution adopted by the Mission Board " to carryon the evangelization of the Indians in an apostolic manner, and with resistless energy, to the glory of God, and to deem fit for this service such men and women only as are willing to lose their lives for Christ's sake." And, verily, it soon appeared that only such faith and fervor could meet the demands of the case. The Delawares were found comparatively docile and easy to be reached by such simple, earnest and loving presentation of the truth as the humble-hearted Moravians gave. So that by the end of 1749, 300 converts could be counted in Eastern Pennsylvania. But Braddock's defeat was the beginning of protracted disturbance and disaster. The entire frontier was exposed to bloody forays, morbid fear of tomahawk and scalping knife was universal, and the baseless suspicion spread that the Christian Indians and their teachers were in league~ith the French. Then, as if in cruel irony, a troop of Monseys, who were hostile to the English, made midnight assault with wholesale slaughter upon a Moravian settlement only a few miles from Bethlehem.
The mission came forth from the French war sadly scourged and a decimated, and then, when only a brief breathing space had been en- joyed, the Pontiac Conspiracy followed, with similar train of evils. The old charge against the converts was revived, but was proved to be a calumny by the meekness and resignation with which they endured severe and manifold trial and affliction ensuing. In part, at least out of kindness, they were ordered by the civil authorities to give up their arms and gather at Philadelphia, but, obeying, were met by a howling mob with insults and threats. In spite of all orders from their officers, the soldiers refused them a refuge in the barracks. Transported next to Province Island, a few weeks later they were packed off to New York, but on the border of the province were met ·with a command not to cross. Back then they tramped through a snow storm, and durance followed in all of sixteen months. Most of the time the missionaries were with them giving protection, council and good cheer. And the poor creatures were marvellously patient and steadfast through the whole. But during the summer smallpox and dysentery broke out, and almost half of the entire number died•. When finally released less than 100 remained, and so inveterate was– the prejudice against them that this remnant must needs at once re- move westward. So that presently we behold the afflicted flock and their loved shepherds, forsaking homes and worldly goods, plunging into the pathless forests, climbing Broad Mountain, crossing' the. Great Swamp, often able to advance but few miles a day, and, after' five weeks of hardship, fixing themselves upon the Susquehanna and. laying the foundations of a Second Friedenshutten (Tents of Peace).
This was in 1765. And now a few years of respite were vouch- safed. Comfortable homes were soon built, as well as a chapel and school-house, while a post-and-rail fence was constructed about the~ -entire cluster of cabins. The streets and yards were kept scrupu- lously clean. To every family was a garden, an orchard and a canal" while 250 acres were given to meadows and grain fields and cattle;, . hogs and poultry were abundant. To crown all a rich spiritual bless- ing also came, bringing a large increase of converts, while the gospel sounded out among the Mohawks, the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Tuscaroras, Wampanoags, Tutelas and N anticokes.
In 1767 intelligence was brought to Bethlehem that the Delawares .of the upper Allegheny desired to hear the glad tidings, and Zeisber- ger was deputed to journey thither. He found a very den of heathen- ism at Goschgoschunk, with debauchery and all manner of depraved doing rife. But, nothing daunted, he was on hand again the year following with Gottlob Senseman and three families of Christian Indians.. to begin the first Protestant mission beyond the mountains in the vast Mississippi Valley. For a while life was well nigh intolerable> so furious was the opposition. The settlement was removed a few miles. to a spot now in the midst of the oil region of Venango County, but at le~gth, by gentle bearing, coupled with zealous teaching and fervid appeal, such a turning to the Lord began that the heathen party lost control. In 1770 a call came to introduce the gospel still further west upon the Beaver, and a number of families journeyed thither iu canoes by way of the Allegheny and Ohio, and built Languntoutenunk, or Friedenstadt (City of Peace). Among the trophies of a revival,. which soon ensued, was Glikkikan, a famous chieftain and warrior,. who from henceforth threw the whole might of his influence in favor' of Christian civilization.
But serious trouble was brewing in the Susquehanna region. The bitter strife beween Yankee and Pennanite for the possession of . Wyoming was in progress. By the treaty of Fort Stanwix the territory in which Friedenshutten stood was sold to Pennsylvania, and the whites were crowding in upon the red inhabitants. Hence, re- moval, sooner or later, became necessary. And just then an invitation came from the Grand Council of the Delaware nation upon the Tus- carawas anG Walhonding, streams which unite to form the Musk- ingum, to remove, with tile promise of an aml)le tract of most fertile river bottom covered with magnificent forests full of berries, vi deer, turkeys and other game, while the stream was fairly alive with fish. And all hard by Gekelemukpechunk, the capital. Therefore, on every account it seemed best to transfer the mission from the Susquehanna. to the Muskingum, and in the spring of 1772 upwards of 200 crossed the diviaing ridge and made the long pilgrimage.
Zeisberger chose a spot upon the bluff nellr to a large rivulet which leaped forth from under ground, and called it Schonbrunn (Beautiful Spring). At a later time, to accommodate the growing numbers, he located two other settlements distant each a few miles, Gnadenhutten (Tents of Grace) and Lichtenau (Pasture of Light). These solid be- ginnings of religion and settled order were made by the Moravians, be it known, about half a generation before the Ordinance of 1787 and the founding of Marietta. And now followed in this far-off Arcadia what on the whole were the halcyon days in the career of the mISSIOn. Of material prosperity there was no lack, so that the heathen came from far to behold and wonder. Several sachems of high degree openly espoused the truth, among them Netawatwas and White Eyes. The chapel, though holding 500, could not contain the . audiences which gathered to hear the" great words." Baptisms, too, were frequent, and some of the shrewdest of the chiefs judged that a few years would suffice to give the victory to the gospel.
But, alas, sorest tribulation was in store. The Revolution was hastening on apace, with all its terrible moral strain and waste. When open collision came, it was neither from cowardice nor lack of patriotism that the missionaries decided to stand neutral. It was $ matter of conscience. They were non-combatants from principle. But this fact was the direct cause of continued embarrassment, though it is impossible to see how their case would have been bettered by choosing either for Congress or the King. But here, as also before and at a later time, upon them fell the" frequent penalty of peace- makers, the distrust of both sides." Certainly their course was ad- vantageous to the Colonies, since, though the Delawares finally went over to the British, it was not until after the surrender of Burgoyne and the alliance with France, and so for years 10,000 warriors were held back from their bloody forays by Zeisberger, Heckewelder and the rest, as in New York were many more by missionary Kirkland. The situation on the Muskingum was most trying and critical. The Christian Indians occupied the border between the English settlements and the savages of the 'Vest, and so were between two fires. War fury was rampant, and it required the utmost of sagacity and watehfulness to keep the hands of the young Delaware braves from seizing the hatchet. War parties frequently went back and fortb and all were entertained with strictest impartiality.
At length, to the British commander at Detroit, the attitude of this influential tribe became intolerable. And well k!lowing that the missionaries were tbe cbief obstacles in h.is way, be determined to strike at them a telling blow. It was when the long and weary strife was well nigh over, only four weeks before Cornwallis surrendered, that a few hundreds of Wyandots, lVlingoes, Shawanese, etc., with Elliott, an English captain, among them, suddenly appeared at Schonbrunn and the other towns, and by force compelled an exodus of the entire Christian population, Zeisberger and the four. other lVloravians included, and a long journey to Upper Sandusky, involving a wholesale destruction of property; and at the approach of winter, destitute of food and robbed of nearly all their clothing, were left by their captors in the wilderness. A little later the missionaries were ordered to Detroit to remain, and their followers to separate and find a home where they could.
But, meantime, the climax of horrors had come-the crushing (latastrophe. In a starving condition small companies had begun to return to the lVluskingum to gather some of their corll, which by the thousand bushels had been left unharvested. Toward the end of winter a larger party had gone upon the same errand. Theil' presence became known to the borderers of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and an <expedition was planned to cut them off. Under the lead of one Col. Williamson, while scattered through the fields, they- were suddenly set upon and made prisoners. A few hours were given in which to prepare for death, and then they were taken to two "slaughter houses," and one by one butchered and scalped. Ninety.six victims, wholly innocent of evil, of whom some thirty were women, thirty-five children and twelve babes. And this" not in the flush of victory, but in cold blood, leisurely as animals for the shambles." After the slaughter every building was burned.· Can American history match this woful and altogether sickening narration?
The residue of the dolorous story, though extending yet over the better part of a half century, need not long detain us. Permission was soon given to Zeisberger and his white associates to remain in Detroit, or to retire to Bethlehem. But the thought of forsaking the souls they had gathered at such cost could not be cherished for an instant, and a·re-establishment of the mission was determined upon. By consent of the Chippewas, a location was selected a few miles to the west of Lake St. Clair and upon the Huron (now Clinton) River, and a call was sent to the Christian Indians to gather at New Gnadenhutten. Not strangely, the response was so meagre that a start was made with but nineteen, and fifty-three was the sum total at the end of a year. A long succession of troubles, repeated removals with great loss of property, set upon and harried alike by British and American, and fihally the ruthless and unprovoked slaughter of scores of their brethren, whom could they trust, and what ground was there for hope and courage? In the almost insanity of despair they were haunted with the suspicion that the massacre was instigated by their teachers! Though others returned later, and not a few relig- iously alone and unhelped from henceforth lived and died true dis- ciples, yet too many made utter shipwreck of faith and relapsed into paganism, counting the gospel a cheat and snare.
Nearly four years was passed in the forests of Eastern Michigan in :severest toil and with slight encouragement, and then since the Chip- pewas broadly hinted that their presence was no longer welcome, the future ownership and government of the Northwest was uncertain, ;and since Congress had taken steps towards ceding to them the lands they had occupied on the Muskingum, in 1786 their steps were turned in that direction. Crossing Lake Erie they were driven ashore by tlevere storms, and were compelled to continue their journey on foot. .At length the Cuyahoga was reached, and upon its banks, some miles :south of where Cleveland now stands, a halt was made upon the site <>f a former Ottawa village, and the work of building and planting was at once commenced. This was their Pilgerruh (Pilgrims' Rest). It soon became apparent that though Congress stood ready to bestow titles and gifts of corn, blankets, etc., yet, on account of the deter:: mined opposition of the neighboring Indian tribes to a return to the Muskingum, the project must be postponed.
A more favorable location for a settlement was sought for and found some sixty miles to the west on the Huron river, and near to the Milan of this day. New Salem 'was the name which expressed their hope, and four years followed of rest and peace, and consequent prosperity. A grateful calm it was after a protracted season of dis- astrous storms. Or, as the event proved, it was a brief period of sun- shine succeeded by the gloom of a tempestuous night, and so its beauty . was but a bright sunset glow. A thriving town sprang up as if by magic, cattle increased and large harvests were gathered. Three .schools were opened and a hundred dusky pupils filled them. The chapel was thronged with Delawares, Chippewas, Ottawas, and even Wyandots, inquiring after the better way, and an old time revival began, which, with overwhelming power, laid hold of such as Gelele- mand, a head chief, and Gegeshamind, a notorious sorcerer,' and the membership of the church rose to 212.
·But evil days were oJ?ce more at hand. An Indian war broke out and raged with fury over the Northwest, with the crushing defeat of St. Clair and the brilliant victory of Wayne as chief incidents. Again missionary work was rudely brought to a Fltl).ndstill, and~ finally, lest a second massacre befall, a flight for safety to Canada was planned and executed. Some fifty appiicants for church membership declined to go, but the residue, in thirty large canoes, crossed the lake, located upon the Thames, founded Fairfield and received from the Government a large grant of land. After six years, or in 1798, a fraction numbering thirty-three formed a colony and set out for the Muskingum to rebuild the waste places and occupy the 12,00(} acres set apart for their use. Sixteen years had wrought great changes. The ruins of the former settlement could be traced.. Heaps of bones mingled with the ashes showed where the slaughter had occurred. But the fields were again wild with briars and underbrush. For some reason no attempt to restore and rehabilitate prospered. The missionaries and early converts were aged, and one after another- ;were passing away. Zeisberger, the chief leader and inspirer from the beginning, the center and soul of every movement for fifty years,. in 1808 went to his reward. The whites were crowding in from every direction, bringing the demoralization of their vices. And, finally, the migration of the Indian tribes across the Mississippi had set in. So in 1824 the lands were receded to the United States and the work came to an end. Unsuccessful attempts were made to open missions upon the Wabash and in Georgia among the Cherokees. Fairfield was burned by Gen. Harrison after the battle of the Thames, upon the false report that the Moravian Indians had fought with the British. That mission, however, still survives, and two stations are maintained in the Indian Territory. And this is all that remains after the utmost of wise, and earnest, and consecrated endeavor continued through one hundred and fifty years.
And what shall we say to this most painful narrative of hope deferred, of toil unstinted, and in His name, but constantly beset with appalling difficulties and doomed to failure at last?· Well, this at least: The work undertaken was a sublime one, and in the truest sense Christian, Christlike-of a piece with that done by the same church for the degraded African, and Australian, and Eskimo. Preaching of the gospel to the Indians was the thing to do, and th~t regardless of results, great or small. It was in obedience to the Divine call. Nor can we accurately reckon up returns in such high matters. It is no slight thing that some 1,400 or 1,500 souls were converted and trained for glory, and that christianizing and civilizing influence~ were carried to many hundreds more. Then Moravian missions to the aborigines of this country have but shared the sad lot of all similar undertakings. What is there to show for all that Eliot did, and Edwards, and the Mayhews, and many others in later times? In every case the obstacles were overwhelming, and the tribes have
THE JEW IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
well nigh vanished from the earth. Therefore, it was not their fault that they failed. There was a true Providence in the matter. They .did all that mortals could do. " Were strenuous ~xertions, indefatigable labor, patient perseverance, constant self-denial, and devoted zeal sufficient to secure success," then no sort of failure would have resulted. Best of all, such godly doing is never to be accounted "waste." In the spectacle I have been endeavoring to portray, as in so many bright passages from the history of Moravian missions, the gospel ideal is held up to the gaze of Christendom as seldom elsewhere. How blind and reckless, how unquestioning and resolute was their faith! At the divine bidding, like others of God's heroes, they gladly and with fine enthasiasm 'dared to attempt the impossible. And so in all centuries to come, and to thousands, what such as Zeisberger, and Heckewelder, and Senseman, and Rauch, and Buttner, and J ung did and assayed to do, will prove a mighty inspiration and ' impelling force to similar heroic efforts for the redemption of lost men.
THE JEW IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
BY J. T. GRACEY, D.D., BUFFALO, N. Y.
Seven millions of people are an inconsiderable numerical proportion of the fourteen hundred millions of people on the globe. But this number of Hebrews have managed to secure a large share of attention from the rest of mankind in our time, as for centuries preceding. We say seven millions, but this is probably under rather than beyond the real number, which has been estimated as low as five millions, while Herzog reckons, on the ground of information derived from many quarters, that at the lowest they number twelve millions. If the Jewish population of Europe be correctly estimated at five millions-and the statistics are doubtless more trustworthy here than ,elsewhere-then we strongly incline to the very high figures of Herzog, rather than to the extremely low aggregate of two millions in all the world outside of Europe. But Herzog says two millions is too 10w for Europe. This would be one Jew for every forty-five of the entire population. In Amsterdam alone there are thirty-six thousand Jews; in Poland no one estimates the Jew population at less than one million; and in Russia, including Poland,> at three millions. Germany has upwards of half a million, and the United States probably three-quarters of a million of Jews; European Turkey contains about 350,000, mostly about Constantinop~e; Roumania, 250,000, and North Africa, 100,000.
We will not now classify the Jewish communities only to say, there are J ews-and Jews. The Falashas in Abyssinia, the Black J'ews on the Malabar coast, Loango Jews in Africa, and the Karaites in Russia, Crimea and Damascus, are not Jews by lineage. The last named claim to be descended from a leader of their own who lived twenty-two centuries ago. They are not Talmudists. They number about 100,000. They disclaimed being Jews to escape the Russian outbreak of the anti-Jewish riots of 1881.
Nor can we stop to say more than a word about their language. In Europe they speak J udeo-Spanish and J udeo-German. The one is the corrupted Spanish and Hebrew they carried with them when expelled from Spain; and the other has Hebrew roots and German flexions. Over Asia 'and Africa they speak a peculia~ jargon, yet generally, besides, the vernacular of the country where they live.
But the change in the position of the Jew within the last half century is one of the most remarkable character. Fifty years ago the Jew was inert and imbecile. Now he exercises a power greater than in the days of David or Solomon. The Jews to-day influence more people, control more bullion, and exercise more legislative power than they did when they had their temple, their land ati.d their scepter. They have been stationary for eighteen centuries and hunted into obscurity. To-day they attract wider attention than ever before in tbeir bistory.
They are "ministers of finance, ministers of education, peers of the realm, mayors of great cities, senators in the assembly, close counsellors of kings." Painters, philosophers, poets, professors, physicians, editors, lawyers, members of parliament, bankers,-none of them could name those who have attained eminence amongst them without naming a modern Jew. In all countries of western Europe> except Russia, they enjoy Civil Equality and all the rights of citizens. It is estimated by those who claim to see the drift of things, that in a brief period all the seats of justice will be in their bands. Out of twelve hundred students at .Jaw iu Berliu, six hundred were Jews. The Berlin and other Councils are ruled by a Jewish majority, and aU offices are in the gift of Jews. The German tradesman sinks to a. secondary position alongside his Jew competitor, the best squares are filled with Jew shops, the best estates have passed into their hands;. in Germany they have ousted the best families from their patrimonial possessions. This is true of Holland also.
One Jew at least has reached the Senate of France, and another the Chamber of Deputies. Lord Beaconsfield achieved undying notoriety as the Prime Minister of Great Britain; and M. Simon the French Premier, and Gambetta the leader of the opposition, were both descendants of Jewish families. One of the best minds of the Southern councils during the rebellion was that of Judah P. Benjamin, a Jew; and in the North, a Jew, August Belmont, was Chairman ~f the National Democratic Committee in 1878. The Jew is the world's chief banker to-day. No existing civilized nation has failed to f~el his influence in monetary matters. National loans in Europe have long been dependent on Jewish coffers, and it is doubtful if any nation would dare to declare war until they knew if Jew bankers would float the loan necessary for the conduct of the campaign. Almost the whole Cif the liberal press of Germany is in their hands. The two leading papers of Rome, Italy, were, and possibly still are, edited by Jews. The power of the Jewish press of the continent of Europe is very great in ID'ltters political, scientific and theological. The learned Rabbis publish many journals.
At the bar the Jew has achieved great eminence within thirty years of opportunity. It is fifty-six years since the Jews were admit- ted to the freedom of the city of London. The first Jew sheriff of England was elected in 1835, and a little earlier the first Jew was ad- mitted to the English bar. It was as late as 1847 that Baron Roths- child was returned for the city of London, and eleven years later (1858) the first Jew was admitted to the House of Commons. There were but twelve Jew brokers in London at the beginning of this cen- tury. ~he number was limited to twelve. The rare privilege to be- come one of these twelve brokers was conveyed by title deed, and as late' as 1826, when a vacancy occurred, over seven thousand dollars was paid by a Jew for the privilege of its occupancy.
The children of Jews are being educated in a ratio disproportioned to those of Gentiles in many countries, especially in Germany, Austria, and even Russia. This finds an illustration in the Grand Duchy of Baden, where the number of the population being a trifle over a million and a half, one million were Romanists, a half million Protestants, aud twenty-eight thousand Jews. But in the grammar schools the Romanists and Protestants counted two thousand each, and the Jews over five hundred, or the Romanists 41 per cent., the Protestants 47 per cent., and the Jews 11 per cent" or, more roughly and roundly, the Romanists had one pupil in these schools for every five hundred of their number, the Protestants one for every two hundred and sixty, and the Jews one for every fifty-seven. In what are known as the commercial schools the proportion is about the same.
The Jews in Turkey are reported as taking a great interest in education. There is said to be a class of educated Jews, liberal minded and prosperous, untiring in their efforts to develop education among the native Jews by establishing schools.
The increased prosperity and power of the Jew was a foremost occasion of the anti-Semitic riots in Russia in 1881. It was alleged that they had increased in population and wealth until they exercised an undue preponderating influence in affairs of State. It was said that their presence in such numbers and their power endangered national unity and the Christian faith; that they could never be true patriots, and as a money-lending people they exerted a corrupting influence on commerce. It is charged against the modern Jew that he carries out no mission for the good of the human family, and that he seriously interferes with brotherly unity and love. As a class, it is true, they originate no organization of their own looking to practical beneficence beyond their own race lines. But the mercantile Jew of our country has been a generous contributor towards relief of national calamities by fire, flood and pestilence. That his motive may be mixed in his subscription to the relief of sections whence he finds his patronage, even if established, would, we fear, not prove that he occupied a lower level than many Gentiles by his side.
As the Jew has entered into the civilization of the age and become a part of it, Rabbinical Judaism has necessarily undergone considerable modification.' The public schools and other educational establishments give them their curriculum of study, and the study of the Talmud has so far declined that German Jews have to imp~rt their Rabbis from among Polish and Russian youths. The catechism learned by the Jew children in Germany teaches rationalism, not Biblicism, and many have first learned the Bible through the Christian missionary. Amongst multitudes of them in Germany, the hope of a Messiah has totally disappeared. Dr. Philippson, editor of the Allgemeine Zitung des Indenthens, acknowledges that a spirit of skepticism has laid hold of the yonnger generation, so that conviction has disappeared; that there is truth, and that man can obtain it; all idealism is gone, and nothing is considered to be useful and worth while anyeffor.t but that which promises material advantage-wealth, honor, power and enjoyment. Hence this mad spirit of speculation, this ef~ fort and anxiety to get rich quickly, and at the expense of others. A writer in that same periodical said a few years ago: "I see that among the educated classes the religious indifference has so much grown that they do not take the least interest in Jewish literature. I cannot get rid of the doubt whether Judaism, which rests on an historical foundation and is built up with historical stones, can stand and continue when those stones are loosened, and that foundation is forsaken."
The Jewish Chronicle and Jewish World are full of lament that the privileges granted by the Russian government to educated Jews, and the drafts of Jewish youths fOl' ten years into the army, with other causes, are rapidly resulting in the same decline of faith among the Russian Jewish community, and the younger generation is acknowledgedly skeptical, though often secretly so at home. The Is~ raelitish Alliance of Paris is rapidly planting the same forces-schools, etc., among the Jews in Turkey, Asia and Africa. Of two thousand shops kept by Jews in the city of Paris, not over a hundred are closed on Saturday. Of the seventy thousand Jews in New York City, not over twenty-five hundred are attached to the synagogue. Rev. Theodore J. Meyer has therefore pertinently said that the " consequence of this new spirit is that the synagogal service, which for centuries had existed without any change, can no more attract and ,satisfy people whose mental horizon has been enlarged by the study of history, science and philosophy, and whose tastes and modes of living have been revolutionized by the contact and intercourse with civilized society. The disorderly, noisy service of the synagogue could not but be repulsive to such men. A reform of it was therefore generally de- manded. Under great opposition, not only from the still poweI"ful orthodox party, but in many cases also from the political authorities, a. change was at length effected. Everywhere in the principal syna- gogues of the Continent and Great Britain more order and decorum prevail, choral singing, regular or occasional sermons in the vernacu- lar were introduced, although with a very few exceptions the language ·of the prayers remaiI).ed Hebrew. For a time that succeeded in at- tracting again to the synagogues those who had turned away in dis- gust from the old unresthetic service; but it could not satisfy them for any length of time. The cold decorum of the new service left them cold, too; and moreover they discovered that the spirit of the prayers of the synagogue was more in opposition with their views than even the old form of service had been with their new 1abits and tastes.
" The writings of Zunz, Geiger, Holdheim, Furst and others had rudely shaken the belief in the authority of the Talmud and in the .institutions of the prayers and service of the synagogue by Ezra .and the great men of the Sanhedrim. These men, and the leaders of this movement generally, had been all more or less imbued with ration- alism and pantheism, which at that time prevailed in German litera- ture and society generally. What sympathy could they have with a liturgy which on every page gives expression to its hope for the com- ing of the promised Messiah, prays for his appearance, for the gather- ing of scattered Israel, and their return to their own land; for the re- building of the temple and the restoration of the sacrificial service? After the charm of novelty had worn off, the synagogue again stood :empty, notwithstanding their reformed services. Greater, more thorough-going reforms were required-reforms which introduced into the synagogue not only better decorum, music and singing, which e., did not merely lop the liturgy a little here and there, but would bring it into harmony with the spirit of the age, both internally-i. doc- trinally-and externally."
The Jewish World is a weekly penny paper, published in London, which week by week has reproduced in popular form the subtlest and boldest infidel thought of Strauss and Bauer. There is little room to ,doubt but that where Judaism has come in contact with Christian civ- ilization it has resulted in a death-blow to Rabbinical Judaism. A re- turn to simple Mosaic Judaism has proven to be an impossibility.
Even in other countries Rabbinism has been undermined.
The question of their conversion to Christianity would require a ,separate article. A few statements, however, may be presented.
Seven or eight years ago it was said the number of Hebrew Christians in Berlin alone was upwards of fifteen hundred. In 1876 the Irish . Presbyterian Mission Board estimated that there were twenty thousand converted and baptized Jews then living in the communion of Christian churches, and the Missionary News estimates that at the present day at least a thousand. Jews annually are converted to Chris- tianity, who join the churches in about the following proportion: Greek Church 450; Romish 270 ; Evangelical 250 ; and that during this century at least a htlnarea tliousana have been baptized, among whom are many eminent persons. Professor Paulus Cassell, D. D., a member of the German Parliament, is a convert from Judaism. The Irish Presbyterian Missionary report" of thirteen years ago, said that not less than three hundred and twenty converted Jews were known at that time to be occupying high and influential p08itions as ministers" theological professors, and teachers in the Christian church. The Church of England alone had one hundred and ten converted Jews ministering as priests at her altars, and amongst the most eminent di- vines of the Presbyterian and dissenting bodies were many of the chil- dren of Jacob. Christian Jews have won for themselves a world-widereputation as commentators and expounders of the Christian Scriptures,. and some of the brightest centers of Evangelical light on the continent of Europe are universities whe'reJewish Christian doctors occupy the chairs. There are indications among the Jews of Persia of a large movement'towards Christianity. Among the sixty thousand Jews of London there is said to be an increasing approximation of many J eWI> to the Christian church. Some well-to-do Jews say that many would any day become members o~ the Christian church if there was an important movement that way from the synagogues. Many Christians. found in London have Jewish names, and have had for at least one generation. Sixty Jews have applied for membership cards in our' Young Men's Christian Associations. Forty years ago there were not fifty Jewish Christian converts in Gteat Britian ; now the missions. count three thousand, and it is estimated that fifteen hundred Jews. leave the synagogue every year; whether they become Christians or infidels, we are not told. Europe has nineteen, possibly more, Jewish societfes. In this country it was thought twenty-five years ago that there was no room nor need for a mission to the Jews, but we now have several, and through them many have been brought to Christ.
An able Jewish authority says: "The majority of Jews are more familial' with the doctrines and sayings of the New Testament than they are with the Talmud and the Pentateuch." Rev. Rudolph Koenig of Pesth says of Professor Delitzch's translation of the New Testament into Hebrew, which has gone through several editions, that the J ewe are its readers, and a considerable movement among them has been the result. He also speaJ-:s of the Jewish Missionary Association formed among the theological students of Leipsic, called" Institutum Judaicum," holding prayer-meetings for the conversion of the Jews. The methods of appeal to the Jews which experience discloses,
ROMAN CATHOLIC LAY CONGRESS OF 1889
are often curious and instructive. There is, for instance, the appeal to the Jewish character of the New Testament. It is affirmed to bemore Jewish than the Old Testament, containing not a' particle of Gentile element within its pages, whereas the Old Testament containsprophecies communicated through Gentiles like Jethro and an idolatrous priest, and a pseudo-prpphet like Balaam.
We have no room so much as to outline the independent Jewish Christian movements, like that under Rabinowitz, the learned Jewish lawyer, who teaches the Jews" Jesus is our brother," and" The key to the Holy Land lieslin the hands of our brother Jesus." We forbear reference now to the oft-repeated suggestion that the conversion of the people would provide not a missionary agency but a missionary people, and an indigenous evangelistic force.
They are sleeping under all stars, trading in all marts, sailing overall seas, scaling all mountains, tracking all deserts, wearing all garbs,. speaking all tongues, familiar with all customs and codes, "the source of all the monotheism of the world," holding in their hands the prophecies of their own peeled, scorned, and scattered: condition; at once no people and the mightiest of people; steeped in prejudice and often in poverty; without prophet to inspire, or priest to rally, or' prince to rule, or standard for rendezvous; without country that they may call their own, without shekel or shield, without miracle or sacrifice, without urim and thummim or cloud pillar, they remain, defying all influences that have worked the extinction of other peoples from the days of the Czar of Egypt to those of the Czar of Russia; and they remain to accomplish so high and holy mission as witnesses to Jesus Christ in another and a better sense than in that of the terrible, "rrarry thou till I come," whIch has made the monumental through centuries of the judgment of God.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC I~AY CONGRESS OF 1889.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D. D., NEW YORK.
The significance of the Roman Catholic Centennial, which was· held in Baltimore in November last, is admitted by all. A review of a hundred years of progress was presented with skill and enthusiasm. The advances made both intrinsically and relatively, and the promise which those advances give to the future of Roman Catholocism in this country, were received with manifest pride, and with an apparent assurance of faith for the time to come. This was the first of a probable series of conventions designed to represent the laity. Very apparent was the desire to show the people a little ostentatiously that the Church is not bound hand and foot by priestly authority, but in the influence of and powers of its laymen is abreast with Protestantism. The speeches and papers were presented by laymen, mostly young or in their prime, and supposed to represent the, wide-awake spirit of our country and our generation. It is under- stood, however, that all the papers had passed under the eye of the Bishops, and that the Convention as a whole was held firmly in hand.
The general plan was well conceived and executed. The whole {lase of the Roman Catholic Church in this country could scarcely have been presented, in its beginnings, progress, and attainments, more adroitly. According to programme, two days were spent at Baltimore, and a third day at Washington in the dedication of the National Catholic University.
The Convention was dignified by the presence of a special repre- sentative of the Pope, and by Cardinal Tascheraeu of Canada. Car- dinal Gibbons was supported by about a dozen American Arch- bishops, eighty Bishops, and nearly a thousand priests, .while the attendance of Catholics upon the different sessions is supposed to have numbered tens of thousands.
The address of welcome given by Cardinal Gibbons, as reported, seems rather.disappointing. Much was doubtless expected from him, {lonsidering his acknowledged ability, his progressive spirit, and ad- mirable tact. He stated that he had not at first been favorable to the idea of holding this Congress, as the time seemed too short. His reference to the fact that the business proceedings "would have to be dovetailed between the religious festivities of Baltimore and 1Vashington," and his facetious sympathy for a body thus "sandwiched," as he said, "between two other corpulent bodies, which is always so much the worse for the individual sandwiched, rendering it difficult for him to breathe, and-still more difficult to speak," would seem to lack the dignity deml.nded from so august a personage upon so great and historic an occasion. He expressed, however, a desire long felt, to see the clergy and the laity drawn more closely together, believing that while the clergy are divinely constituted channels for instruction in faith and morals, they may learn much from the laity in practical wisdom and worldly common sense. He expressed his earnest prayer that the deliberations of the Congress might be marked by the "freedom and independence which becometh patriots,' by the wisdom and discretion which becometh enlightened {litizens, and, above all, by the charity which becometh Christians, sons of the same Father, brothers of the same Christ, members of the same family, having one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all."
Important papers were read by Dr. J. G. Shea of Newark, N. J., who gave a history of the Roman Catholic Church in this country, .and emphasized with much pride the fact that its growth had been achieved without any appliances of home or foreign missionary agen- {lies; and by Hon. H. T. Brownson of Detroit, who urged that "the ,Church should adopt all that is good in modern civilization, and not try to return to oldconditions,"-that more should be made of the lay element in all practical work, that "politics and religion should not be separated, if purity in politics is to be looked for," that the cause of temperance and every means of purifying the politics of the country should be encouraged.
The most eloquent speech of th~ Convention was delivered by Daniel Dougherty, Esq., of New York, who regarded the opportunity of the hour" as the great honor of his life." For peculiar glow of imagination, brilliancy of utterance, broad and rapid sweep of history, and skilful arrangement of facts for the purpose in view, the speech has rarely been excelled. The fact that America was discovered by a Catholic navigator under royal Catholic patronage, that a Roman Catholic Christian service was the first to consecrate the Western hemisphere so far as .history records, that one great aim of Catholic discovery was the establishment of the religion of Christ, that Catho- lics had been the first to stain our fair land with their martyr blood, that although" they had been spurned with suspicion, disenfranchised, hunted as criminals," yet a Catholic was among the signers of the Dec- laration of Independence, and Catholic powers of Europe aided us in our struggles against the Protestant powers that denied us liberty, that the blood of Catholic patriots was freely shed for the Colonial cause-all this was shown forth with consummate tact. He maintained that in spite of "constant abuse heaped upon Catholics in later times, in newspapers, books and periodicals, speeches and sermons, by sectarian assemblies and political conventions, and even on the .floor of Congress," yet, Catholic volunteers had been among the first to consecrate their lives to the Republic on every field of battle. He did not allude to the New York Catholic riots to resist the draft: still we would not detract from the worthy service rendered by Catholic soldiers in the support of the Government. " From 40,000" said :Mr. Dougherty, "the Roman Catholics in this country have become 10,000,000. From a despised people they are a mighty power. In every avenue of industry and intellect they are the peers of their fellow men. Their schools and colleges, libraries, asylums and hospitals are scattered far and near. In every village, a steeple or tower tipped with the cross tells where Catholics pray. In every metropolis a cathedral lifts its massive walls high above all surrounding piles, or with its stately dome crowns the city's brow. Our grand old Church," he continued, "rescued the jewels of classic lore from the ruins of the Roman Empire, and preserved them through the convulsions of a thousand years. She was the pioneer of civilization, the founder of States, the conservator of order, the champion of the people against the encroachments of tyrants."
Now, there is a large per cent. of truth in all this, but it is ereparte. The almost total destruction of civilization in Spain is not mentioned. And as to Catholic resistance to tyrants, Charles V. and Phillip II. are passed in silence, as well as the fact that Pope Paul IV. remonstrated with the Spanish Sovereign for his leniency and tardi- ness in crushing the Protestants, and even withdrew from him the >subsidies of the Church.
At the inauguration of the Catholic University at Washington, Father Fidelis, in an eloquent sermon, treated history in the same eclec- tic manner. Those events which we all admit to have been sublime he thus set forth: "She [the Church] has waited in the wilderness and 'crouched in the catacombs, and from her throne of honor she has ruled the world with more than regal sway. She met the barbarian and curbed his rage; she organized a new civilization on the wide ruin of the old; she cleared the forest, and drained the marsh, and built the town' >she covered Europe with her cathedrals and colleges; she was the foster mother of learning and the patroness of art; and all the while ,she forgot not that which was ready to perish, but in meekness and voluntary poverty she went her ceaseless rounds of mercy."
Evidently the leaders of the Church are using the immense prestige of their past history to the best possible account. The masses of the people will be made more intellige~t and more enthusiastic. They will not be carefully instructed in regard to the Inquisition or the wrongs of Albigenses, Lowlanders and Huguenots. They will know -only the brighter side: possibly we have dwelt too exclusively upon the dark side. If the late Congress has really struck a new key-note of advancement,-if, as Father Fidelis claims, "the Catholic Church is capable of infinite adaptability,"-is "constantly shaking off and casting from her that which is outwo:n and worthless,?' candid Protestants will rejoice in every slich change.
The declarations contained in the Platform are as follows: First. That there is no antagonism between the claims of the Church and those of the country, and that if the freedom of our .country should ever be in peril, its Catholic citizens will be found ready as one man to pledge anew:' their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor." Second. A regretful reference to the social and political dangers which threaten the laId in pauperism and discontent. Third. A recognitl:>ll of the importance to society as well as the individual, of Christian education, and since religion in the public schools is denied, the indispensable necessity of parochial education for the children of all Catholics. Fourth. A declaration of the sacredness of the home, coupled with a denunciation of Mormonism, and" the facility for divorce which has gained such alarming currency under the auspices of Protestant sentiment and legislation." Fifth. A warning against the danger of political or industrial guilds, and an earnest recommendation of Oatholic societies only, since in a religious basis, and not in a race or national basis, lies true safety.
. Sixth. The conflict of capital and labor, and the associational tendencies connected t4erewith ar~ looked upon with regret. Nihil- ism, socialism and communism are pointedly condemned, and equal condemnation is visited upon the heartless greed of capital.
Seventh. Strong ground is taken against intemperance and Sabbath desecration. "Without going over to the Judaic Sabbath," says the Platform, "we can bring the masses over to moderation of the Christian ::;unday, and to effect this we must set our faces sternly .against the sale of intoxicating beverages on Sunday. Let us resolve that drunkenness shall be made odious, and give practical encouragement and support to Catholic temperance societies." All Catholics are urged to join their influence, with that of other enemies of intemperance, against the corrupting influence of the saloon in politics.
Eighth. The importance of disseminating Catholic reading matter, not only in books and tracts setting forth Christian doctrines, but in acquainting the people with Catholic teaching and opinion on the important questions of the day. Circulating libraries and Catholic reading circles are recommended, but not a word is said about reading the Word of God in any version.
Perhaps the most difficult plank in this platform, yet the most crucial and important, considering the present status of the Church, is that relating to the freedom of the Pope. The Oatholic Mirror, the supposed organ of Cardinal Gibbons, published a week before the Congress, an article declaring that" American Catholics do not desire that the temporal power of the Pope shall be restored) they only demand that the independence of the Pope in spiritual matters shall be guaranteed to him by the Catholic powers of Europe." This utterance, which was not challenged by the Convention, gives a somewhat enigmatical significance to this plank in the platform, viz.: "The absolute freedom of the Holy See is necessary to the peace of the Church and the welfare of mankind. We demand in the name of humanity and justice that this freedom be scrupulously respected by all secular governments. We protest against the assumption by any such government of a right to affect the interests or control the action of our Holy Father by any form of legislation or other public act to which his full approbation has not been previously given; and we pledge to Leo XIII., the Worthy Pontiff, the loyal sympathy and unstinted aid of all his spiritual children in vindicating that perfect liberty which he justly claims as his sacred and inalienable right."
The question which it is difficult to decide is, to what particular rights does this freedom apply? This protest against the rights of any government "to affect the interest or control the action of the Holy Father by any form of legislation to which his full approbation has not previously been given" may admit of an immense latitude of interpretation. The language, if it is to hinge upon a Pope'<i own decision;;;, wodd open the way for all shades of sentiment, from the mild and patriotic utterances of Cardina! GlObons to the preposterous.
assumptions of a Hildebrand. .
Our perplexity is still furtner increased by the fact that since the- rising of the Convention, viz., on December 30th, the Pope, in con- sistory, gave his interpretation of the issue in question by declaring that his liberty required nothing short of· a recovery of temporal power.
Weare inclined to accord a real sincerity to the intelligent Catholic: laymen of this country in the avowal of their loyalty and patriotism, but they may believe that the best thing that could happen to thi~ country would be to bring it under Sl)iritual control of the Vatican.
We, on the other hand, desire a prevailing Protestantism because we are afraid of the Vatican. There need be no question of motives,-it.
is a matter of principles and of history. Protestants profess an al- legiance to this realm, and to no other. It does not meet the case to say that we also owe a supreme allegiance to God. We gladly ac- cord that to Catholics, but we protest against an earthly vice-regency which is supreme. And when we suggest possible conflicts between the Government of the United States and the Government at Rome, we are talking of no idle dreams. The history of the past is full of _ concrete and terrible realities on this subject. When we remember that only twenty-five years ago Pope and Cardinals and Bishops were in league with the French Emperor in trying to overthrow the repub- lic of Mexico; when we hear that not many months ago large sums were contributed by Catholics in this country to aid Boulanger in overthrowing the republic of France; when we learn that only a few days ago the Catholic priests of Toronto successfully resisted a free ballot in a special election of trustees of the schools,-we think we have some reason to fear the influence of a two-fold, and, perhaps, conflicting allegiance. It is just here that the chief issue with Ameri- can Catholics lies.
When we settle down into our most charitable and hopeful mood~ some ungarded utterance is sure to appear which dispels our hopes.
We are not permitted to draw our conclusions from the Centennial Congress alone. We cannot forget an encyclical of the Pope in which he distinctly says (Art. XLII.): "In case of conflict between the ecclesiastical and the civil powers, the ecclesiastical powers ought to prevail. "
We cannot forget those words of Cardinal Manning while he was Archbishop: "I acknowledge no civil power; I am the subject of no prince! I claim to be the Supreme Judge and Dictator of the con- sciences of men; of the peasant that tills the fields and of the prince that sits upon the throne; of the household that sits in the shade of privacy and the legislator that makes laws for kingdoms." We have a declaration of the late Cardinal McCloskey, that the Catholics of the ITnited States are as strongly devoted to the maintenance of the temporal power as those of any other country. We have a prophecy of Father Hecker, made in 1870, that "there will yet be a State religion in this country, and that that State religion will be Roman Catholic." It may be said that these are only the vaporings of fanati- cal Ecclesiastics, but Prince Bismarck, judging from actual experience in statesmanship, said in 1875: "This Pope, this foreigner, this Italian, is more powerful in thIS country [Germany] than any other person, not excepting the king." In view, therefore, of many conflicting indications, our Catholic friends must not think us bigoted if we receive the enthusiastic utterances of their Congress with some measure of abatements.
But what is the outlook of the Catholic Church in this country? The question is largely one of comparative numbers.
It is to be borne iI1. mind, of course, that the Roman Catholic body now claiming at least 9,000,000, is reckoned by a different principle from that which obtains among Protestants. All baptized persons are considered full members of the Church, and it is customary to count families and circles of kindred. By the same method, the total number of Protestants, whose communicants number say twelve and a half millions, would reach forty-five or forty-six millions, or about five times the number of Roman Catholics. But, in considering relative power in the State, it would not be safe to count upon such a ratio as this. There is no such political unity in the Protestant body as among Catholics, and in some matters of a social and religious nature there is a serious lack of co-operation. Were the Protestant Churches as thoroughly united as are Romanists, in demanding this or that claim from the municipal, the state, or the national, authorities, their demands would be irresistible; but politicians are accustomed to judge that from their standpoint Protestant political unity is a rope of sand, while-Romanism is a strong-stranded, hard- "twisted, agency which they cannot afford to ignore.
The members of Protestant bodies are indep!Jndent citizens, thinking for themselves, differing in their views on many questions, and voting according to their political opinions. But in the main the Roman Catholic body is a solid mass which can be hurled on either side of any political issue with great effect, and it is not so much the numbers as the compact organization which enables the Catholic in- :fIuence to tip the balance of power between parties, and thus secure: its ends. Even aside from the ratio of numbers, therefore, the· Roman Catholic Church must always possess an advantage as a mctOl" in popular government. In reference to numbers and increase, it should be said, in the first place, that the great Catholic gain in this country has been due mainly to the constant tide of immigration. This is not likely to cease so long as the populations of Europe throw off a surplus, and this alone will constantly affect the comparative ratios of Romanism in this country. In the second place, there is a greater increase of Catholic population by natural generation. The influence of wealth upon our native-born citizens of the Anglo-American stock, ·and the increased extravagance which widely prevails, operate unfavorably upon the number of marriages and the natural increase of population. This check exerts a far greater influence upon the native American element, which is largely Protestant, than upon the immigrant population which is mainly Catholic.
Some suggestive statistics are furnished by Dr. Josiah Strong, showing the comparative increase of Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches in different periods of the past. Thus, from 1800 .to 1850, the population of the country increased 9 fold; the membership of all evangelistic churches 27 fold; the Roman Catholic 63 fold. From 1850 to 1880 the population increased 116 per cent., the communicants of Protestant churches 185 per cent., and the Roman Catholics 294 per cent. Or, to take another line of comparison, in 1850 the Catholics equalled 45 per cent. of the total Protestant church membership, and in 1880, 63 per cent.
In looking forward to the future of this important question, there are various considerations, lying some OJ}. the one side, some on the other. When we consider the boldness and assurance of infidelity, I think that every true friend of the cause of Christ must rejoice in the alliance of the Roman Catholic Church in this country. That it is a Christian church in its great body of believers, and aside from its hierarchial assumptions, I, for one, have no doubt. That there are tens and hundreds of thousands of real Christians in its communion, I am confident. That its strong faith and its unflinching maintenance of its principles will help to interpose an important barrier against the flippant infidelity of the day, there is good reason to believe. Cardinal Gibbons' able book, recently published, is a strong defense of 1lhe common Christian faith.
In Italy there is danger from extravagant and infidel legislation in the Chamber of Deputies, as well as from the reactionary schemes of the Cardinals. That the temporal power of the Pope shall ever be restored, is impossible. The whole trend of sentiment among the Latin races is against it, and when Archbishop Corrigan said recently that the Catholics of this diocese "long for the day when the Sovereign Pontiff shall be restored to the fullness of his timehonored and necessary rights," he only did injury to the Papal cause at Rome. The constant utterances of this sentiment by Catholics in
A PLEA FOR ENTHUSIASM IN MISSIONS
3011 lands, and the extravagant demands which the Pope is thus encouraged to make, can only add fuel to the flame Qf indignant radicalism in Italy, and so strengthen that resistance and repression with which the Papacy cannot continue to cope. .
That the Roman Catholic Church in this country will become a. great power, we have no doubt: That it will exert a disproportionate influence in our politics, seems probable. That it will ever gain such power as to overthrow our liberties, I do not believe. The American people are long suffering under the encroachments of particular sections or classes, but when the evil is ripe for retribution, they rise up and sweep it away as with the resistless power of the tides. Meanwhile, let us hope that American Catholics themselves will become so broadened that they will lose their interest in the dead chrysalis of Italian supremacy, and will seek to enthrone here the true "Head ()ver All," who is confined to no country or hemisphere.
A PLEA FOR ENTHUSIASM IN MISSIONS.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. P.] Among the most startlingly rapid movements of the present day are the" Societies of Christian Endeavor." Though but a few years old, already they are spreading over the earth.
" Christian endeavor" is too sacred and meaningful a phrase to be <larelessly used and applied. "Endeavor" is from the French, compounded of en and devoir, and means exertion in the line of duty, labor directed to some specific end, guided by a supreme aim. "Christian endeavor" is, therefore, the highest expression for holy €xertion along the lines of Christian duty, activity, set to the music Qf love and loyalty to Christ and souls. We must beware that it <lomes not to be a meaningless phrase or the mere motto of a formal, superficial, external, mechanical stirring about-a noisy, bustling activity that makes up for devoutness and devotion by" mouthing" and motion!
"Christian endeavor" is the soul of missions, and there are a few indispensable requisites to its exercise.
First of all, a holy enthusiasm. That word has been thought by some to be derived from the Greek .E'V and eEO~, meaning entheism, or God-indwelling. Certainly, in its highest use and application, it means nothing less than a divine passion burning in the human soul and yearning for the accomplishment of high results. And so understood, enthusiasm is the soul and source of all Christian endeavor. Without it there cannot be the heroic, self-sacrificing worker for God. Without it in any sphere there is no high achievement. All successful men in every department have been enthusiasts, and sometimes ~onsidered as fanatics.. Michael Angelo, attacking with hammer and chisel an old dingy, yellow block of marble, declaring that within it was imprisoned an angel, and as a sculptor seeking to set the angel free, was a poetic example of artistic enthusiasm. So also was Da Vinci, who wrought for ten years upon his master picture of the "Last Supper," in the refectory of the Convent of the Madonna della Grazea at Milan. Often for whole days he was so absorbed in his work that he forgot to eat. Again, for days he would only come and stand in silence before it, as if devoutly studying his great theme and criticising his own work. Again, in the heat of noon, he would leave the cathedral where he was modelling his colossal "horse," and, hurrying to the convent, add a line or a touch of color to the picture and return. Who does not remember the story of Palissy, the potter? In 1539, having seen in Italy some decorated pottery, he determined to discover the secret of enamelling. For sixteen years he tried experiment after experiment. He put his whole life into his work, regardless of cost, of toil, of hardship, from each new failure and disappointment rising to another endeavor, and rejoicing even in failures because they narrowed down the circle within which lay the secret of success. He reduced himself and his family to poverty and the verge of starvation, and, with almost insane persistency, broke up even his household furniture to feed the fires of his glazing furnace when other fuel failed!
Christopher Columbus was an enthusiast or he would never have discovered the New W orId beyond the Atlantic. There are few sublimer scenes in all history than that on which the Southern Cross shone, when, on the early morning of October 12, 1492, the great Genoese navigator sleeplessly walked the deck of the Santa Maria watching for land. His three ships had been 71 days at sea. He had met every disappointment and obstacle undismayed. He had encountered storms 150 violent that his crews insisted he was tempting Providence. The cry of " Land !" had set the ships echoing with the Gloria in Excelsis, only to have it change to the minor strain of .De Profundis, when the next day it was found that the supposed point of land was only" Cape Cloud." The crews had been not only turbulent and despondent, but mutinous, and had plotted to throw overboard the pertinacious Admiral. But Columbus never swerved or faltered. He dared everything and kept on his course. He peered into the heavens to catch sight of birds of short flight, which by their nature never wander far from land; and he watched the waters to detect drift wood, branches of shrubs and floating seaweed, .whick might indicate the proximity of shore. And now, at 2 O'clock, A. M., Rodrigo Triana, on the Pinta, first caught a glimpse of the New WorId, and Columbus was awaked from his reverie by the boom of a signal gun. The great discoverer's enthusiasm was rewarded. J ames Watt was an enthusiast. As a boy, he sat for hours ex- perimenting with the tea-ke~tle, holding a saucer over the spout, studying the expansive, expulsive and explosive force of steam, the laws of vaporization and condensation; while his aunt, Mrs. Muirhead, warned him that no lad would ever make much of a man who wasted his time on a tea-kettle. That was sublime enthusiasm that led Agassiz to turn away from the tempting offers of gain, answering, "I have no time to make money," and going on a lonely pilgrimage to the Pacific to gather new fauna and flora for the museums of science. Sir .James Young Simpson conducted experiments in amesthesia, making trial of chloroform upon himself, and nearly losing his life, a martyr to science, before he perfected his discovery. And who has ever read the story of Francis Xavier, without wishing that the example of his sacred, even though misguided, enthusiasm might move us all to simi- lar devotion! Follow him, in Bologna, preaching, visiting hospitals and prisons; embarking, in April, 1541, for the Indies, and when scurvy raged among the crew, himself cleaning the sores and cleansing their soiled clothes. At Goa, ringing his bell in the streets to call to- gether the people, eager to teach children and even slaves; going to the coast of Cormorin and the island of Ceylon; visiting Japan, and just about to enter China, when, at forty-six years of age, fever burned up his very life in its terrible furnace. During ten years this s, Apostle of the Indies" had planted his faith in 52 different king- .doms, preached the gospel over 9,000 miles of territory, and baptized over 1,000,000.of persons. Where is our enthusiasm for the truth, for Christ, for the souls of men, for the Kingdom of God? If merchants and manufacturers, discoverers and inventors, scientific men and artists exhibit such passion for their calling, how shall we account for the apathy, lethargy, listlessness, inactivity of God's children? What an example he set us, of whom it is said that the" zeal of God's House ,consumed him."
Enthusiasm comes not unsought. It has its purchase price, like every other hid treasure or precious pearl of the Kingdom. Its basis is sincerity, without which, as Carlyle says, there is no truly heroic ,character. To be genuine in spirit, and honest in conviction, to believe ()ur.ti>eliefs, and act upon them, that is the actual basis of enthusiasm. A deep experience of Christ's power and love-that is what makes disciples genuine, for it enables them to speak what they know. When Morse sought to get from Congress an appropriation of $30,000 to build the first telegraph line from Baltimore to Washington, a committee of five was appointed to consider and report. There was a tie-vote. The chairman left the room with Mr. Morse, and by and by came back and said: "Now, gentlemen, I am prepared to give the ,casting vote for the appropriation, for I have myself sent and received a message over the wires." Well may he have an enthusiasm for God who has been in personal communication by prayer with the throne ()f God, has sent and received messages from above. Such holy enthusiasm 'comes not without that intimate touch of God, that is the reward of absolute self-surrender. To find out God's plan in our generation, as Prince Albert said, and our place in it, and then fall into that place,-to take our work as from God,-a little segment of His own eternal work which lies over against us and bears our name,-to undertake for God all tpat begets a holy frenzy,-we become co-laborers with the Father, co-sufferers with the Son, co- witnesses with the Holy Spirit. Back of our feeble Chr.istian En- deavor lies the whole power of the Godhead. What wonder if such enthusiasm makes foreign missionaries mighty to the pulling down of strongholds!
Enterprise is the natural handmaid of enthusiasm. Alexander the Great, referring to his indebtedness to the teaching of the great phil- osopher, said: "Philip of Macedon, my father, gave me life; but Aristotle taught me how to make the most of life."
This is a time for enterprise, for the combination of "dash" and " push," which the word suggests. This nineteenth century easily leads all the centuries of human history. During the last fifty years more:o£ Nature's secrets have been unlocked and her resources utilized than during all the centuries preceding. Railways, ocean steamers,. telegraphs, telephones, electric lights and electric motors, spectroscopes and spectral analysis, steam presses and sewing machines, giant explQsives and anresthetics-what have not these fifty years brought forth? Now is the time, ripe in the providence of God, for the greatest of all enterprises,-a world's evangelization, to be pressed and hastened forward with every appliance of modern civilization. And this great uprising of young disciples in the" Students' Crusade," and the "Young 'Men's" -and" Young Women's Christian Associations,'~ and in the" Societies of Christian Endeavor," may yet become the signs of the dawning of the millennial morning.
I want to live long enough to see this world mapped out for God,. to see a definite o;rganized movement for the occupation of the whole world for Christ. When Christ fed the five tho~sand, he showed to. all of us the value of systematic, o.rganized methods. The mul~tude were made to sit down in ranks, by fifties. Then distribution bedame possible o.n systematic principles. In a miscellaneous crowd or mob,. some would selfishly press toward the front, and others would be pushed toward the rear, overlooked, unsupplied. But when the whole mob became reduced to the subjection of order, and classified like a military encampment, it became easy to snpervise the disbursement of supplies, so that none should be neglected.
At least a thousand millions of people are to day perishing for lack of the bread of life. We are commanded to" give them to eat. ,~ We have an ample supply, and the most wonderful thing about that supply is, that as we divide it, it multiplies; the more we distribute
NICARAGUA AS A MISSIONARY FIELD
the more we have to distribute. Let the unevangelized world be di- vided into companies, set off into definite districts, and the thirty mil- lion of Protestant church members may easily reach every living soul within the life~time of a generation. For it is obvious that a thousand million divided by thirty million leaves but thirty-three to each disciple, i. e., if each Protestant church member shall take 33 human'souls as his share, and undertake to reach one new soul every year during the average life-time of a generation, the whole world would be evangelized within that time. Or, to present again in another form the entire feasibility of doing this work in our generation, Ahasuerus may once more be referred to, who sent out his royal decree over his 127 provinces, reaching two thousand miles east and west, and twelve thousand miles north and south, within nine months, and had no help from any of those modern appliances and inventions which make possible for us a thousand-fold success. The unevangelized world covers, perhaps, thirteen times as much territory as the old Persian Empire. If he could reach all his subjects in nine months, surely we can reach all mankind in thirteen years!
The fact is that were our Christian Endeavor simply inspired by holy enthusiasm and directed by consecrated enterprise, more would be accomplished within the next quarter century than during the past thousand years toward the pervading of the world with the gospel. In this matter the Church is doing nothing worthy of herself, her Master, or the cause of missions. Satan himself puts us to blush by the promptness and eagerness with which he pours his agents inte? every open door. His pre-occupation often prevents our occupation of the field, or seriously and effectually delays all our missionary operations. "It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing." Oh, for some potent influence from above to make God's people zealous to push the occupation of a world for Christ, and to do it in our own generation!
NICARAGUA AS A MISSIONARY FIELD BY REV. S. D. FULTON, AZTEC, NEW MEXICO.
The actual commencement of work on the interoceanic ship canal across Nicaragua and bordering on Costa Rica, calls attention to that point as the most important Qentre for mission work in the world. The commerce of all nations will transit there; men of every language will be among the sailors and passengers on the vessels. The gospel message can be planted by word of mouth and printed page in the hearts, heads and hands of representatives of every people, tongue and color on the globe. Central America itself, and South America and Mexico can be reached and evangelized from this mission centre. It is evident that the coast lines of vessels running down the Pacific and Atlantic from Pana~a and Aspinwall will extend their routes to Nicaragua, or be supplanted by new lines starting from there, thus affording the most comprehensive and far-reaching medium of carrying gospel ideas in printed page, and by the simple story of the Cross, told daily, wherever passengers to or from South American ports could be reached in their transit or stay at Nicaragua.
A method of work which might grow out of this would be to have an ocean colportage on these coast lines of vessels. The writer was impressed by these thoughts from travel in South America, and from seeing the numerous passengers arriving and departing at Panama some years ago.
If consecrated Christian money could ~. e brought to bear upon this work, no greater highway for the message of the King will exist in the world than the Nicaragua route and its connections will afford.
It is not too soon to plant our mission and begin our preparatory work along these lines. A printing press ought to form part of the mission plant from the first, from which leaflets and tracts, in Spanish, of simple, striking gospel thoughts, and translations of current gospel literature, could be issued and used gratis, as in our similar work in New Mexico and Colorado. Mission schools should be planted at once, in which native Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans, both Indian and Spanish, could be educated and begin to form an evangelistic force such as we now have in the Presbytery of Santa Fe.
A glance at the map of the world will show what a marvelously .cosmopolitan centre Nicaragua will become. Lines of vessels will run to the West Indies and New Orleans; to New York, Boston and Halifax; to Liverpool, London, Hamburg and North European ports; to the Mediterranean and the nations, ancient and modern, that border on that great commercial ocean; to all the Atlantic ports of South America. and to the West Coast of Africa; while on the Pacific, side lines will run along the Mexican coast, to San Francisco, Portland, British Columbia and Alaska; to all Pacific ports in South America; to China, Japan and Korea; India, Persia, Arabia, Madagascar and the Eastern Coast of Africa; to Australia and islands of the South Pacific; with vessels passing through the canal from all these countries, bringing the world to our very doors. And when the canal is finished and people of every tongue can be reached, there should be a large depository of Scripture literature in every language, so that, as on the day of Pentecost, every man may have the gospel in the language wherein he was born.
In view of this, surely no such centre for Christian missions exists at present on earth as Nicaragua can be made-a citadel for Christ, a very Gibraltar of missions.
The Scientific American, February 16, 1889, said on this subject from a business standpoint: "The effect upon the world's commerce, and upon that of the United States in particular, of the opening of the Nicaragua Canal route, is a matter in which even the most careful calculations are almost certain to be far below the reality. The canal itself will certainly have advantages over one at Panama, in being in a healthy climate, and in the heart of the northeast trade winds, where it offers especial convenience to all sailing craft, both in the Atlantic and Pacific. . . In the 49 engineers and 150 men in the employ of the com- pany during the last survey there was not a single case of serious sickness, .although most of the members were; from the nature of their occupation, almost .daily exposed to constant wetting."
As it is now quite certain that there is to be no Panama canal, the importance of the Nicaraguan one is the greater.
The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions ought to enter the -field at once; its work is the most successful in Mexico and New Mexico, and it has the best trained force to start with; but when lately approached on the subject, though appreciating the magnitude <'If the opportunity, it responded that lack of funds prevented its as- .suming any new work, only one man being added to the force in Guatemala, and none to that in Mexico!
What an opportunity Nicaragua presents to a Christian man or woman of wealth to say to our Board of Foreign Missions: "Go ahead; I will pay all expenses of the work in Nicaragua; devise lib- ·eral things for Christ's kingdom there, and draw on me." Or, better yet, to settle a sum sufficient to prosecute the work for at least ten years in the hands of the wise, responsible Board. No amount of wealth left to heirs can afford a millionth part of the joy and eternal reward that such a step will bring to the person taking it.
Let me quote a few words from Dr. Josiah Strong's notable work, ," Our Country" (page 219): "Says a New York daily paper: A gentleman died at his residence in one of our up-town fashionable streets, leaving eleven millions of dollars. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in excellent standing, a good husband and father, and a thrifty citizen. On his death bed he suffered great agony of mind, .and gave continual expression to his remorse for what his conscience told him had been an ill-spent life. ' Oh I' he exclaimed, ' if I could only live my years <Jver again! Oh! if I could only be spared for a few years, I would give all the wealth I have amassed in a lifetime. It is a life devoted to money-getting that I regret. It is this which weighs me down and makes me despair of the life hereafter.' "
And Dr. Strong adds: "Suppose so unfaithful a steward is permitted to enter the many mansions, when, with clarified vision, he perceives the true meaning of life, and sees that he has lost the one opportunity in an endless existence to set in motion infiu- ·ences which, by leading sinners to repentance, would cause heaven to thrill with new joy, it seems to me he would gladly give a hundred years of Paradise for a single day on earth in possession of the money once entrusted to himtime enough to turn that power into the channels of Christian work." Nicaragua affords one of the rarest, choicest opportunities in the -world to-day for the investment of large means in Christ's work. A
THE STUDE~7 VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT
most reliable medium exists in our Foreign Board. Trained men and women clfl. be placed in the field at once, who have learned theil"" calling in self-denying toil in similar work; and only the round world itself bounds the wide-reaching influence which would emanate from this great centre.
THE STUDENT VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.
The annual meeting of the Executive Committee and Agents.pf the Student, Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions met at Cleveland, oTrio, Dec. 21-23. There were present, Miss Nettie Dunn, representing the Y. W. C. A.; Mr. J. R. Mott, the College Y. M. C. A.; Mr. R. P. Wilder, the Theological Seminaries;, Mr. R. E. Speer, the Traveling Secretary; Messrs. W. H. Hammon and W. J .• Clark, Corresponding and Recording Secretaries, and E. W. Rand, Editorial Secretary. The entire meeting was one in which the unity of the Spirit was, manifest, and each one present was conscious that the Spirit of God was in the movement. The questions under discussion were all of importance. They consisted in a full and open discussion of what should be the financial policy of the movement, how the States can be better organized, what makes a model band, the work in theological seminaries, the volunteer pledge, how to put volunteers to work, missionary literature and periodicals, and the relation of the student movement to the press. Full reports of all de- partments of the Movement were presented. Respecting the progress of the- movement at present, the report of Mr. Speer showed that the cry is still " for- ward." He commenced speaking Sept. 6, at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since that date, he has delivered 150 addresses, an average of two a day, address-, ing 43 colleges and seminaries, 4 theological seminaries, 3 Y. M. C. A. and Y.W. C. A. conventions. 23 churches, besides other miscellaneous organizations. He has traveled about 9,000 miles, his route embracing 12 States. There were 550 new volunteers, some of whom are ready to go at once, and the entire number represents some of the finest Christian students to be found in our Western Universities; $4,000 was pledged by colleges and $1,000 by individuals" to support missionaries in the field, and '&elp to swell the fund for a Y. M. C. A. building in Tokio.
On January 11, Mr. Speer will again start out, and visit the principal colleges of New England, such as Harvard, Yale, Amherst, Williams, Brown, and then the colleges of New York; after which he will go South, stopping over Sunday at Princeton, his alma mater. Only the principal colleges of the South will be touched, after which he will go to Canada, and from thence to Michigan and Pennsylvania, where the tour will end.
Some very interesting statistics were presented by the recording secretary at this meeting. There are now 4,752 volunteers. Up to December 10, there were 4,632, of whom 194 have been sent out as missionaries, to be found principally in China, Japan, India and Africa, all scattered in 21 different fields and representing 25 different organizations; 10 volunteers are under appointment to sail, 25 deceased, and only 18 withdrawn, so far as can be known at, present. There are still remaining in this country 4,385 volunteers. In sex, 78 per cent. are males and 22 per cent. females; 35 per cent. are graduates from college, and 31 per cent. are still in college. In special training 16 per cent. are, graduates of theological seminaries, and 2~ per cent. medical graduates, 10! per cent. are in course in seminaries, and 1! per cent. in medical schools. Last June about 3,500 circulars were sent out asking confidential questions of volunteers respecting their names, age, time of going to the foreign field~
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
denomination, whether they were weaker or stronger in their determination to go. Thus far 800 have responded. On the basis of this 800 the following statistics have been prepared: Ready to go, 24 per cent.; in professional train- ing, 12 per cent.; in college, 31 per cent.; academy, 5 per cent.; out of school, 9!
per cent.; withdrawn, only 2! per cent. Denominational preferences: Pres- byterian,27! per cent.; Congregational, 18 per cent.; Methodist, 14 per cent.;.
Baptist, 11! per cent.; in all 40 denominations represented 65 per cent. are stronger in their determination, and 10 per cent. weaker.
In the r;sing of money, the movement has been very aggressive. Thus far there has been raised among churches $11,500; colleges, $17,350; seminaries, $8,500; miscellaneous, $3,011; R. E. Speers, $5,OOO,-making a total of $45,406.
REPORTS FROM THREE STATES.
Ohio.-Mr. Haskell, the corresponding member for Ohio, has been able to, give his whole time to the work, and hence shows a very cheering report. He has held 40 meetings, visiting in all 23 institutions; 100 volunteered, 63 in meet- ings, but 37 were the result of personal work; 12 colleges and seminaries give annually about $4,800. Virginia reports 54 new volunteers, making 107 the whole number of vol- unteers in the State; three can go this year. Only one volunteer has renounced his decision; $1,000 was raised. Kansas reports 13 new volunteers. There are 150 volunteers in this State, of whom 19 are young ladies ready to go at once. Four colleges contribute to the support of missionaries; three volunteers have sailed; one renounced de- cision, and $4,260 raised in money. Reports of other States will be given from time to time. E. W. R.
n.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
[The initials to this article, which we copy eration is the brightest jewel of from The Christian, London, indicate that it empire. Such is the fixed policy of' comes from a source which entitles it to the the Government of British India; and most serions attention. Its statements will manifold blessings of every kind, macause painful surprise and indignation.-Ens.] Aftica.-The Royal Niger Com- terial and spiritual, have attended it pany.-It is no longer a secret, close during the last half century. But the or open, that this newly chartered rulers of the Niger Valley, to whom company has made treaties with the the Imperial Parliment has dele– several Negro Mohammedan Powers gated their foreign powers, propose in the Soudan of Africa, east of the Ni- to do something more. They promise ger, promising that they will not only their treaty-allies to obstruct the do nothing through their own em- Christian missionary, to deny him ployees to attempt the conversion of passages in their steamers, succor the Mohammedans, but will do all that from their stores, and to erase his lies in their power to obstruct others name from the list of British sub- who come under their influence. This jects, entitled by the custom of Great amounts to open war of 8<Klalled Britain to succor in case of need, Christian men with the Gospel. rescue in case of captivity, and retri-, Let us think it out. The company bution by the nearest British authori- gives a free hand for the conversion ties in case of murder.
of the Pagans. It is very proper and The true-hearted missionary asks.
expedient that the rulers of a country not these things for himself. His.
should do nothing directly or indi- friends raise no voice in the country, rectly to influence their subjects in calling for vengeance for the slaugh- their religious views. Their king- tered Hannington. That particular- dom is of this world, and entire tol- crime has, however, been avenged by a higher Power; the assassin-sovereign were there long before this company has been deposed, and is now an exile came into existence, and will outlive from his country. Whether the Royal it. The Mohammedans of the Soudan, Niger Companylikes itornot-whether whether Fulah or Negro, are pigmies it will affect their dividends or their in strength, culture, power, and popu- {)ommerce with the Soudan or not-it lation in comparison to the fifty mil- is well that these gentlemen should lions of British India.
reflect on the policy which they are The gentlemen of the Niger Com- inaugurating, and consider what the pany talk with bated breath of the House of Commons will say, when it fanatical Mohammedan, in his turban, comes to hear of it. cloak, and trousers. The phenome- It is true that the East India Com- non is new to them, butAnglo-Indianii pany previous to the year 1815 adopted have lived all their lives in the midst this same policy. They did so in of noble, though fanatical, Mohamme- iimidity, in ignorance, and in ma- dans. Some as fair in color as our- terial weakness. They had to face selves, and many much more learned mighty empires, and armies of sol- and polished; some of gigantic stat- diers, supplied with cannon, trained by ure, and hereditary warriors. Yet the Frenchmen; they had to fight for their gospel has its free course amidst the hold of India, and regarded matters Baluchi and the Afghan, the Patan, from the point of view of a mercantile and the converted Mohammedan Raj- -company. India was too far off for put, and the Empire of the Empress its affairs to be influenced by public of India flourishes, because it is -opinion at home. Public opinion at founded upon righteousness.
home had not been formed; it was the We doubt whether treaties with day of small things; and the individ- such clauses should not be denounced ual missionaries, who appeared and as derogatory to the dignity of Great were rejected, though saints of God, Britain, as if we were ashamed of the like Carey and Judson, had not the religion which has brought us such prestige of the associated strength of blessings. The thing is doubly offen- the great middle classes of Great sive when we are kindly told that we Britain behind them. Moreover, it is are allowed full leave to convert the admitted that the East India Com- Pagan; but must not address the pany did wrong; we palliate their Negro who has got himself up with {)ffence, we do not excuse it; we can- the veneer of Mohammedanism, for it is not justify it. no more. Their knowledge of Arabic Things have changed now. The and the Koran is scant; all the bad, thoughts of men have become "wider salient features of Mohammedanism with the process of the suns." A great are asserted,-intolerance, polygamy, majority of the British people recog- slavery, unnatural crime, contempt of nize that the mighty power and vigor human life, and overweening pride- vouchsafed to them were not conceded while the better things to be found by the Most High for the purpose of in the Koran, and the learning and exporting liquor (of which sin we refinement of the polished Moham- gladly acquit the Royal Niger Com- medan of India, Persia, and Turkey, pany), or making dividends of profit; are totally absent.
but to benefit, in every possible way, At any rate, the public notice has the subject people, and to give them been dispatched, and January 1, 1890, the free opportunity of accepting fixed as the date of the new policy.
Christianity, should they see fit to do We must recollect that when a so. The Niger Valley is not far from British subject is killed or imprisoned, Great Britain. Public opinion will something more than his life and lib.
nave its sway there. The missionaries erty are lost to his country, viz., the prestige of our nation. The represen- leaf, had recalled his edict against Christians, and had welcomed the tative of the British Government in English missionaries with honors un- precedented. It is said that his over- China remarked in 1873 that there was throw last year was due to the discov- ery by his gtards of a plot he had a necessity to protect the missionary formed to destroy them. At all events, his exile was followed by Arab· sufrom actualviolence, but nothing more. premacy, the burning of the English and the French missions, and the The present foreign secretary two years flight of the missionaries. To the lat- ter, Mwanga wrote recently, predictago told a deputation of missionaries ing the triumph he has now accom- plished, and promising them welcome that the Great Powers of Europe as- should it occur; so that his restoration must be added to the stock of good serted the right to deport an alien, news which has come after so long a. story of disasters in East and Central without cause shown, from their terri- Africa.
tories, but they would shrink from the As to Bushiri, he certainly did not make war on all white men, but upon charge of ordering his death, or im- the Germans; and the native uprising which he headed was largely provoked prisonment, without the form of a by their overbearing ways. He was a. chief of great influence, and stories are regular trial. Mr. Jones, of the told of his personal protection of Brit- ish missionaries and others, during the L.M.S., was expelled by the French revolt against the indiscriminate fury of his followers. The outbreak swept Government from the Loyalty Islands; over the whole coast region, but Wiss- mann had weapons which mere force and, for the sake of argument, we of numbers could not resist, and also the money with which to enlist and may concede that the Mohammedan arm native auxiliaries. Bushiri, who would have been called a patriot had potentates of the Soudan might deport he succeeded, suffered the ignominious fate which has been meted out to many a British missionary; but, when they another unsuccessful leader, both in civilized and savage lands. hear that there is no risk, they will Now, accordingly, the way seems certainly kill him. R. N. C. open for resuming the march of civil- ization from the Zanzibar coast East ACrican Coast. – The toward the great lakes. It is evident that this will be one of the main routes hanging of Bushiri practically com- for the African commerce of the fu- ture. First, however, a clear underpletes the immediate work for which standing of British and German rights in that region would seem to be neces- Capt. Wissmann was sent to Zanzibar, sary. Up to half a dozen years ago England had matters pretty much her and clears the way for the resumption own way there, and then, the energy of Peters and his associates threatened of German schemes of conquest and to carry all before it for the Germans. colonization. The pleasure which this news creates at Berlin may have been a little qualified by the evidence that Dr. Karl Peters and his party were massacred by the Somalis; but as Dr. Peters, though the most promi- nent of the founders of German colo- rues in East Africa, had in his Tana River expedition defied Bismarck and irritated the British, his fate will be less lamented at London, and will in- crease the Chancellor's prestige at Ber- lin. Emin's progress toward recovery is a subject of universal congratula- tion, while another promising piece of news is that King Mwanga, who was driven from Uganda, his brother be- ing made ruler in his stead, has marched back in triumph. Mwanga was infamous a few years ago for his horrible persecution of the Christian converts among his subjects, and the murderof BishopHanningtoncrowned his atrocities. Yet, before his de- thronement, he had turned over a new Of late,the British have been greatly under Major Serpa Pinto, and sancstrengthening themselves, aided by tioned by the Portuguese Govern- the strained relations between the ment, against the Makololo in the high-· Germans and the Sultan. The latter lands of the Shire, a river running thinks the Germans do not pay him from Lake Nyassa to the Zambesi the revenue agreed upon, and that river. The object was to esta1;>1ish the they try to shift on him losses arising authorityof Portugal over'the territory from disturbances caused by their by force of arms. This Major Pinto, want of tact. Lately he has given to after entering those Highlands by deihe British Company the administra- ceiving the British Consul, attacked tion of the ports of Lamu, Kismayu, the unoffending Makololo, slaughter- Brava, Magadisho, and so on, so that ing hundreds of them with his Gattits government now stretches along ling guns; when, believing themselves 700 miles of coast line from Warsheikh abandoned byEngland,whoseflag they in the north to the Umba river in the carried, the poor people felt compelled south. The Germans contended for to submit to Portuguese authority; the possession of Lamu, the third port whereupon the bloody soldier avowed ()f importance in East Africa, commanding the trade of the Tana river; his intention to extend the Portuguese but it really belonged to the British, who controlled most of the trade of dominion as far northward as Nyassa, the port. Mr. Stanley, on reaching Zan- and to include the Lake shores; and zibar this time, found British interests warned all missionaries and others rematerially improved from their con- siding on the river and on the shores dition at his previous visit, when or- of the Nyassa, to submit to Portuguese ganizing his Emin relief expedition. But there is no reason to think that rule! The request was as modest as Germany and England will come into conflict in this region. Count Herbert it was just. How far he would have Bismarck recently declared that Ger- carried his victorious career, ifhe had many's policy there would go hand in not been sent to the right about by the hand with England's. " We will ne- prompt action of England, cannot be gotiate with the East Africa Com- told. pany," hesaid, " in order to arrange for further action." The next ten years These Makololo, who have suffered will be remarkable for the develop- from this cruel raid of the Portuguese, ment of that coast and its communi- are a very interesting people. We cation with the lakes.-New York were first introduced to them about Times. thirty years ago by the publication of Livingstone's narrative of his great -England and Portugal in Africa. journey across Africa. It taught us Every friend of Africa will rejoice to admire the Makololo for their simthat England has taken up the dispute plicity of character, their incorruptible with Portugal with a determined en- honesty, their loyal devotion to that ergy that has brought matters to a great explorer, their grief when he crisis; and that Portugal. has escaped left them for a season, their long and further humiliation by a prompt sur- confident waiting for his promised rerender. Nothing was ever more im- turn to lead them back to their homes, pudent than the pretensions of the and their rejoicing when at last he aplatter to the country in dispute, and peared to fulfill his promise. A large nothing more high-handed than the majority of them, however, had formcourse of her representative. It makes ed a liking for the beautiful country one's blood boil to read of the savage on the right bank of the Shire, where atrocities perpetrated by the forces they settled at the request of its peo- ple, who needed their protection, and laid the foundation for what is now a really prosperous State in Nyassaland, and one which has always refused to allow slavery 0'/' slave-trading within the same purpose, the empire has be- its bounds. It is this State which the come a republic. A century ago, be- Portuguese attacked under a disputed fore God's time, there was an attempt claim. to establish a republic in Brazil, and since that time the spirit of the repub- Other and still more important in- lic has been nourished. -terests would have suffered by this Portuguese raid upon the Makololos, A Portuguese college was founded in 'and would probably have been destroy- 1554, and around it has grown up the ed by their permanent occupation of city of San Paulo, with 50,000 inhabit- the country. We allude to the won- ants, and the largest law school on the derfully successful missions of the Es- western hemisphere. Through this -tablished and Free Churches of Scot- school Brazil has disciplined the life land. The former has for twelve Cif her people, and some of the fruits, years been at work in these beautiful of it have been seen in the last month's Shire Highlands, on the eastern shore peaceful revolution. It was not the ,of Lake Nyassa, its head station being sword that made the republic in Bra- Blantyre, a name derived from Liv- zil, but the pen. It was not the small ingstone's birthplace. At one station army that overthrew the empire. it boards eighty children, and at anoth- There was a newspaper that advocated er has a school of one hundred pupils. the republic in Rio, openly, for three It has expended $200,000 in its work; or four years. There is wonderfnl it has introduced the successful culti- ability in Brazil to carry out the re- vation of coffee, tea, wheat, and other pUblican idea. and there is little danger products, and if allowed to proSecute of faction fights. The future of Brazil its work, will soon make the Shire is in the hands of the school teacher. Highlands a civilized and prosperous ;section of Africa. Cbina.-The New York Chamber of Commerce has done itself credit by The Free Church mission has been adopting a paper urging the re-open- at work on the west shore of the Lake ing of negotiations with China for the for 14 years. It has a Medical De- friendly adjustment of all questions partment, which treats about 10,000 between the two Governments. The ])atients annually. Its headquarters New York Observer says: "This coun- are at Bandawe, where 1,300children try would do itself credit, and would are in its schools. It has a prospero~ only do what is right to China, by station among the Zulus, who rule seeking to put our relations with that the country west of the Shire; .and country upon a basis of justice and three other prosperous stations in dif- community of interest. But justice ferent parts of the country. This mis- is the more important consideration. 13ion has already expended $225,000 in Lest it should be supposed that the its work, and its annual expenses are Chamber of Commerce is acting from about $20,000. any extraordinary or sudden twinges of conscience in China's behalf, it is Br32;i1.-Rev. Dr. Chamberlain, only proper to say that it views the of the American Presbyterian Mission necessity for action from a financial m Brazil, lectured recently before the standpoint. The subject was brought American Geographical Society at to the attention of the Chamber by Chickering Hall on the condition and C. P. Huntington, who in a letter to 'prospects of Brazil, illustrating his re- its ex-President, A. A. Low, speaks of marks withstereopticonviews. Hesaid the injury to our commerce, caused that it was God's purpose that Portugal by the action of Congress and the dip- .should hold Brazil, with its 4,000 miles lomatic treatment of China. ' It ·Qf Atlantic coast, until the present seems,' writes Mr. Huntington, 'that century, until the time came for the without uttering a word or lifting a ,empire, and now, in furtherance of finger, the Chinese are enabled to re- with an endowment of Rs. 18,000 per- taliate effectively against our com- annum, contributed by the State rev- merce, so that we have not only af- enues." That idolatry is endowed by forded them a wanton affront, but the British Government in India. and also injured ourselves in a twofold that high functionaries consider it, way, by excluding a tractable and proper for the heir presumptive to the- cheap labor, which we very much throne to visit idol temples in state, is need to built up desolate places, and no doubt news for which many read- by the loss of valuable trade, which ers of the Bombay Guardian in Eng- we might have kept to the exclusion land will not be prepared.
of our rivals.' It is to be regretted -Sir William Hunter, K. C. S. I., that the trade basis should be the only who is so often quoted as the highest, one on which justice toward the Chi- authority on civil and political mat- nese can be urged with any hope of ters in India, has recently added t() success; but whichever way it comes, his testimony in reference to the work we trUst that justice may at last be of missions in the Indian Empire. In done. Hitherto We have been unjust an address before the British Baptist in our attitude towards China." Missionary Society he speaks as a lay- -According to Imperial decree the man, whose work in India has been 200 picked scholars of Hanlin College altogether of a secular sort; but he- are to revise the great " Encyclopre- affirms that the missionary work is ilia" of China, which was compiled a one of the greatest and best move- century ago, and which contains the ments which at the present moment Chinese classics, the history of China is going on in India. " It has been for 3,000 years. and embraces all rich in results in the past, and it is knowledge under heaven. New and fraught with incalculable blessings in strange doctrines have been intro- the future." In enlarging upon this duced in late years, and the whole- statement Sir William dwells upon some truths of Confucius and Mencius the fact that the Christian work in are in danger of being set aside by India has passed the stage when it Western ideas. Hence the revision. was wholly dependent upon foreign This vast work, which requires four- mlssIOnaries. "The Indian native'
teen volumes to contain its index Protestant Christians have nowgrown alone, is expected to roll back the tide llP into an Indian native Protestant of Western learning, and hold China church. They have their own pas- securely to its old traditions. This tors, numbering 575, men ordained in shows how Christianity is making it- one body or another of the ministry.
self felt in that ancient and conserva- They have also a body of 2,856 quali- tive empire.-Exchange. fied lay preachers, natives born in the India.-Govemment maintaining country, educated in the country, idolatry.-A writer in the Bombay working in the country for the wel- Guardian speaks of the visit of Prince fare of their own countrymen. The AlbertVictor in state to the idol tem- native Protestant church in India has ples of Parvati, near Poona. He was ceased to be an exotic, and if the Eng- accompanied by the Governor of Bom- lish were driven out to-morrow they bay, the Duke of Connaught, Com- would leave a Protestant native mander-in-Chief of the Bombay army, church behind them. While the and other high officials. Before en- Protestant Christians in India num- tering the temples, the Prince was bered about half a million, there were presented with an address, giving an nearly 200,000 pupils in Protestant account of the idols contained therein, mission schools. This is an immensely and stating that" the temples are at sigruficant fact; significant of mis- present ma,intained by Government, sionary zeal in the present, but still more significant of Christian influ- been lately completed from Batavia to ence in the future."-Miss'y Herald. Bekassi. Other brancfl roads are be- ing constructed. 6. In Sumatra a line Korea.-Among the members of has been built by a private company a single Congregational church in to connect several tobacco plantations, Tokio are a judge of the supreme and a branch is beinglaid to Babougan. court of Japan, a professor in the Im- And other lines of tramway are oper- perial university, three Government ated. 7. Turkey in Asia is also lay- secretaries, and members of at least ingrailroads. .The one from Ischmidt two noble families. Two influential to Angora, 375 miles, is to be laid members of the legislature of Tokio, this year by an Anglo-German-French one of them the editor of the Keizai syndicate, who have taken the job off Zasshi, the ablest financial journal in the hands of the Ottoman government~ Japan, are also members of another Congregational church. Eighty kilometers of the road run- ning into Constantinople have already Turkey.-The influence brought been constructed, and the road is in to bear by foreign ambassadors at operation. From' Ischmidt for 150 Constantinople to induce the Turkish kilometers the roadbed has been congovernment to visit upon Mousa Bey, structed but no rails have been laid, the Koordish chieftain, some punish- and then from that point on is where ment for his crimes, has resulted in the American bridges will be put in. the exile of this ruffian and his fam- The road continues to Sivas, which is ily to Syria. The Porte has agreed to in the middle of the Angoran country, increase the police force in Armenia 600 kilometers from Ischmidt. Eventwith a view to the checking of Koor- ually the whole system will take in dish outrages. Mousa Bey in Syria some 3,000 or 3,500 kilometers, runwill be about as near the site of his atrocities as he is at Constantinople, like ning to Bagdad and the Persian Gulf. yet with the sentence of exile against him representatives of foreign gov- The total cost will be something ernments will be able to see that he $75,000,000. It will be completed does not return to his old home. This within 31-2 ,ears. A branch line certainly is again.-Miss'y Herald. will be run to the Holy Land, Jerusa- lem,andSmyrna.-J. T. Gracey,D.D. -Miscellaneous. -Java has its railroads. The system of railroads -The Anti-Slavery Congress of in Netherlands, India, dates from Brussels has had its counterpart in the year 1862, when a concession was the Anti-Rum Congress at Khartoum. granted to the Netherlands India While Christians are earnestly con- Railway Co. to build a road from Sa- sidering how they can crush out slavmarang to the independent States of ery, Moslems are considering how Djokjokarta and Sourakalta, with a they can preserve slavery and crush branch line to Cembarawa or Fort Wil- out intemperance. The means sug_· liam I., which was completed in 1873. gested are curiously similar, if we 2. In 1871-87 the Government built may trust the somewhat vague rea west linefrom Djokjokartato Tjilat- ports that come from the Mahdi's jap. 3. Another runs east from Djok- camp. Europe on the one hand is jokarta to Pasarouan with several to draw a cordon of her ships of war . branches. 4. There is a railroad al!>o around Africa, and capture every from Batavia to Buitenzorg. It is in- Arab dhow that can be found, release tended that this shall be extended to its prisoners, and scuttle the ship it~ form a junction with line No. 2, so as to self. The slave traders on their part; reach the only port on the south coast· are also to draw a cordon of dhows: of Java. It is to be completed in around the continent, and capture· three years. 5. A branch line has every vessel that contains the abomin-· 8ble firewater that is eating away tha strength of the natives, and thus de- but it consecrates men and women to priving them of the material for their the cause of God. Wheresoever there trade. Boston rum, English gin, and is that spirit..of consecration which German schnapps were doubtless not says, 'I give my money, I give my represented at Brussels, as the purvey- sons and daughters,' there Christ will ers for Eastern harems were at Khar- be glorified. When that spiritof con- toum, so that the pai:all.el is not quite secration reaches the great heart of complete. There isenough of truth in humanity, then the missionary work it, however, to set us to thinking.- will go forward with a velocity that Rev. E. M. Bliss. we have never dreamed of. Thework is'in its infancy to-day. What will it -Intelligence comes this month be one hundred,-two hundred years from all our mission fields. We hear hence? The promises to women are of missionary meeting in Jamaica, vital of celestial blessing, which give and specially of one little country to them the powers that men somecongregation that by its gifts for mis- times lack. It is a woman's hand that sions puts many a larger home Church is scattering subtle poison through the to shame; of the 'arrival of Mr. Por- delicate pages of books such as ' Robteous in Old Calabar, and of a suc- ert Elsmere,' and in many other ways; cessful conflict with cruel heathen but the height of Christian purpose custom at Okoyon on the part of two can never be attained until all womanof our agents. From Kaffraria we kind have given their hearts to hear of a most cheering revival at Christ and Christian work."-Home EmgwaIi–of which Miss Hope's letter Missionary. told us something last month. No fewer thaD. 150 young persons, all pro- -The good that one woman, singlefessing conversion to God, have been handed, can do, is interestingly illus- ~urolled in the condidates' class. trated in the case of Miss Arnott, of Surely there is ground here for thanks- Edinburg, in her work in Palestine. giving and continued intercession. Some of the details of what she has We hear also of the arrival at East accomplished are given by Dr. Mutch- London of Mr. Hunter, our mission- more thus: ary to the Xesi.be country. Mr. Davidson sends us from Japan a deeply " Miss Amott went to visit the East interesting record of a recent visit to and was induced, temporarily, to take Hokkaido, with notes of the progress the place of an absent teacher. The of Christian work there. From Raj- condition of the people and their exputana Mr. Gray sends a most in- treme wretchedness awoke her pity, structive account of the history and and she conceived theidea of applying tenets of the Arya Samaj, and Mr. moral leverage where all true eleva- Bounar continues his "Notes of a tion begins, at the individual, and so Tour through Bundi and Kotah." elevating the home. She began alone, From Manchuria we have brief drawing on her own resources, obsketches of three native agents.- tained ground on moderate terms and The Mission Record Of the United began a school. She taught such poor Presb. Ohurch. girls as she could persuade to come. Her curriculum was very simple; its -Woman and Missions.-Dr. Storrs two great lessons were how to live and said in a recent address: "The intro- how to die. God stood by her, and duction of the feminine life and heart soon she had a building and as many intothis missionary work brings in the scholars as she could care for. force that fires and intensifies its onward progress. This intensity of the "Her work (by some) was looked purpose in women does not work only upon as visionary, until its manifest in the direction of filling up treasuries, success brought offers of abundant help and even management. One of
MISSIONAlI.Y CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PAlI.TS
the finest school properties now in the very little to begin with. Twenty-five Levant-worth, probably, $75,OOO-is years she has been in the field, during a part of the result of ~r work of which time she has had wonderful Iaith and love, and all the outcome of tokens of the divine favor in guidance, her own indomitable spirit, for she had help and results."
lII.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
Africa. Arabs, from Morocco to TrIpoli; and, indeed, desires to include the Europeans, French, IIRIEII' LBT'l'ER PRO. REV. JAIIES SCOTT. Spanish, Italians, Maltese, as well.
Impolweire, Natal, Dec. 4, 1889. Weare.here on the fringe of this great African DEAR DR. PIERSON: We got back to our work Continent, In countries bounded on the north here In September, and, although we have by the Mediterranean Sea, now the great high- found some coldand lndi1ferent who once gave way of the East. So far from verifying the promise of better things, and Satan at work In thoughts of our chIldhood-ofvast Satldypla.lns many ways, yet we have rea.son to thank God peopled by blacks-it is here, on the contrary, .and take courage. The times of blessing have a lovely, fertile, mountainous country, and our DOt quite gone from us. In the last three Berbers and Arabs are white, and many with months I have baptized fifty-eight, and expect noble, manly traits. However, as to their reli- ;in the next three months to have as many gion, they are Mohammedans. Yon, dear breth- more, as I have not yet had time to visit all ren of the United States, have long been occu- .my out-stations, some of them being far away pied with these adherents of the false prophet, .and the season unsuitable for traveling. but here In Algeriawe have the immenseadvan- Amongst those whom I baptized last Sabbath tage of proselytizing In a landruied by equitable 'was an old woman who had first heard the laws, and where the acceptance of the religion gospel from a native evangelist sent out by my of Christ does not entail the danger, if not the predecessor-this was some thirty years ago. penalty, of death. We hear from our Brother 'The good seed, watered by the Spirit, has at Baldwin of persecution by the authorities In ;length brought forth good fruit. Another, a Morocco, and it may be so if the Truth prospers younger woman, had resided on the station of In Tripoli, still barbarous States. We circulate .my dear old friend, the Rev. C. Possett of the the Arabic Scriptures prepared by the Ameri- Berlin Society, who was called to his rest some can brethren at Beyrut, and we spread them yearsago,andshehad received herfirst impres- abroad everywhere around us. 'SIons from him; so it is, "one soweth and another reapeth," but may the glory be to the Lord Kabylia itself is a most romantic region, en- .and Master. Although we have our troubles closed by the range of the Jur-Jura mountains, with backsliders and others who have fallen from which spurs are projected enclosing ferinto sin, yet the Zulu who has once professed tile valleys, richly cultivated, and bounded on {)hristianity and been admitted to the church, the north by the hills of Beni-Djennad, where .and then gone back to heathenism, has not as two American brethren have entered a village yet been met by me; though I have heard a and run up a mud-hut and have begun their good deal of such, and read about them In work, braving all the discouraging circum· newspaper articles and books by travelers. stances connected with their position.
AiIectlonately, The people have built their villages on the JAMES SCOTT. summits of their mountains for protection against the Arabs who Invade the country, NORTH AFRICA AS A MISSION FIELD. but they cultivate their slopes In every avail- Algiers, November, 1889. able spot. Some of the tribes take their flocks In summer to the higher valleys of the moun- DEAR EnITORS: Your valuable MISSIONARY REvIEw has not hitherto dwelt on the move- are tains, which, In the winter seasons, covered ments In Northem Africa; and as I have been ,some ten years seeking, with the blessing of with snow, where they find delicious pasturage. .Qod, as an Independent Missionary Pioneer, to Its summit, the Lalla-Kadidja, is 8,000 feet 'OCCUpy myself with the spiritual Interests of high. Every village has its Djemaa, or ParJia.. its various populations, I have no doubt that a ment House, where the affairs of the village few brief notes will be acceptable' to your and the Tribe are discussed, and where every readers. We (that is, myself and my earnest man capable of carrying a rifle, or keeping the and zealous wife) first directed our attention Ramadan fast, is a member; Indeed, the Kuto the Kabyles, an interesting'people located in byles have presented what many have aimed the mountainous regions of Kabylia. 'The at-the purest and most economical Republic "North Africa Mission" has since extended its the world has ever known. It is true, before -operatiOIllr to all the Berber races and the the French invasion, the tribes were often at loggerheads, owing to their self-assertion and jealousy. Happily, that is all at an end, through poli also, the Arabic. The range of Berber in the wise and firm rule of the French regime. Algeria is. cOllsiderable, taking in the whcle Theyare a fine race, with manynoble qualities, country, from Dellys southeast to the borders. very susceptible to kindness, and systematic- of Tunis, havi~ its boundary on the east at, ally hospitable; the more they are known the the River Kebir, but extending to Constantine more they are loved. Their women are un- and the region north of the city. Many dis- veiled, and when young, many are extremely tricts to the northwest of Algeria contain handsome; but like all Mohammedan women, Berber-speaking people, but they are speedily are a subjected, if not an enslaved, class. becoming Arabized. The whole of this district. from the river Sapil, which has its embouch- As far as they know it, they observe the re- ure at Boagie right up to Tunis, is unevangel- ligious prescriptions of the Koran, though it is ized, except a few sisters at Constantine and likely that some tribes do not possess a copy. Bone. These extend to circumcision, the response to the call to prayer, fasts and feasts, etc., but Here is a sphere of missionary labor for- they do not observe its prescriptions as to in- some of your noble young men who are conse- heritance. They have no written language, crating themselves to foreigu mission work. and we have only at present the Gospel of Arabic would be the language most necessary John translated into Kabyle in Roman char- to study, and which might be partiallyacquired acters, and Mr. Mackintosh has' translated the in the United States. It opens the way to mil- Gospel of Matthew into Refllan in Arabic char- lions of Mohammedans. French also would be. acters. Happily there are now many French necessary in Algeria. We have here a most schools throughout Algeria, and an interpreter healthful climate, and have spent several may generally be found in most villages, and summers without inconvenience. The tempera- by this means we have been enabled to preach ture. Farenheit, would be about 82 in August. in various places. and 48 in winter months, December and Janu- ary. The North Africa Mission has upwards We have in most of the towns a peculiar race of forty missionaries, including ladies, and. of Berbers, known by their varied colored there are at least forty more independent, or coats, and keeping grocery and other shops- conn'!Cted with other societies; but there is the Mzabs from the Sahara. They are Mo- room for eighty more, and we want American hammedan dissenters, and very accessible, re- zeal and push to overcome, with the help of ceiving our Arabic Testaments very gladly. the Spirit of God, the tremendous difllcultie~ Our butcher here tells us he reads his Testa- of mission work among Mohammedans. ment to three or four listeners of an evening. Yours truly in the Lord, The Arabs are mostly a nomadic race, GEORGE PEARSE. though many get settled in towns, and are be- coming agriculturists. We have seen cara- Ohina. vans moving after wheat harvest down into the Sahara to reap their dates. Three hundred HIGHLY INTERESTING LETTER FROM DR. RAPPER., villages of French colonists without a single evangelist'cry:aloud for workers in that tongue. Canton, Dec. 3, 1889. The physical features of the country are ex- DEAR REVIEW: Last evening was" Mission- traordinary. We have first, the Tell, a strip of ary Concert" night-the old concert of prayer territory varying from fifty to one hundred for the conversion of the world. It has been miles, bounded by the Mediterranean on the kept up at this station from the days of north-hilly, mountainous, romantic, very di- Bridgeman and Abeel, the first Americanmis- versified. Next, the High Plateau-vast plains sionaries to China. They arrived at Canton in separated by parallel ranges of mountains and Feb. 1830. I cannot say positively whether subject to alternationsof intensecold and great Dr. Morrison held such meetings before the heat, devoid of trees and very little inhabited, arrival of their brethren or not. I infer he though affording in many parts pasturage for had not, for want of men of like mind to meet cattle. Beyond these lies the Sahara, diversi- with him ; but I feel assured that he rejoiced fied by vast plains of sand with rocky plateaus. to unite with them after their arrival, in this. The French have their military stations far concert of prayer. They were sent in answel' down in the south; and again beyond this lies to his long continued prayer to God, and after oft ;repeated and urgent requests sent by him the Soudan. to the American Board of Foreigu Missions, to The Atlas mountains commence at Agader, send men to China. The meetiug has been continued down through their successors to, near the coast, to the south of Mogador, and this pre..«ent day. It is 45 years since I first extend in a northwesterly direction through met with it. It was then attended by Drs. Morocco and Algeria, and terminating at Cape Bridgeman, Ball, Parker, Brown and Dean Bon. In Tunis there are no navigable rivers. Williams, Rev. Messrs. Sheeck, Roberts, Devan, M. D., Waltel' M. Lowrie, myself, and some With respect to the languages spoken: In others. These all have finished their course, Morocco it is a corrupt form of Arabic, but the and gone to their reward. Their places are Shelluhs and Rifi's speak Berber, and, perhaps, occupied by worthy representatives of the comprise two-thirds of the population. In ,Algeria and Tunis, and we may include Tri- 1l8JIle societies, and of other societies not then rying lighted torches. When asked why thoy represented. did so, they stated they carried the torches to frighten away the tigers. The necessity of The meeting last night was one of "/musual doing so was made clear by the statement, interest from several circumstances. There that a few days before, a woman, who was out was a very large attendanceo-in all some 35 cutting grass on the mountain, was carried missionaries were present. Of these, there away by a tiger and eaten. were new missionaries from the church of " The United Brethren in Christ" in the It has been widely known that the Chinese United States, just arrived to commence a people of this city, some 16 years ago, organ- mission at Canton. This is their first mission ized a society to counteract and hinder the in China. .All the brethren welcome their new spread of Christianity, by the use of the same brethrenand sisters to the fellowship of labors means which missionaries use to spread the for Christ among this numerous people. The gospel. That society established a large dls- Rev. E. P. Thwing, Ph. D., was also present, pensary for giving medical advice and pre- -as a visitor. The great interest of the meet- scriptions gratis to all applicants. They also ing, however, in connection with the prayers give cOWns to all the poor who apply for offered, was the information communicated of them. They also opened halls, and employed some few of the results of work done. speakers to preach Confucianism. They opened schools in which the children of all The Rev. C. Bone, of the Wesleyan Mig.. those who wished to send them should be -sion, gave some details of his recent visit to taught the Confucian classics. the stations of that mission up the north "river from this city. During this visit he had The same has been done at the manufactur- baptized some fifty persons on profession of ing town of Fatchan, 12 miles from this city. their faith. When visitmg these same stations The Wesleyan Mission commenced a mission- last spring, he had baptized about the same ary hospital there some' six years ago. It is a number, making over 100 baptisms during the town of some 600,000 inhabitants. There had year. In one case, he went 12 miles from the been Christian churches and preaching halls 13tation to baptize an old man, who could not there long before that; but after the hospital <lome to the place of worship by reason of age was opened the people took measures to preand inflrmities ; but the son, through whose vent their people being led away by it. They instruction the old man had come to the collected funds to build and maintain a dispensknowledge of the gospel, sent two horses for ary and hospital, and sustain the preaching Mr. Bone and his companion to make the of Confucianism in halls for that purpose. journey. All the other stations on the moun- They have expended about $42,000 in building tains Mr. Bone had to reach by walking; in the dispensary and hospital. The dispensary >(lne case walking 25 miles in one day, over is quite numerously attended. The hospital mountain roads. At one mountain village he has 100 rooms for the accommodation of pabaptized nine, in another seven, and in an- tients; but for some reason they have not other three. The baptism of these last three been occupied to any extent by resident pawas performed in a stable, as that was the tients. The conditions on which they can be only .place which the very few members in occupied are said to be unsatisfactory. These that village could get to meet in. We may efforts of the Chinese to counteract the efforts feel assured that He who "was born in a stable of missionaries testify to two things, Viz.: to and laid in a manger" met with those who the efficiency and wisdom of the means which met to engage in His worship, and in the cele- missionaries are using for the dissemination of bration of the ordinances of his appointment the gospel, and of the desire and purpose of in such humble surroundings. the people to adhere to and support their own system. A little company also gathered in a village where there is a large Buddhist Monastery, Other items of intelligence were communiand the inhahitants of which are largely de- cated by Dr. A. P. Happer from a letter revoted to Buddhism; hut a little company have ceived from Rev. Dr. Corbett, of the Shanprofessed Christ, and we may hope that the tung Mission, in which he gave a statement of number may increase yet more and more, for his work on a recent itinerary. He had just "the entrance of God's word giveth light." returned (Oct. 28th) from a trip of 49 days among the churches, stations, and schools un- I cannot _relate all the personal incidents der his supervision. During this time he bap. which give such special interest to "viva tized 58 persons on profession of their faith, voce" statement by one who saw and experi- making 100 baptizyd since March, 1889. He enced what he related. One may be given: says "God is greatly blessing the schools in Theyhad to cross a swollen stream by wad- the country. Not ouly teachers and pupils are ing it ; his companion had to hold his watch finding Christ; but not a few of the parents upon his hand above his head to keep it from have come out on the Lord's side. At one getting wet. Another most interesting scene place where we have three schools, 19 were redescribed: the appearance, as seen from the ceived, every one of whom said that their first chapel door, of the groups of people coming serious interest in the Truth dated from hearto the evening service, many of the men caring their children or grandchildren singhymns kind of information I want, and I wish to tell or repea.t scripture which had been learned you how much I appreciate it. .
in school. So important has this work grown At each meeting of the Society two boys are that now we have 84 schools in different cen- appointed to prepare papers for reading at the tres. A Normal school has been opened for next meeting. The countries for discussion.
the special purpose of training school teach- are appointed, and during the month follow- ers and lay preachers. We have now 15young ingthe boys come to me for their information.
men who have been in native schools from 8 They write down roughly the facts, statistics,.
to 12 years, taking & special three years' etc., whlch I have prepared for them, and then.
course. Pray for this work. Rejoice with us at their leisure go over this carefully, and pre- that Shantung Mission is to be re-inforced pare their papers, which are usually very this autumn with 17 missionaries; six have al- good, and sometimes written in such high ready arrived, and the others are on the way. .. wen Ie," or book ljmguage, that I gasp, and.
We have been praying and waiting for years wonder how they manage to change the ma- for more help." terial I have given them in such common.
These items of information adaed interest to . words and broken sentences, into such lluent, our .. monthly concert." They are communi- high sounding sentences, some of which I can- cated in the hope and belief that they willln- not underStand at all. The spoken and writ- terest many readers of your REviEw, and draw ten language of the Chinese are so different.
forth prayer from many hearts for yet more They have one good rule, which would be- abundant outpouring of the spirit in every well If followed by our home societies.
part of the world. Each boy appointed to prepare a paper, who- A. P. ILu>PEK, fails to do it without a very good excuse,' is Editorial CoITe8pondent. 1lned, and the money put in the treasury. At Tungclu:nd Fao, Sept. Zl, 1889. the close of each meeting the roll is called,. My DEAB DB. SHERWOOD: I have read with interest your article in the August number of and the members answer by stating thethe REvIEW, entitled, .. Have we too many missionary periodicals ,.. Without express- amount they have for contribution. Thirty ing an opinion of other missionary periodicals, allow me to say that I regard THE MII!SION- cash, or three cents, is a large sum for one boy ABY REVIEW OJ!' THE WORLD as excellent. to give at anyone time, and if a member says: Please give us more of it. There is a large and 1l0urishing Missionary he has four or llve cents to give, a murmur of Society here in the College. They have eft!.- cient oft!.cers chosen from the more advanced astonishment goes through the room, and th&' students and native teachers. They have excellent rules, good attendance, and 1lrst-rate smaller boys give vent to a prolonged .. Oh-h,.. order at their meetings, and all the members seem interested and wide-awake. The chief which they fondly imagine is whispered, but diftlculty in their way is in getting information on Missionary topics, 88 they can read no in that they are mistaken. How good a thing. English, and can 1lnd nothing suitable in their native books. It is necessary for one of the It is that God regardeth notthe amount given, missionaries to hunt up all avallable material, but the spirit In which it is given. With best wishes for the success of your magazine, I am, Very truly, FANNY COBBETT HAys.
P. S.-Perhaps you are acquainted with my father, Dr. Corbett, of Chefoo' He is now visiting his country stations, from which he- writes good news of addition to the church, and more interest shown by the common peo- ple. F. C. H ..
and translate it to them. While Mrs. Mateer Engla.nd. was here, she was translator, general advisor, and an .. Encyclopedia of Missions" in living A BUSINESS LAYMAN'S VIEWS. form, and the interest was largely kept up [We gladly give space to the follow- among the boys by her contributions of inter- ing letter from a leading merchant of esting and suitable material. Since she left I Liverpool. Not only is his citation have been trying to take her place as translator, and apprecIate all the diftI.~·1it from Palgrave to the point and of great; 1lnding suitable material, and of giving theSe value, but also his personal observation boys, who have no other source of informa- from fifteen years' residence in Olll tion, a real wide outlook on the Mission lleld. Calabar, West Africa, is important. I do not want to con1lne myself to our own Here ,he struggled nobly to carryon church work-what couid I ten them ot trade without dealing in liquor, but. Egypt, for instance, lf I did' I cannot incnr the expense ot taking each church's particUlar was obliged to give in and relinquish.
organ, and even if I could, would have no time business. Andhesays: "Theamazing to hunt through them all and select what is thing is that all this traffic is conductsuitable. Your bright, readable magazine is ed in the main by not over a dozen ;just what one in my position needs. You select, and arrange, and put in order, just the firms, the members of which are most; excellent men, many of them I be- whatever weakens QI' distorts them more in.
lieve sincere Christians." Mr. 'Irvine jurious. Hence, a Malay :Mohammedan is a. is a. Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian cont~ction, an anomaly, a failure, much as Church, and says: "I hope to be one a Hindoo Christian, or a European Buddhist to welcome Dr. Pierson in a. day or might be. The system does not suit him, nOl"
he the system. Not 80 the Malay of the Philip.
two."-J. M.S.] pino-Christian type. His family, as tbat of DBAB BIllS: Although somewhat late, it may his Chinese or Japanese cousins, moderate not yet be out of place in the controversy polytheists like himself, is a pleasing sight: raised by Canon Taylor regardiug the compar- much subordination and little constraint, uni. ative merits of Christianity and Islamism in so~ in gradation, liberty not license; orderly Africa, to give you a quotation which I came children, respected parents,womensubject but 8Cr01!8 lately in .. Ulysses, or Scenes and not suppressed, men ruling but not despotic Studies in Many Lands," by .the ,late ,accom. reverence with kindness, obedience in aiIe:. plished W. G. Palgrave. tion-these form a lovable picture, not byany At page 153, in an article on Malay life in the means a rare one in the villages of the Eastern Philippines, Mr. Palgrave says: .. Tb&t the Isles. "
adoption of Islam may be, and,in fact is, a real It is no secret that at one time in his life the benefit and an uplifting to savage tribes, genial Gift'ord Palgrave sympathized to such amongst whom the lowest and most brutaliz- an extent with Mohammedanism tbat current ing forms of fetichism would else predominate, report, though without foundation, stated he does not admitof doubt. Anthropopbagy, hu- had actually become one, and therefore such man sacrifices, and other kindred horrors, bave testimony as tbat given in this extract carries thus heen banished by Mohammedan teach- additional weight. ing from whole tracts of Africa, and, 80 far, la I bave not seen it quoted elseWhere, and I welL But not less does experience show that trust you will consider the extract of suf/lcient sooneror later, the tribe, the nation, tbat casta importance to give it a place In your REvIEw.
in its lot ,with Islam, is strioken as by a blight; Perhaps I may also add, tbat long before Canon Taylor shocked the sense of Christian its freshness,.its plasticity,disappear first, then England, Professor Blyden of Monrovia, who has been repeatedly a guest of mine, and its vigor, then its reparative and reproductive whose writings on thla subject formed the power, and it petrifies and perishes. With the ground work of Canon Taylor's views, had dis-' abstract and theoretical merits of Monothe- cussed the matter with me, and I do not hesl· lam or Polythelam, Islam or Christianity, I tate to say tbat the Canon injected views have nothing to do; but thla much la certain, and ideas into Dr. Blyden's writings which tbat within the circle of the l'hillippine Archi- were far from those Intended to be conveyed. pelago itself-not to seek examples further away-the contrastbetween the Mohammedan That Islamlam is better than Fetichism, no viIIages of the southernmost lalands and the one will deny, nor will anyone who knows the Christian ones elsewhere, is very remarkable, country refuse to acknowledge that the follownor by any means favorable to the former. ers of the Prophet are spreading rapidly over the centre of Africa; but to plead that tbe sys· .. For a satisfactory explanation of the prob- tem is better for the Negro than Christianity, lem before us, there isno need for recurring to and to raise it for one moment to the level of a. causes, if such there be, hid in the extra-mun· favorable comparison, and that by the mouth dane and unknown. The reason is near to of a Christian minister, is sad in the extreme. seek. Family life, family ties, family aiIectiona, these form the only true, stable, and at I respect the Canon for his courage, and if the same time expansive basis for communi- he would only allowit to take him to any of the ties, states, empires even; and tbat these may, mission stations on the west coast of Africa, and actually do, co-exist after a fashion with a and witness, as I have often done there, the vigorous profession of Mohammedanism, no beauty of simple, consistent Christian life onewho has experimental knowledge of Turk- among the hundreds of native converts, he ish orArab population can possibly deny. They would, I am sure, if he lived to return, not be exist, but even when at their best and strong- slow to acknowledge that Christianity had est are always cramped, stunted, and hindered lost none of its powers. from their full growth and development by theforced demarcation between the sexes, the Yours most truly, sanctioned polygamy, the over·facility for di· J.ums mvnnll, F. R. G. S.
vorce, and the other social mistakes inter. India. woven-whether by the hand of the prophet himself, or, rather, as with Sprongel I incline [Our readers may remember that after the death of her father, the to believe, by that of ,the narrow-minded and Rev. Royal G. Wilder-the founder and editor for ten years of THE MIsascetic Omar-into the very texture of Islam. SIONARY REVIEW-his gifted daughter Nowherearefamilybondscloserdrawn,tamily aiIections more enduring, t1I#In among the Malay races, and nowhere, in consequence, is Grace, with her aged mother, re. can count! The memory of these children is turned to India, as missionaries, and remarkable. Why shouldn't we take advan- tage of this to store Christian truth in their are laboring among the same people minds? These Government schools are sending out hundreds of good readers every year. where he and they had formerly lived What are these boys to read? and wrought. Miss Grace is ~ sister of Mr. R. P. Wilder, who has done This month mother and I have made a short so gran(i a work among the students tour of thirteen towns near us. In only one of in the United States and Canada, and these we found a Cbristian home. At one tlie who expects soon to join his mother women acted wildly curious. They sat down on the temple steps, and listened eagerly. As and sister in Indian missionary work we took out our lunch, some head men of the in that vast and inviting field. This village tried in vain to drive away our audishort letter from Miss Wilder we are ence-the women especially were so anxious sure will be read with great interest, to see us eat. Even at this village-reached by a rough cart road-we found a boys'
knowing these facts.-J. M. S.] school. I distributed some leafiets, asking the Kolhapur, Dec. 4, 1889. boys to commit the Lord's Prayer. We had My DEAR DR. SHERWOOD: I fear you think driven out quite a distance from the village, I have not been very good in carrying out when across the fields, running and panting, the request you made me shortly before we came a boy to tell us one boy had failed to get sailed. I little realized then what a pressure a paper.
we find out here to do rather than to write At Miraj, a town of 24,000, we visited a Gov- about it. ernment school of over 200 pupils-one of I want to thank you for the regular coming eight similar schools. There are also private of the REVIEW. I cannot but wish that dear schools, and a girls' school, with a roll of 105, father might know how God is using it to and an average of some 75 girls. Miraj is at carry, with such zeal and rapidity, the news the junction of our new Kolhapur Railway of His workings in every part of the world. It with the. Southern Marathi Railway. It is a seems to me that the prayers of father's last trade centre, rapidly increasing in population year were prophetic of the REVIEW'S future, and importance. Yet in this large place, only and I feel that I could ask for it no greater 35 miles from us, there is no missionary or na- gift than that God will raise up hearts to pray tive preacher, no chapel or Sunday school.
for it, as dear father did. The same can be said of lnchalkarangi, with I cannot but take it for granted that you a population of 11,0001 Here I found two have a very special interest in our Kolhapur girls' schools. • field, and so would like to know of our pur- All this Government education awakens poses and needs. feelings of fear, as well as hope. All this One subject lies very much upon my heart training means power, but power which just now, and that is, our present opportunity can be used for evil. Enough miserable of reaching the children of India. Mother novels and infidel books are circulated to and I have been much together in our work, alarm us.
and in spite of other calls, our attention has We have from our mission bungalow dur- been drawn to work among children. We find ing the past few weeks, sold some 30 rupees that aiming at children is a good way to get worth of books. Mr. Seiler is now getting village audiences, so we have started Sunday from Boston, for English students, some of schools in two near villages. Our greatest op- Mr. Hastings' tracts. We hope soon to have a position comes from Government school sale room for books in our city-Christian teachers. We hear that one boy's hand was books, story books, and school books, would swollen from the beating he received because be very acceptable for this. I am now loan- he committed the Lord's Prayer. Another ing Christie's" Old Organ," as I have but one teacher burned some of the papers we had copy.
given the boys. One of our brightest boys Our great need just now is workers. One told me that the teacher refused to take him earnest Christian at a centre like Miraj could into school until he gave up the books he had carry on Sunday-school work in many large received from us. Satan is not going to let us villages. Three of the five Sunday schools infiuence these bright children if he can help which mother and I atten,! are held on week it. This is not to be wondered at, but a great days. One under a tree, one on the verandah wonder will it be if we fail to see and seize of a school house, and the third in a "chow- this, our present chance. die. " or inn.
These little ones are not all the rough, wild, Will you, Dr. Sherwood, especislly remem- ignorant creatures which we at home label as ber us, asking that God wlll raise up workers " heathen." Many have trained minds-are for this field? We are greatly rejoicing to- beautiful readers; boys who can recite the day in the thought that Dr. and Mrs. Wanless multiplication table up to thirty as fast as we and Miss Sherman are probably in Bombay;
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
yet the unoccupied stations, Pawlialla and seek subscriptions to a Vedic school, where Rutnagerri, leave little hope of our taking Pantheism is to be taught. One native judge new places unless more workers come soon. gives 50 Rs., and other prominent ·educated men are contributing! I wish friends at home might realize our present chance in India. This week men have May God richly blessyou in yourgreat work. iJome up to KolbaI!ur from Southern India, to GRACE E. WILDER.
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
'The United States and the Congo Free the President phrased it, wherewe had State. no interests or control.
From time to time a good deal of 3. The Convention of Delegates, public criticism filters through the however, drew up a formal act of the nature of an international convention, press, and emanates from platform which laid down certain obligations and pulpit, because the United States to Government does not actively inter- purporting to be binding on the signa- -fere to stay sundry wrongs and inju- tories, subject ratification within ries being inflicted on the simple one year. inhabitants of the Congo Valley, 4. Notwithstanding the reservation €minently by the introduction of rum into that region by foreign and so- of our Government on its delegates, 1:alIed Christian nations. It seems as their signatures were attached to the if the naming of the evil beingfos- general act in the same manner as -tered by the commerce which Europe those of other plenipotentiaries, makand America are cultivating in that ing the United States to appear withquarter of the globe, would be suffi- out reservation or qualification to eudent to secure the intervention of our tel' into this joint international en- Republic to stop it. We earnestly gagement. wish that our Government could do :something, but we have to judge of its 5. But the President of the United power and the propriety of its course States, in reporting the matter to Con- -of non-interference in the light of the gress in his annual message, distinctly repudiated the comp~ct, regarding the act of the delegates as in no sense -attitude it has assumed toward the impairing the original reservation Convention of Powers in the case of made in the premises by which its the Congo State, and of the funda- delegates were sent merely to take mental principle underlying its course part in a deliberative body. And so ()f procedure. profound was his personal convic- tion that the Government ought not 1. The United States Government to enter into a compact for the" consent delegates to the conference at Ber- lin held by the representatives of some servation of the territorial integrity of fifteen of the most powerful nations distant regions where we have no es- -of the world to discuss methods tablished interests or control," and so whereby the Congo Basin might be sure was he that the country would kept open to the world's trade. not support a policy of possible "ezi.- 2. The definite understanding of our tangling alliances" abroad, that he -Government was that the proceedings said to the Senate in concluding the were to be only deliberative, without traversing of the case in his message: imparting to the result any binding " I al:iJstain from asking the sanction <character so far as the United States of the Senate to that general act." were concerned. This was grounded We are not aware of any public act '<In the old policy of this Government not to share in "jurisdictional ques- of the Government or of its representa- -tions in remote foreign territories," as tives since, that has modified that position. Our Government and our people, as a people, stand wholly out- political or moral, to hold back thi~ side of that convention, and of all cup of the sorcerer from those poor other political relations, so far as the degraded races. Politically, so far as… writer now thinks of, to the so-called the powers and proceedings of the in- "Congo Free State." Of course, the ternational convention that seeks t()- action of the country's delegates was controIthe imaginary Free State go. of no effect without the sanction of our Government can no more interthe Senate, and that should have been fere than it can with Home Rule in had within a year of the date of the Ireland, or the imposition of customs. signatures. The rather mythical dutiesin Liverpool or Berlin. It would "Free State" is, therefore, the busi- be told to mind its own business if it. ness of the people and nations who did. chose to create it. Itis not a political power, nor probably soon to become What we desire is, to have our such. It will probably furnish the people see that- whatever we do 1;() occasion of disputes between the suppress the rum traffic on the Cong()- nations who entered into this danger- is to be done in our individual ca-· ous alliance; and we will rejoice that pacity, or through our churches' and. we are not involved in a broil for the other voluntary organizations. We. preservation of "territorial integrity as Christians, 88 philanthropists, or' of distant regions where we have no through our missionary evangelistic established interests or control." force, may protest, appeal, create· sentiruentin anyway, and the respon- It is fitting, therefore, to consider sibility is on us to do with our might. whether any attempt on the part of what our hands find to do. There is. our Government to interfere with that some better way for Christian rule 1;() of the signatory powers in the Congo be established in Africa than by mawould be anything short of an imper- nuring the soil with the graves of its. tinence. How could we, having re- people, first ruined and rotted witlL fused to enter into that convention, rum. 88k to be permitted to dictate its policy? The Native Languages of Mmco.
Let it be borne in mind that we are BY REV. WK. P. F. FERGUSON, B. D. no party to that contract; and, among our national sins and shortcomings, Because of its vast architectural reis not to be enumerated the sanction mains, Mexico is often called "the by our Government of the introduc- Egypt of America." In view of the· tion free of duty amongst the low great number of .languages which races of.the Congo, with their feeble have been spoken among its moun-· force of resistance, that which tains and valleys, it might also bethreatens to decimate them as surely called the India of the New W orId. and 88 speedily 88 slavery has done It may be supposed that the common the central belt of the continent. expression, "the Land of the .Aztecs," is an adequate expression of the an- We do not desire to soften the sense tiquity of Mexico; but before it cameof indignation against the signatories, under the sway of that great but uno. whose very self-interest, or whose hu- fortunate people, it.had been the land manitarianism of the lowest grade, of the Chichimecas, the Toltecs, the one would think would have induced Zapotecas, the Mayas, the Otomies, them to restrict the agency which the Xicalancas, the Quinames, and of" threatens the destructioil of the very perhaps as many other peoples, some population with which they seek to of whose very names are lost to hisbuild up a market. We do not seek tory. Nor are these the names of to excuse our Government from every mere tribes, rather of nations, and legitimate exercise of its power, some of them of races distinct in cus- toms, langua~es and blood. .. PopulOils realms in its sounds, but to the writer it d~ Swept by tbe torrent see tbeir ancient tribes not seem to be particularly so. As a. people the Otomis are of special inter- Engulfed and lost." est, from the fact that they are proba– bly the oldest race now extant in. To-day there survive of these peoples Mexico. only remnants, hiding, as it were, among the mountains that once The Mayas, in the far south and formed the ramparts of the empires southeast, number about 400,000. of their fathers. While those of them who live along' the coast have been visited by many It is the object of this article to pre- travelers, the deadly climate andtheir' sent some facts with regard to these supposed hostility have almost com- peoplesand their languages, and to of- pletely isolated those who iDhabit the' fer some suggestions as to giving them interior. These, it is generally be- the Gospel in their' own tongues. lieved, still retain almost intact their ancient civilization. Whether the be- Omitting any mention of a number lief is well founded or not, remains of minor languages, each spoken by for the explorer to show. Their lan- from a few hundred to a hundred guage was anciently one of the most thousand people, we will notice five of cultivated, and has received a consid- the most important, namely: the erable study from modem scholars. Otomi, the Maya, the Zapotaca, the The results of this study are, how- Tarasca, and 'the Nahuatl, or Mexi- cano. These must not be thought of ever, difficult of access.* as simple dialects; they are rather distinct languages, with differences The Tarasca is the language ofas great as those that exist between about 250,000, chiefly inhabitants of any of the tongues of the Aryan fam- the State of Michoacan, on the Pa- ily, if, indeed, some of them have cific coast. They are to-day all that even a remote connection. All of remains of the once powerful kingthem, with the exception of the dom of Michoacan, which success- Otomi, were expressed in picture fully resisted the Aztecs even in the writing, which was, especially among height of their power. Tradition con– the Mexicans, or Aztecs, developing nects them closely with the Mexicanos ; toward an alphabet. The use of this but their language does not seem tohas ceased, and they are now all writ- me to warrant it, bearing in its roots. ten by means of alphabets given to and formations only a very small rethem by the Spanish conquerors. semblance to the more cultured Nahuatl. It is not, however, with- In detail: The Otomis are one of the out elements of strength and force, most widely distributed of the native and must have been well suited to the· races, being found in five States of the neeas of a hardy, warlike people. Republic, and in a ward of the national capital. They seem to be The Zapoteca may be taken as the· among the most intelligent, and cer- representative of a family of dialects. tainly are among the most industri- sometimes classed as the Mixteco-Za– ous inhabitants of the country. They poteca. As a refined language, this number about 700,000, of whom many would doubtless be ranked as next to. of course have more or less knowledge the Nahuatl, though the two seem aI– of the Spanish language; but the most entirely distinct. A very consid- .greater number still retain and con- erable literature, comparatively speakstantly use their own. This is one of ing, has been formed by translations. the most complicated of the so-called Indian languages. Unlike most of • There are some excellent monographs the others, it abounds in vocals hav- worthy of study, such as Brenton's, on ing no less than sixteen vowels. It is tbe Mayas, in tbe south, and their language. usually spoken of as harsh and rude -J.T.G. and a few original compositions. This soldier and the Roman priest h.as been was the native language of Mexico's to destroy all that, in the old ciziliza- most illustrious statesman, Benito tion, was worthy of preservation, and .Juarez. to make the entrance of the tr:ue The Nahuatl, or Mexicano, was the ,Gospel ten fold harder now than it language of the Aztecs, and, as well, . would have been four hundred years of their predecessors, the Toltecs. It ago.
is the most cultured and elaborate of Protestantism has as yet attempted .all these ancient tongues, as the peoples very little toward the evangelization who used it were the most refined and of the native races. A few who are progressive. In no sense is it a bar- able!' to be reached through the Span- barous dialect, but rather a worthy ish language have been gained. In a ·compeer of any ancient classic speech, few points work is conducted among furnished with all the elements re- them by means of native workers who quired by a people great in arms, state- are able to speak the Indian languages.
craft and literature. To-day it is But I do not think there is in the Re- :spoken by about 1,750,000, dwelling in public a single American missionary .sixteen States of the Republic, and able to preach in any indigenous forming nearly one-sixth of the whole tongue, nor more than one or two even population. Its extant literature far able to converse in it.
exceeds that of any of the other native During the year 1889, the press of languages. the Methodist Episcopal Mission in the The number of people in Mexico to- City of Mexico has issued the Gospel day who still speak some one of the in- by Luke in the Nahuatl, the necessary digenous languages, is very little less funds being furnished by gentlemen than 4,000,000, out of a total popUlation in the United States. The work is a ·()fless than 12,000,000.* reprint of an older edition that had Toward the Christianization of these almost wholly been destroyed. It millions, there has been done by the seems to have been partly revised, Roman Catholic Church-not any- though a very slight knowledge of the thing. True, very few among them language shows one that it still lacks are unfamiliar with the cross and much of being a faIthful translation.
rosary, and very few have never heard This one Gospel is the only portion of the names Jesus and Maria, but these the Holy Scriptures, excepting a few .are to them only the symbols of a blind verses, as the Lord's Prayer, available fetichism. Certain branches of the in any of the native languages.* old paganism have been lopped off The Roman Church, with all her and replaced by shoots of a pseudo- boasted learning, never has attempted 'Christianity. Planted in Mexico by this first duty of missionary labor-to . men whose hands were foul with every give the Holy Scriptures to the people.
·crime of blood and lust, the Roman These, from among many facts of Church has wrought nothing other interest, must suffice. Upon them I ihan the works of its fathers. " The base the following suggestions: Mexican Church," says one, "fills no These peoples should not, alone mission of virtue, no mission of mo- among the nations of the world, be rality, no mission of mercy, no mission forbidden to hear of "the wonderful ()f charity. Virtue cannot exist in works of God" in their "own lan- its pestiferous atmosphere. The code guages." This is emphasized by the of morality; does not come within its fact that they are living and dying practice." The work of the Spanish * There is in existence a MS. copy of the * The 1lgi.res of this article are based upon Four Gospels in Nahuatl. The writer saw it several times in Mexico city. It is now somethe "Cuadro Geografico" of Sr. Antonio where in the United States. -Garcia Cubas. within a few hours of our very doors. The character of mission work But the missions already established among these peoples must be from the in Mexico have already fields de- foundation. The priest has scarce manding all that they can expend of placed a stone upon which it will be money or labor, while the unap- safe to build. The same is true with proached Spanish-speaking popula-, regard to literary work. The alpha- tion offers room for the expansion of bets given to these languages by the many years. Thus, it seems that the padres are without exception faulty, establishment of special missions to and their grammars attempt to force the Mexican indigenes offers a favor- into the moulds of the Latin and able field for some missionary society Spanish languages that have scarce not already engaged in that Republic. a trace of likeness to them. This Such a step would, of course, meet work is of value now only to the stu- the opposition of some, as did even dent who is able to detect and reject the publication of the Nahuatl Gospel. their mistakes.
It will be urged-as it has been urged The limits of this article forbid more -that the keeping alive of any sparks than the briefest suggestion of the of the old civilization, as such an ef- possible results. The indigenes are, I· fort implies, would be disintegrating believe, equal in mental and physical in its effect upon the Republic, and endowment and vastly superior in would be so looked upon by the Gov- morals to the Spanish-speaking popu- ernment. This objection is of no lation. Upon them must, in a great weight with anyone who has noticed measure, depend the solution of some the growing native-Mexican spirit in of the problems of Mexico's state and both the literature and politics of the social life. Experience, such as has country. It is also objected that any been had, shows that they are not such effort is unnecessary, as the pres- more difficult to reach than their ent generation of Indians can be neighbors. The" everlasting gospel"
reached by the employment of native does the same work in the heart of an workers in connection with Spanish Aztec that it does in the heart of a missions, while succeeding genera- Saxon. It is only a question of effort, tions will have ceased to use the native and light can at last shine in this tongues. I doubt if the history of ancient darkness, and these long op- Christian missions. furnished an ex- pressed peoples can be endowed with ample of equally great peoples evan- the" heavenly citizenship."
gelized without the direct use of their REV. DR. HAMLIN'S VIEWS.
language and the creation of a Chris- When the subject of the use of the tian literature. And I do not believe, vernaculars of Mexico for missionary judging from the history of the past purposes, and the propriety of pub- three and a half centuries, that the lishing the Gospels in one or more of Spanishcan ever supplant the stronger these tongues, was under discussion three or four of the :Mexican verna- at the International Missionary Union culars. Meeting at Bridgeton, N. J., the Rev.
The initial step of such an effort Cyrus Hamlin, D. D., gave utterance should be an exploration to determine to his views and experiences on the the dependence of the various sec- general subject, and especially on the tions of the country upon the native application of the principle advo- languages, the dialectic changes, the cated, and, as these views of the ven- customs and many other questions erable and vigorous founder of Robert concerning which there is not now College are of value, and the facts al- sufficient information. Such an ex- luded to concerning the Armenian ploration might be so conducted with- language are of force and fitness in out financial loss. this discussion, we present now a .summary of ·Dr. Hamlin's address at waYs follow every translation, sooner the time referred to. He said : or later. It reconstructs its language " I regard the subject of the trans- by bringing it into new use. It re-.
.lation of the Bible into any unevan- constructs it by reconstructing the .gelized language, as one of prime im- mind and heart, and new meanings j)Ortance. If Mexico is to be evangel- come into old words. Let the Bible ized, it will be done through the native enter among those Mexican tribes en- languages of the people, Spaniards, forced by the love of missionaries, and Aztecs, Zapotacas, or what not. We it will make all things new. They have had a somewhat parallel condi- w1ll never be evangelized through the tion of things in Turkey. The Turk- Spanish.
ish language is the language of the Missionary Education in China. Empire, as much as the Spanish is of Mexico; but there are fragments of Now that the subject of higher edu- nations conserving more or less their cation as a missionary agency is beown languages, and we have used ing debated, it is well to note the those languages as the channels of the gospel to them. The translation of angle of vision of some persons on the Bible has been life from the dead, the field, who might claim to be unnot only to the people, but to their prejudiced because outside the circle languages. Fifty or sixty years ago the modern Armenian was a gross of participants. The Ohinese Times is and vulgar language, ungrammatical, an independent secular weekly paper full of foreign idioms and words of published at Tientsin, in North China. ¥i1eness and blasphemy, and it was The Methodist Episcopal Mission has regarded by the people as a desecra- for some time past had an education to translate the Word of God into it, and it must be confessed the first tional institution at that place known translation was very imperfect. It as the "Wiley Institute," named >could not be otherwise, for the instru- for the late Bishop Wiley, once an ment itself was very imperfect; but efficient missionary of this church in the most imperfect language can express the Sermon on the Mount, and China. The Ohinese Times had a 'some of the most beautiful Psalms leading editorial a little while ago on .and the gospel narratives, with clear- the relation of this institution, which ness. The first Armenian translation was immediately attacked and ridi- has now become incorporated as -culed by Jesuit missionaries and >others. Replies were made to them; "The Peking University," to the gen- -criticisms, friendly and unfriendly, eral situation at present in China. were noticed. Altercation sprang The editorial referred to says: up. The language grew. It began to drop off incongruous elements. Af- " The prospectus of t~s institution "ter ten or fifteen years a new transla- shows it to be the natural develoption was demanded and made, greatly ment of the Methodist Episcopal improved upon the first, because the Mission in Pekin~, which grew first language was undergoing a transfor- into 'Wiley Instltute,' and is now mation. Since then a third revision about to pass into the more advanced has been made. The language has stage of the Peking University. The become a cultivated language, and ca- title is apt to strike those who hear it pable of expressing, with great clear- for the first time as ambitious, and ness, the truths, the facts, and the sen- even audacious, but when calmly timents of the Bible. This will al- considered it is scarcely out of keep- ing with the general tone which the outer nations assume towards China.
" The assumption not only of un- doubted superiority, but of the right to impose that superiority on the Chinese, has a substantial basis of fact to rest upon, and whether it can be altogether justified on the princi- ple of non-interferenpe or not makes no practical difference. Facts come before theories, and if no formula yet exists to explain the fitness of the .domination which the foreign spirit is a brief history of the present' Wiley resolved to exercise on the Chinese Institute,' and a report by the princi- mind, such a fonnula will in time be pal, Rev. L. W. Pilcher, for the year ·.discovered. Meantime the aggressive 1887-88. These well-written papers movement is in full play and the show what a very good foundation forces behind the movement are ap- has been already laid in Peking for parently too potent to be seriously the new university, and what oppor- hindered in their operation by anr tunities of teaching the future literati obstacles whatever. The Peking Um- and official class, the teaching of the versify, under the auspices of an new sciences would give them. These American Mission Board, is an apt papers are backed up by a stirring ar- expression of the whole attitude of ticle by Bishop Fowler, who is Cllan- enlightened foreigners towards the cellor of the new university." ()hiriese Empire. .As such it deserves the best consideration which we can The International 14isaionary Union. give it. The Seventh Annual Meeting of the " The idea of this university seems International Missionary Union will be to have been flashed into the mind of held at Clifton Springs, N. Y., the lat- Bishop Fowler, during a recent visit to ter part of June next. Peking, by the ImJ?6rial Edict which .allowed Western SCIence to share with The invitation from Dr. Henry Fos- Chinese learning in the honors of the ter, the founder of the famed Sani- tarium at Clifton Springs, to the Union .competitive examinations. ' Here,' to hold a session at that place, has thought the Bishop, ' is our oppor- been a standing one for three years tunity. The Chinese Government past, but not till now has it seemed provides the motive for study in the practicable to accept the generous of- reward it offers for success, but it fer. The Sanitarium is so widely <does not furnish the means of study. known as a local point of missionary We will supply the want, and with interests, that it needs no introduction the teaching of science we will mingle to missionaries. We do not know the teaching of Christianity in such a what number of hundreds of mission- way as to spread the :principles among aries have received the advantages of the literati of China. treatment and of a home in this insti- tution while invalids or semi-invalids. " The missionary spirit is as much The spiritual atmosphere of the place a. living force in the world as the has always been spiritually hygienic, greed of gain or the passion for and if it is possible for sectarianism to knowledge, and the China field is so lose caste and color more thoroughly large and attractive that we may anywhere else in the land than here, reckon on substantial and perhaps we can not name the place. The ofstartling results of its operations in ficers of the Union have never urged the course of a generation or two. It missionaries to attend the annual is probably the most potent factor of meetings. It has been enough just to the coming invasion of China, and, as announce where it was to be held, and ,such, challenges attention to its all returned missionaries-men and methods. And if by discussion and women-who could possibly command free comparison these methods could the time and money and had the be in any degree divested of error, strength, gravitated thither, like .and their success assured without the "doves to their windows." But if it drawbacks which are apt to mar all were necessary to appeal to the brethgreat enterprises, then public benefit ren and sisters to be courteous to an will be certain to result from the ven- invitation, it would not be easy to tilation of missionary work outside over-emphasize the claims of Dr. Fosthe professional sphere. It is, on this ter and the Sanitarium to the compliaccount at any rate, that we consider ment of a largeattendance. Of course, it our duty to direct attention from time to time to what the missionary body is doing, and the new Peking University marks a most important :stage in that work.
" The appeal of the Methodist Epis- ·copal Mission to the liberality of the United States is for the round sum of half a million dollars to build and endow the university, of which a copy ·of the design is given in the prospectus. The appeal is accompanied by the physical advantages and charms evangelistic work effected by the often. of Clifton Springs are second to no maligned Christian College at Madras. health resort in the land. Missionaries of which he is a professor. Soneed not feel unwelcome in a place stro~gly was it felt that missionary which for a third of a century has education is a branch of evangelisticbeen dedicated to their physical up- work, that a protest was entered building. against the proposal, now favored in. many quarters, to substitute laymen We make this early announcement for missionaries in charge of educaof the next meeting, that all returned tional institutions. This approval of missionaries in the country may be educational· work did not involve. able to make their summer plans to in- however, any undervaluing of agenclude this meeting. Also, we wish to cies more obviously evangelistic. urge upon every member of the Union Preaching to low castes and nonnow abroad, to send some communi- castes has of recent years been prosecation, longer or shorter, to this meet- cuted with increased energy in seving. They are all members of the "Out- eral of the fields occupied by the Weslook Committee," and are expected to 1eyan Society, which has thus anticireport· on the situation in their part of pated the clamor that has recently the world. Either the President, arisen for the evangelization of the Rev. J. T. Gracey, D. D., 183 Glen- masses. This work will still hold a wood Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y., or the foremost place in the policy and oper- Secretary, Rev. W. H. Belden, Bridge- ations of Wesleyan missionaries; but ton, New Jersey, will receive these at the same time they are not inclined papers. to abandon those means of presenting the Gospel to higher, yet more be- India Wesleyans on Recent Criti- nighted, classes which their educacisms.-The Fifth General Confer- tional institutions afford. ence of Wesleyan Missionaries in India assembled at Bangalore at the -The questionof the employmentof' close of 1889, and sat for eleven days. a cheaper Europeanagencythan the or- Since they held a similar meeting dinarymissionary, is one that has lately three years ago, the work in Ceylon been prominently before the Weshas so far developed as to demand a 1eyan Society, as it has been beforeseparate organization and an inde- others. Experiments have been made pendent Conference for that Island. on some of the stations of the Society There were 24 ministers present from in South India; but the results so far every part of India and Burmah. have not been very encouraging. The Conference considered the ques- The Indian Methodist Times says: tion with much carefulness and in " On the subject of higher education great detail, and while it expressed as a missionary agency, the' Confer- its willingness to give the system a. ence showed that its views had not fair trial, it did not express much been at all affected by recent noisy hope that a permanent relief forcontroversies. It affirmed the im- straitened funds or a large multipliportance of maintaUring all the exist- cation of missionary resources could ing educational institutions of the So- be looked for in this direction. The· ciety, and the desirability, in some qualifications which must be required places, of adding to them. It heartily of European lay agents, the minimum encouraged the brethren in Calcutta rates of stipend at which their health to support and co-operate in the and efficiency could be maintained, scheme for a united Christian College and the kind of service in which they in that city, and the Rev. Gao. Pat- could be most effectively employed,. terson testified, in a remarkable speech, to the powerful and extensive
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF'MISSIONS
were all duly considered and reported ized in the removal of all hinderances on to the Home Committee. to the settlement of herself and fellow- workers among the women of Kash- -The death is announced of Dr. mir. She was thoroughly qualified Fanny J.'Butler of Srinagar Kashmir. for her work, and was a most compe- She went out in 1880 as the representa- tent physician and a most earnest tive of the Church of England Ze- and devoted missionary. "Our sisters nana Missionary Society, and was sta- have had to mourn over the removal of tioned at Jabalpur, and about a year several of their most honored workers ago was transferred to her present lo- in the last three or four years, but cation, and passed away just as the no loss is greater than this," says the great desire of her heart had been real- Missionary Intelligencer.
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.
Mexico. murder, and a slavery which was al- Before the year 1519. heathenism most worse than murder, are not edi- bore unquestioned sway in the Valley fying topics. Disgrace, rather than of Mexico. It was not without some glory, was reflected upon the Christian redeeming qualities. It was attended name. So grievous did the general by an advanced civilization; it was system of peonage become in the first presided over by a mild and humane twenty-five years, that in 1642 an op- sovereign, whose laws promoted the pressed people rose in a formidable re- general welfare of the people; yet in bellion against the Spaniards, and it its prevailing religious rites it was one proved so far successful that Charles of the bloodiest and most cruel of all V. of Spain issued an edict abolishing systems. Under the Aztec rule it the enslavement of the Indians, and had taken on cruel observances as a whatever forms of oppression tended war measure. The Aztecs, in con- to degrade them. But the planters quering the Toltecs, substituted for were not to be foiled, if "money, in- their gentle and grateful offerings of fluence, false,4ood and intrigue" could fruits and flowers, the awful rites of prevent it. A strong delegation sent human sacrifice. Cowardice dictated to Spain caused the edict to be re- this method of disposing of prisoners voked. In 1550, Velasquez, as vice- taken in war-at the same time that roy, made another effort in behalf of the fostering of a bloodthirsty spirit the peons, but Phillip II. had come to was supposed to give new valor to the the throne, and he was not a man to Aztec soldiery. appreciate humane measures. The THE SPANISH PROPAGANDA. people sank even lower into that deg- In the full noontide of this Aztec pow- radation from which three centuries er, the Spaniard appeared on the east- have not been sufficient to raise them.
ern coast, and the mysterious symbol In 1572 another and peculiar mis- of a cross was borne before his daunt- sionary agency was established in less troops. This was ostensibly a re- Mexico in the form of the Spanish In- ligious crusade-a missionary enter- quisition. If this could secure purity prise. Paganism was to be done of faith in one hemisphere, why not away, and the beneficent reign of in another? Out of its dark history Christi!l-nity was to take its place. an occasional flash of lurid light ap- But over the opening scenes of this pears, only to reveal the blackness of Spanish Propaganda de Fide it were the night. One or two illustrations.
charitable to draw a veil. Perfidy, will suffice. At a single auto-da-fe cruelty, robbery, bloodshed, wholesale in 1659, fifty persons were burned alive, the viceroy presiding on the oc- the Mexican people had a heavy score casion. .As late as 1872 or 1873, when to settle with the Papacy, and they the Methodist Missionaries were re- proceeded with the business right modeling an old mOI).astery at Pueblo earnestly. Every trace of the Em- for a church and school, they found pire was obliterated, the Jesuits were the skeletons of heretics walled into again expelled from the country, the its subterranean dungeons. In 1776 rich estates of the Church-the fruits the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico of centuries of extortion-were largely by a concerted movement of the chief confiscated; the monasteries were cities. thrown open, religious liberty was proclaimed; the Bible, hitherto ex- THE RISE OF THE REPUBLIC. cluded, was granted free course, and Protestant enlightenment was wel- In 1808 Napoleon I. usurped the comed. throne of Spain, and led on to great results in America. Two years after The First Napoleon, by his blunderthat usurpation and the crowning of a ing ambition, had sprung that move- Bonaparte in place of Ferdinand VII., ment for civil liberty which extended Guadaloupe Hidalgo, a cure of Guan- not only over Mexico, but over all the axato, raised the standard of inde- Spanish-American States in the short pendence. The cause of Liberty was space of twenty years, and now the finally won in 1821, and the Republic Second Napoleon, while also attemptwas established in 1824. A year ing to dispense thrones and sceptres, later the Mexican Congress framed becomes the unconscious instrument a constitution, which declared the in securing religious liberty. Roman Catholic religion to be the faith of the country forever, and it From 1519 till 1867, or through the forbade the exercise of any other form entire period of 348 years, the Roman ()f worship. Catholic Church of Spain had been engaged in <Jivilizing and Christianiz- In 1835 President Santa Anna abol- ing Mexico. Waiving the question, ished the State Governments, and in whether any advance had been made -consequence Texas and Yucatan de- in civilization, whether the welfare of ~lared their independence. the whole people was in any degree better cared for before the arrival of In 1846 Texas was a~mitted into the Maximillian than before the landing United States, and the Mexican war of Cortez-what had been done in the followed, which resulted two years way of spiritual enlightenment as the later in the accession of Arizona, New result of a propaganda of 300 years? Mexico, California and a part of Nevada, to the United States. A FRENCH-CATHOLIC ESTIlIIATE OF THE MEXICAN CHURCH. THE ACHIEVEMENT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. The testimony of a French-Catholic priest, who visited Mexico at the time, In 1864, Maximillian, an archduke and resided for some time in the ()f Austria, was placed on the so- country, will be accepted as unbiased. called throne of Mexico by Napoleon Emanuel Domenech was a chaplain III., and the Republic was declared to in the invading army of Napoleon be at an end. Three years later, Na- III., and he became director of the poleon III. having withdrawn his press in the Empire of Maximillian. troops through fear of the armies of His observations were published in the United States-now released from Paris in 1867, under the title, "Le duu"y by the close of the War of the Mexique Tell Qu'il Est." First he Rebellion-Maximillian was arrested speaks of the clergy, as follows : "The and shot by order of President Juarez. clergy are in general very poorly edu- At the close of this effort-in which cated. They have the most errone- Pope, Cardinals and Mexican Bishops had joined-to destroy the Republic, <Qus and absurd ideas of morals and of the devil with God, the absence of in- ternal exercises of pietr, have killed Catholic dogma. • • . They traffic the faith in Mexico. It IS vain to seek in the sacraments, make money out any good fruit from this worthless 'of every religious ceremony, undis- tree, which makes the Mexican relig- ion an assemblage of heartless devoturbed by the fact that they become tion, shameful ignorance, insane su- perstition, and hideous vice. • . In guilty of simony, and liable to the vain you seek in this country, called Catholic, houses of refuge for the aged censure of the church. If the laws and indigent, for 'penitents fallen through betrayal and misery, or for of Rome were to be enforced in Mexico, works of benevolence and mercy. • • In Mexico, faith inspires nothing, inthe majority of the Mexican clergy vents nothing; it does not even imi- tate-it is a fossil. . • • The idolwould be excommunicated. Mr. Biart atrous character of Mexican Catholi- has said that 'the priests are forcing cism is a fact well known to all trav- the people to live in Qoncubinage, by elers. The worship of saints and ma- donnas so absorbs the devotion of the -exacting from them for the marriage people that there is little time left to think of God. . . . For want of {)eremony a sum which the Mexican serious instruction, you find in the Catholicism of the Indians numerous laborer, in view of the low scale of remains of the old Aztec paganism."
wages, could not accumulate in five REASONS FOR CARRYING ON PROTEST- years of the strictest economy.' There ANT MISSIONS IN MEXICO.
is little exaggeration in this. The ac- We are often asked, "Why send {)ounts which Abbe Domenech gives missionaries to Roman Catholic coun- of the scandalous lives of the priests tries?" The above extract must sup- have never been surpassed by any ply the answer. The virtual pagan- which were published by Protestants. ism of the priests and the moral cor- As to the rapacity and the consequent ruption of the people are admitted.
wealth of the Church, the Abbe de- Last summer an intelligent American dares that three-fifths of the cities priest said: ' , We send missionaries to were in 1867 occupied by convents Mexico and South America to convert and churches. "I do not speak," he our priests." A distinguished Mexi- says, "of the fabulous riches of these can general, whom we had the honor churches. I think it right that the to meet on a steamer from New York temples of God should be better adorn- to Vera Cruz, expressed a hope that ed than the apartments of a stock- Protestant churches would be multi- broker; but is it not a lie in a man to plied in Mexico, as a means of elevat- make a profession of poverty, and ing, by their influence, the Mexican then live in possession of abundance Ohurch itself, and making it more like and comfort, as the ecclesiastics of the Oatholic Ohurch in the United Spanish America do?" States. If even the priests need con- Of the people, the Abbe says: "The verting, and if intelligent statesmen Mexican is not a Catholic. He is a Christian, simply because he has been and army officers welcome, and even baptized. I speak of the masses, and not of numerous exceptions in all desire, the influence of Protestantism, classes of society. I say that Mexico is not a Catholic country. First, be- there would surely seem to be an open cause a majority of the native population are semi-idolaters. Second, be- door. It would be a criminal indiffercause the majority of the Mexicans carry ignorance of religion to such a ence and neglect not to heed the call. point that they have no other worship than that of forms; it is materialism With regard to sending priests to without a doubt. Third, because the clergy themselves in general have lit- convert priests, they are in fact sent tle education, know very little of theology, and are ignorant of the canoni- from Spain and Italy, and not from cal laws and of the decrees of councils. . . • Mexican faith is a the United States. It is whispered in dead faith. The abuses of external ceremonies, the facility of reconciling Mexico that the real design is not so much to convert the Mexican priesthood to Christianity, as to Ultramon- the city. In 1872 the Presbyterian tanism-to overcome dangerous tend- Church (North) established missions encies toward independent republican- in Mexico City and in Zacatecas. The ism and a national spirit, and to bring Methodist Church (North) soon fol- them under the more thorough con- lowed ; also the Southern Methodists, trol of the Vatican. If this be so, the Southern Baptists; the Southern there is not less, but greater reason, Presbyterians, and the Congregation- for extending the free and enlightened alists. spirit of American Protestantism, lest the last state of the Church be worse The work of these various Christian than the first. And it must be Ameri- bodies has prospered along all the can Protestantism, if any, that shall usual lines of missionary labor. accomplish this work. Our geographi- Churches, schools of various grades, cal position is such that other Protest- printing presses and colportages have ant nations will naturally assign the been established, and many religious task to us. Weare only separated books have been translated into the from Mexico by a river. Great rail- Spanish, and several able religious road lines have already crossed the papers are now published. We shall border at different points, and the two not deal with statistics here, except to countries are bound together by a state that the membership of the thousand commercial bonds. Mexico churches now number many thous- and Central America are in sympathy ands; but there are some special feat- with our institutions. They have ures of the work which may be specadopted them, in fact, and their states- ially noticed. men have more than once expressed the desire that their countrymen may 1. It has never been free from perenjoy the same liberty of thought and secution. In one case, an American the same general enlightenment which missionary fell a victim to the hatred we possess. of the priesthood, and at least two others narrowly escaped. Of native WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. ministers and people, many have fallen, and a still larger number have Even before the collapse of the been maimed. Even within a month Maximillian Empire and the procla- stones have been thrown at the winmation of religious freedom by the re- dows of a newly dedicated church. stored Republic, good seed had been These acts of violence have invariaplanted, and was only waiting for the bly been instigated by the priesthood proper conditions for growth. With -never by the Government officials. the American army, under General It is greatly to the credit of the au- Scott, many Bibles found their way thorities, from the President down, into Mexico. Here and there little that they have, as a rule, striven to bands assembled together to read the carry out the guarantees of religious Book, which was almost as new and freedom, and to punish their violation. strange as if it had just descended out One of the most fanatical States of of heaven. Its messages were re- the Republic is Guerrero, and it is ceived with joy by many hearts, and only the determined spirit of its Govlittle churches – the "ecclesire" of ernor, Arce, that has prevented the apostolic days were formed in private extirpation of the Protestant cause. houses. Somewhere about 1870, Father Aguas and other priests in the 2. The work of the various societies capital began to proclaim a free and has in the main been well organized. blessed gospel of faith and of power. It has wisely considered permanence Aided by the Rev. Mr. (afterwards and self-reliance in the churches. It Bishop) Riley, Protestant congrega- has fostered a national spirit, and has tions were organized in and around studiously avoided all appearance of a desire to hold Mexican Protestantism_ by any American leash, or in any way not extend to the smaller States on its (as has often enough been hinted) to southern border. Nevertheless, at open the way for anriexation. Belize and along .he Mosquito Coast, Great attention has been paid to the there has been a limited missionary training ofa native ministry. In few work for several years, and there have mission fields is the work so largely been times of remarkable refreshing done by native preachers, or done so in the Wesleyan Missions of that field.
well. Whether Methodists or Pres- Altogether, the most progressive of byterians, these men are true" itin- the Central American States is Gua- erants." Mounted on Mexican ponies, temala, and yet until within the last they ride over mountain roads where six years, there was no such thing as a no vehicle could be used, and often Protestant religious service in the en- long distances, to villages where be- tire State, with its million and a half lievers from half a dozen hamlets as- inhabitants.
semble to hear the Word with glad- The history of the establishment of ness. It has been our privilege to the Mission of the Presbyterian Board hear from some of them truly elo- in its capital is full of interest. In ,quent appeals. 1884 President Barrios, of Guatemala, 3. For the most part there is an and Minister Romero, of Mexico, were admirable spirit of harmony and co- at Washington, seeking the arbitra- operation between the different Mis- tion of President Arthur in a bound- sionary Boards and Societies. Rules ary question between their respective <>f comity, which had been agreed States. Their relations personally 'upon have, with few exceptions, been seemed to be friendly, and other mat- ,observed. Rivalries in the price of- ters than the question in dispute were fered to native laborers are avoided, discussed. While President Barrios and it is rare that efforts have been and his staff were stopping for a time made to convert to the tenets of a in New York, Senor Romero wrote a particular sect those who have al- note to a gentleman in the city, inti- ready been converted to Evangelical mating that the President of Guate- truth. Conferences of a friendly char- mala would gladly welcome the estab- acter are held from time to time, and lishment of a Protestant mission steps. have been taken to economize among his countrymen, and he sugges- missionary resources by the establish- ted that the fact be communicated to ment of a Union Protestant College. some of the missionary societies. The There is great reason and great en- contents of the note were made known couragement to unite in a "Concert to a secretary of the Presbyterian of Prayer" for the one missionary Board, who sought an interview with work of Mexico as a whole. the President, which proved to be of the most cordial and satisfactory char- Guatemala. acter. Full protection and every fa- The Central American States have cility were promised, and even the not been the theatre of extended Prot- traveling expenses of the missionary estant Missions. Insalubrity of cli- to the field, though this was not ac- . mate has doubtless been one obstacle cepted. A missionary family was ,supposed, and the unsettled state of sent out promptly, and in fact they the country, as well as the general accompanied the President on the fanaticism of the people, has also had steamer from San Francisco to Gua- its influence. The impulse communi- temala. A few months later two cated to Mexico twenty-five years ago young ladies were sent to establish a by the re-establishment of the Repub- girls' school.
lic, and the general awakening of the The proInises of the President were 13pirit of liberty among its people, did generously fulfilled, and several American and British residents lent try furnishes such varying degrees of their influence to the work. Upon altitude as to secure healthful condi- the death of President Barrios, it was tions-and such is the obvious need feared that serious reaction might fol- of enlightenment that there is reason low under the administration of his to believe that the authorities every- successor; but, fortunately, the new where, in spite of the bigotry of the, President, Senor Barrillos, has also ex- priesthood, will guarantee liberty and tended full protection to the Protest- protection. Whatever may be the is- ants in all their rights. A change in sue of the schemes now discussed for- the missionary force, which left the transit from the Atlantic to the Pa- work of the little church for a time cific, the geographical position which without a head, seriously retarded these small States hold in the commu- the work; but it is again in a flour- nity of nations will rapidly increase ishing condition. Two ordained mis- their commercial importance and sionaries and two unmarried ladies bring them into contact on all sides, are at present engaged. Suitable and with the active forces of the age.
commodious buildings have been The status of the Roman Catholic purchased during the year, and the Church in Central America is that of mission is regarded as now estab- the Middle Ages. The period of Lu- lished on a solid foundation. The ther and Zwingle has not yet come.
church membership is pot large, nor but it will be hastened; the country is there a long list of pupils in the has waited long. Yet not exactly a.
schools ; but the right to exist in the Luther is needed-the times require a face of Catholic prejudice, the tried somewhat different method. An fidelity of the Government in the equal earnestness, but more of con- maintenance of every right, and the ciliation is demanded. It has been general sympathy of the foreign com- fully demonstrated in the efforts made'
munity, as well as of many natives- in Roman Catholic countries in this all these are assured. hemisphere, that not denunciation is.
The climate is salubrious, and the needed, but the 'plain, kind, and per- country beautiful. The people are sistent presentation of a more excel- impressible, and the Romish priest- lent way. The Government of Gua- hood are at least incapable of serious temala, while extending complete· harm. The Indian tribes of the in- protection, and giving every facility terior, not very firmly held by -the to Protestant missionary effort, has.
Catholic padres, are peculiarly recep- made known its want of sympathy tive. Unlike the Indians ofthe United with anything like an assailment States and Canada, whose roaming of the errors or corruptions of the ancestors have lived for generations Roman Catholic Church; and this we by the chase, the aborigines of Guate- believe to be the sentiment of those'
mala are industrious, for so warm a liberal minded statesmen in all the latitude, and for the most part thrifty. Spanish-American Republics who are They present a most promising field most ready to extend a welcome to.
for missionary labor. Protestant effort and influence. There The signfiCance of this young mis- is scarcely one of these States in which sion is much broader than the meas- instances of this enlightened spirit_ ure of its present results would show. have not been shown. If President, It is a demonstration of feasibility and Juarez was ready to welcome and success. It is an encouragement for protect Protestant missions; if the- other organizations to establish mis- noble minded General Esquibedo,_ sions in the Central American States. though a sincere Catholic, could wish The existence of mountain ranges for the organization of Protestant through the whole extent of the COUll- churches in Mexico; if Minister Ro-
EDITORIAL NOTES ON ClJRRENT TOPICS
mero could intercede for the extension and simply do the work of earnest, of the same work into Guatemala, and Christlike evangelists-simply show her own President could invite mis- the purity and beauty of a true gossionaries into his capital,-are not the pel; or to change from the standpoint sentiments of these broad minded and of statesmanship to that of the New noble men worthy of being heeded? Testament, shall they not show the Shall not missiontlries take counsel spirit of Christ at the well of Samaria, from their moderation and charity, and the tact of Paul at Athens ?
VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The Oonference at Brussels. into slave trade territories, the estab- At the Anti-Slavery Congress, which lishment of stronglyoccupied stations, opened in November, delegates were and the placing of efficient cruisers present from the United States, Great upon the waters of the interior. The Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Powers having territorial interests in Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Spain, Africa are to assist each other, and Italy, Norway, Sweden, the Congo may commit their work to chartered Free Statel and even from Turkey and companies, and also protect private Persia. Its task is a difficult one, and companies whose object may be to it is compelled to move slowly. It had crush the slave trade. Among these been much easier if the death of Gor- proposals there are also particular don and the fall of Khartoum had not stipulations for the punishment of extinguished the germs ot civilization slave traders and their accomplices, which had been introduced into the for the just disposal of fugitive and valley of the Upper Nile. Although liberated slaves, and for negotiations the work of the Conference progresses with such African States as have not slowly, it is none the less likely to give signed the General Act of the Confer- a decided impetus to effort for the sup- ence, with a view to obtaining their pression of the evil. The Powers have adhesion to its action. and to the in- assembled through their representa- terdiction of fire-arms and munitions tives for the purpose of entering upon of war.
a united and determined crusade The fact that these propositions are against this great outrage upon hu- said to be generally regarded with manity, and their determination will favor by the members of the Confer- be opportunely stimulated by recent ence, leads us to hope that the work occurrences in Africa. Two commit- of that body will not disappoint the tees have been appointed; one to re- earnest expectations of the civilized port upon the most available measures world. To the latter the recent cable for the suppression of the traffic by despatch from Rome makes the sur- sea, the other by land; to the former prising announcement that the Pope of which the English representatives was not invited to send a delegate to have proposed the right of searching this Congress. If this be true, the vessels over a zone comprising the managers of that Congress have openly whole East African coast, from the slighted one who has manifested more Persian Gulf to Madagascar. sympathy with the purpose for which The Belgian Plenipotentiaries have it was called-to take measures to submitted proposals providing for the break up the slavetrade-and agreater necessary action in territories ruled or willingness to promote it, than several protected by civilized nations, for the ot its members, and a good cause may construction of highways and rail- suffer from the folly of its professed roads, the discontinuance of negro friends. But if, as reported. the Pope carriers, the prohibition of the impor- has been ignored in this indecorous tation of fire-arms and ammunition way at the instigation of the Italian Gove=ent, that Government has which has for ages ravished and deso- been guilty of an act which can lated African soil. J. M. S.
scarcely be excused by any degree of provocations to which it may have A Grand Farewell Meeting.
been subjected. A great meeting was held at Exeter Portugal is not represented at the Hall, London, Monday evening, Jan. 20.
Conference, and her position and prac- It was called by the Church Missionary tical policy are hostile to its object. Society, to take leave of the Rt. Rev.
Here may be found the explanation of Bishop Crowther, D. D., and the fol- the virtual failure of the combined lowing missionaries, about to depart English and German forces on the East far the Delta and Lower Niger Mis- African coast to suppress the infamous sion: The Rev. F. N. Eden, M. A., the slave trade. That trade has not been Rev. H. H. Dobinson, B. A., and Mr.
materially diminished in extent, and P. A. Bennett; for the Soudan and its cruelties seem to have been aggra- Upper Niger Mission: Mr. Graham vated, rather ·than alleviated, by the Wilmot Brooke and Mrs. Wilmot presence and possessions of the three Brooke, Rev. Eric Lewis, B. A., and European powers. If Portugal does not Miss L. W. Lewis, and Mr. C. F. Har- openly favor the old-fashioned slave ford-Battersby, B.A., M.B., M.R.C.S., trade, she certainly manifests no real the Rev. J. A. Robinson, 11. A., having and active sympathy with any efficient sailed on Jan. 15; for the Eastern Equa- efforts for its suppression. Among torial Africa Mission: Mr. Douglas the first, if not the first, of nominally A. L. Hooper, B. A., and Mrs. Hooper, Christian nations to engage in that Mr. G. L. Pilkington, B.A., Mr. G. A.
trade, she seems determined to be the Baskerville, B. A., and Mr. J. D. 1'1.
last to abandQn it. So far as she has Cotter, B. A., and for the Yoruba been able to do so, she has persistently Mission: Rev. H. Tugwell, B. A., and thwarted such efforts as England and Miss Aimee Wright. A goodly com- Germany combined, or singly, have pany of 16-12 of them men and 4 made for its suppression; and what women-and, what is very noticeable, she has done in the past, she may be mostly college graduates, and people expected- to do in the future. Only that represent the very flower of En- upon compulsion will she co-operate glish civilization and culture. Not with England and Germany, or with often does a sight so impressive and either, or with any other nation or inspiring greet our eyes.
nations, for the suppression of the Sir John Kennaway, M. P., pre- African slave trade, so long as that sided-a man who values far more trade can be made profitable to her- than all his titles and honors, the self. privilege of being President of the In view of this fact, the civilized Church Missionary Society. With a world has reason to rejoice at the bold few well chosen words, the meeting stand which the English Government was opened. Rev. Mr. R. Lang, Sec- has just taken in reference to the ab- retary for Africa, explained the na- surd claim of Portugal to territorial ture of the work to be undertaken.
rights in Africa. Not only is the action Two of the departing missionaries are of the English Government just in it- to go to the old Yoruba Mission, and self, but it is manifestly in the interest a large band are destined for the Niger of humanity and Africa's welfare. It field, under Bishop Crowther. Mr.
is quite time Portugal was made to see Lang remarked that an important and to realize that she can no longer question has been, whether that small defy the sentiment of the whole civ- church now existing on the west coast ilized world, and, for the sake of gain, can be expected to furnish needed h~lp to sustain the accursed traffic laborers for the evangelistic work demanded. And, as it seems unjust to which to address the vast assembly, -expect it, the C. M. S. has invited and never have we heard so many ad- these qualified workmen to go and dresses where there was nothing that live in Africa beside these people, and could have been left unsaid. Wilmot Brooke referred to the new ~onditions lead in evangelism.
The Niger Mission is not only to be under which the mission band goes Teinforced, but reorganized. 1. The forth. In Mohammedan lands, the upper portion is to be the scene of missionary, ordinarily being under labors comparatively new, or at least the regis of a nation feared by the extended on a new scale, on methods people, is put in the anomalous po- that will enable the native population sition of urging converts to brave dan- to realize the purpose of Evangelizing ger which he himself is not called to Agencies, and the missionaries will face. This band goes out, claiming live, as far as may be, on the level of no such governmental protection, and the natives-identified with them. venturing to dare the same perils -There will go out with Wilmot that the converts must face. Mr.
Brooke, a doctor for Medical Mission Lewis asked that prayer may be of- work at the base of this northern mis- fered _for "spirit-taught converts,"
sion, ladies also working with them who inay become winners' of souis side by side. 2. The Lower Niger themselves. Mr. Battersby said that Mission among the pagans, southward he had often said, that he " would not of the confluence of the two rivers-a be a doctor, and would not go to Af- vicar and his curate have left their rica," but found himself doing both.
parish at home to go abroad. On the Mr. Eden, of West Hartlepool, is East African side, Douglas Hooper the vicar, and Mr. Dobinson, the cu- leads a band, and in that band go rate, who leave their parishes for the "three of his own university friends. foreign field, believing that successors The principal of Ridley Hall, Rev. may be more easily found for them -G. Hundley Moule, who had trained than substitutes for them, as intending ,several of the missionaries, suggested workers in the African field. Mr.
that.those who stay at home should at Dobinson beautifully spoke of the least promise to pray for the depart- high level of preaching the gospel ing band, and keep the promise, re- to the nations, inasmuch as in Luke membering especially how, in the xxiv:_ 46-48, Christ puts this on the _,stifling atmosphere of Mohammedan- same plane as his own sufferings and ism and paganism, they need to be di- death.
vinely kept in the fresh air of God's In course of these addresses many own presence. Reference was also stirring and suggestive thoughts were made to the "African Prayer Union," presented, that the "good done by which meets on every Thursday for leaving home is often more than by specific supplication. staying," is often illustrated in the ef- The Bishop of the Niger, Crowther, fect of such consecrated examples.
then referred to the establishment of The resignation of two curates em- the Niger Mission in 1837, and the dif- braced in this party has already im- ficulties met and the obstacles sur- pressed some of their congregation, mounted during these fifty years. hitherto seemingly uninfluenced by The pioneering stage has passed, and their preaching. The long waiting the era of development begun. Pagan time was referred to as one of especial -chiefs see the folly of idolatry, and temptation, while the missionaries are -even Moslem leaders begin to ask for getting ready to go to work.
the knowledge of Christ. The motto of this out-going band is : Then the various men of the band "AFRICA FOR CHRIST,"
-were each given a few moments in "HIMSELF FOR ME." And on the reverse side of the more dread than overstatements.
printed motto is the verse: They are sure to be found out, and " Every step of the way, Lord! then they lead to an increasing skep- Yes, every step of the way, ticism." We gladly publish this re- Thine all is Mine, mark, both in order to correct the And I am Thine, overstatements, and to show the ani- For every step of the way."
In course of the addresses, Mr. mus of such men as Mr. Stock, in Mackay's words were quoted: "We seeking to avoid any romantic rose- have stolen Africans from .Africa, and colored presentation of the facts of now a process is going forward which missions. We were misinformed as is very much like stealing Africa from to the real intention and influence of the Africans;" and again it was aptly this institution, and are glad to correct said that the "civilization and com- any wrong impression.
merce which the natives are pressing The Statistical and Comparative upon the Dark Continent are but the Tables in the December number of the names for fire-arms and fire-water." REVIEW are regarded here as of such The evening abounded in appropri- value, that at a meeting held Jan. 22, atereferences to HolyScripture, among at Rochdale, Canon McClure, in re- which two impressed me as both very ferring to them, declared his intention striking and suggestive: II. Chroni- to have a copy of them placed in the cles xiii: 12-" And, behold God him- hands of every church member in self is with us for our Captain ;" John Rochdale. And Dr. R. W. Dale, the viii: 29-" He that sent me is with eloquent preacher and WI'iter, of Bir- me; the Father hath not left me mingham, publicly, and of his own alone." impulse, called the attention of the From these indications. our readers audience the previous evening to the'
may gather how deeply devotional in MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, character, and how stimulating to pronouncing it "incomparably the heroic endeaver and endurance for best and most stimulating and help- Christ's sake, was this whole meeting. ful periodical on Missions to be found The Church Missionary Society is do- in the world." The compliment was, ing a most noble work, and deservedly as grateful as it was unexpected.
takes rank among the noblest socie- .A. T. P.
ties in the world in its furtherance of foreign missions. How far its great Medical Missions.-The Edinburgh leading men are from any disposition Medical Missionary Society will keep· to place the work of missions in any its Jubilee year in 1891. Rev. G. D.
deceptive light, may be inferred from Cullen, the venerable vice-president, the following note from my friend, is still living, though his name ap- Eugene Stock, Esq., one of its secre- pears in the first list of Directors in taries. Referring to an erroneous 1842. It is a Home and Foreign Mis- statement, which, by some inadver- sion .Agency, and abroad has Medical tence, crept into the article on Bishop Missionary Training Institutions in In- Crowther, he says: "In one sentence dia, Medical Missions in Nazareth and about the Preparandi Institution, I Damascus, a band of 28 students fit- cannot think whence came the idea ting for foreign service, and enrolls that it' is a 'centre of light for the from 60 to 70 fully qualified Medical whole coast.' It was only intended missionaries, formerly students of the for the Upper Niger. [It ought to be a Society.
centre of light for the whole coast, but The home work is centralized at the it is not, said Mr. Stock, to me.] Cer- Livingstone Memorial Training Insti- tainly, we have never published any- tution and Dispensary. The total thing of the sort. There is nothing I number of ministries to patients during the year 1889 was 10,089, an in- necessity for an appropriate special crease of 553 over the year before. education for missionaries is almost as This number includes only patients obvious as the necessity for having registered at their first visit. Includ- them; that if the demand for Mis- ing all visits, even where repeated, the sionaries be reasonable, so is the de- number rises to about 23,000. mand for their suitable preparation." After indicating the lines upon which Evangelistic work is carried on by a new departure in the education of the students in Cowgate and else- missionaries should be inaugurated, where. The famous Magdalen Chapel, such as a less rigidly fixed Arts cur- where John Knox preached, the birth- riculum, which would provide for the place of Scotch Presbyterianism, is student making himself faIniliar with the chapel of the Institute. The at- those subjects which would be of the tendance is so crowded that enlarge- greatest service to him in his future ment of premises is imperatively work-especially anthropology, and needed. Sometimes nightly services the science and history of religions- are held, and every effort is made to departments of knowledge with which serve the people-body and soul. missionaries ought certainly be ac- quainted, and instruction in which Since 1880, 44 students have left for Universities should certainly supply, service abroad, and 11 more are pre- Professor Flint proceeded to say: paring to graduate this year. " There is still to be desired, it seems to me, the directly practical training of Medical Missions have developed a ~tficiently equipped Evangelistic with amazing rapidity. When Dr. and Missionary Institution, placed in John Lowe went to India in 1861, the midst of a suitable training only 14 medical missionaries, with ground, such as the east end of Glas- British qualifications, were in the for- gow would furnish. Our Scottish eign field. Now there are 125, and Churches would do a very useful one-tenth of .these are ladies, and thing if they were to unite in setting nearly one-half of the whole number up and supporting such an Institu- from this Edinburgh Society. Besides, tion; they have been tried, and found there are some 140 from America. highly beneficial by other Churches in This goodwork is owing to Dr. Parker, other countries." who was the pioneer in the movement, and an American; but now the Edin- Mrs. Dr. Ohristlieb. burgh school is ahead of the American. Of the 280 now in the field, about Among other great privileges of the 37 are ladies. In the Edinburgh In- mission tour in Boetain, not least has: stitution about £40, or $200 a year, been the joy of personally meeting, at pay for board of students, and but for Mrs. Watsou's in London, the widow lack of funds, the number of students of my friend and that lamented adwould be indefinitely increased. vocate of missions, Professor Theodor Christlieb, of Bonn. In course of con- A. T. P. versation I find that Mrs. Christlieb is living at No. 22 Konigstrasse, Bonn, In his opening lecture, in Divinity and is proposing to make her house a Hall of the Edinburgh University, at home for a few young men who are the commencement of the last session, proposing to sojourn abroad for pur- Professor Flint took for his subject poses of study, etc. She has issued a "Christian Missions." Speaking of little circular, as follows: the special training needed for Missionary work, he said: "We may .. Mrs. Christlieb, widow of the late Professor· now naturally pass on to consider Christlieb, D. D., of the Bonn.University, offers what is, for us here in Scotland, a comfortable Christian home to the sons of' one of the most practical of ques- gentlemen coming to Germany for education. tions. It seems to me that the 'The number of pupils received is limited to six. that great river whose COU'l'Se was Special motherly care bestowed on junior pu- first made known to the world by pils, and every attention paid to health and Livingstone. The powers and duties comfort, as well as to the studies of the pupils. of the new company seem to be dis- It is Mrs. Christlieb's special aim to train the creetly guarded for the protection and young people committed to her charge in the promotion of the best interests both fear and love of God. The language spoken in of the natives within the territorial the family is German. concession and of the supervising British Government. While its gen- "The house is situated in the best part of eral sphere of operations lies between Bonn, and has a good garden; and the beauti- the Lower and Central Zambesi on ful country around Bonn affords plentiful op- the north. the Transvaal boundary on portunity for walks and excursions, with first the south, and westward to the twen- rate Rhine swimming baths and gynmastic tieth degree of east longitude, its more .sports, if desired. special sphere will be north of British Bechuanaland, north and west of the "As a university town, Bonn offers special Transvaal Republic, and to the west ,educational advantages. The Latin schools, border of the Portuguese dominions. or the University lectures, can be attended as The more important legislative acts of soon as young gentlemen have sufficient the company are to be approved by knowledge of German. Mrs. Christlieb's son the British Secretary of State before .will act as private tutor, if desired. " they can become valid.
Parties proposing a temporary stay Among the powers granted to this ,abroad would do well to correspond new company are those of abolishing, with Mrs. Christlieb, especially intend- by degrees, any systems of the slave ing missionaries and sons of mission- trade, or of domestic servitude, that .aries who wish to fit themselves for may exist in the ceded territory, and :service. Mrs. Christlieb's home will of so regulating the traffic in intoxi- be found full of a pure, evangelical cating drinks, as to effectually pre- .and missionary atmosphere, and free vent their sale to the natives. The from the rationalistic influences found company is also required to maintain in many households of Bonn, a careful regard to the customs and laws of the natives of the country in A.T.P. all its dealings with them, so far as such customs and laws are consistent Hope for the Dark Continent. with an impartial administration of Our readers will excuse our fre- justice. That these humane injunc- 'quent reference to events occurring in tions will be followed, we have suffi- Central and Southern Africa, for they cient guarantee in the persons to are Providential heralds of a brighter whom the charter has been granted. day for Africa. The recent grant by Among these are the Dukes of Fife the British Government of a royal and of Abercorn, Lord Gifford, George charter to the new South African Cawston, and though last, not least, company is assuming large propor- Cecil John Rhodes, who is really the tions in the estimation of the English leading person in this great and prompeople. The newspapers express the ising enterprise, and whose past his- {)pinion that it may mean the estab- tory in Africa and. elsewhere is well lishment of another British Empire known. like that in India, opening up another vast area to British enterprise, coloni- To speak of this new and important zation and capital. The territory in- concession as embracing Bechuanacludes the whole region lying between land, the whole of what is known as the Transvaal and the great lakes. Khamin country, to the Zambesi, the By the organization of this company, whole of Matabeleland, and several to be known as the South African 'Company, with a liberal charter and a large concession of territory, and in the hands of trustworthy men, Great Britain has recently extended her ter- :ritory to the banks of the Zambesi,
ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS
large outstretches, is to speak of what gold, which may prove its curse until appears from the map an insignificant portion of Africa. Yet in doing this, the supply is exhausted, and for some we have included a country of 400,000 square miles-an area equal to the time afterwards. Under judicious, combined areas of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, management, this new concessionmay Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana become a grand radiating centre for' and Illinois. This large territory has far-stretching plains and high moun- the civilization and Christianization tains; it has a rich and rare 'variety of climate and soil. The country has of South Africa, if not of the entire'
continent. But if such a result is to be secured, England must avoid the serious and patent errors she has for- merly made in that quarter of the world. She is, we believe, now wise enough to do so. J. M. S.
VII.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND ST A TISTICS.
Methodist New Oonneotion Missionary and a Christian community of 3.634; about Sooiety. 1.700 scholars in the day and Sunday-schools.
Secretary: REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, Richmond Young Men's Association in Aid of Hill. Ashton-under-Lyne. England. the Baptist Missionary Society. REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MAY. 1889. Secretary: MR. C. HOLLIDAY. Baptist Mis- General Mission Fund ………………£4.409 sion House. Furnival St., Holborn. London. Special Foreign expenses……………. 2.751 E. C.• England. REPoRT FOR YEAR ENDING APRIL 26, 1889. A considerable portion of the General Fund is still used for the more strictly Home Mission Receipts …. .. ….. .. …. .. .. .. .. . £193 13 10 work. in the Isle of Man and in England. the Expenses ………….. ……….. 1931310 Home Mission Fund not yet being large enough to meet all wants. The only foreign work The work of the Society seems to be in the is in North China. where there are 6 ordained way of furnishing lectures and imparting gen· -1 medical. and 5 female missionaries; 25 na- eral information on Mission topics. rather than tive ordained ministers. 18 other helpers. S in the actualemploymentof Missionaries. As stations. and 48 out stations. 4 churches. with such it does good work. 1.495 members. of whom 26 were added during the year. Striot Baptist Mission.
General Baptist Missionary Sooiety. Secretary: JOSIAH BRISCO. 58 Grosvenor Road, Secretary: REv. WILLIAM HILL. Mission Highbury, New Park. London, N.. En- House. 60 Wilson St.. Derby. England. REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MAY 31, 1889. gland. £634 Receipts. REPORT FOR YEAR 1888.
GeneralPurposes……. : ………. £4.842 10 0 Receipts…. …. .. ……………. Special Funds.. .. …. …. …. •• …. 265 7 :I In India………….. : …………. 2.61010 6 The whole of this goes to the Mission ex- In Rome………………………. 184 13 3 Balance… …………………… 20 12 11 penses, except a small sum for stationery and £7.923 14 11 printing. The Mission in Madras numbers: Expenditures. Balance….. .. •.. … .. .. …. …… £ 887 10 10 6 ordained. and 8 female missionaries (some Orissa Mission….. ….. …. …… 2.858 10 5 In India (see above)…. …. …… 2,610 10 6 of them natives). 22 helpers. It occupies 22 Rome…. …… .. •… .. … …….. 484 13 3 Annuities. expenses. etc…. …… 1,082 9 11 stations and out-stations, with 15 churches and Total…………………… £7.923 14 11 890 members, of whom 38 were added during The Orissa Mission in India numbers: 9 ordained missionaries. 7 female missionaries. 20 thayear. native helpers. There are 19 places occupied as stations or sub-stations. provided with 17 Baptist Missionary Sooiety. chapels. There are 1.401 church members, Secretary: ALFRED H. BAYNES, Baptist Mis· sion House. Furnival St.• Holborn. London, E.C. REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31. 1889. Receipts.
Balance. Special Fund………. .. £26113 a Receipts…………………… .. 80.818 94 Balance drawn on General Fund. 2,862 3 G £83.942 61 Receipts at stations.. .. .. ….. .. 9.096 0 () TotaL. . .. .. .. …….. .. .. .. . £03.038 6 1 Expenditures. £5,859 97 Ladies' Committee……………… 40 0 0 Balance Debt …..•••••••••.. , . 73,188 19 Balance from old account. .. ……. 1 1 2 Expenses •••.•••••••••••••••••• 4,894 14 9 Balance Special Fund……… . Total. ……………………. £346 7 6 ExpenditnresinMissions………… 343 15 1 £88,942 61 Balance…. . .. . .. … ……………. 2 12 5 Expenses at stations (see above) 9,096 00 Total. … ……………….. £93,038 6 1 Total. ……………………. £346 7 6 The work, carried on by a single mission- Statistics. 118 ary and his wife, since 1877, has increased far Missionaries…. ………………. beyond the possibility of meeting its demands.
partly supported…….. 11 Pastors of self·supporting churches 62 Ohristian Vernacruar Education Society for India. Evangelists…. ……………….. 581 Secretary: REv. JAMES JOHNSTON, 7 Adam St., Stations and sub-stations. .. . . . . . . •• 496 Strand, London, W. C., England.
Baptized………… …. …… ••••••. 2,871 REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1889. Receipt•. Members…… …………. ……… 47,133 Subscriptions, etc., England …••• £3,361 16 0 Day-school teachers .. _………… 371 Contributions, India. ………… '" 841 18 9 Scholars…… ……… ……. ……. 16,381 Sale of Publications, India.•••••• " 4,611 6 3 Sabbath·school teachers…… …… 2,225 Grants…………. … .. •……… •• 692 4 0 scholars…………. 26,870 The Missions of the Society are in India (Bengal and northwest provinces), Ceylon, China, Japan, Palestine, Europe (Brittany, Total…………………… £9,507 50 Norway and Italy), the West Indies, and Payment•. Schools, India………………… £!,968 9 6 Africa (Congo River). Publications………………….. 4,894 16 6 London Society for Promoting Christi- Colportage .. .. ……….. _…. " 75 18 9 anity among the Jews. Administrative expenses, etc., The Secretaries: LONDON SOCIETY'S HOUSE, England.. .. ……… … . …. .. .. 1,050 13 4 No. 16 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W. C., Total …………………… £8,989 18 1 Repayment to working capital. . . • 142 12 5 England. Balance ……………. ……….. 374 14 6 REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING lIlARCH 31, 1889.
Receipts……… …… ……….. £34,814 11 7 Total. … ………………. £9,507 5 0 Expenditures ….. _………….. 34,561 15 1 The Society has a working capital fund of MisSion stations …………… . • 37 £1,000, and a special fund for publications of Ordained missionaries………… 27 over £3,000.
Unordained" and lay agents. 26 Children under instruction. ………. 8,900 Colporteurs, etc………….. …. 44 Students in training institutions…… 98 School teachers. .. . . . . . . .. .. …. .. 41 Copies of publications printed……… 690,5SS Christian Israelites…………… 84 Of the stations: 6 are in England, 20 in Con· British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews. tinental Europe, 2 in Turkey, 4 in Syria and Secretary: REV. JOHN DUNLOP, 96 Great Rus· Palestine, 1 in Persia, 3 in North Africa, and 1 sel! St., Bloomsbury, W. C., London, Eng. REpoRT FOR THE YEAR ENDING MAY, 1889. in Abyssinia. Receipts……………………. £8,926 0 0 Sunday-school Union Cont'l Mission. Expenditures…. ……………. 8,911 19 10 Missionaries employed…………………. 31 (Branch of the Stmday-school Union.) Voluntary workers …………………… 90 Secretary: MR. WM. H. MILLAR, 56 Old Bailey, Complaint is made of the disproportionate London, E. C., England. cost of admintstration, but it should be reo REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 30, 1889. membered that it costs no more to administer an income of £18,000 than one of £8,000. Out- Receipts . …………. ……. £1,860 13 4 side of England the work of the Society is car- Expenditures. ….. ………… 1,729 110 ried on principally in Germany and Austria, though there is a station at Jaffa, and one at The work of the Society includes cash grants, Adrianopie, in European Turkey. and grants of costs and publications to Sunday-schools in France, Germany, Hoiland, British and Foreign Sailors' Society. Italy, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Secretary: REV. EDW. W. MATTHEWS, Sailors' Young Men's Foreign Mission Society of Institute, Shadwell, London, E., Eng. Birmingham. REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1889. Secretary: A. H. KNOTT, Y. M. C. A., Needless Receipts. Alley, New st., Birmingham, England. REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1889. Snbscriptions and collections … £14,138 19 9 Receipts at Missions in Natal, Africa. Legacies. . . . . . … •• .. .. ……… 348 7 4 Donations …………………….. £225 16 4 Y. M. F. M., Birmingham…. ••••••• 59 10 0 Y. M. C. A., Shrewsbury…. …. •… 20 0 0
PROGRESS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN
Dividends, sales of books. etc… 488 15 3 Scripture portions distributed. .••• •••• 18,821 Balance, March 3f, 1888………. 1,811 14 6 Tracts, magazines, etc. •……. 592,394 Total………………… £16,787 16 10 Free beds (London), 6,764. Meals ..•• 39,781 Expenditures. The work of the Society covers almost the 'Chaplains, Missionaries, etc …. £3,315 12 10 whole world, and is in most cordial relations Provincial and Foreign stations. 8,879 4 11 with the American Seamen's Friend Society.
.sailors' Institute……………. . 782 9 4 German Evangelical Synod.
Deputation expenses………. .. 357 2 8 Secretary: REv.PAUL A.MENZEL,Annapolis,Md. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING HAY 31, 1839. General …………… . 788 7 4 Income. . .. •••• •…………………. £9,510 Statistics of Missions among the Sutnaml, .Special Funds…………….. .. 396 10 11 Birvampore. India: 1 station, 3 out-stations, 4 ordained missi0lli!ries, 4 teachers, 5 cathe- Total payments•••.••••••• £14,519 8 0 chists, 3 schools, 2 churches, 200 communi· Investments…………. …….. 545 2 0 cants. Balance, March 31, 1839……… 1,722 6 10 There is a printing press employing 40 men. This Society worked through the Basel and Total .. . …… £16,786 16 10 Barmen Societies for many years, but since 1883 has had the care of this.work committed Summary of work for the year: to it by the Missionary Society of New York, composed of members of several Lutheran and Meetings on board ship 1,661, on shore. 4,818 Presbyterian churches.
Attendance 91,477," 491,427 Visits to ship lodging houses, etc.. …. 51,563 .. the sick and families.. .•• ….. 8,535 Bibles and Testaments sold (English and Foreign)…. …….. …… …… 8,768 VIII.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
""f'rlca.-Lieut. Taunt, of the United Africa. The Missionary Gleaner gives tidings of the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Cole, of Mpwap• :states Navy, is the commercial agent of this wa, at Zanzibar, while Mr. Price and Mr. Wood, being bachelors, remained at their per· .country on the Congo. His experience of the ilous post. It seems that Bushiri, the Arab leader, arrived at Mpwapwa with 250 armed country dates back several years. • men on July 5. He assured Mr. Price that he had nothing to fear, but on the eighth of July Lieut. Taunt has spent a suftlcient time on the a Christian native warned the missionaries that they were in danger, and they left by Congo to know the country and people fairly moonlight for Kisokwe. six miles distant. The next morning Bushiri's men broke into the well, and we give an extract from his report mission house, and cleared out all that was of any use to them, and set fire to the place. Tecently received at Washington, given by the The natives assure Mr. Price that he shall not be disturbed, aud though the perils are great, correspondent of the Boston Journal: he and his associates will remain. Though there are said to be letters from Mr. Mackay •• The Protestant missions on the Congo are and others on the Lake Victoria, the Gleaner contains no definite tidings concerning the the American Baptist, American Methodist situation of affairs either at Msalala, or at Rubaga. (Bishop Taylor's), American Faith Cure (Dr. -The Royal Niger Co. has been so suc· Simpson's), the English Baptist, the Balolo cessful in suppressing the liquor traftlc in its territory in Africathat very little liquor is sold Mission (English), and the Swedish Mission. in the interior. Cannibalism is also declining.
'The Roman Catholic are the Belgian and the -The first convert in the Upper Congo Valley was recently baptized at Equator Sta· French Missions. The American Baptist Mis· tion. The valley contains 30,000,000 people.
sion, formerly Livingstone (English), is doing -Miss Sharp, the well·known teacher in Africa, has ten students from the Dark Con· excellent work, and is in a flourishing condi· tinent, who are prepared for a better educa· tion than her school proposes. She wants to tion. It is under the control of and supported send them to England to have them prepared for missionaries in Africa. by the Baptist Mission Board of Boston. Its five -Rev. David A. Day, a missionary stawell equipped stations extend to the Equator tioned near Monrovia, in Liberia, writes thus: "I sat on board a boat at one of the promi- 'on the upper river. Palabala, on the lower river, is the headquarters. The steam launch, Henry Reed, on the Upper Congo, belongs to this mission. The majority of the members are English, formerly of the Livingstone In· land, but now almost every steamer brings out American missionaries. The other two American missions are in anything but a lIourishing state."-Missionary Herald.
But our correspondent on the Congo, Rev.
Wm. Clark, of the A. B. M. U., writes us: .. Lieut. Taunt's published statement that the .A. B. M. U. is the only successful mission on the Congo, is not true. Both the B. M. S. and the S. M. S. have prosperous churches and 1!Chools. " J. M. S.
-English Church Missionaries in East nent African ports, and saw landed on a single Six or seven years ago, when Mr. Mozoomdar. Sunday from two steamers, about 50,000 casks of gin. Think of one missionary and 00,000 the second minis~r of the "Church of the' casks of gin coming into Africa at once I" New Dispensation," was in this country, and -The natves of Swaziland, South Africa, have agreed upon a triumvirate to govern published "The Oriental Christ," fresh hopes, their country. It will consist of two British members and one resident of the Transvaal. were raised as to what might be the grand is- The chiefs of SwazUand have also joined in a petition for the abolition of the liquor trafll.c sue of the movement. The Brahmo Soma;;, in their country. has since then suffered eclipse, and Mr. Mo- -Mr. Stanley has written a letter to Mr. Bruce, the son-in-law of Dr. Livingstone, de- zoomdar now writes sadly of it, but he adds: scribing the expulsion from his kingdom of Mwanga by a revolt of the combined native " Christ is a tremendous reality. The destiny Christians and Mohammedans, and the subse- quent conversion of Mwanga himself to Chris- of India hangs upon the solution of his nature· tianity. This Mwanga was the persecutor who murdered Bishop Hannington. Mr. Stan- and function and our relation to him. Let us. ley says that the fact that the native Chris- tians had grown strong enough to make a not hide in darkness, and rest contented with revolution in one of the most powerful of the African kingdoms, is one that if Livingstone random streaks; but place ourselves in open could have known it would have filled his dy- ing moments with content and love. The most light, and solve the problem, 'Who and what deadly persecutions-the stake, the knife, and the bullet-had failed to shake the staunch is Christ?' " fidelity of these African converts. -The Indian Witness states that secret be- -After all our explorations and discoveries, the future of Africa seems very dark. lievers in Christ are rapidly multiplying. For Our trust must be that ull;der the guidance of a divine Providence, there may soon come a every convert who openly avows his faith, league of our most powerful Christian and civilized nations, which, making the African there are hundreds who withhold such declaraslave trade more criminal than piracy, shall move promptly to its suppression at whatev.er tions for fear of their own households and cost. Such a league might conclude to begin its work by the construction and operation of caste circles. Thousands are being made' transcontinental African railways, bisecting the slave trade regions of Africa. and so ex- readyfor public avowal and loyal service when tinguishing the inhuman and infamous traffic. the break shall come. Harmah.-Sir Charles Bernard recently stated that the Christian Karens number .Japan. – In the course of his journey 200,000, or fully one-third of the Karen people. About 500 congregations are practically self- around the world, with the design of arousing supporting. They tithe the produce of their land for the support of their pastors. They interest in Christianity among the colleges of also send missionaries to Siam, and furnish all their support. the Orient, i:lecretary L. D. Wishard has Cbfna~China has 82 medical mission- reached Ceylon and India, where he is meetaries, a majority of whom are from the United States and mission hospitals and dispensaries ing with happy results. His nine months" in severa.! cities. A large part of the expenses of these hospitals is borne by the better classes stay in Japan afforded him opportunity to of Chinese, who highly appreciate the work. visit eighteen leading cities, and twenty-nine :J;;ngland.-The Church ofEngland has nearly 360,000 members in India. Government and eighteen Christian colleges -£1,334,491 is estimated as being the aggre- and schools. He conducted over 200 meetings gate amount of the year's British contributions for foreigu missions. This is $105,000 attended by thousands of students and busimore than the previous year's total. ness men. Over 140 students united with the Indta.-A few years ago Keshub Chundel' Sen and his Brahmo Somaj, in India, at- church connected with the Doshisha School at tracted wide att~ntion. The new religious movement was hailed as one full of promise. Kyoto, and large accessions to other churches followed his labors elsewhere. He writes strongly of the need and demand for special work for young men in Japan, on a basis similar to that OIl which our Y. M. C. Asso- ciations rests in this country. In his inter- views with more than 100 missionaries, he says that not one raised an objection to such an ex- tension of missionary work.
.Java.-Java is the most fertile, the most productive, and the most populous tropical island in the world. The Dutch have had pos- session of it many years, and have derived great revenues, especially from the coffee plantations, but have done little for the re- ligious elevation of the people, who are 1110- hammedans.
ltJadagascar.-The missionaries of the London Society in Madagascar affirm that their hold upon the people is as strong as it ever was, while the French influence is much less than it was feared would be the case.
Just now an event of much political import- ance is taking place. An attempt is being made to establish the authOrity of the Hovas over the Sakalavas, near Saint Augustine Bay.
A strong military expedition has been sent for this purpose, and if it succeeds, that portion of Madagascar wm be open to missionary ef- fort; it it should fail, the central government.
will be seriously Crippled. J. M. S.
The Missionary Review of the World — January 1890
IS THERE TO BE A NEW DEPARTURE IN MISSIONS?
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. xm. No. 1.-0ldSeries.—JANUARY.—VoL. m. No. I.-New Seriu.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
IS THERE TO BE A NEW DEPARTURE IN MISSIONS?
[EDlTORIAL.-A. T. P.] Our Lord rebuked those in his day who were more observing and discerning as to the face of the sky and the forecast of the weather than as to the signs 'of the times and the signals of coming trials and triumphs.
The question is not what would we like to have as signs of the near to-morrow, but what are the actual indications of the approaching future. What we may not be able to shape according to our mind or will, we may be able to accommodate ourselves to and prepare ourselves for. Possibly what we cannot prevent we may direct and control, as sagacious farmers in the valleys of the Vaudois sometimes guide and bank in the current of a mountain stream swollen by heavy rams.
There are some startling-to some, alarming-signs in the horizon which betoken some new movement in the direction of missions. Ultra-conservatism may complain and criticise, and even seek to arrest these developments, but this may be found to be only a new attempt to sweep back ocean tides. Why not calmly survey the situation and prepare to take our part in giving a wise and winning guidance even to an excessive and inconsiderate impulse of enthusiasm? Some movements that seem purely human have God back of them; and in seeking to "overthrow" them we may "haply be found to fight even against God."
1_ The first sign on the horizon to which we call attention is the infusion of a nett) .~pirit of enterprise into missionary work.
Enterprise is the characteristic feature o'f our modern civilization. The world in this nineteenth century no longer moves on its axis, or through its orbit, at its former rate and pace. Travd and transportation, postal and telegraphic communication, the rapid rate of livingyes, and of dying, too; the speed of making and marring great fortunes; the sweep of thought to the bounds of the earth and the bounds of the visible universe; the quickened. pulse of physical, intellectual and social life; the intensity and extensity of scholarly research and scientific investigation-these, and a thousand other similar signals, fly, like flags in the wind, to show both the direction and the rapidity of this social cyclone. Where everything else is moving as with lightning pace, the cause of missions must yoke a sanctified enterprise to its car or be hopelessly left behind. God means that the church shall quicken her march, and catch up with the times. Why should the world, the flesh and the devil monopolize all the enterprise of the age? Because Christ said that the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light, we are not to infer that he meant they should be. It will no longer do to act and talk as though we had countless years and even centuries before us wherein to evangelize this world. We have often said, what now we calmly :and deliberately repeat with emphasis, that with one tithe of the '" dash" and" push" with which all worldly enterprises are carried forward, the thirty millions of Protestant church members now on earth would not let ten years pass without belting the globe with ~issionary effort and bearing the good tidings of the gospel to every family of man! We yearn to see the church of God take up this work as though she felt that the time is short and eternity only is long; that millions of unsaved souls die every year, and a whole generation in less than forty years; as though she saw that God has given her opportunities and facilities that multiply her responsibilities a hundred fold. There must be an apathy and lethargy that are next to criminal, if the children of light stand still, or move so slowly as to allow the children of this world to outrun them in this race, and not only to carryall modern inventions, but all modern devices for destroying bodies and souls, into the regions beyond, ahead of the gospelmessage! The Prince of Darkness is pushing his missions and publishing his message fast enough, however sluggish may be the messengers of the Prince of Peace!
II. We mention next, as a sign of the times, the unparalleled uprising of our young men and women. Nothing like this has been seen before in the centuries of church history. It reminds the student of the middle ages of the enthusiasm kindled by Peter the Hermit, and has give~ to this movement the name of the" modern cr·usade."
This uprising is by no means in a solitary quarter or a single direction. It began nearly fifty years ago in the formation of that first Young Men's Christian Association in London, under George Williams, whose seed was in itself after its kind, and which has so rapidly multiplied that it now covers the earth with its shadow. Countries that then were hopeless heathen and pagan are now dotted over with these associations and sending native representatives to the great international conventions. Before the Y.M.C.A. began to be, young men, and especially young women, were comparatively scarce awakened to activity in the service of Christ. The denominations stood apart, as ~ects, eyeing each other with jealousy and envy, quarelling over minor differences which were practically divisions; the rigid line between" clergy" and" laity," drawn not in apostolic days but in the dark ages, practically separated the ministry and the lay-membership in the matter of soul-saving. 'l'here was but little general training in Bible knowledge or personal work for souls. We have seen all these conditions changed within forty years. No doubt the movement has at times swept beyond legitimate lines and bounds, .and even threatened to obscure, if not obliterate, important distinctions. But, on the whole, the Y.M.C.A. has done a wonderful work for God in uniting all disciples upon the fundamental truths of .our holy faith, in increasing knowledge of the Bible and power in using it, in developing general activity in Christian work, and expanding capacity for it. The Young Men's Associations naturally suggested the Young Women's, and the consequence has been that now all our Christian youth find new avenues open before them for both training and serving.
Then who can look on these ." Societies of Christian Endeavor" that, with incredible rapidity, are enclosing the round world in the network of their organization-inside of ten years increasing to thous3nds of societies-and hundreds of thousands of members-with- ·out feeling that God means to infuse new and young blood into our Christian work? If those that are older are not on the alert, they will find themselves hopelessly in the rear, if not left high and dry on the shore, like some old battered hulk when the ocean surges recede.
'Vhat shall we adequately say also of that" Students' Uprising," which, taking definite form at the Summer School in Mount Hermon, Mass., a few years ago, has now enrolled nearly 4,000 volunteers for the foreign field? The critical, cynical sneer that this is "all gush," and that when time has" sifted this bushel of wheat it will be found that the biggest part of it is all chaff," may do for a sneer, but this movement cannot be laughed down. It has shown too much vitality for the arrow of ridicule or the dart of denunciation to destroy it. No doubt time will liberally deduct from this number of volunteers; many now willing will be found reluctant and unready in the crisis; and Divine Providence will block the way of many who will be both ready and willing. But, from present appearances, it is far more likely that the great practical hindrance in the path of these volunteer3 will be that the church is so fettered by conservative methods, or so hampered by illiberal giving and lack of holy enterprise, that no way can be found to send volunteers to the field and support them on the field.
Even now, as we write, a circular has just come to our hand announcing what is perhaps the most significant sign of the times, of them all, in this direction. It tells us that the Sons of Kansas have heard the Macedonian cry, and the missionary spirit is abroad in the land; and tnat since the organization of the State work no movement, has ever grown with a rapidity so amazing, and none has arisen so replete with prophecies of good and opportunities of service. A number of the most active workers in the Y. M. C. A. in Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota have already decided to be the pioneers, in preparing the way of the I.ord, for the carrying of the gospel tidings to densely populated and benighted Africa. These men propose to enter by way of Liberia and the Kong Mountains, the Soudan of the Niger and Lake Chad, where are nearly 100,000,000 of people without a missionary, and to form a living tie between the African field and the home churches and associations. Think-of young men leaving secretaryships of the Y. M. C. A. in our northwest, and pioneering the way into the almost unknown and forbidding region of the Soudan!
There are those who deprecate this whole movement, and think Dr. Henry Grattan Guinness showed little judgment in his appeals to' the Kansas young men, and still less judgment in giving direction to the enthusiasm which his appeals aroused. But there is a wiser way than to stand off and criticise. The herdsmen on Western prairies, never try to stop or turn back a stampede among their cattle. Those thousands of hoofs would soon trample them into a bleeding mass of lifeless flesh. No, they spur their broll(~os into the very midst of the flying herds, and by degrees turn them about and guide them so that they swing round a circle and return to their pastures. When great movements take place, in which youth and enthusiasm need the guidance of mature judgment, let wise counsellors get into the current and sympathetically give it direction. God be thanked in this age of apathy for anything that breaks up stagnation! If this world is to be evangelized, it must be young men and young women that take up the work and put into it a consecrated spil'it of enterprise and enthusiastic endeavor. Surely the Holy Spirit must be moving, whQl'e men leave positions of honor and trust as well as of comfort, and go as pioneers into the depths of the Dark Continent simply to prepar; the way of the Lord! There is a sublimity in such consecration.
III. We think we see also, among the signs of the times, a markea tendency to establish a more direct tie between the churches and the mt88zonaries. This drift has been strongly resisted by the Boards, and not without reason. They say it tends to narrow instead of to broaden sympathy; to foster favoritism in the choice of certain attractive fields and the neglect of others; to cripple the general work in attention to local fields, etc. We see !lound sense in all this. Yet is it worth while to reflist a growing demand of the day? The churches say that to have a worker located somewhere who is immediately supported by the particular church, and from whom letters come from time to time, feeds the flame of missionary interest; that, it makes the appetite for missionary intelligence more keen, cultivates intelligent sympathy, and renders the whole work more fascinating. Those who have tried it say that money can be more easily raised for three missionaries, than for one on the old plan of putting money indiscriminately into the missionary treasury to be disbursed generally. 'Vide-awake pastors affirm that the trial of this method proves that the church will not only contribute cheerfully to support the missionary, but to supplement his salary by such additional sums as help his ,schoolwork, hospital work, and out-stations. And why not? The moment a church comes thus into sympathetic contact with a particular field, there is aroused a feeling of identification with that field, which makes giving easy and natural; and there is a sense of responsibility for such field as under the care of that particular church. Why can- , not the Boards assign particular fields, still remaining the channels of ,communication, and put the church at home into vital union with the ,needy multitudes abroad? What reason is there why every church «)f average numbers and resources may not have its missionary abroad as well as its pastor at home? Why may not church finances be so controlled as that provision shall be regularly made for the one as well as the other? What more practicable way can be found for distributing, the wide-world field than to assign a definite work to each ,congregation, and encourage every church to work in its foreign parish as systematically, liberally, prayerfully as in the best cultivated ,city parish at home? In many a church enough money is spent on a quartette choir to sustain three missionaries in the centers of heathenism!
IV. 'fhere is also an undeniable tendency to independent effort .on missionary fields. It is natural and almost inevitable. Not to speak of the singular success of that man of God, Rev. J. Hudson 'Taylor, in placing over 300 missionaries in Inland China without dependence on boards, committees 01' collections, and in supporting them upon funds received in answer to prayer, there is an obvious reason why independent movements are becoming more and more inevitable. There are many volunteers offering whom the Boards have not means to send out and support. Several young men now in the senior year ()f a prominent theological seminary visited the writer to ask advice. They wish to go out together, like the monks of the middle ages, as a band, electing one of their number captain, and to take possession of some unoccupied territory, say in China, Siam, Arabia, Africa; and, after acquiring under missionaries adequate knowledge of the language, etc., disperse within a limited area and undertake to evangelize it, acting in co-operation. The Board of their own church declines to send them: first, as not having funds; secondly, as unwilling to place them together in anyone field. This is no hasty impulse: they have been considering the matter for two 01' three years, and came to ask advice as to undertaking the work independently, getting support direct from the local churches to which they belong. They propose no antagonism to the Missionary Boards as such; but simply t() undertake what their policy does not permit them to do as missionary organizations. 'l'his may be another instance of enthusiasm run mad. But the question is, what shall be done with such cases? 'Shall we leave such independent movements to spring up in every direction, or shall the churches and Boards so modify their existing policy as t() throw about these movements a sheltering and guiding arm? At the same time there is a tendency to organize colonies of men and women~ representing different trades and callings, to go into destitute fields after the manner of Pastor Harms' Colonies from Hermannsburgh, to settle as germinal communities and even to undertake self-support. Is it wise to shut our eyes to the signs of the times and be either in- different or inactive in view of these developments?
~ human history moves forward methods must be modified. A growing boy cannot be kept in last ,year's breeches: he will extend beyond them in more ways than one. It is worth while considering at least whether we are not trying to wear outgrown garments.
V. The demand for a shorter course of preparation for mission- . ary fields is an open secret-it is now heard without concealment in our great ecclesiastical meetings and assemblies. One of the con- spicuous professors of theology in our land says he not only deprecates this movement, which he denominates a "short cut to the ministry," but that, if he could control ministerial education, he would compel a young man to double rather than halve the time spent in getting ready. We can understand this sentiment, and can even sympathize with it. Having spent nearly fourtElen years in preparation for the sacred calling, and having found even then that our resources were taxed to the utmost to do the work of the pulpit and pastorate, we can see why it is perilous to rush into such a sacred office with its daily demands on time, strength and learning. But at the same time we can all see that, as an army does not need to have all its soldiers trained at West Point, aud that, while leaders of the highest sort are needful, the private soldier can do effective fighting without this elaborate train- ing; so, in the work of preaching the gospel, there are fields where a very common man may, with a very ordinary education, tell the gospel story effectively without being qualified to be a translator, a college professor, or a great leader of missionary enterprise. The question is whether or not this great mass of common disciples cannot be adequately trained for evangelistic work at home and abroad without such a tax upon time, .money, and prolonged study as may put such preparation out of the power of hundreds of willing workers.
Rev. David Allen Reed in Springfield, Rev. M. R. Deming in Boston, Rev. H. C. Mabie in St. Paul, Rev. Geo. C. Needham in Kansas, Dwight L. Moody in Chicago, and others are establishing training institutes for the laity, and they are successfully doing this work. It fell to the writer to conduct the studies of a class number- ing from 150 to 800 during the month of October in connection with Mr. Moody's Institute, and the conviction grows upon us that there is a legitimate work to be done by these persons ·of ordinary educa- tion, and that therefore a special course of training for such work is legitimate.
The power of the early church in evangelism has never yet been equalled; l;lnd there was then scarce one in a hundred who had any pretensions to scholarship. Some of them were not only ignorant but had not even the advantage of training in the school of Christ. The woman of Samaria had never been to college or received a license even as an " exhorter," bnt what an earnest, evangelical, experimental and successful preacher! " They that were scattered abroad" and "went everywhere preaching the Word" had not an apostle or ordained preacher among them; yet the" hand of the Lord was with them, and many believed and turned to the Lord." We believe in a highly educated ministry. There is more room than there ever was for such profound thinkers as John or such close reasoners as Paul; but if we can get publicans to leave their benches, and fishermen to leave their nets, and farmers to forsake their ploughs, and carpenters to lay down their saw and plane; or better still, perhaps, hold fast their honest and honorable callings and make them handmaids to the preaching of the gospel, is there less room for such workmen now than in apostolic days?
How is this world ever to be reached with the gospel if we insist on limiting the work to the graduates of colleges and theological seminaries? The whole drift of New Testament teaching is toward constituting every believing hearer a herald.
VI. There is likewise a tendency to the critical investigation of the actual work of missions and Mission Boards, which is another conspicuous sign of the times.
Never before, since the days of apostolic evangelism, have so many assaults been made on missions by professed friends. We regard this as unavoidable. In the first place, the work of missions has challenged universal interest, and perhaps critical comment, by its just claims to a most marvellous success. And, in the second place, such vast sums of money are now controlled and disbursed by missionary societies that it is inevitable that they shall be called to account where the disbnrsement seems to be lacking in economy 01' in efficiency. For ourselves we welcome the criticisms of professed friend or open foe. There is nothing to be feared. Even misrepresentation will only lead to investigation and correction; and if anything be designedly hidden as needing concealment, that is just what we want brought to light.
But one thing must be remembered: while independent investigation-untrammelled by any official connection with boards and societies-is to be welcomed, it is not every investigator who can either elicit or perceive the real state of things. To no one who is not manifestly a spiritually minded observer will the most devout laborers uncover their real work, nor will any other sort of observer be able to enter into the secret heart of missions, even were it unfolded. There is a natural reserve and reticence in speaking of what is peculiarly sacred until we are drawn to do so by the perception of a right mind and heart in others. To some visitors a true missionary will be unconsciously indisposed to be confidential, and some visitors lack that magnetic touch that opens the inner doors within which lies what is, after all, the divinest part of the work of missions. When a man goes to explore mission fields he must go filled with the spirit of mISSIOns. If he has a spidt of criticism it will close the very mouth that would gladly 0pen to speak of the sacred things, and such a spirit even veils the observer's eye so that he sees only what he is disposed to see. The trouble with many independent investi~ators is that they have not only a warped judgment, but go through the central fields of missions without seeing the fruit which only a vision cleared by sweet charity, sympathy, and spirituality can detect. The visit of Dr. William Fleming Stevenson and his wife to the Oriental fields will never be forgotten by the missionaries. That great heart, now still in death, beat so grandly in sympathy with 'their trials and triumphs; so magnanimous was his bearing, so tender his cautions, so wise his counsels, so acute his perceptions, so appreciative his comments,so affectionate his spirit, so fraternal his interest, that all felt moved to lean on him and tell him every secret joy and sorrow of the missionary life. He would stand in a school and watch the dusky boys and girls in silence, big tears rolling down his face as he heard them recite the words of scripture or sing the songs of the new life. His questions were keys that unlocked at once the secret chambers of the missionaries' experience; his suggestions were the fruit of a wisdom that was paternal and a gentleness that was like that of a mother.
Let us not give up the visiting of mission fields to the professional tourist or the mercenary self-seeker, to the curious traveler or the self-constituted critic. Let our great-hearted, spiritually minded men and women visit the homes of lonely exiles, who for Jesus' sake bury themselves in these far off lands, and yearn for the benediction of a loving smile and sympathetic touch as for the ministry of angels.
1890.J EDUCATION AS AN EVANGELISTIC AGENCY
EDUCATION AS AN EVANGELISTIC AGENCY.
BY JAMES JOHNSTON, F.S.S., LONDON, ENGLAND.
As secretary of the late Conference on Foreign Missions in London, and editor of the report of its proceedings, I tl'llst that I shall not be considered presumptuous if I offer to the Christian public, through your pages, the conclusions which I have arrived at on I>ome disputed points in missionary operations-opinions which have been formed, not under the brief excitement of missionary meetings, or the study of papers and speeches, though much assisted by them, but on practical experience as a missionary and a lifelong study of mis- -sionary operations.
In choosing the subject of Education as an evangelistic agen~y I am influenced by two considerations. :First, it is a burning question in England at present. It is discussed in missionary magazines, in the columns of newspapers, in the pages of our reviews, and forms the subject of hot dispntes in ecclesiastical courts and public meetings. Second, because my first impulse to missionary service was given by the founder of Educational missions-Dr. Duff; and my first study of that kind of work was under the guidance of Mr. Anderson of Madras-as great an educationist as Dr. Duff, and a man who "agonized for the conversion of souls" with an intensity greater than I ever met with in the mission field. But, though going to China under such influences, and with full powers to establish a mission on the same lines in that country, I abandoned the cherished idea on discovering that, at that time, there was neither a call nor opening for an educational mission; which is not the normal form of missionary agency and is only justifiable in exceptional conditions of society, of which India is the most typical example. * After this personal introduction, which will, I trust, be pardoned as my apologia and before we discuss the question on its merits, let us get rid of some misconceptions which have prejudiced many earnest students, and in the hands of controversialists have given the appearance of victory to the opponents of educational institutions for mis- .sionary purposes.
First of all, it is said that Dr. Duff revolutionized the whole system of missionary effort by the introduction of his system. As one boldly puts it: "After six weeks' investigation, Duff, a young man, revolutionized the whole system of missions in India." There are two gross misstatements in this brief senteace. First, the scheme was not Dr. Duff's at all. It was the outcome of the mature mind of Dr. Inglis, an ecclesiastical statesman of the Church of Scotland, and Duff was only the fitting instrument chosen by him for carrying it out. The only point on which he deviated from the plan laid down for him * The question of education, as an essential condition for the development and effiCiency of ,a native church. is not touched on or alluded to in this article, was in choosing Calcutta as the sphere of his operations instead of some rural district, as Dr. Inglis proposed; and second, the statement that Duff at once revolutionized missionary methods in India is entirely unfounded. It was forty-five years before it was approved by any great body of missionaries, and Duff never wished, and never did materially alter or affect the methods of former missions.
Nothing could be mOl'e erroneous and mischievous than the mis~ representations on this point. One writer, to whose statements great, prominence has been given, has the boldness to say that "mission schools and colleges have been diverting from evangelistic work the energies and talents of at least th1'ee-fmtrths of the ablest men sent out by all the Protestant Missionary Societies." Leaving out that invidious and unmeasurable quantity, by which the writer guards 'himself, but which only reveals the fact that some of the ablest men do choose this method of evangelizing India, what do we find to be the real state of the case? I have before me two estimates from the statistics of missions in that country made by two independent authorities. The one says: "According to the Asylum Press Almanac there are 264 European and American missionaries in southern India, Of these exactly forty devote the main portion of their time and strength to 'mission high schools and colleges.'" That is only fifteen per cent., or less than one in seven, in the most educational region of India.
The other says: "Taking the latest reports of sixteen missions in different parts of the country, including the Panjab and Madura, Calcutta and Bombay, we went through the names of all foreign missionaries and found that between a seventh and an eighth of the total number is devoted to educational wOI'k-in many cases very partially" in others more fully." Both these witnesses give the estimate for the great educational centres, including the capital cities of the principal provinces. If they had taken the whole of India there would have' been found one in ten of the foreign missionaries, and if we include the native ministers and evangelists there would not be one in twenty or thirty engaged in this higher education, and of both classes it may be said that, of those engaged in teaching, many give only a part of their time to mere teaching; mnch of it is devoted to directlyevangelistic work. Dr. Duff never meant his system to form more than a. fractional part of the missionary work of the church even in India. As for the rapid revolution, no system of missionary effort has ever been more stoutly opposed both at home and in India. It wa~ not. until the year 1879, forty-five years after its introductioIl, that it received in Bangalore allYthing like an unanimous approval from any missionary conference. But there and then a resolution was· passed, proposed by the most ardent evangelistic missionaries iu southern India, expressing the most unqualified approbation of the higher education as one most important form of missionary work. It took forty~five years to win this entire approval from the missionaries of India, and it is the greatest proof of the value of Duff's method that it has fought its way to such universal acceptance by reluctant but the most competent witnesses. We may call the tlystem Duff's because but for his devoted and persistent perseverance and advocacy it would not have accomplished the great .results it has.
The Rationale and Results of Educational Missions. The true grounds on which Duff's system of operations can be fully justified are such as the following: First of all it is strictly evangelistic in its aim and methods. This is a feature overlooked by some and denied by others, but from the first this has been its characteristic. Duff in Calcutta, Wilson in Bombay, and Anderson in Madras, were all of them ardent evangelists, and openly declared to both parents and pupils that their great object was the conversion of every youth under their influence, from the day they entered their schools or colleges; and anyone who saw these men. at their work would have felt that no missionaries in India were more ardent and devoted than they. On the occasion of a visit which I paid to Madras, I accompanied the missionaries engaged in all kinds of work to their varied spheres of labor, and have no hesitation in saying that not one of them had snch audiences and opportunities for preaching the gospel as the missionaries in the great educational institutions, and none were more faithful and zealous in pressing the truth on their hearers than they were. To have a thousand of the most intelligent youth at the most critical and hopeful period of life under their daily influence, with the direct teaching of Scripture iu every class every day~ besides the frequent opportunities at other times, was the highest privilege a missionary could well desire; while the fact that they were cheerfully teaching their young hearers that secular truth which would fit them for taking their part in the life on which they were about to enter, and to rise to the highest positions open to their countrymen~ tended to secure their respect and affection. Many have the impression that Duff only aimed at the education of the youth of India as a means to prepare them for the reception of the gospel. In dealing with individuals he had no such idea. He knew human nature better, and had too firm a faith in the adaptation of the gospel to all men, and to all conditions of life, to trust to secular education as a preparation for repentan~e and faith. He might use science and geography or history to show the folly of the old creeds and idolatries, but the missionary in the bazaar did the same. In seeking the conversion of the individual he went straight to the conscience; but he did regard education as a preparation for the eventual overthrow of idolatry and the destruction of caste, and the final emancipation of the Indian empire from its social, moral, and religious degradation. It is true that (lonversions in our schools and colleges have been few, but this, as we shall show, is owing to social and religious conditions with which Christianity had never before come into conflict.
The System of Caste and" Book Religions." In calling on the church, as many are now doing, to conduc~ her missions on exactly the same lines and in the very furms in which they were carried on in Apostolic times, it is forgotten that the Apostolic Church never had to contend in the Gentile world with a state of .society and with a religion at all like those which exist in India. The early church never came in contact with a system of caste, nor with a religion based on the sacred teaching of religious books of great antiquity and authority. No parallel can be drawn between the books which had a kind of sacred character among the Greeks and Romans, and amongst the German and Scandinavian tribes, when they were brought under the powel' of the Christian religion, and the sacred books of the Hindoo and Mohammedan races in India. The Jews were the only appar.ent exception-an exception which confirms our rule, for the Apostolic Church had never conquered them as a people, and as a nation they stand as stubbornly oppo~ed to Christianity as the Pharisees in the days of Peter and Paul. It is true they made many converts; but, apart from the sovereignty and power of the grace of God, there were conditions at that time which explain the success of the early evangelists among the scattered tribes of Israel. The best 1)art of the nation were in a state of chastened expectancy. Under the long oppression of their enemies, they were longing for a deliverer, and Jews and Gentiles alike were prepared for the advent of the l'Ies- ,siah, who came "in the fulness of the times" as the "desire of all nations." The Aryan races of the West were prepared by the Greek language and philosophy, which had shaken the foundations of their faith in the gods of their fathers-the same work which is now being done by our educational system for the Aryans of India. In this work the mission schools do onlv a fractional part. They educate only about 200,000 out of the 4,000,000 now under instruction in government and native schools. I well remember an illustrative example. When in Madras I visited a school which was started by the heathen for the purpose of giving the culture of the West, free from all taint of or tendency towards Christianity. The first lesson that was proposed for an examination was the elementary parts of geography. Finding that they were quite familiar with the usual proofs of the earth's form and motions, and knowing that their sacred books taught a very different theory on divine authority, I asked the head teacher what effect this teaching had on their faith in their old religions. His reply was: "These boys laugh at the religion of their parents." Secular teaching is doing this work in India, under British rule, as surely as the same work was done for the Roman Empire by the C011quests of Alexander and the Greek language and literature which he introduced.
The Aryan Races and the Oities of India. Almost the only conquests of Christianity in India have been among the Dravidian races of the South and aboriginal tribes scattered throughout India-races which have never been brought fully underthe power of the Hindoo system of caste and religion, and who have no sacred books in their own tongues, while the aboriginal tribes have scarcely anything of a definite or formulated system of religion of any kind. It is admitted on all hands that almost the only casesof conversion among the Ayran races have been th.e fruit of educational missions. It is equally certain, and fully admitted, that in the great cities of India very few converts have been made except through the schools and colleges. Even in the Dravidian city of Madras~ where the Aryan race is present and their religious system exerts its. crushing power, there are almost no converts made by preaching in the bazaars. The few churches which have been formed are almost entil'ely the fruit of educational missions. 'rhere were, when I visited India more than thirty years ago, three missionaries of the most pronounced evangelistic character-men who would have nothing to do with education, but spent their whole time in preaching in the bazaars, all of them men far above the average in talent, devotion and piety-Lacroise in Calcutta, Scudder in Madras and Bowen in Bombay. These men spent a lifetime, much above the average duration~ in untiring efforts to convert the natives, without succeeding in getting two or three converts to form the nucleus of a church in these towns. It is not our aim to explain the causes of this state of matters; we only call attention to the notorious fact that, if the Aryan race is not to be hopelessly aband.med to idolatry, we must employ the educational methods; and if the cities of India are to be made the citadels of Christianity as those of the Roman Empire were in apostolic times, we cannot dispense with our Christian schools and colleges as missionary agencies. Abandon our educational missions, and we declare that the church has no gospel to reach the dominant races of India as represented by the Hindoos and Mohammedans, and that Christianity must hide itself among the rural population and savage tribes-unlike the early church, which subdued the cities, while the name for a village remains as the equivalent for heathenism. Educational Missions and National Education. The educational system as now in force in India is comparatively satisfactory and progressive. It is assuming proportions which may be called national. Neal'ly four millions of boys are now in schools, less or more under the inspection of government, and the education of girls is fairly begun. But to whom does India owe this western culture? Its origin and development may be directly traced to the example and influence of Dr. Duff and his educatiOnal missions. When engaged as Secretary of the" Council on Education in India" it was my privilege to come into frequent and intimate intercourse with the late Lord Halifax, the author of the Education Despatch of 1854, well called the Magna Charta of Indian education. He repeatedly told me that, but for the practical demonstration of the possibil- ity and the advantages of the education given in Duff's schools and colleges, they could not have attempted the introduction of such a scheme as that which he, as head of the then Board of Control, sanctioned, and which Lord Northbrook, then his private secretary, so admirably drew ~p.
In the report of the recent commission on education in India it is frankly admitted that in almost every province of India it was the missionary college which prepared the way for the Government Institution; and as for female education, it could not have been attempted but for the preparation of the way by the missionary. The influence of government education, with all its faults, is unquestionably of great importance in elevating the standard of morality, however far the pupils may come short of it. Associated as it is and influenced by missionary colleges, it gives a higher ideal of character and helps in the formation of a national conscience-India's greatest need.
Educational Missions and the Moral Elevation of India. Some make light of this moral effect of Missions, and look at nothing but the conversions which can be expressed in arithmetical numbers, or recorded in official reports. It is not thus we understand the commission of Christ, and the duty of His Church. Although conversion is the highest and primary aim of all Missions, it is not to be thought a small matter, if right views of man's duty to God and his fellow men are successfully implanted in the youthful mind. At the time Educational Missions were begun, the teaching in native schools was not only erroneous and defective, it was positively pernicious and corrupting to the entire youth of the country. '1'he books taught in Hindoo schools were most injurious to morals. They chiefly consisted of stories of acts of injustice, lies, cruelty and lusts of their gods. These were taught in the most literal and gross way. The apologetic and idealistic schools had not then got beyond the very limited class of the illuminati. It was the influence of Christian teaching which brought these to the front. These were not like similar stories in the Latin and Greek classics in an English school. These are known by every boy to be mere myths. To the child and teacher in the schools of India, they were the most sacred and living realities, which it was impiety to doubt and no discredit to imitate.
To have got these books banished from the schools of India, and books teaching a pure morality substituted, was of itself a great work, and is due to our Educational Missions. Government tolerated school books teaching both idolatry and vice, until the agent of the Christian Vernacular Education Society called attention to the evil and got the offending passages expunged. It is possible that the passages, being in the Vernacular languages, escaped the notic;e of the English members of the" Education Department," until forced upon their re- luctant attention by Dr. Mudoch.
In this work of moral elevation, we give full credit to the secular schools and colleges of the Government, only in a less degree than to those of .the Mis- sionary Institutions. The professors, it is true, were not unfrequently sceptical, or broad in their religious views, but they were, as a rule, moral and upright men; and the ingenuous youth of India, who looked up to them for their scholarship and character, could not come into daily contact with honorable and cultivated English gentlemen without being influenced for good. They learned to look upon uprightness and truth and manhood in a new light, and unconsciously acquired a new sense of honor and self-respect. In many im- portant respects, there is no doubt that the men trained in secular colleges are morally superior to the corresponding class among their own countrymen. It is true that, with their new intellectual acquirements, which raised them so far above the common level of the men, even in their own grade in society, they were apt to be vain and supercilious; and being newly emancipated from the degrading superstitions of their fathers, they lost not only reverence for the gods, but respect for man; and too often fell into the dissolute and vicious habits of which they find many examples among the European population. We trust, however, that these evils wilL diminish as the increase of the educated class lessens the rare distinction of these new accomplishments, and the sober- ing influence of the discovery of new truths counterbalances the frivolity arising from the sense of emancipation from old errors. Weare also hopeful of good results from the greater importance which Government now attaches to moral and religious teaching, and the means to be taken to supply it. The powerful influence of the teaching of English language and literature was brought out in a little incident which occurred in a Government college in Calcutta. One of the students came, in a towering rage, to his professor, charging one of his fellow-students with having called him a liar. The professor, with a sardonic smile, said, "I thought that you Bengalis did not care about being called liars," using the Bengali word for liar. " No," said the indignant youth, " if he had called me a liar in Bengali, I would have laughed at it; but, sir, he called me a liar in English, and I won't stand it." We hope that this elevating influence of the English language will yet impart new moral significance to the words of the native tongues of India, as many words in Greek were ennobled by the moral and spiritual ideas infused into them by the spread of the Christian religion.
But this influence of the literature of. England in secular ilchools extends beyond the teaching of morality. The most careles-s profess- ors in Government colleges cannot teach the English language with- out teaching Christianity. I shall never forget the impression made upon me by an incident which occurred in a Government college, when I was in Madras. I had been invited by the principal to ex- amine some of the classes, and before I reached the senior class in English literature, it was time for dismissal. The whole class, how- ever, enthusiastical"ly volunteered to stay in an hour, if needful; and a finer body of young men, no one could well wish to examine. More than fifty of the first youth of Madras, in point of intellect and position, were before me. After putting to them some questions in general literature, I asked them to recite some of their favorite pieces in prose or verse. The finest in the form stood up, and gave with the greatest accuracy and ex- pression the opening passage of Milton's Paradise Lost: " Of man's first disobedience and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the world, and all our woe, " etc., etc.
The following questions and answers came in quick succession. More like what I had been accustomed to in a Sunday-school at home than a secular college in India.
.. What act of disobedience is here referred to?" " The disobedience of Adam." "Who was he?" "The first man." "Whom did he disobey?" "God." " In what did he disobey God?" "In eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." "What does the poet say was the effect of eating of that forbidden fruit?" "It brought death into the world, and all our woe." After some more questions I asked another tQ stand up, and without the slightest hint or prompting, he gave that passage in Shakespeare in which the words occur: " Over whose acres walked those blessed feet, Which, eighteen hundred years ago, were nailed For our advantage, to the bitter tree."
Such questions and answers as the following were put and answered with the greatest promptness : " What land is here referred to?" "Palestine." " Whose feet are said to have walked there?" "The feet of Christ." "And who was Christ." "The Son of God." "What was done to those feet?" " They were nailed to the cross for our advantage." "What advantage did we derive from Christ being nailed to the cross? " " He died that our sins might be forgiven."
After a few more questions I turIlf~d to the Professor and said, " I thought that religion was not taught in Government colleges in India, and here we have had both the fall and the recovery of om'
race clearly brought out by your pupils." The answer was ready and conclusive: "How can I teach the English language without teach- ing Christianity? I am not teaching parrots to repeat words by rote.
These youths have minds and will get the meaning of what they repeat whether you will or no. I must teach them to understand the meaning of the references of the authors they read." I could not but express my acquiescence and satisfaction; and by this time the class was entering into the enjoyment of the dilemma of the English GQv- ernment in requiring that religion should not be taught, while they at the same time put the English classics into the hands of the pupils.
One of them said quietly, "We have a Christian teacher:" "and,"
added another, " this is a Christian school." It is a well known fact, that of the scholars who are converted after leaving school, a fair proportion can be traced to the Government colleges. On the evening of the following Sunday, it being known that I was to preach, there were more than a hundred of the highest Braman youth in Madras amongst my hearers, who listened with thorough intelligence and unflagging attention to a discourse, which, I am ashamed to say, was more than an hour in length; and at its close most of them remained another half hour to talk over what they had heard. They frankly admitted the supreme claims of Christianity on their allegiance. They felt that, logically, they were bound to accept it. But between that logical conviction and the open profes- sion there is a wide gulf, which cannot be passed without a supreme act of self sacrifice on their part, and a superhuman influence on God's; and while caste and custom demand the youth of India to forsake literally everything they love in the world and hold sacred in their family, we cannot wonder that they shrink from openly embracing Christianity.
It is often said that these youths leave college with an aversion, if not a positive hatred, to Christianity. For such assertions there is no sufficient proof. We have the best evidence that the opposite is the case. That a good many talk loud in opposition to Christianity, is no matter of surprise. That some have a positive feeling of hatred to it is to be expected. Those who have most strongly felt the claims of truth on their conscience are the most likely to be of the latter number; and when we see how many Europeans are the leaders in Iilcepticism we need not be surprised that youths in a country like India, who have been rudely driven from their old religions by the frigid logic of science, should be found in the popular ranks of the enemies of Christianity. But it is the general experience of mission- aries that, when they enter a village where a youth trained in a Christian college resides, they find in him a friend, and often a helper in securing a favorable hearing for his message.
Educational Missions and Caste. Our mode-:n visitor to India in the cold Reason has little conception of what caste was fifty years ago, and still less conception of the influence by which it has been so greatly modified, and in many cases broken down. Many influences have been at work to modify the severity of caste rule, and to the visitor it will probably appear that railways and English manufactures have done more than anything else to bring about the present anomalies in the system of caste, which are such a source of uneasiness to the orthodox Hindoo and are rapidly rendering it ridiculous in the eyes of the masses. There is no doubt that these are the chief agents which are now disintegrating the system, but to those familiar with the progress of opinion in the country, it is known that but for the preparatory processes that had been going on for a generation before English railways and manufactures were introduced, it would have been impossible to get the people to submit to these modern innovations. Education was the great factor in this preparatory work, and it was the schools and colleges of the missionaries which prepared the way for the national system of education which has for the last thirty-five years been breaking down the prejudices and moulding the minds of the population of India. 'Ve have treated this questi<'ln of the value and importance of Edllcational Missions as if the present form in which they are cop.- ducted were the best or only way in which they could be carried on.
THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS
This we regard as far from being the case. There is great room for improvement in many ways, by which far greater moral and spiritual results might be secured; Lut on the consideration of these I cannot enter. I am prepared to leave the settlement of the question to be d.ecided on the work and the results to which we have called attention. Taking into account the difficulties with which these institutions have llad to contend; the prejudices and antipathies of the natives on the one hand, and the crushing competition with the secular education of the Government on the other, it is a marvel that so much has beeu accomplished. This is felt by every great missionary agency in India of the present day that has any experience to look back upon. The outcry at home is a mere revival of old prejudices, with which the system was assailed at the first, and will soon disappear when facts and reflection have had time to have their due effect upon the minds fired with zeal, but not sufficiently tempered with knowledge.
So long as Educational Missions only divert one in ten of the foreign missionaries from the purely evangelistic work, which must ever be the great characteristic feature, no man who really knows India will call in question the wist10m of setting apart this tithe for education. No reasonable man a8k8 for more. Duff diverted nearly all the missionaries of the Church of Scotland and of the Free Church to this form of service, but that was when no other churches made it a specialty, and even he never meant it to be more than a fractional part of missionary enterprise, and ollly in exceptional circumstances would we set apart even a tenth for purely educational work.
We are glad of these recent discussions; they will clear the atmosphere and lead to some improvements which will place our Educational Missions on a higher platform and give them greater power for promoting the future well-being of the youth of India and setting up the Kingdom of God in that great country.* THE MIRACLES OF lIISSIONS.-No. XV.
t THE BISHOP OF THE NIGER.
[EDlTORIAL.-A. T. P.] WHEN Bishop W-eeks, of Africa-at that time not having been promoted to weal' the mitre-was traveling in England, a gentleman who was in the same railway carriage with him began to attack him as a friend of missions. " What," said he, " are the missionaries doing abroad ? We do not heal' much about their movements. We * The strictly religious results of Educational Missions we could not estimate without extending our remarks far beyond the limits of this article. If weighed, not counted, they will be found of far greater value and amount than is generally supposed. In one sentence I may say that the secular education by Government is doing for India what the Greek culture did to prepare the nations for the preaching of the Apostles; while that of our Christian colleges is commending Christ and Christianity to the hearts and consciences of the young of India in the form best fitted to their nature and conditions.
t Samuel Crowther. By Jesse Page. F. H. Revell & Co.
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THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS
pay them pretty well, but hear nothing from them. I suppose they are sitting down quietly and making themselves comfortable."
There sat beside :Mr. Weeks another traveler, as black as any of the natives of the Dark Continent, and himself an unmistakable negro. He quietly waited until the stranger had exhausted his tirade against missions, and then, making a sign of silence to :Mr. Weeks, begged to be permitted to reply to the strictures of the critic. " Sir," said he, " allow me to present myself to you as a result of the labor of the missionaries whose work you have been depreciating." Pointing to :Mr. Weeks, he continued, "I am an African, and this man is the means of my having become a Christian and of my coming to this country in the capacity of a Christian minister."
The man who had thus impulsively assaulted Christian missions looked upon the black man beside him with a look of mingled embarrassment and amazement. He could not be mistaken: there was a genuine typical African, flat-nosed, thick-lipped, with retreating forehead, and short curly hair; yet that man had addressed him in the elegant language of an educated and accomplished Englishman. He had felt all the refining power of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and there were in the very tones of his voice, and his whole manner, the unmistakable signs of a Christian gentleman.
The accuser of missions sank into a reverie. He had no more to bay as an objector. That one man was both a compensation for, and a vindication of, Christian missions. And soon he resumed conversation, but in a different tone: he began to talk with :Mr. Weeks upon missionary topics as an interested and engrossed listener.
That black man was none other than Samuel Adjai Crowther, afterwards consecrated as the first native Bishop of the Niger! We propose sketching his remarkable history as one of the p~oofs that the gospel has not lost its wonder-working power, even upon the most unlettered and degraded races of men. No face or figure that appeared on the platform of the great :Missionary Conference of 1888 in Exeter Hall, in London, proved a more powerful magnet to draw all eyes to itself than that of the venerable white-haired Bishop, who was born in 1808, and is consequently over four-score years of age.
Early in the year 1821, in the midst of the Yoruba country, the :Mohammedan Foulahs were ravaging the land to seize and enslave all whom they could secure even at the price of bloodshed. They pursued those who took refuge in flight and flung lassoes over their heads, bringing them to the ground half suffocated, like a bison on the praines. Among the captives was Adjai, then a boy of twelve and a half years. His father died in the defence of his wife and children, but the boy was dragged away tied with ropes to other victims.
He was traded away for a horse, and afterward, separated from his mother, was sold to a Mohammedan woman, with whom he went to the Popo country on the coast where the Portuguese purchase slaves. On the road he passed the smoking villages that marked the track of those who traffic in the" souls of men," and saw the human heads nailed to the trees as a warning to all who would not yield to their fate.
So great was Adjai's horror of slavery that he tried to strangle himself with his waistband. At Lagos he saw the first white man~ and it was not calculated to draw him to the white man's God, for the Portuguese who afterwards bought him scrutinized his" points" as he would examine a horse; and then, chained with other captives, the boy was packed in a barracoon, where the heat was intolerable, and on the , least provocation was cruelly beaten with long whips. Early one morning he was hurried, with a hundred and eighty-six others, on board a slaver, where they were all crowded into the hold and compelled to remain, the dead, the dying and the living all in horrible contact.
Two English men-of-war gave chase to the slaveship and merci- fully liberated these prisoners, and Adjai was taken to Bathurst. Sierra Leone had been colonized in 1787. Mr. Granville Sharp took some 400 negroes and formed a settlement on a sort of peninsula whose fancied resemblance to a lion gave it this romantic name; and this col- ony became the refuge of the refuse of slaveships. No one but an eye- witness could have believed what a degraded and destitute community this was, and how like one of the mouths of hell, until 1816. Mission- aries were then sent to Sierra I.eone by the Church Missionary Society -notably William A. B. Johnson, whose apostolic career has been already outlined in these pages. Six years after, the Lord Chief Jus- tice publicly testified that'in a population of 10,000 there were but six cases for trial and not one of them from any village where there was a school!
Adjai made g~od progress in study, and, best of all, it was here that the little slave boy found the liberty of a child of God, and in 1825, at seventeen years of age, was baptized, taking the name of Samuel Adjai Crowther. He was taught a trade as a carpenter, and often u~ed in his mission work the skill he acquired.
In 1826 Mr. and Mrs. Davey took him on a visit to England, where he became a pupil in the school at Islington. During his year's sojourn he kept his eyes .and ears open and learned much by observation. Then returT)ing to Sierra Leone he became the first native stu- . dent enrolled ill the new Y om'ah Bay College i::l 1827, where he soon became assistant teacher, and where he formed the definite purpose, hencdorth to devote his life to work for the elevation and salvation of his own people. The little girl, Asano, who, like himself, was rescued from a slaveship, and had grown up in his society, baptized as Susanna, became his wife and the mother. of his six children. 'Ve may anticipate here, and say that two of his daughters became wives of native ministers, two of his sons have wielded a noble influence as Christian laymen, and one is the Archdeacon of his father's diocese; so that we have, not to look outside of Bishop Crowther's family, a little church of eight godly souls, all the fruit of the converting grace of God.
To follow step by step the career of this marvellous man would consume ten times our available spaee; we can only touch the salient points of his useful life. In 1830 he is in charge of the school at Regent1s Town; two years later at Wellington, with a more important trust; finally, back in the college, training students for high positions of service in Africa.
His natural aptitude for linguistic study fitted him for noble usefulness in translating and in editing books. During his life he translated the Scriptures into the Y oruba dialect and tongue of the inland tribes, and prepared a valuable dictionary of the Y orul;>a tongue, a. primer, the prayer book, etc.
Samuel Crowther was too gifted a man to be remanded to obscurity. There was no province of serviceable labor in which he was not in demand. In 1841 he was appointed to accompany the exploring party who ascended the Niger, and in the Soudan sailed for the heart of Africa, with no weapons but those of peaceful conquest.
Owing, as it was thought, to the green wood stowed away in the bunkers, this expedition was marked by one awful word,failu'i'e. At one time fifty-five persons lay helpless on the decks, and even the doctors succumbed to fever and death. For twelve years public opinion in England forbade another exploring tour of the deadly Niger. But one thing llad been demonstrated amid this failure: that. Crowther had in him the mettle of a true man and missionary; and that such :i. dangerous field must be worked by native agency, mainly by suc4 as were acclimated to the risks of the African country.
In 1842 Crowther was again in England, and in 1843 was ordained deacon in the English Church, and a little later priest. rChis marks a new era in African missions, in the emphasis laid on a native a.qency for the evangelization of the Dark Continent.
In 1843 he is again at Sierra Leone preaching his first sermon in English to a crowd of native Christians, and administering the sacrament to a large number of negroes.
Several refugees from the violence of the Foulahs founded a new ~ity, Abeokuta, "under the stone "-called from the great rock that uplifts its head like a sentinel above the town. Here in 1846 the missionaries came, hailed with joy; and here Crowther had the joy, after over twenty-five years' separation, of meeting his old mother! They were both dumb with joy, and could only look into each other's streaming eyes with the mute language of mingled rapture and amazement; and here in Abeokuta his mother became the first fruits of the new mission. In 1849 the mission, only three years old, could show 500 attend- ants, eighty of whom were communicants, and 200 more of whom were candidates for full membership, while many more outside the mission circle had flung away already their idol gods.
He found the Ibo people offering human sacrifices, dragging the victim about by the legs till he died and then flinging the body into the river, or tying human beings to trees beside the stream till they died of hunger; killing infants who first cut their upper teeth, asamong the Onitsha people all children are slain which are born twins.
It was about this time also that the Egba chiefs sent by Mr. Townsend their memorable letter to Queen Victoria, saying: " We have seen your servants the missionaries; what they have done is what we approve. They have built a house of God; they have beside taught the people and our children the word of God. We begin to understand them." And yet" missions are a failure !" Not so evidently thought the Egba chiefs. In reply came the Queen's gracious message, with two elegant Bibles, respectively in English and Arabic, and a steel corn-mill from Prince Albert. Crowther not only taught the people in the Word, but encouraged among them all manner of handicrafts.
Again Crowther was in England, arousing sympathy for the natives. of Africa. Then in 1854 he went on a second expedition up the Niger, planned partly in hopes to rescue Dr. Barth, who was believed to be lost in the interior. While at Lagos Crowther observed another fruit of missions-plantations of cassava and maize, with tillers of the soil, where before slave barracoons used to be with huma~ beings in chains and agonies.
When the Pleiad anchored off Ibo it was found that the promises made thirteen years before, that the white man would return, had been remembered by the King. But so long a time had elapsed that he began to believe that the promise had been forgotten by the white man. Obi himself was now dead, but his son and rightful successor, Tshukuma, was found 3; ready listener to the gospel message.
Along the Niger's banks the explorers encountered constant proofs of the ravages of the Filatas, that, like the Youlahs, aim not so much to slay as to enslave. The whole right bank of the river was cleared of its towns and villages to the number of about one hundred, and all who survived the strife of war were sold as slaves! Oftentimes they found the natives fleeing in terror or preparing to resist violence, but as soon as the peaceful purpose of the explorers waRmade known they were kindly received everywhere. This expedition was as successful as the former was disastrous. The Niger was proved navigable, and, better still, it was proven that the people of the Niger valley were accessible to the gospel.
On Mr. Golefimer's return to Europe, Crowther took his place at Lagos, and attempted oversight of missions on the coast. When in 1857 the Niger Christian Mission was organized, Crowther sailed on the Dayspring, planting the first stations of the Niger Mission. Some of the main obstacles confronted in this work were those which were owing to previous familiarity of the natives with Europeans! Oftentimes the missionaries would have been thankful had no shuttle of commerce or contact woven acquaintance between the degraded Africans and the enlightened Europeans.
The wreck of the Dayspring compelled Crowther and his party to tarry awhile at and about Rabbah. He found the Niger worshipped by the people as mother of all rivers, very much as the Egyptians held the Nile in veneration. 'l'he basis was laid for mission work in Onitsha, 140 mil~s up the river and on Ibo territory. Everywhere the people were found not only willing but eager to hear the gospel. One morning a woman came to Mr. Taylor, begging him to follow her, and she led him two miles away to a company of twenty-four persons, one of whom rose up and said, ""Ve have sent for you to come and speak to us the word of God: we thirst to hear it; please do help us ! "
We come now to the closing period of Samuel Crowther's life. The slave boy becomes a bishop.
In 1859, with Mr. Taylor he established a mission at Akassa, at the mouth of the Nun river, the navigable entrance to the Nigel'. He visited Onitsha, where he found twenty-eight waiting for baptism; he went again to Ghebe, where he 'found similar evidences of the grace of God, and gathered the first fruits of the new Niger mission. He passed along the Niger's banks and here and there set up the cruss amid the "wastes of many generations." At Ghebe he led around the mission buildings the messengers of King Masaba, of Nupe, and sent by them this memorable message to the king: "We are Nazarenes: in our schoolroom we teach the Christian religion; our only guns are our cotton-gins, and our powder is the cotton puffing out of them; the cowrie shells (the currency of the country) are our shots, which England, the warmest friend of Africa, desires to receive largely."
Crowther is once more in England pleading in Exeter Hall the cause of missions, and the main attraction of the anniversary exercises of the Church MIssionary Society. A converted and educated negro was telling his own tale of missions; and it was an illustrated lecture, the speaker himself being the living illustration.
In 1864, in Canterbury Cathedral, Samuel Adjai Crowther was consecrated first Bishop of the Niger, and there were not in that vast audience many eyes that were tearless as that negro knelt to receive the typical investiture of the overseer of Christ's flock. Mrs. Weeks was there, the wife of the missionary who first taught him the way of salvation. Bishop Crowther at onGe returned to the Niger valley and at once sought to form a Christian Church at the Delta, where even the awful practice of cannibalism was not yet wholly abandoned, and the people were trodden under foot by the Juju priests. The New Year, 1872, opened with a little mission church.daring to utter its testimony to the Lord, and becoming a church of the martyrs. Isaiah Bara and Jonathan Apiafe, persons of distinction, were among the converts, and when bound and doomed to die by slow starvation, they simply declared their "minds made up to remain in chains till the Judgment Day," if need there be, rather than bow to idols; and quaintly affirming that "Jesus had taken charge of their heart ana padloclced it, and the key is with Him." For twelve months they en- dured the painful bondage, and would have died but for food secretly conveyed to them by their brethren. '
Three years passed, and the wife of a chief k~own as Capt. Hart died. She had been the Bloody Mary of the persecution, but her husband would not be comforted; and seeing his fetish idol had failed to save her, he heard the word of the Lord from Bishop Crowther, and as he came to die renounced his faith in his idols and ordered them thrown intQ the river. On the day after his funeral this was done: the people, in a rage, executing wrath on the J ujus, breaking them in pieces and flinging them into the stream.
The era of persecution passed away with the decease of Hart and his wife, and "Bonny became a Bethel." A woman of high position and large influence became nursing mother to the infant church, and her own house became a place of assembly. Another house of worship was built, and both were thronged; and Archdeacon Crowther was put in charge of this mission. Meanwhile the titular king of Bonny, George Pepple, visited England, and when with renewed health he was about to return, he sent a letter in advance declaring himself a convert and asking for a special service of praise to be prepared that he might on arrival at Bonny offer up thanks t.o God. Led on by this converted king, Bonny became one of the centres of godly influence in the lower Niger district.
Those who depreciate missions should have visited Bonny when Bishop Crowther preached; should have seen an orderly congregation of over 500 gathered attentively listening, and King George and his sister among them. Again in the afternoon the audience gathered, many of them walking through the tide, which was over knee deep in the beach path. Such cavillers should have been in the mission house when those converts came to buy books from the village Ayambo, which they aptly entitled the" Land of Israel," because there was no more to be found in it a single idol! In Hl83 persecution broke out in Bonny; but it only brought out the martyr spirit. Even timid women would not recant at peril of life.
In the Kingdom of Brass, which is one outlet of the Niger, other marked victories ha'e been won. The King, Ockiya, in his latter years, publicly confessed Christ. In spite of his Juju men he re- nounced idolatry; and we saw his cast-off idols in the mission house in Salisbury Square. King Ockiya not only gave up idolatry, but polygamy, and thus not only showed how r€al was his change, but set a' beautiful example to his people. In that same land where Bishop Crowther himself a few years ago found horrid cannibalism, and superstitions whose name was Legion, he has since found praying rooms where chiefs gather twice a day with their families for worship.
Bishop Crowther maintains that, on account of the prevalence of Mohammedanism in Africa, the Arabic should be taught to the native {latechists as the sacred language of the Koran, and so be a means of reaching intelligent natives through the Arabic bibles and testaments. He found on the friendly waters of the Galadima an avidity for the books printed in Arabic, and gave presents of Bibles in that tongue to the Galadima himself and others. When Crowther explained to the Mohammedans he met, the difference between the formality of the fast of Ramadan and the fasting of the Christian unto God, the {lommon reply was: " Yes, you are true persons; your religion is superior to ours." He found the WOl'k and influence of Islam such that whenever he referred to Adam, Noah, Abraham, etc., and even .Jesus, the natives recognized these names as common to the faith of Mahomet as well. He advises that Mohammedanism be wisely dealt with, that missionaries and native preachers and teachers be prepared to utilize all that is common between the teachings of the Koran and the word of God, and at the same time resist and expose the folly, superstition and immorality fostered by Islam.
In 1875 Bishop Crowther's mother died, at the age of 97, the .death of a saint, and passed into the unseen glory.
This really great man has left on all the mission work the impress of his ability and piety. He started the Preparandi Institution at Lokoja for the training of native catechists and school teachers, and it is a ·centre of spiritual light and influence for the whole west coast. Wherever he goes blessing comes, and no living man is doing more than he for the elevation and salvation of his degraded fellow countrymen.
Paul wrote to the Colossians that his aim and object in preaching were to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." When the great day of Presentation comes, with what joy will Mr. Weeks present to the Lord, Samuel Adjai Crowther as the fruits of his ministry in the Lord! And then for the first time will he realize what ulti~ mate blessing hung on the leading to Christ of a humble slave boy of Yoruba land.
The negro has been described as" God's image carved in ebony."
THE mSTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
"I don't care much as to what I am carved in," said one of the colored speakers at the late Baptist Anniversaries in this city, "so long as I am ' in the image of God.'''
THE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
BY PROF. HENRY WOODWARD HULBERT, MARIETTA, o.
I-Introduction. The Purpose and Plan. The last few years have seen great advances in the study of historical geography. Germany has taken the lead, and trained minds in many lands have gone more and more into this line of investigation. Professor Bryce's epoch-making book, "The Holy Roman Empire," gave a decided impetus to researches dealing with the great movements of events within the limits of Europe, and that impetus received an added momentum from a still more elaborate treatise in two volumes from the workshop of Professor E. A. Freeman, of Oxford, entitled," The Historical Geography of Europe." Masses of facts are marshalled in this latter treatise with a master hand, which in another place };las shown its power in the most minute researches of apecial study. Professor Freeman embodies in himself the two tendencies in historical studies prominent in our day-the tendency to extreme specialization, which builds up from the foundation on the inductive plan, and the tendency to deal with facts from a broad outlook, and which brings into play the profoundest philosophical grasp of events, and gives us wide generalizations in the departments of the philosophy of history and the history of civilization. These two tendencies are rarely found successfully developed in one man, and when they are found they mark him as a leader in the department of history. Neither of these tendencies should be allowed to exclude the other. The specialist does elementary work. He extracts the crude ore from the mines (often abandoned ones) and gets it into shape for higher treatment. 'l'he work at this stage is but just begun. It is stating a truism to say that history cannot be cut into isolated fragments. It would be history no longer. The unity of human life and events becomes more and more evident. History unrolls itself to the eye of the intelligent observer as one grand plan. Our age is peculiarly fitted to grasp such an idea. The great object lesson of unity-material, commercial, political and religious-is ever before our eyes. Space and time are dwindling. The world is growing more and more into one comprehensive family of nations. The time is hastening apace when what Professor Freeman has done for Europe must be done for the world. It is true that the pursuit of studies in historical geography is in a certain sense a superficial one, for it deals mainly with results and immediate causes. Yet it paves the way for a line of investigation which deals with profoundest questions as well as with some very practical ones. Most of the international quarrels to-day are over questions of historical geography, and the proper treatment of the great race movements will tax the genius of our best statesmen.
It is the purpose of this paper to call attention to a subject matter far better fitted in many important respects for treatment at the hands of the historical geographer than are the conglomerate and often conflicting elements of a purely secular and national life. What Professor Freeman has done for the historical geography of the political affairs of one continent should be done for the Christian Church throughout the world. The ideal unity of the Christian Church as outlined by the solemn, prayerful words of its Master would point it out as a theme of magnificent proportions, and of entrancing interest. At its very inception it was made universal, and its whole progress and expansion lie in the white light of history. It was a divine force left in the world by Christ which, under the special guidance of the Holy Spirit, was to carry out His divine plans for and in the world. It was to go up to the conquest of a kingdom that should be limited only by the extent of the human race. The globe was made a magnificent battlefield-the theatre of a campaign. The forces of Truth and Error are joined. There are two lines of conquest -horizontal and perpendicular-(l} the surface of the world and its multitudes; (2) the depths of human nature, the subsoil, the experience, the individual life. The historical geograploty of the Christian Church deals with the spread of Christendom, and has to do largely with acreage and numbers-in one sense the superficial items in the struggle. The history of a Christian civilization tells how deep down into the subsoil of human nature and national life the benign doctrines of Christianity have penetrated. When the Christian Church shall have reached every remotest region of habitable earth, and the gospel is proclaimed in every tongue, the work will have been just begun. It is a mighty task to reach fourteen hundred million human beings; it is a mightier task to bring them out into the full liberty of the gospel. As the late Dr. Roswell D. Hitchcock was accustomed to say, " We must rechristianize Christianity."
But despite its seeming superficiality the Historical Geography of the Christian Church demands thorough treatment. Our century is especially interested. We have found that the best way to rechristianize Christianity at home is to enlist its sympathies in carrying out the last command of the blessed Master. The door is open to-day for truth or error to enter in. Truth must not hesitate a moment. "Te must prevent untruth even at the risk of superficiality. We must plant good seed at least. It is a strangely interesting and almost universal fact that, wherever evangelical truth has been preached and the Bible has been translated into the vernacular, no forces of opposition-physical, intellectual, or moral-have been powerful enough to wholly eradicate the gospel truth. Extreme cases of this fact are found in Abyssinia and in Persia, and the only exception now in mind is in North Africa.
The science of missions looms up in grand proportions. We are leaving the realm of experiments and establishing ourselves on a more and more scientific basis. We are learning the la11!8 that must be obeyed. The science of war becomes strategic. The universal in- quiry now is-as it was when the cannons of Gettysburg were boom- ing-How goes the battle? vVhat progress has been made in winning the ground of the enemy? And that we may fully understand the answers that come flashing across the wires to us, we ask again, How has the battle been going from the first? The Historical Geography <>f the Christian Church attempts to tell us the story of the campaign -the manmuvres, the advances, the retreats and the general progress -" beginning at Jerusalem," under the divine leadership of the" Cap- tain of our salvation," only to stop at the" ends of the earth."
The story of this march should be prefaced by astatement of the geographical conditions under which the Pentecostal Church found itself-(l) the conditions imposed by the Roman civilization, and the commercial and military relations of this civilization to outlying barbarism; (2) the conditions imposed by the spread of languages; and (3) the conditions resulting from the scattering broadcast of the Hebrew race, which was so largely to be the recipient of the new truth and the promoter of its rapid expansion. A map of the known world of that period will display before our eyes a sketch of land and sea a few thousand miles east and west, and Atillless from north to south, with a great cloudland of unknown territories and unnumbered millions still awaiting the discoverer.
We shall then see how, with the point of our finger, we cau on the largest map cover up all the territory occupied by the centripetal Pentecostal Church. 'fhe Apostolic Church, with a mighty centrifugal force, went forth to service and to martyrdom. By the year 100, A. D., men, women and children were ready all around the Mediterranean to die for the Christian faith. 'fhe church of the second and third centuries, although in hiding from the most malignant persecutions, betrays itself at thousands of points all over the known world; and the year 312, A. D., with its imperial decree of amnesty to Christians, reveals that for a century the Roman Empire had been honeycombed with Christian churches. The politic Constantine did not cast in his lot with the minority when he adopted the Cross as his standard in war and peace. Under the founder of Constantinople and his successors paganism went slowly to pieces by a sort of spontaneous combustion; getting a new lease of life now and then, it is to be regretted, through the persecuting ardor of the church, which still felt the old Bores of three centuries of wounds inflicted by a dominant paganism.
But immediately in the new light of imperial favor, not waiting for the last gasp of expiring paganism within the pale of civilization, the church, true to its divine misson, went forth to convert the bar- baric world, and the era of foreign missions proper began. Imperial legates and humble missionaries worked hand in hand at the centres of national life. Christians captured in frontier wars gloried in their opportunity to bring their rude barbarian captors to the foot of the Cross. The Armenian nation submitted to the new doctrine; the Abyssinians, under the fervent preaching of Frumentius, became Christians. Ulfila did pioneer work among the Goths on the lower Danube, and left the Gothic Bible' to be the foundation of all Teutonic literature.
Thus the campaign was carried into the three continents of the known world. Then followed the rapid expansion in the days of Theodosius the Great and Justinian, in which, behind the veil of the Alps and the Carpathians, that work was progressing which acquainted the rude northmen with the abc's of-Christianity, largely under its Arian' form, so that when the Western Empire fell, a reverence for the Christian symbols controlled to some degree the barbaric ruthlessness of her conquerors. N estorianism, under fearful embarrassments, pushed eastward through Persia into India, across the steppes of Central Asia, and Ret up its Christian monuments in China. From the Pacific to the Atlantic Christian prayer was heard.
In the struggle of nations there were occasional disasters by which whole lands we~e suddenly lost to the faith. The Saxons seemed to efface for a while Christianity in southern ahd eastern Britain. But in the days of Gregory the Great new vigor was aroused. The broken columns were re-formed and the march began again in earnest. Ireland from her island retreat 'gave Chl'istendom an electric charge, and Rome herself for a while felt the tingle in her veins. The Franks, the Frisians and other Teutonic tribe~ yielded to the piety of devoted missionaries. Slavs and Picts and Huns and Norsemen and eveh the relentless invaders of Britain learned the truth about Christ.
Then came the sudden apparition from the Arabian desert to scourge an idolatrous and decaying church. The Saracens, more respectful at fil'st toward" the religion of the book" than were the rude northmen, or even at times more than were the Christian coreligionists towards each other, swept over the faires.t gardens of the church- Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt, North Africa and Spain fell in rapid succession before the iconoclastic followers of the prophet. Leo the Third at Constantinople saved eastern Europe from the first serious onslaught. The whole North African Church was swept out of existence, but Charles Martel rolled back the Muslim tide at Tours, and Europe had a respite.
Then followed the gloom of the middle ages, lit up at points by flickering lights among the Mozarabes of Spain, the Abassides of Bagdad, the lnxurious and corrupt court at Constantinople and the schools of Charles the Grcat and Alfred of England. The Saxons in Germany tardily submitted to the Cross forced upon them by the gleaming argument of Charles the Great. The Wends, the Danes and the Swedes received Christian missionaries. The Moravians and Bulgarians were converted. Bohemia, Franconia, Bavaria and Belgium were won over, and the gospel was preached among the Tartars of the Crimea. Even the darkest days of the tenth century were relieved by progress in some directions. Rollo, the Norman, became a Christian. The colonial principle was used in Sleswig to propagate Christianity. The German emperors zealously used their swords to spread the faith. The bat'baric Prussians were the objects of missionary activity. Poland was reached, and Hungary saw her patron saint. In 988, A. D., Wladimil' the Great and all his immediate subjects went down together into the Dnieper at Kiev to a Christian baptism, and Russia abolished her idols.
During the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries the vigor of Christendom was turned into the useless and hopeless task of recovering and keeping the" Holy Land" from the Saracen and Turk. Mission work was greatly obscured, yet it went on with faltering step. Far-off Iceland and Greenland were converted. The Finns and'Pomeranians were brought under Christian influence. The good work went on in the vast spaces of northern and eastern Russia. A Tartar prince, the mysterious Prester John, was won 9ver by the N estorians, and their missions flourished in Central Asia. The" Order of Christ" (Sword-brothers) and the" Order of Mary" (Teutonic order) carried the gospel with their swords up along the Baltic shores.
The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries saw a decay in missionary zeal. Disasters came thick and fast. What was lost at one part of the field was gained at other points; still the Christian Church has not yet recovered entirely from the heavy advei-se blows of those centuries. The little light of Christianity in China seems to have gone entirely out. The ruthless Tamerlane destroyed the larger part of the Nestorian Church and sapped its vitality to such a degree that it has never since been aggressive. Islam penetrated further and further into Central Asia. The faltering Christian Churches in Arabia were lost in the Muslim sirocco. Russia fell under the sway of Mongol hordes. The Ottoman 'rurk appeared upon the scene and marched steadily westward, engulfing the Byzantine Empire, sweeping up to the walls of Vienna and laying desolate the Christian churches of the entire Levant. As an offset to all this, at the very close of the period, we see the armies of the Catholic Ferdinand and Isabella free Spain forever from Muslim domination. Russia, after weary centuries, comes out from under the sway of the" Golden Horde" and becomes the champion of the Greek Orthodox Church. Franciscan monks made headway in northwestern Persia. The west coast of Africa received missionaries, as did also the newly discovered islands off the coast. Just at the close of the century a new world, with its teeming possibilites and grave responsibilities, dawned upon the vision of man, and the Christian Church began to grasp the full geographical scope of the kingdom committed to its care.
The inevitable internal struggle between the monarchical and the constitutional or republican principle in the Christian Church came to a head in the sixteenth century. The contest between reformer and ultramontanist for a time obscured all other subjects in church life. During the Reformation era the Protestant world was so fully occupied with its fight for life itself that little foreign missionary work could be expected from it. Gustavus Adolphus and Gustavus Vasa carried on missions among the Laplanders, and Coligny and Calvin attempted a mission at Rio Janeiro. Natives of Virginia were converted through English missionaries. With these exceptions the aggressive work of the church was mainly done by the Roman Catholics. Canada, with the vast interior regions of North America, Florida, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, India, China and Japan, were reached. The devoted Xavier set an example of heroic service for the whole Christian world.
The seventeenth century was also essentially a century of Roman Catholic missions. The Dutch carried a formal Protestantism with their merchant fleets to the East. John Eliot and his fellow-missionaries iu New England counted their Indian converts by the thousand. But the great territorial conquests for the Cross during this and the following century were made by Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits and other L:1tin orders. A mere list of the names of the countries they entered and which received permanently their presentation of the Cross is too long to be quoted here. They poured out their treasure of human life with unstinted hand. Whatever else we might be prompted to say we must accord to these zealous propagandists the honor of having extended" widely tue superficies of Christendom.
The eighteenth century saw the work of evangelical missions well under way, and the nineteenth century has thrown itself into the thick of the conflict; so that in spite of the material wonders of our day that have changed the looks of the world, our century will, in the long future, be pointed out as the age whose most prominent characteristic was not the steam engine, the telegraph or the railroad, but the missionary of a Christian civilization, bringing new life to nations
ASCETICISM IN MISSIONS
buried in heathen darkness or living in the twilight of an eclipsed faith. Before our century shall have co·me to a close there will not be a land or a nation or a language uninfluenced by the gospel of Christ. The expansive march of the church will have then reached its limit. It will not find time to weep for new worlds to conquer~ for its work here will have been only begun. The true test of a faith is not its expansive power, but its penetrative power.
This, in brief, is the scope of an historical geography of the Christian Church. It involves the historical geography of every religion with which the Christian Church has come in contact.· It involves to a large degree the political growth of the world as well as the commercial expansion, for the church has penetrated into every department of human life. This whole investigation will show how vitally the Cross of Christ has affected the history of mankind. The true dividing line between ancient and modern histOl'y is the line traced by the Cross. Modern history in any nation begins when Christianity begins to be the power that shapes its life. This line historically appears like a zigzag isothermal line running across the chart of history, beginning low down where the first centres of civilization in the Roman Empire became Christian, in the fourth century, and ending close upon the year 1900, when the last nation shall have heard the Master's name and shall have felt His transforming power.
ASCETICISM IN :MISSIONS.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D., NEW YORK.
It is a sign of progress in the work of missions that it has awakened a surprising amount of discussion as to ways and means. It is no longer looked upon as a harmless scheme of a few visionary people; it is marshalling the great forces of the Christian Church. Accordingly, it finds a conspicuous place in the monthly magazine and the daily newspaper, and even in the official correspondence of statesmen and diplomatists. It has not only stirred up the old Oriental systems of error-it has attracted the attention of infidel writers in Christian lands and called forth their efforts to thwart its purposes and prevent its success. And it has awakened still another class of critics who have no special interest in the subject further than that it affords topics for speculation or ridicule. Particular attention has been given to questions of economy, and to romantic ideals of what a missionary ought to be. It would be difficult to say why it is that the idea of self-immolation has always been somehow connected with this particular enterprise-why one who enters upon it should be supposed to be indifferent to comfort and to all those things which ninetenths of the activities of mankind are busied with seeking.
There is not the same idea in the popular estimate of the ministry at home, though that also abandons the pursuit ot wealth and seeks as a life work the moral and spiritual edification of men. It is nnder- Htood that the average pastor ought to be at least comfortable, and no congregation is quite willing to allow any special degree of hardship or privation on the part of its minister. Oftentimes there is a degree of care which amounts to coddling. This is supposed to be generous and praiseworthy.
But with the foreign missionary it is very different. He forsakes home and friends and fatherland. He renounces all prospect of gain beyond his bare support, casts in his lot with poor and despised races of men, submits to the influence of unfriendly climates for his work's sake. But this is not deemed sufficient. The more barren his lot of all comfort, the greater the degree of self-denial and privation that can be encountered, the better. What he has really undertaken is to carry the Gospel to the destitute, and so to live as to secure the longest, fullest and most complete career of usefulness along that line. But this is not the view of the malcontents. They regard him as a spectacle, an ascetic, an object lesson in self denial. It is not so much what he does, as what he suffers. The chief end is the impres- sion which he makes on men's minds by his self-mortification. Such is the logic of Canon 'raylor's teachings, and of U. S. Minister Denby's recent official despatch on the death of Rev. J. Fisher Crossette. MI'. Crossette, once a most useful and devoted missionary, had for a long time been laboring under serious mental aberration.
He suffered the lashings of a morbid conscience and took upon him- self a degree of privation which no civilized man ought to aflsume, and by which his life was doubtless brought to an untimely end.
His sincerity and devotion to suffering humanity were worthy of all praise, but there are scores of missionaries in China whose real use- fulness has excelled his fifty fold, but who call forth no special tributes, because lacking that morbid element which always impresses the uninformed and sympathetic. The fact that he drew no regular salary, "taught no creed, and did not strive to proselyte "-though this is an error-but fed perishing beggars, sharing with them his last crust,-this is the ideal.
Is it then more important to feed here and there a poor beggar than to establish Christian churches, schools, colleges and hospitals, and to proclaim to an entire nation those great principles which bring all reforms and all benevolence in their train?
A few weeks since a farewell reception was given in New York to a veteran missionary and his wife just returning to Japan, where many years ago they had the honor of being the very first Protestant missionaries to that Empire. They had watched the progress of the whole marvellous work wrought in that land, and had had a large part in it from first to last.
This able missionary, Dr. J. C. Hepburn, had given to Japan a massive and complete dictionary, which did more than almost any other one thing to open up communication between the Japanese and the English speaking world. He had accomplished much also in Bible translation-thus helping to place the Scriptures in the hands of all the people. Moreover, he had constantly maintained a dispensary, and in his medical work alone had done a work worthy of a lifetime. He had maintained a high spiritual influence over the lowliest, whom he was always ready to succor, while at the same time winning the esteem of all the better classes, both native and foreign. How had all this been accomplished? Simply by a rare combination of piety and common sense. Simply by living plainly, but comfortably, and in such a way as to make the most of his life and labor for the glory of the Master and the lasting good of the people.
He had refused offers of educational service under the government which would have increased his small salary many fold. He had r~sisted the temptations to-engage in a general medical practice which might have secured a fortune, but he had been no ascetic; he had taught and exemplified, not a morbid, but a healthy Christianity -just precisely that which was needed to regenerate Japan. Would the supporters of missions have had it otherwise ? Would they have preferred a cloistered ascetic, fed only from his beggar's bowl?
Canon Taylor has found his ideal in a half-dozen unsalaried mis- 'V. sionaries from Oxford who are laboring in Calcutta. Sir. VV.
Hunter has also accorded t~ them the highest praise, as models. They are, no doubt, under the influence of a most sincere piety, and ever cherish only the most thorough respect for their self-denying devotion; but how many such men is the worldly and easy-going church of this age likely to In'oduce? Has the Christianity of proud and wealthy Britain any fair prospect of impressing itself deeply upon the Indian Empire by delegating here and there a handful of men to perform a duty which the whole church should unite in performing?
It may be true, as both Canon Taylor and Sir W. W. Hunter assert, that such persons represent the common idea which Hindus associate with the religious life, but one might suppose that asceticism, with all its forms of self mortification, had been tried long enough in India and throughout the East. 'Yhat have the tens of thousands of Indian saints and mendicants ever accomplished? The moral and religious life of the nation has gone to corruption and decay in spite of hoards of beggars and fakirs. We must take issue with all such ideas of missionary methods.
We may go still fart.her, and ask what has been the result of those many historic instances in which the 'church has, in fact, copied the asceticism of the East? What have the monasteries of Sinai and of Lebanon done for the regeneration of the Holy I~and ? What did a celebate and cloistered priesthood accomplish for Mexico through three hundred years of undisputed sway?
That the example of the Calcutta brotherhood, so far as it promotes consecration of spirit, will be useful, no one will question; but that India,or any country, is to be reclaimed by su'ch agencies, is more than doubtful. There 'is need of a healthy and aggressive movement which shall subsidize the gifts and prayers and efforts of the whole church. Not the touch of a small separated class, but the spiritual sympathy and life of all Christendom must be applied to the dead faiths and effete civilizations of the East. Asceticism would fail. As well might the old prophet have attempted to raise the dead child with the tip of his finger, instead of overlaying him with his· whole pulsing life, mouth to mouth, hand to hand, and heart to heart.
H the church is to exchange her own regular methods for any other agency, let it be the armies of the Young Men's Christian Associations. Let there be fellowship and activity and the massed influence of numbers. Let there be a constituency at home that is abreast with the representatives at the front, and therefore in the fullest sympathy with them.
But, while welcoming every agency and means of good, the church cannot lay aside or delegate to others her own direct work for the evangelization of the world. It is acknowledged by all that the success thus far accomplished in the modern missionary movement has been the work of the regular organized missionary agencies. The great Christian denominations have sent forth chosen representatives,as Barnabas' and Saul were sent from Antioch. Guided by the providence of God, in the choice of fields, they have rais!ld the common standard of the cross in many lands, till already the headlands of the continents and the chief islands of the sea are occupied. They have translated the Scriptures into hundreds of languages and dialects, trained native preachers and teachers, organized churches, established schools and colleges, multiplied religious books and tracts, :ounded hospitals and dispensaries.
The missionaries of these boards and societies have generally been married men, and not the least among their elevating influences has been the object lesson of a Christian home. It is impossible to measure, still less to tabulate, the subtle influences which have gradually changed the Oriental idea of woman's place and influence, until now in India Zenana doors are wide open, and both Hindus and Mohammedans are beginning to emulate Christianity in the higher female education. Even the fanatical Moslems of the Turkish Empire are seeking the benefits of Protestant schools for their daughters. But these immeasurable results have attended the organized methods of modern Protestant missions. They are no longer experiments.
Celebate missions had been carried on for at least two centuries by missionaries of the Roman Catholic Church-many of them devoted men. Scores and hundreds of lives were spent in self-denying labor, in Congo, among the American Indians, in Japan and China, in India and the islands of the Indian Archipelago; but in all these lands they failed to regenerate heathen society. The Greek and Latin churches of the Levant, following similar methods and lacking the domestic element, have scarcely held their ground; they have received from Islam a deeper impress than they have given. Why, then, should Protestant Christendom yield to the cry of those who, in the very midst of in- creasing success, would turn to the effete agencies of the past?
But still it may be claimed that whatever may be said of mission- ary methods, the labor should be cheaper, the salary should be only sufficient for a bare subsistence, if not waived altogether; the work should be one of faith.
In reply to all such claims, it may be asked, first, whether any special providence is supposed to attend foreign missionaries, as compared with the Gospel ministry at home? If not, can any greaterrisks be assumed in a heathen land, where the people are out of all sympathy with the truth and where no means of employment and selfhelp are offered, than in the prosperous communities of our own lann. Or is a comfortable and homelike dwelling less necessary to a missionary's wife in a dreary heathen community, where she finds perhaps no white woman besides herself, than to a pastor's wife in an American village? Of all women in the world, those who are weighed down with the sense of loneliness and the depressing cont.act of degradation and misery which are incident to missionary life need most the sanctuary of a home to which they may resort after t}le wearisome labors of the day-a bright little spot where they may find not merely comfort but the nameless objects of taste which shall remind them of the old home far away. Depression of spirits is often a more fatal cause of ill health and of failure than either the work or the climate.
An article in the Gotemporary Review of July, 1889, by Meredith Townsend, presents these very sensible thoughts on "Cheap Missionaries. "
The writer discredits the idea that merely living poorly produces any favorable impression on the natives. "They understand real asceticism perfectly well, and reverence it as a subjugation of the flesh, and if the missionary and his wife carried out the ascetic life as Hindus understand it, and lived in a hut half or wholly naked, sought no food but what was given them, and suffered daily some physical pain, they might stir up the reverence which the Hindu pays to those who are palpably superior to' human needs. But in their eyes there is no asceticism in the life of the mean white, the Eurasian writer or the PortngueRe clerk, but only a squalor unbecoming a teacher and
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES
-one who professes, and must profess, scholarly cultivation. Even if the cheap missionary could induce a fitting wife to share such a lot, he will think of the children to come, and he perceives, from examples all around him, what, on such an income, their fate must be. They will be boys and girls, with the white energy, who have been bred up as natives-that is, they will, unless exceptional persous, belong to the most hopeless class existing in the world."
But there is a new standpoint from which to consider the question of ascetic missionaries, and of cheap missionaries; it is the standpoint of the church itself. Never before was so great wealth placed in the hands of Christians. N ever before was there so much danger to spirituality from superabundance and luxury and mammon worship. On the other hand, never were there so many opportunities and facilities for the united effort of all good people in reclaiming the world as now. So far as home interests are concerned, there was never so much actually done by the rank and file of laymen and of women for the cause of truth and humanity. Is this then an age for delegating the work of the distant waste places to an exceptional few? Or is it quite becoming to the tens of thousands of professing Christians who are imperilling- the bodies and souls of themselves and their children by the very surfeit of self-indulgence, to turn the last screw of impoverishment on the ambassadors to heathen lands? Would the hollowness and insincerity of such a policy be likely to impress heathen nations with the moral earnestness of our propagandism, or even of the divine reality of our Christian faith?
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The Lund Missions-Tidning describes the Gallas, in Northeastern Africa, as probably the people among whom the Swedes will principally labor in time to come. This tribe extends from Abyssinia southward, and some of its superior families have established themselves as royal lines of other tribes as far south as the Victoria Nyanza. The royal family of Uganda are Gallas. The Swedes, of course, only think of laboring among the Galla tribes, not of following these transplanted dynasties.
-The Neukirchen Mission in Germany has three missionaries on the island of Java, with seventeen congregations. The statistics of 1888 were: Helpers, 5; elders, 2; communicants, 88 ; catechumens, 27 ; scholars, 30; attendants, 283.
-In the Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrijt for April, 1889, there is an article by Herr A. Merensky on "Opinions of Travellers Respecting Christian Missions among Native Africans," from which we give some extracts. The author remarks that, in colonies where the natives form a large percentage of the population, the value of the missionary work is often very cordially acknowl- .edged by the authorities, but that as yet the accounts of travellers are so subjectively colored that they vary according as the traveller looks upon the natives as men, or as only a higher species of animal. If the former, he is apt to judge missions favorably; if the latter, he will esteem them absurd. We train a horse or dog, but we do not endeavor to convert them. Such travellers look upon missionaries as amiable lunatics. Some, however, are more bitter. Thus Mr. J. S. Little declares that some of the missionaries in South Africa are of evil lives, and says that" the scandalous proceedings at the Moravian station of Caledon are alone enough to prove this." Of course it would be strange if, of so many missionaries, some did not turn out unworthy. But his proof is a broken reed, for there is no Moravian station at Caledon, and there is not even a German station there. Mr. Little, therefore, has been catching up a report without knowing either the nation or the denomination to which it has reference. Such a man's unfavorable testimony cannot be worth much; yet even he acknowledges that the missionaries, as a whole, are an excellent and self-denying body of men. But of their converts he judges most unfavorably. However, he is good enough to add that it is not the missionaries that are to blame, but the contact with civilization. However, he knows very little about the missionaries, as appears from his accusing them of having burdened the Zulus with a perfectly arbitrary orthography-the contrary, says Herr Merensky, being demonstrably the fact. He adduces" Cetewayo" as an instance of perverse spelling. It is that; only it does not happen to be the missionary spelling. Yet after all he breaks out with, "The much-abused missionaries, as well as, the Boers, have been the pioneers of civilization in South Africa, and even on this ground are entitled to be regarded with all honor! "
-Mr. J. Nixon judges very differently. He declares of Magata, a chief near Pretoria, where the Hermannsburg missionaries are working, that not even in England has he met with a more perfect gentleman, in the best acceptation of the word. Speaking also of the chief Kchama, he declares that he is a chief whose word can be depended on. " He is a noble example of successful missionary work. His Christianity is nothing nominal, like that of so many other blacks, as well as whites, but is life, which exerts a pronouncedly good influence upon him and his people. He has' abolished drinking in his land, and is always intent on some reform. His word is always trusted, not only by the missionaries, but also by traders and hunters, who are mistrustful of everything accomplished by missions. He is sincere, e<mrageous, and manly, and if all Caffre chieftains were like him, Caffreland would have a very different look from its present one."
-Comparing the poorer white Boers in the west of the Transvaal with the Christian Barotsis, Mr. Nixon says that, while many of the former cannot write, a number of the latter, taught by the missionaries, can read and write well. Their fruitful fields also are in strong contrast with the dry Boer places, without gardens or any sign of cultivation. The Barotsi, Mr. Nixon says, owe their happier circumstances to the zeal and pains of a German missionary, Herr Jensen, who had taught them how they might sow and reap and dispose of their produce to advantage. The Barotsi, he says, were prosperous for natives and had ploughs and wagons in plenty.
-Mr. Nixon also spent some months in Bechuanaland, and remarks that many of the so-called savages were as well educated as their Boer neighbors, t and had quite as good claim to be respected. The labors of Moffat, Mackenzie, Livingstone, Price and other missionaries, though with many a failure, had exerted christianizing and civilizing influences on the masses. Dr. Holub also, the eminent German traveller, who is understood to be a Catholic, gives the following glowing description of Kchama: "What I mentioned even in my first work, I can to-day, some years later, do nothing but re-attest, namely, that King Kchama does his best to civilize his Bamangwatas. Happily he has only accepted the good of civilization from the white man, and it is this with which he seeks to inoculate his people. His success is acknowledged by every stranger, and is especially visible to whoever had previously visited his capital of Shoshong, whether it were when the heathen l'egime of super- stition yet prevailed under Sekchomo or Matscheng, or later, during the early reign of Kchama. The difference between now and then proves itself to be a mighty bne, in which the good falls altogether on Kchama's side. Kchama has the fullest right to have his government described at length in an historical work, on account of its good success and the iron energy of the ruler. What he has accomplished in Southeastern Africa may well be esteemed something unique in the history of Southeastern Africa, and must never be passed over when the general capacity of the blacks for culture is in question. The advancement of prosperity and progress among his people is Kchama's most ardent wish, an aim which he has pursued for years with ever increasing zeal and success. His subjects are more and more abandoning the heathen customs; it is only some of the very old people that murmur at having to comply with the innovations, with which, nevertheless, they do comply. The amulets of lions, leopards and ralis teeth, etc., which used to be worn around people's necks, are no more to be seen. The orgies have ceased, especially the corrupting orgies of circumcision, formerly a national rite, a momentous solemnity, from which everything was dated, a man's age and fitness to serve in war, and the regiment to which he should belong. The power of the rain doctors is forever broken in this tribe; the beer-carousals and their attendant orgies have come to an end. The spirituous drinks of the Europeans are forbidden in the whole land, and even to Europeans the use of them is only permitted within their own four walls. A drunken white in the open street must look to be banished from the country. Ten years ago visitors prophesied that Kchama would not be long able to enforce this prohibitory law, but would be absolutely powerless to oppose 3;ny permanent resistance to this curse of civilization. Well, these prophets, thank God, have turned out false prophets. Kchama's laws stand fast, and we will hope that they have already so thoroughly naturalized themselves that Kchama's future successors will also be constrained to conform themselves to them." Dr. Holub declares, in conclusion, that he wishes thus to secure to this " noble man" a monument in writing which shall perpetuate his memory. And, as the editors of the Zeitschrijt remark, Kchama is not alone in these endeavors among the chieftains of South Africa, though he far overtops other Christian chiefs.
-In De Macedonier Herr E. Haan, who has been ten years a missionary in Java, gives an extended report of the reasons for the comparative unfruitfulness of the missionary work in that great island. Besides that most of the people are Mohammedans, he brings the very severest indictment against his countrymen as respects their treatment of the Javanese. The Dutch have always been noted for the cold severity and extortionateness of their rule over subject races, and they seem to be as bad as ever. Herr Haan says: "The Javanese is viewed by the European as a thing with which he can deal at his pleasure, and which only exists for the convenience of Europeans, in order to secure to these a comfortable, easy and wealthy living." As an instance: Every Javanese, if he occupies land set apart by the government or by individuals for coffee culture, is compelled to set out a certain number of coffee trees, to tend them, and to deliver all the coffee they yield at 14 francs for 125 lbs., while the same amount in the market brings 45 francs, 55 centimes. "Does the Javanese even receive for his coffee money enough to live on? Hardly. Indeed, it not seldom happens that in place of rice he is reduced to eating the leaves of trees." "Nowonder, then. when the Javanese are dealt with after this step-motherly fashion by the intruding European lords, that they are filled with bitter hatred towards the Europeans. They have experienced neither love from them nor benefit from their religion, and in requital they hunger for the moment when everything that is white shall be put to the sword." Again: " The Javanese hate the Europeans with a deadly hatred, they thirst for their destruction, and the many insurrections of later years, as yet fortunately discovered by craft and suppressed by force, prove only too clearly how the fingers of the Javanese itch for the extirpation of the white man."
-Herr Haan is convinced that it is hopeless to convert the Javanese by means of Europeans. Only native Christians can do the work. "For, to speak plain, a European missionary in Java can accomplish absolutely nothing with the gospel. All the missionaries, without exception, confess this by word and writing, and it is proverbial among them that, being unable to reach a single Mohammedan, they bestow their time in the translation of Christian works, yet with so wrongheaded a lack of concurrence, so absolutely without a plan of campaign, that it sometimes is the case that two missionaries are translating the same work at the same time, of course each in the hope of seeing his own translation printed."
-No white nation has much occasion to boast itself as to its treatment of inferior races: but among Protestant nations Holland, and among Catholic nations Spain and Portugal, enjoy a peculiarly bad eminence in this respect. There is this difference, however, according to Mr. Mackenzie, in his history of Spanish America: the Spanish Government and the Spanish Church, in the prime of the{r dominion, were unwearied in their efforts to restrain the harshness and rapacity of covetous adventurers, who had a long way the start of them, and very slowly did prevail against them: whereas the Dutch Government itself is still the main extortioner. Weare glad to see that sections of the Dutch Church are beginning to bear a faithful witness against this iniquitous tyranny.
"The native helpers," says Herr Haan, "must be the pathbreakers of missions, and can be so, because they can converse with Mohammedans without arousing prejudice against themselves, and without awakening suspicion can bring the gospel into the hearts and houses of their brethren according to the flesh." "Facts show that wherever they come they find souls eager for the Word that speaks of atonement and grace "-ideas wholly foreign to Mohammedanism, which makes absolutely no provision for the inner wants of the soul.
-The Rev. C. J. Sandegren, of the Leipsic Mission, in South India, who attended the great Mula-Linga festival, says: "The demeanor of the templepriest towards us was very noteworthy. For although we had come in the avowed design of preaching the gospel and testifying against heathenism and idolatry, yet this exceedingly liberal and large-minded heathen priest conducted himself in the most friendly manner towards us. Indeed, he even came to us and himself urged us to preach to the people, assisting us personally to maintain order and attention. He also sometimes stayed with us at our quarters, listening to our singing and conversation. But yet we could discover in him no real longing after salvation. It is true, he mocked at the people's idolatry, but imagined he must put a good face on the mummery, and fulfil his office as priest, because he had his living by it, and because it brought in to him and his family no small profit. As temple-priest, moreover, he not only enjoyed a good revenue from this festival, but also has in his possession the extensive templeestates, from which he and his kindred derive an ample income, and enjoy an eminent and respected position in the land. And how is it easily possible to renounce all these things? thinks the good-natured man. Our preaching and
LATEST FACTS ABOUT MICRONESIA
Christianity doubtless are good, true and useful, but self-denial, the surrender of earthly advantage-that, he fancies, would be very foolish, not at all after his taste; for riches, enjoyment and voluptuous pleasure formed the real god of this heathen priest."
-" Speaking generally, a mission-period falls into three stages, which, it is true, are neither sharply distinguished from each other nor have everywhere the same length of duration. The first stage is that of sending forth, strictly speaking, of the slow foundation work of the foreign missionaries. of individual conversion, of the initiation of a process of fermentation, of the impregnation of the intellectual and moral atmosphere with new views and elements of life. The second stage is that of the erection of a first story on the foundation laid, of the extended co-operation of the natives, of the organization of the growing congregations, of the leavening of the popular life with the forces of the gospel. The third stage is that of national Christianization in the stricter sense, the collapse of a heathenism already undermined, the winning of the masses. This mostly comes to pass as a result of important historical events, e. g., the acceptance of Christianity by reigning personages," etc.-Allgemeine Missiol1S- ZeitshriJt, September, 1889.
-The Macedonier gives some extracts from the South African German Missionary Merensky, "Erinnerungenaus dem Missionsleben," which are interesting, as distinguishing more sharply the various native tribes from each other. We are accustomed to call them all, except the Hottentots and Bushmen, Caffres, or Kaffirs. And, indeed, they do in a general way belong together; but while the Zulus are Caffres proper, the Bassutos and Betchuanas, who are very closely related to each other in appearance and language, are but remotely related to the Zulus. Herr Merensky, therefore, informs us that we {)ught not to call the former Caffres. "As respects their bodily build, among the Bassutos we find many tall and powerful forms, but also many weak people-far more than among the Zulus." Merensky attributes this in part to the greater wealth of the latter, which enables them to use meat more freely, in part to the privations to which the Bassutos were exposed at the tinie of their oppression by the Zulus, but in part to the fact that an unchaste life has already, among the Bassutos, made its way even into the world of childhood.
-" Young people may often be called handsome, especially among the girls: the finely formed ears and small hands draw the eye. Old people, how- €over, are, as a whole, very ugly. This, however, is far from being true of the Christians." Merensky, even in unfamiliar mission-stations, recognized the Christians by their faces. At a station of the South Bassutos he was astonished at the sight of handsome old men and venerable old women. The missionaries had already been there thirty years, and these people had grown old as Christians. Merensky wishes, therefore, that in popular works, when portraits are given, it should be indicated whether they represent Christians or heathen; and it would be of much interest, from lands where heathenism and Christianityare wrestling, to be able to compare portraits of both.
LATEST FACTS ABOUT MICRONESIA.
Rev. Frank E. Rand, of Ponape, of Caroline Group, Micronesia, being interviewed by Dr. Pierson, says: The whole group-Caroline Group-extends nearly 2,000 miles east to west, and embraces a hundred or more islands; this is the only group where there are high mountainous islands. Ponape island is the largest in the group, rising in centre about 3,000. All of the group, save from six to ten, are low and coraline, with large lagoons. The Ruk lagoon is a hundred miles by about forty.
About 5,000 inhabitants on Ponape, missions established about thirty-seven years ago, and the island is now semi-christianized; thirteen churches on the island, and about half the people attend, and two missionaries and families were there eight years before the first three converts; but twelve years after the Ponapeans were carrying on foreign missions among the neighboring islands.
Pinglap, 150 miles east, was approached in 1872 by the Ponapeans, but repulsed; two young men, however, of the Pinglapers were found on Ponape on the re- turn of the missionaries, and became converted, and one of them ultimately became pastor of the present church on Pinglap. Some of that church are now helping the Ponapeans to carry the gospel afar. Two years after, in 1874, three young men and their wives, Ponapeans, landed at Mortlock Islands, about 300 miles west, a group of six coral islands, population of 4,000, found the people in primitive paganism, having had little or no cOiltact with foreign- ers; language differed from Ponape, and hence conversation was impossible.
They were left there, and communication began through a man and wife who had lived on Ponape. They were left there, knowing the Morning Star would not return for twelve months, the chiefs promising to protect them, and hav- ing supplies only for a few months. Their houses were comparatively hovels.
In a year they were visited again by the Morning Star, and found each of the families living in a good house, having also three large churches, the largest holding 600 to 700; all had acquired the language; one of these native teachers, the wife of one of the missionaries, had translated a portion of the gospels and hymns from Ponape into Mortlock tongue, and each family had a large school in which pupils read and wrote in their own language and beginning to cipher, and some twenty-five in each parish awaiting baptism.
At the present time there are in one of those churches from 300 to 400 members, and instead of three churches, nine. .
Since then there has been a greater work done on the island of Ruk, where the first missionaries went in 1880. It has always been called the Terror of the Pacific, from cruelty shown to crews of vessels. The coral reef encloses about 15,000, or more, speaking the Mortlock language. One missionary was left there in 1880, " Moses" by name, from the Mortlock Islands. He was landed at his own request on one island in this lagoon, with a population of abou1; 4,000. Mr. Rand visited this island a year after, and found Moses, within two months after landing, had been in great risk of life, but saved his life by singular tact and courage. Mr. Rand found him likewise living in his own large house, having built a large church with some twenty-five ready for bap- tism, with day school and Sunday school; but with marvellous influence over the nation in restraining war among themselves. Now there are some eight or nine chur~hes, and a prosperous community. Chiefs now send to Moses for teachers to come to them to instruct them not to fight.
The principal work on Ponape is Training Schools for young unmarried men and the married men and wives, to prepare them for Christian work.
In 1888-9 they had forty-five boarding pupils; twenty of them have gone into the work in the beginning of 1889, and there is a girls' boarding school with thirty-eight pupils. There are two more training schools at Island of Kusaie- one for·Marshall Group and the other for the Caroline Group, and at the same place a girls' boarding school.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
II.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Aftica.-A correspondent of the lish a protectorate over Tunis, where ..i'lfanchester Guardian writes encour- the Italians outnumber the French ten agingly of the development of com- to one. They add that at the Berlin merce which is checking the slave congress Mr. Waddington disavowed trade on the Congo river. Steamers any claim to the Regency. The French from Liverpool are now plying direct answer that Tunis was offered to them to Boma and Matadi, stations on the at the congress by Bismarck and river. These are becoming the chief Beaconsfield as a counterweight 1;() ports from which produce is being Cyprus, which was acquired by Engshipped, and are gradually drawing land, but that they should not have the ivory trade away from Zanzibar. availed themselves of the offer, had A regular ivory market exists at Stan- not the Italians made surreptitious ley Falls, and here the Arab traders efforts to supplant them in the good can now sell their ivory instead of graces of the Bey. Meanwhile they kidnapping slaves to carry it to the desire to know why Italy has not laid east coast. Under the old method of hands on Tripoli, a section of north slave labor it often took one or two Africa uncoveted by any other Euro- years for the ivory to reach the coast, pean power. To this latter suggestion and the former slave dealers are now the astute Italians make no reply. settling down into a peaceful colony They know a trick worth two of that.
near Stanley Falls, evidently appre- The possible outcome of their protect- ciating the advantages of modern orate over Abyssinia, and of their facilities for trade. When the Congo assertion of authority over the whole· railway is complete, the Congo route sea-coast' of East Africa from Warwill be more used than at present. sheckh, near the second degree of The railway will start from Matadi. north latitude up to and including A further blessing both to the traders IVfassowah, may be found to have some and the natives is the discovery of the day a weighty bearing on the status of river Lomami, which runs parallel Italy in the Mediterranean. For few with and to the left of the Congo. It things are more certain than that the is navigable and of good depth, and advent of the Gladstonians to power will be a great benefit in facilitating in England would be followed by the communication between Niangwe, the recall of the British army of occupation chief Arab settlement in the high from Egypt. To what power would Congo, and Stanley Falls. The fre- England then be more likely to turn quent falls and rapids on the Congo over the duty of protecting the Nile in this part have rendered communi- country than to Italy? It has been cation by it almost impossible between largely through the moral support of the two places. The ultimate benefit, the British Government that the Italhowever, of thus opening up Africa ians have gradually acquired control for trade will depend upon the number of the southern part of the Red Sea of Christian men engaged therein. and of the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb. Between heathenism and civilization We may rather say that they alone without God, there is little to choose. divide control with Great Britain. Owing to the weakness of their navy, -Italy and Africa.-There has been they could never be dangerous to Brit. of late an acrimonious dispute between ish commerce, and they could be the journalistsand politicians ofFrance trusted to shut the Suez Canal against on the one hand and Italy on the other touching the claims of their respectiye a French or Russian fleet. Apropos of countries to possessions on the north this suggestion, it is well to remember coast of Africa. The Italians main- that the Italians took possession of tain that France had no right to e~tab- Massowah under an understanding with the Gladstone Ministry, and for tic volume as it enters that country.
the purpose of effecting a diversion But, fortunately, when it is most against the Mahdi. Co-operation with wanted for irrigation-during the dry England, with regard to Egyptian in- season-it gives the greatest volume; terests, was, in other words, the motive for then it is the rainy season in the of their first important demonstration Nile sources.
in East Africa, and it will probably What would Egypt be without the turn out to be the ultinlate result of Nile? The country knows no rains, or their Abyssinian protectorate. The at least so seldom that a shower is Italians constitute a much larger pro- a marvel; and though, during some portion of the European residents in months, the parched earth is relieved Egypt than do the French. Of Lev- by heavy dews, its dry season would antine countries generally the same be intolerable without the overflowing thing may be said. In this respect of this grand river.-African News.
they are the natural heirs of the Vene- -The Sultan of Zanzibar has de- tians. Candia, for instance, should creed that all slaves entering his the Porte be constrained to surrender dominions are henceforth to be free.
it to any European power, ought to go Also that the children of slaves born to Italy in her capacity of the heir of in his dominions after January 1 are Vellice, from which the Turks wrested to be free. These are great steps for- it, after it had been the property of ward, and lead us to hope that the the Republic for many centuries. The entire suppression of slavery in East island is of too great strategic import- Africa may be looked for in the near ance for England to suffer it to fall future. Another important mark of into the hands of Greece, which woulU progress is the establishment of a new practically make of it a Russian naval direct line of mail steamers from Lon- station. On the other hand, if the don to Mombasa and Zanzibar, which, Italian flag were planted in Candia with those now running, will make a and Alexandria, the Mediterranean fortnightly service.
would be as truly a British lake as it – The Abyssinians and their Chris- is now.-The Sun (New York). tianity.-The change of rulers in Abys- -The Nile has Three Peculiarities. sinia promises to inaugurate a new 1. It has a constantly diminishing departure in the public policy of that volume of water as it flows to its historic country by opening it to West- mouth for more than 1,000 miles. 2. ern influence, and thus preparing the It floods during the dry season. 3. It way for the rejuvenation of its stereo- has no tributaries for 1,100 miles from typed and formalistic Christianity.
its mouth. In the great expanse of The new king, Menelik, formerly sov- the Soudan there are few rivers, and ereign of the southern province, Shoa, the Nile is the only one worthy the and then nominally, but scarcely in name in aU Egypt. Up in the heart fact, vassal of the late Negus, or King of Africa it has many feeders, and John, has all along been favorable rushes down into the sandy plain of to the representatives of Western civil- Egypt a mighty torrent; but it hardly ization and Evangelical Christianity.
fonus its great trunk by the junction King John was a typical Semitic, con- ofthe White and Blue Niles before it servative to the core, and naturally begins to diminish in volume. Liter- hostile to aU new and progressive ideas.
ally, the thirsty sand licks it up. And He not only expelled the Christian mis- though the junction with it of the sionaries, sent there by the London and great Atbara gives it a new supply Basel societies, from his domains, but some hundreds of miles below, it soon attempted to come to an understanding again loses volume. It is a large river with that larger branch of the Chris- in Egypt, but far inferior to its majes- tian Church which, in its character and kind, agreed most with the sterile physite Church as a natural con- faith of his own people, namely, the sequence followed.
Greek Orthodox of the East. Menelik This isolation, voluntary at first, be- has already made a decided move in came one of necessity soon after, when the opposite direction. He has assum- the Mohammedan invader overran the ed friendly relations to the Italians; Eastand devastated Oriental Christian- his ambassadors were recently the sen- ity. It is the great distinction of the sation in Rome; and his land is being Abyssinians that they, in their moun- re-opened for Christ~':'"l} mission work. tain fastnesses, were the only people The veteran Flad, who for two decades who did not bend their necks to the of years has been in vain waiting for Moslem conqueror, nor yield their an opportunity to continue his gospel faith to Islam. The struggle against mission, so auspiciously begun under Arabic aggression, which is now the his leadership thirty or more years ago, question of life and death for the has, notwithstanding his years, deter- future of the Dark Continent; is really mined to return to Abyssinia and work one of more than a thousand years'
while it is day. standing. Against fearful odds the As matters now stand, the Church Abyssinians have maintained their of Abyssinia is a ruin, in its way as struggle for existence, and, though instructive as the pyramids of Egypt often wounded and bleeding, have re- and the tablets and bricks of Assyria. tained their national and ecclesiastical Practically, it represents, in stereo- existence and organization.-Pro!.
typed form, the Greek Christianity of Geo. H. Schodde.
the fifth century. The shape and form Belgium.-The French Protest- have been retained, while the spirit has ants are divided into two sections; been lost; the hull is there but the one, represented by the Protestant kernel is gone. Abyssinia was con- Evangelical Churches, which are verted to Christianity early in the State churches; and the other, by fourth century, and viewed its first the Belgium Missionary Christian bishop from Athanasius. It is the Churches, whose name admirably sets only Semetic people that ever as such forth their spirit. The latter have embraced the Christian faith and es- 27 churches and stations, with 59 an- tablished a national Christian Church. nexes or places that are regularly It is one of the anomalies of history evangelized; 50 temples and halls; 38 that Christianity, although springing Sabbath schools, 17 day schools, 22 from Semitic soil and developed in a pastors, 4 evangelists, 7 Bible read!lrs, Semitic people, was, on the whole, re- 5 colporteurs, 47 laymen, who take jected by them, and the spiritual in- direct' part in the work; 7,850 meet- heritance of Shem passed into the tent ings took place last year; 215,500 of Japhet. The Abyssinians, too, were tracts have been distributed. The converted under Greek or Aryan in- churches have a membership of 4,647, fluence, and for a century and more and their Sabbath-schools are attended constituted a not unimportant ele- by 2,366 children. More than 500 ment of the Oriental Church. In 451 members have been added to the came the separation. Together with church during the year; and not- the Church of Egypt, with which it withstanding the deaths and emi- was then and is now yet organically gration, the increase has been 275 connected, that of Abyssinia embraced adults and 171 children. A station the Monophysite faith. The condem- has been founded, two churches nation of this heresy by the synod at built, services begun in several new Chalcedon led to the withdrawal from localities, 70 villages where the Gos- an connection with the Church gen- pel is not regularly preached have eral, and the isolation of the Mono- been visited by the missionaries; while the colporteurs have worked in account of Christian work at the 200 villages. Hawaiian Islands. The 56 native The expenses of the year have churches report a membership of reached 139,714 francs, and the con- 5,747, besides other churches for Eng- tributions of these churches have lish-speaking residents and Chinese, amounted to 63,000 francs.-Rev. J. having a membership of 679. These C. Bracq.' native churches contributed for pas- Hawaii.-The last report of the toralsupport $9,531, and for home and Hawaiian Board of Health shows that foreign missionary work, if we rightly there were, March 31st, 1888. 749 lep- understand the treasurer's report, ers in the district of Molokai set apart something over $20,000. Eight pastors for them. These are provided for re- have been installed during the year, ligiously by two Protestant and two seven of whom were ordained. The Catholic churches. The report of the Chinese mission, under the care of Mr.
Hawaiian Evangelical Association for F. W. Damon, has been prosecuted 1887 shows that one of the Protestant with success. Daily evening schools churches has 225 members. The mem- have been well attended. Four new bership of the other is not given; but Sabbath-schools for the Chinese have as it reports more than half as many been opened in different parts of deaths as the former church, we may Honolulu. There are 22,000 Chinese be sure it has over 100 members, and now residing in the Hawaiian Islands. that it is perfectly ridiculous to speak . The Japanese work, begun so recently, of the lepers of the Sandwich Islands as has had a remarkable development, not cared for now or before Father both in Honolulu and in other parts Damien came to them. The idea of of the islands. The North Pacific Mis- giving him credit for revolutionizing sionary Institute, under the care of the care of lepers is laughed at in Dr. Hyde, has graduated eleven stu- Hawaii. It is clear that the lepers dents and received ten in their place. have been so well cared for that many These graduates are all at work in have sought admission just to get the different localities.-Miss. Herald.
generous support given by the State. India.-Writing of the Mission The last report of the Board of Health Sunday-schools in Jubbulpore, Bishop makes no mention of Father Damien, Thoburn says: but they "cannot say enough of the inestimable and disinterested services "They are so many in number and are of the siCK rendered them by Mr. J. attended by so many pupils of all ages that an impression has gone abroad that no real work is done in them.. It has been alleged Dutton, who is a trained nurse, and that no real teaching is done, that the same came to the Settlement on his own ac- persons do not attend two days in succession, count, for the purpose of living with and that inasmuch as nothing is taught noththe lepers and devoting his life and ing is learned, but these boys disprove all such entire time to their benefit; and who assertions. They had evidently attended often, and had learned both hymns and catechism.
may be seen busied from morning to I took occasion to examine the register of night cleaning and healin~ the many attendance, and was surprised to find that the sores of the lepers, and administering attendance varied but little from week to to the many ailments of the sick, and week, the total number for the week preced- ing my visit having been 3,268. Of these 1,300 very much to the satisfaction and had been boys, 639 girls, 920 men, and 409 comfort of the sick." It is made clear women. Perhaps the most hopeful feature of that the contagion of leprosy comes these schools is the fact that so many women from violation of laws of cleanliness are in this way bronght within the sound of the gospel. Many who could not be tempted or morality.-The Independent. to join an ordinary audience of men, have no -The 26th annual report of the Ha- hesitation in doing SO when they see that the waiian Evangelical Association gives crowd is chiefly composed of children. The a full, and on the whole encouraging, attendance of girls also is remarkable. Many of these 'Sunday-schools' meet on week days, and hence they are sometimes called prose tale of a demon with a thousand Bible-schools. 'Whatever name they may bear heads. Among the works published it is evident that they can be s1j.ccessfully in the year 1886 are the following: A used in giving large numbers of the people a book on architecture, containing notes clear outline of the blessed truths of Christ's on the lucky and unlucky times for gospe."
-The Current Literature of India. beginning a building, a biography of -The latest official returns of the Faraday, adaptation of Shakespeare's issues of the Indian press are for the "Comedy of Errors,"" Winter's Tale,"
year 1886. The total number of books and" Merchant of Venice," Milton's and periodicals published in that one " Paradise Lost," "The Diseases of the year is 8,961. In the Indian vernacu- Elephant," "Cholera and Its Cure," a lars alone there are published annually Marhatti version of Glodsmith's " Her- about 200 newspapers, the most of them mit," the" Perils of Youth," a work being dailies. The variety of subjects telling young men not to run off to treated in Indian literature is astound- Christianity or any other religion be- ing. It reflects not only the polyglot fore examining their own, and annota- character of the race-stems, but also ted editions of Goldsmith's comedies, the mixture of faiths. Among the " The Good Natured Man" and "She books issued in 1888, in the Punjab we Stoops to Conquer." There is a large find such a heterogeneous compound increase of important missionary pub- as the following: "The Little Office lications, of works by the Hindu re- of the Immaculate Conception of the formatory associations, and of native Blessed Virgin," " Praises of Moham- attacks.on infant marriages and other med by His Followers," "Attacks on lingering abuses. Another important the Prophet by the Christians," "Stories triumph must be added to the long of Krishna," and" Talismans from the catalogue of philological achievements Koran." In the same region, the North- of missionaries. In Bhamo, Burma, a west Provinces, there is one treatise on Kachin spelling-book has been pub- astrology and another on electroplat- lished by two missionaries. It is the ing. In Burma the list of books includes first attempt to reduce the savage a volume of songsin praiseof the " New' Kachin dialect to grammar. Many of Umbrella for the Dregen Pagoda." In the native publications classed as relig- the Central Provinces a collection of ious are purely controversial. They astrological calculations was publish· are attacks on Christianity. Both ed in an edition of 500 copies. The Hindus and Mohammedans are quite Bengali publications comprise works willing to attack Christianity in print.
on polygamy, the Brahmo discourses, From the first, missionaries have in- and songs on the loves of the Krishna. dulged pretty freely in controversy.
A gratuitous edition of 1,059 copies of This spirit has been latterly on the a work on astrology, in the Tamil, decline, as if the missionaries were appears on the list of issues for 1882. now thinking the game hardly worth Several other books on the subject are the chase. In some sections Hindus published for general sale, among them and Mohammedans have taken up the one in an edition of 400 copies. It is cudgel against one another. On the claimed to be an ancient work 2,000 other hand, controversial works have years old. Another Tamil work de- been written, in a very hostile spirit, nounces Christianity, animal food, by rival sects within the same religious and intoxicating drinks. An edition fold.-Bishop Hurst, in the Chatau- of 500 copies of this work appeared in quan.
1882. In the same language appear -A Writer in The Bombay Guar- two other books of antagonistic ten- dian, on Jesuit missions in India, dencies, one a book of verses in favor shows that it is a mistake to assert that of the Virgin Mary, and another a Protestant missions have not prospered as have those of the Jesuits. The latter Syria. – An Assyrian Library entered India about 350 years ago, and their educational institutions are nu- Thirty – five Hundred Years Old.- merous and ably manned, but their adherents, who are now estimated at Prof. Sayce gives an interesting ac- 1,000,000, have not increased at anything like the ratio seen in the Protes- count of the recent discovery of tant missions. For instance, in the long buried tablets and inscriptions, decade from 1862 to 1872, the Roman which have an important bearing Catholics increased twelve per cent. on certain test questions in Biblical against fifty-one per cent. among the criticism: Protestants. The Jesuits do not preach to the heathen, one of them saying, From them we learn that in the fifteenth cen- "This is not my work, which is to tury before our era-a century before the look after my people, not the heathen." Exodus-active literary intercourse was going But the chief point of difference be- on throughout the civilized world of Western tween the methods of Jesuits and Pro- Asia, between Babylon and Egypt, and the testants is in regard to the Scriptures, smaller states of Palestine, of Syria, of Mesoconcerning which the writer in The potamia, and even of Eastern Kappadokia. Bombay Guardian says: "For 350 And this intercourse was carried on by means years the Jesuits have had a succession of the Babylonian language and the compliof learned men in India, yet they have cated Babylonian script. This implies that, never translated the Scriptures in all over the civilized East, there were libraries whole or part, so far as we know, into and schools where the Babylonian language any of its many languages. On the and literature were taught and learned. Babyother hand, the Protestant missions lonian appears to have been as much the have, in 90 years, translated the Scrip- language of diplomacy and cultivated society tures, in whole or part, into over forty as French has become in modern times, with Indian languages and dialects, includ- the difference that, whereas it does not take ing the Gondi. By the one method long to learn to read French, the cuneiform the Indian peoples can read the Word syllabary required years of hard labor and atof God for themselves in their own tention before it could be acquired. We can tongues; by the Jesuit method they now understand the meaning of the name of have been, and are, deprived of it as the Canaanitish city which stood near Hebron, rigorously as the Sudras are of their and which seems to have been one of the most sacred books by the Brahmans." important of the towns of Southern Palestine. Kirjath-Sepher, or "Book town," must have Japan.-Dr. Griffis, author of been the seat of a famous library, consisting "The Mikado's Empire," says: mainly, if not altogether, as the Tel-el-Amar- na tablets informs us, of clay tablets inscribed "It is of interest to all who want to see with cuneiform characters. As the city also Japan a Christian nation to know that the bore the name of Debir, or "Sanctuary," we •reformed' Buddhists expect to furnish their may conclude that the tablets were stored in countrymen and all inquirers with a religion. its chief temple, like the libraries of Assyria Alert, keen, not over-scrupulous, they will and Babylonia. It may be that they are still doubtless have a neo-Buddhism all ready. They lying under the soil, awaiting the day when are already patrons of Western learning; have the spade of the excavator shall restore them studied at home, in India, at Oxford, and in to the light. The literary influence of Babylo- America, the situation; have introduced phy- nia in the age before the Israelitish conquest sical science in their splendid, new, brick-built of Palestine explains the occurrence of the colleges at Kioto; make the New Testament a names of Babylonian deities among the inhabtext-book,and the Bible and its learning subject itants of the West. Moses died on the summit of lectures. They will Buddhaize Christianity, of Mount Nebo, which received its name froIQ if they have power and' opportunity. Let the Babylonian god of literature, to whom the Christians study the past and take warning." great temple of Borsippa was dedicated; an<1 Sinai itself, the mountain" of Sin," testifies t<l a worship of the Babylonian Moon-god, Sin, amid the solitudes of the desert. Moloch or Malik, was a Babylonian divinity like Rimmon the Air-god, after whom more than one local- ity in Palestine was named, and Anat, the wife of Anu, the Sky-god, gave her name to the Pal- estinian Annah, as well as to Anathoh, the city of "the Anat-goddesses."
lIIISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS
IlL-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
Brazil. pleteness of our foreign mission reports that they have no way of knowing what becomes [While we do not fully sympathize of their gifts after they are once absorbed into ""-ith the writer in all he says, yet we the general fund, and so prefer givipg in a deem the following communication way which will enable them to judge for them- selves if their money has been economically worthy of consideration by all mission- and wisely employed. ary societies. It is desirable that full and explicit reports be made of all The largest givers are usually the most con- expenditures. There is not sufficient scientious. They give from principle, and for that'reason feel a responsibility for the way fulness and skill shown in many of in which their gifts are used. If then there is these reports. Our own effort to the slightest ground for suspicion that the analyze and give a scientific and in- money which they have given, with the sole motive of building up the Kingdom of their telligent account of the" Statistics of Lord and Saviour, is uselessly dissipated in Missions" has already demonstrated to ill-digested schemes of inexperienced workers, us the necessity of a great reform all or is used in such a way as to pauperize the along that line, and we urge the duty new converts, or simply promote general civilization or secular education, they cannot upon the attention of all whom it con- but feel that their accountability to Him whose stewards they are requires them to withhold, cerns.-EDs. ] or at least to limit, their gifts. It is quite pos- sible that we have here'the true explanation SOLIDARITY IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. of the undeniable fact that our foreign mis- sion work is not receiving that whole-hearted LETTER FROM REV. J. BEATTY HOWELL. and enthusiastic support on the part of many large givers which it deserves, and in former JAHU, Sept. 20, 1889. times received. A significant sign of the times, of profound interest to all engaged in foreign mission work Something must be done to bring the contrib- or connected wibh it, is the undoubted fact utors into closer relations with the work, and that the mechanical benevolence of former to lead them to feel that they have a voice in days is being largely replaced by an intelli- the application of the funds contributed. The gent interest, on the part of contributors to solidarity of home givers and foreign workers every good work, in the final destination and must be recognized and emphasized. A practical results of their gifts. practical application must be made of the During the past year several missionary principle that the givers have at least an equal Rocieties have found themselves seriously em- voice in the application of the funds with bal'I'assed by a considerable diminution of those who are entrusted with the distribution. their regular income, due to the falling off in Missionaries and secretaries have a right to legacies. It is becoming increasingly the cus- advise, plead, urge, but nothing can deprive tom on the part of churches, Sunday-schools the givers of the right to determine where and and individual contributors, to forward their how their gifts shall be applied. contributions directly to some friend on the field, to be used for certain definite and desig- The first and most important step in this nated objects. Our secretaries are constantly direction must be a change in the method of bewailing the discouraging fact that funds giving mission information, especially in the contributed by our church members are department of statistics. Some plan must be diverted from denominational channels to out- devised for enabling contributors to know just side enterprises conducted by irresponsible what is being done with the mission funds, parties. and what each department of the work costs. A single explanation covers all these facts. At present the church is only given the general There is a growing desire on the part of con- totals of so much expended upon mission tribntors to follow up their gifts, and a grow- work in China, so much in India, etc., with no ing sense of responsibility for the way in means of ascertainingthe proportion of funds which these are employed. Those whom ODd expended upon different departments, the has entrusted with means, and into whose comparative cost of each, or the part of the heart he has put the desire to use them for burden borne by the native Christians. his glory, are, to a very noticeable extent, planning and carrying out the distribution of these It would be a new departure in missionary consecrated funds in their own lifetime. matters for most of our societies, and would, The criticism of mission methods, and the no doubt, at the beginning involve some extra doubts tIu'own upon their results, of which work, but we respectfnlly suggest that the their has been so much lately, has naturally attempt be made to give the church topical had the effect of rendering contributors sus- reports of the work, instead of by countries, as picious and inquisitive; but such is the incomheretofore. In the annual reports of the the will of the Great Head of the Church as to societies let all accessible information from all the way in which His work is to be carried on parts of the field be grouped under the heads than the judgment of the consecrated givers of common school education, higher educa- at home. Both of these factors must have tion, publication) medical missions, itinerant their due weight in our calculations an'd plans and evangelistic work, Sunday-school work, for work. The foreign workers have made theological seminaries, native pastoral work, many mistakes and learned much by experi- lay laborers, including Zennana visitors, ence; it would not be wonderful nor alarming Bible readers, colporteurs, etc., buildings, if home givers should do the same. self support, indirect influence of missions, religiously, politically and socially. The fact that the amount available for any department of work would depend largely Let the persons best qualified and best in- upon the interest which the home churches formed write up tbese subjects for the differ- took in it, would furnish the strongest incenent fields, giving, along with general informa- tive for the special writers to make the fullest tion and practical reasons for carrying on and plainest exposition of the facts in regard each department of the work, full statistics to the different departments, and the motives showing what has been done, the part of the for carrying on each branch of work; and expense borne by the mission, and the part thus tend to the general instruction of the borne by the native church. This would cer- people in regard to the whole work. The caretainly make a report more readable and more ful study of the various departments of the instructive than the one now sent out annually. work, for the sake of deciding to which funds If the material for the l1onthly Concert of should be contributed, would have a powerful lIIissions were arranged in the same way, it educating influence, while enlarging the symmigbt help revive the interest in these meet- pathies of the givers. ings, which pastors agree in saying has been on the decline for some time past. An incidental result of the clear recognition of the different departments of the work, Having taken this preliminary step, it would might be the appointment, in ihe different then be possible to invite contributors to fields, of Superintendents Of Departments, to designate the department, or departments, of whom should be entrusted the collection and work to which they wished their contributions preparation of information in regard to the to be applied. If it were thus possible for con- needs and possibilities of his special departtributors to use their fnnds for the promotion ment, thus leading to a more systematic, of the kind of work which seemed to them thorough, and symmetrical development of the most important or promising, money would work than would otherwise be the caSe. doubtless flow into the treasury which is now withheld. Ohina.
There are invincible practical objections to FIRST HIPRESSIONS IN A CHINA JlIISSION. a scheme of mission operations based upon contributions for special objects, such as the LETTER FROM REV. JOHN G. FAGG. support of individual preachers, teachers, schools, pupils, etc., which do not hold against CHANGCHEW, 30 miles inland from Amoy. contributing for general departments of work. I am a missionary prophet of ouly a year's The very furthest that specialization can be standing. I question whether my vision is carried without injury to the cause, is indicat- sufficiently adjusted to give a reliable foreing, along with the department of work, the cast. I will, however, cite a few facts. The field in which it is to be done, e.g., Publication notable feature of missionary effort, in this in Syria, lIledical Work in China, etc. 'part of China, has been a strong movement inland. It may be objected that to leave the propor· The southern half of the province of Fuhtion of funds to be expended upon any depart- kien is worked by three .societies, London, ment of the work to be determined by the English Presbyterian, and Reformed. Amoy wishes of the donors, would have the effect of is the natural headquarters. Until last year causing some needful departments, but which no missionary family had ever lived inland are not specially interesting, to be neglected, from Amoy. lIlissionary work was carried and others to be disproportionally developed. on by constant touring. It is possible that this might be so at the Since lIlarch, 1888, four missionary families beginning, but in this respect we must trust to have moved inland. Two families are at the enlightened interest of the givers, in- Changchew, thirty miles from Amoy; two structed by the missionaries or other compe- families at Giokhe, sixty miles from Amoy; tent persons. There will always be a large two gentlemen have settled forty miles south amount of undesignated fund, which could be from Amoy, at Changpoo; three hospitals applied to supplement the special contribu- have been opened, one at each of the places tions in those departments where it might be f1entioned. The hospitals have been largely necessary. Besides, there is no reason to patronized. suppose that the judgment of the consecrated Another feature of encouragement has been workers on the field is any surer indication of the increased willingness to hear the gospel. Native preachers have frequently remarked recently, that the past year was the best in $10,000 for that purpose. It only needs to their experience. Years ago they were scolded, have two years added to the conrse. It will a bused, stoned. To-day they go into villages not aim to be a 'University,' like the Methowhere chairs are brought out to rest them. dist Institution in Peking, but will be content 'They are entertained to tea and sweet-meats. with the field of general education and the- 'They are invited to come again. Gamblers ology. Although our mission has been in are. requested to leave their seats and the existence nearly thirty years, we have never preacher is invited to declare the doctrine. yet seen our way to the ordination of any men to the ministry, but this year we have decided These are rifts in the clouds. The darkness to take that step in the case of six graduates is still deep. Idolatry is most powerfully in- of the theological school whose record for trenched. In this city of 150,000 inhabitants three years has been such as to make it apalone, there are over 300 temples. Thousands pear to be the right thing. " of dollars are spent every month on theatricals and other demonstrations in honor of the France. gods. Even small, poor villages have several thousands of dollars filched from them every FRENCH FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY year. Idolatry is a gigantic system of robbery. FOR 1889. BY REV. J. c. BRACQ, SECRETARY AMERICAN Our religion has formidable opposition yet to overcome. The foreigner is hated, sus- MCALL ASSOCIATION. pected. The opium curse, the cruelties of East Indian coolie traffic, Chinese expnision in The annual meeting of the Socitftt des Mis- America and Australia, are associated with the sions Evangeliques gathered, not only the white-faced foreigner. His doctrine may be numerous friends of missions, but, also, some good, but it seems most improbable that he is Tahitian converts, brought to Paris by the heralding it from pure motives. All this prej- French government, for the Exposition. udice and suspicion can only be lived down. It cannot be talked down.' We are under per- M. Beugner, the distinguished Secretary of petual surveillance. the Society, read a repon, as remarkable for its form as it was interesting for its contents. However, we already have two thousaud It is interesting to see, in the city of Paris, a converts; we have a hundred stations at man devoting such talents to the cause of strategic points; we have five hospitals; we missions. We give a summary of his report, have an efficient native ministry. There is a though it must necessarily mar it. "If there Christian conscience bearing testimony against is," he says, "an imperious necessity for an the rottenness of heathenism. There are liv- army, it is to feel that its actions are haring examples of Christianity's transforming monious with the will of the general, and power. There is a native foreign missionary correspond exactly to his plans. So it is with society to the Hokkas, to the south and west the army of Jesus Christ. To do one's duty among the hills. Statistical tables are no with joy and courage, the least of his soldiers gauge of what is being done, of the influence must have the assurance that he is in the place, that is exerted. .Thousands hear the gospel and at the work, appointed. message every year. Unseen, nnheard, the day of China's redemption hastens. For the "What, in this respect, is the situation of this coming of that day we continue to labor and detachment of Christ's army known as the to pray. Societe des l.fissions Evangeliques? How are its present plans connected with the general In a note from Rev. Arthur H. advance of God's work in the world? Smith,date.d P'ang Chia Chuang Shantung, June 29, he says: "Thenew impnlse given to the evangelization of the world forces itself, as a great fact, upon " We have just held the meeting of our mis- the mind of all careful observers. The represion for the year, and have planned for en- sentatives of all missionary societies, gathlargement in many directions. We are asking ered in London, last year, were unanimous for twenty-six new people, to fill up the old upon that point. The 'Signs of the Times' stations and to open three new ones. Doubt- have spoken. The 'Pillar of Cloud and of less we shall get some, bnt Japan is so clamor- Fire' is advancing. Everywhere, under the ous, and seems to many so attractive a field, combined action of explorers, commerce, and that we do not at all compete with that mis- colonization, the doors are opening-the apsion, to say nothing of other fields, such as peals are heard. It is, for the Church, the those in India and in Africa, which are really hour marked of God, to take possession of the worse off than ours. We have for many years desolated Inheritance of the Lord. had a high school and theological seminary at Tlung Chou, and we are now unanimous "This call of God, our Society has heard. in the conviction that the time has come to ,Ve have come into possession, first of all, of make it into a college, and we have asked for an indispensable instrument of progress, the Maison des Missions. The construction of this much needed missioqary school, and the abundance of pupils that have come to us since, are the chief factors in onr increase of activities during these last years. From the month of December, 1888, to the month of which M. Collaird seems to have exercised June, 1889, we put eight new missionaries in upon the mind of King Lewanika. It is piti- the field. These facts show that the present ful, indeed, that, when M. Collaird has made· year might be called the year of departures- such efforts to open that country, and when better still, the year of envoi8; in other words, he calls, in a most soul-stirring way, for rein- a year of missions, in the truest sense. Last forcements, the SocUte des Missions Evan- year, at one time, we had eighteen missionary gtliques is able to send him but one man.
students; after the departure, we had but After a review of the work in Senegal, he re- twelve; yet we doubt not, that, next autumn, ferred to the attempts made by this Society the number will be larger than ever. " to evangelize the French Congo. Two mis- He then gives a review of the French work sionaries have been sent to study this field.
at Tahiti, pointing out the progress made by The great sacrifice of lives, made by the Eng- the converts; their profound attachment to lish Baptist Society in that part of the world, the Word of God; the general observance of has taught lessons that the French could not the Sabbath; the regular attendance of wor- fail to heed. There are already three French ship; their Christian liberality, etc. But he school-teachers and one missionary artisan deplored the fact, that, with the missionaries, working there, with an American Presbyterian their religion still localizes itself too much in missionary society. The presence of the lat- the Church, and does not radiate in good ter has led the French authorities to feel works and wholesome influences. There, as in more kindly toward the American mission- Africa, the converts and missionaries have aries. It is well known that the Society en- to cope with the hydra of intemperance. tered this field at the request of some of the The French missionary work in the Lessouto French government officers. The adminis- Land is probably the most interesting of all trators of several French colonies are now ask- the fields worked by the French Protestants. ing them to send missionaries, and to estab- There, their great difflcnlties are the increas- lish Protestant schools in the territories under ing hostility of reviving Paganism, and the their jurisdiction. The London Missionary competition of Ritualistic and Roman Catha' SOCiety has offered to surrender to them the· lic missionaries who are untiring in their ef- _ English work in the entire Society Islands.
forts to ruin the Protestant work. Altogether, But the French Protestants have contributed, the Church of the Lessouto Land received, during the past year, 313,g62 francs for thek last year, 514 new members, which makes the own work; and that sum, though large com- total present membership 6,54.3. The class of pared with the resources of the French Pro- catechumens has naturally lost what the testants, scarcely justifies them in undertak- Church has gained, but these losses have been ing new work, espeCially as the Society closes.
soon compensated for by the numerous ad- the year with a deficit of 29,000 francs.
missions, making their present number 3,332, In the light of these facts it is interesting to or 80 less than last year. By adding the num- listen to M. Beugner's conclusion: "This ber of catechumens to the number of com- situation compels us to ask once more if our municants, we reach the number of 9,875 churches bave come to understand the extent Christians. These results have been fOllowed of their duty towards missions; and if their by an increase of horne missionary work. The divine Chief, whose approval, alone, is of im- number of Annexes has risen from 94 to 110; portance, can be satisfied? What He expects and the number of native workers, catechists, of us, brethren, is easy to ascertain. Is it not and school-teachers, from 176 to 194. The clearly expressed in the sketch of the work missions of the Lessouto Land contributed, just unfolded before us? Does not the mag- last year, for home missions, 19,984 francs; nificent impetus of our mission in Lessouto which sum represents the aggregate pay of Land show the triumphs that God can achieve 194 evangelists and school-teachers. through our feeble churches? Is not Tahiti The French efforts to evangelize the Zam- there to show that, in missionary lands, as bezi have so far entailed the greatest sacri- well as at .home, French Protestants-ar- fices: "The seed which our missionaries deut patriots like their Fathers-know, also, are planting, and which they water with their like them, how to defend the sacred trust oe tears, is not the gospel that they preach, but the Word of God? Have we not seen, by the it is their very life, which they carry in their work of the Zambezi, that the old Huguenot hands and spend in detail. Ready are they to blood is not degenerated, and that it has been give it entireJy if the Master· demands it." reserved for our missions in Pagan lands, now, Among the sacrifices already made are the when the heroism of martyrdom can no longer children of M. Coillard's two colleagues, and be exercised at home, to restore to us the- the death of Dr. H. T. Dardier. One can heroism of Apostleship; necessary, inasmuch hardly realize the greatness of the dangers to as the Church cannot exist without heroism; which these noble pioneers of the gospel are let us say, rather, without devotion unto exposed. Htwever, their courage is begin- death? Does not the mission in Senegal, in ning to be rewarded; and among other favor- spite of its failures and its difficulties, speak t<> able signs, may be mentioned the influence your consciences? And these doors that are open before you; these appeals that are ad- must be erected at central points. Association dressed to you; here, by tribes and their literature must be t~anslated and published_ ehiefs, and there, by a government that form- To a limited extent native general secretaries erly viewed us as adversaries-do not all these may require partial support for awhile. The facts unite to tell uS that God has reserved, in work may suffer serious delay if the associa- .the conquest of the Pagan world, a great and tions defer their' contributions until such beautiful place for French Protestantism! secretaryships are offered them. I do not He has endowed it for that task. He has en- believe we can improve upon the well-matured couraged it in its first efforts. He calls it now financial methods of the church missionary .to accomplish its mission in all its fulness. " boards.
Japan. The financial obligation of the associations is, of course, to work for young men on the LETTER FROM SECRETARY L. D. WISHARD. foreign mission field. The associations will have as large demands upon their treasuries TOKIO, September, 1889. in this line as they can supply. If they The Young Men's Ohristian Associations are assume financial obligations to general misan established fact in the East. Eight months sionary work, either of a denominational personal study' of the situation in Japan or undenominational character, they go un- -assures me that this is eminently true in this warrantably outside their distinctive province country. While the association has only effect- and field, and so far deprive themselves of the ed a beginning here, it has secured such a firm privilege of aiding this special work for young foothold and has been so heartily welcomed by men which they exist to carry on. Their missionaries and Japanese Ohristians as to foreign mission work will suffer in proportion. fully justify the belief that the application of the same general methods of work which have _ Do not misunderstand me as reflecting upon 'succeeded in the United States will accomplish the privilege and duty of individuals to subat ieast as great comparative results in Japan. scribe liberally to general foreign work, denominational or undenominational. I The hearty call for a national secretary, ex- simply suggest that the foreign mission contended by sixty-five missionaries and leading Hindoo Ohristians in the presidency of Madras, tributions of the associations should be applied India, and the endorsement of the movement to work for young men, the support of which by Bishop Thoburn of Oalcutta, and other must come from the associations if it come at prominent missionaries throughout India, all. I maintain, as I have ever done, that so justifies the expectation that the association far from allowing the contributions to our has a definite and important career before it special work for young men to diminish the in that Empire. The acceptance by Mr. David present church missionary contributions, it :lIrcOonaughy, of Philadelphia, of the call to should be the rule and aim of everyone of our India, confirms this expectation. I have members to increase his present church con- talked with leading missionaries from Ohina tribution by a sum at least as large as that during the past summer, and am encouraged which he gives to foreign work for young men.
by them to visit that country with the expecta- There should be one medium of communica- tion of finding a wide and permanent field for tion with the foreign mission WOl:k. It is very the association. important that this work be conducted in Surely the favorable situation in Japan, and harmony with the fundamental principles and the hopeful outlook in India, and even in methods of the work at home. Many perplex- China, to say nothing of promising openings ing questions will be encountered in opening in Syria and Turkey, warrant the associations the work in the different countries. In every in expecting a great work in the East and in new field we must be in a position to avail our- preparing for it. selves of the best judgment afforded by the The present expectation is that a large force experience of fields already opened. Inde- of foreign secretaries will not be called for. pendent movements by individual associations, It is very probable that not more than one or states, or sections, will be attended with the leader will be located in each of the different same danger which would defeat our work at ·countries to develop the native yonng men. home, if such movements were instituted in The financial system or plan which in my extending it. The best results can be attained judgment should be adopted, is suggested by only by such harmonious development of the the policy of the churches. Let every associa- work as can be secured through the over- tion, as far as possihle, contribute regularly sight and direction of a central head, which is -monthly-to the foreign work, through the guided by the settled principles and methods American International Oommittee, thus fur- of association work. The American associa- nishing theeommittee with a fund with which tions have acted wisely in entrusting this im- to meet the demands for aid that are sure to portant responsibility to their international increase with the extension of the work. committee by their unanimous action at the There may he cities on the foreign mission International Oonvention in Philadelphia.
field whose current expenses may demand Their co-operation with the committee in .some help, at least temporarily. Buildings financial support, and the location of foreign
I~TERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
mission secretaries, will, it is hoped, be fol- now doing, mission work among the Indians. lowed "ith as satisfactory results as have been within our bounds; and whereas, the importattained in the American work itself by the ance of the work among the families is insame system of co-operation. creasing as the children return from the The relation of the association to mission- schools~therefore: aries and native churches is the same as its relation to pastors and churches at home. Resolved, that the Presbyteries and the The missionaries and native pastors welcome Board of Home Missions be earnestly recomthe work with the understanding that it is mended to press this work at once. auxiliary to the denominational work; that we propose to work beside them, not to go for- Resolved, that in the opinion of this Synod ward as pioneers into fields unoccupied by the proper method of reaching the masses of churches, or to carry on a work which cannot Indians and protecting and encouraging the be immediately conserved by the churches. school children on their return to their homes, Any departure from this principle will be is, by the sending of consecrated married attended with the same disasters which have young men who will devote their lives to the already followed similar undenominational work, and preach the Gospel of Christ, in their" work at home and abroad. Our work is inter- native tongue, to the Indians. denominational rather than undenominational, and as such can only have a healthy It was the testimony of three men, intiexistence where denominations are estab- mately connected with this work, that the lished. majority of the Pueblo Indians can be reached by the Spanish language. This is true, also, We are in the very beginning of this foreign of the Navajo tribe. As the Spanish language mission enterprise. Other principles and is fully developed, it can be learned much methods will be suggested as the work pro- more easily than any of the tribal languages; gresses. The recognition of the above seems and so the people can be reached more quickly to me indispensable to the permanent success • and with better results. Some time ago I read of our work. If we will plan and work in a very sentimental article on giving the Inharmony in the Orient, as we have in the dians the gospel in the vernacular language, Occident, I believe we will establish the but the bald facts of the case are that the· association so finnly that it will stand for majority of the Indians of Mexico and New centuries in these slowly changing nations, Mexico, especially those living in Pueblos and win its greatest victories for Christ in (towns), speak Spanish like their neighbors, Asia and Africa, which contain the vast the Mexicans; and as they now, in their" majority of the young men in the world. Roman Catholic worship, hear Spanish ser- mons, can be most readily reached in that SYNOD OF NEW MEXICO. language. As rapidly as possible the mis- DEAR EDITORS: The following action of the sionary should learn the tribal language, but Synod of New Mexico may be of interest to that will require long years. In some cases you, coming, as it does, from the very centre there is no alternative; the language must be of the work among the Pueblos and the so- mastered before the gospel can be preached. called wild tribes of Indians. In its meeting A notable successful example of this is our at Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Synod Rev. Chas. Cook, of Sacaton, Arizona, who readopted this paper: cently reported a church of sixteen members, 'Yhereas, this Synod is deeply interested in gathered in spite of the hostility of a governthe work of Indian evangelization, and, where- ment agent. Yours truly, as, for many years our Church has done, and is J. J. GILCHRIST, Director of "EI Anciano.~' EAST Los VEGAS, New Mexico, Oct. 14, 188}.
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D_ Health in the Tropics. the area of reenforcement is being ex~ There is still need for education in tended amongst thousands of our besi the matter of the physical adaptation young men and women in our col- for enduring hot climates, by persons leges; and, if added emphasis can be born outside the hot belt of the earth. put on the need, it is to be found in There is more need now than hitherto the increased tendency to proceed on of popular information concerning it, individual responsibility to foreign when scores of missionaries go to such service, without the quarantine of climates where one went a score of Boards and Committees, who are at years ago. There is yet intenser need least supposed to have given the subof wide instruction in the matter when ject some special attention, however careless or incompetent experience when the lack of ozone may demand it. may show them often to be. Some persons are peculiarly subject to bowel complaints, from mental lt scarcely seems necessary to write causes, thus predisposing them to of the simplest facts, in this connec- cholera or similar complaints, when tion. Yet, the sacred trust of a human others, not so predisposed, have an career is not to be thrown away with- immunity from it, under the same exout culpability, from la~k of inquiry posure. Intense fear of disease, or of concerning the alphabet of hygienic snake bites, in a country where poisor hereditary conditions of the indi- onous snakes often select the bedroom vidual. It is because of the convic- or the ottoman as a retreat; or ove1'- tion of the increasing need for popular fondness for taking medicines, or instruction and caution concerning some constitutional make-up by which some of the simplest of these condi- the person" cannot bear" the natives tions, that we turn aside from so much of the country, are among the items else that presses for consideration to which, at least, increase the chances summarize portions of an admirable of a physical break-down in a tropical article in the October Asiatic Quarterly climate. Review on "The Constitutional Requirements for Tropical Climates." Age is a most important factor in The article, it is true, was not written considering whether to attempt a to furnish hints for intending mission- tropical life. The Sanitary Commisaries, but as physical laws are not held sion of Great Britain advises that no in suspense for saints, what the writer, one be sent to the tropics not twentywhom we propose to follow, has to five years of age. Young persons in say of those venturing into tropical India are said to be specially subject climates for commerce or for a civil to enteric fever, and, at best, are liable or military" career," is-the necessary to remain "weak and weedy," as a conchanges being made-equally of force sequence of exposure to continued to the missionary candidate. It seems, heat. This is of special force in the therefore, that young persons, looking case of women, and twenty-three is a forward to missionary service, might minimum of age which presents fa- Wisely, first of all, give themselves vorable conditions for women enduring pause to ask whether the preparation these climates. Nor is it well, as a is a useless one for them, under their rule, that persons attempt a residence physicial conditions. "'IVe now refer in the tropics who have passed their only to those physical conditions of fiftieth year. This does not apply to which they are as competent to judge visiting the tropics, nor to persons before starting for a foreign field, as who, residing there, pass this" mileafter arrival there, and, possibly, even stone" in life. before the first step is taken in preparatory mental equipment. Temperament is to be considered. " It is usually noticed that Europeans The writer, whom we shall follow of a bilious temperament, or, still too loosely to admit of quotation, better, of a bilio-sanguine temperapoints to the fact of what he calls ment, have enjoyed the best health in "idiosyncrasy" of constitution. Some India." persons are unfitted for sustaining heat and will be a nuisance to others "But," the writer says, "there who feel cool and comfortable in the must be no predominance of the same temperature. Smue persons can- nervous temperament, which has long not take quinine without such dis- been regarded as the basis of nervousagreeable accidental results as practi- ness, hypochondriasis and hysteria." cally preclude the use of this medicine, vVe yenture to quote the writer's deand that in conditions of climate scription of the infelicities awaiting " nervous" people in India: "A sensitive and sympathetic nature is not of diabetes, which is a common dis- most conducive to health and happiness when ease of the tropics, 01' of asthma, submitted to the daily, and even hourly, ills which is excited by the malarious inand irritations inseparable from life in the fluences of hot climates, or to insomnia, tropics. " . . " There is the irritation caused should be very carefully weighed be- by tbe prickly heat, and ,the noise made by fore seeking a residence in these cawing crows, cooing pigeons, chirping ~par climates. rows, squeaking squirrels, and creaking wells about the house in the day time. At night We do not say that all such persons there are animals gamboling on the roof, bark- are absolutely precluded from entering pariah dogs, bleating goats, more creak- ing these fields. We do say they must ing wells, native tom-toms, singing, 'lights expect, other things being equal, inand country music.' . . creased risk, an hindered service, and probably an early retirement from the "Then there are irritating things that do field. not make a noise, the mosquito in battalions, the ubiquitous fly at some seasons in legions; Chinese Characteristics. in the rains the hosts of various other winged insects, frogs, rats, scorpions, centipedes and INABILITY TO CONSERVE TANGIBLE snakes. If in camp, there is probably the MEMORIALS OF THE PAST. roaring of the camels, the howling of the jackals, and the clapper of the irrigation BY REV. ARTHUR H. SMITH. wells. If a dust storm blows, ink-pot and ears are filled with sand, every object in the room There is no nation existing on th!:) or tent is covered with it, and food is rendered planet which has a greater regard for gritty by it. Now all such matters may be antiquity, and with more reason, than regarded as minor ills, and not worthy serious the Chinese. But there is no country attention; bnt by their very perpetuity they in which it is possible to find so few rarely fail to make an impression on the material relics of the distant past as typical nervous temperament. Work is per- in China. We have already spoken of formed with difficulty by the nervous man the Chinese hunger for fame, as well when he is subjected to the periodical bite of as of the "disregard of foundations." a mosquito on his finger, the frequent visit of vVe have now to notice the relation a fly to his nose, the harsh and sudden caw of which these two characteristics bear a crow looking in at his window, and a couple to one another, and their connection of sparrows chirping and fluttering over his with the instinct of conservatism_ head in the persistent endeaVOl' to find a hole The Chinese are very desirous ~f in the ceiling wherein to build a nest. Then, transmitting to those who come after, worse still, owing to the nuisances mentioned, as well as of making known to conthe typical nervous individual passes sleepless temporaries, a knowledge of whatever nights; and not to sleep well in the tropics is tends to make themselves, their famto prepare the system for disease. In short, ilies, or their dynasty great or notable. the numerons disagreeables of tropic life act This is an impulse which they share as a metaphorical shirt of Nessus over the with the rest of the human race. The whole moral epidermis of the nervous tempera- means by which they seek to accomment, which is least of all unfitted for a hot plish this end are the erection of climate." memorial temples, memorial portals, " P'ai-fang," stone 01' wooden tablets, If this long quotation serves no pur- and, in the Ming dynasty, the use of pose of instruction as to adaptation to stone figures of men and animals lin~ endure the tropics, we are sure it will ing the avenues to cemeteries. Of the at least be recognized by every" old swift ruin which overtakes every form Indian" as a most graphic and not of building constructed on a Chinese overdrawn picture_ plan, and of the ruin of the public roads, we have already spoken. Strict- Constitutional tendencies and hered- ly speaking, there are no old temples itary predisposition to disease come in China, because no Chinese temple next in our author's catalogue. No can withstand the elements more than person in whose family there are any traces of insanity should go to reside in the tropics. Heat alone tends to excite the mind, and the accident of a sunstroke would render it still more imminent_ So of "fits," epilepsy and hysteria. An hereditary history a few score years at most, when it more impressive scale. Although gives way to a new and revised edi- built of materials which ought to en- tion, if it does not totally disappear. dure for centuries, and although put Temples, like fruit trees, have a defin- up at great expense, it is rare to find ite period of life, and if that is to be specimens which are thirty years old prolonged, they must be perpetually and yet in good repair. The founda- grafted, or else new scions must be~ tions sink, the strong iron clamps give raised from the seed. The wooden way, the heavy transverse blocks of lacquered tablets, which are so highly stone are wrenched from their mor- ornamental when new, and so dismal tises, and crack. Every projection when old, and which play so import- appears to be starting from its socket, ant a part in gratifying the Chinese and however interested the traveler desire for "face" and "fame," have but may be to ascertain the age of the a limited duration, and then disappear work, or to study the curious carving for ever. More permanent by far are which it displays, his first and in- the portals which are erected to the stinctive anxiety is to get out from great scholars, famous officers, virtu- under it, before it falls. It is impossi- {Jus widows and maidens who may be ble to refrain from speculating as to so honored as to have the right to the length of time ere the crazy frame- them conferred by imperial favor. work will come down, and whether When these structures are made of the law of chances will admit of its well cut stone, are of the most advan- fall without killing anyone. If com- tageous size and well situated, they parative brevity of existence is true are the finest representation of Chinese of such massive structures as the por- architecture to be met with in the tals, it is much more the case as re- Empire. A wealthy citizen of Paris, gards stone tablets, which constitute London or New York, who wished to the ordinary vehicle for the con- confer upon these cities a gift which veyance of fame to posterity. If should convey an accurate and attrac- erected on a large scale, they stand on tive view of what the Chinese can the back of a gigantic tortoise, em- achieve in ornamentation, could not blem of longevity, and appear at first do better than to order one of these adapted to execute the commission P'ai-fangs, and have itset up in a with which they are charged, to per- public park, where it would be ad- petuate fame for "an hundred gen- mired for many generations. The erations," if not for "ten thousand Chinese lavish great sums on these antiquities." But the same vicious structures, which are to be seen in mode of construction, or rather de- immense numbers, just in proportion struction, rules the tablet, the portal to the proximity of a supply of stones. and the temple. The foundation is If stones are not to be had, the portals inadequate, and sooner or later they are made of wood, as in Peking, and all go down. The tortoise is decapi- very much less than one generation is tated by the attrition of ages, and required to reduce them to a condition buried up to the stump of his neck in of ruin. Like all other Chinese erec- the soil, while the precious fame-beartions, they give way at the bottom, ing tablet lies prone on the earth, or the tall posts begin to lean in different shattered into many pieces, the fame. directions, the lacquer scales off as if being thus administered in what the they had the leprosy in an exaggerated physicians call" divided doses." Or form, and large sections of the com- if the tablet, as a whole, holds toplicated ornamental woodwork at the gether, it may form the seat at a waytop are seen to be on the point of fall- side restaurant, a door-step, or even ing. The same thing occurs in the the pavement to a bridge. In any .case of the stone portals, but on a case the inscription has been cut so shallow that it is almost or quite illeg- it cannot be entrusted to temples, por- ible. The traveler may penetrate half tals, or tablets, for the reasons which of the provinces in China, may ex- we have already given, might be ex- amine every venerable tablet which pected in the form of carefully pre- he sees, and yet not find one which pared maps showing the old, the in- dates as far back as the Mongol termediate, and the new designations dynasty (500 years ago), except in of places which for two or three mil- some "Forest of Tablets" in a large lenniums have been historic. Works city, under special care. of this sort certainly do exist. One of them rejoices in the formidable title We began by remarking that no na- of Li Tai Yii Ti Yen Ko Hsien Yao tion has a greater regard for antiquity T'u, or Map of the Imperial territory than the Chinese, but contrast this under successive Dynasties, with their wretched poverty of memorials of the changes. This appears to be exactly past, with the overflowing wealth of what is wanted by the student who the citie.8 of the ancient empires, now wishes to revive the mighty past, and extinct, at the other end' of the Asi- he sits down to an examination of the atic continent, Babylon, Nineveh and sixty or seventy maps, with a 'confi- Baalbek. Instead of lofty columns of dence that now at last the darkness of porphyry, the ruins of an ancient the bygone ages is to roll away, and Chinese city consist of an unlimited light is to break forth in its place. supply of bits of tiles and brickbats. We have spoken elsewhere of the The only way to identify the site of Chinese" disregard of accuracy," and such an ancient city, as, for example, these maps furnish fresh illustrations the Khanbalik of Kublai Khan, near of this characteristic, whatever they Peking, is to trace the mounds of may furnish in the line of ancient geearth, which give the mere outline of ography. They are drawn with the what was once one of the world's purpose of exhibiting both the ancient great capitals. Khanbalik was a com- and the modern names at the same paratively modern city. What was time, the former in black ink, and the the situation of the ancient capitals of latter in red. As the scale of the the Yin, the T'ang and the Sung dy- maps is not a large one, one result of nasties, as compared with the cities this plan is to crowd out altogether a now to be found in the neighborhood, great many ancient names which. the traveler finds it very hard to as- ought to be noted, and as Chinese certain, for in China there is most characters take up considerable room, literally no continuing city. That the another incidental result is to lead to Chinese wish to keep in remembrance the printing of the black characters the situation of ancient places, is evi- immediately over the red, to the dent from the fact that in the historic obliteration of the latter. Not only so, parts of the empire it is common to but extensive notes and explanations, find inscriptions over city gates, certi- instead of being put at the edges of fying that this was the" ancient" such the maps, where there is always about and such a chou. In some instances one-third of the space vacant, are' this tradition is kept alive simply by printed wherever it suited the fancy the pasting of a strip of red paper over or convenience of the block cutter, enthe gate of a small market town, tirely covering up hundreds of squaTe with characters conveying the an- miles of territory, and in several cases nouncement, although it is impossible literally stamping out of existence to find a single person who can give such important cities as Si Ngan Fu the exact location of the ancient city. and Peking, with all the country ad- joining. These infelicities, however, The preservation of that historical are trifling compared with another, knowledge of the past, for which the Chinese have so great a respect, while which defeats the very object for direction. But it must have been which a map is made, to wit, to ex- some time before even this erratiC' hibit the relative situation of places orbit was adopted, for in one of the on the earth's surface. For example, earlier maps Yu Chou has gone eastunder the map of the Contending ward about seven degrees, and is dis- Kingdoms, it is impossible to deter- covered calmly seated at the edge of mine either how many kingdoms are what is now the barrier between Corea represented or what were their and Shingking ! boundaries. It is, we repeat, a singularly sugges- Let us suppose, for example, that tive circumstance, that a people so exwe wish to ascertain the situation of ceptionally conservative of the past as the state called Yen, the ,. Kingdom of the Chinese, should have so few endur- Swallows," and of its capital, the ing monuments or public works. All Khanbalik of Kublai, the modern that can be said to come under this Peking. Not far from the ancient head are the Great Wall, the Grand Yen, was the ancient Yu Chou, the Canal, the walls of cities, and river modern Tungchow, which is about embankments. The Great Wall is twelve miles east of the capital. Now doubtless a wonderful monument of by a minute inspection of some forty- human energy, and it has been refive of these maps, we discover that in marl;:ed that it is the only artificial eighteen of them neither of the cities structure which would arrest attention Yen and Yu is marked at all. In eight in a hasty survey of the surface of of the remaining maps Yen is noted, the globe. But the Great Wall has but not Yu, in others Yu but not Yen, been subject to constant renewals, so· and in only nine are both to be found. that it is impossible to deterinine the Judging then from these phenomena real age of any particular part, and only, one 'would suppose these ancient throughout a large portion of its cities to have been like a modern re- course it is reduced to a mere heap of volving lighthouse, visible only at rubble. The same questions of identity intervals, and at intervals of great of structure which occur in regard to irregularity. But this is not all. the Great Wall, are constantly sug- Sometimes Yen is called Yen Kuo gested by the many hundred city walls (the State of Yen), and sometimes it all over the empire. Few of them can appears to be m.erely the city. In the be proved to be of any great age, all map representing the "Seven King- of them .are subject to constant redoms," Yen has gone east about one newal of the external facings, and geographical degree, and is perched many of them have been moved bodily on the Great Wall, while some from one place to another at irregular centuries later it went as 'much to the intervals. northwest, though still adhering to the Great Wall, and is called "East- The Proper Attitude of Foreign Misern Yen," fully justifying by its sionaries toward Conflicting Faiths. rapid flight its name of the" Swallow Capital." But if Yen was peripatetic, BY REV. JAMES HERRICK, BRATTLEBORO, VT. Yu Chou was not less so, and in the ten times in which it emerges, it con- The great object to be aimed at by trives to make a complete circuit of missionaries is the salvation of the the modern Peking, appearing now on present generation of the people to the east, then south, south-west, north- whom they are sent. west, and north, its movement bearing some resemblance to the revolution of Their attitude toward conflicting the constellation Ursa Major about faiths should be that of persons the Polar Star, though in a reverse thoroughly cominced that the Bible is the word of God. That in accord- ance with its teachings "there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who 'what they might do for themselves.
gave himself a ransom for all." That As a general rule, they should be ;, in none other is there salvation," and expected to pay, according to their that opportunity for salvation is con- ability, for articles or services costing fined to the present life. money, the value of which they appre- Missionaries should feel a warm ciate and which they wish to receive.
sympathy for people of other faiths, It is desirable that missionaries as members of the human family, and should mingle with the people, hold- show a disposition to meet them, not ing as free and familiar intercourse as enemies, but friends desiring to do with them as circumstances will them good. They should be more allow. The difference in manner of ready to make known the excellence liying, etc., should not be greater than of their own religion than to attack necessary. .Much must, however, the religion of others. Though pre- depend upon climate and the condi- pared to show that other religions are tion, habits, and character of the not true, they should avoid giving people. It cannot be expected that unnecessary offense. While carefully missionaries from England or America teaching the principles of Christianity will pursue the same course among and the duties it enjoins, they should savages in Africa, that might be pur- insist upon doctrines and practices that sued by Mohammedan missionaries are essential, rather than those which, from Egypt or Arabia. Nor, that in .though not essential, seem difficult such a country as India, foreigners will and burdensome to people newly em- adopt the habits of the natives in bracing Christianity. regard to food and dress, or live in In his efforts to convert people, the houses of the same kind, and as desti- missionary should depend chiefly upon tute of furniture as the houses occupied the force of Divine Truth, made known by most of them. Civilization is one to them in the vernacular language, ac- of the things incident to the spread of companied by the Spirit of God. In his Christianity not to be disregarded, intercourse with the people, and his though of secondary importance. As work among them, he must show that respects matters of this kind, no he loves them. He must treat all with general rule can be given. Let the kindness, especially those in trouble. missionary, mindful of the fact that Sympathy shown, and favors given foreigners are often disposed to hold in the time of need, will do much, not the natives at too great a distance, be only to incline people to listen to the careful to avoid extremes, and follow gospel message, but to teach them the the guidance of his own best judg- nature of the Christian religion. It ment.
must not be supposed, however, that Though preaching the gospel to kind treatment or secular help will people in their own tongue is the alone make people Christians. They special instrumentality to be relied must not be left to believe that a pro- upon, teaching must not be neglected.
fessed desire to become Christians From the first, those professing a will entitle them tO,receive such help. desire to embrace Christianity must Under all circumstances people should be taught, adults as well as children, be treated with kindness, but not with the leading doctrines and precepts of too much indulgence, either before 01' the Bible. So far as practicable, after becoming Christians. So far as children of both sexes should be'
may be, the missionary should help gathered into schools open to persons them by teaching them to help them- of other religions as well as to Chris- selves. He should strive to promote tians. In some cases, missionaries in self-reliance, and not allow people to India have established schools in which depend upon others to do for them the English language is taught for the special purpose of teaching the Bible germ the secret of the new intellectual, to heathen of high caste, and have met moral and spiritual renewal of China. with a good degree of success. The The Protestant religion, during the advisability of such a course will past.twenty years, in China, has spread depend much upon circumstances. into 'every province of China; it has Where the middle and lower classes, found its way into hundreds and who generally constitute a large thousands of the little villages. It has majority of all, and many of the its secure seats and large interest in higher classes, may be reached through each of the open ports, and in the in- the vernacular, it cannot be the duty terior it has spread its educational and of most missionaries to spend much benevolent institutions. .It has gone time teaching English. everywhere spreading the Word. No longer an illicit religion, at the centres Missionaries should be inclined to of influence, it has commanded the teach native converts, and place re- respect of the government, while in sponsibility upon them. Steps should the interior it has gone to the call of early be taken to fit promising persons sorrow and need, and allying itself of both sexes to take part in the work with the people in famine and flood, as school teachers, and young men as in destitution and fever, it has dis- preachers and pastors. Candidates armed prejudice among the peasantry, for such services should not be encour- and won its way by all human sym- aged to go abroad for education. pathies to an assured position of dig- Most, at the present day, can find nity, influence and prospective perample opportunities for needed educa- suasive power. The young thinking tion in their native countries. If they men and the wise progressive leaders go abroad for their education they will have awakened to the discoveries that be in danger of losiNg interest in their the multitude of missionary colleges own people, for whose good they and schools are sources of intellectual should expect to labor in the future. hope for China. They have dis- They will also be in danger of form- covered a large literature already ing habits which, though not increas- wrought out for them, and they are ing their ability to be useful, will in_ seeking the wide outlook of knowledge crease the cost of their future support, which the missionary has quietly and interfere with the object greatly to placed in their way. Theyhavefound be desired-that mission churches early in the scores of hospitals and dispenbecome independent of foreign aid. saries, planted in multitudes of mis- sionary centres, the signs of a true Having introduced native converts sympathy with men. And the half into employment as helpers, the mis- million of natives, from the imperial sionary should cherish toward them family down, who have been helped such feelings as Paul entertained for and comforted when sick and dis" Timothy, and be ready to help them, eased, carry henceforth only gratitude as need may be, by words of admoni- to the men whose doctrines they may tion to those in the earlier stages of once have despised. the work, and of counsel and encour- When the children of the great agement to all. Viceroy are taught the English lan- guage daily by a missionary, and the Ohanges in Ohina Affecting Its Progress. principles of Christianity therewith; when they are healed by the mission- BY REV. H. D. PARKER,.M. D., CHINA. ary physician, and thus realize the purpose of his coming, we may (Concluded from last number of the REVIEW.) measure the severance with the past and the outlook for the future. Coincident with all these changes has been the changing aspect of the government toward the Christian re- ligion. The toleration of that religion, Protestant and Catholic, held in its This changed aspect of people and Protestantism in China rejoices in government may be seen in the greater this change. She sees large results readiness to settle the disputes which in the near future. Conscious of her so frequently have arisen as to the own intellectual and moral supremacy purchase of property in the interior. and leadership in the race toward The government has undoubtedly un- spiritual enlargement in China, she dertaken to withdraw all possible com- rejoices in whatever enlightens the plaint and to act fairly in dealing minds of the officials, or points to the with difficult cases. allaying of fears, hostilities and enmi- Not only is this true respecting Pro- ties among the people.
testant, but respecting Roman Catho- Let us ask then, in conclusion, what lic missions as well. In fact, the re- bearing have these changes upon the habilitation of the Catholic churches future of work in China, and what is in China is one of the most significant the immediate outlook. Weare re- signs of the times. By treaty in 1861, minded that in everyone of the all lands, once the gift of an Imperial twenty-two open ports in China, in Hand, but confiscated, were returned. all her great centres of influence, in In Peking they built over against scores of cities and interior towns, are the palace a model church. It was a to be found, well started, some of them source of long hostility and scandal. with large equipment, fertile of great But two years ago a truce was made, a resources, missionary organizations.
commission went to Rome to effect an Ve recall that God has placed in exchange. The wise diplomats of China, at this hopeful stage of pro- Rome made due concession. The gress, no less than 1,100 men and North Church in Peking, with all its women as consecrated, energetic, en- fine surroundings, was exchanged for thusiastic missionary workers. Halt a larger and better site. The offensive of these are women. Surrounding cathedral was pulled down, and a new this small army of Christian workers one built in the new position. are about 190 ordained native minis- On the first of December last, this ters and 1,400 unordained native new and magnificent cathedral, whose workers. That more than 35,000 na- value in our money would be no less tive communicants represent the r~ than $300,000, with all the additional sults gathered in. That this numbet and completed enclosures of schools, represents about 140,000 persons large, hospital, nunnery, museum, printing ly interested and believing in Protest- press, with a value even greater than ant Christianity.
the cathedral, were dedicated and -Weare to recall the long series of newly instituted. The ceremonial was colleges, schools, theological semina- unique and magnificent. Every for- ries, girls' schools and day schools, eign ambassador and minister was reaching from Peking to Canton, from present. All departments of the Shanghai toSchung Ching, into which Chinese government were present. are gathered 15,000 young men and It was the sign of amnity between women, in whose intellectual moral Rome and China. It was the imperial and spiritual progress so much of the seal of rejoicing in the reinstatement future depends.
of the Christian Religion in the capital We are to be reminded that a band of of China. seventy medical missionaries, increas- In this outward display the Protest- ing every year there their well-founded ant Church takes no other part or hospitals, dispensaries and general share than to note the fact and the as- philanthropies, meet personally half a pect of glad change in the relations be- million of the native population every tween the imperial and official power year and pour into willing ears the and the Christian religion. sweet stories of the gospel. Weare
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
to notice that missionary literature, in spiritual outlook, we see the Divine a vast variety of forms, is receiving an Hand preparing the way for the reever increasing interest. Weare to demption of this great and noble emobserve that great floods and terrible pire in the East. Let us stimulate our famine have brought the missionary, efforts with the largeness of the hope with his pitiful heart and helping now set before the Church, and ere we hand and gospel of redemption, into are aware of it the vast and sorrowful hundreds and thousands of homes, and mass of men in China will be girdled the way is prepared for the pouring in with an awakened thought and interof vast comfort, vast intelligence, vast penetrated with the silverlinesofspiritgpirituallight, into this the once celes- ual energy and hope. In every aspect tialland. the hope for thefuturein Chinaisgreat. Weare in the battle. Let men toil in In all these converging lines, the hope of assured success, and the whether of diplomacy or commerce, generations that are coming will send or industrial energy, or intellectual up the shouts of joyful victory. awakening and opportunity, or of V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D.
THE LAST DECADE OF THE CENTURY. group themselves about the opening "Watchman, what of'the night?" of the New Year and of the closing It was a cherished habit of President decade? Edwards to keep a lookout in the secu- First of all there are some things lar papers for every event, every promisingindication,every mere suggestion, which interest alike all intelligent men which seemed related to the advance- of whatever faith. That an empire'of ment of the Redeemer's Kingdom in South America should enter upon the year 1890 as a republic, and thus com- the Earth; and these were the matters plete that revolutionary movement of his chief satisfaction. which began in Mexico nearly eighty years ago, and by which every trace Very meagre must have been his sources of information in the last half of Spanish and Portugese dominion of the eighteenth century, compared is now swept from Central and South with the thickly crowding and often America, is an event stupendous in marvelous changes which pass before itself, and far-reaching in its influence.
us at the opening of the year of our In more respects than one, it is a step Lord eighteen hundred and ninety. in advance. The character of this Every morning the daily press bloodless revolution,as contrasted with preselilts us a new moving panorama. the dark scenes of the French Reign To the Christian, the march of con- of Terror, a ceniu:ry ago, or with the temporary civilizations toward one countless struggles of Mexico, marks common goal- the well being of all a marvelous change in the spirit and humanity-is the movement and un- quality of statesmanship, a great ad- folding of a Divine plan. It is the vance in wise moderation and hu- coming of a kingdom of righteousness mane sentiment. In its religious, as in the earth. While others look upon well as its political aspects, it seems it as an evolution, according to an ill- auspicious.
defined and blind law, the servant of It is a harbinger and a guaranty of Christ finds that which cheers his religious liberty. It removes the dark courage, strengthens his faith, calls shadows of the threatened reign of a forth his gratitude, and gives him new fanatical empress and an ignorant encouragement to pray "Thy King- subserviency to the priesthood and the dom Come." Pope of Rome. Considering the temper What are some of the facts which of the people, and the certainty that such a reign would have led to con- montanism in the Church cannot coflict with the liberal sentiment of the exist with civil liberty in the State. country, it is a matter of rejoicing It required a half century for Mexic<> that the change was made while an to learn this fact; all will learn it emperor was still in power who more readily now. could temperately view the situation and gracefully yield to the wish and The year 1890 will mark, as it is the interest of the nation. confidently hoped, the era of constitu- tional government in Japan. The It was only as a result of peculiar chief danger is that the sordid and circumstances, such as the temporary unjust demands of foreign diplomacy exile of the royal family of Portugal may interpose such barriers to the rein America, and the moderation ex- form of oppressive treaties as to balk ercised toward the party of liberty the purpose of Japan to place herself and advancement, that Brazil was pre- in the great family of civilized nations. vented from joining the Republican to which equal rights are accorded. movement of the other South Ameri- National policy is not yet so far sanccan States long ago. tified as to prevent the interests of trade from sometimes overriding the But what a stride has been made most sacred rights of feebler governsince the days when the theory every- ments and races. The year 1890, so where prevailed that the people were important and so crucial to Japan, created for the ambition and glory of should therefore be one of earnest kings; when only a century ago the prayer. It should begin with sup- " Man of Destiny "on the one hand and plication to Him in whose hands are successive Bourbons on the other,could the hearts of all men, and who can plan campaigns without the slightest turn them as the rivers of water are reference to the sufferings or welfare turned. There is just now no little of their subjects, but only as subserv- anxiety in the minds of missionaries ing the interests of their dynasties. in Japan, since a favorable issue of the .And now it is a Bourbon and a Haps- treaty questions may throw open the burg that so nobly proclaims to this doors to . Christian evangelization new generation that emperors are to more widely than ever, while a rebuff retire when the peace and prosperity from Christian nations might cast a of a nation demand it. Surely the disastrous blight upon the great misworld moves: The kingdom of right- sionary work which hitherto has been eousness is advancing. so successful.
The new decada will open with a The outlook in China, at the best, closer fellowship among the Ameri- can only be considered niixed, like the can republics, as a result of the recent alternate sunshine and cloud of an International Congress. Whatever re- April day. There is advancement. sults of other kinds may follow, The new sensation of riding upon a political and commercial, the new de- railroad train is coming to be appreparture cannot fail to stimulate the ciated. It is seen that the funshuay advancement of general intelligence, is, after all, not so badly upset; the freedom of opinion, and moral eleva- sleeping ancestors do not rise in protion. What the best have attained, test from the trembling earth; the all will come to emulate. course of the world continues, and China bids fair to experience an m- The Bible, the school, the news- crease of general prosperity, and to be paper, the Christian home, all of which prepared in due tinle for the defense have done so much for the great of her coasts from the outrages of Protestant republic of the North will Western powers. be welcomed by the Roman Catholic republics of the South, in spite of The work of the Chinese missions priestly protest and opposition. Ultrahas been greatly prospered of late, on ble when considering the extreme all hands. A new demonstration has conservatism which has· marked the been made of Christ-like charity in sup- past.
plying the needs of thousands who Caution is yet observed by the gov- were perishing from famine, and the ernment, and great prudence is essen- people, rendered impressible by suffer- tial to the missionary; but, looking at ing and grateful by timely relief, are the whole situation as it is, there is ready to receive the truth, and yet reason to hope that, with God's bless- there are dark shadows in the picture. ing, the closing decade of the ce;ntury, The people are preplexed by contra- the second only ~f Protestant mis- dictions in their Christian neighbors. sions in Korea, will be crowned with " How is it," they say, " that those noble successes. It is a worthy topic who are ready to give us thousands of of prayer.
dollars for the starving, and to send In the missions of Siam and the scores of missionaries to spend their Laos country the membership of the lives in faithful labor among us, are native churches has increased in the yet so intolerant to our citizens who last decade just about 500 per cent.
land upon their shores-so utterly This a good keynote for the next ten recreant to solemn treaty obligations, years. The ratio should be main- and so unjust in all their legislation tained.
respecting us? Why are we, to whom The government, so far from re- such cordial and even gushing over- ceding from its favorable attitude to- tures were made in the treaties of wards missionaries, has of late given twenty-five years ago, the only people increased encouragement to their on the globe who are so cruelly ex- labors. They are suppliedgratuitously cluded'/ What is it to be a Christian with buildings and other facilities nation? " for medical work, and one of their To us these questions are easy of number has recently been called to answer; but how long may it be before the superintendency of the govern- the great Chinese nation, or even the ment hospitals. In some instances government,shall be able to distinguish royal gifts have been made to Chris- between a so-called Christian nation tian schools. Everywhere there is as and the real friends of Christ, to whom great freedom accorded to the preach- His cause is greater than the balance ing of the Gospel as in any State of of political power. the American Union.
Of Corea it would hardly be safe to The "Dark Continent" is still dark venture a prophecy. The government as the closing decade opens; but one is still young in its foreigu policy; it only needs to recall what the last ten is not free from opposition and dan- years have accomplished, to gather ger; it is ever open to foreign as well great encouragement for the ten years as domestic intrigue; it has difficult to come.
financial problems before it; but when As the crowning achievement of we reflect that not a decade has yet his remarkable career, Henry M.
passed since the new regime began,we Stanley has solved at last the problem are filled with wonder at the progress of the Nile, while others have found a that has been made, and we must, on more available route to the country of the whole, admire the prudence and the upper Zambezi.
sagacity which the young king has The work so bravely inaugurated by shown in his administration of affairs. the African Inland Mission has grown The advancement of commerce, of into greater proportions under the education, of missions-especially of American Baptist Missionary Union, medical missions-has been far greater and the feasibility of established and than would have been thought possi- successful missionary enterprise in the
'1'[1/<: 1[()"THL¥ CU"ClmT OF lIIISSIONS
illt.t'rior of E<luatorial Africa has bl't'll The ob8tacles are sueh as these: dplllonstrated. (1) The fact that more or less of The missionary enterprises, under- taken by Bishop Taylor ami his heroic agnosticism, hesitancy, or indifference followers, on the branches of the Congo, whatever may be the final appears in the churches. . verdict on their feasibility and suc- cess, have certainly traced a high (2) There is less of certainty in refer- watermark of moral earnestness in the midst of this easy-going age-have ence to creeds, and luany even extend given new assurance that the apos- tolic spirit is not dead, nor the faith their questionings to the Word of that can endure hardness an obsolete grace. God.
But, in the African outlook, as a (3) There is an open alliance be- whole, there is no ground for the un- reflecting optimist. The conquest of tween the scepticism of Christian such a continent is not an easy one. Noble martyrs still fall victims to the lands and the heathen systems of the caprice of heathen rulers, or to the deadly influences of climate. mission fields.
Fanatical Mohammedanism is still (4) Tourists, newspaper correspond- triumphant and defiant on the upper Nile, and Mohammedan tyrants still ents, naval officers, and even dis- spread devastation on the borders of "Vestem Soudan. The horrors of the couraged or disaffected clergymen, are slave trade still continue, and the hlUllane sentiment of Europe and discrediting the work of missions on America has been to prevent it. That twin enormity, the liquor traffic, the fields and advocating the false sys- deluges still the west coast, and finds its way up the rivers, spreading dis- tems as better adapted to their envi- ease and death to soul and body. ronments than the Christian faith. Has the new decade any remedy in store for these terrible evils? But, on the other hand, there are Two auspicious facts, however, are many cheering elements in the outnow before us : look. (1) The Sultan of Zanzibar has deo creed freedom to all slaves brought vVe have always the promise of the into his dominion, and has promised freedom to all children of slaves born Master that He will be in the midst of after January 1, 1890. His own work, always, even unto the (2) A Congress of European powers is to be held in Brussels to devise end of the world. measures for the suppression of the slave traffic. We have already seen how His If we turn from the contemplation Providence is working for the general of the mission fields and consider the general outlook of the cause at home, advance of His kingdom, in the great we find also both light and shade. movements of the nations. It is a time of transitions, especially as to methods and departments of o Over against all the misrepresenta- Christian effort. tions of the enemies of the cause, scores of disinterested statesmen and ad- ministrators of colonial governments, as a result of careful and protracted observation, are commending the work of missions in strong terms.
Our educational methods, our medi- cal work, our general efforts to raise the sphere of woman,-to some ex- tent our preaching,-is copied by the devotees of error, who see the mani- fest power and blessing of the Chris- tian faith.
.Notwithstanding the doubt and in- difference of many, there is more of Bible study than ever before, more of the missionary spirit, more of organ- ized effort, more of generous giving, for the spread of the Gospel.
The great increase of interest and of activity, among the young, is one of the very brightest auspices of the time. In this view, these coming Wishard has been sent abroad for a years are full of promise. labor of two or three years along these lines. He has thus far met with The work on the field is owned of marked success, not only in organiz- God in the manifest power of His ing associations but in quickening the spirit. An examination of the actual spirit of the young men, especially of statistics of growth for ten years, or Japan. for five, always fills us with new sur- prises. May we not also regard the rapid and remarkable development of the IS IT AN ANSWER TO PRAYER ? work of Christian Endeavor Societies in the churches as a part of this gen- All branches of the Church have eral movement and as due largely to been taken more or less by surprise by the same causes? The young of both the uprising of a very large number sexes who are soon to assume the great of Christian young men and women, work of the world's evangelization mostly students, who have volun- are quickened in zeal throughout this teered under a partial pledge to give country and in other Christian lands. themselves to the work of Foreign Mission~. This striking movement has What are the causes of this general been explained by one and another movement among the young? Has on such theories as seem to each most the Church any right to look with plausible, the theories, however, differ- surprise as if something strange had ing widely from each other. Whether happened, something not to be acit was an impulse borrowed from a counted for on ordinary Christian similar movement in the Universi- principles? We dare not speak posities of Great Britain, whether it was tively, but there are some things which mainly due to the great influence of are worthy of notice by way of sugthat earnest and devoted man, Dwight gestion. L. Moody, of Northfield, or whether it was a response to the stirring ap- Twenty or twenty-five years ago the peals of young men sent out from Christian women of the churches of Princeton to labor in the colleges and this country as well as of Great Britseminaries, are questions which ha'Ve ain were moved by the Spirit of God been discussed but never settled. to undertake the work of enlighten- ing and reclaiming the benighted wo- In sympathy with the volunteer men of heathen lands. It was one of movement, there has appeared a gen- the most remarkable movements of eral enkindling of the spirit of missions our time in its depth, its extent, and in colleges, and where, but a few years its moral elevation. It appeared to be ago, the merest trifle was contributed so divinely guided as to avoid exfor the cause of Foreign Missions by travagances, and it worked with the students, large sums are now an- utmost loyalty_ to the instituted aunually raised. thorities of the Church of Christ. It disclosed great ability and organizing Coupled with this movement is a power, but what was most noteworthy new departure in the Young Men's was the fact that everything was done Christian Associations of the country. in the spirit of prayer and supplica- There is a widening out of their plans. tion. Prayer for missions had de- They are looking across the sea and clined. The Monthly Concert had asking themselves, "·Why may not fallen into disuse or had ceased to emthe globe be belted with similar or- phasize the wants of the heathen. 'The ganizations, embracing the young con- week of prayer had become almost· verts on the mission fields, training wholly subsidized for interests nearer them and organizing them for work home. Prayers for missions in the among their countrymen?" Vith pulpit were, for the most part, conthis great end in view, Rev. Mr.
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
fined to set phrases when not omitted The Church of Christ proceeds upon altogether. the assumption that the whole work must be diviuely guided and inspIred. But the Woman's Boards bore the "Without faith it is impossible to work of missions to the mercy seat. please God." He that cometh to Him Many of their committee rooms be- must believe that He is, and that He came Bethels. The great work was is the rewarder of all them that dilitaken to their homes and their closets. gently seek Him, and he must not There was coupled with the prayer be overtaken with awkward surprise not only the consecration of their when his prayers are answered. means but of their children. The work of missions became a topic of On this principle it ought not to be conversation at the fireside as it had throught strange, after twenty years never been before. To the children of prayer, that multitudes of the young it became a household word. At the are rising up and saying, "Here are same time they were organized into we, send us. " It is the very thing missionary bands and furnished with that should have been looked for with facts, maps, and catechetical exercises, earnest expectation, and if now the until in a few years they really pos- blessing has come, there is reason to sessed greater knowledge of the mis- ask that God will enlarge the faith of sion fields and of the mission work than His people in another direction-in many adults had possessed before, and one word, that the wealth, as well as greater than some had been able to the children of the Church, may be boast who were pastors of churches. consecrated to missions.
VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES O~ CURRENT TOPICS.
Oollege Missionary Lectureships. Fellowship with God; 4. The Spirit of Through the generosity of W. F. Missions an Inbreathing; 5. The Field Graves, Esq., of Syracuse, N. Y., a Lectureship of this kiud was recently of Missions an Assignment; 6. The endowed in Rutgers College. It was begun last year, provision being made Success of Missions the Seal of God. for six lectures, which were given by A grand outline surely! And in such six different persons as follows: 1. hands the execution will be worthy of Mr. Stout on the Unique Features of the theme and the subjects. We ven- Mission Work in Japan; 2. Dr. Wherry ture to promise that no pains will be on Islam in India; 3. Dr. Kip on spared to make the course a brilliant China as a Stronghold of Heathenism; and eminently useful one, and we also 4. Dr. Hamlin on Fifty Years of Chris- venture the suggestion that other coltian Education iu Turkey; 5. Dr. leges might avail themselves of this Ellinwood on the Testimony of Hea- course of lectures to great advantage. then Religions to Christianity; 6. Rev. Dr. Pierson, doubtless, would be will- J. H. Wyckoff on the Philosophy of ing to repeat it. The growth and de- India. velopment of the missionary spirit in the colleges of this country and Can- Our associate, Dr. Pierson, has ac- ada during the last three years are cepted the entire Lectureship for 1890, among the marvels of the age. We can and we feel at liberty to announce the conceive of no human means more theme and the subjects, viz.: Chris- likely to increase and intensify this tian Missions as a Divine Enterprise. movement and set these colleges 1. The Idea of Missions a Thought of aflame with holy enthusiasm, than a God; 2. The Plan of Missions a Scheme course of lectures on these topics by of God; 3. The Work of Missions a such a master in the realm of Missions.
J. M. S. Mr. Moody's Training SchooV' sued in your training-school ?" asked the re4 porter. As much misapprehension exists in "Mainly three. First, I shall aim to have reference to the purpose and character given a sufficient knowledge of the English Bible; as far as may be, a practical mastery of this institution, our readers will be of it. Second, I would have the workers trained in everything that will give them acglad to have the following statements cess practically to the souls of the people, es- pecially the neglected classes. Third, I would of Mr. Moody himself, made to our as- give great prominence to the study of music, both vocal and instrumental. I believe that sociate and written down by him for music is one of the most powerful agent« either for good or for evil. " publication. J. M. S. " How are these workers to be maintained Mr. Dwight L. Moody, speaking of while they are in the school ?" the recently published article over the signature of the Rev. D. R. Breed, says "There are few people who have developed it is in the same line as a number of any fitness for Christian service who have not other criticisms by representatives of either some means of their own or some friends various denominations, and that Dr. who would be glad to assist them in obtaining Breed is laboring under a misappre- higher fitness, or whom the churches to which hension. Concerning his plan for they belong would not willingly assist for a Christian work Mr. Moody continued: time by their gifts, in qualifying themselves for a life of service. I see no practical difficul- " I found hundreds of families in cities like ty in the way of their support any more than this never coming in contact with churches or in the way of trained nurses." their representatives. The bulk of our church members are taken up with their own house- "What is your idea of affording women hold and business cares, and unless some per- equal facilities with men for this work 1" sons are set apart and trained for this work I do not see how it can be done. It seems "I have found women to be equally effective tQ me that we ought to have a corps of workers as men. Women only can reach men and women who shall make this their women in many cases. Besides this, a great business, as is already done in the Church of many of these women will become the wives of England. Christian men and be mothers of children, and can be, in their way, better helps to their hus- " My idea is not to originate new church en- bands and better trainers of their children by terprises, but rather to fill up the present tbe education for Christian work which they churches. Men who frequent saloons and such received in this school. " places will never be reached by Sunday meetings. Even if they stray into such meetings, "What did you mean by saying that the any impression which is made is all dissipated 'ministers are often educated away from the before uext Sunday. If we are going to reach people '?" these classes we must have some places open every day in the week. There is a class of "That there is a large class of the commupeople that practically have no homes, and nity whom the ordinarily educated ministe.r they go out in the evening into some places does not and cannot reach. For instance, where they have genial companions and there is a large class of mechaniCS; they are amusements. This is a source of vice and busy through the day and cannot be seen excrime. My thought has been to establish cept at their shops. In the evening they go to places of meeting open every night for these the saloons and places of amusement. None people, where they might find some up-lifting of the churches reach them. Since they will influences. Then they will find their way to not go into the churches, let us go into the the churches. highways and hedges, and so compel them to come in. Again, there is a large class of .. There is far more demaud for trained lay mothers in such a city as this, who, if they workers than is commonly apprehended. This are to be reached at all, it mnst be by carrymorning's mail brought me eight applicatious ing the Gospel to them and by cottage meetfor such workers, and I could place fifty if I ings in their homes." had the proper persons to recommend." "Did you mean any assault upon the edu- "What studies do you propose shall be pur- cated ministers, as such?l1 "Not at all. I believe they have their place *Appropriate to these sentiments is the following note from one of the foremost men of this country, just received by the editor: "These upstart training schools are catching it all along the line, especially jnst now from Ba~nd Presbyterian papers. But I see clearly that we must have a lar~e reinforcemerit'ofcommon men-knowing only the Bible, and being filled with the Spirit-m order to do the work in foreign fields Every man of this sort whom we have sent out has done well-I speak f!II. those employed in our A. B. 11. U. So I am going to do my utmost to receive such. A. J. G." and are necessary to church life and growth. ties of immediate work and ample compensa- But there is a class of people whom no man tion." can reach successfully except one of their own number. Let'me give you a matter of my "Have you any assurance that competent own experience. When I was in London I teachers will come to your aid? " went by invitation, one Sunday, to what is known as the Bird Market. I had never been "Abundant. For instance, Dr. Gordon, a. there before. When I was down there I was leading Baptist of Boston; Prof. Weidner, a asked to preach. I found a great company leading Lutheran; Dr. Moorehead, United of people with almost every kind of animal Presbyterian of Xenia; such men as Mark for sale. Men were there in hopes to get up Guy Pierce and Price Hughes of England, a cock fight and bet on the result. I spoke and others." as best I could. I told thp,m a lot of interesting stories. Men would stand there with their "'Yhat provision have you in buildings?" fighting cocks right under their arms, and they "'We have already three good houses for and the roosters would look up at me as I women workers on La Salle avenue. The preached, but I found it was hard to hold buildings for men will be done by December 1, them. Men might start the cock-fight right in and in the two we can then accommodatEl front of me while I was preaching. After I about 150." got through, one of their own number, who .. Is it true that the bUlk of your funds have had been converted, took the stand, and be- come from Presbyterians? " gan to address them. He was familiar with uYes,R large share; but we have had no, their own dialect; he knew their habits; he opposition from business-men of any denomihad the inside track to their hearts. They nation on denominational grounds." stood there and shed tears while he spoke in " Has it been your experience that this kind his simple fashion." of work alienates from the churches? " "No. On the contrary, I believe I am my- "Did you say you hoped to fit ministers for self a proof th!t such work rather draws men their work in three months?" to the churches. I believe I am of more value to them, as I have more experience in this, "I said nothing of the kind. I am not seek- kind of work. " ing to make any short cut to the ministry. I do not consider this work to be in conflict with Oonference in Behalf of the Jews.. the work of the theological seminari..s." At lfilumay, in October last, a " Are you trying to establish what is practi- grand conference was held in behalf cally a new denomination?" of the Jews. To us, as to those wh(} called this assembly, the time seems "No. On the other hand, I think we have very opportune for holding a special too many denominations already, and my only convention concerning God's ancient effort has been rather to nnite existing de- and beloved people, Israel, 'Yho " connominations than to make any new ones. I tinue to be the perplexity of the unsee no reason why the Presbyterian and COll- believer, the unaswerable and miracugregational, to which I belong, should not 1>e lous proof of the truth of God, a united; they hold the same doctrines and are byword among the nations of the separated only by a trifling matter of church earth, and, alas! neglected and ignored government. " by large sections of the Church of Christ. "Why did you make t11is Chicago Awn"e Church undenominational?" ,, The careful reader of history and observer of the times sees that the " All the leading denominations had Jews cannot much longer remain unchurches between here and the river, and noticed. Nations and statesmen who moved away because they could not be self- uo not take them into account will supporting. My own desire is to help qualify find their reckonings delusiye. The honest, yearning, Christian men and women national life of the Jewish people is to be the means of saving souls and to supple- stirring now as it has not stirred for ment the present work of the churches. I many centuries; they are conscious have no personal ambition to gratify." of their increasing influence; their wealth and natural abilities are indis- .. Have you seen any workers actually de- putable; they can stand e~<1and unveloped by such methods as you are here put- abashed in all the great capitals of ting in operation?" Europe. 'Whether there. much long- " Yes; but not as if they had had such opportunities as are now proposed to furnish. For instance, in my school at Mount Hermon, about forty or fifty efficient young men have been trained for service, and our great difficulty has been that there is such demand for such workers in the chnrches, that they are all tempted away from our training school before finishing their course, by the opportunjing for a return to their own land, we Psa. xcviii. 3. Isa. Ix. 1, 2. Isa. Ix. 20-22. Isa. need not now inquire. Our concern Ixi. 9.. Isa. Ixii. 12. "God's Plan Realized "- is with their spiritual condition,which is lamentably low and saddening; and David's throne reoccupied; the Millennial the question for every Christian heart Kingdom; Israel a blessing to the world. is, how can we help in awakening them from the sleep of unbelief; how Psa. Ixxxix. 3, 4, 29. Isa. ix. 7. Luke i. 32. press home the truth concerning Jesus Dan. vii. 13, 14. Zech. xiv. 9. Psa. !xvii. 1, 2, of Nazareth as their true Messiah and 7. Zech. viii. 23. King? " For this end we need to turn to the A verbatim report will be issued by Inspired Record, and review the pur- J. F. Shaw & Co., 48 Paternoster pose and promises of Jehovah concerning His chosen nation, His present Row, E. C., London. A. T P. dealings with them, and His glorious future assured to them. Unless we We call the attention of our readers see clearly in God's light, our plan8 to the BfYltnd Volumes of the Missionwill miscarry, and we shall only be ary Review of the World for 1888 and hinderers of His work." 1889. Substantially bound in crimson cloth, with gilt back, imperial in size, In such words as these, Sir Arthur thoroughly indexed, so that every arti- Stevenson Blackwood, Mr. James E. cle, every report, every item or fact Mathieson and others affectionately can be instantly found – they are a invited all lovers of Israel, within Library of JJ.fissionary Literat1tre, each reach of Mildmay, to gather on 1st, containing 150 full articles from the 2d and 3d of October last for con- pens of the ablest missionary writers sideration of the announced topics, in the world. At the same time they the Monday previous being occupied are an invaluable Cyclopedia of Miswith preliminary prayer-meetings for sions, containing a vast amount of the the Lord's special guidance and bless- latest and most authentic information ings on the work of the three days of on every subject connected with Chris- Conference. tian missions, and the Statistics of the World-Field, collated, tabulated, and The programme embraced the fol- scientifically arranged, as they can be lowing themes. found so complete in no other book or periodical. These volumes will be an They present a fine model for sim- ornament and a treasury of knowledge ilar conferences elsewhere. in any library. For constant reference, they are indispensable to every student Tuesday, Oct. 1st, 1889. The Past. " God's of missions. Rev. Dr. Schauffier of Purpose in Israel," as illustrated in History, New York, said a year ago in refer:nce Type, and Prophecy. lsa. xliii. 21. Gen. xii. to the first volume: "The bound 3. lsa. xliii. 7. Isa. xliii. 10-12. Psa. cxlvii. volume, which I have also, is a very 19-20. Rom. iii. 1, 2. Rom. ix. 5. "God's encyclopedia of grand and useful Promises to Israel. 1, Their nature, security, knowledge, and has already been used and guaranteed fulfillment. Gen. xii. 2. Gen. by me in my work many times." The xvii. 7, 8. Amos. ix. 15. Isa. xlv. 17. Ps. matt!'r in the two volumes would fill a Ixxxix. 34-37. Rom. xv. 8. Rom. ix. 4. dozen ordinary volumes.
Wednesday, October 2d. The Present. " Honor to Whom Honor." "God's Dealings with Israel." Between the first and second Advents of our Lord. lsa. In justice and as a matter of courxliii. 28. Hosea ix. 7. Jer. xii. 7. lIfatt. xxiii. tesy acknowledgment is due where a 38, 39. Rom. xi. 5. Rom. xi. 28. Rom. x. 12, writer or paper quotes at considerable 13. " The Church's Duty to Israel." Between length an author or from another pathe first and second Advents of our Lord. P!'l'. 'Ye are always glad to have our Mark xvi. 15. Acts i. 8. Rom. i. 16. Rom. ii. Reyicw quoted, as it is, extensively, 10. Rom. xi. 23. Rom. xi. 30, 31. Rom. xv. and, as a rule, with due credit. But 27. there are a few exceptions, anu Thursday, Oct. 3d. The Future. "God's Plan Realized" in IsraePs restoration and salvation. Ezek. xxxix. 28, 29. Psa. Ixxxv. 1,2. some of them are such gross eva- fill two such magazines with firstsions or violations of the recognized class material. Our pigeon-holes are rule as, after long forbearance, to call full of grand articles waiting their for friendly protest. Thus one of our turn. We have added a score of leading weeklies, month after month, home and foreign writers, of the first would make up its missionary column order, to our corps of regular confrom items taken verbatim from our tributors. Among them that prince REVIEW, without any hint of their of Missionary Literature, the secretary source. Another reputable paper divi- of the late London Missionary Conferded one of our leading and thrilling ence, whose grand article in this articles into a half dozen papers, giv< number will be read with profound ing each a separate heading, and so interest. While Dr. Pierson has been gave the entire paper to their readers taken from us for a brief season, to as original, none suspecting that every plead the cause of missions in Scotword, save the headings, was stolen land, our beloved Dr. Ellinwood, in from our columns. And another still. addition to his monthly article during with absolute meanness, as well as the year, has kindly consented to coninjustice, gives a weekly column of duct our Monthly Concert Depart- "Missionary Items," "Prepared by ment,which means work of the highest — –." By great ingenuity the character. Dr. Gracey will magnify choicest of our month's items of in- the" International" feature; and Rev. terest are gleaned verbatim and credit Edwin M. Bliss, editor of the Encyclogiven for a single item only. From paJdia of Missions (in preparation), the November issue, the substance of will carry out his wise and far-reach- Dr. Chamberlain's paper on Brazil is ing plans in our Statistical section, for quoted, filling a whole column, and so which difficult work he has special adroitly is it arranged that, while the qualifications. writer, in connection with Prof. Agassiz, is named in one of the paragraphs, We therefore enter upon our third no reader would infer that either Dr. year with renewed hope, and, with C. wrote the article or that it was God's blessing, mean to make this copied from our REVIEW, which is not year one of decided advance all along even alluded to. This may be smart, the line. We invoke the generous but is it fair or honest? J. M. S. sympathy and earnest prayers of all who are laboring with us in the Our New Departure. grandest cause that ever enlisted the sympathies and efforts of men or We hope our readers will be pleased angels. Our friends also will kindly with the mechanical appearance of remember that we have no society, no this number of the REVIEW. While organization, no resources of wealth we were tolerably satisfied with our behind us in this enterprise. Two original cover, some of our friends lone men, with busy hands and not were not; and more still complained deep purses, bear the mental and the of the use of so much small type. pecuniary responsibility of the task Our only excuse for that was the to which we have pledged life and superabundance of our material. We heart and work, and all that God has shall henceforth use less of the small given us; not for reputation or money, type. We have now one of the best but for our common Master's glory printers in the city, which insures in the evangelization of the world for good proof reading and greater clear- which He gave Himself. Help us, ness and perfection of the letter press. Brethren! Help us to make this So much for the mechanical side. agency a mighty power in all the earth! Help us by bringing the RE- As to the matter, we only fear a VIEW to the notice of your friends, s1lperfluity of good things. We could
ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS
and to widen the circle of its read- lation. vVe do not wish or aim to ers, and broaden the channel of its supplant the denominational periodiinfluence. cals, with which we are in cordial re- lation, only to supplement the invalua- As this number begins a new volume ble service which they render each in -the third of the series-the present their particular sphere. J. M. S. is a favorable time to extend its ch'cu- VII.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS.
foreign Mission Work of Women's Societies.
§ .,c"..i" ''" '" ~"""" " " """ " .1 § "" ~ E % " ""– ''"" 3 .;Icl.; il< 1 0·'c" ~ ~ tl .8 00 t'"l 00 .g.., '000 lIi "00 '0 a; UNITED STATES. '" 0 ~'00 ..- b£ ;0:: 0 ~ '0 .S.~ :;l "00 – -E-< – Ei ;;: ~ '" ;;: -Z 0 '0 0 A – -il< -E-< – – -.".s – – 1861 .. Woman's Union Missionary Society….. 58 3 109 139 1,743 178 $ 41,562 85 1868 . Woman's Boards (3) CongregationalCh. 178 7 32638 968 36,500 3,303 1870.. Woman's Boards (6) Pres. Ch., North … 296 10 186 39…. 20,387 5,136 160,381 04 ::io '1':. r:: …. Woman's Societies, Pres. Church, South 600 7X1 294,267 85 1883 .. Woman's Board, United Pres. Church" 13 1 22,832 71 1 .. ' . . . .. , 16,704 00 10,6144lJ 1880 .. Woman's Board, Cumberland Pres. Ch.. 8 . . . . .. 2 .. …….. 939 1869.. Woman's Board, M. E. Church, North.. 92 10 4081261 245 …….. 5,4.49 225,000 ()() 1878 .. Woman's Board, M. E. Church, South.. 25 ••• 1..• 5.41 9 .33 … "8'0 2,74.2 68,729 65 1879 .. Woman's Board, Meth. Protestant Ch… 4 3 380 7,500 00 1871.. Woman's Bapt. For. Miss. Societies (4). 75 7 170·20 150 …… " 4,315 108,000 00 Woman's Baptist Miss. Societies Conv.. .. ………………. 1,259 18,71628 1873 .. Woman's Miss. Society, Free Baptists… 14 1 …….. :: ..•.••.. …… ……. 250 7,279 27 1871.. Woman's Auxiliary, Protest. Epis. Ch.*. 32 1,361 119,380 58 1875 .. Woman'sBoard,ChristianChurch….. 4 2…. .. ……… 1,421 1875 .. Woman's Board, Ref'd (Dutch) Church. 30.. .. 6.. 36,27917 263 17,4375G '1' " …….. 1875 .• Woman's lliiss. Assoc'n United Brethren 7 .••. 7 .. 5 10,798 6~ 'Voman's SocietY', Evangel. Association. 1 .••..• 192 464 2,352 06 116 32,33135 1879 .. Woman's Societles, Evangel. Lutheran' 4 I .. ""…. ……. 507 1881 .. Woman's For. Miss. Societies, Friends.. 0:01 "43" -t-:"'-t' ~t' ~t'" 250 15,465 30 Totals………………………. au 29,670 $1,157,03.2 90 CANADA.
1871 .. Canadian Woman's Board For. Missions….. ".. ….. $ 95842 1876•• Pres. Ch., Woman's For. Miss. Socs. (3). 30 2…… 670 34,398 17 1876•. Bapt. Ch., Woman's For. Miss. Socs. (3) 10………. 11,111 22 355 1881.. Methodist Ch., Woman's Miss. Societyt. 16 …. … .. ……….. 244 19,07038 CCohnugrcrehgoaftiEonngallaCnhdu, rWcho,mWano'ms Aanu'xs .Btd….t.· 39 1886 . . 1 ……… ".. …….. 200 1,28156 1886 .. 2 1…… … • ••• .••. 18,67581 – – – – – – – –1—– Totals.. … .. .. .. .. …… .. .. .. 59 3 t 1,508 $85.395 56 ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND.
1834.. Society for Prom. Fern. Ed. in East. · … 1 40…. … .. 275 19,976 …… $35,000 00 1837 .. Ladies' Society for Female Education in India and South Africa. ….. …… 34 2 '181 6 …. 7,108 627 £11,892 10 10 1837.. Ladies' Association for For. Missions… 26 1 106 …• , 2,500 …… £7,657 11 0 1845•. Ladies' Associatiou for Christian Edu· cation of Jewish Females ……….. . 6 ………. 5 673 …. £414 18 6 1852 .. Indian Female Normal School and In- struction Society, or Zenana Bible and Medical Missions………………….. 63 4 175. 66 4,340 …… £11,577 ()() 0 1859.. Ladies' Aux. Wesleyan Miss. Society. " 29 5 … 18 268 12,704 87 £7,000 13 6 1867•. Ladies' Association (Baptist) for Zenana "I Work and Bible Women in India ….. 42… 114.. 50 2,900 £9641 2 7 1873.. W. Assoc. for Prom. Christianity in East§ 8 1 56 14 1,000 154 $14,000 00 1875.. Ladies' Corom. L. M. S …………… 36… 288 15 130 9,870 …… £6471 4 2 1878 .. Woman's Missionary Association…….. 15.. 12 5 9…….. 139 $11,000 00 880 .. Ch of England Zenana Mis'y Society…. 105 8 507 4 192 10,157…. £24,866 5 11 880 .. U. P. Ch. of Scot. Zenana Mis'y Soc'y… 21 1 56. 11 …….. …… £3,752 0 4 Ladies' Soc'y in Connection with S. P. G'I~:":':':' 105 ~ ~ ~~ ~ £6,351_0_~ Totals…… .. …… .. ……….. , 488 26 t t t t t $488,556 70 * Home and foreign. + t Not complete. Organized for both home and foreign missions. § Ireland. I. Woman's Union Missionary So- 3. Tronton's Board of the Pacific. ciety.* Mrs. J. H. Warren, 1316 lI1ason Street, San Francisco, Cal. Periodical: Life and Light. Corresponding Secretary, ;Iiss S. D. Dore- AuxiJiaries, 5,.'3. ].fissionaries, 6. Income, mus, 54 East 21st Street, New York. Publica- $4,400. Duri)lg the year the work of this tion: The Missionary Link. 41, Bible House. Board has been divided, and a secretary ap- pointed for Oregon and Washington Territo- This Society is now in the 29th year of its ries. existence. 4. TVoman's Board of the Pacific L.land.•. ~lrs. Geo. P. Castle, Honolulu, Sandwich Fields and Force.-It sustains missions in Islands. India at Calcutta, Allahabad and Cawnpore ; This Board has raised over $1,000 during the in China at Shanghai; in Japan at Yokohama. year, but we have no detailed report at hand. In Calcutta it has 1,000 pupils in 50 schools, and a suburban work of 14 schools. It issues III. Presbyterian Societies (North). in Calcutta The Child'8 Friend, The Christian Bandab, and The illahila Bandab, besides has 1. W01nan'8 Foreign Missionary SOCiety, circulated 10,000 pages of tracts. Its orphan- Presbyterian Church. age has 140 pupils. At Allahabad it has 3D8 pupils, 320 of whom are in Zenanas. At Cawn- Office: 1384 Chestnut Street, Philudel phia. pore it has 968 pupils, 184 of whom are in Periodicals: 'Woman's Work for Woman and Zenanas. At Shanghai it conducts medical Our Mission Field, and Children's Work for' missions, with hospital, and the Bridgman Children. Circulation of the former, 16,000; IIIemorial Home, with 40 girls. subscribers to Children's 'Work, 20,000. Both self-supporting. These are the only foreign At Yokohama it sustains schools and medi- magazines of the Presbyterian church, and the cal work, with 21 Bible women an,l 134 schol- organs of the various Boards. ars. Over 1,500 patients were treated last year. Fields.-This Society has work in India, Japan, China, Syria, Mexico, Africa, Korea, n contributes to other Dlissions in Burmah, Persia, Siam and Laos, South America, North American Indians, Chinese in California and India and Paris. It has 58 missionaries, with Japanese in San Francisco. Number of mis- 97 other salaried workers. Its income last Sionaries, 136; at home on furlough, 17; misyear was $6i,765. The report contains no sum- sionaries sent out during the year, 14; native mary of its home auxiliaries. helpers and Bible women, 84; missionary teachers and visitors, 8; bOUl:ding-schools, 34; 11. The Woman's Board of Mis- day-schools, 140. Income for past year, sions (Congregational). $143,488. Miss Abbie B. Child, Congregational House, 2. TVoman's Board of the Northwest. Boston, illass. Periodicals: Life and Light for Room, 48 lIIcCormick Block, Chicago, Ill. 'Voman, circulation 15,2-22; The Mission Day Occupies the same fields, and reports 1.760 Spring for Children, circulation 18,195. auxiliaries; 687 of these are young people's Fields and Force.-Africa, East, Central bands. and West Central; European Turkey, }lonustir, Philippolis, Samakov; 1Vestern Turkpy, Number of missionaries supported, 74; Bible Constantinople, Marsovan; Central Turkey, women,28; native teachers and pastors' 'wives, Aintab and Marash; East.~rn Turkey, Har- 21 ; boarding-schools, 26; day-schools, 104. poot, etc.; India, Bombay, lI1adura and Cey- Ion; China, Foochow, North China; Japan, Income, $80,236. Kioto, Osaka, etc,., Northern Japan, Seudai, 3. lV01nan'8 Board of Foreign .J[issions. etc.; Micronesian l1ission, Western and North- Office, No. 53 Fifth Avenue, New York. ern lIIexico, Spain and Austria. It supports a Its home force, 501 auxiliary societies; 97 total of 107 missionaries, 148 Bible women, and young people's societies and 3aS bands. Sup- 2i boarding schools. This work is of great im- ports 52 missionaries. Income, $,;'5,000. portance and interest. The receipts amounted The Society works in India, Siam, Africa, last year to $124,801. Of this amount, $13,668 Japan, Korea, Persia, Syria, China, Mexico was from legacies. Auxiliaries and bands, and South America. 1,500. 4. Wontan"s Foreign .l.'lfissionanJ Sodety, Northern New York. 2. ~Voman'8 Boo.rd of the Interior. II1rs. H. B. Nason, 10 Washington Place, Troy, Jlirs. E. ,V. Blatchford. Rooms, 53 Dearborn N.Y. Street, Chicago, Ill. Periodical: Life and Home Statistics: Nunlber of organizations, Light. Income, $48,373.44. This Board sup- 211 ; of these 112 are bands. Income for year, ports about 60 missionaries, 10 boarding- $10,065. schools and 36 Bible women. Auxiliaries, This Society supports 4 missionaries, 5native 1629; and has missions in connection with pastors, and 51 schools and scholarships. and A. B. C. F. M. as the Woman's Board of )fis- contribute to the work in Africa, China, Guatesions.
• We are indebted to Mrs. Dr. J. T. Gracey, Buffalo, N. Y., for this account of woman's work in the foreign field. lIlrs. Gracey writes: "I have found great difficulty in getting the reports, and, when I do get them, I find there is no uniformity in methods of reporting."
ORGAXIZED lVn:>:>WX.U{Y WUHK A:-iD :>TATI:>TICS
mala, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, liexico, foreign missionaries sent out by the Board, Persia, Siam, Syria, and the North American the women support five. Work is carried on Indians. in seven stations in Japan, also in Mexico and the Indian Territory. 5. TVoman's Bow'd of .lfissions of the Southwest. VII. Woman's Board of Foreign Mis- sions Reformed Church in America. Miss B. Burnett, 1107 Olive Street, St. Louis, Mo. Organized for home and foreign work. 1IIrs.J. P. Oumming, Yonkers. N. Y. Periodi- cal: Mission Gleaner. 26 Reade St.. New York. This Board supports 12 missionaries in the foreign field, and 12 in home field. Its foreign Total number of auxiliary societies, 26:3. work is in Chili, S. A. ; Korea, SiaIH, China, Income for the year, $17,487. Persia, and Dehra Doon, India. 'Work is sup· ported in Utah, Alaska, etc. Income, $15,82•. The Society has work in Japan, at Nagasaki It has 376 auxiliary societies and bands. and Yokohama. The Ferris Seminary has 144 pupils. In China, at Amoy, is a success- 6. Woman's Board of the North Pncific. ful children's home, girls' boarding school, Presbyterian Mission Rooms, Portland, Ore Bible school for women and medical work. In gon. President, Mrs. W. S. Ladd. India work is carried on at Vellore, Tindi- This Board was organized in 1888. Have no ranam, Coonoo!', PalnlRwairand Madanapalle. particulars of work. 7. The Occidental Board. VIII. Woman's Baptist Foreign Mis- Headquarters, 93:3 Sacramento Street, San sionary Society. Francisco, OaL This Board has been organized only a year, Oorresponding Secretary, IIIrs. 0: W. Gates, but, while we have no details, it is reported as Xewton Centre, lIlass. Publication: The growing very fast. Helping Hand, with 22,~29 subscribers, and a children'S paper, The King's Messengers, with IV. Ladies' Foreign Missionary So- 19,~77 subscribers.
ciety Presbyterian Church in the Fields. -In Burmah it has separate missions to the Karens, Burmese, Shaus, Ohins. In United States (South). India, among the Telugus, Eurasians, and As- samase. In Ohina, at Swatow, I:lhaohnig and This is not a separate Society, but con' Kinhwa-Fu. In Japan, at Yokohama and tributes to the general Board. There are 5:36 Tokyo. In Africa; on the Oongo; also in France, societies, which raised last year $24,H22. Germany, Sweden and Spain. Their missions are in Brazil, China, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Japan, and among the Indians. The Society supports 154 schools, 5,256 They snpport 39 female missionaries. They pupils, of whom 2,089 are boys; also 56 Bible have a woman's department in "The lIission· WOlnen. It has 74 missionaries in the field. ary, ., the magazine of the Board. HOIne FUJ'(;".-Mission circles and contribut- V. Woman's Board of Missions of ing churches, 1,377, with 29,187 contributors; ().l..! bands, with 12,358 members. the United Presbyterian Church. Its income for year '89 was $70,6(8, an in- Miss Margaret Shaw, Secretary, Pittsburgh, ('rease of $4,000. Pa. 2. ~Voman's Baptist Foreign .1l1issioJ1r.try This Society does home and foreign work, Society of the West. and has about 18.000 contributing members. Its foreign work is mainly in Egypt and India, Oorresponding Secretary, Dr. O. H. Daniels, where there is a large and interesting work 122 Wabash Ave., Chicago, III. among the women. Twenty-one unmarried missionaries are supported, three of whom The same general fields are occupied by this are medicaL They publish "The Woman's Society as the Baptist Society in the East; Missionary Magazine." Income about $20,000. also the same periodicals are circulated. Dur- Have not separate report. ing the year just closed the Society has sup- ported ;3() missionaries: 14 in Africa, 7 in India, VI. Woman's Board of Foreign Mis- 5 in Ohina, 2 in Japan, and 3 in Africa. They sions of the Cumberland Presby- have 23 schools, with nearly 1,700 pupils, and terian Church. 44 Bible women.
1I1rs. J. O. lIlcOlenkin, 1105 Ohestnut St., The Home Force–l,321 circles, 209 young Evansville, Indiana. Periodical: Woman's De- ladies' societies or guilds, 294 boards. Mempartment of Missionary Record; published in bers not given. Total cash receipts for year, St; Louis, Mo. $33,72'~. Force.-Auxiliary societies, 793, withamem· bershipof7,900; young ladies' societies, 8, with 3. Woman's Fm'pign Missionary Society of membership, 130; children's bands, 1:38, with California (Baptist). 1,741 members; making total organizations, 932, and total memberships, 9,771. Amount Office, San Francisco. contributed last year, $10,614–an increase of This branch of the Baptists raised over $2,956 over previous year. This has been $1,000 last year, but no report is at hand of raised in the regular channels. Of the 12 their work. 4. Woman's Fm'eign Missiona1'Y Society of Oregon (Baptist). Headquarters, Oregon Oity. Thisraised about the same amount of money fully in Korea, China and India. Ten mission- as the above Society, but no report has come aries have been sent out the past year. of its work. XIII. Woman's Missionary Society IX. Woman's Missionary Societies- Auxiliary to Southern Baptist Con- of the Methodist Episcopal Church vention. (South). Corresponding Secretary, Miss Annie N. Armstrong, 10 E. FayettB St., Baltimore, Md. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. H. D. Me- Garack, Nashville, Tenn. Periodical: Woman's These societies are auxiliary to the Conven- Missionary Advocate. Published at Nashville. tion, and their funds aid their Board in work Subscribers, 11,500. in China, West Africa, Italy, Brazil and Mex- ico. The treasurer's report shows for the Fields.-China, Brazil, Indian Territory and year: foreign missions, $17,882, an advance of Mexican Border. $3,500, and for home missions, $11,810, an ad· vance of $5,000; making $30,000 for both The Society supports 25 missionaries, 54 Boards. 'The Journal says, "Never has such teachers and assistants, 9·boarding schools, a showing been made in onr history." and 24 day-schools.
Publication: The Baptist Basket, Louisville, Home Force.-Auxiliary societies, 1,852; Ky. members, 38,203. Young people and children's societies, 890; members, 27,263; making total X. Free Baptist Woman's Missionary societies, 2,742, and total membership, 65,466. Society. Corresponding Secrerary, Miss K. J. An- Receipts for year, $68,729. Home work represented as follows: thony, 40 Summer Street, Providence, R. 1. Auxiliary societies, 4,305 ; members, 111,623; Periodical: The Missionary Helper. Published young ladies' societies, 632; members, 13,366; in Boston. children's bands,' 594; members, 10,240. Total organizations, 5,531. Total members, The annual meeting of this Society has just 135,229. Increase of 82 auxIliaries during yea~, been held, and statistics are not yet at hand; and members, 8,051. only the amount of money raised, both for Receipts for year, $226,496; an advance of home and foreign work, amounts to $38,000, of $20,187. which $25,000 was for foreign work. The Woman'8 Home Mi8sionw'Y Society works in Alaska, among the Indians, Chinese, A successful work is carried on in India, and and foreign classes in this country. with the reinforcements sent out this year, 20 missionaries are in that field. Their principal XIV. Woman's Foreign Missionary stations are Midnapore, J ellasore and Balasore. Society of the Methodist Protest- ant Church. XI. Woman's Board of the Seventh Day MisSionary Society. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. A. Miller, Pittsburgh, Pa. Publication: Woman's IIlig- Corresponding Secretary, Miss Bailey Milton, sionary Record, Pittsburgh, Pa. 1Yisconsin. This Society has 20 branch societies, 320 This Society works in connection with the auxiliaries, 60 mission bands, 3,200 members, Church Board. They have missions in China, and have raised $30,000. Holland, and among the Jews at Galica. One young lady has just been appointed to China They conduct work in Japan, but report to take charge of a girls' school in Shanghai. difficulty in finding competent Christian One medical woman is in Shanghai, who, dur- teachers. They say their school at Yoko· ing the past year, has attended 2,822 patients. hama has met with disconragement because of poor and unhealthy location, and the Receipts for year, $12,238. system of supporting girls on scholarships does not work well. The school at Nagoya XII. Woman's Foreign Missionary " is increasing and its prospects are encourag· Society of the Methodist Episcopal ing." Income, $3,!83, from 16 branches arid 1 Church. " conference. "
Mrs. H. B. Skidmore,230 West 59th Street, XV. Woman's Home and Foreign New York. Periodicals: Heathen Woman's Missionary Society-General Synod Friend, subscribers, 19,834; Heiden Frauen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Frend, subscribers, 2,829. Published at 36 Bromfield Street, Boston. Miss Mary H. Morris, Corresponding Secre- tary, 406 North Greene Street, Baltimore, Md. Fie/d8.-Japan, Korea, China, India, Burmah, Straits Settlements, Bulgaria, Italy, This Society has 423 auxiliaries, with 84 lIIexico and South America. young people's bands, making a total of 507; membership, 13,000. The number of synodical The Society now has 98 missionaries in active societies, 20. Income last year, $32,431. service. Ten of these are medical. Three hundred Bible women, and 100 assistants and There is a woman's department in the teachers are employed. Over 200 day-schools Lutheran Missionary Journal, published at are supported. There are 500 pupils in orphan- York, Pa. ages. Medical work is carried on most success- This Society has work in India and Africa.
Itl90.] PROGRESS OF }llSSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN
Twelve schools, with 800 pupils, are supported is carried on at Wuchang, China, and 33 misin India; 14 Zenana helpers are employed. Three missionaries are in the field, 1 a physi- sionaries are supported in the different fields, cian, who, in 2 years, treated at home and dispensary, 4,772 patients. At home, work is done in 48 dioceses, and 12 XVI. Woma~'s Missionary Society missionary jurisdictions, by 53 diocesan and of the Evangelical Association of North America. parish branches and individual members of Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. C. F. Rass- the Woman's Auxiliary. weiler, Napierville, Indiana. Periodical: Department in lIfissionary Messenger, pub- Domestic Missions, inlished in Cleveland, Ohio. cluding Indian and Home Force.-Auxiliaries, 115; with 2,398 members. Bands, 39, with 1,067 members. Colored Work …… $18.388 72 Income, $2,187. Foreign….. _…….. 23,034 29 The Society has work in Japan and Ger- – – – $ 41,423 01 many. Specials sent through XVII. Woman's Foreign Missionary Union of Friends. Treasury.. _………. $21,25034 The various societies of friends have become Specials not sent consolidated and independent in their missionary work. through Treasury ..•.. 56,706 6H 77,956 97 Pnblication: Friends' Missionary Advocate, 341 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill. Total.. ……. . $119,379 98 Missionary work is supported in Mexico, 3,456 boxes, value ….. . $184,593 15 Syria, China, and Japan, and among the Indians. 'rotal for 1888-S9… $303,97313 Missionaries supported, 18; native helpers XIX. Woman's Missionary Associaand Bible women, 5; number of schools, 4; tion of the United Brethren in number of pupils, 305. Christ.
Total receipts for the year, $16,348; a gain of Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. L. R. Keister, over $2,000 for the year. A church has been Dayton, Ohio. organized in Tokio, with 22 members, and a boarding school there has 20 pupils. In Mexico Periodical: Woman's Evangel, published at there is a prosperous school, with 150 girls. In Dayton, O. Subscribers, 12,900. Palestine is a training home, with 18 pupils. Two missionaries have been sent to Palestine This society has work in Africa, at Coburg, this year, one of them medical. At Rasel Germany, and among the Chinese of the Pacific Metu, Syria, is a school with an attendance of Coast. 120. Horne Force – Auxiliary societies, 367; XVIII. Woman's Auxiliary to the members, 5,412; young ladies bands, 24, with 2,173 members. The society supports 7 Ameri- Board of Missions, Protestant Epis- can missionaries, 14 native assistants. Re- copal Church. ceipts for year, $9,162.
Corresponding Secretary, Miss Julia C. Em- XX. Woman's Missionary Work of ery, 21 Bible House, New York. the Christian Church (Disciples).
This Society does both home and foreign Corresponding Secretary, ]llrs. S. E. Shortwork. Foreign work is supported in China, ridge, 358 Home Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Japan, and Africa. Woman's medical work Publication: Missionary Tidings. Pnblished at Indianapolis.
This Society does both home and foreign work. Its foreign work is in Turkey, India, Japan, and China.
They r~port about 900 auxiliary societies for last year. Have failed to get their report for this year. Amount of money raised, $25,000, [The limitations of space compel us to defer the reports from Canada and the European Societies, though in type, until February.-En.) VII I.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Af'rlca.-jesuits Expelled. The London that the Jesuit missionartes at Unyanyembe Missionary Society has heard from their have been expelled from their station. A agents at Zanzibar that the East Coast co=unication dated June 25 reached London route was still blocked, and that although at the same time from the Rev. D. P. Jones, of letters from Urambo and further inland are be- Twambos, via Nyassa, reporting that all at lieved to be on the way between Mpwapwa that station, and also those at the south end of and the Coast, there is danger of the mail Lake Tanganyika, were well, and, considering men being waylaid, as a prominent Arab is their trying position, in fairly good spirits. known to be on the lookout for them. A letter received by the agents from Kisskwe reports -Mr. F. S. Selous, the South African trav- eler, in his recent expedition, visited the French mISSIOn on the Zambesi, where he seventeen ladies and twelve gentlemen. Of found the families of Messrs. Jeanmairet and these only three-Mrs. Stott, and Mr. and 1I1rs. Jalla at Sesheke. He says that the mission Nicoll-are returning; all the others are fresh has passed through the greatest difficulties. recruits. They are shut out from communication with the outward world, the receipt of letters de- -No mission in the world, perhaps, can pending upon chance travelers or merchants. show a more notable record than that of the The crocodiles devour all their domestic ani· Canadian Presbyterian Church in China. At mals. The kindness of the missionaries is the end of 16 years' work, and with a small having great effect upon the people, but Mr. staff of laborers, it reports 2,650 baptized ,Selous says that the Barotse valley is in a de- members, 2 native pastors, 64 elders, 60 dea- plorable condition on account of the periodical cons, and 37 native preachers. It maintains 2 inundations of the Zambesi, and the fevers mission honses, 50 chapels, a girls' school, and which result therefrom. a training college. The credit of these results is due, under God, to Dr. ThIackay, one of those – Wiliam Taylor has done more to turn remarkable men who are born missionaries. the eye of the Church toward Africa than any other man. Others have called the attention -The Chinese Religious Tract Society, of 0{ political governments to the Dark Conti, which A. P. Happel', D. D., is president, is a nent, but no man ever turned the Church to- society formed for the dissemination of Chris- ward it as 'WiIliam Taylor.-Dr. Leonard. tian and scientific literature in the Chinese language throughout China. This society – East Africa has of late engrossed so much pnblishes in Shanghai The Child's Paper attention that readers may be in danger of (illustrated), and The Chinese Illustrated forgetting the claims of missions and the News, in addition to numerous books and progress of the Gospel in other parts of that tracts.-Chinese Evangelist (New York). vast continent. The venerable Bishop Crow, ther, who has recently arrived in England, Egypt. -Along the valley of the Nile speaks highly of the immense strides which from Alexandria to the first cataract are 70 Christianity is making among the West Afri· mission stations and 70 Sunday,schools, num· can natives; a very encouraging feature being bering 4,017 scholars, while the day and the self,denying enthusiasm which converts boarding-schools have over 5,200 pupils. There display in helping on the good work For in· has been an increasing demand for Bibles, 6,651 stance, on the river Bonny they have them- having been sold the last year, with 8,933 vol- selves built an iron church to accommodate umes of religious literature, and 17,179 educa, 1,500, but which has frequently a congregation tional books. of 2,000, and they have built three churches in the interior for their use when attending 'the England.-The second anniversary of oil markets. Enropean Christians may learn the West London Mission, in charge of Mark a lesson of self-help from their brethren of Guy Pearse and Hugh Price Hughes, was held the Dark Continent. in the last week of October. This remarkable enterprise, inaugurated only two years ago, -If Stanley has succeeded in obtaining the in the wealthiest part of the city of London, control of all the country about the upper Nile ha; accompli~hed results worthy of the men for England, as is reported, he must be credited wllohave taken it in hand. Not only have with the founding of a second African Empire thousands been attracted to the religious servwhich will rival the Congo Free State in im- ices, but many of the poor and ",retched have portance and promise. been relieved and rescued, and branches of the work established in several parts of the city. -The Sultan of Zanzibar has granted the The movement has been imitated in other British East African Company the control of large cities, and other denominations have 700 miles of coast. been stirred np to follow the example of these zealons Wesleyans. The' Lord Mayor of Lon· -The Italian Government has declared a don, who presided at the anniversary meeting protectorate over Abyssinia. in St. James Hall, said, after hearing the financial statement of the treasurer, that in ~In the midst of serious dangers, says the the whole course of his experience he had Presbyterian Me.isenget, the missions are never heard an abler financial statement or prospering at Nyassa. The Free Church of one which made so small a demand when the Scotland has opened a new station at Malindu, great interests involved were taken inb con· on a high plain at the north of the lake. Ma- sideration. He also subscribed £50 to the en- Hndu is surronnd'ld by 17 villages, embosomed terprise, and then proceeded to make a brilin gardellS of magnificent bananas. liant speech, in which he commended the various branches of work undertaken by the Cbina.-Exeter Hall was the scene, on mission in most enthusiastic terms.-Chris Monday evening, of one of those intensely in- fian Advocate (New York). teresting missionary farewells, to which the Miss Janet Hunter, M. D., of Ayr, sailed China Inland ThIission has, of late years, made for India last week, with several other ladies, us happily accustomed. There were on the to engage in medical miSSionary work at platform twenty-nine friends on the eve of setting ont for the far East, to swell the ranks of the workers in that vast mIssion field- Madras, in connection with the Ladies' Society Mr. Richardson was It'd to interest himself in -<Jf the Free Church of Scotland for Female its welfare.-The Ch,·isiian.
.,. Education in India. Miss Hunter is a dis· Japan.-Dr. and Mrs. H. M. Scudder tinguished student of the London School of bave been compelled, on account of the illness Medicine for Women, and has taken the of their daughter, Miss Scudder, and their own double qualificatiou from the Royal Colleges age and infirmities, to retire from their 1m of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh, and portant station at Niigata. This makes a sad the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Uni· breach, as their son, Dr. Doremus Scudder, Yersity of Brussels. She has recently spent and wife are obliged to accompany them.
some months in further medical study in the -2,129 converts were received into the hospitals of Vienna and Prague. During her churches of the American Board in Japan residence in London Miss Hunter was a memo during the year ending April 30, an Iiverage bel' of Regent·square Presbyterian Church. of more than 4.3 to each church. 43 of the 49 HawaU.-The Rev W. H. Barnes, churches are self-supporting.
Honolulu, says that there are 20,000 Chinese – The Board of Foreign Missions of the in the Sandwich Islands; that two congrega· Reformed Church have resolved that in the tions of them are connected with the English Japan Mission the main strength shall be ex- ·Church Mission, and that they make good pended in the development of the 8endai Thea· Christians. logical Training School and the Miyagi Girls· J.nctia.-Dr. Parker reports of the lUeth- School. Rev. J. P. Moore has been appointee!
-odist Episcopal mission work in the Rohilund the permanent evangelist of the mis~ion. Rev province: "In this province there are 26 sep- A. D. Gring is no longer connected with the arate circuits, which include 160 centers of nlissioll.
work, in which a teacher or preacher resides, -According to the new constitution of -or a school is taught by a Christian evangelist, Japan neither Christian ministers nor Buddhist and about 600 villages in which persons have priests are allowed to hold seats in the Im- been baptized, and in which they now reside. perial Diet.
There are in the province 1 high school, 8 -The missionaries of the American Board middle-grade Anglo-vernacular schools, 11 in Japan have sent a memorial to the Pru· upper primary Anglo-vernacular schools, 153 dential Committee" asking for new mission- v"rnacular schools, and over 5,000 pupils in aries." This large reinforcement is requested, attendance in all the grades. This work is says one of the missionaries, "not with the "arried on by a force consisting of 7 American view to extend our present limits or for experi- missionaries, 75 regularly licensed native ments, but simply to occupy eight more large preachers, and 226 native teachers and evan- cities that are centres for about five million gelists in the regular work. This calculation people, which fields God has opened to us, and does not include the work or schools of the in which our churches have already begun Woman's Society, nor the pastors supported work. " And yet, "the American Board has by the churches. The expense of thiswork to its largest single mission in Japan. It num- the Missionary Society and to the friends who bers 85 adults, and costs annually $75,000."
personally support schools is $27,000 per year." Fifteen years ago there were only two little -·The Intelligencer shows remarkable prog- churches, with about a dozen members each; ress in the Telugu mission of the English now fifty churches and 8,000 Christians, con- Church Missionary Society. The total num- tributing annually about $30,000.
ber of Christian adherents within this mission JeWS.-From the Record of the Free in 1849 was 65; in 1859, 177; in 1869, 1,726; in Church of Scotland we learn there are 47 18i9, 3,998. It thus appears that from 1869 to Protestant Jewish missionary societies labor- 1879 the Christians had multiplied at the rate ing among the Jews. They employ 377 mission- of about 131 per cent. From 1879 to 1888 the aries, with a total expenditure of about increase has been at the rate of 121 per cent., $500,000. It has been estimated that during a yearly average of 475. This record suggests the century fully 100,000 Jews have been Call· what may be done in India in the coming verted to the Church of Christ.
years. -Dr.·John Dixon, of the Mildmay Medical -A Brahman in Calcutta told Dr. Baumann lIlission to the Jews, reports 11,121 visits of old that he had read through the New Testament and new patients to the dispensary in 1888, eighty-three times and the Old Testament and 2,489 visits of doctors to the patiE'nts in twenty-seven times. their own homes, besides the work of thn :ltaly.-Protestant Mission in Elba. This d('aconesses in connection with the mission.
little island has for some years been the sta- In this way over 5,000 Jews and Jewesses have tion of a Protestant Mission, carried on under not only received medical help, but have heard the auspices of the Vaudois Church, but sup- the Gospel each time they visited the missioll.
ported by private contributions, collected by -Friend of Missions.
Mr. Jonathan Richardson, Killeaton, Dim· Jews In Palestlne.-Russia can· murry, Country Antrim, Ireland. It was on tinues to expel the Jews wholesale. This IS a hearing how this mission was established that (]t'plorable state of things, though not in the least surprIsmg. Mrs. Finn, Secretary of the prospering. A liberal friend of the cause in Society for the Relief of Persecuted Jews, Scotland has promised $6,500 to build another writes; "The Shaftesbury Memorial Fund has house for the missionaries at Tiberias. This been applied each year since Lord Shaftes- is chiefly a medical mission. bury's death to the employment of Jews at Abraham's Vineyard, Jerusalem, where a few Vntted 8tateS.-Missionary Statis- are trained in cultivating the ground and tics. We areglad to notice that The Missionary other industries. But there are tens of thou- Reyiew of the World proposes to tabulate each sands destitnte in Palestine. We are ready to year the statistics of all missionary societies give them the work without which they perish in the world. The work of the former editor. of starvation. We last year aided abont 300 ~Ir. Wilder, though imperfect, was exceedcases of urgent need in London, and this year ingly useful; and every missionary editor has as many in proportion, many of them in find- undoubtedly greatly missed these annual ing homes in America and elsewhere." tables since Mr. 'Wilder's death. It can hardly be tbe case that any editor of a denomina- ltIadagascar~The Drink Traffic. A tional miSSionary magazine would have the conference has been held of all the missions time to prepare these annual tables. But this working in Madagascar, except the Roman Re,;ew is the place where they ought to ap- Catholic, on the subject of the Drink Traffic. pear, and we offer the editors our hearty en- It took place in the committee-room of the couragement in their effort to give every year London Missionary Society on the 2d of a summary of ihe missionary statistics of the August, and resulted in the appointment of a world, which is promised to be the most comrepresentative committee, of which the Rev. plete and satisfactory ever published. It will B. Briggs is convener, to collect information be a strong feature of their already exceedand frame proposals for a memorial or peti- ingly valuable pubJication.-Baptist Missiontion to be addressed to the Queen and the al71 Magazine.
Prime Minister. ltalscellaneouS.-Colonel Olcott, the -The young native preachers in Antana- traveling theosophist, has touched at Bel- fast, and lectured in that fine city at a shilling rivo, the capital of Madagascar, have banded a head. He is cheaper than a blaspheming together for the purpose of sending some of ., Colonel" who remains on this side of the their number to the heathen in the outlying water. Colonel Olcott did not secure a large districts of the island. audience in the old Presbyterian town, and the indifference with which he was listened to New Gulnea.-A telegram to London appeared in the fact that when he closed no reports the killing of Rev. E. B. Savage, a one was found ready to move the customary missionary of the L. M. S., on Murray Island. yote of thanks. The Colonel's lecture, semi- It is also reported that some of the native Buddhistic, and wholly infidel, does not seem teachers were also murdered. Mr. S. went out to have been very luminous, especially in the in 1885, and the work of the Society in Eastern statement of his theosophic vagaries. In New Guinea of late years has been encourag- Dublin a gentleman rose in the audience, ing. The natives of Murray Island are can- after listening intently to the lecturer, and nibals, and yet the Christians recently sent asked the Colonel to state in brief what $150 to aid the L. M. S. in its work. he had been talking about, as he had utterly failed to understand him. There was no re- 8cotland.-Dr. George Smith, in the sponse. Free Church of Scotland Monthly, reviews the last ten years of the foreign missions of -In heathen countries Protestants occnpy that Church. In 1878 the adults baptized were 500 separate mission fields, containing 20,000 277; in 1888, 815; in 1878 the native communi- mission stations, supplied by 40,000 mission· cants were, 3,317; in 1888 they were, 6,272; the aries. In these 20,000 mission stations there pupils had also doubled, and the contributions are 500,000 Sunday-school scholars-an average from native churches and the number of naJ of 25 to each station. In the 20,000 Protestant tive Christian agents. The revenue has also mission stations there are one million of native increased in the same proportion. It was communicants, or an average of 50 to each £48,775 from all sources, in 1878, and £97,542 station. There are also 2,000,000 of adherents in 1888; the home donations being £31,263, as who are friendS of the evangelical faith and against £64,999, and the foreigu £17,512, as hearers of the Gospel preached from the Bible against £32,543. Starting now on the next dec- -an average of 100 to each station. ade with what is practically £100,000 a year, it is to be hoped they may again double it. -The Star of India says that among the This little church has a missionary record of countries barred to Protestant missionaries which it may well be proud. should be named Nepaul, between India and Thibet, a most interesting country. 8::vrla.-The population of Syria and Palestine, together, is estimated at about -Dr. Abel Stevens says that the old Asiatic 2,000,000. The prevailing language is Arabic, heathendom is generally giving way before though many languages are spoken. the continually increaSing power of Western thought and Christian civilization. -The mission of the Free Church of Scotland on the Lake of Galilee, in Palestine, is
The Missionary Review of the World — 1889 Index
according to Act of Congress, in the year ~889
Missionary Review of the World.
VOL. II. NEW SERIES. VOL. XII. OLD SERIES.
JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 1889.
J. M. SHERWOOD, EDITORS: NEW YORK. ARTHUR T. PIERSON, PHILADELPHIA.
PUBLISHERS: FUNK & WAGNALLS, NEW YORK: LONDON: 18 AND 20 ASTOR PLACE. 44 FLEET STREET. WILLIAM BRIGGS. 18 AND 80 KING STREET. EAsT. TORONTO,CANADA: FUNK & W AGNALLS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. O.
mho:. .959
INDEX FOR I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
PAGE. .. PAGB. Laborers wanted in the Republic of Cnlom- American Missionary in tbe Orient, The, by Autbor of '"Islam and Cbristian Mi.- hials. A., Rev. T. H. Candor……… 618 slons" …•…..•…..•….•……….. $01 Lay M ssions in China, B. C. Atterbury, Book of Acts and the World's Evangeliza- M. D …………………………….. 436 tion, Prof. W. A. Pitzer …………… 490 Lookinl!" Backward and Forward, Editors. 1 Bondei 1l1ission, The, W. H. Morse, M. D .. 197 Madagascat, L. P. Brockett, M. D. Part British Opium in China, G. '1'. Masun …… 36 I. 351; Part II ……………………. 4Z5 -Buddhist Doctrine of Salvation by Faith, Miracles of Missions.• No. IX. Signs of F. F. Ellinwood, D.D ……………… 647 the Superanatural in the General Work, Carey, William, J. M. Ludlow, D.D…….. 7~D A. T. P., 2Il. No. X. Mission to the Characteristics of the ltecent Atlverse Criticisms upon Missions, Cyrus 1tamlin, Blind in China, A. T. P., 106. No. XI. Wonderful Work in: the West Indies, D.D ……………………………… 696 A. T. P.,187. No. XlI. The Story of Cities, The Crisis in, A. T. P ………….. SIlO . City, The, as a Factor in the World's Evan- Siam, A. T. P., 845. No. XUI. Work gelization, J. iI'l. S ………………… 161 Among the Wynds of Glasgow, A. T. P., 492. No. XlV. The Land of the China Inland Missiou, Prof. Homer B. Hul- Inqnisition, A. T. P., 588. No. XV. The bert…………………………….. 255 Land of Esther, A. T. P …………. 9011 Chinese, The Character of the, Rev. J. H. Missionary Heroes in Africa, Robert N.
Roberts ………………………. 136; 218 Oust, LL.D …………… , ………… 117 Christian College at San Panlo, Brazil, Missionary Puem, "Till He Come. " .•…. 846 G. W. Cbamberlain, D.D …………… 836 Missionar~ The, in the'midst of Poverty, Christian Missions as tbe Ente1'l>rise of the Cyms Hamlin, D.D……………….. 857' Church, A. T. P…………………… 5 Missions in tbe Levant. No. ll. Tbeir Christian Unity and Christian Missions, Metbods. Rev. Edwin M.Bli••, 20. No. Rev. J. L. Russell ………… ; …….. 888 Continental Missionary Conferencll at Bre- Ill. Their Resnlts……………….. 90 Mission, The, and Commission of the men, Germany. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . … 840 Church,A. T. P .. ~………………… 321 Criticisms npon Forei.!ln Missions, Rev. Ed- Modern Apostle, A. Hon. Ion Keith-Falwin M. Hliss ……………………… 184 coner, Rev. W. J. Mutch ………….. 414 Damien, Father, the Leper Priest of the Mohammedanism in China, Rev. H. V. Molokai. Rev. Edwin M. Bliss………. 507 Noyes ……………………………. 58 DeIitzsch's Hebrew New Test., Semi-Cen- , Money, Tbe Ministry of, No. I., A. T. P., tennial of, Prof. George H. Schodde, 661. No. ll. A. T. P.; No. llI. E. p~ Ph.D ……………………………. 97 Cowan, D.D., William Tbaw, ~94; No. Disl ribution of Mission:try Agents, Tbe, IV. Rev. W. Harrison……………. 744 Rev. EdwardStarrow ……………… 262 Mormon Missions, The Marvels of. Rev. D. Emin Pasha, Rev. Loui. Grout………….. 439 L. Leonard ………………. : …….. 382 England and Foreign Missions, James John- Notes from our English Correspondent, ston, Secretary World's Missionary …………………………..274;498: 677 Conference ………………………. 26 Notes on New Books of a Missionary Char- Evangelization of the Cbinese in America, acter, Editorial ………. , .. .12'~l 3&!; 518 J. Stewart Happer .'……………….. 509 Our Extant Sidney Smitbs, Rev. D. L. Leon- Exposition of Missions, Tbe, A. T. P ……. 174 ard ……………………………… 658 Further 'l'estimonit"s to Mls"ions, A. T. P .. 241 Papal Cburch (toward Progress), The Atti- Hans Egede, Thomas Laurie, D.D ………. 881 tude of the. A. T. P……………….. 577 Have we too' Many Miss:onary Periodi- Pastor Harms and his Work, Rev. Thomas cals, J. M. S………………………. 592 Laurie…………………………… 840 Henry Martyn, J. M. Ludlow, D.D……… 14 Persia, The Ancient Church of and its Reform, J. H. Shedd, D.D…………. 774 Historic Churches of the East, Tbe, Prof. George H.Scbodde, Ph.D ………….. 819 Pillar on tbe Borrler of Egypt, A, Chas. S. Historical Outline of Missions among the Robinson. D.D……………………. 101 , Jews, Prof. B. Pick, Ph. D, …….. 669; 750 Pioneer of tbe Gospel in France, A, Rev. Important Events in Papal Lands, A. T. P .. 268 J. C.Bracq ………………………. 581 Intluence of Missionary Efforts on the In- Prayer-Basis ofMi.sion Wc.rk, The, A. T. P. 652 Press, The, on Foreign Mission Il'ields, dians of New York, F. F. Ellinwood, J. T. Gracey, D. D………………… 458 ·D.D………………………………. 902 Tnterest in Missions, .. A Watcbman " …… 74:1 Protestant Missions in Eastern Eqnatorial Islam, J. T. Gracey, D.D ………….. 214; 300 Africa, Robert N. eust, LL.D………. 194 Islam and Christian Missions …… " ….. , 561 Returned Missionaries, Geo W. Wood,D.D. 772 Japan, Hindrances and Helps in, J. T. Roman Catholic Encroachments on Protes- Oracey, D.D, 616; Notes from, Rev. H. tant Missions …………………….. 899 Loomis……………………….. 622; 862 Serving our own Generation, A. T. ,P…… 481 Japan, The Great Crisis in, F. F. :Ellin- . ShaftesburyJ:he Evangelistic Earl, A. T. P. 721 wood, D.D …………………………815 Sir William Hunter on the Religions of In- dia……………………………… 71 Japan, The Outlook in, George W. Knox, Slavery, The Current Contlict with, Rev. D.D., 410; A First Year's Impression of, Fred. S. Cnrtis …………………. 504 James Johnston, A. S. A …………… 914 JeWish Mission Work, Prof. Geo. H. South Africa. The Mustard Seed of Mis- , Schodd… Ph. D …. __ ……… '" …… 419 sions in, Rev. Lewis Grout …………. 488
INDEX
~I'AGE. I Dph il a M. ·m·~·M~~·~·~·~P· A Gm . .
Stndent Missionary Uprising, The, JonriR. s and the' Gothic Bible: Jan:es Mott…………………………….. 824 Lndlow, D.D………………………. 259 Vindication of Missions, A. T. Po,……… 81 Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions ………… 200; 361; 442; 516; 605 Waldensians, The, and their Bi-Centennial, 640 Prof. Henry W. Hnlbert …………… .r Taylor and Radcliffe's Mission in America, When Shall Coms' the Consummation Reginald Radcliffe ………………….· 33 Poem. J. E. RankinJ.p.D.. . . . . . .. . .. 600 Woman and Woman's work at the Lon- .. Till He Come." Poem by Mrs. Merrill don Conference, Mrs. J. T. Gracey. . . 111 E. Gates………………… .. …. .. … 846 World's Conference, A Retrospect 'of That Question of Population, F. F. Ellln- A. T. P ………………………….. : 401 wood,D.D……………………….. 250 ZnlU8, Religious Views and Practices of the, Rev. LewisGrout……………… 738 The Great Famine Cry. Poem by Miss West …………………………….. 282 Translations from Foreign Miss. Periodi- cals, Rev. Chas. C. Starbnck, 40; 201; H.-GENERAL INDEX. '
PAGE. PAGE.
AFRICA.-Mission work among the Zulu! aries, 955; Bp. Taylor………………….956 in Natal, 5~; Central Africa, description, 53; Aberdeen, The Earl of, Editorial Note.. …. 78 North Africa, descrIption, 52; Mohammedan· Alaska, Lawlessness and Woman Stealing.. 221 ism and Missions, M; Note from Rev. Chas. Alaska, Moravian ~lission ……………… 151 W. Kilbon, 71 ; Trans·Afriea railway, 71 ; Mis- Albania, Appeal in its Behalf…………… 453 sionary Heroes in, 117 ; appeal from an evan- American Government. Tbe, and tbe Drink gelist, 127' Note on the Deserted Ml.sion, 1~7 ; tbo Congo tribes, 182; Liberia, 132; Cardinal Traffic in Africa, Ed. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. … 70 Lavigiere's mission, 150; Scotch Free Church American Missionary in the Orient, The, by Mission amongtbe Znlus, 150; Baptist Mission on the Congo, 151 ; Liquor traffic. 151; Basutoland, author of "Islam aud Christiau Mis- 151 : Protestant Mis.ions in Eastern Equatorial sions "……… ………….. ….. . .. 801 Africa, 194; the Bondei Mission, lUi; East Af· American Sunday School Union,65th Annirican policy, 210; butchery or the Oe;oni tribe, ni vel'sary ……………………… 636, 640 2~1 ; Universities' Mission, 226; Eastern Africa Anti-Slavery Defense, James Stevenson's in a ferment, 227 ; session of American Presb. Pamphlet………………………… 876 Cburch, ~~9 ; letter from Sec. N. bofrica Mis· Appeal of Grimth John and Arnold Foster sion, 291; Rum on tbe Copgo, 292 ; Llvingstone's in Bebalf ofan Independent Mission in discoveries, 292; Lieutenant Wissman's ad- China …………………………… 455 dress before Hamburg Geo. Society, 29~; Miss. Applied Missionary Information ……•….. 297 iuterest in E. Africa, 293 ; how some missions Arabia, Keith-Falconer Mission ………… 638 were saved, 293; Bechuanaland, 865: Logos, a Arabian Mission, The …………………. 855 vivid picture of, 366 ; Mohammedan resolution, Archliisbop of Canterbury Quoted. . . . . . . . . 238 367 ; Exeter Hall meeting on Slave traffic, 444 ; Arnold, Miss Ellen, Thrilling Description of a missionary's journey in Central Africa, 446; Work in Australia …………………. 688 missionary interests in C. Africa, 446; Congo, a Arnot, Fred. S., Work in Central Africa, hopefullleld, 447; exciting events in the Soudan, noticed …………………………. 518 447 ; Bishop Smythies on Zanzibar,<l48; African Artbingon's, Robert,.Criticisms ……….. U42 ivory, 448; physical features, religion, 465; tbe Asia Minor, Letter from Mrs. Dr. Metbeny. 127 Congo MiSSion, 466; notes, 469; ,notes of In· Asia Minor, St. Paul's Institute at Tarsus.. 51 terest, 476; the mustard seerl of Missions in S. Association for Free Distribution of Scrip– Africa, 488 ; release of missional'ies, 498; mls· tures………………………………. 384 sionaries for C. Africa, 502; Prof. Calderwood Ansam Mission, noticed. …… .. . . … …… 364 quoted,520; must be aggressive, 520; diffusion Austria, Hostility to Evangelical Work….. 310 of tbe English language, 520; are foreigu mis- Baldwin, Rev. E. F., Letter from Morocco, sions a success, 520; African Lake Co. 521; 209 ; Oriticism on Letters in The Ohris– revived Hinduism. 521; results of a Chrlstle8s tian, 548; Work in Southern Mocivilization, 521 ; Dr. Cust on missionary wives, rocco ………………… ".,,,,,,,,,,,, 525 522; Dr. Su.nmers in the Congo Free States, Bain, James Alexander, Death of……….. 789 522; E. F. Baldwin'swork in Morocco, 525; Baptist Ylissionary SOCiety (En~lish) …….. 500 missions of German and English societies, !i56 ; Baptist Churches of Great BrItain, Statiswork in Mogador ; slave hunters and misslon- tics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " . . . . . . . . . 890 eries, 606; Africa's regeneration, 606; what Beall, M. E., Quoted from North American Bishop Turner says of Africa, 607 ; notes ofmiss. Review …………………………… 297 evangelists, 607; Indigo,607; miss. societies In Beall, Rev. M. E., Letter from San Luis Africa; 634; items of interest, 637; situation in Potosi. ….. ;'……………………… 291 Nyassa, 677 ; 681 ; new slation in Ukukivi, 678 ; shocking barbarities, 67!;. Cameron on C. Africa, BELGIUM.-E"angelical Society, 227' 680: C. M. S's work, t!Ild; Church of Scotland The King a nd the oCfo, n5~g7r;egEavtiaonng,e3li1c0a'l missions :near Nyassa, 686; Drommond on slave Evangelical Society trade, 70&; items ofinterest, 716; farewell meet· Church of Belginm, 716; Consumption ing at Liverpool, 760; Arab traders in C. Africa, of Liquor …………………………… 878 760 ; J. B. E. African Co. 761; letter from Rev. Bible Distribution …………………….. 398 Jos. Clark,766; do. Chas. Jas.Laffin, 767; Jas. Johnston on Catholicmissions, 769; letter from Black's" Christian Womanhood," noticed. 519 Rev. H. Jackson, 770; Arabs in C. Africa, Blake, Dr. J., Impressions of Mission Work in India ………………………….. 211 Congo mission, etc., 796 i.Jlghtingthe Arabs, 847; BliSS, Rev. Edwin M., Missions in the Levant, No. II., Their Methods, 20; No. the fnture of Africa, 84'1 ; miss. for C. Africa, III., Their Result,;, 00; Note in Reply chauges at Bonny, Portuguese, advance, 848 ; outstations of C. A., 878. Slave life on the to Dr. Hamlin ………………….. ' " 709 Congo, 914; Christian slaves at Mecca; Por· Bliss, Dr. Isaac G., Death and Sketcb of tuguese and the slave trade, 915 ; Fight against Life ……………………………… 818 slave trade at NY8ssa, 916 ; Slavery in British E. African possessions. 918 ? Native races aud Bokbara and tbe Liquor Traffic…………. 275 liquor tramc commerce, 918 ; :Dr. Guinne.s in Bonar, Dr. A. A., Address at MUdmay Con- Boston,924 ; Cust on African Languages, 926 ; ference ………………………….. 236 Latest l)ews from Stanley, 955; Scotch mission· Booth, Gen., on Revivals ………………. 683 Bound Volume of MISSIONARY REVIEW OF TBE WORLD …………………….. 160 Boynton, Rev. F. H., Letter to Dr. Pierson. 210 PAGE. China Inland Mission. Prof. Homer '~GE. BRAZIL.-Letter from Rev. George B. Nind, 49; Organization of llraz.i!an Synod, Hulbert ………………………….. 255 80 ; Opportnnity for Christian MisSIOns, ~21 ; Chinese Evangelist, The …………. .474; 509 Self-supporting MisSionaries, 5~6; "eneral As- Chmese 10 America.. .. . ……………… 54.1 sem bly Action on Presbyterian Missions, 6U7 ; Christian College .at San Paulo, Brazil, G. Mission ~tatistics, 635; Stl1tistics of Presbyterian Church Mission, 714; A Christian Col<- W.Chamberlam, D.D …………….. 836 lege, 886 ; A Wonderful Old Metn, 865. Christian Missions as tne l£nterprise of the Barnum, Dr. H. N., eloquent appeal. ……. 9<3 Bright Bits of Readings, etc., noticed……. 364 Clmrch. Editorial…….. ……….. 5 British Contributions to Foreign Missions Christianity and Humanity, by Charles·S.
in 1881, Tables of, Rev. W. A. ::lcott Ely, noticed.. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . …. . . … 123 Robinson…………………. …….. 75 Christian Unity and Christian Missiuns, British Government sells the right to man- ufacture and sell liquor in India .. 0<••••• 398 Hev. J.L. Hussell …………………. 888 Bl'itish Opium in China, Rev. G. L. Mason. 36 Christlieb, D,·. TneodJr, Death of………. ol~ Brool<s. Arthur, Death of ……………… 275 Church, the Growth of the, in U. S. ::ltettis- Buddhist Doctrine of Salvation by Faith, l!'. F. Ellinwood, D.D ……………… 6i7 tics ………………………………. 232 Bulgarian Annoyances…. …………… 864 Church,The Mission and Commission of the, .
BURMAH.-Latest news in regard to fam- A.T.P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ·321 ine,151; What statistics show, 15~; The loyal City, the, as a Factur in the World's Evan- Karens, 210; Area, 380; A religious ceremony, 608. gelization, J. M. ::l., 161; Evangeliza- tion of Cities. . .. . . . . .. .. . . . … .. . . .. … 222 . CANADA.-Wuman's Missionary Societies, Clark,N.G., D.D., Letter to Dr. Pierson …. 547 43 ; Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, College Students …………………….. 480 123. Colonization, The New Era of, and its Bear- Canadian Congregational Year·Book, 1888·9. ]58 ing on Christian Philanthrophy, F. F. Carey, William,J. 1Il. Lndlow, D.D …….. 739 Ellinwood, D.D ………………….. 738 centenary Missionary Conference, A Retro- Colored Race, Missions Among the …….. 214 Continental Missionary Conference at Bre- spect of, A. T. P …………………… 401 men ………………………….. 840,899 Contribntions to Miss. and Bible Society CHIN A.-British Opinm, 36; Letter from for fifty years. . . . . . .. . . . .. …………. 159 Dr. John L. Nevius on Synod of China, 46; Mo- Convention of Christian Workers in De· ha.mmedauism in, 5):;; Numbe,· of Christians, troit ……………………………. 231 71; Threats of Government, 72; Synod of Chi- Cook, Rev. J. A. B., letter describing a na, discllsbion of the Uniun quetition, 8.0; the ChristianBaba ……. , ……………. 527 petrty of progress.. 133; Character of the Chi- Copp, Rev. Alfred, A Call to China……… 200 nese, 136; the Uhinese language and some Correspondent3, Letters from and replies .. 385 tl'aits of character,144; Vision of the Cross, Crisis in Cities, The, A. T. P …………… tl30 150; Texts and themes for ~1issionary Sermons, Critics of ~lissions, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611 15J; the blind, 151; the great examination at Criticisms upon Missions, Cyrus Hamlin, Nankin, 152; China Inland Mission, 152; A Call D.D ……………………………… 696 to Cbina, 208; Letter from Tangier, Morocco, Criticisms upon Foreign Missions, Rev. Ed- 209; Dr. MartinIs labors in Peking, 210; the win M. Bliss………….. .. ………. 184 habit..tions of cruelty, 220; meeting of Synod of Cuba, Baptist Mission …………………. 717 China, 227; China Inland MiSSion, 227; An· Cuba, Religious Outlook ……………….. 477 ting hospital, 227; the Christian Cullege, 2~8; Custl Dr. H Notes" on Miss. subjects, J. T. ",', Chinese policy, 228; Chinese benevolence, 237; Gracey, D D., 531; on African languages. 926 China Inland Mission work, :;55; the Famine, Damien, Father, the leper priest of Molo- 277; opium habit,291; Roman Catholic mis- kai. ……………………………… 50. sions, 265; Exclusion Bill passed, 310, table of Daniels, estimate of world's population …. 390 statIstics for 18b8, 316; religions orChina, 367; Death of ilir. Ahok's mother ……..•….. 60 American Commerce, 367; Dr. Happer on Oen· DeQuincy, a beautiful distinction. .. ……. 237 tenary Conference, 3;0; Famine in Shantung, Distinguished Witnesses, by Rev. John Lig- 372; Gen. MISS. Conference, 379; statistics of gins, noticed ……………………… 123 China Inland Mission, 1888. 388; Ching-Kiang Division of the World-field …………….. 634 riot, 397; medical work, 397; lay missionaries itl, Duff, Alexander. . . . .. . .. . . . .. .. . … .. .. …. 135 4'35; idolatry in Canton, 448; appeal in behalf oran independent mission, 4i5; Chinese New ENGLAND.-England and Foreign Missions, Year, 456; the Exclusion Bill, 477; Evangeliza- 26; Woman's Miss. Societe of Great Britain tion of the Ohinese in Americ<1, 50~; a good and Ireland, 41; the opi urn traffic, action of book, 522; Chinese in America, 544; chal)els in '" Tue Christian Union," 5! ; London Mission- Canton, 557; medical missionaries, 608; Che- ary Society, 7:l; Outburst of paganism, 72; Turfoo hospital, 638; mission work in ShanSl, key Mission Aid Society, 152; Garibaldi'S ap- 684; letter from Rev. H. Corbett,687; table of peal, 152; Church of England Woman's :Miss. Catb.olic miSSIOns, 715; AmericanPresb. Miss., Association, 152; The Salvation Army, 211 ; Canton, 715; Inland mission, 717; Cbristian Contributions to Missions, 228; Sir Monier College, 761; items of interest, 796; death of Willams' Kensington address, 296; Laymission- Rev. J. Crossett, 849; services of U. S. Minister aries, 310 ; British and Foreign Bible Society, Reed. 853; Caine's criticisms refuted, 854; items 443; item~ of interest, 443; a missionary exhiof interest,879; the great hospital at Canton, bition, 522 ~ Wesleyan Miss. Society's missions, 924; changes affecting China'" progress, 931. 558; J .s. Johnston on Canon Taylor's attack, 55~; We~layan Mi.s. Society. 638; New Miss. CEYLON.-Education, 133: Mission work scheme, 633; Baptist Union (G. B.), 638 ; report at Jaffa, 175; Great change in,879; careless use on E. African Mission, 717; Zenana society of figures ……… : ……………………. 943 meeting, 7~7; C. M. S. missionaries, 879 .. Cheap Missionaries," 852; Views of Mer- Egypt, A Pillar on the borders of, C. S.
edith Townsend, 852 ; Literary Mission- Robinson, D.D ……………………. 101 aries……………………………… 852 E~ypt, American Mission in . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . 468 Changes in Ohina affecting its progress, Egypt, Miss Whately's Work in Cairo …… 557 Rev. H. D. Porter, lI'1.D ……………. 931 Ellinwood, F. F., D.D., classes in compara- Church Habits ………………………. 223 Chile, An Appeal to Christians for Prayer .. 767 tive religions ……………………… 787 Children'S Aid Society, Work of. ………. 480 Emin Pasha, Rev. Lewis Grout ……….. , 439 England and Foreign Missions, Rev. James Johnston, A. S. A. ………….. …… 26 Europe, Standing Armies ……………… 295 E.angelical Miss. Society at Basel, Switzer– land, Prof. Henry W. Hulbert……… < 2Q!'j PAGR. PAGK.
Evangelical Preaching,What it has done for test case. 303; some facts about India, 305; the heathen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ….. …… 368 benefits of British rule. 307; missionary in_ fluence. 808; the Jesuits. 809; Rum exported Exposition of Missions, The, A. T. P ……. l74 to Africa from Liverpool, 809; alarming Extant Sydney Smiths, Onr, Rev. D. L. uews from Uganda.. 309; Bishop Taylor's advance party. 809 ; an independent mission Leonard. . . . . . . . . . . • •••. . . . . . . . •. . . . . . •• 6li8 in Liberia, 309; Dr. Jex-Blake's impressions of mission work in India.3ll; Rev.J.Shi!- FRANCE.-Annnal report of Societlt; dn lidy's statistics of progress in India,311 ; N. Nord, 72; Death 01 an old servant woman, 152 ; India M<ethodistConference.312; Justice in Seaman's Rest at Marseilles,:l87; Letter from India. 317 ; Pundita Ramabai, 365.523; Bukh- C. E. Faithful about work ill Marseilles, 289 ; mabai. 365; Patna Mission, 365; Wesleyan Dr. McAU's account of hiS work in France. 450; Foreign Missions, 365; Government and the Interference with missions, 55~; A Pioneer of liquor traffic. 368; pilgrimage to Mecca, 368 ; the Gospel in France, 581; The McAll Mission, missionary schools, 386; BengalConference, 825 ; The Black Fields of France, 630; Miss 398; Emin Pasha, 439; educational report Leigh's Paris homes, 762; A Pioneer of the 1887-8.444; a commissioner'S viewsof Indian Gospel, Roussel, 581. missions, 449; drunkenness, 449; Pundita Faithful, C. Eo, letter on work in France … 289 Ra.mabai,478; Assam, 478; Caine'sinvestiga,.. Famine Cry, The great, Miss West……… 282 tion at Lucknow. 478; Roman Catholic mis- Fiji, population,etc …………………… 152 sions,503; ArnericanBaptistTelugaMissioll, Financial facts ……………………….. 387 523; letter from Secretary Haegert, 527; a Finland, baptisms …………………….. 152 Christian Baba.527; Rev.J.E.Scott's letter Foreign Missionary Societies of the U. S., from Muttsa.558; Dr. Fry's report on medi- cal missions, 558; Arcot America.n Mission, 1887-88, table of statistics. . . . . . . … . . . .. 158 558; Mrs. Wishard's success. 612; Mala.bar Foreign Miss. Prayer Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 Syrian Chnrch case, 615 ; number of Roman Formosa, Canadian Mission ……………. 211 Clttholics m India. 639; mission to lepers, Formosa, English Presbyterian Church …. 477 639; Telnga Mission. 639; Marathi Mission. Freedman, The, Senator Bruce on Race 639;.hero missionary Stevenson, 685; stirring letter from Albert M…rton. G90; Syrian Problem, 469 ; gifts to …………….. 480 Ohristlans. 691; Bombay. 71B; various Freshman's Hebrew Christian Church in items of interest, 718; child marriage, leprosy. 762; missionary life. 762; false New york . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 charges. 764 ; significant facts, 797; Madras Gale. Rev. Jas. S., letter concerning Korea. 289 Bible SociE'ty, 797; child marriages, 849; Ze- Gavazzi, Death of……. •……………. 270 nana seclusion. 850 ; poisoning Hindu con- verts, 924. GERMANY.-Dr. Zieman's labors inSchles- wig-Holstein. 211 ; reflex influence of mis- INDIANS.-Conference of the Dakota churches. 154; wonderfnl change. 478; insions.684. fluence of missionary etIorts on the Indians Germany. Conference at Frankfort……… 638 of New York. 902. Germany. '.!'he Continental Miss. Conference Indian political problem, Rev. Geo.M.
at Bremen.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. …. ……. 840 Wood.JI· ………………………… 766 Gibson, Dr. Otis, a fear/ess missionary…… 525 Indians of New York. The Influence of Gladstone's translation of Rock of Ages … 611 Gracey's "Sketch of Mrs. Doremns," no- MissionaryetIorts on the, F. F. ElJin- wood.D………………………….. 902 ticed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519 Interested in Missions……………….. 742 GrlJlin, Miss Libbie C., account of Miss. InternatIOnal Miss. Union, Sixth annual meeting……………………… 304; 692 Conference at Lucknow ……………. 129 International Miss. Union at Bridgeton. Guinea, PIlgrim's Progress printed …….. 228 N. J ……………………………… 538 Hans Egede. Rev. Thomas Laurie ………. 881 Ireland,19th report of Churc,h of. ……. 636 Hawaii. The Anglican MissiOn …………. 134 ITALY.-Statistics of evangelical Chri.- Happer, Dr. A. P., on Centenary Confer- tians, 390; the Free Church, 635; sehool at, Pisa, 850. ence …………………………….. 870 Islam, Dr. J. T. Gracey ………….. 214; 300 Harms, Pastor, and His Work, Thomas Islam and Christian Missions ………… 561 Laurie, D.D………………………. 340 JAPAN.-Progress. 56; Japanese views of Heathen and Christian Giving …………. 238 Christianity. 56; increase of converts, 73; Hebrew M688enger. Ph_, commended …… 475 awakening 73; Japanese views of Chris- Hell Gate Explosion. The ……………… 547 tianity. 134; Buddhism. 153; contribntions Heroic Chnrch among the heathen. . . .•. . .. 621 of converts. 153 ; J'apanese mission to Chris- Heroic Women ……………………….. 681 tendom, 154; Eby's apneal for Japan. 206; Histop Stephen, Work on India, noticed…. 364 mission of M. E. Church. South. 286; Rev. Historic Churches in the East, George' H. T. Richards on the condition of thin!;s, 312; the Greek Church alive. 312; prohibitory Schodde. Ph. D …………………… 819 laws against rum.368; appeal for the In- Historical Outline of Missions flmong the dnstrial Home. 372: Japan under its con- stitution. 379; statistics of miSSIOns for Jews,Prof. B. Pick, Ph. D ……… 669; 750 1868. 391; the outlook in, 410.,i Secretary Holcomb's "Bits about India," noticed …. 519 Wishard's letter relating to x. 111. C. A. Home Missions, Joseph Cook on, 867; Sec'y building in Tokio, 452; letter of Rev. Fred (Jurtis, 452; etIorts to revive Buddhism, Wines on convicts, etc…………….. 888 462; first year's impressions of Japan, 504 ; Humphrey, Dr. Heman, Weighty Words … 790 a college revival. 523; OPPOSItion to Union. Hnnter. Sir William, on the Religions of 559; change of sentiment, 560; report of Council of MisslonR, 560; religion the ab- India …………………………….. 271 soroing topic, 612; editorial to Buddhists, 613 ; hindrances and helps. 616; notes from Icela.nd. number of converts…….•…•. 478 Japan, 622; the sunrIse kingdom. 700; Ja- panese Christian Church, 798; the great INDIA.–Report of TravancoreCommittee crisis in, 815; notes from Japan, 862; new of L. M. S .• 55; revival of Hinduism. 72; re- constitntion.871 ; itemsof interest, 879; Ja- ply to some of Dr. pust's criticisms. 128; pan Mission annual report, 880. Miss Griffin. account of Missionary Confer- ence at Lucknow.l29 ; how the opium traf- fic a.ro86.134; incidentsof the work in Japan, 142'1 Grant Dufl"s address before FAinburgh Phi o. Institution. 153; Ca.techlsm Aryan- Vedie religion, 153; Christian Vernacu- la.r Ed. Society. 153; a voice from India, 208; times of refreshing, 212; character, of the Chinese. 219; statistical abstract of em- pire, 232; the Hanchow Hospital, 234; wo- men in Japan. 238; Sir William Hnnter on the religions of India. 271 ; area. ponulation. etc.,278; the ,. P~tna." case in court,303; 8t PAGE. Missionary Agents, The Distribntion J;AGIIl.
JAVA.-Missionary work, 154; description Rev. Edward Storrow•…………… : 262 of, etc., 546; when missionary work began, Missionary LibrarY-6 vols.-noticed…… : 518 300; number of converts in central district, Missionary Training School, Boston ….•… 880 399. JJ() Jenanyan, Rev. H. S., St. Paul's Institute.. 51 MIRACLES OF MISSIONS.-No. IX., Jerusalem, rapid growth of the city .213; 478; 940 Signs of the Supernatural in the General Work. 28; No. X., Mission to the Blind in China, 106; JEWS.-Freshman's missionary work in No. XI., A Wonderful Work in the West Indies, New York,'lsil; Jewish population of PrussIa, 187; No. XII., The Story of Siam, 845; No. 159; mission to Jews in Paris, 230; mission in XIII.• Work Among the Wynds of Glasgow, Philadelphia, 231; Christianity among the 492; No. XIV., The Land of the Inquisition, Jews, 365; Jewish mission work, 419; move- 588 ; the Land of Esther, 909. ments of various Jewish societies, 449; first Missionary, The, in the midst of poverty… 857 Hebrew church in America, 615; history of Missionary Conference in London, Report Jewish missions, 669, 750; Jews in Paris, 798; Judaism and ethics, 79ti; missions among, 9il9; of. noticed…………….. ……….. 122 mission notes, 925; great interest in their evan- Missionary Periodicals, Have we too many, JgeelWi~za:tDi~o~n~, ~94~4~.~. ~~~~'..~.o'..~'..~~~.~~~~b~~ J.M. S …………………………… 592 Missionary Heroes in Africa, Robt. N. Cust Jesnit missions, number, etc ………….. :L394 Jesuitism in Canada, Fight with ……….. 632 LL.D……………•……………… : 117 Johnston, H. H., quoted ………………. 521 M!ss!onary Ye.ar-Book for 1889 …….. 320; 475 KOREA.-The work in Seoul, 288; Korea a MISSIOnary WIfe, A, what Dr. Herrick says miracle in modern missions, 312 ; aid asked for famine, 312; Underwood's statement and ap- of her ……………………………. 313 peal for Korea, 456; the Hermit nation, 703; Misapprehension, A, of a critic of "Crisis progress of the gospel, 798; Union Mission, 851 ; friendly criticism. 856. of Mission" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. 790 Keith-Fslconer. Hon. Ion., Rev. J. Mutch.. 414 Moody's Training School.. . . . . . . •. . . . . . . . .. 945 KeUey, Mrs. Augusta, memoirs, noticed …. 519 Monthly.Concert, topics for 1890.•…•…… 942 Kinnard, Dowager Lady, death of ………. 385 Moravian Gen. Synod …………………. 925 Land of the Inquisition, The, A. T. P …… 58B Moravian iVIissions, The Marvel of, Rev. D. Larkin. Clarence, How to make missionary L. Leonard…………………….. : .. 332 Wall Maps and Charts …………….. 129 Mohammedanism, Dr. Post on Islam ……. 218 Lay missionaries in China, B. C. Atterbury, Mohammedanism …………………….. 682 Mohammedan Revolution in Uganda ……. 276 M.D……………………………… 435 Money, The Christianization of. ….•…… 744 Leo XIII. and the civil power….•…….. , 629 Lincoln. Bishop, Trial of. . . . . . . . .. …….. 710 Monthly Concert,A. 'r. Pierson, D.D., Gen- Looking Backward and Forward, Editorial, 1 Ludlow, James M., Henry Martyn………. 14 eral Survey, 67; Texts and Themes for Miss. Sermons……………………. , 70 "' MADAGASCAR.-L. M, S. pushing its work, Mormon Morality…………………….. 541 78; growth of schools, 154; Mrs. Leavitt's Moslem Manifesto, A ……. , …………… 862 – grand work, 154 ; school statistics, 232; should Mossoul, Jewish Congregation at……. …. 58 be prayed for, 813; Mrs. Leavitt's visit. 313 ; Mott. Geo. S., D.D., Letter to Dr. PierRon .. 131 History of its mission by Dr. Brockett, 357; 421 Muhler, Rev. George, results of life work .. ZiI!l McAn, Rev. R. W., important statement of Murray's Bible in the PacifiC, noticed .. , … 388 his work in France •……..• , ………. 450 NEW GUINEA.-Grand field for miss. McAJI Association, The American ……….. 474 work,73. Marshal Bazaine …………………….. , 633 New Guinea, account of mission work… . .. 540 MEXICO.-Destitution of the Bible, 73; new NEW MEXICO.-A ~new mission in Para- mission stations, 154; periodical literatnre of guay,73. . Mexico, 369; plea for a college 399: Friends' Mission, 399; progress. 479; vainable discov- NEW ZEALAND.-Is in fact evangelized, 73; 926. " ery.557. :Mitchell, Dr. Arthur, on vindication of mis- Nevius, John L .. D.D., on Synod of China.. 46 Nevius, Dr., on famine in Shantung …. : … 372 sions……………………………… 92B Nichobar Islands, The, S. P. G., begun miss. Mattees, Rev. S., letter on Syrian Chris- work in ………………•………… 397 Nind, Rev. Geo., on Brazil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 tians…………………………… 691 Norton, Alhert, stirring letter…..•…….. 68~ Martyn, Henry• James M. Ludlow.. . . . . . . . . 14 Noyes, Rev. H. V., Mohammedanism in Mechlin. Rev. John C., on Petsia……….. 50 China ……………………………. 58 Medical charity the fruit of Christianity… 41)0 Medical Miss. Rociety. InternationaL …… 719 Oriental Justice, a Case of…………….. 387 Metheny, Mrs. Dr., affecting acconnt of her ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK. work in Mersine ………………….. 127 Methodist E. Church, appropriations for Latest Reports of Missionary Societies. American Board of Foreign MiSSions, sta- 1889-90.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 159 tistical table,156; 80th annoalreport … 947 Ministry of Money. The, No. I., A. T. P., African Methodist Church, Miss. Board.3S9; r55 . 661; No. II., Rev. W. Harrison, 744; American Bible Society. . . . •. . . . . . . . .. …. 555 No. Ill., Wm. Thaw, an example, by Association for Improvement of Remote Dr. E. P. Cowan …………………. 894 Highlands, etc., in connection with Free Church of Scotland…………………. 287 Mission and Commission of the Church, A. British and Foreign Bible Society…… 124 ~ ~38 T. P ……………………………… 321 British Syrian Mission Schools. etc….. : . " 712 Baptist, American ~lis8ionary Union…….. 794 Missions, The Vindication of, A. T. P. . . . . . 81 Missions, recent assaults on ……………. 384 " Brethren. General. ……………. 795 Missions and the new Theology………… 871 Gen. ASBo. of U. S. and Territo- Missions, another Assault, W. S. Cane ….. 47~ ries ……. . ………….. ,'95 Missions, Further 'I'estimonies to, A. T. P.. 242 Missions in the Levant, No. II.• Their Miss. Convention, The Consoli- dated, Amer………………. 795 Methods, 20; No. III., Their Results, Rev. Edwin M. Bliss ………………. 190 Convention, Southern…………. 795 Missions among the Jews, Historical. .669; 750 Miss. Society, Seventh-day O..n.t.a1r2i5~' 794 Missions to Lepers …………………… , 535 Foreign Miss. Society of and Quebec ……………. 551 ; 954 Brethren (German)….. . ……. 947 Amer. Free, Mission in Southern Benga. ………………….. 286 PAGE. • PAGII. South American Miss. Association •••••••… 389 llaptist Amer. Free, Woman's Miss. So- ciety……………………… 288 SOCiety for the P. of Gospel in Foreign Church of England in Canada ………….. 955 Parts …………………………….. 555 Church Missionary Society…………….. 711 Spanish Evangelistic :Hission in Figueras •. 285 China Iuland Missi'?n……. : …………. 7ti..l Chnstlan MIss. SOCiety, Foreign ……….. 95~ United Brethren in Christ, church statis- tics, 390; annual report ……………. 952 Christian Connection …………………. 958 United Church of Christ in Japan ………. 551 Chnrch of God ……………………….. 952 Welsh Calvinistic Methodist, England ….. 875 Colonial and Contiuental Ch. Society …… 712 'Voman.. s Missionary ~oCleties of Can… Danish Evangelical Miss. Society ………. 283 ada…………………………… 43; 155 Darjeeling. Mission. . . … … . ………….. 288 Woman's lIliss. Societies of Great Britain Egyptian Mission, statistics of, 1865, 1887… 551 and Ireland … '" ……………… ,44; 155 Evangelical AslSociation ………………. 953 Womau's Foreign Miss.:Work ………….. 155 GeI'man Evan~elical Mission SOcieties ….. 157 . PERSIA.-Dr, Bruce's Account, 154 ; Mis- Jaffa Medical Mission and Hospital.. …… 555 ~lOn Movements., 524; Amer. Presbyterian Keith·Falconer Mission, S. Arabia………. 71:! Mission, 5~J; the land of Esther, 909; the Jews Leper House in Jerusalem …………….. 521 and the Shah,764; Pel'sia and its Missions Leipzig Missionary Society……………… 124 781 j Dr. Pierson on Persia. 909. '
London Association in Aid of the lloravian Paraguay, A New Mission Started……… 154 ·Missions …………………………. 389 Pa~'an Reli..::ion, Ethical Value of………. 3~2 London Missionary Society … . •.. . . . . .. 711 Luth~ran, The Evangelical Mission (Leip- Papal C!Jurch, The Attitude of ~he, Toward SiC) ……………………………… 284 Progress, A. T. P.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. …. …. 577 Lutheran Evangelical Gen. Synod in India. 550 Papal Doctrine ……………………….. 866 " "Church Gen. Council. 946 Papal Lands, Important Events in, A. T. P. 268 " h H U Synod .. 946 Patna Case, Progress in ………………. 385 McAll Mission in France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 953 Paton, John G., book noticed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364 Parkhurst, C. H., D.D., quoted ………… 686 Malayalam Mission, Travancore, L. M. S .. 550 Mennonite Ganel'al Conference ………… 253 Pierson, A. T .. D.D., Resig-nation of Pas- Methodist Episcopal Church, receipts for torate for Miss ionary Work……… '" 871 1887-88. tables ………………… 157; 314 Popnlation, That Question of, F. F. Eilin- Methodist Episcopal Church (South)J"pan wood, D.D………………………. 250 M.ission. .. … . .. … .. .. ….. . .. … .. . 286 Portuguese, and the Slave Traffic ………. 915 Prayer, The Unspoken. Poem ………… 308 Methodist Miss. Society (Canada) ………. 123 Pra)"er-Basis of Mission Work. A. T. P •• 652 Methodist Church, Canada …………….. 954 " Protestant Church, U. S. A ….. 954 PreshyterianBoards' Receipts ………… 640 Episcopal .. (South) ….. 954 Presid{'nt Harrison and ::Missions ….. 630; 708 U H (African) . .. 95 Pl'ess, The, on Forei!'u Mission Fields …. 41i8 Protestant Churches of the U. S., Contribn- Wesleyan Methodist Connection (Ameri- tlons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480 can) ……………………………… 952 Protestant Epis. Church U. S., Statistics .. 687 Wesleyan Methodist Mis"ion in Mysore dis- Protestantism in Hamburg …………… 502 triCt …………………………….. 549 Protestant lI1issionade<! and Lepers …….. 851 Methodist E. Church, North India Con ….. 549 Private Missionary Enterprises. . . . . . . . . . .. 870 " " Bengal }'IiRsion ……. 550 .. E. MiSSion, Bareilly Theo. Sem. 550 RUSSIA.-interrerence in African Affairs, 400; persecution of Lutheran Chllrch, 719: Day- , "Central China Miss .. 555 break Among the Kirghiz, 764; Con verts Bap- " Protestant Church, 1888……… 388 tized.798. Medical Miss. Association, …………….. 389 Ramabai's Inetit.lItion for CbJild Widows. .. 64 Reed. Hon. William R, D;stingnished Ser- Edingborgh Medical Miss. Society ………. 389 Moravian Missions ……………. 283; 712; 792 viees while U. S. Minister to China …. 835 London Asso. in Aid of Moravian Missions. 712 Heformca, or Covenanter ChUl·ch ………. 369 Netherland Societies.
Netherland Missionary Union ………….. 522 Reforme( CatholiCS; Labors of Rev. James " "Society.. .. .. . . .. … 522 A. O'Conn"r …………………….. 474 Rescued Sla ves Fund …………………. 240 Christian Reformed Church in the Nether- lands …………………………….. 522 Returned 1Ilissionaries Work at Home ….. 772 .~Mi8sion and Church of Ermeloo, Ja va . . . . . . 5~2 Revelle's Improved Atlas of the World, no- Mennonite Union for P. G. in Dutch Colo- ticed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . · …………… 518 nies ……………………………… 528 Richardson, Rev. A. D., Letter Giving In- teresting Facts ……………………. 371 Dutch Lutheran Society for H. and F. Missions ……………………………. /)23 Ronriguef'l.. MadalPe J-,opez, Letter on l'1is- • sion Work ill Figueras ……………. 290 Java Comite,Batavia for H. and F. Miss .. 528 Utrecht Mission Union H " 523 Roman ('atholic Encroachments on Protes- H Rhenish Mission Society, Barmen, Ger•…. 523 tant Mi!"sions. . ………………….. Bn9 North Africa MissioD …………………..1954 Romanism in Quebec…………………. eo8 Romamsm, D,·. Dore.hester on ………. '" 791 Pl'esbyterian Church in the U. S. of America …………………………….. 874 Roussel, Napoleon, Sketch orLife ……… 581 Presbyterian Church in the U. S. (Sonth)… 947 SCOTLAND~-Important 'PaperR on Mis- Fion Suhjects, 73; Church of Scotland, Young H "America (United) …. 877 Men's Guild, 1:35; Annual lIfeeting Nat. Bible h " i n Canada, …. ", .. , … 877 SOCiety, 400. Samoa ………………………………. 886 inEn,e;land ……….. 875 Samoa, Mormon Invasion. .. ….. .. .. … .. 5!JO Samoans, The Fille Race. etc ………….. 400 Cumberland ………. 952 Associate Reformed Church, (South) …………….. 952 Church, Reformed ……….. , 712 " in N. A., General SIAM.-The Story of, A. T. P., 345; Area, Synod (Reformed) ……..•• 874 population, religion, etc., 3~0. Free Chnrch of ScotJan<l …… 876 Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.A.. 952 SPAIN .-Pel'eecution and Trial of Rev. J. R~formed (Dutch )Church of America….. 873 M. Vila, 57; Evan!!elistic missir'n work in Fi- Reformed (German) Church in the U. S …. 947 gueras, 285; Letter from Madame Rodrigues, 290; Rhenish Missionary Society ……………. 389 Irish Pt"f'sbyterian Work, 313; "SunnySpaill~H Seaman's Friend Society, American … 126; 504 464; The Land of the Inquisition, 588; Celebra- Seaman's Rest, Marseilles ……………… 2A7 tion of the Discovery of America, 609; Second South American Missionary Society ……. 954 Reformation, 628; lI1edical Missions, 629; PAGE. Thibet, expulsion 01 Roman Catholic Mi~~GE. Strength ofProtestant Church, 636; Irisll Presb. . sionaries…………………………. 210 Work, 640; Irisll Presb, Ch ……………. 719 Sumatra, Dutcll Mission Work …………. 230 Thlbet, not open to missions …………… 479 Sweden, Princess Eugenie Establishes a Thlbet, area, etc ……………………… 160 Missiou House …………………… 313 Thibetans, a praying people….•……….. 525 Sweden, Request for Prayer………….. 292 Tahiti, interesting account of.. …..••….•. ~530 South Africa, The Mustard-Seed of Missions Terra del Fuefl;o.. . … . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . .. … 869 Texts and Themes for miss. sermons ..308; 363 in, Rev. Lewis Grout ………………. 488 Teluga people, speedy evangelization, reso- lutIOns of Canadian Baptist Miss. Con. 549 SYRIA.-Eddy's Arabic Oommentary, 74; Transfer of Political Power, Dr. J. T. Gra- The Abeih Field, 74; Ancient Syrian Church, cey………………………….. ; …. 375 136; Dr. Jessup ou Student Graduates, 213; En- Trans~ations from Foreign Missionary magcouragement, 230; Protestant College, 313' azmes, Rev. Chas. C. Starbnck, 40; Emigration of Syrians, 313; Statistics of Presb: 28403];; 92176.9; 358'' 512,' 601,' 674.,' -756' Missions, 392-90; Annual !leeting of Syrian Missions,4oo; A Private Letter, 453; lIlurder I , of a Faithful Missionary, 52g; Journal of :liiss. 'fonr, 613; Dr. Lindsay 76,p3 Freshman Mis- . UNITED STATES.-Mr. Hand's princely sion,770; Letter from Miss. Jl'lary P. Eddy, 613' g~f~ .for Free~men, 74; Dr. Pierson's gift of Syrian Prot. College, 636; Outlook. 640; Dr: Cnsls'of MiSSIOns, 74; Y. M. C. A. Conference Pierson on Syria, 936; Union Church in Bei- at Stockholm, 74; Christian endeavor,7th rerut, 937. port, 74; Protestant Episcopal Missions, 74; Sailor's Magazine, Bound Vol., 1888, no- theol. schools for the colored race, 369: falling ticed … , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 off in miss. receipts, 369 ; Dorchester's statis- Sailor's Bethel in New Orleans ………… 231 ~ics of th~ churches of the U. S. for 1888, ;)94; Salvation Army… .. .. … ………. .. ….. 398 !tems of, Interest, 480; medical missions, 719 ; Scandinavia, the Lutheran religion.; ……. 230 Items ofmterest, 720; Dr. G76u6in; nceosrsr'evcitsiiot~s76o5~' Scott, Rev. James, Mission work among' Indian POlitical probiem, the Zulus in Africa. .. … ………….. 52 Madagascar article, 770; letter from Rev. W. Scott Rev. J. E. letter from India ……… . McBray, 771; Dr. Gninness m Kam,as, 772; Semi-Centennial of Detitzsch's Hebrew departure of missionaries, non-partisan Indian New Testament, Geo. H.Schodde.Ph. D. 97 schools, miSSIOnary interest, 799; mission Serving our own Generation. A. T. P……. 148 press, Home miss. work, 800. . Shaftesbury, Lord, Statue of…………… 240 UnderWood, Rev. H. G., letter concerning Shaftesbury, the Evangelistic Earl, A. T. P .. 741 ~ork in Seonl, Korea ……….. : ….,288 Slavery, Current Conflict with, Jas. John- Uphllas and the Gothic Bible, J. M. Ludlow, D.D……………………………… 250 ston, A. S. A ………………………. 914 Utah, Good tidings from ………………. 317 Slave Trade. The, in EaAtern Africa. Ed. . . . 79 Van Norden …………………………. 808 Slenny, Edward H., Sec. N.AfricanMission, Victoria, Congregational Union ……•….. 241 Wainright, Sam'l H. , letter from Japan …. 613 letter from, 2~1 …………………… , .Waldensian Church Statistics ………….. 635 Snodgrass, Rev. E. letter on Japan ……… 613 t::lomerville Sec., Rev. R. M., account ofmur· Waldensians, The, and their Bi-Centennial, Prof. Henry W. Hulbert……………. 641 der of a missionary in Antioch ………. 529 Wallace, Alfred Rnssell, remarkable testi- South A.merioa, laborers wa)1ted in Col- • mony to value of missions ………….. 297 War, The Cost of…………………….. 944 umbla …………………………… 619 Spurgeon on Revivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6H2 'Varne'.'k's Modern Missions and Culture, Starbuck, Rev. Chas. C., Translations from notICed ………………………….. 361 Foreign Missionary Magazines 40 ; 201 ; West Indies, A wonderful work in the, A. 279; 358: 512 ; 601 ; 674; 756; 843; 919; T. P.. , …….. o..f. …………………. 187 Stevenson, Wm.Fleming, D.D., Life of, no- West's Missions,"noticed … 519 ticed…………………………….. ; 363 '~Romance Statistics (tabulated) of the Missionary So- cieties of the World ………………948-51 Whtar I a missionary-statistics of contri- " Strange Doctrine," A. T. P …………… 545 u IOns …………………………. 296 Stndent Missionary UpriSing, The, John R. Mott ……………………………. 824 William's" Sonth Sea Islands, " noticed … 518 Stndent Volunteer Movement for Foreign Wilson, John, Life of, noticed…………. 122 Missions, 200; 361 ; 442; 516; 605 Women's Christian Temperance Union….. 234 Snggestions from correspondents, and edi- Woman's Miss. Societies of the U. S., sta- tistics ……………………………. 155 t tors reply ………………………… 493 Woman's work in missions …………. : .. 610 Switzerland Evan. Society ……………. 880 Woman and Woman's Work at the London Conference. Mrs. Dr. J. T. Gracey ….. 111 TURKEY. – Government opposition to Wood, Rev. C. B., A voice from India…… 208 rMmeisosthsraiiocmntimoinendsflaumneiansdmcee297o64p;p; rleewtsitstehiverrefinr4Oo0~"0E~irnzsferluorevonimccee3s7oo1ff' Vorld's Debt to missionaries, The ……… 297 Minister Htraus, 479: American institutions in World's Evangelization, The, and the Book (~onstantinople ~25; statistics of E. Turkey Mis- of Acts …………………………… 490 sIOn 609; Tnrklsh Government and American 'World's Miss. Com. of Christian Women… 861 schools,78B; a concession, 799 ; the revival at Anitab, 927. Work among- the Wynds of Glasgow, Taylor (J. Hndson) and Radcliffe's Mission A. T. P ………………………….. 492 Working Theology of the day ………….. 945 Campai~n in America.. " …. . ~. .. ….. 33 Worship' of the virO'in …………. , …….. 896 Taylor, Bishop Wm …………………… 234 Yoga, Sir Monier Williams, description of Taylor's China MiSSions, noticed ………. 364 devotees ………………………. '" 383· Znlulano, descriptive ………………… 468 zUIT;' R!,li!!'ious Views and Practices. Rev. eWlS Gront………………………. 734
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,