The Missionary Review of the World — April 1927
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Dept. No. 20 ….~.- New York Don't HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Worry Theological Seminary Are you beginning to show In- School of Religious Education vestors' Worry-wrinkles? Kennedy School of Missions Are you uncertain about the se- w. DOUGLAS MACKENZIE, President curity back of your investments? A UNIVERSITY of religion. Three separate You can avoid all uncertainty sChools of Christian training grouped ou one and worry by investing in AN- oampus. The Theological Seminary trains for NUITY AGREEMENTS of the ministry; the School of Missions for the foreign field; the School of Religious Education the Home and Foreign Mission for the lay worker and teacher and for social Boards: Write to: service. Courses in any of the three schools are open to all students. Thus .apportunity is Morria W. Ehnea, Treaourer. BOaId of Foreitn olIered for full-rounded religioui! education. Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 150 Filth Avenue, New York, N. Y•• or Hartford Seminary Foundation is located In the center of the intellectual and cultural Ute W. J. Elliott. Tre..urer, Board of Home Mis. of New England, half way between Bostc)U and .ionl and Church J;:xteb.sion of the Methodiot Episco. pal Church. 1701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa• New York.
A series of handsome and wen-appointed buildings makes its campus one of the most beautiful in its section of the country. The Case Memorial Library containing 125,000 volumes is for the use of the three schools. This is one of the richest theologlcal libranes in the country. The faculty' Is composed of twenty-eight scholarly men and women who have attained distinction In their respective fields. .
HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Hartfpri., Connect~cut Please mention THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF T:fIE WORT.;O in writing to advertisers. THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor Contents for April, 1927 FRONTISPIECE Page • •.•… KATHARINE SCHERER CRONK EDITORIALS ……………………. 245 Who led the Children of luael into the ProDliaed Land? A MISSIONARY ADVOCATE TRANSLATED. Whe…. Noah'. Ark landed? Who was the first great Chriatlan CHINA AND THE MISSIONARY PROGRAM. mi8sionary?
THE JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE. FREE-Send for this AMERICA'S PJ,JGHT AND THl<~ RNM.l<my. 5-minute Bible Test SOME OBSERVATIONS IN CHOSEN …. Test your knowledge of the Bible. See how much • ••••••••••..••.. ROBERT E. SPEER 2Fll you really know about this great Book of Books.
A 'Personal report on a recent visit to ~~BlbPei~:ll~~~~~~.~~~S~~~y~~~~~ Korea. well-rounded knowledge.useful in your everyday AN INDIAN CHRISTIAN LIGHT-BEARER Christian experience. Ten courses-non-secta- PART I ………… R. A. POPLEY 256 nan-one suited wyour particularneeds. 34,000 students have already found the great satisfac.. The !i/e-8tory 01 Dewan Bohallur A. S. tion and joy that comes from knowing the Bible. Don't deny yourself this wonderful experience. Aj.."'j)aswamy, a remarkable Christian oj India. Ihlst~~~~~llberrf=~~~~~i~~~;;~!;~ THE IDEAL VS. THE REAL IN HINDU- ISM …………. G. N. THOMSSEN 264 A 8tudy of a religion of India accord- ing to bOfJks' arut according to people.
A MOSLEM'fj IMPRE'SSIONS OF CHRIS- MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE TIANITY …. CHARLES R. WATSON 273 CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL Why the Moslem does not want to be a Dept 4684 153 Institute Place. Chic.cOt Ill.
Christian – and why he does. I Mood" llible Institute I Dt'pt. 4684, 153 Institute Place. Chicago. 111. THE LEGITIMACY OF EVANGELICAL MISSIONS IN LATIN-AMERICA I Plea~ send me, Fre('. your 5-Minute II • •••••••..•• WEBSTER E. BROWNING 277 I Bible Test. No obligation.
AN ADEQUATE PROGRAM FOR HOME I I Name… ……………….. ……………………………………. MISSIONS …….. JAY S. STOWELL 284 I Street and No. ……… I ………………………… ! I ~:~~:::…………:….. :……….:…..:: ..::::::=:::::::::::: FREEDOM FOR MOSLEM WOMEN …. ————_…. L · . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. G. KING 288 PERSONALS BEST METHODS FOR PROMOTING STEWARDSHIP ……………. 290 REV. ALLE;!,! R. BARTHOLOMEW, D.D.. for WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSION BULLETIN twenty-five years Secretary of the Boa.~d of •••• EDITED BY ELLA D. MACLAURIN 295 Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church WOMAN'S HOME MISSION BULLETIN .. in the United States, i.~ celebrating this year • •• EDITED :BY FLORENCE E. QUINLAN 298 his golden jubilee in the ministry. NEWS FROM: MANY LANDS ……….. 302 *** THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY ………. 318 REv". WILLIAM PATON, formerly Secreta.ry TERMS.-$2.50 a year. ($2.00 In clubs of five.) Foreign postage, 50 cents. Single copies, of the Nationa.l Christian Council of India, 25 cents. PubUshed montbly. CQPyrighted. 1925, by MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISIDNG COM- has been chosen to succeed Miss G. A. Gol- PANY, INC. All rights reserved. lock on the editorial staff of the Inter· na.tional Review of Mis8ions. . * .. to THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING REV. A. S. PEAKE, D.D., well known in COMPANY, Inc. the United States for his writings in the field of biblical scholarship, has been elected ROBERT E. SPEER. President President of the National Free Church WILLIAM 1. CH.AMBERLAIN, Vice..President . Council of Great Britain, DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary W ALTEB McDOUGALL, Treasurer PROFESSOR A. F. FULTQN, of the In- PubUcation olllee, 3d & Reily Sts., Harrisburg, dustrial Institute conducted in Morristown, Pa. 25c a copy. $2.~O a year Tenn., by the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was, when Editorial and Business 01llce, 156 Filth Avenue, a lad, sold as a slave for $1,196 in a build- New York City ing which is still standing on the campus of Entered as s:econd-class matter at the Po~t the Institute. Office, Harrisburg. Pa., under Act ot March 3. 1879.
Please mention THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD In writing to adv…-tlsers,
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on Missions in this RT. REv. H. W. K. MOWLL, for several Generation years Dean of Wycliffe College, Toronto, has suC)ceeded the late Bishop Cassels, of NOW IN ITS 21ST LARGE PRINTING "the Cambridge Seven," as Anglican Bishop of Western China.
*** REV. ANI) MRS. J. B. HAIL, retired members of the JJ.ij>an Mission of the Presbyterian Church'in the U. S. A., went out fifty years ago to Japan, where they are Iiving still. .
*** HARB.Y P. CoNVERSE, editor of the Christian Observer" is the third in direct descent to hold that position, His grandfather beearne editor in 182,7.
* REV. FRANKB. ~EELEY, D.D., of Kingston, N. Y., has been elected President of the Board of Domestic Missions of the Reformed Church in America.
*** REV. DANIEL A. POLING, D_D., President of the United Society of Christian Endeavor and minister of the Marble Collegiate Church in NeW York City, has accepted the presidency of the Greater New York Federation of Churches.
/REV. JOHN 'It. GoLDEN, of Decatur, Ill., has been appointed a secretary of the United Christian Missionary Society (Disciples).
REV. JAMES S. KIT'fELL, D.D., of Jersey City, N. J., has been elected Secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions of the Reformed Church in America to succeed the late Dr. William T. Demarest.
* THE BRITISH WEEKLY: "One of the most uplifting books in modern OHARLES EVANS HUGHRS, former Secre- missionary annals. Its Scenes and saytary of State, has accepted the Chairman- ings will enrich hundreds of missionship of the American Committee of the .ary addresses in days to come." World Conference on Faith and Order, to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in Au- THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY: "It gust, 1927. will be read and re-read in all western commuuionsi and is one of "the mem- *"" orable books lnconuection with the mis- sionary enterprises of the churches." REV. THOMAS BARCLAY, seventy-seven years old and for fifty-two years a mission- MANCHESTER GUARDIAN: "One ary of the Presbyterian Church of England of thamost anthrallingmissionary books in Formosa, returned to his field in October I have ever read. But it is far more after a brief furlough, to complete the re- than a book about missions." vised translation of the Old Testament into Amoy dialect. $1 PRICE, NET, POSTPAID *** = ==-= At the Better Bookahope MR. RUASELL W. ABEL, the son of the THE ABINGDON PRESS Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Abel, pioneer missionaries in New Guinea, has recently visited NEW fORK CINCINNATI CHICAGO America on his way out to take up work in BOSTON PITTSBURCH SAN FRANCISCO Kwato, (Eastern Papua), under the aus- DETROIT KANSAS OTT PORTUND. ORE. pices' of the New Guinea Evangelization Society of America.
*** RRv. AWEN II. CLARK, D.D., of the to Marathi Mission of the American Board, has been transferred from Bombay Ahmednagar, ill order to take up some of . . . the work of the late Rev. Henry Fairbank, D.D.
MRS. W. H. C. GOODE has been elected Prelrident of the Women's Home MissiQn1j,ry Society of the Methodist Episcopal diiurch.
Pleas. mention tHE MISSIONAIIY R"VIEW OF THE WORLD In writing to advertisers.
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July 14. 1877 to March 12, 1927
APRIL, 1927
L FOUR ANOTHER E,AR'l'HQUAKE IN JAPAN EARTHQUAKE, :flood and fire again visited Japan on March 6th, 'causing considerable loss of life and much damage to property in the central provinces of Hondo, the main island. It was about two hundred and fifty miles from Yokohama. Over three thousand people are reported killed and nearly seven thousand injured, with ten thousand homes destroyed and at least twenty thousand people homeless. Most of the damage was in the Tango district north of Osaka and Kobe in Kyoto prefecture. A whole plateau in one region slipped, destroying the towns resting upon it. The following towns were largely destroyed: Kumikama, Mimeyama, Amimo, Iwataki and Kaya. Some damage was done in Osaka and Kobe. None of the towns seriously damaged are mission stations but the eenter of the relief work is Miyazu, where the Roman Catholic Church has one missionary. The ,Tapanese Christians, the Red Cross and the Japanese Government have energetically undertaken adequate relief measures.
AMERICA'S PLIGHT AND 'fRE RJiJMEDY "RICH aIHl increased iu goods," but with growing spiritual poverty, seems to be the general diagnosis of America's pre:,;ellt condition. '1'he newspapers are filled with reports of divorce:,;, scandals, murders, hold-ups, robberies, descriptions of unclean plays and salacious literature, and with suicides of young men, girls and business men of prominence. This is the dark side of the picture, it is true, but it presents a distinct phase and tendency of American life that cannot be ignored. Judges and magistrates warn us of the growth of crime and the lowering of moral standards among our youth. Over eighty per cent of the criminals of the country are less than twenty-five years of age. In explaining this condition, Justice Cropsey of Brooklyn, says: 245
A dozen years of investigation and experience have demonstrated to me that the vast majority of youthful offenders have committed crime because they have had bad associates in the years when their boyhood was turning into manhood-between the ages of 12and 18. Then a boy's ideals are acquired, his character formed. In those years every boy needs to be under the influence of the right kind. Tens of thousands of boys are nightly on the streets looking for amusement, seeking adventure, yearning for companionship. Many have no father; the parents of many others give them little or no heed. Sh()uld we not provide places where such boys may meet and play and be f'ntertained and instructed, and all the time be under the influence of men of the right kind? This can be done.' It has been done in a small way and with wonderful results. Why should we not undertake it in a big way? We can lessen crime by giving our attention to our youths.
But there is need for some more drastic and thorough remedy than boys' clubs, as is pointed out by Dr. Walter S. Athearn, a leading educator, as a result of his recent investigations testing the character and ideals of school children in America. Dr. Athearn states that over half of the children were found to cheat, lie and steal, and that their whole outlook on life is non-moral. Miss Georgia Robertson, a worker for reform measures in Washington, summarizes the report as follows: Trained scientists took children from schools and with ingenious laboratory tests bared their souls to our gaze! The scientists have written down in percentages the character rating of these children for us to behold!
Thousands of children were given what was called the "True-False" tests. A majority of the boys and girls answered as follows: "It is not wrong to steal from one who has secured his wealth dishonestly." " It is more honorable to have charge of an office than to work at a trade. " "Stu pidity is more sinful than deceit." "Unnecessarily failing to meet an appointment on time is not immoral or un-Christian." "It is true that our duty is greater to secure justice for the people of our own race and religion than for others." "Cheating a railroad is not 80 much a sin as cheating a person." "It is i1'ue that if a store keeper gives you too much money it is all right to keep it, because he would probably do the same if you paid him too much." All the children had to do was to make a pencil mark under the word true or false to show what they thought about it. Thousands of them declared these statements true! What teaching had they had either in school or at home, or how effective had it been that they held such views? The disclosure HhoWH the trend of thought in America today among school children! ~ot only did the~e children ~tate their approval of dishonesty, but whell put to the test they acted diHhoneHtly. When sent to II fltore with 25 centH to buy a certain article, and, by prearrangement, the clerk would say: "We are selling this for 15 cents today, " or would give a dime in change as though by mistake, "64 per cent of the children did not return the dime either to the teacher or to the store." The scientists feel that this is a true average for all American children. Other tests of honesty in paying their fare on crowded street cars, and reporting at a cafeteria how much food they had selected, showed that not half of them reported honestly! Another test showed dishonesty in examinations. The paper was in double sheets, the lower one waxed so it showed corrections. The questions and answers were put on the blackboard, the answers concealed by a map. While
J EDITORIAL COMMENT
the children were left alone in the room the map fell down and plenty of time was allowed for them to correct their papers from the board. "In some of these tests J 00 per cent of the children yielded to the temptation."
Children now growing up are living in an atmosphere hostile in many ways to best character development. Our forefathers braved a long perilous journey to a wild desolate land, peopled only with Indians, that they might have liberty to worship God aceording to the dictates of their own consciences. The family Bible was in the home, God was acknowledged there; children were taught to obey Him, and went to church to worship Him. In the schools, founded soon after their arrival, the Christian religion was taught, also in the church and private schools that became so numerous. It was not until about 1875 that our present public school system was established by taxation and religion was excluded. Our children were robbed of religious instruction and we are reaping the result today in increase of crime among youths.
Dr. Athearn points out the remedy as follows: "Unless children are taught religion they will not be religious; children can be taught in such a way that the whole course of their entire lives is changed." It is a significant fact that in the tests made by Dr. Athearn, Boy Scouts stood the highest. One of the troops of Boy Scouts organized two years before came within 17.7 per cent of being one hundred per cent trustworthy and honest.
There has without doubt been a break-down in the religious training of children in America. Parents have failed to do their duty by failing to give their children a training in Christian principles, by example and by precept.
Citizens have failed to help the children of their neighbors. There must be a return to the teaching of true religion in the home and the practice of Christianity in the family if conditions are to be improved. Sin is everywhere about us and can be conquered only by the truths set forth by Jesus Christ. Social betterment will not remedy the evil. IDthical instruction is not enough. Religious training is not adequate. Our children must be brought up to love and reverence God and to honor His name, His day, His Word. They must learn what it means to surrender to Christ and to follow Him. America is doomed unless a deeper sense of responsibility to God and of devotion to His will is developed in the hearts of the people, young and old.
CHINA AND THE MISSIONARY PROGRAM T HE conflicts and changes that continue in China have ham- pered, but have not put an end to, Christian missions there. The war between Northern and Southern forces has made it advisable for some American and British missionaries to leave stations in the war areas, but the large majority of them are still at work. One station (Chenchow, Hunan) of the Presbyterian Mission in Central China has been closed for the present, and the missionaries have withdrawn. A number of foreigners have been advised to come to the coast from Szechuan and other western provinces and
some have left Hankow, Wuchang, Changsha and Nanking. Little fear is felt for the safety of missionaries and it is not generally for this cause that missionaries are leaving their stations, but it is to remove, as far as possible, causes of irritation and because of the difficulty of obtaining supplies. There has recently been reported a split in the Cantonese forces, involving a dispute as to Bolshevist influence. Both North and South are urging on the foreign governments an immediate revision of treaties and a surrender of extraterritorial privileges.
The most radical change in reference to Christian missions that is taking place in China today seems to be the change in policy affecting the management of the mission schools and churches. Both the Cantonese and the Peking governments demand that missionary educational institutions be put under Chinese control and that they register and omit the teaching of religion in the curriculum. Some local committees have made absurd demands, such as that foreign funds be turned over to the Chinese and that students have the right to determine the courses of study and selection of professors. Southern unions also demand that no member shall attend Christian services.
The Canton regulation of institutions includes full direction by Chinese of curricula and student discipline.
The Canton Christian College, has already accepted the imposed regulations of the Cantonese.
Peking University has applied for registration with the Northern Government.
Shantung Christian College at Tsinan-fu is reorganizing. Nanking University is prepared to reorganize and register. Chengtu is making application under the Northern regulations. Suchow, belonging to the Southern Methodists, has accepted the resignation of its President, W. B. Nance, to be able to reorganize. Yale in China is closed without prospects of reopening. The Shanghai Baptists disagree, the Southern standing for retention, the Northern for turning over control. St. John's refuses to go over.
The executive board of the National Christian Council of China points out the new conditions that confront missions in China and favors increasing control by the Chinese of both Christian churches and schools. The missionaries, as a rule, are eager to have Christian Chinese assume control of these Christian institutions in China, but, naturally, do not favor putting them in charge of those wholly unfitted and UlIRympatheti(' to Christian ideals. 'While mission property may be placed under Chinese control, it is unthinkable that mission funds should be turned over to Chinese for uses out of harmony with the purpose for which the money is given. The Chinese cannot finance these institutions at present, and Christians in America and England will not support them under such conditions.
1927]: EDITORIAL COMMENTS
The changes taking place in China are not wholly unfavorable to Christian missions. They are a sign of China's awakening and of her people's desire to better their condition. There is naturally much unrest and many who seek to influence the popular sentiment are foolish and ignorant. Others are mislead by the propaganda of false teaching from outside. What is needed today is Christian patience and a continued effort to teach China by word and example the true nature and value of Christianity.
This is a time to pray without ceasing to God for China and for those, at home and on the field, who are bearing the responsibility.
"H AT HOME-KATHARINE SCHERER CRONK E THAT loves not lives not, and he who lives by The Life cannot die." So wrote Raymond Lull. He lives today in the work and hearts of many Christian missionaries to Moslems. Others whose lives are "hid with Christ in God" cannot die.
When the message came on Sunday morning, March thirteenth, that Mrs. E. C. Cronk had died the evening before, in a Philadelphia hospital, it seemed impossible-it was impossible. She had entered into rest from her manifold earthly labors and was" at home with the Lord."
For nearly fifty years, Mrs. Cronk brightened the pathway of many by her cheery smiles; for many years, she has used her rich . talents to minister to others in the spirit and power of Christ. In the midst of effective service the Master called her to close her earthly activity. She was taken suddenly ill after an address at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on December twelfth. 'While the succeeding three months were spent in the hospital, she was always looking forward to further service. This was not to be on earth. The end came, but it was not the end of life; it was the entrance into larger, fuller life. Death was swallowed up in victory. "Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ," was the clear note sounded by Dr. Knoebel and by her pastor at the triumphant memorial service on Tuesday afternoon, in St. John's Lutheran Church, Melrose Park, Philadelphia.
While Katharine Scherer Cronk was a loyal member of the United Lutheran Church, she was, even more, a member of the Church Universal, and served all mankind. She was closely associated with the Woman's Missionary Society of her Church and was general superintendent of the "Light Brigade" of the Children's Department. She wrote much for boys and girls and was known far and wide for her inspiring addresses in behalf of Christian missions. For nine years she was editor of the "Best Methods" Department of the REVIEW and, the past seven years, a member of the
Board of Directors of the Company. She was active in the Federation of Woman's Boards of Foreign Missions and in the Missionary Education Movement. She also was one of the editors of Everyland, the magazine of world-friendship for boys and girls, and, with her friend, Elsie Singmaster, wrote pageants and books that are widely circulated.
Mrs. Cronk was a rare combination of high mentality and true spirituality. Her warm-heartedness, practical ideas and good judgment were combined with originality and a keen sense of humor. She inspired all who met her, even casually, by her unselfish interest in others, her cheery disposition, and by her earnest, Christlike spirit. She attracted young and old and was greatly beloved. The depth and the breadth of the influence exerted by her writings, by her inspiring addresses, and by her charming personality, cannot be measured. While true to Christ and the Word of God, she never manifested a spirit of fault-finding or suspicion of others. When her friends or hearers were "pricked in their hearts" by what she said, it was not because of her caustic criticisms, but because her consistent life and her presentation of the Christian ideal caused them to criticize themselves and to desire life with higher standards.
It is difficult to point out the lines of Mrs. Cronk's greatest influence. She was a power among men as well as among women; children and youth were greatly impressed by her j students or mature Christians alike took her as a teacher and friend. All felt the genuineness of her character and the truth of her message, whether she spoke on the need for greater devotion in missionary work, the joy and rewards of faithful stewardship, the power of prayer, the supreme need for vital spiritual life or the importance of training children in the love and service of Christ.
The stimulating personality of Mrs. Cronk will be greatly missed, not only in her home where she was a loving wife and mother, but in a very wide circle of friends where she always found a welcome. In her church, she truly served; in the hospital she was greatly beloved; in the numerous boards and committees she made many constructive and practical contributions; in conferences and summer schools her addresses will long be remembered; throughout the wide world the printed page has carriml tho messages that God gave her. All will miss her personality, but tho influence that she exerted and the messages she gave will not die; they will live on in the lives and work of many Christians who will pass them on to others, for the words that she spoke and wrote, the life that she lived and still lives, have that vital, eternal quality that comes from God.
Katharine Scherer Cronk was the daughter' of the Rev. J. J, Scherer, President of Marion College, Virginia. She Is survived by her husband. Dr. E'. C. Cronk, Secretary of the Lutheran Orient Mlssjon and by their son, John E. Cronk.
Observations in Chosen *
BY ROBERT E. SPEER, NEW YORK PERHAPS no country in Asia has undergone a greater change in the past thirty years than Korea. I saw it first under the old regime, just after the war between Japan and China and before the war between Japan and Russia. The old government, the old administration, the old civilization were still undestroyed. There were then no railroads, or modern industries, or innovations.
Now all is changed. Seoul is a totally different city. Today there are in Korea 1,165 miles of Government railway, running the whole length of the country from Fusan to Antung and reaching out east aud west to both coasts. There are also 265 miles of privatelyowned railways and 1,437 miles more projected or under construction. In 1901, when the Japanese protectorate was established, the first census (recognized to be inaccurate) reported a population of 8,781,671. In 1920 the population was 17,288,989 and: in 1923, it was 17,446,913-an apparent growth of 78 per cent since 1906 and an authentic growth of 31 per cent since 1910. The development of trade, as in the case of Japan, is even more remarkable than the growth in population. Exports advanced from Yen 18,856,000 in 1911 to Yen 218,277,000 in 1921 or 1,150% and imports from Yen 72,944,000 to Yen 450,658,000 or 618.%.
Offsetting this development it is claimed by some that the people are worse off than before. Prices and the scale of living have outdistanced wages and wealth. The Japanese, it is said, have been slowly getting possession of the land and are reducing the Koreans to serfdom. The temper of the nation has been commercialized. Immense economic changes were inevitable; the people at large and the Christian Church could not escape the evil and the good of this transformation. Noone can read the Governor General's annual reports on Reform and Progress, or see with one's own eyes the changes which have taken place and not realize that Japan is earnestly seeking the prosperity of Chosen for the sake both of the Koreans themselves and of the Empire as a whole. There was a time when Japanese administration was under the domination of military and imperialistic ideas but that time is past; while great bodies of the Korean people still resent Japanese rule and long for independence, and while many Japanese display to the Koreans a spirit of race superiority and seek only to exploit and rule, the policy of the present Government is just and kind and is designed to win the good will of the people. Everyone with whom we talked in Chosen, both Koreans and missionaries, recognize the high-minded and pure- ,. This is part of a report prepared as a result of one week's visit to Korea last year, and sabmltted to the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.-EuITOR.
251
spirited charaster and purpose of the Governor General, Baron Saito, and are convinced of the sincerity of his efforts to secure justice and progress for Korea. Where can one find plainer speech on the subject of the relations of Japanese and Koreans than in the address delivered in February 1926, by Sakan Moriya, Director of the General Affairs Department, to principals of middle schools ~ He said: "Most .Japanese were only too apt to treat the Koreans with harshness and contempt instead of leading and enlightening them as brethren…..It is not strange then that these Koreans, never daring to be off their guard against Japan, came to look upon the Japanese as a dreadful, unapproachable, and domineering people ….. The attitude of most Japanese toward Koreans is not that toward brethren but that toward the conquered or toward employees …..
"Not only in Chosen but in Japan itself such psychology paying respect to Occidentals and despising Oriental., widely prevails, and the fact is that the Japanese in Chosen are simply exposing in broad daylight the fault fostered by the lack of the moral training of the Japanese as a whole ….. While Japanese thus treat Koreans with contempt and as men of no character, and engage in no spiritual work among them worth mentioning, I<JngIish, American and other foreign missionaries, as you know, are attending to their spiritual needs, and trying to help them by engaging in educational and medical undertakings ….. The Japanese have hitherto paid scant attention to winning the hearts of Koreans by first giving their own hearts to them ….. Koreans are not a mere stepping-stone for Japanese economic development, they are brethren of the Japanese with whom the ,Japanese ought to work in harmony for the common welfare and benefit. To feel contempt for Koreans who are our brethren is the same thing as feeling e,ontempt for ourselves ….. Fundamentally speaking, ,Japanese and Koreans are members of one and the same household, and the amalgamation of Japan and Chosen solemnly established the eternal relation of Koreans with .Japanese as brethren ….. Mere force, whatever it may be, military, political or economic, may be able to keep together two things of a' different kind, but it cannot fuse them into' one compact whole. This can only be done by a spiritual power. When the hearts and souls of both parties respond to each other just as a sound brings forth an echo, then, and only then, can be realized that true cooperative harmony which can n!:'ver be brought about by military or economic force, and the spirit of brethren having one and the same mind be revealed setting out on the grand mareh toward the ever-shining beacon of our great ideal. If we do not realize and start from this point, we shall never reap the harvest compatible with the true spirit of annexation …..
'''l'he Yasukuni Shrine SilOUld deify not only those who have fallen for their country on the batt1efi~ld but, for the future, those who sacrificed themselves for the love of men of other countries ….. Japan has never produced such a man as Lincoln, who accomplished the emancipation of slaves, not such a man as Livingstone, who sacrificed his life in a barbarous country for the sake of wiping away the tears of other races ….. It is most desirable that we Japanese should give full vent to our active sympathy and tender benevolence to men outside our own nationality. Above all is it required that we show whole-hearted sympathy toward the Koreans who are now sharing our fortunes …..
"1nstead of thinking that Koreans are filthy and ignorant, we should rather, rising above our opinion of their faults, think that they also have a bright future. The Koreans in the past were not in such conditions as
SOME OBSERVATIONi:' IN CHOSEN
at present. …. Among those studying in Japan are many who are a match for ~he Japanese in scholarly competition ….. Even among those agitating for mdependence of self-government, there are not a few who are really thinking of the welfare of the people and their good. Their sincerity differs in nothing from ours …..
"Our future national policy in our expansion abroad should be that those who are versed in the true Japanese culture should go in advance and that the foremost men of the country should be sent to represent the .Japanese people in general. We think it is necessary, for the future, that men of ability go to foreign countries as representing the Japanese race, especially religious men, educational experts, scientific authorities, and others, and engage in spiritual works, encouraged by the full conviction that they are exponents of the Japanese culture."
A foreigner would speak with more guarded qualification but it is good that there should be such talk. The missionary appeal of it is as applicable to British and Americans as it is to Japanese.
In spite of all the progress that has been made, Chosen has not yet accepted the lot of incorporation in the Japanese Empire. I should judge, however, that there will be no repetition of the Independence Movement and that any hope of autonomy rests, in the minds of the Koreans who want independence, upon the growth of liberal ideas in Japan and upon the establishment of such a League of Nations as would erect a world unity so real that Japan and Korea might abide in it side by side as united and equal members of one world brotherhood. Vast modifications of thought and feeling are taking place in Japan, and Chosen is sharing in them and must increasingly do so under the influence of the ever enlarging educat~onal system. Japan believes in education for her own people and she is steadily moving t,oward equal provision for the Koreans….. "The total number of sCholars enrolled in government institutions in 1924 reached over 464,600. Besidestnese, there are 804 public and private schools giving the various kinds of education though not following the standard curriculum set forth by the Government.' , It is estimated that less than one fourth of the school population is as yet enrolled.
It was the problem of the relation of our Mission's Middle Schools to the Government's educational policy which chiefly occupied attention on our visit. The Chosen Christian College has its own charter securing its Christian character and religious freedom. 'l'he Pyeng Yang Union College has also been "recognized" so that it can go on with its work with full freedom of religious teaching and worship and with all desired privileges. Both colleges, however, now suffer from one severe limitation. Only those students can now be admitted as regular students into these "recognized" colleges who come from "recognized" or "designated" or "registered" Middle Schools. And of our eight middle schools only one, the John D. Wells School in Seoul, has been as yet" recognized. ".
With reference to religious education in our mission schools,
the Government has come forward with a liberal proposition: Our schools may be given the status of "recognized" or "designated" schools, with all the privileges. of "registered" schools, and with full liberty of religious teaching and worship, provided they meet specified conditions as to equipment, standards and results . . . . Nothing could have been more liberal and sympathetic than the attitude of Baron Saito and his associates. Many of the people about him (whom we met at a luncheon) are earnest Christians. Mr. Oda, of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, is one. They have difficulty in their educational organization but they declared that they sincerely desired to grant "designation" as soon as conditions were met and it could be arranged. Our missionaries are assured of their good will.
No one can see the Korean Church and its work without thanksgiving and joy. At Taiku we met the class of church officers from the Taiku field, self-supporting or supported by the churches, about 250 men, old and young, rich in Christian experience, full of evangelistic zeal. At Seoul we attended a mass meeting of representatives of all the churches of the city filling the great and beautiful chapel of the .John: D. Wells School. At Pyengyang we were present at the General Assembly with its Korean Moderator and clerks and eommittee chairmen and its large body of delegates, with a small sprinkling of missionaries, entering heartily into the proceedings but obviously in the background and exercising no C()ntrol or direction. And on Sunday we went about to the Sunday-schools and churches of that city of 60,000 population, of which it is estimated that between one tenth and one sixth are Christian communicants. When I was in Korea in 1897 there were 923 Protestant Christians in our 101 Presbyterian meeting places in Korea. According to the report of 1925-26 there were 62,530 Presbyterian church members and 1,625 churches and groups.
From the beginning our Korean churches have been taught by word and by example to be self-propagating and self-supporting. In .Japan Dr. Spencer traces almost all the churches to missionary initiative and organization, but in Korea the work has grown largely out of Korean evangelization. The Korean Church has· learned either to conduct unpaid evangelization or to provide the expense itself. The Korean Christians have learned to give and larger individual gifts are also being received. One man gave Yen 90,000 for a modern Christian kindergarten in Pyengyang. Churches have given Yen 30,000 for an Old People's Home in Syenchun, 30,000 for a Church Primary School in Taiku, 26,000 Yen for a Church School in Pyengyang, 20,000 for a church in Wiju and 25,000 for Chairyung. The Korean Church is a real and living church and it has met the test of fire. But it is entering upon new kinds of testing more perilous than
1927J SOME OBSERVATIONS IN CHOSEN
the past. There are many grave issues, but we have still in Korea a warm-hearted, devoted church, which studies the Bible and prays. Last year 55,% of the church membership in the Pyengyang field attended Bible Institutes for the prolonged study of the Bible. What these people learn they take home to their villages and translate into their lives. "Last August" says the Rev. F. H. Smith, "I asked a non-Christian police official at Heijyo if they had much trouble with Korean Christians. He said that aside from political mattets the distinction was perfectly clear and that the Christians were far superior to the non-Christians. " The report of the Government-General declares: "There is notw scarcely a place in the provinces in which the influence of Christianity is n()t felt ….. In recent times Koreans have organized selfsupporting Churches of their own, and entirely independent of missi()nary enterprises. Their earnestness in dev()ti()n and pr()pagati()n is very marked . . . . . The fact that Christianity in Chosen numbers about 359,000 believers, as a result of the forty years that have elapsed since propagation was recognized, is really remarkable, considering the experience in Japan proper and China, and ,may, perhaps, be partly attributed to the feeble influence possessed by the beliefs previ()usly existing in Chosen, but is chiefly to be attributed to the self-sacrificing labor of the missionaries and workers of all the Christian sects in the peninsula ….. It goes without saying that Christian propagation has done much for the enlightenment of the peninsula; and its attached works, such as educational and medical undertakings, have contributed greatly to its cultural development."
Dr. Rentaro Mizuno, Administrative Superintendent of the Government-General, said at the Tenth Annual Conference of the Federal Council of the Mission in Korea: "It can be said without any appearance of flattery, that Chosen owes much of her advancement in civiLization to your labors. . . Nothing is so essential as religious influence for the betterment of social conditions, and your work is of great help to the Government and directly or indirectly promotes the happiness and prosperity of the whole people. So we hold Christianity in high regard and give to it every possible facility for its propagation." These are sincere testimonies from without.
It has long been foreseen that new apologetic necessities were coming upon the Church in Korea. They are coming now in an increasing flood, both by way of Japan and China, and dirctly from the West and from Russia. The textbooks for all schools, public and private, are standardized and their view is sometimes anti-Christian. There is wide-spread communistic and Bolshevist agitation, especially among the increasing debtor class. There are young men's socialist and atheist societies, sometimes led by youths who have dropped out of the churches. The viewpoints and attitudes, which Christianity has to meet in the West, she has now to begin to face in Chosen. We shall have to meet in Korea, as the Church has met in Japan and is meeting in China, the whole critical assault upon the foundations of religion and of a spiritual view of the world.
Indian Christian Light-Bearer
Story of Dewan Bahadur A. S. Appaswamy, Pilla,i of Palamcottah BY REV. R. A. POPLNY, MADURA, INDIA District Secretary of South India National Council, Y. M. C. A.
.n.ARUMUGAM APPASWAMY was born in the year 1848, in a peri- od of great events in India. The first Sikh War had been con- cluded by the battle of Sobraon in February 1846, and w.as fol- lowed by the occupation of the Punjab by Sir Henry Lawrence. Lord Dalhousie succeeded Lord Hardinge as Viceroy in January, 1848. The second Sikh War started immediately and lasted till February, 1849 when the whole Sikh army was routed and Peshawar was occupied. The Punjab was annexed to the British Empire and John Lawrence was appointed Chief Commissioner.
Rangoon, the capital of Burma, was captured in 1852 and in 1853 the first Indian railway line from Bombay to Thana was built. In that Ye?r too the telegraph was introduced into India and the half-anna postage was instituted. Until that time postage varied according to the distance and it cost one rupee to send a letter from Bombay to Calcutta.
In 1857 the Sepoy mutiny took place and was followed by the abolition of the East India Company's charter and the assumption , of rule by Queen Victoria.
So the early years of young Appaswamy's life were very event- ful and pregnant with results for the future of India. Probably few of these happenings made their influence felt in the district of Tinnevelly in which Appaswamy was born, though rumours of them must have reached even these distant parts, and Appaswamy in his boyhood probably heard the J"lrophecies of the downfall of British rule which were passed from mouth to mouth even in this distant village. A railway was built near Madras and gradually extended towards Bangalore and Bombay. All these events took place hun- dreds of miles from the quiet sea-side village of Kulasekharapatnam, forty-four miles southeast of Palamcottah, where Appaswamy lived. It is only within thHlast few years that a light trolley line has been constructed to this place from Trichendur and in those days there was no railway anywhere in South India, except a few miles of line near Madras. A low sandy coast, with the surf breaking on the shore and clumps of palmyra trees with their tall trunks and small bunches of leafy foliage at the top were the only vegetation., The soil is brackish and it is here that much of the salt of South India is manufactured. Kulasekharapatnam in those days was a busy port in close touch with Colombo and young Appaswamy would often see the small country boats with their mat sails, bringing news from the outside world.
256 His father, Arurnugam PiIlai, behmged to an old family in the village and was Karnam (i. e. gov- ernment revenue officer) of the village, this post being a heredi- taryone. Nowadays, however, the hereditary principle is often de- parted from. He built himself a good brick house which is still in existence, and was a man of some considerable property and influ- ence. He was a masterful man of strong temper, yet withal of very affectionate disposition and lived to the good old age of 85 years.
He was a very religious man to the end, and an orthodox Saivite. He used the sacred ashes on his fore- head and wore the Rudraksharnarn or "necklet of sacred seeds"
around his neck. He performed his daily puja in his own house every morning immediately after his bath and used to recite Tamil religious poetry. He believed that the devotion of the heart was of more importance than outward ceremonies and yet was very su- perstitious, believing in omens, astrology and dreams. Mr. Ap- paswamy's mother was a very quiet and loving woman and an orthodox Hindu. She lived to be 72 years of age and died in tlle full belief that her son had done the right thing in embracing the religion of Jesus Christ.
There was also an aunt who was widowed early in life and lived with the family. She was a deeply religious woman and used to recite the devotional poetry of the Tamils. Though she was illiterate she knew by heart thou- sands of verses and Appaswamy DEWAN BOHADUR A. S. APPASWAMY learnt his first religious poetry from her. She would regularly perform her daily puja and as a 2
boy Appaswamy was initiated by her to be an acolyte in these ceremonies. He had also to read to her devotional poems from the Thiruvashagam and Devaram so that she might learn them, and this beautiful religious poetry wove its spell over him as over so many other Hindu boys. In addition to this devotional side she had plenty of common sense and was endowed with a shrewd knowledge of men and affairs which made her one of the most valuable influences on young Appaswamy's life.
Appaswamy had one older brother who took over the hereditary Karnamship. He was a man of strong character but did not distinguish himself. He died at the age of 72.
Appaswamy was the second child of the marriage and was born in Kulaselffiarapatnam on March 30, 1848. He received the family name of Sudalai Adtum Perumal, which is an appellation of the god Siva and means "the god who dances in the burning ground." He came as we have seen into a family where real religion flourished and where, while it drew inspiration from the finest devotional literature of the Tamil land, it was not afraid to strike out new paths in religious experience. Raja Ram Mohun Roy had an immense influence all through India and at this time it was beginning to make itself felt in the south of India, the home and center of Hindu orthodoxy.
Appaswamy had two younger brothers and three sisters. The third boy died soon after the marriage. The fourth is still alive and is sixty years of age. He joined the Christian Church a year before Mr. Appaswamy's death, as a result of the quiet and steady influence of his brother. His eldest sister became a Christian some time ago as a result of her brother's life and teaching and is still alive, a very earnest worker. The second sister remained a Hindu and one of her sons, Swaminathan, became the guru of Mr. Appaswamy in his later years, teaching him the secrets of Siddhanta Yoga. The third sister is also an orthodox Hindu and recently at the age of sixty made a pilgrimage to Benares.
These details of the family are relevant as indicating the religions atmosphere of the home in which Appaswamy grew up.. It is interesting to notice that perhaps the finest Indian Christians have been brought up in deeply religious Hindu homes. It seems to suggest that a real religious life in the Hindu sense is one of the best preparations for a full Christian experience. Among such men and women we may mention, Nehemiah Goreh, H. A. Krishna Pillai, Kali Charan Banerji, Narayan Vaman Tilak, Pandita Ramabai and Sadhu Sundar Singh.
In his book, "My Conversion" (C. M. S., London), Mr. Appaswamy relates that he was greatly influenced by two 'l'amil scholars who lived in the village and gave musical discourses on religion. He was a strict Saivite at this time and used to make a monthly pil-
1927J AN INDILU< CHRISTIAN LIGHT-BEARER
grimage to the temple of Subramanya'" at 1'richendur. He used to perform regularly the daily worship of Siva both morning and evening and was very punctilious in besmearing his body with the sacred ashes of Siva.
In this period there were as many as twenty missionaries (of the C. M. S.) working in the district of Tinnevelly, many of them being men of deep religious eJi:perience and charming personality.
There was also a mission school in the village of Kulasekharapatnam, to which many of the Hindu caste hoys used to go, and a small com- munity of Christians among the depressed classes. Appaswamy attended this mission school and read the gospels there. He also used to argue with the Christians, defending his own religion against theirs. At Christianagaram, a few miles from Kulasekharapatnam, an annual Christian festival was held and young Appaswamy would often go there on this occasion and listen attentively to the addresses.
In spite of this, however, he had no real interest in the Christian religion. He mentions one incident which impressed him with the patience and saintliness of the Christian character. Mr. Brother- ton, the local missionary, was once preaching at Kulasekharapatnam in the Brahmin street and was molested so badly that he had to PANDIT H. A. KRISHNA PILLAI leave, but the patience and calm- ness which he showed on this occasion deeply impressed Appaswamy.
As a boy Appaswamy may have gone to Palamcottah with his father, a distance of forty-four miles. Probably most of this journey was performed on foot, as there was no road for many miles, and part of it in the creaking springless bullock carts, typical of South India.
There were some great missionaries in the Tinnevelly district in the first half of the 19th century and the influence of their per- sonalities must have told in spite of opposition to Christianity. Rhen- ius the pioneer and evangelist; Thomas Ragland, the saintly and self-sacrificing worker; Robert Caldwell, the brilliant scholar of the Dravidian languages and later Bishop of Tinnevelly; Pettitt, • Second Son of Siva.
the church builder; Schaffter, the first of a missionary family, were among them.
In the year 1844 a boys' school was opened in Palamcottah with Mr. Cruickshanks, a Eurasian, as Principal. 1'111'. Cruickshanks had been blind from his twelfth year, and was a man of considerable learning and deep piety. His gentle loving nature endeared him to his students and his memory is cherished and his name revered to this day by his old pupils. A number of young men of good family connections joined this school in the sixties and young Appaswamy's life is closely linked with theirs. Cruickshanks' school exercised an influence in Tinnivelly somewhat similar to that of the school of Alexander Duff in Calcutta in the early years of the century. The fine personality of the Principal and his deep Christian piety made a profound impression upon the lives of those young men. As a result seven of them were led to embrace the teachings of Christ and surrender their lives to His service. They were all baptized in the sixties of the last century. Mr. Justice Devadoss, who knew them all intimately, speaks of them in the following terms: "They were all bigoted Hindus and were endowed with powerful and vigorous intellects. They were well versed in Hindu literature and honestly sought the truth. They could not accept the popular Hinduism of the day and philosophic Hinduism did not satisfy them. They wanted a faith upon which their reason could build. They had a steady courage and the motive of their actions was free from all taint of worldly prospects and ambition. They made their change of religion only after the most careful examination of Christianity and Hinduism." The story of these men forms the appendix to Mr. A. S. Appaswamy's work, "Fifty Years' Pilgrimage of a Convert" (C. L. S., Madras). They all attained to high positions and influence in the community and rendered great service to the young Christian Church. Four of these men had special influence upon young Appaswamy. One of them who belonged to the Raju caste, was the son-in-law of the Public Prosecutor of Tinnevelly at that time. The other was a munshi in Mr. Cruickshanks' school and taught Tamil to some of the missionaries. His name was Mr. E. Muthiah Perumal Pillai. 'rhe Munshi was a great Tamil scholar and had learnt by heart some of the finest works in Tamil literature. These three had lost faith in Hinduism and set to work to studv and discuss the merits of Hinduism and Christianity. They m~de a really serious study of Christianity and its teachings, and after some years spent in this study under the guidance of Mr. Cruickshanks they were baptized in 1857 by Mr. Sargeant, who afterwards became Bishop of Tinnevelly. Before baptism they refused to accept the rules of the missionaries with regard to food and dress, and so brought about a change of attitude on the part of the missionaries to these non-essentials. The Munshi was always a great reader and
AN INDIAN CHRISTIAN LIGHT-BEARER
his house was the centre of a circle of friends keen on studying the latest philosophical and religious writings. Mr. Danakoti Raju, his friend, became a doctor and set up practice in Madras and by his sterling character and brilliant intellect won the friendship of men like Sir T. Mahadeva Rao, Sir T. Muthuswamy Iyer, and the Maharaja of Travancore, who once stayed at his house in San Thome. He organized industrial concerns, steamer services, salt factories and a hydropathic sanatorium. The third friend did not distinguish himself in a worldly sense, but his simple piety and beautiful life won the affection and esteem of all who knew him.
The Munshi had a brother who was a bigoted Vaishnavite. His father used to read a portion of the Ramayana every day before MANORAMA- THE HOME OF MR. A. S. APPASWAlIY his midday meal and by the time he was sixteen his son knew the whole of Kambar's ·Tamil Ramayana by heart. He became a pandit at Sawyerpuram, where there was a boys' school. The missionary there, Mr. Huckstable, once asked him if he had any objection to becoming a convert, at which question he indignantly threw up his job and went to Madras. After his brother, the Munshi, had embraced. Christianity he also studied the Christian religion and was baptized in 1850. rrhereupon he returned to Palamcottah and became Tamil pandit at Sawyerpuram, to which school Appaswamy went at a 'ory young age. The district must have been deeply stilTed by this series of notable conversions and it says much for Appaswamy's father that in spite of them he was still willing that his son should go to a Christian school. Pandit H. A. Krishna PiIlai, the last convert referred to above, became a dominant influence in young Appa-
swamy's life. It was his life and personality, more than his preachlng, that won and attracted young men. He had a vigorous intellect and became the poet-laureate of the Tinnevelly Church. His metrical version of the Pilgrim's Progress, written on the model of the Tamil Ramayana, is a classical masterpiece, esteemed by all Tamil scholars. He was a man of puritanic simplicity, unalterable honesty and ready helpfulness. His home was freely opened to all earnest seekers after truth. Pandit H. A. KJOishna Pillai was the guru of Appaswamy both before and after his conversion. In his booklet "My Conversion" published in 1920, :Mr. Appaswamy tells of the mental and spiritual struggles through which he went at this time, of his unflinching study of the Hindu and Christian Scriptures, and of his final decision to become a disciple of Christ.
This is how he described Pandit H. A. Krishna Pillai: "Tall of stature and fair in complexion his face was attractive, his eyes beamed with love and he always spoke with much charm. He was meek and humble, a genuine and sincere man and a fervent lover of Christ. Having his own heart overflowing with love for Christ he melted the hearts of those who listened to him and drew tears of love from their eyes."
Appaswamy was eighteen years of age when he first met Pandit Krishna Pillai. He had gone to him to get his help with a view to admission into the Sawyerpuram school. At that time Appaswamy was a strict Saivite and so could not take meals from a Christian. There was no Brahmin or Saivite house in the village and when Krishna Pillai learnt that he had taken no food he himself provided Appaswamy with utensils and materials for cooking his meal and waited until Appaswamy had eaten before he would go and take hit own food. This incident made a profound impression upon Appaswamy and he never forgot it. It was the first factor in his ultimate surrender to Christ.
Appaswamy had promised his mother that he would be on his guard against the influence of Christianity and so he did all he could to keep away from it. He would listen from a distance to Krishna Pillai's talks with his students on religion and would often discuss religious questions with his school fellows. After some time however he was also drawn to Pandit Krishna Pillai and talked with him on religious matters. The thing that struck him most of all was that a man of Krishna Pillai's erudition and personality, with his wide knowledge of Hinduism and of the finest devotional literature of that religion, should have embraced the Christian faith. Appaswamy gradually began to give up his Hindu practicesalld to lose faith in the teachings of his own religion.
At this period he had to go to Madras to finish his studies. He would have to travel to Trichinopoly by road in a bullock cart, a distance of 200 miles. From there he would go by train. In those
J27 J AN INDIAN CHRISTIAN LIGHT-BEARER
days it was a ten days' journey as compared with only twenty-four hours now. He continued his religious enquiry there. He read books on the Brahmo Samaj, studied Unitarian literature and in every way possible endeavored to reach a conclusion on the question of religion. In his letters to his father he mentioned the change that had come over his religious ideas and his father was so alarmed that he came to Madras and took his son back to Kulasekharapatnam. .A. severe fever which brought him near to death's door made him still more anxious to find the true way of salvation. Then he went to Palamcottah and struck up a friendship with another young man, who like himself was keenly interested in Christianity. They together studied the Bible and the Vedanta and Siddhanta systems of Hinduism and finally both of them were convinced of the truth of the incarnation of God in Christ and decided to join the Christian Church through baptism. Appaswamy wrote to his father and told him of his decision and then went to Madras to prepare for baptism. After a little waiting they were both baptized. The baptism took place in Zion Church in Madras, on July 15, 1871, when Appaswamy was twenty-three years of age. At that time Rev. W. T. Sathianathan, a convert from Tinnevelly, was pastor of the Zion Church.
Appaswamy's baptism meant the breaking of all home ties. His father, who had tried in every possible way to induce his son to come back, was very much upset. To his mother the news came as a great shock and she refused to take any food and as a result was seriously ill for about six months. This kind of trial, which brings suffering and sorrow to those one loves, is far harder to bear than any personal suffering, At first his family regarded him as one dead and utterly lost;. but later on his parents came to feel that he had done the right thing and though neither of them became Christians they entered into his ideas and came to reverence and love his Guru and Saviour.
To BE CONCLUDED.
SOME MISSIONARY MOTTOES "The spirit of Chl'ist is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him the more intensely missionary we must become.' '-Henry Martyn.
"The greatest foes of missions are prejudice and indifference, and ignol'ance is the mother of them both."
"Love never asks how much must I do, but how much can I do." "A man may give without loving, but he cannot love without giving." "The goal of history is the redemption of the world." "Only as the church fulfills her missionary obligation does she justify her existence." , "The church which ceases to be evangelistic will soon cease to be evangelical. ' '-Aexander ·Duff.
Ideal vs. the Real in
BY THE LA TE REV. G. N. THOMS SEN Formerly a Baptjst Mjssjonary jn Indja YATHA devah tatha baktah, "The worshiper is like his God," is a favorite saying of the Hindus, but, like many other proverbs, it is only a half-truth. The worshiper is in reality either better or worse than the object of his worship, as is proved by the life and thought of three hundred millions in India.
The Moslem is not like Allah; the Jew is not like Jehovah, the Eternal, the Righteous, the Holy One of Israel; the Christian is not wholly like to the Christ. All need to pray: "Have mercy upon me, 0 God, according to thy loving kindness, according to the mul- titude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." Every Christian can humbly say, with the Apostle Paul: "I count not myself to have apprehended."
But contrast with the Christian'standards the ideals and beliefs of, the Hindus. Their gods are not infinitely above them in character and conduct. Their religion is the result of groping in the darkness. Vhen man has no true knowledge of God or communion with Him, he begins to worship the sun, the moon and the stars and other material things beyond his comprehension as the representatives of the invisible Power which he does not understand and has come to dread. He has still a perception of a good God dwelling up above the world.
A lower form of heathen religion is reached when man changes "the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and to four-footed beasts and creeping things." This form of religion finds expression in the worship of images and the conception of a good God is generally almost oblit· erated, so that the worshiper becomes obsessed with fear and often thinks of his deity as more demoniacal than divine. Finally, the lowest form of heathenism is that in which man comes to worship demons. How many have in reality" changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator!"
Hinduism contains these three forms of false worship. It is a great conglomeration of Monism, idolatry and fetishism. In it are traces of sublimest truth, but it also contains the horrors of the most degraded worship. As Mr. Beverly says in the Bengal census report: "The term Hindu, in its modern acceptation, denotes neither a creed nor a race, neither a church nor a people, but a general expression devoid of precision and embracing alike the most punctilious disciple of pure Vedantism, the agnostic youth who is the product of Western education and the semi-barbarous hillman who 264 eats without scruple anything he can procure, is as ignorant of the Hindu mythology as the stone he worships." All Hindus, however, whether high or low caste, educated or uneducated, apparently believe in an impersonal being or force, in total extinction of individuality, of all personality which is looked upon as "the curse of every religion. " The problem is how to become absorbed in deity and disappear, as the rain drop is absorbed and disappears' in the vast ocean. This is the question that Vedic, philosophical and popular Hinduism attempt to answer.
THE IDEAL OF THE VEDAS In Vedic Hinduism we find the faith of men who in ancient times forsook the worship of the true God. This faith is formulated in the Shastras or sacred writings which consist of the four Vedas, the t;ix Darsanas or Philosophies, and the eighteen Puranas. Investigators tell us that there are at least 10,000 distinct works in the Shastras and that even the most learned Brahman can know only a fraction of this vast literature. The Vedas have 30,000 long verses, the Puranas one and one-half million lines and millions of lines more are in the Darsanas. AII of these form the accredited sacred books of the Hindus.
The name Vedas is derived from the Sanscrit root vidto know or to see-and is etymologically related to t'ideo. These books are written in an ancient form of Sanscrit and consist of two principal parts, the Sanhita or Mantra containing in verse the prayers and hymns; and the Brahmana which give instructions in prose as to how to sing and pray. The parts of the Vedas that discuss questions concerning God, the soul and the destiny of man are the Upanishads. In the discussion of Vedic Hinduism we can only try to show what the hymns teach about God and our relations to Him.
There are four Vedas, the Rig, the Saman, the Yajur and the Atharva. The Rig Veda is the book of praise containing 11,000 verses and 1,017 hymns, some of which date back to the time of Abraham, 2000 years B. C. A few are simple poems which give spontaneous utterance to religious sentiment while the others are, in the words of Max Miiller, "to us a dead letter, and the conviction is growing among scholal's that many of them are intentionally obscure." Some of the hymns contain beautiful sentiments, but as Dr. Murray Mitchell says: Even in tile days when the first hymns were composed religion had begun to petrify. 1<~orms and rites were coming to be deemed more important than thoughts, feelings or deeds. The early period reveals a tendency to substitute the external for the internal. We may describe the religious belief which appears in the Veda as nature worship. It is a great mistake to call it monotheism .. Max Miillt'r rightly says: "If we must emplo~' technical terms, the religion of the Vedas is polytheism, not monotheism. At best there are momentary glimpses of what seems almost monotheism. At the same time,
as nature is throughout divine, there is often an undertone of pantheism, which in one or two of the latest hymns, becomes distinctly audible. It is thus difficult to designate or classify the Vedic faith-it abounds in con- tradictions. "
The gods spoken of in the Vedas are numerous. Deva, the word used for "god," signifies the "Shining One." The first god mentioned is Varuna, the same as 'ouranos (heaven). He enclosed and encompassed thew all. The next god, Indra, is a friendly deity giving rain and fruitfulness to the earth. He corresponds to Jupiter Pluvius of the Romans. He never questions his friends too closely provided he be well supplied with offerings. Next to war he most enjoys drinking the intoxicating Soma juice. Then comes Agni, (fire) the only one of the three worshiped at present. The sun, the moon and the stars are next worshiped, and at this stage all nature is personified and adored. Polytheism becomes pantheism. Only one more of the Vedic gods can be mentioned here who is greatly praised. This is Soma, so called from the juice of a milky plant which, by the process of fermentation, becomes very intoxicating. So Soma. became one of the most popular gods of Vedic times.
The second part of the Vedas, the Brahmana, shows the growth of the ritual which soon smothered the little remaining truth in their religion. Communion with God was lost; praise became mere lipservice, while prayer was changed into charms and incantations. Worship was converted into sacrifices because of which the gods were supposed to grant boons. The high caste Brahmans became powerful and encroached with unrelenting selfishness on the rights of both princes and people.
The Brahmana depicts the worship of the creature more than of the Creator. It is a dark picture. Dr. J. Murray Mitchell in his excellent work, "Hinduism, Past and Present," says: It. has sometimes been maintained that during the Vedic period there was a gradual elevation of the religious consciousness. On the contrary, we assert a gradual degradation. From Varuna to Indra was a great descent; from Indra to the duties of the Atharva Veda was one still greater. Farther, it seems in a high degree improbable that the conception of heaven as a physical object was gradually exalted, until the God of Heaven had such high attributes ascribed to Him as belong to Varuna. This theory assumes a gradual elevation of religion of which there is no ~vidence and it denies a degradation of which the evidence is overwhelming. Indra undoubtedly superseded Varuna; that is, low ideas built on physical phenomena came in place of high moral conception of divinity, which are almost worthy of being ranked with those of the Old Testament. .
The ideal of Vedic Hinduism is destruction of self, oblivion.
This is the summum bonu1n and therefore the two most popular "'ods of Vedic times are Agni, (fire), the devourer of all, and Soma the intoxicator who makes the worshiper forget. .
-Hindu theology, as revealed in the Vedas, failed to solve the
THE IDEAL VS. THE REAL IN HINDUISM
problem of existence, so philosophy tried to satisfy the cry of the human heart.
"There is no God," the foolish saithj But none: "There is no sorrow." So says Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "Sorrow, deep sorrow pressed forth the cries of despair: 'Whence cometh evil7' 'What must I do to be saved '1 , " Hindu philosophy tries to answer these questions in Upanishads. Only about sixty-four of these 200 mystic lectures are of value. Some of them were written about 500 B. C., but many of them are comparatively modern. They reveal a reaction from the times when all religious thought and feeling had been smothered by externals. On the whole, their doctrines are pantheistic, but dualism and even asceticsm also find a place in them. They profess to teach the way of salvation by knowledge and show how the human soul in ignorance of God and self clings to unworthy objects, and hence is "dragged into the whirlpool of life." The new doctrine of metempsychosis or transmigration of soul is now promulgated. The series of transmigrations are virtually endless~8,400,000 being the number given man according to merit or demerit. .After death he becomes a cow, a horse, a monkey, a, fly, a scorpion, a snake, or some other creature. ".Ah, this fearful round of births," says the Maratha poet, Tukaram, "This weary coming and going, when will it all end 1" The Upanishads teach that the end is reached when the soul knows itself, and is in union with its true Self, that is, with God. Pessimism, unrelenting pessimism, is the great doctrine of the Upanishads according to which salvation consists in absorption into deity. Since the Upanishads contain only a general philosophy, there naturally arose a desire to classify, arrange and expand these doctrines, and out of this desire grew the official philosophy of India called the six Darsanas (or demonstrations) consisting of systems founded on the Vedas, but which are really "eclecticism issuing in confusion. "
Hindu philosophy begins with a recognition of human sorrow; it seeks in vain for a remedy for sorrow and ultimately asserts and recommends annihilation as the only cure for human ills. .According to this philosophy God is not personal. He is a pure Being without power, intelligence or any other attribute. God is controlled by fate, an iron necessity. Man's one great duty is meditation, thereby to deliver himself from the misery of existence and to attain salvation by the rugged path of asceticism.
Hindu philosophy could not satisfy the human soul any more than could the theology of the Vedas and the Upanishads, so, after long years of gToping after trutIi, a new attempt to still the cry of the sonl is made and the Bhagavad Gita, the" Song of the Holy One," is composed in which an attempt is made to harmonize the discords
of the six philosophies. Great changes must have taken place in India in the meantime. Intercourse with the Hebrews, the Greeks and the Christians changed the complexion of Hindu thought. The Bhagavad Gita is the core of the great epic in the Mahabharata. The principal god of this poem is Krishna, the most popular god of India at the present day. The need and cry of the human soul for a personal God is supplied by making Krishna the great incarnation. Is it not possible that Krishna was the Hindu's idea of the Christ, of whom by this time they must have learned both from the Jews and the Christians ~ A letter from my friend, Prabala Rama Chandrayya Garu, bearing on this subject is of value. He writes: My idea is that the ancient Hindus had glimpses of truth, as can be seen from the ritualistic system which they have, that has so much in common with Judaic forms. The only rational explanation of this similarity in form of worship seems to be that the ancient Hindus came in contact with the Jews who were scattered prior to the captivity, and who at the same time, attracted the attenion of the ancient Brahman sages by their elaborate system of worship. The similarity in this system is that only they have thank-offerings, meat-offel-ings, drink-offerings, and burnt-offerings; observances of new moons and sabbath and the performance of purificatory ceremonies and ablutions. The ancient Hindus seemed to have framed a creed which is found in the 10th Mandala of the Rig Veda, called Purusha Sukta, in which it is said that the Lord of creatures, Pryipati, came to this world to offer himself as a sacrifice for the whole world.
Coming to a later period the worship of Krishna is significant. The similarity between the Hindu conception of him and the New Testament description of Christ is most striking. Both are said to be gods and lords of creation. Both declare that they have been specially sent by God. Both established their worship among the masses, whilst the most religious persons discarded them. To establish their claims, miracles are accredited to Krishna similar to those performed by Christ.
But the worship of Krishna has become gross, as is the case in all forms of Hindu worship. Now the question is: how did Krishna get a place in the Hindu pantheon ~ The only rational explanation seems to be that it was through the Christians who came in contact with the Brahmans of India. There is a tradition that the Apostle Thomas visited India, preached the Gospel and died in Mylapore. near Madras. This may be p;ll'ely a myth, but some Christians undoubtedly came to India at a very early date.
Krishna is today, in Hindu worship, the incarnation of sensual desire. Such an impure deity could not satisfy the soul of man, and it is not surprising thelefore that a sect, the Charvakas, named after a noted teacher, should arise in opposition to this worship. The system of the Charvakas, however, was nothing else than undisguised materialism. The morals of this school embody the materialism of all ages: "Let us' eat and drink for tomorrow we die."
19~7J THE IDEAL VB. THE REAL IN HINDUISM
POPULAR HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM The religion of the grea t masses of the people of bldia as we find it today is eo'nfusioll worse confounded. The Vedas and Darsanas have had great influence ill shaping the creeds of the learned, but the pessimism of both has also taken a great hold on the life and thought of the masses. If one would make an exhaustive study of the popular Hinduism of today, he must study the vast literature of the Hindus in at least a dozen of the languages of India, as well as English, German, Arabic, French, Persian and Greek. One would also need to be a profound logician, knowing how to distinguish between fact and fancy. In fact, only omniscience can adequately describe the life and thought of the people of India.
After reading all the voluminous commentaries on the Vedas and the philosophies one must explain how :Brahmanism became the greatest hierarchy the world has ever known; how the great priestly power of the Brahmans superseded every other power, so that the hierarchy became the sun, and the government the moon, deriving all authority from the Brahmans. This condition of affairs was principally established by the Code of Manu which received its present form about 400 B. C. This code was and is today the great civil and criminal code of India. By it the claim of Brahmans to divinity 'Was legalized and the rights of the Brahmans were declared to be inviolable and divine. This code made the Brahmans the visible gods of India. It is to blame for the degradation of woman and faT suttee-the burning of widows with the bodies of their deceased husbands. All honor to Lord Wm. Bentinck who in 1829 had the moral courage to quench those hellish fires forever. This law-book contains some gold among the dross; for instance, "The wicked have said in their hearts: 'None see us!' But the gods see them and so does the spirit in their own breasts!"
Then one must study the great conflict between Brahmanism and Buddhism. Buddhism originally was a protest against the usurpations of Brahmanism and would have become the great reformation of India, if only Buddhism had been the religion of our God. When Brahmanism had reached the height of her glory this eclipse took place. Alas, that it was .only an eclipse! Brahmanism shone forth brighter than ever, after it had overcome the eclipse by incorporating the new into the old. Buddha was made an incarnation of Vishnu and by persecutions and massacres of Buddhists as depicted on the walls of the great temple in Madura, the Athens of Southern India, Buddhism in India proper was almost wholly suppressed. This rise and fall of Buddhism in India was productive of a large literature written in many languages, and all this would have to be studied. Then we come face to face with the bulky literature written after the failure of this revolution, when Brahmanism took a firmer hold on the minds and hearts of the people. We have
to study the ten Avatars of Vishnu. There is no doubt that at this period Judaism, and espedally Christianity, had begun to exert great influence on this mighty system of priestly power. The Jews had made known the prophecies concerning the Avatar of the Christ and the Christians had told that the Avatar of the Christ had taken place. Grasping this truth the Brahmans incorporated it in their system and said: "If the Jews and Christians have one Avatar we will have ten!" Of all the Avatars those of Rama and Krishna became the most popular. '1'he great epic poems, the Ramayana giving the exploits of Rama, and the Mahabharata, describing the wars between the Pandavas and their cousins the Kauravas, as well as the exploits of Krishna, were now composed.
The Puranas bring us down to comparatively modern times. These treatises exerted a powerful influence on Hinduism, and did much to develop the mighty upas-tree under whose poisonous shade the millions of India die. Along with the eighteen Puranas and the eighteen Upapuranas we must also wade through all the filth of the Tantras which some Hindus exalt above the Shastras. These teach the demoralizing worship of Sakti or female energy.
In addition to the almost innumerable books of India one must also study the history of the almost innumerable sects into which Hinduism is divided. The last census of India revealed the fact that while there are nominally only four castes there are 20,000 subdivisions of castes. These are again subdivided into sects that are always quarreling one with the other, each sect claiming to give the true interpretation of the Vedas. Again there are reformed sects innumerable, and every year new sects spring up like mushrooms. These sects often disagree about the same question that divides us, namely the way of salvation. Among the followers of Vishnu are the Vandagalais and Tengalais, who with Oriental realism discuss these same doctrines. The Pengalais hold the Marjala theory, that is Vishnu saves man nolens volens as the cat saves her kitten, by taking it by the nape of the neck and carrying it away: while the Vadalais teach that Vishnu saves as does the monkey. The young monkey holds on to the mother and then is borne away from danger, so when the sinner holds on to Vishnu he is saved.
It is the almost unanimous conclusion of all scholars who have tried to explore this vast ocean of Hindu dreams and fancies that, during 4,000 years of arduous attempts to reach the truth, it may all be summed up in the proposition that personality is evil, and that annihilation is the only panacea for this evil.
After dipping into this great mass of Hindu learning one reaches the same conclusion that Dr. Murray Mitchell presents: ~tls to belief Hinduism today includes a quasi-monotheism, pantheism, polytheism and atheism-or at least agnosticism. As to worship, it includes meditation on Brahma; image worship and demon worship, fetish
H'27] THE IDEAL VS. THE REAL IN HINDUISM
worship and ghost worship. But again, a man may be a good Hindu who avows no belief at all, provided he pays respect to Brahmans, does no injury to cows, and observes with scrupulous care the rules and customs of his caste. Two hundred and eight millions of our fellow men are satisfied with this system, worse than nebular nothingness, a system truly tohtt lOa bohu, without form and void.
THE RELIGIOUS LIFE OF THE HINDUS In presenting the real in the religious life of the Hindu we must beware of the extremes of flattery and faultfinding. I am afraid Arrian, in his history of India, did not avoid the extreme of flattery when he wrote of the Hindus: "They are remarkably brave; superior in war to all Asiatics. They are remarkable for simplicity and integrity; so reasonable as never to have resource to a lawsuit, and so honest as neither to require locks to their doors, nor writings to bind their agreements. Na Indian was ever known to tell an untruth I" On the other hand, Abbe Dubois, a Roman Catholic missionary,' went to the extreme of faultfinding when he wrote in his otherwise excellent book on the Hindus: "Are we not warranted, on beholding the unnatural and odious worship which prevails over all India, in thinking that these unhappy people are lying under an everlasting anathema, that by obstinately refusing to listen to the voice of the heavens which declare the glory of God, they have forever rendered themselves unworthy of the divine favor?"
While the Hindus are not as good as some of their flatterers assert they are better than their ideals as revealed in their sacred books~ Let it be borne in mind that in all his sins and faults, the Hindu .is always religious. Religion dictates, controls and guides both the good and evil in his life. When a Hindu steals, lies and murders, he does so "by the grace of his god" just as he works, sleeps, prays and is charitable" by the grace of god."
Some of the evil traits all too common in the character of the Hindus are: (1) Ingratitude-there is no "I thank you!" in his language. (2) Untruthfulness-to be called a liar is almost a com· pliment to the Hindu. (3) Dishonesty-especially among servants and officials. (4) Use of vile, abusive language. (5) Perjuryjudges in India have told me that at best their judgments are but guesswork because of the perjury of the witnesses. (6) Forgery. (7) Want of confidence in their fellow men. The unselfishness and love which bring friends, neighbors and relatives so close to us are unknown in India. (8) Oppression-the poor are virtually the slaves of the rich. (9) Revenge-Hindus are generally unforgiving and seldom forget a wrong. (10) Immorality-to be impure is a part of Hindu worship.
On the other hand, everyone coming in contact with the Hindus will find that they possess in an eminent degree: (1) Industry:
most of the people are very hard working. (2) Patience. '1'he people will elldUl'e hardships without mnrmuring. (3) Filial Respect. The word of the elders is law. (4) Charity. By means of charity they hope to acquire merit, and even the poorest are always ready to help the needy. (5) Parental love. A proverb admonishes the people to give one fourth of their income to their parents, one fourth to God, one fourth to current expenses and one fourth for the education of the children.
A few facts prove that the real Hindu is better than many of his ideals. I have never in the many prisons I visited in India found any such murderers as Rama and Krishna are said to have been, nor are the Hindus as immoral and shameless as their gods. The people are not as intemperate as the gods are represented as having been, and there is still a searching after the one- and true God. 'rhe Hindus feel the need of union and communion with God and hence of their own accord they have. established many prayer unions. Every missionary can cite instances .where men, women and children have even called upon the name of Jesus in their distress of soul. At the present the old ideal is fast passing away in India. The leaders .of the people often apologize for the conduct of their gods and say that all that has been written about them is merely allegorical.
Of all the agencies that have brought about the dawn of a brighter day none has been so potent as Christian missions. There are many who in secret serve and worship Jesus and our prayer is that God may soon raise up another son of India's soil who like Buddha shall become a great r~former of Hinduism, but who, unlike Buddha, shall bring to the dying millions the blessed Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. Today too Christians' ideal is recognized as the highest and purest throughout the length and breadth of the land, but as so many nominal Christians are so far from the ideal they profess, many Hindus hesitate to follow Jesus wholly, fearing that in taking this step they may make another mistake. The day is coming when Jesus, the Christian's ideal, shall be the Hindu's ideal. May God hasten the day when Christians and Hindus, yea all the nations of the earth, shall" press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our Lord I"
If I live as if there were no God-no God to protect, no God to console, no God to punish-what am I but the fool that said in his heart, "There is no God7" What is the atheism of the lips compared with the atheism of the lifef-Amos R. Wells.
A Moslem's Impressions of
Why the Moslem Does Not Want to Be a Ohristian-and Why He Does BY THE REV. CHARLE'S R. WATSON, D.D., CAIRO, EGYPT President of the American University at Cairo T HE American Christian is hearing so constantly about the su- periority of his Christian religion and civilization and about the defects of Islam as a religion and a life that he often says to himself, "Surely it ought to be easy to make Moslems Christians." Or if he has heard that the task is difficult, he ask", in bewilderment, "Why don't they respond to the Christian appeal1 Is not Christianity obviously superior to Islam at every poinU Is not the Christian political conception of an intelligent democracy obviously superior to Moslem absolutism founded on all but universal illiteracy and ignorance~ Is not Christian social life infinitely elevated above Moslem society in which the whole female half of society is degraded and backward ¥ In moral and religious standards, how hopeless is the comparison between Christianity and Islam!"
Let me .try to give the impression of Christianity which the Moslem has received from his contacts with Western civilization.
To the Moslem, Islam is a life and a civilization. Over against it stands your Christian life and civilization. Yours is simply an- other way of living, of doing, and these are the impressions he gains of it.
First, the Moslem views Christianity through the movies. He is intensely interested in knowing how people live in these great Western Christian lands. He gains some insight byway of books and the printed page. He devours these. Not all of them, however, are classics. The dime novel has had wider circulation than the truer descriptions of Western life. But at best the printed page gives a dull picture. Comes the movie. Now he will see life as it is in a Christian country. We look at the film story and we know that it is a bit of fiction. We recognize where it is exaggerated, highly colored, sensational. Not so the Moslem. No other knowl- edge of Christian ways and life are his to correct what he sees, to suggest to him that he should discount a single feature of the story on the screen. He accepts it literally. And what does he seeT The best we have in the film world ~ Far from it, the worst! Yes, and worse yet than Europe can produce. The free mingling of the sexes which we can understand, he interprets as a public licensing of that which 1s1ams allows only in the seclusion of the harem. If he has had any ideals about the white woman and the sanctity of the white man's home, those ideals are shattered. Now he knows the truth.
3 2m
'rhe "Bella Donna" type fixes the color of his future conceptions. Do you wonder that he does not accept Christianity?
Again, the Moslem views Christianity through the foreigner. In spite of restrictions, into every part of the Moslem world the foreigner has come. It is usually a Greek first, the grog shop keeper; then some one of the mixed races of Southern Europe; others still, Italians, French, English, even Americans. Dr. Mott has pointed out that it is a most unfortunate fact that where two civilizations meet, it is usually there that the most unworthy elements of both civilizations come to the front. It is all too true in the Near East. The grog shop keeper, the money shark, the exploiter of others, the rough and brutal, the white slave trader, or, on a higher level, the snob, the exclusive type, the white man possessed with an inordinate sense of racial superiority-these are, far too often, the types that make and damn the Moslem's impression of Christians. For are these not all of them Christians ~ They belong to the Christian West, to its civili,zation and life. To the Moslem they are Christians. I do not wonder that he is not attracted.
Again, the Moslem views Christianity thro~gh his own experience in travel. Some of this travel was enforced as during the War. What these Moslems saw during the Great War, we need not discuss. We admit, however, that it was not Christianity functioning at its best. But the War is over~at least, it is so reported. Now the Moslem sees Christianity as a traveler. But where does he g01 For one who comes t.oAmerica, ten go to England, for ten who go to England, a thousand go to Italy and France. And where do they go in these lands! : Do they 'get into what you call Christian homes 1 Not a bit of it. From hotels ,they pass to cafes, from cafes to theatres 'or cabarets. The boulevards of Paris and Piccadilly in London and the Great White Way of New York give them their impressions of Christianity and Christian civilization. Now they know! Have they not visited Christian lands T Yes, the streets are cleaner, there is more electric light, there is wealth and magnificence. They are almost ready to be denationalized if they can fall heir to it all, but they do not see why they should become Christian. Nor do I.
Once again, the Moslem views Christianity through politics. His country bears some considerable relation to lands that are called Christian. The Christian West simply will not leave the Moslem East alone. What have those dealings been? The first of these were the Capitulations. These were rights which the Moslems accorded to the foreigner to enable him to trade in Moslem territory. What has been the history of these Capitulations? Across years and centuries, by political manipulation, Western nations, so-called Christian, have made use of these Capitulations to secure for their nations immunity from taxation and protection in crime on many occasions, while more than once Capitulations have become the excus,e for ter-
A MOSLEM'S IMPRESSIONEI OF CHRISTIANITY
ritorial occupation. These political deceptions and intrigues acre charged up to the Christian way of doing things, politically, Almost every Western nation in t.urn has at some time been found guilty of substituting force for law and justice, in spite of the teachings of Jesus.
Thus it is that the ordinary Moslem sees Christianity. I have not picked out evil nor imagined points of contact which do not exist. I am giving you just what strikes the average young Moslem, such as we have enrolled in our University. He is interested to know the West, this Christian West, and the impressions he gets of it come to him first and most readily through the movies, through contacts with foreigners, through travel and through the political dealings of his own country with these Western Christian powers. In all of these you will admit there is no very great inducement for a Moslem to favor Christianity. If this were all, we might well despair. But, thank God, there is more. 1'here are things that count.
First, let me mention science. The Moslem world is essentially unscientific. 'Just because they have an arbitrary God whose moods are unknown and whose actions are inscrutable, they can have no foundation for science. How can you have science if the God of your Universe is utterly indifferent to law1 So Islam has lost its grip upon all science and yet can not resist the spell which modern scientific discovery lays upon everyone. Western science is to the Moslem an eternal miracle. He marvels at what the Western Christian world can bring forth, in medicine and in mechanics, in the auto and the gramophone, in the wireless and the aeroplane, in the typesetting machine and the loom. He will borrow all he can' but· he craves that which lies beyond imitation. He craves the pqWfl' to create and invent, to draw endlessly upon the resources of nature as the Western mind seems to be able to do. Here is something good. Here the Moslem looks not with contempt but with wonder and admiration at the Western Christian world and is willing to he taught. And what a chance there is here to lead through nature to God!
Again, I would mention idealism. With all that seems despicable about the Western world, the Moslem somehow gains the impression that out of the West come great ideas and great ideals. He reads of these in his newspapers. He hears them enunciated on the lips of great leaders-a Gladstone, a Wilson, a Lincoln, a 1Vashington. Some find them in the Christian Scriptures or other Christian literature. It matters not that these ideals have not yet found realization. It matters much that such noble sentiments and conceptions should be promulgated. Here is an asset which the Moslem finds in the Christian world.
Yet again, I would name the backwardness of Moslem lands, in contrast with the progressiveness of Western lands. To be sure,
in some sections there is smugness undisturbed. But for the most part the consciousness is there and sometimes it is a bitter consciousness of the backwardness of Moslem lands. Why should illiteracy be 93 per cent in Egypt, when in America it is only 171 Why should twenty-three children out of every hundred in Egypt die before one year of age, when in the United States only a fraction of this number dieT Why should so many of Egypt's population be subject to the dreadful disease of bilharsia, when in Christian lands the disease is unknown r Why should there be only one hundred and three miles of railroad in Persia when that land is equal to three great states that front the Pacific and three great states that lie behind them ~ Why should these Christian lands be teeming with libraries, hospitals, orphanages, colleges and universities, when whole continents of Moslem territory haven't more than one or two of each of these, and then only because of Western initiative1 Deep as an undeniable fact and fixed as a settled conviction becomes the realization that Moslem lands are dead and need to be made alive; that Christian lands, because or in spite of their faith, are alive. Perchance from them Islam may learn the secret of a vitalizing national awakening.
As a further suggestion and one of the most significant, I would name among the contacts in giving the Moslem a view of Christianity Rome personal acquaintance or friendship with a real Christian. I have mentioned his impression received through the foreigner. If what I have said covers ninety out of one hundred, thank God there are the remaining ten who may interpret Christianity more truly. I trust that I shall not be regarded as specially prejudiced because I am in educational work when I say that here is the great value of this educational method. It catches the boy before he is hopelessly prejudiced. It takes him not for a chance interview or a fleeting hour but for the entire time of weeks and months and often years. It gives him Christian friendships. It admits him to the Christian homes. He looks into the faces of unveiled women whose lives are pure. Suddenly there breaks upon him the genuineness and naturalness of this Western treatment of women;" the ennobli;ng character of it, the wholesomeness of life where men and women ~ive on an equality and share life's joys aRd burdens together.
Lastly, I would name the interpretation and illustration of the Christian faith by the representatives of Christianity in Moslem lands. Somewhere at some time in the process of his impressions about Christianity, the Moslem must have access to those who will sit down with him and indoctrinate him as to the significance of Christianity. The supreme thing of course is that he shall gain a living experience of God through Christ and that spiritual power shall come coursing into his life imparting purity, power and joy. To render this service is the supreme happiness of your representa- tives across the sea.
RA~'T ON THE LEBRIJA RIVER, CO LOMlllA; THEJ RIVEJR ABOUNDS IN
The Legitimacy of Evangelical Missions in Latin-A·merica B Y REV. WEBSTER E. BROWN ING, PH.D" MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY SOME earnest evangelical Christ,ians ,q,u,estion t,he legitimacy of Evangelical Missions in Latin America. It is a natural question, and particularly so when asked by those who contribute to the financial support of this w6rk. It comes also from the young people of our colleges and seminaries whb are looking about the world in search of the best place in which to invest their lives, and who have little exact knowledge of the religious conditions that prevail in the Latin republics.
A satisfactory reply to the question would require a generoussized volume. Yet the following suggestions may be of help to some who are interested in this particular field and who are willing to study further, 'l'wo results of Evangelical work in Latin America might be classed by some as by-products of the missionary programme, yet either of them fully repays for all the missionary money and life already invested in these lands.
1. The first is to be found in the English-speaking congre,qations that are scattered from the Rio Grande to the Straits of Magellan, and which minister to the spiritual needs of the thousands of men and women of our own language and religion. who are compelled, because of business interests, to live within the bounds of Latin- 277
America. In every case, save a few British Consular Chaplaincies, founded a century ago, the work of these congregations-some of which are now self-supporting union churches-work was organized and has been carried on by membeJ;$',of this or that evangelical mission, who have thus added to already heavy duties that of ministering to the spiritual needs of their fellow-countrymen. . Sunday-schools have been organized, and provided for the religious education of the young; church buildings or halls have been provided, until such time as the congregation could secure its own; the Word has been faith- fully preached; the minister has been at the call of the members of the community, when wedding bells have rung and when death has knocked at the door; and these little and struggling congre- gations have stood out boldly as a marked proof of the religious con- victions of our fellow citizens who are self-exiled from the home land.
2. The grea t advance in the conquest of civi[ liberty in the twenty republics of Latin-Am er·, ica during the last half century is very largely due to the liberalizing influence of the Evangelical mis- sions. Cemeteries which were for- merly closed to all who had not been shriven by a pri est of the Roman Church-even to little chil- dren who had not been baptized by a clergyman of that faith-are now AN INDIAN FAMILY IN SOUTHERN CHILE open to receive the dead of all faiths or of none; marriag'e is no longer a sacrament that can be administered only by a priest of Rome, in order that children may be considered as of legitimate birth, but is a civil contract which may afterward be consecrated by a minister of any faith, if the contracting parties so desire j ulld liberty of worship has been fought for and secured by liberal statesmen who have been very largely inspired by the teaching of the Evangelical missionary. Persecution, by the hierarchy of Rome, which has filled many a martyr's grave in Latin-America, has been largely checked and there is not a government today which does not willingly exercise its influence or its might to insure to the Evangelical missionary complete liberty of speech and action. Other reasons, perhaps more strictly within the programme of Christian l'nissions, may be briefly summed up :
927 J 'l'lIE LEGI'l'IM:ACY OF EVANGELICAL M:ISSIO:t'i" IN LATIN-AMERICA
(1). If we should grant that the Roman Catholic Church is all that it ought to be, and that it has done all that it could have done to give the whole Gospel to the people of Latin-America, yet the indisputable fact still remains that this great field has not been fully occupied. Moreover, the Roman Church, with its declining power, is impotent to extend its sphere of influence.
In general, the cities and towns that rim the coast have been cared for, but there are some which have not been provided with a sufficient number of places of worship, and the great interior contains a numerous population for which that church has done little or nothing, even as Protestantism has been even more remiss in the fulfilment of its duties toward this great area.
IN THE KINDER(MRTEN AT CRANDON INflTITllTE, MONTEVIDEO In Bolivia there are but 328 parish churches, 83 of them without priests, in an area equal to the combined area of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Nevada. Paraguay has but 84 priests to a popUlation of a million. More than half are in the capital, the remainder expected to care for a region as large as an New England and almost completely without roads of any kind. In Colombia, in the region drained by the Sinu river, with a population of 100,000, there are but three priests, and the archbishop of Cartagena is reported to have declared that, in spite of all his efforts, he could not find candidates for the priesthood. Chile, which extends for three thousand miles along the Pacific and reaches up to the ridge of the mighty Cordillera de los Andes, reports one priest for every 8,000 of its population, most of these in the large centers with
STUDENTS TAKING 'THID OOMMERCIAL COURSE IN GRANBERY COLLEGE (METHODIST), JUIZ DE FORA. BRAZIL the country districts cared for only by occasional missions.. Even Buenos Aires, the second Latin city of the world and the metropolis of Latin-America, "with a population of 2,000,000, has but thirty-five Roman Oatholic parish churches and eighty-one ch1'1pels, according to published statistics. Philadelphia, with about the same population, in addition to its large number of Protestant chur~hes, has 285, and Brooklyn, also of about equal size, has 120.
The great interior of the continent, which, in South America, alone constitutes an area of 6,000,000 square miles, is pitiably lacking in all that constitutes a proper provision for the spiritual necessities of its people. In all that area, there are but 84 centers of Protestant work, and in all South America, in a population of 60,000,000, there are but 125,000 Protestant church members.
(2). The various governments, in spite of strenuous efforts, have not been able to provide for the education of the entire population. In every country there is a small group of well-educated men and women, but the educational spire, though high, is exceedingly slender. The president of an Argentine university is quoted as having declared that" ten thousand persons do all the thinking for the eight or nine million Argentines." In Brazil, in a recent survey of one of the interior States, out of 3,000 persons only thirteen could sign their names. The average analphabetism must reach 75 per cent of the population, the lowest in any country is 38.8, and the highest can not be less than 92 per cent.
11i:!' J THE LEGrrIMACY OF EVANGELICAL MISSIONS IN LA1'IN-AMERWA
Moreover, while schools may instruct, they do not educate.
Professors teach that God is a myth, religion man-made, and soulmold is not a function of the school. In but few, if any, universities, could more than ten per cent of the students be found interested in any degree in religious matters. The majority, while not antagonistic, would declare themselves completely indifferent.
(3) There is a deep distrust of the dominant church, coupled with a lack of religious conviction on the part of the men, which can be overcome only with help from without. A South American writer has recently declared, "Speaking broadly, men are non-religious. I will go further and say that a sort of suspicion lingers about a church man, for people know that loyalty to the Catholic Church does not always spell loyalty to what is just and right." Another writes, "The man does not believe in the Church, feels no need for it, and is accustomed to ignore its existence." The women, especially of the upper class, are geuerally practicing Catholics, but it is a grave misfortune for Latin-America that its men are divorced from theology and Christian worship. : . i _ (4). Roman Catholics point to the divisions of Protestantism as a proof that it is fundamentally wrong.. Yet four hundred years of untrammelled spiritual hegemony in Latin-America have not given to Roman Catholicism that hold on life and that spiritual authority that it should have secured, and each decade marks a decline in its spiritual power. There is a greater unity of spirit among the too numerous Protestant sects, than in Roman Catholicism itself, and much of the vitality and dynamic power of Protestalltism CRANDON INSTITUTE GRADUATES WHO ARE NOW TEACHERS
is due to that friendly emulation, which characterizes religious life in the United States. Roman Catholicism has been of great use to Protestantism in the Nordic countries, in spurring it to purer and more active life, and needs, in return, that same help in its own work in the countries of Latin-America. Because of the presence and work of the Evangelical missionaries, better sermons are being preached by the Roman clergy, purer life is demanded of the priest- hood, more and better hospitals and schools are being founded and are maintained at a higher level, and new life is already stirring.
(5). The millions of pagan Indians scattered from the Rio Grande to Magellan's Straits constitute a commanding challenge to the Evangelical churches of North America that cannot longer be ignored. Muny of these In- dians, it is true, have been bap- tized, but it is most often but a baptized paganism. The Indian may go to mass and he may pro- fess reverence for the saints, but at heart he remains true to his tribal divinities and turns to them in times of stress and doubt. The great mass of the Indian popula- tion is as thoroughly pagan as were their ancestors when Colum- bus first looked out on the shores ENTRANCE TO THE EVANGELICAL of the Wf etns.tbeersn ownocreldr.uleTdhebyretmhe- INSTITUTE OF THE· SOUTHERN nants PRESBYTERIANS, AT LAVRAS 0 haughty Inca or proud Monte- zuma, many of them head-hunters and cannibals, as well as quiet tillers of the soil in the mountain valleys and the high plains, can expect no help in the alleviation of their ills, except as it comes to them from the Evangelical churches of Great Britain or the United States. Bishop Oldham has characterized the Indian of South America as the "most pathetic figure in history," and has declared that "if ever from the depressed heart of a submerged people there went np a cry for help int.o the ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth, that cry goes up this day from the nearly twenty millions of Indians scattered from Mexico to Chile."
The Evangelical churches are today willingly pouring out money .and life in the uplift of the black folk of Africa and the belated na- tions of the Far East, and conditions merit and demaIld even greater sacrifice of both. Yet, when these millions of fellow-Americans, as pagan and as needy as the most submerged races of the world, beg for the crumbs that fall from our loaded tables, we tU1'n a deaf ear to their cry. Surely God will require at our hands the lives and
1)27J 'l'IHJ LEGI'l'IMACY OF EVANGELICAL MISSIONS IN LATIN-AMERICA
souls of these our dark-skinned brethren of the South who have long cried out in their agony and heard no reply save the echo of their own wailing!
(6). The love of fair play which characterizes the Anglo-Saxon race demands that we give something to Latin-America, instead of limiting our efforts to getting all possible out of it. The com~ mercial interests of the United States in the twenty Latin republics would today total around $4,000,000,000, and Great Britain has even larger interests. Our business and professional men have gone into these countries and in fair and open competition won their just share of business. But can we, as a nation, rest satisfied with this successful penetration of commercial relations 1 Shall we make no attempt to make known to the Latin-Americans our educational, social and religious ideals? Are we to discourage the interchange of moral and spiritual resources, and be satisfied with mere material gains 1 vVhat Latin-America, in common with all the world, needs today, is a new vision of the Christ. And with this vision will come a new ideal of service, a greater readiness to take up the cross that must be borne and to establish the Kingdom that must be established. If to help other peoples attain to this vision is legitimate, surely it can not be less so in Latin-America.
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL OF THE "PEOPLE'S INSTITUTE," SUSTAINED BY SOUTHERN METHOIJIISTS AMONG THE POOR OF RIO DE JANE.IRO
Adequate Program for Home
BY JAY S. STOWELL, NEW YORK I Na story which I read recently one of the characters was con- tinually talking about going a mile off and looking at himself, in order to see things in their proper perspective. The Home Mission enterprise appears to need some of that treatment just now.
In my judgment, Home Missions are passing through a very critical period. We are in a rather unusual sense at the turning of the road, and the particular fork which we take is a matter of considerable concern to the Church and to America at large. One road seems to lead us to a slow and, let us hope, a painless death, or to that apparently tranquil state of innocuous desuetude. The other holds out the allurement of hard work and of problems to tax our imagination, our faith, and our courage, but with the added enticement of real achievement.
The appeal of the frontier, which stood us in good stead for a century, is gone. To be sure, the genus cowboy is not altogether extinct; homesteaders can be discovered without a magnifying glass; and there are yet some thousands of acres of untrimmed and unmanicured sage-brush and greasewood to reckon with in our national domain. But it is becoming more difficult to convince a hard-headed farmer, on a northern New York farm worth ten dollars an acre, that his money is best expended by giving it to help support competing churches in southern Idaho, where land is worth $250 an acre. One does not need to argue to prove that the days of frontier home missions as such are gone and gone forever.
Another appeal which we have used effectively in the past but which is failing us in these latter days is that patronizing attitude, which makes us beneficently minded toward the man upon whom God has bestowed slanting eyes, a dark-hued skin, or curly hair. This appeal to a supposedly more favored race for benevolence toward a different race is still effective so far as getting money is concerned, but its by-products are woefully unfortunate. It is about ready for the discard. Unfortunately it becomes sand in our eyes and blinds us to the real immensity of our task.
So too the appeal of the log cabin and the adobe shack are more and more impossible of use. No more striking moment occurred in the recent El Paso Conference than that in which, a Mexican youth with but a sixth-grade education stood on the platform and pleaded, "Don't show those pictures of our poverty around the country. "
Wha.t then is our task and our appeal? Is it not to provide adequate opportunities for Christian religious nurture, and opportunities for religious expression to both young and old? It is to reach 284 the unreached. To reach them we must first find them, and, when we look about, we discover that they do not all live in Clay County, West Virginia, or in New Mexico. They are everywhere, and almost everywhere we have churches of some sort or other. Our first task as home missionary leaders, therefore, is to lead in making our local church program more effective. We must become leaders in mapping parishes and locating the unreached, in evangelism, in local church finance, and in religious education. We must show our people how to serve the entire community and how to make our churches community and Kingdom servants rather than social clubs.
The people whom we wish to reach are connected with families and live in houses. We can locate those houses and make sure that every family is under the care of some church. 'rhe extended area of "no-man's-land" around so many of our churches must be done away, and church programs must be enriched to serve the people effectively.
We must make our churches concerned about the people who are "different," and even show them how to crowd up a little closer in the pew and make room for the one who is "different." So far as the records go, the smell of garlic never killed anyone, and it is no more pervasive than an i.rresistible spirit of good-will. Of course in many communities outside aid must be secured, but would it not be a wonderful thing, if we could make our subsidizing activities an incident in a great plan of church effectiveness, which had for its goal the wiiming of every man, woman, and child in America to Jesus Christ, regardless of racial origin or complexion ~ Human nature being what it is, our most immediate task is with the rising generation and the fundamental missionary challenge in the United States today is the nearly twenty million boys and girls who are not enrolled in any Sunday-school or similar organization, either Catholic, Hebrew, or Protestant, and who are growing up uninformed concerning matters of religion and untrained in religious living. And these young people are everywhere. Professor Felton has told us that.in Tompkins County, New York, they found 77 per cent of the children in the rural communities studied outside of any church or Sunday-school. In fact, in one public school district only one child was connected with any Sunday-school. Recently in one of the richest agricultural sections of Iowa a Methodist district superintendent said, "One half of the farmers in my territory never go to church, no Christian minister ever goes into their homes, and their children are enrolled in no Sunday-school."
It matters little whether the skin of these young people is red, brown, black, or white; whether they are children of foreign-born or native-born parents, or whether they live in log cabins, in apartment houses, or on landed estates. It is a matter of national concern that the education received.in our public schools shall be supple-
mented by very definite religious training and that that training shall be made available for our entire juvenile population. The task is an enormous one, but its accomplishment is feasible. A start could be made by employing three thousand trained directors of religious . education and distributing them one to a county throughout the United States to correlate and unify the work already done by local churches and communities, to improve the efficiency of the work, to extend its outreach through daily vacation schools, week-day religious instruction, club work and the like and not the least important to survey t.he ent.ire area with a view to discovering the boys and girls not now receiving religious training and relating them to some church or Sunday-school, where they can receive such training. A considerable number of such workers are already employed. One of them alone last summer had nearly fifty volunteer workers conducting daily vacation church schools in rural communities. Practically all of these volunteer workers had either college or normalschool training. They gave their time without renumeration, the communities providing incidental expenses. We should not rest until the responsibility for every family is definitely located. Ultimately the task may involve many paid teachers of religion, with as adequate qualifications for their particular work as are now demanded of the teachers in our public schools.
To locate the boys and girls and the men and women now un· reached and get them under the care of some church is a feasible undertaking, particularly in our rural sections. It could. be done as effectively as our public- school authorities now locate the boys and girls of school age, but it calls for a united approach. It would at least show us where our task lies and it would probably reveal to us the fact that instead of being surfeited with religious leaders we are short of men and women to do the work, especially individuals trained to direct the work of religious nurture.
Surely such a comprehensive program would capture the imagination of our constituency, and it would help us to make the most effective use of all the agencies now in the field. Suppose we were to state our immediate home mission goals for America in some such simple and understandable terms as these: EVERY FAMILY IN AMERICA CARED FOR BY SOME CHURCH.
EVERY Boy AND GIRL IN AMERICA ENROLLED IN AND ATTENDING SOME SUNDAy-SCHOOL.
EVERY CHURCH IN AMERICA WITH AN ADEQUATE AND WELL-TRAINED STAFF AND A WELL-CONSIDERED PROGRAM OF WORSHIP, RELIGIOUS NURTURE, AND COMMUNITY MINISTRY.
Then suppose every local church, every community, every state and city church federation, and every national religious agency were asked to join in a cooperative program for the achievement of these goals. At present we tend to depend too much upon what we can
AN ADEQUA'l'E, PROGRAM FOR HOME MISSIONS
do directly as national agencies; we are giving too little attention to inspiring all our churches to more earnest and more intelligent effort all along the line. '
To reach all the unreached in America seems an overwhelming impossibility. To reach the unreached in one single community, however, is a perfectly feasible undertaking. Could we enlist the present forces for righteousness in all our communities in a united enterprise, our task might be accomplished.
Such a program would of course have to head up somewhere for purposes of publicity and direction, but probably not for field administration. The work on the field could be done through the agencies now operating there. Ten or fifteen thousand dollars in- vested in such a type of promotion would probably release many times that amount in terms of applied Christian energy on the field.
Religion played a large part in America's early colonial life.
Our institutions were founded in a religiously-minded society and were permeated with religious idealism. No greater calamity could eome .to America than to lose that idealism by allowing repeated generations of American youth to grow up illiterate in religious matters and untrained in religious life. If we could provide for all the boys and girls of America as good opportunities for religious nurture as some boys and girls are now enjoying, and if we could interest our local churches in the adults now unreached by them, we .
would not have much reason to worry about the America of the'
future.
THE GLORIOUS ENTERPRISE OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS· BY AMOS R. WELLS, D.D., LL.D., BOSTON, MASS.
Missions make up the most extensive, powerful, and effective enterprise in the world today. No other enterprise reaches so many 'People, moves them so mightily, and commands for its services so much brain power and soul power. Missions are laboring for the improvement of every great city, of all remote corners of our land, and of all its diverse populations. Missions are carrying the Kingdom of God to every nation under the sun. Missions are instinct with heroism, ceaseless in industry, magnificent in achievement.
Do you not want to be allied with this noblest of all endeavors, the establishment of the Kingdom of God T You could not give your life to a more resplendent task. You could not enter a more imperial Brotherhood. The work calls for the best that you can contribute. The work will develop you until you are at your best. No other work is so satisfying, so inspiring.
The Kingdom of God is calling you now. Do not give any smaller aim a chance to seize you. Do not waste a year or a month of your life on inferior objects. Join the Church of Jesus Christ, and you will find that step to be your entrance upon the royal life.
"From the Christian Endeavor World. Freedom for Moslem Women * BY MISS J. G. KING I N EGYPT during the past few years Moslem women have ob- tained greater freedom in many respects. The veil, formerly designed to protect the wearer from the public gaze, is now a thin flimsy ornament which hides nothing from the passer-by. The new laws of child-marriage have established the minimum age of sixteen years. Free acquaintance is granted with their husbands and sons, and permission is given to mingle freely with the audience at the cinema or. theatre, instead of occupying the strictly harem seats allotted to the women. They are allowed to go in the streets and frequent the shops without the customary servant in attendance. In fact, the Moslem women of Egypt seem to be entering into the freedom of the civilization of the West.
Yet I call to mind a very different picture of the Moslem women of Egypt, whose lives are still behind the latticed screen of the harem. Few foreigners really know all that goes on in the Moslem homes (so called) of Egypt. The tourists see only the side of life described by the press correspondent. How many homes are touched by this transformation? Perhaps one in a thousand, and the ordinary Moslem woman knows nothing of this new freedom.
Ohild-marriage prevails everywhere still, in both city and village. During the Nile evangelistic campaign, when visiting in the districts unfrequented by the European traveller, it seemed that in practically every house in the village there was the little child-bride, from nine years old to eleven years, and sometimes younger. The days of seclusion began from the time of betrothal, and the little br:de entered the life of the harem. No laws of the mimimum marriage age ever rescued her from the bondage of harem life. She has never known a true child life. Will the mothers who read this think of their own bairns of eight and nine years old, and their happy lives of freedom, and let the cry of the little child-brides of Egypt come home to their heart1 The sorrows of these children are very real. 'l'hey yearn for the love you lavish upon your little ones. The wedding-day may be attended with great outward excitement, yet I have seen the fear on the faces of the little child-brides, as they know not who their husband may be, whether kind or cruel, and they realize what it means to leave a mother and be given to the care of a man whom they have never seen.
The second picture the curtain reveals is the girl of fifteen to eighteen years, not recognizable as the strong healthy schoolgirl of America, active in all games and various sports, enjoying the life of the girl guide, or entering college to pursue the studies she loves.
• From Blessed Be Egypt~ Cairo. 288
1927J FHEEDOM FOR MOSLEM
Where is the freedom for the Moslem girl? She has known no girl- hood, she is, to outward appearances, a middle-aged woman, and what have the years of harem life done for her~ Her mind is warped, she knows nothing beyond the care of her children and the cooking of the food. She cannot discuss any questions of the outside world. She has never seen it. She cannot read-only six Moslem women in a thousand can do that. She is the slav~ of her husband; she is ill- treated, or not, at his caprice. Her days follow in one ceaseless round of trivial household duties. Her life becomes one of scheming how to deceive her husband in order to save a little of the money given her for household purposes, and to lay it by for her own wants, or to pro- vide for herself should the fatal day of divorce come. That dread, which haunts her, day in and day out, is a very real dread, and its shadow falls across every Moslem home. I have been in the midst of a group of some seven or eight women, and from each one the same story was poured out. "Yes, I am a divorced woman." "My hus- band tired of me a few months after my marriage and divorced me. "
"I have been divorced three times."
I have heard the cries of woe in the dead of night when that dread has become an actuality, and the woman has been ejected from her husband's house to find a home where she can-with her parents, if they are living, or with other relatives. Try and picture all it would mean to live constantly with a dread of homelessness hang- ing over your head, and to know it is possible at a moment's notice.
'l'his is the picture of the girl's life in the harem.
There is only one more scene I can disclose behind that latticed window-the woman in old age. There is no care for the aged woman in the home life of Egypt's women. Unwanted she came into the world, so uncared-for she may leave it. The saddest picture of all is the grey hairs that go down in sorrow to the grave. Oftentimes the end is hastened, and very little mourning is made for the old woman.
I have heard the remark, "Their life is over, they are no use now, it is better they should die; God will be merciful to them." There is no hope and no comfort for their last days.
Where is the new freedom we have read about? It is coming slowly, but the freedom of civilization is not the one they need to release them from their bonds of sadness. The new freedom is the glorious liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Ohrist, to be preached in every home, to be proclaimed to every tired, sin-stained soul. Have they heard that yet 1 Very few have yet heard the glad tidings of the love of Jesus, and that He came to set at liberty them that are bound. But we have the great responsibility of sending the Gospel to these women. We must answer the question now for it may be the door of opportunity, which is open now, will close for Egypt's women. How can we face our Lord, if we have heard of their sorrows and done nothing to give them this new freedom for which they are yearning? 4 . _ ..– . BEST MBTHO DS · ",a'1!S"l'li :M-"" '-",,- CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP IN PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE Pocketbook Heroism from littleness, worldliness, and sec- In the first year of its existence tarianism. before the new missionaries went out Fourth. Because the Gospel is adeto foreign lands, the receipts of the American Board of Commissioners quate to save. One needs but to see for Foreign Missions were less than the transformations worked by the one hundred dollars. When the so- Gospel in mission lands to have faith ciety assumed the responsibility of greatly strengthened. sending the men abroad, it had about five hundred dollars in its treasury :J!'ifth. Because only through the and only twelve hundred dollars in churches and their giving will the lost sight. Their· heroism was communi- world be reached. cated to the pocket-books as well as the hearts of a multitude of American Sixth. Because the large work of Christians. Gifts were laid on the world redemption includes all Chriscommunion-table at the ordination of tian work in its blest circle. Get a Adoniram Judson and his fellow mis- church deeply interested in the work sionaries so that the communion-table of Christ in distant lands, and you have no trouble in interesting it in every good work everywhere.-Mis- sionary lntelligencer.
became "an altar of offering." Be- STEWARDSHIP AND PART_ fore they sailed the American Board NERSHIP had received six thousand dollars and the missionaries received the money By R. A. ETHERIDGE for their outfit, and salaries for a year Our Lord has not called us all to be in advance. "At one house where the missionaries, but He called us all to Judsons were entertained, the door witness. From twenty years' expewas opened by an unseen hand, and a rience as a lawyer, I know something purse of fifty dollars in coin was about the witness on the stand. A thrown in, with the label, 'For Mr. witness must have experience. He Judson's private use.' " must have something to tell, and he WHY EVERY CHURCH SHOULD must know whereof he speaks. I have GIVE TO MISSIONS an experience for which I am thank- ful, and I know what I am talking First. Because the Master com- about.
mands. Every church must partici- The fundamental thing and the su- pate in giving the Gospel to the un- preme thing in giving is that the saved or fails in its loyalty to Him. Christian shall give himself. I had Second. Because gifts are greatly been a Christian a long time before needed. The work is enlarging, the the truth of that dawned upon me. I unentered fields are calling, the mis- had not thought about giving God my sionaries need funds for the work. family, my business, all my future Third. Because the churches need prospects. When I made that com- the partnership. Only the church plete surrender and handed over my that participates actively in this work life into the hands of God, I found is promised the blessing of the pres- that to give Him money was merely ence of Christ. True partnership in incidental; that was easy. When B world missions will save the churches man has made the supreme gift of 290
BEST METHODS
himself, and has surrendered his will his day's work for the Master. I pray and his life into the hands of God, God to bless him. He says, as he lies you do not need to talk money to Him. down at night, "My partner at At- Giving follows as the night the day. lanta is just going to his office for a We ought not to ask people for their day's work. God bless and prosper money until they have been first asked him. " Oh, the richness of it; oh, the to give themselves to God. magnificence of it, to be a child of About twelve years ago I awoke to God and a citizen of the world, and the blessed fact that the Lord was to be engaged in partnership with willing, not simply to save my soul God in bringing to pass the Kingdom and my spiritual being, but that He of God, which Jesus Christ Himself was interested in everything that came to this world to establish in the touched my everyday life. He is will- hearts of men.
ing to come down and enter into partnership with me in the practice of The new world which is coming will law; that He is as glad to be by my be worth as many sacrifices as that side in the morning at my desk as on for which ten million men laid down Sunday when I teach the class of men thei,' lives during the world war.- in the church to which I belong. So I ROBERT E. SPEER.
decided to go into business with the Lord, to ask Him to be a partner in SOME PRINCIPLES OF BENEVO- my firm; and I promised Him that LENCE any material blessing or prosperity By J(}HN D. R(}CKEFELI~F.R that He might send to me would })e The man who plans to do all his used as a sacred trust for His glory giving on Sunday is a poor prop for and for the good of my fellows. I the institutions of the country. promised Him that out of every dollar that might pass through my hands, We must always remember that a definite proportion should go into there is not enough money for the the treasury of the Lord. work of human uplift, and there never I kept books with the Lord, and can be. How vitally importaut, therenow there is always money in God '8 fore, that the expenditure should go treasury. I do not give grudgingly as far as possible and be used with the any more. It is the joy of my life. greatest intelligence. My Heavenly F~ther has prospered me and I try to see to it that it is It would be the narrowest sort of clean business. view to take, and I think the meanest, to consider that good works consist My Partner has resources. He chiefly in the giving of money. knows how to help me. It should be a greater pleasure and satisfaction to give money for a good There has been such a blessing that cause than to spend it.
has come into my life that I love to WHY DO YOU GIVE? tell other men about it and ask them to adopt the principle of being liberal There is the story of a lady· who with the Giver of all good. It pays in dreamed that she went to church and a thousand ways. It pays in the en- as the people were going away she saw largement of life. I have multiplied some one standing at the door holding myself by having a missionary at a plate for the gifts of the people. It work on the other side of the globe looked like an ordinary plate, but it while I am working here. Every day had the power of changing each gift we pray for him. He is doing the into its real value in God's sight. A same thing for us. That man is in- gentleman put in a ten-dollar gold terested in my prosperity. It is a piece, which at once turned into brass, ha.ppy thought that as I lie down to because the man had given it in order sleep, my representative on the other to be thought well of by others. A side of the world is just going forth to lady put in a quarter, which turned
quickly into a penny. She could give our interest in the advancement of more, and she gave only because God's Kingdom on earth. Once get others gave. A little girl came up, people interested, instructed, and indropped in a penny, which turned in- spired concerning missions; get them to a flower. She had given just to down on their knees for the salvation please her teacher. Then a very poor of the world and giving must follow. little girl came along and put a penny When a Christian gets the worldon the plate. Instantly it was changed wide vision he gives and gives freely. into gold. The child had denied herself to give the money, because she STEWARDSHIP SERMONS loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Thi~ made it well pleasing to God. Your soul and your money will move in the same direction. When THE APOSTLE'S PLAN OF GIVING you are a child of God your money 3S 1 Corinthians 16.2 well as your life and lips must reveal to whom you belong. ERIODIC W01"8h1pful Prayerfu! In the gospel enterprise money should not be produced at the expense "On 6nl day dlhe week Cheerfu! of life but as a result of life–spirit- Habitual ual life.
ERSONAL Each Man The church life must possess a Each Woman proper atmosphere if the finances are Let each. on~ of you to be produced wisely and helpfully Eaoh B01J for all concerned. . . . Atmosphere Each Girt of the right sort is produced by care- No Proxies ful and constant prayer, thought, and No Mergilng planning concerning church finance; it does not produce itself. ROVIDENT ~'o,.ehanaea Financing the gospel enterprise is Lay by him in store DelibeTOto a spiritual matter first, last and all the time. Thoughtful Intelligent Every child of God must seek to give the Father-Owner the maximum REVENTIVE No Defi<>it rather than the minimum. In order No Intere8t on to judge what is a maximum we need Be mllde wheo I come" to get the viewpoint of the Lord. Loans Often the largest giving is done by No Worry people who contribute small sums No Retrench- week by week.
ments With a professing Christian, giving is not a matter of legislation but of DECAYING CHURCHES life.
A painter was once asked to por- The stewardship tide in the local tray "A Decaying Church." He church will seldom rise higher than placed on the canvas a fine, handsome the convictions and practices of the building, and a large number of fash- pastor. ionably-dressed people going towards the entrance. In the lobby, where The true steward gives at least a it could be seen by all who entered, tenth, for he believes in proportionate was a box with a slit, and on this box giving. He gives intelligently and was written in large letters, "FOR with discrimination. He seeks to MISSIONS": but over the opening know the world field as well as his loa spider had woven its web! cal church work and his money is care- fully distributed so that the world is Is there any vital connection be- blessed by the use of it. He is a stewtween the decrease in membership, in ard in all that he keeps and in all that Sunday-schools and other organiza- he gives.-F. A. Agar. tions and the debt of the missionary boards~ When a church grips with no uncertain hand this great question of missions, numerical decreases will disappear. Vital Christian conviction and vital Christian life are shown in
BEST ME'l'HODS
MY MONEY CREED We, the undersigned members of the par- ish, in the presence of God, do covenant as 1. To spend my income rightly is follows: one of my first tasks as a Christian. UntH I settle this, my prayers and 1, In acknowledgment of the Divine own· confessions will be like saying, "Lord, ership of all that we possess we do in· Lord, " and not doing the will of my dividually covenant with God in the Ian· F'ather. guage of .Jacob: "Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely pay the tenth unto 2. I should set aside a definite pro- Thee." portion of my income for the Church and the service of others. I do this in 2. Secondly, we do covenant with ouracknowledgment of God's sovereignty selves and with our God that we will bring over all my material possessions. I the Lord '8 portion, the full tenth of our do this because it is business-like. income, into the storehouse, that as He has Giving on impulse and without sys- commanded, "There may be meat in My tem does not accord with the impor- house, " for the building of the Kingdom. tance of this work. 3. We agree that this money shan be 3. The proportion to be set aside cared for by the treasurer of the Tithers' for these purposes should not be less Association and divided between the sup· than one tenth of my income. The port of the Gospel, the various benevolent Old Testament enjoined the tithe in enterprises of the church and other work of ancient Israel, and surely I am receiv- the Kingdom as shall be agreed upon. ing far more trom God than did the men of any former generation. 4. We further agree, in that liberty which Nevertheless, one tenth is not to be the limit of my giving. . . . I ought is in Christ, in case of nnusual tithe or spe· to give more, if I be able.-Han'is F'r'onklin Rall. cial divine leading, any individual shall The time is overdue for sane, scrip- deem it necessary that he shall direct the tural, spiritual teaching of the law of stewardship. Millions of Christian division of his tenth, that he may be permen and women are now keeping back part of the tithes. We have not mitted to do so by written order to the linked the stewardship of property with the consecration of the steward- treasurer, a full record of such transaction ship of life. A widespread revival of the teachings of Christian steward- to be kept in the books of the Association. ship will not only insure an adequate we 5,. support of the cause of Christ, but further agree that having entered will bring about a deepening of the Hpiritual life of the church as its into this covenant we will not be under ob· principal result.-Bishop Homer C. Sf.untz. ligation to sign any additional subscription SCRIPTURAL STANDARDS OF or pledge for any church work or benevo· GIVING lence. Our dues to any of the authorized In response to the call of the pastor church organizations to which we may beand a company of laymen who caught long will be ~aid by the treasurer of the the vision of the possibilities, spiritual and financial, of adopting Bible stand- Tithers' Association out of the tithe money ards of giving, a church at Geneva, New York, entered upon a new epoch on written orders approved by the execu· in its history. Two hundred and sixty-five persons have signed the fol- tive committee. In case we make additional lowing agreement: contributions "according as the Lord has prospered" us they will be regarded as free· will or thank offerings.
6. For any matters not herein provided the executive committee and the pastor are empowered to act in the best interests of the church and the Kingdom.
The pastor says: "The law of the tithe was designf'd by God to produce spiritual results. It is a mistake to think of the law of the tithe primarily as. a system of finance. The first result of the tithing association was a real revival of re- ligion. The membership increased to over one thousand. During the year the church raised $15,600, including the payment of all apportioned be- nevolences, plus twenty-five per cent. Three fourths of the entire amount contributed was paid by the members of the tithers' association."
EFFIOIENOY IN A SMALL OHUROH don Missionary Society. He had not much money to give, but he thought At Portal, NQrth Dakota, the .pas- he would try to earn some. He kept tor, Rev. W. 11. Grafton, has had g,?od some fowls, and decided that one of success in calling out the latent force!; his hens should belong to the Society, of his church. Here follows a brief and that all the eggs she laid should story of how it was done, and the re- be sold and the money given. Before sults. she died the money amounted to .£4 lOs-about $23. But that was not all. METHODS The hen sat on eight of her eggs until they were hatched, these too belonged "Put the Kingdom first, not our to the Society, and in time have own church. " brought in a large amount of money.
Pastor gave one tenth of salary. When the hen died, the old man Sermons in February and March on had her body embalmed, and buried it in the garden and erected a little Missions-Money-Stewardship monument. He thought many more Our Country's Possibilities people would read the inscription and Changes in the non-Christian that those who read it might be in- clined to try to do something similar, World so that the hen would still be helping Our Hospitals and Schools the London Missionary Society. The Bible a Missionary Book Program and Method of Our Church Missionary Exhibit REsuL'l's MRS. E. C. CRONK Membersl1ip increased in 8 mOllthB 'rhe honored editor of this departme11t 46% d"parted this life "to be with Christ" Local support increased 75% Benevolences increased 500% on :March 12th, (see editorial, page 245). The c.hurch crowdea. for special Katharine Scherer was born on July 14, serVIces The people informed as to the mis- ]877, at Marion, Virginia, and sixteen years sionary purpose, program and later was graduated from Marion College, responsibility of our church Enthusiasm aroused for all our of which her father was founder and presi- church work Leaders and workers developed dent. In May, 1895, she was married to Spiritual life of the church in- creased. Rev. E. C. Cronk and, with her husband, THE MISSIONARY HEN established the first Lutheran Church in In Gloucestershire, England, there Atlanta, Georgia. Later, when ilniteCroaltuumrebiia~ is a pretty old-fashioned g-arden aml South Carolina, as chairman of orchard, in Ol1e corner of which is a little tombstone. the United Synod of the South, 8he fouuded On it are these words: The Tidings, a missionary paper for chil- DECEMBER 21, 1869 dren. After the merger into the United Here lies Tidman's missionary hen, Lutheran Church in America, as superin· Her contributions four pounds, ten; Although she is dead the work goes on, tendent of children'8 work under the W()m- As she has left seven danghters and a son To carryon the work that she begun. ,en's Missionary Society, she organized So be it. "The Light Brigade," which now includes Long ago, there liyed a man called ne31'1y thirteen hundred groups of children Tidman in the village near-by. He longed to do something for the Lon- Illlrlm' twrh'c ;vpars of age. Her adclrssses at Humnler eonfcrC'nees and schools of mis- sions all oYer the United States, and her work for the R,EVIEW, for Everyland alHI Dntlwran W071utn'.• WO"k, and her leaflets have made her widely known and greatly honored. The book of missionary heroes, "Under Many Fial(s," written for children, in collaboration with Elsie Singmaster, and her volume of "Brave Ad"Venturers" hayp heen popular among boys and girls in all npnominations. Many gifts to mjssione have been the direct result of her influence alld numbers of young men and young women have been led by her to devote them- selves and their talents to the cause of Christ.-EDITOR.
Woman's Foreign Mission
EDITED BY MISS ELJ,, D. McL'AURIN, 419 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK TWO NEW BOOKS ON CHINA world today. They are largely ques- With reference to the far~reaehing tions which must be prayed through developments in China in recent and settled by women. Because these months,. the following two books are problems are common to all women, most heartily recommended as con- the book is admirably fitted to become taining much information that will our first united study book for the aid in acquiring a better knowledge women of the world.
of the significance of recent events. The author of the book, Mary THE CHINA CHRISTIAN YEAR BOOK, Schaufller Platt, is known by her 1926. The largest American interests widely used textbook, "The Child in in China are the missions supported the Midst," and other books, "The by the American churches. This book Home With the Open Door," and describes the Christian movement in "The HeartWi:lih the Open Door."
China in 1926, and the political, edu- Mrs. Platt's experiences as a mission- cational, soeial, medical, industrial, ary in Persia and a teacher in the literary, and other movements in re- Kennedy School for Missions have lation to it. 549 pages, cloth cover, fitted her to understand as few could Price, $2.50. understand these problems. She is CHINA TODAY THROUGH CHINESE also able to make an excellent text- E,YES. Second Series, 1926. This is book not beyond the use of the ordi- a series of essays by seven Chinese nary women. The chapter headings writers on the Present Political Out- are as follows: look, the Industrial Situation and the Chaptef I. A Safe Way for the Children: Labor Movement, Intellectual Move- Chapter II. Child Welfare. ments, the New Culture Movement Chapter III. The Starting Point: The and Chrl"stIan EducatlO. n, Synthesis of Cultures of East and West, Pres- Christian Home. The Broader Outlook: Books and Pictures.
ent-Day Religious Thought and Life, Chapter VI. The Compass: Religious Edll· E:ducational Conditions, and Student Chapter V. cation. Life, the Needs of the Christian Move- Chapter VI. Companions of the Way: ment in China. 151 pages, paper Social Pl'ogress. cover. Price, $1.50. Unto the Perfect Day: World Wide Friendship.
Both of these books may be obtained The twenty-f<>ur balf-tone picture. are unby sending the price with order to ~I~~hI 7a5nc~ beautiful. Price paper oovers, 50c; 419 Fourth Avenue, New York City, "How to Use" is also ready. Mrs. after March ]5, 1927.
Charles H. Daniels has given us ad- "A STRAIGHT WAY TOWARD mirable suggestions for program mak- TOMORROW" ing, not only for the women's society, "A Straight Way Toward Tomor- but for the study class and church row, " a Foreign Mission textbook for schools of missions. Price 15c.
women, including young women, The Junior Textbook which is intensely practical, and touches the very heart of missionary "Please Stand By," by Margaret effort. Applegarth. The Juniors will have a In the chapters of this book we face grand and glorious time with their the most important questions for the new book. The radio furnishes chap- women of the chul'ehes of the whole ter titles, as follows; . 295
A REFUGEE MOTHER AND CHILD Chapter I . Mr. At las Listens In. simplest kind of picture stories which Chapter II. S. O. 8. they can r eally understand and read Chapter III. Please Stand By. for themselves. Junior leaders have Chapter IV. Broadcasting It. complained that there are so few t ext- Chapter V. Static Spoils the Bedtime books for the four-to-seven age. 'fhe demand for "Prayers for Little Chil- Stories. dren" led the author to begin a series Chapter VI. Signing Off. of stories for little children. The first two booklets, with lovely rose and The book would lend itself admir- blue covers and delightful pietures, ably to radio talks on Sunday after- are ready. Everyland Children Volnoons as well as to the groups of ume I, "Just Like You, " and V~lume Juniors and Sunday-school classes in II, "Taro and Ume, " J apanese the intermediate department. Miss Juniors. These may be used as two- Applegarth has written "Suggestions minute stories in primary classes with for Junior Leaders" to accompany the Juniors, and surely in the home her book. She will teach the book at where little children should get their Northfield this summer. Start the first happy impressions and acquaint- Juniors on this fascinating course. ance with other ehildl·en. " Just Like The book shows the great task of help- You" breaks down barriers at home ing to lift up the world-and boys and over-seas. Priee, leatherette and girls love to help lift. eovers, 25c; eloth, 50e.
For Little Children These are t he books sent out by the Central Committee to meet the needs We ask this year that you will r e- of Woman's Foreign ·Missionary 80member that these children in the primary class and younger groups are "little children." Give to them the
WOMAN '8 FOREIGN MISSION BULLETIN
cieties who ask something conerete, FINDINGS GALORE with a strong appeal for the modern woman who is "not interested" in The Findings of the Annual Meetforeign missions because she does not ing of the Federation of Woman's understand what they are doing for Boards of Foreign Missions of North the women of the world. America are now ready and can be had at 419 Fourth AVtn~le, New York, Only as all Christian women pray the new headquarters of the Federatogether, study together and work to- tion office, at the same rates as last gether through the children, can we year, $2.00 per hundred, $1.00 for hope for the new world. fifty copies or 50c for twenty-five copies. Before these Findings were MRS. HENRY W . PEABODY. off the press orders were coming in.
STUDENTS IN INDIA PRAY FOR CAUSE AND CURE OF WAR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN Weare now prepared to furnish these very significant Findings for AMERICA $1.00 per one hundred copies. We are most anxious that each group, in The following prayer for America church, state and region shall conis being offered each week in the sider these very far-reaching recom- Madras Union Christian College, In- mendations. Weare expecting that dia, showing how eagerly Christians the Report of this Conference will be in the Far East are watching the off the press in the very near future. temperance ·movement here: It will prove a storehouse of accurate information. "'Ye bes~ech. Thee to g~ant ,!"by strellgth to this natIOn III Its confhct WIth the evils of strong drink, that the resolve which has been nobly made may be nobly kept."
HOME SPUN IN INOlA EDITED BY FLORENCE E. QUINLAN, 156 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK THE INQUIRING MoRMON LOOKS opponents, that it is impossible to US OVER crush the church. With a group of more than five By CLATON S. RlCE hundred thousand loyal members and The Mormon church is destined to many thousands more of almost as live for many, many years. Perhaps loyal adherents and apologists, with it will be in existence when the names its strength consolidated in sparsely of many better known churches of settled cities of the West, it exerts a today are forgotten. The decision power far beyond its numbers. Grow- that it should live was made by the ing at the rate of between twenty and mob which murdered Joseph Smith ;bwenty-:tiv~ thousatnd per year the at Carthage, Ill. Assurance that the Mormon church bids fair to capture church would flourish was given much of the inter-mountain West. when, after the death of the prophet, Brigham Young outgeneraled Sidney Yet all is not at rest inside the Rigdon and placed himself in power. Mormon church. The educated Mor- With a first class martyr around mon is realizing that many claims his whom to center loyalties, and with father made for the church are not grounded upon fact. He knows too a real statesman to direct it, any re- well that the Book of Mormon, the ligious organization composed large- Doctrines and Covenants, and the ly of plastic people can live almost Pea;rl of Great Price, are man-made indefinitely, in spite of several handi- books filled with errors. He apprecaps, theological and otherwise. ciates the fact that many claims made We cannot crush the Mormon by the prophet Joseph were not jus- church; many of us would not crush tified by fact. He looks at the unfor- it if we could. There are too many tunate Mountain Meadows massacre splendid contributions which have and the cold-bloocwd partnership of come from it in the past and which the church with the liquor interests may spring from it in the future to in the past, and today, at its close justify such action, were it within union with great money interests, and our power. The Mormon church as becomes restive. He begins to ques- a colonizer, as a conqueror of waste tion, too, whether the church is offer- places, as a demonstrator of a great ing the best in religion and in morals system of cooperation, as a producer to its people. He does what his fa- of a people who have learned to give ther dared not do: he places a great of their time, money and energy to question mark before his church, and the church and to philanthropic its claims, and then he begins to look causes nntil it hurts-these contribu- around.
tions we mnst recognize. and we Naturally the inquiring Mormon should appreciate. turns to us, the Protestant churches.
We could not crush the Mormon He decides to look us over. If he is church if we would. So firmly en- a student away from Mormonism he trenched is it in business, in the po- sees us as we are at home. If, as litical and in the social life of the is more likely, he is still in a Mormon inter-mountain country and of the community, he looks us over there, nation, so skilful in the use of ostra- and he makes most interesting dis- cism, boycott and many forms of coveries.
bribery, so trained in the satanic art If he goes into our churches of the of creating antagonisms among itR better class he is pleased with the 298 reverence displayed there in contrast people are trained m the first prin- with the lack of it in his own. The ciples of their religion from early well-ordered service appeals to him. childhood days and that there are He senses a spiritual message which comparatively few of them who can- is loftier than that to which he has not "give a reason for the faith that been accustomed. The hymns may is in them. " What is more, he knows strike him as more noble than -most that they make it a point to give this of those written by his own people. reason whenever opportunity offers If he is fortunate in the church he itself. In vivid contrast the Gentile visits, he will appreciate the splen- does not talk his religion, and gen- didly educated minister he listens to erally can not, even when forced to and the fact that, trained for his attempt it. This is a situation the task, he is doing one thing and that inquiring Mormon cannot under- only. stand. He assumes, logically enough, These discoveries are flattering to that the Gentile's ignorance of his us. But as he looks us over further, religion means that his religion is -this inquiring Mormon-he makes not vital to him.
other discoveries which are not so . This feeling is accentuated when flattering. As he becomes acquainted he discovers how little of permanent with us it seems to him that the loyalty to church most Gentiles pos- church does not play a vital part in sess. He knows that good Mormons the life of' the Protestant. He has are loyal to the last ditch. No one been accustomed to a church which can disparage their church without is all in all to his people. In every being called to account for it. Their activity of his life his church has loyalty goes so deep that often, he played its part. The life of his peo- knows, they go far beyond reason in- ple is a "church-centric" life. to fanatical action. But his Gentile He marvels as he discovers that the friend takes the church so lightly. He Gentile churchman he meets is will- puts it on and then puts it off as if ing to sacrifice very little for his it mattered little. He comes to Mor- church. He contrasts the Gentile who mondom and at first goes to church.
gives his church grUdgingly of his Then, as he discovers that it is easy, money and time with what he is ac- that it is the profitable action for customed to in his own organization, him, financially and socially, to les- a people who from the first have given sen his church activities, he lessens their tenth as a duty and many of them. A little threat of boycott sends whom in addition have poured out him scurrying to cover, his church money and service without stint, in loyalty left behind. Consistent pres- going on missions, in teaching, in sure through a long period of years preaching, and in social activities. is likely to destroy completely the Many of his people are ready to give loyalty of most Gentile churchmen in all they possess to the church, if nec- Mormondom, causing them, or at least essary. The Gentile he knows seems their children, to pass "into solu- more likely to attempt to hold all back tion."
from the church, all that he can hold The inquiring Mormon also ob- back. He marvels as he discovers serves with surprise the large num- how little the average Gentile is will- ber of Mormon apologists among the ing to sacrifice for his church. Gentiles of his acquaintance, men who Then, too, he feels that the church have, or who have had in the past, can not play a vital part in the life Protestant church connections. He of the average Gentile he meets, when realizes that their loyalties have gone.
he discovers his startling ignorance and he marvels. He can explain these of what his church stands for. As strange conditions, this unwillingness he questions him about his religion to sacrifice, this lack of knowledge of he finds that he can get very little what the church stands for, this poor out of him. He knows that his own loyalty to church, in only one way:
The Protestant church means little surroundings to challenge the inquirin the lives of most of its people. ing Mormon?
The inquiring Mormon is all too Yet how can we expect anything correct in many of his conclusions. else? What is the actual attitude of The church does not loom large in the Protestant church toward home the eyes of the average Gentile. Un- missions in general, and toward mistil it means more, until the inquiring sioniO in Mormondom in particular ¥ Mormon can find loyalties as great as his own among our people, how Let me give you my own experican we expect him to become vitally ence. On the last week in seminary, interested in what we are standing just before graduation, we were tellfor? ing one another where we planned to work. This was the reaction of sev- You must help us, you who live eral to the announcement that I outside of Mormondom. If you can planned to go to Utah: " Don't be send us consecrated, active, loyal a fool. What do you mean by bury- Christians, when you send emigrants ing yourself out there ? You, will to us, we can make such impressions never get anywhere. The home misupon the inquiring Mormon that he sion field is bad enough anywhere, will begin to revolutionize his own but a field in Utah is hopeless." church. But as it is, he is likely to turn away ~eeling that if church "A 'home mission field is bad means so little to the Gentiles he has enough anywhere!" Yes, to accept no reason to be interested. a home mission field today brands a minister a failure in the eyes of the My Mormon friend who is seeking great majority in the Church. "The more knowledge does not stop here, home mission field! Why no one goes however. If he has been disappointed there except men who can make good in many of the laity he feels that he nowhere else," I hear men say. may find something better in the ministry. He looks us over, thinking of The home mission field! The vast those high up in his own church at unconquered lands of the West where the same time. Mormons are primar- folks struggle fearfully hard in the ily a rural people. So my inquiring effort to wring a living out of the arid Mormon most often lives in a country soil! Great empires now in the town where he knows but one or two building, future granaries and paraministers. How seldom he comes up- dises, now filled with struggling, ofton one who challenges his thinking. en discouraged people, so many of And even in the city, how few have whom need the comfort of the Gosin mind his peculiar needs and preach pel. to reach him. More often than not be turns away disappointed. The home mission field! Here where the Church strives in a once A good man, the preacher is likely prosperous, now dying community, to to be, a zealous worker, a faithful bring the consolation of the Gospel servant, but how often, it Reems to of Christ to those who are left. The him, a man of mediocre ability, of home mission field! The body of most ordinary intelligence, one who Christ living in the teeming polyglot in comparison with the brightest in districts of the new frontier in the his own church makes a most nnfa- great cities. And home missionaries vorable showing. Preaclling to a branded as failures-branded as faildiscouraged, half-hearted group, ures because the challenge that stirred preaching primarily to them and for the soul of Jesus stirs their souls, them, hoping' against hopp that thl' Failures! And what man likes to be miraculous wiII take plaPl~, and, wllf'n called a failure, even if by accepting it does not, tJ'usting God that the the stigma he may do the Master's sPoed sown will spront some day- work? what is there in such a man or in such Some men too cultured, too refined to serve as Jeslls served! He went
927] WOMAN'S HOME MISSION BULLETIN 301·
into the outlying places first, J eru- but he discovers that it is difficult for salem last. Wasted talents? Never! them even to cooperate in matters of The best talents are needed 011 the common interest. Thi~ comes as a horne mission field. Privations too vast sbrprise to him in whose church great ~ II men are as soft fiR that "listen to counsel" and "cooperathey havll no business to be in the t ion" and "unity" arc cver-preRent ministry. slogans.
An apprenticeship of several years He marvels, too, when he knows that these various competing denomion the mission field, then a sabbati- nations have very much in common. cal year in the seminary on full pay, lIe can see little difference in them, and then the freedom to go where except in their names, as he listens desire leads and the call comes-all to their preachers. Forever competthat would mean to the men broader ing with one another and often irrisympathies, quickened hearts, greater tating each other, failing to cooperate with one another in the face of his appreciation of what the common man church, which, he knows, is recogfaces. Really, it might do our future nized by each one of them as a comnational home mission secretaries no mon foe, he is inclined to think that vital harm to have a few years' ex- the Gentile churchmen are very foolperience on the mission field! And ish men. It is a wonder if he does he who in the future is to occupy a not tUrn from us in disgU"t, makirig large city church would be a better no further effort to know liB. man because of his horne mission experience. The .inquiring Mormon looks us We must link a mission experience over. He marveis at what he sees with the life of every young minister and at what he hears. But he will from our seminaries. N otking less likely return to his own church, althan the creation of a sentiment in though there are some things he does the Church that in the days of his not appreciate in it. After looking strength and youth every theological at the mournful spectacle 'of a Protgraduate must serve apprenticeship estantism in which church seems to en some mission field before he is mean little, a Protestantism poorly eligible to accept self-supporting manned and wholly disunited, he is inclined to say, "Well, after all, we work will do. And what it would are better off than they. I believe mean to the mission fields! Four or I will stick by the old church." I five or six years out of the lives of don't blame him much, brought up as he has been brought up. But if the best men the Church turns out, you will help us, you at the horne for missions! base, we will develop loyalties and a ministry and a unity which will chal- When the Church is Christian lenge him, my inquiring Mormon enough to create such a sentiment, friend. demanding a mission experience before a man can serve a self-support- EASTER ing church, then we shall have a class of men on our mission fields who will Sing, soul of mine, this day of days. challenge all men and my inquiring The Lord is risen. Mormon friend in particular. Toward the sunrising set thy face. Proper church equipment will corne The Lord is risen. with the men. We need not worry about that. l3ehold He giveth strength and grace; Por darkuess, light; for mourning, praise; As my inquiring Mormon friend For sin, Ris holiness; for conflict, peace. looks us over, both ministry and laity, Adse, 0 soul, this Easter Day! he discovers another curious phenome- Forget the tomb of yesterday, non. He sees that the Christian non- For thou from bondage art set free; Mormon church is broken up into Thou sharest in His victory small bands of competing, often hos- And life eternal is for thee, tile groups. Not only does he discern Because the Lord is risen. a lack of unity among these groups, -Seleoted.
FROM MANY
INDIA AND SIAM. been devolved upon them. That dis- Some Indian Philanthropists appointment has been expressed in various ways in recent months and no EMPHASIZING in an article in the missionary could have sat through indian Witness the importance long discussions on this subject as we of Christian effort by Indians them- have done without being deeply imselves, Rev. E. Stanley Jones, D.D. pressed by the sincerity and fervor gives the following instances of such of the Indian leaders who take up this activity: position. . . Over against these frank expressions of disappointment "In Bangalore I dedicated a home by Indian Christian leaders, which for the beggars of the city. An Indian Christian doctor, a private prac- we cannot but regard as clear and entitioner, became burdened in regard couraging signs of the working of the to the condition of the beggars of Bangalore. Without any backing Indian Christian conscience as it save that of his own faith and- prayer, honestly faces things at their worst, he set up a little home where they we have to remember that there are were given shelter and taught work. other testimonies of at least equal Other people were so inspirea by what weight."
he was doing that they have con- tributed about $6,500, and it is the Hind.a Regard £or Animal Life most complete home for the poor I AMID all that is being said about the have ever seen in India. He evangelizes them as well as helps them to .tl. larger place given to Christian get back on their feet and in a respectable occupation. In Poona an principles in the life of India today, Indian Christian government prosecu- such incidents as the following remind us of the hold which the tenets of tor has the best Christian work in the Hinduism have even upon the educated villages that I h a v e ever seen. classes. The first, quoted from Time, Through his own efforts, raising the reads: "The late Seth BUddhimal, money in India, he is putting up wealthy and pious banker of Sihora, buildings worth about $50,000 as a Central India, has left $100,000 to school and community center." build and endow in perpetuity three rest houses into which insects may Another Side of Devolution withdraw from the world. Poor trav- elers will be allowed to sleep overnight I N AN editorial discussing the prog- in these bug rest houses, will even be ress which has been made in turn- paid a small sum for doing so, as long over responsibility to the Indian as they lie still and kill no bugs.
Church, the Dnyanodaya says: ShoUld a sleeper kill a bug, even by "Something like a crisis arises from accidentally rolling over, he will be the deep disappointment prevailing ejected from the bug house by attend- among a number of Indian Christian ants and forfeit his sleep money. No leaders concerning what they feel to less than 200 insect rest houses of a be the complete inability of the In- more or less similar nature are main- dian Church to raise the large tained throughout India by pious amounts which would be required natives who realize that no bug is too every year to place on a basis of self- insignificant to contain the reincar- support the mission work which has nated soul of an ancestor."
302 The other item, given in the United We who spend our time in institutions talk- Presbyterian, states that a Hindu millionaire of the Jain sect, which con- ing to those who have come u~der Western siders it a sin to take any life, is experimenting on a large scale in rear- influences forget that such thmgs are, and ing dogs upon vegetable diet, with t.he hope of weaning them from the m- that still the great majority of the p~ple stinct to kill or eat any animal. of the soil live in a mental and splrItual jungle. Preaching and argument has to be aolflegthoery,simanpldest~neabofeuenldsintgheinthprairllabolef and the bearer of good news.
Drinking in the Good News Bible Needs No Expurgating DESCRIBING an itinerating tour AlV[ElV[BER of the Ceylon and In- from Bangalore, Rev. Edward E. dia General Mission reports that as the native workers were preaching Garland, of the Ceylon and India at a Hindu mela, "a Saivite priest General Mission, writes: asked them for a copy of each of the four gospels. They at once asked him "In the villages that we visited during the tour, the people l!stened why, and he told them t.hat for .some with almost bated breath, so dIfferent time several young men m the vlllage from the Gospel-hardened villagers had been coming to him for instrucin the immediate vicinity of Banga- tion along moral and ethical lines. l,oCrhe~istwihanoityh,a'veso-sceaelnledt,ooammouncgh of the He had not been able to give them officers and people of Bangalore. One copies of the Hindu sacred books, but afternoon we visited the weekly mar- had to expurgate the books carefully ket in Sulabele. The market was and even then had not found in them nearly demoralized, as practically what he wanted to give these young everyone crowded around the mi~ sionaries and workers to hear theIr men. For example, Krishna, one of message. It was truly blessed to watch their faces and to see how they the incarnations of Vishnu, and one of the most popular gods in India, lived a most notoriously wicked and drank it in! That evening, after din- vicious life, and in one of the Puranas ner we gave a lantern lecture in the the readers are warned that he was large enclosed court of the police .sta- a god and that they should not attion. Although there was no prevIOus tempt' to do all that he did! Such announcement made, a large crowd things as these had to be left out of gathered as soon as they heard my the Hindu books, and there wasn't poor attempts· on the bugle, and one could have heard a· pin drop as Mr. much left after that. This guru had Silsbee explained the different pic- seen a copy of the Gospels, and knew them to be of a sort that could be tures of the Lord's birth, life, death, given freely to anyone just as they and resurrection. This day and the asroe~eanindfltuheantcteh. eyWwhoautlda have a wholesucceeding ones, were the happiest, I testimony to believe, in my life." the Word of God given by an unbe- liever! "
"Hinduism. at Xt. Crudest" "AlmoRt Persuaded" in Benares E NGLISH Baptists are at work ~n A SKING for special prayer on the Orissa, a native tributary state m part of Christians in the United southeastern India, Rev. H. W. Pike States, W. K. Norton writes as folwrites "I have little doubt that even lows in the magazine published by the now there are hundreds of villages Moody Bible Institute: "Benares which have never been visited by a contains one of the most famous and preacher," and says of the people met sacred temples in all India. The head in a recent evangelistic tour: priest of this temple has an only son who has been trained to take his fa- Worldng like this in the village~ of t.he ther's place. But this young man has interior one comes face to face wIth Hm- heard of Christianity, and has secretly duism at its crudest-and with human ignorance and superstition in its darkest form.
read the New Testament. The result To 'follow the teachings of Jesus beis he believes on Christ and wishes to cause that is the only way to save become a Christian. But he is very China.' None of us foreigners saw much afraid of his father, and he says or heard his speech before he gave it, he would truly be killed if his rela- and the Chinese teachers did not tell tives knew he was thinking of becom- or advise him what to say." ing a Christian. This young man has secretly come to me asking questions Time Well Spent as a Captive about Christ and wants more advice. Of course I have advised him to come NEAR Kaiehek, on the island of out boldly and be baptized; but at Hainan, a Christian woman out present he fears to do this; There are in the country was kidnapped, and dea number of other earnest inquirers tained by the bandits for two and a from the better class of Hindus and half months. Miss Katherine L. Mohammedans, who, knowing what a Schaeffer writes of her; ''"Earnest great price they will have to pay, still prayer was offered up on her behalf. hesitate to take the final step." The prayers offered were answered. Many captives are made to suffer CHINA severe torture, but she returned home safe and well and reported that she A Chinese Sees a Miracle had not been tortured and that after the first two weeks she was able to R EV. F. A. BROWN, Southern prevail upon her captor not to lock Presbyterian missionary in Soo- her feet in stocks at night. The comchow, Kia n g s u Province, China, pany moved from place to place and writes: "I overheard a Chinese elder latterly she was kept in a home where talking to his people in this fashion: the housewife was really kind to her. 'Don't talk to me about miracles. I Wherever she went she let people have seen one. When I think of all know she was a Christian. She had this money for our schools and hos- no books with her, but her mind was pitals and churches coming so regu- stored with hymns and Scripture larly year after year, and all given verses which she knew well how to by friends ten thousand miles across use. When she returned after ten the sea who have never even seen our weeks of captivity, it was found she faces, such love to me is a mighty mir- had kept her reckoning of Sundays acle. I never saw anything like it.' correctly.' ' This elder is a gifted teacher, and has a rare faculty for holding the atten- A Chlne.se Elder's Tithe tion of boys and girls and of organizing them into classes." A SERMON on tithing was preached in a certain Chinese church by A Boy's Ideals of Citizenship an elder of whom Rev. Robert Gillies writes: "His personality was an un- FROM Kaying, South China, fa iIi n g inspiration. Spare, bald, "where it takes real courage to be erect, he carried his seventy odd years a Ohristian," Mrs. J. H. Giffin, an with modest dignity, and his voice, American Baptist missionary, writes though thin, was fatherly." In conthat more than two thirds of the stu· clusion the elder said: dents in the boys' senior high school are church members. At the Com- I have been a Christian nearly forty mencement exercises, she says, "one years. You will suffer a personal testimony of the brightest seniors gave a speech from me, for there are those present who in English in which he said that three can bear witness. As an opium wreck I things were necessary to make good came to Christ. My farm was wasting and citizens: 1. Learning, for many errors my ragged clothes and possessions would in living and government are caused not have fetched half a dollar in the market by ignorance. 2. To 'study the teach- on fair day. Since I understood this morn· ings of Jesus for they are right.' 3. ing's text, the Lord has blessed me aecord· ing to His prorniBe. One year I gave ten dollars to the Church, and feared that J
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
might miss it at the year-end settlement_ have their own schools, the one at But no! God is faithfuL This year, Iny Salowu, the main station, going up tenth in the summer was $250, and in the to "higher primary" and those at the autumn $350-$600 this year to the Chureh outstations being more elementary. in alL The teachers are tribesmen who have graduated from the mission school Chinese Studying Economics at Sapushan_ T HE popularity of the Depart- A Cantonese at Boone University ments of Sociology and Political Science in Yenching University, Pe- W HAT is described by an Ameriking, is very marked_ Neither of these can Episcopal missionary as departments, however, draws so large " one of several pleasant miracles a number of students as that of Eco- about the siege and fall of Wuchang" nomics_ Commenting on this situa- had its beginning many years ago tion, the Princeton-Peking Gazette when a Oantonese boy came to Boone says: "Remembering the excessive University determined to learn Engemphasis in Chinese education on lish and Mandarin, and equally deterclassical literature and memoriter mined not to be a Christian. After two methods of study, it is striking to ob- years he awoke one morning to realize serve the emphasis which is 1OW be- that he wanted to be a Christian, and ing placed upon such subjects as eco- he became one of the leading Ohrisnomics, politics, and sociology and tian representatives of Boone, so much especially when these subjects are so that he was elected to take charge taught with a strong practical bear- of Oentral Ohina University in Bishop ing_ It is equally gratifying to ob- Gilman's absence, long before anyone serve that the Chinese point of view thought of the Cantonese army comis being stressed_ Among a list of ing to Wuchang. Consequently when courses to be offered by our Depart- the city fell, and the officers in comment of Sociology during the next mand came to the university, they two years are found the following: found the man in charge was a Oan- Ohinese F'olkways; Social Ideas of tonese, speaking their language and Oonfucius and His School; Collective in every way understanding tlLem. Behavior and Ohinese Group Psychology; Ohinese Social Democratic Over 1,000 Meetings in a Year Movements_ "
Aborigines of China AN ILLUSTRATION of the suc- cessful missionary work still be- I T IS estimated that nearly half the ing done in those parts of China population of the south-western where fighting is not going on is seen provinces of China-Yunnan, Kweichow and Kwangsi-is made up of in the following statement by A. R non-Ohinese aborigines_ The successful work that has been done bv two- Saunders, of the China Inland Mis- British societies among one of· these sion, who has been nearly forty years tribes, the Miao, is known in mission- in China. Though blind, he has conary circles. The China Inland Mis- tinued ardently to preach the GospeL sion is also at work among the Nosu He is engaged in a special effort to people, who are spirit-worshippers. reach one million people living in an area in North Kiangsu intersected by About 750 persons have been bap- canals, and much of the work is cartized altogether. There are now five ried on by the use of small houseoutstations, and, in each, the be- boats_ He says: "The present-year lievers have put up a building with opportunities for gospel preaching their own hands, having bought the materials with their own money. It have been almost unprecedented. The serves the double purpose of church anticipated average of one thousand and day-school. For the Nosu now gospel meetings a year in the Yang.
5 chow Oentral Gospel Hall has been more than realized, for beside the
three meetings a day for men it has Little Miss Tokugawa, granddaughter of also been possible to have the special Prince Tokugawa, accepted" Miss America" door for women open every day. from Betty Ballantine, seven·year·old daugh- Wherever our gospel boats have gone te,r of the American Consul General. Then among the 'thousand islands' the forty-eight children from the American audiences have been large and at- school handed forty-eight dollS, each repretentive to the message." senting a state, to a similar number of Japanese girls chosen chiefly from the Peer- Sermon for Manchurian Troops esses's School. The American children sang American songs and the Japanese children MISSIONARIES and Chinese responded with a doll song in Japanese. Christians have often been invited to preach to Marshal Feng's "The Second Mile Club" army or to certain of its divisions. But the first invitation of the sort, T HIS is the name chosen by the so far as known, to come from the graduates of thekindergarten which llrmy of Chang Tso Lin, the Man- has been conducted in Akita, Japan, churian general, was that received by by the Christian Church (Disciples) Rev. Walter W. Davis, a Methodist for the past twenty years. Miss Lois missionary in Peking. He says of it: Lehman writes of the organization: "There was a Manchurian cavalry "The name itself is an inspiration to regiment stationed in Sengjun, the all those who have left the kindercolonel of which had been a Christian garten and are on their second mile ever since he was a small boy. He of life, with the light of Jesus Christ called on our Chinese preacher, whose -as depicted in their emblem with a chapel was just across the street from star-to guide their way. During his headquarters and asked for some- these twenty years there have been one to preach to his men. I was on over six hundred graduates, many of vacation sixteen hours away, but I whom show their appreciation for the hastened to fill the appointment. I blessings that have come to them had the privilege of speaking to sev- through their kindergarten Alma en hundred of his men and officers, as Jfater. A foundation fund was well.Jls a large number of the towns- started five years ago by the graduates people in the public square. That and it is the hope of both parents and was on a Saturday and the following graduates that through its aid the day a large number of them came to kindergarten will be able to serve and our chapel for the regular service." guide, even in a more efficient way, in the years to come many souls along the first and second miles."
JAPAN-KOREA Japanese Attend Tent Meetings Ameriean Dolls Reach Japan REV. GORDON K. CHAPMAN, of Asahigawa, Japan, tells of a AWIRELESS message from Tokyo three weeks' series of tent meetings on March 3rd described the pres- in two large country towns, where, entation of the dolls sent by Ameri- he says, from 200 to 250 people atcan children for the Japanese annual tended the evening services, and as dolls' festival on that date. This plan, many children the daily afternoon promoted by the Committee on World services. "In one place," he reports, Friendship among Children, met with "the Buddhists became very excited an enthusiastic response all over the and the priests got the town authori- United States, and 11,000 dolls were ties to promise to order the tent taken sent. The Japanese Foreign Minister down. But we prayed over the matand the Minister of Education, Am- ter and then flatly refused to remove bassador MacVeagh, Viscount Shibu- it, for we had the promise of the land sawa and other prominent persons for ten days. Defeated in this atwere present, but the leading parts tempt, the priests called at every were left to the children. The cere- house in town and threatened the mony is thus described·:
NEWS FROM MJANY LANDS
people with all sorts of dire calami- eluding a nurses' training school with ties if they went to the meetings. But a foreign nurse at its head. We also they went just the same, in spite of have two academies, one for boys and the rain which flooded our tent on one for girls." two nights." Fruits of Hospital Evangelism A Japanese MUI COlllpound K IM YUNG SUN brought his wife to the mission hospital in Taiku, I N THE silk mills of Kofu, Japan, Korea, for an operation. During her "all the matrons are men," to convalescence he sought to while away quote one of the managers of the milL time in the waiting room. Here the " And since these dormitories· of evangelist greeted him most cordially which the matrons are men are occu- and he repeatedly heard the gospel pied by young girls, the situation" story. One month later Mr. and Mrs. says Miss Frances Garside, "is not Kim departed for their home, rejoicof the best. The girls work twelve ing in their newly-found Saviour and hours a day all the year around, in- carrying a Bible in hand for further creasing the time to fourteen hours light. After four years they again in the summer when farmers are appear at the Taiku hospital, this bringing in the cocoons……. The time for some minor ailment. Mr. dormitories and mills are under the Kim eagerly seeks out the evangelist, same roof. Some four thousand peo- to report that after his previous visit ple live in .this compound, and the to the hospital he went home to conchildren of these families became so vert his relatives and friends. As a unruly that the management of the mill ask the Y. W. C. A. to start a result of his efforts there is now a Sunday-school for them. This was flourishing little church of thirty done, opening with a membership of members in the small country village one hundred and thirty pupils, with thirty-five miles away and Mr. Kim an average attendance of over eighty. is their proud and happy deacon. This Sunday-school had had such a marked effect upon the children that WOlllen in the Korean Church the management of the mill increased the size of the room in which it was I N KOREA this year .for the first held, by knocking out a wall." . time women were delegates to the Presbyterian General Assembly. Sev- CJ>anges after Thirty Years en women were elected as official mem- bers of the Assembly, representing REV. EDWARD ADAMS, whose the women's missionary societies of father was the first missionary Korea, and sat on the foreign misto settle in Taiku, Korea, writes as sions committee. The women were follows of the work being done there chosen from the seven societies which by the American Presbyterian Mis- had done the best work. Of such sosion: "Thirty years ago there wasn't cieties Miss Martha Switzer says: a Christian in this town or the neigh- "There is high purpose, for the memboring country; Today in Taiku alone bers, knowing God's grace, wish there are two large churches number- others to have a like experience; and, ing about a thousand and four other perhaps most wonderful of all, from churches of varying strength. Out the a bundance of poverty there is in the country we have about 275 systematic giving to the foreign misplaces where there are groups of peo- sionary work which the Korean ple meeting regularly in the name of Church is carrying on. " Christ, most of whom have their own little building that they call their A Methodist missionary writes: church. In addition, our station runs a big hospital, employing two foreign Today many women serve as dea~onesses doctors and two native doctors, in- and Bible Women in the ehUl'Ghes aJ).d meet with the men in diseussingiveigl-ty matters of church aWninistration…Whereas a ;few
years ago the only audience to listen to her to help me dlg the grave. When all is ready words of wisdom were a few relatives or I again speak to these people. I tell them friends in her own home, now the Korean we bury only the body: the spirit has gone woman teaches a Bible class in connection to .Teeus. I tell them of heaven, the pilUle with a Sunday·school or a Bible class for that Jesus has prepared. I ask them to get women at some large Bible institute. ready for heaven. We then .sing and ,~ pray, "Our Father who art III heaven. ISLANDS OF THE SEAS When we fill in the grave I put a smaH bark cross at the head. These people, they Church Union in the Philippines promise me not to fight and be cruel. They want to hear more about .Tesus. REV. FRANK J. WOODWARD, Congregational missionary in Baptisms in Paton's Field Oroquieta, on the island of Mindanao in the Philippine Islands, writes to REV. MAURICE FRATER, at the Missionary Herald: "We have work in the field in the New just concluded a special meeting of Hebrides to which John G. Paton our Northern Mindanao Presbytery, went sixty.nine years ago, writes of one of the best meetings ever held, the baptism on the island of Paama both in its size and general representa· of twenty-nine natives, some of whom tion of the churches. In accord with had been won from heathenism the action taken the name presbytery through the instrumentality of native has been cast off, for the Presbytery evangelists. "The converts were of adopted unanimously the Constitu· all ages, " he says, "from· fifteen years tion of the United Churches of Christ upward. As they kneeled to take the in the Philippines. In so doing we baptismal vow of allegiance to Christ join with the United Brethren and and consecration to His service, we the Presbyterians, and all three could not but be impressed with the bodies adopt common names for the striking differences the converts predifferent governing bodies in the new sented. The younger adherents, Union. It is right that all our Prot- though reared in a savage environestant denominations should get clos· ment, had the freshness and enthusier together for the sake of presenting asm of new disciples, and they a closer front to the enemy, for if brought to Christ the loyalty and love there is a criticism that we out here of undivided hearts. But the faces in the Philippines hear more frequent- of the older converts bore unmistakly than any other, it is that we Prot· able signs of the depraved form of estants are hopelessly divided amongst heathenism in which their lives had ourselves. A program pointing to- been spent. Still, it was no uncomward ultimate self-support for all our mon victory for the messengers of congregations was adopted unani- the Gospel to be the instruments of mously." turning those savages, all of cannibal ancestry, from the evil of their old Buried "the Jesus Way" ways, and to get them to embark on an entirely new mode of life, with T HE Methodist Missionary Society Jesus Christ as Pilot." of Australasia tells the story of an aboriginal lad, who had attended NORTH AMERICA its mission school on the island of Goulburn, in the South Seas. Re· Jewish Girls Accepting Christ turning from a tour in which he had taken the Gospel to the people of his T HE Department of Jewish Evanown tribe, "twenty miles across the gelization of the Board of Nawater" he told as follows of the death tional Missions of the Presbyterian of a 'woman who had accepted his Church in the U. S. A. furnishes inmessage: teresting news items from its various centers. Two of these are: "In the After she died I asked these people not to Baltimore prayer circle we were dis- put her body in the tree, but to bury it cussing the coming of the Lord for .Tesus' way. I then give them my blanket His own, when one of our little girls to wrap around the body, and I get boys
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
exclaimed, 'Oh, I hope my mother day. Mr. Harmon offers $4,000 in is a real believer.' There seemed to recognition of outstanding accombe no doubt in her mind as to her plishments among colored people. own salvation. This is a common oc- Seven first awards of $400 with gold currence in this prayer circle when medals and the same number of secthe girls not only pray for the ac- ond awards of $100 with bronze tivities of the Center and all Jewish medals will be given in the fields of Centers, but also for their parents literature, music, fine arts, business and friends ……. Two high school including industry, science including girls in Chicago for whose salvation invention, education and religious many have been praying for a long service. Both white and colored pertime, have been holding off. Great sons are eligible for an eighth award was our joy when just a few weeks of $500 with a gold medal which will ago they accepted Him who is so be given to the indiviual making the precious to us." most distinctive contribution during the year to the betterment of relations Indian Christian Leaders between the two races. As no music award was made in 1926, the fund in MOST people think of the United this field may be used this YElar, should States as so nearly evangelized the judges decide contributions merit that they could hardly conceive of such recognition. Five judges, perany group of people here today hear- sons of recognized' standing in the ing the Gospel for the first time from type of work to be passed upon, will a member of their own race. Yet consider nominations and applications this is the story told by Rev. J. D. in each field of award. At least one Simons of Dulce, N. M., where the of the judges in each field will be a Reformed Church in America car- Negro. ries on both church and school work: "The greatest joy came in the four Schooling for Southern N,egroes young men who brought messages to their own people. It was the first A FTER quoting statistics which time for the Gospel to fall from the show that, until very recently, lips of a Jicarilla Apache. One of though there are one third as many these young men, the nrst to speak, Negroes in the sixteen southern states prefaced his fine address with an as whites, only one tenth of the investearnest prayer; how wisely he anticipated the divine grace needed to stand ment in school property_ has been used where none of his people had ever for them, The Christian Educator stood! That address was the opening says: of a new door-a larger door in the work of our mission here. How it "It should be noted, however, that thrilled our hearts! One could see the South at this time is bravely facthat strange thoughts were passing ing the educational needs of the Nethrough the minds of the old leaders gro, as well as the whites, and marked of heathen ceremonies, as these young advance is noted in each of the states men were introduced as the only real and the district. More money is beleaders there people had ever had." ing expended for the education of the Negro than ever. High schools Harmon Foundation's 1927 Awards are being erected and the school terms lengthened, large appropriations are NEGROES in this country are giv- being made to the state institutions en another incentive to creative for Negro education, and the State work in music, fine arts, the sciences, is looking to the denominational business organization and religious schools to furnish teachers for the work through the second series of the rapidly expanding public-school edu- William E. Harmon Awards which cation of the Negro. In each state were announced on Lincoln's Birth- there is now a Department of Negro Education, urban and rural. These
departments, are pushing the educa- few English-speaking people are left.
tion of the Negro as rapidly as pos- The permits were issued under a law sible, so that while the situation shows adopted at the last session of Con- tremendous needs and inadequate gress modifying the religious regula- provision for the Negro, the trend in tions so as to permit the non-Spanish the South is onward, looking to the speaking foreign colonies to have a education of'all its citizens, white and limited number of ministers in their black. " churches for six years. The law pro- vides that ministers so permitted to Union Church for Mexicans function must prepare native Mexi- T HE Council of Churches in Wich- cans to succeed them at the end of the ita, Kansas, has recently erected six-year period. a fine new building for the union Mexican evangelical church in that city. Under the Calles Regime A About seventy congregations of fif- FTER a recent visit to Mexico, Mrs. Margaret Ernst contributed teen denominations joined in raising the money and the building was dedi- to The Churchman an article from cated free from debt. As one of the which the following is quoted: "Un- speakers at the dedication services der the Calles Department of Educa- pointed out, "this church bears no tion 3,000 rural schools run by the title that .would indicate the impress Federal Government opened their of anyone denomination, but a united patio gates last year to children who Protestantism functioning through formerly could neither read nor write, this cOllll'cil has caught the vision of working in the mills or picking coffee- the sociaJ, 'spiritual and educational berries on the plantations. Next year needs of a colony of Mexican immi- the department promises there will grants within its bounds and has gone be 5,000 of these schools. The educaabout the business of meeting this tional program last year cost 22,000,- need in a practical and sensible way. 000 pesos and included in its activi- The result is a house not only fitted ties newly equipped industrial for the strictly religious services of schools; four free art schools in the the congregation, but planned with a open air; " cultural-missions"-a view to meeting the social and recrea- sort of traveling faculty, visiting out- tional neetis, of the colony as well as to lying districts and giving intensive providing for a religious educational courses to farming folk; night schools program." for adult workers; and health work in all types of schools. The Church, LATIN AMERICA formerly the only practical Depart- Mexico Permits Foreign Clergy ment of Education, made few efforts ASIX-YEARi respite has been to teach these scattered and inarticu- granted by the Mexican Govern- late people. It built cathedrals with ment for the relief of foreigners who gold altars-not schools."
may desire services in their own language, for conducting which they "The Privilege of Being Arrested"
A have no available Mexican clergy. BRAZILIAN colporteur of the Under that provision services have American Bible Society sent in been resumed in Christ Church Ca- to Dr. H. C. Tucker, Secretary of the thedral, where the Bishop, the Dean, Brazil Agency, a report which, trans- and Archdeacon Watson are now lated, reads as follows: "I had the regularly officiating, having been reg- high privilege of being arrested for istered according to the new regula- seHring Scriptures in the suburban tions. The English work at Pachuca trains of the Central Railroad, and and Tampico also has been resumed, was taken before the agent by the but the business depression has hurt guards who made their accusation.
both missions to such an extent that I then asked permission of the agent
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
to speak for a few minutes. After tination. But several weeks ago, at I had made explanations, he handed the boys' weekly prayer-meeting, Jose me back the books and dismissed the attended, and as we were kneeling in case. I then made him and his as- prayer, he unfalteringly expressed sistants presents of copies of the little his faith in Jesus as his Saviour. And gospels, for which they thanked me. then, what greatly impressed me, he . . . .. . I have been able by the bkss- proceeded to pray for his unsaved iug of God to place copies of the father, mother, sisters and brothers.
Word in the hands of many-in one After the prayer-meeting, the other Christian boys present gave Jose a month 3,5!!5 copies."
warm hand-clasp and an embrace, Racial Groups in Guiana thus welcoming him into their midst T HE varied elements in the popu- as a brother in Christ." lation of British Guiana are described by a resident of that country, Inca Indians of Peru T who says of the Negroes: HE Evangelical Union of South "'1'he Gospel and the Church America is carrying on a many- lighted and led them out of slavery; sided work among these people, of and they are grateful and love both." whom Christine L. Tinling says in the The Chinese first came in 1851 to . London Christian: "The present In- work on the sugar estates. A few do dians of Peru are the pitiful remnant so now. Many have risen to high of the noble Inca race. They are ille positions in the colony as merchants treated and down-trodden. In many and are much respected. All are cases they are virtual slaves and are Christians, the majority Anglican. bought and sold along with the land There are also some 9,000 Portuguese, and the beasts upon it. As for those who first came as laborers in 1835: who are nominally free and have their practically all of these are Roman little holdings, they find that their Catholics. The East Indians, who Peruvian over-lords can take the very likewise came as laborers from 1837 soil from beneath their feet by legal onwards, number 120,000. Ninety- processes of whose meaning they have two per cent are Mohammedan or not the faintest idea. Besides all this, Hindu and only about tim per cent it is their every-day experience to be are Christians. Here is an immense treated by the white men as though field for missionary work. There is they were brutes, destitute of mind pioneer work still to be done among and soul. The old religion of the In- the Indians in the far interior. cas was an elevated form of pagan- ism, but under the rule of the Roman Bolivian Boy Accepts C,hrist Church they have been known to ac- A GRADUATE of the National knowledge having' forty gods, count- Bible Institute in New York City ing the broken ones.' "
writes from Torotoro, Bolivia: "It has been a great source of joy to us with- AU Saint.' Day Celebrations T in the past few months to behold how WO missionaries, one in Argen- tina, the other in Bolivia, have the Spirit is working in the lives of a number of young people here in recently described the way in which Torotoro. Jose, a tall, rather shy All Saints' Day is observed in their young :fellow of about nineteen years respective fields. The first writes: of age, had for a long time shown an "Multitudes flock to the cemeteries, interest in the Gospel. He, however, bearing gaudy colored paper wreaths seemed to lack the courage. to confess and flowers, beside natural flowers, his faith. No doubt the fact that his the latter wilted and draggled with mother and two of his sisters are so the heat and dust. Imagine the blaz- opposed to the Evangelistas has had ing and sputtering of thousands of something to do with Jose's procras- candles under an almost vertical sun
registering 104 degrees in the shade; Szitovsky, Minister of the Interior then the roll and mutter of prayers for Hungary. Profane language is unintelligible as they are gabbled punishable by a maximum fine of $15 away except as now and again a or a fortnight in jail. Accosting and phrase separates from the rest." The molesting respectable women on the Bolivian missionary tells of the drunk- street and other infractions of public enness and lewdness connected with morality are similarly punished. As the day, and writes: "Tables are set a first step in the enforcement of the up in the cemetery loaded with can- new laws, girls. in the most fashion- dIes, cakes and sweetmeats, with great able high school of Budapest who jars of native beer conveniently un- were wearing short skirts, flesh-colderneatb. After kneeling and mum- ored stockings or using rouge were bling prayers for the dead, the sent home to lengthen their dresses, 'devout' one takes his pay in food to change to dark stockings and to and drink, then moves on to repeat remove tbeir cosmetics. The police this performance at the next table are ordered to exercise a strong cenfor more cakes and chicha, You can sorship over immorality in the theatre, imagine the state of drunkenness aft- vaudeville and the fine arts.
er they have been the rounds of the cemetery. ' , Refugees Farming in Greece EUROPE T HE immigration into Greece in Union Service in Switzerland 1923 of about 1,400,000 refugees, nearly thirty per cent of the total T HE cathedral in Lausanne, Swit- zerland, a famous medieval build- population of the country at that time, has had far-reaching effects, Charles ing, was the scene on December 12th P. Howland, former chairman of the of a united service in which Old Cath- Greek Refugee Settlement Commis- olic, Greek, Russian, and Anglican sion, and now president of the board 'priests, the Bishop of Fulham, seven of trustees of the new Athens College, Swiss pastors, a Salvation Army of- writes in Near East: "It has been ticer, and a Scottish Presbyterian min- the policy of the Commission from ister took part. The procession was the beginning, in close cooperation impressive as it wended its way up with the Hellenic Government, to give the aisle of the old cathedral; more the preference for establishment to impressive still was the singing of the the farming refugees as being on the old Christian hymns, the Adeste whole far more productive than the Fideles in Latin, and others in Eng- urban commercial classes and there- lish, French, and German. Prayers fore promising much greater support were offered and passages of Scripture in the future for the economic, social read in French, German, and Eng- and political life of Greece……. The lish. Addresses were given in French Commission has established a total of and English, the latter by the Bishop 147,249 families-approximately 687,- of Fulham. After this the procession 000 people."
moved to the sanctuary where the Young Russian Criminals Lord'g Prayer was said, tirst by the UNDER the' caption, "Russia '80 two Orthodox priests in Greek and in Wild Waifs," the April, 1926 Russian, then by the others in English Review described the appalling con- dition of thousands of children in Rusand French. The tinal blessing was given in French and in English.
Hungarian Laws of Conduct sia. Matters have not changed much during tJ:e year, according to an V ARIOUS regulations, said to be article by Lady Muriel Paget in a modeled on those of the Italian London newspaper, which speaks of Fascisti, were officially announced in 300,000 homeless orphans. The pre- Budapest late in February by M. valence of the drug habit among chil-
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
dren is due to the proeess of Assiut College. It was a most inspir- demoralization brought about by their ing day. Seventy-one young people being thrust upon the streets to fend united with the church. These had for themselves. Some of the young been carefully chosen from larger people of this dass are said to have groups of applicants. All had been been homeless for as long as seven for five weeks in special classes pre- years-taking refuge in the stations, paratory to this event. On the Sab- in, asphalt-boilers, on doorsteps, in bath following we held our annual refuse boxes, etc., and learning to Sabbath-school rally. It was surpris- steal in consequenee of their promis- ing to find that on each Sabbath the euous contact with criminal adults. lesson is taught by 122 teachers to 3,426 students. In the street Sab- Another English writer says: bath-schools, which are conducted by the professors and students of Assiut It is, of course, admitted that "the most College, there are 600 enrolled. These evil form of hooliganism has affected youths meet in the open air, in streets or vawho were in their most receptive mood dur- cant lots. In addition to the children ing the Revolution," hut nothing is said of who gather, the lesson reaches many the creed that they have heen taught during a listener. hidden behind partiaUythe last six years. From Belobrodoff Com· closed blinds. The cards which are missioner of Internal Affairs, we learn that "hooliganism is to be found in the League distributed gain entrance to a large of Communist Youth," While in the reported trials of the yonng criminals it is shown number of Moslem homes unvisited by that they are invariably members of the any Christian worker." ruling party.. Types of the Second Generation Riga Tabernacle Dedicated T WO recent news items supplied by AN EVENT long anticipated by the the Church Missionary Society Russion Missionary Society took show the changes that have been place on January 16th, when its new wrought during the years in which it building in Riga, Latvia, was opened. has been at work in Africa. One The English name is given as Riga states that when Archdeacon Mathers, Tabernacle, but the title chosen as of the Society's Upper Nile Mission, the Russian name signifies the" Tem- started the mission work at Kaliro, a ple of Salvation," which is rendered town in the Uganda Protectorate, he into Lettish, 'German and Hebrew, found the old chief sitting over his and appears in large letters over the beer-pot, and handing the drinkingentrance; while, on the roof of the tubes even to the children around him. building, in illuminated letters, it ap- Now this man has been succeeded by pears in Russian, Lettish and Hebrew. an able young Christian chief who is Dr. A. McCaig, who is associated with battling against old, clinging customs Rev. Wm. Fetler in this work writes: and fiery temptations. The old chief "A prayer and praise meeting was had some 600 wives, but this young held at 8 0 'clock in the Revival House, man is bravely standing by one. where hitherto the Russian meetings have been held. At the close, a pro- The second item describes a differcession was formed, and, with ban- ent type of inheritance. It tells of ners flying, cornets playing, and all Archdeacon Crowther, son of the late singing, a large company marched to Bishop Samuel Adjai Crowther, the the new tabernacle." slave boy who became Bishop of the Niger, who is now eighty-two years of AFRIOA age, but still travels up and down the country by canoe or motor lorry Atisiut Church Gains Member. preaching the Gospel wherever he goes, and giving advice and guidance REV. N. D. McCLANAHAN, of the to many churches in the great Niger United Presbyterian Mission in Delta. Egypt, writes: "We have just held our second communion Sabbath at
Cannibalism in the Sudan a large canoe. We have had two epi- demics of mumps, two of severe dys- I NA recent letter, quoted in the entery, one of not very severe influ- London Christian, Mr. Titcombe, enza, and are now passing through of Egbe station of the Sudan Interior one of measles-all in this year. And Mission, says: "It has been often attendance is voluntary, remember." asked, 'Is paganism :finished in the Yagba tribe l' The answer to this is: An African Prizes His Bible 'No!' Two weeks ago I was asked to go to a town eleven miles away, as a WHEN the Congo version of the little child had disappeared, and I had Bible was published some months not been there long before we found ago by the British and Foreign Bible the reason for its disappearance. It Society, a copy was sent to nay Toma had been carried away by a pagan Kula, who assisted in the translation. sect called the Bgboni, and sacri:ficed Rev. J. E. Geil, of the American Bapto their heathen gods, and then eaten tist Mission, furnishes a translation by them. A few days ago, another of a letter which this African addisappeared. How can this be put dressed to the Society, and which down V We have government officials reads: who have made laws condemning this, but that does not change or stop it. To our Dearly Beloved Friends in Jesus What can stop it 1 Prayer, with the Christ: preaching of' the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This practice was common I am very thankful and rejoice greatly in here in the early days of the Mission, the beautiful gift of the Book of God which but the Gospel has changed it and now you bestowed upon me……. It surpasses all we are looking to the Lord to change other gifts which I have received whether the vile hearts of the people in this of money or of food……. I have this village. " greatest of all joys when I received this gift because it is the bread of life and the Records of African Schoolboys lamp of the heart, and this gift can give feet to the heart to stand and walk in the BEFORE I e a v i n g on furlough, way of heaven, and stand before the face George Schwab, of the West of the Most High. Let Father God bless it to the end that it establish and comfort Africa Mission of the Presbyterian the hearts of many. God bless all the hands Church, reported from Sakbayeme: which prepared this gift. , ,We have just examined the school boys, to learn what progress has been Esteem and friendship from lib, your made in their spiritual lives. This is little brother in Jesus Christ. the second time this school year we have done this. The results for this Young Christian Pioneers time are: twenty-six boys taken into the church and forty-two advanced REV. w. C. JOHNSTON, D.D. from the :first to the second year's in- gives this vivid picture of condiquirers' class. They have stood fast tions in Cameroon: "As I am writing in the things of the Kingdom, have this at Yaounde I am interrupted to been faithful in attending the weekly bid goodby to a teacher-catechist who, prayer and instruction meeting, the with his young wife-she looks like a Sunday service and morning prayers, mere girl-and his six-weeks' old and in giving their offerings. There baby, is starting for his post at Amare sixty-four boys who have not ugu Si. With the five schoolboys who missed a single day of school for the came with them they (lre setting out whole year! They have come through on their lonely tramp of six days the rainy season at its worst, and how through the forest, with apparently it pours! They have managed to get no thought of fear in their hearts. across the river even when eight pad- They are the only workers in this disdlers will take only a dozen people in trict, 110 miles from Yaounde. In bidding us good-by he said, 'When are you coming to visit us, and what shall I tell the chiefs who were asking for teachers as I came down 1' Here is a district northeast of Yaounde as
NEW,S FROM MANY LANDS
yet untouched by Mohammedan in- have 245 day schools, with 273 fluences, where the people are asking teachers and 5,176 pupils; also 195 for help. This young teacher and Sunday-schools, with 6,161 scholars. wife, who must send 110 miles back to One of the very encouraging features . Yaounde for help, are on the edge of of our work is the people's giving for their own churches. The past year a vast, unoccupied field. We still re- our native Christians gave (from member how when the Bafia chiefs their meager pay of from five to ten were sending for teachers, and while cents a day) $6,598, which is an in- 'we were busy here and there,' and crease of $3,365 over the previous delayed sending them the help, the year. Our people are also learning to field was occupied by the Mohamme- give for others." dans. "
South African "Gospel Van" THE NEAR EAST T HE Christian Literature Mission Training Girls in Palestine of Sou t h Africa, which was founded in 1923, now has, according THE Church of England high to one of its representatives, "a book school for girls, at Haifa, Palesroom, a gospel van, a missioner and tine, is attended by Moslems, Jews his wife, and two native helpers, all and Bahai, together with Armenian, employed in sending forth the Word English and Greek Orthodox Chrisof Life. When entering the town of tians. The school believes that all Stangar, they found the way barred forms of education should rest on the, by some Indians who demanded to solid foundation of religion. Scripknow what the van was for, where it ture is given first place in the school was going, etc. All being explained, curriculum. The rule is that all they said, 'Come and hold services must assemble in the early morning here, and we will help you all we can.' to ask God's blessing on the work of The Europeans held aloof, apparently the day. Parents expect a great deal not liking such vigorous methods. An from this school. "Have I not al- Indian 'bus proprietor has purchased ready paid fifty piastres for Hansome text cards and put them up in nah's education," said an irate Arab his 'bus, well knowing that he would father one morning, "and have I not lose fares by so doing, as no Moham- told you that all this money was not medan would enter that 'bus. An In- spent only that my daughter may be dian jeweler bought striking texts to clever in history and geography but put in his shop window, 'not for sale, that she should learn first of all to be but to preach to all who pass by,' he a good girl? How can you defend said. At Stangar a young English- yourself, for Hannah has already man was led to Christ on the market been two weeks in your school and square. He sat up all night reading yet she is still a little. she-Satan at the Bible. " home?"
Methodist Progress in Africa Government Students at Beirut T HE year 1926' has seen the mem- FOUR governments are supporting bership of the Southeast Africa students at the American Univer- Conference (Portuguese East Africa sity of Beirut-Ethiopia, Palestine, and the Transvaal) grow to 10,658- Iraq and the Soudan. Ras Teferi, an increase of 765–despite the de- Prince Regent for Ethiopia, has sent crease in missionaries and African six boys to the preparatory school and workers, reports Rev. William C. Ter- the Government of the Soudan is supril, missionary of the Methodist Epis- porting two students, both in their copal Church in Johannesburg. He junior year. Palestine is the only says: "During the year 818 adults government sending a woman student and 419 children were baptized. We who is preparing for a position in a government school. This government
also supports five men students. King tian churches united in celebrating Feisal of Iraq is supporting nineteen this happy occasion. The old Armenstudents at the University. The first ian church is striving for a spiritual students to be sent by King Feisal revival and the Archbishop has were graduated last June and are now ordered the priests to preach, and at work in Iraq. Three more will the Bible is now being read in the graduate this year, five are juniors, churches in the modern Armenian one a sophomore and ten are entered language which the people underin the freshman class. In addition to stand. This is known as Ararat Ardirect support of students there is co- menian. The Scripture Gift Mission operation in curricula, so that certain has published "God Hath Spoken" schools may give certificates for en- in this important Armenian dialect trance to the University without ex- and many hundreds have been distribamination. uted among the Armenians of Persia. This tract has been used of God in Scientific Far_ing for Turkey many languages to show the true way of salvation. Recently many Scrip- THE Department of Agriculture in ture booklets have been distributed to the International College of Smyr- Moslems in and around Urumia, the na is organizing to meet an urgent name of which has been changed to need in present-day Turkey, by train- Rizaye, in honor of the new Shah. ing boys to be practical farmers. and to go out as teachers in the native New Jewish Attitude to Christ agricultural schools. Turkey, which is primarily an agricultural and pas- REV. S. B. ROHOLD, a well-known toral country, has been notorious for Jewish Christian, writes in the its antiquated methods of farming, Jewish Missionary Herald: "The but rapid new developments are now printing of the Life of Christ in Hein progress. A recent report of the brew is the most wonderful thing American Consul General in Constan- that has happened. The Jews tinople indicates that there are now through all the centuries of their 750 tractors in Turkey, of which 600 history endeavored to ignore Jesus. are American made. Service stations They thought, by ignoring Him, and and knowledge of mechanics are es- eliminating Him from their literature, sential to render the new development they could elimina,te Him from the effective, and it is here that such train- life of Israel. But getting a Life of ing as the International College is giv- Christ in Hebrew has changed all ing will prove most helpful. The col- that. We do not hear any more of the lege has 300 students, the majority of old hatred. There is no need any more whom are Turkish. Turkish students to beg a ,Jew to take a New Testament. also constitute the majority at Robert He buys it. We have been selling at College in Constantinople, where the the rate of twenty pounds every present enrollment totals 620, includ- month. Tn my earlier days if I sold ing thirty Turkish students sent to ten shillings worth in six months it the School of Engineering by the was a great thing. Look at the change Turkish Government.-The Congre- in their whole attitude. A Jew is not gationalist. afraid now to tell of his conversion. He is not afraid to show what salva- Bible in Modern Ar_enian tion has done for him."
ARCHBISHOP NERSES MELIK How Persian Gospels Were Sold T ANGIAN, of the Armenian Church, who is located at Tabriz, ACOLPORTEUR of the Church Persia, has lately celebrated the Missionary Society relates this intwenty-fifth anniversary of his assum- cident: "The people were about to ing the archbishopric of Northwest beat me when an old sayyid entered, Persia. Representatives of all Chris- and said to them: 'Try to be just and
NEWS FROM MANY LANDS
put prejudice aside.' Then he took took some part in the study and essay a copy of St. Matthew from me. 'Sit writing, but the actual competitors down all of you,' he said, 'and listen who qualified numbered 195 schools while I read. When I have finished, in the United States and 368 in forif you do not approve the teaching I eign countries. Approximately 6',800 will tear up all the books before your school votes were registered repreeyes, but if you find it good, you shall senting about 282,000 students. The each one buy a copy for himself.' To twelve names of the 609 candidates this they agreed, so he read the 5th, nominated, which received the highest 6th and 7th chapters, giving brief ex- vote were chosen in the following orplanations here and there. 'Now,' der: Louis Pasteur, Abraham Linsaid he, 'have you anything to say coln, Christopher Columbus, George against this book l' 'No.' 'Then you Washington, Benjamin Franklin, must buy.' There and then I sold Woodrow Wilson, Florence Nightinseven copies, and the purchasers apol- gale, Joan of Arc, Socrates, Johann ogized for the trouble they had caused Gutenberg, David Livingstone, George me." Stephenson. All. of these, as various papers have noted, might be called Colporteur Wins His Freedom "heroes of peace." Five of the twelve prizes went to students in for- I BRAHIM EFFENDI DOWANY, eign countries and five of the twelve now an !3vangelist of the German winning essays. were written by girls. Carmel Mission, and a companion The prize for the best essay on David spent last summer, aided by the Nile Livingstone went to a student in the Mission Press, in "an evangelistic col- High School for Girls in Pretoria, portage journey" in Mesopotamia. South Africa. In one town they were arrested and taken to the police station. Dowany Program. of Lausanne Conference said to the police inspector, who was an Orthodox Christian: "Being un- T HOUGH preparations of many der the Arabian Government of the sorts have long been under way just Amir Abdullah, and subject to for the World Conference on Faith the British Mandate in Palestine, and Order which is to be held in Laushould we not enjoy religious free- sanne, Switzerland from August 3d dom ~ Nevertheless, if you must needs to 21st, it is only quite recently that prevent us, know then that we have the first formal draft of the program been sent by our Society, not for sport was made public. This includes the or enjoyment, but to preach the Gos- following subjects: pel and sell our religious books; for this we ask you kindly to give us an The call to unity; the Ohurch's message official notice of prevention, to pre- to the world-the Gospel; the nature of the sent to our Mission." The outcome Church; the Church's common confession was that the men were released, and of faith; the Church's ministry; the sacratheir books returned to them. ments; the unity of Christendom and the relation thereto of existing churches' ar- GENERAL rangements for ·continuing the work of the conference. World's Youth Warnes Heroes Subjects not on the program may be T HE results have been announced placed there at any stage at the writ- of "a world hero essay competi- ten request of three members with the tion" conducted in the schools of sev- consent of the arrangements commiteral countries under the auspices of tee and with the consent of a twothe National Council for the Preven- thirds majority of the conference. tion of War. About one thousand French, German and English will be schools and a half-million students the official languages of the confer- ence.
books mentioned in these columns will be forwarded by us au receipt of price.-
L'HE REVIEW.
The China Christian Year Book, 1926. mission schools. The last is especially Edited by Dr. Frank Rawlinson. 12 mo. vexing. Dr. Rawlinson firmly be- 549 pp. Christian Literature Society. lieves that the roots of Christian faith E'hanghai. 1926. and doctrine have struck deep in Chi- nese life and will bear abundant fruit Here is doubtless the most illumi- in years to come-though it may be nating and authoritative information with a Chinese ,form and Oriental oil the present situation in China. flavor. It is the hope of Christian Some forty writers deal with political, missionaries that as soon as possible educational, social, industrial and re- the Chinese Church will become auligious affairs-and nearly one· half tonomous while it remains loyal to the of these writers are Chinese. Condi- Christ of the Scriptures. tions are chaotic in many places, but most of the Christian missions are In the forty-four chapters, the restill open and the missionaries are at lation of national affairs to the Christheir posts. China is in transition. tian movement in China is discussed A political, mental, social, economic with discernment by five writers; the and religious change is taking place, religious thought and activity by four but Christian ideas and influences (three of them Chinese); church life have been implanted and are at work, by five (all foreigners); missions and as well as other more selfish and ma- missionaries by six (all foreigners); terialistic ideas. The national ship education by nine writers (eight Chiof state has loosed from the old moor- nese); social and industrial problems ings and is encountering heavy seas; by seven; medical work by three and there are many contrary winds and literature by seven. there are rocks on every side; there is a frequent change of pilot and of No one who wishes to know of concourse, but there is reason to believe ditions and prospects in China today that the ship will not break up, but will weather the storm and, before can afford to overlook this wealth of long, will flnd its course in smoother fact interpreted by those well-inseas under good governorship. formed and sympathetic with the highest ideals for China.
Naturally, the emphasis in this vol- Borden of Yale '09. "The Life That ume is placed on the progress of Counts." Mrs. Howard Taylor. Illus. Christianity. The editor interprets 8 va. 287 pp. $2.00 or 68. London.
the characteristics of this movement 1926.
in China as representing two classes At the threshold of a most prom- -the articulate and the inarticulate ising career, this very remarkable groups. He shows the influence of young and valiant Christian was sud- communism and the shifting forces or denly called into service in the Life fulcrum of the Christian churches . beyond. As men count, he reached from foreign to home control. The the age of only twenty-five and yet he greatest problems have come in con- made his mark on his generation, and nection with the general attitude to- his example was and is an inspiration ward foreigners, the foreign financial to many. Possibly no young man of support of various Christian enter- twenty-five ever exerted a wider and prises and the teaching of religion in deeper influence. At least seven 318
19271) THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY
memorial services were held to mem- tion. They are picturesque and inorialize him-in America, Europe, teresting, and have many admirable Africa, Asia. William Whiting Bor- characteristics and customs. Life den showed a character that was at among them is full of romance and of the same time virile and loving, full tragedy. of faith in God and of service to mankind.. He was an unusual, but a nat- Rev. W. J. V. Saville, who writes ural boy in his Chicago home; an ac- this volume, has been a missionary in tive but studious lad in Hill School; Eastern New Guinea (or Papua) for a leader in good things at Yale, where twenty-five years, and has come to he founded "The Yale Hope Mis- know the natives intimately. He has sion." He was a real force among studied them, their beliefs and custhe students in Princeton Seminary toms most diligently and here deand a valued volunteer worker during scribes their habits, sacred rites, pubvacation times in the National Bible lic ceremonies, occupations and char- Institute, New York and a helpful acteristics most minutely and scientifimember of the Governing Board of cally. The study is almost too dethe China Inland Mission. He was tailed for the average reader, but the a keen and buoyant observer in his author helps us to gain a thorough journey around the world and in Lon- knowledge of his Papuans – even don surrendered his life still more un- down to the smallest detail. For anreservedly to God. Then, at the Stu- thropologists and missionaries, this is dent Volunteer Convention in Nash- a valuable study, fully illustrated ville, came the call to missionary with excellent photographs and drawwork among Moslems. He responded ings. The crude and cruel customs, with his whole heart, but the Home the ignorance and superstition, the Call came while he was in Cairo pre- uncleanness and immorality prevaparing to go to the Moslems of China. lent give clear evidence of the need of Weare not wise enough to under- these people for the Gospel of Christ. stand the reason for this unexpected call, but God makes no mistakes. The Prayer. Arno Clemens Gaebelein. 12 mo. life has not ended, and the influence III pp. $1.00. New York. 1927. here has gone on in enlarging circles. It is strange how many people pray The Borden and Whiting families without ever thinking of stUdying the are of high social standing, and Wil- conditions that make prayer truly liam received the best of education, effective. They would not think of brought up in wealth. While still a such ignorant, haphazard methods of student,he inherited a fortune, and endeavoring to secure desired results yet this young man was unspoiled, in science, in medicine or in business. simple in his habits, athletic, sympa- The Bible is the "Source Book" for thetic with those in need, a devout a knowledge of prayer and how it bestudent of secular subjects and of comes effective and yet how few who the Bible, a tireless personal worker pray really study the Bible teachings for Christ and a generous and wise and examples relating to prayer. Dr. steward of all his talents. His life- Gaebelein does· this in a most thorstory is well written and worth read- ough and practical way. He begins ing. at Genesis and goes through the Bi- ble to Revelation to discover every In Unknown New Guinea. W. J. V. Saville. mention of prayer and what we may Maps and 58 Illustrations. 8vo. 316 pp. learn from them. It is an exceedingly 218 net. London. 1926. rich and suggestive stUdy.
The people of New Guinea com- In the last forty pages, he systempose the largest group of uncivilized atically unfolds the teachings of the people in the South Seas. Many are Scriptures in reference to prayersaid to be cannibals. In the interior, its basis, its contents, types of prayer, they are still savage in the extreme conditions of effectual prayer, the exand have not been touched by civiliza- ample of Christ and the relation of
"Borden of Yale '09" the Holy Spirit to prayer. It is a volume worthy of careful and prayer- "The Life That Counts" ful study.
by MRS. HOWARD TAYLOR The Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord. Selected by T. C. Horton with REV. ENOCH F. BELL writes: "I have been Meditations by Charles E. Hurlburt and reading "Borden of Yale," by Mrs. Howard Tay- T. C. Horton. 12mo. 199 Pl'. Los lor. The book is wonderfully written. William Angeles. 1925. Borden was an extraordinary man on almost every count and his Christian life and faith There are three hundred and sixtyraised hiS natural power to the Nth degree. It five names selected from the Bible is a book that every Christian worker ought to and arranged with comments for read." daily Bible verses and comments. It is an exceedingly rich study in the DR. R. A. TORREY writes: "This life of scriptural interpretation of Christ. your son is wonderful: it Is one of the most interesting and helpful biographies that I ha.ve Youth LOOks at the Church; The Evanston ever read. Not only is the Ufe itself one of Conference. Introduction by Stanley great importance but the record of it is written High. 12 mo. 220 pp. $1.00. New York. with great skill, both in the chOice of material 1926. and in the way in which it is put. I know something of Mrs. Taylor's ability to write biog- Much attention has been given to raphies from her life of Hudson Taylor and the Interdenominational Student from "Paetor Hsi," but I am inClined to think Conference held in Evanston last that she has done the work upon this book with December. Here are the official, but even wiser judgment and greater skill than she abbreviated, reports of addresses displayed in these other books." from the platform and from the floor, the reports of the student commis· 287 pages-Oloth Binding. sions (forty·seven pages) and the With Map and Illustration•. findings (twelve pages). These ad· dresses and findings are not radically Price $2.00 Postpaid revolutionary and are worthy of thoughtful study. at NEW BOOKS CHINA INLAND MISSION 237 W. School Lane, Germantown Awakening Womanhood. F. Hughes·Hal· lett. ~ Pl'. Is. Church Missionary Philadelphia, Pa. Soeiety. London. 1927. or Everyland Children. VoL I Just Like You; 150 St. George St., Toronto 5, Onto VoL II Taro and Ume. 60 Pl'. each. and Booksellers Paper, 25 cents; board covers, 50 cents. Central Committee for the United Study Whither Bound? of Foreign Missions. Cambridge, Mass., ]927. THE MODERN Prayer. Arno Clemens Gaebelein. 111 Pl'. STUDENT $1.00. "Our Hope," 456 Fourth Avenue, New York City. 1927. WITH IDEALS The Christian Movement in lapan, Korea and Formosa. 1926. Edited by A. Olt· If you'd like to /mow mans. Committee of Reference and Hhim U better Counsel. New York. 1926.
Here Is Your OPPORTUNITY China. Today Through Chinese Eyes. Second Series. By Seven Distinguished 1. Religion on the Campus-the re- Chinese Leaders. 151 Pl'. $1.25. George sume of the National Student Confer· H. Doran Co., New York. Student Christ· ian Movement, London. 1926. ence, Milwaukee. Thought·provoking, The Maryknoll Movement. George /C. catholic, realistic; a true picture of the Powers. 140 Pl'. $l.50. Field Afar Office. MaryknOll P.O., New York. 1927. mind of students as they face life is- Pioneering for Christ in the Sudan. sues in the light of 1927 science, reo Johanna Veenstra. 223 Pl'. $2.00. i3mitter Book Company. Grand Rapids. ligion and society. Cloth, $1.50 1926. .
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The Missionary Review of the World — July 1902
WOMEN AT MARKET-PLACE OF KALO, NEW
Missionary Review of the World . Old Series } JULY New Series VOL. XXV. No: 7 { VOL. XV. No. 7 H: THE STORY OF GUCd.ENG THE SOUTH SEA ISLAND PIONEER AMONG THE CANNIBALS OF NEW GUINEA BY THE REV. S. McFARLANE, LL.D., SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND Author of "The Story of the Lifu Miss~on," " Among the Cannibals of New Guinea," etc.
Gucheng was born at Urea, one of the I…oyalty group of islands, near New Oaledonia, and about sixty miles to the northwest of Lifu. The home of his childhood is one of those lovely atolls with its circle of reefs and islets forming a placid lagoon abouti';1ty miles in circumference. During the early years of my missionary work at Lifu unW a missionary was appointed to Urea, I had charge of the mission there, and frequently visited the people in an ordinary whaleboat. Well do I remember the glorious sailing in that lagoon with a strong breeze and smooth water: twelve natives sitting on the edge of the boat, laughing and shouting with delight as they saw the water coming over the opposite side as we plowed along like a steamer. Then the natives would come out in their best sailing canoes to meet us, and the excitement would increase as we raced to the village.
The population consists of three distinct tribes-the aborigines, a tribe from New Oaledonia, and a tribe from "Wallis Island," some thousand miles eastward, who, like many othe s in the South Seas, probably lost their waj in a storm, and then just sailed on till they came to some landing-place. Gucheng belonged to the tribe that came from New Oaledonia, a tribe that delighted in war and cannioalism, and as the three tribes were frequently quarreling and fighting, he became familiar, from his childhood, with bloody wars and cannibal feasts. Even in times of peace the very games of the boys were associated with war, for they fought mimic battles on the beach with toy spears and clubs and naval ones in the lag00n with toy war canoes.
The chiefs and leaders of these warlike Papuans are' fnequently men 'Who have forced themselves to the front by their size and strength, and bravery in war; the tribes are proud of them, and
willingly obey them in times of peace as well as war. But it sometimes happens among the cannibals, as among more civilized tribes, that the acknowledged leaders become tyrants and cruelly oppress the people. The cannibals have a very summary way of dealing with such!
About the time of which I am writin~ the people of the western half of Lifu rose against their chief, deposed him, alid disposed of him, and elected another in his stead. The leaders, in order to prevent jealousies and secure unanimity, wisely determined to elect an outsider, and the choice fell upon the chief of the tribe at Urea, whose forefathers came from New Caledonia, and whose right-hand man was Gucheng's father. Ukenizo accepted the offer and became the great chief of as many thousands at Lifu as he had been of hundreds at Urea. Gucheng's father and mother accompanied him and settled near the place that was soon to become my home for the first half of my missionary life.
Pao* at this time was making periodical visits to the western half of Lifu, and preaching the Gospel of peace to the enemies of Bula. Crowds lLstened' to him, and many followed him from village to village. Among the latter was the ,lad Gucheng; his young heart proved good soil for the seed of the kingdom; he heard with evident delight that the" Great Spirit" was not a tyrant, but a God of love; was not the cause of sickness and famine and death, and did not need to be appeased by sacrifices, but loved all men, and wished all men to love each other as He loved them.
This was indeed a revelation to the cannibals of Lifu, and Gucheng received it as a message from heaven, and showed his anxiety to learn more about" la trenge eweka ka loi" (the good news).
On our arrival at LUu, Gucheng at once offered his services as servant, williilgto do anything he could if he might live with the missionary. We readily accepted the offer, and found him not only willing to serve but quick to learn. With the help of an intelligent Samoan evangelist, who spoke a little English, and who had charge of the station where I settled at Lifu, I found litt.]e difficulty in acquiring the language, and was able, after three months, to preach my first sermon. Of course there were many mistakes, as I afterward found, but, ,the biggest mistake a young missionary makes is to wait till he thinks he can preachwithout a mistake. Natives are always delighted to hear the missionary attempt to speak to them in their own language.
"Almost from the day that Gucheng entered our family till the day of 'his death in the Fly River, New Guinea, he was my right-hand man, associated with me in nearly every enterprise for the progress of the mission at Lifu and the regions beyond, also in the difficult and dangerous work of establishing mission stations in New Guinea. As , • f$ee p,492, MISSIONARY' REVlII!W, July, 1901.
THE STORY OF GUCHENG
ON THg SHORES OF NEW GUINEA a servant in our family, as a scholar in the school, as a learner in the workshop, as a student in the institution, as a native pastor at Lifu, and as a pioneer evangelist in New Guinea, he was always diligent, faithful, devout, and thoroughly trustworthy.
Living with the missionary, he became a great authority among the people, especially at the inland villages, where most of the natives were still heathen. Gucheng generally accompanied me on my missionary tours, and after I had retired for the night the old men would get him to join them at the log fire in the cocoanut grove, around which they would sit for hours, chewing sugar-can!) and drinking cocoanut milk, and asking all sorts of questions about the religion and habits and customs of the white people. 'I'he accounts of these conversations, wl+iqh were given on our way home, were often very amusing.
I remember on one occasion, after I had introduced a horse from Samoa, an animal that the natives had tJ-ever seen before, and which some of them, it seems, thought was a big dog. One of the old men questioned Guchimg as to how it was that altho he had been feeding his dog for six months, giving it as much as it could eat, hoping that it would become like the missionary's, that he might ride it, yet it did not seem to get much bigger. This serious statement and inquiry caused much merriment among the young men from the mission station. There is some excuse, however, for the old heathen's mistake, as none of them knew what a dog might become as the result of being well fed for six months, probably none of them having tried the experiment before!
My horse, as may be supposed, was the object of great wonder and admiration; even Gucheng was much surprised and bewildered when I told him that it would have to wear shoes, and the making and putting on of these excited great interest. I had taken out from England a portable forge with one hundredweight of scrap iron, and determined to try my hand at making a horseshoe.. I got a full-size drawing by placing the horse's foot on a piece of board and drawing a pencil line round the hoof; then Gucheng and I set to work, in the midst of an admiring crowd, to make the shoe, he blowing the bellows and I manipulating the iron, the natives yelling and shouting with astonish- ment and approval as the sparks flew and the iron was bent into shape. I must confess to a feeling . of pride 1:llyself as the iron began to look like a horseshoe. 'l'he real difficulty, however, began when I tried to fasten it on the horse's foot.
Having no proper horseshoe nails, I tried ordinary ones, and it was for- tunate that we had taken the pre- CHRISTIANS IN NEW GUINEA caution to tie the horse's head to a post, for he gave most unmistakable evidence of disgust at this amateur horsesh'oeing. Seeing that he could not get away himself, he seemed to think that the next best thing was to make us go. 'I had my back to him with his foot between my legs in orthodox fashion, driving in the nail, and looking at every blow to see where it was going, as I thought, to come out on the hoof. The natives stood around in evident admiration at thehorse1s unflinching endur- ance, a quality which they admire in one of themselves, who, after a battle (as I have witnessed), will allow a piece of a spear to be cut out of his back without moving a muscle. So that it came as a sort of welcome relief to them to find that there was a limit to the endurance of this new animal, when they saw him send me sprawling a couple of yards away, leaving part of my nether garment behind, but two yards off! The natives simply roared with laughter. I picked myself up and made a feeble attempt to join in the merriment, pulling my working apron round to the back, feeling that it would be more useful behind than in front! My next atte~pt was to make some proper nails, but I soon found that it was easier to make a horseshoe than make a nail.
To draw out a piece of iron to a sharp point without splitting it is no easy task for an amateur. .
THE STORY OF GUCHElNG
As a last resort I determined to fasten the shoes onto the horse's feet with screw-nails; but when I asked one of the natives to hold the foot while I bored a hole with a 'gimlet, he, to the intense amusement of the others, made a sign, the meaning of which is very much like the one in this country made by putting the thumb on the nose and spreading out the fingers! However, we got the shoes fastened' on all right with the screw-nails, and ultimately we received from Sydney proper shoes and nails and tools, and also a lesson from a blacksmith abont horseshoeing, so that Gucheng was able very soon bot'h to shoe and ride the horse, to the wonder and delight of the people.
I must not omit to mention one important work which Gucheng accomplished during his years of valuable service in our family, a work that proved a great blessing, not only to many villages at Lifu, but also to many other islands in the South Seas, notably the one on which Dr. Paton settled after leaving Tanna.
Working Wonders-Digging for Water During the first six months after my settling at Lifu I made a tour of the island for two reasons: to acquire the language, and become acquainted with the villages. During that and subsequent journies I was surprised to find that the water in some large caverns near the middle of the island, tho perfectly fresh, rose and fell with the tide. It appeared from this that the sea-water percolates through the l'ocks of a coral island, and the rain that falls on it percolates downward till it reaches the salt water, and, being lighter, does not readily mix with it, but is raised and lowered by it as the tide flows and ebbs. I felt that if this should prove to be the case, w,e might dig wells at the inland villages, and everywhere find good water about the sea-level. This would be a great blessing to the numerous villages, whose only means' of storing rain-water was by scooping holes in the trunks of living cocoanut trees, whi.ch were filled by the rain running down the stem. Of course ~uch water was scarce and impure. Without making any attempt to explain my theory and hopes to the natives, I determined to test it by digging a well, simply informing them that I hoped to find water. Having made a windlass, we commenced operations on the mission premises about three yards from our house, that I might the more easily superintend the work. At first I had no difficulty in getting native labor; for altho the natives declared most positively that there was no chance of finding water there, there being no caverns near, still they were willing to dig some distance to prove their contention, and dissipate this papali (foreign) idea from the missionary's mind. The mission house was about forty feet above the sea-level, so that I knew we must dig the well that depth before there was any reasonable hope of finding water. When, however, they had reached a.
depth of about twenty feet, they threw down their tools and positively refused to descend the well again. I tried to engage others to continue the work, but could not succeed. It seems the matter had been pub- licly discussed, and the whole population had pronounced against this well-digging. The young people in our school were about this time b_ecoming acquainted with the mysteries of geography. They told their parents and relatives that the world was round, and that Peretania (Britain) was on the other side, immediately underneath Lifu. This astounding statement would have been scouted had it not been for the digging of this well. They had as yet very hazy ideas about distances, but it was enough for them to know the position of my country. They thought they saw clearly my object in digging the well. To look for water at such a place was an evidence of folly that could not be squared with their exalted ideas of the missionary; but to make a hole through the earth~ and be let down and hauled up by a windlass, was an idea worthy of the white man!
They knew something of the dangers of short voyages, but what must a voyage to Peretania be! They all saw clearly that the well was to be a "short cut" to visit my home. 'fhen the effects of this route were seriously discussed. The making of the hole through the earth would mean for them an enormous amount of labor, and judging from themselves, they felt that if I had such an easy way of visiting my home, I should be going very often; and then there was the labor of lowering me down and winding me up; then some day they might find the bucket empty, I having decided to remain at home. Altogether the labor and risk was too great, so they resolved that the well should not be dug.
I had to fall back upon my faithful henchman, Gucheng, who got three friends to help him, on my promising not tp go below the sealevel. This promise secured the continuance of the work, and proved a great relief to public anxiety. "If," said the natives, "the missionary is really digging for water, and has promised not to go below the sealevel, then the work will soon be done, and he will have got his experience, and we shall hear no more of digging holes in dry places to find water."
Week after .week the work went on merrily, very merrily indeed, sometimes, I thought, as I heard the laughing and jokes, when their friends, and also strangers from a distance, paid a visit of inspection.
I had measured carefully the distance we were above the sea-level, and kept a daily record of the exact depth of the well, so that I knew when to expe~t water, if we were to get any. I watched my chance when the bottom of the well was near the sea-level, and when half a dozen natives were standing with the two at the top, I walked across from my study, which was so near that I could hear the conversation, and asked them if they had not found wat.er yet. The idea of finding
THlil STORY OF GUCHENG
water was evidently amusing to them, and they seemed particularly anxious to impress upon my mind that they were not seeking water at such a place. "The eakune ko, ngo nyipeti pe" (Not we, but you). " Well," I said," I had better go down myself and see if I can find water." One wag hinted that this might have been done from the first with very good results. However, none of them supposed that I really intended descending the well, but I insisted upon the two men coming up. I did not trust them to lower me down st~nding in the bucket. as they generally did, but slipped down the rope, and at once A NATIVlt HOUSE A.T VANUABADA., NEW GUI~JtA.
Bet to work with the crowbar digging out a small hole in the middle of the well, looking every now and then at the point to see if it was wet. While thns engaged, the natives at the top were having a good time, somewhat at my expense. Questions were shouted down the well, followed by roars of laughter: "Haven't you found water yet?" " We are dying of thirst! " "Take care you don't get drowned !" etc. After a time I began to get quite excited myself, as I thought the point of the bar was wet. Soon there was no mistake; it was wet; there was water. I shouted to the natives at the top to get a pannikin from my wife and send it down in the bucket, and I would send them up some water from the well. They, supposing that I was responding to their jokes, asked what would be the use of a small pannikin of water among half a dozen thirsty people, and begged me
to send up a bucketful. However, as I insisted, the pannikin was obtained and lowered down. By this time the water had percolated into the small hole I dug in the middle of the well, enabling me to get luJ,lf a panni-irin full, which I sent to the top. The effect was instantaneous and comical. Each tasted the dirty water and pronounced it the sweetest and best on the island. As a matter of fact it was brackish, as we were too near the sea to get good fresh water. The news spread through the village like wildfire, and was passed from village to village with astonishing rapidity. The report was, that while their countrymen had been digging for months and could not find water, the missionary had gone down the well and found it in less than half an hour. After digging down as far as we could at the lowest tide we had always an abundant supply, which, being only slightly brackish, was used by the natives and for general purposes on the mission premises.
This, I considered, had solved the problem, so that we might reasonably expect tD find good water at the roland villages by digging down to the sea-level, which was subsequently done with complete success.
Soon after this important. discovery the Dayspring arrived from the New Hebrides with Mr. (now Dr.) Paton and others on board. All were greatly interested in the well-digging, and as Dr. Paton was then beginning his Aniwa mission, I advised him to –try the experiment there, which he did with success. The Roman Oatholic priest at Lifu, living at an inland village about a hundred feet above the sea-level, also determined to dig a well, ~fter a conversation I had with him on the subject. A French lay brother took charge of the work, which extended over a year, owing to the hardness of the rock and the necessity for blasting operations. During these proceedings the priest received a deputation of natives which much amused him. Their object was to induce him to try and secure my services for the well. They did not suggest that he might find water if he went down, but" ask the missionary to go down; he will soon find water!" 1 may say that they found excellent water at the sea-level, which has proved a great blessing to the people of that village.
Starting the First Schools Gucheng took a prominent part, not only in shoeing tlie first horse imd digging the first well at Lifu, but also in building the first mission house and institution building and students' cottages, and also in our first attempt at boat building; for we built a boat, which Captain Fraser, of the Dayspring, declared to be the most remarkable boat he had ever seen! Indeed, I don't suppose anyone else ever saw one like it. It was the result of a bad start from the keel. Having beveled one side more than the other, we found that one side of the
THE STORY OF GUCHENG
boat was a different shape from the other! However, it was a good, strong, serviceable boat, that carried the messengers of the Gospel to many a village on the coast.
. By the time Gucheng had finished his course of study in our institution for training native pastors and pioneer evangelists, he was, unquestionably, the best-educated native on-the island, so I determined to attempt the formation of a mod el village at the place where he settled as native pastor. The people of Nachaum were living in scattered houses and small hamlets, like many of the other inland tribes, when Gucheng became their teacher, which made it almost impossible to get the children together in a school.
I took the opportunity, at the induction of Gucheng, all the people CHRISTIA..N TEA.CHERS FROM HULA, KALO , KEREPANU , AND AROMA..
being assembled, to propose my plan, which met with unanimous approval. A site was selected in a central position, and soon a broad avenue was cleared in the forest, the fallen timber being used to burn coral for lime required in building the church and school. I left the plan with Gucheng, who followed it to the letter; he was the trusted leader and the hardest worker. Before he left the mission settlement he had given many proofs of his ability, both in the classroom and in the workship, so the people gladly followed his lead. On my occasional visits I was pleased with the progress of the work. As the village grew in the wilderness its fame spread far and wide, and brought strangers from all parts of the islarid to' see for themselves,
and carry back most exaggerated reports of the work. The natives vied with each other in the building of their houses, which were all detached, with a garden in front and plantation behind. At length, after two or three years' commendable labor, the village was completed, and a great gathering took place at the opening of the coral church, which was indeed a memorable occasion. The natives flocked from all parts, bringing their best clothes under their arms to dress for the ceremony. There was the usual great feast prepared for the strangersquite as attractive as the new village, no doubt. It was a glorious sight, filling the heart with gratitude and praise to God who had so richly blessed the means to bring about such a change among a people so recently savages and cannibals. The broad road leading through the village had been leveled and planted with grass, and as the happy crowd moved about admiring the church and schoolhouse and the newly dug well, drinking its deliciously cold and fresh water, and looking into the different houses, it formed a beautiful picture that I wished our friends at home could see.
(To be continued) BACKWARD MOVEMENTS OF OUR TIMES'
THE DECAY OF FAITH IN THE SANCTIONS OF GOD'S LAWS BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Love and law are not inconsistent, nor are wrath and grace contradictory in a holy God. A perfect government must be founded on perfect law, maintained by perfect sanctions. Reward and penalty are the two pillars that sustain the arch of God's rule, to remove either of which w.Quld bring to ruin that arch and all that rests upon it.
Some of the foremost men of the modern Church, who rank as ecclesiastical statesmen, have given their calm judgment that one of the most. dangerous tendencies of our times is found in the decreasing sense of moral obligation, and of acconntability to God, which, always accompanies it. Testimonies to this fact abound from widely different sources. The late Rev. R. W. Dale, _D.D., of Birmingham, England, said to the late Dr. Berry, of Wolverhampton, "Nobody is afraid of God now." The wholesome fear of God referred to was what Daniel Webster meant when he confessed that the most awe-inspiring thought that ever entered his mind was the idea of his" personal, individual accountability to Almighty God." To these great English preachers this lack of Godly fear seemed a strange and ominous symptom of both Church degeneracy and national decline, and largely at bottom of the increase in Sabbath-breaking, intemperance, gambling, greed, Mammon worship, godless pleasure, extravagance, as well as low
BACKWARD MOVEMENTS OF OUR TIMES
ethical standards, unbelief, secularism, decreas"e in church attendance, and absence of conversions.
Mr. Gladstone gave much proof of a singularly virile mind, capable to the last of grappling with the problems of both Church and State. He was not a man whose words were lacking in weight, and he said: " The decline or decay of a sense of sin against God is one of the most marked and serious symptoms of these times."
Von Gerlach adds his testimony from another point of view: The forgetfulness of the present day of the wrath of God has exercised a baneful influence on the various relations in which man holds the place of God, and in particular on the government of the family and the State.
Phillips Brooks, the "liberal" American bishop, whose magnanimous love might easily have inclined him to lax views of sin and penalty, affirms that "no exhortation to a good life that does not put behind it some great truth as deep as eternity can seize and hold the conscience."
Dr. Alexander Maclaren, foremost of Britain's preachers, a year ago, speaking of sin and its nature, said: Modern theories of heredity and environment, modern laxity of moral fiber, have taken many shades of blackness out of the black thing. . . . We must all confess that, yielding to Zeitgeist, the trend of opinion around us, and as children of the age, we have been tempted to think less severely, more pityingly of sin, and less solemnly of its certain result, death, than either our Master or His apostles did.
The present Bishop of Durham, Dr. Moule, is one of the apostles of love, yet he wrote, in his" Philippian Studies": In many quarters the solemn utterance of warning is now almost silent; it is regarded as almost unchristian to warn sinners, even open sinners, to do anything so much out of the fashion as "to flee from the wrath to come "-the wrath which is coming upon the children of disobedience. But this is not the apostolic way, nor the Lord's way.
This is a startling consensus of opinion from various and prominent sources, and testimonies might be multiplied along the same lines. The loose but winning conception of the universal fatherho~d of God and brotherhood of man hides a latent universalism beneath its graceful mantle of charity. Sometimes the universalism is patent, as in the "restorationism" of Andrew Jukes or the "eternal hope" of Archdeacon Farrar; but whether latent or patent, it ma'kes void the Word of God, and, sometimes, the atonement of Christ. It requires a tortuous exegesis to get out of the Bible its appalling teaching about "eternal sin" and hopeless destiny, and the mode of construing Scripture that can eliminate that can get rid of any other of its plain teachings. The cross is itself at once thtJ unanswerable proof of God's infinite love and of the awful guilt and peril of sin. Anselm contended that" an infinite sacrifice was necessary for an infinite debtthat without such sacrifice God can not pardon sin"; an.d the answer of
the Universalist that" Ohrist's blood bought an indefinite postponement of punishment" seems to candid believers a sophistical evasion, It is not ours to "vindicate the ways of God to men. "- He is abu..n– dantly competent to take care of Himself. But, at our peril, do we add to or subtract from the message entrusted to us as ambassadors. It is of first importance that an ambassador keep within the limit of his instructions. The moment he steps outside them, two results follow: he forfeits all authority and he becomes amenable to the authority he violates.
This decay of faith in the solemn sanctions of God's law is in effect an undermining of whatever is most fundamental to the final triumph of Ohristianity, at once threatening the purity of church life and the progress of Ohristian missions, and therefore this backward movement of our day needs to be met with prayerful resistance and positive counter-witness.
Herbert Spencer's saying, that" by no political alchemy can you get golden conduct out of leaden instincts," was probably suggested by the satire of Epictetus upon those whose" principles were golden and silvern, but their practises earthenware." Both sayings remind us that it ·is what the heart's honest creed holds as truth that ultimately shapes both character and conduct. A church and its pastor may present many types of so-called piety, but there is but one that makes 3 church permanently mighty to save souls from sin and hell, and that is the type of piety which is pervaded and inspired by what Dr. Thomas H. Skinner, of New York, used to call a "sense of the powers of the world to come." The whole underlying stratum of both Old and New Testament teaching is a sternly uncompromising doctrine of sin and penalty. There is a dark background, black as midnight, a darkness that may be felt, behind all the promises of pardon and pictures of grace, and that blackness of darkness helps to make God's love for sinners the more glorious by contrast. To lessen the blacknees of the background diminishes the brightness of the glory. Satan's master device is to disguise the enormity and deformity of sin, and make men think of iniquities as infirmities, misfortunes, mistakes, or, better still, as Theodore Parker phrased it, "a fall forward." Men will thus be confirmed in self-justification, and in such proportion cease to feel deep need of Ohrist. No man is going to seek the surgeon's knife to remove a pimple which a lotion will remedy, or to cut out a boil which a poultice will heal. Sinners will not much fear sins for which even saints apologize.
We are not to trifle with the Word of God. To lop off one doctrine which is offensive, even tho it be deemed non-essential, is a dangerous process. Biblical truth is an organic body, is vital throughout. The Ohinese method of torture is to begin by cutting off parts remote from the vital centers, and little by little gradually approach
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the citadel of life. But with the first exci~ion death begins; it is all slow dying and meant to be. The devil understands that sort of surgery, and is glad when he can get Christian teachers, who ought to be … cutting out the cancers of sin, to sharpen their tools to cut off Bible teachings that offend the natural man. He knows that every such excision means a bolder advance toward the citadel where the central vital truths are enshrined.
Intolerance is a sin and persecution a crime, bnt heresy is an error which must as such be met and fought; and no man can say what heresy is entitled to forbearance, for the roots of false doctrine reach down and out, taking tenacious hold on the heart and exhibiting wide-spread offshoots in the life. Nor can any man tell us where vital truths end and begiu. To give up plain Scripture teaching at the clamor of liberalists is like the Russian traveler flinging his children from his sleigh in Siberia to appease the hunger of a pursuing pack of wolves. God gives the preacher at home and abroad a definite commission, and it is to be discharged in its entirety. He is not to diminish aught from all that God commands; if he does he imperils not only the souls of others but his own.
The present generation talks of God as "nature, grown benevolent," while it boasts of "subduing nature faster, every day." A French paper boldly says that "-a Parisienne is quite ready to love God but not to fear Him," and hence that" if religion is austere it will entirely miss its mark." The current of the 'day's thinking is toward universalism. Even in the Christian Church there is an alarming departure from the beliefs and teaching of the apostolic age. Annihilationism, restorationism, eternal hope, after-death probation, or some vague and indefinite theory of ultimate salvation for all men, ramify into the church life of our day. .It was a shock to read from the pen of Dr. Dale's successor-a young man that many felt God was raising up as a leader of evangelical tho_ught in Britain-a virtual espousal of the future probation theory, boldly accepting the view that Christ literally preached to the imprisoned antediluvians, in His own person, the saving Gospel. This view we have long felt to be untenable; for, if Christ went to preach salvation to any in Hades, why to those specially who had the opportunity of escaping judgment under Noah's long ministry as a " preacher of righteousness" ? Is not the fact that these ante'diluvian rejectors of salvation are specifically mentioned a strong argument in favor of the interpretation which makes Christ to have preached through the spirit in the person of Noah to spirits, now in prison, who once were disobedient?
It is unfair to taunt those who preach eternal punishment as hard hearted, as tho it were their delight to portray the picture of a hopeless destiny. The question is not what one would like, but of what one is bidden, to believe and teach. There is a power, inseparable
from deep conviction, that one is speaking the absolute truth of God; dealing not in vagaries, conjectUl'es, dreams, or imagings, but veritable Divine certainities and revelations; keeping even dOll bts to one's self and preaching what he knows, and knows on Divine authority. Where his ground is' uncertain the preacher is not to tread-certainly not to lead others, lest the blind lead the blind, and the ditch receive both. If a preacher has in his own mind and heart an irresistible yearning, a vague hope, that some solution of the mystery of evil waits to be dis- closed, let him confine his witness to certainties. The awful eternity beyond is too solemn to be invaded with human guesswork. Death is too deep a chasm to be bridged- with weak if not rotten timbers. Let us have a secure way of spanning and crossing the abyss that divides these two worlds.
We have written these words with the solemn conviction that modern preaching, whether in Christian or heathen lands, is in peril of losing its own sanction of Divine authority. Jonathan Edwards, Charles G. Finney, Matthew Simpson, Alexander Maclaren, Charles H. Spurgeon, H. W. Webb Peploe, and other s.uch men may be "old fogies" in theology to some modern pulpit critics, but something in the deep moral convictions of such preachers has given a strange weight to their words, and somehow there has attended such messages a spir- itual quickening which is looked for in vain where God's message is adulterated with modern liberalism. When a man keeps close to a Divine message and gives it out fully as he finds it, there is a sort of giant conviction behind his sword-thrusts. Like William Lloyd Gar- rison in his fight for the slave, he who is" in earnest will not equivocate, excuse, nor retreat a single inch, and must and will be heard." Men tremble, like Felix, when such a man reasons of righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come. Such preachers have what Aristotle called" an agitated soul," that" mixture of madness" without which he said nothing grand and superior is ever spoken. What one thinks of God will largely be determined by what he believes God thinks of him, and any teaching which makes sin less hateful to God makes God less majestic in holiness to men, and less to be feared, or, in fact, to be loved.
When Pitt offered to George III. his resignation, in 1768, the king said to him, " I can not resign." There are obligations which can not be evaded or escaped. God's appointed ambassador can not resign. 'He must stand in his lot and do his duty. Part of his duty is, as Ebenezer· Erskine said, to "do his best to bring on a definite issue betweep Christ and the adversaries of the truth." He is like Knox, "in that place where it is demanded of his conscience to speak the truth; and therefore the truth he must speak, impugn it who list."
So far as men cease to believe in the biblical doctrine of future awards, at least three results will follow: There is first a general relaxing of moral restraint. Society
THE ABORIGINES OF NEW SOUTH WALES
becomes increasingly corrupt, and human government finds infidelity, and its offspring anarchy. threatening its foundations.
Again, the pulpit loses its hold on the conscience.. Its trumpetcalls no longer arouse the sleeping and stir the apathetic. Revivals become infrequent, -and indifference to the gracious invitations of the Gospel always keeps pace with this carelessness as to retributive penalties.
And, once more, missions become a mere philanthropic enterprise. Instead of carrying a saving message to a lost world, men go to fraternize with the priests of error. Parliaments of religion displace bold assaults on heatheu systems, and the one name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved, is associated in a sort of new Olympus or Pantheon, with Jupiter and Buddha, Brahma and Confucius, Zoroaster and Mohammed.
THE "HOME I ' OF A MAN AND HIS WIFE, NEW SOUTH WALES THE ABORIGINES OF NEW SOUTH WALES BY REV. ARCHIBALD GRAHAM, PORT MACQUARIE, AUSTRALIA When Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay in 1770 he was greeted by a few black, naked savages, who, armed with spears, were inclined to dispute his landing until, with a charge of shot fired low, he frightened them away. After the colony began to be settled the white people were brought much into contact with the aborigines, and had
innumerable opportunities for learning the condition and character of these people,whose manner of life had thus been rudely disturbed.
The early settlers found that there was much about them to interest. Some of their customs were strange. In common with many aborigines, they had occasionally a wild dance -called "corrobore," for which they painted and decorated their bodies, and made extensive preparations. They were moved to intense tho, perhaps, short-lived grief by the loss of relatives. In expression of this grief a man whose woman had died would go for several evenings into the scrub and wail piteously for an hour. In some cases the grief was expressed by cutting the head with a small stone tomahawk until the blood ran in streams down their faces. Among many of the tribes there was a law which, in the case of one tribe murdering a man of another, allowed the injured tribe to refuse to rest content until it had in some way killed one of the offending side, however innocent the victim might be. There were among them "medicine men," who evidently did a good practise. ]'01' rheumatism they would burn the parts affected, for headache they wO).1ld pull the ears, and so on.
As to the morals of these unfortunate people. In the early days they were found to be a people that could not be depended upon; they rarely formed a close attachment, were ruthlessly treacherous, deeply immoral, in some cases polygamists, practised untold and unmentionable vices, and it would seem were without God and without hope in the world. Their religion must have been of a very low order and of an extremely shadowy nature. It certainly had about it little that was striking, for at the present it is hard to find traces of it. So much is this so that -numbers believe that they worshiped nothing, but I have been told that they had some sort of secret idol, about whiCh, however, I am doubtfnl, as no trace of it exists now. There is reason to believe that they had some idea of a life after death. "Ev'n the black Australian, dying, hopes he shall return a white." They seem to have been conscious, too, that right-doing would be rewarded, and that for wrong-doing they would be punished.
Most of the evil characteristics mentioned above still adhere to them, and others rather worse have been added, as a result of their contact with white people. They may seem friendly, but they may soon and suddenly change. Not very long since we had a very awful illustration of this disposition. Out in the west of this state there lived quietly a selector and his family, who occasionally had a few aborigines working for them. All went well until one day some trivial occurrence raised the ire of these foolish workmen" At night a number of the blacks gathered together, caused a disturbance, and when the doors were opened, rushed in and mercilessly killed some and left others half dead. And it may be _mentioned just here, as illustrating their cuteness and cunning~ that altho there were at times not less
than two hundred police and civilians in pursuit.. they succeeded in eluding their pursuers for several weeks, during which time they traveled hundreds of miles, costing the country £6,371. It seems almost impossible to domesticate them. After having lived with white people for years, receiving training and education, they will run away to the camp to live as the rest of their people do. As to their " present moral condition, all know that they are generally in a very degraded way. But this must be added: the white man is to a very great extent responsible for that state. Unfortunately these dark- skinned brethren of ours quickly take up the vices of the white, while very slow to copy his virtues. Perhaps it is that the virtues are kept in the background, while innumerable vices are presented to them continually. This is most certainly the case in regard to two evils rampant among them-drinking and gambling-in both of which they indulge to a ruinous extent, and it is also true in regard to other vices that are unmentionable. It has been stated by a medical gentleman, who visited and spent some time among them in one part of New South Wales, "That out of a camp of seventy people, there was hardly one in a sound condition of health consequent upon the terrible sur- roundings under which they were forced to live." And in an article that appeared recently in the New South Wales .Aborigines' .Advocate it was stated that among the aborigines in "all parts of the state, no matter how remote, victims of the white man's vice are to be found."
To this evil moral treatment at our hands we formerly added bad physical treatment. In early days they were treated as dogs. Many accounts are given of very terrible cruelty. A story is told about a bag of flour having arsenic mixed with it, and given them, with the result that many died. Another story tells of numbers being driven like sheep over a precipice and killed. ." Good treatment," says one who has had large experience among the unfortnnates, "was the excep- tion, not the rule." _ .
'1'he result of this immorality and cruelty is showing itself in short- ened lives and rapidly decreasing numbers. According to the census of 1891, there were in the state 5,097 full-bloods and 3,280 half-castes, or a total of 8,377; and according to a report recently placed on the table of the Legislative Assembly there were in the state on October 15, 1900, when the- statistics were collected.. 3,108 full-bloods, and 3,793 half-castes, or a total of 6,901. Thus in about ten years there has been a decrease of 1,379. It is pleasing, however, to be able to report that something is being done to do away, so far as possible, with the wrongs formerly inflicted.
The State and the Aborigines During the past few years an amount averaging between £14,000 and £15,000 annually has been spent in caring for the aborigines of the state. Food in small quantities is supplied to them regularly, and
when sick they get special attention in this way. Medical attention is also given free of all charge, and every year each one gets a pair of blankets, and the aged two or three pairs. One sometimes questions whether too much is not being done in this way for the half-castes. I fear that the help thus given has upon them a demoralizing effect. It would be a good thing for themselves and for the country if these could by some means be forced to earn their own livelihood. Something in this direction is being done in that, in different parts of the country, under government patronage and with government support, the " Aborigines' Protection Board" has under its control a number of "stations," over each of which a manager is placed, who directs the inhabitants, encouraging them to build homes, to till the ground, and thus to make provision for themselves and their families. For this purpose 133 reserves, containing 24,791 acres, have been set apart. These and other efforts are meeting with some success. I have recently read an account of a visit to the aboriginal village at Sackville Reach, which gives evidence of this: As a rule, every cot has a plot of land attached to it, which the breadwinner tills to perfection, and when not hoeing his own row he can be found working for his white neighbor. The little colony is the personification of happiness. . . . Most of them can play the violin or concertina. . . . Nearly all read and write, they have a place of worship of their own contiguous to the village, and on the whole lead moral and industrious lives. "-" Missionary Notes," Port Macquarie News.
In other respects there is evidence that the country has not been altogether neglectful of the higher interests of these people. It isgenerally acknowledged that we have in New South Wales one of the best public-school systems in existence. We aim at giving every child in our laud, for a nominal fee, fLnd entirely free to those who can not pay, a fairly good knowledge of the" three Rs." Where there are ten children who will attend regularly, a school can be claimed. And if there be ten children, five of whom can attend at one point and five at another point twenty-two miles distant, a teacher can be applied for to teach at the two schools twenty-two miles apart-half time at each. In regard to this liberal provision, I rejoice to be able to state that it applies to the aborigines as to the white people. A similar spirit is exhibited in reference to the franchise. Every male aborigine over twenty-one years of age not receiving charity is entitled to a vote that counts for as much at an election as, say, that of the prime minister of the commonwealth. If, however, aborigines are receiving charity, they are not entitled to vote; but the same holds good in regard to white men. I think that it will appear that credit is due to our state for what it is doing for its aborigines.
The Australian Churches and the Aborigines "The Aborigines' Missionary Association" is a society that for a number of years haS been doing an amount of very substantial work
' 1902] THE ABORIGINES OF NEW SOUTH WALES
A GROUP OF A80 RIG~NES – NEW SOUTH WALES The old man on the left is tbe king of bis tribe, hut now .exercises no a uthority.
on behalf of the aborigines, watching their interests, and advocating their claims. Under the direction of this society a nu~ber of ministers of different denominations visit camps for the purpose of imparting religious instruction.
There is also a society recently formed called" The New South Wales Aborigines' Mission," which has two or three paid agents and a number of voluntary workers devoting themselves to the work, actively and energetically endeavoring to overtake some of that which should be done.
Bu t notwithstanding what these societies and a few Salvation Army officers and others are doing, one has, with shame, to confess that there are many camps in the state that are not visited, where the Gospel was never preached, and that there are hundreds of these people for whom Christ died, living in a nominally Christian land, to whom His name is never mentioned. Much more should be done. Undoubtedly the work is hard. The aborigines are of a very low order, and the evil influence of white people of the baser sort makes it harder than it would be if they were a thousand miles away. But our consciences cau not rest easy, 'even tho we have such excuses. That it is possible to influence them for good we can assert without hesitation. In the public schools the children learn as quickly as Qrdinary white children i and in church services the adults ar~ 1ll0!:lt
attentive listeners, and as respectful (apparently, at least) as any congregation could be. Besides, as a result of work done, numbers of them have become genuine Christians, living well and dying well.
In a recent issue of the New South Wales Aborigines' Advocate, a little paper published by "The New South Wales Aborigines' Mission," intere.sting references are made to the deaths of two who have lately departed to be with Christ. One declared definitely, a short time previous to his death, that he had a mansion in heaven. " There'll be plenty room for black-fellow in heaven," he said; "I will not need government rations there!" Another asserted before death: "I gave my heart to God last Sunday; I'm not afraid to die."
In conclusion let me say (1) that the aborigines of New South Wales were in a very low, degraded state previous to the incoming of the European population; (2) that in many cases they have become still more degraded, in consequence of their contact with the lower orders of the white people; (3) that notwithstanding past faults and present shortcomings, a great deal has been done and is being done for the unfortunates py the churches and church people and the government of the state, with some pleasing success, and prospects of more success in the future.
CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS BY ROBERT E. SPEER, NEW YORK Secretary of the Presbyterian Board for Foreign Missions The missionary enterprise is primarily and essentially the propaga- tion of a religion. But is the religion worth propagating, or can the nations get along q)lite well without it, and the world attain its full development by means of its own faiths? The study of comparative religion has raised this question and many others like it. In the earlier days of modern missions Christians are supposed to have despised and condemned the non-Christian religions, and to have supported the missionary enterprise on the supposition that there was no element of good and no saving power in them. To-day we are called to take up a quite different attitude. Some say that all religions are essentially alike, and that when once the external and local elements are snbtracted, the fundamental conception is the same everywhere and of the same power. Others say that while there are great differences, yet the attitude of missions and missionaries should . be wholly sympathetic and appreciative of the non-Ohristian faiths, and that missionary preaching should be the affirmation of the truths held in common by- all religions rather than the assertion of what is distinctive in Christianity.
There is a great deal of prejudice on both sides of this discussion. Let us attempt to lay this aside, as far as is possible for men who CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS believe unqualifiedly in Christianity on grounds of reason and examination as well as of experience and history, and attempt to get at the real facts. A Christian man may be tempted to deal summarily with the whole matter. "What is the use of reopening a closed question?" "
he may ask. "All the Inon-Christian religions, except Mohammedanism, were here when Ohrist came. He came to the best of them, pronounced it inadequate, and denounced its priests as hypocrites. If the non-Ohristian religions are sufficient, why did He come? Above all, why did He die? Oalvary closes the issue of comparative religion. If Judaism needed Jesus nineteen hundred years ago, Hinduism needs Him to-day a thousand times more." This is a summary way of settling the question. '.['0 Ohristians it is absolutely final and conclusive. But we may waive this view now and accept the challenge to compare Ohristianity with the other religions.
The Good and the BBcd 1. There is nothing good in them that is not i~ it. They are not wholly bad. In each one of the great religions some vital truth is emphasized: the sovereignty of God in Mohammedanism, the divine immanence in Hinduism, human submission and gentleness in Buddhism, filial piety and political order in Confucianism, patriotism in Shintoism, the spirituality of nature in Shamanism-these are great and valuable truths, but (1) they need to be twisted out of the ethnic religions with charity and allowance. Dr. Jacob Ohamberlain tells of a Brahman who asked him at the close of a lecture in Madras, in which he had quoted some noble passages from the Hindu Scriptures, " Sir, whence did you cull all these beautiful utterances? I never knew that our Vedas and poets contained such gems." "He knew not," adds Dr. Ohamberlain, "the weeks of patient toil required in searching through bushels of rubbish to find these few pearls." And (2) these truths are held in distortion, unbalanced by needed countertruths. The Moslem holds the doctrine of divine sovereignty so onesidedly that he gives up all hope of progress, loses all sense of personal responsibility for the" change of evil conditions, and answers every appeal for energetic effort by the resigned protest, "It is the will of God." The Hindu holds the doctrine of divine immanence in so loose and unguarded a form that it becomes a cover for utter antinomianism. The man is his own god. The horrible immorality of much Hindu worship is the legitimate result of the pantheistic development of the Hindu doctrine of immanent deity. The Buddhists teach submission without its needed counter-checks, and listlessness and Nirvana even now brood over the Buddhist peoples. Oonfucianism teaches the ethics of a present life, and forgets that there is a life to come. Shintoism exalts loyalty to country and master, and goes to the extreme of subordinating to Buch loyalty the moral law. Shamanism makes 502 TRill MISSiONARY REVIEW OF' TirEi WORLD [ju1y every bush the house of God, and propitiates Him by adorning His house with rags or old shoes. The religion whose God is not above its bushes as well as in its bushes can do no better. (3) Christianity alone gathers up into itself all the truths of all religions. Their "broken lights" are repaired .,{tnd fulfilled in it. It teaches that God is a person, and so escapes the peril of Hinduism. It teaches that He is a Spirit, and so escapes the danger of Islam. It teaches submission and activity, present duty and futuxe destiny, loyalty to man only as. grounded in loyalty to God and truth. In the balance of its ethics, also, Ohristianity stands alone. The ethics of the non-Christian relig- ions are as defective and distorted as their theology. They lack pro- portion; their sanctions are ineffective or unadaptive. They breed a distinctly abnormal type of character. Christianity alone fits into the life of man, because it alone fits into the life of God. As Professor Fisher says: Christianity is not a religion which has defects to be repaired by borrowing from other religions. The ~thnic religions are not to be denounced as if they were a product of Satan. St. Paul found ethical and religious truth in heathen poets and moralists. Yet Christianity, as it came in the fulness of time, is itself the fulness of divine revelation. It is the complement of the other religions. It supplies what they lack. It realizes what they vaguely aspire after. Christ is the unconscious desire of all nations. He reveals the God whom they are feeling after. In a word, Christianity is the absolute religion. It was the apostle of liberal Christianity who said that "other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
What Other Religions Lack 2. There is in Ohristianity what is in no non-Christian religion. There are three great elements in religion-dependence, fellowship, and progress. The non-Christian religions supply the first of these. But even in this they err in weary excess. The sense of dependence with each of them resolves itself into fear. Their devotees invent cruel gods and live in terror of malignant spirits. But only Christianity supplies the need of fellowship and of progress. Only Christians call God "Father," and only Christian nations, or nations like Japan, which have gone to school to Ohristians, build patent offices, feel forth into the future, and put out into the open sea trusting God. Christianity presents distinct and original conceptions of sin, salvation, and the future, which set it in a class apart. Whoever speaks of it as on the same level with other religions and not essentially different from them, has never compared its conceptions and theirs on these vital questions. If anyone wishes to do this, let him read Kellogg's "Handbook of Comparative Religion." The idea of personality, human and divine, which lies at the root of our religion is lacking elsewhere; while great ideals, for example, the weals of service, purity, humility, sanctification, the home, which are commonplace to us, are foreign to the heathen world. Above all, only Christians possess a religion-not of a book, like Islam; a method, like Buddhism; a
190~] CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS
social order, like Hinduism; a political ethic, like Confucianism; but of a Person, once here in history, yet still here as Savior and friend, with whom we are mystically joined, while yet He is still Himself and we are still ourselves. In this relationship to a Person, whose name it bears, Christianity sets forth its supreme characteristic, and cleaves an impassable chasm between itself and all other religions.
A remarkable testimony to the unlikeness of Christianity to the ethnic religions is presented in their larceny of Christian doctrines and conceptions. This fact has completely altered the character of the apologetic problem before Christianity in India and Japan. At first Christianity met Hinduism and Buddhism squarely, but they soon discovered that their position was indefensible, and at once began to shift their ground. To-day they present the old forms filled, for defensive purpose, with Christian notions. Vedantism is not so much a return to the Vedas as it is a gospelization, so to speak, of present Hinduism. The Swamis come to America, aud eutranced audiences hang upon their words of spiritual suggestiveness and beauty, suppos- ing that now at last they are hearing the pure teaching of Hinduism which the missionaries have basely slandered. On the other hand, as the Indian Nation, an orthodox Hindu paper has said, "the pure, undefiled Hinduism which Swami Vivakananda preached has no existence to-day, has had no existence for centuries. As a fact, abomination worship is the main ingredient of modern Hindu- ism." The Swami's representation is simply a confession of the suc- cess of the Ohristian onslaught upon Hindu corruption and a borrow- ing of Ohristian garments to hide its shame. As Dr. Barrows said temperately, after returning from his visit to Asia: "The world needs the Christian religion. I have given five of the best years of my life to the examination of' this question, and I have had opportunities, such as no other man ever had, of seeing and knowing the best side of the ethnic religions. I count as my friends Parsees and Hindus, Buddhists and Confucianists, Shintoists and Mohammedans. I know what they say about themselves. I have looked at their religions on the ideal side, as well as the practical, and I know this: that the very best which is in them, the very best which these well-meaning men have showI4 to us, is a reflex from Christianity, and that what they lack, and the lack is very serious, is what the Christian Gospel alone can impart."
The Evils of Other Religions 3. Each of the non-Ohristian religions is full of evils and short- comings from which Christianity is free. "I know," added Dr. Bar- rows to the words just quoted, "that beneath the shining example of the elect few in the non-Christian world there is a vast area of idola- try and pollution and unrest and superstition and cruelty, which can never be h?aled by the forces which are found in the non-Christian
systems." It would not be enough to show that great evils exist in non-Christian lands. The contention here is that these evils are sanc- tioned by and are the fruits of the non-Christian religions. Moham- medanism explicitly commands murder in the case of unbelievers who will not embrace Islam or pay tribute, and especially from everyapos- tate from Islam. The Koran declares that those who resist God and His apostle" shall be slain or crucified or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides or be banished the land." It specifically allows slavery, and the claim that conversion to Islam made a slave ipso facto free is simply not justified by the Koran. Islam also minis- ters to lust, practically without restraint. The Koran allows four wives and unlimited female slaves, and declares that good Mussulmans "shall be blameless" as to "the carnal knowledge of . the slaves which their right hands possess" (Sura lxx.: 29, 30). Further- more, it places none but a flimsy, pecuniary difficulty in the way of divorce. " Woman in the ethics of the Koran," as Dr. Kellogg says, ".is not practically regarded as a human being, but as an animal, to be used merely for the pleasure of her master, who, while he is charged to treat her with kindness, is yet formally invested with unqualified authority to beat or confine her whenever he judge her to be perverse, and abandon her when he please." Islam also makes war a religious duty, not in the sense of justifying it for the punishment of wrong, but as a meaRS of spreading the religion.
Hinduism as a religion fosters obscenity and pollution. It is true that it enjoins much that is good. But immorality is directly sanc- tioned by the character of the Hindu gods, by the teaching of the sacred books, and by the nature of much of the temple worship.
There is no word for "chaste" in Hindi which could be applied to a man. Some of the Hindu sacred books are incapable of translation for vileness. As a writer in the Indian Evangelical Rcm:ew said: "I dare not give and you dare not print the ipsissima verba of an Eng- lish version of the original Yajur Veda mantras. . Even a Latin translation of these scandalous mantras would not, I imagine, be tolerated in a newspaper.' Of the priesthood in India, the Hindu, the organ of orthodox Hinduism in Madras, and a paper of high standing, declares: "Profoundly ignorant' as a class, and infinitely selfish, it is the mainstay of every unholy, immoral, and cruel cnstom and superstition, from the wretched dancing-girl, who insults the Deity by her existence, to the pining child-widow, whose every tear and every hair of whose head shall stand up against everyone of us who tolerate it, on the day of judgment." Of the shrines and endowed temples, the same paper says in another issue: "The vast majority of the endowments are corrupt to the core. They are a· festering 'mass of crime and vice and gigantic swindling." The essence of Hinduism is a social inequality. It sanctifies injustice. OHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS The code of Manu declares that a king" should not slay a Brahman, even if he be occupied in crime of every sort; but he should put him out of the realm in possession of all his property and uninjured." And, again, it provides that "a Brahman may take possession of the goods of a Shudra with perfect peace of mind, since nothing at all belongs to the Shudra as his own." Furthermore, the inequality and inferiority of woman in India is explicitly sanctioned by religion. The Shanda Purana says; "Let the wife who wishes to perform sacred / oblation wash the feet of her lord and drink the water. The husband is her god, her priest, and her religion; wherefore, abandoning everything else, she ought chiefly to worship her husband."
Buddhism is a direct force in promoting indolence in Buddhist lands. Every male must spend part of his life in the priesthood, and in priesthood must make his living by begging. Buddhism also directly attacks the rights of woman. It denies her salvation as a woman. Her only hope is in some transmigration to be born as a man. It declares, in its Scriptures, that the" home life is the seat· of impurity." It denies salvation to the man who loves. And while Swami Vivakananda's views are unreli.able, he is worth quoting here when he says: "The most hideous ceremonies, the most horrible, the most obscene books that human hands ever wrote or the human brain ever conceived, the most bestial forms that ever passed under the name of religion, have all been the creation of degraded Buddhism."
And the trouble with Ohina is in her Oonfucianism. That there is good there, everyone joyfully admits; but the utter hopelessness and helplessness of the land are due to her sterile system of theology and ethics, her atheism. It is the Oonfucian system which forbids all change, formalizes life, produces pedantry, breeds conceit, and would hold the whole race separate from mankind.
Aloof from our mutations and unrest, Alien to our achievements and desires.
If it be said that all this is unfair, that religions should be judged by what is best in them and not by what is worst, it may be replied that that is true, and that what is good has already been acknowledged; but that the science of comparative religion is a poor sort of science if it does not compare but varnishes over the vileness of the ethnic faiths, and evades the sharp issue that is p~sented here. The non-Ohristian religions are seamed with evil and unholiness, Ohristianity challebges the world to point to one defect in her.
It is often said that there are evils in Ohristian lands as well as in heathen lands. That is true, but it is beside the mark. The point is that the evils of Ohristiau lands exist in .spite of their religion and under its ban, while the evils of non-Ohristian lands are the products of and sanctioned by their religions. The sacredest things of Christendom are the purest things. The foulest things of Asia are its sacred things. The holiest cities of Hinduism and Islam are the vilest. It is Mecca that Western Asia fears as the fountain of disease; while Mecca, Meshed, and Benares, the divinest cities of Arabia, Persia, and 1ndia, are the most morally leprous and depraved. It would even be fair to add that the best virtues of non-Ohristian lands are the natural virtues which have escaped the evil influences of religion, while with us our best virtues are the direct product of Ohristianity.
And all this is not casual and accidental. So far as India is con- cerned, it results from a radical and essential difference between Ohristianity and Hinduism in the matter of the relation of religion to ethics, or rather of ethics to life. As Dr. A. H. Bradford says: Christianity is superior to the other religions because it alone identifies religion and ethics. Here I wish to speak with care. I do not say that the other religions ignore ethics, but that in them ethics is not essential. A man may be an orthodox Hindu and treat half his fellow men as if they were dogs; a man may be a sound Mohammedan and believe that he is justified in killing those who are not Mohammedans; a man may be a Buddhist and at the same time be an adulterer; but if a man treat his fellow men as if thBY were dogs, he can not be a Christian; if he commits murder, even tho it be in the name of religion, he is a murderer and not a Christian; if he is an adulterer, until he has repented and forsaken his sin he is not a Ohristian. Christianity never teaches that if a man holds a good creed he may live a bad life. • • • Jesus identified religion and morality.
This issue can not be too sharply presented as between Ohristianity and Hinduism. In Hinduism there is no indissoluble connection between right opinion and right life. That is the unanswerable criticism which Mr. Meredith Townsend makes upon Swami Viva- kananda and the religion which he has tried to recommend to Western minds. There is no vinculum in it between religion and morality. Indeed, the line between good and .evil itself disappears.
Dr. Kellogg quotes Mr. Muhopadhaya, an educated Bengali gentle- man, as saying, in "The Imitat;ion of Sree Krisha ": "To our mind virtue and vice, being relative terms, can never be applied to one wh-o is regarded as the Supreme Being. Oonceive a man who is trying his utmost to fly from vice to its opposite pole, virtue; imagine a being to whom virtue and vice are the same, and you will find that the latter is infinitely superior to the former." Nothing could be more abhorrent than this to the Ohristian mind. And yet we are bidden to recognize the essential kinship of all religions!
The Sacred Books 4. It follows from the comparison, not of the actual life, but of the religious ideals of the Ohristians and non-Ohristians, that the sacred book of Ohristianity is of a class wholly above the books of the ethnic relig.ions. The Bible is not just one of the sacred books of the world. No other book is to be mentioned in the same breath with it. The
19021 CHRisTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS
the actual life o~ Christians and the principles of Christianity been as narrow as to-day. There is enough that is unsatisfactory in the life of Christian peoples and inadequate in our apprehension of the Chris- tian faith; but we understand it better now than ever, and we draw nearer to it in our practise. And we move on toward our golden age, lltill to come.
This is one reason why Christianity is the only religion of prog- ress. All the peoples who are beyond its pale are stationary or retro- gressive. All the progress of the world is either in Christian lands or where Christianity extends its influence. It is inaccurate to attribute this movement to race, for within the same race the Christian element awakens to life, breaks through its restraints, and moves, while the non-Christian element remains stagnant and dead.
And Christianity, the only religion which begets progress, is the only religion which can live with progress. All the theoretical defense of the non-Christian religions is wasted. The relentless move- ment of destiny is crushing them out. As Griffith Jones says, with true discerument, in "The Ascent Through Christ": "The nations called Christian are everywhere pressing hard upon all other nations. Western civilization in all directions is disintegrating both the customs of savage nations and the more stable civilization of the East, and it is everywhere being shown that in this general break-up of old and effete orders there is an imminent peril. For where our civilization penetrates without our religion it is invariably disastrous in its effects. It never fails to destroy the confidence of subject races in their own creeds and customs, without furnishing anything in place of their sanctions and restraints. The result is everywhere to be seen in the way in which heathen nations neglect our virtues and emulate our vices. The advice sometimes given to the missionary, therefore, to leave the people to whom he ministers to their simpler faith, is beside the mark. These faiths are inevitably going; soon they will be gone; and the question presses: What then? If history proves anything, it _ proves that a nation without a faith is a doomed nation; that it can not hold together; that it inevitably decays and dies. From this point of view alone, then, there is a tremendous responsibility laid upon us. The impact of our civilization is breaking up the fabric and undermining the foundations of the ethnic religions. Without religion of some sort nations must perish. Therefore, we must see to it that we give something in the place of what we take away, and that something must be the Christian faith or it will be nothing."
And the profound reason for this radical difference between Christianity and the ethnic religions is found in the unfolding of a -divine life in man. They are codes, methods, opinions, institutions. Christianity is not merely a better code, method, opinion, institution. It is Christ, the divine Lord moving in history and human hearts.
CHRISTIANITY AND OTHE~ RELIGIONS
And missions are not an offer of some superior thing, but of the one inflowing of divine life. ":I believe," said .Mrs. Bishop, at the twentyfirst anniversary of the Oxford Mission to Oalcutta," and this belief has been forced upon me in spite of a very great indifference to missions with which :I started on my journey, that England can offer to these races nothing that will bless and change their lives and affect them for lasting good, except an historical Ohrist, a reigning Ohristan object not only of worship, but an object of love." Yes, and not an object of love only, but a fountain of life as well.
The Attitude of Christians to Other Religions 6. What, then, ought the attitude of Ohristians to be toward the non-Ohristian religions? In the first place, it goes without saying that -they should not be treated with scorn and contempt. There is a great deal in them deserving scorn and contempt. It is not because of what they are that we should treat them and their adherents with kindness and pity. It is because we are Ohristians. In the second place, it ought not to need to be said that the ethnic religions should not be treated with silly and ignorant sentimentalism, or with foolish and utterly indiscriminating tolerance. They should be treated just as we ask to have Ohristianity treated-with absolute justice. We do not ask any favor for Ohristianity. We chall~nge men to find a flaw in it or to point out any evil. There is no right way to judge other religions save to seek fearlessly and relentlessly for the exact truth about them. The complaint of one writer on comparative religions is wholly unscientific and unjustified: " We judge the ethnic faiths harshly and unjustly, by an over-insistence on their darker aspects, instead of comparing their best with our best." That is special pleading of an immoral sort. We ought to compare other religions and Ohristianity in detail and exhaustively, leaving nothing out. It is absurd to throw out the despicable elements of othor religions, alld compare the residue with Ohristianity. The comparison should be of like with like, evil with evil, good with good, influence with influence. The Vedas should not be compared with morality in the Red Light District. The Red Light District is not Ohristianity. Oompare the Hindus with the Americans if you will, but compare tr'.c Vedas with the Old Testament and Krishna with Ohrist. Oompare without favor. 'fhe truth is the supreme thing.
Some hold that while Ohristianity is superior to the other religions, yet each has its contribution to make to the great world religion. One of the officially declared objects of the Ohicago Parliament of Religions in 1393 was" to inquire what light each religion has offered or may afford to the other religions of the world." Dr. Miller, of Madras, set forth this view in a lecture that created great discussion at the time, just before he left India in 1895. "India has her ideal,"
he said, "and whatever be the weeds which hinder its bringing forth fruit unto perfection, it is an ideal of which the world has need." This ideal he defined ·as "the omnipenetrativeness of God and the unitedness and solidarity of men." Now this view that Christianity is not the final and complete religion is here and now explicitly and unhesitatingly contradicted. No religion can supply it with anything it lacks. Christians may be enabled to understand better what their own religion contains by being forced to discover in it what other peoples and nations require, which has as yet been undiscovered or only partially appreciated by us. But the Christian religion is complete and needs nothing from any other. It holds all ideals needed by all men. In opposing the establishment of a chair at Berlin for the study of comparative religion, and in declaring himself as opposed to the study itself, Harnack was too lmrsh and narrow ; but there is a vast deal more to be said in favor of hie attitude than of that of the others just quoted. His reasons, as the correspondent gives them, were: (1) "There is only one religion, which was revealed from God. Mohammedanism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Brahmanism, and other so-called religions are the inventions of men. One has come down from heaven; the others are of the earth, earthy. One is a divine revelation from the Creator of the universe, the others are moral philosophy. _(2) The theological department of the university was established by the government to train men for the ministry. The Bible, the inspired word of God, is the only necessary text-book. It contains enough of truth and knowledge to employ students during their lifetime, and it would be better for them to stick to it rather than waste their strength and time in the study of other creeds which can be of no use whatever to them. (3) If theologians or students have curiosity to know what has been taught by impostors ::md the inv.entors of false relizions, they can do so in connection with the department of history or philosophy." . It i3 not necessary to be violent or bigoted, but on the other hand it is possible to be too complaisant and complimentary.
A distinction should be drawn in considering our attitude toward the non-Christian religions, between the relations of individuals meeting ae individuals, and the relations of religions officially and representatively. In the first case all misunderstanding can easily be avoided. The purpose of the Christian is to commend his religion to his brother, to persuade him of its truth, to lead him to accept it. In the latter case the purpose is conference, with recognition involved and the offer of equality. It is well-nigh impossible to carry this through without strengthening the advocate a1).d representative in his position. This was the issue of the Parlia.mont of Religions. Among its objects were these: (1) "To bring together in conference, for the ti,rst time in history, the leading representatives of the great historic
CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS
religions of the world. (2) To show to men, in the most impressive way, what and how many important truths the various religions hold and teach in common. (3) To promote and deepen the spirit of true brotherhood among the religions of the world, through friendly con- ference and mutual good understanding, while not seeking to foster the temper of indifferentism, and not .striving to achieve any formal and outward unity. (4) To set forth, by those most competent t~ speak, what are deemed the important distinctive truths held and taught by each religion, and by the various chief branches of Christen- dom." The consequence in America was to stimulate the study of the other religions for good and also for evil, but abroad its influence was distinctly stiffening to the non-Christian religions, so far as they were touched at all. Thus Baurin Yatsu Buchi and ShakuSoyen, two of the Buddhist delegates from Japan, on returning, reported in Yokohama their impression as follows: The Parliament was called because the Western nations have come to realize the weakness and folly of Christianity, and they really wished to hear from us of our religion and to learn what the best religion is. During the meetings one very wealthy man from New York became a convert to Buddhism, and was initiated into its rites; he is a man of great influence and his conversion may be said to mean more than the conversion of ten thousand ordinary men; S9 we may say truthfully that we made ten thousand converts at that meeting. The great majority of Christians drink and commit various gross sins, and live very dissolute lives, altho it is a very common belief and serves as a social adornment. Its lack of power proves its weakness. The meetings showed the great superiority of Buddhism over Christianity, and the mere fact of calling the meetings showed that Americans and other Western peoples had lost their faith in Christianity, and were ready to accept the teachings of our superior religion.
It would not be worth while to dig up this ancient history if it were not such an excellent illustration of the effect of the attitude of concealment of distinctions and the abatement by Ohristianity of its essential claims. Every man who has tried to persuade other men upon any issue knows that while a starting-point of common agreement is always necessary, it is equally necessary at once to move on from this to the points of difference upon which conviction is sought.
And the peril among simple and ignorant p!lop'le always is that the initial acknowledgment of common truth will be made a justification of adhering to old opinion, and that further persuasion will be in vain. As a matter of fact, people are won not by admitting that what they have is quite sufficient, but by proving that it is not. It is the most natural thing in the world that Dr. Miller's position should result in few conversions. What is there to be converted to ? We are not offering to the heathen world simply a rearrangement or clarification of ideas which it has already. Weare offering it salvation through Christ, the Savior. And their own religions are absolutely barren of that conception. We need to remind ourselves often of what Bishop Gore called "the duty of right intolerance in these days when there
is such a tendency to break down moral distinctions and throw OVai' everything the mantle of an invertebrate charity."
It is said that St. Paul indicated to us, in his speech at Athenlil, the right 'attitude of Christianity toward the non-Christian religions. But that speech was a failure. As soon as he got to Christianity, he was silenced, and while some followed him, no church of Athens grew up behind him. And he never made this mistake again. As Pro- fessor Ramsay says: "It would appear that Paul was disappointed and perhaps disillusioned by his experience at Athens. He felt that he had gone at last as far as was right in the way of presenting his doctrine in a form suited to the current philosophy, and the result has been little more than naught. When he' went on from Athens to Oorinth, he nQ longer spoke in the philosophic style. In replying afterward to the unfavorable comparison between his preaching and the more philosophical style of Apollos, he told the Oorinthians that, when he came among them, he 'determined not to know anything save Jesus Ohrist, and Him crucified' (I. 001'. ii : 2); and nowhere throughout his writings is he so hard on the wise, the philosophers, and the dialecticians, as when he defends the way in which he pre- sented Ohristianity at Oorinth." To discover St. Paul's attitude toward heathenism, read the first chapters of the Epistle to the Romans. That is comparative religion with a judgment of thunder against the whole world. If it seems harsh, let us read Isaiah's con- demnation of idolatry (Isaiah xliv: 10-17) and the solemn intolerance of the apostle of love (II. John 7, 9, 10).
If the contentions here set forth are valid, it follows that the mis- sionary obligation rests on principles which are incontrovertible. Christians have the one true religion. Thei are bound to propagate it. In doing this, they are making known to the world the only sal- vation. For "the offer of Ohrist to sinful men wherever they can be found is not the offer of an alternative religion to them, in the sense in which Hinduism and Taoism and Confucianism are religions. It is the offer to men of the secret of life, of something that will cleanse them from all that hinders and defeats their spiritual natures, of some- thing that will enable them to realize their true selves, and become men in the true and full sense of the word. We do our Master little honor when we place Him among a group of teachers competing for the acceptance of men. He is not one of many founders of religions. He is the source and fountain of all, in so far as they have caught a prophetic glimpse of His truth, and anticipated something of His spirit, and given a scattered hint here and there of His secret. He is the truth, the type, the saving grace of which they faintly and vaguely dreamed; the desire of all nations, the crown and essence of human- ity; the Savior of the world, who by the loftiness of His teaching, the beauty of His character, the sufficiency of His atoning sacrifice, is able . to save to the uttermost all who will come to Him and trust in Him."
· 1902] CHRISTIAN LITERATURE FOR INDIA
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE FOR INDIA BY REV. J. P. JONES, D.D., PASUMALAI, INDIA Missionary of American Board, Madura, India, 1878- In the progress of missionary work in India its many departments have found varying degrees of relative importance. In the first stages of missionary effort evangelistic work was supreme. As the mission grew, pastoral work and superintendence developed in importance. Then the educational department gradually developed into large proportions. After this the creation and dissemination of literature found its place of helpfulness and increasing usefulness. At present, education, in its various branches, finds largest emphasis among the missions of India. And rightly so. But every year reveals the increasing importance of Christian literature as a department of missionary work in that land. I am confident that the day is not far hence when this department shall reach a position of paramount importance in the Christianizing of that land. And it is well th11t the Christian Church realizes this fact and prepares itself to meet the situation wisely and successfully.
Several faots point to the need and importance of developing this department of missionary labor in India, and of giving it the largest emphasis.
In that land there are fifteen million readers to-day. And there are one million youths who are sent forth annually from the institntions of the land with an ability to read, some in English, bllt most in their vernaculars, and with an eagerness to seize upon and peruse anything that we may send forth from our mission presses. In the 'famillanguage alone there are two hundred and sixty thousand Protestant Christians; and of these ~ore than fifty thousand can read; and they furnish a splendid constituency for the missionary writer. And gathered around every reading Christian there are ten non-Christians who have the ability and eagerness to read and study any Christian book or tract which we may present: These people have few, if any, books of their own; so that they are ever ready to read and enjoy our printed pages.
The books which the Hindus have published in their vernaculars, and which alone are accessible to the people, are low in their tone and debasing in their morality, even when they are not anti-Christian and infidel in their aim and spirit. There is great need that we supplant the unworthy, trivial, obscene books which find currency among the natives, by a wholesome, pure, and elevating Christian literature. The minds of the people of that land are poisoned, beyond anything that we realize, by that debasing literature which is the product of their own faith and legends.
The enemies of our faith are active in India. Anti-Ohristian and infidel literature is scattered broadcast over that land. Bradlaugh, the high-priest, and Ingersoll, the prophet, of unbelief, are known all over India. Their base and slanderous attacks upon our faith are there not only known in English, but they are translated into many of the vernaculars of the land. I have seen extensive quotations from IngersQll'~ "Mistakes of Moses," printed in tract form and scattered among the people in remote villages in South India. Many of the people of that land learn of Ohristianity only through these translated diatribes of Western infidels.
We must meet such writings by a healthy, vigorous, Ohristian lit- erature. We must pour forth from our presses a flood of tracts and booklets which will present to the people, in an attractive form and in their own languages, the saving truths and the transcendent facts and blessings of our faith. We must not allow the Western rationalist and unbeliever to preempt this great territory.
The people to-day, as never before, are in the mood of interroga- tion. They are inquiring both as to whether their own decaying faith is true; their confidence in it has waned; their growing intelligence rebels against many <!f its aspects. They are also anxious to know whether these many: objections to Ohristianity which have been brought to them from the West are reliable and true; whether Ohristianity is the base and delusive thing which its enemies proclaim it to be. In these and many other respects their attitude is one of inquiry. They seek from the Ohristian teacher and writer a solvent to their doubt. They ask him for a reason for the faith which is in him; they desire not only a Ohristian defense, but also a positive and an uplifting presentation of the doctrines of our religion. Specially are they inquiring concerning-Ohrist, His teachings and His work. The growing thirst of that people to know more about our blessed Lord is something unprecedented. All this inquiry, ignorance, and opposition must be met by a multiplying literature which is fresh, vigorous, impressive, and captivating. It must be written in the vernaculars as well as in English. It must be presented in an Oriental form; it must have that picturesqueness, imagery, and style which will appeal to the people and take possession of their thoughts.
The growing Ohristian community also has increasing claims upon us. The vernacular literature of that land must meet the spiritual needs of the Ohristian Ohurch. Our Ohristian literature there is sadly wanting in devotional and other books suited to train the people in spiritual culture. We need also text-books for religious instruction in our institutions of learning, and for the best training of mission agents of different grades. The barrenness of our vernacnlar literatur~, in these respects, is great and very sad.
There are forty-one presses and publishing houses connected with
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE FOR I_NDIA
the Protestant missions of that country.· The extent of the work done by these may be somewhat measured by the fact that about two thousand men are employed in these press establishments alone. This is a large force of men to utilize merely in the mechanical work of producing the literature of to-day.
From these presses are sent forth 200,000,000 pages annually to bless and enlighten the land. We see what beneficent work the Bible Society has accomplished for that people in that it has produced, dur- ing the last century, seventy-six translations of God's work, in whole or in part, in fifty-two languages and dialects of the country. And thus millions of copies of the Bible have been sent forth upon their errand of light to all parts of the land.
'I.'here are eighteen Christian Tract and Book Societies which are prosecuting their vigorous work in all parts of the peninsula. The Madras Tract Society alone has issued forty million publications during its history. The Christian Literature Society publishes in eighteen languages nearly sixty million copies of books and tracts annually. Who can tell the amount of good which is thus being done by these societies? • The Christian periodical literature of India is also worthy of note.
One hundred and forty-seven Christian newspapers and magazines, each one having an average circulation of one thousand copies, are published by the Protestant missions of India. Of these twenty-four are weeklies, eighty-one monthlies, eleven semi-monthlies, and four- teen quarterlies. This is certainly, in many ways, a most interesting showing, and represents an immense power in the promulgation of Christian truth and in the development of Christian life in that land.
It is true that much of this literature is not first-class, and that many of these magazines might profitably be uuited. But, both in the cul- tivatiou of intelligence, interest, and an esprit de corps among the Christians and in the dissemination of Christian truth among non- Christians, these periodicals are doing a valuable work.
Looking generally at the Christian literature of the land, we may ask, What is its character? In some respects it may be said to be worthy. It is certainly serions in its tone, and, on the whole, true to the teaching and spirit of our faith. On the other hand, it is wanting in ability, freshness, variety, and wise adaptation. It is too largely com posed of translations from Western works. In the writings of missionaries we rarely see originality and adaptability combined.
Many may write with clearness and with certain power; but they do not present the truth in that form which appeals strongly to the Oriental mind and which is well calculated to move him and to lead him to a higher life.
And so far as native Christians are concerned, our missions have produced very few original writers. They also are, in the main, trans-
lators, or they may write second or third rate productions of a devotional or of a historic kind.
Observing this serious defect, the Madras Missionary Conference passed unanimously a series of resolutions, the first of which is in these words: "This Conference is of opinion that the production of literature should be regarded as an essential part of missionary activity in India, coordinated with other departments of work." '['his resolution is prefaced with the following confession: "While the importance of Christian literature has always been admitted in theory, in fact it has not been maintained as a coordinate department of missionary effort. The setting apart of men for literary work has been quite exceptional; and even when such appointments have been made they have been the first to be disturbed when the necessity for retrenchment has arisen. It has therefore come about that this department has been relegated to a position of inferiority, with the result that its work has been desultory and ineffective."
This confession is based upon facts such as should be seriously considered both by missionary societies and Indian missions. While our Protesta'ht missions in India have, at presellt,eighty missionaries, men and women, among the best equipped, mentally and education- ally, upon the field, who are giving themselves entirely to the educa- tional work, how many are devoting their whole time to the creation of a Christian literature in India? After careful examination I find that only three missionaries have been set apart for this work by the missions of Great Britain. And what is America doing? She has not one representative in India at the present time, so far as I can find, who is devoting his whole time to this most important part of her work. It is right and eminently wise that eighty well-equipped . workers should be given to the E.ducational training of the young. It is an exceedingly important and a most fruitful work. In abiding results there is hardly anything superior to the educational department in connection with missionary effort. But why should this no less impor- tant-yea, more widely influential and more permanently potential- department of literary work be so seriously neglected and so inade- quately conducted in that great land of ancient culture and of present awakened thought and revived literary ambition? It really seems inex- plicable, and is a most marked evidence of our Protestant inability to realize fully the situation and to enter wisely into the highest opportu- nityof the day. For several years Dr. Murdoch, the Nestor of Chris- tian literature for India, has sought, after more than half a century of work, for some suitable man to succeed him as Secretary of the Tract and Christian Literature Societies, and as the organizer of literary effort in that land. But he has only just now found the right man.
In one of his statistical tables he illustrates either the indifference or the inability of missionaries to help in this work of creating a Chris-
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE FOR INDIA
tian literature, by referring to one area in which there were a hundred thousand native Christians. During the year 1898, out of the one hur:tdred and ninety-seven American and European missionaries in that area, only one offered to his two societies a manuscript for publi- cation. TlIe reason given by these men and women for not writing more would doubtless be that they had no· time, that they were so pressed by other duties as to find no opportunity, even if they had a taste, for such literary work. So much the more reason, then, why missionaries should be given to this work-that they might devote all their time and strength to it and thus produce something wnich would be both worthy and pervasive and abiding in its influence.
We choose onr best men and women to devote their whole time in – teaching comparatively few youths in our schools. Others we gladly assign to the work of preaching the Gospel to the unevangelized. Still many others are given to superintendence and to administration. And yeC I doubt whether, at present, anyone of these departments can compare with literature in its importance, in the extent of its influence, and in the permanence of its power in India's conversion.
And why, again, should wide-awake America, which is so quick to realize, and to enter into, the best open doors of opportunity-why should she be the last one to enter upon this work of creating and developing a Christian literature for that land? In other directions she is the most strenuous and progressive; in this alone she is the most backward of the six nations that are at work in that land.
Another equally suggestive fact is that which shows the Methodists and the Wesleyans, wh{)se genius is mainly for evangelistic work, tak- ing, to-day, the lead in literary work among Protestant missions in India, while Congregationalists and other denominations, more famed for their culture and literary acumen in the West, are willing to take the second place in this great race of literary effort in India. In all the years of its noble work in India the missions of the American Board, to which I have the honor to belong, have been wofullyneglect- ful and sadly wanting in this one department in which one would have expected them to excel. I know of no missionaries, in all the history of that oldest socidy, given entirely to literary work in that land.
Of equal importance with the work of creating and publishing a Christian literature is that of disseminating the same. It is of little use to create even the best literature unless organized and persistent effort is made by the missions to circulate it: Missions differ very much in the amount of thought and effort which they put into this work. Even the missions that do most in this line can certainly do a great deal more, both with the largest profit to their people and with most abundant result in their work for non-Christians. Many mis- sions are grievously backward in this matter. In the area above referred to the Madras Tract Society ledger reveals the fact that, dur-
ing 1898, only fifty-six missionaries bought any vernacular literature, while one hundred and forty-one made no purchase whatever. And even where gratuitous supply of evangelistic leaflets was offered, postfree, to any missionary, only eighty-six accepted the offer; one hundred and forty-one did not apply. Only two-thirds of the mission stations of that area sought and received supplies of these most valuable leaflets.
This only illustrates the fact that missions have not yet roused themselves to this large opportunity for spreading Christian intelligence and for sowing broadcast the seed which is the Word of God.
Even the circulation of the Scriptures in the Madras Presidency cost much more than their publication. That society in 1898 spent Rs. 11,464 (about $3,500) in order to circulate 51,367 copies of the Scriptures, for which it realized in sales only Rs. 2,337-about onefifth of the cost of sale..
All this tends to show that in the circulation of our literature, no less than in its production, we greatly need a revival of interest and of effort. The first thing to do is to bring our missionaries and missions, in some way or other, to realize the greatness and the urgency of the opportunity which is presented to them at this present time, through Christian literature, among the teeming millions of that land. There is no excuse to-day for the ignorance and culpable negligence manifested on all sides in this most important matter. If we despise this day of great opportunity in this increasingly important department of work, it will not only handicap us seriously in other departments, it will also delay considerably the coming of the great day to which we all look with so much eagerness, and fori which we, in all other respects, labor so diligently and so judiciously-the day of the ultimate triumph of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior in that great land of the Vedas.
SOME FILIPINO CHARACTERISTICS . BY REV. ARTHUR .T. BROWN, D.D.* Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, New York Eight millions of people on the other side of the planet have recently come under the control of the American government. Some of them are partially civilized, many are wholly primitive, and nearly all are heathen with a thin veneer of Romanism of the medieval- Spanish type. 'They are variously judged. Many soldiers see in the Filipino only an enemy. They chafe under the transfer from absolute military supremacy to the present subordination to civil power. 'rhe guerilla warfare which is still being waged in various parts of the islands, notably in Cebu and Samar, has resulted in some * Dr. Brown hab just returned from a missionary tour of the Orient.-EDITOR
SOME FILIPINO CHARACTERisTicS
massacres of our troops so treacherously atrocious that the typical soldier is apt to imagine that every Filipino carries a concealed bolo which he would use if he dared, and that the wisest course would be to give the army a free hand until the natives have learned a whole- some lesson. The Spaniards, however, tried this policy of rigid mili· tary rule for three hundred years, and the results can hardly be considered satisfactory. The more natives they shot on the Lunetta the more active and numerOll S the revolutionists be- came, until Spanish rule was virtually coufined to the garrison towns.
Another point of view was illustrated by some of the mem- bers of Oongress who recently visited the Philippines. This view is common among travelers and globe-trotters. It judges the Filipinos by the standards created by centuries of American and European Ohristian civiliza- tion, and condemns them whole- A SPANISH MESTIZO BELLE sale because they fall short.
But let us b'3 reasonable. How can we expect the Filipinos to imme- diately t!:.ust and love a foreign conqueror after their long and grievous bondage to cruel Spaniards; to be humane and honest under the example of Oastilian brutality and duplicity; to be moral when the children of their alleged celibate priests play upon the streets; to be industrious in a land where tropical exuberance easily supplies man's need, where climatic conditions tend to languorous existence, and where the results of thrift, if achieved, would be filched.by unscrupu- lous oppressors? 'l'he more I learn of what these people have suf- fered the greater is my wonder, not that they are not better, but that they are not worse.
. They impressed me as riaturally intelligent and kindly. Among the delightful memories of my life are receptions in Dumagcute and Manila, where hundreds of well-dressed, pleasant-faced Filipinos bade us welcome with a grace which suggested a far remove from barbarism.
Give these people a chance-some decades of fair treatment, of just laws, of American political and educational methods, and of a pure.
Protestant faith-and I believe that they will justify the hopes of their well-wishers rather than the sneers of their detractors. Said Sefior Felipe Buencamino: "The heart of the Filipino is like his fer-
tile soil, and it will as surely repay cultivation. 80w love and you will reap love. Sow hate and hatred will grow." Said our lamented mar- tyr President: "The Filipinos are a race quick to learn and to profit by knowledge. He would be rash who, with the teaching of con- temporaneous history in view, would fix a limit to the degree of culture and advancement yet within the reach of these people if our duty toward them be faith- fully performed."
They are not inherently de..; graded or vicious people. For uncounted centuries their women have been creatures of men, and if they easily yield to the soldier and the priest, it is not so much because of a lascivious disposition as because they have never been taught to have a conscience on the subject· or to feel that it was possible for them to resist any- thing a man may desire. Their Church, which should have incul- cated loftier standards, put a preminm upon concubinage by refusing to perform the marriage ceremony except for exorbitant fees. I heard of one case where the priest extorted $200, Mexican, from a family in only moderate circumstances. Nor was this an exceptional case. In such cir- cumstances it is not surprising A. NATIVE OF MINDANAO that many couples lived together without wedlock, especially as their religious leaders openly did the same thing.
In his remarkable book on "Social Evolution," Benjamin Kidd reminds us that" the social development wpich is called Western civili– zation is not the product of any particular race or people; that it must be regarded as an organic growth, the key to the life history of which is to be found in the study of the ethical movement which extends through it. If we look at the matter in this light, and then call to mind what the histories of the nations and races embraced within the life of this organic development have been; if we reflect how deeply
SOME FILIPINO CHARACTERISTICS
these peoples have been affected at every point by the movement in question; how profoundly their laws, institutions, mental and moral training, ways of judging conduct, and habits of thought have been influenced for an immense number of generations in the course of the development through which they have passed, we shall at once realize that it would be irrational and foolish to expect that any individuals, or classes, or all the individuals of a single generation. should have the power to free themselves from this influence. We are, all of us, whatever our individual opinions may be concerning this movement, unconsciously influenced by it at every point of our careers and in A GALA DAY ON THE PUENTA DE SPANA, MANILA every moment of our lives. We, like our times, are mentally and morally the product of it; we simply have no power to help ourselves. No training, however religious and prolonged, no intellectual effort, however consistent and concentrated, could ever entirely emancipate us from its influence. In the life of the individual the influence of habit, of thought or training, once acquired, can be escaped from only with the greateOlt difficulty and after the lapse of a long interval of time."
The unwillingness of the Filipino to work is a serious problem in the development of the islands. Rich soil, perpetual summer, and simple wants are not conducive to hard labor. Little toil is necessary
in a land where bananas, cocoanuts, and hemp grow spontaneously, and where sugar-cane, once fairly started, thrives so vigorously that weeds can not compete with it. A few hours' work with a bolo will construct a hut of bamboo, and the leaves of the abundant nipa palm will thatch it. Clothing is an equally simple matter in that soft climate. I repeatedly saw men and children of the lower classes with only a loin cloth, and the latter often arrayed only in the atmosphere, while the women drape themselves tastefully in a pretty home-made cloth of cocoanut fibre. In the cities, however, men in neat white suits and women in silk are common.
In such circumstances, life is t~ken more easily than by the Scotch- .A WAYSIDE REFRESHMENT BOOTH IN LUZON man, the Yankee, or the Chinese, who have to contend against a sterner climate and a more unresponsive soil. The American publicschool superintendent in Dumagllete spent a fruitless afternoon, during mJ visit, in an effort to hire a cart to haul a teacher's baggage to a village four mil~s distant. Scores of carts were idle, but" why should a man go four miles in the sun when it is so much pleasanter to sit in the shade." There are noble forests of excellent building timber on the mountains a day's journey back of Dumaguete, but it is impossible to engage men to cut it, so that we must transport the materials for our Silliman Institute from the lumber-yards of Cebu or Iloilo. At Escalante I found a disgusted contractor who could not induce men to load a lorcha at any price, because they had won enough for their
SOME FILIPINO CHARACTERISTICS
immediate necessities at the Sunday cock-fight, ,and they would not work till the money was spent.
A mining engineer, whom I met at Negros, told me that there is an abundance of coal in the Philippines. Large deposits of lignite are known to exist on the islands of Batan, Luzon, Cebn, Mindoro, Masbate, Mindanao, and Negros.
But the natives can not be induced to toil in the coal-mine. It is too dis- agreeable. So the coal has to be imported from ~apan and Australia at $24, Mexican,a ton. These are. typical cases. The upper classes are too proud to work, and the lower classes see no reason why they should do any more than sufficient to supply their actual wants.
This is the labor ques- tion which immediately confronts the American l;msiness man who is eager to exploit the Philip- pines. Resources are here THE BONE PILE IN PACO CEMETERY in abundance-rich soil, vast forests, rare woods. The Roman Catholic Church demands rent for burial plots, But workmen can not be and for non-payment of this high tax the remains of the dead are cast Into this pit obtained to develop them. These Asiatics have never learned the Anglo-Saxon lesson of labor and thrift. The idea of toiling steadily eight or ten hours a day in the hot sun just for the sake of doing something or getting ahead in life has never occurred to them.
It is useless to bring over white laborers. The American can not do manual labor in this climate. He is the product of a radically different physical environment. The sun here seems to he no hotter than in our summers at home, but it is deadly to the foreigner who continually exposes himself to it. It has a kind of "X-ray" power under which the white man inevitably succumbs in time while the perpetual mildness of the tropics saps the energy and affords no recuperation. The American in the Philippines must always be an employer, an administrator, or a teacher. He should never come expecting to earn his living as a farmer, a. mechanic, or a laborer. He
can not stand the climate and he can not compete in wages with natives who, when they do work, accept a scale of pay on which the well-red and well-clothed American workingman would starve.
The missiona.ry opportunity in the Philippine Islands is magnificent. It is about the only opportunity th,at can be thus described. I am frequently asked, What is the prospect for America in the Philippines? I can only reply that much depends on what sort of prospect one has in mind. If it is for financial gain, the prospect is small. The material resources of the islands are enormous, but as I have already explained, the Filipino can not be depended upon to develop them, the Americans are not able to perform the necessary labor in such a climate, and the Ohinese, who are the only people able and willing to work in the Philippines, are being legislated against by our government. If the inquirer means prospect for anxiety, it is large. In the PhilippiHe Islands America has assumed a considerable part of "the white man's burden," and we must expect that we shall have our full proportion of the trouble which that thankless task involves. If, however, the inquirer means prospect for doing good, it is unparalleled in the history of our country. Here is a great population which needs and is reauy to receive vital spiritual faith, which needs and is ready to receive our American principles of society and government. Our plain duty, therefore, is not to exploit the Filipinos for selfish ends, but to try to help them. If we undertake our duty in the right spirit, we may be the means of bringing to them untold blessings. Urgent as is the governmental work which must be done, the missionary work is more urgent still, for the Gospel of Ohrist alone can give to these people those qualities which will fit them for this life as well as for that which is to come.
WILHELM THOMAS. THE APOSTLE OF NIAS BY B. HITJER, LONDON, ENGLAND This veteran missionary of the Hhenish Society, who died at his post on the island of Nias, in the year 1900, was especially gifted for his calling. He was one of those pioneers to whose prudence, energy, perseverance, and devotion the missionary cause owes so much.
Wilhelm was converted at the age of nineteen, and felt at an early period a strong desire to become a missionary. After having prepared at the Barmen Training Oollege, he was sent out to Nias in 1871. The work on that island was as yet in its infancy. A few stations existed on the coast, but all efforts to penetrate into the interior had been fruitless, and the ground appeared to be utterly barren.' Two years after his arrival Mr. Thomas gathered the first harvest in the baptism of twenty-five converts. Meanwhile he had ventured into the interior,
19021 WILHELM THOMAS, THE APOSTLE OF NIAS
and had succeeded in establishing a station at Ombolata, where he labored strenuously for ten years. He found the natives most importunate beggars, with no desire to listen to the Gospel, nor to send their children to scho<;>1. They even wanted to be paid for their attendance at worship.
The outbreak of an epidemic of smallpox became the occasion for a change in their attitude. When this scourge made its appearance the people fled panic-stricken, and left the sick and dying to their fate; bu t Mr. Thomas was indefatigable in his attendance and in supplyiug the patients with medi0inc and food. He had the joy of seeing many recover under his care~and <if hearing the people confess: "The teacher's God is strong." Sacrifices to heathen deities were suspended and enchantments were only practised in secret. A spirit of inquiry was aroused, and the missionary found that he had gained, through his self-sacrificing service, a position of such respect and authority that, in spite of the chief's opposition, a catechumen class was formed. In 1875 he had the joy of baptizing his first six converts, and these became the nucleus of a little church, from which many able assistants have been sent out.
His labors were enormous, for apart from his preRChing he had to attend to the instruction of old and YOllng, to nurse the sick, and to undertake fatiguing journeys, while his nights were devoted to literary work. At last the heavy strain broke down his vigorous constitution, and a change of climate became necessary. So he decided to leave the Ombolata church, which was now well organized, and to try the southern part of the island. 'This district, while more fruitful and prosperous than the rest, had been hitherto closed against missionaries, and even the Dutch government Gould hardly maintain her authority there. The information he received from reliable sources showed the south to be a field of great promise, demanding pioneers of tried capacity, a district more advanced in culture than the neighboring Malay tribes, where walled towns were to be found with paved streets and baths and ornamental grounds.
By way of introduction he paid a visit to the chief of Orahiti, the most powerful ruler in those parts, whose imposing palace was built on a steep hill, accessible only by a strong stairctlse hewn out of the solid rock and surrounded by a high wall. Here the great chief received Mr. Thom~s and his companions. He was surrounded by his young warriors, and his demeanor was reserved. With an air of condescension he accepted the proffered presents, but he refused absolutely the request of the missionaries to settle among his people. No doubt he was under the impression that they were agents of the Dutch government. The inferior chiefs along the coast were somewhat more responsive, but their attitude was simply inspired by the hope of getting something out of the white man.
Mr. Thomas ultimately decided to settle at the bay of Telok Dalam, which offered a favorable situation for his mission, but various delays intervened before he could effect his removal. This period was utilized by him for preparing his plans and getting ready the timber for his new house. In March, 1883, he bade farewell to the church at Ombolata, consisting of a little over two hundred members, who had endeared themselves to him and had learned to look upon him as their father. Nor was the success of his work confined to the prosperity of the church. Three of the surrounding villages were ruled by Ohristian chiefs, and there was a general improvement in the moral tone of the community, in spite of persistent opposition on the part of the principal chief, who was under Mohammedan influence.
Ou arriving at Telok Dalam, he was received in a friendly manner by the chief, but the motive for this friendliness soon became apparent. He hoped that the 'missionaries would follow the example of government officials and strengthen his own authority, which had begun to decline; and when he found the newcomers on a pleasant footing with neighboring chiefs, with whom he was at enmity, he resented it, threw difficulties in their way, and showed himself generally capricious and treacherous. He fleeced them whenever he could, raised the prices of building material, of food, of labor, and even imposed a ship tax upon the mission vessel. The importunity and greed of his people were at times almost unbearable. Promises and agreements were not kept, and every concession involved an inordinate amount of palaver. In addition to these vexations there were domestic troubles. Mr. Thomas and his family were attacked by fever, to which his little girl fell a victim, and in consequence of which his wife had to be invalided home: The warlike and hot-tempered character of the tribes, in the midst of which they lived, necessitated the greatest prudence, and the precarious nature of their position was forcibly brought home to him by the following incident. Two natives of high rank had been on a visit to the station and desired to inspect the mission vessel, just then anchoring in the bay. On returning, the boat met with an accident, and the two visitors were drowned, whereupon their relatives demanded the surrender of the boatmen as the price of blood. When the missionaries refused to comply they were threatened with death and their station with destruction; for a time they had to watch day and night against a sudden attack, but just when a battle see~ned imminent a Dutch official providentially intervened and succeeded in settling the dispute.
Another trial of faith was in store. The extension of the work had led to the appointment of another colleague, from whom great things were anticipated; but fever seized him soon after his arrival, and he went raving mad, finding his grave in the solitude of the forest.
WILHELM THOMAS, THE APOSTLE OF NIAS
Meanwhile fresh conflicts broke out between their own chief and his neighbors. He was in the habit of harboring runaway slaves and criminals from other tribes, and on that account lived on bad terms with most of those around him. Mr. Thomas was regarded by the other side as an enchanter protecting an unpopular chief, and on various occasions his life was in great danger. That year (1885) was a time of prolonged extremity, accompanied by devastation of fields, famine, robberies, prevalent sickness, and general distress. .
In the spring of the next year a sanguinary battle was fought, in which the neighboring tribe was defeated with great loss-a result which exposed our missionary to greater danger than ever, the former accusations of witchcraft and unfair guidance being clamorously revived against him. Desperate attempts were made upon his life, but at this crisis two Dutchwar sloops made their appearance in the bay, hoping to overawe the combatants and proffering mediation. 'rhe defeated chiefs peremptorily rejected the offer, and continued to clamor for revenge upon the missionaries. The only course open to Mr. Thomas and his colleague was to take refuge on one of the war sloops, and to withdraw to his <;lId station, after three most trying and to all appearance fruitless years. Soon came another call for service. A mission was to be com- menced in the German Protectorate of New Guinea, and Mr. Thomas was selected to reconnoiter the new field. Leaving Nias in December, 1885, he arrived at his destination (Kaiser Wilhemsland) in the following spring, and started at once on a tour of investigation along the coast and in the interior, with the result that a suitable station was found at Astrolabe Bay, and was speedily occupied by brethren of the Rhenish Missionary Society. But the severe strain of the last years had nndermined his health, and a severe illness which seized him necessitated his return home on furlough.
After a rest of two years, during which his health had been thoroughly reestablished, he went out again to Nias. He devoted the last ten years of his life to the formation and development of a new station at Gumbu Humene (about nine miles distant from the first station occupied by him in 1872), which he had long planned. Various epidemics which afflicted the people, and which he was' able skilfully to deal with, prepared the way for his message, and he could speedily commence a promising catechumen class, which became the nucleus of a strong church. Under his care this church developed into the largest of the Rhenish mission stations at Nias, consisting of one thousand three hundred members. A loan bank and a coffee plantation under his guidance were among the useful adjuncts to this work, and proved of great benefit to the people. His school and training class prepared some excellent assistants for the work.
Out of the midst of his varied activities he has now been called home, having labored abundantly in the service of the Master for nigh thirty years-a true pioneer of the Gospel.
NOTE.-Recent accounts confirm that there is a remarkable movement toward Christianity in the island, and that whole villages are ready to forsake tbeir idolatry and to attend catechumen classes, one report speaking of eight hundred catechumens under instruction. More workers are sorely needed.
MEMORIAL HOSPITALS IN THE ORIENT BY MRS. J. T. GRACEY, ROCHESTER, N. Y.
The hospitals and dispensaries erected throughout the Oriental world are centers not alone for the healing of disease, bringing health and comfort to the suffering, but centers for dispensing spiritual healing. Many of these have been built as memorials; and what more tender or loving memorial could be erected? Some years ago a good woman in Edinburgh, Scotland, conceived the idea of building a memorial to the Earl of Beaconsfield, better known as Disraeli. She wanted some kind of an institution that would benefit the Jewish kindred of the distinguished English p'remier. After she had collected a considerable amount of money, some of her friends, knowing how urgently a mission hospital was needed in Smyrna, Asiatic Turkey, . who were aamirers of Disraeli, and greatly interested in the evangelization of the Jews, thought the greatest blessing would come to the people both physically and spiritually by the erection of a hospital and dispensary, so that to-day the Beaconsfield hospital is one of the most popular and thoroughly equipped institutions of that eastern section, and for fifteen years it has been a great Christian center. Connected with it is a training institute for nurses, where Jewish girls are being instructed and prepared for service.
In December last, in the city of Kiu Kiang, Central China, was formally opened the Elizabeth Skelton Danforth Hospital, the gift of Dr. Danforth, of Chicago, in memory of his wife, prominent in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The occasion was a notable one, for there were present anum bel' of Chinese ladies, whose rich costumes showed the official rank or wealth of husbands and fathers.
'fhe chentai, taotai, prefect, assistant prefect, and magistrate added official dignity to the occasion. The British consul gave an address, to which the American vice-consul of Nanking made a response, This hospital is most admirably planned, and has all modern improvements. Two Chinese women, educated at Ann Arbor, are the physicians in charge, and patients come to them not only locally, but from different provinces. Over eight thousand patients have been treated here within the last year.
Another form of memorial is the scholarship fund. Lady Curzon, wife of the Governor-General of India, has founded a memorial to her late majesty, the Queen-Empress Victoria, called the Victoria Memorial Scholarship Fund. She has had the cooperation of the women of India, both European and native. 'fhe training of India women as physicians and skmed midwives was one in which the queen had shown a great interest, and no form of memorial seemed to be more appropriate than that which had as its sale object the amelioration of suffering India women and children. More than half a million dollars has been contributed from almost every part of India. It is the pur-
MEMORIAL HOSPITALS IN THE ORIENT
pose of the committee having the maturing of the plans that each locality contributing shall have some advantage of training nurses at local centers. A very encouraging start has been made, and this new departure has in it untold possibilities for India's women.
At Ve11ore, India, in the Arcot Mission, is located- the Mary Tabf.lr Schell Hospital, for which the land, building, and equipment, were donated by the late Robert Schell, of New York, in memory of his wife; but the Reformed Ohurch in America is responsible for its maintenance.
The Mary S. Ackerman Hoyt Memorial Hospital at Jhansi, India, is a new and commodious building. Miss S. D. Doremus, of New York, who for many years has been corresponding secretary of the Woman's Union Missionary Society, and who has been visiting the missions of that society the past year, writes: "Not only did I look at this beautiful building with interest all my own, but as I caught sight of the large and familiar inscription, 'Woman's Union Missionary Society of America' on the gateway, I was seeing everything with the eyes of all the friends at home interested in this branch of our work." Beautifully located, enclosed by high stone walls, adorned by graceful tropical foliage and a grassy lawn, its broad verandas with blooming plants, "aU seemed to do honor to the memory of one whose name • stands out in conspicuous letters over the entrance."
The Margaret Williamson Hospital, located in Shanghai, Ohina, a memorial of Mrs. Williamson, of Brooklyn, was founded in 1885, and has had a most remarkable history of uninterrupted success both in its medical and evangelistic character. Dr. Reifsnyder has been con·· nected with it from the beginning, and her reputation is not confined to Shanghai. She has conducted some remarkable operations which have been subjects of praise and illustration in the books and papers of the Ohinese. 'fhis hospital has received in these years about two hundred and fifty thousand individual patients. This is the property of the Woman's Union Missionary Society of America.
The William Gamble Memorial Hospital is located at Ohung-king, Western Ohina. This is the property of the Woman's Foreign Mis- sionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Ohurch, and is the gift of . Mrs. Fannie Nast Gamble, of Oincinnati, as a memorial to her husband. It is a commanding strncture, of more foreign than Chinese architecture. It was formally dedicated February 22d. Many distinguished persons were present, and addresses were delivered by the Governor of Eastern Si-clmen, the Taotai of Ohung-king, and others. 'fhis hospital has all modern improvements, and careful atten- tion has been given to light, velltilation, and drainage, the latter a very important matter in Ohina. '!'hese are the only foreign buildings in West China used exclusively for women, and constitute the largest and best equipped hospital for women in the Yangtsi Valley, outside of Shanghai. Bishop Moore has recently visited Ohung-king and thoroughly inspected the hospital and is enthusiastic over it. He says we at home can scarcely comprehend the difficulties of erecting such a building, as the building material has to be brought up three hun- dred feet from the river on the backs of men, women, and children.
These are only a few of these noble memorial charities which are now scattered all over the Oriental world, serving as most valuable adjuncts to mission work. 'fhrough these agencies hundreds and thousands have fplt the touch of the Divine healer.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF HOME MISSIONS* BY REV. ChARLES L. THOMPSON, D.D. Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions In the colonial history of America it is very well known that the Presbyterian influence was not only strong but dominant. So true is this that the historian, George Bancroft, says: "The revolution of 1776, so far as it was affected by religion, was a Presbyterian measure. It was the natural outgrowth of the principles which the Presbyterianism of the Old World planted in her sons, the English Puritans, the Scotch Covenanters, the French Huguenots, the Dutch Calvinists, and the Presbyterians of Ulster." It would be interesting to follow the development of this patriotic and Christian spirit in the early records of our Church. The first presbytery considered this overture: "That the state of the frontier settlements should be taken into consideration and missionaries be sent to them to form them into congregations, ordain elders, administer the sacraments, and direct them to the best measures of obtaining the Gospel ministry regularly among them." Thus the very spirit of evangelization breathed in the very first formal ecclesiastical action taken by our Church in this country.
The names to head the honor roll of our missionary leaders are Nathan Her and Joshua Hart, who were sent out by the Assembly of 1790 on recommendation of the Synod of New York and New Jersey. From that time on, each Assembly gave particular attention to the cause of missions-no other subject occupied them so much. The work of the first missionaries extended as far as Middletown, New York, and to the Oneida Indians around Lake Otsego. In Pennsylvania they visited the Lackawanna Valley. They reported thus early of the number of people who were going into those remote regions with amazing rapidity, and they suggested that another missionary be sent out "that the hopes of the pioneers may be raised and the foundation of Gospel· principles may be laid in this extensive and growing country." Ah, how little they knew of the extent of our country or what would be its growth!
It was to be expected that the Church"which sent out John Elliot and the Brainerds, to do work among the Indians, would continue that Christlike service. It is, therefore, interesting to observe that the Assembly of 1800 called attention to the need of evangelizing the Indians on the frontiers and of selecting men in the character of catechists who might "instruct the Indians, the black people, and other persons unacquainted with the principles of our holy religion."
At the meeting of the Assembly in 1801 we have the first record of a permanent fund for missionary work. The trustees of the Assembly recommended that the moneys obtained as the result of soliciting contributions for the support of missionaries should be regarded as capital stock, "to be invested in secure and permanent funds for missionary purposes; that the proceeds of it should be employed in propagating the Gospel among the Indians, in instructing the black peop1e, and purchasing pious books to be distributed among the poor, or in maintaining, when the Assembly shall think themselves competent to the object, theological schools, and for such other pious and benevolent purposes as may hereafter be deemed expedient."
* Condensed from The Presbyterian Banner.
1902J ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF HOME MISSIONS
So far the work of Home Missions may have been said to be fy~tem atic, but it was not organized. The Assembly of 1802 has the honor of having organized it by the appointment of a "Permanent Committee on Home Missions," consisting at first of seven members-four clergymen and three laymen. They should gather information relative to missions and missionaries; they should designate places where missionaries should be employed; they should nommate missionaries to the Assembly and generally transact, under the direction of the Assembly, the missionary business. It will be seen that between assemblies this permanent com· mittee had practically the power of a missionary board.
At this time they were beginning to send missionaries to the West as far as the "Mississippi Territory." The beginning of a missionary service that was to tell mightily on the regeneration of the State of Ohio is marked by the action of the Assembly of 1805, in which it is recorded that Mr. James Hoge, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Lexington, served as a missionary for six months in the Htate of Ohio and the Nachez district. A pretty large commission for one young man-but then he was a large young man. They were also now beginning to progress toward work among the Cherokee Indians in Tennessee. The name of Gideon Blackburn, the home missionary hero of that southwest, appears as one who was employed for two months in missionary service, and $500 was appropriated for an Indian school instituted by him.
The year before the organization of the present Board of Home Missions, viz., in 1815, the appointment of missionaries covered a distance extending from Lake Champlain and the Canadian line on the north and from Long Island and the Delaware River in the east to the Indian Territory in the west, and Kentucky and Tennessee in the south.
The Home Board in its present form was organized in 1816. Its title was, "The Board of Missions, acting under authority of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States." They were authorized to generally conduct the work of home missions in all its phases. After the organization of the Board the work grew rapidly in every direction. The stream of population flowed into the central and western parts of the country.
The progress of missions in the latter half of the century is comparatively recent history. It is an epoch of much missionary heroism that has not yet been written. The materials for it are a,bundant. How in one generation our Church organized nearly two thousand churches in the states of the plains between the Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains; how schools, colleges, and universities sprang up in the new towns and cities all over that region, bearing an impress of and exercising a Christian influence; and how in the latter part of the last century the tide of population moving toward the Pacific Coast and up along that coast to Alaska, gave opportunity for the going of the pioneer column of the home missionary and the Christian teacher; this is now a familiar story. It constitutes the most encouraging phase of our national expansion. Indeed, without that phase our national expansion had been more than a peril-it had been di9astrous.
Our Church at present has over two thou!'land three hundred missionaries in the field, and about four hundred teachers in mission schools. They are in nearly all the states and territories of the Union. Nearly fourteen hundred of these missionaries are under the care of the board of home missions; the rest are in synods that are doing their own home
mission work. Of the total number of our home missionaries, only two hundred are east of the Mississippi River. One of the most interbsting of all our mission fields is that among the mountains of the four states of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and West Virginia. We have only about forty missionaries in that region among a popUlation of per- haps two millions, most of whom are Presbyterians by a long inheritance.
There are about seven hundred missionaries in what may be called the states of the plains, reaching from the Mississippi River to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Our Church has more than two thousand church organizations in that region.
The mountain regions of the West, including the ranges of the Rockies and the Nevadas and the valleys between them, furnish, if a less responsive, a scarcely less important missionary field. One hundred and sixty of our missionaries are going up and down those mountain canyons.
In the heart of these mountains is the Mormon hierarchy-bold, defiant, aggressive still. It threatens to get political control of the states and territories of the West. Our mission work there in schools and churches is pushing steadily on. On the Pacific Coast we have about two hundred missionaries. There are only a few millions of people there now, but scarce anywhere else in the country are there so many strategic points, or is the general situation, in the light of recent events, so commanding and appealing as along that coast. Our Church went to Alaska soon after it passed under the,Stars and Stripes. No other Church has done so much for the natives as has ours. We have twelve stations among them, extending all the way from Saxman, in southeastern Alaska, to Point Barrow.
The remaining new mission ground of our country is in the islands. of the sea, and among those by common agreement the Philippines have been assigned to the Foreign Board, and Cuba, Porto Rico, and other islands that may come to us in the Caribbean Sea to the Home Board.
Porto Rico was the first field occupied by us. Our missionaries have been there a little less than three years. The results in Cuba and Porto Rico have been remarkable. The churches are rapidly growing, the schools are full of children, and every door of opportunity flung wide open for our advance.
Now for one glance toward the future. To take in the opportunity for Home Mission work with which this century dawns would be a sur- vey stimUlating enough to awaken the enthusiasm of the dullest brain.
Never in the history of our historic American years have events so accu- mulated to stir the heart of Christian patriotism as siuce 1898. What shall we be to ourselves? What shall we be to the nations of the earth?
These are questions which come to us with new force. The answer to them v;ry largely is to be found in the work of Christian missions.
Whether the gathering of the new populations under our Flag will be a blessing or a curse depends on what education and the Gospel shall do for those people. They are ready to receive them. Weary of the pagan- ism and superstition under which they have lived, they are ready for better things. The Church of Christ has a summons loud enough to call forth all its energies. Will she respond in a measure at all adequate to the needs of the hour so far as Home Mission work is concerned?
The centennial celebration of the Board began 'on Friday, May 16th, with meetings of the Woman's Board and a reception in the Presby~
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF HOME MISSIONS
terian Building. On Monday afternoon were addresses on "The Past Century," by Dr. Henry C. McCook, of Philadelphia, Dr. Samuel J. Niccolls, of St. Louis, and Dr. Edgar P. Hill, of Portland, Oregon. On Tuesday morning there were addresses by Dr. John Dixon, Dr. Richard S. Holmes, of Pittsburg, and Dr. Eben Cobb, of Elizabeth, N. J. In the afternoon a fellowship meeting brought greetings from sister denomina- tions, and in the evening a grand rally, when four thousand gathered in Carnegie Hall and ten thousand applicants for tickets had to be refused. Dr. D. Stuart Dodge, President of the Home Mission Board, {:resided, and Dr. van Dyke, the moderator of the assembly, Dr. Thompson, the secretary of the Board, and President Roosevelt delivered addresses. The President spoke in part as follows: President Roosevelt's Address It is a pleasure on behalf of the people of the United States to bid you welcome on this hundredth anniversary of the beginning of organized home missionary work by the Presbyterian Church. In one sense, of course, all fervent and earnest church work is a part of home missionary work. Every earnest and zealous believer, every man or woman who is a doer of the Word and not a hearer only, is a life-long missionary in his or her field of labor-a missionary by precept, and by what is a thou- sandfold more than precept, by practise. Every such believer exerts influence on those within reach, somewhat by word, and infinitely more through the ceaseless yet well-nigh unseen pressure, all the stronger when its exercise is unconscious, of example, of broad, loving, charitable neighborliness.
But to-night we celebrate a hundred years of missionary work done not incidentally, but with set purpose; a hundred years of earnest effort to spread abroad the Gospel, to lay deep the moral foundation upon which true national greatness must rest. The century that has closed has seen the conquest of this continent by our people. To conquer a continent is rough work. All really great work is rough in the doing, tho it may seem smooth enough to those who look back upon it, or who gaze upon it from afar. The roughness is an unavoidable part of the doing of the deed. We need display but scant patience with those who, sitting at ease in their own homes, delight to exercise a querulous and censorious spirit of judgment upon their brethren, who, whatever their shortcomings, are doing strong men's work as they bring the light of civilization into the world's dark places. The criticism of those who live softly, remote from the strife, is of little value; but it would be difficult to overestimate the value of the missionary work of those who go out to share the hardship, and while sharing it, to wage war against the myriad forms of brutality. .
It is such missionary work which prevents the pioneers from sinking perilously near the level of the savagery against which they contend.
Without it the conquest of this continent would have had little but an animal :;,ide. Without it the pioneers' fierce and rude virtues and sombre faults would have been left unlit by the flame of pure and loving aspira- tiolL Without it the life of this country would have been a life of incon- ceivably hard and barren materialism. Because of it, deep beneath and through the national character, there runs that power of firm adherence toa lofty ideal upon which the safety of the nation will ultimately depend. Honor, thrice honor, to those who for three generations, dur- ing the period of this people's great expansion, have seen that the force of the living truth expanded as the nation expanded. They bore the
burden and heat of the day, they toiled obscurely and died unknown, that we might come into a glorious heritage. Let us prove the sincerity of our homage to theil' faith and their wcrrks by the way in which we manfully carry toward completion what under them was so well begun.
WANTED: MISSIONARIES FOR ALASKA * BY REV. S. HALL YOUNG, D.D., Missionary of the Preshyterian Church for Alaska Alaska calls for men. The mining population of Alaska has kept far in advance of any effort of the Christian Church to supply it with the Gospel. The number of gold-bearing creeks which are worked has doubled each year for the last four years. Up these creeks, and spreading all over Alaska in their search for the hidden treasures, are an eager, enterprising, intelligent, adventurous class of men and women, who form communities in all the regions where their search has proved successful.
First it is the camp with its white tents, its absence of any arrange- ment, law, or order; then the shanty town of log cabins in the interior and of board shacks on the western coast; then streets, good building blocks, hotels, a municipal government, and most of the comforts of a civilized community. A town may pass through all of these stages in a single year.
The crowning need of all these towns is a moral influence that will regulate, safeguard, and insure life and property. It is the universal testimony of officials and"citizens in Alaska that the Christian Church, as well as the court-house and school-house, hospital and reading-room, is essential to the progress and well-being of everyone of these towns. For lack of Church activity, California in its early mining days was known as the most lawless part of the globe; and the abounding ungodli- ness in California to-day is witness to the culpable negligence of the Church at large. The Christian communities of the East had no faith in the permanence of this population of the West, and the same lack of faith prevails concerning Alaska to-day. When we tell of the 'wonderful growth of population and wealth during the past four years, greater than that of any other part of the United States, and prophesy the con- stant and vast increase of that wealth and population, we are met with incredulity. I firmly believe that not only will the fishing industries, the gold, silver, copper, lead, platinum, coal and other minerals of Alaska insure a large future population, but that two or three great agricultural states will in time be carved out of that vast territory. The population has within the last four years increased from about four thousand white"! to between fifty and sixty thousand, and thp rush into the gold-fields this summer will be larger perhaps than in any past year.
Not one-half of this crowd of miners and their families are able to-day to hear the preached Gospel; and yet Alaska is full of intelligent people who have been brought up in Christian communities, and many of them hold their membership in Christian churches in the States. The Presby- terian Church has been the most active denomination in sending the Gospel to this white population, but still it has kept far behind the needs ,of the territory. The Board of Home Missions ne.eds half a dozen Pres- * Condensed from The Evangeltst. byterian ministers for Alaska immediately, but we have narrowed down our present appeal to three men.
The men we need must have all the qualifications of a successful city pastor, so far as preaching ability and pastoral aptitude are concerned; – for they will find their congregations intelligent, critical, and very inde- pendent. Besides this, the minister..!n Alaska should be used to "roughing it," should be able to make a home for himself in the wilder- ness, to superintend the building of his church, to endure the severe climate of the interior and of the Northwest, to follow the miners in their stampedes, and to share "pot luck" with them-in short, to live the life of a successful miner. He must be free from that most general and soulfilling vice of the North-Gold-lust". He should be resourceful, adaptable, consecrated, willing to endure hardness for the sake of preaching the Gospel to dying men.
I hereby call for such men. Who will go for us? Is it asking too much that some churches should give up their beloved pastors who possess these qualifications, as the churches of Roxborough aIld Jeannette let Mr. Kirk and Dr. Koonce go three years ago? There are plenty of preachers for the East, but the harvest of Alaska is very white and the laborers very few. Weare making history very fast there, and the efforts or the neglect of the next two or three years will practically shape its moral future.
Of course the support of these men must be specially provided by churches or individuals. There are so many new fields calling for laborers and so many old fields needing continued support, that the missionary secretaries are constantly puzzled and distressed by their inability to supply these crying needs. It takes a good deal of money to support a minister in the gold-fields of Alaska. In the newer and farther camps provisions bring at first a dollar a pound, and all the conditions of life are hard. I have known nails to seH for $2.50 a pound, candles for $1.00 apiece, and fresh eggs for $2.00 apiece. We have been paying our ministers in the interior of Alaska $1,700 for married men, and $1,500 for single men. This is equivalent to but a small salary in the" States; but over against this large expense of starting these missions, place this fact: that these mining camps, when prosperous, will furnish a good support for their ministers. After six months of struggle and difficulties, I organized the church at Dawson in the spring of 1898. When I visited myoId charge last summer, I found them paying my successor, Dr. Grant, of the Canadian Presbyterian Church, $5,000 salary, and they were just building a new church at the cost of $20,000. Besides this, two branch missions up the gold-bearing creeks in that regi9n have already attained self-support, and three other churches in the Yukon dish'ict under the Canadian Presbyterian Board are rapidly approaching self-support. Skagway, in our own territory, attained the same goal last spring, and the Presbyterian church of Nome was begun two years ago as self-supporting from the first. In mere dollars and cents the investment in Alaska missions promises large returns. And in human distress relieved, precious lives safeguarded from moral ruin, and souls saved, few fields promise larger returns. These men and this money for Alaska should be given at once, for the missionaries should start very soon to the fields in order to reach these distant points in the harvest time of summer.
There are other mission points among the natives that ought to be opened at once. A gracious revival, the like of which has not been witnessed in any other mission field during the past year, has brought over two hundred and fifty into our native churches of Alaska, and in a number of cases our native converts have in turn become messengers of the Gospel to neighboring tribes. We need consecrated ministers and teachers for these places, or these native Christians, so young in the faith, will, many of them, lapse into the old ways. The time is short, the cry most urgent. Who will respond?
THE PEOPLES OF THE PHILIPPINES * BY PROF. OTIS T. MASON Curator of the NationallHuseum, Washington. D. C.
The blood of all mankind flows in the Philippine Islands. There is the most interesting place on eal'th in which to study the mingling of races. Black, brown, red, yellow, and white are all there, pure or mixed in binary, tenary, and quaternary combinations. In the islands the United States has conquered and annexed more souls than the Western Hemisphere contained at their discovery. The following table gives their distribution: Luzon and neigboring islands …………………….. . 3,600,000 Mindoro and vicinity…………………………….. , 225,000 Visayas Archipelago ………………… o, •••••••••••••• 2,400,000 Mindanao ………………………………………. . 600,000 Calamianes and Palawan ………………………… . 72,000 Sulu Islands and Basilan …………………………. . 104,000 Total. ………………. , …•…………… 7,001,000 Its total area is 300,000 square miles, and the densest population is in Mindanao, sixty-two to the square mile; the smallest in Palawan, five to the square mile; while that of Luzon is thirty-three to the square mile.
Blacks.-There are in the islands native black tribes and Africans. The former are negritoes (little negroes), and are locally known as Aitas, from the Malay word hitam (black). Similar folk live in the Malay Peninsula under th'e name of Sakais, and in the Andaman Islands as Mincopies. Some ethnologists say that these negritoes are merely impoverished Papuans, while others hold that they are the modern remnant of a race of pygmies or dwarfs. There are about 10,000 of these savages, averaging only 4 feet 10 inches in height. These are found in small groups away from civilization-in the center of Luzon, in Mindoro, Panay, Negros, and in the northeastern part of Mindanao. They are extremely shy, live a degraded life, and for ages have been Ishmaelites (wanderers). The Aitas clothe themselves in the climate, have few tools, untensils, or arts, and trade by deposit-that is, theY' place what they have to sell at a s~ot agreed upon and go away. The next day when they return the goods have been removed and something they crave has been left instead. In political matters they would not know the difference between the Constitution and the Flag, and they pay no tribute to Cresar. In s~me few parts of Luzon they are crossed with Tagals, and are agriculturists. In Mindanao there is a powerful tribe called Atas, who may be brown-black, and the same name is given to mixed Vicals and Aitas in southeastern Luzon.
* Condensed from The Christian Work.
THE PEOPLES OF THE PHILIPPINES
African blacks in the Philippines are cousins many times removed of those in the United States, descendants of those unfortunate captives who for more than three hundred years were carried by the Spaniards to all their colonies. They form no separate settlements, and their influ- ence on the mass of the population has not been salutary. They make good the saying that the blood of all mankind flows in Filipino veins. An ethnological table of the negro slaves involved in the colonization of the Philippines would show that the "white man's burden" there had representatives from all negroid Africa.
Brown.-There are two kinds of brown peoples in the islandsnamely, the Polynesian browns, resembling Hawaiians, and Malayan browns, more plentiful everywhere in the group.
Inasmuch as the population of 7,000,000 is almost wholly Malayan brown, pure or mixed, some care is needed in order to comprehend it. Let it be assumed that the little negroes were in the islands first. F. Blumentritt, the Austrian ethnologist, finds the following brown migrations-that of the head-hunters, 200 B.C.; a second, to which the ancestors of Tagals, Visayas, Vicols, Ilocanos, and other advanced tribes belong, 100-500 A.D., bringing alphabets and literature; and a third, Islamitic, or Moro, from Borneo into the Sulu Islands and Mindanao in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, A.D., brought to an end by the Spaniards. To the first migration have been assigned the Igorrotes, Apayaos, and Zambales, and, later, the Catalanganes, Irayas, and Tinguianes, all in Luzon, names frequently occurring in the newspapers.
This long-continued brown migration has been gathering into itself the blood of all other peoples with which it came in contact, giving brown-black, brown-yellow, brown-white, brown-red, and brown-yellowwhite as the present result.
Red.-The red, copper-colored, or American type, standing nearest to the brown in the ethnologi"cal lists and in biological characters, began to go to the Philippines about the year 1570, and continued·- their visits during two hundred years or more. These immigrants did not belong to the wild hunting and fishing tribes of North Atnerica, but to the more civilized nations of Mexico. There are accounts of small settlements of these Mexican Indians in the Philippines, and collectors, both in Mexico and the i&lands, are discovering similarities that can be accounted for only by the fact of these interminglings across the Pacific.
Yellow.-The yellow races exist in the archipelago as pure bloods and as mixtures of Chinese, Japanese, Siamese, Cambodians, etc. In the Chinese you obtain Sinite and Mongol; in the Japanese a complex race with a large ingredient from western Asia, as divided stockings, stilted shoes, and many elements of speech attest. Practically all Asia is in the Philippines. It is entirely impossible to set a date for the earliest importation of the yellow element. A long time ago the Chinese anticipated the Portuguese in the discovery and came near forestalling the Spaniards tn the possession of the islands. It is certain that the founding of Manila, 1570, and the coming of Mexican and Peruvian silver opened a floodgate of migration from the yellow area which has never closed.
The mixture of the yellow man with the brown woman, and subsequently of the mongrel Spaniard with this compound created the standard population of Luzon and the Visaya Islands. The basis is Malay, but the mercantile and political standing, no lesR than the culture, comes through Asiatic and European fathers.
White.-The blood of the white man found its way into the Philippines by two methods-stealth and force. Professor Keane and other ethnologists believe that the early brown people, of whom mention has been made, had the blood of the Caucasian in their veins. Their wavy hair and certain elements in their speech point in that direction. More probably the later brown invasions, with their alphabets and cults from India, beginning 200 years B.C., were purveyors also of racial mixtures. Copper images from India have been found in graves of British Columbia, doubtless left there by the Spanish fleets.
These trifling ingredients, however, may be disregarded in comparison with that whose presence dates from the very beginning of the sixteenth century, first through the Portuguese, but largely through the Spaniards. It would far transcend the limits of this narrative to trace the thrilling turmoil. A mixture of .blood is contained in the word Spanish. Semite and Hamite, Iberian and Basque, Goth and Vandal, Roman and Kelt-all are there. If there be a kind of white man from Europe or northern Africa that the Spaniards did not bring the United States has completed the tally and added him to the list.
~ The Islamism of the Sulu Islands is Semite and swept to the archipelago traces of Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia and Arabia.. The name Moros or Moors is suggestive of Berber affinities.
There are in the Philippines one hundred and fifty native tribes with names. Some of these are small and live in out-of-the-way areas. They never succumbed to Spanish rule' or the Catholic religion, while others are vastly more numerous than all the Indians that were ever in the United States at one time. Let us call them all Filipinos. A few native peoples whose names occur in the newspapers may be noted: Igorrotes-Head-hunters of the province of Benguet, in northern Luzon; never tamed. The name now applies to all wild Filipinos, the same as our word" Injun." The Christianized islanders would say: "There is no good Igorrote but a dead Igorrote."
nocanos-Christianized, civilized, literary, brown-yellow peoples of northwestern Luzon.
Pangasinanes-Christianized, civilized, brown people about Lingayen Gulf, one hundred and twelve miles north of Manila. They have just been made a separate political jurisdiction by the President under the" provincial organization act."
Tagals-Christianized, civilized, literary, brown-yellow-white peoples, occupying all the provinces of Luzon about Manila Bay. They are the most numerous and powerful of all. Aguinaldo is a Tagal.
Vicols or Bicols-Christianized.brown peoples of southeastern Luzon and islands adjacent.
Visayas or Bisayas-Next to the Tagals the most numerous Filipino ethnic group, occupying all the central islands, Samar, Masbate, Panay, Escalante, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, as well as the northern and eastern shores of Mindanao. It was in the midst of them that Magellan was murdered in 1521.
Surely, the ends of the earth have come to us in blood, language, industry, social life, knowledge and religion through this beautiful and teeming archipelago. The possibilities of infinite development and blessing to the missionary in every department of cult and culture are there where their good work may be prosecuted without let or hindrance.
1902J EDITORIALS
EDITORIALS Josiah Strong on Robert College liberal and emancipating ideas of a "Vith much surprise we have higher culture and a Protestant read what purports to be the re- Christianity. But we have never port of Rev. Dr. Josiah Strong as heard it hinted that this college had to matters in and about Constanti- ever been antagonistic to the gov- nople and the sublime Porte. ernment of Turkey, or had ever Weare not surprit,;ed that the directly or secretly plotted against author of "Our Country" and the even Turkish misrule. It is true "New Era" should write in opti- the old maxim is still in force, that mistic terms of the greatness and "when God lets loose a thinker, power of the American republic, or the world must beware." It is imwax eloquent over the future of the possible that any truly cultured, Anglo-Saxon race and of Protestant not to say Christian, young stumissions; or that, in his judgment, dent, graduated from such a school the Catholic people of the Madeira of learning, should not revolt Islands should be afraid to "roast" against the abominable barbarism the Protestants, lest those petty and tyranny of such a monster as islands should in turn find them- the Sultan of Turkey. But Robert selves roasted in the fiery furnace College can hardly be held responof the American Nebuchadnezzar. sible for such an inevitable reaction, But when Dr. Strong reports a on the part of growing minds and reign of terror at the Golden Horn, ennobled characters, against the and not only states that in Con- bondage of superstition and desstantinople 200 people were recently potism. put to death-which massacre we had not heard of, even through the As we have read the records of omnipresent newspaper reporter- history, we have always found that but predicts that there will, sooner a Christian training makes students or later, be a "revolution" in foes both of impiety and inhuman- Turkey, and adds that "it will ity. But this college has pursued come from the influence of Robert a course so prudent and in a good College as a result of educating sense so politic, that even in such a the young men," we confess that hotbed of revolution as Turkey, our surprise waxes into astonish- and amid all the horrors of the ment. Armenian massacres, it has never We have a wholesome craving to been, so far as we know, accused or know somewhat more of the sup- suspected of political designs or posed facts upon which such a complications. statement is based. Robert College was built by concessions ob- Dr. Strong's reported utterances tained from the Turkish authori- impress us as, to say no more, unties. It has done a noble work in wise. A censorship exists in Turthe Orient, unparalleled, perhaps, key over all printed matter, so except by the educational work severely strict that it is not possiwhich has its center at Beirut. ble that these statements of Dr. There has been a wide-reaching Strong should escape the eye of a and permeative influence exerted government under which it is forby this great institution, in send- bidden to sing" Onward, Christian ing out educated young men of Soldiers! " because it is too martial many Oriental nations who have and feeds the revolutionary spirit. there come into contact with the' It is also said that the censors objected to the notices of the Amer- ican celebration of Thanksgiving
day because they stated that on ing population and growing wealth that day the Americans would eat and importance in this northwestturkey! It is not likely that Dr. ern Eldorado. The call is for con- Strong's expressed opinions will es- secrated, educated men, who will cape review, or that Hobert College be able and willing to rough it will not fall under suspicion! Ve while preaching the Gospel and earnestly hope that brethren who ministering to the miners in many visit the Golden Horn will remem- ways. Dr. S. Hall Young and Dr. ber the supersensitiveness of the Koonce tell a fascinating story of Sultan and his censors to anything the work in which they have been appearing in the press, and the engaged. Is there not some home treacherous subtlety bf the Sultan church to which the Holy Spirit is in summarily disposing of any man saying, as in apostolic days, or institution believed or suspected "Separate me Barnabas and Saul to be hostile to his despotic sway. for the work whereunto I have Fortunately it would be somewhat called them" ? difficult for him to suppress Robert College. Mormon Missionary Activity New Macedonian Calls The Mormon propaganda is now unusually active, and has reached The mission boards are calling Japan-the first Mormon invasion, for volunteers. The splendid op- we believe, of the Oriental field. portunities and immediate neces- The subtlety of these followers of sities make it imperative that re- Joseph Smith lies partly in their inforcements should go the front unhesitating deception. For eximmediately and occupy strategic ample, they no longer preach popoints. To fail to fill these posts lygamy, and even deny its existence means playing into the enemy's at times, while it is practised as hands. Men are needed immedi- flagrantly as ever. In some of our ately for Korea. Dr. Underwood American cities and villages, inand Rev. Graham Lee call earnestly stead of setting up a professedly for men for the Presbyterian Mis- Mormon church or brotherhood, sion at Pyeng Yang. The present the propagandists freely mingle forces are being worked far beyond with existing churches, take part their strength, and a dozen more in their prayer-meetings, and sing mIssIOnaries would have their in their choirs, and thus quietly hands full supplying the demand carryon their infernal work. for Christian teachers and preachers. The story of the work there A Call from Berea is thrilling and marvelous. The fields are ripe and ready to harvest. A noble, efficient work is being God's spirit is working mightily in done for Christian education at the Korean hearts. Who will re- Berea College, Kentucky, by the spond to this call and go now 1 splendid corps of teachers there. The college is not only educating Another need that should be individuals, but is helping to transimmediately supplied is for three form the sentiment of the Southern men for Alaska under the Home mountaineers toward the negro Mission Board of the Presbyterian race. In a wholesome way these two Church. Here is a splendid oppor- classes are brought together and tunity to help mold the future of learn to feel a mutual respect this great country. Miners are which has only beneficial effects. still flocking to the gold-fields, and the outlook is for rapidly increas- Last winter new students came in unprecedented numbers, and tho
EDITORIALS
the college :was already crowded, against the British government if the authorities sent for teachers and blankets, and took care of even one-half of the vice and crime them. The price of provisions rose last fall, but the matron was told and misery and death caused by to keep the students well nourished, even tho she might not come out the use of opium in China should even at the end of the year. be charged to her account by Al- Thus the expenses increased, but the donations from friends were far mighty God. ., from adequate to supply the needs, consequently the college is face to The Bishop of Durham and Missions. face with a large deficit, and asks those who believe in the work that The late Bishop of Durham had Berea is doing if they will not show a keen interest in foreign missions. their confidence by helping in this ,Many a missionary, returning to time of need. Every dollar counts his work in the field, has a delight- ful remembrance of his visit to and is money well invested. * Auckland Castle. Dr. Paton, from the New Hebrides, will never for· England's Opium Sin get how the bishop left the lunch- eon table early in the meal that he An earnest appeal has recently might see the veteran missionary off by the train and enjoy his combeen made to Lord Salisbury by the pany to the last. The late Bishop Sydney Hill and Mr. George A. Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pilkington very much impressed the bishop. After an interview of leading Christians of England, two hours, Bishop Hill expressed his amazement at the intimate asking for decisive action with re- knowledge Dr. Westcott possessed of affairs on the Niger. His intergard to the Indian opium traffic est in missions was deep and abid- ing. When sympathized with at with China. The appeal is as fol- parting with four sons to go to the mission field, he replied that tlieir lows: going helped him to realize "the joy of giving." It is a joy to know We are convinced, by manifold and weighty that Dr. Moule, who is appointed evidence. of the correctness of the following as his successor, and whose noble positions: utterances on the Kiswick platform in behalf of holiness, and whose 1. That British action in respect of the im,. pen has given such treasures to the Church, is quite as devoted a friend portation of opium into China has had dis- and advocate of missions, and we commend him, our personal friend astrous results-Cal in injury to other and esteemed brother, to the symbranches of British commerce in China; (b) pathy and prayer of the whole Church in his new and responsible. in generating profound feelings of hostility position. We are firmly persuaded that his accession to the vacant to British subjects and interests in the mind seat of Durham will be the signal of the Chinese people. for a new advance in all true god- liness and missionary endeavor at 2. That the use of opium in China (to speak home and abroad. No man in Britain is more, or more deservedof China only) is a vast national curse, and ly, beloved. that assertions to the contrary can be met decisively by the public testimony of disinterested Chinese statement of to-day.
3. That accordingly it is unworthy of a great Christian power to be commercially interested, in any degree, in the supply of opium to China.
As a fact, while the cultivation of opium in India is on a larger scale than ever, with the exception of two years in the past, the revenue accruing from its export has sunk to 2J4 millions.
This, however, is in our opinion only an incident of the position. Our affirmation is that it is the grave duty of, the nation. as before the Supr",me King and Governor, to purge itself anywise of connection with a great and public wrong. …
It would indeed be a heavy score
Many-sided Missionaries. sionary reputation. He has writ- ten with authority upon Hinduism, The question has been asked the and a work of his on the Christian editor lately, whether he could Evidences has had a large circulaname twelve men who had repre- tion. We hope he may yet do sented peculiarly an all-sided mis- much effective wOl'k with pen and sionary service and equipment. tongue. Without any hesitation we answer that there have been twice twelve A Tribute to R. W. Dale who have within the past century revealed a singular versatility and The late Rev. Dr. R. W. Dale, of symmetry of character and work. Birmingham, England, had a rare For example, William CareYl John tribute paid to him by the new Wilson, Alexander Duff, in India; Bio;hop of Worcester when pub- Elias Riggs, William Goodell, and licly welcomed to his new diocese. Cyrus Hamlin, in Turkey; Henry He said, speaking of the Christian H. Jessup and Eli Smith, in Syria; duty of taking part in the munici- David Livingstone and Alexander pal as well as in'the imperial life of Mackay, in Africa; J. C. Hepburn their country: "If I were asked and Guido F. Verbeck, in Japan; who among Englishmen of recent John Williams and Coleridge Pat- generations set the greatest examteson, in the South Seas; Robert ple of the true relation of a disciple W. McAll, in France; George L. of Jesus Christ 8,lld a minister of Mackay, in Formosa. 'rhese are the Gospel toward municipal life, but a few among many, who in I should have to name a great citheathen lands have shone conspic- izen of Birmingham, whose frienduous for a many-sided adaptation ship in a measure it was my privito a many-sided work. lege to hold-namely, Dr. Dale."
Dr. Murray Mitchell For Free Distribution Dr. Murray Mitchell, one of our The speech of Bishop Tucker, valued contributors and editorial of Uganda, on the self-extension, correspondents, and Dr. Thomas self-support, and self-government Smith are the last surviving mem- of missionary churches, which bers of that noble band of mission- was delivered last year at the aries who withdrew from the Es- Church Conference, has been retablishment in 1843, and labored printed in pamphlet form for afterward in connection with the free distribution to all English- Free Church. Sin c e returning speaking evangelical missionaries. finally home from India, Dr. The address is a masterly one, Mitchell has done good service as showing by the experience of the a Continental minister, and he now missionaries in Uganda, Toro, etc., lives in retirement at Nice. At the how a strong native church has meeting of the Scottish Union As- been built up in a comparatively sembly last year he was asked to short time. Any friend of mis-' propose, on the first day, the lead- sions will receive a copy of this ing motion; and everyone who was pamphlet by writing to Box 423, present must have been struck with Post-office, Manchester, England, the mental and physical vigor with or to the managing editor of this which he (an octogenarian) per- REVIEW, 1515 Pacific Street, Brookformed his part. We may add that lyn. he has a literary as well as a mis-
BOOKS FOR THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY
BOOKS FOR THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY CHRISTENDOM ANNO DOMINI 1901. Edited by concise statement of the religious Rev. William D. Grant, Ph.D. Illustrated. forces at work, in others-more 8vo. 2 volumes. 1,100 pp. $2.50 (until readable, perhaps – emphasis is July 1st); later, $3.50. Chauncy Holt, placed on the general religious, New York. 19O'.l. socia}, and political conditions. We can not see how one can read these This is a work of large propor- numerous and varied contributions tions, well conceived and splendidly without being convinced of the need executed. It sets forth the con- of the world for the Gospel of Jesus ditions and Christian activities in Christ as proclaimed in the New every country in the world at the Testament Scriptures. ,Ve are also beginning of this century. More encouraged, by the testimony of than sixty writers who are au- these many witnesses, to spend our thorities on their subjects contrib- energy in the work of Christ in ute to make the book a success. The every land, knowing that our work has evidently entailed an "labor is not in vain in the Lord." immense outlay in both labor and The difliculties and discouragecapital. Some idea of the scope ments met by Christian missionand character of the volumes may aries in heathen lands are not overbe gathered from the list of titles looked, but they ('nly enable us to and authors of some of the chapters measure the strength of the enemy of V olum~ I.: and inspire us to go forward in the strength of the Lord. Africa………………. Frederic Perry Noble Arabia and Persia ..•…….WiIliam A. Shedd A series of maps would have Australasia………………… H. T. Burgess added materially to the value of China………………….Isaac T. Headland these treatises, and the amount of India, Burma, and Ceylon……James Mudge space allotted to the various coun- Italy………………..Alexander Robertson tries is not always proportionate Japan……………….. :…Sidney L. Gulick to their importance. The time has Korea……………………George H. Jones passed when Africa and South Mexico and Central America….J. W. Butler America should be dealt with as Siam……………………. Chalmers Martin one country, while Europe and Asia Turkish Empire…………….Edward Riggs are divided into sections. It is a somewhat unequal division, when All of these and other chapters only 27 pages are devoted to Africa are written by specialists, who have and 26 to Turkey, and only 13 to not simply contributed their names South America and 17 to Ireland! and some valuable facts to give There are also some unwise grouptone to the whole, but each chap- ings, as when Arabia and Persia, ter is a compendium of the relig- Mexico and Central America are ious condition of the country with treated together. which it deals and the Christian forces that are molding its future. Volume II. deals more especially with the general conditions and Two of the chapters-those on problems of Christendom, such as Mexico and the Turkish Empire- the Progress of Christianity, Relighave already appeared in the ious Thought in the Nineteenth REVIEW (October, 1901, and March, Century (by Dr. George T. Purves), 1902), and may be taken as fair Social Aspects of Christianity, Resampltls of the way the various vivals, Missions, Philanthropy, countries are described. As might Church Union, Sunday-school (Dr. be supposed, the chapters are not A. F. Schauffier), and Young Men's of equal merit, for each reflects the opinions and point of view of the writer; but the book is more valuable, we think, for that reason. In many articles there is a clear and
Ohristian Association Work, and supply. All the missionaries are other interdenominational organ- in danger of overworking, and one izations. The material in this has already died from that cause. second volume is not as fresh to There is urgent need for increasing those who have endeavored to keep the force of all the societies at work pace with the times as that in the and for pushing out into new terrifirst, but many of the chapters are tory. Northern and Western Luzon very suggestive and the bringing needs more stations, especially for of them together shows em':ourag- work among the aborigines. The ingly the many forces now em– other islands are equally needy, ployed by God through his Ohurch and present complex problems of for the salvation of the world. * work among Roman Catholics, Moslems, and heathen. Rome has THE CROSS OF CHRIST IN BOLO-LAND. By had a free hand to show what she John Marvin Dean. IJIustrated. 12mo, can do to Ohristianize the Filipinos 233 pp. $1.00, net. Fleming H. Revell and has failed; let not Protestant Co., New York. 1902. Christians fail because of lack of support from the home churches. Mr. Dean was formerly an army secretary of the International THE NEW BOOKS Young Men's Ohristian Association in the Philippines. He writes not CHRISTENDOM, A.D. 1901. Edited by Rev. only of Ohristian work for the William D. GraDt, Ph.D. Illustrated 2 soldiers, but also of that conducted vols., 8vo, 1,100 pp. $2.50 till July 1, 1902. by the Presbyterians, Baptists, Chauncey Holt, New York. 1902. and others. No one can read the account without giving thanks to FOREIGN MISSIONS. By Henry H. Montgom- God for the excellent work that ery, D.D. 169 pp. 00c. Lcngmans, Green the Young Men's Christian Associ- & Co. 1902. ation has been doing for the soldiers and sailors in their life of CHALLENGE TO lIbsSIONS. By R. E Welsh, temptation and hardship. On the M.A. 12mo, 188 pp. 28. Gd. H. R. Allenway out to Manila fifty men were son, London. 1902. converted on the transport Logan, and the results in the Philippines THE STORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CENTURIES. By can never be fully known. Mr. Edward G. Selden, D.D. 319 pp. Flem- Dean's journal gives us a vivid pic- ing H. Revell Co., New York. 1902. ture of what foreigners see in the islands, of the work that needs to ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY. A Letter to a Mosbe done and the way in which it is lem Friend by a Missionary. 12mo,225 conducted. There is some careless pp. $1.00. American Tract Society. writing, but as a whole the style is stirring, the incidents are well MOHAMMED'S LEHRE VON DER OFFENBARUNG. chosen, and the information accurate and valuable. By Dr. Otto Pantz. Paper, 8vo, 304 pp. J. C. Hanrich'sche Buchhandlung, Leip- Of the missionary conditions-to- sic. 1902. day, Mr. Dean holds the most sig- THE CROSS OF CHRIST IN BOLO-LAND. By nificant facts to be the movement John Marvin DealY. 8vo, 233 pp. $1.00, toward sec<lssion from the Roman net. Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. Oatholic Ohurch and the Federa- 190"2. tion of Protestants for the evangelization of the islands. Much OLD GLORY AND THE GOSPEL IN THE PHTLIPsuccess and some persecution has attended the work of the mission- PINES. By Alice Bryan Condict. Illusaries. They find more open doors trated. 12mo. $1.00, net. Fleming H. than they can enter, and a larger Revell Co., New York. 1902. demand for Bibles than they can ATLAS OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANns. By Father Jose Algue. Government Printing Office, Washington. D. C. 1002. AFRICAN WASTES RECLAIMED. By Robert Young, F.R.G.S. Illustrated. 12mo. 48. 6d ,net. J. M. Dent & Co. THE MOORS. By Budgett Meakin. Ilustrated. 8vo, 533 pp. $5.00. Macmillan. 1902. EAST OF THE BARRIER. Side-Lights on the Manchuria Mission. By J. Miller Gra- ham. 235 pp. $1.00, net. Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. MOSAICS FROM INDIA. By Margaret B. Den- ning. Illustrated. 8vo, 290 pp $1 00. Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. 1902. VILLAGE WORK IN INDIA. By Norman Rus- sell. Illustrated. 12mo. $1.25, net. Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. 1902. THE UTMOST BOUNns OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS; or, Memories of Christ's Frontier Force in N. W. India. By Rev. R. A. MacDuff. Illustrated. 8vo, 279 pp 48. 6d. James Nisbett & Co., London. 1902. JAPAN: Its History, Arts and Literature. By Captain F. Brinkley. Illustrated. 4 vols. 8vo. J. B. Millet & Co., Boston.
THE CARE OF DESTITUTJr;, NEGLECTED, AND DELINQUENT CHILDREN. .By Homer Folk. 2.';1 pp. $1.00. Macmillan Co., New York. A REVOLUTION IN THE SCIENCE OF COSMOLOGY_ By George Campbell. 210 pp. $1.00. Crane & Co. 1902.
1902J GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE AMERICA occupied by Irish, and that of the First Methodist Church by Portu- Our Foreign The total popula- guese Romanists, while what was Population tion of the United once the home of the Second Bap- tist Church has become an Ortho- S tat e s, including dox Jewish Synagog! residents of Alaska and Hawaii, but not including Porto Rico or The Gould The new building the Philippines, is 76,303,387. Of Memorial of the Naval Y. M. these 10,460,085, or 13.7 per cent., for Sailors C. A., near the are foreign born. But these figures do not convey an adequate idea navy-yard, Brookof the magnitude of the foreign lyn, N. Y., was dedicated on May element in this country, since they 15th. The building and its site are take no account of the children of the gift of Miss Helen Gould as a foreigners born here, who may be memorial to her parents, while the said to be foreign in the second furnishing and equipment are the degree. These children are classed gifts of other friends. Miss Gould in the census with the native born. presented the building on behalf of Of this latter class there are 15,738,- the Woman's Auxiliary of the In- 854, and combining the two we ternational Committee of the Y. have a total of 26,178,939, or more M. C. A. This naval branch is not than one-t,hird of our population. a charity in the ordinary acmipta- But in our cities the case is yet tion of the term, for the sailors will more ominous; for at the last pay for their board as in a hotel or census Chicago had 1,111,463 native boarding-house, hut the building and 687,112 foreign inhabitants. It will be devoted to them and to had 383,258 inhabitants of native their interests, and the sum charged and 1,315,307 of foreign parentage. will be moderate. More than one-third of its population is foreign born, and more than Dr. Lucien C. Warner, chairman three-fourths is of foreign stock of the International Committee, removed not more than one gen- pledged the utmost endeavors of eration from its native soil. Boston the committee to administer the is a shade more foreign than Chi- property for the hest good of the cago. It has 35.1 per cent. of American seamen. The Secretary foreign born, while Chicago has of the Navy, Admiral Dewey, and only 34.6 per cent. But New York distinguished members of the navy is more foreign than either. The ,and of the army were present and percentage of foreign born is 37 made addresses. President Rooseper cent. San Francisco comes velt sent a letter of regret for connext with 31.2 per cent. strained absence and of sympathy in the work. The secretary of the Boston's Under some aspects Naval Branch, Y. M. C. A., Will- Problem of the such facts as these iam B. Miller, gave a historical Foreign Born approach the fright- survey of the effort, dating from 1897, to extend association work ful. In B 0 s ton, among sailors and marines. within a stone's throw of the Old North Church, stands the church A Bureau of The incorporation house of an Italian Roman Catholic Missions of a Bureau of Misorganization. The IOl'}ner sanc- sions marks a dis- 'tuary of the New North Church is tinct Ilcdvance in the conduct of
mission enterprise. For a long mation has its office at 287 Fourth time there has been felt the need Avenue, and is intrusted with the of some sort of a "clearing-house" care of the archives and assets of of missions,or mission exchange, the Ecumenical Conference. While where information in regard to the not officially connected with the wide field could be secured, and Missionary Boards, it has their which should furnish a basis for hearty indorsement, and can do a scientific study of mission methods work which necessary limitations and more effective cooperation in prevent them from doing.-The mission work. The close interrela- Outlook. tion of different branches of mission work, whether carried on by Missions A con fer e n c e of one society or different societies, is at Silver Bay those engaged in coming to be realized as never before, and there is a general convic- e n lis tin g young tion that' much might be saved in people in missionary work will be economy and gained in efficiency held at Silver Bay, Lake George, by mutual consultation and in New York, July 16-25,1902. Many some cases by combination. To problems and suggestions for more secure this some outside and inde- effective work will be considered pendent impulse is needed, and this under the leadership of those who seems to be furnished by the Bu- have a practical knowledge of the reau of Missions. Its trustees in- needs and opportunities. The Exclude Alexander Maitland, the Rev. ecutive Committee includes S. Earl Harlan P. Beach, W. D. Murray, Taylor, Luther D. Wishard, Dr. Silas McBee, S. D. Scudder, and A. Woodruff Halsey, John W. others, and its Secretary, the Rev. Wood, and others. Edwin M. Bliss, D.D., has been long identified with missionary lit- Presbyterian The Presbyterian erature. Mission Board of Foreign It has three departments-a Mu- Printing Presses Missions is one of seum, Library, and Bureau of Mis- the great publishsionary Information-and the purpose of all three is to gather, col- ing houses of the world. In 1901 it late, and present to the public printed at its presses in China, Perinformation as to the need, conduct, sia, Syria, Mexico, Siam, and Laos and results of mission work. By a over 96,000,000 pages, at a total net fortunate arrangement with the cost to the board of $6,500, or Department of Anthropology in seven one-hundred-thousandths of the American Museum of Natural a cent a page. From Shanghai History, the museum is located in publications go all over China and the building of that society, alld Japan. From Beirut Arabic Bibles the two organizations will work are distributed to the centers of together to secure a complete pres- Mohammedan life in Asia, Europe, entation of the condition of the Africa, South America, and the non-Christian world in its personal, Islands of the Sea. From the Beirut social, and especially its religious press alone 675,000,000 pages of relife. Supplementing this, the Bu- ligious literature have been issued. reau of Missions wiIl charge itself peculiarly with the exhibit of the Presbyterian This body of Chriseffect of Christian missions upon Church. tians sustains 9 mislife. South s ion s in foreign lands: 1 in Africa, The Bureau of Missionary Infor- on theKongo; 2 in China, lin Korea, 1 in Japan, 2 in Brazil, 1 in Mexico, and 1 in Cuba. The missionary in.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
come was $168,425 for the year end- labored long to make an impression ing April 1. The missionaries on these villagers, and now rejoice number 16.1), of whom 60 are or- in the glad tidings of unconditional dained, 15 are physicians, and 32 surrender of a heathen community.
are unmarried women. The com- Another spiritual awakening was municants number 4,664, and the witnessed by Missionary Stecker, additions were 864 last year. The who, while on his way along the native contributions were $10,727. coast to Carmel, baptized 30 na- The Scarritt Th i s institution, tives; and since then a certain Bible and Train- under the care of chief representing a heathen village containing no members of the ing School the M. Eo Church, Church, and very few, if any, bap- South, was estab· tized persons, has sent the Macedo- nian call, "Come over and help lished in 1872, and since that date us," to Dr. Romig, saying, "We has sent out 38 toilers to the foreign too wish to learn of the Savior, but fields, all women, distributed as can not except some one be sent to follows: to Brazil, 11; China, 13 ; teach us." The Church at home Mexico, 8; Cuba, 2; Korea, 3; Japan, rejoices with the missionaries in 1. Of these, 9 are from the State the far Northland at the conquests of Missouri, Georgia has sent 5, of the Gospel, and will continue Virginia, North Carolina, South with supplications and contribu- Carolina, and Mississippi have 3 tions to aid them in the glorious each, Florida and Texas 2 each.
Mt. Holyoke The fact comes out work for the Master.-1'he Moraand Missions from a recent in- v'ian.
quiry that this in- stitution, the fruit of the faith and Mission Work The Rev. I. O.
zeal, the prayer and toil of Mary in the Stringer and his Lyon, during the last 63 years has Far North wife. Episcopalian sent forth 137 of its graduates missionaries, have into missionary service, and that labored with much self-sacrifice it has given to the American Board for over five years, away from one or more of its graduates every civilization, in the Arctic region. one of these yea1"8 e.l:cept eight. The station of the Stringers at Can any other institution equal this Herschel Island, 250 miles north of record? Fort M'Pherson, is the most iso- lated of the Canadian missions.
Good News Under date of Feb- Through the efforts of Archdeacon from Alaska ruary 9th there McDonald, a complete edition of comes from Bethel, the Bible in Tukudh (Indian) lan- Alaska, the Moravian station, the guage, was carried through the welcome intelligence of a great press a few years ago. Mr. Stringer, turning to Christ of heathen Esqui- who has recently returned on fur- maux who have hitherto resisted lough, reports that the attendance the work of the Spirit. Dr. Romig, of the Eskimos on the day-school on his first trip at the beginning of was very good, while it was the the year, had the pleasure of seeing exception for anyone to remain an entire village of 54 persons away from the Sunday services.
turn from the bondage of heathen At Christmas time a Christmas darkness and superstition to the "tree" was extemporized out of glorious light and liberty of the a pole with barrel staves for Gospel, accepting Christ as their 'branches, as th('re was no tree personal Savior. The missionaries within a hundred miles. At the
same time a feast was held and a of a new president, but stable con- m,agic lantern exhibited. Self-ex- ditions in either end of the island iled laborers of this stamp are true are believed impossible unless heroes of the cross.-New York sugar enjoys special privileges in Observer. the American market.
The missionary societies at work Revolutions in Haiti and San in Haiti are the American Baptist the Black Domingo have been (Consolidated), the African Metho- Republics subject to sudden· dist, the Protestant Episcopal, revolutions, which, and the Jamaica Baptist. In San like most of the changes in these Domingo are the African Metho- two republics, t.urn partly upon dists, the English Bapt.ists, and the the perpetual conflict between the Wesleyan MEthodists. In 1896, black and mulatto factions, and 25,000 Protestant communicants partly upon the struggle between were reported in the whole island.
ambitious and ignorant politicians. Many of the people are Voodoo San Domingo has been prosperous worshipers.
and comparatively quiet until very recently. Juan I. Jimenez was West Indian The volcanic erup- elected president in 1899 for four Calamities t.ions ill Martinique ye¥-rs under a compromise, which and St. Vincent en- lett the vice-presidency and the tailed an appalling loss of life, and probable Succt:lssion to Horatio were attended by the most distress- V asquez. In the last week in· ing circumstances, b'ringing wide- April the latter began the usual spread suffering. In St. Vincent revolt in south San Domingo; in probably 2,000 people were killed, a week occupied all the country and 16 square miles were covered outside of the capitol, and on May by t.he lava.· In Martinique 30,000 2d occupied the capitol, where he were killed and 50,000 rendered has been since peacefully in con- destitute. The officials immedi- trol. President Jimenez sought an ately set to work, not only to asylum in the French legation and house and feed the sick and home- later left the city. less, but to face the problem of per- A similar movement has taken manently settling the thousands of place in Haiti, whose president, peasants who have lost all they General Tiresias Simon Sam, was possessed. Nothing of St. Pierre elected in 1896 for a term of seven remains but a mass of bluish ruins.
years. A normal election would The highest appreciation is shown not have taken place until next for the energy with which the year, but in view of disturbance United States carne to the aid of which had already taken place, a the sufferers, with over 1,200 tons mecting of Congress was called for of food and clothing. Committees May 12th to elect a president. were formed all over the country Three candidates were prominent, to collect and forward contribu- one having the support of President tions. The Red Cross Society Sam, who handed his resignation. offered to furnish trained nurses A disturbance ensued, and Congress for service in the stricken islands.
was dissolved. Fighting occurred The British island, St. Vincent, on the streets, but has been termi- has an area of 132 square miles and nated by a provisional presidency 41,054 population, of whom 31,005 under Boisrond Canal, who was are negroes. Martinique, the elected president in 1876. The French island, has an area of. 380 practical result will be the election square miles, and a popUlation of
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
188,000 (now 11>0,000); many of them cases are the first 4 converts at Mr.
are negroes and nearly all Roman Peck's Eskimo mission at Cumber- Catholics. The only Protestant land Sound, and the first pygmy missions are those of the S. P. G. from Mr. Stanley's great African and Wesleyan Methodists on St. forest.
Vincent. British Baptists Since Carey's be- and Missions ginning this body EUROPE The Medical How strange that of disciples has en- larged its borders in the world-field Arm of for so many years until it has 11 missions in foreign parts: in India, Ceylon, China, Missions the value of the Africa (Kongo), Palestine, Italy, Brittany, and 4 in the "VestIndies, healing art as an with 134 men and 112 women in service, and a force of 1,090 native auxiliary to evangelizing effort assistants. The church members number 20,926, or, including Jawas held in light esteem-indeed, maica, 53,134.
was scarcely thought of! But now how steady and rapid is its devel- opment! Twelve years ago the medical missionaries of the English missionary societies numbered 125, to-day they are 315. The women British Friends Until 1866 the Engin the same service have in the and Missions lish Quakers had no same time increased from 12 to 93. organized mission The Best Year. The Church Mis- work, but since then have opened of the Greatest sionary Society re- stations in India, Ceylon, China, Syria, and Madagascar, which are Society ports a total. of sustained by an income of about £327,000 ($1,635,000), $112,000. The missionaries number 87, of whom 25 are unmarried woreceived during the year recently men, and the native helpers 819. closed; an amount greater by £13,- The number of church:members is 500 ($67,500) than ever before. 1'0 2,506, and the number under in- struction is 17,475. in the force the field 70 were added, 31 men and 39 women. The present number of missionaries, European and Colonial, is 942-viz., 421 The It has been an- clergymen, 146 laymen, 375 single Paris-Peking nounced that, be- women; and, adding 363 wives, the Vestibule ginning with May total is 1,305. This includes 64 Limited 1st, the great Si- qUl;Llified doctors, of whom 14 are berian rail way women. The native clergy number will open a semi-weekly service 374; lay teachers, 7,927; Christian between Paris and Peking, with adherents, 290,225; and communi- cars of the most comfortable cants, 20,617. The 2,522' schools and luxurious character, and the hava 103,137 scholars. The medical whole journey from the French missionaries have had at their com- capital to Pekin, without change mand 1,713 beds, where they of coaches, made in about 21 treated 13,871 patients, in addition days. The cost of passage, in- to visiting 786,642 others. Roughly cluding everything, will be £52 speaking, it may be said that 26 ($260). The mails for China will be adult converts and 30 children are carried in this way, and it is be- baptized on an average, every day lieved that the semi-weekly service in the year. Uganda again stands will soon develop into a daily one.
first, with 4,067 adult baptisms; A line of fast steamers will connect India has 2,830; China, 859; Japan, with the Manchurian railway at 485. Among the most interesting Dalny or Port Arthur for Shang-
hai, so that the whole distance them portions of earth from the from London or Paris to Shanghai will be covered in three or four sacred serpent holes. This earth is weeks. The International Company, which will have charge of believed to cleanse from leprosy if these trains, is also taking steps toward the construction of a grand rubbed on the parts affected. Sermodern hotel in Peking. These are only some of the indications pentine body wriggling is also pracof the revolution in travel and Eastern life which the Siberian tised farther south, where small railway is bringing about. snake temples are common. Near The Papal In this illuch-afflict- Yoke in Spain ed land are found one of these, not far from Madura, no less than 21,500 on the Vaiga River, there are men parish churches, 2,500 monasteries, 100 collegiate churches, 62 cath- who for a few rupees will perform edrals, and 33 seminaries for priests. For clergy there are 4 cardinals, 9 any number of wrigglings and rollarchbishops, 51 bishops, 543 clerical dignitaries, 1,239 canons, 692 priests ings round the shrine, as proxies with free board at collegiate tables, 172 who have half board at the for persons who have vowed them. same tables, 20 precentors, 16,931 parish priests, 23,698 clerical incum- Indeed, it seems to be a fixed article bents of livings, 5,471 parish chaplains, 10,876 vergers, 5,532 assist- of belief throughout Southern ants at mass, 37,363 assistant priests, 5,774 clergy of lower orders, India that all who have wilfully or 37,363 monks, 2,290 novices, 7,802 lay brothers, 151 "order priests, 20,- accidentally killed a snake, espe- 550 nuns, 1,005 novices, 1,130 lay sisters; or a total of 154,517 clerical cially a cobra, will certainly be and other religious officials suppmted by the people of Spain. Nor punished, either in this life or the is the case much better in France, Italy, Belgium, or Austria. next, in one of three ways-either ASIA by childlessness, or by leprosy, or Serpent In one of the high- by ophthalmia. Worship in est mountains of the South Kanara In4ia's Need After spending four India Ghats there is a of Christ months in India, very celebrated serpent temple. the deputation sent There great numbers of the" coil- out by the American Board has ing folk" reside in holes and crevices made for them. To propitiate this to say: these creatures, persons who have We return from our work upon made vows roll and wriggle round" the deputation profoundly con- vinced that no country in the the temple serpent-fashion, and world ever needed or more sorely needs to-day the saving Gospel of some will even roll their bodies up Jesus Christ than do India and Ceylon. We seized every opporto it from the foot of the hill a mile tunity to investigate the religions of those countries, and to study distant. They also take home with the public and private life they produce. They have utterly failed to inspire the people to anything that is uplifting and ennobling. Three thousand and more years of Hinduism have fully demonstrated its lack of ability to hold a mighty race from sinking lower and lower in ignorance and immorality. This condition is observed by the intelligent Hindus, who are free to confess that India's Olily hope is in the Christian religion. It is impossible for the foreigner to appreciate or understand the utter lack of unity or cooperation among the native peoples of India. With their more than on"e hun- dred languages and races, with their minute subdivision into thousands of castes, with· their perfect chaos of nature, religions,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
and diversity of cults, there seems Ohristian literature through the to be no ground on which .this great and really capable people can agency of Indian auxiliaries of the meet or hold fellowship, unless Ohristianity can come in with its British and Foreign Bible Society, one God, its one human fraternity, its one tongue, and its one blessed the Religious Tract and Book hope for all, high and low, rich or poor, male and female. Hinduism Society, and the Ohristian Litera- confesses itself powerless, and, in its helplessness, turns to the West, ture Society. Fourteen such In- from which the light of Ohristian dian societies have sent in ~eturns- civilizat·ion sheds' its inspiring rays upon caste-bound, hopeless India. 3 in Oalcutta, 2 in Allahabad, 2 in Barrows-Haskell The third course of Lahore, 1 in Bombay, 2 in Madras, Lectures. 1902-3 lectures upon this 2 in Bangalore, 1 in South Travan- foundation is to be given by Rev. Oharles Outhbert core, and 1 in Oottayam, a relig- Hall, D.D., President of the Union Theological Seminary, New York, ious tract society which dissemifollowing Dr. J. H. Barrows, of Oberlin, Ohio, in 1897, and Dr. nates Ohristian literature in the Fairbairn, of Oxford, England, in 1899. The themes of Dr. Hall's Malayalam vernacular. Taking lectures are as follows: the years 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, as 1. The nature of religion. 2. The idea of God as realized in Christian convenient examples, we find that experience. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ as the supreme the number of books and tracts cir- manifestation of God. 4. The sacrifice of Christ as interpreted by culated has been as follows: 1870, Christian experience. 5. The idea of sin as realized in· Christian 882,924; 1880, 2,209,337; 1890, 4,965,- experience. 6. The idea of the holy life as interpreted in 034; 1900, 5,881,836. terms of Christian experieuce. 7. The idea of immortality as interpreted in Christian Thefollowing stateterms vf Christian experience. S. The reasons leading Christians to regard Federation in ment from the Rev. Christianity as the absolute religion. China D. Z. Sheffield lllay Dr. Hall's theme is "Ohristian Belief Interpreted by Ohristian well claim a place, Experience," and he does not intend to speak as a controversialist tho mention has already been made but as a witness. The itinerary will include Bombay, Lahore, Delhi, of the weighty matter: Allahabad, Oalcutta, Madras, and Oeylon. (December, 1902, to Feb- During the past 4 months imporruary, 1903.) tant discussions have taken place among the 4 leading Protestant Christian Dr. John Murdoch, missions as to educational union. Literature of Madras, the vet- A scheme of union has at last been in India eran advocate of perfected, over which there is real enthusiasm and hope that it will Ohristian literature meet with approval by the various for India, has been recently en- committees in England and the deavoring to ascertain what has United States, who must act upon been the growth in the spread of it. In brief outline the plan is to unite the leading schools of the 4 denominations-English Oongrega- tional, American Oongregational, American Methodist, American Presbyterian-under one govern- ment in Ohina-a common board of managers, and one home board of trustees, to govern the schools, as mission work is governed, by special boards of the several denomina- tions. The Union Oollege of Lib- eral Arts will be built on the present ground of the Peking University, which to this time has been directed by the Methodist Ohurch, or a cor- porate body of gentlemen of that de- nomination. The Union Training Oollege, the present North Ohina Oollege, will be built at Tung-chou; a Union Medical Oollege will be built in Peking, on grounds furnished by
the London Mission; the Union The- Day Dawn in Under date of Octoological Oollege will be built on West China bel' 15th, Rev. Mr. Presbyterian grounds in Peking. Thus each mission will build, equip, Upcraft, Baptist, of and for the present own an institu- vVestern Ohina, wrote: "Fourteen tion under the general management, recently were baptized and a's many in the teaching force of which all more were asked to wait for three may share. Thus by union of the months. After the covenant meetdifferent missions we shall secure in ing on Saturday, a large number the near future a Ohristian univer- were introduced as learners, quite sity in the capital of Ohina, with like old times but with a different a literary department in Peking, class now-scholars-and they are which will be open to Ohristian and more difficult to deal with, as they non-Ohristian students, a depart- are far quicker and· more volatile. ment at Tung-chou, in which larger The services on Sunday began with place will be given to direct Ohris- a sunrise prayer-meeting, and the tian studies, and union medical and baptisms immediately followed to theological departments, which prevent a rush of students. At will be much better equipped, with eleven o'clock there was a fine audimore thorough teaching than in ence, earnest thanksgiving service, local denominational schools. Be- Sunday-school in the afternoon, and yond the economy in money and in a crowded house at night. teaching force, there will be the comprehensive benefit of fellowship "What a strange old Ohina we among the denominations which are living in now. You would will be far-reaching and important scarcely recognize her as the barnain its results. cle·covered old hulk of ten or twelve years ago. There is a hum of ex- Newspapers The Dec e m bel' pectation in the air. The young Ohina is awake and crying. The in China number of the Chi- old ladies who have kept house so nese Recorder' con- long on cordials and water gruel are at their wit's end to know what to tains an article on the " Native do with the youngster. Something they must do to allay the conster- Press of Shanghai," from the pen nation in the family or worse may follow. vVhat a stimulus has been of the Rev. A. P. Parker, of the given to our work and workers! There is something approaching a Southern Methodist Mission, and crowding into the kingdom just now. This has been a good month President of the Anglo-Ohinese in Yachau; baptisms and inquirers, no Sunday without new names, and Oollege. There are now 5 daily I am persuaded that this is true of both Kiating and Suifu." papers published in that city, bear- "The Rev. William Ashing Ohinese names and printed in Jehovah more says in the Ohinese; 3 of them have a daily Family" Examiner that a circulation of 10,000 copies each, native Ohinese and the remaining 2 from 4,000 to journal in Shanghai makes this 5,000. They are filled every morn- declaration: The disciples of "The ing with matter very similar to Ya Family" have come in like a that which fills our great city flood, and have added another religdailies, including all the foreign ion to the three already set up in telegraphic matter. There are also a number of journals styled "ten- day papers," issued every ten days, and have quite an extensive circu- lation. They are devoted to agri- culture, literature, and science.
Then there are 4 missionary month- lies. Besides, there are divers sporting papers with such names as these: The A11nlsement Gazette, Forest of Smiles, Record of Won- derful Things, Glories of. Shang- hai, etc.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
the Flowery Kingdom, which they field covers nearly all of the two call "The Blessed News." " The northern provinces. It has 179 Y a Family" is a new and unique out-stations, and over 500 places description of Christianity, and where Christian services are held.
withal characteristically Chinese. Then there are, in addition to these, The word "Ya " is the first charac- groups of believers scattered here ter that enters into the name Je- and there far up among the moun- hovah, and also the name Je.sus. tains. There are 106 places of reg- So the Chinese assume that it is a ular worship that are self-support- sort of family name, like saying ing ; 156 of these are regular "The Jehovah family," in which churches and chapels, 46 of which they have got a more brilliant scin- were built only last year. There tillation of truth than they are are now over 3,000 communicants aware of.. The full translation of in that field, 1,000 of whom were the designation they give to Chris- added in eighteen months-from tians is, "Disciples of the Jehovah July, 1900, to December, 1901.
family. " There are 12,000 adherents, besides Children's The' Chinese believe many others who were interested. Animals in that every year is The total gifts of these Korean Christians last year amounted to China governed by some 54,000 yang in their currency, animal. They have which is equal to $4,500 of Ameri- can gold. But the scale of wages twelve animals to rule the years. for day laborers is such that if pay- This is the list of the respective ment be counted in labor, the Koanimals for the last set of years: rean yang is equal to the American dollar. Thus these new converts 1. Rat…………. 1889 7. Horse ……… 1895 2. Cow ………… 1890 8. Sheep ……… 1896 3. Tiger……….. 1891 9. Monkey ……. 1897 4. Rabbit ……… 1892 10. Cock ………. 1898 really gave last year $50,000 for 5. Dragon……… 1893 11. Dog ……….. 1899 Christian worship. This Pyeng- 6. Serpent …….. 1894 12. Pig………… 1900 yang field comes nearer being a' self-supporting one tha'u any in the In the year 1901 the list began world, perhaps, unless it is the over again. Every child belongs to Uganda field. the animal that rules the year in which he was born. When their parents betroth them, they con- No State Much interest has sider whether the boy's animal can live peaceably with the girl's ani- Religion in been aroused in mal. A boy whose animal is a tiger can not marry a girl whose Japan efforts of Buddhism animal is a sheep, because the tiger might eat the sheep, and then the to obtain governgirl would die. If the girl's year belongs to the dog and the boy's mental recognition in Japan. By year' belongs to the cock they can never live in peace, because dogs its contact with Christianity Budlike to run after chickens. dhism has been aroused from its lethargy and resumed somewhat of its activity as a missionary relig- ion, even projecting a propaganda in America. Its renewed acti vity, which is evidently a conscious or Presbyterian It is claimed that unconscious struggle for very ex- Work in Korea after the C. M. S. istence in view of the spread of . mission in Uganda, Christianity on the one hand and none can be named with a more atheism on the other, has been thrilling story of solid progress directed to an agitation in the than that told of the Presbyterian Japanese Parliament looking to- mission in this peninsula, whose ward the " establishment" of
Buddhism as a state religion. The tel'S, she will then have to serve adoption of any such measure by only one, and that one more kind the Japanese government would do and thoughtful of her strength and much to destroy the confidence of comfort than the mother-in-lu.w. other nations in Japan as a pro- In Japan the idea of a wife's duty gressive, civilized power. The zeal- to her husband includes no thought ous "church party" has met with of companionship on terms of a decided set-back in the refusal of equality. The wife is simply the Abbot Shaku Shoyen to endorse housekeeper, the head of the estabthe movement. That Buddhist lishment, to be honored by the serdignitary is held in the highest v;tnts because she is the one who is esteem and his opinion will carry nearest to the master, but not for great weight. He remarks very one moment to be regarded as ·the pointedly that a religion that needs master's equal. She governs and the support of law is so weak and directs the household, jf it be a worthless that it does not deserve large one. and her position is one to live. If the Buddhists are to of much care and responsibility; propagate their faith it must be by but she is not the intimate friend the purity of their lives and not by of her husband, is in no sense his theaid of the law. confidante or adviser, except in trivial affairs of the household. Hymn-books Who would have She appears rarely with him in in Japan imagined it to be public, is expected always to wait po s sib 1e that. al- upon him and save him steps, and must bear all things from him with ready as many as 60 hymnals have smiling face and agreeable manbeen published in Japanese? The ners.-Japanese Girls and Women. first hymns put in print were: "There is a Happy Land" and AFRICA "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know." Three versions have been made of Peace in The negotiations "Abide With Me," 3 of "Nearer, South Africa for peace between My God, to Thee," and 5 of "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Boers and Britons Some collections contain over 200 in South Africa have been successhymns. fully concluded, and we earnestly hope that the hindrance to Chris- The Lot of a The young wife, tian missions presented by this war Japanese Wife when she enters her is now at an end. As might be supposed, neither side is satisfied husband's home, is with the terms, but both believe not entering upon a new life as peace to be better than war. The mistress of a house, with absolute work of winning the Boers to control over all of her little domain. British allegiance, has only just Should her husband's parents be begun, and reconciliation will take living, she becomes almost as their many years to accomplish. The servant, and even her husband is terms of peace are in brief as folunable to defend her from the ex- lows: act ion s of her mother-in-law, should this new relative be inclined 1. Full surrender by Boer. and the oath of to make full use of the power given allegiance to King Edward. her by custom. Happy is the girl whose husband has no parents. 2. Return of prisoners of war. Her comfol't in life is materially 3. Amnesty to exiles and rights of property increased by her husband's loss, for, respected. instead of having to serve two mas- 4. Pardon to all who surrender.
5. Dutch language taught in schools and where parents desire it.
6. Possession of rifles allowed on taking out a license.
7. Military administration succeeded as
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Aoon as ITossible by civil representative self- natives by a broad blue streak exgovernment. tending from the top of the fore- head to the end of the nose. I was 8. Graniing franchise to natives not to be informed that this mark is put decided until self-government is established. there by the mother, and is in- tended to be a pledge that they 9. No special tax to defray the cost of the will die before they will submit to war. slavery. During my residence in Africa I failed to meet any one who 10. A commission with $15,000.000 to be had ever seen a Kroo slave. For a appointed to assist in reestablishing the living they follow the sea only. people in their homes. Few ships trading along the coast can afford to do without them, and The American Prof. S. 1. Curtis, there are few places on the west coast where they are not settled, Mission in of the Chi c ago tho all return to Palmas periodi- cally.-Rev. R. H. STONE. Egypt Theological Semin- Difficulties in South Africa sup- ary, has recently South Africa plies a vast and dif- written in the Advance that: ficult field for Christian work. Along the 30 There are three fundamental miles of the gold-mining district principles which should be set be- there are 60 native compounds, and fore every mission: 1. The raising from 500 to 6,000 natives live in these, according to size. Missionup of a native ministry. 2. The aries can go and preach in the cominsistence that each church should pounds, and natives who have been converted under their teaching are support its own pastor. 3. The known to have carried the Gospel same measure of self-government home to far-distant kraals, whole as obtains in the home church, districts being thus evangelized. In the Cape Peninsula there are according to the polity under 40,000 colored people or half-casts, which it labors. In many respects descendants of the first settlers and the American Mission of the United the natives. Natal has, besides 100,000 natives, coolies (emigrants Presbyterian Church in Egypt from India), outnumbering the sheds abundant light on all these Europeans; and there are large bodies of them also in the Transproblems. Its methods and achieve- vaal and Cape Colony. Capetown ments are worthy of careful study. contains 13,000 Malays' professing Mohammedanism. The Chinese This splendid mission has 207 are found in large numbers in the stations, including 46 churches. various towns. In Orange River These are found extending from Colony, including Basutoland, Assuan on the first cataract; to there is a vast native population Alexandria and Damietta on the waiting to be evangelized. Mediterranean coast~ Port Sai( and Ismalia on the Suez Canal; and Kosseir on the Red Sea. These 46 churches and stations had a total membership of 6,163 in 1899; 488 additions on profession during the year, and represented a community of 22,500. The average attendance at the morning services was 11,555, the number of Sabbath-schools 151, and of Sabbath:school scholars 8,040, and the total amount of contributions, including home expenses, is $20,251. Of the 46 churches 27 have native ordained pastors. It is a rule that a native pastor shall not be installed unless the people contribute half the expense.
The Kroo The Kroos of West The Zulu This Christian in- Industrial Mis- dustrial s c h 00 I, Boys Central Africa are sion, Natal opened about a year one of the most re- ago by J ohnL. DuM, markable people on the globe. and largely supported by friends They are distinguished from other
in America, reopened on February high, corn, out of which we make meal for breakfast and supper, has 1st, with 103 boys, who board, and been cheap, and we have so far managed to make the fees charged 56 day scholars. It is wonderful for board cover the expense.
how young men are attracted to The Latest The official statist- Figures from – ics of the mission this school. Tho some have to Uganda for the past year sleep on mats, they seem quite con- have been received.
tented. Among others are 5 Basu- The figures include with Uganda the kingdoms of Toro, Busoga, and tos from beyond Pretoria. One Bunyoro, and the station of Nassa, in Usukuma. The native clergyman, about 30 years old, has been men number 27; the native Chris- tian lay teachers, 2,408 (of whom working hard for several years 1,988 are males and 420 females). There was an increase in the numto be able to attend school. He ber of. those added to the Church by baptism during the year, the is not very prepossessing, for he figures being 5,536 (i,067 adults) against 4,304 (3,]80 adults) in the has cuts, or tribal marks, all over previous year; the native Chris- tians now numbering 34,239 against his face and neck. He comes from 28,282 in the previous year. The communicants (9,855) show .an adthe Batyopi tribe, near the center vance of over 2,000. The scholars, too, have increased from 7,682 to of Africa, where they have never 12,363, and the contributions of the native Christians for religious puryet heard of the Savior. During poses from Rs. 4,724 to Rs. 5,406. The native pastors and evangeiists some recent Gospel meetings this are all maintained by the native church. Nor is this all. The man stood up, among others accept- churches and schools of the coun- try-some 700 in number-are built, ing Jesus as his Savior. Mr. Dube: repaired, and maintained by the natives themselves. In one- word, our correspondent, goes on to say: the whole work of the native Church-its edu~ational, pastoral, The first week of the school Mr. and missionary work-is main- Crutcher, an American Negro, was tained entirely from native sources. holding some meetings in the In- Not one single halfpenny of Enganda church, and the boys had the lish money is employed in its mainprivilege of hearing him on Sun- tenance. days. They were somewhat stirred, and Rev. David Russell, a ,'ell- ISLANDS OF THE SEA known evangelist, wrote of hi-, intention to visit here. Oh! it was Dutch In -the Dutch East all of God. His meetings were well attended by the boys and village Missions in Indies we find very people, and before he was through 52 of onr scholars had accepted the the East prosperous mission Master. This was a good beginning for the school, was it not? Since fields in some of the the revival the boys are behaving better, but we had to send away islands of the Sunda archipelago, two boys who -went out of the building during my absence to lnc- and in the Moluccas. As early as wadi, and were caught with some bad girls in the village. 'Ve have the seventeenth century the offigone to some expense in enlarging our rooms making accommodation for scholars. 'Ve are now building another large room, 25×50 feet, of wood and iron, for chapel recita· tions. The boys are rejoiced at getting practical knowledge of work; it is wonderful how they enjoy working with tools. Some of them dislike cooking and carrying water, or splitting wood,-so that we have to explain to them the nobility of manuallahor. The large number of boys attending make it necessary for us to have manv teachers. There are 7 teachers nov, including Mrs. Dubeand myself. While provisions, such as rice and beans, are
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
cial Dutch Church labored here in lacan Province, in San Fernando, a wholly external manner by its Pampanga Province, and Gerona, mission, whose ways of proceeding Tal'lac Province, all on the Island were far from scrupulous. The of Luzon. Netherlands lVIissionary Society sought, during the la'st century, to Weare in receipt of the first repair this fault, and to give a new Gospel to be translated into the life to the churches. As the fruit language of the Cebuan group of of this labor, we can count up 284,- the Visayan Islands. Chaplain 000 Christians under the direction John A. Ra'ldolph, of the United of colonial pastors. By the side of States Army, with the assistance them there are laboring a number of competent native helpers, has of societies in Java and the other with the utmost care translated islands against the dismal propa- and thoroughly revised this imporganda of Islam. The Rhenish tant manuscript, which has been mission deserves special mention, presented to the society without for it is combating with success the cost hy the chaplain. Mohammedan propoganda among the Battaks of Sumatra and the Last year we reported the sale head-hunters of the island of Nias. and gift of 10,873 copies. This year The number of Christians of the the total circulation is 52,993, and Dutch colonies amounts to 347,000. the total direct circulation is 49,672 -Journal qes Missions, copies. The sales in the Manila depository have been 4,238 copies.
Missionary Statistics for the Philip- pines Churches in The American Bible Baptist ………. ,. 3 0 0 2 2 200 2 Methodist …. , … 7 4 1 29 4 Hj',) 9 the Philippines Society has received Presbyterian, . , .. 6 4 2 2 3 200 1 from its agent in United Brethren. 3 3- o 2 the Philippines, the Rev. Jay C. Episcopalian Church is now be- ginning work among the natives, Goodrich, his annual report on the and ,the Congregationalists expect to enter the field. BrItish and For- situation in the islands, inclusive eign Bible Society and the Ameri- can Bible Society have colporteurs, of the circulation of the Bible. He and are very materially helping the missionary societies in their says, among other things: . work.
The missionary forces have been The "Fifteen. The following is a greatly augmented. The Baptists Minute Law" copy of the "fifand Presbyterians on the Island of ,Panay are reaching many of the in the teen-minute law" rural people at the market-places, Philippines w h i c h Governor where they congregate from miles in the interior, and are greatly in- Taft dictated to terested in the teaching of the his stenographer in that space of Bible. Dr. Hall has a hospital at time, ,and secured its passage next Iloilo, and is proving that medical day, when he was informed by Rev. missions are profitable in spiritual Dr. H. C. Stuntz that Methodism results. At Dumaguete the Silli- could not under the old Spanish man Institute, under the direction laws secure title. for church holdof the Rev, lVIr. Hibbard, is well ings. established with a growing attendance. An Act Authorizing the flolding of Land by Religious Corporation.. or Associations of The United Brethren Church has Whatever Sect or Denomination. established work at Vigan, on the By authority of the Presiaent of the United northern part of the Island of Luzon, with headquarters at lVIanila.
The Disciples Church has two representatives in Manila, where English work is under way. ""Vork among the Filipinos will begin shortly.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has opened work in Hagonoy, Bu-
States be it enacted by the United States on the officials of the LOC1don Mis- Philippine Commission, that- sionary Society, ordering that a less rigorous observance of Sunday Whereas, Under the Spanish regime and obtain; that the annual gathering law it was not lawful for any church or relig- of the mission at Apia be omitted ious association except the Catholic Church -at least, those features of it and its dependencies to hold land in the which bring together the native Philippine Islands for the purpose of the Christians; and that no more construction of churches, parsonages, or churches for the natives be built. educational or charitable institutions, and Orders forbidding the teaching of English in the mission schools had Whereas, By the treaty of Paris the Philip- been issued prior to this ultimatum. pine Islands passed under the control of the United States, which recognizes no state re_ Exit Anglican Seemingly. without ligion and treats all sects and denominations alike, therefore: Church from the least" rhyme or Section I-It shall be lawful for aUreJigious Hawaii reason," years ago associations of whatever sect or denomIna- the High Church tion, whether incorporated in the Philippine Society for the Propagation of Islands or in some other country or not incorporated at all, to hold land in the Philip· the Gospel (S. P. G.) began to send pine Islands upon which to build churches parsonages, or educational or charitable in: its representatives to open work stitutions. where the American Board for Sec. 2-Such religious in'stitutions, if not incorporated, shall hold the land in the name a half century had been in sole of three trustees for the use of such associations; the trustees shall be selected by the occupation. Ever since that movedirecting body in the Philippine Island. for such associations, and vacancies occurring ment has been the cause of not among the trustees by death, resignation, or other cause shall be filled in the same man- a little friction and odium; but ner as the original selection. almost certain improvement in the Sec. 3-All laws in confiict with the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 hereof are hereby strained situation is in sight, since repealed. a transfer of the Anglican church Sec. 4-The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of establishment to the Protestant the same is hereby expedited in accordance with Section 2 of "an act prescribing the Episcopal Church of the United order of procedure by the commission in the enactment of laws," passed September 6, 1900. States has been arranged, Bishop Sec. 5-This act shall take effect on its pas- Nichols, of San Francisco, having sage. Enacted October 19, 1901. sail~d for Honolulu to act for the American Church.
Progress in Guam.-The work in John G. Paton The " Apostle to Guam is growing in interest and and Cannibals the Hebrides" has the opposition is more marked. Extreme unction is now withheld again n a r row 1y by the priests from those who enter escaped death at the hands of the the Protestant chapel, and every cannibals. In a fight which took effort is made to prevent the read- place on Tanna, both tribes warring ing of the Bible. In some cases with spears and knives, fifty-one this only whets the appetite of the natives were left on the field dead, people, but the greater number are and a large number of wounded afraid of the priest and. his curses. were carried off by each party for a feast. Dr. Paton went on the Hindrances A correspondent of field where the two tribes were in Samoa Christian Wark in fighting and attended the wounded at the risk of his life. Whil~ bend- Samoa rep 0 r t s ing over two wounded natives, that the German Governor of spears were hurled at him by the Savaii and Upolu, the islands attacking tribe, but, in God's provowned by Germany in the Samoan idence, none struck him. He, howgroup, has served an ultimatum ever, was forced to leave the field.
1902J GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
This account was brought from the cause Ohristians do not believe in islands by the steamer Mambore, the Divine Kingdom among men as which recently arrived at Victoria, the supreme ideal of the Sovereign B. O. The steamer Moand also of this world, the King of earth's reports details of terrible tribal races, as Rhodes believed in the wars and fearful feastings in the British Empire as a prime factor in islands, together with earthquakes, the earthly well-being of humantidal waves, and other grave hap- ity.-London Chronicle. penings. Sunday Eggs S 0 met i m e since, MISCELLANEOUS for Missions while visiting in a Love of God and love of coun- Western city, the try are the two noblest passions in writer learned of a certain" Harda human heart. And these two shell Baptist" sister who, in some unite in Home Missions. A man manner, had found lodgment in a without a country is an exile in the "regular Baptist" fold. She was world, and a man without God is an constantly "pestered" to use her orphan in Eternity.-REV. HENRY own expression, however, by some VAN DYKE, D.D. of "those foreign mission sisters," who tried to interest her in the Not "Given," "So Mr. Jones gave work of saving other souls besides Only" Left." £500 to missions at her own. Being able to secure nothing else, they finally induced his death, did he? " her to agree that she would give tc was asked of a minister the other the Lord all the eggs which her day. The answer was: "I did not hens laid on Sundays. Immedisay he gave it, out he left it; per- ately thereafter her hens began to haps I should more explicitly have lay with renewed vigor, and, to said that he relinquished it, because her utter discomfiture, Sundays he could no longer hold it." The brought the largest returns; and to distinction needs to be kept in make matters still worse, the price mind; one only" gives" when liv- of eggs arose until it was almost ing; he" relinquishes" at death. fabulous. This was too great a There is plenty of Scripture com- strain upon her "benevolence," mendation for giving, but none for and she compromised by paying relinquishing what the stiffened into the treasury the amount the fingers of death can no longer hold. eggs would have brought at the time she made her pledge !-Bap- Cecil Rhodes "You are set on fill- tist Missionary Magazine.
vs. ing the world with The Objects Rev. George Wilder of Industrial writes thus at the General Booth the knowledge of Missions close of an article the qospel; my rul- upon this theme in ing purpose is the extension of the the Missionary Herald: British Empire." So Oecil Rhodes Industrial training in a mission to uncultured people is, first, not is reported to have summed up the to civilize him in order that he may be Ohristianized; second, not as a difference between General Booth business venture to enable the mis- sionaries to become independent of and himself. The saying is char- the home churches, nor, indeed, would I claim for it as much as acteristic not only of the man but some seem to do, namely, that the workshop will make a "stupid of the present hour. Why is it blockhead • • • bright in intellect that the Kingdom of God and its expansion call forth so little enthu- siasm and self-sacrifice, as measured by Ohristian liberality, compared with its demands, SO direct and clear to the simplest mind jl Be-
and a hopeless truant . . . a proved not to be practical, but the sturdy Christian character." But outcome of these is yet to be meas- industrial training is of great use ured. It is too early to sum up the to economize finances; to arrest the results of such a life. These are in- attention; to establish respect; to grained in the life of the churches gain authority; to relieve suffering; of Christendom, and Indian and to dispel superstition; to impart an African society. The lire of Will- appreciation of the value of knowl- iam Taylor is writ in large letters edge; to make the untutored llJan over the continents and the island realize the value of time; to teach world, and even the "Table of him the dignity of labor; to incul- Contents" and "Index" would cate in him prorupt obedience; to make a large volume. We expect, show him that he must obey the however, to have a sketch of his commandment, "Six days shalt life in our next number. thou labor and do all thy work"; to teach him honesty; to help him T. P. Crawford, On April 7th octo take the initiative; to give him of China curred the death of independence; to reveal his own Rev. T. P. Crawpowers to himself; to force him to assume personal responsibility; to ford, D.D., at Dawson, Ga., in his arouse his moral consciousness; in eighty-first year. For over fifty a word, to make the savage who years he had been preaching to the has become willing, able to support Chinese, latterly in connection with and propagate the institutions of the Baptist Gospel Mission (Souththe Christian religion. ern). He wished to die in China, but the Boxers drove him out, and DEATHS his health failed before he could return. Bishop Taylor, William T a y I 0 1', He was widely known among the of Africa Methodist Episco- Chinese, and loved by those who could appreciate his work and prin- pal Bishop of Afri- ciples. He was' an apostle of self- support in mission work, and beca, died at Palo Alto, California, lieved in using no other means than the truth of God's Word to ]}lay 19t!l, having just completed the win converts.
81st year of his life. The natives He )Vent first to Shanghai, where he labored twelve years, then to of Africa styled him the" Flaming TungChou Fu, Shantung Province, where he labored for thirty years. Torch." Zion's Herald well says His views on self-support caused him to separa'1;e from the Southern he was one of the most robust Baptist Convention, and he went further into the interior, where he and striking characters of the cen- located at Tai-an, Shantung Prov- ince. Here a good work has been tury just closed, and classes him established and twenty-three labor- ers were connected with the work with Charles Spurgeon, Henry prior to the Boxer uprising. The Gospel Mission sends out mission- 'Yard Beecher, George Muller, aries who are sustained by local churches or groups of churches.-. Dwight L. Moody, and Phillips .T. N. D.
Brooks-the only Methodist among the six-without an equal as a world evangelist since Paul. Great results followed his evangelistic labors in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa, India, and South America.
The immense sale of books of his authorship, chiefly autobiographi- cal in their base, would alone show him to have been a great power among men. It was in the realm of direct personal evangelistic labor that he achieved his greatest re- sults. As a missionary adminis- trator heinauguratedpolicieswhich
The Missionary Review of the World — July 1898
TIlE
lII"'EW HEBRIDES ISLANDS Number of lslsnde 1'0 Inhabi~ Islands 30 Laodaren about 6000 sq. mi.
Popul:1ti,on 70,000 .AneJtyum to_Sidney, J400 mi.
I , SCA~E ~F MILES 10 20 aJ 'lO 50 -15 "Mllalon st.stions underlined ChrlBtlau islauds underlined SO UTH P AC I F I O OOE AY SO ~~,.l ~l"
EROWANQA -…._ Traito r's Head lUll,,,,', B .~. Q…k', 8 • • ANIWA.
TANNA B,W.!:,""t ~'p'£1"fl/1'1f1 Oftd, ~.Rnolv.1 FUTUNA ; KWllmer3 ,L ——–~————–~~–~—~ E I TY M f.~, MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOT•. XXI. No. 7.-0ld Series. – JUI,Y -VOL. XI. No. 7.-New Series.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF '1'HE HALF CENTUny.- THE STIMULATION OF lHSSIONAHY ZEAL.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
The best products are of slow growth. Dr. Morgan, of Oberlin, warned a young man who was rushing into the sacred calling without due time for training, that God takes years to grow an oak, but, if it be only a squash, a few weeks suffice. ~We are too much under the sway of haste, which is also waste. We can not spare time even to think thoroughly and plan wisely: the restless spirit invades all departmelJ ts of life. The model'll motto seems to be "push and rush." Even the most sacred activities are subject to this insane hurry. Sermons must be short, prayer-meetings brief, and closet devotion measured by the timepiece; there is 110 leisure so mnch as to eat with moderation.
At this fast pace there can be 110 proper acquisition and assimilation of knowledge. Cramming takes the place of learning; to pass all examination depends more on memory than 011 understanding, and implies no lasting impression. True information is in-form-ation, knowledge crystallized into a structure within the mind.
The main hindrance to a tl'lle zeal for missions is selfishness and innate hostility to divine things, and this must first be broken down. But tl'll(' zeal for God is inseparable from knowledge, and knowledge takes time. '1'0 learn facts takes pains and patience; but nothing save holiness commands snch homage as a thorough mastery of facts. It is the rarest and costliest product in the mental market. Daniel Webster once heard Pro£. Silliman talk for an hOllr abon t the application of chemistry to agriculture. His great intellect bowed before the scientist, and, with a child's docility, he said to Mrs. Silliman: "Were I rich, I wonld pay your husband $20,000 to come and sit down by me and teach me, for I know nothing." 'rhis was in 1852, the year of Webster's death, when hi~ knowledge was ripest.
Various efforts hare been made during the last half century to awaken zeal for a world's evangelization, but they have had to combat It colossal ignorance of the whole matter, and success has been only in * This periodical adopts the Orthography of the following Rule, recommended hy the joinfaction of the American Philological Association and the Philological Society of England :-Change d or ed final to t when so pronounced, except when the e affects a preceding sound.-PuBLISHERS.
SPIRITUAl, MOVEMENTS OF THE HALl!' CENTURY
proportion as this has been got out of the way. If even yet the average disciple knows so little of the real condition of the world-wide field, fifty years ago the ignorance was appalling. With here and there an exception, even intelligent Ohristians had so little idea of the extent, destitution, and degradation of pagan, papal, and moslem fields, that the rudiments of a missionary education seemed lacking, and many conld not even pray intelligently. Ignorance was not so culpable while there were few facilities for getting information; but cheap, varied, attractive, and effective means now are at hand, whereby all may inform themsehes as to the exact condition of the world's need and of the Ohurch's work.
Among the means used for the stimulation of missionary zeal, this belongs in the first rank-the creation of a rich and abundant miss£onary literature. This is a little world in itself, and consists mainly of three classes of books and other printed matter: first, historical and biographical; second, topical and philosophical; third, descriptive and pictorial. Beside the statelier volumes are periodical issues, whose name is legion, more evanescent in character, designed to keep track of the march of the Lord's hosts-they are the bulletins of the war of the ages. The women's boards have done great service in supplying missionary leaflets, brief, telling, cheap, available for gratuitous distribution, and fitted to win their way to even the hasty and careless reader. As to the half-century's aggregate product in the literature of missions, they cover every field from Japan to Alaska, and from Greenland to Patagonia; they span all the centuries from Ohrist's advent to the present day; they embrace geography, philology, sociology,religious belief and customs, dress, diet, habits of life, art, science, medical work – every variety of topic within the range of the great theme. Of the religious products of the press in the last ten years alone, probably OJw:fourth have to do with missions either directly or indirectly, and the class of books produced would do honor to any author or theme. Many of them are superbly gotten up and illustrated, written by the foremost writers of the day, deserving careful reading and study. Surely, so far as missionary zeal depends on information, there is no apology for ignorance and apathy. As Rev. F. B. Meyer says, "There is no sense in always telegraphing to heaven for God to send a cargo of blessing, unless we are at the wharf to unload the vessel when it comes." There is guilt nowadays, the guilt of wilful ignorance, if there be no real knowledge of God's work in this world. If all may not go abroad, all may help those who do go, by intelligent sympathy and cooperating prayers. As Godet says, one thing is greater than working miracles, and that is to confer the power of miracle working. And one thing is as great as to be a missionary, and that is the missionary spirit that makes missionaries of others by the contagion of our zeal. This latter is possible to every man and
THE STIMtJLATION OF MISSIONARY ZEAL
womall, and finds its field anywhere and everywhere where our lot is cast There is one method of stimulating missionary zeal, which is mainly the outcome of the last ten years, and which we may call the exposition of mi8siolls, borrowing from the Prellch the term associated in onr minds with all exhibit of those products of human invention and industry which serve as exponents of progress.
Some nine years ago, in these pages, under the caption, " An Exposition of Missions," we warmly advocated some such exhibit of the history and progress of missionary work in a form which might appeal to the eye, vividly presenting the contrast between the original and present conditions of the varions peoples among whom the Gospel has had a fair chance to work. We urged some such exhibit in connection with the Columbian Exposition, and steps were taken toward such a result, but fell short of the goal. Some such seellthought has found lodgment, however, in the Missionary Literature Exhibi ts at the Stndent Volunteer Conventions, and across the sea the Church Missionary Society has for years been holding a series of such exhibits on a larger scale, and with great snccess. In halls arranged for sllch purposes, collections of costumes, implements, models, etc., have been made, illustrative of the daily life of foreign missionaries in various lands, and of the habits and cnstoms of the people among whom they labor, retired or returned missionaries being in charge, who assist by explanations, adding thus a verbal exposition of what is exhibited to the eye. Thus both by eye-gate and ear-gate the city of Mansonl is approacht. Such success has crowned this scheme that in Birmingham alone 100,000 visitors were ad mitted by ticket.
Similar methods of exhibiting facts, arousing zeal, and ralsmg funds for mission work, are worthy of attention on this side of the sea also; and in hopes to promote them we have gathered details of the actnal working of this scheme for practical education in missions.
The" Missionary Loan Exhibition" is the name by which these exhibits have been known. A description of the method used :may be helpful to those who plan similar exhibits elsewhere. For example, such a Loan Exhibition was held in the Dome and Corn Exchange, Brighton, for three days, and the following "hints about loans" were publisht for the information of snch as would assist.
1. The date fixt for the opening of the exhibition is 'Vednesday, November 29th, and it would be well if all articles from a distance lent for the occasion should reach Brighton on Saturday, November 25th, and local contributions not later than Mcnday, November 27th.
2. All packages should be addrest Missionary Exhibition, The Dome, Brighton. The committee will gladly pay carriage both ways, if desired. Address-labels are inclosed herewith, and, if insufficient, a further supply will be sent on application.
3. The dispatch of such packages should be advised to the Honorary Secretaries, The Dome, Brighton.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS 0]' THE HALF CENTURY
4. A full description of each article sent for exhibition will very greatly add to the interest and nsefulness of the contribution. This information should be given in as concise form as possible, suitable for publication in a catalogue. It is recommended that a duplicate copy be kept of the list supplied, and that each article bear some private mark by which it can easily be identified.
5. Pack'ing. The committee will undertake on their part to repack everything with the greatest care, so as to insure safe transit, and hope their friends will kindly take equal care.
6. The exhibition is intended to include objects of interest of every description from any of the following countries:-Africa (East, 'Vest, and Central), Palestine, India (North, 'Vest, and South), Ceylon, China, Japan, N. V. America, and New Zealand. Articles of clothing, or food, all works of art, books, writing materials, models, pictures, photographs of native buildings, especially when illustrative of missionary progress, objects of worship, etc., will be acceptable.
An illustrated prospectus was publisht in connection with the Bristol exhibits, the prospectus itself being a valuable pictorial pamphlet. Four thousand curios from all parts of the heathen Hnd Mohammedan world were there to be seen, a collection unique ill character and not easily to be brought together again. There were illustrated lectures, and luncheons provided for yisitors. Season tick- ets for one person, available dming the whole time, were purchasable for about fifty cents, and the hall was divided into courts: African, Indian, Ohinese, Syrian, Egyptian, Canadian, Japanese, etc.
'['he Zenana department contained a full-sized model room in a Bengali zenana, fully furnisht; and ladies connected with zenana work gave there cxplanation of the life and customs of women in India, illustrated with native costumes, the modc of cooking, etc., being also shown. Missionaries from Japan similarly expounded Japanese manners; and models of idols, tcmples, private honscs, suits of armor, jinrikshas, prayer charms, bronzcs and bamboo work, ancestral tablets and shrines, embroidery and wearing apparel, etc., were to be secn. Donations of provisions and money relieved the committee of expensc, and promoted the success of the exhibit. Oirculars were isslled with instructions to stewards, which made all mistakes avoidable and promoted efficient service. Whilc the exhibit was dependent largely upon local aid for its material and snccess, many of the articles used were, of course, available also for use in other localities-such as the models of buildings, etc.
No success can be assured without painstaking preparation. And the "official hand-book and guide," issued in connection with the Bristol exhibit-a book of 170 pages-attests the care taken to make it a grand triumph. It was a rare chance to study missions, for an observer who went through the seven courts or sections of the exhibit, would feel as tho he had made a tour of the countries repre- sented, with intelligent guides to the interpretation of what he saw, and all at a trifling cost of time and money.
THE STIMULATION OF MIRSIONARY ZEAL
It may be well to let the projectors of 1,he Bristol exhibit speak for themselves. They say, in review of the whole enterprise: The work was not one which was hastily undertaken. An executive and sub-committees were formed; the various departments of preparatory work gradually took shape; from the first, it was felt that wUhout prayer no real success could be attained, and so in private, and in all the regular meetings of the various conllllittees, the subject was continually commended to God; and aU interested in the work of foreign missions were specially asked to cooperate. Thus by prayer and persistent effort linked together, the work was carried forward, and, as a consequence, perfect unanimity of feeling and a gathering enthusiasm were increasingly manifest as the time approacht, and everything was done to make the effort as far as possible worthy of the object we had in view, and those who had the privilege of visiting the exhibition, must at least have felt that the efforts put forth were not in vain, but had been graciously accepted of God, and that he was using it as an effective means of diffusing a deeper l1nd wider interest among us in the grel1t work of the evangelization of the hel1then. The primary idea which was constantly present to the minds of the promoters, was not to make it a means of collecting money, but rather to spread information, awaken sympathy, and to elicit self-denying effort in the cause of foreign missions, and this idea of subordinating all attempts at pecuniary profit to the fostering of the missionary spirit, was kept conspicuously prominent throughout, and was, we believe, one of the reasons why God has deigned to use the effort for His glory.
The organization, which was gradually called into existence, rendered the effort of making the public acquainted with our intentions specially effective; we rested not so much on newspaper advertisements, tho these were not neglected, as upon the ramifications of parochial endeavor, and the personal influence of many friends; means were found by which even parishes which did not specially sympathize with the C. M. S. were not left in the dark as to the nature and objects of the approaching exhibition, and so, when at length the opening day arri ved, the public were prepared to take advantage of what had been provided, and crowds thronged the building from the very first, and in this the case of Bristol differed from other localities where similar exhibitions were held, for while in these it often happened that several days were required before the full interest of the people was awakened, with us that interest was apparent from the commencement, and this was mainly due to the laborious and persistent use of every legitimate means within our reach.
It was specially pleasing to note the continuous attendance of the visitors at the different eourts, even when there was no special exposition going on; the people seemed patiently to listen, from hour to hour, to the instruction given by the stewards, and on the second day the crowds surrounding each court became so large that it was found needful to have a steward placed upon a chair, at a little distance from the court, where he, or she, holding up successive exhibits, explained them to a still larger circle.
The lnodel zenana was an object of special attraction, and was in every respect admirably worked. It was said that the proceeds from this source amounted, for a time, to nearly a shilling a minute, and what was far more important, a vivid description was there given, to a continuous
48G HPIRITUAL MOVEMEKTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
stream of eager inquirers, of the degraded condition of women in India and the East, and the terrible need of increast efforts for their Ohris- tian instruction and social elevation.
Short, spirited addresses were delivered from time to time, illustrated by several ingenious devices, by which were set forth the extent of the heathen world still unevangelized, the comparatively small impressions modern missions had yet made, the inadequacy of the means which are being employed, and the small amount contributed to foreign missions, when compared with the enormous sums spent yearly upon luxuries of various kinds. It was scarcely possible to listen to these exposition!!! without feeling that something more ought to be done for the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom, and the gifts which were put in the sca-Ie were a kind of pledge that it would be soon.
The admirable way in which the Free Missionary Literature had been previously sorted, so that it might be given with intelligent purpose and discrimination, was, we believe, a unique feature in our exhibition, and the patient way in which that literature was disseminated, so that there could scarcely have been a single visitor who left the building without some printed missionary information, can not be without some fruit in the future. It is also to be noted that the arrangements made for the reception of the children of the various elementary schools of Bristol, and the neighborhood, worked without a hitch. Every morning some 2,000 children, or more, streamed into the building, and from nine to eleven o'clock they were instructed by persons specially appointed for that purpose, and as they passed from court to court they were shown objects of interest and attraction, illustrating the habits and customs, and the religions which exist in different parts of the heathen world, and the urgent need that there is to give to them the bright and blessed message of the Savior's love was prest home.
The medical court, with its practical illustrations of what can be done in this direction for the heathen, must have come with surprise to many, and must have given a more comprehensive view than is generally taken of .the complete work of delivering the Gospel message, which includes within its scope not merely the salvation of the soul, but the emancipation of man's body from needless pain and suffering, and from the misery of preventable disease.
The Japanese receptions were especially popular, and very strikingly showed the tact and patience which are needed by the missionary in deaiing with a polite and gifted people, who, with all their versatility and attractiveness, are still strangers to the light of God's love in Jesus Christ.
The lime-light lectures, upon different parts of the mission-field, were full of instructive matter, and were largely attended, and the sacred concerts helped to release a little the tension of feeling which the exhibition as a whole was calculated to produce. But the picture would be incomplete without some reference to the well-organized Sale of 'York, which was conducted in an adjoining room; fourteen stalls, tastefully draped, exhibited the industry and energy of the various parishes throughout Bristol and the neighborhood. For months previously, many hands and brains had been steadily at work, and to all these parishes, together with their friends and workers, and specially to some of the poorer parishes of our city, the thanks of every well-wisher of the missionary cause are due. Such quiet, unobstructive, sustained and united work, can not be
THE STIMULATION OF MISSIONARY ZEAL
without its reflex blessing on all concerned. Nor should we forget the ability and energy with which the refreshment department was administered, meeting as it did with a surprising elasticity the ceaseless demands which were made upon it.
Our only source of regret has been that the exhibition was of such short duration. Had it been possible to have prolonged it, we might have reapt still richer results, and we might have avoided the disappointment which we are sure some of our friends must have experienced by the over· crowding of the rooms, but this could not have been anticipated, and if it had, with the limited space at our disposal it could scarcely have been avoided.
But the great lesson of our exhibition is undoubtedly this: Bristol, and the neighborhood, has received an immense amount of additional information upon the present condition and needs of foreign missions; with this information there is inseparably connected a weightyresponsibility; we can no longer plead ignorance, the veil has been lifted! and we know something of the cruelty, the degradation, the corruption, and the hopeless despair which exist in the heathen world.
The suggestions made in these pages, years ago, having thus proven to be feasible and practicable by experiment, we may again urge, with deeper conviction of their importance. What is there to hinder such a series of Missionary Loan Exhibits in America, wherever a fit place may be secured? A permanent MISSIONARY INSTITUTE might also be establisht, say in the city of New York, open at all hours of the day and evening, where parents may take their children and find both recreation and instruction in that greatest of enterprises-a world's transformation. Many devoted friends of missions have missionary curiosities and relics which they would gladly lend 101' occasional exhibits, or better still, contribute to such a permanent missionary institute. 'rhe writer has a considerable and valuable collection of curios, illustrative of life ill Japan, India, China, Palestine, Africa, etc., which he would gladly place in such a missionary museum as part of its equipment. In connection with sllch an exhibit there might be at stated hours stereopticon exhibitions of- slides, carefully selected and constituting a most attractive educative aid, with addresses and lectures on missionary topics. The best and most recent maps, charts, and other aids to knowledge would naturally find a place in such an exhibit; and a building permanently used for these ends, would come to be a place of habitual resort, and to the young especially a sort of missionary college.
Let us do anything to increase knowledge of facts. 'rhe field of missions is still a terra incognita. When a leading philanthropist of Britain confesses himself to have been ignorant of the great leading facts of missionary history, it is not strange if the bulk of disciples have yet to embark on their first voyage 01 discovery. But to those who will set out to explore, a Hew world waits to unveil itself.
A short time ago, a letter from a comll1:ttee representing the Foreign Missionary Societies of America, addrest to the secretaries of the
SPIRITUAI~ MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
Protestant Foreign Missionary Societies of Great Britain and Europe, solicited an expression of their views as to the desirability of convening a Foreign Jfissionary O()J~fe)'ence, similar in aim and character to the World's Missionary Conference of 1888, in New York in the month of April, 1900. This has met with so gcneral and favorable response, that the Amcrican societies have authorized the holding of such a conference; and in pursnancc of instructions from the committee and in the name of the American societies, an inl'itat.ion has been issued, signed by the Hev. Dr. Judson Smith, of Boston, as chairman, and the Rev. Dr. H. N. Cobh, of New York, representing the Reformed churches, as secretary. Each society is to be represented hy two or more delegates in an ccumenical conference Oll foreign missions, to be held in New York, for ten days, from April 20th to 30th, 1900. Invitation~ are to be sent to all 'Protestant Foreign }Iissionary Societies of the world, so far as known. This occasion seems to furnish a most fitting opportunity for just such all exposition of missions as seems to be called for, and especially as the nineteenth century, which then draws to a close, has been markt by such a triumphant career of missionary evangelism. In the Indian department of the Glasgow exposition we saw not merely pictures and photographs, but models of native habitations and dress, Hindoo temples, the car of Juggernaut, the Suttee pile, and various modes of torture, etc. Some such method of reproducing or representing facts to the eye would have the effect of actnal travel in making observers familiar wi th the fields of mission labor. And the materials are so abunrlant!
Let us imagine that a building should be found or built, suitable for a grand exposition of missions in connection with this coming World's Conference of Missions. In the Burma section, there might be represented the Schway Mote Tau Pagoda, with its idol shrines and superstitions wild men as it was ill 1825, and confronting it, the Kho-'l'hah-Byn Memorial Hall with its reverent service of worship, its intelligent classes of pnpils, and its variolls accessories for Christian servicc-the memorial of fifty thousand Karen converts, living or dead. III the department of the Islands of the Sea, the thousand cannibal ovellS of the Fijians-the chiefs' huts built on piles around which human beings were buried alive – the chiefs' canoes launcht over living human bodies as rollers-on the one side; on the other the thousand Christian churches, and still more numerous Christian homes where the voice of family worship may be daily heard, and the floating bethels where seamen leal'll of Him who came not to destroy men's lives but to save them. In the African department might be exhibited the refuse from slave shi})s, gathered at Sierra Leone, as found by W. A. B. Johnson in 1816, with no communication but that of vice and no cooperation but that of crime; and that same commu-
1898·1 THE STIMULATION OF llUSSlONARY ZEAL
nity as organized into a model Christian state within seven years after. Madagascar might be contrasted, as at the coronation of Ravanalona I. and of Ravanalona II. The first Malagasy who ever learnt the alphabet of his own native tongue died fifteen .rear!" ago, aged seventy- two. He had lived to see fifty thousand of his countrymen taught to read, and over seventy thousand profess their faith in Christ.
Tahiti, d urillg the "long night of toil," the missionary amid a group of savage cannibals seeking to get a lodgment for that sacred little Gospel, .John iii. 16; and Tahiti) after the love of God had taken hold on them, and that first convert of 1814 became leader of a host now numbering a million! and of hundreds who have gone forth as evangelists, not one of whom has yet proved recreant or faithless!
Zululand might be exhibited, as when the naked savage comes to the mission house to trade for a calico shirt, or, w-orse still, when the cruel Dingaan slaughtered a hundred girls as the equivalent for the penally exacted from a hostile tribe, one thousand head of cattle; and Zululand with its Christian honsellOlds, its eloquent native preachers, its self-denying weekly offerings to send the good news far and wide, and its self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating churches.
What a department might the Bible societies themselves stock with their three hundred or four hundred translations! Think of these great missionary agencies, averaging over three new translations for each year of the century! For nearly each year one new language without alphabet, grammar, or lexicon, has been rednceu to writing, anu a literatnre created out of nothing! ""'alk abou t Zion, tell the towers thereof, mark well her bulwarks, consider her palaces." What cathedral towers are those societies that lift the word of God in all these tongues to such a lofty height! What bulwarks these aggressive activities, whose offensive warfare against the powers of darkness are the best defensive measures for the church at home! What palaces are those praying assemblies, where the King himself abides, and where the spirit of missions cOllstitutes a court of Christ!
Of course, the greater proportion of Gospel triumphs defy tabulation or visual demonstration. 'rhe aggregate number of converts from heathen lands during the century is not far from ten million at leaRt, and probably would reacI1 thirty million. Who shall ever write out that secret history of self-denying love, exemplified in thousands like the obscure Chinese convert who sold himself as a coolie in New Guinea for the sake of close contact with his unsaved countrymen, and who shortly led over two hundred of them to Jesus? The reflex influences of missions can not be exhibited. When irreligion and infidelity seemed folding the Church in the fatal embrace of an arctic winter, it was the new missionary era that broke the charm of this deadly stagnation and congelation.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
But if some results cannot be exhibited, there is no reason why we should not avail ourselves of what may be shown vividly to the eye. In the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, modern enterprise built, on a scale of one-third the actual size, Assyrian palaces, Egyptian rock tombs, Greek and Roman temples, Alhambran and Pompeian halls and chambers, medieval cathedrals, so that the visitor might in a walk of half an hour actually see three thousand years of successive civilizations reproducing their marvels. In the Egyptian museum at London, vast galleries and corridors are assigned to the huge tablets, sculptures, sarcophagi, vases, papyri, etc., gathered from the buried cities of the East. And in Paris a few years ago, in the" Nouvelle BasLile," the old demolisht fortress prison was reerected, tho only for a season, to gratify transient visitors.
The writer himself saw in connection with the International Exposition in Glasgow, in 1888, a vast building, a quarter of a mile long, filled with twenty-five classes of industrial products. Agriculture and horticulture, mining and engineering, both ci viI and naval; machinery of the most colossal and complicate, as well as of the most minute and delicate character; cutlery and arms, carriages and other wheeled vehicles; the most recent and improved methods and devices for illumination by oil, gas, and electricity; textile fabrics of wonderful variety and delicacy; food and cooking utensils; paper, printillg, and book-making; furniture and decoration; fishery, pottery, and glass; jewelry and plated ware; shipbuil<1ing, with a profuse display of exquisite models; nay, even the subtler sciences and fine arts– physical training and education, chemistry, and philosophy, music and painting, and sculpture and architecture-all these and much more besides found there exhibition and exposition. A new world was unveiled ill the single department of woman's 'fork, the arts and industries at which she presides. The field, represented in this garner of abundant harvests, was well-nigh world-wide. England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, Canada, France, India, and Ceylon-all helpt to make this International Exposition one of the world's wonders.
It is high time that Christian believers showed some such enterprise in behalf of the Kingdom of God. '1'hose who are but partially familiar with the history and literature of missions, fe81 themselves to be walking through the corridors of a colossal exposition. 'rhey see a lamp more wonderful than that of Aladdin banishing the death shade and transforming the whole aspect of heathen communitil's. They see the simple Gospel displacing rags with rooes, vice with virtue, filth with cleanliness, ignorance with intelligence, cruelty with charity, and the magician'S enchantments outdone by the miracles of the Holy Spirit. Facts, properly exhibited, will outshine the fables of Oriental fancy. There is an architecture that is sublimer than" frozen music;" the structures which missionary h8roism has built up are the temples of God, their tim bel'S more fragrant than cedar, and within and without they are overlaid with the gold of the upper sanctuary.
THE NEW HEBRIDES-PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
MEMBERS OF THE NEW HEBRIDES MISSION SYNOD, 1898. I-:c,~. John O. Paton, D. D.. in the Cente r.
THE NEW HEBRIDES-PAST, PRESEN'l', AND FUTURE.
BY REV. DR. WILLIAM GUNN, L. R. C. S. & P., FUTUNA, NEW HEBRIDES. Missionary of the Free Church of Scotland.
For nearly a century after the discovery of the South Seas the New H ebrides escaped the eyes of explorers. Sailing ill search of a southel'll eOlltin ent, Fernando de Quiros discoyered Santo in 1606. There he land ed an d founded a city-the New Jeru salem. But disputes between the llatives and his crew early forced him to leave. In 1768 Bougainville found Santo was an island, and in 1774 Captain Cook made a rapid slll'vey of the group, and gave it its name. So correct is his description of the natives that it holds good of the unevangelized islands to this day. But so low was his opinion of them, that he ventured to predict that no attempt would be made to raise them. Most of the islands have now been surveyed ill detail by British gunboats.
The New Hebrides stretch N.N. W. for 400 miles, from lat. 200 16' to 140 29' S., between lon gs. 165 0 40' and 1';'0 0 30' E. '1'hey are composed of about seventy islands, varying in size from Santo, 200 miles in circumference, to the Monument, an isolated rock. Most of them are inhabited. The island s may be divided into coral and volcanic. The coral islands, few in nnmber, are low and fiat. The volcanic, formed upon a basis of coral, rise to great altitudes, reaching over 5,000 feet in Santo. Mountain ridges alternate with deep valleys, watered by mountain torrents. 1'here are foul' active volcanoes: Yasur, in Tanlla; I-lopeyi, 5,000 feet high, and two in Am brim. Earthquakes, usually slight, are frequent, and volcanic action has raised Point Resolution Harbor, in Tanna,40 feet within the last twenty years. A submarine eruption took place east of Erromanga fifteen years ago, and a similar one happened at Tongoa in May, 1897. Shore reefs, the fishing-ground at low tide, fringe the islands. Local barrier reefs form natural harbors, but the safest anchorages are in the landlockt harbors of Point Sandwich and Fila, the principal settlements in the group.
The soil is fertile and vegetation dense. Yams, taro, sweet potatoes, alHI other tubers are cultivated with toil and care. These form, with breadfruit, cocoanuts, bananas, and other indigenous fruits, the staple food. Arrowroot and manioc grow ill most of the islands. Oranges, lemons, custard apples, papaw apples, pineapples, melons, guavas, granadillas, and mangoes have been illtroduced. Kauri pine, tomano, bluewood, and many hard-wood timbers abound on the hillsides. The only indigenous animals are rats and probably pigs. Goats, cows, horses, dogs, and sheep have been introduced. Fifty species. of birds are known. Fish abound, and are caught by spear, net, hook, or in torchlighted canoes. Of metals only a few traces have been found.
The climate is moist and equable. The annual rainfall varies from sixty-six inches in Futuna to one hundred and twenty in 'rongoa and South Santo. The cool, healthy southeast tradewind blows during the greater part of the year. 'L'he northeast is excessively moist and unhealthy. 'rhere are two principal seasons-the hot, rainy, or hurricane season, from January to April, aud the cool or dry season. From June to August are the coldest months, allLI September to November the planting season. The temperature ranges from GOO to 90° F. in the year, and rises nearly 10° higher ill the north.
The New Hebrides are inhabited by the Melanesian, or black race, with woolly hail'. Several small islands, as Futuna, Aniwa, and Emae, are peopled by a mixt race of Polynesians and Melanesians. The estimated population is '10,000. Talllla, Epi, Ambrim, and Oba, with 8,000 each, are the most popnlous islands. Many of the natires are good-looking, with high facial angle. The retreating forehead, broad, fiat nose, and projecting jaws of the negroes are rarely seen. Their average height is 5 feet 5 inches. Physically they are inferior in strength anj endurance to the white race, and rapidly succumb to disease. 'rhe men strut about almost nude. In the south the women are fairly well clothed, but as we proceed north, female clothing decreases, while native mechanical skill and inglllJUity in creases. The cnstom of dividing the hair into many locks ill the southern islands is now obsolete among the Christi a ll ~ . Men and women are fond of ornaments, and wear bead or shell necklaces and armlets, and wooden or tortoise-shell earrings Those fond of music.. play the native flute and Paris pipes, and they c')n tinue their he a th e Jl (lances and singing all night.
Their JlOuses were from five to seven feet high, and withon t walls, but with Ch risl ianity h ave b ee n g r eat ly improved. The furniture consisted of sl~ep iu g mats, baskets, clubs, bows and arrows, stone or shell axes, fishing materials, and now a musket or two.
Native arts arc decaying.
Remains of pottery have been found on 'fauna and Efate, but this art is now confined to Santo. Rock carvings in Aneityllm, Efate.
and Epi arc now mysteriou s A HEATHEN CHIEF OF FUTUNA. remains of the past, 'rh ey had a fair knowledge of ShowIng the hair diYided in lIlany locks, tortotse·shell earrings, bead and shell necklace.
surgery and a little of medicin e. The doctors were specialists, who set fractures, comprest severed arteries, and trepanll cd th e broken skull. Th e chief diseases are malarial fever, scrofula, skin and chest diseases, and isolated cases of elephan tiasis. Dysentery is sporadic.
Consumption is increasing. Venal diseases have been introd uced by whites and returned la uorers, and have caused great havoc.
The natives are observant, well acquainted with nature, and quick to discern character. Most of them re!tdily acquire neighboring languages or dialects. Some have learnt to rea,d and write in six months, but the majority take much longer. In arithm et ic they are slow, and few, if any, have gone beyond the simple ruIns. Morality, in heathen days, was very low. In some islands, ind ecd, it is doubt- f ul if adultery was considered wrong ill itself, and it was exprest in their language as stealing it man or woman. Th e ri ghts of property were usually regarded, save in war or private quarrels.
The languages of the New H ebrides, tho Humerous and apparently rad ically different, form part of the Melanesian branch, whi ch, united with the Polynesian or eastern islands dialects, belong to one family, HEATHEN NATIVES OF AMBRI M, NEW HEBRIDES.
Heads and faces of women are covered wIth lime as sign of mourning.
now called the Malay-Polynesian. Nearly fifty dialects are known in the New Hebrides, some very slightly, while others are not yet dis- covered. The pronouns have four numbers-in some islands three- and a double first plural, inclu sive and exclusive, according as the speaker includes or excludes the persons addrest. In Ancitynm and Tanna the natives reckoll by jiz'cs, and can not go beyol1(1 twenty. In the north numeration is decimal and more perfect. .
Polygamy and cannibalism were com mon. Infanticid e, tho prac- tist, was not general. Caste of various and numerons grades, accord- ing to the number of pigs killed at feasts, obtai.ned in the north.
Heavy fines were pai.d for the in fringement of rules in each gr:lde.
Women and children belon ged to 110 caste, and wi yes lived apart from th eir hu sban ds. Parental control was unknown. Wom en were the beasts of bnrden, and cnltivltted the plallt,Ltions while the men fonght or feasted. Sorcery, women-stealin g, and land disputes were the principal causes of war. In Maleknla the front teeth of the women were removed at the age of eight or ten, just before marriage.
In Ambrim the women crawled on their knees before their lords. In Aneityum, 'ranna, and Santo they were strangled at the deat h . of their husbands.
Th e natives were polyth eists. They believed in many gods, great and small, mutually independent of each other. The greatest, variously named Inhujeraing, Moshishiki, Mauitikiteki, etc., created the earth and, perhaps, man. In th e south they said he fisht np the islands. All the gods were malicious, and, accor<1ingly, the natives appeased them with offerings of food and drink (kava), praying for abundance of food, freedom from disease, and long life. 'These gods, and the spirits of their ancestors, were the chief objects of worship. The dead were mourned for from one hundred to one thousand days. For years food was placed daily over their graves. In several northern islands grotesque images were erected in the public square as memorials of the dead. But offerings were also presented to the sun and moon, and their preserving care was sought. Certain sacred men, or sorcerers, profest to cause disease, and wind, rain, sunshine, and hurricanes. 'These sacred men, as a rule, were chiefs; but the authority of chiefs in the New Hebrides is very small, and confined to their own tribes. Many, irrespecti ,"e of rank, possest charms to protect them in war, ward off disease, and cause the fruits of the earth to grow. The future world was dark and dismal. No distinct division separated good and bad. The shades in semiconsciousness shivered in the cold and ate refuse. Warmth was sometimes purchast by tattooing their bodies, or was carried below from fires kindled by relatives after burial. There, after passing through successive descending stages of existence, the shades were annihilated. But rays of light struggled through the darkness. Traditiom, varying in detail, existed of the creation, the fall, the flood, Jonah, and others. In Futuna the maxim, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath," was repeated; and the curse of Cain was pronounced on the murderer.
Such were the people, and such was their state in the past, and, in heathen islands, so it is still. Degraded by horrid customs, steept in the grossest superstition, with minds and understandings darkened . MEMORIALS OF THE JlXAD, AMBRIM, NEW HEBRIDES.
Stone altar in front is one on which pigs are killed. by sin and Satan, in fear of man b~ day and of spirits by night, the natives of the New Hebrides were the most needful of the Gospel, and by their isolation and Babel of tongues presented the greatest difficulties toward receiving it. Burning with desire to supply this need, John Williams endeavored to carry the Gospel to them, but perisht at Erromanga, in 1839, in the attempt. A brief sketch of mission work will bring the history of the islands to the present day. After his death teachers were landed on the southern islands and reenforced from time to time. Some tlied, some were martyretl, some returned home, some remained at their posts and prepared the way for missionaries. Messrs. Turner and Nesbit landed in Tanna in 1842, but soon were compelled to ieave. The mission work, begun by the early missionaries and teachers nnder the London Missionary Society, was now gradually past over to the Presbyterian cilUrches. Dr. Geddie, from the Nova Scotian church, took up work on Aneityum, in 1848; and Dr. Inglish, from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, followed in 1852. A church was formed, and, in 1853, missionary teachers, the first in the New Hebrides, were sent to reopen Futuna to the Gospel. A missionary settled on Erromanga in 1857, and three on Tanna in 1858. But disaster now befell the mISSIOn. Measles, introduced by traders, swept away a third of the population of Aneityum, 'l'anna, and Erromanga. The heathen blamed the missionaries, and, in 1861, Mr. GOI'(Ion and his wife were murdered on Erromanga. The 'l'annese expelled their missionaries. But Aneityum was now all Christian, and the terrible scourge roused Lhe half· hearted to more earnestness. A missionary settled on Efate in 1854, who was soon joined by a second. A brother took up the work of the martyred Gordon, and the Dayspring, obtained chiefly through the efforts of Dr. Paton, arri red, for the exclusive use of the mISSIOn. Later the vacated stations in 'l'anna were filled, and Nguna added to the missionary islands. But in 1872 the heathen ill Erromanga attempted unsuccessfully to onst the Gospel by killing the second Gordon. His place was immediately filled by Mr. Robertson.
The Christian party grew stronger, frustrated an attempt of the heathen, in 1880, to murder the missionary, and were joined by one hundred friendly heathen in a body. This was the turning point in Erromanga, and the island, as a whole, is now 8hristian. In 1883 all the principal islands, from Aneityum to Ambrim, were occupied by missionaries, and a third station opened in 'l'anna. The Aneityumese Bible complete, the united labor of Drs. Geddie and Inglis and Mr. Copeland, was distributed in Anei1yum in 1881. :Kearly ten years later the New 'l'estament in Efatese, and in a dialect of 'fanna, was given to their respective islanders. Churches, with substantial iron roofs, were erected in Aneityum, Futuna, Aniwa, Tanna, Malekula, and Malo, from 1891-93, the natives of the three form~r islands defraying the cost themselves. The success of the mission in Nguna, with its large cathedral-like church, has been phenomenal. In 18!l2, four hundred and seventy were admitted to church membership. The story of Tongoa is little less wonderful.
Thirteen islands are now Christian, of which the largest are Efate, Erromanga, Aneityum, Ngnna, Emae, Tongoa, and Aniwa. Epi is rapidly receiving the Gospel. In Futuna one district only is heathen. In 'I'anllu-the hardest field ill the group-the report is more encouraging than for years. Ambrim, twice Hcated through illness and death, was reopened in 189:? by Dr. Lamb; but first hurricane and then fire destroyed the mission honse, and the volcano threatened the mission with extinction; but a strongly-built hospital has now for WILLIAMS RIVER, ERROMANGA.
The point on the shore where natives stand Is that on which JolIn Williams was murdered.
months been open to whites and natives. Native teachers are under training, and condnct services in different districts. Churches have been formed in Malekula, Santo, and Malo. But the great mass of the people in these northel'll islands is heathen. More than 50,000 are still in heathen darkness.
'1'he Melanesian Mission, under Bishop Selwyn, formerly under Bishop Patteson, who was martyred in the Swallow Islands, gathered young men from the different islands and trained them, first in Auekland, afterward in Norfolk Island, for mission work in the islands. This mission – al ways friendly to the Presbyterian – has withdrawn to the Banks, Santa Cruz, and Solomon Islands. In the New Hebrides their work is confined to Pentecost, Aurora, and Oba, wh~r~ tell,cherS ll,re settled, an~ where missionll,ries stay occasionally. The Presbyterian mission staff numbers twenty-five missionaries, of whom five are medical. There are in addition three lay assistants and a hospital nurse. The first native pastor, Epeteneto, a native of Aneityum, was ordained this year. Assisting the missionaries are two hundred and fifty-six native teachers. More than forty of these are missionary teachers at work in semiheathen islands. All the Christian islands have sent out missionary teachers. These have endured many hardships, and many have laid down their lives for the cause of Christ in strange islanlls. The erying need of the missioll is native teachers. Without them evangelization of the islaIHls is impossible. In order to meet the increasing demand, a training institution was opened in Tangoa in 1894. Under the principal, Dr. Arnaud, the institution has met with encouraging success. Sixtyfour students from various islands are under instruction, which is given in English, owing to the diversity of dialects. Within the last two or three years several Christian traders have given valuable help in mission work. The Scriptures, ill whole or in part, have been translated into eighteen languages. For these the natives willingly pay. As cOllverts they grasp the plan of salvation clearly, and the more intelligent among them, from whom the teachers are drawn, can explain it to their fellows. They attend to the forms of religion diligently, and sincerely follow the precepts of the Gospel. A native of Futuna, a few days after the murder of his nephew, said he was willing to forgive the murderer for the sake of the Gospel-and this is no isolated case. They love their books, and save them iirst in flood or fire; and the AneitYllmese, with the whole Bible, have a wide but not de3p knowledge of its contents. They seldom speak of spiritual experience, and we can not point to sudden conversions. The great stumbling-block is immorality, and while mallY live consistent lives, others have sadly fallen.
In the Christian islands of Efate, ~guna, and Tongoa the teachers formerly paid by frienlls outside, have, within the last few years, been supported by llatiYe contributions. In this year's support of the synod, the following statistics are given, excluding Efate: Attending Sabbath services…………………………….. 13,084 " day schools…… … ….. …….. .. ……. . . … …. 5,46a Adult baptisms. .. …… . . .. .. .. …. .. . . ……. ………….. . 207 Christian marriages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Admitted to church membership……….. …… ………… 231 Teachers settled during the year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3a Contributions in cash. . ….. …….. …. .. .. .. .. .. …. . ……. £424 " arrowroot,17,683Ihs., eqnivalentinmoney to. £884.38 The total membership is about………………………….. 2,700 The mission is supported by the Presbyterian Church of Canada, Free Church of Scotland, Presbyterian clllHches of ~ew South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, New Zealand (north), and Otago, New Zealand (south), and 'l'asmania. Recently the John G. Paton Fund has largely supported the mission. The missionaries meet annually in conferen ce, or synod, to discuss and arrange all matters fOl' the proper condu ct of th e mission.* Commerce precedcd missions in the New Hebrides. The di scovery of sandal wood opened up a trade which has been the instrument of evils operating to this day. With it originated the inter-island labor trade, followed by th e Queensland and Fiji labor trad e. 'l'his has drawn th e best blood away from the islands, leavin g only the old men and women and children. Whaling and cotton-plan t ing su cceed ed the sandalwood trade. Recently tb e chief exports have been coffeeJ cobra, arrowroot, and bananas.
Arrowroot i s contributed by the nati ves for mission obj ects.
The bananas exported have increast in three years from 3,000 to ] :2,000 bunches a month. These expor ts promi se to be more permanent and remunerativ e than those of early days. If the islands ,verc oj annext by Britain, trade would advan ce in th e future mu ch more rapidly. The nati ves and .~ mission synon. have petit ioned for British allllexatioll. This would stop the labor b'aue and Intertribal wars, and pro- mote commerce. The total white population, inclnding the mission families, is from two to three hundred. The EPETENETO, principal nationali ties among the traders are Frcnch and The first nath-c pastor in the New Hebrides.
British. At presen t the islands are under no protectoratc, but they have been placou ullIIer t ho " dnal control" of British and French, each power protecting h oI' own subjects. Owing to restriction s imposed upon British trad ers tho best land ill the gronp is now in the hand s of the Frollch, and thi s may load th e m to allllex the islands.
That snch an e"oll t would be disastrons to the mission, the history of Tahiti an d tho Loyalty Islands too plainly proves; and that comm erce wonld suffer t h ereby, may be in fe rred from the fac t that the bulk of t he island trad e is at presen t in t he hands of th e British.
• In 1890 the services uf the Dayspring were su perseded by a tra ding steamer, but it re mains t o be seen whether the Chul'ches inte rested will continue this a rrangem ent, or set it ~s i de for a nother Da ysp,.inq,
THE LAND OF GLACIERS AND ICEBERGS
Further, it is reported by eye-witnesses that there is as real slavery in the French plantations as in any part of the world.
But the future progress of the mission and of trade depends greatly upon the state of the population, and it is steadily decreasing. Tradition, the sites of extinct villages, and statistics prove this. 'The population of Aneitynm was 3,500 ill 1859; now it is only 530. Futuna has fallen in thirty years from 1,000 to 320. This decrease began before the advent of white men; but contact between the two r~ces has accelerated it by introducing epidemic and hereditary diseases and the labor traffic. Can this decrease be checkt? '1'he history of the Pacific islands and of some of the New Hebrides shows that in some islands it can not, while possibly in others it may. Christianity is the most powerful factor in preserving these natives. Were it not for Christianity, Aneityum would already have been quite depopulated. Christianity stopt decrease in Raratonga and Samoa, and it will prolong the days of the New Hebrides. Philanthropy and commerce alike call for the preservation of the race. Chinese, or other higher races, can not, with profit to themselves, settle ill sufficient numbers to carryon a remunerative export trade. But this decrease of population affords a powerful argument for !taste in evangelizing the people that remain. Prophecy promises success by foretelling their conversion. "Men shall worship Him, everyone from his place, even all tlte isles of the heathen."
'l'HE LAND OF GLACIERS AND ICEBERGS.
BY THE REV. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, NAZARETH, PA.
One hundred and sixty-five years of uninterrupted missionary activity amid glaciers beside which the greatest of Switzerland', frozen rivers appear insignificant, is the record of the Moravian mission to the Eskimos of that land so strangely misnamed Greellland.
What is Greenland? Is it a continent or a huge island, or an aggregation of small islands bound together into a solid mass by eternal ice? Fri<ljof Namen accomplisht the marvelolls feat of crossing from the east to the west coast (1888-89) on snow-shoes 011 about the 64th parallel of north latitude, and saw only a desolate tableland covered with glaciers and without any inhabitants. Lieutenant Robert Peary (1891-92) reacht 82° on the east coast, starting from the west, and proved that the western and eastern coasts converge in the extreme north, but whether toward an actual point as in the south, can 110t be stated. His other discoveries consisted principally ofmore glaciers. It is probable that Greenland is a huge pear-shaped island-continent, with the tapering end in the south. It extends from Cape Farewell, GOo north latitude, northward, until its northern coasts are lost in the Polar Sea between 83 ° and 8-1°, a distance equal to that from the southernmost point of Florida, to where Lake Superior and Lake Huron unite their waters at Sault St. Marie, and of such varying widths as to make comparisons difficult, tho probably equaling the distance from New York to Chicago in its widest portions.
This vast interior is absolutely desolate, without fauna or flora. Only along the coast, especially along the western coast, is there a narrow strip of inhabitable country, that is to say, it is called inhabitable because people d well there; otherwise no one would dream of considering it a fit abode for man. The coasts are indented with deep fiords, running many miles inland, whence the glaciers fin<l their exit to the sea, and break off into huge icebergs. '['he coasts are likewise fringed. with islands, and it may be considered an open question whether or not these fringing islands are not really the only inhabitable part of this strange land. It goes without saying that winter is long and bitter cold. A recent letter reports snow-drifts twelve feet high around the mission-house in latitude 64° at the end of May.
There are no forests, only a few dwarft trees along some of the southel'll fiords; very little game except polar birds, but the waters teem wi th fish.
'rhe inhabitants call themselves In nllit, which signifies "The People," but Europeans call them Eskimos, which signifies" eaters of raw flesh," because of their custom of eating fish, and especially seal, raw. This race inhabits all the subarctic lands from Greenland to Alaska, and seems to form the link between the Asiatic Mongolians and the North American Indians. They are short and stout, flatnosed, and of a brownish color. In their savage state they were inexpressibly filthy. Their religious ideas were of the vaguest character, and they were uuder the domination of the angekoks, medicine men, or witch doctors. They were not as a rule murderously cruel, but absolutely heartless, finding pleasure e. g. in watching a man struggling for his life in an overturned kayak, and never thinking of going to his rescue. Old and helpless people were simply put out of the way so as to avoid the necessity of taking care of them. 'I'hey lived in half underground sod-huts in a manner not conducive to morality.
The country was discovered in 8';G by Norsemen. It was named Greenland by Eric the Red, in 986, ill order to attract colonists from Iceland. How long the Norsemen held out there, we do not know, but either the climate, or the nativE's, or both, exterminated them. It was rediscovered in 1585 by the Englishman, John Davis, became a Danish colony about 1'700, and a few Danes went there about that time in order to establish trading posts. In 1721, the heroic Norwegian Lutheran pastor, Hans Egede, went thither in the hope of finding descendants of the original Norse colonists of the tenth century, and for the purpose of caring for their souls. Eut he found none. Then he turned his attention to the utterly neglected natives. Ten years, supported by the Danish government, he labored with no other snccess than gathering a few children and young people around him. Christian VI., king of Denmark, upon ascendillg the throne ill 1731, concluded that the work was hopeless, awl was about ordering the retul'll of :Egede, when Count Zillzendorf, present at the coronation, became interested in this forlorn mission. 'fhat was a far more momentous coronation than the principals in the ceremony dreamed. In God's sight the most important persons theril were a negro from the Danish IYest Indies, and two Eskimos from Greenland. The sight of them, and the hearing of the sad state of their countrymen, filled Zinzendorf's heart with compassion. He spread the matter before the but just resuscitated Moravian Church in Herrnhut, numbering then pORsibly six hundred souls. Before the end of July of that year two had volllnteered to go to the West Indies, and two to Greenland. Thns began the mission work of the Moravian Church.
But nothing was to be done merely under the influence of an enthusiastic impulse. 'fhe faith of the volunteers for Greenland was tested by a year and a half's delay, and then finally, on JaIlUary 19, 1733, the cousins Christiau and Matthew Stach, accompanied by Christian David, the pioneer Moravian, all of them noble confessors who had given up everything for Christ, started for the unknown perils of the Arctic Mission. The sn blime faith of these artisans, who knew practically nothing of the conditions of polar life, who started on their mission with but a few paltry coins in their pockets, who expected to be able to earn a livillg in the inhospitable fiords of Greenland, excited the ridicule of some, bu t won the amazed sympathy of others, at the conrt of Ch ristian VI. in Copenhagen. 'l'hese latter provided them with a sOlllewhat adequate outfit, and seclll'ed them a passage on the Danish trading ves~el to Egede's colony at Gotthaab.
In that lIeigborhood, on May 20, 1733, they began erecting a house, which in the flllness of thcir hope they christelled New Herrnhut. 'l'his was on the west coast in abou t G4° north latitude.
Now followed years of great trial. 'l'hese were unlettered men, who had to strive to learn a langnage of barbarous difliculty. Egede tried to help them, but they understood not Danish, and he not German, so the progress was slow. The nati vas would hare nothillg to do with them, and only mockt them. That same year a nati ye returning from Denmark brought the smallpox with him, allll in a short time nearly three thousand natives fell victims to the awflll scourge. The missionaries labored indefatigably among the plague· stricken Eskimos, until they themselves fell sick, not of smallpox, but of scurvy, owing to lack of proper food. In 1734 Frederick Boehnisch and John Beck callle to their assistance, but unfortunately food supplies did not, and as the natives ausolutely refused to help them, they were reduced to lire 011 shellfish and raw seaweed, and would certainly have perisht, had Ilot a heathen from a distance finally taken pity upon them, and left them the food supply he did not need for his return journey.
Nevertheless the next year, in March 1735, the Stachs, Boehnisch, and Beck pledged themselves to d(JoYote their whole lives to this mission, no matter how fruitless it might seem. Christian David was recalled to Europe to other duties. Hans Egede likewise returned to Europe in 173G. Thus year aftEOr year they plodded on, refusing to be discouraged by the ten years' fruitless labor of Egede, and by their own resultless work. In 173G their hopes rose. They thought they were gaining a convert. But, alas! the persecu ticns of his countrymen drove him" away. Such persistent perseverance in the face of apparent absolute hopelessness was certainly heroically sublime.
At last, in 1738, a south Greenlander from the stillmore inhospitable east coast, Karjanak by name, wandered up to New Herrnhut, and came into the mission honse, as John Beck was laboriously writing out a translation of .Matthew's Gospel. He askt the missionary to read what he was writing. It was the story of the Savior's agony in Gethsemane, 'l'hat fastened his attention. He wanted to hear it again. He remained with the missionaries to hear still more, and finally on Easter Sunday, 173!l, he and his family could be baptized as the first fruits of this forlorn hope of the advance guard of Christ's kingdom 0111 earth. N ow the devil stirred up wrath uy means of the angekoks. The brother-in-law of Karjanak was murdered, and the eOln-erts were driven away fo], a time. But the outer edge of Greenland's spiritual ice had been n1P1ted by the warmth of Christ's dying love. Slowly, but surely, soul after soul was gathered into Christ's fold, until in 1747 they numbered one hundred and thirty-four baptized converts and about three hundred adherents.
In 1758 a second station was begun about ninety miles south of New Ifermhllt, which was very significantly calII'd Lichtenfels-the Rock of Light. Bleak and rocky were ind('ed the surroundings, but • soon a heavenly light ShOllC upon those sitting in the gloom of that ·northern darkness. A remarkable awakening followed the planting of this station, and in a very short time two hundred and ninety adherents were gained here, while at New Herrnhut over five hundred adherents gathered about the station.
In 1774 a third station was begun four hundred miles south of New Herrnhut, called Lichtenau-the Meadow of Light. The missionary pn t in charge of this station was John Soerensen. This was the man whom Zinzendorf one day in 1747 askt: "Will you go to Greenland to-morrow?" « Yes," he answered, U if I can get a pair of shoes." And the next day he started for Greenland as a missionary, where he served forty-nine years, until he retired in his eightieth year.
In 1824 a fourth station was started near Cape Farewell, named Friedrichsthal. When digging the foundations for the mission hOUl'lC here, the remnants of the dwellings of the old Norsemen of the tenth century were found. In 1861 Umanak near New Herrnlmt, and in 1864, Igdlorpait near Liciltenau were organized as stations.
From the northernmost (Umanak) to the southernmost (Friedrichsthal) Moravian mission stations is fully 450 miles, and direct communication along the coast is almost impossible. Each station must be reacht by ship from the sea. Hence the missionaries stand very much alone.
'1'he work has ever been carried on under tremendous external difficulties. Ever since 1776 the Danish trading company has opposed the gathering of the natives in large settlements, on the ground that it lessens the catch of furs. Consequently the missionnries have great trouble in reaching and tenching the people. Many out-stations have to be maintained nnd committed to the care of native assistants.
Ever and anon the fnillire to land sufficient food supplies causes dire necessity nmong the Enropean missionaries, who can not eat the oily seal flesh which is the chief stnple of the natives.
The principal extel'llal difficulty connected with the work is the liability of the people to periodic epidemics, which more than decimate the population. Those of 1752-53, 1'782, 1842-43, 18/'1-72, 1875-76, were especially disastrous, carrying off ill some cases almost half the entire population of the settlements. On the other hnnd, the lives of the missionaries have been remarkably preserved. 'l'here is a long list of those who hnve servOll from forty to fifty yenrs nnd more in this bleak field. But what n tale of heroic devotion do these figures reveal!
'rhe natives by their very occupntion of seal hunting and fishing in their light kajnks are exposed to constant danger. III a period of thirty years, 1861-91, 743 persons lost their lives by the overturning of their kajaks, nnd 347 by other accidents.
'I'll us it often hnppens thnt whole villages are deprived of their bread winners. At Olle time at Lichtenfels there were only 45 bread- winllers for 360 souls; nt another time nt Friedrichsthal there were only eight seal-catchers left, and out of twenty-three boys at school only three had fathers living. A source of peculiar danger for the missionaries is that arising from shipwreck. The coasts surrounded with ice-packs make the npproach of vessels exceedingly perilous. Many a stout vessel has been lost, tho comparatively few missionaries have sacrificed their li yes in those icy waters. In 1895 three vessels were lost in quick succession. The missionaries were rescued, but the winter supply of food could not be saved. Sad experience has taught the missionaries, however, to always keep a two years' food supply on hand.
Very little has been said about the terrible obstacle to Gospel work due to the very language itself. More eloquent than any description will be the mere quoting of the closing lines of a letter from one of the native helpers to the mission board in 1S93.
He closes: "I greet you very heartily in the Lord, Your coworker the helper, Stiofanuse."
And this is the way it looks in the Eskimo language:- "inuvdluakungarpavkit Nalagkame sulekatitet ilagalugit ikiortok Stiofan1I se." Yet into this almost impossible language has been translated the New Testament, much of the Old, besides hymns, litanies, religious and school books. Last year the Danish government and the Danish Bible Society pnblisht a new translation of the New Testament, made by the Moravian missionary S. Kleinschmidt. Since 1755 the Danish government has followed the laudable policy of supplying the trading-posts with Lutheran clergymen of the State church, and these have likewise carried on missionary work among the natives, working in harmony with the lIoravians, and striving to save both the bodies and souls of the poor Eskimos. At the General Synod of the Moravian Church in 1H89, there was some talk of turning over this mission entirely to the Danish Lutheran State Church, but the historical associations proved too strong to permit the surrendering of this heroic field. Be it further recorded to the eternal honor of the Danish government, that during the almost two centuries' control of this colony, it has successfully prevented the sale of any intoxicating drinks to the natives. And now, in conclusion, what are the results of 165 years of devoted labor? At the beginning of the eighteenth century the population was estimated at 30,000; now there are scarcely 11,000. Of these about 9,800 are Christians in charge of Danish and Moravian missionaries. The only heathen left are a couple of hundred in the extreme north on the western coast, and possibly as mallY as five or six hundred on the almost inaccessible castern coast. Recent investigations by the Danish government reveal the fact that the dying-out process is being checkt; at least just at present the birth-rate exceeds the death-rate. But be that as it may, there have been brought into the Savior's kingdom during these 165 years many thousands of Eskimo souls, and life in those gloomy regions has been made more tolerable by the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shed abroad by lives of rare devotion and of unsurpast Christian heroism.
AMONG 'rHE TOILER$OI<' THE tJEEP
AMONG THE 'rOlLERS OF TIlE DEEP.
PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO THE DEEP SEA FISHEInlEN.* BY WILFHED T. GR};NFELL, ll.R.C.S.E., L.R.C.P. Superintendent of the Royal National Mission to Deep-Sea Fishermen.
Some iuea of the extent and importance of the British fisheries may be seen from the following statistics: Fish landed annually in the United Kingdom …….13,996,Ooo cwts.
Value, about ……………. , ………………….. $7,OOO,OOO Men and boys constantly engaged ………… '" . . . 77,000 Men and boys occasionally engaged……………. 44,000 Craft over fifteen tons ……………….. , .. .. .. . . . 8,000 Craft under fifteen tons………………………. 14,000 Rowing fishing boats ……….. " …….. , .. . .. .. .. 5,ooO Deep-sea fishermen come from various sources, the majority from workhouse-schools anu orphanages, and some from reformatories. Many who urift in to the fi8heries are out-of-work laborers, short· service soldiers, broken-uown mercantile marine sailors, or runaway boys. 'Yhile a certain percentage are sons of fishermen, who are unable to obtain work ashore, a very small percentage enter the ranks from the love of a sea life. It certainly has little to recommend it besiues the freedom from shore convelltionalities, anu the possibility of eaming a competencyof about ten dollars a week. The awful monotony, the constant hardships, and frequent perils are its greatest drawbacks, anu it is pathetic, illlleed, to notice how few old lllen one meets at sea, anu how many old fishermen sink into poverty, and end their days in the workhouse. Yet there are, to my mind, mallY less joyful callings in life than th~t of the deep-sea fishermen. 'rheir boyish happiness anu genial fUll, with their brave hearts and kindly generous natures, are proverbial amongst all whose privilege it is to live among them, and the simple joys of the happy shore-homes of Christian fishermen have not been overdrawn in the mallY romances in whieh they figure. When Christians they are Englishmen at their very best, fnll of that Viking spiri t whiuh has made great the sea-girt isle of Britain. With stories of their strength, daring, generosity, resourcefulness, and selfsacrifice even to death, one could fill volumes.
The life of a deep-sea fishel'man in the North Sea is much as follows: With four men and a boy he leaves port for the great banks. Over these he drags his huge beam-trawl day and night for a peJ'ioLI of two or three months. Then he returns to port to refit and gets a • Deep-sea fishermen must be distinguisht from 'longshoremen; the former are those who leave home for a prolonged period of time, the latter go out for the day only, and, in fishermen parlance, '" have tea alongside 0' nlOther." The'longshoremen are reacht by aU the various ordinary TI1ethods of our regu]ar churches, the deep-sea men are not; they live at sea or away from home, and they are outside the reach of the usual shore workers. A l"LOATI:-"O li'l S Hl!'ol G VILLAGE IN. THE NORTH SEA.
few days rest, after which he is off to sea again. It is the same summer and winter, all the year I1rOlllHl – fighting the storms at sea, and sending his fish daily to Lonuon or Grirnsby by a steam fish-carrier. His vessel is a IlJlit ill a large fleet of one hundred similar craft, a floating village never anchored, alHlllever all home from sea at one time. The fleet, pl'esilled Oyel' by a fishing admiral, who regulates its movements by rockets at niglIt and flags 'by day, is now off the coast of Holland, now off the Danish coast, again on the Dogger bank, and then nearer the Norway shore; anywhere and er erywhere th e fish go, they go too, reaping tlJC harv es t of the sea to supply on r tables.
The fisherman's dress, consist.ing of a blue Gll ern sey, hnge leather boots, dntl'el trousers, and a sou'wester, with an oily frock for bad weather, combines utility, economy, and picturesqueness. His food seldom inclndes fresh meat and vegetables, but the daily fresh fish well replaces the former. Suet lHlt1t1ing, salt pork, flonr, "hard tack," and butter are the other staples of diet, while the teakettle, ever filled, is always ready for use.
Besides the fishing vessels in thesc fleets, until recently olllyone other kind was known. This was, like themselves, a ketch or cutter, and hailed generally from a 13elgi'Ln or Holland port. It caITied no net, and its sides were lined with pllncheolls of brandy, whisky, gin, and rum. Cheap tobacco was used as a lure to entice the fishermen to visit tliem, ancl foul literat ure also was procnrable on board, The "schnapps" was potent !Lnd ficry, and was nicknamed "ehained lightning" by some of its poor vieti illS; lleedless to say it brought ruin in its track, and !lot seldom 1el1 to watery graves, Its reflex illfluence was sorely felt ashore, and nnmucrs of small liqnol' dens sprang IIp in the fishermen's quarters of OUI' coast. '1'110 return of once loving husbands and i.Lth ers was dreatlc(l by the poor wives and children, while the time and money that should have been spent at home was too uften wasted in drunken debauches. Spiritual advantages ashore were seldom made use of even by those men who abstaine(}, for, being weary, they usually stayed at their homes during the few days on land. Deep-sea fishermen were thus practically outside the pale of the Church and civilization.
In 1881 a visit was paid by a London gentleman to the North Sea, the outcome of which was the foundation of the jlh~si()n to Deep-sea Fishermen, for the purpose of carrying the Gospel of Christ to the fishermen on the North Sea and elsewhere. A small vessel named the Ensign was pttrchased, and sent to sea. As the expense of sending not merely one missionary but a whole crew of men and a ship was necessarily involved, she carried a trawl net, and fished for her living. The scoffers who deigned to notice her departure prophesied a three months' existence at most, while pot· house wiseacres gave her six months to fi.nd out that North-Sea fishermen did not want missionaries, and would prefer to keep their grog vessels. God's blessing, however, rested on the undertaking from the very first, and instead of one ship, there are now thirteen of the finest vessels afloat, four of which are hospital ships, and two small steamers doing similar work in Labrador. 'fhe agents of the mission are now at work among fishermen in England, HollanJ, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, and Labrador. The skipper of the mission vessel is the only regular missionary employed, the council believing that a simple, earnest, true-hearted brother fisherman would be used of God to the con versioll of hi" mates. "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men," is engraved in brass on every wheel. Any Christian worker approved of by the cOllllcil, and anxious to go to sea among the men for Christ's sake, has always been warmly welcomed, and in this way volunteers, lay and clerical, male and female, have from time to time been constantly at sea. Bu t the work is rough, and seasickness is so common, that only those in robust physical health are advised to go out.
It soon became apparent to those interested in the mission work, that the physical needs of the men at sea were sadly neglected; the drink and bad literature were demoralizing a large number, while the lack of a substitute led many to visit the grog shop who would otherwise ha1'e avoided it. It became distressingly apparent that tho the Gospel was making headway and a few llIel! had found Christ as their Savior, that the devil's chain of drink was a sore hindrance to the work. It was therefore resolved to attack the enemy in his own territory. More than once services were held aboard the grog-ship, and one captain gave his heart to God and left the trade. But where so much money was so easily to be made, the devil readily found tools to do his work. At last one very markt case brought things to a climax. A young husband and father went aboard a grog-vessel to get tobacco, tho a total abstainer, with the result that he was induced to stay and drink, and eventually found a drunkard's grave the same night.
The Christian fishermen thought it not wrong to smoke, as it is the only luxury in the hOIll's of monotony and cold which is possible for th em to enjoy. The mission, therefore, applied to th e Board of Trade for leave to carry tobacco in bond, that they might undersell the grog-vessel. This was ref used . The mission then shipt tobacco to Ostenu and, there being no duty, managed to sell for Olle sh illing what cost on the grog-vessel eight een pence, at the same time assi du- ously collecting old literature, pictorial and otherwise, and storing their vessels with it, and with good healthy tracts anrl books. The result was marvelou s. In five years the whole nnmber of grog-vessels was practically swept from the face of the sea. 'fhe custo m-hou se officials also found that t iJ eil' fears of increast smuggling were ground- less, and made an arrangement wi th the mission, (1) to ship tobacco in bond, (:2) to only issue limited supplies to each vessel. The men have appre- ciated the boon, and a very large diminution ill th e cases of prosecution for smuggling has followed. Th e en d, how- ever, was more glorions than even our faith anticipated. Th e mission kept the matter before the authorities, and in J anu- ary, 1895, an in ternational convention was signed by all the powers bordering Oil the North Sea, absolutely pl'ohib- iting under the heaviest pen- alties the sale of liquor to fish- erm en at sea. ~Vith the death of the "CopeI' " and grog-traffic began a new era ill the hom es THE MISSION SHIP " ALBERT."
ashore. No less than :25 dram dri nkin g shops closed ill Great Yarmouth fo r want of custom. Homes which had been dens of po ver ty and wretchedness became li ttle palaces.
Men's wages came to their own fa milies, and the sepamte individual testimonies of the mayors of the great fishing ports of Hnll, Grimsby, Lowestoft, and Yarmouth have more than once evinced t he fact that the fishermen's quarters of these tOWIlS had becom e qui etcr and more orderly-a fact to which even the poli ce have add ed t heir sanction.
The intense cold of winter, and the inadequacy of thc warm clothes with which the mell, and especially t he boys, were able to pro- vide themselves, next claimed atte ntion, and warm hearts of Christia n ladies all over England were moved by the tales told of this great FISHERMEN ON BOARD THE H OSI?fTAL SHIP" QUEEN VICTORIA,"
need. Hnndreds and thousands of war m mittens, helmets, mufflers, and gue1'llseys have been sent out during these past years, alld have been true messages of love.
H Look 'ere," said a grizzled skipper, pullin g ant three mufflers from hi s pocket, to three wild frie nds of his whom he was visiting. "Look 'ere, will yer admit there's love in thosemnfflers? Yer see t hem ladies never see'd yer, nor never knowed yer, yet t hey jest sen t me t hese mnffiers for yo u. Well, t hell, h ow mu ch more llIU St Ohrist Jesus 'ave lo-ed yer, when He gi ve ni s lifeblood to Eave yer."
I have it from his own lips as well as one of theirs, that that was the beginlling of leadi ng t.h ose t hree men to God; all d before he left the ship t hat night, they werc t l'll sting in Chri st for pard oll , and for strength to Ii ve as His chil d reno Yet another Jleed became now apparent. In pain, ill sickness, in aeeident even unto death, no c han cc of skilled aill was possible, generally for t hree or four days, often fo r a week 01' more. Limbs were permanen tl y injured, fun ctio ns alld li ves lost, alld famili es drir en to t he workhouse for want of medical aid. It was t he men t hemselves t hat n ow raised the difficulti es.
"Doctors 1 I'll like to see on e 011 'em out 'ere it voyage. I gness a week 0 ' this 'ere weather'd capsize allY all 'em."
But it did llOt. III the true spirit of Christ, our Master, the missi on joined" Healing the sick" to "Preaching the Word." III fonr vessels hospitals were built, swin g eots erected for fraetnre cases, medicine and sets of instruments and splints obtained. A specially devised stretcher was placed on each ship to faciliLate the removal of the injured to the hospital ships. Christian doctors were regularly appointed for each. "Ileal the sick," in letters of gold, was put 011 the port bow, and" Preach the Word," on the starboard. All the mission skippers and mates, and many others as well, were trained in am bu lance work, and now one and all arc capable of rendering first aid to the wounded, by wbi ch many limbs, lives, and much suffering have been saved 011 the vessels wh ere there is no doctor.
The next hindrance the mission endeavored to r emove was the great difficulty ill reaching the erelVs 011 the steam trawlers and the boys on all the trawlers; for, of course, some one must remain always alward, and this generally fell to the lot of the younger hands, while the steam trawlers scatter so far, and work so incessantly that it is only on rare occasions that the missiollary can r each them. Accordingly a branch called the "Fisherlads Association," was formed for correspondillg with all that could be reacht in that way. Most marvelous, indeed, has been the result of this vCllture of faith. Some 800 ladies are already ellgaged in keeping in tonch with some 3,000 or 4,000 fishermeJl. Only those who have the love of Christ in their own hearts arc illited to assist in this way. Most intensely interesting llave becn the boys' and men's letters. Many have taken the pleilge (with fishermen total abstinence is absolutely incumbent GIVING CHLOROFORM IN THE HOSPITAL SHIP" QUEEN VICTORiA. n on the converted man), and many have been truly led to Ohrist. Nevel' till one reads some of their letters, can he realize the absolute friendlessness of many of the men, some saying, "I never had a father or mother or home," "Noone ever cared for me, that I know of," and "I never had a letter in my life." This has led to many of our ladies visiting the ports from which their boys sail, and thus they were not only benefiting others, but being benefited themselves, by taking up actnal personal work for Ohrist, and learning to plead for Him with individuals, "to be reconciled as dear children."
Another branch formed has been the regular visiting by Ohristian workers of the sick and injured, and almost al ways lonely and friendless fishermen, brought by the steam carriers to the great metropolitan hospitals; and most deeply do they appreciate this trnly Ohristlike work. God has allowed the workers to see direct fruits of their labors in this branch also, and to see dying fishermen rejoicing in the sure and certain hope of everlasting life.
In the fall of 1895 definite work ashore in Grirusby and Great Yarmouth was recognized to be necessary by the mission con neil. A united fishermen's Ohristian Association was started with the inevitable badge-in this case a fish with the word" IXeT::S," on it. A most suitable emblem, and one I rejoice to say now rapidly being adopted by all our Ohristian brethren at sea.
I must pass over the work in Ireland, and among the drift-net men and others off the Oornish coast. Five years ago it was my privilege to sail a misHsion vessel from Yarmouth, England, to Labrador. There we have built two hospitals, 200 miles apart, each with a medical mission and Ohristian matron. Each is served by a small steamer,. bringing the sick to and fro. In the small steamer Sir Donald, we range the coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Oape Ohilsey in Hudson Straits, preaching, doetoring, and trying to help the people from May to December. One doctor and one nurse stay through each long winter, keeping the hospitals open, teaching the children, preaching when possible, and traveling from place to place with dogs and sleighs. In Stl mmer we have some 2:3!000 men, women, and children, besides the five thousand residents of the coasts. We visit the Eskimo and Moravian stations, where we enjoy the spiritual fellowship of the devoted missionaries. No happier lot ever fell to any man than ours. Navigating, doctoring, preaching, entrusted with clothes for the naked, and food for the hungry, we live healthy, joyful lives. God has privileged us to see many yield their hearts and lives to Ohrist.* * (1) ,Ve endeavor not to pauperize the recipients of food or clothing, and to preserve their self-respect, by in every case providing work, if possible, where assistance is given. (2) Our mission is inter-denominational. (3) We have treated 170 in-patients in Labrador and 6,500 out-patients, This represents a saving of no little suffering and not 1 few lives. Contribg' tiops to this work mar be sent to the editor,
IMPRESSIONS OF ALASKA AND ITS MISSIONS
METLAKAHTLA, ANNETTE ISLAND, ALASKA.
IMPRESSIONS OF ALASKA AND ITS MISSIONS.
BY MISS MI~NIE E. ADAMS.
Metlakahtla is one of the most striking examples in the world of the beneficial results of Christian missions. A study of its history can not fail to encourage those who, amid the many privations and hardships which they are called upon to endure in Arctic lands, and who, after years of hard work with numerous discouragements, seeing no apparent results, are tempted to conclude that missions to Indians are well-nigh useless and hopeless.
'rhere are still some places in Alaska where the Indians are heathen and hostile, and will murder on the slightest provocation; where crime and vice are prevalent, and where the hardships and difficulties which a missionary among them must encounter are many and great; but none more so than those which William Duncan faced singlehanded ovcr forty years ago, when he first started his little village about sixteen miles from Fort Simpson, British northwest territory. He began his work among cannibals, from whom his life was in constant danger. In a few years, however, he had won the respect and love of many, and from the ferocious savages he has made a Christianized, civilized, and most useful self-supporting community of Tsimshean Indians. A neat little village had been est.ablisht, with regularly laid-out streets, well-built houses, sidewalks, a school, a store, saw-mill, salmon cannery, and a fine church, seating over a thousand people, all built by the Indians themselves. Among the men are expert tradesmen, carpenters, shoemakers, and other artisans and mechanics. All kinds of work needed there is done, aud done well, by the Indians themselves. Their salmon cannery is said to be one of the neatest on the coast, and the only one where the work is all done by Indians. Mr. Duncan, having learnt the Tsimshean language, did not teach them English at first, so that among the older Indians very little English is spoken; but the children understand it, and it is now taught in the school. All the old heathen customs and beliefs have been given up, and this model settlement is to-day a most practical illustration of what may be done if only the right men are sent. It did not take Mr. Duncan three generations, which many claim are necessary, to civilize the Indians. Six years after his settlement was started the bishop from British Columbia baptized over fifty Metlakahtlan Indians.
The present prosperous village of Metlakahtla, situated on Annette Island, has only been in existence for ten years. At that time Mr. Duncan petitioned the United States government to reserve it for his people, since various circumstances led him to decide to leave old Metlakahtla in British Columbia, and emigrate to the United States.
With Mr. Duncan's advancing years his labors have been materially lightened, and the serious question arises as to whether anyone will be found able to carryon the work ~uccessfully, keeping the people together and protecting them from the influx of white traders, as Mr. Duncan has done.
The general answer given in other parts of Alaska to the question, "Do the Indians continue improving?" is, "As well as can be expected, considering the class of white traders with whom they come in contact; they are as good as the whites will let them be."
In contrast to the majority of traders who do so much to work the moral and physical ruin of the Indian and Eskimo are the Christians laboring to educate and regenerate them. In Sitka, the work of the Presbyterian mission, home, hospital, and 1;1rs. Elliott F. Shepard's industrial school, as well as the model mission settlement carried on by its graduates, is too well known to need retelling. Many of the children in the mission here have almost forgotten their native tongue. The Sunday services are conducted in English, but the interpreter repeats all in the native langnage for the benefit of the older Indians, who understand very little English. On the coast west of Sitka the settlements are usually small and scattered, and the missions necessarily few. The Greek church is the most prominent feature in the landscape of these villages. At Yakutat there is a Swedish mission.
Many of the old Indian festivals, "pot-latches" * and other customs, are still adhered to, but the Swedish missionary says there has been steady improvement during his residence there, especially in the question of drunkenness and cleanliness. Nine years ago there were only two or three houses in Yakutat, eighteen families living in one house at that * A pot-latch iR a fete to which an Indian invites all his friends, and then, amidst danc.ing, songs, feasting, etc., proceeds to give away all his possessions, seriously impoverishing himself, but adding greatly to his own importance. time, and some of the families having six or more children. Now there are about twenty houses, and only two families, as a rule. in each house. A few years ago two distilleries were in operation at one time in many of the houses. Now there is very little trouble from drunkenness.
Farther to the westward, on Wood Island, near Kadiak, is a Baptist church and children's home, the church being the most western Protestant church in the United States. A number of children have been taken from wretched homes, 01' no homes at all, and clothed, housed, fed, and taught here. All this is much to the displeasure of the Greek bishop, who objects to anyone getting away from the influence of the Greek priests. One of the annoyances of INDIAN AVENUE AND GREEK CHURCH, SITKA.
the mlsSlOlUtries here and at Unalaska is the interference in many ways of the Greek priests, who oppose the missions, and endeavor to keep the people from attending them. The Aleuts are made to fear that they will never reach heaven if they are excommunicated for disobeying the priests. Over thirty children attended the Methodist mission at Unalaska when we were there last summer, but the uew building which was to be opened in t.he autumn has accommodations for many more. Those in the school range from three to nineteen years of age. Several were brought East this year to the Indian school at Carlisle to complete their education, after which they expect to return to teach their own people.
Gambling and drinking still appear to be prevalent vices, especially at their a pot-latches" and other festivals. We heard of an Indian becoming hopelessly drunk on lemon extract. Florida water, colognes, pain-killers, Jamaica ginger, and various extracts are all sold to them where liquor is prohibited, and have quite as evil results. They are inveterate gamblers. Hats, overcoats, shoes, and various other articles of clothing are taken off their backs and furnisht as stakes when all else is gone. Of a hundred and fifty Indians from British Columbia, we saw gambling in circles on the grass one afternoon, many went to the sealing schooners, when they sailed for Bering Sea, destitu te of suitable clothing to keep them warm, but expecting to win back all they needed on the way. It is, in fact, most astounding to see the number of times clothing can change hands in a few days. As a usual thing the women do not gamble, tho We heard of men gambling ALASKA INDIANS GAMBLING AWAY THEIR CLOTHES.
away their wives. The women have the reputation of being very immoral, and they appeared in many ways far inferior to the men.
The marriage customs among the Aleuts are curious and seemingly not conducive to happiness. The mother usually selects a wife for her son. W·e heard of one woman who chose a bride for her son who was living· at quite a distance on another island. She decided one day that it was time for the marriage to take place, so she took passage on a schooner to go to Kadiak for the wife. On her arrival she learned that the future daughter-in-law, who knew nothing of her intentions, was away gathering berries, and could not be found immediately. The woman, not wishing to lose her return passage by delaying, thereupon chose another girl, and carried her back as a substitute. As the son probably knew neither of the girls, it was immaterial to him.
THE FRIARS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Aleuts are an improvident, extravagant people, and in former days, when sea otters were plenty, and the price paid for the skins was high, an Aleut thought nothing of spending several thousand dollars on provisions, clothing, musical instruments, and other unnecessary things. Clocks apparently had a particular fascination for them, some families owning as many as eight. As for saving money, that they never did, and now, with the scarcity of the sea otter, their means of livelihood is practically gone; they are wretchedly poor, and a very serious problem is what is to become of them. Those living on the seal islands, of course, are not included, as they are cared for by the government, and well paid for their work during the sealing season.
Of the more difficult mission work in the interior and northwestern part of Alaska, with its bitter weather and isolated stations, so different from the southern coast climate where, even at Unalaska, in Bering Sea, the thermometer does not fall to zero, we can not now speak. They are doubtless doing efficient work, and will have a large part in shaping the future of the country. But for visible results, material and spiritual, Metlakahtla ;;tallds above all as a unique and marvelous transformation, effected through the agency of one man, who went to Alaska, not as a trained missionary, but as a clerk. This man preacht a simple and practical Gospel to a band of savages, and has seen them develop into honest and industrious citizens.
'rHE FRIARS IN 'rHE PHILIPPINES.* BY REV. F. DE P. CASTELLS, GUATEMALA, CENTRAL AMERICA.
The eight millions of souls in the Philippine Islands have been deprived by Spain of religious as well as political freedom, and have never yet heard the pure message of the Gospel. Since Admiral Dewey's overwhelming victory there are indications that Spanish authority in those islands is at an end, and that at last the rays of the Sun of Highteousness will shine upon them, dispelling the darkness and purifying the rotten social and religious life which has domillated the people thus far.
"From the reports that reach us from time to time from Manila it is time that that nursery of tyranny and religious fanaticism were sunk in the sea, or swept clear of the lazy and cruel drones that make every act of honest men, every opinion different from their own sluggish and bigoted spirits, an act punishable with all the horrors of a lingering imprisonment or speedy death. That such men (the priests) should be permitted to wield such an enormous power for evil, is a disgrace to the Mr. Castells is, we believe, the only Protestant Christian worker living, who has ever preacht the Gospel in the Philippines while they have been under Spanish rule. He was there ten years ago, and held regular (private) services every Sunday, both in E'nglish and in Spanish, at the houses of several of the prominent citizens, including that of the American consul. The Spanish services were necessarily strictly secret. Mr. Castells was persecuted for preaching and imprisoned under the now notorious General Weyler, then governor of the L~lands: He is now preaching in Central America, but hopes to return to the islands and proclaim the Gospel as soon as the way is opened. Spanish nation, and an indelible stain on the administration of the Spanish government."
Thus spoke the Siam Free Press and the Singapore Doily Adver- tiser some five years since. But we, as Christians, only exclaimed, " Oh, Lord, how long! "
Discovered by the celebrated Magellan in 1521, when on his voyage of circumnavigation, these islands were llamed in hOllor of the crownprince of Spain, the sanguinary monster that has become famous as King Philip II. No sooner had the friars heard of them than they flockt thither'and began the work of baptizing the llatives with great vigor, becoming from the first the virtual rulers of the new colonies.
The Spaniards wonder at times that the priests should have gained so much influence over the natives. How has this come about? It was simply through the king lending them his anthority and military power, and allowing, what we find even now in Spf.in, a servile snbordination of the civil to the spiritual power. The maxim underlying all their" mission work 'I was this: All the king's subjects shall oe Catholics. And no territory was considered altogether conquered until its inhabitants had been baptized. When once the friars had obtained control of the islands, they were careful not to let their power be lessened. Orders came, indeed, from the Spanish government for the establishing of schools and the teaching of Spanish to the natives, but these laws were disobeyed, It was proposed that the Mohammedan populations of the south should be subjugated, but the friars invariably hindered this by turning the expeditions into a sort of religious crusade. In spite of all the precautions taken, however, some of the natives have learned to read Spanish, and have imbibed Western ideas. It is this class which started the revolution-a revolution which was more social than political- and their attitude to the Church of Rome is shown by the fact that whenever they capture convents, the inmates are ruthlessly butchered.
'rhe revolution in the Philippines created more astonishment than indignation in Spain. The Philippine Islanders were supposed to be most fervent Catholics, men who fairly worshipt the parish priests, and, therefore, no one could explain this uprising against the" holy fathers." Foreseeing how detrimental all this would be to their prestige, the priests hastened to announce that the revolu tion was the work of the Freemasons and the Protestants. 'l'hepeople did not believe this, however, becanse they knew that the laws of those colonies made it impossible for any dissenting body, or for the Masonic order, to get a footing there. Accordingly, not very long since, the bishop of Oviedo (Spain) gave to the public a more plausible explanation: " It would be difficult just now to point out the causes of the Separatist uprising in the Philippines, and still more to indicate the rewedy. It was the idea that there was once of granting the colonization of Mindanao to a foreign syndicate that led the Jesuit fathers to occupy that island. On coming they were offered the parishes, which had been founded and administered by the Franciscans, and the latter, in compensation, received some livings in the archbishopric of Manila, which had been in the possession of native clergy ever since the extinction of the Jesuits' order in the last century. The colonization of Mindanao did not take place, as it was not right that it should either. Then the transfer of the benefices in question has been effected, and is being effected very slowly. And it it! in this wise that, from the sore that 'Was opened there, has been flowing blood for the last thirty-six years. The native clergy, their relatives, and the friends of these have formed a band of discontented people, whose well-known workings were abruptly brought to a standstill by the earthquake of 1863, when, it may be remembered, the leaders of the incipient filibustering party were buried in the ruins of the cathedral of Manila."
'rhis throws the blame on the Jesuits, but as the bishop is a friar, it is probable that he only gives us part of the truth.
What makes all this of interest to Christians, however, is the high NATIVE HOUSES IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
probability that the Lord is using recent and coming events to show the evil tendencies of papal priestcraft, and the necessity of religious as well as political freedom for the true development of those islands. In endeavoring to quell the revolution, the Spanish forces have been officered with priests and one bishop. It is not surprising, however, that the Spanish cler€1:Y should devote themselves to the work of subduing the rebellion, since they derive a revenue of nearly $24,000,000 in gold from the islands.
There is great need of united prayer for this portion of the Lord's vineyard that it may be opened to the Gospel, that God may raise up suitable workers for it, and that souls may be saved there.
MISSIONA~Y DIGEST DEPARTMENT
H.-MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT.
SPANISH RULE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. * The present war with Spain has an important religious and missionary bearing. The government of Spain has denied to her colonies religious as well as civil liberty, and has kept them in moral darkness, as well as in material depression. Missionary work in Cuba has been carried on under the utmost difficulties and in the Philippines has been utterly discouraging. A few years ago, the British and Foreign Bible Society sent there a colporteur and a converted priest. The priest was killed, the Bibles confiscated, and the colporteur was obliged to flee for his life. We trust that the time has now come for the emancipation of these islands long oppressed and neglected. Prof. Worcester, of the University of Michigan, in the Independent gives the following facts in regard to them: The Philippine Islands (see Frontispiece) lie wholly within the tropios, reaching at the south to within four and a half degrees of the equator. Big and little, they number some six hundred, t varying in size from Luzon, with its 40,000 square miles, to tiny islets hardly worthy of the name. The islands are in most instances of volcanic origin, and several fine volcanic peaks may still be seen in Luzon, Negros, and Mindanao. Destructive eruptions have occurred within recent times, while earthquakes are frequent and often of great violence.
The climate is intensely hot, and in many of the islands very unhealthy for Europeans. There are four months of rain, four of sun, with intense heat, and two months of variable weather at each change of the monsoons. Revolving storms of great magnitude and frightful violence occur at certain seasons, and frequently cause enormous damage to property, attended with heavy loss of life.
The tropical scenery in the forests of this archipelago is of unsurpast splendor, the heat and moisture combining to produce vegetation of magnificence which beggars description. Gigantic trees, towering to a height of two or three hundred feet, are festooned with graceful rattans, beautiful ferns, and exquisite orchids, while underneath splendid tree-ferns rear their lovely heads thirty or forty feet into air. So dense is the vegetation in some of these forests that the fierce tropical sun hardly penetrates to the ground beneath them, and the dense undergrowth perpetually drips with moisture.
The population of the islands is estimated at from eight to ten millions.::: The natives are divided into something like two hundred tribes, each with its peculiar dialect and customs. With the single exception of the Negritos, these tribes are of Malay extraction. The latter people are a race of dwarfish blacks, confined at present to a few of the loftiest mountain ranges. They are characterized not alone by tlleir color, but by the possession of closely curling hair, which serves at once to distinguish them from the straight-haired Malay races. They are commonly believed to be the aborigines of the islands.
A more degraded race could hardly be conceived. They wander through the forests in a state bordering closely on absolute nudity, and live on whatever they can pick from the trees or dig out of the ground.
* Valuable and interesting information ou this subject is also to be found in Forman's HPhilippine Islands," Fernaldls 1 The Spaniard in History," (from which our map is taken), and articles in the Outlook and Review of Reviews for June. For the religious and moral condition see especially the article hy E. S. Little in the M,SSIONARY REVIEW for July, 1896.
t Statesman's Year Book gives over 1,200, and other authorities 2,000, but the inhabited islands number not over 600.
t The total area is about 114,3~6 sq. miles, or about the size of New Englasd and New York State. The largest island, Luzon, is about the same area as Cuba, but has three times as many inhabitants.
SPANISH RULE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDs
They never practise agriculture, but sometimes hunt a little, and are said to eat much of their animal food raw. They build no houses during the dry season, sleeping wherever night overtakes them, and moving on when the flies become troublesome. They are a puny, sickly race, and are rapidly becoming extinct.
Turning now to the tribes of Malay origin, we find them varying in their development from a state of absolute savagery to civilization. The interiors of several of the larger islands are populated by nearly naked tribes, many of whose members have never seen a white man. Having nothing to excite the cupidity of the Spanish, they are completely independent.
The Mangyans of Mindoro absolutely deny any belief in an existence after death, invariably replying, when questioned, that when a man is dead he is dead! As soon as one of their number falls seriously ill, he is deserted by his friends, who abandon aU their belongings, and run away and hide themselves in the jungle, changing their names to insure better luck in future.
Extreme poverty is the rule among the civilized natives, and its cause is found in the heavy burden of taxation imposed upon them by their Spanish masters. Every person over eighteen years of age is required to procure annually a cred'ula personal, or document of identification, the charge for which varies fromAi/H.50 to $25, according to the means of the applicant. The average native has little or no opportunity to work for hire, and if he does succeed in securing employment, his wages are often not more than five cents per day. He is usually unable to dispose of his farm products for cash, being compelled to exchange them for other commodities. In addition to this personal tax there is a tax on cocoanut-trees, a tax on beasts of burden, a tax on killing animals for food, a tax for keeping a shop, a tax on mills or oil-presses, a tax on weights and measures, a tax on cock-fighting, and so on to the end of the chapter. At every turn the poor native finds himself face to face with the dire necessity of paying tributo " and he frequently spends his life in an ineffectual effort to meet the obligations thus imposed.
If the enormous sums thus raised were expended even in part in the improvement of the colony, there might be some justification for its collection. While the laws in regard to its disposition are not entirely bad, in actual practise it for the most part finds its way into the pockets of the Spanish officials, the annual surplus amounting to not more than eight or nine millions of dollars.
While the officials fatten, the natives are left to die like cattle, if epidemic disease breaks out among them, or to starve if their crops fail. There are, as a rule, no roads worthy of the name. There is no justice, except for those able to pay liberally for it, and, worst of all, there is no opportunity for education, except in one or two of the largest cities, and even there the facilities offered are very poor.
The Spanish law provides for the teaching of the Spanish language in the village schools; but this does not suit the convenience of the village friars, who prefer to be the only available interpreters between their flocks and the outside world. They therefore attempt, usually with success, to prevent the teaching of Spanish, and the" education" of the average native consists of the memorizing of a few prayers and a little of the catechism. In extreme cases he learns to read and write a little Spanish, and may aspire to become a clerk.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
Delinquent taxpayers are treated with the utmost severity. The first step is usually to strip them to the waist, tie them to a bench or post, and beat them unmercifully. Even women are subjected to this treatment. If this does not suffice, imprisonment follows, while pressure is brought to bear on relatives and friends. Daughters are not infre- quently offered an opportunity to secure the liberation of a parent at the expense of their own honor. Should none of these methods prove effect- ive, deportation follows, with confiscation of property, and the leaving of women and children to shift for themselves.
Should a native manage to get abroad and secure some little eduaa- tion, he is likely to be invited on board a gunboat some evening and not be heard from thereafter, the reason for his disappearance being that he knew too 1n1wh.
Brigandage is tolerated, if not encouraged, by the authorities charged with the enforcement of the laws. The civil guard go to much trouble in apprehending criminals of the worst type only to have them set at liberty again without trial, or mysteriously" escape" from prison. If there were no criminals at large the fees of the judges would fall off.
All of the civilized natives are adherents of the Catholic faith. There is not a Protestant minister in the islands. Were one to attempt to work in the provinces he would be likely to encounter conditions not con- ducive to longevity. '"
The great power in every native village is the padre, or village friar.
Friars belonging to orders not allowed to hold parishes in any other part of the world, have no difficulty in securing them here. Recruited as they are from the lower classes in Spain, their ignorance is, in many cases, almost beyond belief. Once settled over an out-of-the-way parish the friar becomes a demigod. He is regarded with reverential awe by the native members of his flock, who kiss his hands whenever he appears in public, and obey implicitly his every order, while Spaniards living near him learn to know and fear his power, and, as a rule, act upon his sug- gestions. In spite of their vows of poverty and chastity two or three of these orders of friars constitute the wealthiest, as well as the most shame- less, class in the islands. There is no disputing their wealth nor the enormous power which it brings, while there is no attempt to dispute the fact that they are directly responsible for much of the extensive half- caste population which almost invariably springs up in their vicinity.
The most appalling feature of their domination is the use which they undoubtedly make of their holy office to effect the ruin of the simple and.
superstitious native women and girls, who blindly follow their bidding.
Nominally, the highest authority in the Philippines is the governor- general. Actually the controlling power is vested in the clergy, and woe betide the official, be he civil, military, or religious, who attempts to interfere with Philippine monastic life as it exists. One of two results have invariably followed any vigorous attempt to correct the crying evils which I have enumerated. The too ambitious official has found that money would procure the recall even of a governor-general, or he has met a sudden and mysterious death. * * The religious orders in the Philippine Islands have now placed the Spanish government in a dilemma by demanding that the government decide whether they are to withdraw from the archipelago, or whether it will give them ample means to maintain their religious and political domination, which, they say, is indispensable if they are to net as auxiliaries of Spanish rule Most of the liberals and republicans urge the government to proceed with the reforms regardless of the religious orders. The conservatives support the religious orders, and the government is emharrast, not wishing to offend the religious party, while at the same time it feels that concessions to the insurgents at the expense of the priesthood afford the only chance of salvation for the Philippines.
THE 'ESKIMOS OF 'EAST GREENLAND
The governor-general is surrounded by a numerous corps of officials to aid him in the performance of his duties, while the islands are divided into provinces, over each of which preside a governor and a horde of minor officials. The whole administration is rotten from skin to core. A few years ago it used to be said that the governor of a province who failed to becOIne wea1thy in two years was a fool. Certain it is that few Philippine governors grow wealthy out of their salaries.
All in all, it can hardly be said that the lot of the Philippine native is a happy one. He constantly chafes under his burden, while the halfcastes, with their greater sensitiveness and superior intelligence, are perpetually boiling with more or less well-concealed fury. Were arms and ammunition to be had, Spain's rule in these islands would be speedily terminated. As it is, the, natives, stirred up and led by the half-castes, have repeatedly risen against the government.
Naturally the Philippine native is a peaceable, easygoing fellow. Under a decent form of government he would give little trouble. No one familiar with existing conditions can doubt that Spanish rule has been a curse to these islands, and it would be a happy day for them should some civilized power take possession of them.
The other Spanish possessions in the Pacific are the Mariane or Ladrone Islands, with an area of 420 square miles, and a population of 10,172, and the Caroline Islands, whose combined area is 560 and population about 36,000. In the former group no Protestant missionary work is carried on, but in the latter the American Board has for many years been represented by devoted missionaries. The opposition and difficulties encountered have been many, but the converts have given much cause for encouragement.
THE ESKIMOS OF EAST GHEENLAND.
Some fifteen years ago about forty heathen Greenla,nders were discovered by a Danish royal expedition at Angmagsalik on the eastern coast of Greenland. It was decided to establish there a station in the interest of the commerce with the natives, and, as they were heathen, the government also determined to start a mission there. It was not until 1892, however, that Hev. P. Huttel was sent to Greenland to learn the language at one of the old stations. From there he went to Angmagsalik two years later. His latest letter, dated July 23, 1897, to the editor of ]}fissionsbudet is in part as follows:* You have doubtless heard that the ships did not reach us last year, so that my letter has been waiting a second year for an opportunity to be dispatcht. It has not been very agreeable to be for a whole year without letters and what we have need of from home, but we must expect such things. It would have been much worse, if the ships had not reacht us this year, for we have not sufficient supply of coal for the coming winter. But our L0rd will take care of everything, and nothing can happen without His will; therefore we are not troubled.
As to the missionary work, it is ahout as usual. Some speak about being baptized, but seem to be without the true motives, and it is very difficult to give them adequate instruction. The deep corruption of the heathen life here becomes more and more apparent the longer we live here. It is almost incredible, that the deeds which we hear and see are performed by men. They know not what they do; that may be their excuse, while it can not be said on behalf of those at home.
* Translation for the MISSIONARY REVIEW by the late Dean Vahl, of Denmark.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
Along the eastern coast of Greenland a small number of Eskimos are found, all of whom are heathen. At Angmagsalik in the neighborhood of the Polar circle there lives a larger tribe. This place was first discovered and described by Captain Holm, in 1884-, and here the government decided to establish a missionary and commercial station. I was sent out as the first missionary, and reacht here in 1894-. I shall now invite the reader to go with me on a visit to our neighbors.
First we must change our clothing, but not to be beautified. We put on a pair of seal-skin breeches, a jacket (anorak) of seal-skin or dog-skin with a hood to cover the head. Then we draw on the soft boots of sealskin, good gauntlets on the hands, and snow-shoes on the feet, and we are ready for the journey. Even before the outermost door is opened, a fearful howling is heard. It is my five young dogs, who hear us and thus give us their welcome. The cold bites our noses somewhat, to remind us that we are in Greenland. The snow is heapt up to the height of some yards. Sometimes it covers the side of the house, so that it is necessary to shovel it away from the windows. The thermometer shows 200 R.; a few days ago we had 29°, the highest temperature this winter. On our left is the manager's house, and on our right is another almost buried in snow. Here two mechanics, the manager, my wife and I all lived during the first year. Now the two mechanics live by themselves. We were glad when we could have use of our own house, for, altho it is not grand and comfortable, yet it was much better than the tent, in which we were. "Ve glide along further and come to the steeper descent to the sea. I very seldom go down this hill without turning some somersaults, but never mind, there is enough snow here to protect head, arms, and legs! We pass a storehouse, where provisions are stored for use in case the ship should not arrive or be compelled to winter here. Now we are on the ice of the harbor, which we cross, and with some trouble again creep up on land, for the ice has made deep, broad crevices on the beach, which often slopes very much. Perhaps we may see a few ptarmigans or a seal on the ice, or perhaps a bear.
Soon we reach our journey's end and take our snowshoes of!'. Where is the house? We do not see much of it, but soon we observe a gray fog oozing from some dark spots in the snow. It is the smoke coming from the windows of the house! A little figure comes from another hole, which is the front door. The entrance to the house is a tunnel of ten or twelve yards long, without a door, and so low that it is necessary to creep through it. At the entrance we stop to accustom our eyes to the darkness, and it is well, for in the middle of the passage we suddenly come on a little pool of water, on whose muddy surface some small children are playing with sailboats. The house itself has only one large room, the length and the half breadth of which is taken up by a large pallet, which is used at night as a bed for all the inhabitants, and during the day serves as stools and table.
What amazes us more than the primitive arrangement of the house, is the yet more primitive dress of the inhabitants. Indoors the young people wear no clothing at all, the women have on only very short breeches, or rather a girdle, of sealskin, and the men wear knee-breeches. Some women sit with the legs crost on the pallet and rest, the others lie down comfortably. The men are out hunting. The air is very disagreeable for noses not accustomed to it. Perspiration, stale flesh, train oil, filth, etc., combine to make the odor well-nigh unbearable.
THE ESKIMOS OF EAST GREENLAND
We are welcomed heartily, for a visit is always an agreeable varia- tion in this monotonous life. A young woman stretches her hand under the pallet, draws out a book, and goes with it to one of the windows, which we now see are made of thin membranes of gut woven together.
I take a familiar book, and we begin to read Bible history in the West Greenlandish language. This is the first small beginning of'the mission- ary work here in East Greenland.
But, perhaps, some one wonders why I do not preach. Briefly because I can not speak the language. I came to East Greenland with scanty knowledge of West Greenlandic, but it is necessary to be quite conver- sant with it before being able to make oneself understood by an East Greenlander. It is still more difficult when one is to speak of spiritual things, for here the language as yet lacks the words to express spiritual thoughts. There is no word for spirit, only for soul, and it is hard to convey the truth by saying that God is a soul, especially when they believe that everyone has many souls.
Last summer this poor girl was brought to me suffering from old gan- grene wounds in the legs, and only able to move by creeping. All her toes were gone. I was askt to do something for her. She was lodged in a tent in our ground, and when she was a little better we began to teach her fN)m a Greenlandish spelling-book. In the spring her family came to live here, and this is their house. Thus I could continue to look after my patient and teach her to read. At the beginning of this year her legs were well again, and, in spite of their stuntedness, she was able to walk. Now we read the Bible history, but every few moments we must stop, for there is a word that she can not understand, either because the idea or the word is foreign to her. I have the pleasure of seeing that one thing after another is becoming plain to her. We must learn to creep before we can walk, and that it takes some time to be able to run. But the light will shine even here in the darkness, and, perhaps, this pupil may be a forerunner among her people.
While we have been reading you may have been looking about in the house. You may have observed that the East Greenlanders have the sport of hunting in the neighbor's hair and eating the game in the place!
Many other peculiar things we see, but we must defer their discussion, and go outside for some fresh air in our lungs. So we take leave with a farewell, which is answered with a handshake, altho it is hardly noon. Outside we meet the men, who are coming home from hunting. Their long, black hair is worn loose, and but for its length would need plaiting. We nod to them and hasten home, as the snow is blowing along the ground, and the cold is felt the more.
One day I was out in a fearful cold and wind, with too thin gauntlets, and I came home with my finger tips Su frozen that it took a month to get them thawed, and the skin had to be changed many times. Another day I was Gut with my dogs, and the snowstorm was so fearful that only with the aid of my dogs could I reach home again. The Greenlanders from the farther places have almost never been able to come here during the winter. When we reach home it is necessary to puton new clothing, and to be washt to get rid of the Greenland odors, and when some native has paid us a visit, a general airing is necessary. But in spite of all their disagreeable qualities and their gr<eat faults (thieving, licentiousness, want of deep feeling, etc.), which are found here, it is impossible not to love them for their cordiality and confidence.
A spiritual fight must be fought here in this land of ice and snow. Therefore, if you have some warmth of heart, remember that you can do something to bring the Kingdom of God to these people, and to guide them to faith in our Lord Jesus Ohrist.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
HAW All AND THE MISSIONARIES.
Tha-t the Hawaiian Islands are not in the state of moral and spiritual degradation which characterizes the Philippines, is due solely to the power of Christianity brought there by the missionaries. Four hundred years of priest-rule in the Spanish islands find them practically as heathen as when first discovered, while one hundred years of Protestant missionary work have given Hawaii religious and civil liberty, and have made them very nearly as civilized and Christian as the United States. In" Hawaii, Our New Possessions," Mr. John R. Music thus speaks of Hawaii's debt to missions: Missionaries have been important factors in the upbuilding of the present state of society. From the very beginning of their work they were confronted by every obstacle which the unrighteous and lewd, whose dissolute habits would not be tolerated within the pale of civilization, could throw in their way. The anti-missionary class were halfbuccaneers, who found the easy-going natives willing to put up with their own loose characters. The missionaries being a stumbling-block in the way of the perfect license which they had hoped for, they began to pour out the vials of their wrath -upon their heads. Some one has said that" everyone who pays his honest debts, lives a sober, upright, moral life, and believes in good government, is clast as a missionary." On the other hand, the Sabbath-breakers, the gamblers, the saloon loafers, the lottery promulgators, and opium smugglers are anti-missionaries.
The aboriginal Hawaiians had an elaborate mythology, and worshipt innumerable powers of nature. To the ancient Hawaiian, the volcano, the thunder, the whirlwind, the meteor, the shark, and, above all, the mysterious and dreaded diseases, largely introduced by foreigners, were each the direct work or the embodiment of malicious spirits. The goddess Bele was supposed to inhabit the active volcano Kilauea, and when there were destructive eruptions, human beings were sacrificed by being strangled and thrown into the burning crater. The priests, chiefs, and kings had a system of taboos which were tyrannical and cruel. If a king or priest desired anything, he placed on it his taboo, to violate which was death.
The first company of American missionaries to the islands embarkt at Boston, Oct. 23, 1819, in the brig Thaddeus. The company consisteq. of two clergymen and five laymen, with their wives, and three Hawaiian youths, who went as assistants and interpreters. The missionaries were granted permission to stay one year, but at the end of that time had so ingratiated themselves in the affections of the natives that they were permitted to remain longer. Roman Catholics came to the islands in 1827, but they were not permitted to land, since the king thought that one religion was enough. In ten years, however, they returned, and have remained ever since.
The work of Christianizing the natives was very successful, and in four years more than two thousand persons had been converted.
The most eminent and successful missionary of his day was the Rev. Titus Coan, who was born in Killingworth, Conn., Feb. 1, 1801, and was first sent to Patagonia by the American Board of Foreign Missions. He returned in six months, and in 1834 was sent around the Horn to Hawaii, where he had a parish one hundred miles long on the eastern coast. For many years Mr. Coan made his visits to his appointments once every three months on foot, fording the mountain torrents, and threading his way across the almost pathless ravines. In 1837 there was a great religious
HAWAII AND THE MISSIONARIES
revival in the Hawaiian group, and Rev. Titus Coan in one summer received into the church 1,705 converts. The abiding character of the work of the missionaries is attested by the hundreds of native churches and native preachers all over the islands. The Congregationalists are the principal Protestant denomination, but there are besides a few Presbyterians, a Mormon church or two, a Christian church, a Methodist Epibcopal church, St. Andrew's cathedral, and a number of Roman Catholic churches in Honolulu. The following e>.. tract from a recent report of the Hawaiia'l Evangelical Asso- ciation will give an idea of some of the difficulties with which Protestant mission- aries must be content: "The past year has certainly been one in which Hawaiian Christia nity has been put to a severe test, and proven itself fit to live. Every native church has borne the strain of a divided political sentiment.
Every native pastor has had to stand be- tween two political parties.
"The fight for righteousness has been waged not only against influences of dark- REV. TrTUS COAl'.
ness, which have taken occasion to declare themselves openly in these days, hut it has met a dissident patriotism.
"The great issue of the day which has so divided society, even invading homes to the marring of their peace, has not left the churches undisturbed. But in the conte ntions hetween royalists and supporters of the government, it must be said that there has been shown on the part of many of both political affiliations an admirable spirit of Christian forbear- ance. The best of the pastors and the best of the people are honestly seeking the truth. They are working with much patience for the llphuilding of the kingdom of God among us. Hot as has been the temper of the peo- ple in some of the parishes, and unreasonable as has been the treatment of two 01' three of our best pastol's, this condition has been traceable to the ill-advised appeals of unscrupUlous and ungodly agitators, and to the damaging influence of an active and untruthful press. Misconceptions and bitterness have been industriously and wickedly fostered, but amid it all there has been a remarkable show of gentle, patient forbearance.
"We believe a sturdier Christianity is to be developt amid the per- plexities and agitation of the day. There has been much inquil-yafter the truth, and this earnest, teachable spirit will doubtless be increasingly manifest as soon us political uncertainty is removed from the minds of the people."
Notwithstanding the sneers and scoffs of agnostics, but for the work of the missionaries the natives would still have been in a state of barbal'ism, or, what is worse, would have yielded to all the unrestrained vices of civilization, even more pernicious than heathenism. Missionaries not only brought salvation and eternal happiness to the H a waiians, but peace, liberty, love of wife and children, happiness, thrift, and industry. Those who believe that absolute monarchy and tyranny, the sacrifice of human life to a cruel superstition, grass huts, nakedness, and utter disregard for the family tie, are better than the state of society the natives now enjoy, may conclude that the missionary work is a failure; but it is a badly depraved taste and diseased mind that draws such conclusions.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
III.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Suggestions on Policy and Method. its close connection with the devel- opment of self-support, which the REV. SAMUEL W. DUNCAN, D.D., Union should incorporate as a car- dinal point in the missionary policy Foreign Secretary American Baptist of the future. By self-support is to be understood the organization Missionary Union. * of individual believers at the ear- liest favorable moment into inde- The late Dr. Lawrence rightly pendent churches, who shall be expresses the relation of mission encouraged where possible to call boards and missionaries in these and ordain, under the supervision fitting words: "Our part is to or- of the missionary, suitable men as ganize individuals whom we may pastors; where it is not possible, convert into an indigenous, inde- the appointment by him, after the pendent, and expansive church, apostolic method, of elders, who which shall be the type of a native shall have charge of the services and reproductive Christianity. We and the work of the church. Such are to found this church on Christ churches should be expected to and the Apostles, to train it from provide for themselves places of the start in principles of self-reli- worship, without calling upon forance, self-control, and self-propa- eign aid, or in case assistance is exgation. We are to develop its tended, such aid should be strictly ministry, found its institutions, supplementary to their own utmost organize its work." exertions. They should be expected to maintain their own pastors, pro- Of course, the great point is to viding for them such support as know when the time shall have shall be in keeping with the social come to lay this responsibility on conditions of the membership. the native church. It will vary in different lands, and with the vary- 'Vhen the question of education ing social and industrial conditions becomes an· important one, they of the people among whom we la- should also have laid upon them bor, but it should be made unmis- the duty and responsibility, so far takably clear that such time must as possible, of supporting their own come; for it will readily be seen, schools. To attain the full ideal of if this central aim is kept steadily a New Testament church, they in view, how it will color the in- should be led to go even further struction given by the missionary, than this, and lay by something how vitally it will affect his meth- toward the direct evangelization of ods of work, and greatly hasten the the surrounding heathen. In some time when the native church can of our missions all of these results be thrown upon its own resources, have been successfully reacht, to leaving the missionary free to the glory and praise of Christ; and it penetrate the regions beyond. is worthy of note that the churches which have contributed most to SELF-SUPPORT. this result in that mission of the Union which leads the van in self- This thought has been dwelt up- support, are those which from the on somewhat at length, because of beginning received no aid from the society. The Executive Committee * At our personal solicitation Dr. Duncan kindly furmsht us with a copy of his very comprehensive address at the Baptist Anniversaries, Rochester, N. Y., May 17, with the privilege of using SUCll parts of it as we could. We regret that the paper can not be ~resented to our readers in its entirety.- J.T.G. have taken advanced ground in quantity would find an ample comregard to this movement, so vital pensation in the improvement in to missionary progress. By a rule quality, for a strong temptation adopted a year ago, they have de· to embrace Christianity for gain clined to give appropriations to the would be removed. Better still, naordained pastors of churches. In tive pastors and evangelists would lieu of this has been substituted cease to be isolated from the symsmall grants in aid to the churches, pathy and life of their people by but only to such as show them· looking to the mission for their sup· selves worthy by doing all they port; while in the churches robustcan for their own support. The ness would supplant the chronic native churches, too, are, for the debility which is always the result most part, building their own meet· of servile dependence. ing places. Only in very excep· tional cases are appropriations now EDUCATION. made for this purpose. The policy of the society with re· It is of paramount importance gard to schools has been, and is that emphasis should be given to now, a conservative one. These this policy by the emphatic in· can not be regarded as a substitute dorsement of the society. For it for the living preacher, or even as must be said that there is wanting a preparation for the work of evanconcerted and progressive action at gelization. Our schools have sprung this point on the part of some of up where converts have multiplied, our missionaries. Many are stead- and the very acceptance of the Gosfastly and successfully at work pel has awakened longings and as· along these lines. Others are wa- pirations which, under the blight vering and uncertain, if not in opin· of heathenism, were dormant. ion, at least in method. It should Located, as our Asiatic missions are, be made distinctly clear to all what largely under the British flag, the the Union's policy is, and that necessity of educating the young there is no disposition to modify has been thrust upon us, as a butit, or to relax effort in establish- tress to our evangelizing work, and ing self.supporting, self·governing, as a safeguard for the youth of our self.propagating churches; that we Christian constituency against the believe that Christianity in India agnosticism and the materialism or China or Japan must some day they would inevitably imbibe from stand upon its own basis, as it does the government and other schools, in our own land; and that the so- which they are sure to enter, unless ciety purposes now to adjust its the craving for knowledge was sup· work with this object clearly in plied under the auspices of the view. It may be true that the de- mission. mands, which the realization of this ideal lay upon the natives, will at The expenses of these schools, the first reduce the lists of converts. apart from the salaries of our own Is it, however, anything more missionaries upon some of our than the faithful application of the mission fields, are wholly borne tests which our Lord himself ap- by the natives themselves, and plied, when He directed the multi- everywhere such aid as they can tudes who were thronging upon render is exacted. There has been Him, to calmly consider the cost of a steady growth in the support discipleship? Certainly, if at the of their schools on the part of the outset the number. of baptisms natives. The outlay of the Union flllOuld be diminisht! the loss in does not seem to be, for this branch of service, out of proportion to the whole amount expended for knowledge to build upon, greatly mission work on our fields. Last lessening the advantage that might year, including the work of the otherwise be derived from theolog- women's societies, the total ex- ical study. The result is that, so penditure for schools was $40,- far as a well-equipt native ministry 313.99, a little more than one- is concerned, we are at the present thirteenth of the entire appropria- time at a serious disadvantage. tion of the Union. Of this sum only $11,085.75 were from the direct funds Other boards, who have long had of the Union. Of this $11,085.75, their academies and even colleges, more than $5,000 was from the in- are now enricht with scores of come of the Ongole College endow- native preachers and teachers prement fund, while two-thirds of the pared for leadership in this new balance was spent in connection era that is dawning- upon China; with theological seminaries, thus while, on the other hand, if the having, for the most part, direct testimony of those who are well bearing upon the preparation of a qualified to speak is to be received, competent native ministry. we have not, in the eastern China mission at least, a single native Some readjustments, such as the preacher who would be listened to union of several schools, particu- by any but the lowest classes of larly for the higher grades, where the people. This condition of things the use of one vernacular is feasi- must have an end, if we are to take ble, are being considered, which our place in the great work of may still further reduce this ex- China's evangelization. The midpenditure. It would seem also a dle and the scholarly class are now wise policy to avoid henceforth the turning their thoughts to Chrismultiplication of boarding-schools. tianity, and if we are to exert any The calls for these, especially in influence over them, we must have the Telugu field, are very urgent, preachers who can address such inand if funds permitted there is no telligently. It should be the policy doubt that their establishment at of this society to repair without many stations might be a great delay this oversight by fostering, at benefit to such stations. Under ex- suitable points, secondary schools, isting circumstances, however, it similar to our academies at home, would seem to be the wiser policy adjusted in their curriculum to the for a number of stations to concen- intellectual conditions now prevailtrate upon one such school, so cen- ing, and with a view to furnishing trally located as to meet the re- a broad and solid foundation for quirements of all. advanced theological and Biblical studies. Such a movement will not It scarcely admits of question involve any large cost to the sothat we are far behind as regards ciety. The Chinese are not a poor our educational equipment for people. After the initial expendi- China, and especially when the tures for suitable buildings, necespresent intellectual renaissance is sary apparatus, etc., such schools taken into account. We have done would be amply supported by the little or nothing in the way of Chinese themselves. higher education for young men. Native Christians, young and old, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. showing aptitude for the work of the evangelist, have received some- The time is ripe for the Union to thing in the way of a Biblical take decisive steps in the introductraining. In most cases such have tion of industrial pursuits among had a very slender foundation of our native Christians. What has been done already here and there most part, are the lowest coolies, in a de8nltory way, without any without land, or anything that cost to the society, clearly demon- they can call their own-the hewers strates how great the advantages of wood and the drawers of water would be of wise and systematic – with a scanty prospect, unless efforts. The ability of the Karens a helping hand is extended to them, to contribute so largely for the of being anything better. The support of the work among them, young people we educate, unless is due not a little to the quiet, they are fit to become preachers and practical efforts that have been teachers, are in danger of being made to introduce industries. By lifted up from the lowest level simpersuading them to engage in the ply to be thrust back again, hinculture of coffee and other crops dered rather than helpt by their hitherto unknown to them, the education, for adapting themselves productive power of their lands has to the situations in which they been increast, and the Church of were born. As carpenters, print- Christ has profited thereby. The ers, blacksmiths, cabinetmakers, boarding-schools at Toungu are, to shoemakers, weavers, stenograa large extent, supported by the phers, they can earn a comfortable labors of the boys and the girls in living, and open centers for trainprinting, bookbinding, and in ing others and giving them employweaving. ment in their respective crafts. An immediate improvement in the All this and much more, as I social condition would follow, and have said, has corne about with- with it an increase of contributing out expense to the Union, and power, from which both the school has contributed materially to the and the church, and also the work progress of the Gospel. The need of the evangelist, will derive beneis critical that similar movements fit; results which, if there were no should be inaugurated elsewhere, other, amply justify the wise use of and especially in the Telugu mis- mission funds in the promotion of sion. The abject poverty of the such an object. Aside from this, people, and the iron fetters of caste, in the Telugu field it is not too make it impossible for anything to much to say that a social and be inaugurated here without direct industrial revolution would be help from the society. There is a wrought by organizing and fostercall at once for a school that shall ing the leather industry, which is train young men and women in peculiarly the industry of the various industrial arts. Such a Madigas, from which a majority of school is as clearly a help to evan- our converts come. It may be a gelization, and a buttress to the question with some whether the rising church, as village or other Missionary Union could legitischools can possibly be. Unless mately engage in. this particular some method can be devised for form of effort. The work, howputting into the hands of our native ever, could be successfully accom- Christ,ians the means of earning plisht through a syndicate of something more than a meager sub- Christian men, similar to that exsistence, the very spiritual pros- isting in Switzerland in connection perity of the Telugu mission will with the Basle mission. From the become a burden, which of itself net earnings of the various induswill handicap the efforts of the tries of this mission, the syndicate society in further extending the every year receives a remunerative Gospel among the heathen. dividend, after first devoting a The 1'elugu Christians, for the liberal sum for the general work of made by anyone to civilize or the mission board. May not this Christianize the savages of any project, so closely allied to the part of the Caroline group. The progress of Christ's kingdom, re- American missionaries of the ceive the serious consideration of American Board of Foreign Misthe philanthropic capitalists among sions landed first on the Island of the Union's constituency? Ponape, one of the largest of the group of islands, and are believed What has been said with refer- to have been the first white people ence to the Telugu mission is true to occupy the island. Two years of Assam and of other fields. A later (1854) Mr. Doane was sent out clearly defined policy along these to take charge of the mission work. lines should be formulated and steadfastly adhered to. The missionaries first sought to secure the confidence of the natives "The Oaroline Islands Incident." by ministering to their needs when in sickness and distress, by their What is known in diplomatic cir- introduction of medicines, and the cles as the .. Caroline Island Jnci- practise of vaccination as a prevendent," so far as diplomatic corre- tive of smallpox, the ravages of spondence goes was closed near the which had almost decimated the end of the year 1894, when Spain island a few years before. The paid to the American Board $17,- dialect of the natives was reduced 500 indemnity, under demand from to a written language, and taught the United States government, and, to the native children in the schools four years after being driven from which were establisht not only for the islands, the missionaries were their moral and intellectual, but permitted to return, tho not to the for their physical well-being. In island of Ponape even yet. these schools the male and female youths were taught the use of tools, The .. incident" is not very an- needlework, and all the ordinary cient history, but is worthy of be- appliances of civilized countries ing restated. It has been our in- that were hest calculated to adtention ever since 1894 to review vance the general 'comfort of the that "unpleasantness," but each people. month something demanding more immediate attention obliged us to For many years there was no postpone traversing it. The Amer- evidence of any conversions to ican Board issued some years ago a Christianity, but in 1860 the gentle small pamphlet, written by Doctor spirit manifested by the mission- Thomas Laurie, entitled "The aries, and their manifest purpose Spaniards, and Our Mission in Mi- to do nothing but that which was cronesia." Small as that tract is, clearly'for the good of the natives it is too extended to follow closely so imprest itself upon them, that in this article, and we do not even they began to look for the inspirapresent the case from their show- tion which produced these coming, but prefer to be guided by mendable results, and thus was laid special correspondence in the secu- the foundation for the large and lar press from Washington in the constantly growing influence of early part of 1893. the missionaries, which resulted in numerous accessions to the mission When the American missionaries church, so that in 1885 there was a first landed on these islands, no large number of male and female nation claimed any sovereignty teachers and preachers at work in over these islands, and until that the island. time, 1852, no attempt had been In 1885 the German government, sonal rights, and all acquired seeing no evidence that any nation rights, would be protected to the had claimed or given any evidence entire satisfaction of the mission- of occupancy or sovereignty of the aries. islands, sent a ship to Ponape, and hoisted the German flag, and as- Under the pretense of offense, sumedandaffirmed that the islands because Mr. Doane in his corre- thenceforth belonged to Germany. spondence had used the word" ar·· Spain had never made good, nor bitrary" in regard to their conduct, even attested, her claim to sov- this venerable man, then nearly ereigntyof this territory, but now seventy years old, was seized and disputed the right of Germany to imprisoned on a transport for appropriate or annex the islands, fifteen days; and then his imprison- claiming them as her own. Sharp ment was indefinitely extended contention ensued, which ultimate- "for other reasons," unknown to ly was arbitrated by Pope Leo Mr. Doane, for there was no form XIII., who decided in favor of of law observed unless the arrest Spain. could be called that, but even that was without any legal form. Up to this time there had been no interference with educational Mr. Doane was then sent two or evangelistic work of the mission- thousand miles away to Manila to aries. The Spanish government be tried for using the word" arbigave repeated assurances, during trary" to describe this lawless prothe contention with Germany and cess, by which the governor had apafter the islands were assigned to propriated private property, withthem, that the missionaries' per- out notice and without permission sons, their acquired rights, and or proffer of compensation. One can missionary property and work, hardly realize the heaviness of the should receive the fullest protection burden and sorrow when this venerat the hands of their officials, as able man was thus rudely torn from well as from the home administra- the churches which he had seen tion. built up by his labors through thirty-six years, knowing that they One year later a Spanish vessel must be exposed to perils worse landed on the island civil officers, than death. soldiers, and priests to organize a de facto government, with its capi- After the departure of Mr. Doane tal at Jamestown. Almost the for Manila, the natives, who were first act of these officials was to forced to labor upon the governwrongfully seize and hold them- ment works without pay, under selves to be possest of lands belong- brutal taskmasters, rose and killed ing to the mission by purchase from many of them, including Governor the native chiefs, and .properly Pasatillo. Later It force of soldiers, deeded to the missionaries. They guarding a number of natives, went proceeded to erect on these grounds to Ona, where the Americans had barracks for the soldiers, and other a mission church, and began the buildings, without permission of erection of a Catholic chapel and a the missionaries, or any compensa- priest house on the grounds betion whatever paid to them. longing to the American mission- aries, and close to their church and Mr. Doane notified the governor school-houses. of the right and title of the mission, and reminded him of the pledges The natives, who were subjected made by Spain to the United States to constant injuries and insults, government, that all natural per- suddenly and without warning rose and repeated the bloody drama of 1887, killing all the porary departure, removed them to soldiers except five or six, who, Strong's Island. with two priests, were saved by Miss Palmer, of the American mis- The United States government sion, who at great personal risk under President Cleveland's first secreted them in the school-room administration, under that of Presof the mission. ident Harrison, and again during Mr. Cleveland's second term, made In September of the same year vigorous demands of Spain, for the several Spanish vessels appeared off proper consideration of the equi- Ponape, having on board seven or ties and safety of the American eight hundred soldiers. Shortly Board and the missionaries. The after the arrival of the warships, missionary society had expended they began to shell the places held to that time some $400,000, and by the natives, and it is believed Mr. Doane had suffered damage to that, had the natives been half as his family and himself which could well armed as the Spaniards, they not be met by an indemnity of would on their landing have driven $30,000. The money indemnity, them into the sea. As it was, they which was finally compromised at were forced inland, after inflicting less than $18,000, was the smallest serious loss upon their foes, includ- thing in contention. ing the death of the colonel commanding the troops, and several The right to occupy the islands other officers. for missionary work was never yielded by the missionaries or the After this encounter, the Spanish government of the United States; troops wantonly destroyed most of and the right of missionaries to the buildings belonging to the mis- protection as American citizens on sionaries. The subsequent threat- the part of the national adminisening conduct of the Spanish au- tration was steadily affirmed. thorities toward the unoffending These contentions dragged their missionaries was such that the slow lengths through the laby- United States government sent out rinths of diplomacy f.or nearly the steamship Alliance for their three years. protection. When Captain Taylor, of the Alliance, arrived, he sought The American Board Almanac an interview with the governor of for 1898, says: "Spain owns the the island, who informed him that Caroline group, and does not as yet the rebellion was caused by the permit the return of our mission- American missionaries. aries to Ponape, from whence her officials drove them some years Captain 'Taylor demanded the ago. But in the western islands, proof of these charges, but in vain. Ruk and the Mortlocks, there has None was forthcoming, nor dis- been a work of grace during the coverable after his own personal year and a great ingathering." efforts to find evidence. The entire disturbance. the per- Fearing that the lives of the mis- secution and expulsion of the missionaries were endangered by re- sionaries, the destruction of their maining on the island at that time, property, the bloody efforts to dethe captain of the Alliance, whilst stroy the native churches, the inprotesting in the name of his gov- troduction of intoxicating liquors, ernment against the injustice and and of temptations to vile forms wrongs inflicted upon these inno- of iniquity among them, by which cent and self-sacrificing people, and it was sought to undermine all the declaring that none of their rights work of the Protestant missionashould be forfeited by their tem- ries, has been, and is asserted by those most familiar with all the Bethesda in Bible lands. We would facts in the case, to be directly at- ask you to remember also this mistributable, not only to Spanish sion in your prayers, and ourselves civilians or soldiers, but to the who are used instrumentally to carp1'iests sent out with the govern- ry it out. ment's expedition. We never realized so much what At this hour of international a crying need there is as since our contention between Spain and the return. These poor sufferers' con- United States we would write never dition is more than terrible; nay, a line to inflame passions, or in- it defies description. It is indeed crease prejudice; hence we content heartrending to listen to the most ourselves with this mere traversing cruel treatment of the insane. We of a few aspects of "The Caroline mention only one instance. Mr. Island Incident." But if, as the Chayr Allah, a member of our comsecular press reports at the date of mittee, told us a most terrible story our writing, that there is revolt ·about his own cousin, a young felagainst Spanish authority in the low of twenty-three years, who be- Caroline islands, the foregoing came insane (possest) with acute facts may show somewhat the con- mania. Of course, he was chained ditions which may have contributed and actually walled up in a cave. to it. The Spanish government, Through a hole they used to throw civil and military, has disregarded him sometimes a few dried figs and the natural and acquired rights of some bread. He became just like natives who had risen from sav- a wild beast; his nails grew long agery to considerable civilization like claws, and he used to tear the when Spain entered and, as :Mr. rats and mice which were in that Doane rightly said, "arbitrarily" abode, into pieces to satisfy his despoiled them of their possessions hunger. Oh, he did more than this, and interfered with their religion. which would be unseemly to men- tion here. He was relieved by J. T. G. death at last, after having been in this fearful state for four years. He The Lebanon Hospital for the Insane. died only four weeks ago. Another patient here in Beirut was put in BY REV. THEOPHILUS WALDMEIER, iron chains and given in charge of SYRIA. two merciless, cruel men, who beat him until he was relieved by death. At last we have arrived home These two acute maniacs could have safely, after a long journey of been cured if they had been treated nearly two years. Our hearts are properly. But these "dead who filled with thanks to our Heavenly can not be buried" have no refuge, Father for his guidance and care no asylum until now, and we do amidst all danger, by land and sea. not think that we, or anybody, could be engaged in a more noble, S~nce our return (March 19, 1898), more Christlike work than this, we have been very much occupied i. e., to build the very first asylum with our executive committee here for these unfortunate d,nd forsaken in Beirut, to find a su~table site to ones. Therefore, we would entreat build our Lebanon hospital for the our dear friends to continue to help insane. The most difficult thing in this work on, the very first of its buying the land is the same as in kind, with your prayerful interancient time, and like Abraham est, kind sympathy, and Christian with the purchase of the :Machpe- love. lah's cave. As soon as the right site is secured, we shall at once begin to build this urgently needed The Future of the Slavic Peoples.* Protestant bookseller was sitting in a coffee-house in the interior of BY REV. D. C, CHALLIS, BULGARIA. Bulgaria, and while sipping his cup of Turkish coffee and improving I shall always believe in the Slav, his opportunities for conversation, and am not surprised that he is always having in view the placing coming more and more to the front. of a Bible or a tract or some good The Russia that politicians recog- word for the Master, he was ap- nize is by no means the Russia proacht by a venerable-looking known and honored by God as a Turk, and in the Turkish language bearer of his ensign in the centu- he was .. interviewed" concerning ries to compo The" game of diplo- his observations of the condition macy" is always interesting to ob- of the common people in Bulgaria. servers and doubtless profitable to So much intelligence and keen innewspapers, but it is not always terest in the despised masses of safe to look upon diplomats as mas- the "infidels" was shown by this ters of the situation. What is .. Turk," that our colporteur quicksometimes called the providential ly came to the conclusion that element of history, is far more sig- something more than a casual innificant than the petty schemes terest lurkt under this placid pxand ambitions of temporary rulers terior. In a word, he left that or ministers. The vast undercur- coffee-house assured within himself rent of destiny moving down that he had been conversing with a through the ages, bearing upon its Russian spy. All of which means bosom the schemers and their that for many years Russia had in schemes, like the rubbish on the view that very movement which surface of the glacier that slowly was precipitated by the atrocities winds its way down the mountain of 1876-the invasion of Turkey by valley, may not attract the atten- way of Bulgaria, tion of paragraphers, but in the slow process of the ages it is sure But while Russian diplomacy was to have its way, and the final out- thus working in secret, a still come will show that while man deeper force was preparing the proposes, some other force disposes. whole movement, of which this war Weare called upon to note the fact was but a part. To those who have that Russia is becoming supreme studied the national character of in Bulgaria-as if. Russian influence the Bulgarians, and through them in that quarter were a new thing. the deep instincts of the whole Slavic race, there is no surprise that More than thirty years ago a Russia has become "influential" in Bulgaria. Indeed, it is all owing • Our attention is called to an article in to the blunders of Russian diplothe Contemporary Review, January. 1898, by macy that she is not far in advance Dr. Washburn, of Constantinople. This leads of her present position. "Blood us to present at this time the article by Mr. is thicker than water," and tho Challis which he furnisht us for other uses. its course may appear sluggish, it Mr. Challis has been one of the most patient is sure to tell in the long run. " To and thorough students of the political, ethnic, the Saxons and the Slavs belongs social, and religious condition of Bulgaria the future," was the shrewd refor twenty years, known tou.. Like Bishop mark of an observer who has since Hendrix, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, risen high in the diplomatic world. South, he casts a horoscope of the Slavic All eastern Europe is, and has been peoples very unlike that which the diplomats for many centuries, essentially and news-agents of Great Britain give out to Slavic. Russia, eastern Germany, the public. We look upon the increasing unification of the ninety millions of Slavs as one of the greatest factors of the future, written in large letters in the" Dipl"macy of Providence."-J. T. G. northern Austria, and all of the rule of Stambouloff was made pos- Balkan peninsula, except Greece, sible, and in the interests of "fair are almost entirely "of one lan- play," western statesmen bade the guage and one speech," and while Bea,r keep his paws off the plucky despotism at home and abroad may Bulgarian. That Russia decided appear to check the progress of to recognize the Bulgarian prince this naturally democratic people, it should not be regarded as a "trick" must perish before the grand up- of diplomacy, but rather as an asheaval that is surely coming. The sertion of Slavic common-sense and rural populations of all these coun- a real victory of tries possess a sturdiness of character that may, under some circum- " The deep and swelling thought stances, pass for stolidity, but it is That overpowers all others, of that kind which inherits the And conducts the world at last to freedom." ages and moves steadily on like the ice stream down the valley, all un- If Russia will act in good faith, disturbed by the storms that sweep treating Bulgaria as an ally and across its bosom. When the Rus- not a vassal, the old affection, in sian armies crost the Danube in all its intensity, will again be 1877, they were hailed as deliverers aroused. "Blood is thicker than by a people who had long been pre- water," and its deep-flowing curparing the way-nay, who were rents, which are bearing England themselves the way-brothers of and America out into the broad one blood and of common aspira- seas of Saxon federation, are as tions. Bulgarians eagerly enlisted surely bearing the Slavic races to a under the Russian banner and grander future, when the tyranny fought with the steadiness of of the north and south shall alike veterans, and by the intimate disappear beneath the waves of the knowledge of the country made its coming democracy. conquest possible. 'Vhen the war was ended, and Bulgaria had been God seems to be providing facilifreed from the grasp of the tyrant, ties for a very rapid carriage of the her gratitude to Russia was a pas- Gospel to the whole world. sion that was just less than her love for native land. The Literary Digest says: It was at this point that Russian It is the opinion of the Russian statesmen began to show the nat- Minister of Communication, M. ural blindness of despotism. Not Chilkov, that when the Transwilling to trust their interests to a Siberian railway has been compeople intelligent and free, they pleted the tour of the world can be sought to introduce their own sys- made in thirty-three days. tem, and but a few years sufficed to drive the Bulgarians to the Bremen to St. Petersburg…. ….. 1J.jl days enemies of Russia for support of St. Petersburg to Vlar1ivostock …. 10 " their autonomy, and for a whole Vladivostock to San Francisco …. 10 decade even diplomatic intercourse San Francisco to New york……. 4J.jl " was cut off. The history of those New York to Bremen………….. 7 years is but a monotonous catalog of plots and intrigues to overthrow Total. ………………………. 33 the government of Bulgaria, and discredit her free institutions. Stu- A correspondent of the Revue pidly refusing to recognize the Scient~fique assumes for steamers legitimacy of their prince, the iron a speed of twenty-seven instead of eighteen miles an hour, the former speed having been recently ob- tained in England by to! pedo-boats; and for railways, instead of 43Y2 miles an hour, 62 miles.
Paris to the Pacific, via Asia …… 8 ~rs, Coast of Asia to San Francisco …. ~ San Francisco to New York……. 3 NewYorktoParis…………….. 4% Total. ……………………… 23
l1IEt..J) OF MoN''l'lILY SURVEY
IV. -FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
Australia and Islands of the Sea,* Arctic Lands,t North American Indians,t Work Among Seamen.§ BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
The Indians of Metlakahtla. thirty years, and, like our pilgrim The rush of gold seekers and ad- forefathers, came to a new land in venturers to Alaska has threat- search of liberty and peace. They ened to do great and shameful have establisht a model settlement injury and injustice to the Chris- of about 1,000 model citizens, all of tian Indians on Annette Island, whom have subscribed to the fol- Alaska. Under cne pretext or·an- lowing other repeated attempts have been DECLARATION OF RESIDENTS: made to deprive these Tsimshean We, the people of M:etlakahtla, Alaska, in order to secure to ourselves and our posterity Indians of immunity from vicious the blessings of a Christian home, do sever- ally subscribe to the following rules for the white settlers, and to open por- regulation of our conduct and town affairs: tions of the island to traders and First~To reverence the Sabbath and to re- frain from all unnecessary secular work on miners. When Mr. Villiam Dun- that day; to attend divine worship; to take the Bible for our rule of faith; to regard all can, the honored missionary, was true Christians as our brethren, and to be truthful, honest, and industrious. compelled to leave Canadian terri- Second~To be faithful and loyal to the tory with his Christianized Indians government and laws of the United States.
by the unfavorable attitude of an Third~To render our votes when called upon for the election of the town council, Anglican bishop and Canadian laws, and to promptly obey the by-laws and orders imposed by the said council. Annette Island-then entirely un- Fourth~To attend the education of our inhabited-was granted to them by children, and keep them at school as regu- larly as possible. Congress (1887 and 1891). These In- Fifth~To totally abstain from all intoxidians left all their possessions in cants and gambling, and never attend heathen f~stivities or countenance heathen Canada, where Mr. Duncan had customs in surrounding villages.
been laboring among them for Sixth~To strictly carry out all sanitary regulations necessary for the health of the *For an excellent article on the Philip- town.
pines, see p.495 (July, '961. See also pp 338 Seventh~To identify ourselves with the (May); 491,517,520,526,532, (present issue). f;ti'8~~~sh~~d~he settlement, and to utilize the NEW BOOKS: "Hawaii, Our New Posses- Eighth~Never to alienate, give away, or sions," John R. llusic; .. Hawaii's Story by sell our land, or building lots, or any portion Hawaii's Queen;" H Brown Men and thereof, to any person or persons who have Women," Edward Reeves; .. 'Vild Life in the not subscribed to these rules. South Seas," Louis Becke; ,(, Island~ of the South Seas," Michael Shoemaker; .. The Phil- In Metlakahtla there is no need ippine Islands," Ramon R. Lala. of a jail, for there are no criminals, RECENT ARTICLES: ~'Australian Aborigines," ltlidland Monthly (Jan ); .. Missions in and the money that would in other Australia," Leisure Hour (Aprill; HSpanish Rule in the Philippines," Cosmopolitan (Oct., towns be spent for enforcing law '~7); "Hawaiian Annexation," NOl·th American Review (Dec., '97), Review 0/ Reviews" and order and caring for the poor, (Jan., '981. H The Philippine Islands,ll Review of Reviews, Outlook, and McClure's (June); is here used for education and im- .. Spain and the Caroline Islands,II Review 0/ provements. There are no filthy Reviews (June). streets and no "communal houses," t See pp. 500, 513, 520 (present issue). NEW BOOKS: "Alaska: Its Neglected Past with their ten or fifteen families and Brilliant Future," B. ,V. James; .. Our each, as in most Alaskan towns.
Alaska Wonderland," D. R. Keirn; "Alaska," Metlakahtla is a village of neat. A. P. Swineford~ "Farthest North," F. Nansen. pretty cottages, with well-culti- t See also pp. 445 (June); 513, 539 (present vated gardens for each separate issue). family. Here is an unanswerable NEW BooKs: ""Conquest of the Sioux," T. argument- for the power of the a.Gilman. RECENT ARTICLES: "Whence Came the In- Gospel to transform the degraded dians," Forum (Feb.); Hlnnuits of Alaska." and ignorant, and a clear proof that Outlook (April); "Klondike, The New Arctic Eldorado," Chautauquan (May).
§ See p. 506 (present issue). it is worth while to seek to save the an employment bureau, and have Indians. To allow these industrious, extended their work to include a peace-loving, and godly Indians mission at Eldorado Creek, fifteen to be disturbed would be an ever- miles distant, and do some preachlasting disgrace to a nation claim- ing in a hotel at Grand Forks. We ing to be both civilized and Chris- expect shortly to have 'an illustian. * trated article direct from the field.
Missionaries for the Klondike. Indian Statistics. "'Vhat doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his The number of Indians in the own soul?" Yet the large majority United States (excluding Alaska)* of those who seek for gold leave in 1895, was 251,907. They belong God and immortality cut of ac- to more than 50 tribes, and are to count. Thousands of miners have be found in every State and Terrigone to the Klondike, but as yet tory in the Union. One-third of only about half a dozen mission- the total Indian population, or aries have followed them to seek 80,489, weal' citizen's dress, and their spiritual welfare. 32,367 (including children) can read. Two of these, sent out by the Indians using English, sufficient Presbyterian Home Mission Board, for ordinary purposes, number give a vivid picture of the diffi- 38,625, while 49,957 have received culties of the situation. They were allotments of land, and 21,602 octhe only American missionaries to cupying dwelling houses. Self-supget through last winter, others porting Indians on reservations in being stopt at St. Michael and 1890 numbered 98,632, and 58,809, various points on the Yukon River. including the five civilized tribes, The only other preachers then at and six nations of New York the gold fields were a Roman State are taxt or taxable. Those Catholic priest and a Church of not living on reservations or England missionary. in tribal relations, number 58,806._ After much difficulty a house The fifty-three government reserwas secured for services, all the vations comprise more territory large buildings being used for gam- than the whole of Germany. bling or saloons; but that soon Communicants in churches are reburned down. At last s;)me men ported at 25,285. The probable built a public hall and gave it to number of Indians, in the present them for use on Sunday. The con- area of the United States, at the gregation at the two services repre- beginning of the Oolumbian period, sents all denominations, and in- was 500,000, but the race has cludes a few women. There are a dwindled to 251,907 in its four cenprosperous Christian Endeavor so- turies of heroic struggle for its ciety, a Bible-class, a small Sun- rights and homes. Of the present day-school, and a Young Men's number 219,000 can not read, 213,- Christian Association, which keeps 232 use no English, 200,000 yet rea reading-room open through the main heathen, practising pagan week. 'l'he missionaries have also rites, and sunk in superstition. This generation of Christians is re- * Annette Island lies at the southern sponsible for the evangelization of these Indians, who belong to vahoundary of Alaska, and is about five miles rious tribes, speaking widely differbroad by fifteen miles long, with fertile fields, timber lands, ,!ell-ftlled streams. !'ond.a * The Indians in Alaska number 25,531, and mountainous range In the center, WhICh IS thought to contain valuable metals and form nearly three-fourths of the entire popminerals. A full and inte~esting account of ulation of the territory. this work is to be found III the REVIEW for November and December, 1893. ing tongues, still using, in inter- population of 75,000; the Caroline, communication, their native signgesture language. and Mariana, or Ladrone Islands, The occupations of the Indians in Micronesia, all of which are are teaming, growing of corn, hay, cattle and sheep farming; selling small, and most of them of coral of ginseng, fish, berries, wild rice, maple sugar; also bead work, moc- formation, with a combined area of casins, pottery, baskets, etc. The Indian women are adepts in mak- 1,000 square miles, and a total ing lace. Indians are also traders, clerks, engineers, physicians, population of about 50,000. The trained nurses, clergymen; many of them are mechanics, supporting American Board has establisht themselves at their trades. work in the Caroline group, but They always believed in the existence of the spirit after death, have met with much opposition in the future reward of the worthy, and the punishment of the un- and trouble from the Romish worthy. Formerly they had a priesthood devoted to the office priests and Spanish authorities. A from childhood. Gross heathen degradation still exists among girls' school has been establisht at them. Kusaie with forty-five students, Our treatment of the Indians from the beginning has past but the missionaries have been through several stages, viz.: compelled to leave Ponape, and to 1. Dealing with the Indians by fair treaties, thus recognizing his possession of the land entrust the work to native Chrisand other rights. ' tians, of whom there are about 400 2. The enforced treaty-taking their lands under the form of justice. communicants. In eleven other 3. The peace policy of General Grant, i. e., the contract system, by which government islands the communicants number paid money to various religious bodies for supporting and educating Indian youth. 1,300, and the work is progressing 4. The abrogation of the treaty process, recognizing the Indian as a citizen amenable favorably. (See article on page to law, and no longer a treaty-making power. 5. Th separation of Church and State in 532.) the education of the Indian, and annulling the " contract system.~' In the Ladrone Islands no Prot- 6. The assignment of land in severalty to the Indians under the .• Dawes Bill," the estant missionary work is carried main effort being to protect the Indian, edu- on, and recent advices, by way of cate him, and fit him for citizenship. San Francisco, state that Protes- The total government appropriations for Indians for 1897 is $7,189,- tant missionaries have been driven 496.79. from Yap, Kusaie, and other sta- In 1896 there were 293 Indian schools, of which 223 were under tions in the Carolines, and that the government control. natives are being cruelly opprest. Spain in the Pacific. . All of Spain's colonies cry out for Besides the Philippine Islands Spain claims in the Pacific the Sulu relief from intolerable oppression, group directly south of the Philippines and adjacent to them, con- moral and material. taining 950 square mil_es and a The Micronesian Christians have strict ideas on some points. They will not admit a man or woman who uses tobacco to church membership; they argue that smoking and chew- ing are the outward symbols of an inward degeneracy; and their one rule is that those who bear the name of Christ shall neither touch, taste, nor handle the unclean thing; and from this rule there is no ap- peal.
It is the same with intoxicants. The German Komissar made a rule in the Marshall Islands that no trader should sell liquor in any form to a native. For the first offense he is reprimanded, for the second he is heavily fined, and for the third he is expelled from the islands. It is devoutly to be wisht that the same rule prevailed throughout the Pacific.
1898.J EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
V.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
An Anglo-American Alliance. consequently to the possibility of an Anglo-American alliance, with The present war with Spain Christianity, Civilization, and peace for its foundation. This suggests again the eminent desir- week an audience composed of ableness of the Anglo-American al- prominent representatives of Washington's religious, education- liance, now awakening increast in- al, professional, and busine·,s cirterest. It is a question with some cles, heardan educated EngIishman, Mr. E. T. H:trgrove, of London, whether, in fact, some such league deliver an address in favor of an Anglo-American a11iance, closing between these two great Protes- with the words: 'England feels as America feels to-day for humanity. tant nations, may not become So I maintain that it is for the best essential to the prosperity, if not interests of England and America to form an alliance. If it were for the political existence, of both. their own selfish interests it would It is very easy to see how numer- fail, as it should justly fail. Rome ous causes might conspire to unite fell because of her own aggrandize- ment, and Spain is already fallen papal countries, or pagan nations, because she has bled her colonies in a "religious" war-a war where to death. But the union of all the English – speaking people would the religious element was a domin- form a power which would domi- nate the world, preserve peace in tant factor- and it might be of place of war, benefit not only them- selves, but all humanity, and mold vital importance to the leading the character of the world.'"
Protestant powers of the world to As to the present war with be so closely linkt, as to stand to- Spain, Chauncey Depew says: gether against such combination. "The glory of this present conflict stands unequaled. The world Might not such an alliance go far to forestall and prevent such a con- laughs at our declaration that we flict as some anticipate? What a wage war for humanity's sake, but noble example to other govern- let them witness what we do. It is ments, should these two nations our purpose to set free a people unite in a covenant of peace! who, for three hundred years, have suffered under the worst form of The Washington correspondent writes on an Anglo-American alli- tyranny." Referring to the conance as follows to the Christian quest of the Philippines, Mr. De- Intelligencer: "There were reasons at the time pew says: "vVe might follow the the Senate rejected the treaty pro- example of the nations who are vidingfor arbitration of all contro- now carving up China, and keep versies between the United States and Great Britain for believing what we have won, but it is best to that the Senate in that action did not represent the sentiment of this pause, and consider what a colonial country-reasons so potent that a number of sen.ators who voted for empire means. I admit the idea is the rejection of the treaty deemed it expedient to offer explanations, a fascinating one. My sympathies in which they stated that they were are in favor of colonial expansion, not opposed to the principle of the treaty, but only to some of its lan- but my judgment is against it." guage. That was before the Cuban question had reacht an acute stage, Ohristian Work Among the Soldiers. and the English government had by various acts let the world under- Mr. Moody, with his usual energy stand that it sympathized with the humane Cuban policy of Presi- and zeal, is now seeking to surround dent McKinlev. These acts have added untold strength to the bonds the soldiers gathered at Chickabetween America and England, and mauga, Mobile, and Tampa, with try after the war is ended. There is the best evangelistic influences. need of sufficient public support to Gen. 0.0. Howard, Dr. A.C. Dixon, enable the committee to establish Major D. W. Whittle, Mr. Burke tents and put competent men in the singer, and now Rev. R. A. Tor- committee. It is expected that the rey, are at work with great success work will cost quite a large sum, among these soldiers in camp. and contributions in behalf of it None will be encouraged to go are requested. These may be sent on such an errand but well-known to Frederick B. Schenck, treasurer, winners of souls, sound in the faith 3 West Twenty-ninth Street, New and proven to be men of power. York City. All that is needed to insure ample help in this direction is ample In the death of William E. Gladmeans. There are workmen ready, stone, on May 19, the greatest and Mr. Moody is now greatly in statesman of England, and one of need of money. Any gifts sent to the six greatest statesmen of the him at East Northfield, Mass., will century, has past away. It is too be so applied. If any readers desire early to attempt a review of his to make the REVIEW the channel career, even if it were specially apof gifts, we will gladly act for them. propriate to these columns. But the year 1898 will be memorable for The International Committee of the decease of two men, each in his Young Men's Christian Associa- way most remarkable of all the tions, recognizing the fact that the men who have lived in England for volunteers as well as the soldiers generations-George Muller and of the regular army are nearly all young men, has arranged to follow 'V. E. Gladstone-dying within them into camp, and, if necessary, to the battlefield. During the civil forty days of each other, and both war the Young Men's Christian As- past four score, and wonderfully sociations organized Christian work preserved to the last. It is not an among the young men of the army, uninstructiveque"stion to ask, which and the associations are again to life would the reader rather have undertake a similar work. It is in- lived? These lives are in very tended to have in all the larger markt contrast. Which has most camps association tents for the use affected for lasting good the future of soldiers, in which there will be of the race ? papers, magazines, and other reading matter, facilities for corre- The Metropolitan Tabernacle is spondence, opportunities for social to be rebuilt. The insurance proves conversation and recreation, enter- to be £22,000 instead of £12,000. tainments, and religious meetings. This will go a long way toward A secretary will be placed in charge, restoration, as the site, of course, who will do personal work among remains, and a considerable porthe soldiers. The movement has tion of the walls can be utilized, received the official sanction of especially the imposing entrance Major-General Miles. A large edi- with its massive pillars. tion of stirring Gospel songs for use in the army has been issued. Itis the It is not unlikely that disciples hope of the international commit- on this side of the sea would gladly tee that this important work may aid in rebuilding this bmous sancdevelop into a permanent one for tuary. If every reader of this REthe soldiers and sailors of our coun- VIEW would contribute twenty-five cents, it would furnish an aggre- gate sum sufficient to constitute a noble memorial of the love of American Christians for the man home missionary. Do our readers of God who belonged to the whole know that this one man has found- Church of Christ, and laid us all ed every government school in under tribute by the ministry of Alaska since the year 1884, when his voice and pen. Any donations Congress made the first appropriasent to the Editors will be trans- tion, and that he has now the overmitted without cost of exchange. sight of all these schools? Do they know that, before the tardy success A Valuable Library. WItS achieved, for which Dr. Jack- son contended so earnestly, and for Dr. Murray Mitchell, of Nice, so many years-he had not only writing of the rare library of the conversed with thousands of influlate Dean Vahl, says :- ential citizens, had hearings before the committees of three Congresses "The Dean has left a library of (the 46th, 47th, and 48th), held pubabout twelve thousand volumes, lic meetings all along the line, nearly all of them connected with from ocean to ocean, but had in missions. The books for the most person spoken not far from a part are in English, German, Dan- thousand times, on this great toish, or French-chiefly in English pic, in assemblies of the people? and German. The value of the library has been estimated at £750. And, after all this-which is but The family are anxious to dispose a part of the work of this indefatiof it; their circumstances render gable man-there are but twenty this desirable. It would save an government day-schools, and an immensity of trouble if it could be equal number of mission-schools, sold as a whole. Is there no friend for a population of 30,000 or more. of missions in Europe or America Of course, the establishment of whose heart and purse are large schools is but a beginning; to find enough to induce him to purchase suitable teachers is quite as diffithe whole collection, and present it cult a problem, and many questo some church or society?" tions which affect the welfare of the people remain to be solved. We covet this Iibrary for this side But, again God has shown and the Atlantic, and will gladly aid any man has seen how much one true person or institution to get into worker may do when he believes proper communication with the God is with him, and that his parties who have the disposition of cause is just and right. If Dunthis treasure. can's great work among the In- dians of Metlakahtla could be as The one man who led the way in well advocated and as persistently the establishment of law and of brought before the intelligpnce schools in Alaska-who in fact of the people, no such in justice workt alone till he created senti- would be possible as has been proment in favor of such action as was posed in Congress – the wresting needed; who, like Wilberforce in from this" model state" of the pro- Parliament, breasted active oppo- perty given to them, and so grandsition and the worse enemy-pas- ly utilized in the creation of an sive indifference-for fifteen years; orderly, thriving, industrious, and the man who patiently and heroi- Christian commonwealth on Ancally labored, prayed, wrote, and nette Island. spoke, until he gathered about him a body of sympathizers, and then Weare glad to learn that the pusht Alaska's claims forward debt ($97,400) of the Presby:terian until they had some proper attention from government-this man was Rev. Sheldon Jackson, D.D., whom we knew thirty years ago as a simple, humble Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions has been thoroughly interesting book on our paid. The self-sacrificing contri- great northwest territory and its butions of the missionaries them- gold fields is not better met than selves have materially aided in this by the timely publication of " Alas- beside setting a noble example to ka: Its Neglected Past and Brilliant their brethren at home. We hope Future," by Bushrod 'V. James. that debts of other mission boards (Sunshine Publishing Co., Philamay be likewise wiped out, and delphia). Beside a full, accurate, that the Church at home will, by and thoroughly readable descripthe largeness of its gifts and wis- tion of the country, its resources, dom in expenditure, make it im- needs, history, Indians, Eskimos, possible to incur future indebted- missions, and gold fields, there are ness. over thirty excellent reproductions from photographs and sixteen Book Reviews. maps. Mr. James tells the full story of the Metlakahtla mission, "Hawaii, Our New Possessions," and gives a list of the other religfrom the press of Funk & 'Vagnalls ious and educational agencies at Co., is a beautifully illustrated work. Several chapters are devoted work on a subject of great interest to information for the benefit of and importance at the present those who purpose going to the gold time. Whether or not the islands fields. are to become the "new possessions" of the United States is not Donations Acknowledged. yet settled, but it is well known that many interesting things are No.121. The McAuley YJ:ission ……… $5.00 to be told concerning the history " 122. Work Among Lepers ………. 5.00 and characteristics of the "paradise of the Pacific." Mr. John R. Books Received. Music, the author of the volume, is already known by his "Colum- THE SPANIARD IN HISTORY. James C. Fer· bian Historical Novels." His pre- nald. 12mo, 144 pp. Maps. 75c. Funk sent work contains much of valu- Wagnalls Co. able and interesting information. He vividly describes the varied and HOUSALAND; or, Fifteen Hundred Miles picturesque scenery, sketches the Through the Central Sudan. Rev. Charles characteristics and customs of the H. Robinson, M.A. 12mo, 303 pp. Illuspeople, and narrates the striking trated. Sampson, Low, Marston & Co. events of their ancient and modern London. 28. 6d. history. We have given elsewhere extracts from his strong commenda- SHORT STORIES of Familiar Texts, MJstrans· tion of the lasting results of Chris- lated, Misinterpreted, and Misquoted. tian missions, but must refer the Blackford Condit, D.D. 12mo, 180 pp. reader to the book itself for a more Fleming H. Revell Co. $1.00. thorough investigation of the facts concerning the islands and their MISSIONARIES AT WORK. 12mo,182 pp. The inhabitants, and the arguments Church Missionary Society, London. 28. for and against annexation. This is doubtless the best.recent book on 1t'IrssIONARY EXPANSION OF THE REFORMED the subject, but condensation would improve it. CHURCH. Rev. J. A. Graham, M.A. Maps and illustrations. 12mo, 246 pp. A. & C. The present need for a well-illus- Black, London. 18. 6d. trated, carefully – prepared, and MESSIAH THE HOPE OF ISRAEL. Rev. A. C. Jaebelein. 16mo, 67 pp. (paper). Hope of Israel, New York.
HEALTH IN THE AMERICAN FIELD. (Paper.) Marshall Brothers, London.
THE STORY OF THE WEST LONDON MISSION.
(Paper.) Hugh Price Hughes.
FROM ROMANISM TO PENTECOST. (Paper.) Joseph Dempster.
THE SPIRIT OF JESUS. (Paper) E. H. Dash· illl!. M. W. Kllapp, Cincil)l)atti, Q,
1898.J EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
VI.- GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extracts and Translations From Foreign -One wh9 has known China for Periodicals. long years, said lately: "All our influence in the Middle Kingdom BY REY. C. C. STARBUCK. has not yet penetrated through the skin, not to say toucht the heart." CHINA. -Miss'ions lJIIagazin.
-The Rev. Paul Kranz, of Shang- -Says an ancient Chinese sage: "Oh, if only a way could be found hai, in the Z. f. M. K., thinks that to put to death the selfish Ego! " The chasm between God and man as, in the Roman Empire, the first was felt, but the Mediator had not century of quiet preaching to the been found. masses was succeeded by the time of the Apologists, who compelled MISCELLANEOUS. the cultivated heathen to take increasing notice of the growing re- -The Allgemeine Missions-Zeitligion, whether they would or not, SCh1'ift for January, 1898, has an so it must soon be in China. Bet- article by Pastor Strlimpfel on the ter a struggle unto life or death United Presbyterian Church of than a continued affectation of Scotland. Queen Victoria has exignorance on the part of the man- prest in one of her books the wish darins and literati. and hope that, even at the cost of disestablishment, the Church of -At the examinations for the Scotland, the Free Church of Scot- Kii Ren degree in China, out of land, and the United Presbyterian some 25,000 competitors, about 150 Church of Scotland might be united obtain the degree. into one great body, which would include nearly the whole Protestant – To those who have lost lio Christianity of Scotland. So far opportunity of referring to the as the last two are concerned, the carnal and worldly aims of t.he wish may possibly be fulfilled even Protestant missionary in the East, before the queen is taken from that and are unpatriotic enough to de- Scotland which she loves so well. cry the character of such of their The United Church began, in 1847, own people as should chance to be in union between the Secession identified with the propagation of Church and the Relief Churcl:, and our England's faith, it will not be it has ever since been true to its without instruction while contem- initial instinct. In its Basis of plating a massacre of English mis- Union it describes itself as a missionaries of both sexes, under sionary church, a voluntary circumstances of exceptionally church, and a cathoUc church. It hideous cruelty, passing without has been true to all these characcry for hitter vindication or call for ters, and, as Pastor Strlimpfel solemn vengeance, to regard at the rightly says, increasingly true. As same time the murder of two Ger- to the last, the present writer had man priests, followed by a large pastorates for ten years in Jamaica punitive expedition under the right by the side of the United direct influence and encouraged by Presbyterian brethren, and certhe most devout benediction of a tainly more perfect Christian Roman Catholic prelate. There is food in this for helpful reflection to the critic of missions.- C. frIo Intelligencer.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
brotherhood could not be conceived tainly not her fault. She has not than they showed. It was, there- heen able to help it. The exact opfore, 11, peculiar satisfaction when posite in the matter of self-glorificawe could make over our principal tion is the Jesuit order. This has churches to their care. This is a abounded in modest members, but church whose mildness and breadth corporately has been arrogance are conjoined with the warmth of itself and self-glorification. Rutherford, and the stanchness of Knox and the Melvilles. -At Thaba-Bossion, in Lessouto- -Some German friends, con- land, an interesting religious ducted through the China Inland House in London by Mrs. Hudson awakening appears to be taking Taylor, were almost dismayed by the elegance of the furniture. place. "Only six months ago," "Oh," said Mrs. Taylor, "you rnust not take that to heart. All the ap- writes Mlle. Cochet, "the people pointments of the house, from the roof to the cellars, have not cost would have expelled us with joy, us one penny. vVe have received it as a present from the Lord. on account of the rinderpest; now There lived in London a maiden lady with her mother. She was they seek for us ; they come eagervery desirous of entering into the service of our mission, but Mr. ly to the services, and the church, Taylor always reminded her that her duty to her mother stood first. which was considered one of the This she faithfully discharged; but when her mother was called home, largest among the Lessouto, is too she made over all the furnishings of her spacious house to us. This small. I have never seen such a was enough for all our needs. She is now occupying a woodshed house hunger and thirst for the things of in the interior of China, while we are enjoying her wealth." God; all eyes are fixt on the Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's own rooms preacher during his sermon, and are described by the visitors as being plain to bareness. the singing is ·something wonder- -The Jesuit, Sylvester J. Hun- ful to hear. . After one of ter, admitting that there are plenty of good Christians among the Prot- the services, Theko, the chief, rose estants, peremptorily denies that there are any heroic Christians. and said: 'My friends, keep seated True, Protestantism, as a whole, seems less inclined to sound a awhile, I have something to say to trumpet before its men and women of self-sacrificing life than the elder you. At this moment God is church has come to do, at least in Protestant lands, yet simplicity speaking to men; and as it is said in does not impair heroism. It rather enhances it. the Gospels that the women went That the· Moravian Church has first to the sepulchre, so actually been a great deal praised, is cer- our women and our children are running to the churches. Now I tell you that no one, not even a husband, has a right to prevent a woman, or even a child, from being converted. I set you the example myself to-day in giving my wives freedom to serve God according to the Gospel. Who knows if we our- selves shall not do like John and reteI', and follow our women, not to the sepulchre, but to God.'"
-Journal des Missions Evan- geliques.
-The following appeal to Eng- land, appearing at Tokyo in J apan- ese, in the Y orodzee Choho, then in English in New Zealand, is copied by us from the C. M. Gleaner. By the time it comes out in the RE- VIEW it will be literally a world-
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
wide appeal. It is to be hoped that says he, "as a shipwreckt sailor it will be effective. tells the story of his rescue."- REV. F. W. KELLETT, in Harvest "Thy greatness, 0 England, Pield. is not thy own making. Thou art the product of ages of -Herder, too, refers sneeringly human labor, 'from Abraham and to " the smuggling trade," Schleich- Homer downward. The world de- handel, carried on by Christianity mands from thee a service which is by means of women and slaves. thy due. Thy fleet ought to be em- The sneer at women is of the past, ployed, not merely to protect thy the sneer at slaves speaks of the interest, but to right the world's haughty self-consciousness of the wrong. Thy pluck and skill ought school of Weimar cultivation. to be freely given to help the help- Christianity was degraded if spread less, to rescue the perishing. Japan, abroad in any less stately way than too, comes to thee, not to beg help that used by the esthetic propaof thee, but to claim from thee fel- ganda of the grand ducal court. lowship of brothers, which is thy Yet, as the infection of disease dishonor to give and ours to receive. regards all gradations of rank and In all our strides of onward prog- cultivation, so does the heavenly ress, great is our need of thy arts, contagion of spiritual life. We have reason to regard Queen Mary thy laws, tpy institutions, thy the Second as a true Christian woman. If she was, what does it literature as well. Be thou queenly, signify whether her heart was first graeious, Ineek, and true, and thou turned to God by a nurse or by a felwilt surely win a sister in the Pa- low-princess? No more than it cific. Attest thy greatness by matters from what obscure, unlarger service to man." noticed source she took the in- fection of smallpox that carried -Le llfissionnaire, of Geneva, her out of the world. The fundaremarks that when France had two mental influences of physical or million Protestants, the missionary spiritual life or death mock all the cause lagged somewhat. Conquest artificialities of conventional dishas reft from her some thirteen tinction. hundred thousand Protestants, and now missionary enterprise is extending as never before.
-The most extraordinary distor- -It is curious, but we notice tion of ideas concerning missions, from the C. .M. Gleaner, that the of which we have ever heard, is first attempt to revive the stagnant that noted by the editor of the Eastern churches, in the hope Dansk M'iss'ions-Blad. He says through them of eventually inthat he has heard it declared" that fluencing the Mohammedans, was unbelieving clergymen might con- undertaken in 1814 at the solicitacern themselves with the salvation tion of a Roman Catholic priest of of the heathen, but that believing Malta. He wrote a letter to Josiah ministers had enough to do with Pratt, lamenting that so little was saving souls nearer home!" done "either to propagate the Christian faith among the infidels," -Celsus, tho with a sneer, gives or "to confirm it among the ignoan excellent description of the way rant," and urging the C. M. S. to in which the Gospel was commonly take up the work in the Eastern spread by Christians ooward the churches. The society responded, end of the second century. They sending out three men. They made tell the story of their conversion, many journeys to the East, but
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
found eventually that the time had THE KINGDOM.
not come. The more successful work – Not what we give, but what we share, in the Levant was reserved for the For the gift without the giver is bare; American missionaries, whether in- Who gives himself with his alms feeds' cited by this earlier harbinger or threenot, we do not know. Nor do we know whether the establishment of Himself, his hungry neighbor, and Me." St. Julian's College at Malta grew out of this attempt, altho, from LOWELL. the interest felt in it by that devoted evangelical, the Earl of -Xavier said, "If the lands of ChafteGbury, we should think it the savage had scented woods and not improbable. One immediate mines of gold, Christians would reRult the worthy priest secured, find courage to go there, nor would the establishment of a printing- the perils of the world prevent press at Malta, whence thousands thel'J.. They are dastardly and of copies (E the Scriptures and of alarmed because there is nothing to be gained there but the souls of men. Shall love be less hearty and less generous than avarice?"
Christian tracts were issued. -That gold should exist in the ocean is an induction that Dr. Hen- -The Sailor's Magazine for ry 'Vurtz claims to have presented March has a very fine portrait of in 1866, and in 1872 the discovery Carlton H. Jencks, one of the sea- was made by E. Sonstadt. Assum- men who perishton the ltIaine. He ing 0.9 grain for each ton of sea- was" a splendid specimen of physi- water, it is computed that the whole cal manhood, just out of his teens, ocean contains over $80,000,000,000- and one of the most earnest Chris- 000,000 of gold. One of the problems tians I have ever known," says of the future, Dr. 'Vurtz now pre- Rev. John M. Wood. chaplain of dicts, will be the getting of some of the society. He was one of the this gold by electrolysis. 'Vanted, founders of the Sailor's Home at at once, a lover of his kind who will Nagasaki, Japan. Father Chad- proceed to extract a goodly portion wick, R. C. chaplain of the Maine, of that treasure, and cover it into says of him: "Our men admired the treasury of the Lord for the him for his attention to religious hastening of the world's redemp- dutie:::, and I am positivo that his tion.
example gave great glory to God -Two Bibles only will suffice for from th2 souls of his shipmates." one-half the human race. One of He has done more in his death, it these is the English Bible and the may well be, than he could have other is the Bible in Chinese. Verdone in his life, for the salvation of sions in more than 350 languages sailors, and the advancement of and dialects must be made to supthe kingdom of God. ply the other half of humanity.
It is remarkable that at a meet- -The Cht~rch Building Qtwrtering attended by Carlton Jencks ly thus diagnoses the disease and lad December in IJorfolk, he drew prescribes tho rel'J.edy: "Many of universal attention by describing a our people seem tired of being vivid dream that he had just had of prest. It is easy to explain the being on board the ship, when she fatigue. The pressure has been was suddenly blown into the air from without. Let it now come and destroyed. He, in the dream, from within." it seems, was not destroyed; and, indeed, he was not. He was only -Rev. A. F. Schauffler tells of a set free for some higher service. deacon who in response to an inquiry propounded the theory that much to say in a lofty way about "the object of the organ voluntary ecclesiastical affairs in general, but during the collection must be to is wofully ignorant regarding the soothe the feelings of the people! " essentials of religion, lamenting that Christian missions should -Rev. Russell H. Conwell wrote have been planted in China. The recently to the acting president Christian religion, we are gravely of Michigan Uni~ersity: "Many informed, "is totally unsuited to years ago I made it a rule that I the habits and usages of the Chiwould never retain for my own use nese." Undoubtedly it is, and more than a certain sum of the quite as unsuited also to the habits proceeds of any lecture. I find and usages of many Christian (1') that the Toledo lecture has netted editors this side of the Straits of me $25 in excess of that sum. Is Bab-el-Mandeb. There are many there a needy student in your uni- peoples besides the Chinese to versity to whom that amount whose habits and usages the rewould be acceptable I' " Other lec- ligion of Jesus Christ is unsuited. turers please copy. Wedo not suppose it found much that harmonized with its spirit and -It is reported that the Jesuits principles in Britain, at its first number 14,251. Of these 6,000 are advent. It is necessary to remind priests who read mass, and 4,416 our contemporary that when there are students and novitiates. Of the is conflict between the Gospel and 22 provinces into which the world non-Christian habits and usages, is divided Germany is the strong- the latter in the long run always est, having 1,662 fathers and 1,141 have to give way? students; Spain comes next with 1,002 and 1,070; France, 1,633 and -Indian Witne88. 689; England, 989 and 920; Italy, 782 and 601. The smallest province is WOMAN'S WORK. that of Mexico, where there are -A member of the Chicago Fortonly 186. nightly Club says that no woman can keep herself informed about -A Mohammedan negro in Afri- current events without making a ca was taken prisoner in war, who thorough study of missionary litwore suspended around his neck an erature. amulet or charm. When this was taken from him, he became almost -There is a region in Macedonia frenzied with grief, and begged known as "The Mountain of the that it be returned to him. He was Monks," because there are no fewer willing to sacrifice his right hand than twenty magnificent monasterfor it. It was only a little leather ies scattered in the sheltered recase, enclosing a slip of paper on cesses, or on the tops of the lofty which was inscribed in Arabic char- crags. There dwell in this secluded acters one word, "God," but he spot, cut off from all the pomps believed that the wearing of this and vanities of the world, the decharm secured for him immunity votees of an extraordinary system from all ill. "'"hen it was returned of asceticism, quietism, and superhe was so overjoyed that the tears stition. The town proper is called streamed from his eyes, and falling Caryes, where are to be found all to the ground, he kist the feet of the essential features of civilized the man who restored to him his life-streets of shops and bazaars treasure. filled with bustling and eager cus- tomers, coppersmiths plying their -Pitiable indeed it is to find a trade,and fruiterers piling up their reputable English journal that has wares. But never is seen the form eleven years' work and growth, 51 or face of mother, wife, sister, deaconess' institutions in the Methdaughter, lover, or infant. The odist Episcopal Church; 590 deacon- Turkish garrison is a collection of nesses, including 80 who are still in bachelor quarters for men and of- training, and 100 trained nurses; ficers. Strange to say, the super- and property employed in this stition runs that it was the Virgin work to the" alue of $656,950 above herself who banisht her sex from debt. In the United States there this spot.-Tribune. are 35 institutionR; in Germany, 6; in India, 8; in China, 1; in Africa, 1. -According to a missionary, this is the attitude held by a Korean -The women of the Lutheran gentleman toward the other sex: Church, General Synod, have re- " He has a profound contempt for cently sent 2 of their number to woman, speaking of her generally reenforce the Muhlenberg Mission, as Ke-chip, or female. He takes Vest Africa. for wife the one his father bargains for him, raising no question YOUNG PEOPLE. as to her looks, health, or avoirdupois. She is a subject altogether -The Epworth HeTald affirms: beneath his consideration, as a " There has been a decided increase member of the male sex, with its in the attendance of young men at massive understanding. She is church since the organization of relegated to the inner enclosure, Christian Endeavor societies, the and lives a secluded life. He refers Epworth League, and other kindred to her as kosiki ('what-you-may- organizations. This assertion is call-her '), or keu (' she '), and never founded upon the testimony of loses a,n opportunity of showing pastors and observing young people how little is the place she occupies of the various churches, and upon in his extensive operations. If the our personal observation of Methtruth were told, however, we would odist Episcopal congregations in know that the little woman, with different parts of the country. Ve delicately tinted skirts, within that are making a painstaking study of enclosure is by no means the the problem, and know whereof cipher he pretends her to be, but we speak." that she is really master, commander, and skipper of the entire -When the call came from the institution, and that no man was president a few weeks since for the ever more thoroughly under petti- State troops, as might have been coat government than this same expected, the International and Korean gentlenlan." State committees of the Young Men's Christian Association were -In 1861 there was but one quick to realize their responsibility, woman's missionary society in the and met it with characteristic en- United States, but now there are ergy. Headquarters have been over 30, sustaining 1,219 mission- establisht in the camps of many aries, of whom 97 are physicians, States. An army committee of the and an income last year of $1,331,- International Committee has been 752. Of the four leading societies organized as follows: A. E. Mar- (Presbyterian, Methodist, Congre- ling, Col. John J. McCook, Hon. gational, and Baptist), the total of John W. Foster, C. V. McAlpin, receipts since their organization is Joseph Hardie, Thomas S. Mc- $15,978,649. Pheeters, Hon. Joshua Levering, H. M. Moore, H. K. Porter, W. D. -There are now, as the result of Murray, William E. Dodge, and Morris K. Jessup. Field Secretary the Presbyterian and the Con- 'V. B. Millar has been detailed to gregational, and the comparisons this work and has spent some days relate to the years before Christian in Washington meeting with the Endeavor took its rise, and the authorities, from whom he has re- years subsequent. As respects the ceived full approval. MI'. Moody former these statistics show that has been added to the advisory while the annual average of accescommittee and will go personally sions on confession of faith in the to the front as soon as his present decade from 1875 to 1884 was 16,928, engagements will permit. The the annual average since 1885 has Bible Society is also aiming to heen 30,642. For the decade ending supply Bibles to the soldiers and in 1884 there were 169,278 additions the Cubans. For this noble and by confession of faith, while for needed work it is in need of funds. the decade beginning in 1885, which marks the development of the En- -The Young Men's Christian deavor movement, the additions Association at Madras, India, has number 308,416. The showing for a membership of 424, including 245 the Presbyterians is equally grati- Christians, 162 Hindus, 14 Moham- fying. medans, and 2 Parsees; or, according to nationality, 313 Indians and -" Put a cork in each ear and 111 Europeans. The significance of listen to no other invitation for the Hindu and Mohammedan mem- Thursday evening," etc. This is bership is seen in the fact that the crafty way of calling attention while there is no compulsion in re- to the society social adopted by the gard to attendance on religious ser- Second Presbyterian Endeavorers vices, there is no compromising the of Dubuque, Iowa. Two little corks definite purpose of the association were tied by yellow ribbons to the to lead men to Christ, and the re- corners of the invitation card. sult of this purpose is manifest in the conversion, during the past AMERICA. year, of a number of these young men. United States.-Rev. Alexander McKenzie concludes that " the -Smith College takes its place American who does not believe in with other colleges in the great foreign missions denies his ancesstudent movement for missions. try, his country, and his God." An enthusiastic class for systematic mission study has met regularly -A great host on both sides of through the year. The monthly the Atlantic will echo the weighty missionary meetings show an in- sentiment exprest by Hon. John crease in attendance and in earnest- Hay, our ambassador in Britain, ness. The support, through sys- that a good understanding between tematic monthly giving, has been the two great branches of the Anundertaken of a medical mission- glo-Saxon race "is based on someary, who shall bring the college thing better than mere expediency. into vital touch with the world's All who think can not but see that evangelization. there is a sanction like that of re- ligion which binds us in partner- -The Christian Endeavor ship in the serious work of the W01"ld publishes some stimulating world. Whether we will or not, statistics relating to the influence we are associated in that work by of the Endeavor movement upon the very nature of things. Weare additions to Church memberships. bound by ties we did not forge and The two denominations selected are that we can not break. 'Ve are joint ministers in the same sacred and Christianization of the freedmission of freedom, charged with men: duties we can not evade by the imposition of irresistible hands." Protestant Episcopal Church ……… $55,000 Baptist Horne Mission Society … '" .. 122,000 -It may be that Providence is Presbyterian Board ……………….. 150,000 pushing our navy and nation into The Methodist Episcopal Church…… 246,000 missionary work around the globe. American Missionary Association ….. 2SO,OOO We undertook to feed the famish- Tuskegee Institute ……………… 111,000 ing opprest on our door-step in Hampton Institute ……………….. 116,000 Cuba, and here is our fleet blockading Manila in the Philippine Is- Rev. H. B. Frissell, principal lands on the other side of the globe. of Hampton Institute, in a recent The need of the naked and un- publication says: "The North and taught tribes there is greater yet South are working together for the than in Cuba. What the ultimate negro, for whose education the latoutcome of our humane impulses ter has giver, in taxation, since shall be no man can tell. But we 1870, about 60,000,000 of dollars, and may have to help in Christianizing the former, in donations, about Asia, our western neighbor, and $25,000,000. About $1,000,000 a year may come into closer alliance with comes from the North, and over England for good government and $3,000,000 yearly from the Southern liberty all over the world.-North States for negro schools." and }Vest. -The Southern Baptist Conven- -A writer in the Presbyterian tion raised $124,250 last year, sucquotes these figures and adds a ceeded in paying off a troublesome debt, and has $3,000 in the treasury. moral: In Italy, Mexico, and Brazil $95,- 163 were expended, and in Africa, 1801. 1880. China, and Japan, $36,970. Its mis- sionaries number 73, of whom 41 21,000,000 ….. English·speaking ….. 125,000,000 are women, with whonl are asso- ciated 41 ordained and 76 unor- 30,500,000 ….. German- H ••••• 7'0,000.000 dained natives. In the 41 schools are 1,111 scholars, and in the 102 31,000,000…. .Russian- …… 70,000,000 churches are 4,760 members.
31,500,000….. French- ….. 50,030,000 -The Presbyterian Board has wiped out a debt of $97,454, and re- 26,000,000 ….. Spanish- … " 40,000,000 ceived last year $801,773 for the regular work,. including gifts from And the ratio of English increase the churches of $292,622; from the is greater year by year. Our Eng- women's boards, $312,377; from the lish speech now preempts possession Sabbath – schools, $38.209; young of Great Britain, British America, people's societies, $10,013; legacies, the United States, Australia, $75,940. New Zealand, and a vast portion of Africa. With the coming 300,000,- -The Christian and Missionary 000 of English-speaking people in Alliance has 60 representatives in British America, 1,000,000,000 in the India, adding 10 last year, has United States, 300,000,000 in Aus- about half as many on the north tralia, and 500,000,000 or more in bank of the Upper Kongo, and 15 Africa, together with the large in the Sudan. measnre in which it is to crowd into other countries, who shall doubt Spanish America.-In the matter that it is to be the final language of of self-help the native churches in the earth? the Presbyterian Mexican mission have made a great advance. Last –These seven items contain but a part of the truth, but they aggregate more than $1,000,000 which were bestowed for the education year they raised $8,504, this from -In Guiana are found 115,000 3,679 members, so that the average coolies from India, and 11 cat3chists contributed was $2.34 per capita; are at work seeking their evangeli- 2lO adults were received into the zation. church, and 240 children were bap- tized; 76 Sabbath-schools include EUROPE. 2,125 pupils, and 28 day-schools number 600. The girls' normal Great Britain.-The Church of schools number one 70 and the other England, as shown by returns of 49 pupils. the report by order of Parliament, is the wealthiest church in Chris- -During the last three years the tendom. The income of the eccle- American Bible Society has ex- siastical commissioners is about pended $229,543 in Latin America, $5,750,000, nearly one-fourth of and of this amount $144,038 went which is derived from tithes. The to South America. During that 'Velsh tithes yield about $20,000. time 302,437 volumes of the Scrip- The gross annual values of benefi- tures were circulated in the same ciaries for twenty-one counties are countries, of which 196,682 volumes $lO, 000, 000, which are distributed went to South America. Last year among 6,600 clergymen, glvmg the society sent colporteurs to them an average of a little over Ecuador, and in five months one $1,500 a year. There are parsonman sold in Guayaquil 2,000 vol- ages, however, and other items to umes, of which 600 were complete be added, which bring up the annual Bibles. Every copy was sold, the average to about $2,000 a year from proceeds amounting to $1,068. The endowments alone. Of the $10,- society establisht an agency in 000,000, three-fourths are derived Cuba in 1882, which, owing to the from tithes. The number of com· disturbed condition of the country, municants is 1,886,059, a gain in was closed in 1896. 'Vith a single two years of nearly 108,000. The exception, more volumes were sent total of church accommodations is from the Bible House in New York put at 6,886,977, of which 5,476,582 to foreign countries last year than sittings are free, and 1,410,395 apin any previous year. The entire propriated. The number of chilnumber is 101,3.'54, and seven-eighths dren in the Sunday – schools is of them went to Mexico, Central 2,393,372, a gain in five years of 187,- and South America. 823. The net total income.for the clergy from pew rents, the tithe- -The Rev. Mr. Miine, agent of rent charge, and other sources, is the American Bible Society in Ar- $16,748,890. This does not include gentina, says: "At no time has voluntary offerings for the assistant South America been so open to clergy, which amount to $3,207,395, evangelization as now; and at no making a total of $19,956,285 for the time has the American Bible So- clergy. The voluntary offerings ciety had greater facilities for giv- for home missions, foreign mising its inhabitants the Scriptures." sions, educational and philanthro- In speaking of the La Plata agency, pic work, parochial purposes, elehe says that from 1864, when this mentary education, care of church agency was formed, to 1874, 40,000 buildings, grounds, ek., reach a copies of the Scriptures, or portions total of $33,258,890. If to this sum thereof, were circulated; 100,000 is added clerical incomes from the during the next ten years, and 200,- tithe-rent charge, pew r('nts, and 000 during the ten }'i'ars ending other sources not voluntary, we 1894. have a total of $52,007,780 received for all purposes in 1896. The anniversary of the organization of amount raised for home mission the Society for Promoting Chrispurposes is a liUla under $2,500,- tian Knowledge (S. P. C. K.), the 000; for foreign missions nearly oldest organization of the Church $3,470,000. of England for Christian work. In 1710 it took over the Danish mis- -The following table gives the sion at Tranquebar, and Schwarz expenditure of each tenth year of was one of its most famous missionthe Church Missionary Society's aries. In 1825 it ceast conducting history, the number of mission- missions abroad, turning over that aries on the roll at the end of each work to the S. P. G., and using its such year, and the number of resources in the preparation and laborers sent out during that and translation of Christian literature, the preceding nine years: doing this work in not less than 100 different languages and dialects. Years. E~pe'nd- European SrleunJt'ionqut It has also assisted greatly in the 1-tures. Laborers. 10 yea1~s. endowment of missionary bishop- rics, as well as in medical missions, 1809…….. £ 1,838 ;, making grants-in-aid to various forms of Christian work in all parts 1819…•…. 27,274 39 46 of the world, and has done much in London in opening schools for 1829…….. 5;;,271 71 86 the poor.
1839…….. 91,4;;3 148 14~ -The Salvation Army gives this tabular account of one branch of.its 18~9 …….. 91,862 169 119 work for the" submerged tenth": 18;;9 …….. 126,975 226 139 At Ilollle. AlJl'(lUd. Total.
1869 …….. 152,86i 228 151 Number of institutions.. … 136 255 391 Number of officers……… 700 793 1493 1879 …….. 212,581 2(;8 187 Dealt with daily at shelters. 4238 4904 9142 227,173 At workshops ………….. 1574 1183 2757 1889 , …… 304,63;; 360 265 At rescue homes …. " .. … 490 1070 1550 Ex-criminals… . . .. . . . .. .. .. 100 306 406 1897 …….. 720 600 Total dealt with daily …… 6392 7463 13,855 (8 years.) -During the last year Scotland contributed over £1,500 in aid of -When this. same C. M. S. had the mission work which the Walcompleted its first half-century, the densian Church is carrying on in jubilee fund of 1848-9 realized about Italy. Of this sum £687 came from two-thirds of the income of that Edinburgh. year; the total amount was $276,- 610, and it was made up mainly of – The Zenana Mission reports small sums. Only two gifts of £9,890 received last year, and £10,- $5,000 each and three of $2,500 each 055 expended; 62 missionaries in were received. India and 7 in China, besides native Bible women. A new hospital was As the centennial draws near built at Bhiwara. vastly greater financial things are planned for. Tho the society names The Continent.-A. new sect has no definite sum to be aimed at, the arisen in Russia, known asPanjasch- Bishop of Exeter makes bold to fix koreiz, after its founder, Alexana million as the proper figure. As der Panjaschko, which ignores pushowing recent growth of another rity and inculcates uncleanliness. kind, these figures are significant: The central tenet is that altho the In the three years, 1847, 1848, and soul is immortal, the body is of the 1849, 27 names were added to the list 0'£ missionaries, viz., 9 in the year ending April 30, 1847, 12 in 1848, and 6 in 1849. In 1897, the first only of the three closing years of the first hundred years, the number was 90, and the personal allowances of the whole number were specially provided.
-March was the two-hundredth devil, and so it is not to be cared -The Ladies' Society in Dublin, for, or treated with respect and Ireland, have practically under- honor. This idea is carried to an taken the full care of the orphan- extreme, and the gospel of dirt is age at Aintab, Turkey, and are extolled. Its adherents neither sending one of their number to wash themselves nor shave. The take the position as matron. They nails are allowed to grow long. will thus have charge of some 300 Their clothes are not changed until Armenian orphans, and very much they fall in rags off their backs. lighten the work of the American Their houses are never cleaned. missionaries. The Swiss are sup- Their food is hardly fit for dogs to porting 230 orphans in Sivas for a eat. Their conception of morality term of five years, and have sent 2 is of a very primitive order. These excellent women to look after their tenets are accepted quite readily welfare and instruction. In 20 cenby a number of peasants in the ters the American missionaries are southwestern provinces, who hail still caring for more than 2,000 orand honor their promUlgator as a phan,., supported by funds sent divinely inspired prophet. through the National Armenian Relief Committee. -It is deeply and frequently regretted by German writers on mis- -The opening of the Victoria sions, that the Christians of the Hospital, Damascus, took place fatherland· contribute proportion- April 2. The invitations were limally so little for the evangelization ited to the British subjects in Syria of the world. No one has more fre- and Palestine, who took so much quently drawn attention to this interest in the" Diamond Jubilee fact than the leading mission spe- Ward," and to all those in Damascialist and author in Germany, Pro- cus, who had in any way contribufessor "Varneck, of the University ted to the hospital. In all, there of Halle, who occupies the only were about 60 present. His Excelchair in the 20 universities of that lency Nazim Pasha, governor-gencountry devoted to the department eral of Syria, had consented to of missions. Dr. Warneck in a re- perform the actual ceremony of cent official communication to the opening. After tea this official Superior Consistory of the General walkt to the hospital, where the Synod of Prussia has furnisht the ceremony of opening the door was statistics for this state of affairs. performed, and was the first to He states that in the nine old prov- write his name in the new visitors' inces of the kingdom of Prussia the book. His kind consideration for contributions for foreign missions others, and his deep interest in evfrom Protestant Christians during erything connected with the buildthe past year were 925,000 marks, ing, were most gratifying to all the largest sum ever contributed present. He often exprest his adduring twelve months. Yet this miration of all he saw, and more makes an average of only 17 pfen- than once said, "It is only the nig for each Protestant (100 pfennig English who can do such things." =24 cents).-Independent. – A deputation of Nestorians, ASIA. headed by one of the local bishops, has been to St. Petersburg with an Islam.-Mohammed's tomb is said appeal, signed, it is said, by 15,000 to be the most costly in existence, out of the 65,000 whom they claim and" they" also "say," that $10,- they represent, for union with the 000,000 of diamonds and rubies were Russian Church. A conclave of used in the decorations thereof. the Russian hierarchy was called. are near the road, ,To'e are obliged to walk." After answering certain formal -The steady advance of the naquestions, the Nestorian bishop tive Christian community is thus pointed out by the Christian Pasigned the necessary document, and i1"iot, pu41isht in Madras: "Sixty years ago the native Christians the Holy Synod unanimously re- formed a despised class; but what a change since then I There is hardsolved to "receive the Syrio-Chal- ly any walk in life ,vhere the na- tive Christian does not hold himself dean flock into the fold of the Rus- abreast with the most intelligent Brahman. In the matter of edusian Orthodox Church . by cation our brethren have taken the highest degrees in arts and profesmeans of a declaration as to re- sions conferred by the local uni- versity, and a few have distinnouncement of errors." The formal guisht themselves in English uni- versities. " ceremony of union was performed – An incident illustrating the with much pomp on the morning feeling of the non-Christian natives in Ceylon toward missionaries is of April 6 in one of the monastery reported by Dr. Scott, of Manepy. His little boy was prostrated with churches. The Nestorian priests diphtheria, necessitating the opp- ration of tracheotomy. The natives repeated the articles of faith, and shared the anxiety of the parents in this most trying experience, and were robed, before the altar, in in two heathen temples, one of them directly opposite the mission rich and costly vestments, and premises, special prayers were of- fered to their Swami for the life of joined in the service of the liturgy the child.
together with the high Russian ec- -The death at Aligarh, on the 27th instant, of Sir Syed Ahmed, clesiastics. removes a notable personality from the advanced wing of the Moham- India.-Bishop Thoburn says: "It medan community. He will be is no longer necessary to go to the known as the founder of the Mojungles to find inquirers. In many hammedan Anglo-Oriental College parts of India thousands are mani- at Aligarh, designed to promote festing a practical interest in the the study of western science and Christian religion. Thirty years literature side by side with the ago the great difficulty was to find study of the Koran. Sir Syed may converts who desired instruction. be said to have also sustained the To-day enough Christian teachers relation of a "higher critic" to Iscan not be found to instruct the ap- lam, and his influence was widely plicants for baptism." felt in the development of the ra- tionalistic school among educated -Miss J. H. Sherman, of the Mussulmans of India. He was the Western India (Presbyterian) mis- leader of the Naturis, as they are sion, says in a recent letter: "Miss called, a name given to them by Brown and I are touring from this place (Bazaar Bhogaum), located about 18 miles west of Kolhapur, and 25 miles from Kodoli. Ve are on the very border of the jungle. Vild pigs, jackals, and monkeys are frequent visitors in the neighborhood, and the king of Kolhapur killed a large tiger about 7 miles from here last week. Ve have been here just two weeks, during which time we have visited 27 villages, and walkt not less than 75 miles. The only wagon road in this region is a very rough one from Koihapur, and extending through to the Radnagiri district, and as few villages their orthodox brethren, suggested mean a big harvest or some family by the English word "nature, "with joke.
which the neo-Islamic movement China. – Almost every Chinese was identified in their thought. A child of high station carries a fan. man of culture, Sir Syed Ahmed Fans are the rattles of Chinese bacontributed largely to current liter- byhood. A Chinese nurse diverts ature, and even ventured to pub- her young charge with views of her lish a commentary on the Rook swiftly-moved, gaily-painted fan. of Genesis from the rationalistic With that same fan she cools for standpoint.-Indian Witness. him the torrid air of the Chinese -Special attention may well be summer, and when he grows strong called to th'l recent baptism of Syed enough to walk, and totters about, with Asiatic masculine arrogance, Ali Hossein, a Mohammedan stu- upon his well-developt yellow legs, dent, who, during the last six or his apple-faced mother, if forced to seven years, has read and studied criticise his momentary mode of the Bible, the Koran, and many con- life, is very apt to score his yellow troversial books. As one of gradu- shoulders with her pink perfumed ally deepening convictions, he final- fan, tho, to be honest, a Chinese ly decided to become a follower of child is almost never struck. Many the Lord Jesus Christ. He does Chinese children who have scarcely this counting the cost and foresee- a garment, and rarely have a good ing the persecution and hatred dinner, have fans, and are experts in which his profession of Christ is their use, for in China the manner certain to entail. At present he in which a fan is carried, opened, is in the :Free Church College, Cal- – used, and moved, is almost as sigcutta, and is hoping to be a preacher nificant as it is in Korea. The to Mohammedans. nakedest Chincse boy will be al- -Children of Karen parentage most sure to own a kite. Chinese are named according to the slight- children are as skilful as Japanese est whim of the parents or friends. children in kite fiying, and are al- Some of these names are beautiful, most as fond of it as are the chil- while others are perpetual remind- dren of Siam. They also delight in ers of what had better be forgotten. rolling the hoop, and in playing Mr. Golden Flower, Miss Moon battledore and shuttlecock.
Flower, Miss Star Flower, Mr. -During my residence in China Golden Eye, Mr. Golden Star, MI'. I have never seen an indecent pic- Kiss, Miss Growbetter, Miss Good ture of any kind. The Chinese Child, are examples of the former: would not tolerate some of the picwhile Messrs. Black, White, Red tures that are exhibited in tobac- Man, Yellow Eye, Big Head, Wide conist's shops in this country.- Ears, Long Tooth, Big Feet, etc., Rev. J. Southy. are examples of the latter. Mr.
or Miss "White Foreigners Come" -The British and Chinese Bible is a perpetual proclamation of the Society distributed throughout the unfortunate individual's age, and empire the Bible in classical Man- all who heal' it know that the per- darin, 10 colloquial, Kalmuck, Mon- son was born in the year of the golian, and Tibetan languages. In British occupation of Burma. "Fa- 1896 some 540,000 books were print- ther Returns" tells a story of pater- ed, 366,000 books were put into cir- nal absence; "Teacher Comes" an- culation, of which 358,000 were sold, nounces the arrival of the mission- and 8,000 given away. The books ary; whilt Mr. Paddy Bin may are nearly always sold at a price to pay for the paper, and it was an in- men's hospital has been 4,353 new, dication of the remarkable progress and 2,762 repeats; at the women's of Christianity, that 11,000 New 1,000 new, and 1,807 repeats. The Testltments in ex~ellent bindings dispensaries at Wuchang, Wusueh, were sold. and Kuangchi report 3,947 new cases, and 3,564 repeats." -Writing from Hong Kong, Rev. Judson Smith, foreign secretary of -The Missionary Alliance is able the Americltn Board, says: ' , The to report that a building has been Chinese towns and homes are less secured, and work has been opened unattractive than I thought, tho a in Hunan, the" closed province." near inspection always shows the desperate need of sewers and water ] apan.-A striking contrast which works. The people Itre poorly clad, throws light on the characteristics but their faces are far more inter- of the Chinese and Japanese, is esting and intelligent than we usu- brought ont in the annual report of ally suppose. The hardiness, and the American Bible Society for energy, and physical vigor, and 1897. In China the entire circulamental acumen of the women are tion, not including copies sold to very noticeable. The younger wo- other Bible societies, amounted to men often have attractive faces, as 404,916 copies. This is an advance do the young men. I get the im- of nearly 9,000 over the year prepression of a race hardy, -industri- ceding. Of the entire number 397,- ous, in full physical force, who 044 copies, or more than 98 per cent. know how to work hard, to live were sold. The aggregate circulafrugally, to endure hardness, and tion in Japan amounted to 100,456 to keep cheerful." volumes, of which 72,484 were either free grants, or sales for free distri- -The English Wesleyans of Vu- bution, and 28,022 were sold. chang report that" the most astonishing increase has taken place in -The literary characteristics of the region through which the river the Japanese have been notic~able Han flows. At Tsaitien and Kao- in the 26,965 volumes publisht last chia-tai the work has been carried year, of which 20,000 were translaon by native colporteurs, supported tions of foreign books of high merit. by a grant from the Upper Canada Legal works numbered 4,830, those Religious Tract Society. Six miles on painting and sculpture were above the latter village a work has 3,000, and those on religion 1,183, sprung up in a town notorious in while attempts, numbeing 982, timeR past for its utter indifference were made in illustrltting Japanese to the missionaries who from time poetry. to time visited it. There are now three centers where weekly services -Rev. J. D. Davis, of the Amerare held, where twelve months ago ican Board says, that too much there were no signs of a movement trust has been placed in the native toward Christianity. Instead of a Christians of Japan. "The policy weakling church of a dozen mem- of our mission here from the bebers, contributing practically noth- ginning has been complete trust of ing to the church expenses, we have the Japanese Christians; it has now 60 or 70 baptized members. been perfect; the experiment has There are as many on trial, and the been tried, and the whole world local expenses are very largely met will learn a lesson, not to expect by local contributions. The num- the same stability and the same ber of patients at the Hankow ripeness of moral judgment from Christians who have just come into the light of the Gospel out of a colonies. He gathers the children pantheistic and a materialistic en- of Moslem and teaches them the vironment and heredity, as from art of reading and writing. They those who have had hundreds of have to learn by heart in Arabic years of Christian environment verses of the Koran and prayers. and heredity behind them." The teacher also carries on a little trade in beads, kola-nuts, etc. AFRICA. "Vhen a scholar has completed his course, which is soon done, as the -A writer in the Guardian re- instruction is of the most super- minds us that it can not be too ficial kind, his father has to pay a clearly recognized that Islam, the cow or produce of the country to hereditary foe of Europe, is con- the value of about forty shillings tending for every inch of Africa to the teacher. In this way these with European powers; with the Mohammedan pri3sts support English in Nyassaland, Uganda, themselves, and lead a very com- on the Niger, and in the Sudan; fortable life. " with the Belgians on the Upper Kongo; with the French in Senegal -There are said to be as many as and the Western Sudan; and that 15,000,000 of the Hausas, and they in their ineradicable hatred of the have sevpral great cities in which European, and in their determina- an active trade is carried on. Hithtion to rule the negro in their own erto it has been difficult to gain acway, the Arabs form a large con- cess to the country, but now the federacy; and that, if they are battle of Bida has opened it up, strengthened anywhere, they are and the Church Missionary Society strengthened all over the conti- has already entered it with the nent. And if the calif's rule is Gospel. The Hausas are described overthrown at Omdurman no doubt as excelling in physique and inteltrade will flow back into its old lect, and as having a literature of routes, and the pagan tribes of the their own. They are under British Nile Valley, the Shillooks, Nubas, protection, and have made by far and those of Darfur and Kordofan, the best soldiers employed in Afriall who have survived the desolat- can wars. ing tyranny of the Baggara, will be subjected to Mohammedanism, -The massacre of five missionwhich will come upon them deckt aries of th" United Brethren in out with all the advantages of Eu- Christ, h Sierra Leone, on May 4th, ropean organization. is most melancholy and unexpected. Their names are Rev. and Mrs. -A Easle missionary, who has Cain, and the :Misses Hatfield, been lately traveling in the German Archer, and Schenck. The head- Sudan, met in a remote village quarters of the missionaries were two traveling Mohammedans, one at Rotufunk. The natives had from Sokoto and one from Timbuc- risen against tl;" government, too. "The latter was a Moham- refusing to pay the hut taxes, and medan teacher, who carried with there was reported fighting also at him the Koran and wooden writ- Makomp, and some missionaries ing-tables. Every evening he went were reported as having fled from through his prayers in public, in the K uranko country to the vicinity the most careful and impressive of Sierra Leone. way. He travels aboutasa teacher of Islam, and stops at all places The Ch1L1'Ch Missionary Intelliwhich have small Mohammedan gencer also reports the murder of Rev. 'V. J. Humphrey, according to telegram, April 16. The insur- lnen, 4 laymen, and two women, as gent chiefs were led by Bai Bureh, well as 6 South Sea Islanders. and had several encounters with British troops. Mr. Humphrey was -A movement is on foot to exon his way to Port Lokkoh, as secre- tend the operations of the "Vesleytary of the mission, and was cap- an At <ralasian mission to the tured and killed near Makomp by Chinesb, whose labors are at presthe insurgents. It is said that Bai ent confined to Australasia, to Bureh has executed his murderer, China itself. The venerable John but even such justice can not restore Watsford has formulated the this valuable life. scheme, which may soon be an es- tablisht fact; and thus a most im- -The first railway completed in portant auxiliary will be initiated Central Africa is now open in the to existing societies. Kongo Free State. The river begins to be navigable 90 miles from -No more striking report comes its mouth; but above that point is from any mission field than that a distance of 250 miles occupied at which haa been sent home by the intervals by 32 cataracts. To pass Australasian Wesleyan Methodist these, all goods had to be carried Society. Speaking of Fiji, it says on men's backs, a process which it that altho, when the queen began required 25 days to perform. All to reign, there was not a single nahas now been changed. The rail- tive Christian in the region, now, way between Matadi and Leopold- in the group of islands, there are 11 missionaries and 67 native minisville makes the journey in a day. ters, 2,051 local preachers, 4,521 class leaders, 35,000 members or -Concerning the Dark Continent members on trial, 33,500 Sunday Bishop Hartzell remarks: " The day scholars, and a total of upward of for the black races has dawned, and 00,000 attendants on public! wor- Africa is to be the chief scene of ship. Taking from the rest one cirtheir redemption. On this conti- cuit, that of Ra, here is an attractnentare crystallizing the forces for tive picture: "Out of a population tremendous conflicts, commercial, of 3,279 persons, 1,421 are members racial, and spiritual. Mohamme- of our church, 188 are local preachdanism holds in its grip the north- ers, and 211 are leaders of classes." ern half of the continent, and is -Free ChU1'ch Monthly. pressing southward. A native gave a mosque at Lagos, costing $25,- New Guinea.-Rev. G. 'V. Lawes, 000, and the sultan sent a special envoy from Constantinople to rep- in speaking of advancement·in New resent him at the dedication. Ho- Guinea, says: "After twenty-two man Catholicism is pouring in years, altho much still remains of priests by the hundred. Two hun- heathenism, a great and manifest dred tons of intoxicating drink are change is apparent. From East sent to West Africa from Christian Cape to the Fly River in the west, countries every year. Superstition covering a distance of 700 miles, and witchcraft under various forms are many centers from which light of fetish worship for many Ctr:tu- is being diffused, while 00 c1mrches ries have held multiplied millions are dotted like lighthouses along the in gloom and sorrow." coast. The appearance of the people has changed-the wild look of sus- ISLANDS OF THE SEA. picion has gone. The Sabbath is observed even in many heathen vil- -Australasia. Not long since lages, while 1,350 men and women the Right. Rev. Stone-Wigg was are profest followers of Christ." consecrated in Sydney, bishop of New Guinea, and at once began South Seas.-Professor and Mrs. preparations for his diocese, hop- David, who spent some months on mg to take with him 2 clergy- the Island of Funafuti, Ellice group, while the work of the coral boring expedition was being carried on, have intimated to Mr. T. Pratt, the London Society's fin ancial agent in Sydney, their wish to present a communion table and chair to the church at Funafuti, as an evidence of their great interest in the mission on the island.
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1893
EDUCATION AND MISSIONS
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XVI. No. 12.-0ld8eries.-DEOEMBER.-voL. VI. No. 12.-Nmo Serie8.
EDUOATION AND MISSIONS.-II.
BY A. J. GORDON, D.D.
The article under the above title in the August MISSIONARY REVIEW has naturally drawn out not a littlp comment. For this reason especially we are led to refer to the subject again, and to note how intimately it stands related to some of the broadest qup.stions of missionary polity.
1. Is multitudinism or individualism the true method in missions 1 The Roman Oatholic theory has been : "Bring men into the Church, in order to bring them to Christ;" the Protestant theory has been: "Bring men to Christ, in order to bring them into the Church." It is obvious that, according as the one or the other of these ideals prevails, the order of missionary procedure must radically differ. Education first and foremost, if the masses are to be nurtured into a condition where they shall be fit to be saved by faith in Christ. But is this according to the Divine plan? Is the new birth the graduating degree in the school of Christianity, or is it the matriculation into that school? A volume of sermons lies before us in which this sentence occurs: "From all eternity God has provided for us a place in His Church. He ha.~ brougld us into His church in order that we may be saved. Whether we are saved eventually or not must depend," etc. This the preacher emphasizes as the Catholic theory of salvation ovp.r against the Calvinistic. Very well. Then bring the whole multitude into the Church; make tIle ordinances a drag-net for including entire nations at once within its communion ; bripg to bear all the forces of civilization for humanizing and elevating the· heathen, and so making them ready to receive Christ as their Saviour.
But the primitive practice as well as the primitive precept seems to be against such a conception. The record of the Church's beginnings reads: " And the same day there were adden about three thousand souls." Added to whom? Not to the Christian community merely. A parallel statement reads: "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women"-multitudinism, but through individualism! The ecclesiastical tens and hundreds gained only through the believing units; and whether by ones or by thousands, all "added to the Lord /" Jesus Christ is the Divine Unit, the one and only Centre of accretion to which all increase is related. Indeed, the phrase "added to the Church" occurring in our common version (Acts 2 : 49) is unknown to the original. " The L01·d added daily such as were being saved," and" believers" and such as " gladly received the Word" were" added to the Lord. " Such is the record in the Acts; and from it we see how closely related is all growth in the kingdom of heaven to the person of the Saviour. Such a conception as a church standing as a portico to Christ, or as an introductory school to Christ, seems to be unknown to the New Testament.
Now, whether the question under consideration is a vital one or not will appear when we note the fact that several of the most eminent writers on the philosophy of missions regard it as the hinge on which the most important religious crises have turned.
Dr. George Smith considers that the conversion of Constantine, with the subsequent looming up of the ambitious legend, " By this sign conquer," marks the first step in a fatally wrong policy of Christian aggression. "From a purely missionary point of view," he says, "it began a system of compromise with error, of nationalism instead of individualism in conversion, which in the East made the Church an easy prey to Moham- * medauism, and iu the Vest produced Jesuit missions."
Let the reader mark the words which we have italicized: "nationalism instead of individualism in conversion." They contain the crucial question of missionary policy. If we will conform to God's order for this dispensation, and labor for an elective outgathering instead of a universal ingathering; seeking individual conversions instead of grasping after national conquests, we shall be found in a way that has always proved safe in the history of missions. The" In hoc signo vinces" as interpreted by Constantine and his successors marks a total break with the whole spirit of apostolic and primitive Christianity. The cross indeed! But" the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto Me and I unto the world j" not the cross emblazoned on banners and inscribed on the Labarum movin~ on for the subjection of the nations to Christianity. The work distinctly appointed for this preseut time is the gathering of the Ecclesia-the called out. Not that we would question for a moment the ultimate conversion of the world. When" that which is in part shall be done away," and" when that which is perfect shall come," then indeed shall our Lord Jesus llave dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the end of the earth. " But the time of this consummation is not yet.
Now, a misconception of the present· purpof'e and aim of foreign missions has undoubtedly had much to do with fostering these large and expensive schemes for educating the heathen about which many thoughtful * " ShQrt llietQry of Christian Missions," p. 57. people are beginning to cherish such grave doubts. Substitute civilization for evangelization as the work of the Christian Church among the heathen, or identify civilization and evangelization as essentially the same, and secular education will come more and more to the front. On the contrary, let the idea be held firmly that the first work of the missionary is to promote individual conversions and gather churches of regenerated souls, and inevitably the work of educating unbelieving heathen will fall to the rear. And for this reason: emphasize conversion and the idea will soon emphasize itself that only converted persons are capable of being thoroughly instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven. It is written in Scripture 'and in many forms reiterated that" the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them." Therefore the obvious conclul.'ion must be : Seek to have men born of the Spirit, that they may be qualified for iustruction in the doctrines of the Spirit. There is a saying so true and scriptural that it is worthy of being inscribed over the door of every mission house: "In man's school the pupil seeks to know in order to believe j in God's school the pupil mu.~t believe in order to know." Therefore conversion first and culture afterward.
2. Is affiliation with the State or separation from the State the true method in missions 1 It sounds strange to hear a minister in a national church-the late Professor Christlieb, of Bonn-attaching so much importance, as he does, to exemption of religion from government control. In tracing the rise of the missionary spirit in America, he says: "Certainly it was no mere accidental circumstance that a livelier interest in the missionary enterprise began after the privileges of the State Church had been abolished in New England. " It was when" delivered from the encumbrance of State aid," he goes on to say, that the American Church first began to rise to the greatness of her obligation to the heathen.
The eminent theologian thus puts emphasis on what it might not occur to us to notice. But those who are acquainted with Christlieb's experience can read into his words even more than he has himself expressed. His high evangelical views won for him the reproach of " pietism," and more than once the" powers that be" came near laying disciplinary hands upon him for this offence. It is always liable to be so. The stipend rarely fails to assert its authority ovcr the stipendary j subsidies are almost certain, sooner or later, to subsidize. Therefore let missions be on their guard against" the encumbrance of State aid."
The history of primitive missions is instructive at every point, and nowhere more so than here. "When the Church had the least money it had the most might," it has been pointedly said. And we may unhesitatingly add that when it had the least aid from the world it made the most rapid conquests in the world.
Let one read that very informing book, Uhlhorn's" Conflict of Christianity with Heathenism" for many suggestive facts upon this point. 'When the Church held most uncompromisingly that her citizenship was in heaven, absolutely refusing to be affiliated with the kingdoms of this world, then it was that she was irresistible in her onward movement. This attitude of the early Christians gave great offence to heathen rulers, who often desired to be friendly to those who stubbornly refused to be befriended by them lest their friendship with the world might prove enmity to God.
Here is the picture which Uhlhorn gives of the victorious Church of the first three centuries: "The coming of the Lord was then believed to be quite near, and this hope dominated the whole life. No provision was made for the long continuance of th~ Church on earth, and all efforts were exclusively directed toward remaining in the world without spot till the day of Christ's coming." This is the time and this is the spiritual attitude in which Christianity made its most extraordinary advance among the heathen, so that Tertullian could say: "We are of yesterday, and yet have filled every place belonging to you-cities, islands, castles, towns, assemblies, your very camp, your tribes, companies, senate, and forum ;" and Eusebius observes that" the saving Word has brought the souls of men of every race to the devout veneration of the God of the universe." Indeed, so rapid and so firm was' the progress of the Gospel during the period that Dr. Warneck estimates that" at the end of the first century there were in the whole extent of the Roman Empire at most two hundred thousand Christians, and at the end of the third century about six millionsthat is, about a twentieth part of the whole population" (see" History of Protestant Missions," p. 4).
Yet the faithful historian, after drawing this· glowing portrait of the primitive Church, confesses his aversion to the austere bearing toward the world which these "earliest Christians" thus maintained ; and after the manner of modern preachers discoursing on the " Church of the future" or " the institutional Church," he thus moralizes: "Not thus could Christianity conquer the world! It must become larger hearted, must go to meet the world, condescend to it in order in this way to conquer. The Church must not remaih as it was, it must strip off the guise of the conventicle and become the Church of the people."
This ideal, too, was realized; and a little later on the historian describes the bearing of the "Church of the people." "Christians in the higher classes who had numerous family connections among the heathen did not scruple to attend family festivals in heathen households, and,of course, also to be present at the customary heathen rites." " Some even ventured to accompany their heathen relatives to the games and theatres." It came to be considered wise not to antagonize the heathen usages as heretofore, and the word" discreet" in Titus 2 ': 5 was much dwelt upon. No doubt the proposal for a "congress of religions" would have met with ready favor at this time. The distinction between consecrated and unconsecrated money gradually ceased. So rigid had been this discrimination, that " when the gnostic Marcion separated from the Church, the two hundred thousand sesierces which he had given at his baptism were returned to him." Now gold was gold, whether stamped with the image and superscription of Christ or of Cresar. Hithocto," poor persons who had nothing fasted, in order t~ give what they saved j and sometimes a general fast wa~ appointed in the Church and the proceeds expended for benevolent purposes ;" now the wealth of the world began to come into the Lord's treasury. Hitherto" what the Church received it immediately expended j nothing was converted into capital." Now church endowments and hoarded wealth began to be known. " Without lettiug go the hope of the final advent of the Lord, the Church now entered upon its historical development and its citizenship on earth," says the historian. Ah, yes. It is an austere conception: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." But the words are a quotation from Scripture j yet, knowing something of the present aversion to the idea which they convey, we must add, in the Saviour's words, " He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." Just here, however, in the assumption of earthly citizenship, was the turning point in history, when the pure and primitive Church swung into the paganized and apostate Church. If our citizenship is on earth, we may receive tithes and collect revenues from the kings of this earth j we may allow human governments to pay tribute to us. But let us be on our guard against the perils involved in such a course. To swap civilized education for heathen money may be. a fair trade, but is it the calling of the merchantmen in heavenly pearls to engage in such traffic ~ To give secular teaching in exchange for government grants may be an honest transaction, but is the missionary of the cross commissioned for such a business? As a matter of fact, the missionary societies of free churches and established churches alike have fallen into the habit of receiving government grants in aid on the foreign field.
The system of secular education among our missions IS largely related to this usage. The wrong principle-alliance of missions with the Statehas led to what many regard as a wroug result. The principle, therefore, needs serious reconsideration. It was through this principle, gradually and almost imperceptibly adopted, that the early Church, from being "more than conqueror," became more than conquered, since, instead of Christianizing paganism, her Christianity was paganized. The law of the kingdom of heaven is not the law of the kingdom of earth. The world's motto is, " In union there is strength j" the Church's motto is, " In separation there is strength."
We have been solicitous lest, in saying what we have in these two articles, we ~ight seem to antagonize the work of devoted missionaries whom we are entirely unworthy to criticise and who are far better qualified than we to judge of the questions involved. But from communications already received, we judge that many laborers on the foreign field consider the educational system under which they are placed, a yoke- grievous to be borne. We shall publish some of these communications in subsequent num- bers of the REVIEW, and we cordially invite contributions from those who take a contrary view of the subject.
""Ve append herewith a portion of an open letter on the question, re- ceived from Rev. E. A. Watkins, Vicar of Ubbstone, Suffolk, England, for eleven years a missionary of the Church Mission Society: Educational work in our missions has now assumed immense proportions, and is absorbing a vast deal of the time of our missionaries, and consuming an enormous amount of the money contributed by the Christian public. The great question for consideration is, whether such time and such money are properly and profitably employed. It is generally assumed that the education of nominal Christian and heathen children is a necessary and desirable work, and consequently it is carried on without any scruple by almost all missionary societies, the China Inland Mission being perhaps the only one which scarcely makes any efforts in this direction. But I apprehend that calm and serious consideration of the subject will tend to cause much doubt as to either the necessity or desirableness of this branch of supposed legitimate missionary labor. No valid objection can of course be raised against direct religious teaching, but it is the teaching of secular subjects which is open to grave question. With all seriousness I would ask, Is it right that money contributed purely for the spread of the Gospel should be employed in teaching arithmetic, grammar, geography, and, as in high schools, algebra, Euclid, geology and other sciences ~ Is it right that the time of the missioll9.ries should be speut in these matters, besides so many hours in the financial and other arrangements connected with the management of their schools Y Various reasons are assigned as a justification of the practice pursued and of the enormous expenditure incurred, and we must assume that such reasons are considered satisfactory by the committees of our missionary societies. Still it might be well to examine them a little. They may, I think, be fairly stated as follows: 1. "It i8 of 'lJa8t importance to laylwld of the children, as our main hope i8 in the ri8ing generation. "
This is readily granted j but to lay hold of them in order to give four, or perhaps five, hours of secular instruction to every one hour devoted to religious teaching is not quite what is commonly apprehended by the statement made. The imparting of secular knowledge, however good and important a work it may be, is certainly not missionary work. Each agent who has left his native land to evangelize the heathen may very properly say: " Christ sent me, not to 'teach arithmetic and geography,' but to preach the Gospel. "
2. .. Heathen parents would not send their c7tildren to Christian schools unlets a good secular education were offered."
This is true to a certain extent, but not so universally as is assumed, and it applies exclusively to missions in India. But if the parents refuse to send their children we have no further responsibility j our consciences are at rest, and we have the satisfaction of saving the missionaries' time and the subscribers' money, both of which would then be available for more direct missionary work. Let us imagine a somewhat similar case in another sphere of foreign labor. We will suppose that the agents of a Bible society offer copies of the Word of God to the natives of some popish country, but that these latter will not accept them unless accompanied by four books of a secular character. Now, would the Bible society be justified in appropriating its funds to the purchase of books, say of history, travels, science and fiction, so that one of each of these should be presented with every copy of the Bible ~ Would the subscribers to such a society be satisfied that their money should be thus employed? I trow not.
3. " We could get no gove1'nment grant unless our schools were ejficient. ,.
Very true; but if only religious instruction is given, the expenses would be so greatly reduced that the government grant would not be needed, while we should have the consciousness of properly applying the contributions received. Several of the missionaries speak with satisfaction of the large grant which they are able to obtain, but if the case were expressed in plain language I fancy it would be something like this: " We have diligently taught arithmetic, grammar, history, geography, drawing, etc., and have gained an excellent report and a large grant, and all with money subscribed for preaching the Gospel." Whether this is a fair ground for congratulation I leave subscribers to judge.
4. "In our high schools we give such a superior education as is calculated to prepare the pupils for future usefulness in the missions."
Exactly so ; but how many of those pupils actually engage in missionary work ~ Is it not a very small proportion indeed? The plan adopted seems very much like beginning at the wrong end. We educate a large number of pupils with the hope of getting a few Christian teachers, but ought we not rather first to select truly Christian youths and girls and then educate them ~ The school teaching, viewed from a missionary standpoint, must, I think, in honesty be confessed to have proved a lamentable failure. In India we have been teaching children for seventy years or more, and it may fairly be questioned whether one child in a hundred whom we have taught has grown up a real Christian. We have labored hard to give a good education, and we have turned out tens of thousands of semiheathen, semi-infidels, and semi-Christians.
Dealing simply with his own Board, the Church Missionary Society, Mr. Watkins carefully estimates the cost of educating children incurred by the Board on the foreign field. He makes this a total of £59,514, and concludes: If this estimate be anywhere near correct, we have more than one fifth of the total expenditure of the society for 1890 going for education, that total being £247,500. I venture to ask, Is this enormous amount of money well spent? Is it right to appropriate to such a purpose one fifth of the funds annually collected? If it be so, then by all means let us have an addition to the name of the society. Let it be called" the Church Missionary and Educational Society," and then subscribers will have a clear idea of the two separate objects to which they are contributing.
The chief disadvantage would be that probably the funds would be considerably diminished. I fear that many a hard-begged half crown would be either entirely withheld or obtained with even more difficulty than at present if the contributor realized that sixpence of it would go " to teach the poor heathen" arithmetic and geography.
The missionary societies of modern times have gradually become immense educational agencies,. and in this respect, whether right or wrong, they certainly differ greatly from the primitive missions. The great apos-
METLAKAlITLA, A MARVEL AMONG MISSIONS
tIe-missionary of the Gentiles did not establish" St. Paul's schools" in the cities where he labored. nor did he charge Timothy and Titus to erect and carryon training institutions, though we might perhaps have expected something of this latter kind. But if our missionary societies are justified in spending such vast sums year by year upon mental training, why may they not go a step further and energetically take np technical education in all its branches ~ No one could deny that this would be very nseful to the pupils. But where are we to stop ~ Are we with mission funds to teach all kinds of trades? Are we with those funds to furnish cooking kitchens, and erect carpenters' shops and smithies? Are we with those same funds to train our cleverest boys to a variety of professions? Mission schools, I contend, should far more resemble our Sunday than our day schools. The object aimed at ought to be Ohristianity first and foremost, while whatever little secular education is given should be entirely subsidiary to this one main object.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. If the governors and committees of our societies will condescend to notice the remarks of one who has the temerity (or as some would perhaps say, the audacity) to attack an old-established and widely extended system, and who will not be thanked for his pains, I would say: (1) Give, both individually and collectively, careful and prayerful consideration to the whole subject. It is one of vast importance, and ought not to be pooh.poohed.
(2) Toss the government grant overboard. It does no more good to the cause of Christianity than the like grant does to our schools in England, where it ignores all religious examination; our supereminently wise rulers in educational matters considering that secular learning without any contamination from Bible truth will turn our boys and girls into moral, upright, and most exemplary citizens.
(3) Give instruction to your missionaries and all your agents connected with schools that their one great aim must be the teaching Qf religion, and that everything else must be entirely subservient to this great end.
I trust that after prayer and consideration the societies will be led to abandon by degrees, if not at once, their present system, and to adopt one of a more God-honoring character, and then we may reasonably hope that the Divine blessing will rest more abundantly than ever upon their labors. Whether such officials will take any steps or not remains to be seen in the future, but I have at least discharged what I conceive to be my own duty, and now I leave the matter in the Heavenly Master's hands.
METLAKAHTLA, A MARVEL AMONG MISSIONS.-II.
BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, OBERLIN, OHIO.
It is now high time to inquire what was the fruit in evident revolution and r()novation of hearts and lives ~ Well, general quiet, good order, and indnstry were secured. Visitors were sure to notice with surprise how well clad were these quondam savages at church, for example, where the women were attired in merino dresses and mantles, and the men in suits of tweeOds and broadcloth. And as they worshipped and listened, the inbred and proverbial apathy and listlessness of the red man disappeared, and their countenances took on an expression of intelligence and animation. Especial conscientiousness was generally displayed in careful keeping of the Sabbath. While at Fort Simpson the natives were still all in grossest ignorance, degradation, filth, and moral vileness, here at Metlakahtla, only twenty miles distant, were to be seen'instead all the essentials of enlightenment and Christianity. Some Chilcats who paid a visit to the village took home incredible accounts of how they had found a body of " Indians who had become white," could talk on paper and hear paper talk, wore white folk's clothes and lived in houses with windows; had forsaken their medicine men, and no longer ate dog's flesh or killed one another." As early as 1866, as often as the schooner made a trip down the coast, some two hundred letters written by Indians were taken along. Best of all, in 1863 the Bishop of British Columbia visited the mission, spent several days in examining candidates for admission into the Church, the last day busied from eight in the morning till one at night, and found fifty-six who witnessed so good a confession that they were baptized. About a year later fifty-five more were received to fellowship, eighty-four others in 1871, and by 1879 no less than five hundred and seventy-nine adults and four hundred and ten children had been baptized, while also one hundred and thirty-seven couples had been joined in Christian marriage. In 1864 a second mission, with the same general plan as that in operation at Metlakahtla, was started on the Nassa River, and two or three others elsewhere in years following. By this time the work had become so extensive and the burden of toil so heavy that other missionaries were sent to relieve the shoulders of the intrepid pioneer. If space could be spared, several worthy nameS should be added and narratives of faithful and efficient service.
Of course it is not to be supposed that folly and depravity and evil of divers kinds were wholly absent from this elect community, whose members had so recently been lifted out of the depths of barbarism. Not unfrequently it was necessary for Mr. Duncan to exercise his authority as justice of the peace, and large demands were made on the wisdom and resolution of the council and the courage of the constables. When the law was violated a trial of the accused by his peers followed, and in the most flagrant cases of crime the offenders were publicly flogged by the missionary-magistrate, which punishment, however, because such a stinging disgrace, was so drcaded that it was resorted to but seldom. A much more common penalty was visited on wrong-doers by merely hoisting a black flag over the lock-up, for at that signal of grave transgression everybody at once began to inquire who was the wretch and what wicked deed had he committed, and public opinion soon made it so uncomfortable that he was brought to confession and reformation or else was glad to expatriate himself. But much more trouble came from the neighboring whites and the pagan tribes dwelling in the surrounding region. At an early day our apostle of righteousness had set himself to put an end, so far as he could, to the dreadful slavery he found existing on every hand, among the rest, offering an asylum to all who came within his reach, so that Metlakahtla presently contained quite a large number of those who had fled from their masters. But various chiefs, made furious by the losses of such property at the hands of this fearless emancipator, madc determined efforts to retaliate by taking his life. Then the local officials of the Hudson's Bay Company found a !lore grievance in the fnct that the co-operative store, the numerous industries, and the trading expeditions quite seriously diminished their in- come, and so took the attitude of opposition, and scattered in all directions all manner of slanderous reports. And since the sale of intoxicants was strictly prohibited in Metlakahtla, the deadly hatred was gained of not a _few traders along the coast. Several of these were fined and imprisoned for violation of law, and when one was presumptuous enough to defy the authority of this feeble preacher-schoolmaster, his vessel was seized incon- tinentlyand burned upon the beach. Another while serving out a sentence in the lock-up was so deeply impressed by the exemplary life of his Chris- tian Tsimshean guard that he was led to true repentance.
After presenting such a thrilling narrative, covering almost twenty-five years of remarkable labors, crowned with success just as remarkable, it is painful to be obliged even to mention a sad calamity which befell the mis- sion early in 1881, which introduced a period of protracted uncertainty, confusion, and strife, and for a time threatened utter overthrow. But, fortunately, it will suffice here simply to suggest that, with probably some- thing of blame on both sides, the troubles were much aggravated by the vast distance which separated between the Church Society and its agent, making communication so difficult and unfrequent, and, much more, that at certain points there seem to have been radical diversity of judgment as to what was wise to do in view of the facts in the case, and also of convic- tion as to what waR right and obligatory. These were among the ques- tions upon which no compromise was found: "Shall these Indians be suffered to remain simply Christians, or must they also receive the stamp of episcopacy ~" "Shall their worship be kept simple and free, or shall the entire ritual of the Church of England be imposed~" "Further, is there not the greatest danger that these neophytes, but recently rescued from the depths of savagery, with cannibalism included among their re- ligious rites, and with their passion for strong drink, will be staggered and seriously harmed by the use of wine in the sacrament, and especially when the civil law strictly forbids them to touch intoxicating liquors, and by taking the bread, even in an emblematic way, within their lips, and so ' eating the flesh' of the Son of Man~" And yet more, "that they will rest on baptism for salvation as though it were possessed of some magical power to cleanse from sin and lift to heaven f' Well, it finally came to such a pass that the commission of Mr. Duncan was cancelled. But then this further question was thrust on him and those who under God owed to him their redemption. Should he take his departure and leave them to other guides ~ With one voice the people besought him to remain, and he consented. Next and finally: Whose were the land on which Metlakahtla stood, and the improvements ~ After months and years of contention, with abundance of provocation to bad feeling, the powers that be decided that the real estate, church, dwelling-houses, and the rest belonged to the Society-at least, did not belong to those who by their toil had created the whole.
Then it was determined to emigrate, to remove altogether beyond the limits of British Columbia, and to seek new homes with stable property rights upon American soil. And, fortunately, the boundary of Alaska was but about fifty miles away. Yith this project in mind Mr. Duncan, early in 1887, visited Washington, and from President Cleveland received permission to occupy Annette Island, about five miles by fifteen in extent, mountainous in the middle, but with heavy timber and fertile soil about the shores, and at one point a fine harbor. The autumn following the trying exodus was made-for almost all their worldly goods were left behind -and the foundations were laid of New Metlakahtla, known ou the charts of the coast survey as Port Chester. Aid was received from friends in the East to the amount of some $12,000, with which were built a steam sawmill, salmon cannery, etc. By a fire last summer the former was destroyed, but has since been rebuilt, while from the latter a dividend of ] 5 per cent was gained. Only a few L!lonths since Mr. Duncan visited San Francisco to purchase some canning machinery, an organ, and a caloric engine. Though no details have been received, the intelligence comes that February 7th, by another fire, twenty-eight houses were destroyed. In spite of these repeated disasters, both people and leader bear up heroically. The new location is described as most delightful and admirably well chosen; the population is nearly as large as in the palmiest days; signs of progress appear on every side, and the future is full of hope.
Surely, in this brief and imperfect statement of facts, evidence sufficient has been set forth to' justify the enthusiasm and amazement of all who have visited the scene of Mr. Duncan's labors, or who in any way -have become acquainted with the astounding changes brought to pass without, within, in realms material and spiritual, social, intellectual, moral and religious, in life and in character. Well might Lord Dufferin, then Governor-General of Canada, behold the spectacle with surprise and admiration, and declare that he '" could find no words to express his astonishment;" or Admiral Mayne write: "He impressed us as a man out of ten thousand." And Charles Hallock: "Metlakahtla is truly the full realization of the missionaries' dream of aboriginal restoration." And N. H. R. Dawson, Commissioner of Education : "The story is one of the wonders of the age, and teems with incidents of surprise and gratification." And Sheldon Jackson: "There are few chapters in missionary history more full of romance or more wonderlul." Theodore Christlieb, an authority in such matters, singles out for especial mention" William Duncan, the schoolmaster, a practical missionary genius." And Dr. Gustav W ar-
LAZARUS, A TYPE OF ISRAEL
neck also, one of our foremost writers upon missions, in his " Missions and Culture," turns again and again to Metlakahtla with heartiest com. mendation for the policy and methods there devised and so successfully pursued, and rejoices that" by the Dominion Parliament they have been accepted for the whole Canadian federation."
LAZARUS, A TYPE OF ISRAEL (JOHN 11 : 1-44).
* BY JOSEPH RABINOWITZ.
1. Now a certain man-Israel is not only a nation, but a certain nation, the everlasting nation, the Lord's peculiar people, above all nations that are upon the earth-was sick-Israel, as a nation, was already sick when the Lord Jesus Christ came to this world-named Lazarus-Israel in his unbe· lief is named Lazarus (helpless). Many there are which say, There is no help for him iu God (Ps. 3 : 2)-of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.-These two sisters may represent the two churches.
2. Mary, which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair-represents the Evangelical Church, and Martha, who was careful and troubled about many things, but not about the one thing which was needful, represents the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Both churches remind the Lord, saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick-Israel, whom the Lord Jesus loved, is sick.
4. But the Lord assures the churches that Israel's sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God-that the Son of God might be glorified thereby-for God has not cast away His people which He foreknew (Rom. 11 : 1), and for His servants' sakes He will not destroy them all (Isa. 65 : 8).
5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister.-The Lord loves both churches, the Roman Catholic because she has first received Him into her house, and caused her sister, the Evangelical Church, to sit at Jesus' feet and hear His Word.
6. He abode two days still in the place where He was.-The Lord's day is a thousand years. Israel is sick, and the Lord abides two thousand years in the same churches where He was.
7. Then after that saith He to His disciples, Let us go into Judea again. -The Redeemer will come again to Zion.
8. His disciples say unto Him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone Thee; and goest Thou thither again ~-They have crucified and slain the Lord Jesus.
. 9-11. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day ~-While • An allegorical interpretation of John 11 : 1-44 given in private converaation. This view will strike many as fanciful, If not far.fetched, but the Editor thinks ouch a man as Rabinowitz entitled to a hearing. • I was in the world, I was the light of the world, and I had to work the works of Him that sent me while it was day j when I was cut off out of the land of the living the night came, and lasted two thousand years, and no man could work My works-i.e., heal Israel of his sickness. But now I am again in the world, the night is over- our friend Lazarus (Israel) sleep- eth j but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12, 13. Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep he shall do well.
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death j but they thought that He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.-Many think that Israel is dead and will never be brought to life again. Therefore when the Lord says, Israel sleepeth, they take His words in the literal sense, and think if Israel is not dead, if he sleepeth only, he shall do well. But the Lord Jesus knows that Israel i8 dead and has no life. Israel's life and the length of his days is the Lord his God, and his God is not among his people (Deut. 30: 20 ; 31: 17.) 14-16. Therefore says Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus (Israel) is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there (among Israel) to the intent ye may believe-that the dry bones of Israel can live, and that ye may know that the Lord does sanctify Israel, when His sanctuary shall be in the midst of them forevermore (Ezek. 37).
17. Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.-At the second advent of Christ, Israel shall have lain in the -grave of unbelief four thousand years. Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have sent unto you all my servants yet they hearkened not unto me (Jer.
7 : 25, 26).
] 8, 19. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.-Many converts of the Jews which join the two churches comfort them concerning Israel, showing by their own conversion that there is a remnant of Israel according to the election of grace.
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went out and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house.-The Roman Catholic Church will probably first meet the Lord at His second coming. * 21, 22. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee.-The Roman Catholic Church flat- ters the Lord Jesus and worships Him only with the aim to receive through Him worldly benefits.
23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.-And what shall the receiving of t!-tem be but life from the dead 1 24-26. Martha said unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection of the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, • We give the author's comments III! they appear, withont change. and the life : he that believeth in Me, even though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?-When Israel will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
27, 28. She (Martha) saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.-Then the Roman Catholic Church shall call her sister, the Evangelical Church, secretly, because of her being ashamed of her former superstitions.
29-31. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted ber, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her.-The converted Jews, when they shall see the Evangelical Church rising and hastily going toward the Lord, shall follow her.
32. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if 'Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.-The Evangelical Church does not Hatter the Lord, but falls down humbly at His feet and weeps, together with the converted Jews, at the death of Israel.
33, 34. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews all weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him ?-In Russia l America l Argentina l- And they said unto Him, Lord, come and see.
35. Jesus wept.-Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
36. Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him !-Then all will know how the Lord Jesus loved Israel.
37. And some of them said, 'Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died 1- Many baptized Jews who, like the Roman Catholic Church, consider Israel dead forever, will say, Could not this man, who opened our eyes, etc.
38. Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it-a symbol of the stony heart—lesus said, Take ye away the stone-And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh (Ezek. 36 : 26).
39. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he stinketh : for he hath been dead four days.-To the Roman Catholic Church Israel stinketh as a corpse that has been dead four thousand years.
40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God ?-Would the Roman Catholic
WORK AMONG THE WOMEN OF EGYPT
Church believe, she would see that the Lord is able to give the dry bones of Israel life.
41-43. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I knew that thou hearest Me always : but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they might believe that Thou hast sent Me. And when He had thus spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth-Awake, awake j stand up, 0 Israel! Arise, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee (Isa. 52 : 1 j 60 : 1).
44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes-made of the Thalmud-and his face was bound about with a napkin-the veil of unbelief-Jesus said unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
WORK AMONG THE WOMEN OF EGYPT.
BY MISS ANNA Y. THOMPSON, CAIRO, EGYPT.
The first attempt at work among the women of Egypt, within my knowledge, was commenced by Mr. and Mrs. Lieder, of the Church Missionary So. ciety. They opened a school for girls, as well as boys, in Cairo, and Mrs. Lieder visited to some extent among the people j but at her death, early in 1868, our American United Presbyterian Mission fell heir to the pupils. Our work was commenced in 1854, and now reaches 189 centres with 3871 communicants, and extends from Alexandria to Assouan, a distance of seven hundred miles.
Miss Whately, of Ireland, founded a school for girls in Cairo in 1860, and for years it was the means of reaching numbers of families as well as the pupils. It has since her death changed its superintendent, and is now under a different system of admission. The Established Church of Scotland has for some years had two schools for girls in Alexandria, and they have done much for the education of European and native children.
The Church Missionary Society sent out workers to Cairo after the Arabi rebellion, and now they have three schools for girls, besides two Bible women. There is, besides these, a lady of the English nobility, who, with a friend and her own Bible woman, visits some of the poor class Moslems.
In Egypt the means used in reaching the women are either by establishing schools for girls or by visiting the mothers in their homes. And when the word" home" is mentioned, how many different kinds could we picture, either of village or palace, Christian or Mohammedan! The villages are generally reached in our mission by taking a donkey and riding from the central station of the district, or they are reached by the Nile boat Ibis. This dahabieh has for many years carried different families up and down the river, visiting one place after another, remaining in some promising place for days at a time, and it serves the missionaries as a refuge from the many little discomforts and drawbackR of native houses. Clean beds, where one can keep out fleas, mosquitoes, etc., are almost a necessity for many people while visiting for any length of time, and simple food, which can be cooked on board, is much more likely to keep the body in good tone than the heavy food cooked with meats, which is set in generous supplies on the very large tray table, around which the guests sit in native houses.
There are many towns where the people are very ignorant, many nominal Christians not knowing who created them, or anything about Christ's work except His name. But there are many little villages where, through the influence of some enlightened man, a teacher has been brought to open a school, and where night meetings arc held for the study of the Scrip- tures. The women do not have equal chances with the men, for only a few have the courage to go contrary to custom and send their daughters to a boys' school; but it is often done, and in a very few places the school boys act as teachers for the women, under the direction of their teacher. The women during the service, too, if they venture to attend, unless there be a regularly built church, do not have a desirable place in which to sit, and sometimes they have to remain outside in a court near the household animals, where only the very zealous ones can see the speaker. And yet in many of our churches, by close attention, these women, with their clinging, blue-black clothes and coverings, know much of the Bible, and can sing psalms from memory in the meetings.
Sometimes blind men or others go about teaching the women, being under the care of the pastor of the congregation. Here I would like to record the testimony of the missionaries whose work it was to spend the winter of 1892-93 going from place to place: "The work among the women is not so deplorable as we are apt sometimes to think it. We have observed that the advancement among the women in the different towns is a fair index of the progress of the Church in those towns. We have seen that in those places where no attention is given the women the meetings are dead or dying."
In 1892 the statistics reported that 74 prayer-meetings were held weekly for women and girls in Egypt, with an average attendance of 1236, of whom 435 are able to lead in prayer. These meetings are conducted either by missionaries or native pastors and evangelists as a rule, and held in the day-time. In Mellawi, a town about two hundred miles sonth of Cairo, where there are 26 female church-members, there are meetings held whiflh are thus described by Mr. Ashenhurst: "In Mellawi we saw a remarkable prayer-meeting. On last Tuesday night I sat quietly in the church behind the curtain which divides the women's side from the men's side, and listened to the women talking in a prayer-meeting conducted entirely hy Egyptian women. There were 32 women squatted on the floor below the pulpit. They had come out through the dark night to attend their meeting, some of them carrying babies on their shoulders. For a woman to go out at night is an unusual thing in Egypt. Women are not accustomed to sit on chairs or benches j and as they were there alone it was nice to sit flat on the mat. They also in this way could get close together, and thus have the advantage of proximity in prayer, so useful in giving life to a prayer-meeting. I listened eagerly from behind the screen to catch the words of their prayers and their remarks. What a disadvantage it is to be cut off from the main body of a prayer·meeting, either by a screen or by a series of intervening seats! The women knew we were listening, but yet it was natural that they should be less embarrassed with the curtain between us. The subject was" The Living Water," and the remarks were all appropriate and helpful. Though there were no set speeches, about half a dozen women took part in making remarks as they occurred to them, but without confusion or noise. A tone of reverence pervaded the meeting. They seemed to speak from the heart to the heart. It seemed to me there was iu this meeting a spirit of earnestness I have never seen in a prayer-meeting among the Egyptians."
In the five missionary centres-Alexandria on the seacoast j Mansoura in the delta near the land of Goshen j Cairo, the capital of the country j in Assiout, a large trade centre ~wo hundred and fifty miles south of Cairo, and Luxor, where are the splendid ruined temples-American ladies have the superintendence of the work, and there is a good deal of system, as to the dividing of the districts and houses among the different Bible women, who give in a report every month of the pupils, lessons, Bibks sold, etc. In the cities there is a larger number of Moslem women reached than in the villages, also Jewish and Coptic women. There were 1082 women enrolled in our mission as taking lessons in 1892. A few of these only had the Bible read to them regularly with explanations, but the majority were learning to read it for themselves, those in the primer being taught verses, Bible stories, the Lord's Prayer, etc. Thef'le pupils are generally of the middle classes j but there are some of them in Coptic beys' families, and, on the other hand, there are some who live in very poor hovels. In Cairo it has been the custom to have some of the women's meetings from house to house in different districts. Perhaps it will be interesting to hear a short description of one held in a part of Boulac where the huts are owned by those who live in them, but a ground rent is paid to the government. which owns the land. The houses are small, the streets narrow, and the people are of course poor, whether Moslems or Copts, the latter being nearly always from the upper country. Some of the residents are of the baser class, but there are a fcw of the salt of the earth. Two sisters and their husbands, members of one of our village churches, live in such a neighborhood. The women had been taking lessons, and asked us to have the Tuesday morning meeting there. The house-owners and the immediate neighbors were all Moslems. When we arrived the largest room in the house 'had been emptied of its furniture and was filled with women and babies and larger children, waiting for the meeting, or to see those who led it. The women sat on the mat, but they had a chair for me, and had eovered it with a not very fresh-looking towel-the best they had. The door was open, and a small window near the low ceiling to give air, but the perspiration stood in drops on every face as they sat and listened or tried to quiet their ehildren; but occasionally one, gathering her coverings about her, would slowly make her way through the crowd to take the little one outside. When we stood at prayer, the religion of the thirty women present could be discerned, for while the Bible women and the three or four Copts stood with me, the Mohammedan women remained sitting. The one who sat nearest me and seemed most eager to listen showed by her painted face and general dress that she was one of those who sit at coffee houses, a disgrace to respectability. There seems to me to be a more gen- eral willingness on the part of the poor class Moslems to listen to the truths . of Christianity than formerly. This, I think, is owing to the prejudice against Christians being partIy removed by the attendance at school of some of their children and the long residence of the American missionaries who have no political interests in the country.
In our mission last year there were 2187 girls in different grades of schools, from the primary one, which is taught by a pupil of one of the higher grade schools, and is maintained and controlled by a village church in a very primitive way, to the schools where Arabic, English, and French are all taught, as well as plain and fancy sewing, and the two boardingschools, where the girls take part in the different kinds of housework. There are eight missionary societies in Egypt, and three children's ministering leagues in connection with the schools, besides prayer-meetings for the pupils. The success of the boarding-schools is shown not only in the amount of knowledge the girls acquire, but also in the number of schoolteachers and zenana workers they have educated, and in their home life afterward. Unfortunately for our teaching work, most of them marry early j but if our teachers were not asked for in marriage we would consider there must be something about our training unsuitable for this country. When girls' schools were first opened in Egypt the people were afraid to send their daughters lest no one would marry them, but now things are changed, and education is required, or at least desirable.
Our schools reach fewer of the very rich and the very poor than of other classes, for these reasons: The wealthy Moslems generally employ European governesses fur their children, or their own religious men (while the girls are small), or they have no teaching. The very poor girls do not care for the confinement of a school-room, or they are needed at home to help with different kinds of work.
The training in the schools has had a great deal to do in making girls able to meet people without such a sense of fear as used to come over them. I have seen large girls in former times get down under their school
MISSIONS IN PALESTINE
desks to hide from women who might come in to the school for any reason. They feared that these women might be out looking for brides, and it was considered only proper to conceal themselves. Much of the hiding behind screens, veils, etc., is not done from choice, but from a desire to keep a good name on the part of the women ; and, on the other hand, the men require it, because, so far as their own friends are concerned, they fear derogatory remarks from their acqnaintances, and in other cases they feel it is disrespectful to them to have women not conform to the customs.
The question was once asked a native minister what good had resulted to the women from the teaching of the missionaries. The answer was : " Women and girls who attend your schools or the church scrvices learn to understand what is said to them, whether the talk be about secular or religious things. There are many also who live according to the knowledge thus gained. Some do not live up to their religious light, but they make improvements at least in housekeeping." Housekeeping in this country is hard work, from various reasons, in some cases in the cities many families being on the one stairway, and several in one set of apartments. There is a great lack, too, of modern conveniences, and sometimes the poverty of the people keeps them from proper change of clothing and bedding. Want of training by careful mothers, former dependence on slave work, and the tendencies of a hot climate contribute to keep Eastern homes what they are; but there are many improvements, and there is Ii desire for better things. There is always encouragement for the workers here, for there are many of God's promises yet to be fulfilled in regard to Egypt, and His word will not fail.
MISSIONS IN PALESTINE.
BY ARTHUR w. PAYNE, LONDON, ENGLAND.
Probably there never was a period in the recent history of the Jews when their political future was so much the concern of civilized nations as now. Still more true is it that, at no time since the apostolic age, in the annals of Christian missions was such an interest aroused in their eternal welfare. Any sincere attempt, therefore, to exhibit some important features of work among the chosen people of God in Palestine will merit careful consideration. But in the Holy Land, far more largely represented than the children of Israel, there is found quite a different class, to whom is deservedly applied the title " the worst of the heathen"-viz., the believers in Mahomet. This numerous people, generally admitted to be, of all those of darkened understanding, the most proof against the Gospel, possess a distinct interest for those who, longing for the conversion of the nations with the burden of Dumah, are anxiously inquiring " Watchman, what of the night ~" To sum up the labors of the Protestant Chnrch in the Land of Promise. it may be said that, to both the followers of the false prophet, Mahomet, and to the disciples of the faithful though misread lawgiver, Moses, the truth as it is in Jesus is being carried with signal success. Glancing for a" moment at some statistics, which may be taken as representative, we find that in Beirut, the capital of Syria, the seat of a pasha and the northern centre of a very successful work among the Arabs, there are altogether 40 American missionaries assisted by 222 native workers, a proportion which seems highly satisfactory. Over 100,000 publications, including 27,000 volumes of the Scriptures, are annually issued from the press. At the end of 1891 there were 1806 members on the church-roll, 140 of whom were added on profession during the previous twelve months ; so that the Chris- tian community in toto amounted to 4750.
•Though in the distinctly Protestant day-schools, out of a total of 3090 children there are only 700 boys to 2390 girls, yet, where education is un- sectarian, there is an entire reversal of this state of things, the average attendance being 4248 boys as compared with 1839 girls, and to this fact we refer afterward.
About 4750 children attend the 89 Sabbath·schools of the mission, The adult college, including the medical department, has nearly 200 pupils, and relief was administered during the year 1891, through the instrumen- talityof the medical authorities connected with the mission, to over 15,500 needy cases. From such facts a general idea of the labor may be gained.
But interest In work in Palestine naturally mainly centres in Jerusalem, ~ the city that is accounted sacred by Protestants, Jews, Roman Catholics, Greeks, and Mohammedans alike. Evangelical Christians, when they learn that all the present drcum- stances of the Jews tend to prove that God is fulfilling His last promises concerning His chosen people, will feel bound to give heed to the divinely inspired words of the prophet, who cries: " Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her j rejoice for joy with her, ye that mourn for her. For thus saith the Lord, Behold I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stl"eam. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
It will be admitted that there was much reason for joy in Jerusalem when, on last Easter Sunday afternoon, a thoroughly representative com- pany of the Protestant Christians in the city assembled on the spot called Gordon's Golgotha, just outside the Damascus Gate, and heard a stirring address delivered by Mr. D. L. Moody. On that" green hill far away" were met people of many nations and kindreds and tongues, bllt all of the one spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. Among those who had the privilege of listening to the great evangelist telling forth once again the story of the cross, on perhaps the very spot where that cross was first raised, were missionaries of many denominations, visitors to the Holy Land from all parts of the world, together with numerous converts from the Jewish and Mohammedan religions.
The major part of both the congregations attending the English and Arab churches in Jerusalem wer~ present, as well as members of the local Young Men's Christian Association and Young Women's Christian Association, while the singing was made exceedingly sweet by. a choir of boys and girls from the Jewish and Arab schools. The dispensary, and therefore the medical work among the poor, also had its representatives.
In the morning of the same day on which this meeting took place many of those who afterward assembled to hear Mr. Moody had been present at the bright service in the church on Mount Zion, when the resurrection of our Lord was commemorated with every accompaniment of joy by a hearty and reverent congregation. It is especially interesting to note that no human figures appear in the decoration of this church, which was erected for the use of Jewish worshippers, the reason being that such decoration would be offensive to Hebrew converts, so strong is their aversion to any thing approaching idolatry.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Jerusalem, which was recently started, has two small rooms in the building of the government postal office just outside the Jaffa Gate. Here I attended a Bible reading, at which all present were English-speaking people. There is a special section of this institution for Arab converts, of which the first dragoman I had during my tour in Palestine was a member. It was the custom of this guide during the winter evenings to spend many hours with a fellow member reading the Bible, acquainting himself especially with such portions as would be useful to him in conducting travellers through the Holy Land.· He certainly needed to study, for not only did he speaK English far more fluently than clearly, but he also was very incorrect in his quotation of Scripture, although he generally seemed able to give the accu· rate reference to chapter and verse.
The Young Women's Christian Association in Jerusalem numbers about 80 members, with an average attendance at the weekly class of 25 to 30.
The portion of his congregation that seemed most to interest Mr. Moody, however, on the afternoon referred to, was the choir of children from the mission schools, and he felt so stirred by the sight of their happy faces, and the knowledge of the surroundings from which they had b'een snatched, that he was moved to ask the people present to give an offering which should pay for the education of a boy in the Jewish school. The £30 necessary was without any effort collected.
One cannot help feeling that whatever success missions may have among adults, it is in the many Arab and Jewish schools that the best return for Christian labor will be found. Calling one morning at the Mount Zion school for Jewish boys, under the control of the London Jews Society, I found the scholars hard at work at their lessons. On the slate were the dates of the kings of Judah and Israel and the periods of the various prophets. This was the history lesson. As their geography and literature are also chiefly found in God's Word, one may gather what a sound religious education these little lads obtain so long as they have a holy familiarity not only with the letter that killeth, but also with the spirit which giveth life. .
In another class a pupil teacher was instructing some younger boys in the various prophecies, which were fulfilled in person, of our Saviour, and, all things considered, the youngsters bid fair to have a more robust faith than most Gentiles. The headmaster of the school created a little diver- sion in their work by making the boys sing to me, and the performance was most creditable.
Being interested in entomology, I was permitted to have half a dozen or so of these lads for two afternoons to render me assistance in hunting for butterflies, scorpions, and vipers. Thus I was brought into the closest contact with them, and very willing and clever helpers I found them.
They were, indeed, model boys, full of fun, yet in every respect refined, speaking English perfe~tly, with the exception of a few Jerusalem idioms.
It was warm work running through the fields of standing barley after the rich varieties of butterflies; so that when our specimen boxes were filled we were glad to sit down under an olive tree in a field a little oft the rough, rocky road leading from Jerusalem to Mizpeh, and enjoy a feast on an Arabic sweetmeat called 9ukloui, and some misn.misn., or apricots, with clear, cool water to refresh us. The lads without exception had Scripture names; and if I remember rightly, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Eli were among the number. Before we parted I gave them some leaflet extracts from Mr. Spurgeon's sermons, which they received eagerly, for they were quite familiar with the name of the great preacher.
The school authorities speak with joy of the Christian virtues the scholars exhibit, and their generosity may be illustrated by the fact that, when one Sunday morning it was announced in church that the emigrant Jews in Jaffa were suffering from terrible poverty on account of their being unable to obtain work, the boys spontaneously proposed and unanimously agreed to go without fruit (a very important item in the menu of a hot country like Palestine) for a week, in order to raise a little money for their less fortunate brethren. The anxiety of the children to be baptized is most marked, and though their desire may be perfectly sincere, yet fre- quently they are not allowed by their parents to make this open profession, for if permission were granted by the father it would often mean the loss .
of his occupation, so great is the bigotry of the rabbis.
Some, perhaps many, of the boys in this school, when they are old enough, will go either to the medical and religious training colleges at Beiriit, or come to England to get additional education, or entp.r the House of Industry in Jerusalem, where they can learn various trades.
Bishop Gobat's school, now in the hands of the Church Missionary Society, where Arab boys are trained, situated well outside the Jerusalem of to-day, is in reality on the site of the eld gate of the Mount Zion quarter of the city, and has interesting relics of t~e Jebusites in its grounds.
Contrasting the average circumstances of Mohammedan children in their own homes with the present position of those in this school, I should think that the happiness of the latter is unspeakably greater than that of most of their fellows in Palestine.
These brown-faced lads, clad in loose blue clothes, themselves the firstfruits of missionary effort there, regularly subscribe to mission work in Africa. Many of them can wen afford to do so, as they are the sons of well-positioned gentlemen, for altogether over £2000 is annually paid toward the educational expenses of the children 1y the parents.
Their headmaster says of them that the love of Christ does quicken their minds and change their hearts. "At night when they go to bed, they give a hearty good-night to their teacher, and then enter their bedrooms and silently undress, and then kneel and pray upon the cold stone floor." One of the boys, the son of a wealthy Moslem, came to the school very badly behaved. "His companions persuaded him to pray to God to give him a new heart," continues the same authority, " and many a time have I seen him kneeling and praying by his bedside before getting in, and I feel sure that some day these prayers will be answered. Before he left he gave great promise of becoming a Christian. " However simple this story may seem, it tells of a sincere desire on the teachers' and scholars' part for real spiritual life in their midst.
My last moments in the Holy Land were most happy ones and they were spent at Miss Arnott's school for Jewish girls in Jaffa. It was the Queen's birthday, and in order that they might duly celebrate it, the children had a holiday given them. Many of them were possessed of singularly beautiful faces, and all seemed perfectly healthy and happy as they joined in the English games that were started by the visitors. In their vivacity they seemed to forget the state of the temperature, and romped around the playground at a great rate. "Ve listened to them singing familiar hymns: from "Sacred Songs and Solos," and could not help thinking how greatly they had been raised, for their natural condition is very depraved. Although a Jewess has a far better prospect than most women in the East, yet Christianity improves her position immensely.
It has been said of Eastern woman that" she was unwelcomed at her birth, untaught in her childhood, enslaved when married, accursed when a w'idow, and often unlamented at her death." Among the Mohammedans this is particularly the case, for the girls are never sent to school, nor is it considered necessary that females should visit the mosques or attend any kind of public worship. The consequence is that she is far more easily reached by the missionaries, for all except the very strict followers of the false prophet and rigid Jews consider it unimportant whether their girls are sent to Protestant schools or their wives attend mothers' meetings. Thus the very degradation of woman becomes a decided advantage to her, for she is able to hear and heed the Gospel far more easily than a man.
Being one day in the house of a rabbi, I remember how proudly he introduced me to his little girl of six years old. While the charming child was sitting on his knee he persuaded her to overcome her bashfulness and show off her chief accomplishment by lisping the words of the Lord's Prayer in English, which she had learned at the Protestant missionary dayschool. Now, although the rabbi himself clings tenaciously to his own faith, yet he has allowed his little child to be educated in the hotbed of heresy, as he would consider it. This laxity with .regard to the female sex accounts for the vast preponderance of girls over boys in the Protestant schools, to which reference was made when giving the Beirllt statistics.
It is true that within the last year or so some steps have been taken to supplant the work of the missionary societies by the supply of schools for girls in a few places by both Jews and Moslems, but as the education given in those under European control is far superior to anything Asiatics can produce, little is to be feared from this movement. Winning the women for Christ is a work of untold value, and such lessons as many of these little girls receive, even those who are not in regular boarding-schools like Miss Arnott's, where their future Christianity is a practical certainty, can never be altogether effaced, and inspiriting instances of conversions among them in later years are on record.
Now, turning to quite a different aspect of missionary labor, perhaps there is no part of the field of active service that goes so uncriticised as the medical aid given to those Eastern people who are too poor to pay for a doctor. We saw the working of the Dispensary for Jews at Jerusalem and Safed, and also the splendid hospital for Mohammedans at Jaffa. No traveller in these parts can fail to see the crying need for such institutions, especially with regard to diseases of the eye. Although the Jews are really forbidden in the Talmud to accept of the proffered aid, no rabbi seeks to interfere with the applications of his poorer brethren now.
When I was at Safed, in Galilee, I paid repeated visits to the medical mission quarters. On arriving at thp- dispensary for the first time, and mounting the platform of the meeting-room, I found that the place was fairly filled with Jewish men, women, and children, most of whom looked very miserable j nearly all, no doubt, were suffering pain. The missionary opened the meeting by reading a part of the Old Testament Scripture in Hebrew, thus gaining the thorough attention of the Jews. He afterward spoke to his audience in German with evident effect. After the service was over, all those present who were suffering came up by turns on to the platform to be examined, and, having had their cases diagnosed, passed on, with orders for the various physics they needed, into the dispensary-a fairsized chemist shop.
The usefulness of this means of relief for poverty-stricken Israelites is very apparent, and the opportunity afforded of hearing the words of life and love has been productive of much good result. Scarcely could any more Christ-like scheme of offering the Gospel be found, and few leave, after a course of kindness, with healed bodies, without more or less wound- ed hearts.
Besides the various Christian movements of which I have written, much private unrecorded and unnoticed work is being done among the Jews, Mohammedans, and Christless Christians or sects of the Romish and Greek churches in Palestine. Many of the most influential of the rabbis at Jerusalem are now wonderfully awakened to the inconsistency of their position, and some of these learned Jews who have of late been constantly conversing with Christian converts, have expressed their desire and asserted their readiness to be baptized. But it is to be feared they hardly realize what their future relations with others of their people mean. What it means when a Jew becomes a Christian can only be understood by those who have experienced the change. I remember hearing from a young Jewess who was early brought to the feet of Jesus what she had had to endure for His sake. At her first confession her parents thought, by severity, variety and continuance of punishment, to bring her to what they considered a right state of mind j but when they found it was a hopeless case, they simply regarded her as dead, and gave her no means of support, would not have her live at home. Thlls she was literally helpless until able to get a situation as servant to her old school-teacher, the wife of the missionary at Safed. Now, though occupied with a full share of housework, she is doing active service for her Master by endeavoring to lead into the way of life a sweetly disposed lad who has been brought up amid all the errors of the Greek Church.
The extraordinary restoration of the Jews to Palestine which is now being witnessed is causing the founding of a number of colonies in different parts of the land, and these are proved to be the very best of all mission stations. Visiting the Jewish peasants settled in the village of EI Bukaia, near Safed, the missionary was received with the sincerest sympathy. It sounds almost like a statement of apostolic times when we say that he was allowed to preach in the synagogue itself. Speaking from the second Psalm, he urged the Jews present to explain why, though they were at peace with everyone else, yet they always fought against Jesus Christ, their own Messiah, and in conclusion he implored them to " kiss the Son lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way." His words made a great impression j and one of the rabbis, who afterward wrote for two copies of the New Testament, spoke with evident feeling when he said that the English cannot be far from the true religion because they believed in keeping the Sabbath, acknowledged the Divine authority of the Scriptures, and had a love for the Jewish nation.
In whichever direction one turns in the field of labor in Palestine there. is a distinct brightening of the horizon. The chosen people of God have not had due attention at the hands of missionaries, and perhaps to this is
EVANGELICAL MISSIONS IN SYRIA
owing the tardiness of the spread of the kingdom of Christ. However, it is glorious to be working in this the Lord's vineyard in a very special sense, and sincere prayerful effort must be prosperous, for in implicit obedience to the Divine orders these Christians are seeking to carry the Gospel message to every creature, beginning first at Jerusalem. Rich reward also is sure, for was it not said of old concerning this city, "they shall prosper that love thee" ~ Whereas six years ago there were but 8000 Jews in the Holy City, they now number over 40,000 ; let us, therefore, continue to watch and work for the time when Jerusalem shall agaiu be the joy of the whole earth, remembering the word of the Lord to the nations, which message is to be particularly declared to the isles afar off : " He that scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd doth his flock. For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall corne and sing in the height of Zion, and they shall not sorrow any more at all."
* EVANGELICAL MISSIONS IN SYRIA.
BY REV. GEORGE A. FORD, BEIRUT, SYRIA.
Palestine has a sacred history of its own, but that is no reason why, by a mistaken usage, Syria should be robbed of her choicest jewel. " Syria" includes " Palestine" as truly as America, Canada, or England, Wales. Syria is the Land of Promise; Palestine that part of it that became the Land of Possession.
That whole country lying immediately to the east of the Mediter- ranean was a unit under the Roman Empire. It is, more truly so to-day, welded together: geographically, by river system, mountain-chain, and coast line; ethnically, by the blending of its races; politically, by a com- mon administration; and also popularly by the one grand Arabic language.
We may say" Northern Syria and Palestine," but not" Syria and Palestine." With good reason do we find this statement in the Encyclo- pwdia Britannica: "There is no scientific ground for the practice of , speaking of Syria in a narrow sense as distinguished from Palestine."
The entire Syrian field is now occupied by more than 240 foreign mis- sionaries, connected with no fewer than 20 distinct evangelical societies. It is worthy of especial note and profound gratitude that these 240 workers, differing in denomination and race-German, Irish, Scotch, English, and American-have worked these many years not only without friction, but in active co-operation. To a large extent they have so divided the fields and functions as to greatly facilitate harmony.
• I wish to ack.nowledge my Indebtedness for statistics to Dr. H. H. Jessnp, Stated Clerk. of the American Presbyterian Mission, and also to refer the reader for snpplementary Information to THB MISSIONARY REvmw for December, 1891, December, 1892, September, 1893. American missionaries constantly render clerical servic~s to British missions that have no ordained missionaries. They also supply all the other missions to the best of their ability with the Scriptures and other bOQks and tracts they need, as the American Press at Beirut is the only considerable Arabic publishing house of which I know for the religions world. And they furnish the other missions to no small extent with needed native helpers, trained by them, having as they do the most complete and extensive educational system in the Arabic-speaking world.
The other missions reciprocate not only by their large patronizing of the American Press, but also by contributing a good proportion of the congregations and membership attached to the American Mission, and so the good work goes on. One instinctively asks how so strong an agency in so small a country is justified. The missionary importance of the Syrian field is not mainly sentimental. It does not hang chiefly upon Syria's unique prominence in sacred history. Nature has made this little land the link that binds together the three great Eastern continents, and the gateway to Asia, the most populous of those continents. Hence it has always been a sort of metropolis of war and commerce for the world, a national junction, so to speak. What country was ever swept so often and by so various contending armies ~ What country ever changed masters so many times 1 What country ever dominated for so long a time the world's commerce, whether by sea, through centuries of Phamician maritime supremacy, or by land, through the world-famed caravan-routes to India and the East 1 Just at present the opening of the Suez Canal has deflected that immense Oriental trade, but when the inevitable railroads to Bagdad, Persia, India, and China are opened, Syria is sure to recover some of the commercial laurels that De Lesseps and his coadjutors have wrested from her. Considering also the paramount historic and religious interest that attaches to Syria in the minds of the followers of the three great book religions of the world-Jews, Christians, and Muslims-and remembering that her people are not unfitted, physically, mentally, and morally, to play an important part in the history that is to be, we may confidently assert that the attention already bestowed upon Syria by evangelical missionary agencies is no weakness or accident, but the guidance of the Divine Spirit whose leadings they all have sought, and who, in the early dawn of histcry, fixed upon Syria as peculiarly the land of His choice. In so large and so romantic a missionary constellation as that of the " Holy Land," one must make some discount for the comet, the meteor, and even the ignis fatuus classes j missionary luminaries who are either eccentric, temporary, erratic, spasmodic, or even injurious.
Of the whole force, three fifths are ladies, one sixth of whom are Americans, one half are British, and one fourth each German and American. One fourth are" medical" missionaries and one half" educational" missionaries, while a large proportion of the time of the remaining one fourth is also devoted to the educational branch. Two cities, first Jerusalem and then Beirut, absorb one half of the entire force. Again, nearly one fourth are connected with the American Presbyterian Mission that centres in Beirut, and its closely allied Syrian Protestant College in that city. Nearly one half of the fifteen medical missions are in Jerusalem, the London Mission to the Jews leading with 800 indoor and 40 outdoor patients reported for 1892 ; and for all the medical missions 3000 indoor and 140,000 outdoor patients. In thoroughness of medical treatment and excellence of outfit and equipment, it is understood that the palm belongs to the mission at Beirut, conducted by the German Kaiserwerth Deaconesses and the Medical Faculty of the American College just mentioned. This college stands at the head of the educational missions in Syria; and is too well known to call for detailed notice at this time. With its history of twenty-seven years, its corps of 13 American, 1 Swiss, and 6 Syrian instructors, its commodious and imposing buildings, its fine apparatus, its superb location on the promontory of Western Beirut, in full view of the sea and its beautiful harbor, and of the snowy summits and verdant foothills of Lebanon, and with its steady. annual stream of over 200 students in the preparatory academic and medical departments, it is a factor in the redemption of Syria for which no friend of the cause can he too thankful.
Next come the other boarding schools (10 British and 9 American, besides 3 German and 2 British orphanages), 24 in all, with 1700 boarders (a majority being girls), the two sexes being always in separate schools. At the head of those for boys probably stands that of the Church Missionary Society on the brow of Mount Zion, a school of high grade and wide usefulness. Among the others, the American Academy at Sidon, that graduated its first clas3 eight years ago, has won distinction by its success in raising up native helpers. Sixty-four of its pupils, all who have spent as much as three years under its roof, have gone forth as mission teachers.
At the head of the girls' training schools may be reckoned that of the British Syrian Schools Commission at Beirut. It is the capstone of a most admirable and successful system of schools, 29 in number, and widely scattered, in which 20 English ladies and 96 native helpers care for a total of 3500 pupils a year. Around these higher boarding schools, and wholly dependent upon them for the teachers they require, are 300 other schools that bring up the total attendance in mission schools to 19,000. While more or less theological training is given in other schools, there is one regular theological seminary that is carried on at Beirut by the American Mission. Seventeen of the theological graduates now living have been ordained as ministers, the ordination of the majority being still deferred until the spirit of self-support among the 45 organized churches shall be so far developed as to make the pastoral relation normal and healthy. These churches have an average membership of 90, or a total of 4000. Considering the obstructiveness of the government toward mission buildings, it is cause for profound and devout satisfaction that there are now not less than fourscore evangelical chapel and school buildings, although the large majority of the 350 schools, and nearly one half of the 150 preaching services, are carried on in private houses provided by the villagers or hired by the mission. The average congregations in these number 10,000, and the Sunday-school attendance about the same in 300 Sunday-sch<>ols.
There are also five other important agencies that send out no ~ission aries, but do most valuable work through those sent out by the societies already referred to.
1, 2. The British and Foreign Bible Society, and especially the American Bible Society, which societies employ colporteurs who are superintended by the missionaries, and give the missionaries grants of Scripture for gratuitous distribution or for sale at reduced prices; while their largest aid consists in defraying so much of the initial expenses of publishing the Scriptures that the selling price is fixed far below actual cost, to bring them within easy reach of all. The American Bible Society publishes at Beirut sixty-three different issues of Scripture, in whole or in part.
3, 4. The Religious Tract Society of London and the American Tract Society of New York do for standard religious literature what the Bible Society does for the Scriptures, and by the aid of the pictorial plates they send out that have already done duty once in their English publications, . they save a very heavy item of expense in the issuing of attractive books and papers.
5. The Turkish Missions Aid Society (now Bible Lands Mi~sions' Aid), of London, has been for nearly forty years giving generous grants of money to the various missions in Syria, as well as to those in other parts of Turkey, and in Egypt and Greece and Persia. Organized by representatives of various denominations, in May, 1854, with the good Earl of Shaftesbury as president from that day until his death, the impulse that gave it birth was the profound impression produced upon the minds of English tourists, clerical and other (conspicuous among them Rev. C. G. Young), by the magnitude, need, and success of the American missions in the East. The resolution upon which it was founded declares " that the facilities now providentially afforded for circulating the Holy Scriptures and preaching the Gospel in the Turkish Empire, and the cheering tokens of success which continue to attend existing missions there, especially that of the American Board, and also the peculiar circumstances of the country at the present crisis, call for special efforts by British Christians to furnish the pecuniary aid required in order to the wider extension of missionary operations." The last report accessible at the time of writing is that for 1887-88, which gives the income for that year as $14,000. The great expansion of British missions in Syria, almost entirely post-dating the founding of this Society, very properly accounts for the contraction of its peculiar but most admirable work. Its organ is the little quarterly, Star in tlte East. Pre-eminent among the mission institutions is the American Press at Beirut. It had an initial and fitful history of nineteen years in the island of Malta, when important preparatory work was done; but all the issues of that period have fallen into the background, and the history proper begins with the arrival in 1841 of Mr. Hurter with the new fonts of Arabic type from the United States. That year 636,000 pages were printed. The yearly average is now over 20,000,000 pages, and the total from the beginning has reached 500,000,000 pages. Fifteen presses, thre~ type foundries, and machines for stereotyping and electrotyping in the hands of its staff of forty-five workers, issued last year about 60,000 volumes, of which nearly one half were Scriptures; 13,000 electrotype plates of Scriptures alone are stored in its vaults. Its shelves carry to-day a stock of 530,000 books. The 500 different issues upon its catalogue cover a wide range. The American Mission has aimed all these years to feed it with the standard Christian works from Thomas a Kempis' "Imitation of Christ," Bunyan's" Pil- grim's Progress" and "Holy War," and Edwards's "History of Redemption," down to the sermons of Spurgeon, Moody, Thain, Davidson, and Richard Newton; Drummond's" The Greatest Thing in the World," and Anna Sewall's" Black Beauty." Text-books of eyery grade, from primers to astronomy, trigonometry, medicine, and systematic theology; dictionaries, encyclopredias, commentaries, hymn and tune books, and standard works in science and history, with a sprinkling of spice, such as "Robinson Crusoe," "Swiss Family Robinson," and even" Mother Goose's" melodies for the little ones, all go to make up the rich total that ha!! been provided for the Arabic-speaking millions as ammunition for the holy war already waxing warm the world over between truth and error. Henry Martyn, of sainted memory, sailed from Bombay nearly eightythree years ago, bound for Arabia, to add to his wonderfully rapid achievements as a translator the translation of the New Testament into Arabic. Like David of old, his holy ambition was checked by the Divine negative, but he at least recorded his wise appreciation of the mission of ,the Arabic language in these words : " We shall begin to preach to Arabia, Syria, Persia, Tartary, part of India, and of China, half of Africa, and all the southern coast of the Mediterranean, and one tongue shall suffice for them all."
And this estimate of the reach of the Arabic language has been mate_ rially expanded with the large increase of geographical knowledge since the time of Henry Martyn.
For the carrying on of all this complex work the missionaries are largely dependent upon the aid of the 650 paid native helpers who are engaged in it. One third of these are women. These helpers are the real nucleus of the work, the crown of the missionary's labors, and the chief source of his affectionate anxiety and hope. Some are self-denying, active, spiritual i some arc not. Both they and we, whose advantages are
THE Y. M. C. A. IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF INDIA
SO much greater than theirs, need the baptism of the Spirit, that we may both "live in the Spirit" and" walk in the Spirit. " We need this far more than we need fresh recruits; and we would plead with the whole Church to pray more for the mission workers.
With some very serious and trying faults, the Syrians are a gifted race. They are keen, quick, calculating, versatile, thrifty, kind-hearted, and hospitable, ready in speech, and with special aptitude for languages. Nature has done her part toward fitting them to be thl missionary leaven among the scores of millions who may" be reached by Arabic. Providence also has been paving the way by the remarkable revival among them of education and ci'ilization, and now by their new passion for emigration, that has planted temporarily not less than 30,000 of them in Australia, Brazil, and the United States. When grace shall have taken strong possession, is it too much to expect that some happy day, in the not very distant future, they will fill in Oriental missions some such place as their Phrenician ancestors did in commerce ~ THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION IN THE UNI- VERSITIES OF INDIA.
BY LUTHER D. WISHARD, NEW YORK.
The Intercollegiate Young Men's Christian Association is encamping before the Jericho of modern missions-the educated classes in India. We do not admit the term Gibraltar, for that implies impregnability, which we are not prepared to concede. We say the Jericho of missions, not only because the Church has marched around this fortress for nearly seven decades of years, hut chiefly because we believe the Church is destined to witness a wonderful display of the power of God in the conquest which the Gospel is sure to make of this hitherto apparently impregnable stronghold. The following is a mere outline of the situation, and of the special effort which is now being made in behalf of this important class of India's young men.
I. Th.e Numerical Strength of OhrilJtianity in the Student OlalJlJ.-Of over 14,000 students in t~e art or special colleges, only about 800 are Christians. Of over 260,000 in the secondary English schools, only 23,000 are registered as Christians. The term Christian does not necessarily imply communicant; it may mean only the children of Christians. The number of communicants in one prominent Christian college is about one in forty, in another one in fifty. Careful inquiry in Calcutta satisfied the writer that scarcely fifty Christian communicants existed in a student population of nearly 15,000 ; the vast majority of these students are in government and private schools.
II. Special Obstacles to the OhriIJtianization of Indian Students.-The following are the principal : Chagrined to find that their fathers have been deluded by a superstition, they are exceedingly distrustful of all super- naturalism; absorbed in the acquisition of sufficient learning to secure a degree, which is an indispensable passport into the service of the govern- ment, they frankly confess that they have not the time to thoroughly inves- tigate Christianity; they are not readily disposed toward the religion of their conquerors i they are inclined to look with contempt upon the religion of a people who wore barbarians long after the people of India had attained a considerable degree of civilization and culture; the godless example of foreigners is very demoralizing j they are still held by the iron grip of caste, to break which means disinheritance and banishment from home; the incoming tide of scepticism from the West threatens to submerge the vast majority of the educated class. The condition of Indian students is critical in the extreme; they will not wait upon the slow pace at which we are at present approaching them with the true religion j they will make an irrevocable decision soon. It appears to be now or never for the educated young men of India.
III. The Call oj the Missionaries.-For several years previous to 1888 the missionaries of Madras,.a city of 400,000, with a student population approximating 4000, had been considering the feasibility of securing a missionary to the student class. They were undecided as to the auspices under which such a man should come; they feared that if he was commissioned by anyone of the Church missionary boards which had representatives in Madras, he might not be wholly acceptable to students in colleges affiliated with other denominations. It was finally suggested by the Rev. Dr. Jacob Chamberlain that a representative of the International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations would be equally acceptable to the missionaries and colleges of all denominations. His suggestion was warmly approved, and the Madras Conference, consisting of sixty-five missionaries, unanimously endorsed the call for an American Association s~cretary. Similar calls have been extended to the American Committee by the missionaries of Calcutta, Allahabad, and Ceylon.
IV. The Work 'oj American Representatives in India.-First in order of time was the work accomplished by Dr. F. K. Sanders, now a professor in Yale, who spent four years teaching in Jaffna College, Ceylon. Under his inspiring leadership associations were formelt in five educational institutions, and a number of villages in the province of J affna. These organizations were united in a provincial union which has held conventions for several years. The Jaffna work overflowed into India; and associations were formed in colleges connected with the American Board missions.
The service performed by the writer was limited to two tours of investigation and inquiry at a number of the leading educational centres of India and Ceylon. Only one organization was formed and two conventions attended. Over one hundred public meetings were addressed, attended by about six thousand different students. Mr. David McConaughy, who for ten years had been engaged in Asso- ciation work in this country, was selected by the American Committee as its first representative in India. He is just completing his fourth year of service. During this time he has built up an association in Madras which bids fair to serve as an admirable object lesson throughout the empire. He has sought to conserve the rapidly spreading Association movement throughout India by forming a national organization and holding stated conventions. A national executive committee was elected at the first conventipn, which has wisely fostered the newly. formed associations. Mr. McConaughy has by tours of visitation, an extensive correspondence, and the circulation of an Association paper, The Young Men of India, promoted an intelligent conception of the work and an aggressive prosecution of it which has already established it in the confidence of the missionaries and Indian churches.
Mr. J. Campbell White, who was employed for one year as college secretary of the American Committee, and for another year as travelling secretary of the Student Volunteer movement, is just entering the secretaryship in Calcutta.
V. What has been .Accomplished by the Indian Students Themselves.- In the welcome which they gave the American representatives they exhibited earnestness of desire to undertake the work which fully confirmed the wisdom of our determination to extend the movement to India. The faithfulness which they have shown in maintaining the college associations equals that of many of our most devoted American students.
The Jaf'Ena College Association has displayed a spirit of liberality and self-sacrifice which has seldom if ever been excelled in America. One enterprise which the students have maintained for a number of years is a striking illustration of this. They have attempted the evangelization of a small island near the mainland. They have organized a day school and employed a teacher who also conducts religious work. Every year the students make a special evangelistic visit to the island and speak to every man, woman, and child in regard to Christianity. The expense of this work is largely borne by the students. In addition to their personal contributions they derive a revenue from the cultivation of a banana garden situated on the college campus. In making up their committees they appoint. a committee of twelve members to cultivate the garden, and the committeemen are relieved from gymnasium exercise and also give up their recreation hours to engage in this work. As the writer passed by the garden he saw the committee hard at work on the great well-sweeps, drawing water out of the wells, filling the trenches and watering the beautiful trees, and looking gladly forward to the harvest, when they would sell the fruit for $20 a year, and apply the proceeds to the evangelistic work. The money whic1 those Jaf'Ena students give and raise from the sale of fruit costs them far more real sacrifice than ten times that amount would cost the average American college association. If the students of vllr associations can only be brought to give until they feel the sacrifice as keenly as do their fellow-students in Ceylon, all the money needed for our foreign work will be speedily forthcoming.
A splendid illustration of the ability of the students of I~dia to conduct a convention was also furnished by the Jaffna students. It was the writer's privilege to attend and co-operate in its conduct. Over three hundred students and educated young men were present from all over the province, and for four days the sessions were maintained with unabated interest. The questions asked betrayed a remarkable interest in the work and a desire to get hold of the most approved methods. The meeting of consecration at the farewell session was characterized by a spirit of fervor which is rarely excelled in similar gatherings in America. While the Indian conventions have not been as large as those in Ceylon, they have been marked by an earnestness of discussion and devotional spirit which assure us that the Association idea is becoming solidly anchored in the affections of the students of the country.
VI. The Great Need of Indian Students is a band of the choicest men the American colleges can furnish. One is needed for each of the great educational centres of the empire. These men must be endowed with far more than ordinary intellectual ability, for they will be called upon to wrestle with men of more than average culture; they must be men of executive ability, able to lead and inspire others with their enthusiasm; they must be men of great faith; they must believe that the God of William Carey and Henry Martyn and Alexander Duff is still able to deliver men from the bondage of caste and subjection to the Brahman priesthood. Henry Martyn is said to have declared that he would be no more surprised to see a dead body restored to life than to see a Hindu regenerated. The men who succeed in this great spiritual conflict in India must expect to witness this miracle of regeneration; they must believe that " the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God ; and they that hear shall live. "
There is urgent need of a building for the Madras Association. Four years of successful work in that city under Mr. McConaughy's leadership satisfies the American Committee that the movement will have passed beyond the point of experiment as soon as a permanent home and headquarters for the association can be secured. Thirty thousand dollars are needed for this purpose. ·When a similar call came from the missionaries and friends of the Association in Tokyo, Japan, it was promptly responded to by the American associations and their patrons, and $60,000 were subscribed for the erection of two buildings, one for students and one for young business men. The assurance of a building has rallied to the support of the leading Japanese association some of the most prominent Christian men in the empire. The Tokyo building fund was headed by one gift of $25,000, the subscription of a man who had sufficient foresight to comprehend the significance of the new movement in Japan. A
THE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AT KESWICK
similar gift is nee@led to insure the success of the movement in India. A suitable building in Madras will set tho pace for a building movement which will rapidly extend to other cities. Such a building will not only afford a home for the Association in Madras, it will be the headquarters of a training school which will send out leaders to associations throughout the empire. The beginning of the fund has been made by the contributions of a number of young men in Madras, many of whom have given far more in proportion to their ability than the largest contributors in America are likely to give.
The above facts concerning the new Christian movement among the educated young men of India are surely sufficient evidence that an opportunity of unequalled importaDce is confronting the Christians of America. The work performed by Alexander Duff and his successors has paved the way by shattering the faith of India's students in the old religions of the country. Will the American associations accept the responsibility with which the missionaries of India have honored them, or shall we turn a deaf ear to their appeal and suffer another generation of the leading young men of the empire to be spiritually wrecked ~ THE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AT KESWICK.
BY D. L. PIERSON.
One mark of the increase of the missionary spirit in our age is the recent inauguration of several forward movements both in England and America. One of the most notable, and one in which America has led, is that among the young men and women of our educationltl institutions, and known as the Student Volunteer Movement. Since its inauguration in 1886, there has been a steady growth in numbers and influence, until now it enrolls about seven thousand who have signified their intention of becoming foreign missionaries. Although Great Britain was not represented at first, the interest has now spread to her shores, and by the agency of Mr. R. P. Wilder and others in British universities and medical schools, and by the visit of delegates to conventions in America, a similar band of Volunteers has been formed among the students of the Island Kingdom. This is now the second year of the existence of the English Voh~nteer band, and the growth has not been less steady or the results less encouraging than on this side the sea. Their numbers have reached about five hundred.
Every year since 1886 conventions of college students have been held at Northfield, Mass. Here there have been large gatherings of Volunteers, who by addresses and in mutual conference have had their enthusiasm rekindled, their plans for the coming year readjusted, and their numbers reinforced. Last July a similar convention of the Student Volunteers of Great Britain was held at Keswick, a spot famous for its beauty and for conferences for the deepening of spiritual life. About one hundred and fifty Volunteers gathered from the various universities, medical colleges, and other educational institutions of the British isles, and spent a week in conference under the leadership of men who are acknowledged anthorities on the questions of missionary fields, needs, and methods. The object of the conference was the study of the best means of increasing interest at home and effectiveness abroad. Returned missionaries and missionary travellers were present to tell of the great wants of the heathen world, and to advise as to the best methods of preparation for the field and work in it. A glance at the names of some of the speakers will give a hint as to the helpfulness of the conference to the young men. Among others were J. Hudson Taylor, Mr. Stewart, and Mr. Reed, of China; Dr. Guiness, Bishop Hill, and Mr. Smith, of Africa; Mr. McCheyne Paterson and Wright Hay, of India, and of those who have written and travelled in the interest of missions, Dr. George Smith, Dr. Murray Mitchell, Dr. Barbour, Mr. Eugene Stock, and Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop. • The subjects discussed at this convention were interesting and eminently practical. For the sake of brevity we group them under several heads, thus giving a consensus of opinion on various subjects rather than presenting in detail the thoughts brought forward by separate speakers.
As to the need of the heathen world for the Gospel, Mrs. Bishop, the celebrated traveller, made the noteworthy confession that she was a " convert to missions through seeing missions and the need for them." She added: "Missionaries by their lives and characters, and by the work they are doing everywhere I have seen them, have produced in my mind such a change and such an enthusiasm in favor of Christian missions, that I cannot go anywhere without speaking about them and trying to influence others in their favor who may be as indifferent as I was before I went among heathen countries. "
Many of the heathen lands are one seething mass of corruption, politi. cal, social, and moral, from the top to the bottom stratum of society. Some of the heathen religions are undergoing a revival of propagandism, but at their best are entirely without power to uplift their adherents or to rid man from the thraldom of sin. The preponderating influences of these religions, Mrs. Bishop thinks it is no exaggeration to say, are " earthly, sensual, devilish."
To JIleet this call from the heathen world there is a great need of more laborers. There must be a "personal" call to ea?h man, though this may not mean a "special" call. Thirty millions are dying every year without Christ. There is great paucity of missionaries throughout the whole heathen world. Central Asia and Central Africa are practically, without missionaries, while large portions of Persia, Arabia, and China are also destitute of workers. What are needed are the "best men at their best"-men who have in their hearts a love like that which Christ had for a lost world, men who have an overwhelming sense of the value of each of the thousand millions of unevangelized souls, and of their lost condition. They should be men, too, of fine characters, ,filled with the Spirit, and thus -enabled to live consistently and harmoniously under adverse conditions j men of cheerfulness, tact, and power. Dr. George Smith gave as some of the q'ltalijications which a missionary should have: (1) he should be conscious of the call of Christ and the gift of the Spirit j (2) he must covet earnestly the possession of the highest efficiency j (3) must follow fully the rule of Christian charity and good temper j (4) must learn habits of order and. business ability that will make him a wise steward of his Lord's money; (5) must be sympathetic and loving toward native races; (6) must give himself to unceasing prayer; and (7) must yield absolute submission to the mind and will of God.
As to increasing the interelt in the home churcltes, it was rightly urged that there must be a radical revolution in the opinions and feelings of churches at home. God must open our eyes to the real state of matters abroad, and Christ must reign supreme in our hearts. There should be less luxul'ious living and more self-denial among Christians, that the work may be more generously supported. Missionary literature and maps must be used to awaken interest, and talks from men who are thoroughly enthused with love of the work must arouse a contagious Il,nthusiasm.
Much helpful advice as to the methods of preparation for the work was given by generals who have devoted their lives to the direction of missions, and by laborers who have wrought in the field. The value of thorough familiarity with the Scriptures was urged, to be supplemented by a systematic study of missionary literature, of the maps of the countries, and the languages, customs, and religions of the people among whom labor is to be expended.
Experience is the best teacher, but happy the man who does not wait for hill own experience, but profits hy the experience of others. The methods of doing the most effective work on the field have been often discussed, but many helpful suggestions were made. The important thing is to awaken within the heathen mind a sense of sin and lost condition, and so to lead to Christ as the only Saviour. Music and magic-lantern views have been found helpful in overcoming prejudice and attracting attendance at meetings. Mr. Hay thinks the most potent truth of the Gospel for the transformation of the heathen character is the very aspect of Gospel truth to which the natural man is most hostile-the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ. Mr. Stock contended for conRtant work in great centres, as well as for flying evangelistic visits. A single visit and hasty proclamation of the Gospel message to a crowd of ignorant, superstitious heathen can scarcely be called "evangelization." Experience has amply proved Ithat ingatherings of converts in the mass have unsatisfactory and disappointing results; the work must be done hand to hand, man with man. Medical missions and work among the women has everywhere been very successful. It is also found helpful in India to set young missionaries to work among the Anglo-Indians, that they may thus be practically active while learning the language. Bishop Hill stated that one of the best incen-
OUTLINE OF MR. WILDER'S MOVEMENTS
tives to Christian living to converts is a clear and vivid hope of the second coming of Christ.
Much good advice and caution was given as to proper care of health in foreign climes. Dr. Clark, of Amritzar, said to some young missionaries, pointing to the graves of some workers who had fallen early: "You have come here to live for Christ, not to die for Him." A missionary must be ready for either, but must see to it that he is not a careless steward of his God-given strength. Needless exposure, overwork, and over-worry are the most frequent causes of broken-down missionaries, while regularity in food, exercise, and sleep is the secret of good health.
In outlining the policy for the coming year, the executive recommended branch organizations not to aim at an increase in numbers where there is not a good prospect of the men being able to go to the foreign field. Student Volunteers must use all their influence to bring fellow-students to consider the case of foreign missions, but much tact is needed in introducing and pressing home the question on individuals. Good men should be sought, but not worried or unduly urged.
Such a conference cannot fail to have a beneficial influence on Student Volunteers, and upon all with whom they come in contact at home and abroad. We hope that the conference of the present year will be but the first of many which shall develop the missionary spirit and direct the missionary activity from year to year, while the Lord delays His coming, and the ends of the earth still wait for His salvation. Nothing can exceed in importance the necessity and urgency of keeping our educated young men fully abreast of the times, in the full acquaintance with a world's destitution and the abundant and glorious opportunity which mission fields present. Heroism should have its cradle in our colleges. To have youth consecrated means a life of service, years otherwise wasted in idleness, apathy, or selfish pursuits becoming harvest fields of success. God is turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, that the earth may be the sooner rid of its long curse.
OUTLINE OF MR. WILDER'S MOVEMENTS.
[The career of Rev. Robert P. Wilder, whose name is so linked with the Student Volunteer Movement, has deeply interested the editors of this Review; and although its pages are not appropriate for details of such a career, the following outline, supplied by Mr. Wilder, will interest many readers.-EDIToR.] Mr. Wilder reached London in July, 1891. Rev. R. Wardlaw Thompson, of the London Missionary Society, J. E. K. Studd, of Cambridge, Canon Girdlestone, of Oxford, and Eugene Stock, Esq., Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, proved very helpful friends, and gave him an invitation to address the Keswick convention, attended by many students, thus open- ing the door to the British universities. '
At Keswick Mr. Wilder met Bishop Tucker, of Uganda, C. T. Horan, President of the Cambridge Intercollegiate Christian Union, and others.
Invitations came to visit the Scotch universities, the approaching Perth Conference, and Glasgow University, where it was desired to begin a Stu- dent Volunteer Movement, as also to address meetings of students in Edin- burgh and Cambridge. God was making plain that he was to tarry in Great Britain for work among British students.
Health compelled a seven weeks' rest in Norway, and so the University of Christiania was the first European university reached. About two hun- dred students were present, and forty remained to an after meeting to consider the personal claims of foreign missionary work. Addresses were also made to large audiences of ladies and young women.
In the course of travel Mr. Wilder met A. N. Kiaer, Direkter for det Statistiske Central Bureau, who expressed a deep interest in the Student Volunteer Movement, and introduced him to Professor Westergaard, of Copenhagen, and thus a door was opened into Denmark. In September Mr. Moorhead and Mr. Wilder called upon the professor. After hearing the story of the American movement his only remark was, "Letus pray."
On rising from their knees, the professor asked Mr. Wilder to visit Copenhagen University. The time seemed ripe. Much intereilt was being taken in the inner mission. Students were meeting in groups for Bible study. Now the outer mission should be presented.
Mr. Wilder was in Edinburgh January 15th-21st, and at Glasgow University January 24th-26th. At the meeting with the Free Church College there were four new decisions; and at another meeting fourteen men signed the covenant. All began to work for recruits, and in November, .1892, there were thirty-four Volunteers in Glasgow.
In Cambridge University work was commenced in February, 1892. On February 8th about one hundred and sixty students met in the Henry Martyn Memorial Hall under the auspices of the Cambridge University Missionary Union. It was a large and most enthusiastic student audience, and the appeal fell into hearts prepared by the Spirit, and in the after-meeting thirteen volunteered, among them the President of the Inter-collegiate Christian Union. The words spoken to men, in groups, or one by one, also bore fruit, and there were some twenty new decisions for foreign work.
A conference was held on organization, when a plan was suggested for a British Volunteer Movement. Four men were present-C. T. Horan, President C. I. C. C. U. ; R. MacInnes, Secretary; E. Millar. honorable member of the Union, and connected with nearly every religious organization in the university ; and Louis Byrde, Secretary of the Church Missionary Union. The final result was unanimity of spirit at Edinburgh in April, where three of the four Cambridge men were present.
In 1889-90 the Students' Foreign Missionary Union had been formed; but in London, in February, it was agreed to merge this Union into the Students' Volunteer Movement.
In London Mr. Wilder addressed the annual meeting of the Students' Missionary Association connected with the Baptist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan Colleges. He then visited Cambridge for a third time, and met some forty student Volunteers, who adopted the pledge of the American movement and made the organization inter-denominational. Before the year closed the organization could report: 1. Sixty-eight Volun- . teers in this university. 2. Much Bible study on missions. 3. More prayer for missions. 4. Much personal work. 5. Several public meetings addressed by Cambridge Volunteers in Derby, Penrith, Carlisle, etc.
Mr. Wilder was in Copenhagen March 6th-lOth, and spoke at a drawing room gathering of about one hundred. Among those present were Prince William, brother of the King of Denmark, and Count I. Moltke, head of the court of the crown prince. Both seemed much interested in the missionary movement among American and British students. The latter came to the student meeting and showed his interest by a gift of £50. The following day some two hundred university students were present.
Mr. Wilder was in Aberdeen March 19th-21st. The term was closing, and the audiences were small, but thirteen Volunteers were obtained from this university-one arts, two medical, and ten divinity men.
After visits to Edinburgh and Glasgow Mr. Wilder again visited Oxford, and urged that Oxford be represented in the starting of the intervarsity organization. It was decided that delegates be sent to the confer- ence in Edinburgh.
The Inter-university Conference was held in Edinburgh, April 2d and 3d. Delegates were present from Cambridge, Oxford, London, Belfast, St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh. Harmony prevailed, and a spirit of prayer; the Oxford and Cambridge University men were at onew ith the rest in making the movement inter-denominational. The Conference chose the covenant and the form of organization of the Student Volunteer Movement for foreign missions.
The Free Church oj Scotland Monthly says: "There has been a mis- sionary revival in most of the important colleges in Great Britain, and this is only the beginning of a great forward movement. On April 2d a num- ber of students met at Edinburgh, representing about three hundred V olun- teers in the various colleges in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Belfast, Edin- burgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and St. Andrews. A new union, to be called the Student Volunteer Missionary Union, has been developed out of the union already in existence. An executive committee of four will be ap- pointed in a few weeks; and this committee will elect a travelling secre- tary, who will spend a large part of his time in visiting the colleges of Great Britain and Ireland, strengthening the branches which already exist and endeavoring to have new branches formed. And so, by the blessing of God, we shall soon be in the midst of a movement like that in America- a movement in which all churches will take part, and which has as its ob- ject the speedy evangelization of the whole world."
In addressing the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland in May, 1892, Mr. Wilder gave a short account of the British movement and his work in the universities of Scotland and England. One of the ele- ments which combined to make this a foreign missionary assembly was a deputation of students. The news that sixty men connected with the Free Church colleges had offered themselves for foreign service profoundly st.irred the Assembly. One man promised £2000, and over £3000 were pledged for the forward movement before the Assembly adjourned.
In August Mr. Wilder attended the Scandinavian students' conference at Horten. About one hundred and eighty men were present from the universities of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.
On returning to England, he found the British Student Volunteer Move- ment Union well organized. Several student Volunteers had been speaking in churches during the summer vacation. The Executive Committee had commenced work in London, and were seeking an entrance to the colleges of Wales. They had asked Mr. Arthur T. Polhill-Turner to be the travel- ling secretary of the British movement. He was one of the original Cam- bridge band who visited the Universities of Great Britain in 1883.
Mr. Thomas, of Edinburgh University, says: "This new organization is the most promising of ali ; among many other reasons, because it is in league with similar organizations in the other six universities of Great Britain; and this Student Volunteer Movement, on the other side, has brought about the first permanent and well-organized combin'ation for inter- varsity work." .
Mr. Wilder sailed for India in time for the Decennial Conference, and since then writes of subsequent developments as follows : ..
" God has blessed the work in Poona, where I have been holding meet: ings for Christians and Hindus. For several days before my coming the native Christians met daily to pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I long to see the native Church filled with the Spirit; then the work will move rapidly among the heathen. The place to begin is with us missiona- ries, and many missionaries are seeking earnestly for this pentecostal ~ift."
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
n.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Missions at the World's Fair. simultaneously with the Missionary Congress. Accordingly, on Friday and 1. The subject of missions was inci· Saturday, September 29th and 80th, in dentally present through the Parlia· one of the small halls of the Art Palace, ment of Religions, not only in the basal 154 accredited delegates answered to thought of the necessity for the Chris- the roll-call, representing 22 women's tian religion, as shown by the presenta- missionary societies. Mrs. Dr. Judson tion of the best parts of the non-Chris- Smith presided at the first session. Brief tian religions of Asia, but by direct reports of the work of the several wom. presentation. Mardiros 19nados pre- en's societies were presented from time sented a paper on The Results of to time during the two days' sessions, Protestant Missions in Turkey; Rev. and the discussion of the themes pre- R. E. Hume, of India, told of the sented in the papers read was general, progress of Christianity in India; spirited, and greatly helpful. The pro- Rev. G. F. Candlin, missionary of gram as printed was very closely ful· Shanghai, Dr. Ernst Faber, of China, filled. Miss Clementina Butler fur· and other missionary speakers took im- nished a paper on Evangelistic Work, portant part in the proceedings. To in Foreign Fields; Mrs. Joseph Cook our way of thinking, the paper of Rev. read a paper prepared by Mrs. Isabella George Washburn, D.D., President of Bird Bishop, of Edinburgh, Scotland, Robert College, Constantinbple, on on Medical Missions; Mrs. Jennie Fow. Points of Contact and Contrast Be· ler Willing, of the 'Methodist Woman's tween Christianity and Muhammadan- Home Board, read a paper on Plans of ism was one of the most masterly Work and of Sustaining Interest Among papers of the whole series presented at Workers ; Mrs. Flora K. Regal, of the the Parliament. Congregational Home Mission Union, one on How Best to Combine Educa- 2. There were also incidental pres- tional Missionary and Industrial Trainentations of the subject of missions in ing on Home Mission Fields; Mrs. some of the denominational congresses. Rachel B. Taylor, of the Baptist Home Board, discussed the Scriptural Basis 8. The next feature of the missionary of Giving. presentation we notice is an entirely in· dependent and, in a sense, accidental Mrs. N. M. Waterbury, of the Bapor incidental one. It was not one of tist Foreign Society, read a paper on the series of congresses planned as a Work for Foreign :M:issions Among world's auxiliary, nor was it a part even Young People in the Home Churches, of the missionary congress. It was a on Saturday forenoon, which was fol· conference, not a congress. One result lowed by a general discnssion of meth· of the great missionary conference held ods: On the Conduct of Meetings, in London in 1888 was the appointment opened by Mrs. Joseph Cook ; on Raisof a standing World's Committee of ing Money, opened by Esther Tuttle Women's Missionary Societies, with a Prichard; on Missionary Literature, somewhat indefinite purpose, but with opened by Mrs. L. R. Keister-Harford ; the hope of its becoming a central board on Securing Missionaries and their Prepa. of consultation on matters of interest to ration for Work, opened by Mrs. Maria all women's missionary societies. This Jameson. The Saturday afternoon sescommittee, of which Miss Childs, of sion was consumed with a paper on Boston, is chairman, deemed it wise to .. Educational Work of the Foreign provide for a delegated meeting of Field, " by Miss Elba McGuire, of women's missionary societies in Chicago Japan; a discussion following; and a of Bible Women and Deaconesses in Question Box, conducted by Mrs. Moses America; and "Sister Dora" of the Smith. same work across the sea. She is the daughter of Dr. Stevenson, founder of Many of the most eminent missionary homes for children and deaconesses in women of the several churches were London. The workers call themselves participants in these proceedings, and Sisters of the People. Pastor Fritz many foreign missionary ladies were Fliedner, of Spain, son of the founder present and took part in the discussions. of deaconesses' movement in Germany, was also present. In the absence of We are not advised of the fact, but Mrs. Ballington Booth, " Captain" Miss we anticipate that the proceedings of Pattie Watkins read a paper on the the" Committee" will be made a part Salvation Army and its Methods. Dr. of the volume containing proceedings Bristol, of Chicago, thought there ought of Missionary Congress. to be a hundred times more done in this country, and that the Scriptures meant This "Committee" adopted resolu· preach the Gospel to all nations, " be· tions condemning the Geary Bill, pro· ginning at Chicago." " If you cannot posing special effort to further pro· save Chicago, you cannot save Cal· portionate giving; recommending the cutta; unless you save San Francisco, societies to procure the proceedings of you cannot save Shanghai; unless you this committee when published, and save Boston, you cannot save Bombay." calling attention to the great missionary Dr. Roberts, Secretary of the Presbytework to be done among and through rian Home Mission Board. spoke of the immigrants to this country. perils of this country from immigration. }Ianyof these immigrants belong to the 4. The World's Congress of Mis- pauper class. Mrs. Willing said it was sions included two departmental pro- not the men who came in Columbus's grams, the one general, the other for caravel nor in the Mayjlowe1', but the a Woman's Congress of Missions, to half million a year in the steerage that meet simultaneously but separately on furnish our greatest problem. October 2d-4th, both morning and afternoon. This arrangement was, however, Dr. N. D. Hillis, of Evanston, said abandoned, though the two bodies met the International Sunday-School Assoseparately on Monday morning. We ciation reckoned 11,000,000 of pupils shall, therefore, treat continuously the in Protestant Sunday·schools, and the Missionary Congress which began on Roman Catholics 4,000,000, leaving, as September 28th, and let the blended he estimated, 10,000,000 practically out· proceedings of the two programs ap- side of all church influences. Dr. AI· pear as one. bert S. Hunt, Secretary of the Ameri- can Bible Society. in his paper on Bible As the Congress was designed to Societies, said, when the British and cover home missionary and evangelistic Foreign Bible Society was formed, the work as well as foreign, the discussions Bible had been translated into less than were fittingly begun by Alexander Mac- forty languages. No one then dreamed kay Smith, D.D., of Washington, on that each person could ever acquire a The City of To-day-its Place, Perils, copy of his own. The three leading and Possibilities; and then Miss Ser- Bible societies have issued more than abji, of India, told of the work of mis- 206,000,000 volumes (206,201,404) of sions in her <lountry; and G. T. Cand- Scriptures. lin, English missionary from China, spoke of the conservatism of China, and Dr. George Smith, of Edinburgh, thought there might be some radical Convener of the Free Scotch Missiorlimprovement in missionary methods in ary Society, gave a geographical surthat country. Dr. Smith ,thought the vey, and Dr. .George W. Knox, of cities across the sea better governed than those of this country. Mrs. Lucy Rider Meyer, M.D., of Chicago, spoke Japan. spoke of the wisdom of denomi- with the rights of citizenship and assist national courtesy and co-operation on them to become self-supporting. He the foreign field. The immediate out- claimed for the North American Indian come of this paper was the appointment that he was not a sullen, silent, joyless of a committee to appeal to the several creature, as was often supposed. Among missionary societies to appoint a com- his own people he is one of the mirthful mittee, commission, or conference to men in the world. No one will laugh endeavor to carry out the principles of more heartily at a joke or see more Dr. Knox's paper. Rev. E. M. Bliss quickly through the sophistry of a also read a paper on this subject. Presi- plausible argument. dent Washburn, of Robert College, Constantinople, said missionary work Miss Mary C. Collins, known among must be practical in its methods. What- the Dakotas as "Winona," meaning ever work will bring the missionary and "elder daughter," endorsed what the the Moslem together and make them bishop had said. She described some friends, and thus help them to under- of her own experiences of eighteen stand each other, is not only a legiti- years, and related instances to show mate but an essential form of mission- how these people, whom the world con- ,ary work. It may be, at a given time sidered bloodthirsty, lived at peace with and place, better missionary work to their neighbors unless compelled to go import ploughs than tracts; to help a to war by what they deemed unjust fisherman mend his boat than to repeat treatment either by the government or to him the catechism; to dig a well individuals. She had gone forth day than to preach a sermon; to found a and night and never had a look or word college than to build a church; to study of discourtesy offered her by an Indian. the Koran than to read the Bible, if these things open the way to win men's Mrs. Amelia S. Quinton, President confidence and sympathy. Dr. George of the National Indian Association, E. Post, of Beirut, Syria, stated that spoke briefly of some of her experiences polygamy was set forth as a part of the among the Red Men of the extreme revelation of God by Mohammedans, West of the United States. and polygamy ob~tructs education. Dr. Dennis spoke on the inaccessible fields Dr. George F. Pentecost claimed that of Islam. India was the key to the situation in the East, because India is a progressive Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, who country. Rev. Thomas Craven, for for nearly a half century· has done twenty-three years missionary in India, active missionary work among the said he had attended the recent Parlia- Northwest Indians, told of their trust- ment of Religions, and upon the platworthiness, of their high sense of honor form he had seen many distinguished and their lofty conception of justice gentlemen from India who could :not and right. He interspersed his address have appeared there but for the work ~ith several incidents and stories. The of the Christian religion in India. The bishop said .he had heard old Indian old caste rules would have made that fighters say they hated to lift a rifle impossible. He thought the very presagainst the Red Men. General Crook ence of Mozoomdar and of other speakhad told him that it was the hardest ers from India was of itself a testimony thing in the world to' fight men when to the power of Christianity in India. you know they were in the right. Gen- Their very language was a testimony. eral Sherman, too, had said that the so- It was the Christian missionaries who lution of the whole Indian question was carried the English language to the East contained in the golden rule. Bishop Indies. The first instructor of the peo- Whipple said that the only way to do ple in this language was Dr. Duff, of justice to the Indians was to invest them the Free Church of Scotland; and the first Anglo-Indian dictionary was made by a Baptist missionary, Mr. Craven had sat and listened to the charges made not traders or missionaries. To abate by these gentlemlln that it was Chris- by one .iot the demand for justice in the tianity that had taken the drink habit case of the penniless missionary, while to India. That statement is false. Long a fleet is sent to indicate the majesty of hIlfore England went to India the toddy the flag when money is to be collected, of the palm and the toddy of the hemp was to debase authority to the level of and of opium was in use among the in- barbarism. If American missionaries at digent classes of India, who could not Ponape were imprisoned, and their afford to buy the high.priced liquors property confiscated, a.nd little or no which were broughtfrom foreign lands. notice taken of it at Washington, when And who is it now that is making the a whole squadron was sent to Naples to tight against all forms of intemperance collect money for Baltimore insurance in India 2 A Hindu 2 A Mohamme- companies, then something was wrong dan 2 A Buddhist? No; it is John with the policy of the United States Evans, a Baptist missionary. He it is Government, or we as a nation had who is making war both upon the fallen away from a high standard. If home·made drinks iudulged in by the a war be begun with Korea and 400 nalower classes and the liquors which are tives are slaughtered by Dahlgren how. imported into India. itzers and Bridgeburg rifles because cer- tain American marauders in the schooner :!'tIrs. J. T. Gracey read a paper on General Sherman had been attacked, Woman's Medical Work in Foreign while the Turks were allowed to burn Mission Fields. Miss Ellen C. Parsons, mission premises and assault American editor of Woman'8 Work for Woman, women, then we could not help thinktraced the history of woman's organized ing there was either inconsistency or missionary work as promoted by Ameri- weakness at Washington. can women, from the stage of volunteer pickets to its present disciplined army, Dr. Ellinwood's address on the Reand from contributions" in kind" to flex Influence of Missions on Christhe present cash annual exhibit of tendom, Commerce, and Science was, $1,500,000. General· B. R. Cowen de- as might be expected, pointed and livered what was characterized by the strong. He spoke of missionary influpress as "one of the most notable" ad- ence as a great help i,n diplomacy with dresses of the Congress, on the Respon- foreign nations as is being witnessed at sibilityof Christian Governments as to present in China. Human Slavery. Dr. S. L. Baldwin presented a paper on Christian Gov- A young African prospective ruler of ernments and the Opium Traffic, and his trihll, Momolulo Massaquoi, spoke addresses were made by Rev. T. B. about missions in Liberia. His father Wood. of Peru; Dr. J. Milton Greene, is an African chief in Cape Mount, West of Mexico; and Dr. Dease, of India. Africa, and his mother is queen of an- other part of t.he country. When nine Dr. W. E. Griffis, in his paper on years of age he came to the Protestant the Citizen Rights of Missionaries, Episcopal mission at Cape Mount, Ltmaintained that when a missionary's beria, and showed great aptitude for life or property is endangered the gov- learning. His mother was rich, and ernment is as fully bound to protect him offered him every inducement to go as in the case of the merchant or travel- home and enter business; but he reler, and in the case of loss or destruc- fused to do so, and being in danger of tion of property to seek to obtain re- being kidnapped, he came to the Unitdre!ls. As the government knows not ed States under Bishop Penick. He nor inquires into the religion of its citi- earned money in hotels and taught in zens, so it knows not or inquires into schools in Tennessee. Last year there their opinions regarding Christianity. was a dreadful war in his country and The government knows only citizens, his people were scattered. The mlssionary, Mrs. M. R. Brierly, wrote to and compactness, on "Thy Kingdom him to come home and see what he Come," a summary of which, by him- could do for his people. Bishop Penick self, appeared in the November number gave him collections from his church; of this magazine. J. T. Gracey made he earned money by lecturing, carried an address on Native Agencies the Hope home twenty-four bags of rice, and of National Evangelization, and Mr. they planted coffee and rice; he did Dwight L. Moody on the Supreme what he could and then came here to Agency in all Successful Missionary fulfil his engagement for Africa at the Work Being the Holy Ghost. Congress. His brother died leaving sev- eral wives. It is the custom that the We have not even mentioned sev.eral surviving brother take these wives, and of the most excellent papers and ad- he is persecuted for not doing it. dresses, such as that on the Reason Why, by Mrs. Benjamin Douglas, Santa A Parsee young lady, Miss Jeanne Barbara, Cal.; Missions as Promoted Serabji, was introduced, and begged by Women in Great Britain, by Mrs. that more missionaries be sent to her C. M. Yonge. England; Women under country. Her mother has seven daugh- Jewish and Christian Religions, by Mrs. ters, of whom she is justly proud, one Elizabeth Charles; Science and Mis- of whom was educated at Oxford, Eng- sions: their Mutual Dependence, by land. Professor G. F. Wright, Oberlin; and the Place of Woman's Missionary Work Bishop William Taylor, of Kongo Among the Evangelistic Forces of the and other parts of West Africa, gave Church, by Mrs. A. F. Schaufiler, New illustrations of the work in that coun- York. try. He said when men are converted who have several wives and children, We clip from one of the Chicago reit is a knotty question what to do with ligious weeklies the following: all these branches of polygamous families; but it is a marvel how the true "From beginning to end the Congress spirit of Christianity helps all concerned moved forward with magnificent sweep to settle the difficulty. Rev. E. R. of Christian thought, and all with con- Young, missionary to aboriginal Ameri- stant regard to actual results. As one cans, said, before the miSSionary work noted the number of different religious among the savages the women were organizations, different races and nabeasts of burden, and when too old to tionalities that were represented, and catch fish and snare rabbits they were from so many lands, one was delightstrangled and burned to ashes. Last fully made to realize afresh how good summer, when he was holding a ser- and how pleasant it is for brethren to vice, he saw two Indians bringing their dwell together in unity; and when one old mother in their arms between them, saw how very large a part, and how .and after service they lovingly carried correspondingly important a part, in her home. They have no Indian wars, the whole proceedings was taken by the and if the government agents rob the women, there seemed nothing in this Indians. they put them in the peniten- specially to wonder at; for why should tiary. it not be so? That the world will never be converted to Christ by men alone, Rev. Gilbert Reid, from Pekin, nor by women working apart from the China. spoke on International Law and men, but by the joint faith and forces Religious Toleration, as lIlustrated by of both, and each at their utmost, was China and the United States, daiming the fact that was made especially manithat China had toleration at the outset. fest. " She has many religions within her borders which exist with mutual harmony. The full report of the proceedings of this Congress and of the World's Oom- Dr. A. T. Pierson read an exegetical mittee of Women will be published. paper, remarkable for its clearness This report is promised very speedily, and will make three volumes of over made by Mrs. Abraham, a young Chris. five hundred. pages each, illustrated tian from the Nestorian Church, who with portraits of the principal speakers, claims to belong to the 'Lost Ten and bound in the best English cloth. Tribes.' She speaks English wonder- TIle regular price for the three volumes fully well, and made an excellent imis $7.50, but a special advance price pression. She wore the Oriental dress, was announced, and may still possibly and there was a picturesqueness about be available, of $6. The SUbscriptions the afternoon's proceedings which will should be sent to Rev. E. M. Wherry, not soon fade from remembrance. Such D.D., Corresponding Secretary of the information as is communicated in these World's Congress of Missions, Chicago: meetings is calculated to deepen the in- Dr. Wherry's regular address is 211 terest in and the liberality of the people Wabash Avenue; but we take it no toward foreign missionary enterprise." street or number is necessary. Some. OaUI!88 of the Present Improved 5. 'fhe subject of missions so inter- Health of Missionaries to Africa. penetrates all Christian life and activities that it is not surprising that the BY REV. ROBERT HAMILL NASSAU, M.D., Evangelical Alliance Congress could not get through without having a ses- GABOON, WEST AFRICA. sion devoted to it. The summary of its proceedings, which we find in The In- Undeniably there was great loss of terior, must suffice for the present: life in the early history of missions to Africa. There is still much loss. But " The session was opened by an ad- in the walks of commerce on the Afri· mirable paper from the veteran Indian can coasts still greater loss existed and missionary, the Rev. Dr. Murray Mitch- still exists. If you knew, as I do, how ell. He reviewed in a very concise and the majority of African traders live, masterly fashion the leading religions you would not wonder at their mortalwith which Christianity has to grapple. ity on moral grounds. Of course, the He corrected some of the popular and percentage of missionary deaths must mist.aken views now abroad, such as we be explained on other grounds; and find, for example, in Sir Edwin Ar- present improvement is on those same nold's • Light of Asia,' and gave a grounds. vivid picture of the great problem which the Gospel has to solve in heathen lands. I. Hygimic.-Without wishing se· He spoke with authority, as one who verely to criticise the noble men and had experience as wcll as information; women who first went out to Africa, I upon the subject. think a great cause of the former large number of early deaths on the field was "Then we had short speeches from a failure to recognize the limitations Professor Thoumaian upon the suffer- which climatic and other surroundings ing of Christians throughout the Turk- in a new country impose on the newly ish Empire, in which he brought out arrived foreigner. I sympathize with the jealousy which the' unspeakable the earnest zeal of those brave men and Turk' entert.ains toward his Christian women burning to proclaim the Gospel neighbor because heis more progressive they carried as pioneers to Africa; but and successful than he; from Mrs. their zeal consumed them. Therefore, Meek, the Zulu princess, a cousin of the I think it wise to recognize and act on renowned King Cetewajo, and who de- the limitations of one's environment, tailed her feelings and hopes in coming even if, as· in Africa, in so doing we to the United Kingdom, and who finally become only half a man or half a womsang a hymn in the Zulu language. She an. It is a painful situation for a zealwas interpreted, as on the previous oc- ous soul; but it is simply also one of casion, by her husband. The last the sacrifices we must make. I think speech at the afternoon meeting was that these pioneers attempted to eat, happier work and longer life. 4. Native dress, live, act, work, and do just as aid aU through our school, church, and they would have done in this country. household domestic work is of better Simply, we must not do so. Dress and grade and in larger quantity than in food should be modified by the new former days. Our mission ladies to- temperature and vegetation; hours of day reap the llenefit, in their household work should not include the mid·day labor, of the assistance of men and heat or nightly damps; the number of women who, when they were boys and hours of labor per day should be short- girls, were taught by the pioneers the ened, for the nervous strain of the some- mysteries of the pantry, kitchen, laun- what wild life; and vigor should be dry, sick-room, and nursery.
governed by the general inability to per- III. Diseases peculiar to Africa are form accustomed tasks under the debil- now better understood. Bilious remit- ity that creeps over the African mission- tent fever, the specially dangerous fever ary's entire physical, mental, and even of Africa, is not as frequently fatal as moral and spiritual nature. formerly. We are all subject to inva- II. At present, the African mission- sion by the ordinary intermittent fever, ary's 8urroundings are more comfortable the" ague" of aU malarial countries; than in the earlier d.lYs. 1. The jour- but it, though a debilitating sickness, is ney to and from the field is shorter and not at all fatal, and need not stop more easier. Where formerly we travelled than a day's work. The real" African by slow sailing vessels of very limited fever," called, from one of its diagnostic accommodations, privileges, or com- symptoms, hematuric fever, simulates, forts, we now travel by large steamers in many of its physical appearances, more than comfortably equipped. 2. yellow fever, and even has been mis- Instead of the low bamboo palm hut, taken for it to the extent of quarantin- on the clay floor, constructed under the ing vessels coming from African ports missionary's personal superintendence, where it has happened to be epidemic.
and sometimes by his own hands, that But it is neither contagious nor infec- same bamboo palm is built on a larger tious. Prompt, vigorous treatment is plan and elevated on posts above the reducing the frequency of fatal cases.
damp earth; or, still better, houses are IV. Instead of being left to their own built of planks brought from Europe or self-medication. blind, Qr haphazard, or America, or sawn from the adjacent uncertain, reading medical books for forest, or of brick made by mission the pressing occasion, missionaries now pupils, or of stone quarried on the are being given the aid of the presence premises. And in the erection of these of trained professional medical associ- better houses we have the aid of native ates. The importance of medical mis- artisans, whose skill in carpentering, sion work, forced on to the attention of briCk-making or mason-work is the the Church in the light of its value as fruit of the industrial schools of those an arm of labori'or the native heathen, earlier pioneers. 3. While I deem it is more than justifying its use in the advisable to adopt in ourfood list many physical salvation it brings to the mis- of the vegetlibles and fruits of tropic sionary himself, Africa, a too sudden change or an en- V. The solution of the family problem.
tire deprivation of previously accus- -If ever it was right or necessary for tomed food was severe. The churches African missionary parent to part with now enable us to keep on hand most of his young infant, it is not now neces- the standard foods and even some of the sary. And I go so far as to believe delicacies to which we were accustomed positively that it is wrong. I speak before going to Africa. The necessary from personal experience. When I increased cost in living and the slightly went to Africa thirty-two years ago I enlarged salary is compensated for by went as a celibate, being told by the public, and even by missionaries, that me, I leave her here for her education, white maternity in Africa was fatal to instead of taking her back with me, both mother and child. There were simply because I am going alone, and those who called African missionary because, of all foreign mission countries, marriage" murder." l'tfen and women Africa is the only one that has not the gave up their work in Africa, unable educative element of some civilized so- to face this terrible problem. After I ciety. This part of the family problem had landed in Africa I changed my -i.e., the raising of the child-cost opinion as to the duty of celibacy. God money and devoted care; but it was never makes two duties conflict. It worth more than money can buy. In was right, I was sure, for myself, for its accomplishment. without white aid me to work in Africa. It was right, I and alone, as at her birth I was, I am was equally sure, for myself, for me to debtor to the skill and devotion of a na- marry. Carefully gathering about my tive Christian woman; for whose skill. wife even a portion of the hopeful sur- built on a character naturally royal, I roundings accorded to expectant moth- am also debtor to the labor of the ers in America, I proved that maternity pioneer ladies of the mission who trained in Africa was not necessarily fatal. It that woman when she was a child in the cost money and forethought, but it was mission school and subsequently a teach- worth more than money could buy. er in the same. There still remained, however, another part of that family problem-children VI. Tll.6 sense of exile is less than may safely be born. but can they reside f01'merly.-1. Thirty years ago, so al· in Africa with safety beyond infancy? most necessarily fatal was considered So for years the sad tragedy was enact- going to Africa, that even mission ed of tearing out one's heart in sending boards hesitated to direct candidates to away for training in America by ether go there. Most of those who went hands (hands not always loving or judi- offered voluntarily. They went ex- cious) young infants, too young to re- pecting to die; for public opinion told member the parent who (performing them they would die. I went expect- his part of the tragedy under a mis- ing not to return. In that state of mind taken sense of duty), if, in some after and with a combination of depressing day he made the acquaintance of his circumstances that does not now exist, child, had to make it as a stranger; when the fever came, with its well- sometimes not being allowed, by the known apathetic effects, the missionary jealous hands that had done the train- often had not the morale left to fight ing for him, to have even a share in it. the battle with disease, and he sunk The agonized cry of the mother at part- under the expected inevitable. It is ing with her babe, .. Oh Jesus, I do this now neither expected nor inevitable. ) for Thee!" if ever it was more than a mistaken sense of duty-heroic in its 2. Over the whole mission life-its mistake-I believe now to be uncalled work, its points of daily contact, its for. I proved, in my own family ex- methods, and its future-there is now a perience, that a child born even under general hopefulness that tinges the still circumstances exceptional against hope undeniably often dark cloud with bright for her life, could grow and did grow lining, that lifts up from depression, in good health for seven consecutive and that puts into every sinking in- years in Africa. Even then she did not valid's hand something more tangible require to come to America for her and helpful than the traditional drown- health-l brought her simply because I ing man's straw. Every physician had to come for my own health; Satis- knows that if he can inspire his patient _ fied that now, at nine years of age, she with hope, half the victory over disease will never cease to remember and love is won.
3. Our mails are more freQuent. This is not a small item. I have stood with men around the once·ln-six-weeks making their sympathy obvious to sight, mail-bag. How much of joy or sorrow have had a most helpful effect on the it represented to them I How much of lengthening of missionary life.
intense longing for the love and com- fort from hearts thousands of miles away I I have seen men turn away in Student Volunteer :Movement.
·tears when that mail held no missive of During no year in the history of the Volunteer Movement have there affection and sympathy for them. Our been clearer evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit than during the year African coast stations now receive mails that has just closed. Beyond question it has been a critical year, involving thrice a month. Even our interior sta- the deepest interests of the movement. The problems encountered have been tions obtain with some regularity month- peculiarly difficult, but, as we believe, God has led in rea~hing their solution. lymails. . New features have been introduced, and exceedingly important advances 4. It is not unheard of now in Africa have been made in several departments. Notwithstanding contrary statements, that there is such a thing as a visit from there are positive and encouraging facts to prove that more and more fully each 8 fellow Christian other than a mission- year the movement is realizing Its su- preme purpose-viz., the hastening ary associate. In other foreign mis- forth of volunteers to accomplish the evangelization of the world in this gensionary countries this is not uncommon. eration. More volunteers sailed during the two years following the Cleveland In Africa the only white men besides Convention of 1891 than during the preceding five years. the missionary were the foreign govern- ment official, the trader, and the occa- sional traveller in the interest of botany, zoology, or some other branch of natu- ral science. These, with the rarest ex- ceptions, were antagonistic in their re- ligious views and destructive in their moral life. Secretaries of our mission boards, in their occasional inspection of the foreign fields, rarely visited their African missions. Perhaps Africa was out of their line of travel; perhaps its malaria was forbidding. Christian visit- ors on tours of pleasure inspect the work or comfort the hearts of missiona- Dr. R. N. Cust puts the languages ries in India, Syria, Japan, etc., but of Africa at 438 with 153 dialects, makuntil very recently none have come to ing in all some 600. us In Africa. That loneliness operated against the health of our former mis- sionaries. B~t it is becoming less ex- John A. Kasson, LL.D., Minister treme. from the United States to Germany and 5. I must give all praise to the vari- to the Berlin Conference of 1885, says: ous Women's Foreign MiSSionary socie- The basis of political co-operation ties for having made their home Chris- was laid broadly by what he character- tian sympathy apparent. Doubtless the izes as the c' International Charter of sympathy existed formerly; but the Rights," or the" Declarations" of the draught on the missionary's faith in its Berlin Congo Conference, which con- existence was so very great that often tain principles most dear to mankind.
either the faith died or became very "They are," he says, "the universal tenuous. The new methods of com- right of personal liberty ; the rights of munication with missionaries, especially the individual conscience, and of wor· the taking by an individual church of a ship according to its dictates; the rights missionary's name, making itself re- of education and of instruction; the sponsible for his or her salary, corre- equal rights of all residents in inter- sponding monthly, and in other ways course and trade within and without the territory; the equal rights of the conception of :God than that we have missionaries of religion in its various obtained from the Old and New Testaforms; and equal privilege and protec- ments; no hope richer and more contion of law to citizens and strangers of soling has been suggested than the hope all nations migrating to or resident of an immortality of holiness; and no within the countries embraced ,within religion has presented to us a record of its provisions." That is the broadest such continuous and tender self-sacripalladium of liberty ever thrown over fice as that of the Christian believer. a continent, and the fifteen great signa- And it is especially noticeable that most tory powers of the world. including the of the men who eulogized alien faiths Grand Sultan of Turkey, all armed to were those who personally owed their the teeth, proclaimed this for the Afri- intellectual quickening and their morals can Congo basin ! both to contact with Christianity.- The Interior.
Rev. J. Kistler writes to us to say that the Lutheran Mission at Muh1en- Anti-PQreign Sentiment in Ohina. burg, Liberia, is conducted as an indus· trial school. The young people edu- A correspondent from Foochow, cated at the mission marry and locate China, writes us as follows : near the mission. To each married couple is given ten acres of ground, "Things are very uneasy in Central and help is given to them to erect a China. All up the Yangtsi the coun- , house. There is quite a colony settled try is in a ferment. Officials are unin the neighborhood of the mission. friendly, and the people, instigated by the literati, are crying for the extermi- nation 01 all foreigners. The murder Miss Anna A_ Gordon, for sixteen of the two Swedish missionaries has years Miss Willard's travelling compan- been followed by the strongest anti-forion and helper, has been visiting her sis- eign placards yet printed, and these are ter, Mrs. Alice Gordon Gulick, for said to have their origin with some very twenty years a missionary in San Sebas· high officials. The extm, triennial extian, Spain. On July 21st Miss Gordon aminations are on, and I fear trouble. organized the younger pupils of her We have 8000 students here now and sister's International Institute for the half as many attendants, making in all Higher Education of Girls into a Loyal 12,000 strangers in the city from all Temperance Legion auxiliary to the parts of this province and Chekiang and World's Women's Christian Temper- Formosa. I do not anticipate any ance Union. This is the first white rib- trouble here, but expect you will hear bon society in Spain. Miss Gordon has from other parts of the empire news of now rejoined Lady Henry Somerset a very startling character. A native and Miss Willard in Switzerland. paper in Shanghai advocates retaliation against Americans, and the high authori- ties in Peking liave refused admission Among the results of the Parlia- of American machinery at Shanghai; ment of Religions these may be noted : and the American Minister, Denby, No anti-Christian faith has offered to ,backed by all the other ministers, is lay ita sacred scriptures beside the Bible having some spicy correspondence with for .comparison ; no contrasted creed, the Tsung Li, yamen on the subject.
however it may boast of righteousness, The action of the Chinese authorities has proposed a single new ethical con- excludes all foreign machinery, not ception not found in Christianity; no only American, unless owned and to be philosophy has offered to us a nobler used by Chinese." I
DEPABTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
III.-DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
CONDUCTED BY PIIOFESSOIl AMOS II. WELLS.
Missionaries among the North Ameri- The ways are legion in which a Chris- can Indians are finding the Christian tian Endeavor society may help its Endeavor Society a valuable ally, not church. Not a few societies have late- merely in the furnishing of money, but ly taken upon themselves the humble also in furnishing methods of training but necessary work of a janitor, saving the young Indians in Christian service. their churches the expense of this offi- At least two Endeavor societies are cer. found among the Indians of Alaska, and a native Alaskan Endeavorer was a dele- There are Chinese Endeavor societies gate to last year's International Endeav- on the Pacific Coast, and there is one in or Convention. In the Northwest Terri- Chicago. This latter recently s'ent tory, at Norfolk Honse, that eminent eleven members to a meeting of the missionary, Rev. Egerton R. Young, has union to which their society belongs. formed the Cree Indians into an Endeav- S&veral of these Chinese had to furnish or society, translating some of the Chris- substitutes at their working· places, at tian Endeavor literature into the Cree the cost of half a day's wages, yet they • dialect. Farther south, Montana, South attended the meeting. Dakota, Nebraska, and the Indian Ter- ritory have their Indian Endeavor so- The Endeavorers of an Endeavor so- cieties. Junior societies are found as ciety in New South Wales do missionary well as those among the older Indians. work in their own Sunday-school. All A Christian Endeavor manual has been genuine Endeavor societies do that, but prepared in the language of the Da- this one does it in an especially pleasaut kotas. In one of these societies four and elIecti're way. On a certain even- tribes are represented – Sioux, Gros ing they single out certain classes of Ventres, Arickarees, and Mandans. It the school, issuing to those classes spe- is this society that, besides giving lib· cial invitations to the prayer.meeting. erally toward foreign missions, con- There a well·supported evangelistic ser- tributes also for the establishment of vice is held, and earnest elIorts are made Sunday-schools among the settlers of to bring the scholars to Christ. Seven the frontier, and even runs a Sunday- recently professed conversion in a sin- school for the children of the white set- gle meeting of this kind. tlers near by. "Lo, the poor Indian !" A touching story is told of one of these The third of the many districts into Indian Endeavorers, who left school which the Kansas Christian Endeavor Ifatally stricken, as was thought, with Union is divided held a convention re- consumption. In his sad condition, cently, in the course of which was a nevertheless, he went bravely to work very practical missionary conference. for his people. Every Sabbath he held There were eight new volunteers for .services at places ten miles apart, and missionary service to show as the result walked the distance between them. In of that meeting, and thirty who pledged the language of the Sioux, the name for themselves thenceforth to adopt sys- the Christian Endeavor Society, literally tematic giving. translated, is, "Society of those who work for Jesus." Certainly that young At the coming International Christian man, Indian though he was, nobly hon- Endeavor Convention, to be held at ored his membership in the society of Cleveland, there will be exhibited a 'so noble a name. great roll of honor, to contain the name of every society, so far as reported, that during the year gives at least $10 to missions. Everywhere the societies are expressing a determination to be on that list. It is said that of the great Chi- ·in the missionary cause, it will be the cago Union, every society, both Young result of our knowing something about People's and Junior, in North Side. missions, ana doing aZZ we know. "
South Side, and West Side divisions, The Endeavorers of the First Ohurch will be found on that roll. of Christ, of New Britain, Oonn., have At /loll of the astonishing series of entered upon a course of systematic Ohristian Endeavor State conventions study in missions, under the guidance of that have been held this past fall the their pastor. If the societies every- subjects of missions and of systematic where would undertake such systematic giving have had exceedingly prominent studies, not only would their mission- place, and in many cases have furnished ary meetings become henceforth doubly the keynote of the convention. This interesting, but many times the present was true of New Hampshire, whose contributions would be made by the convention was made notable by an ad- societies to the missionary Cause.
dress by the Governor of the State_ There is an inner circle of the Chi- This was true of the provincial conven- cago Ohristian Endeavor Missionary in- tion held at Quebec, which was ad- stitute, consisting of all student volun- dressed by Lord Aberdeen, the ne)" teers belonging to the Ohicago Union, Governor-General of Oanada. Of New and of all mission workers whose lives York's more than three thousand socie- at home are to be devoted to the mis- ties, with a membership of 168,200, 789 sionary cause. This Ohristian Endeav- societies sent to their convention reports or Missionary Institute has received of their missionary-giving-a total of formal application for its missionary $21,861. Nine thousand conversions lecture course from 16 Ohrlstian En- were reported for the year, and 18,200 deavor societies of Milwaukee-Presby- new members. The most remarkable terians, Baptists, Oongregationalists, feature of Pennsylvania's remarkable Methodists, and Ohristians. The pas- convention was a bit of practical home tors all join in the call, promising to missionary work. Eight noonday pray- preach a missionary sermon on the ~ er-meetings were held, by permission, mornings of the six Sabbaths when the in four factories and iron works. In missionary mass meetings are to be each company were from 40 to 75 work- held. That means for Milwaukee 96 ers, and their prayers and testimonies missionary sermons, 6 earnest confer- were so fervent that many of the opera- ences of missionary workers, and 6 tives signified, by the uplifted hand, rousing missionary mass meetings, their desire to be prayed for. These where speakers of various mission State conventions will introduce each boards will address the Ohristians of year hundreds of young men and wom- these five denominations, to arouse mis- en to the joys of active Ohristian ser- sionary enthusiasm and stimulate mis- vice. Pennsylvania, in spite of the fact sionary.giving. Similar work is in that during the year nearly three hun- progress or being planned il). connection dred societies have been lost to the Chris- with the Ohristian Endeavor Missionary tian Endeavor interdenominational fel- Institute, in many cities of Illinois, Kan- lOWShip, chiefly through being with- sas, Nebraska, Michigan, and Wiscon- drawn into the merely denominational Rin. This sort of work is peculiarly societies, shows for the year 1090 new adapted to the Ohristian Endeavor societies, with the remarkable net in- movement, and precisely in line with crease of 799 societies. New Jersey all its tendencies.
shows a gain of 156 societies, and her In the missionary advance on Gaza- Endeavorers report $10,716 given to land at least two of the native helpers missions during the year. Said Presi- from Natal are Ohrlstian Endeavo~rs, dent Lewis, one of the speakers: .. If and go to their post strengthened and we are to have any genuine inspiration inspired, in part, by the Ohristian En-. deavor pledge. This pledge has been 300 ; in the United States Navy, 150 ; translated into Zulu, and is soon to be at Clevela.nd, 200. The Christian En- printed in that language. deavor movement in this effort, as in One of the results of Dr. Clark's visit similar undertakings for the life-savers to Japan was the begInning of a Japan- and the commercial travellers, is work- ese Floating Society of Christian En- ing among a class greatly neglected by deavor. The first society was formed religious organizations in general, yet a on a Japanese man·of-war at anchor class of men that will make most hearty near Tokyo, and 13 Endeavorers were and genuine Christians.
on board when the ship sailed away. Nine new Endeavor societies were Six months later they returned, and the lately enrolled from Cape Colony. Three 13 Floating Endeavorers had become of these were formed as the partial re- 30. OhIo is especially active in Float- sult of a wonderful revival among the ing society work. Cleveland already young people. The Transvaal, the Free has two societies for the sailors on Lake State, and Cape Colony have been sown Erie, and others are to be found at with Christian Endeavor literature. In Toledo and Ashtabula, while Cincinnati Cape Colony Is an active Huguenot En- Endeavorers are at work in the United deavor society, whose memberS have States Marine Hospital. On the Pacific formed a volunteer mission band, some Coast, and especially in California, are of whose members are already seeking some zealous Floating societies. By for souls in the diamond fields of Bech- the exertions of CalIfornia Endeavorers, uanaland, and far up toward Lake Ny- societies with from five to fifteen mem- assa. In distant Africa, as in America, bers have been formed upon seven Brit- the tendency of the Christian Endeavor ish ships. These sailors are all deter- movement is missionary and evimgelis- mined to win to Christ all on board tic.
before they make the home port. Let- Five new trustees have recently been ~rs are received full of gratitude from chosen for the United Society of Chris- the parents of the sailor lads thus en- tian Endeavor. They all represent de- couraged to noble aims. The Oakland, nomInations that contain many En- Cat, Floating Society, organized last deavor societies, and they are all old_ April, has already enrolled 96 sailors, time and constant friends to the move- representing 22 British ships. An En- ment. They are Canon Richardson, of deavor committee representing 13 the diocese of Huron, for the Church of churches has visited 63 ships, held England in Canada; Rev. J. M. Lowden, 25 Sunday-morning services on ship- for the Free Baptists; Professor James board, and led over 400 sailors to LewIs Howe, for the Southern Presby- church and Christian Endeavor ser- terians; Rev. M. M. Binford, for the vices on shore. They have prepared Friends; and Rev. Rufus W. Miller, for them most pleasant socIals, and en- for the Reformed Church in the United tertained them at their homes. " Best States. The Board of Trustees of the port I was ever in," said a sailor. Two United Society, consisting of some of ship's mates write back: .. When -we the very ablest men from 1gevangelical sailed we were the only Christians on denominations, is a body whose like the board_ Now ten confess having found world has never before seen; and all of their Saviour." These Endeavorers, at its members are enthusiastically work- one stopping-place, secured a hall and ing for the upbuilding of the young in held a service that resulted in the con- Biblical knowledge, missionary zeal, version of three young men. Floating spiritual fervor, and practical piety, as Endeavorers are now found on about well as the brotherly co-operntion for 200 ships. At the Vineyard Sound which the name" Christian Endeavor"
branch of the ~amen's Friend Society has come to stand.
200 have been enrolled; at New York,
December
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
Prospectus. 6. Free discussion of all problems per- THE MISSIONARY REVIEW will enter taining to missions at home and abroad upon the sixteenth year of its history will be welcomed in these pages, the when the new year opens ; and its edi- editors making but two reservations: tors desire to make it more absolutely first, that the REVIEW is not responsible worthy of the growing patronage ex- for the views which are expressed by tended to it. No expense has been contributors; and, secondly, that where spared and no labor shirked which such views seem to us to be at essential could help to equip it more fully for variance with evangelical truth, these the aggressive work of disseminating pages cannot be placed at the disposal missionary information and quickening of the writers.
intelligent zeal. Some new features 7. Wherever manuscripts are illegible, will be added from time to time as facil- written on both sides of the paper, mis- ities may be afforded and plans for im- spelled and ungrammatical, or other- provement matured. Especially do we wise unfit for publication without uu- contemplate the following changes: due labor on the part of the editor, we 1. Illustrated articles will be made cannot either use them nor promise to use of as far as practicable. return them to the writers unless stamps 2. The .. Monthly Concert" Depart- are inclosed, Whatever is sent us for ment will be changed to a "Monthly pUblication should be ready for the Field of Survey," retaining all desira- printer and need no editorial super- ble features of the present method, but vision.
somewhat widening the horizon of view S. Authors, when accessible, may or- and making the scope of treatment more dinarily correct their own proofs if the comprehensive. changes they make do not affect atruc- S. The Editorial Department will be tU1'e, or involve too much alteration, made more valuable by giving more and too much trouble to the typesetter.
prominence to book reviews, and to 9. All 80licited articles will be paid comments on current events and devel· for so far as the resources of the RE- opments of missionary history. VIEW permit. Articles voluntarily sent, 4. A higher standard will be adopted when available, will be also paid for, at as to the papers admitted to the col- such rates as the editor deems propor- umns of the REVIEW. We shall aim, tionate to their value and the ability of in the Literary Department, more at the REVIEW.
matter of permanent value, leaving to 10, Rev. James Douglas, of London, the Intelligence D(lpartment the news will act as English contributor for the from the field, which has a transient present, especially furnishing items of interest. interest from the British societies, etc.
5. We still wish to furnish Student Volunteers with the REVIEW at reduced cost, or even free; and so far as friends Owing to a mistake of the printer, contribute to this purpose, faithful use a brief article on Higher Educational will be made of the help thus extended. Metlwdll in India found its way into Those willing to give money to promote the Editorial Department of the No- the free circulation of the REVIEW vember issue during the absence of the among those who amid comparative editor-in,chief in Chicago. For its sen- poverty are struggling to get ready for timents the editor disclaims responsi- the foreign field, may send amounts to bility. It was "held over" matter the editors or publishers, indicating al- from the pen of our English corre- ways the purpose to which they are to spondent, Rev. James Douglas, which be applied, had been crowded out of previous num-
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
bers. The editor did not hear Dr. petent to deal with the grave questions Pentecost's address referred to in this he diseusses. The book is a history of paragraph, and could pronounce no in- the progress of civilization. The au- telligent judgment upon it. In fact, he thor follows the track of the ancient has heard the address severely criti- civilizations, with a view to discover cised, and it is very obvious there are their providential trend. Sir Monier two very diverse opinions regarding it. Monier-Williams regards it as of special There was a general agreement upon value to students of Indian affairs, and one point-that it was very malapropos, of the development and existing con- inasmuch as the Baptist missionary so- dition of non-Christian forms of faith ciety before which it was delivered have and philosophy. God is here shown to no 8uch educational in8tituti01l8 in India be the supreme need of the race, and as Dr. Pentecost referred to; and it right relations with Him the one indis- seemed scarcely the thing to administer pensable condition of personal and so- a rebuke to other parties over the un- cial redemption. Humanitarianism can- offending shoulders of brethren who are not supplant Christianity, nor a godless committed to an entirely different pol- civilization meet the cravings of the icy, and whose work in India has been race. The book is full of ideas, and specially and gloriously conspicuous for the translation is considered very faith- its evangelical and evangelistic char- ful and happy. Rev. James Johnston, acter. If any parties in India have who on his own responsibility issued preached the simple Gospel and have the" Report of the Conference on Mis- depended upon that alone for success it sions in 1888," has done the same thing is these beloved Baptist brethren, whose with this book in order to bring it with- work among the Telugus eclipses for in reach of persons of slender mellns.
magnificent and continued triumphs a1 If a number of copies are desired he most any other since apostolic days. should be addressed, at No.7 Adam 'fhis whole question of educational Street, Strand, London.
methods in India is yet to be exhaus- tively treated. The men who, on both A OorreotioD. sideS, with equal tenacity and earnestness present their variant views are too BmMINGHAM, ENG., August 30,1898. good, too true, too trustworthy to be :I/o the Editor of THE MISSIONARY RE- dismissed with a sneer or a dogmatic VIEW: upbraiding. And it may be questioneq. In your July issue, page 547, is a ref- whether even Dr. Pentecost can, after erence to the interesting work of the so brief a stay in India, decide compe- Labrador Mission to the Esquimaux of tently a question which others, after the Moravian Society for the Further, half a century of study, regard with in- ance of the Gospel (referred to at the creasing perplexity. In any case, the head of page 542 by a misprint as editor prefers to hold an impartial posi- S. P. G.) as follows: «A business un- tion, waiting for more light and pro- dertaking set on foot by Christian peo- nouncing no hasty judgment in the ple, whose proceeds have been and are pages of this REVIEW. entirely devoted, without any by-ends of private advantage, exclusively to "The Goal of the Human Race" is the extension of the Gospel, this Soci- the name of a work which was recently ety, we may believe, is unique in the published by Simpkin, Marshall Ham- history of the kingdom of God." It ilton, Kent & Co., at $1.25, and offered may interest the readers of this incom- at special rates to missionary societies. parable magazine to make a just cor- Its author, Rev. Dr. R. F. Grau, rection of this. statement. The Salva- Professor of Theology at Konigsberg, tion Army trades largely for the king- is a man of. large learning and com- dom, having begun to do SO from necessity, when no firm of manufacturers hasten to ava.1l themselves 011 the interwould do work for them, and continuo position of the sword, the bayonet, and the cannon-ball. ing on principle after discovering such "Surely Dr. Hamlin and others of a fruitful source of income. his way of thinking on this question Thus their net profits in the United may do wen to ponder afresh the grand examples of loving heroism and patient Kingdom alone amount to Borne £14,000 endurance which, to the high honor of a year, which sum is duly accounted their class, Christian missionaries in for in the annual balance-sheet issued general have furnished to the Church from their London headquarters. and to the world. Not only Protes- tants, such as Livingstone, Moffatt, and If the home and foreign mission fields Hannington, in our own age, but also are in fact one, as they are in God's many Roman Catholic missionaries, sight, is not the Salvation Army, with from the time of Francis Xavier and its 12,000 officers in 35 different coun- the South American Jesuit pioneers of the Cross, onward to the present da,)", tries, the largest missionary society in have most nobly maintained their tidelthe world? ity to 'the meekness and gentleness of Yours for the King, Christ.' even at the risk of life and all W. A. C. FREMANTLE. that life holds dear. H The success of Christian missions in Burmah forms the subject of an arti- cle in the same issue of THE MISSION- ARY REVIEW which contains Dr. Ham- From the Britiw Advocates of Peace- lin's paper. But those missions among ful Arbitration we have received a the Burmese and Karens were founded printed article on "Missionaries and and carried on with remarkable zeal by Militarism.' , such devoted servants of the Most High as Dr. Judson and his excellent wUe It refers to the article in the June is- and by other Christiaus of a similarly sue of THE MIS~IONARY REVIEW, by heroic character, who nobly risked all Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, on the relation of dangers and met all opposition simply missionaries in foreign lands to their with 'the shield of faith) and 'the sword of the Spirit,' feeling that the governments, in which he pleads for a real progress of the Gospel is to be more vigorous interference, by the achieved not by carnal weapons, not by United States Government in particular, might of battalions, neither b:r. power "'l behalf of its missionary subjects of armaments, but by the SpirIt of Al- mighty God, given in answer to fervent …broad, and especially in Turkey. persevering prayer in the name of The circular replies: Christ.
.. Of course, every one must admit .. Yet feeling, as we all must do, the the right of missionaries to full legal weakness of the flesh, we must not protection by the governments of the judge harshly of those who, like Dr. countries in which they reside. And Hamlin, plead for the interposition of of course, also, any sufferings occa· armed force to secure to them the cOmsioned to missionaries by the withhold- mon rights of civilized men. But, at ing of such protection, or by their ex- the same time. it is not presumptuous posure to insult or violence. call for to remind such good missionaries that deep and practical sympathy on the their specially high position and profespart of Christiaus everywhere. sion, as herOIC pioneers in the onward .. But, at the same time, it is increas- march of the Gospel of the Prince of ingly felt in most of the churches of Peace throughout the nations of the Christ, that those good men who go earth, is popularly and reasonably felt forth in His name to preach the Gospel to impose upon them a mure exalted to the heathen and to savage tribes, standard of loving fortitude than that must be prepared to do so at the risk of which may be looked for among men some sacrifice for their Great }laster's of a lower profession of faith, or of no sake, and also as feeling that it is spe- faith at aU. The most splendid viccially incumbent upon them to cherish tories of the Cross have ever been those toward the objects of their religious of patient charity toward the souls of solicitude such a loving and forbearing men, and of devoted consistency with spirit, that they shall be willing even the example and character of the longto endure some measure of suffering suffering Saviour of the world, as clearly themselves, if necessary, rather than distinct and separate from all horrors of pitiless conflict, and of that warfare shows native Bible-readers in Japan unwhose features are cries of agony and der Mrs. L. H. Pierson, of Yokohama; , garments rolled in blood.' " a native evangelist with Rev. K.Ibuka, in Tokio; children and workers in the Our friend, Rev. D. M. Stearns, re- Bridgman Home, Shanghai, China; nacently removed from Scranton to Phila- tive evangelists of the China Inland delphia (Germantown), has certainly Mission; missionaries and native workproved what grand work a missionary- ers in Calcutta and Cawnpore, India; spirited pastor can accomplish in his also in Congo, Garenganze, and other own home church. We can only say parts of Africa; among Jews in Paleswith him, "Behold what God hath tine, Russia, London and New York; wrought I" Some years since Mr. work in Moab; at Busrsh, in Arabia; Stearns learned that his church is not among soldiers at Rome, Italy; in Turthe .field to limit his labor, but the fm·ce key, in Alaska, etc., and all these varito put into a wider world· field, and now ous forms of mission work sustained or behold the results : nobly helped by one man's church Ind Bible classes I Who will go and do In .Tanuary, 1889, Grace Church, likewise? Scranton, Pa., had one native Bible reader in Japan, at $60 a year. At this Extract from a. Letter of Miss Wilder's. date the Scranton parish and his present parish, to which he came in Octo- Cheering news has come to us from ber, 1892, with his various Bible classes Poona. After leaving us my brother, and friends who have become interested Robert P. Wilder, had several meetings either through the church, the classes, in Poona. These had been preceded or the" Kingdom Tidings," have nine- by a week of prayer. At a recent ty-tM-ee mi8sionaries, chiefly natiu work- prayer·meeting there was, from natIve ers, in China, Japan, India, and Africa, Christians, testimony of a blessing rebesides contribl1ting in other directions. ceived. The pastor said he had been Two members of the Scranton Church born again when a boy at Indupore. have gone forth in Christ's name-one He had known about the Holy Spirit's has been two years in Cawnpore, India, presence. He thought it was as Mr. greatly used of God, and the other re- Wilder had said, .. The Spirit was near, cently arrived in Shanghai, China. but not inside_" Now, through prayer The former was the first person who and the words said, a great blessing had ever asked Pastor Stearns to get them come to him. He did not mind before a representative in the foreign field. his people and before God saying that Look at the money that has passed he had a joy and sense of God's presthrough his hands during the past four ence he had not known. He gave himyears: In 1889, $553.05; in 1890, self again to Christ .. through and $2443.50; in 1891, $4814.40, and in through, and wanted only to live for 1892, $6503.44, or more than $14,300 in Him." all, increasing from year to year. Last year this indefatigable pastor held 621 A catechist said he believed he had services for Bible study, and travelled six years ago received the Holy Spirit, safely over 17,500 miles to reach 13 but through carelessness he thought Bible classes and several conferences. lost His presence. Now he thanked His present weekly appointments are 14 God He had come back to him. He regular services, involving over 500 wanted now just to please Christ and miles of travel. The classes give vol- leave off every single thing else. untary thank-offerings, which, after deducting travelling expenses, are wholly Such news as this among Christians devoted to missions. near to us makes us so long for the Spirit's working in mighty power here. Pastor Stearns's unobtrusive report We are expecting soon to have a day of prayer for our church here.
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OJ!' MISSIONS
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
Syria,* Egypt,t theJews,t Education.§ THE PRESENT ATTITUDE OF THE JEWS hundred years ago the great historian IN RELATION TO CHRlSTIANI'l'Y. Basnage, who devoted so much time and careful labor to this subject, esti- BY REV. DAVID BARON. mated that the number of Jews had inl his day, after centuries of untold suffer-, In speaking of the present phase of iugs, dispersions, and massacres, been! mission work among the Jews, let me reduced to scarcely 3,000,000, so that in, first, in merest outline, give a bird's-eye about two hundred years they have inview of that peculiar people which, in creased fourfold. Considering the ad- Europe at any rate, is fast becoming verse circumstances under which it has what the prophet Zechariah foretells of been going on, this rapid increase of their past and yet future metropolis, " a the Jewish people is wonderful, and burdensome stone for all the peoples," must be regarded as a sign of the times. In whose midst they have been tossed The God who caused Israel to multiply about for centuries, in fulfilment of the so enormously after years of cruel bond- Word of God. age just before their deliverance from Egypt, is repeating the miracle now,' One of the peculiarities of the Jewish that, as we believe, the Dayspring from' field 'is its exteMvene8s. Any other on high is once again about to visit, field, however vast, still only brings to them. It is a notorious fact that in cerour mind a particular region of the tain parts of the world the Jews increase globe, and is for that reason more or less in proportion to their Gentile neighbors local in its character, but the Jewish at the ratio of three to one. It shows, sphere may indeed without exaggera- even apart from prophecy, that at any tion be termed univer8al, for is there a rate the Jewish nation is not as yet likesingle country in the world to which ly to become defunct from exhausted the Diaspora does not extend? Dr. vitality. Another fact to be noted is Keith has well said: "If the simple that although scattered over the whole fact of Israel's dispersion is one of the surface of the globe, the great bulk of most astounding events in history, the these millions of Jews has for all these, extent and remoteness of the countries centuries been located in Central and which have been the scene of it are per- Eastern Europe; thus, Russia alone, or, haps more remarkable still." The num- that part of Darkest Russia known as ber of Jews now in the world cannot be "the Pale of Settlement," embracing less than 12,000,000. I am aware that only some twenty-five governmental dismuch lower figures are given by so- tricts, including Poland, out of about called authorities, but their estimates seventy-five such districts into which are either based upon ancient statistics this huge empire is divided, has a Jew", or are mere guesses without solid foun- ish population of at least '4,000,000, dation. Having been permitted to while the Austrian Empire has about travel extensively in those parts of the 2,000,000 Jews, of which number beworld where the masses of my people tween 600,000 and '700,000 are in Hunare located, and having devoted atten- gary, and about 500,000 in the one tion to the subject, I may claim to northern province of Galicia. It will speak with some amount of authority. be seen from this that God, who has Note this remarkable fact: About two foreordained the course of Israel's wan- derings and dispersions, has in His provi- * !lee pp_ 6U (September), 899,!J06 (present dence arranged it so that the great mass of them should be sojourners in that issue). part of the world where the name of f See pp. 892 (December, 1892), 895 (preseut issue). ~ See also pp. 349 (1.ay), 892 (present issue). § Sec pp. 105 (February), 584,611 (August), S42 (November), and 881 (present Issue). Jesus of Nazareth, the rejection of and human folly," as Dean Milman has whom brought about their banishment, well styled the Talmud, in which the is at least nominally professed. Is there mental ingenuity of the Jew finds suffi- no purpose in this? With regard to the cient scope for all the rest of his life.
4,000,000 or 5,000,000 Jews in Russia- Of this class of Jews, forming, as we and the same is true, also, of Galicia, have said, the bulk of the nation, it may Roumania, and other parts of Eastern more particularly be said that they are Europe-it has to be borne in mind that " a people dwelling alone and not reck- owing, on the one hand, to circum- oned among the nations," of whose his· stances into which I cannot now enter, tory, ways of thinking, and even lan- and, on the other hand, to legal proscrip- guage, they are ignorant. They move tions, they are almost entirely massed in a world of ideas of their own whicp.
together in towns and cities, and only are scarcely comprehensible to the ordi· very few, even in the Pale of Settlement, nary Gentile.
are found in villages. There are many Like the Pharisees of old, they are towns in those parts where the propor- often indiscriminately condemned as tion of Jewish population varies from hypocrites or fanatics ; but the truth is one to two thirds and even three fourths. that, as among the Pharisees in the days From this it will be seen that in Russia of Christ, so among the Talmudical and Eastern Europe the Jew is a power- Jews, there are many Nathanaels, of ful factor, judged even from the point whom it may be said that they are, of numbers, putting aside the fact, which " according to the law, blameless"-men seems to me at the bottom of a good walking consistently according to the deal of the anti-Semitic agitation, that light they have, and whose lives are by his superior energy and habits of noble examples of religious zeal and un· frugality and thriftiness, he naturally selfishness; though, alas I it is true also places his Gentile neighbor in a less that the minds of most have been per· favorable position in the struggle for ex- verted and their sense of sin blunted by istence. the traditions of men, so that they are Religiously, the Jewish nation over vainly going about seeking to establish a the whole globe may be divided into four righteousness of their own.
classes. Without attempting to describe Next we have the famous sect of· the or classify, I may just enumerate them, 0ha88idim, which originated with that as this may help to form !'- sound judg- remarkable man Rabbi Israel Baalshem ment on the question of Jewish evangeli- during the eighteenth century, and zation. First, there are the ordinary which has a following of about 1,000,- Talmudical or Conservative Jews, em- 000, with Galicia and Southern Russia bracing by far the largest part of the as its strongholds. These have turned whole nation and answering in many somewhat from the letter of Talmud· respects to the Pharisees in the days of ism, and have gone in for the mysticism Christ. Of most of these it may be said of the Kabbalah. They are ascetic in that they have a zeal for God, 'but not practice, and their particular tenets are according to knowledge. These still "that purity and holiness, and not cling to and are buoyed up in all times learning or knowledge of the Talmud, of persecution and suffering by the hope is the great requisite for obtaining a of the speedy coming of the long-Iooked- high spiritual life, and that the Holy for Messiah and a restoration to their Spirit operates still through certain own land. Their education is purely chosen vehicles called Zadikim (right· religious or" Jewish." It begins with eous ones), who are endowed with the Hebrew alphabet, goes on to the miraculous gifts, and who are particu.
Prayer-Book, and from that to the He- larly qualified to be mediators between brew Scriptures, and culminates with ~od and their believing disciples. " To that" encyclopredia of human wisdom the Chassid, the Zadik, or miracle·work·, ing rabbi, is the same as the Pope to the need of the Jewish people, and without most bigoted Roman Catholic. Many a moment's hesitation he replied: " The will sell all they have and undergo all coming of the Son of David." " There sorts of privation in order to make a are thousands of Jews and millions of pilgrimage to the man whom they be- Gentiles," I said, "who believe that lieve to stand in the nearest possible re- the Son of David has come in the time lationship to God. To get the rabbi's of the second temple, as foretold by the blessing is worth more to them than the prophets. " He remained silent for whole world. The Chassidic Jews hold a while, and then replied: " I know the the maxim that" scripture is to be in- Protestants believe it, but our eyes have terpreted, not according to the letter, not yet seen the salvation of God." Be- but according to the spirit," around fore parting he told me that a New which has grown the huge pile of Kab- Testament was presented to him in Con- balistic literature, much of which stands stantinople about twenty years before, in the same relation to Judaism as the which, however, he had not read; .. but writings of Swedenborg to Christianity_ now,'; he said, "after our interview I The third division is the ever-grow- will take up that book and examine it."
ing Ref<»'med section, of which the Jew- The first question which arises in our ish philosopher, Moses Mendelssohn, minds, after a bird's-eye view of the na· who was born in Dassau, Prussia, in tion as a whole is thus presented is, 1729, is generally regarded as the fa- " What attitude do these different sec- ther. This division includes Jews of tions assume to Christianity 1" I say very diverse opinions. ranging from to" Christianity," and looking over its those who only reject the traditions of history in relation to the Jews, one be- the rabbis to those who have thrown comes painfully impressed with the fact overboard even the Old Testament and that it must be distinguished from are avowedly rationalistic, if not infidel. Christ and the Gospel. It may sound The fourth and last division is nu- exaggeration in the ears of Christians merically small, but is in many respects in England and America when I say tile most interesting section of the dis- that millions of Jews are as ignorant of persed people. They may be termed Christ as are the unevangelized tribes Protestants among the Jews. inasmuch in Central Africa; and as to the New as they have never accepted the Talmud Testament, except to comparatively or traditions of men, and have faithfully few, its very existence is unknown.
held to Moses and the prophets, on Many times and in different parts of whIch account they have been greatly the world, in the course of my mission- persecuted by the Talmudic Jews, who ary journeys, I have received congratu- do not intermarry with them, and in lations from Jews who took me for the every way treat them as they treated author of the book they had for the first the Samaritans of old. They are called time received from my hands, and that Karaitea, or Kiiralm-i_e., readers; book was the New Testament, 80 little those who have kept to the written law did they know of its history or con- in contrast to the oral law of tradition_ tents! .. Christianity," or, more cor- Their chief seat is the Crimea on the rectly, "Christendom, It the seven or Black Sea, though there are communi- eight millions of Jews in Central and ties of them scattered over the East. Eastern Europe have seen, and, alas I During one of my visits to Cairo, where felt; and it they hate with great de-.
there is a very ancient community of testation and abhorrence; so that I can about 400 families of .Kii.rli:Ites, I met in testify to this fact from experience that their synagogue by special appointment there is much less opposition to the the chief rabbi, a noble patriarchal Jew. Gospel when first preached on the part In the course of conversation I asked of Jews who live in Mohammedancoun- him what he thought was the greatest tries, like Morocco and Asia Minor, than there is on the part of those who live in tians in Germany and other lands to Christendom. So much for the rab- join in the anti.Semitic agitation, a binical or orthodox Jews, both Tal- movement altogether opposed to the mudic and Chassidic. spirit of Christ and fraught with many The attitude of the Reformed Jews in dangers to Christendom. The limit of countries like Germany, Austria, Eng- space at my disposal forbids my enter- land, and America is somewhat differ- ing into a review of Jewish missions ent. Most of these are intelligent and and that which has been accomplished educated, and are brought in constant within this century so eventful in the touch with so·called " Christian" history of Jewish emancipation and thought and literature. Unconscious- evangelization. This deserves and may ly they have been permeated with receive separate treatment (D. V.) at Western ideas, and they cannot but some future time. All I can do now is see and feel that the coming of Christ just briefly to remark on the great has wonderfully affected the history of change in relation to the Gospel which the world; but, speaking generally. the is at the present undoubtedly passing tendency of this class is toward ration- over the Jewish nation. Putting aside alism and negation, and. from a Gospel the vague, exaggerated reports based on point of view. they are less hopeful than no solid foundation which lead those even the most bigoted of their orthodox unacquainted with the facts of the case brethren, who still tenaciously cling to to believe that untold thousands of Jews the Hope of Israel. Some prominent are now pressing into the Church, and leaders of this" Reformed" ·or "Pro- that we are on the verge of the entire gressive" school have taken up the un- nation becoming Christian, I have no tenable and inconsistent position of re- hesitation in saying that the tone and garding the Lord Jesus as a great and attitude of large numbers of Jews in re- good man, and have even extolled the lation to Christ, in countries where ethical teaching of Christ as in advance hard, persevering Gospel work has been of Moses and the prophets, while they carried on for some time, have under- repudiate utterly His claims to divinity, gone a remarkable change. It is a great and regard Christian doctrine, espe· thing in itself that the Christ-question cially the great and central fact of the is becoming familiarized in the minds atonement, " as· a return to the crude of Jews, and that Talmudic Judaism barbaric ideas of primitive times, and is putting out its hand, however trem- altogether opposed to progressive views blingly, to receive the New Testament, of religion. " Reformed Judaism speaks and listening, though as yet with hesi- in vague but impUdent terms of its fu- tating ear, as to who this Jesus of Naza- ture mission on the earth when Chris- reth, whom it has hitherto hated with- tianity shall have become effete, regard- out knowing why, really was.
less of the fact that it is itself utterly To an eagerness on the part of many apostate from God, and has nothing but Jews in all parts of the world to hear of cold negations and abstractions to offer Christ and to receive the New Testa- which have never yet brought hope or ment I can bear personal testimony. In comfort to any man. The Christian Germany, Austria, the Balkan States, standing on the impregnable rock of North Africa, in many places on the the New Testament truth, against which Mediterranean coast, as well as in even the gates of hell shall never pre- Egypt, Palestine, and Asia Minor, we vail, can well afford to smile at such have had Jews flock to us in some vain, empty boasting; but I refer to it places from early morning to late at simply to show the spirit of this type of night to hear and dispute about Christ.
rationalistic Judaism which has to some Even in centres of Chassidic Jewish extent to thank itself for provoking bigotry, in Galicia and Roumania, we earnest·minded butunenlightened Chris- have had our rooms packed with Jews in their long kaftans· and peyoth (side er, and a score of others less known, curls either side the beard), eagerly and respectfully discussing the claims of devoted their best energies with remark- Christ, some of whom gratefully accepted the New Testament, which but a able success, so that, apart from the few years ago they would not even touch with their hands, regarding it as hundreds of baptisms, by means of an unclean thing. I cannot here enter into the causes which by the overruling J;llany temporary stations, itinerant misprovidence of God have brought this change about, but I may just enumer- sions, and a mission press. the whole ate them: region was penetrated with evangelical I. It' is the outcome of nearly a century's prayerful toil on the part of Jew- truth, and in a comparatively short time ish missions aud societies, some of whom, alas I have not continued long over 15,000 New Testaments, 10,000 in their first love and zeal, and are now in danger of degenerating into mere Old Testaments, and more than 100,000 " organizations." What she has sown in tears more than half a century ago tracts setting forth the claims of Jesus the Church of Christ is now permitted to reap in joy. It is a remarkable fact inamanner adapted to Jews·were circu· that however much interest in the Jewish mission cause has lacked in quan- lated. I sometimes hear it said that the tity, it has not lacked in quality. The sympathies of some of the holiest as most notable conversions from among well as the ablest of the servants of Christ within this century has been en- Jews-my friends Joseph Rabinowitz listed in this truly Christ-like work, so full of hope for the world and in regu- and Rabbi Lichtenstein for example lar blessing to the Church herself. While painfully conscious of the inade- -are not the results of missions to quacy and sometimes questionable means and methods adotlted, I am the Jews, but of the study of the New struck, in studying the history of Jewish missions, with the amount of self- Testament. Every conversion, if true, sacrificing love, devotion, and sanctified ability which have been brought to this is directly the result of the Word of task. 'fake as an instance the" Pale of Settlement" in Darkest Russia, on God applied by the Spirit of God; but which a great deal of interest has recently been centred, and where, as we how came it that Rabinowitz and Lichhave seen, about four millions of Jews are to be found. Let it not be forgot- tenstein had New Testaments to read ? ten that for nearly forty years, from 1817 till the missionaries were suddenly Until this century, until the Jewish expelled at the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854, it was perhaps the most mission saw to its translation and print· hopeful and blessed of missions worked by the oldest English society, in which ing, there was no Hebrew New Testamen like Rabbi Schwarzenberg, N. Solomon, Rosenfeldt, Goldinger, Hoff, Alex- ment for use among the Jews. I ander McCaul, Reichardt, F_ W. Beck. II. Secondly, I want to record my conviction, based upon experience, that the testimony of Rabinowitz among the orthodox Talmudical Jews in Russia, and of Rabbi Lichtenstein among the more educated Reformed Jews in Aus- tria-Hungary and Germany, has helped not a little in bringing about the change which I have indicated. The impor- tance of the testimony and example of these two men and its effect upon the Jewish nation Gentile Christians are scarcely able to gauge. There is suffi· cient reason to believe that there are other rabbis and leaders of Jewish thought convinced that Jesus is the Christ, though as yet lacking the cour- age to confess Him openly_ A few years ago I met in the Austrian capital an interesting young Jew, evidently a believer in the Lord J esns. While in the Yeshiva (Talmudical college) at Presburg. his mind was exercised with Messianic passages in the Old Testa- ment, of which he could obtain no "Sat· isfactory explanation in the Jewish commentaries or from the local rabbis. there been such an interest manifested in During a vacation in his own home in missions to the Jews. What is needed another part of Hungary, he went to at this juncture above all things is not his own rabbi to see if he could throw money, or even agents to swell the lists light on these difficult passages. This in reports, but the right kind of laborer8 rabbi, an aged man, took the young -men of God and with the fitness and man by the hand and solemnly told ability for this peculiar work; men with liim that the only satisfactory commen· the faith of Abraham, and with the sin- tary he could find on the Messianic pas- cerity, and missionary zeal, and un- sages is the New Testament I But a quenchable love for Israel which char- few weeks ago I saw quite a number of acterized the Apostle Paul; men who private letters addressed to Rabbi Lich- from the present darkness can look to tenstein by Jews from different parts the coming dawn when "all Israel of the continent in reference to his re- shall be saved" and" the glory 'of the cently published "Judenthum und Lord cover the earth as the waters cover Christenthum," some from rabbis and the sea."
teachers, most of which were encourag- The Graves Missionary Leotures. ing him in the position he has taken up, and thanking him for having had the A new course of lectures was deliv- courage as a Jewish rabbi to pay public ered in the First Reformed Church, homage to the long-despised Jesus of New Brunswick, N. J., by George Nazareth. Smith, LL.D., C.I.E., of Edinburgh, III. Lastly, anti-Semitism and the Scotland, as follows. The general sub- grosser forms of persecution to which ject was the conversion of India.
the Jews have been subjected in Russia Lecture I. Wednesday, October 4th, aud other countries, have contributed .. The Greek Attempt, through the indirectly to bring about this spirit of Nestorians. "
change in the Jewish world in relation Lecture II. Thl,lrsday, October 5th, to the Gospel. Our God ever brings .. The Roman Attempt, through the good out of evil and causes the wrath Jesuits, Franciscans, and Dominicans, of men to praise Him. The whole with a glance at the Dutch Attempt."
movement, based, for the most part, on Lecture III. Friday, October 6th, shallowness, lies, and inhumanity, by "The British East India Company's which these already apostate nations are Work of Preparation, and its Extinc- hastening the filling of the cup of their tion in 1858."
iniquity, has nevertheless seemed to re- Lecture IV. Wednesday, October mind backslidden, apostate Israel of the 11th, " Great Britain's Attempt, long-standing controversy between them through the Evangelical Societies and and their God, and has caused some to Churches since 1793, and especially ask themselves what the sin can be since 1858. "
which has brought upon them the retri- Lecture V. Thursday. October 12th, bution of so many long centuries; and " The United States of America's Zeal- in this indirect way their hearts have ous and Growing Co-operation in that been to some extent prepared to listen Attempt."
to the claims of Christ. Lecture VI. Friday, October 13th.
Al!, may be said of all missions, so "The Methods, the Results, and the may it perhaps more especially be said Prospects of the Evangelical Missions of the Jews, the present is undoubtedly to India and Southern Asia."
a great day of opportunity for the These lectures were open to the pub- Church of God. A door is open as lic, and though unable to be present, never before, and, blessed be God, the we doubt not fully sustained the world- Church is .awaking to a sense of her wide reputation of the author, who is in duty to the Jew, for never before has Great Britain an authority on missions.
MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED :BY REV. D. L. LEONAlID.
Extraots a.nd Translations from Foreign utmost freedom in regard to words and Periodioals. idioms, and might even compel some- BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, times a change of figures used. It MASS. would imply an amount of labor in com- INDIA. parison with which the other method of -" Most of our Christian literature is translation is almost child's play. And translatlon-our Bible, our commentaries, our prayers, and even our hymns; it would further necessitate this-that these last translated to the very metre, whether longor peculiar. This has prob- the hands of the translators should be ably been inevitable, but the question is, • Has not translation been fundamentally continually on that literature which misunderstood?' For the Bible there isa certain foregone standard of translation most widely influences the people, and which has been made to assert itself imperiously and diastrously through all out of which their thought and language the rest of our work. I regard the Bible work of those Who have gone be- have been formed. But though the fore U8 with great reverence and thankfulness. The more I look into the trouble implied is beyond expression, Kanarese version-the one I commonly use-the more do I feel what conscien- the result of translation on such princitious and unstinting pains must have been bestowed upon it. But when this ples would be to make the people feel has been said, the question still remains whether the reproduction of the origi- that the Bible is one of their own books nal text, idiom for idiom, and almost word for word, even to the particles, is -powerful, attractive, one that cannot true translation. The book remains essentially a foreign book, out of which be ignored. those who labor at it will extract much good ; but for common Christians it is .. Now, I do not suppose that this astumbling·block and to non-Christians it makes no appeal. The letter has method of Bible translation is ever likebeen retained, but for the most part the spirit has forever fled. It is like fire ly to be largely adopted in the vernacuphotographed instead of fire transferred; the warmth and cheer are gone lars of this country. The old principle out of it. The true idea of translation is not the substitution of a set of words has held sway too long and too firmly in one language for a similar set of words in another. It rather means the in England to permit of the Bible Society conveyance to readers of the very idea, Without addition or subtraction or sanctioning any serious departure from change of emphasis, that was conveyed to those into whose hands the original it in India. But that same method has was put. Carried out to its legitimate issues, this definition would involve the been largely employed in our other work and has vitiated it incalculably.
Whatever we may say of the letter of the Scriptures, there is no reason why the letter of commentaries should be re- produced; nay, no reason why whole'
sections of the English prayer-book should be laboriously transverbated when its petitions and aspirations can be adequately render(ld in character- istic Indian phrase and measure. It is this painfully close and unadapted re- production of foreign literature that makes me say that by our literature for the native Church, as produced hith- erto, we are going fast to make a pecul- iar people of our Christians, who, how- ever zealous they may be, will find themselves stopped at every tum by a conscious gap between themselves and their neighbors. .
.. Some men who have joined the Church a~ter middle life, and who up
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
to that time had drunk deeply of Hindu AFRICA.. literature, have found it a serious and even discouraging effort to accustom _co One of the most recent undertakthemselves to our style of literature. ings of the Rhenish Society is a mission And when they have mastered some among the OVambos, who live to the portions of it, they have found it neces· north of Herreroland. Having built a sary to translate it afresh for themselves, house for themselves and made some not formally, but none the less really, impression on the people, the two misbefore they could make any use of it. sionaries went down to the Cape to meet I have known one or two such men. their brides on their arrival from Ger· One was a Brahmin. He had read in· many. The journey there and back tently the best standard Kanarese litera· necessarily involved much time, and ture and a good deal of Sanskrit-read they feared that in their absence their as one who loved it and let his mind dwelling might be destroyed, and the bathe itself in it. When about thirty whole work might have to be begun years of age this man was brought into afresh. To their great astonishment contact with the Bible by a teacher ex· and delight they not only found their ceptionally able, patient, and sympa· house as they had left it, but they were thetic-one, too, who felt much in view also most heartily welcomed by the of the foreign character of our Christian chiefs and their people. During the first literature. This teacher read with him days after their arrival their reception. and encouraged him at every step to reo room was full from morning to night, produce what he had read in his own and numbers of men lay on the ground way, the way of his books. To hear outside. The European ladies were that man, after four or five years of this naturally regarded with much curiosity, kind of work, expound in thoroughly being the first white women ever seen Hindu fashion the essential teachings in the land. In addition to the station of the Gospel, was to me a perfect reve· at Ondjiva, preparations have been lation of what might be done with our made to found another at Omupanda. native preachers. A crowded audience Here also the arrival of the missionary listened to him with eager, and in many was welcomed, and it was noticed that places excited, attention. He swayed at the services many women were pres· them as he pleased, and from beginning ent. "-The Ohronicle. to end we had a fine exhibition of prop· erly , Hinduized Christianity.' -1IL Ellenberger, of the French Ba· suto Mission, writes: .. The impression "The principle, then, on which I grows stronger and stronger on me that wish to insist, and which I believe to the reign of the chiefs will not last ten be vital to Christian literature in this years longer, for they are enemies of all country, is this-that the books provid· progress and of Christianity, egoists, ' ed for our native Ohristians should be traitors, proud, devourers of the people, ca1'efully related to Hindu thought, ex· liars, etc. N'KueM becomes more and pressed in its terms, done in its style, more the image of his father-doubleadopting where it can its positions, and tongued, and seeking in everything only leading on, still in Hindu fashion and his own advantage. It is impossible with its terminology, from points of that such chiefs can remain much longer agreement to essential points of difference. the tyrants of this people, a people To continue to send forth works of the which God, so to speak, has chosen out old type will be to continue fatally to from among the tribes of South Africa denationalize our Christians, far more to be a blessing to it and to cause it to fatally than by taking off their tuft of prosper in a special degree. From the hair or changing their food or cos· day when the present incumbents of tume."-Rev. HENRY HAIGH, in Hal" power shall cease to reign, the people fJe,!Jt Fidel. will convert themselves in a body, and
MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
will then take 'giant strides in civiliza- now a centre of loyalty and order among tion and in the handicrafts for which they have a special aptitude."-Journal native populations, and a source of sg.p- des Mi88iona. ~ly of food and labor to the neighbor. -" The latest describer of Liberia, Buttikofer, speaks very appreciatively mg States. The output of grain, cat- of the Lutheran station Muhlenberg, which lies inward from Monrovia, tle, and native produce from Basutoland twelve hours up the St. Paul's River. The traveller was especially impressed last year reached the value of £250,000, by the service, at once solemn and sim- ple, which he attended-the sermon of and p6a0s,0s0es0wnaetrie~iesssuwehdotowbeenttwteoewn 5o0rk00in0 :&1r. Day, so well accommodated to the and comprehension of his hearers, and the combination of missionary with agricul- the mines of Kimberley and Johannis- tural activity. The mission thus at once gives its foster-children useful em- berg. The drink traffic has been near- ployment, and .supports itself by the produce of its plantations. Mr. Day is ly stopped. For five years there has well known far inland, and the natives name him with a certain reverence, as been no fighting among the chiefs. To he has understood how to impress them by energetic activity and strict adhe- the French Protestant mission of the rence to right, as also to gain their con- fidence by engaging friendliness. "- Paris Evangelical Society very much of Allgemeine MisltionB-Zeitaehrift. this progress and prosperity has been -" A recent letter of a Time8 cor- respondent gives an interesting and owing. It has in Basutoland 18 princi. graphic account of Basutoland. Basu- toland has been described as the Switz- pal stations and 129 out-stations, with erland of South Africa, and the Basu- tos may claim to be the Swiss. They 8000 children on its ordinary school have defended their fastnesses again and again against troops superior to rolls and some 700 young men in train- them in armament and military knowl- edge; even British arms on one occa- ing, either as teachers or in industrial sion experienced a severe repUlse. But they are not naturally warlike ; on the institutions where trades are taught. contrary, they are a peaceful, indus- triOUB, and hardy people. Theirs is a The mission stations have houses of country of rocks and waterfalls with higher peaks tipped with snowor :glow- brick, and well-planted gardens, with ing red and purple under the reflection • of the sky.' The country has an area of churches and school-houses. The ques- Bome 10,2113 square miles, of which the greater part is mountain. Our readers tions of race and labor, the most impor- may recall the anarchy that prevailed there some years ago. All this is hap- tant in South Africa, are thus being pily at an end, thanks very much to Sir Marshall Clarke, who i~ 1884 took up gradually solved largely by such mis.
at.hseitpuoastiitoionnwohficRheshiedelnlQtWCohmQlmdsi.ssioInteir~ sions as those of Basutoland and of other societies in other regions."-OltuTch.
Missionary Intelligeneer.
MADAGASCAR.
-The Madagascar News contains a notice of the Antananarivo Annual, edited by Rev. J. Sibree, F.R.G.S., and Rev. R. Baron, F.L.S., F.G.S., mis- sionaries of the London Missionary So- ciety. Of its eighteen titles, all are de- scriptive of the great island in its vari- ous aspects, historical, ethnological, botanical, zoological, and bibliographi- cal. The price is lB. 6d., to be sent to Mr. S. Ashwell, London Missionary So- ciety Press, Imarivolanitra, Antanana- rivo, Madagascar.
-" A greater piece of political rob· bery was never enacted than the con- vention between Lord Salisbury and the French, whereby the noble lord attempt- ed to give to France that which belonged neither to the giver nor the would-be receiver. • • • The French do not
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
really want Madagascar, but they are Hovas are on amicable terms with the under the false impression that Eng- French Resident General French as land wants to bag it. For these suspi- well as English and American enterprise cions there are not the slightest grounds is free to develop the resources of the beyond the fact that we have been the island, but the citizens of the republic greatest land-baggers the world has are apathetic on the subject. The ever seen; but our French neighbors French Resident has only a small garforget that many of our colonies have rison at Antananarivo and Tamatave. been acquired at the request of the na· M. de Mahy is in despair of a new extives, or the plums have in some unex- pedition to Madagascar, as well he mar 'pected way dropped into our mouths. be, after the heavy bill that has been With Madagascar the matter is differ· run up in conquering the King of Daent, and the arrangement made between homey and his Amazons. "-Madagascar Napoleon III. and Lord Palmerston is News. a clear proof that even in the days of English colonial expansion she had no -" England's action in arranging designs on Madagascar. It, therefore, with France the future course of forseems to me that some means should be eign influence in Madagascar becomes found for removing the distrust and jeal- the more surprising the more the interousy which exist between the subjects ests jeoparded by that action are considof the two great nations concerned, to ered. Possibly the British Government the great ad vantage of both, but to IJave the right to destroy a British civilthe greater disadvantage of the Mala- ization in countries where England has gasy. . . ' Considering the fact that only continuity of moral policy to pur- Madagascar has more Nonconformist sue; possibly they have the right to churches and adherents than any other forego British interests on one country mission field In the world, it is surely so as to acquire the power to develop the duty of the Protestant Dissenting them in another land, even though that deputies"-in Parliament-" to take land be but a cyclone-swept sand-bank, some official action in the fl'iendly set· an infinitesimal speck of land in the vast tlement of a question of such vast im- waste of the Indian Ocean; but though portance to Protestant Dissenting mis- a British Government may have the sion churches. "-ABRAHAM KINGDON, right to bring ruin to the work of Engin Madagagca,r New8. land's sons and daughters, no right can possibly be claimed when the destruc- . -" It was complained the other day tion of British iotere,ts brings crashing in the French Chamber of Deputies that down the interests of other countries. the British are devouring Madagascar How the interests of citizens of the like an artichoke,leaf by leaf. ' Unless United States of America may suffer by public opinion in France asserts itself,' England's treacherous Rbandonment of said the indignant deputy for Reunion, Madagascar we have alrcady p3inted • this island. as large as ancient Gaul, out. North America, however, can take will have entirely passed into the hands care of herself, and, as in the instance of British or Americans, and our suze- of the Alabama claims, can persuade rainty will then be merely an ill usory England to award her c.llnpeosation of one.' M. de Mahy did not condescend British illegal acts. It is Norway for to explain that the so-called protectorate whom we are concerned. The Noris a myth, which the lIa!agasy Queen wegians, relying on the continuity of has always repUdiated. That Her Ma- Great Britain's moral policy, fired with jesty has recently granted concessions admiration by the success of British misof territory for the cultivation of sJIgar sions to this country, have come over to and the extraction of minerals is an im- help in the stupendous task of civilizing portant step in,advance. Just now the and Chrintianizing Madagascar. Five-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELUGENCE
and-twenty years ago they came to work traordinary movement in favor of tem- in loyal accord, and never have they de- perance. Thousands of them have taken parted from that intention. With a the pledge. The English clergy who noble generosity they have scrupulous- are in charge of the natives give hope- ly carried out their original intent, and ful account of the prospect of recon- instead of trespassing on tracks hewn verting the Hau-Haus, who abandoned out by their British colleagues, they the Church at the time of the war. The have gone out into the wilderness, and name is taken from the cry which they oft in sickness and tribulation, amid adopted-a kind of imitation of a dog's • constant danger to life and property,' bark. Their religion is a mixture of labored to bring the heathen barbarian the Bible-chiefly the Old Testament- . to a following of the creed and civili· and their native superstitions. Hau- zation of Christianity. "-Madagascar Hauism was simply another aspect of News. their rebellion against the English.
Rightly or wrongly, they were burning MISCELLANEOUS. under a sense of injury, and when they -Periodical Accolunt8 (Moravian), threw off the yoke of England, they speaking of Messrs. Schreve, Heyde, threw off alung with it their obedience and Ribbach, of the Thibet Mission, to the Church of England. says: "By the way, the wives of the "But with all their faults they are, three men just mentioned remind one as Samuel Marsden has said, 'a noble how wonderfully some Moravian fami- race, vastly superior in understanding lies are spread far and wide over the to anything you can imagine of a sav- face of the earth in the same glorious age nation.' Their generous and chivalservice. Mrs. Schreve was a Miss Lar- rous nobility. their fine sense of honor, sen. Her parents are missionaries in their splendid bravfcTY, their Christian Jamaica, and hpr late brother was in sensibility, they showed over and over Surinam or Dutch Guiana. Mrs. Rib- again in their wars with us. They albach was a Miss l'tleyer. Her father lowed wagons of ammunition and prowas a marvellously energetic pioneer in vision to pass untouched on Sunday. Kaffraria, and her brother is one of the These men, who once were cannibals, pioneers of the new Moravian Mission neither robbed nor mutilated the dead, in Central Africa to the north of Lake but granted permission for their burial, Nyassa. Mrs. Heyde was a Miss Hart- and they tended the wounded. In the mann. Her mother buried her husband defence of the Gate Pah, to which I among the primeval forests of South have referred, a little band of 300 . America, and remained alone among Maoris repulsed with fearful loss more the bush negroes of that malarial region, than 1600 English troops, who ad vanced carrying on the. good work in which he upon them with the best rifles and four had laid down his life. Of her two batteries of artillery. And it was in the brothers, one was a missionary in South night after this fearful battle, in which Africa, the other has seen service among I the Forty-third Regiment lost, so they the blacks of Australia, the Eskimos of say, more officers than any regiment ot Waterloo, that Henare Taratoa, who Alaska. and the Indians of 'Canada. "
had written on the orders for the day -Canon Mason, quoted in the Intel· the text, 'If thine enemy hunger, feed ligencer, says of the Maoris of New Zea- him; if he thirst, give him drink, , crept land: through the English lines at the immi- "It is surprising that, with all they nent risk of his own life, to fetch a cup have undergone, there should still be of water for a wounded enamy who lay some thirty thousand Christians. And dYing within the pale. And no race of then these have a wonderful power of men can be more courteous and bright recovery. There has been lately an ex- and hospitable."
1898.J ENGLISH NOTES
English Notes. the work greatly of late, and the pow- ers of evil are much stirred. A few BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS. weeks since Mr. Barnard, with a Span- ish colporteur and Miss Brown, who A Stundist'8 Faith Honored.-Thdol· were distributing tracts in the Spanish lowing incident, received from an au- quarter, were stoned by the priests; but thentic source, has just appeared in The God protected them from harm. Many Ohristian: "Quite lately a large num· of the Spani :rds, both men and women. ber of Russian criminals were standing have been converted." Mr. Patrick in the courtyard of their prison chained says, " No words can teIr how fierce is together, and about starting for their the persecution we are endu·ing. Men long, sad journey into Siberian wilds. are being turned out of their houses and Among them was one Christian Stund- have the greatest difficulty in getting ist. sharing their banishment and pun- others. as the friars speak against our ishment simply because he had spoken people to all the landlords in Tangier. to his fellow-workmen about the faith One man has been turned out of four which made him count all things as houses in less than a year. Some dross for Christ's sake. His fellow- twelve or fourteen people have been prisoners were jeering him about it, 8ummoned to the Consulate and grossly 'saying, • But you are no better off than insulted and abused by the consul with- we are. You are wearing the bracelets' in the last month. The falsest of (handcuffs) • as we do; if your Goel is charges have been made against Mr. of any use to you, why doesn't He Barnard, Miss Brown, and myself, by knock off your chains and set you a friar, through the Spanish consulate free?' The man reverently replied, •If to the English consul. Truly we are the Lord wilf, He can set me free even beset on every side I" now; and though my hands are chained, my heart is free!' At that very mo- -Mr. J. J. Edwards, in connection ment a voice was heard calling him by with his journey into' the interior of • name and telling him that a paper had Morocco, has met with a variety of in- just been received granting him a full cident. A shereef, Manlai EI Hadj, pardon. He was then told to stand hospitably entertained him'; and on that aside, and his chains were struck off. occasion he had an interesting conversa- At the same time the prison gates were tion with tho Kadie-i.e., Civil Judge- thrown open and all the rest of the con- about the divinity of Christ. The Kaid, victs filed out, the Stundist alone re- or Governor, was also present. The maining behind with permission to re- Shereef went so far as to say that Christ turn to his family and friends. It is was equal to Mohammed, and, if need said that the prisoners were perfectly be, he and a hundred thousand whom awe-stricken and solemnized with the he could influence were ready to be- impression of what they had wit- come Messiaheen-i.e., followers of nessed." Unknown to himself, a Chris- Christ. tian lady had asked and obtained his pardon, and the Great Time-keeper had -Mr. Lamb has been continuing the ordered its arrival at the critical mo- translation of St. Matthew's gospel in- ment. "They that know Thy name to Kabyle, and correcting the proof of will put their trust in Thee, for Thou, St. Mark's gospel. Quite a number of Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek talebs (disciples of Mohammed) have Thee" (Ps. 9 : 10). come specially to ask for books.
North Africa.-The Spanish work so -Mr. Brading, who is laboring in long carried on by Mr. Patrick and his Algiers in connection with Miss Trothelpers in Tangier is undergoing a time ter's work, reports some interesting of persecution. God has been blessing facts in a circular letter just issued.
'50 GENEItAL MISSIONARY lNTlllLLIGENClll
-The Rev. Jamef! Stephens, of High- closes with the observation" that Ohrisgate Road, London, during a prolonged tians of independent means will find in vacation, through· ill- bealth, visited Kabylia a great and very important Egypt and Palestine. He is known as work to do for the Lord. " a warm supporter of the North Africa Mission; and in connection with his Little Thwet.-The most promising recent visit to Egypt, he stayed a few sign in connection with the Moravian days at the mission house in Alexandria. mission to Little Thibet is the accept- This visit was most welcome to the ance the missionaries themselves have workers there, and his Bible readings found at the hands of the people. The on the call of Moses, Isaiah, Peter, etc., number of converts in this distant, and, were much enjoyed. for a considerable portion of the winter, inaccessible region, is but small; still A Tour in Kabylia.-An admirable "the Lamas and the people see that account of a tour among the mountains faith in Jesus Christ has a creative !lnd of Kabylia appears in Nm·th Africa. vital power," a power lacking in their The writer is L. Borel. the wife of a own effete creed. Mr. Heyde, of Kyl- Swiss ge~t1eman. The Kabyles, it lang, writes: "Our regular services are seems, are intelligent and industrious, eagerly attended by all; indeed, they fond of travel, and, in many cases, well have come to feel they could not do educated. Bigoted in their attachment without these Ohristian privileges. to the false prophet, they are yet im- They delight to read their Bibles for pressible ; and from what we can gather themsel ves and in their homes." from this Swiss lady, the missionaries have made more lteart-way with them From Poo, Mr. Schreve writes in a than head·way. "The missionaries," hopeful strain: "Though many hearts she writes, "are the providence of the are still closed to the Gospel, there is not places they live in, and the Kabyles ac- one of the inhabitants of Poo ill disknowledge it. A Kabyleoneday asked posed to the missionaries. The Rajah one of these ladies whether she was not of Kunawur has from the first favored afraid of living alone among them with- and aided the mission situated in his out hny one to protect her. 'You territory, and his testimony is this: 'It know,' he said, 'that we could harm is true the missionaries at Poo have not you.' 'You can harm me,' she replied; a great number of converts, but the peo- • but God watches over me.' • And me ple love them as if they were their faalso,' added the Kabyle. In another ther and mo' her.' " village a native said to a lady missionary: 'If anyone causes you pain be The M08kito COarJt, Oentral America. sure and tell us; we are all ready to -The experience of the Moravian band punish him.''' These incidents, and during the past year has been one of there are others even more striking nar- continued trial and triumph. Mr. Aurated, show the hold the missionaries gustus Erdman, .. the faithful and enerhave gained on the confidence of the getic superintendent," and "his not Kabyles. Thus far, however, the path less beloved and faithful wife," died on marked out for converts is of the thorn- the same day. The death of Mrs. iest description. To embrace the truth Kusching soon followed, after she had means generally to become a refugee ; been in the service of the mission only and the treatment refugees receive is a little more than a year. Then came such as to sift their faith and courage the wreck in a tornado of the mission to the foundations. "What surprises ship Meta. But" from every part of me," says this traveller, "is not that the field the news is encouraging-the there should be defections, but that all schools, the industries, the habits, the d. not lose courage." The narrative spiritual life of the people, all indicat- ing growth and stability." A new sta- tion is authorized to be opened in Nicaragua. Old Tembso, a convert at -In one of the stations in China two Twappi, one of the stations, when asked shoemakers worked together. The one just before he peacefully breathed his was a superior workman, the other a last, if he thought he was going to die, good exhorter. The first agreed to do replied: "There is no death for me ; I the work in the shop and let the other shall live forever I" May this mission give up half his time to missionary continue to enjoy, amid all trials, the toil, while he helped to sustain his blessing of more abundant life I family. One day's work a week from every one of the church·members of THE KINGDOM. America, estimating the wages at only $1 per day, would give $500,000,000 -That we have but little faith is and support 1,000,000 missionaries, or not sad, but that we have but little faith- one for every 1000 persons in foreign fulness. By faithfulness faith is earned. lands.-Rev. A. B. Simpacn. -Thoreau. -A woman living near Oroomiah -The Moravian missionary has a forded a river partly covered with ice, noble device-an ox between a plough time after time, with her child on her and an altar, with the words under- back, that she might hear the mission· neath, " Ready for either." Ready for ary preaching in another village. An sacrifice, and ready for service. old evangelist has travelled thousands of miles through Turkey, Persia and -India's Women has a department the Caucasus. He is blind and very headed •• Requests for Praise;" and homely, and is accompanied by a why not? How innumerable have friend, who is deaf, and has the use of been the requests for prayer, and how only one eye. They travel in a humble almost unheard of are requests to join manner, taking turns in riding their litin grateful recognition of special mer· tle donkey. Their only baggage is a cies I But Paul S8Y8: .. In everything covering for the night, and a portion of by prayer and supplication, with thanks- the Gospel in the raised alphabet. giving, let your requests be made known unto God. I exhort, therefore, that first -At a missionary meeting in Paris, of all, supplications, prayers, interces- a poor blind woman put 27 francs into sions, and gi'Ding of thankB, be made for the plate. .. You cannot alford so all men." much," said one. .. Yes, sir, loon," she answered. On being pressed to ex- -The religious idea at the bottom of plain, she said: .. I am blind; and I our civilization, says W. T. Harris, in said to my fellow straw-workers, • How the Atlantic Monthly, is the missionary much money do you spend in the year idea. The lowest must be lifted up by for oil for your lamps when it is too the highest-lifted into self-activity and dark to work nights?' They replied, full development of individuality. Any 'Twenty-seven francs.' So," said the problem relating to a lower race must poor woman, .. I fonnd that I save so be discussed in the light of this religious much in the year because I am blind, principle. and do not need a lamp; and I give it to send light to the dark heathen -The conception of mission work lands." which confines it to evangelism, pure and simple, is very meagre. It rather -A striking remark was made by includes the laying of the foundations Dr. MacGregor m the General Assemand the erection of the superstructure bly of the Church of Scotland. He read of the whole kingdom of God. It not in a very respectable newspaper that only means the saving of souls from de- the collection made for football alone in struction-it means their development the country-taking all that was coninto the image of Christ.-New York nected with it-amounted to £8,000,000 OlJurD8r. a year, while £1,500,000 was the total ness? For a mission teacher, who had sum raised in Great Britain for foreign lately entered the work in New Mexico, missions. spoke to one of the older girls, in whom she was especially interested, on the -Row strangely the good and the subject of bathing. She was met with bad are taken together from Christian the immediate reply: ".Oh, yes! me lands to pagan is seen in the statement bathes. Me a Presbyterian. Me hag to that in the South Seas the first word batbe. " usually learned is "missionary," and the next is " tobacco." And it is much -The Rev. E. P. Baker, of the to be feared that "whiskey" follows Hawaiian Islands, says that although hard after., his country is tbe smallest of nations, with a population of only 90,000, it has -The native Church of Polynesia more religions than any other, consid- sent 12 missionaries to New Guinea. ering its size. In one town alone were These were the first native Christians a Catholic church and 4 Protestant to reach the island, and they were all churches, speaking as many languages. killed. But this did not chill the devo- These held a sort of polyglot service a tion of the Polynesians. Then 15 mis- short time ago, in which there was sionaries were asked for, and 40 offered prayer and discourse in 5 tongues. to go. It was necessary to decide by lot who should stay at home. -" In the province of Quebec the ratio of Catholic to Protestant is 1000 -A Japanese senator recently got to 1." If this be so, then surely his hold of an exposition of part of the reverence, the Holy Father, should re- Bible. Reading it attentively, he pro- move thither if too much straitened fIX nounced Christianity a fine thing in room on the Seven Hills. theory; but the question was, Would it work practically? Thinking about it, -Farewells to missionaries appear to he became dissatisfied with his life, and be unprecedentedly and most encour- while in this state took a trip from agingly numerous this year. Take Okayama to Ozaka. On the same these as specimen cases, ot which tbe steamer was a Miss Barrows, and as he notice came almost within the same heard she was a Christian, he watched week: Tbe English Church Society her. Her deportment so impressed leads with 105, of whom 58 go out for him, that though not a word passed be- the first time. The Zenana Bible and tween them, he was convinced that Medical Mission took leave of 17; the Christianity was as good in practice as American Baptist Missionary Union of it was in theory; and on returning 27-an instalment of the 70 gone, or to home he hunted up a missionary, made go this year; the Canadian Baptists of It public profession of faith, and has 6 ; the American Board of 36 ; and the since been faithful in working for the United Presbyterians of 5. salvation of others. WOMAN'S WORK. -Eighteen workers were wanted in the Laos Mission, the native Christians -A little girl went home from a mis- were praying for them, and this was sionary meeting and said to her mother: the petition of one of the number: " 0 " There are only 8 missionaries in Siam, Lord, we beg you to send us these 18 but wben I grow up there's going to be teachers truly-not 17, but 18; not one more." even one left out-18 full !"-Field -If one person undertook to supply .~ the women and girls of India with Bibles, and was able to distribute 20,000 -Can it be that Calvinism also, being a day, year in and year out, it would so close to cleanliness, is next to godli- take over seventeen years to supply them all. ~ / -Can this be a "modern instance," week she secured the release of 2, 1 in or did it occur away back in the Dark San Francisco and 1 in San Jose. "
Ages? "Are you interested in zenana -The Woman's Missionary Society of work?" said one woman to another. the M. E. Church, South, has 38 repre- "I don't know much about it," replied sentatives in the field: 16 in China, 13 the other. "Is it anything like the in Mexico, 8 in Brazil, and 4 in the Ind- Kensington stitch ?" ian Territory. During this year 11 -In the New Hebrides women are have been sent out. In Mexico are 5 bought for wives, and payment is made boarding schocIs ar:d 11 day-schools, in pigs. The price varies in different with 1171 pupils, besides many women islands, from 1 pig on Fotuna, where under instruction. In all there are 53 women are plenty, to 20 on Santo, where schools with 2103 pupils. The appro- they are scarce, In some islands the priation for the current year is $94.245.
front teeth are knocked out before the woman is handed over to her husband. -The contributions to the Woman'R Foreign Missionary Society of the Pres- -Life and Light quotes from a letter byterian Church in Canada amounted concerning the work of Dr. Grace Kim· last year to $41,792, besides which a ball, of Van, Turkey, which says: "It balance from the previous year and is largely among the women and the other items brought up the total of its poor. This element of the population resources to $58,082. It has agents in has no one else to go to, for Turkish India, China, the New Hebrides, and doctors cannot see women, and will not Trinidad. In India the missionaries see the poor." fir:d the best opportunity for teaching -The Ponna Daily Telegraph gives the way of life to the women to be an account of the opening, by Lord through the women's hospital. Zenana Harris, Governor of Bombay, of a hos- and educational work is also well cared pital for women in connection with the for. Nine industrial and 3 day-schools Church of Scotland Zenana Mission. are supported in the Northwest Terri- It will be open to all, without respect tory and British Columbia.
to race or creed; at least three fourths -The income of the Church of Eng- of the beds will be entirely free, and it land Zenana Missionary Society was will at all times be open for inspection £35,600 ($106,800) last year. Twenty by a government female medical offi· new missionaries were sent out, making cer. It is mainly owing to the energy a total of 152. In addition, assistance of Miss Bernard, of the Zenana Mission, was given to 75 missionaries, 182 native that this important undertaking has Bible-women, and 365 native teachers.
been successfully carried out. Zenanas to the number of 3556 were -An industrial school for Mohamme- visited, and treatment was given to dan women is maintained in Guntur, 1049 in-patients and 163,098 out·pa- India, in connection with the American tients. Lutheran mission (General Synod), and AMERICA.
is said to be the only one of its kind in The United States.-The University the Madras Presidency, if not in all of Michigan has a Japanese student as- India. sociation with a membership of 13, and -The Occident of a late date says: has just enrolled 2 Chinese women as " To Miss Culbertson, the indefatigable students.
leader of our Chinese rescue mission -The following graduates of the Ohio work, it seems a profitless week that Wesleyan University sailed as mission- does not yield at least 1 slave girl aries September 12th: Rev. F. C. Hay- snatched from vice and bondage. Last ner, of the class of '90, and Mrs. Mabel S. Hayner, of the class of '91, for ian Territory-the Choctaws, Chick- Pekin, China; Miss Mary Harris, of the saws, Cherokees. Creeks, and Semi- same class, and Miss Lulu Frey, of '92, noles, 69,000 in all-have in bank and for Corea; and Miss Yukiye Nakao, of in the United States Treasury the snug the class of '93, in the art department, sum of $19,000,000, and besides own for Japan. 20,000,000 acres of land valued at $100,- -The Bible work in India has claimed 000;000, not to name live stock, grain, another of our American pastors. Dr. mills, etc. Moreover, they maintain Kellogg went out last year to take part 785 church organizations, with 422 in the new translation of the Scrip- houses of worship and 308 halls; and tures in the language of the Hindus. 28,521, or 41 per cent, are communi- Now the North Indian Bible Society has cants in the churches.
invited Dr. T. S. Wynkoop, of Wash- -The American Board gives the folington, D. C., to become its secretary, lowing statistical report for the year making Allahabad the place of his resi- ending October 1st: dence, and from that place directing the entire Bible work in Northern India, he Missions. . . •. . ••• . . . . . . . . . . . . . •• . •. .. . •. 20 retaining also liberty to engage in some Stations…….. …………………… 96 evangelistic work, as the way may be Out-stations……………. ___ …… ••• 1,128 opened. Places for stated preaching…. . •.• . . . . . 1,828 Average congregations……………… 69,357 -The day of martyrdom is not over, Ordained missionaries (10 physicians).. 183 and not only in the Orient, but in the Male physicians not ordained (and 6 New World, sacrifice of life is still 12 called for. '1.'he bare announcement women)…………………………. 6 comes that H. R. Thornton, of the Amer- Other male assistants………………. 356 ican Missionary Association, at Cape Women (6 physicians, 185 wives) •• ••.• 557 Prince of Wales, Alaska, was murdered 219 by three of the natives in August last. Whole number sent from this country 562 Among the 35,000 Eskimos of that re- Native pastors… … ………… ……. 1,462 gion he was the only white man, and Native preachers and catechists….. …. 495 had communication with the outside Native school·teachers•….. '" . . .. …… 2,738 world only once a year. Other nati've laborers………… … . . .. 3,295 Total of native laborers…………… Total of American and native laborers Churches. …….. …. …. .••• ••••.•.••.. 442 Church·members.. … .• ……. .•.•… 41,566 Added during the year (about)………. 3,570 -Rev. Sheldon Jackson declares that Whole number from the first………… 125,598 the experiment of introducing reindeer into Alaska is successful. Of the more Theological seminaries and station than 70 imported from Siberia about classes:….. …………. .••. ..•… ..• 17 Pupils……………………………. 228 Colleges and high schools ….•……• , .. 65 two years ago, nearly everyone is in Pupils in the above …………. …. … 3,744 good condition. The moss on which Boarding-schools for girls. …•..•….•. 68 reindeer feed is more abundant in Alas- Pupils in boarding·schools for girls. . . . . ka than in Siberia, and the expectation Common schools ………•….. •…… 3,118 Pupils In common schools………….. 1,019 40,615 is cherished that they will thrive in our Whole number under Instruction…….. 48,585 extreme northwestern territory. Over Native contributions, so far as reported,S112,507 '.
100 more have been purchased this year_ -Reverence is one of the Indian's These creatures will relieve the scarcity strongest traits. His language contains of food under which the Indians have no oath, nor any word to express even been slowly perishing, and will furnish disrespect to the Great Spirit. If he material for clothing and many other swears it is because white men have uses. taught him. :A missionary said that -Under the heading" Our OpUlent one need never hesitate to preach to Indians," the Chicago Herald states that Indians in their own tongue for fear the 5 civilized tribes inhabiting the.Ind- that his mistakes may be ridiculed. Their reverence for God will not allow Cuba, and Italy, 47 of whom are orthem to laugh at His messenger.-North- dained ministers. The other 65 'are western Oongregationalist. mostly the wives of ministers or single women engaged as teachers. One is a -The Rev. H. V. Noyes, of Canton, medical missionary, and 2 bther laymen China, writes that toward the close of are engaged in active work–l in China last year he received from the Chinese and 1 in Africa. The oldest mission is Y. M. C. A. in San Francisco a draft in China, which dates back about 25 for $3200, to be deposited in a reliable years. There are 16 ministers and 20 bank as a fund for the support of a other missionaries in that country. The chapel in which tlle Gospel should be receipts from all sources for the suppreached to the Chinese. Recently he port of the foreign work last year were has received another check for $1000, $128,115. accompanied by the statement that another $1000 would soon follow. Almost Canada.-The Baptists of Ontario the whole has been contributed by the and Quebec resolved some time since to Chinese for the evangelization of their raise $10,000 for a Carey memorial, and countrymen. the amount is now nearly all subscribed.
-During the last six months, to Sep- -The MISSIONARY REVIEW echoes tember 1st, 175 colporteurs of the Ameri- this from the Pre8byterian: .. One of can Tract Society labored in 33 States the grand missionaries of our time is and Canada. Their combined time Rev. Dr. Mackay, of the Canadian Pres- equalled 360 months of labor; they byterian Church. He has been in the visited 78,651 families, in 57,124 of Island of Formosa for many a year, which they engaged in religious con- and has endured much' hardness as a versation or prayer; circulated by sale good soldier of Jesus Christ. ' H e and grant 53,090 volumes of Christian stands on the same level for zeal and literature; addressed 2824 meetings; efficiency with Dr. Paton, and has faced found 6025 families destitute of all re- similar perils. He has just returned to ligious books except the Bible, and 5195 Canada for a time, and his presence families without the Bible. They found there is already quickening the mission- 16,110 Protestant families who rarely ary spirit in the churches."
ever attend evangelical preaching.
-During the current year the Inter- EUROPE. national Missionary Alliance has receiv~ upward of $100,000, and has sent Great Britain.-What charity can out 106 new missionaries. Of these 46 be finer than this in the great metropohave gone to China, 4 to Japan, 14 to lis? It is indeed a foreign missionary the Soudan, 9 to the Congo, 3 to South institution. The Strangers' Home for Asiatics, Africans, and South Sea Island- America, 2 to Palestine, and 1 to the ers, in West India Dock Road, Lime- West Indies. house, was founded in 1857 by the late -The late C. T. Sampson, of North Henry Veun and others, that the Asiatic Adams, Mass., bequeathed someiliing in London might not only finel a home like $500,000 to various benevolent ob- and a shelter, but meet with those willjects, and among them $100,000 each to ing to tell him of the Christianity of the the Baptist Missionary Union and the country which sends· missionaries to his Baptist Home Missionary Society, be- native land. Lascars, Punjabi claimsides making the former residuary lega- ants (who come to appeal to the Queen in person against the decisions of their tee to what is likely to be a large sum. local courts), Japanese and Chinese sail- -The Southern Presbyterian Church ors, Arabs and Soudanese, Zanzibaris, has 112 missionaries employed in China, Zulus, Negroes, Tamils, Singhalese, Japan, Korea, Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Malays, Malagasy, Welt Indians, and representatives of a dozen other nation- 140,000; Gaboon and the Congo realities, present themselves at the home gion, 318,000; African and Pacific from time to time. Some 760 were islands, 12,000; American islands, 48,- housed there during the past year; 000. Among her protectorates are Tunis, with 45,000 square miles; Mada- -The late John Horniman, of Croy- gascar, 228,000; Anam, 106,250; Camdon, a Friend, left legacies and endow- bodia, 32,400; Sahara, 1,569,000, with ments to missions and other institutions her recent accessions in Siam besides. amounting in all to £80.000. Some of the larger bequests were as follows: -There are in Italy, according to the The Peace Society, £10,000; Friends' estimate of Dr. J. Murray Mitchell, 60,- Foreign Mission Association, £12,500; 000 Evangelical Christians in a popula- Friends' Syrian Mission Committee, tion of 30,000,000, or 1 in 500. £12,500; Friends' Home Mission Commi.ttee, £11.000; Friends' Temperance -In Rome there are 30 cardinals, 85 Union, £2000; Moravian Mission So- bishops, 1369 priests. 2832 monks, and ciety, £10,000; Northeastern Hospital 2215 nuns. Ah, what a congestion of for Children, £10,000; London Tem- clerical gifts and graces I And this when perance Hospital, £5000; Howard As- such vast spaces elsewhere are so destisociation for Prison Reform, £2000. tute. Such plethora of piety on the Tiber is neither wise nor right. -The Missionary Leaves Association makes an encouraging report of its -Sore trouble has befallen the papacy doings. The general fund suffers while from an unlooked-for quarter. The special appeals are more easily respond- Bible in the vernacular has always been ed to. Thus, contributions to special under the ban in Italy as a Protestant funds amounted to £9239, and to the mistranslation of Holy Writ. But some general fund, out of which come freight- years ago by Martini a translation was age and administrati ve expenses, to made with notes, which in an evil £2220 only. The debt on this latter hour received the imprimatur of the has, however, been reduced to £553. Pope. And then, at the instigation of Testimony to the value of the M. L. A. *he devil, along came Sefior Sonzogno, is forthcoming in great abundance. editor of &oolo, and printed the same in numbers, costing about one cent each. -The Church Army (modelled on the So popular was his venture that 50,000 Salvation Army, with a difference) is copies were sold, and another edition is making itself felt far and wide in Brit- called for I So much dynamite may ain in toil for the masses. For exam- well lead to an explosion ere long. ple, the clerical secretary qf the London City Mission, which employs 480 lay- ASIA. men in the metropolis, has publicly stated that 11 years ago it was almost im- Islam.-Why is it not high time for a possible for him to find any evangelistic deliberate and determined and €,eneral men who were" churchmen," but that assault upon Islam in the land of the now there is a copious supply through Hindus, where the opportunity is bethe labors of the Church Army. yond all odds the best? Is lack of faith at the bottom of the lack of effort? The Continent.-France is again The Rev. Maulvi Imad-ud-din, who ambitious to colonize. She realizes was born and reared a Mohammedan, what she lost when Canada and the sent a paper to the Congress of Relig- Mississippi Valley slipped out of her ions in which he gives the names of 117 hands, and means to make up for it. Moslems of eminence who in Northern In Cochin China, Tonquin, and India and Central India have embraced Chris· she has 58,000 square miles, with a tianity, of whom 17 are clergymen, and population of over 14,000,000. Algeria Eugene Stock states that in the Punjab has _257,000 square miles; Senegal, more than half the native clergy were ing half of all the candidates for the once followers of the prophet. ministry. There are 800 native pastors in the broad field. .-In 1892 the BeirUt press printed 19,676,748 pages, of which there were -The recent riots in Bombay are to 8,882,000 pages of Scripture. Since it be known in history as the "cow war." was founded, it has printed 485,107,- At the bottom of the bloody conflict was 850. That means that for every single the weighty fact that the Hindu abomiworking hour of 1892 that press gave nates beef-eating as sacrilege, in juxtaout 6286 pages of Christian literature. position with the cognate fact that the And since its founding in 1822 it has Mohammedan holds pork in abhorrence. poured forth 2053 pages for every work- And it was over these dietary matters ing hour of every working day in every that they waxed furious and broke each year. other's heads.
-The American Board has in Turkey -A Lntheran missionary writes from 62 men and 116 women, a total of 178 Guntur of the forlorn condition of the preachers, teachers, physicians, etc. women: "They have little conception of how to behave in church. They sel- -The latest outbreak of Moslem dom take time to comb their heads or fanaticism in some of its features was wash their faces. They are always acalso the worst. This account of the companied by several dirty children. horror is given in a letter appearing in It is not unusual for them during sera recent Christian Observer (Louisville, vice to beat their children for slight Ky.) : "The Moolahs sent a Moham- offences; and it often occurs that a medan woman to Aghajan, a Christian neighbor outside will call to a woman in merchant of Oroomiah, to ask for the audience about some trifling affair, money. He refused to give it to her. and the latter will shout back. At She reported to her friends that Agha- other times one will give a child a cujan had insulted her. whereupon a large cumber to eat, immediately all the other crowd of roughs, that needed only a youngsters will begin to clamor for the word from their religious leaders to rush fruit, and some one will be sent out for into any crime, gathered around his store with daggers, swords, guns, and it general supply." stones; they dragged him from the store and carried him to the court of their -This'!ncident occurring in the Mamosque, where they murdered him with dura field shows what it costs to come fearful torture, putting his head on a out for Christ: Four families have been rock and with other rocks beating it influenced to return to Hinduism, which till: his brains came through his mouth_ they had left two years before. First a After that his body was pierced with son, then a wife and her husband, then 35 daggers; some cut his ears, some his others weakened and went back, saynose, and others pelted his body with ing: " We can stand this thing no stones. Then they put a rope around longer. We must have friends; our his neck, and together with a dead dog lands and business and our whole living they dragged him all over the streets of are mixed up with our Hindu relation· the city and outside the city walls, ships, and wc cannot live alone_" One where they threw his body into a filthy man said: "l<Iy wife renders my life pond." simply unbearable, and unless she comes 1 cannot."
India.-There are 28 theological semi- -This from the Santal mission of the naries iD. this peninsula, with 850 stu- English Church Society gives the dents. Within a decade both the num- brighter side: "It was Handful-of ber and the strength of these institutions Rice Sunday. At the commencement have doubled. The Americans lead. hav- of the second service the women and girls brought baskets of rice to the com- imagination. The paraboIlc mould of a munion rails, where they were received, great part of the Bible-especially of and as the men had previously done, our Lord's teaching-is a puzzle to each knelt for a few moments in prayer; them. Thus, a. Hu-peh Chinaman. at for it had been suggested that since tracted to a preaching hall, and so much they had little money to give, each day, influenced as to destroy his idols and when the women take out the rice for become a diligent student of the Bible, cooking, they should put one handful came to the plissionary with a. verse he aside; then once a month this should could make nothing of. "I wish you be taken to church and afterward would explain it,'; he said. "It is sold, and the money should go to about taking up the cross and following the support of an evangelist chosen by Christ." He seemed to have thought a. the people themselves. And the out- great deal about it, and he said, holding come was 700 pounds. out his arms, " Would toot size do 1"
-Let us endeavor once more to get -A correspondent of the New York "a realizing sense" of the poverty of .Evening Post is authority for the statethe masses. Rev. Mr. Tracy writes ment that the women of China are the from South India that, according to very backbone of the nation, seeming careful estimates, taking the Christian community as a whole, one rupee (32 a. to be born with natural sense of honcents) or a little over, per individual per month, represents the average income. esty which is conspicuously absent That means $3.84 for a year's subsist- among the men. While the mendacity ence, or $19.20 for a family of five. of Chinamen is proverbial, the women And then what amazing liberality is in- are, as a rule, truthful and have great vol ved in his further statement that strength of character. They struggle "our people have given this yearin the bravely to re!!train their husbands from aggregate 8585 rupees. " ramshu drinking, opium smoking, and immoderate gambling, vices for some -The Baptist Telugu Mission has re- one of which most of them have a proceived within four years an increase of pensity. 57 missionaries, so that now there is a force numbering 85. Of natives there -Hau Quay, a banker controlling a are 66 ordained and 175 unordained number of the largest banks in the empreachers, 17 colporteurs, 111 Bible pire, is said to be worth $1,800,000,000, women and 161 other helpers; a total and the richest man in the world. He of 530. There are 1979 villages contain· started lIS a laundryman. ing native Christians, and 210 of them have stated congregations, with a build- -Rev. Mark Williams, of Kalgan, ing to meet in and a person in charge. declares that a paltry $100 will do any The 65 churches report 1509 additions of these several great things in that secby baptism. The present membership tion: 1. It will maintain a boys' dayis 48,829. In 17 boarding.schools 551 school of 25, as it will pay the rent of male and 398 female pupils are taught the room and salary of the teacher. 2. by a force of 60 teachers, and in 12 caste It will maintain 3 boys in a. boardinggirls' schools there are 42 teachers, with school. 3. It will pay the salary of 2 659 pupils. The village schools number native preachers. 4. It will pay the 557, with 569 teachers, 4729 male and wages of 2 colporteurs, who not only 2535 female pupils. The total number sell but explain the Bible. 5. It will of heathen scholars in 8011 the schools is support a station-class of 20 men, who 1432, and of Christians, 7576. spend all their time for three months in Bible study. China.-The people of this empire f!.l'6 .occide~tal ~ther than orielltw. in -A few months ago Ng-Wanchue, a pcholar and a mandarin from the prov- ince of Kwong-Si, was baptized in Canton. A few months before he had con· – A missionary tells of the devotion demned an outbreak upon the missiona· of a certain Japanese pastor whom she ries, but was told that they were wicked calls •• one of the noblest men I ever wretches, and a copy of one of their met. " "Not long ago the headman of .. evil books" was shown him, which a large government school here asked he took home and read. It was the him to give up his church, where he re- GQspel of Matthew. Later he secured ceives 20 odd yen a month, and accept from a colporteur the other GQspels and a position in the school at 100 yen a the Acts, then' Bought out a native month. He replied, without a moment's preacher and heard and believed. hesitation, • I am here to teach Chris- tianity.' The man went off and wrote -As yet the iron horse does not find him a letter, to say that if he would free course among the Celestials. Thus teach for them two hours a day they we read that the deified dragon is still a would pay him 60 yen a month and he practical obstruction to railway build- could still retain his church. The sining. The Tartar general in command gle-hearted pastor replied, • I have given at Moukden, the capital of Manchuria, my whole time to the work of teaching when the survey was made for a rail· Christianity;' and that was the end of road by the town, had the local sages it. He has a wife, four children, and investigate the matter. They reported his sister to support." that the vertebrre of the dragon which encircles the holy city would be broken -The first building for Christian uses if the long nails of the sleepers were ever erected in Tokvo is only 25 years driven into the ground. Upon the old, and now there are 92 churches and strength of that the engineers were or- chapels in that city. dered io carry the line away from the city and over a very marshy route. -Japan's railroads at present have a When the matter was brought to Li ·total locomotive equipment of 206 en· Hung Chang, he commended the gen- gines, 200 of which are of English, 4 of eral for his interest in the dragon, but German, and 2 of American make. The still expressed an opinion that the Mouk· last are of the mogul type, and were den route was the best for both dragon built at the Baldwin Works. The Gerand country. The affair would have to man engines are rack-rail locomotives be reported to the emperor. Where· built on the Abt system.-RaiZroad upon the general had a line laid down Gaeette. a few hundred feet from the former one, and the sages pronounced it all -The Japanese sense of music, as the right. people of the West apprehend it, is almost entirely unawakened. They -The American Baptists (Missionary have, as a race, no conception of what Union) have recently opened a mission it means, nor do they particularly care in the Hupeh province, with headquar· to have any conception.-Japan Mail. ters •• in Hankow or one of the cities adjOining," and sent 2 men with their -Little or no importance is attached wives to break ground. to the religious training of Japanese children. Whether the parents be Bud· ]apan.-As an instance of Japanese dhists or Shintoists it matters not, for in liberality in the cause of evangelization, either case the children rarely take any an old woman who had been scraping part iu the religious life of their parents together for years a little money to en· or elders, and indeed usually grow up sure for herself a fine Buddhist funeral in blissful ignorance as to what it is all recently gave the whole sum toward about. True, they may be occasionally building a Presbyterian mission in her taken to the temple and taught to rub native district. tlleir palms together, clap thrice and in- cline their heads toward the shrine as they toss their offering of rin through Beside the two graves, only a few the wooden grating of the huge money months old, there arise hymns of praise till. They may have some vague no- daily, and every Lord's Day witnesses' tion that there is something meritorious the gathering of 30 or 40 native Chrisin all this, but nothing more.-Popular tians to remember the Lord's death in Science Monthly. the little chapel. We have a church of 46 members now; when Coote died AFRICA. there were only 5 Christians. "
-There are said to be over 30,000 ISLANDS OF THE SEA. Kaffir members in the Wesleyan missions, and they are professed abstainers -Mr. Henry E. Clark, of Madagasfrom intoxicating liquors. The Wes- car, writing in The Friend, says: "The leyan Mi88ionary Notices gives an ac- Imerina Native Missionary Society has count of the experience of one who gave agreed to do its utmost to send out 10 up the use of both the native beer and new men in the next 2 years. Two of tobacco. "He had gone home that these have already gone; they are fanight, thrown the beer away, and de- ther and son. The father is one of the stroyed the pot; heaven came down into very few now left who were teachers his soul, and it was blessed (mandi when I came out in 1871. He was kakulu /); he assembled his family for placed out by Joseph S. Sewell, and prayer, and it was mandi kakulu; he has only just left on llis appointment as went to his place of private prayer missionary to Befandriana, a large town among the rocks, and it was mandi in the northwest. Including these 2 kakulu, God Himself filling his soul the society supports 12 evangelists and with the joy of salvation. In the night teachers, and partly supports 4 others. he awoke-still mandi kakul1t >' but turn- The total income of the society is about ing to seek a live coal with which to £160 per annum, including £30 from light his pipe, the ubamnandi (blessed- the London Missionary Society, and £10 ness) vanished, he knew not where or from the Friends' Foreign Missions Ashow; but there and then he fought out sociation. " the matter." -In 1875 a Wesleyan Mission was -Rev. H. Richards writes from Banza started in New Britain by Rev. George Manteka, on the Congo, that he had Brown, who had already labored 15 baptized 120 since January, 1893. He years in Samoa. Forty-one churches says: .. At 3 out-stations we have have been built, in which, with other preachers who live in grass huts, like preaching places, 6000 regularly worthe rest of the natives, and the only ship. There are over 900 church-memdifference between the preacher and the bers, 1300 Sunday-school scholars, and heathen is, the one is clean inside and 45 of the converts are local preachers. ' out, the other filthy; the one dressed in Last year these natives gave £150 to the a clean loin cloth and shirt, the other missionary society to send the Gospel nearly undressed; the one has a bright, " to the regions beyond." shiny, intelligent, happy face, the other a sullen, dull, suspicious, unsatisfied ex- -In the island of Celebes are 200 pression. Both are Congo, but the one Christian congregations and 125 schools· a Christian, the other a heathen; the Here, too, Christianity conquered cannione lives, the other is dead." balism.
-A missionary writes from the Balolo -During a recent'revival in Formosa Mission on the Upper Congo: "We more than 500 people banished idols have passed through dark times, and from their homes, and a heathen temthe hand of God has been heavy upon ple was converted into a house of worus; but God is blessing His word here. ship, dedicated to the true God.
The Missionary Review of the World — October 1893
WORK IN MOSLEM OITIES
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XVI. No.lO.-Old Seria. – OCTOBER. – VOL. VI. No. lO.-NeIII &ria.
CHRISTIAN WORK IN MOSLEM CITIES.
BY REV. JAMES F. RIGGS, D.D.
The apostles began their work, as a rule, in large cities. In Palestine, Asia Minor, and in Greece the city was the focus of evangelistic effort. The radii might be many or few, long or short, but they had a common origin in the same municipal centre. In our modern work likewise we may wisely follow apostolic example in this great principle. The most important Moslem cities of Southwestern Asia are now occupied to some extent as " stations" of our American missions. A" station" is the residence of a missionary or of several together. Very little has yet been accomplished when we consider the vast multitude of souls outside of the truth, yet it is not strictly true to assert that nothing has been done for the followers of Mohammed. Even where no one has openly professed a change of relIgious views, the Moslem population do sh~re in a degree in the influences exerted over the whole empire. The Ottoman Empire is a strange conglomeration. It is a collection of extremes, a motley mixture, and that, too, of long standing, so that the most glaring incongruities are condoned as a matter of course because it was always so. Europe and Asia are in a perpetual joint session on the shores of the Bosphorus, ever learning and yet never able to come to any definite knowledge of the truth. The diverse elements in the population do not blend and combine as they do in a Christian country, but remain dissimilar, like gold and silver and copper coins in a purse. Turks and Armenians, Greeks and Jews, Bulgarians and Koords, all are distinct and, to some extent, hostile. Oriental civilization is not one complete organic system like our own, but consists of several fragments, each being a part of something long since shattered. This broken condition of society sets up additional barriers in the way of moral progress. Furthermore, the Oriental is accustomed to do many things in a way which is precisely opposite to our way. Thus -e.g., a carpenter in the East files the teeth of his saw in such a way as to give a set toward the handle; hence, in using the saw, he pulls it in toward himself, while we always push a saw, and file the teeth accordingly, to give a set away from the handle. Innumerable such points of difference exist and render Christian work: in Moslem cities extremely difficult. Barbarous races may very quickly learn to look up to the missionary as the representative of a culture unquestionably superior. But the Moslem has no idea of that sort. He despises the Christian religion as the acme of all that is absurd, and in his unitarian scheme of doctrine he challenges the highest intellectual qualities of the missionary. To convince a sincere Mohammedan that Jesus is the Saviour of all mankind is at once both an intellectual and a spiritual victory. We have a strong confidence in the truth and dignity of the Christian religion; ought we, then, to shrink from the stoutest foe 1 Nay, is not the very power and vitality of this great system in itself a. challenge? The Mohammedans cherish many notions which we cordially approve ; they recognize the supreme importance of many tenets which we hold. For example, they fully understand that piety or sanctity is entirely independent of external well-being. The most wretched-looking beggar in the streets may be holy. I have often seen pashas of Cabinet rank, in the streets of Constantinople, making the courteous salaam to a decrepit 'fakir or religious mendicant. Why do they do this 1 Aside from all question of popular effect, there is a genuine regard for a true, inner, spiritual life. Neither Arabs nor Turks are savages, and whatever faults or vices they may have, they cherish an unfaltering faith in religion as a living reality and a potent factor in life. On the other hand, they are sluggish in many ways, and it is not easy to make them see the value of that which is intangible. Sir Austin Layard toiled long with one of the pashas to int.erest him in astronomy. He gave glowing accounts of sun, moon, and stars, and especially he described the comets, with their strange mystery. When he paused at last, the pasha said: "Well, you say that the comet comes near and then goes away again. " "Yes, I said that," replied the Englishman. " Very well," retorted the' pasha," let it go!" Consider the difficulty of any effort to make such men see with the eyes of the Spirit. A sad, heavy-hearted materialism rules their Jives, and too often they sullenly reject the offer of Him who speaks from heaven. Even in such a case the soul may be reached by means of the Scriptures when oral appeals have been fruitless. The Bible has been translated and published in pure idiomatic Arabic and Turkish, and so the gates of the New Jerusalem are opened to a multitude. Few persons in a Christian land realize what a task it is to prepare a new version of the Scriptures. It is not enough to be pretty near the truth-the meaning must be exact. This is especially difficult in the Turkish language, where the structure of sentences is totally unlike anything in European languages. But this victory has been won at last, and we have the entire Bible in a version which can be understood by the most humble, yet one at which no native scholar would be displeased in point of style or idioms. The missionary can now press forward his work in those great cities with the best of all possible implements; he can fight the bat- tle of truth with the keenest of weapons.
To a very great degree popular dislike and suspicion has been over- come among the common people. There will always be enemies; but the mass of the population, both city and country, are friendly. Malignant opposition arises from the bitter hostility of individuals, often men whose evil purposes have been thwarted by the course of events, but rarely from the unwillingness of the people as a whole to listen to the Gospel. In many villages where the missionary was stoned years ago he is welcome now, and there is far more of a disposition to discuss calmly the points in debate. Our schools and colleges have exerted a considerable influence along this line, and the matter is now so well understood that it is taken for granted as a recognized factor in the life of the community. Thus, every man who sends his son to the Robert College, Constantinople, knows perfectly well that he is subjecting him there to a strong Protestant influence, and assents to this as a matter beyond question. The same thing for substance might be said of similar institutions at Aintab, Beirut, and other points. What does it signify ~ Just this: that Christian work in Moslem cities has a firm foothold ; that we have the confidence of thousands of the people; that we have the Bible and many other books; that a good beginning has been made in the line of a periodical Christian literature; and besides all this many hearts have been touched in homes where the martyr spirit has not yet developed to the point of public confession and the braving of obloquy for Jesus' sake. There is reason to believe that considerable numbers of Moslems are already Christians at heart, but wait till a more opportune moment for such action. If the course of events should be such as to provide a real protection for the convert, a great many would soon declare themselves in sympathy with evangelical truth.
For many centuries it was the standing rule of Islam that the person who abjured that faith was, ipso facto, doomed to die. This brutal law was carried out in all its literal barbarity many times, and it continued in force without question till the memorable summer of 1843. The death of a young Armenian in that year gave occasion to a sudden reversal of the policy S9 long in force. His name was Harootune, and he was by birth and education a Christian, a member of the Armenian Church. One unhappy day, in a state of partial intoxication, he stated his purpose to become a Moslem ; and this was heard by some Mohammedans, who noted it, and afterward insisted on the complete fulfilment of the promise so made. But Harootune, in his sober senses again, flatly refused to keep his word or to take any steps in the direction of such a change. After some further threats, and in spite of earnest remonstrance from several sources, the young man was publicly beheaded in the city of Constantinople at the end of the great bridge that spans the inner harbor. Upon this, the British Ambassador, Lord Stratford, took a bold stand, and demanded of the Turkish Government the absolute and unequivocal abrogation of the death penalty. The Turks resorted to their usual tactics of empty promises and cunning evasion, making general promises that every- thing should be wisely and properly done, etc.., but Lord Stratford was well aware of their tricks, and, besides, he was nobly sustained by the Cabinet in England and by popular .sentiment throughout Europe. So he bore down steadily on the Sultan, sweeping away one subterfuge after another, till one day, when all things were in readiness, the significant words" The apostate shall not be put to death" were written in Turkish by Mr. Alison, the interpreter of the British Embassy, and handed to the Sultan for his official signature. The pressure exerted by Lord Stratford was so firm that all tricks were futile j the imperial autograph was affixed to that singular paper, and so it became the law of the empire. It is very easy, however, for dishonest governors and corrupt courts to sentence a man to death, assigning as a reason the commission of some purely imag- inary crime. A better way still is simply to draft the unhappy man into the army and then to signify to tl;te officers of his regiment that he is to be treated with great severity. It is not long in such cases before the name disappears from the company register altogether. Army discipline is bad enough at best, and under circumstances like this it may become down- right torture, ending in death. Even in cases which are not pressed to the bitter end in this way a vast amount of wretchedness can be inflicted on a man who has displeased the local authorities or defied the public sentiment of his townsmen. Very much must be done before there will be genuine religious toleration or personal liberty in that part of the world.
The recent efforts to cripple the educational institutions at Marsovan are a good example of Turkish unfairness. The two native teachers who were convicted by barefaced forgery and perjury were not in themselves spe- cially obnoxious to the Turks, but the blow was aimed at them in order to injure the college and to distress the missionaries, who are really the per- sons attacked. This is now the weak point in our system. We can build a college j but if the native professors who are employed in the college are to be imprisoned, abused, and banished to remote points on frivolous charges, our work is at the mercy of our foes at any moment. This im- . portant point is to be noted, however. The eager effort of the hostile party to injure a Protestant college is in itself a tribute to the effective work done by the institution. The fury of attack is in reality a tribute, a confession. The Turks to-day practically acknowledge that American ideas are, pushing their way in the Ottoman Empire so fast and so wide that no force can arrest them short of violence and banishment. If the question be asked, therefore, what Christian work is now done in Moslem cities, we point in answer to the evident uneasiness of the Moslem authori- ties. Taking their testimony into account, we are justified in claiming that some very effective work has been wrought.
Nor is it only by the sale of the Scriptures and by our schools that we are doing this. We have also many opportunities to preach Christ direct-
THE ATTITUDE OF THE MOSLEM MIND TOWARD CHRISTI.A.NITY
ly to small groups of Mohammedans, two, three, or five in a shop or a private house. Let no one despise small audiences, for we have many biblical examples for our encouragement. The listener may receive seed into the very best heart soil, and it is impossible to foretell results. . It is among Mohammedans as it is in other lands, and human character shows the same gencral traits. Direct controversial attacks rarely accomplish much good, yet they may be a powerful means of religious education. The apparent alternation of victory and defeat may prove the express medium for a teaching that is divine. A single case may exemplify this: The book called" Mizan-ul-hak" (Balance of Truth), which was an elaborate discussion and comparison of Christianity and Islam j it was a fearless and a noble book, calculated to convince or else to enrage the reader. If the question be asked: "How much good did that book accomplish 1" we can only say on general principles that it must have been in many souls the beginning of honest religious thinking. It was to some weary hearts a distinct lightening of the burden, if not complete relief. We shall never know with mathematical precision just how much good each tract has done, but we have a firm confidence that He who bids the laborers toil in His vineyard will follow up their efforts with His blessing.
In those lands where Islam prevails there are peculiar obstacles to be surmounted j but it is a battle worthy of the effort, and there will be a triumph in which all Christendom may rejoice. Think of a government so sensitive as to prohibit the use of the word" union," even to speak of the union of two rivers j a government so abnormally cautious as to interdict the use of the word " star" because the Sultan spends a part of his time in the" Star Kiosk j" think of a ruler who claims to be " always victorious" in his official documents, and combine with this picture the notion of a complete and final victory like the revolution in the days of Constantine the Great !
Many of the tenets taught in the mosque are only the truths of Scripture dislocated and transposed. Let the points of revealed religion be stated afresh, let the sacred edifice be built up plumb, let the souls of men enter into the one only vital union with God, and then it will appear to Arab, Turk, and Christian alike that there is a treasure of lofty enthusiasm, not yet spent, waiting for the day of the right hand of the Most High. Nothing but victory can justify the battle, and nothing Lut a second Pentecost can make holy or justify this modern Babel of the great Moslem cities.
THE ATTITUDE OF THE MOSLEM MIND TOWARD CHRIS- TIANITY.
A previous question may at once suggest itself whether there is any unitary attitude of the Moslems with regard to Christianity. This singular faith embraces many nations in Asia and Mrica. They are different in race characteristics and in language. Millions in India live under the English Government, and millions in Java, Sumatra, and connected islands live under the government of Holland. There are great differences in these peoples, and the numerous conversions to Christ in India, China, and the Dutch islands prove that this invincible faith must bow before the cross. But while this paper refers chiefly to the Moslems of Turkey, that which may be called the Koranic attitude is common to all Moslems so far as they revere the Koran.
Space will not allow us to quote all the passages referring to Jesus and the Virgin Mary j but the following from the third Sura gives us a good idea of the spirit of the prophet : " When the angel said, ' 0, Mary, verily God sendeth thee good tidings, that thou shalt bear the Word proceeding from Himself. His name shall be Christ Jesus, the Son of Mary, honorable in this world and in the world to come, and one of those who approach near to the presence of God. And He' (Jesus) 'shall speak unto men in His cradle and when He is grown j and He shall be one of the righteous.' She answered, ' Lord, how shall I have a son since a man hath not to~ched me g' The angel said: 'Lo, God createth that which He pleaseth. When He decreeth a thing He only saith unto it, "Be," and it is. God shall teach Him the Scripture and wisdom, and the law and the Gospel, and shall appoint Him His apostle to the children of Israel. And He' (Jesus) 'shall say, " Verily I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, for I will make before you of clay as it were the figure of a bird j then I will breathe thereon, and it shall become a bird by the permission of God j and I will heal him that hath been blind from his birth, and the leper, and I will raise the dead." . .. But when Jesus perceived their unbelief He said: "Who will be my helpers toward God~" And the apostles answered, "We will be the helpers of God. ,Ve believe in God, and do thou be as witness that we are true believers." , "
A great mass of similar matter might be quoted, some of it curious, some of it puerile, but all .showing the respect which Mohammed had for Christ and His mother and the apostles. Wherever the Koran is read and understood, a broad distinction is made between Christ and Christians. He is honored as one of the six apostles of God, and the Virgin Mother was born without taint of sin, and was one of the four perfect women. Christians have departed from Him, and will therefore be adjudged to hell ; but all who have been faithful to Him will be received into paradise at the resurrection.
A second point to be considered is the influence of tradition upon the Moslem mind. The Koran itself is but a very small part of the faith of Islam. One may study the Koran ever so profoundly, and he would get no better conception of Islam than he would of popery by studying the New Testament. The Koran is devoutly held as the sacred repository of all the fundamental principles of law, religion, morals, future awards, and even of science ; but it is a small book, not so large as the New Testament. It was found wholly inadequate to the wants of a government, and so the traditions of the verbal sayings of the prophet and of the first four caliphs were resorted to in order to explain and amplify the obscure and to supply what was wanted. This tradition became enormously voluminous. It often went far out of sight of the Koran, but it claimed all the authority of the Koran. Mehmet the Conqueror, who took Constantinople in 1453, endeavored, with but partial success, to condense and unify this vast mass of commentaries and contradictions. Two centuries later Solymon the Magnificent undertook the work in good earnest. He aimed to be the Justinian of Islam, and with good success. This resulting code is the condensation and unification of all accepted traditions. It is called the " Multeka ul Ubhurr" (the "Confluence of the Seas"). Islam is to be found in this great code rather than in the Koran.
'Vith regard to the honor paid to Christ and the Virgin Mary there is nothing adverse, only some strange and curious commentaries are added. But with regard to Christians the traditions have amplified the Koran beyond measure. Death to the apostate is declared to be an irreversible law. But in the Koran there is no passage that is clear on this point. In 1843 an Armenian-Hovakim-who had Islamized, "apostatized," and was executed in Constantinople, and a Greek for the same reason in Broosa. The English ambassador, Sir Stratford Canning, made a most peremptory demand of the Sultan to officially renounce that law, and boldly maintained that it was not in the Koran. He carried his point, but so thoroughly has this principle, " Death to the apostate," incorporated itself into the Turkish mind and heart that what is not done openly will, in all cases, be done secretly.
European scholars were made acquainted with this Moslem code by M. D'Ohsson, the dragoman of the Dutch embassy at Constantinople. He was an Armenian by birth, but he became distinguished among all the learned Moslems for his profound knowledge of Turkish, Arabic, and Persian literature. By order of the King of Holland he made a translation of this great code into French, omitting parts that were repetitions, and freely condensing parts that were prolix. It is a curious combination of law, morals, and religion. It gives specific directions for the trial and execution of the renegade from the faith. He is to have three distinct offers of life if he will return to the faith, and time for reflection, after each offer, is to be given him. If he remains obdurate he is to be executed by strangu. lation, and then his head is to be cut off and placed under his arm. His body is thus to be exposed three days in the most public place.
This death penalty is the strongest defence of Islam, and under any Islamite government will never be given up. The convert must have a martyr's faith at his very first step in the Christian life. Quite a number of " inquirers" have disappeared, and no one knoweth their fate.
But in some respects the traditional law has amelbrated the condition of the subject, Christians or rayahs. It has declared them under the protection of law and their persons and properties safe. Their testimony in court is not to be taken against a Moslem, but Christians and Jews may testify in cases among themselves. No Christian expects justice in a Moslem court. If he has money, however, he may buy justice-or injustice j if he has not he wiII suffer the will of his adversaries. The general feeling of Moslems toward rayahs is one of indifference, or pity, or contempt, and if anything happens to inflame them it is one of hatred.
There are things continually occurring before the eyes of the Moslems which provoke these feelings. The religious honor paid to relics and pictures and the worship of the transubstantiated bread in the sacrament always stir the indignation of the Moslems, and the term" poot-perest" (idolater) is a common one of insult and opprobrium to a rayah Christian.
But while Moslems may curse Christians, they may not blaspheme the name of Christ. Hazaretli Isa, the adorable Jesus, is the name given Him. It is easy to see that a pure Christianity pervading the Turkish Empire would abolish one of the very strong defences of Islam. Often the Turks have shown special favor to Protestants because they were free from all idolatrous forms in worship.
We pass to a third point–the literary attitude of Islam toward Christianity. This has been one of great reserve. The Moslem authors have written chiefly of their own history, and they have issued numerous commentaries upon laws, customs, and traditions. When anything like argument against Christianity has been attempted it haR been uniformly against a false Christianity and against doctrines like those of transubstantiation, auricular confession, and priestly absolution, all which are condemned by reason. As there is no freedom of discussion, and the deluded Moslem never hears the other side, there is a stupid conviction that no answer can be given.
But there are some thoughtful men among the Moslems who know better, and who feel that there are strong points in Christianity and weak points in Islam which have not been duly considered. Missionaries occasionally meet with men who show that they have attentively studied the New Testament and have seen clearly how far the Oriental churches have departed therefrom. The fact that the New Testament in Turkish and Arabic is purchased as never before, proves a curiosity, at least, to get a new estimate of the Christian doctrine.
A fourth point to be considered is the diplomatic estimate of Christianity. We mean by this that which has come through the diplomatic relations of the Moslems with Christian governments.
Few influences have tended so directly to degrade Christianity in the view of the leading men of the Ottoman Empire as the Christian diplomacy of Europe. England, Russia, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Holland have magnificent embassies at Constantinople, with counsellors, secretaries, interpreters, and attaches. Each embassy is a princely court. " Besides these there is a score or more of embassies of secondary grade, among which is reckoned that of the United States. While there have been men of the highest moral character connected with these embassies, yet in general " wine and women" is their appropriate motto beyond any other place on the face of the earth where diplomacy is the regnant power. Under Louis Napoleon the French Embassy became so flagrantly and shamelessly dissolute that the bruit thereof reached Paris, and Napoleon telegraphed to his ambassador that the empire expected its embassy to be above reproach. It immediately became Puritanic for a time.
No immoralities of any Turkish pasha ever surpassed, and in many respects ever equalled, those of Sir Henry Bulwer, the English ambassador, who succeeded the noble Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. With his large salary, a constant influx of bribes, and many other auxiliary resources, he rarely paid his honest debts, and a bribe of ten thousand pounds sterling to himself and of one thousand to the Countess Justiniani, his chief mistress at the time, induced him to betray the interest of England and to use his influence as ambassador to promote the designs of the Pasha of Egypt. All these facts were known and were "public talk." Could a Moslem do less than despise a Christianity thus represented ~ Besides all this the policy of the" Great Powers" toward Turkey has been unprincipled and supremely selfish. Treaties have been broken as often as they became irksome, while. Turkey has been bound down hand and foot and has become utterly impoverished by following the lead of her Christian advisers.
The sum total of the moral influences of Christian embassies to the Ottoman Sultan has been extremely bad. It has made the morals of Christianity appear to the Moslems corrupt and detestable. Were Christian nations truly Christianized their influence would be irresistible.
The missionary work has to some extent undeceived the Moslem mind and has enabled many to see that there is another type of Christianity not represented in foreign embassies. This influence is wide though unacknowledged. The writer once accidentally heard two Turkish gentlemen, on board a steamer crowded with passengers, talking about absurd superstitions that had passed or were passing away. One of them said to the other that the educational work of the American missionaries had spread out through all the land and their books had gone everywhere, and he added: " We Moslems no longer think as we used to." Many others confess the change, but have no thought of its cause. The annual purchase of some thousands of copies of the New Testament in the Turkish language is a fact of considerable significance. Is it the grain of mustard seed which shall spring up in time and become a tree ~ But at the present time there arc .some very adverse influences working upon the Moslem mind. They may not all be known to us, but whatever they are they are persistent and efficient. The Turkish Government has assumed an attitude of hostility to all the missions and missionaries of the American Board and to all the native Protestants in the empire. It has been steadily increasing for some years, and evidently has for its object the utter effacement of our missionary work. At first view there seems to be no ground for the remarkable change. The Protestant religion is less offensive to the Moslem than the Oriental. There are no forms of worship that are idolatrous, and the Turks have often befriended the Protestant from mobs and from many other forms of persecution. Some new force has come in to cause this great change.
That which is apparent is a weak and wicked thing which has foundations out of sight. There is a secret organization of Armenians residing abroad, keeping their own precious bodies safe, having probably some affiliations with Armenians resident in Turkey, through whose agency incendiary bulletins have been placarded on all the school.houses, places of worship, and other buildings belonging to the native Protestants and the mIssIOnaries. The object is to excite the Moslems to such a general massacre that Europe will be compelled to interfere and procure freedom generally. If not, Russia will march right in and do it in the name of humanity. The whole thing is a Russian plot. She is skilful in this way of acting. Three very similar plots could be mentioned by which she accom- plished her purposes, but those who were her agents suffered. * She works in the dark. Her agents are innumerable, and most of them fancy they are pursuing their own ends when in reality their end is destruction ; but Russia accomplishes her object. In 1839 the great Russian ambassador, Boutineff, declared that the Emperor of Russia would never allow Protestantism to set its foot in Turkey. This policy has never changed. And there is reason for it. Russia intends to have possession of Asia Minor, where she will find some two or three millions of Armenians who will be of great value in peace and in war. She will pass them all, as she supposes, immediately into the Greek Church, and her young men will be enrolled in the army She does not want au stubborn Protestantism to * In the war of 1877-78 between Russia and Turkey, a revolutionary body of Russian-Bulgarians excited a "bogus" Insurrection in European Turkey for the expressed though concealed purpose of aro1lJling the Moslem population to a general massacre that would call for Russian Intervention. A few Turkish villages were burned and a few women and children were murdered; and the perpetrators beat a swift retreat and escaped, scattering copies of a plan for universal rising and throwing oft the yoke. The mixed Moslem population, composed of Turks, Chinganes, Pomw and Circassian refugees driven out of Russia, all, terriJied and enraged, sprung to arms, and fell npon a large Bulgarian village and destroyed it. They slaughtered between two and three thousand-all, Indeed, who did not escape by flight. This Willi called the" Bulgarian Horrors. " It was an atrocity perpetrated by a mixed mob. This (Russia's) plot succeeded perfectly. There cannot be fonnd any· thing In history to eqnal it. Her agents spread the news. The exciting cause was kept out of sight. Mr. Gladstone took up the horrid tale of 15,000 slaughtered, and rode into office upon the tremendous excitement. He justified Russia. He called the emperor the "divine flgure of the North." The world to this day has no history of that most successful and most atrocions plot. Russia has ad· mirable facilities for working up anything of that kind. She has two consuls in alllmportant places In Turkey-a commercial consul and a political one. Her work is always secret. She can in1lnence the Moslem mind just as she pleases. Gold is one of her powerful aids; death or Siberia to those who oppose or are IJUIJ'fl6Cted of opposing her plans. It is humiliating that our callow statesmen should be 80 foolish or so wicked as to form a treaty by which our freedom-loving country becomes a trap to catch escaped Russian patriots and deliver them over to this crnel and remorseiess power. resist her will and awaken foreign sympathies. The Armenians are befooled by Russia. Should they come under the power of Russia they will find her despotism more intolerable than the Turkish. Indeed, all those who live on the Russian border know it to be so. They rarely pass over to enjoy the blessings of Russian rule.
Russia has befooled the Turks as well as the Armenians. She points out to the Turks the dangers to their faith from Protestant missions, and the seditious character of their Armenian converts-the sedition being her own work. For the present Turkey is in the toils of Russia and will do her will. If England had her old-time watchfulness this would not be.
Russia knows perfectly well that our government will do nothing in the case except to gain some good fair promises, which will never be exacted. Our foreign policy, so far as missions are concerned, is very weak. It will not do to protect them, because a certain class of voters might be displeased. Our government is easily cajoled by Russia. It has been led into making a most disgraceful treaty for the giving up of criminals. We have no occasion to seek our criminals in Russia. But if any poor Russian patriot escapes to this country we will help Russia to get him, and will deliver him over to be tormented. That the greatest republic should join the greatest despotism in this unholy and cruel work is an abomination, standing where it ought not. The courts in Russia are just as corrupt as in Turkey, and in either country the government can easily manufacture both the crime and its evidence. To the burning disgrace of our government it has served notice upon the world that this country is no longer the refuge of the persecuted patriot, but it has become a trap to catch him and deliver him up to death.
Russian agents finding it easy to excite the Moslem mind against our missions, fanaticism and bigotry may be left to carryon the work. The friendly Moslems will for a time disappear, and to what extent the Turkish Government may go in its mad opposition is very uncertain. If our government would invite England and Germany to consider the present attitude of Turkey a remedy could easily be found, but that would offend Roman Catholics and cost votes. We cannot hope for such sublime virtue as would induce a man in government office to do anything that would cost his party a vote. This is the essential weakness and degradation of our government. An election to Congress seems to be an election to the degradation of subserviency to low partisan ends. The Turkish Minister at Washington keeps his master informed of the utter weakness of our foreign policy in relation to all missionary questions, and hence the outrages increase from year to year.
The omens are not good for the future. Christian missions in Turkey are called to severe sufferings and trial. Some way of deliverance will come. God does not forsake His people when He tries their faith, but that way is not apparent.
The future looks still darker for Islam. The only possible prosperity
MISSIONS IN TURKEY
for the great emp,ire is in a righteous government guarding the rights of the citizen without distinction of race or religion. Turkey must also put herself in such accord with Christian powers that they shall find no reason, when great national complications arise, to blot her out from existence.
She now defies Christianity, and will be called ultimately in the providence of God to bear the penalty. But the greatest problem of all is Russia.
That mighty empire is driven on in darkness by the fiend of conquest and military power. Combined Europe can resist her, no puwer can conquer her. We wait for a mighty angel to come down from heaven having a great chain in his hand in order to lay hold of the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bind him a thousand years, that he should deceive and oppress the nations no more.
LEXINGTON. C. H.
MISSIONS IN TURKEY.* BY REV. HERMAN N. BARNUM, D.D., BARPOOT, TURKEY.
The missionary work which now extends to almost all parts of the Turkish Empire was commenced at Constantinople in 1831 by Dr. William Goodell, as a missionary of the American Board. In few countries have the principles of missionary comity been better observed. In Constantinople some English and Scotch societies have been at work, but in differellt lines from the missionaries of the American Board, and always preserving the most cordial relations with them. In other parts of the country disturbing elements have sometimes been introduced, but as a whole the American Board and its missionaries have had control of the evangelizing agencies, and have been free to manage them in their own way.
Few missionary fields present a greater variety of races and religions than Turkey.. It is customary to class the Nusairiyeh and Yezidus as Pagans. All the rest are theists, and even these hold to a sort of theism, but it is corrupted by other elements. Of Christian sects there are the Armenians, Bulgarians, Jacobites, Greeks, and Nestorians, and each of these sects has a papal branch, everyone distinct from all the rest. There is also a sprinkling of Latins, and there are many Jews. The Mohammedans constitute about four fifths of the population, and there are sects among them as well as among Christians. They have generally shown a large degree of toleration to all other religions which do not interfere with their own faith.
Before sending missionaries to Turkey the attention of the American Board had been drawn to the Armenians. Work was begun among them, and its greatest results have been achieved among them, although it has extended to the Bulgarians, Greeks, and Jacobites. The Armenians are an honest, sincere people ; they are allowed to read the Bible, and at that .. Syria, although polltically a part of Turkey, will not be considered In this article. time there was a spirit of inquiry and a desire for reform, whi<lh made them particularly accessible. For several years the hope was entertained by the missionaries and the converts that a reformation might be effected within the Armenian or Gregorian Church itself. Schools were opened, inquirers multiplied, and for a time even the Armenian patriarch himself expressed his satisfaction with the movement. It soon became apparent, however, that the ecclesiastics did not wish a genuine reform, and they inaugurated a violent persecution, which drove all the evangelicals out of the old church, and completed the organization of an evangelical church.
One hundred and twenty-five churches have now been organized, with a membership of about thirteen thousand. The first churches were naturally formed upon a Presbyterio-Congregational basis, after the polity of the missionaries who organized them; but as churches have multiplied no effort has been made by the missionaries to control their polity or to interfere with their perfect independence. They prefer to see them adopt the form that is the most natural expression of their religious life as it is modified by national characteristics. Some influential Protestants are of the opinion that an episcopal form-a modification of their ancient church government–is the best adapted to them as Orientals; but the large majority, having had an experience of self-government, are afraid of anything that resembles their former despotic system. The missionaries have held and still believe that the outcome of genuine missionary work is the organization of believers into self.supporting churches, having their own pastors, and that from the outset they should be independent of missionary control, and that the entire work should be committed to the churches as fast as they are able to assume it.
As to the general management of the missionary work during its present stage of development, after considerable discussion a plan was adopted by a general conference at Constantinople in 1883, and appr~ved by the Board, which provides that missionaries and natives are to share the responsibility equally. Whenever there is a di1ierence of opinion as to the use of missionary funds-a contingency which seldom arises-the missionary voice is to control. In everything else the responsibility is equal. This plan has worked well, and ought to have been adopted much earlier. Both parties have been benefited by this sharing of the work together, and it has been a gain to the work itself. It shows the people that the work is properly their own, and the missionaries are. merely their helpers; and it is a step preparatory to the transfer of the whole responsibility to the people.
From the beginning of this work in Turkey the supreme aim has been, not educational, but evangelistic. The Bible has been the baEis, and thE.' effort has been to put the Bible within the reach of every family in their own vernacular. In this endeavor we have always had the most generous and hearty co·.operation of the American and the British and Foreign Bible societies. A degree of education wan necessary in order to make the Bible available to the masses, for very few of the men and none of the women throughout the country knew how to read; so, wherever the missionary has gone, schools of a simple character have been opened, with the primary' object of enabling people to read the Bible. With the same object great efforts have been made to persuade adults to learn to read, and with the most gratifying results. Everybody who learns to read is sure to procure a Bible, or at least a New Testament. The missionary ladies experienced no little difficulty at first in persuading women to learn to read. Women were supposed to have inferior minds, and the art of reading was considered to be a prerogative of the male sex. Those who first made the attempt met opposition at home and ridicule abroad, but experience soon demonstrated the fact that a Bible in the hands of a woman gave her a new sense of personal dignity and worth, and by exalting her to a higher plane transformed her home. The ability to read is no longer a reproach to a woman, but those who cannot read are ashamed to confess their ignorance. No result of the missionary work thus far is more gratifying and more clearly proves its genuineness than the change wrought among the women, and through them upon their homes. The agency of the women's boards, in co-operation with the American Board, since their organization, twenty-five years ago, is one of the most potent factors in the regeneration of the land.
The training of men for the ministry is one of the first things to engage the missionary'S attention. From among his converts he selects those who are most apt to teach-young men of considerable maturity-and after a few months of study, mostly biblical, sends them out to teach and preach during the winter, to re.turn for further study during the summer months. These men become pioneers. The first pastors were from this class after a three or four years' training. With the advance of intelligence in t11e congregations, the course of theological study has advanced, and these early classes developed into regularly organized theological seminaries, of which there are five. The Eastern Turkey Mission has two, one being located at Mardin, in which the instruction is given in Arabic, that being the language of that part of the country.
Mter the foundations were fairly laid the character of the schools was improved. They have been graded and adapted to the growing intelligence of the people-the people assuming the responsibility, with some aid for a time from missionary fund". The schools are no longer a distinctively mIssIOnary agency. The Bible is daily taught in them, and it thus finds its way into many families, and aids in the work of evangelization, but that is not any longer the primary aim. They are adjusted to the needs of these new communities, and designed to prepare the young for the duties of life just as in Christian countries. In the four Turkish missions-European, Western, Central, and Eastern-there are about four hundred common schools with some sixteen thousand pupils.
The improvement of the common schools created the necessity for a few high schools at central points for the preparation of teachers and the giving of a preparatory training to some of the brightest youth looking to other professions. The development along this line has been such as to demand colleges for both sexes. Christian civilization requires educated leaders, and the desire to furnish such, along with the growing thirst among the people for higher education, has led to the opening of a male and a female college in each one of the four missions aside from Robert College, at Constantinople, which is an independent institution. Connected with these higher schools are twenty-four hundred pupils, of whom nearly eleven hundred are girls-a body of young people who are destined to be a blessing to the land. These schools have awakened an enthusiasm for education which has sometimes excited the fear that the evangelistic work might be o-ershadowed by it, but special pains are taken to keep the .Gospel everywhere at the front. The daily study of the Bible is a part of the programme of everyone of these schools from the highest to the lowest. An, education that is not thoroughly Christian is a doubtful benefit to the individual or the nation.
The changes, material and moral, which have been wrought in Turkey during the last sixty years have been many and significant. To claim them all as the -result of missions would not be honest. Something is due to the spirit of the age and to the influence of European civilization, which have helped to stir the sluggish Orient, although those influences are not always beneficial. It is easy to see, however, that all that is best in these developments is the direct fruit of the Gospel. It has awakened the mind, introduced Christian education, begotten enterprise, elevated woman, regenerated the home, sanctified the Sabbath, created a higher tone of busi· ness morality, and, in general, it has given an impulse to society in the direction of a higher civilization.
The missionary work ought to be in a condition to be transferred before many years to the native churches, but there are obstacles to the realization of this plan, some of which will be enumerated.
1. Independence requires leaders and administrators. There are some who are fitted to take the control of such a work, but they are few. The Protestant churches are doing a noble missionary work in Koordistan, but they have not yet gained tIle experience nor risen to the exigency of carrying forward the evangelical work of the country without help. There is also a strong tide of emigration to America, which takes some of the most energetic of our young men; and some of the ablest are drawn into business and into other professions. The whole number of missionaries is sixty-two males and one hundred and sixteen females. This number is likely to be diminished, and as fast as possible responsibility will be passed over to the churches and their leaders.
2. A hindrance of no small account is the poverty of the people. A preliminary to independence is self-support. In few fields has self-support had an earlier recognition or been more faithfully pressed. Not a few of the churches have attained to complete independence. The Protestants raise for all purposes nearly $60,000 annually, still the majority of the congregations are utterly unable to assume the entire support of their preachers and teachers. The country is poor. European armaments compel Turkey to maintain a large standing' army and an expensive navy.·; The expenses of the government are great, and taxation is extremely burdensome. Protestants have shown not a little enterprise, but it is difficult, to introduce any new industry. The Orient does not take readily to new things, and the Government does very little to help them forward, but, on the contrary, seeks help from them for the treasury.
3. The hope of a reformation in the Gregorian Church restrains many from joining the Protestant movement. The Bible has been widely circulated and read. Its truths are becoming well known, and while the rites of the Church are maintained, the errors and superstitions of former days are intellectually renounced. It is, perhaps, safe to say that the majority of the Armenians are orthodox in belief, and that is their snare. They are contented with a right belief. They say, "We no longer trust to rites and good works for salvation. Christ is the only Saviour. We believe as you do," etc. Many of the Protestants are too much of the same mind. Too many of them feel that this confession on the part of their Armenian neighbors is enough, therefore they do not labor for them. There is some reason to hope that a genuine reform may take place at some time in the Gregorian Church so deep and thorough that the Protestants may return to it, especially if the truth which is known and confessed shall be vivified by the Holy Spirit; but at present there is a spiro itual deadness which causes multitudes to be satisfied with a formal confession of the truth and a partial rectification of conduct.
4. Another serious obstacle is the attitude of the Government and its co-religionists. This is a point upon which, for obvious reasons, it is not expedient to speak very freely. For ·many years the Government was indifferent, and the Mohammedamt generally looked with a degree of favor upon Protestantism as an improvement upon any other Christian system with which they were acquainted. There is no more loyal class in the country than the Protestants, and governors of the provinces and other high officials have frequently acknowledged it; and they have said that the spread of Protestantism is a public benefit. Of late years, however, Protestant growth in intelligence and manhood has become an occasion for SUspICIon. Islam had its birth in the seventh century, and it retains the character of the country and the time of its birth, and it has come to look upon vital Christianity as a serious menace.
Despite these and many other hindrances such as are found in all missionary fields there can be no doubt of the genuineness of the Christianity which is now being revived in its ancient home. The truth has taken deep root. The leaven is widely spread, and it is silently doing its work. The Christian Church needs to have a deep sense of its own great privilege and opportunity, and to manifest it by more liberal gifts and more fervent prayer.
THE YEA.R IN JA.PAN. '737
THE YEAR IN JAPAN.
BY REV. GEORGE WILLIAM KNOX, D.D., TOKYO, IAPAN.
For the year past Japan has been at peace-nature, society, missions undisturbed by calamities and unexcited by great events. Without severe earthquakes, convulsions, or struggles, the quiet routine of common life, in contrast to other years, offers little material for reports. A few weeks ago, however, two dormant volcanoes exploded, giving evidence that the seismic forces are not yet extinct; and there have not been wanting indication that forces which may convulse society are only quiescent.
Politic8.-The long political struggle grows confused and tedious. In the winter the strife between Diet and Government, the representatives of the people and the ruling oligarchy, reached an acute stage. The end of parliamentary government-such measure as we have-seemed at hand, when the Emperor appeared, deUit ex machina. He told the Government to mend its ways, economize, and accept the reforms proposed by the Diet. The Diet he commanded to cease its encroachments upon the imperial prerogative and its unreasonable obstruction, and to adopt a policy of peace and work. Government and Diet bowed their acknowledgments, accepted the decision, and worked for the remaining days of the session in harmony, none able to determine who was victor. Parliamentary government has made distinct advance. The device was worthy the veteran statesman who planned it, and served his turn, but it cannot be repeated. The Emperor cannot enter often the domain of party politics, even as umpire.
Agriculture and Oommerce.-Seed.time and harvest have not failed; earth, air, and sea have brought forth abundantly after their kinds. New manufactures are introduced; railway and ship-building increase; foreign commerce advances with leaps and bounds, and never before was Japan so prosperous. But with increase of wealth comes increase of sorrow. The cost of living constantly increases, luxuries become necessaries, tho struggle for existence grows fiercer, and the old Japan, the lotus-eating Japan, fades away. We hear of " sweating," of cruelly long hours of work and cruelly small rates of pay, of a growing discontent and of strikes. One half comes to believe that modern civilization costs too much, and there is a growing, oppressive sense of weariness, of the monotony of life as we see Japan struggling with our selfsame problems and conditions.
Japanese and Foreigners.-Until Japan has its way in treaty revision this heading must be continued. And the trouble nowadays is that Japan does not know what it wants. The politicians cannot agree as to the bargain they would drive, nor as to who shall have the glory of settling this troublesome affair. As everyone knows, foreigners are confined by treaty to a limited area around seven open ports, and even in the open ports can hold real estate only in small districts c~lled " concessions." But years ago the Japanese began to give passports permitting travel" for healtli or scientific purposes." The objects specified were mere forms from the start, and foreigners traversed every part of the empire in pursuance of such objects as they pleased, and now tourists by thousands and residents by hundreds take passports as matter of course, almost forgetting that they are of grace. The Government further modified the strict reqnirements of the treaties. Foreigners in government employment were permitted to reside outside of the " concessions," and soon foreigners in the employment of individual Japanese. Whereupon any foreigner could live where he choose, and a Japanese employer was never wanting, one's own cook or other employe serving in double capacity if other arrangements failed.
The Missionary Oonscimce.-Certain missionaries had a hard time with conscience. They desired to go on preaching tours, but did not wish passports for" purposes of health;" and they wished to live in the interior, but did not fancy employment without wages and by individuals in their own pay. A few missionaries have held out all these years, never going on evangelistic tours and dwelling in the" concessions." But the " con· cessions" have missionaries to spare; and the majority live as " employes" in other parts of Japan, thus accepting the situation, and funy assured that conscience has nothing now to say.
. Government Oonsent.-And on the whole they make out their case. Not only has the Government treated its own requirements as empty forms, but the men who have ruled Japan, and whose interpretation was final, have assured us that the situation was understood, and that they had not the smallest objection. And when the local police have interfered with meetings, the central authorities have issued orders that the missionaries be protected. So, too, the Government itself has issued the permits for residence in the interior, and in some has stated that the employer pays no salary, and that the object is the teaching of religion. One step further has been tamen. When foreigners live permanently in the interior, they wish their own dwellings, as desirable houses are very few. And it has been as easy to own a house in the name of a Japanese as it is for Englishmen to own real estate in the name of Americans in the United States. The Government tacitly has permitted this, and government officials have loaned their names freely for the accommodation of foreign friends. Though conscience and the Government are silent, popular agitators find enough to say : "No wonder the treaties are not revised! The foreigners have all they want. They travel throughout the empire, buy the choice spots in our most famous resorts and build villages on mountains and by the seaside. Confine them to the ' concessions' and the ' treaty limits,' and they will soon come to terms." These men overlook three points: that Japanese politics, and not foreign obstinacy, prevent revision; that foreign governments are little influenced by the petty inconveniences of these communities in the Far East· and that foreigners are not made friendly by a restriction of their privileges. But the treatment of the Chinese in the United States does not incline one to sharp criticism of anti-foreign agitation in the East.
The Possible Results of the Agitation. -Probably the agitation will come to naught-possibly it may succeed. Should it succeed, foreign missionary operations will be contracted violently. The" concessions" have not room enough, nor the" treaty limits" work enough, for one half the missionaries here. And however improbable this result may be, it should be considered when schemes for large re-enforcements are broached. Our legal rights are of the narrowest; all else is of "mere good will," and the favors now enjoyed are attacked by political agitators.
Professor lnoue.-Leaving .these remote and problematical results we may study more palpable effects. Whatever anti-foreign feeling exists is accentuated, and so far forth the difficulties of the missionary increase. Christianity is no longer advocated as the" best religion" as in former years, nor are the native faiths longer despondent. Even Shinto has put itself forward as the special guardian of patriotism and loyalty, and makes much of the refusal of certain prominent Christians to do homage to the imperial photograph j and Buddhism has entered upon an active campaign, seeking to re-establish itself as the national religion. Even men who profess no faith find occasion of offence in Christianity, and this by no means because of the peculiar doctrines of the cross. Professor Inoue has distinguished himself by a violent attack upon our faith. He is of the staff of the Imperial University, and is known throughout Japan. He studied for several years in Germany, and has some knowledge of many things. He found Christianity to be injurious to patriotism and filial piety. He published his articles in seven leading journals and then in book-form, finding a multitude of readers in every part of the land. The Buddhists adopted the book at once and purchased many copies. Quite a literature has sprung up around this book. The Christian scholars (Japanese) were not slow in coming to the defence, and found many vulnerable points. In fact, Professor Inoue had been so hasty and had made so many blunders that he lost much influence and reputation. The leading journals recognized that he had the worst of it j and the professor himself pleaded for suspension of judgment until he could review his facts. The immediate result of this controversy has been to strengthen the Christians and to attract again popular attention to Christianity. It has shown the Japanese Christians to be fully able to hold their own against the strongest men wlo enter the lists. At the same time we are not to forget that this is only an episode, and that the conflict is great. Christianity is not to be borne to victory by a great popular movement, but is to win its way by its inherent truth and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Annual Meeting of the Oongregational Ohurches.-The annual meeting of the Congregational churches was held in Tokyo in April, and took advanced position as to the relations of the Japanese Christians to the mIssIonaries. The value of their labors in tho past was fully recognized and the desire expressed for their continuance. But many of the leaders advocated a most radical change. It was urged that the present relations emphasize the foreign element, and are a distinct element of weakness. The Church should become thoroughly Japanese. Everyexpression in the reports of the mission that seem to claim the results attained as its own should be expunged ; indeed, the mission should not issue a report at all, but the report should be the product of the Church. The mission as an organized body should cease to exist, the missionaries throwing in their lot with the Japanese, claiming no special rights or privileges, accepting such places as might be assigned them by the Church and serving on committees only as elected. The funds contributed in the United States should be given, not to the mission, but to the committees of the Church. To accomplish these results the form of government of the churches should be more centralized. This programme was advocated in the denominational press with fervor; but the annual meeting was not ready to go so far. It merely drew a plain line of distinction between independent and mission churches, giving the former, only, the right of membership in the annual meeting. The plan for the control of the missionaries was not even introduced, and had no chance of adoption, but a long step was taken in the direction of putting the strong churches and the strong men by themselves and leaving the weaker congregations to the foreigners and under a tacit reproach. No other mission in Japan, perhaps none in the world, has gone so far in the bestowal of full rights and dignities upon the native brethren as the mission of the A. B. C. F. M. All that can be implied by the word co-operation, all that is implied in dealing with the Japanese as brethren, has been adopted designedly. The mission has put its great school in Kyoto fully into Japanese control and gives large amounts of money to the Board of Missions of the churches. The result does not seem altogether satisfactory j and some outsiders think the policy of concession bas been carried too far.
Mission Polity.-Three forms of mission polity are proposed: Mission control, co-operation, Japanese control. Each has its advantages, its disadvantages, its advocates and its opponents. The first–mission controlhas attractions for many missionaries. It is simple, appears reasonable, in some circumstances may be strong, and in the beginning is inevitable. The missionary is at the head of the enterprise, and has the funds. While foreign money is used the foreigner must control, is the motto. The funds are entrusted to the missionary j he is responsible for their expenditure, and this responsibility he cannot give to another. Besides, the missionary by heredity, by education, by long experience is better able to direct and lead. When the native Christians by and by have gained a similar education and experience, above all, when they are able to pay for their churches, pastors, schools, and missions, they shall control and be welcome. And even now, so far as they pay, let them rule, and in purely ecclesiastical affairs they may decide, but must not touch the sacred pur~e strings. This polity insists too much on the purse, as if it were the efficient and all-important factor in the founding of the Church. It puts foreigner and mission to the front and gives the Church the air of an imported institution. In so far as the control is effective, it does make the Church foreign and affronts self-respecting and patriotic men. It often leads to great errors when foreign ideas and plans arc enforced. It causes friction endlessly, and subjects the missionary to constant and severe criticism. It obliges too large a proportion of the missionary force to tend tahles and argue accounts. It does nothing toward training the Church to undertake its full respousibility. It insists that the latest comer, if a foreigner, is more worthy of power than the most experienced native. It is possible only while the Church is weak or its members dependent, and its reward for self-support is entire freedom from missionary influence. The policy of co-operation would meet these disadvantages. It puts foreigner and native on a level. They are brethren in the Church and in the control of affairs. There is to be equality in position and in power. The Church contributes to its own support.and to the evangelIstic work; the mission contributes to the same end, and the common fund is administered by joint committees and boards. The full foreign representation is the guarantee to the Church in the United States that its funds are well employed; and the full Japanese representatIOn, that the native wishes, views and experience shall have full weight. The Church is trained to responsibility and to liberality. It is prepared for the day when it shall stand alone, while the foreigner enters into the Church life and has fair field for snch influence as his experience and qualities rightfully command. The policy has its difficulties. It demands mutual respect and self-respect. It is not easy for men of different races to co-operate. To submit to majority rule is difficult at home, it becomes still more so when the majority is of another race and color. Patience, mutual love, and confidence, a willingness to overlook small differences, to sacrifice minor points of opinion to larger and higher ends, the ability to see both sides of questions, and the resolute determination to put aside prejudice and suspicion are.requisite to success. As the missionary claims the longer Christian experience, and the richer, perhaps, it becomes him in fullest measure to manifest these gifts, the special graces of the Spirit who inspires the Church. The third theory makes the missionary an employe, unpaid, it is true, but none the less at the direction of the Japanese. They control and he obeys. He is to have no part in the direction of affairs, but must occupy the position of foreigners hired by the imperial Government. The theory is interesting as showing what demands are possible. Were it agreed to, missions would disband; half, perhaps more, of the force would be sent home, and the missionaries who should remain would be exceptional men of peculiar temperament. It is a demand in reality for the continuance of foreign funds and the withdrawal of foreign missionaries.
THE CHURCH OF ABYSSINIA
The Year's Work.-The work has gone on in quietness, with greater interest and greater gains than for several years. The churches have wholly emerged from the period of theological doubt and discussion and are more conservative than ever before. Evangelists, pastors and people are preaching the Gospel with renewed earnestness. If there is not to be a national movement comparable to that of a few years ago we may at least hope for constant and substantial progress.
The Self-support of the Ohurches.-Comparatively little advance has been made in self·support for some years. The reasons are obvious. Japan passed through a period of severe financial depresRion, and before it was gone came the anti-foreign reaction, and this was followed by a period of doubt and coldness in the Ohurch. It may b~, too, that the missionaries have lost their early zeal. There are indications, however, of reviving interest in this subject among Japanese and foreigners.
Dr. and Mrs. Hepburn.-From the beginning Dr. and Mrs. Hepburn have been our representative missionaries. They arrived in Japan in 1859, when it was first opened to foreigners, and when the way hither was still by sailing vessel around the Cape. They shared in all the difficulties of the early years. One young man took service in Dr. Hepburn'S household with intention to kill him, but was won from his purpose by the Christian life he saw. And thr6ugh all these years more precious than all else, than the abundant and successful labors as physician, lexicographer, translator, and evangelist, has been the constant manifestation of the Spirit of Christ. We may well rejoice that Dr. Hepburn has been the representative missionary to Japan. The final departure of Dr. and Mrs. Hepburn was the signal for an unparalleled demonstration from the whole community. These missionaries at least have won the respect and love of all, and all united in showing gratitude and esteem.
THE CHURCH OF ABYSSINIA.
BY PROFESSOR GEORGE H. SOHODDE, PH.D., COLUMBUS, O.
In these days, when the old question quid novi ex Africa is re-ecnoed In an entirely new sense, and the evangelization of the Dark Continent is the aim and ambition of aggressive Christian mission enterprise, it is of special interest to remember that there is yet one national Christian church in Africa, namely, the Abyssinian. Of all the remnants and reo mains of the once so powerful Christianity of the Oriental nation, and particularly of the African continent, of which St. Augustine, Cyprian, TertuIlian, aud others are historic monuments, the Abyssinian is the only one that has been able to maintain its national and characteristic individuality. Singularly enough, it has attracted but little attention on the part of Western Christianity; and the rejuvenation of the petrified formalism of the Abyssinian Church into a living and life-giving evangelical communion has among Protestants enlisted the energies of only a few English and German missionaries, and in recent times of a Swedish society. The Jesuits began work there already in the sixteenth century and managed even to set one of their own puppets on t,he throne j but a reaction came, and the expulsion of the Fathers followed, who were not admitted again until in recent years. According to the Catholic writer Munzenberger, himself a Jesuit, in his" Abyssinnien," there are now in that country thirty native Catholic priests, assisted by eleven priests of the Lazarist congregation under the direction of Bishop Crouzet. The principal station is at Keren. Here, too, there is a seminary with sixty pupils studying the Ethiopic and Latin languages together with theology. There are also in Abyssinia eight Catholic schools-six for boys and two for girls. Statistics of Protestant success are not obtainable, but progress has been made, and both the people and their church deserve much more attention on the part of Christian mission workers than they are receiving. This their character, history, and status abundantly demonstrate.
The Armenian, the Syrian, the Coptic, and other Oriental churches have almost been wiped out by the Moslem conquerors. The few thousands of Armenian Christians that are scattered through the Turkish and Persian .empires-the Copts in Egypt, the Thomas Christians in India-these and communions like these are the mere remains and ruins of former greatness and a sad reminder of what was lost to Christianity and civilization by the success of the Mohammedan propaganda of the sword and false doctrine. The Abyssinians, the modern representatives of the Ethiopians of history, are the only Eastern Christians that in their national existence have not been crushed by the Mohammedans. Against fearful odds the mountaineers of the " Switzerland of Africa," as Ethiopia is often called, maintained a struggle for life and death with the fanatical defenders of Islam. The latter were able to crowd back the Christians of Southeastern Europe to the very gates of Vienna, and the Christians of Southwestern Europe to the north and east of France, yet they could not wipe out the Abyssinians, which they have been trying to do for more than a thousand years. The latter still stand as the only non-barbarian people of the African continent that did not yield to the arms of the false prophet of Mecca.
This unique historical p~ominence is in accord with pedigree, origin, and character. In all these respects they are unlike the other peoples of the Dark Continent. They belong to the Semitic family of peoples, the same to which also the Jews, the Arabs, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, and other nations who have been powerful factors aRd determining forces in the early history of the human race. In fact, they are the only member of this family that as a nation has adopted Christianity. It will ever remain one of the strange phenomena of history that Christianity sprang out of Semitic soil, but has found its greatest adherence among the Aryan peoples. The Syrians were Semitic, but Christianity was never their national religion. It thus became literally true that Shem has dwelled in the tents of Japhet j the spiritual inheritance of Shem has pased into the possession of -Japhet. The history of Abyssinia is almost entirely of a religious character. Of the times prior to the introduction of Christianity in the days of Athanasius but little is known. Only in recent times has a German traveller, Glaser, found in Southem Arabia a number ofinscriptions showing that in early times the Abyssinians were settled in that country. This perfectly agrees with the fact that the Abyssinian language is more closely allied to the Arabic than to any other branch of the Semitic tongues, and also with the tradition of the Abyssinians, who prefer to call themselves "Geez"-i.e., which means both" immigrants" and" free." In this way it can be seen that in reality the Abyssiniaus are not" Ethiopians" at all-e.g., they are not black. Calling the blacks of Africa" Ethiopians" is only another specimen of lucult a non lucendo. The Ethiopians being, with the exception of the Egyptians, the only African people known to the classical writers, the name was gradually applied to all the peoples of the African continent. In reality the Abyssinians are an Aryan people, as much so as the Greeks or Romans or the modern Europeans and Americans. They are coffee-colored, but in appearance and characteristic traits everywhere betray the Aryan.
The making of the Abyssinian nation is entirely the work of Christianity, and that, too, of Greek Christianity. It was not Greek culture or philosophy or civilization in themselves that in the fourth century brought the Ethiopians of antiquity on the stage of history. It was Greek Christianity that did this. Although geographically nearest to Egypt, that classic country has seldom had any influence for good on its southern neighbor. Of the venerable civilization of the land of Pharaoh, with its pyramids, temples, and cities, there is no sign to be found in the whole country of Abyssinia. The Christianization of this country almost at as early a date as it became the established religion of the Roman Empire has determined the whole history and national development of this people. Abyssinian history is really in sense and substance a chapter in Oriental church history, and a very interesting chapter at that. The religious element that began the process in the establishment of Ethiopia as a nation has been the controlling factor all along, and has been the decisive element in the national character. Divorced from religion, Abyssinia has never known any civilization or literature. Certain national peculiarities, such as the observance of the seventh as well as the first day of the week j the practice of circumcision as well as of baptism j long seasons of fasts j adherence to the laws of meats as found in the Old Testament law, as also the existence of a peculiar class of black Jews (the Falashas)-of whom there are about two hundred thousand in Abyssinia, but who at one time in the history of the people had managed to secure the throne, and who by descent actually belong to the Ethiopic race-all these things would point to a Jewish period before the Christian, in Abyssinia. But aside from the st~ut demals of the native writers, there are no positive evidences that these are more than national peculiarities, inheritances from the old Semitic family of peoples, as it is well known that some of these-such as the Sab. bath observance-was found also among non·Jewish Semites-e.g., the Babylonians.
The precise period of the introduction of Christianity into Abyssinia has also exerted a decisive influence on them and their history. It was the first century after Christianity had become the accepted religion of the empire, the age of controversies on theological and christological subjects. It was not yet the period when a highly developed culture and civilization went hand in hand with the new faith, when grand churches and basilicas were built, and when literature, the sciences, and the arts had adjusted themselves to the new state of affairs and had thrown off allegiance to the Greek and Roman ideals and had become imbued with the new spirit. Before that formative era of controversy was over Abyssinia had already severed its connection with the Greek Church and the Greek world of thought. The Synod of Chalcedon, in 451, condemned the monophysitic doctrines of the Egyptian churches, and with this act the Christian churches of that country and of Abyssinia withdrew from the Church at large. About two centuries later Mohammedanism conquered Egypt, and thus separated the Abyssinian people externally also from all the other nations with whom they had been in any connection or spiritual union.
These facts explain much that is seemingly enigmatical in the history and character of the Abyssinian Church. First, the self.imposed and then the enforced isolation of the peoples on account of that very thing which entered most largely into their national development, namely, their reo ligion, naturally made them all the more zealous in preserving at least the outward forms of their historic worship and Christianity. The conserva· tism, naturally so deeply implanted in the Semitic peoples, proved a most effective assistant and agent for the process of spiritual petrifaction. Ac· cordingly, we have in the Abyssinians of to-day virtually a petrified Greek Christianity of the fourth and the fifth centuries. The outward forms, litur· gies, dogmas, and ceremonies have been handed down from century to century uninfluenced by the development that has been going on in the civilized world and in the Church elsewhere during all these long years. The spiritual element in the religion of the Abyssinian Church is gone; it is now mere formalism. The hull and shell of Christianity is certainly there ; the kernel, the life has departed.
These facts furnish us with the data intelligently to judge of the mission problem and prospects presented by this unique people and Church. Naturally the former is not an easy one. The work to be done is to intro. duce into the forms of Christianity obtaining in Abyssinia the real spiro itual life of the Gospel. Protestant mission societies have felt this to be the case, and have labored in this direction as much as they could, but against terrible odds. Again and again have they been driven from the country by the "Christian" rulers of the land, because in the nature of' the case they were compelled to antagonize the claims, tenets, and teachings of the national Church. It will be remembered that the English campaign under Lord Napier in 1855 was to rescue the missionaries which had been imprisoned by that barbaric genius, King Theodorus II. The beginnings of Protestant work both among the Christian Abyssinians and among the Falashas dated from 1830, when the British Society sent out Samuel Gobat, who afterward became the famous Anglo-Prussian Bishop of Jerusalem, to labor in that historic land of Abyssinia. He was followed by Krapf and Isenberg, who did much to secure for Abyssinia an evangelical literature, disposing of more than eight thousand Bibles ltmong the people. These three are the leading names among the Protestant pioneers in this land, while others, such as Sterns, have ably assisted, the last-mentioned laboring almost exclusively among the Black Jews. The most successful among the succession of this first generation of Protestant missionaries was Martin Flad, who has been several times banished, and now, in nis extreme old age, lives in Wurtemberg, in Germany, still directing from there as much as possible the mission work among the native Falashas. Swedish gospel messengers have in recent years been admitted to this field by King Menelik under certain restrictions, but as yet they have not been able to report gi'eat progress. Several hundred Falasha converts have proved faithful to the Gospel preached to them by Flad and others, and now and then letters come to this venerable worker from the native helpers showing that in spite of persecutions they are still faithful to the Gos-' pel they have learnea to love. Within the Jast few years two most interesting and touching letters of this kind from the native helper, Michael Argavi, have been published in various mission journals, in which instances of fidelity to the faith once delivered to the saints are recorded that well-nigh equal those narrated in the books of the Maccabees.
Certainly people and prospects like these should prove peculiarly attractive to zealous mission workers. To rebuild on historic Christian ground the Church of God is an enterprise well worth the prayer and energy of evangelical Christendom. The Abyssinians are a noble people even in their present low religious and spiritual condition; but with a revived and life-giving Christianity they could become a power in the Dark Continent for the Gospel cause and a truly evangelical Christian Abyssinia, and become possibly the best basis of operation for the hosts of Christian workers going out conquering and to conquer throughout the length and breadth of Africa.
Dr. George E. Post suggests a providential purpose in the existence of the Coptic, Armenian, Nestorian. A.byssinian churches. Mohammedanism, like a vast arch, stretches from eastern China to western Africa; and the location of these remnants of ancient Oriental churches hints a Divine plan: that, revivified by the Holy Spirit, they shall help to permeate surrounding peoples with the gospel.-A. T. P.
THE EVANGELIZATION OJ<' ARABIA
THE EVANGELIZATION OF ARABIA.
BY REV. S. M. ZWEMER, BAHREIN ISLAND, ARABIA.
" And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are these aU thy children 1"-1 Sam. 16 : 11. " And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, for as much as he also is a son of Abraham."-Luke 19: 6.
Arabia, like ancient Gaul, is divided into three parts, Petrea, Deserta, and Felix. As is the land, so has been its history. The caravan trade, which brought all the wealth of Ormuz and Ind to the marts of the West, left large blessing on the desert and made Arabia commercially happy, for, as Sprenger naively puts it, "The history of early commerce is the history of incense," and the land of incense was Arabia. When commerce left the land and chose the sea, the entire peninsula suffered and became, in a sense, deserta. And when Islam triumphed it petrified.
Christianity in Arabia has had only two short chapters; the first is completed, the second has not yet been written full. The first tells of a superstitious, almost pagan, form of Christianity in Yemen, before the advent of Mohammed. The second is the story of Christian missions in Arabia. The first is faithfully chronicled in that rare and interesting volume, Wright's" Essay on Early Christianity in Arabia" (1855). It is our purpose now to sketch the geography of Arabia in its relation to missions, give an outline of what has been done by missions, and present these facts as a plea.
Physical Arabia is as wonderful in its diversity as is the opinion of modern critics on the ethnology of its peoples. In the Far North and along the Mesopotamian valley there are vast fertile plains covered in winter with luxuriant grass, on which flocks of sheep pasture. Brilliant with flowers in spring, all dries dead when the rains cease; then, too, the nomads fold their tents and steal away. Central Arabia is a tableland two to four thousand feet above sea level, rocky and barren for the most part, and again adapted to pasture and hcrds or the date palm. The Western coast begins with lofty Sinai and extends to the volcanic rocks that give Aden strength. It is, however, low, hot, rainless, and, but for a few oases, nearly barren. The interior rises to become mountainous and desolate, as near Jiddah and Yenbo, or mountainous, well-watered, fertile, and densely populated, as in Asir and Yemen. At Jiddah the highest inland peaks are only two days' journey; from Hodeida it takes six days' climb for mules and ten for camels to reach Sanaa, the capital.
The Southern coast line resembles the Western, but is altogether more fcrtile ; from Aden to Makallah the country inland produces tobacco, coffee, and gums; from Shehr to Muscat the interior }s least known ; but Arabs from Sur tell me it is fertile and populous ; here was the Regio Libanotofera, the incense country of antiquity, and to-day the best maps even write Roba El Khaly (the empty place) to conceal ignorance! North of Muscat the coast stretches in rocky heights past Ras Mussendom, Katar, and the pearl islands of Bahrein. EI Hassa has low, moist ground where rice grows, hot springs, ancient ruins, and is altogether a remarkable province. From the mouth of the Tigris-Euphrates to the city of Bagdad the land is blessed with wealth of palms, barley, and wheat. Arabia is not wholly a desert, nor is it deserted. The exact population is unknown. Albrecht Jehm, the best authority I know, estimates as follows in his book, " Arabian seit hundert Jahren j" it will be noticed that he excludes the Euphrates valley in his summary : Yemen and Asir ……••••.•••••………. 2,252,000 Hadramaiit…•….•… , .•••••••••••.••… 1,550,000 Oman and Maskat.•.•••..•…•…•..•….. ] ,350,000 Bahrein, Katif … Nejd .. ,. ………… . 2,350,000 Hedjaz, Anaeze, Kasim, Jebel Shammar ..••.• 3,250,000 10,752,000 Arabia political is a problem on a chess-board waiting solution. The Wahabee game has been left unfinished, and others have tried their hand.
Sinai is Egyptian, and also the two hundred miles south of the Gulf of Abba. Hedjaz belongs to the Turk, and he also grasps (not holds) Yemen, Asir, El Hasa, and Irak. All the rest of Arabia yields neither I love, Qbedience, nor tribute to the Sublime Porte. The oppressed tribes of Upper Yemen were recently crushed into submission, but do not de- * spair of future revolution. El Hassa frets like an Arab steed under the yoke of taxation, and Mecca itself dictates at times to the power behind the throne in Constantinople. t The tribes near Aden and the entire South coast, including Muscat, are in one way or other under subsidy or " pro- tection" of the English, who rule the gulf and have a voice at Busrah and Bagdad. Wide, wild Nejd bends to the iron sceptre of that greatest Arab of our day, Ibn Rasheed, the Ameer of Jebel Shommar. For the rest, nomads roam the free desert, acknowledging no sultan save their sword; they hold the parliament of war or peace in the black tents of Kedar.
Thus, within the last fifty years have the schisms of Islam, the turmoil of nomad rebellion, and the diplomacy of English commerce burst the bar- riers of the land of Ishmacl for the all-conquering son of Isaac j the very cradle of Islam is almost unveiled for the herald of the cross.
The strategic points for mission effort in Arabia must, from the nature of the case, be first on the coast, and they are six cities-Jeddah, Aden, Makallah, Muscat, Bahrein, and Busrah. Each of these has special claims as being the trade centre of a province, and each has peculiar advantages and therefore special plea for mission effort.
Says Doughty, thun whom there is no better authority on Arabia • See an article by W. B. Hllrris In Blackw(J()d"g for February, 1893. t Snouck, .. Hurgronje'a Mekl<a," Vol. I., 1888. Deserta : "All Nejd Arabia east of Teyma appertains to the Persian Gulf traffic and not to Syria j and therefore the f01·eign color of Nejd is Mesopotamian. " This statement leaves no question as to the importance of Busrah as a mission headquarters aside from the demonstration of its claim by the possibility and progress of work recently inaugurated there. Bahrein is under English protection, has a large population peculiarly friendly to foreigners, and has the largest import trade in the gulf. Mus_ cat is the key to Oman and Makallah to Hadramaiit. Aden is English, and has long since taken commercial prestige away from dead Mocha and bed-ridden Hodeida. H anywhere, then here there should be a strong evangelical mission for Europeans and natives lest the moral corruption of a Port Said be paralleled. Jiddah is the port of Mecca, and (listen again to Doughty) "Jiddah is the staple town of African slavery for the Turkish Empire-Jiddah where are .Frankish conSUlS-OR ALL THE MOSLEMIN * ARE LIARS." The italics are his own, and the statement is true.
Such is Arabia, and such are its natural gateways for good or ill. Where have missionaries been 1 Where has the Gospel entered 1 Where has it found foothold 1 Too brief is the answer, yet not without interest.
Long had the Holy Spirit of missions brooded over the face of this deep before God said: "Let there be light." Long did neglected Ara- bia wait, but the hour of her redemption is drawing nigh. Space forbids to give data and facts at length. J The British and Foreign Bible Society had sent colporteurs to Jiddah and opened a depot at Aden j the Church Missionary Society proposed a mission to the latter place, and the Baptists (English) to Jiddah about 1884. t But before these proposals were carried out Ion Keith Falconer begin his pioneer mission at Sheikh Othman (1885). Why the Scotch nobleman chose this centre for the work, what he did and suffered, and how he entered into glory, every student of missions has read in his memorials by Robert Sinker [Cambridge, 6th edition, 1890]' It is true that a Roman Catholic mission was founded at Aden in 1840, but the Keith Falconer Mission of the Free Church of Scotland was the pioneer of Protestant effort. Dr. and Mrs. Harpur came to Aden for the Church Missionary Society in 1886, afterward moved to Dhala, and again to Hodeida, but were obliged to withdraw some time later. In 1856 Rev. A. Stern had made a missionary journey to Sanaa in behalf of the Jews j an American sea captain is said to have carried Scriptures to Muscat annually on his voyages, and there may have been scattered effort before that time. We speak of organized work.
The appeal of Mackay from Uganda for a mission to the Arabs of Muscat (1889), and General Haig's report of his journeys in Southern and Eastern Arabia (1887) were two trumpet-calls to duty. Thomas V.lpy French responded to the first, and that broken box of exceeding precious … Arabia Deserta," Vol. II., pp. 167.
t See General Haig's Report in (Jl!urch Mi88iQnary Intelligencer, 1884. ointment was fragrant from Muscat to the whole missionary world. It was not what he accomplished, but what he purposed, that made the late Bishop of Lahore the Henry Martyn of Arabia. From America, though the paper of General Haig was unknown there, came the reply to the other call for the evangelization of Arabia. And it was a providential coincidence that one of the missionaries from America to Arabia journeyed with Bishop French to Aden and met General Haig with him at Suakin. The Arabian Mission was organized in 1889 ; its plan and purpose the readers of the MISSIONARY REVIEW know. At present the mission has its headquarters at Busrah and an out-station at Bahrein; in both places there is a Bible and book depot j work is openly carried on for Moslems, and we number three ordained missionaries and three native helpers. At Sheikh Othman are Rev. and Mrs. Gardner and Dr. Young, with one native helper; the mission has a dispensary and a school has been opened. At Aden is the depositary of the Hible Society, and Rev. Friedrich Grote, of the German Lutheran Church, is at present, I believe, working independently among the Bedouin of Sinai. This makes a total of seven missionaries and four native helpers for the whole of Arabia. What are these among so many ~ The most of the great doors of entrance yet unentered; the vast interior unoccnpied; and ten millions of people, WHO ARE NOT INAO- CESSIBLE, utterly neglected by the vast majority of Ohristians who believe in missions-neglected in the concert of prayer and in the consecration of men and means. If to the seed of Isaac, "to the Jew first," then surely to that other son of Abraham not last and least.
Ar.abia pleads for itself. The leadings of God's providence are the promptings of His Spirit. Must we plead with the Church not to resist the Holy Ghost 1 Darkness needs not to be further demonstrated, it mud be dispelled. Misery is its own plea. A religion of Islam without a Gethsemane can never have an Easter morning. The cross of Christ is the missing link in the Moslem's creed. Arabia pleads for men to witness for Christ; men full of faith and of the Holy Ghost; men, like James Gilmour of Mongolia, who can stoop to conquer, and who deem suffering the highest service. "Given the right men, and Arabia may be won for Christ. Start with the wrong men, and little will be accomplished." The Arab is of noble race-Anglo-Saxon of the Orient and unconquered lord of the desert. It is not hard to love him for his own sake ; it is the highest happiness to love and labor and live with him for Christ's sake. COllE OVER AND HELP us !
EVANGELICAL RUSSIA.
BY REV. P. Z. EASTON, PRINOETON, N. J.
Kiev is the holy city of the Russian land. Thither flock from all parts of the empire thousands' and tens of thousands of pilgrims. Even from the far-off Pacific shore come those who have made the long and weary journey wholly on foot. What is the secret of this wonderful attraction 1 Churches there are many and great, upon some of which have been lavished the treasures of the State, but this is true in a still higher degree of Mos- cow and even of St. Petersburg. Of wonder-working pictures and tom.bs of saints there is also here no monopoly. That which sets Kiev apart from all other cities of the Russian land, that from which it derives its peculiar glory, is tnat it is the birthplace of Russian Christianity.. There first the people, sitting in darkness, saw a great light; here lived and died the early martyrs of the faith j here first Christianity became the religion of the State. Its stately piles, its pillars, walls, and vaults, floored with gold, derive all their significance from the great deeds that have been done, the great triumphs that have been won in the first century and a half of Russian history. In vain, however, shall we seek in these ancient halls for anything corresponding with that which is here commemorated. The gold has become dim and the most fine gold changed. As with the brazen serpent, so here the memorials of Divine grace have become the instruments of superstition, and that which began in the Spirit has ended in the flesh. Nevertheless, we need not be discouraged. The new millennial of Russian history has also its signs and wonders, its manifestations of Divine power and grace, no less, perhaps more wonderful than those which marked the beginning of its history. Nor have we in this case far to go from these memorials of past triumphs. In travelling through Russia one of the things which cannot fail to strike the traveller's eye is the mean appearance which the villages uniformly present. Rows of wooden huts on either side of a wide street, one building only-the village churchgiving evidence of architectural design, is the spectacle which stands out before us. Nevertheless, these wooden huts, mean though they be in outward appearance; bare as regards what we esteem the common comforts of life, are in many cases invested with a peculiar sacredness which would justify the declaration of the patriarch, "This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven;" places where the presence .of the living God is realized as it was realized in the times of the apostles. Here, almost in the shadow of the stately churches of Kiev, meet together, under cover of the night, little bands of believers, peasant congregations of men anq women clad in coarse raiment, with hands hardened by toil, who have consecrated themselves to the service of God and seek to know and to do His will. Pressed under terrible persecution, shut off from all human aid, they hunger and thirst after that communion with the living God which alone can satisfy them and enable them to bear up under the load. Js it any wonder that under such circumstances the veil is rent, that men press forward, like Hezekiah, even into the inner sanctuary, that God's Word becomes no mere book, but the very oracles of God ~ Wonderful is the history of these humble Christians. Thirty years ago they were but a handful. At the time of the emancipation of the serfs less, perhaps, in number than the apostles. From that time on, the work began to spread in the same way as that recorded in the first chapter of St. John. As Andrew found Peter, and Philip, Nathanael, so, too, did these humble disciples find first one and then another, to whom they com- municated the truth. The ones became twos, and so the work went on, until in fifteen years Southern, especially Southwestern, Russia became dotted over with Stundist congregations, until in thirty years the small handful has become a mighty host, two hundred and fifty thousand strong, whose shadow, like a mighty tree, already covers the land. Such, in a word, is the history of the Stundist movement. This, however, is but one branch. Farther to the east and southeast we come upon an older body- the Molochans-which dates back nearly a hundred and fifty years. Their history, too, is much like that of the'Stundists. They, too, have come up out of great tribulation, and have held on their way despite all the efforts of the Government to crush them. Nay, both in the case of Stundist and Molochan we must acknowledge that the Government unwittingly has by its severe persecution been of essential service in deepening and strength- ening their faith, and by banishing them to the Caucasus, Turkestan, and Siberia, has done much to sow the good seed of the kingdom to the farthest limits of the empire. Turning now to the north, to the gay capital of the land, we find since 1874, even in Cresar's household, a band of devoted evangelical Christians, few in number, but not devoid of influence even in the highest circles.
How many avowed Russian evangelicals there are, leaving out all for- ei~ elements, is a difficult question to answer. There are those who estimate them by the millions. Five hundred thousand, perhaps, would come nearer the truth of the matter. This, however, while embracing all avowed evangelicals, would come far short of giving us anything like an estimate of the evangelical element, including only those who have come out of the pale of the Establishment. The Pashkoffites, the third party to which I have referred above, have not yet, I believe, formally separated themselves from the Established or State Church. Connected with them are others who have never identified themselves with the evangelical movement, but who are in such sympathy with it that they stand ready to aid it, so far as they can do so without compromising their official positions. These, . however, are but few in number, however great their political influence. Not so when we turn our eyes in another direction. The evangelical movement is emphatically a Bible movement. That is one thing which we cannot too much emphasize. We may sum it up in one word. The common people have found their long-lost Bible and are feeding upon it. It has come to them as a new revelation, and taken hold of them in an extraordinary manner, to which we can find no parallel this side of the Puritan Reformation in Eugland. There romances rob a man of his sleep; there the Word of God does the same. In a land wh~re less than a hundred years ago the Bible was so scarce that all the people for seventy miles around blew where a copy was to be found, to-day the British and Foreign Bible Society alone sells five hundred thousand copies yearly of that Word in whole or in piut, and during the past eighty years has put in circulation no less than nine million volumes of the Word of God. Not, therefore, in Southern Russia alone, or in the settlements of those banished for their faith, but everywhere throughout the Russian realm are found students of the Word, whose numbers are not to be counted by thousands but by millions. Plain, simple men for the most part, gathering together in dirty tea houses and other such places, gladly they hear the sacred Word and wonder at its gracious promises. To its influence they surrender themselves heart and soul, all unconscious that, in so doing, they are assuming a position of antagonism to anything in the Established order. Drawing their spiritual life from the Word of God, they at the same time practise all the rites and ceremonies which are imposed upon them by ecclesiastical authority. This state of things may go on for many years in case no demand is made upon them to choose one or the other side; but the entrance of God's Word giveth light. There comes a time in the experience of many when the scales fall from their eyes, and they no longer see men as trees walking, but all things clearly; and then there comes either fornal separation or, what is equivalent thereto, a consciousness that they must find the spiritual nourishment which they need outside the ecclesiastical organization with which they are connected. We see, therefore, that the evangelical influence is working as a mighty force under the whole fabric of Russian society, preparing the way for great and sudden changes, like those which transform its ice-bound rivers and snow-covered fields into flowing streams and summer verdure.
Another significant fact in this connection is that the evangelical movement is not a modern movement, but goes back to the very fountain-head of Russian, and, what is more, of Slavic Christianity, whose history dates back more than a century before the time of Vladimir. Not Vladimir, but Cyril and' Methodius, carrying the Word of God to the Slavic tribes on the Danube, are the real founders both of Slavic and of Russian Christianity. Already (900 B. c.) we find the bishopric of Russia; before 945 some, even of the nobles, are subject to the faith; 955 Queen Olga is baptized at Constantinople. Vladimir, therefore, finds Christianity already established in Russia. He, like Constantine, makes it the religion of the State, extends the field of its operations, but at the same time externalizes and corrupts it, making it that extraordinary mixture of Christianity, Judaism, and Paganism which it remains till this day, and which is the chief stumbling-block in the way of the union of the Slavic race.
We have now to call attention to a fact of even greater significance. Russian orthodoxy has held the field for nine hundred years; has, as it claims-and we may allow the claim-preserved the nation from destruc_ tion at more than one crisis in its history. Nevertheless, there is one thing which it has not done, there is one thing which it has utterly failed to do-viz., to develop and elevate the Russian people. No better system
'754 D. L. :MOODY AND IDS WORK
could have been devised to keep the people iu bondage, blind, passive instruments in the hands of arbitrary power both in Church and State j but now that a new state of things has arisen, and the call is no longer for slaves but free men, its impotence is manifest in the eyes of all men. Despised on the one hand by the revolutionary element as an antiquated superstition, on the other it is utterly unable to protect its proteges from the new temptations to which they are exposed on all sides. Where, then, shall help be found ~ The answer is not far to seek. The problem has already been solved. Even the enemies of evangelical Christianity, those who would persecute it to the death, are obliged to bear witness to the spleudid results which it has already wrought out in every sphere of human activity, regenerating, purifying, and transforming the Russian character in a marvellous manner. The idle man has become industrious j the drunkard, temperate j the licentious, chaste j the liar, truthful j the thief, honest j the dull, heavy and stupid, quick and intelligent. Family dwelling and community all bear witness to the transforming influence. Never has there been a finer illustration of the saying of our Lord: "If, therefore, the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." There is no room for argument, there is absolute demonstration that evangelical Christianity is for Russia and the Russian land, and for the whole Slavic race as well, the one progressive element which can surely lead it to the goal of all its hopes and aspirations j and, when we consider what there is to be thus transformed, even in Russia alone, that Colossus of the North, with its enormous extent of territory, its more than one hundred millions of people, its undeveloped resources, its central position as regards the double ,continent of Asia-Europe, its influence upon all surrounding peoples, how should we not lift up our hearts in prayer to God that all this power, and wealth, and influence which now is and which is to be may be consecrated to the service of God and truth, may be no longer a source of terror and dread to Western Christendom, but of joy and rejoicing. vVe live in times when days are years and years are centuries. Already along the Oriental horizon are heard the rumblings of what may prove to be the gathering of another storm of Oriental fanaticism and fury more destructive than any which have preceded. Laugh if we will, yet nevertheless it is the fact that the Orient still believes that it is called to be the spiritual ruler of the world. Well would it be for Christendom if, in such a case, the mad fanaticism of the Dervish hordes of the East should find in a regenerated Russia a bulwark against which it would beat in vain.
D. L. MOODY AND HIS WORK.
BY REV. A. J. GORDON, D.D.
God chooses His own workers, and the prerogative of selecting them He never puts out of His own hands. While Moses is busy in getting the seventy appointed in the tabernacle, suddenly Eldad and Medad begin to prophesy in the camp. Thus, outside of ordination and beyond the cleri- cal inclosure, the voice of the Lord makes itself heard and Joshua protests in vain. So it is constantly under the old and new covenant alike-God puts His Spirit on whom He will and none can resist Him-.
Though Dwight L. Moody has been set apart by no council and has received no laying on of consecrating hands, he has yet exhibited such signs of an apostle that the whole Church of God has heard him gladly. How he began his Christian life and how he advanced step by step from the humblest to the highest Christian servIce is too well known to need rehearsing. Coming to Boston from his country home in Northfield to find employment, he was himself found by the Lord, and under the ministry of that gracious man of God, Dr. E. N. Kirk, he entered on his membership in the Christian Church. He was educated for the ministry by ministering in all ways and in all times to those needing help. We have heard him tell of his resolve, early made and persistently carried out, of allowing no day to pass without urging upon some soul the claims of Christ. Thus he learned to preach to the hundreds l>y preaching to the one. And no doubt much of the directness and point of his style is due to this habit of personal dealing WIth souls. In preaching it is easier to harangue a multitude than to hit a man. But he who knows how to do the latter has the highest qualification for doing the former. The personal preaching that has a "Thou art the man" at the point of every sermon needs only to be multiplied by one hundred or one thousand to become popular preaching of the best sort. This is the style of the eminent evangelist. ~ He deals with the personal conscience in the plaincst and most pungent Saxon, so that the common people Mar him gladly and the uncommon people do not fail to give him their ears. ;·.i Yet his power does not lie altogether in his words, but quite as much in his administrative energy. Robert Hall was a preacher of transcendent ,genius, often producing an impression upon his hearers quite unmatched. in the history of pulpit oratory. Yet the results of his ministry were comparatively meagre; he was a great preacher but not a great doer. On the contrary, John Wesley, by no means Hall's equal as a pulpit orator, because of his extraordinary executive gifts moved a whole generation with a new religious impulse. In like manner Spurgeon, by yoking a rare preaching talent with a not less remarkable working talent, and keeping the two constantly abreast, accomplished a ministry which for largeness of results and extent of influence has possibly no equal in recent centuries.
Mr. Moody is not an ordained minister, but he is more fortunate in being a preordained worker, as well as a foreordained preacher. A genius for bringing things to pass, a talent for organizing campaigns on a large scale, selecting co-workers with singular wisdom and placing them in the most advantageous positions-this is the notable thing which appears in the character and career of the evangelist. "The governor" is the name which we. constantly heard applied to the late pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, as he moved about among his congregation in London, a few years ago. The American evangelist easily wins for himself the title of "the general" among his fellow-laborers in the Gospel. He manages the campaign, not imperiously, mdeed, but with such Napoleonic command of the situation and such mastery of resources that all his co-laborers rejoice to yield him the pre-eminence.
We venture to say, indeed, that anyone who has been much at his headquarters will find here the greatest occasion for admiration. The number and extent of religious enterprises which he can keep in hand at once, the thoroughness with which he can command every detail, the inspiration and cheer which he can put into a great army of workers gathered about him-this we have observed with a surprise that increases every year.
And with all this there is another talent which we have learned to value more and more in public men-a grand talent for silence. It is a rare thing for one to be as effective in saying nothing as he is in speaking. When a friend of Von Moltke was asked the secret of that great general's success in managing men, he replied. " He knew how to hold his tongue in seven different languages." Blessed is the man who can refrain his lips from speaking injudiciously, and his mouth that it utter no hasty word. In dealing with co-laborers endowed with all sorts ,and sizes of tempers this is an indispensable requirement. To push on the work steadily meantime, giving offense to none and holding the forces in order and harmony, is a great achivement. It requires a wise silence as well as a positive utterance to do this successfully.
A mightily energetic man is here and a singularly prudent man, one who generates great force by his preaching and his personality, but who knows at the same time how to prevent hot boxes on his train of religious enterprises by avoiding friction, which imprudent speech always genders.
And versatility, as well as ability, is here supremely manifest. The evangelistic campaigns executed in Great Britain in three several periods and those carried on in various parts of America through many years would seem quite enough to tax the utmost energy of the evangelist. But as a kind of recreation and by-work he has planted and developed his schools, with some 700 boys and girls, at Mt. Hermon and at Northfield on either side of the Connecticut River. The educational opportunity which these schools afford, especially to those of limited means, and the religious spirit with which they inspire those coming to their instruction, make them a worthy life work for any man, but they are only a part of a combined and interrelated evangelical enterprise.
Weare writing this sketch from the Bible Institute in Chicago, originated and carried on for training Christian workers of all kinds and grades. " Is Moody among the educators 1" is the question we remember to have heard asked, with not a little incredulity, when this enterprise was begun. But a month's residence in the school and the daily lecturing to the classes has brought a real surprise. There are plain men-farmers, mechanics, and clerks-who have come to get what preparation they may for doing evangelistic service amid the vast destitution of the great West. By coupling daily study with daily practice in connection with large systems of city missions centering in the institute they get an admirable fitting for their work. But what has especially struck us has been the discovery of another class in this unique school. Ve have found theological students from many of the seminaries, college graduates and men with university degrees attending the biblical lectures and getting the experience in Chris- tian work which the institute affords. Ordained ministers, too, and mis- sionaries not a few from the foreign field are in attendance on the instruc- tion and mingling in the daily evangelistic toil. So that really, without intending it, Mr. Moody's Bible Institute is supplying a post-graduate course to many candidates for the regular ministry.
A man's work often furnishes the best character sketch of himself which can possibly be drawn. We therefore give an outline of Mr. Moody's summer campaign in Chicago as a kind of full-length portrait of the evangelist himself. Let the reader be reminded that it is· in the months of July and August, when many city pastors are summering, that this recreation scheme of Mr. Moody's is carried on after his hard year's campaign in England arid America.
Four of the largllst churches in different parts of the city are held for Sunday evenings and various week-evening services. Two theatres, the Empire and the Haymarket, located in crowded centres, are open on Sun- days and the former on every week night, and they are not infrequently filled to their utmost capacity while the Gospel is preached and sung. Five tents are pitched in localities where the unprivileged and non-churchgoing multitudes live. In these services are held nightly, and as we have visited them we have found them always filled with such, for the most part, as do not attend any place of Protestant worship. A hall in the heart of the city is kept open night after night, the services continuing far on to the morning hours, while earnest workers are busily fishing within and without for drunkards and harlots. Two gospel wagons are moving about dispensing the Word of Life to such as may be induced to stop and listen, and the workers estimate that a thousand or more are thus reached daily of those who would not enter a church or mission hall.
Daily lectures are given at the institute for the instruction in the Bible of the students, Christian workers, ministers, missionaries and others who wish to attend. The large hall in which these lectures are given, seating comfortably 350, is always filled. During July there were 38 preachers, evangelists and singers and other agents co-operating in the work, and their labors are supplemented by an endless variety of house-to-house and highway and hedge effort by the 250 students in residence in the institute. ~",'h, "We shall beat the World's Fair," said Mr. Moody, good naturedly, as .we arrived on the ground. With malice toward none and charity toward all, this is what he set out to do-viz., to furnish such gospel attractions, by supplementing the churches and co-operating with them, that the multitudes visiting the city might be kept in attendance on religious services on Sunday instead of attending the fair. So it has been. Mr. Moody estimates that from thirty to forty thousand people have been reached by his special Sunday evangelistic services. This with the six days' services foots up about one hundred thousand brought weekly within reach of the Gospel. The World's Fair has been closed on Sunday for want of attendance, but the religious services are daily growing. Every good opening for the Gospel is readily seized. When Forepaugh's great circus tent had been set up in the city Mr. Moody tried to secure it for Sunday. He was granted the use of it for a Sabbath morning service, but as the manager expected Sunday in Chicago to be a great harvest day he reserved the tent on the afternoon and evening for his own performances. Fifteen thousand people came to hear the simple Gospel preached and sung at the morning service. The circus, however, was so poorly attended in the afternoon and evening that Sunday exhibitions were soon abandoned. More than that, the manager said he had never been in the habit of giving performances on Sunday and should Rot attempt it again; and he offered, if Mr. Moody would appoint an evangelist to travel with him, to open his tent thereafter on Sundays for gospel meetings and be responsible for all expenses.
It was the same with the theatres. At first they declined to allow religious services on Sunday. Their performances on that day not having proved as successful as they anticipated, now Mr. Moody can hire almost anyone which he wishes to secure.
Eulogy and biographical encomiums upon living men are undesirable, and the writer has risked the displeasure of his· friend in putting so much into print concerning him. But we may hope that what we have written will awaken serious reflection in the minds of ministers and laymen alike concerning the problem of summer work and summer success for the Gospel in our great cities.
We may also hope that a stronger faith in the Divine administration and mighty efficiency of the Holy Ghost may be hereby inspired. We have no idea that the large and extensive religious enterprises which we havp, been describIng are due alone to the superior natural endowments of the evangelist. For years in his meetings and conferences we have heard him emphasize the presence and power of the Holy Ghost in the worker as the one and indispensable condition of success. It must be that where the Spirit has been so constantly recognized and honored He has been doing invisibly and irresistibly much of the great work which human judg- ment attributes to the man who is the chosen agent. * * In view of the permanent valne of this article, the editor has ventured to reprint It from PM Congrega6ionalist.
189S·1 A SUHMER TOUlt IN ASIA MINOR. '7119
A SUMMER TOUR IN ASIA MINOR.
Rev. H. S. Jenanyan wrote from Tarsous, Asia Minor, in October, 1892, giving a brief account of a tour in Cilicia and Cappadocia, covering a month's time. He says: Yerebakan is the place where I was sent as a preacher when only nine- teen years old, and the blessing of the Lord upon us bound me very closely to the people. At this time they were busy in their harvest fields, yet our daily evening services were fully attended, and even by Moslems. A Mohammedan who was working for a Protestant came first; next day he brought his wife ; and now the husband speaks of repentance and brings others to the services. One evening, the first to arrive at the place of meeting was our Moslem friend, who had just come direct from the field, sickle in hand, but on the way called three other Moslems from the housetop, who followed him. It was a great marvel to see how this man remembered the sermons and repeated them during the day to others in the harvest field, and through his instrumentality over forty Moslems came to the services, many of them repeatedly, and the truth made a great impression on the whole village. The little church of thirty-two communicants received a new impulse. At one communion service nearly three hundred were present j fourteen new members were added on confession of faith, and others are expected. Here our student, Samuel, is helping the Sunday-school and working with young people. The people would gladly take him for their preacher if we could spare him.
Several years ago, at the time of our previous visit, it was hard for a man to call himself Protestant in this village; there was great hostility, and they were and are notoriously immoral. At first we did not know where to go ; but hearing of our arrival, three families invited us to be their guests. 1Ve went to the house of one of our students named Krecor.
– out thirty gathered there, and after preaching they eagerly demanded e one to be their preacher and teacher, as no missionary work had ever been done there. The place is quite important, as the Government barracJrs are there.
At Hadjin, an old station of the American Board, there is an active church and pastor. The daily services were well attended, though many came in tired from their work. The meetings for children and young people were full of blessing. There was not much outward excitement, yet the truth sank deep in many hearts. Instead of the usual twenty or thirty for week-day services, some two hundred to four hundred came.
Shar had great historical importance as ancient Comona. It was perhaps a city of heathen temples, as shown by ruins, and now contains about one hundred and fifty Armenian houses. Here a sudden attack of pneumonia prostrated me one Sunday, and the nearest physician was five or six days' distant, and only simple village remedies could be found and applied. It was an anxious time for us all, yet God heard prayers and sent His healing touch to me. After recovery I was able to hold a few services. The next Sunday was a memorable day for us all. Many were impressed by their immediate need of salvation. There were earnest inquirers; fortyone men and thirty-five women offered prayers for themselves; the Holy Spirit no doubt led many to decide upon a new life.
In Azizie we spent nine days. It is a new city largely inhabited by Circassians, having about one hundred and fifty Armenian and Greek families. Our daily services were well attended, most of the hearers being non-Protestant. To the inquiry meetings many came, making public . confession of their needs and deciding for Jesus. The zeal of the pastor and his wife was marked j and we noticed very bright and interesting women among the hearers. In some prayer-meetings several Gregorian Armenian men and women earnestly prayed for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
At Sivas, the capital of a large province with about sixty thousand inhabitants, notwithstanding the years of missionary effort, evangelical work has made slow progress. Some years since an Armenian Baptist coming here immersed many old Protestants, and started a new branch, thus almost equally dividing the thirty Protestant families. Would it not be better for a new denomination to begin work in unoccupied cities 1 For three weeks we had daily services in the Protestant chapel, which holds about 500 j every night the increasing congregation made the place more uncomfortable, and one Sabbath morning, while the church-building was filled to overflowing, I gave notice that a second preaching service would follow the first, for the hundreds waiting outside j the church was again filled j four fifths of these people were Gregorians, and there was real interest manifested. There was so much interest in the inqniry meetings that it was often eleven o'clock before closing. Whenever the people were invited to call for personal conversation I was overwhelmed by the members coming, their questions often being, "'What shall I do to be saved 1" " Can I, such a great sinner, be saved 1" "How can I be a better Christian 1" "How can I fulfil my responsibility to others 1" etc. We could expect such feelings from enlightened Protestants, but these were mostly new-comers. We had seasons of spiritual baptism, and such prayer-meetings that sect and sex were alike forgotten, and all unitedly poured out their hearts for Divine blessing j at times from forty to sixty men and women taking part.
The stay in Gemerek, though brief, was full of encouragements. Sabbath morning the congregation of men was so large we were obliged to appoint a special women's service-over six hundred men present j at noon about five hundred women crowded the church, with over one hundred men outside listening.
In this tour I preached seventy-five times, held forty-three inquiry and prayer-meetings: about seventy-eight hundred new persons heard the Word, four fifths of them being non-Protestants.
BUDDHIST PICTORIAL WHEEL' OF LIFE.-The wheel of life or cycle of existence is one of the most familiar frescoes that adorn the interior of Lamaic temples. It depicts in symbolical and realistic form the fundamental doctrine of metempsychosis. It consists of a large disk with two concentric circles, the circular form symbolizing the ceaseless round of worldly existence. The disk is held in the clutches of a monster who typifies the passionate clinging of worldly people to worldly matter. In the centre are symbolized the three Original Sins, and round the margin is the twelve-linked chain of causes of Re-birth, while the remainder of the disk is divided by radii into six compartments representing the six regions of Re-birth. In the upper part of the region representing hell is the Bardo, or state intermediate between death and the great judgment. Outside the disk, in the upper right-hand corner, is a figure of Buddha pointing to the moon (with a hare in it), and in the left-hand corner, a figure of Chenresl (Sanskrit, Avalokita), the patron god of Thibet incarnated in the Dalai Lama.-Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, March 25th.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT. '761
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY MV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Education as a Missionary Agency. So far as education may be the work BY REV. ANDREW DOWSLEY, MISSION- of the missionary, it is secondary to ARY, INDIA·CHINA. that of, evangelization. The order is, first to evangelize and then to teach, That education is a missionary agency not vice versa. There should be good is asserted by some and denied by schools and colleges in connection with others. The dispute in reality is not all our missions, at least in India, and regarding the place and value of mis- in order that they shall be in a flourish- sion schools and colleges in missionary ing condition, there should be' good work, but regarding the place and sound teaching in them.
value of education or of institutions The eminent founder of mission where the objeqt in view is the educa- schools and colleges has, without proof, tion of the pupils. The former class been claimed as the founder of educa- rank as no unimportant missionary tional missions. Dr. Duff, however, agency, while with regard to the latter knew better than to put the" cart be- class grave doubts exist in the minds of fore the horse." What was the agency some as to their being entitled to be adopted by that great missionary fa- ranked at all as such. The command ther? In his mission field he was anx- and instructions of our Lord leave no ious to reach the youth of the better doubt as to the work of the Christian classes with the Gospel. He saw and missionary-it is not to educate the embraced his opportunity. They heathen in secular knowledge, but to wanted an education embracing Eng- do the work of an evangelist. It will, lish, so the missionary proceeded to however, be said that education is a open a school, saying to the Brahman means to that end, in as far as it gath- youth that he would give them as good ers and keeps students in mission an education as they would get in the schools and colleges, and thereby af- best seminaries in Europe, but that they fords the missionary an opportunity to must allow him to preach the Gospel reach them with the Gospel. That is to them. They accepted the conditions, quite correct, and is the reason why we took the offered education, and risked have mission schools. But if educa· the religion. What was the result?
tion, as sometimes happens, usurps the The Word of God grew, and souls were first place, so that the legitimate work converted. The missionary, while he of the missionary is in any way hin- gave the promised education, forgot dered, then it is an evil, and means not the real design of the school-viz., should forthwith be used to correct the to lead the pupils to Jesus.
same. It should be borne in mind Had this object never been lost sight that, although education is an element of there would not be any reason to-day in evangelization, yet evangelization is to turn our attention to this subject, not an element in education, just as nor would we hear of heathen students .. knowledge is an element of faith, declaring that they did not understand while faith, in its distinctive sense, is that the object in view was evangeliza- not an element of knowledge." The tion.
drawback and trouble regarding edu- It was, we believe, subsequent to the cational work in connection with Chris- rise of the uni versities in India that edu- tian missions has arisen, we believe, cation came to be looked upon by some through reversing the position assigned missionaries as a missionary agency.
to it originally in connection with mis· The Indian Government undertook to sionary work. provide education for India in government schools and colleges, and byaid- missionaries-Duff, Wilson. and An- ing educational work carried on in na- derson-were engaged in that kind of tive and in mission schools and colleges. work in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras?
Educational work in mission institu- They belonged to the class whose duty tions, receiving government aid, came and work is to seek for souls, be it in in consequence under government in- school, bazaar, or hospital, in order to spection. lead them to Jesus their Redeemer.
In the government institutions the Now it may be said in reply that that object in view is, of course, education. is all well enough, but is that not the Teachers and professors are there for object in view in all our missionary in- that purpose. Iu mission institutions, stitutions? Yes, it may be said in an- on the other hand, while the educa- swer, in all mi88ion institutions, but not tional work is faithfully attended to, in mere schools and colleges under the the object in view is the evangelization control of missions, supported by mis- of the heathen. Missionaries are there sion funds, and having missionaries as for that purpose, to the end that souls teachers and professors. Some think may be won for J csus. that there is too much reason to fear Gradually a keen competition be- that there are such schools and colleges tween schools and colleges, govern- in the mission field. Now between two ment and missionary, came to be mani- such classes of institutions there is a fested, particularly iu the efforts put great and wide gulf. The object in forth to pass students at the university view in the one is evangelization. while examinations. The educational work in the other it is apparently education.
in missionary institutions tended to Although education is not a mission- overshadow the religious. Missionaries ary agency, yet mission schools and connected therewith gradually came to colleges are entitled to be classed among be designated principals, teachers, or the best and most valuable agencies we professors. Missionaries found them- have, by and through which to reach selves at times hampered by reason of large numbers of the people of India being engaged in what was well-nigh with the Gospel.
purely secular work. Let us, then, take good care that they The institutions wherein education shall grow and develop as such. Let seemed to have gained an undue place all missions have their missionary insti- flourished, but gradually there came a tutions, not only for the education of dearth as regards spiritual results. No Christians, but also as a way and means wonder, when it is borne in mind that through which to preach Christ to questions in grammar and construction those who know Him not. It is far could be asked in the Bible hour, and better to have a real missionary institu· that even that hour itself could be tion, where work for the Master can be omitted under the plea of pressure of carried on, than to have an institution work in preparing the students for their with dOUble the number in attendance forthcoming examinations. and unnecessary drawbacks to evange- As time went on missionaries con- listic work.
nected with missionary institutions The missionaries connected with mis- came to be called and to call themselves sion institutions should not have their educational missionaries, or simply edu- whole time occupied in imparting secu- cationalists, and their work educational lar instruction. For the sake of getting work. and keeping a hold on the students, it In fact, it has been claimed, on be- would be well for them to give instruc- half of the so-called educational mis- tion in some secular branches. but not sionaries, that they are preparing the more than half of their time should be way for the evangelistic mISSIOnary. so occupied. The other half should be Is it to be believed that those great devoted to evangelistic work among the students in and out of school Method in Missions-An Irenio Survey. hours. It is, of course, a gain if the missionary, by giving one or two hours BY REV. JAMES S. DENNIS, D.D., BEIRUT, a day to secular work, can gaiu thereby two or three hours for evangelistic * SYRIA. work. The problem of method has given oc- It should, of course, be seen to that casion for prolonged and earnest disdevotional exercises are held daily not cussion, and has developed some cononly at the opening, but also in the sitierablc diversity of opinion among afternoon at the close of the day's work in the institution, and that these exer- the friends of missions. The promicises should never be allowed to become merely of a routine nature, but nent methods of conducting mission should always be conducted with an earnest desire and prayer for the quick- work may be included under five diviening influence of the Holy Spirit. There is a need be for the foregoing sions-the evangelistic, the eadnudcatthioenianl~ caution. the literary, the medical, Missionaries in India should not be dustria!. It should be noted carefully classed as evangelistic and educational missionaries. They are all one in aim here that this classification of methods and purpose. They are all evangelistic mUisionaries. Of course it is possible is with reference to the instrumentality for a missionary to go astray, or to have his ideas warped, or 0 turn aside rather than the aim proposed. The from being a missionary to become evangelistic method must not be remerely an educationalist in a school or college. garded as monopolizing the evangelistic aim, which should itself pervade all the The opposition on the part of not a few missionaries to "educational mis· other methods. In fact, it is the aim sions" is not, we believe, opposition to mission schools or even mission col- which should be the guiding and con· leges when the object in view, morning, noon, and night, is the salvation of trolling element in all missionary oper· souls; and there are such institutions in ations, and the absence of a Christian India. All schools and colleges connected with and controlled by mis- purpose and an evangelistic spirit in sions should be so many ways and any or these methods would be fatal to means of reaching the people with the Gospel. their usefulness as a true missionary What is needed in the mission field agency. On the other hand, so long among the heathen is not educationalists with schools using up mission funds haseatrht ecognovaelrsiiosn,Cahnrdistsiapniritiunasltreudcitfiiocna~ provided for the work of evangelization, bnt missionaries with mission tion, we will find in each of these methachoo18, doing therein and in connection therewith faithful work, along the lines ods a way of approach to this goal, and laid down by the great Master, whose commissioned servants they are, to each method will be useful in its own bear His name unto the ends of the earth, to the end that all peoples, na- way and place. Evangelistic preachtions, kindreds, and tongues may praise Him. ing is addressed chiefly to adult minds assembled for religious worship. Edu- cational teaching is addressed to the young, and may be made a most hope- ful and blessed instrument for bringing them early into the kingdom. Literary work is addressed to a more general constituency, and through the Bible * Rev. James S. Dennis, D.D., of Beirut, Syria, delivered a course of Lectures on Missions at Priuceton Theological Seminary early in 1893, which are about to appear in book form under the title of "Foreign Mission! After a Centnry." At onr reqnest the author furnishes us proof-sheets of parts of the VOlume, from which we select, by permission, this article. The lectures cover a large variety of " Present- Day Problems of Theory and Practice in Mis- sions." We will make other mention of it at an early date.-J. T. G. and religious books and tracts a far- one, and in the interest of practical reaching and powerful influence may Ohristianity. be exerted. Medical ministry reaches those in suffering and weakness, and The supreme purpose of missions is through it the Gospel of spiritual heal- to disseminate the Gospel and teach ing may be brought into close and vital men the way of life and obedience, and touch with the soul. Industrial agen- in the carrying out of this purpose the cies are useful where it is desirable to preaching of the Gospel is a method give practical education in the arts of which has been divinely ordered and labor, united with religious influences divinely blessed, and it must never be and instruction. underestimated or ignored; but preach- ing is manifestly not the only method It will be noted that the method is of reaching the conscience, instructing nothing if it is not dominated by the the mind, and moving the heart. It is spiritual aim. Evangelistic agencies not recognized as such here in our own may be formal and perfunctory; edu- land, where Ohristian instruction in cational agencies may be merely secu- Sabbath·schools and day schools and in lar; literary efforts may be subservient private classes is recognized and used, to mere intellectual culture; medical and where Ohristian literature has such work may be merely philanthropic; in- a wide, salutary, and beneficent infludustrial schools may have no higher ence, and where medical ministry is a mission than mere manual training. recognized department of Ohristian Under any of these conditions the dis- work. Why, then, should not these tinctively missionary character of these methods be sanctioned and approved in methods has been forfeited. the foreign mission fields? Education is important there, that the school may The discussion of this subject has be recognized and adopted as a religbeen marked by considerable misunder- ious rather than a secular institution; standing and misconception. The ex- that the Bible and the whole system of alted and exclusive place which some biblical truth may be brought into con· have been inclined to give to the preach- tact with young minds; that the seed ing of the Gospel, or the oral proclama- may be sown in the best soil ; that the tion and exposition of Divine truth be- influence of a heathen atmosphere and fore an audience, has been based largely the temptations of heathen surroundupon a mistaken conception of the ings may be anticipated by preliminary availability and usefulness of other training; that the spiritual nature may methods to accomplish precisely the be fortified against the assaults of Sasame end as that which the preacher of tan; that enlightened and educated the Gospel has in view-namely, the natives may be trained for mission serspiritual guidance and edificatiou of vice. It is a mistake even to limit the the soul. Under the impression that educational efforts of missions to the evangelism was neglected in the sphere children of native converts, as has of educational, literary, and medical sometimes been advocated, since our service, many zealous friends of mis- schools are often most efficient and valsions have advocated the exclusive uable agencies for rescuing heathen claim of strict evangelistic agencies to children from heathenism. It seems be ranked as the legitimate missionary hardly necessary to say that this plea method. A wiser and more discrimi- for education as a missionary method nating opinion is now almost univer- involves no exclusive or paramount sally accepted, and all these agencies claim of usefulness, and that it is a are recognized as having a useful func- plea for Ohristian education in distinction and a legitimate place in missions, tion from secular, and implies the emwith this important and vital provision ployment of Ohristian rather than heath- -namely, that the purpose should be en teachers. It is, in fact, simply an always and predominantly a spiritual extension of the whole idea of the Sab- start in a career of self-respecting use- bath-school in our home church to the fulness, with the Gospel planted in needs of our foreign mission field. The their hearts.
fact that the school is conducted every If we were called upon to place the day of the week, and that branches of emphasis upon anyone of these meth- secular education are taught in it, does ods, or to select one to the exclusion of not necessarily destroy its religious in- others, we could not hesitate to regard fluence and power, or interfere with its the preaching of the Gospel as entitled evangelistic purpose. to the supremacy; but where all these The same line of argument, did time methods are available and useful, there permit, might be pursued in connection is no necessity of confining our mis- with literary work. In this age of the sionary operations to any one. We world, when Christian missions enter a should rather make the best use of foreign field to carry the Gospel, it is them all by preaching, teaching, print- almost an inexcusable oversight to ig- ing, and living the one Gospel of truth nore the power of the press and the in- and light and knowledge and service.
fluence of literature. One of the first We may use all these methods as differ- steps.of a true missionary campaign is ent ways of drawing, attracting, win- the translation and distribution of the ning, persuading, helping, and compel- printed Bible, and this must be followed ling souls to come into the kingdom of by the creation of a Christian literature our Lord. Possibly different fields may in all its departments. Under the cir- call for different degrees of emphasis cumstances in which our missions are and prominence in the case of some one working, to neglect education and liter- of these methods of influence. It has ature is almost equivalent to acknowl- been found, for example, that medical edging that Christianity has no mes- work has been especially useful in sage to the human mind. Good service China, and educational work is just also has been done of late in several now at a premium among the low-caste mission fields by the use of the magic children of India and in the Turkish lantern as a popular method of educa- Empire. Could Christian missions tion. Sacred scenes upon the canvas have the opportunity to educate a gen- can be made the text for much Gospel eration of Moslem children, it would be instruction. a telling blow against the giant system The place of medical work, if done of Islam. Possibly the same field at a with Christian sympathy and tact, and certain stage of missionary effort may followed up with Christian instruction, indicate one method as more promising is vindicated both by the example of than another. Possibly the circum- Christ and by all experience. In the stances may be such in certain fields hands of lady physicians it is at present that some one of these methods may be practically the only method of reach- allowed to lapse so far as the foreign ing the women in many heathen com- missionary is concerned, because the munities. natives themselves are prepared to as- AI!, regards Industrial schools, they sume the responsibility in a satisfactory are, of course, limited to a narrow range way. However this may be, it has of missionary effort, but in some por- been, and is still, the almost universal tions of Africa, among simple and ig- practice of Christian missions to avail norant people, they have been found themselves of these various methods, eminently helpful in giving a direction and to make all subservient to the one to life, and opening up a sphere of use- great aim; and we cannot but believe fulness at the same time that they afford that it would have been a misguided an opportunity for religious instruction. policy, involving a disastrous mistake, They seem to rescue young lives from to have conducted our Protestant mis- inanity and Idleness, and give them a sions with special reference only to the needs of those adnlts who could be " On August 8th, 1892, the judge of, gathered together to listen to the preach- the Comarca of Setubal sent out a war- ing of the Gospel, and so ignore the rant for my arrest.
needs of the children, disregard the " After preaching the Gospel for two claims of the suffering, and fail to con- days at S<ltubal, I was on that day ap- sider the intellectual needs of the peo- proaching the station to take my train ple. And while it is true that in some to Lisbon, when the warrant was served sense all these methods may fail unless on me, and I was taken to jail.
they are inspired with the right aim " A few hours later I was conducted and receive the Divine blessing, it is, to court before the judge and the dele- on the other hand, true that in a very gate, who asked me, 'Do you know vital and precious sense they may all for what reason you were arrested?'
succeed if they are faithful to the su- , Yes,' I replied; 'for preaching the preme purpose, and conducted in a way Gospel.'
to secure the Divine recognition. "Then the accusation was read to me, and aftcr a few remarks I was The Gospel in Setubal, Portugal. asked what I had to say in my defence. BY HELl CHATELAIN, LATE U. S. CON- I replied that, without intending t.o,of. fend anybody, I had only made use of SULAR AGENT, LOANDA. a right given me by Article 145 of the In THE MISSIONARY REVIEW for Constitution, and especially by Matt.
May, p. 369, mention is made of a 28 : 19, 20 and Acts 4: 12, which I hopeful awakening at Setubal, South- read, and which the clerk took down.
ern Portugal, under the faithful minis- As to the dogmas of the Catholic tration of Rev. Manuel S. Carvalho. Church, I asked the judge and the dele- The opposition of the priests has con- gate to please point out which ones I tinued, but hitherto without success. had offended. They answered they In a letter just received, Senhor Car- could not tell, as they had never had valho says: time to study the Bible, and therefore " Soon after opening our Gospel hall knew nothing about it. At this I ex- the administrator of Sctubal ordered me pressed my sincere regret.
to close it, threatening me with legal " Then they tried in vain to intimi, proceedings in case I should not com- date me, as also to separate me from ply. This I refused to do, basing my the other prisoners. To these, about refusal on Article 145 of the National thirty in number, I again preached the Constitution. Gospel, as I had done two days pre- "While I was ministering to the vious, not knowing that I should so church at Portalegre, which is still de- soon be their fellow-prisoner.
prived of a pastor, I sent a brother to " Among them was a man who want- substitute me in 8etubal, and he was ed to commit suicide. On hearing the repeatedly advised that legal proceed- Word of God he promised not to think ings were instituted against me. any more of that. When, two days "On March 29th, 1892, two priests, later, I was released under bail, the with three women as witnesses, lodged other prisoners declared their accept, 11 complaint against me, demanding my ance of the Gospel, and I blessed the arrest for 'trying to propagate doc- Lord for enabling me to be His witness trines opposed to the Catholic dogmas among them.
as defined by the Church, and to con- " On December 18th Mr. Wright and vert people to the Protestant religion I preached the Gospel to a great con- by addressing them and distributing course of people and visited the jail, books and leaflets, which facts are pun- where I had left some leaflets. 'fhe ishable according to Article 130 of the prisoners said the priests had told them Penal Code.' that next Sunday they would drag them to mass by their ears; but that " • 6. That the Bible is the common when the Sunday came only two of the property of all mankind. and must be thirty·six prisoners consented to hear read or heard by every Christian, readthe Latin mass. Then a row had taken ing the very words of Father A.ntonio place between the priests and the pris- Pereira de Figueiredo in his preface to oners, the latter declaring that they the Authorized Version of the Bible. wanted tohear God's Word in their own language. T~ey listened with rapt at- " • 7. That the books called apocry· tention to the preaching of Mr. Wright. phal by St. Jerome do not properly be- long to the canon of the Bible.' " One year after the opening of our hall, on January 1st, 1893, eighteen per- .. Not a word was whispered while sons, in spite of the persecution, made all those passages were read. a public confession of their faith and were baptized. Three other converts •. The two priests, my accusers and could not attend because of sickness. my witnesses, being questioned by The audience which crowded the hall the judge and the delegate, confessed declared its willingness to follow Jesus that they had never heard me speak in whatever might befall, and twenty-two the meetings, but had been informed took part in the Lord's Supper which that I made salvation dependent only followed. on a full trust in God. They also owned that they could not specify "In the judgment of my case, which against which of the dogmas of the took place on February 9th, the Lord Church I had spokcn ; but that, being was pleased to give the victory to our a Protestant, I must needs have preachcause, and it was hailed by a crowd of ed heresies. people, more than one thousand persons being in ilie court hall. "Thereupon the judge declared me non·guilty, and the delegate forthwith "When I was asked to get a lawyer appealed to the higher court of the and to produce my witnesses, I an- Rela<;ao. Fortunately the latter only swered that my lawyer was in my hand, confirmed the sentence, praising the showing the Bible, and that my ac- impartiality of the judge. cusers would be my witnesses. As soon as I was asked to speak, I laid on the •. A. last appeal has belon made to the table a copy of our Bible and one of Supreme Corrt. the authorized Catholic version, and demanded a proof that our Bible is gar- " On April 8th we performed the first bled. As nobody would take the trouble evangelical marriage at Setubal; and to prove that, I proceeded to show, by on May 1st we opcned there an evanquotations from the authorized Catho- gelical school for poor children, fifteen lic version: registering on that day.
" , 1. That it was my duty to make " Another school has been opened at the Gospel known in Setubal, as some Portalegre by the Robinson family. of its inhabitants had asked me to do so (Matt. 28: 18-20; 1tiark 16 : 14, 15). "Allover the interior of Portugal which I have visited the doors are wide … 2. That religion is not a business open for the Gospel-but where are the workers to enter in ? (Matt. 10 : 8). " • 3. That Coosar can only claim "Brother Santos e Silva, of our church in Lisbon, first a pupil and then the what is Coosar's (Luke 20 : 25). leader of our Bible-class, is now at San " '4. That if my crime was purely Miguel (Azores), ministering to the church of that place. of a religious nature, its judgment did not pertain to Coosar's tribunal (Matt. .. The Jesuits have been trying hard 18: 15-17). to have their schools officially recog- nized, and they would have reached " • 5. That Christ is the corner-stone their end had not the Liberal members of the Church (Matt. 16 : 18). of Parliament strenuously protested.
" Weare preparing to ask the representative Rodrigues de Freitas, on be· of distributing Christian literature to half of the -non-Catholic churches of the heathen.
Portugal and the islands, to propose an The Rev. Professor Whitley addressamendment of Article 130 of the Penal ed the meeting on the influence which Code, so as to make it agree with the the home, the school, and the college Constitution, which promises freedom' exercised on missionary candidates, and'
of conscience and speech. urged that the providing of missionary "Owing to lack of means we are books, the constant reference of mis- obliged to suspend the publication of sionary labors, and the acquaintance of Voz do E1Jangelho." missionaries would do much to arouse a practical interest in mission work on the part of the children at home, the The First Missionary Oonference in Aus- boys at school, and the students at col- tralia. lege.
The first missionary conference ever Two gentlemen discussed the relation held in Australasia convened in Mel. of the Christian Endeavor movement bourne in June last. Sixty-four ad- to foreign missions.
dresses were delivered. Nineteen mis- Rev. S. Chapman told the story of sionary societies were represented. the introduction of Christianity into Many who are or had been missionaries China, alluding to its commencement took part in the proceedings. Rev. A. by the Nestorians eight centuries ago.
Hardie gave a detailed account of the Rev. Dr. Steele, our highly esteemed extent of missionary enterprise in Aus- corresponding editor for that quarter tralia, and Rev. M. Dyson argued that of the globe, is pastor of St. Stephen's the present time was specially favor- Church, Sydney, and has been promi able for advanced effort. The vener- nent in all the ecclesiastical movements able Dean of Melbourne showed the under the Southern Cross, Moderator state of the heathen world at the time of the Federal (Presbyterian) Assembly, of Christ's coming. He facetiously re- a voluminous author, and an extensive marked that personally he had not taken traveller. Of course he was responsi- much interest in missions prior to 1823. bly active in this Conference. He spoke Rev. W. T. Kelland spoke of the pres- on the work of missions in the South ent religious condition of the world. Seas, and showed how wonderful had Rev. D. M. Berry showed that the no· been the results in these beautiful isl- ble work of the pulpit was to be ex- ands. In 1836 the first missionaries tended to all lands. Rev. T. J. Malyon, went to Samoa, and now there were D.D., pointed out the extent to which 7300 communicants in the church, European literature had taken posses- 10,000 Sunday-school children, and sion of the foreign mission fields. He 30,000 people who could read and thought it an undoubted fact that the write. The people of the Savage and European languages and literature were Loyalty Islands had also become Chris- rapidly influencing the whole world, tianized. In Fiji, in the year 1835, the English holding a larger place than there was not a single Christian, in 1885 any other. They were opening the there was not a known Fijian heathen, way for the propagation of either truth and in the 80 islands comprising the or error on a boundless scale of magni- group all the people were Christian, tude. This propagation should be on There were now 104,000 church wor- the side of truth, and the subject de· shippers there, 28,000 communicants, manded the immediate and earnest at- and 40,000 Sunday-school scholars. Of tention of the greatest minds in the the New Hebrides, there were 30 islands Christian Church, and he thought the more or less permeated with the Gos- time was ripe for a Pan-Commission to pel, and in Melanesia there were 9000 be established to consider the matter Christians and 5000 pupils. In nearly all the islands the Bible had been trans- tributlon of tire-arms and strong drink, lated into the different languages used. earnestly prays that all civilized gov· ernments will interfere for the abolition The Rev. Joseph King spoke of the of the traffic in these articles. The work being done for heathen in or Conference also earnestly desires that within the Australasian territories, espe- steps may be taken for the administra· cially speaking of the work among the tion of even-handed justice throughout Kanakas of the sugar plantations of the islands of the Pacitlc." Queensland-a work that he said was being well done. Rev. F. F. Mairne [We compile the above from reports showed that Christ's Church was essen· in Australian papers, and wish we tially founded that throughout ~he might have found space for much fuller world the Gospel might be preached, summary.-J. T. G.) and the Rev. Allan Webb -dealt with modern missionary incidents as illus- Proposed II Foreign Missions OIub." trating the Acts of the Apostles. The disposition to pay greater atten- Under the general subject of the train- tion to the convenience and comfort of Ing of missionary candidates Rev. G. foreign missionaries while at home on G. Howden held that there were three furlough takes on more and more practi· distinct calls in the life of the mission· cal form. The London Missionary So· ary candidate: (1) the call to be a Chris- ciety has furnished houses for them at tian; (2) the call to consecrate one's self Catford, and will soon have others at to work for Christ, and (3) the call to a Clapham. North London. Brighton. and special field of labor. Bradford. A meeting of missionaries of this society recently neartily approved The Rey. B. Danks spoke on the sub- of this movement. ject of preaching, and referred to the difficulties which missionaries had to The Wesleyan Missionary Society has encounter in reproducing the Bible in projected a scheme which has been ex· the native vernacular. The difficulty tended to embrace all other missionary of getting people to understand Chris- organizations at their pleasure. called tian terms was amusingly illustrated a .. Foreign Missions Club." The ob· by the speaker. He said in overcom- jects of this are: 1. To provide a tem· ing these initial difficulties he was told porary home for missionaries prior to by a pundit, the teacher of the natives, their departure or on arrival from to whom he went to learn the language, abroad; 2. To assist them to obtain that the lines " Rock of Ages, cleft for suitable houses furnished at reasonable me, let me hide myself in thee," were rates while at home; 3. To render as. rendered in the tongue of the natives sistance in securing homes for children as .. All the old stones split in two, let to be educated in the absence of their me get under the corner of one." parents; 4. To act within limits as a commission agency for missionaries; The Conference adopted resolutions, 5. To provide a '1'endtz1l0'U8 where misin one of which it stated that it " views sionaries past and present may meet with deep concern the evils arising out and stay together; also that laymen of the consumption of opium in India visiting London may meet missionand China. It deeply laments the part aries. A letter from the Secretary, taken by the British and Indian Gov- Rev. George Patterson, '7 Victoria ernments in the manufacture and sale Square, Bristol, says at all times there of the drug, and earnestly prays that are in London a large number of forei8' legislation may speedily remove this missionaries. There are also many blot on the fame and history of the Em- generous supporters of missions who pire." would be glad to avail themselves of any opportunitr of increasing their Also it said: "Considering the in. knowledge of missionaries and their jury inflicted on the native races of work. All these possibilities of Chris· Africa and the South Seas by the dis- tian fellowship are at present lost for want of a common meeting place, and missionaries and their families arriving from abroad-often shattered by tropi· ca] life-have to be content with such comforts as they can tlnd at an hotel. Hence the scheme of a residential club which will be a home and a common says, are "honored as members of a meeting-place. respectable profession, flattered, re- spected, and enriched." " The proposal ori/dnated, as you will see, with a purely Wesleyan commit- LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE.-A college tee. I have been asked by many for the instruction of foreign missionwhether missionaries of other socie- aries in the elements of practical medities are admissible to membership. Of cine is proposed to be founded in the course they are. We give them a hearty East of London, wbich shall be known welcome. The wider and more catho- as" Livingstone College," the work to lic the club becomes, the better. Our be commenced October, 1893. It is plan is to meet the cost of premises by not proposed in this institution to premembers'subscriptions. For this pur· pare medical missionaries in any case, pose we shall need at the beginning but to furnish soma medical training about £500 a year, and more, we hope, for missionaries who are to occupy as the thing grows. At present we posts tar removed from qualified medihave secured considerably more 1han cal assistance. Severe mortality among half this. Then the rates charged for African missionaries. it is judged, has residence will be adjusted so as to been largely due to incompetent treatcover the cost of actual working. We ment of tropical fevers, owing to abare now in negotiation for excellent and sence of medical men and ignorance of most convenient premises, containing missionaries on these subjects. It is altogether about fifty rooms, and we well known, too, that all missionaries hope to open by September. If any of among heathen have frequently need your wealthy men or any society would of some practical elementary knowledge make a yearly donation to the club of, of medicine for tbe relief of sickness insay, twenty.five guineas, we should be cidentally tbrust in their wa/. In the glad to admit the missionaries of such "Livingstone College" the course of society while in England to all the study embraces anatomy, physiology, privileges of membership at members' materia medica, medicine, surgery, rates, and also to attend to any com· hygiene, and nursing, with special atmissions they have in this country." tention to diseases common to the trop- Other missionaries and visitors will be ics. The instruction is to be made inadmitted to residence for brief periods dividual when necessary so far as posat rates at least 30 per cent higher than sible. The period of study extends members'rates. over ten months. C. F. Harford-Bat- tersby, M.A., M.D., late C. M. S. mis- SOCIAL REFORM IN INDIA.-Moral re- sionary on tbe Niger, will be principal forms in India keep well at the front in of the college. His address is 51 Bow public thought. An important meet- Road, London, England. ing of the Hindu Social Reform Association recently adopted the following res- NOTEs.-Rev. C. C. Tracy writes us olutions: from Marsovan, Turkey, July 11th: "We are living over a sputtering vol- " 1. That the employment of Nautch cano; every hole and crack is a vent women at social entertainments has an for pent·up fires. We missionaries who unwholesome moral influence on so- for sixty years have taught obedience ciety at large as well as on individuals. to God, and to the powers ordained of 2. That it is desirable that public ex- Him, are accused of instigating rebelpression be given to this conviction lion. Our Antolia College is charged with a view to the discouragement of with the crime of mutiny. Two of its this practice. 3. That a memorial be professors are in prison condemned to addressed to the Viceroy and to the death. Its students are seized and im- Governor of Madras, praying them to prisoned going and coming.. The magdiscourage the objectionable practice of istrates and governors cannot be made employing Nautch women at social cn- to see how mistaken they are." tertainments, by refusing to attend entertainments at which such women are -Miss Isabella Watson, of Bassein, employed." . Burma, has favored us with .. cards" of her silver anniversary of toil in It is doubtful if there is anything in Burma. She arrived in Bassein ];lay India that tends to demoralize tbe peo- 31st, 1868. She has little idea what pIe equal to the employment of Nautch work she bas done, nor of the influence girls at all sorts of public and social to be exerted by the more than tbree gatherings. Even in connection with hundred girls now in her school. temple services these professional prostitutes are exalted into a religious order, and, as The Indian Methodist Times
DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
III.-DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
CONDUCTED BY PBOFESSOB AMOS B. WELLS.
One of the most picturesque and dent of the Japanese United Society of pleasing incidents thus far in the his· Christian Endeavor that was there tory of the Christian Endeavor move- formed, and who, before the conven- ment was the first national Christian tion, was the national superintendent Endeavor convention in Japan, and the of Christian Endeavor societies, ap· formation of the Japanese United So- pointed by the United Society of the ciety of Christian Endeavor, which world, whose headquarters are at Bos- now takes its place side by side with ton.
similar national unions in England, The exercises of the convention in- Australia, and China. cluded addresses, prayer-meetings, re- The convention was held at the time ports from societies, social gatherings, of the world's Convention at Montreal, and a consecration meeting, as well as to which gathering the assembled Jap- the important business connected with anese sent a cablegram. By Novem- the formation of the United Society.
ber, 1892, only three societies of Chris· An impressive portion of the consecra- tian Endeavor had been formed in Ja- tion meeting was the reading of the pan. At the time of this first national Christian Endeavor pledge, the active convention thirty-six could be counted, members standing and bowing as- mustering over a thousand members. sent.
These societies are found in five de- The convention decided to start a nominations-the Congregational, Pres- monthly paper, to serve as the organ byterian, Methodist Episcopal, Meth- of the United Society, and to propagate odist Protestant, and Christian. Thus and strengthen the movement. This in Japan, as all over the world, Christian paper, it is hoped, will do for the Chris- Endeavor has strength to knit together tian Endeavor cause in Japan what The diverse bodies in Christian fellowship. Ohznese fllustrated News is doing for it This first convention of Japanese En- in China, The Golden Link in Austra- deavorers was held in Kobe, and was lia, The Ohristian Endeavour in Eng- an entire success. From Wakuya, six land, .and Der Mitarbeiter among the hundred miles north of Kobe, came the Germans of the United States.
delegates, and from Nagasaki, in Kiu- The constitution of the United So- shu, four hundred and fifty miles to the ciety provides for a consulting commit- south. These delegates represented tee, to aid the president. The commit- twenty-seven societies. Seven societies tee now elected consists of Rev. Y.
that could send no representatives sent Ishiwara, of Tokyo; Professor G.
reports instead. Only two societies Kashiwagi, of Kyoto; Rev. T. Oishi, failed to be brought in any way before of Osaka; Rev. T. Osada, of Kobe; the convention. What convention hall and Miss A. H. Bradshaw, of Sendai.
in the world could hold the delegates if Tokyo is to be headquarters. In com- all Endeavor societies were as zealous mon with the original United Society, as these of the Sunrise Kingdom? the Boston headquarters for the world, The two largest churches in Kobe this Japaliese United Society exercises housed the convention, and its sessions no authority over the individual soci- extended over two days. A leading eties, and levies no taxes. Everything spirit of the convention was that ear- 13 to be done of free will, and not of nest Christian worker, Rev. T. Harada. necessity. Assuredly the interest and of Tokyo, who has been elected presi- prayers of all Endeavorers, and of all who desire the spread of the Master's But the chief work of the Christian kingdom, will go out in behalf of this Endeavor Missionary Institute is the new and powerful instrument for the organizing of Missionary extension evangelization of Japan. courses. If the Endeavor societies of any town desire this course, they make In our own country one of the most fonnal application for it, the applicaremarkable of Christian Endeavor con· tion bearing the signatures of the pastributions to missionary activity is the tors of the evangelical churches of the rise and progress of the Christian En- place, in token of their approval, and deavor Missionary Institute, whose of their agreement to co·operate by headquarters are at Chicago. It started preaching a missionary sermon on the as a department of the enterprising Il- morning of each Sunday of the six linois Christian Endeavor Union, but through which the missionary extenit has already become almost if not sion course extends. quite national in the scope of its operations. In the afternoon is held a conference of all the missionary workers of the The secretaries of the many denomi- town, where instruction is given in national boards of missions located at methods of work, and where the scat- Chicago are giving cordial aid to the tered sparks are gathered into a fiery enterprise. They constitute its advisory coal. In the evening there is a misboard, and serve gladly and frequently sionary mass-meeting, which is adin Its missionary campaigns. The fac- dressed by one of the Institute speakulty of the Institute consists of Rev. ers. These addresses are given at in- John Henry Barrows, D.D., a Pres- tervals of a month. byterian trustee of the United Society of Christian Endeavor and chairman of No collections are taken at the meetthe World's Parliament of Religions; ings. Neither the speakers nor the offi- Rev. Howard B. Grose,.of the Univer- cers and faculty of the Institute receive sity of Chicago, a Baptist trustee of the a cent of pay, except that the local so- United Society; Rev. A. N. Hitchcock, cieties entertain the speakers and pay Ph.D., a secretary of the American their travelling expenses. The work Board; Rev. Thomas ¥arshall, D.D., of the Institute is rapidly extending. field secretary of the Presbyterian Already many Christian Endeavor Board of Foreign Missions; Rev. R. A. unions in Illinois are engaged in this Torrey, superintendent of the Chicago missionary extension movement, and Bible Institute; Rev. James Tompkins, courses have even been Rtarted in other D.D., superintendent of the Illinois States. Interdenominational in its Home Missionary Society; and Mr. L. range, strictly evangelical in its make- D. Wishard, of the Student Volunteer up, conservative in organization though Movement. aggressive in its plans, there is no rea- son why this Christian Endeavor mis- The Advisory Committee consists of sionary extension course may not bethe representatives of the boards named come a mighty factor in the winning of above, together with representatives of the world for Christ. other denominational boards. Meetings of the Institute are held in Chicago The same IlIinois Christian Endeavor every Friday night. During the Union that is carrying on the work World's Fair especial efforts are being above described, has organized a temmade to touch the visiting Endeavorers perance department, and now proposes with this fire of missionary fervor. a vigorous campaign of the State in the During September one hundred mis- interests of temperance. Mr. John G. sionary meetings are to be held, under Woolley, the powerful and masterly its auspices, in Chicago churches, either temperance orator, has been secured to simultaneously or as nearly as possible speak for three hundred nights in the at the same time. State. He will visit every county for at least one night, though the larger a young Christian took a step for· counties will claim him for more than ward in Christian expression and in· one night each. The sale of tickets, at fiuence. Queensland has held its sectwenty·five cents each, will be under· ond aunual convention. During the taken in each place by the local soci· past year the number of its societies eties. The money so obtained will be has increased more than fi vefold. South used to pay the debt that rests on Mr. Australia now has 204 societies, with a Woolley's asylum for drunkards that membership of 5500. Of the 81 sociwish to reform-" Rest Island," in eties that joined at the time of the reo Miunesota. The evenings are being cent convention, 50 were Methodist. rapidly taken up, and there is every A Church of England Endeavor society prospect of one of the most enthusiastic in New South Wales has three memo and widespread temperance campaigns bers who have been accepted for the ever inaugurated. mission field. Another' society in the same colony has been making special At the recent stirring convention held efforts to interest the employes of large by the Christian Endeavor Union of manufacturing establishments in the South Australia, one of the chief points vicinity by means of a social gathering emphasized was the decided utility of and supper, followed by a prayer ser· Senior societie!! of Christian Endeavor vice. -societies, that is, composed entirely of older Christians, in addition to the The Christian Endeavor exhibit at Young People's and Junior Endeavor the World's Fair is one of considerable societies. South Anstralia has more of interest, and should be visited by all such societies than any other part of Endeavorers. It is to be found in the the world, and is very enthusiastic in Liberal Arts Building, Section D, col· regard to them. Reports that reach us umn A 98, in the gallery. Liberal from these societies show that they take space is provided, and there is a fine up many and varied lines of work in show of Christian Endeavor literature, their committees. Besides, the testi· memorials of the history of the Society, mony of every pastor that has tried it portraits of its leaders in the different is that the formation of Senior societies denominations, a globe showing the results in quickening the church pray· distribution of the societies over the er.meetings, opening the mouths of world, the original constitution, the dumb Christians, energizing the inac· record book of the first society, the orig. tive, 'warming the church socially, and inal constitution and record book of the filling the pews on Sunday. Surely first Junior society, specimens of Christhese are all desirable changes 1 And tian Endeavor literature in Chinese, snrely, if there is ground for hope that Japanese, the various langnages of Senior Christian Endeavor will do all India, that of Madagascar, Armenian, this, the South Australian Union acted Spanish, French, German, Danish, wisely in dropping from its name the Dutch, etc., besides a striking collec· words, "Young People's," that the tion of mottoes and society badges from Senior societies might with consistency all over the world. The visitors' book be admitted. contains already many thousands of signatures of Endeavorers from all parts A few more Australian notes: A of the globe. It is especially interest· New South Wales society has formed a ing to "turn its pages and note how new committee, the .. Open·air Com· evenly the Endeavorers seem to be di· mittee," whose valiant purpose is to vided among the evangelical denomina· conduct an open· air Gospel meeting tions. In case of Sunday opening, it is every Sunday before church services. needless to say, this exhibit remains at A Victoria society lately had an "even- the Fair under protest. ing for begiuners," wherein many
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
The editor-in-chief having returned dents annually, a.n orphanage with five from an absence of nearly two years at hundred children, and all the various the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Lon- benevolent institutions dependent like don, now resumes, personally. his edi- these upon the Tabernacle and its sup- torial chair. That he has not been idle porters, they had a widc enough field or neglectful of the REVIEW during right about them. And yet, in connec- this unexpected and protracted sojourn tion with the last annual collection for in London, his numerous editorial con- world-wide missions, I witnessed some tributions have shown. But it was of the most apostolic giving ever seen manifestly impossible to have the same in these days. For four weeks gifts immediate oversight at three thousand came pouring in accompanied with let- miles' distance, or to supply matter for ters explaining the circumstances in publication with the promptness so de- which these acts of self-denial were un- sirable in these days, when news travels dertaken for Christ. These letters were by electricity, and so far outruns the 80 marvellously interesting and toUch- most punctual pen. ing that they were read by me at the This close communion with British prayer services-the namt;S being with- Christia.ns, in private and public, has holden-and it was like new chapters revealed among them a rare type of of the Acts. There were relics of de- consecration. Without disparagement parted children, heirlooms in the way of any other missionary body, the of family silver, sets of jewelry. little Church Missionary Society deserves to sums of money long savtd for special hold the pre-eminence. For a prevalent purposes-all sent in to me for the spirit of prayer, for the energy of faith, Lord's ·work. The value in pounds, for the zeal and enthusiasm which it shillings, and pence was very large, but exhibits, for the simplicity of its meth- nothing in comparison to the value of ods and apostolic fervor of its whole the spirit of consecration displayed.
tone and temper, no living organization It must be confessed, however, that, excels it. Though its constituency is in almost every department of Christian of the Anglican Church, the Society is benevolence, the work of God is crip- thoroughly evangelical, catholic, and pled for lack of money. It is melan- in the best sense liberal. It is not choly to see disciples of Christ living in wrapped in the cerements of the sepul- extravagance, while missions suffer at chre-fettered with the grave-clothes of every point from sheer poverty of re- a dead orthodoxy, or a devitalized cere- sources. There are single individuals monialism, or despiritualized secular- in Great Britain whose estates are so ism. Its revenue is very large, its immense that the care of them is op- corps of missionaries both numerous pressive. In some cases a Christian and devoted, and its records do honor woman, who is entirely alone in her to the cause and the Master. Had all widowhood, has four or five mansions, Episcopalians the baptism of its spirit, each a palace, with its vast environ- many disciples, now repelled, would be ments and its large body of retainers, drawn to them. and a closer fellowship all this vast expense from year to year would be inev.itable. going inevitably forward, while the In the great Tabernacle foreign mis- cause of Christ appeals for money to sions have never had perhaps the promi- bear to a dying world the bread of life I nence which would have been given to The editor purposes to increase the this branch of work if the home work value of the REVIEW in every practica- had not been so extensive. Mr. Spur- ble way. A series of illu8trated articles geon and his people naturally felt that, will be prepared for the new year by with a pastor's college and seventy stu- the most competent contributors, and neither pains nor cost spared to make The Young Women'8 Conference these pages worthy of their high mis- brought together over two hundred colsion in the promotion of the universal lege women, from thirty-one educational emancipation of mankind from spirit. institutions, societies, and associations ual ignorance and destitution. throughout the country. They came to study the Bible as the word of life During this last nine months of abo and the sword of the Spirit, and to consence in Britain, the editor delivered a fer under competent leaders as to the course of six missionary lectures on the objects and principles of practical Chris- Alexander Duff foundation, in Edin- tian work for and by young women in burgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, college and city. The mornings were and St. Andrews. The audiences were given to Bible study and conference, large, and the interest maintained and the evenings to platform meetings. steadily until the close of the course. D. W. Whittle, George C. Needham, To prepare these lectures for the press R. E. Speer, Mrs. Bainbridge, Mrs. A. and attend to their publication will be J. Gordon, and Miss Grace Dodge were the partial work of the present autumn. among the speakers. Mr. Moody arriv- Nowhere have I found so large and so ed before the close of the conference, enthusiastic audiences for missionary bringing new life and power from his addresses as in Scotland. Every foot campaign against evil in Chicago. of soil seems sacred to the memory of martyrs and missionaries. The World'8 Student '8 Convention opened June 31st, with over four hun- The Northfield Oonferenoos, dred students from fifty colleges and seminaries. They gathered for two Northfield has a world-wide fame, not weeks of Christian fellowship, during only as the home of D. L. Moody, but which the methods and benefits of as the annual gathering.place of Chris- Christian activity and Bible study were tians of every age and sect and nation. considered. Probably the days most There is unity in diversity-diversities memorable to all were those When of gifts, bnt the same spirit; differences Mr. Moody spoke on the Holy Spirit, of administrations, but the same Lord; and which culminated in II meeting for diversities of operation, but the same prayer on the mountain-side, where God, who worketh all in all." over three hundred students met with him to seek that gift of gifts for which The past summer has been especially so ardent" a desire had been created. rich in "showers of blessing" upon "Round Top" is a name now inseparathose who were present at the confer- ble from Northfield. From this grassy ences. Some speakers, advertised in knoll, while the evening sun was setcirculars, whose presence was eagerly ting. have been often heard the calIs of anticipated, were unable to be present; God for service at home and abroad, in but what seemed lacking in variety of city missions, the ministry, and Y. M. speakers and themes was more than O. A. work. To many this hilltop is compensated for by intensity of inter- the sacred spot where they first heard est. Each of the three conventions was and heeded this call of God to service. pervaded by a fervent spirit of prayer, Mr. Moody, Dr. Faunce, Dr. Purves, an earnest desire for the power of the Pasteur Monod, of Paris, Dr. Jacobus, Holy Ghost, and a deepened interest in R. E. Speer, and J. R. Mott were Bible study. Methods and results of among the speakers. Such conferences searching the Scriptures were dis- cannot fail to have a beneficialinfluence coursed upon with a view to getting a on the spiritual life and work both of firmer grasp upon the great fundament- the men who attend and of the colleges al teachings of the Word. represented. The OonfJocation oj Ohristian Worker8 is due the perpetuation of that mission, in August brought together men and and who has spent his life in service women from over land and sea, who there.
with" one accord" assembled for pray- In the afternoon Rev. Josiah Tyler er and conference. This was essen- told of the custoxns, traditions, and su- tially a teaching convention. Dr. Gor- perstitions among the Zulus of South don's explanation of the ages, as a key Africa. He pictured the methods of to the dispensations, has unlocked the work and the external and internal treasures of Scripture to many. The transformation of a native from pagan speakers took for granted that their to Christian. Dr. Reynolds followed hearers were students of the Bible, and with some words as to government op- this enabled them snccessfully to treat position in Turkey. Burma was repre· themes not often touched upon. sented by Rev. C. A.. Nichols, and the Missionary Day was memorable, as Mahratti Mission of India by Dr. Henry usual, for the concert of testimony as to Fairbank.
progress and needs of the Lord's work The evening was occupied by Wm.
in foreign lands. B. C. A.tterbury, }jI. Upcraft, of China; Rev. George E.
M.D., of China, spoke in behalf of the Post, M.D., of Syria; and H. C. Mabie, 400,000,000 of that benighted land. He D.D., Secretary of the Baptist Board.
emphasized medical missions as a means Dr. Upcraft spoke of the" emphasis of of exemplifying the active side of brotherhood" with the Chinese shown Christianity in its work for others-a in the interest, love, and contact of the side which false religions do not pre-. missionaries; of the" joy of Christian sent. Bodily disease opens the closed fellowship" experienced in daily life, odors of Chinese homes and of Chinese and in the celebration of the Lord's hearts to receive the Christian physician Supper with the native Christians; and and the Gospel which he brings. of the" encouragement of the outlook.II Rev, T. L. Gulick, of Spain, urged Dr. Post gave a vivid description of our debt to the large numbers of Span- what Islam is in its effects on individ- ish-speaking peoples of the globe, who uals and society. Islam expects to con- are in darkness almost as deep as that vert Christendom, and the best way to of heathendom. The light of the Gos- prevent it is for Christianity to convert pel has not shone in their hearts, for Islam. Work among }jloslem peoples is the Word of God is a closed book to difficult, but medical missions are much them. The priests destroy any copies blessed among them.
they can find. They burn the gold and Dr. Mabie closed the day by urging leave the dross of their literature. The Christians to go forward in faith, willing result is ignorance, superstition, idola- to become to a race what Christ was in try, and moral, intellectual, and physi- His humanity to the world-to renounce cal degradation. In spite of difficulties all and live among even the most de- and persecution, the work is going for- graded in order to uplift them and ward. There are to-day in Spain over place their feet upon the Rock.
ten thousand Protestants, most of them Among the material evidences 0.£ the from the poorer classes. There as else- presence of the Spirit at this confer- where it is hard for the rich to enter the ence was the donation of $10,000 to the kingdom. work under Mr. Moody in Chicago.
Rev. David Downie, of India, gave a The 1lnancial world has been in great most interesting account of the estab- straits, but God has opened the win- lishment and progress of the Lone Star dows of heaven, and poured out on Mission among the Telugus. The audi- Northfield a blessing, the influence of ence rose in a body to receive the vener- which will, we believe, be felt the able Dr. Jewett, to whom, under God, world over, D. L. P • •
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF lUSSIONS
v.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
Turkey j* Arabia jt Persia it Russia i§ Mohammedanism. I .
UNION OF MOSLEM CrrURCII AND STATE the sayings an,d doings of Jesus made by His companions." The number of IN TURKEY AND PERSIA. Mohammedan traditions grew to hun- dreds of thousands, and they were so BY REV. J. H. SHEDD, D.D., OROOMIA, incoherent that codification and selec- tion became absolutely necessary-six PERSIA. great books among the Sunnees two or three huudred years after Mohammed. The idea of theocratic rule, or at least The Sheohs have five books compiled a some form of Divinll authority, is wide- little later. To complete the code there spread in our race. 10 Japan the Em- is a third source of authority-viz., the peror is the descendant of the gods. In consensus of the great teachers; as China he is the Son of Heaven. The Christians would say, the unanimous Emperor of all the Russias places the consent of the Fathers of the Church. crown upon his own head and rules by This is ljma, ana a teacher competent Divine right, and is supreme in Church to make an ijma or authoritative interand State. The Pope presents himself pretation is a Mushtaheed. In the view as the Vicar of Jesus Christ, to be called of the Sunnees, the office of the Mush- " Our Lord" by the millions of Roman taheed ceased ages ago, while the Sheohs Catholics, and to rule, if he can, above believe that the Mushtaheeds are still all kings and governments. an order, and may pronounce authorita- ti ve opinions, but only in accord with The theory of government of a Mos- the Koran and Hadees. lem State is much the same as that of Russia and the Pope. Islam, as taught These are the foundations of law and by Mohammed and the Caliphs and jurisprudence in Moslem lands; not Imaums, is absolutely perfect as a po- the Koran alone, but the Koran suplitical as well as a religious system. plemented by accredited traditions of There must be the closest union of reo the words and example of Mohammed, ligion and government. The Koran in and these codified and explained by the the last years of Mohammcd's life be- great teachers. This is the Bhcriat or came a medium of military commands Biter, the Moslem law that embraces all and of general laws in all departments wisdom and knowledge, and binds every of a theocratic government. The ele- condition and rank. By the.Sher, kings ments of a code, both civil and criminal, rule and subjects are guided in every are laid down in imitation of the Mosaic conceivable circumstance of life, from laws. The needs of a rapidly growing the cradle to the grave. The Protesempire developed other sources of law tant accepts the Holy Scriptures as the in tradition, called by the Turks Bun- sufficient and only rule of faith and nat and by the Persians Hadees. It is practice. Thc 1Ioslem gives the Bher the belief of Moslems that :M:ohammed a broader range. It is the absolute rule was divinely guided in cvery word and in religion, ethics. civil government, act. The record of these, as given by and social life. The glory of the systhe companions of Mohammed, is the tem is that, not only is it perfect in Bunnat and Hadee..q. The Moslems often every principle, but in every detail. say to the missionaries: " Your Gospels are only Hadees-i.e., the record of The Christian faith has an ideal to be reached in the future, and has within * See also pp. 47 (Jan.), 122 (Feb.), 373 (May), itself the aspiration and spring of end- less progress. The Moslem faith has 609 (Aug.), 721, 732, 759, 762, 769, ';'83 (present long since gained the goal, the ne plus issue).
t See p. 54 (Jan.), 746 (present issue). ; See also p. 606 (Aug.), 783 (present issue). § See p. 298 (March), 750 (present issue). I See also p. 726 (present issue). ultra has been reached, and no change born with the system and never to be or improvement can be made in politics separated from it, are slavery, polygor laws, no expansion of the boundaries amy, the inferiority of women, the of thought is possible; not even criti- right of the man to divorce his wife at cism of the perfect code of the past can will, the subjection of Jews and Chrisbe permitted. tians, and war against all unbelievers. "When ye encounter the unbelievers The Theory of the Turks.-The bear- of the Koran, strike off their heads, ing of such a system upon a Moslem until ye have made a great slaughter Sunnee State, like Turkey or Morocco among them, and bind them in bonds." or Afghanistan, is obvious. Says one This and similar commands in the of the great Sunnee expounders: Koran and Sunnat inspire the fanatical "Authority becomes sacred because zeal of the faithful, and to-day good sanctioned by heaven. Despotism, be- Moslems look back to a golden age of ing the first form of consolidated po- conCtuest and slaughter. This fieree litical authority, is thus rendered un- fanatical intolerance of any other faith changeable and identical with govern- than Islam is an ever-present power in ment at large. Supreme government the Moslem State. The system domihas four stages: 1. When the absolute nates those who accept it. For a caliph prince (Mohammed) is among them, con- to account Moslems and Christians as centrating in his own person the four equal before the law would be to deny cardinal virtues, and this we call the the faith, and the State that should enreign of wisdom. 2. When the prince act such a law would cease to be a appears no longer neither do these vir- Moslem State. tues centre in any single person, but are found in four (the four first caliphs A comparison may be made with the and companions, Abu Bekr, Omer, Os- system of American slavery. There man, and Ali), who govern in concert were noble specimens of slaveholders, with each other as they were one, and who were kind, tolerant, benignant in this we call the reign of the pious. the treatment of their slaves, but they S. When none of these is found any were dominated by the system, and the longer, but a chief or caliph arises with essence of the system remained. un· a knowledge of the rules propounded changeable. "The irrepressible ·conby the previous ones, and with judg- fiict" continued till the slave rrlleceased_ ment enough to apply and explain The system could not be reformed. them, and this we call the reign of the Sunnat. 4. When these latter qualities Is not Turkey another" irrepressible are not to be found in a single person, conflict"? There have been kind, tolbut in a variety who govern in concert, erant rulers, but the government is desand this we call the reign of the Sun- potic by divinc authority, and is bound nat followers." by the Sher, which can never change. The very proposal of change or innova- Here is the theory of an unchange- tion is hateful and subversive in the able despotism that must exclude all eyes of caliph and Ulema. There are representative government and free in- no germs of freedom, no latent princiquiry_ The caliph must reign within ples of fraternity and etluality with the divine code, and the pride and those outside the faith of Islam, and no glory of the caliphate is that the code of will of the ruler can make the system Islam is complete and final in religion other than it is_ and politics. If it is not suited to this modern age, so much the worse for the .. Mohammed's trnth lay in a holy Jaw, age. In this case the mountain must Christ's in a sacred life; come to Mohammed. So while the world roUs on from change to change, Some of the features of Moslem law, And realms of thought expand, The letter stands without expanse or range, SUff as a dead man's hand." THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
In this inherent union of Church and The Practice in Turkey.-Can the State Guizot finds the causes of steril- theory be changed in practice 1 Mr.
Ity, immobility, and decay in Moslem Sell well says: "The question is not States. He says: whether Mohammed was a deceiver " The power of the Koran and of the or self·deceived, an apostle or an im- sword was in the same hands; and it postor, whether the Koran on the was this peculiarity which gave to Mos- whole is good or bad, but what Islam lem civilization the wretched character as a religious and political power has it bears. It was in their union of tem- become and is, and how it works." At poral and spiritual powers and the con- the Mildmay Conference, in 1888, Mr.
fusion which it created between moral Sell mentioned a new school of free authority and physical force that the thought. The Hon. Ameer Syed tyranny was born which seems inherent Akhmed, A.M., educated at Cambridge, in their civilization. This I believe is a leader. Some such man will rep- to be the principal cause of that station- resent Islam at Chicago at the Congress ary state into which it has everywhere of Religions, no doubt, and show that fallen. This did not at first appear. a growing number of cultured gentle- The union of military ardor and relig- men belong to this school and reject the ious zeal gave to the Saracen a prodig- stiff canon law and traditions, and ious power, and a splendor wanting in claim that Islam may adapt itself to the Germanic invasion." free government and free thought. It Under the impulse of this united mili- is enough to point out that such men tary ardor and religious zeal the tide of live under a Christian government, and conquest rolled. on till thousands of represent no following in purely Mos- cities, towns, and castles fell. It con- lem lands. They are better than their quered the fairest lands of Asia and creed. In fact, no caliph has ever been Africa, captured Constantinople, threat- able to break the fetters of his system.
ened Europe, till at last the Turks thun- .. The fifth caliph," says Muir, .. was dered' at the walls of Vienna. All this the famous Al Marnnn, who during was in the name of God, to the battle- twenty years countenanced with a cry, .. God is great." This tide of con- princely support the pursuits of litera- quest was rolled back by the greater ture. He was tolerant of the sect called power of Christendom, but the spirit the Rationalists, but he was intolerant remains. War is a sacred duty, and of all who opposed his theological tolerance of other faiths, except in ab- views, and went so far as to establish a ject submission, is a sin. '1'he issue is kind of inquisition, and visited with clear-cut. .. The Koran, tribute, or penalties all who dared to differ from the sword. Which condition do you him." A liberal, Uberty·loving caliph choose 1" could only work within his system. He The theory of Turldsh rule is rules his Moslem suhjects with all the strengthened by the fact that the Sultan divine authority of the Pope in the de- is caliph, pontiff, divinely appointed struction of heretics.
ruler, and commander of the faithful. After a thousand years longer of trial The caliph is both emperor and pope, and conflict Moslem governments every- and the clergy are the lawyers, and where are the same, despotic, intolerant, every judge has a religious function. and unchanging. The leopard has not Hence by the theory there can be no changed his spots. Turkey has yield- conllictof pope and emperor, of Church ed to stress of circumstances, and there and State. There is no action and re- have been treaties and firmans that pro- action, and the whole civil and military claimed religious toleration and started power of Turkey is controlled in the the theory of equal rights; but the interests of Islam. To do otherwise Sultan found that such divinity doth would be to subvert the State. hedge a caliph, and such fetters bind him, that all his reforms must cease. waste, the land denuded of its trees, This was made very plain in 1879, and one never passes many hours withwhen the proposal was made to the out hearing the bugle and the drum Moslem doctors to give the Sultan the and seeing the Army of Occupation. position of a constitutional sovereign. The decision reached was this: "The Pass the Persian line, and, except in law of the Sher does not authorize the districts of nomadic tribes, the villages caliph to place beside him a power su- smile with gardens and vineyards, not perior'to his own. The caliph ought a so,dier is seen for days, and the peoto reign alone and govern as master. ple seem to be at home. The Persian The ministers should never possess any is more civilized than the Turk, though authority beyond that of representa- the latter has the military forms of Eutives, always dependent and submis- rope. Both 'are Moslems, but are as sive. It would consequently be a sharply in conflict as Catholic and transgression of the unalterable princi· Orangeman in Ireland. The Turk pIes of the Sher, which should be the adores :Uohammed, and swears by him. guide of all the actions of the caliph, to The Persian adores Ali, and uncounted transfer the supreme power of the caliph times every day Ali's name is used in to any minister." reverence or prayer. For a Turk to express his disgust of a man's ignorance The present restrictions on Protes- or manners, he says he is Adjem, or Pertant missions in Turkey should not ex- sian. The Persian returns the complicite surprise. From the constitution of ment by calling such a person Toork. Islam there can be no hope of representative government or of free in- The annual passion play of the Perquiry. The only toleration possible is sians refers to historical facts that exthat subject Jewish and Christian races cite intense hatred of Omer and Osman may change their forms of faith, so as and other caliphs, whom the Turks rethey do not touch Islam. All may join gard as most holy men. Islam was the dominant faith, but no Moslem can split into hostile camps soon after Moleave his faith. It is a fallacy to ex- hammed died, and the war has never pect religious liberty. "Do men gather ceased. Ali, the cousin of Mohammed grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?" and husband of his daughter Fatima, The hope of any reform in Turkey is regarded himself as the true successor vain. The only reform possible is the of the prophet, but he had to wait and severance of Church and State. chafe for many years before he was chosen caliph, and then his reign was The Theo'l'lI of Government in Per- cut short by his assassination. His son sia.-The Sheoh MosleIllS who rule in Hassan was poisoned, and Hussien, the Persia, as opposed to the Sunnee Mos- next son, was cut off in the most cruel lems in Turkey, offer a new inquiry. manner after heroic resistance on the It would seem that here a door is open to plains of Kerbela. The annual passion progress, for in very many ways the play commemorates these tragic events, Persian is the opposite of the Turk. and fires the Persian heart to regard all The Turk has made a military camp, Sunnees with hatred, and the Sultan as and that only, of the lands he rules. the greatest heretic of all. There is From the desert he came, and his in- little danger of alliance between Turkey stincts are to turn the fruitful field into and Persia so long as these religious desert. "Where the Turkish horse animosities continue. sets its hoof, the grass never grows." This is a Moslem proverb. Many dis- Upon the claims of Ali and his house tricts in Turkey have to-day the deso- grew up the doctrine of the Imaumat, late aspect of a subdued country. The or the divine rights of the ImauIllS. villages are often in ruins, the gardens This word means a leader or exemplar. Mohammed is called the Imaum, and the Sunnees apply the name especially to the first caliphs. The Sheohs give lawyers. The Sunnees can express no it a more exalted meaning. The doc· new opinion nor draw any new deduc- trine is that long before creation God tion, but are bound by the precedents separated a ray of light from His own and rules of the prophet and the first glory. This ray was preserved and four caliphs. The Sheohs, holding the entered the first of created beings, who doctrine of the Imaums, are less fet- was Mohammed. Hence the prophet, tered. Every city in Persia has its col- according to Sheoh tradition, said: lege of Mushtaheeds, and sometimes a .. The first thing created was my light new deduction can be drawn to meet a and my spirit. " This is called by all new emergency.
Moslems the Noor of Mohammed. This The ,theory of government in Persia light descended to Ali and from him to is found in the divine right of Ali and the Imaums, the divinely commissioned his descendants. The Sher or law of descendants of Ali. These alone are Persia is the Koran, and the authorized the lawful caliphs or successors of the code of traditions the Hadees. The prophet. rightful sovereign is the Imaum, who The Sheohs express this doctrine has a plenitude of divine authority_ thus: The Imaum is the descendant In his absence the reigning prince is of the prophet, adorned with all his ex- bound to conform to thc higher law and cellence. He is wiser than the wisest accept the Slwr as the cgnstitution of of the age, nobler than the noblest, his realm, and the Mushtaheeds as the holier than the holiest. He is free authoritative interpreters of the Sher.
from all sin, original or actual. For the preservation of the truth an infalli- The Practice of the Persian8.-The ble organ is necessary, and this is found religious head of the Sheoh faith is in the prophet, and after him in Ali, the chief Mushtaheed, who resides at for did not Ali possess ~he Noor of Mo- Samara, on the Tigris, near the shrines hammed, and did he not say in regard of Ali and Hussein. The scattered to this, " I am Mohammed, and Moham- divisions of the Sheohs in the Caucasus, med is me"? Did not this Nom' de- in parts of India and Arabia, and in scend to the other eleven Imaums till Persia here find a centre. The council the last, who was the Mahdi or guide? of the chief Mushtaheed is composed of He was born near Bagdad, A.H. 258, representative men from these several and is supposed to be still alive, though regions, who form also a college of car- hidden, and will reappear at the second dinals to elect a successor on his demise.
advent of Christ. '1'his doctrine of The present incumbent is Mirza Ali, of the Mahdi creates a great deal of un- Shiraz. He does not lay claim to be an rest and expectation. Says Sell: Imaum nor to inherit the power of the " When Islam entered on the tenth cen- last Imaum, though the title" Imaum turyof its existence there was through- of the Age" is sometimes used. He is out Persia and India a millennium supposed to be the wisest and best of movement. Men declared that the end the Mushtaheeds, and has the moral was drawing near, and various persons authority of a pope. Few have the arose to claim to be Al Mahdi." The privilege of seeing him. It is said that pretender in the Soudan is not a Sheoh, even the King of Persia was denied an and has assumed the title not as a de- audience some years ago, as the sanc- scendant of the Imaums in the Sheoh tityof the holy man might be corrupted sense, but he takes advantage of the by contact with earthly pomp and roy- ever-swelling tide of expectation in Is- alty. He is so holy that carpets are lam of some great change. spread from his door to the mosque or Another theory of Sheoh faith that to the palanquin or boat, as even the differs from that of the Sunnees relates touch of earth might be defiling to his to the Mushtaheeds, or authoritative holiness. His influence is remarkable, and his decree is as binding on all good support, as loyalty to the king is a 8heohs as a decree of the Pope is on all weaker sentiment among the masses good Catholics. He has a large school of cities and towns than zeal for their of young ecclesiastics, and every Mush- religion.
taheed .receives his credentials directly The chief priests and scribes and from the hands of this chief. His obe- Pharisees are continually stirring up dient servants therefore throughout trouble, and are kept in restraint only Persia are the Mushtaheeds and Mul-· by the fear of arrest and conveyance to labs, or lower order of ecclesiastics. Teheran.
Thus he has in control all the shrines The nearest parallel to the state of and holy places, he directs the passion affairs in Persia is perhaps found in play, and champions the cause of the Italy. There the established religion people against any unpopular governor is Catholicism, but the Pope at its head or civil innovation. The Mushtaheed claims a divine right above all kingly must sign all legal documents and give or parliamentary authority. Hence a the decisions in all important cases of sharp friction of the two powers and a Slier. possible result of separation of Church Over against this religious power is and State. In Persia the established the civiI. Over agaiust the Sher is the religion is the Sheoh form of Islam, and Uri, or civil law. The conflict of these the king wishes to sustain it, but wishes opposing forces is the special feature also to break the power of the ecclesias- of Persian politics to-day. tics in their claims to the divine ascend- The Shah of Persia claims no such ency of the 8716r and the chief 1t'Iush· divine right to rule as the Sultan of taheed. A year ago affairs came to a Turkey. In fact, might makes right. crisis. The Shah for some time has The dynasty of the Suffaveans, from been giving concessions to foreign com- A.D. 1500 to 1725, had at least the shad- panies for banks, roads, mines, and ow of divine right, for they were de- other innovations, supposing that his scendants of the prophet; hut the pres- throne could stand against any tumults ent dynasty has no such claim, and the raised by the priests of Islam. In Shah and his governors cordially op- granting a monopoly of the tobacco pose the ecclesiastics. The situation business to an English company, he ar- offers an interestiug problem, as there rayed against his policy the prejudices are possibilities of change not found in of the people and the interests of the any other Moslem State. The present tobacco dealers. The Mushtaheeds saw 8hah has three times made the tour of their opportunity. They quoted a de- Europe, and he would be glad to have liverance of Mohammed to the effect the benefits of civilization for his coun- that everyone is master of his own try. His conception, no doubt, is a property, and drew the inference that Russian one, to subordinate all religion compulsory sale to the English com- to the royal will. Without any careful pany was contrary to their Sher. The study of the causes of civilization, he excitement became intense, and both wishes to see his people improved, and parties used their influence to obtain a he issue!! royal edicts to that effect. decision from the chief Mushtaheed.
He is friendly to Christian missions to At last the decision came from Kerbela work for nominal Christians and Jews, in very shrewd but decided terms. It as the missionaries in one way abd an- did not condemn the past use of tobacco, other bring many benefits into the nor censure the government for grant- country. In the same unthinking and ing a monopoly, but issued an edict- uncertain way he has a strong dislike "To-day the use .of tobacco in every to Moslem ecclesiastics. They thwart form is forbidden by the Imaum of the his will, often set at defiance his direct Age. " All public uSe of the weed commands, and appeal to the people for ceased at once. Mullahs paraded the markets and broke every pipe they set are Armenians. To travel from one eyes on. The pious remarked that their end to the other of this college field re- desire for tobacco was entirely removed quires about twenty days, and from under the influence of the divinely side to side, fourteen. The language of guided decision. The result was that the college is Armenian, which is spoken decree after decree was posted from the by all of the Armenians of the above "Imaum of the Age" in the chief territory except the 100,000 in Koordis- cities, and riots increased until the Shah • tan, who are learning that language.
was beaten and the monopoly was with- As feeders for the college, there are drawn. now thirteen high schools and one hun- This sharp conflict is going on, and dred and fifty common schools among what shall be the end? Islam in Persia the Protestants, and many other schools is certainly weakened. Were not Rus- which have been organized under the sia on one side and Turkey on the other stimulus of Protestant education. Tho we might think the Shah and his gov- college already has pupils from and ernment would be strong enough to teachers and workers in most of the curb the Mullahs and loosen the yoke cities, besides many in smaller cities of religious intolerance. Certainly the and towns, as well as in all parts of the case is far removed from that of Tur- Turkish Empire.
key, where the hope of freedom of con- The aim is to give a comprehensive, science and inquiry is impossible, for practical, Christian education; the the Sultan is both emperor and caliph. graduates have won for themselves such In Persia there is a glimmer of hope reputation as teachers and laborers that that the conflict of religious and civil they are sought after by both Protes- powers may work out higher activity tant and non-Protestant> communities in and a freer life, and that the Shah may far greater numbers than the college even sever the union of Church and can supply. State and proclaim liberty of conscience to all his subjects; but this faltering The aim of the mission work is to inhope expires in the overshadowing in- troduce the Gospel into the old Armefluence of Russia. Persia is so near a nian Church, which is arousing to the dependency that it is vain to expect importance of an educated and morally any change in the feebler government upright clergy. It is the province of that is not authorized by the mighty the college to furnish educated leaders empire of the north. to help this people reform its old church, and to supplement the work of the mis- The missionary and the friend of sion in the evangelization of this nation. missions can see the clouds in the horizon of these Moslem lands. They must The college needs: also look above the clouds, and not 1. Gifts of money in large or small doubt the power nor the purpose of sums, so that those who have the col- Him who sits upon the throne. lege in charge can devote their undi- vided attention to the educational needs Euphra.tes College. of the institution. 2. Two professorships of $5000 each. All Northeastern Turkey in Asia, to B. Permanent scholarships of from the Persian border and the southeastern $100 to $200 dollars each to aid poor part of Russia, looks to Euphrates Col- but worthy pupils. lege for its higher education; the territory in which this college is is the only 4> Funds for an industrial or self-help higher institution of learning, covers department. 200,000 square miles, and is larger than all New England and the Middle Atlan- 5. Money for modernizing and refittic States; and has a population of ting the dormitories of both the male 5,000,000, about one fourth of whom and female departments.
6. Small sums for apparatus and li- brary, and for the general equipment of the college.
REV. C. H. WHEELER, D.D., PreBident, Harpoot, Turkey. J. W. DAVIS, ESQ., Treasurer, Sears Building, Boston.
MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD.
Extracts and Transla.tions from Foreign certain what the causes are which have Periodica.ls. created such a lamentable condition in China, and td prevent similar ebulli- BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, tions in the future by as much as possi- .ble removing these causes. I desire, MASS. however. at the outset to disclaim any sympathy with the fierce denunciation CHINA. of the Chinese. which has been so gen· eral, and to deplore the desire for ven· -" The Chinese will likely be found geance so prevalent among the followers the equals of Western peoples in the of Him who left as the rule of our con· acquisition of knowledge, and their in- duct Matt. 5; 34-38. ~Ioreover, I can· feriors in analytical, logical, and syn- not be blind to the fact that we who are thetic powers, while in the matters of preaching Christ in China have incom· conscience, will, and motive there is so parably greater freedom of action than great a need of renovation and uplift- we should have in any Roman Catholic ing that it can only be supplied by a country; and that if in any Roman purer and diviner religion than they Catholic country, or indeed in any have yet known. "-Gltinese Recorder. Western land, the opinions and prej· udices of the people were as carelessly -The Reco?'der, speaking of Arch- trampled upon as they often are in deacon Moule's treatise on ancestral China, the rude though zealous preach. worship, remarks; .. Even the Specta- er would find it hard to escape serious tor thinks the writer' a little over-san- consequences. One thing which weighs guine in the hope that the rite may pos- seriously with me is that the people be· sibly be cleansed in time from the su- lieve all the wild stories current among perstitious practices with which it is at them about foreigners. I do not say present associated. ' the stories are true, or even that there is adequate reason given by foreigners " It may be well to explain here. and to cause the Chinese to believe them in conclusion, that the writer's opinions true; but they do believe them, and on this subject appear to be briefly as believing them, their conduct is not follows; 1. That ancestral worship, as difficult to understand.. You may at present observed, is, for the most therefore burn every pamphlet written part, gravely permeated by supersti- against the foreigner and his religion; tion, if not by idolatry, and that it forms you may imprison and bamboo every an impossible rite for a Christian to writer of every sentence inciting to out· practise; 2. That modern observances rage upon the foreigner; you may get . are largely of modern accretion; and the Chinese Government to levy a heavy that if no original of observance, quite tax on the neighborhood where any out· free from such a taint, can be found in rage has actually taken place ; you may history, yet that traces of 'a pure orig. make them pay tenfold for every dam· inal in thought can be detected in Chi· age done; but you do not touch the nese canonical literature; and 3. That root of the whole mischief. You are it may be possible, and if so surely it simply • sitting on the safety-valve;' will be highly desirable, to graft some and if your remedies go no further, solemn and worthy Christian observ- then I fear you are preparing for an ance on to this primitive stock, rescued outburst among the populace which and cleansed from the mist and mud of will be more drastic than anything that ages."
-" Now that the excitement of the anti-foreign agitation is over, it is the part of the judicious missionary to as-
EXTRACTS AND
has occurred. Why were the lessons the·" Chinese are not only treasonable,' of the Tien-tsin massacre not laid to but extremely tolerant, till the professed. heart by Christian men? Why should religion assumes, or is believed to asmissionaries incur the disgrace of hav- sume, a political aspect. It is, thereing to be lectured on the proper mode fore, of the utmost consequence that of treating the people by a statesman the missionary avoid everything calcuwhose time and thought are sufficiently lated to deepen in the Chinese mind the occupied by worldly and world-wide belief that he is a political agent. But affairs ? besides this most serious of all sources of mischief, there are other avoidable "It is, I think, important to know causes of hatred and distrust. that this anti-missionary or anti-foreign feeling did not always exist in China. " Whenever a riot occurs the infor- Without referring to the Polos, it is mation is forthcoming that some of the enough to know that in the Ming and principal literati in the neighborhood the beginning of the present dynasty have roused the passions of the otherthe talented Jesuit missionaries were wise friendly mob and become its leadnot only tolerated, but held in high es- ers. So great is the respect for literateem, both at court and in the prov- ture in China, that the literary men will inces; and at that time many of the long continue to be the leaders of the highest officials were converts. Why people. Are we on that account to asis it not so now? I admit that it is sume toward them an attitude of hoslargely owing to the humiliation of the tility ? How should we act toward Chinese by the armies of the West; but them to neutralize their power for evil, the process began long before. It orig- or even to gain them to our side? Some inated toward the end of the reign of missionaries believe that faithfulness to Kang-hi, and became manifest in the , the Truth' demands their uncomprobeginning of that of Yung-chung, when mising hostility to Confucian teaching, the Jesuits in Peking joined a plot to and they persistently attack Confucius supplant this emperor by a younger in public and in private. Supposing it brother. They had enemies before were actually true, as some of these that, becanse of their success and influ- people publicly tell the Chinese, that ence ; yet if envy begat foes, admiration , Confucius is in hell,' would it not be produced friends; but when the poli- wiser to retain to themselves their tics of China were actively interfered knowledge of the unseen world and the with the officials became of one mind unfathomable ways of God, rather than in opposing the foreigner. by blurting it out in the ears of those who revere Confucius to turn indiffer- "From that day to this the Chinese ence to the speaker to actual ha.tred of. have regarded the missionary as the him? Is it conceivable that any One is vanguard of foreign armies. It is need- foolish enough to suppose that the way less to dwell on the arguments they use to win to Christ is by rousing the acand the facts they add uce to prove this tive animosity of the hearer? Are position. I may mention that they such persons beyond learning the meanpoint to Cochin China and to Tonquin. ing of 1 Cor. 9: 19-23 ? Or do they sup- Enough that the belief is general. This pose Paul a poor, mean-spirited dreamis the real, though rarely the ostensible er, whose mode of preaching the Gosrea30n for the anti.foreign feeling so pel is to be avoided by those who court very prevalent among the official and and create danger, and then demand literary classes, who are, of course, vengeance? It is not, perhaps, surmost directly concerned. It is not, lct prising that men who in public' thank me once for all assert-it is not because God that they know nothing of philosowe are introducing another in addition phy' should act in this manner; but to their already numerous forms of re- it is matter of profound regret that the ligion. As far as religion is concerned,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. [October –
spirit and action of which I complain perate disCriminations. of Mr. Candlin, are not confined to such people. When of the Methodist New Connection. two years ago I believed it my duty to go into Moukden, then pronounced the AFRICA. city most hostile to foreigners of all Chinese cities, one objection constantly -" Captain Lugard, in his address brought against me from the outset before the Geographical Society, gave was that Christianity came as the en- a very seducing description of the inemy of their much-loved Confucius. terior of Africa. In place of wastes of This argument was, of course, brought sand in the higher plateaus, there is forward by and had much influence soft, springy turf like an English lawn; upon the literary classes. My reply to and for unknown shrubs and flowers, it was the opening of a day school there are familiar evergreen bushes, where the Four Books alone were forget-me-nots, and jessamine, not to taught, and into which not a scrap of speak of brambles and [Scottish 1] this- Christian literature did I allow for the tles. Rushing streams and sheltered first year. Next year the boys were bays and beautiful lakes are also to eager to learn Christian hymns, and be found, making such picturesque they and their parents desired to read glimpses of scenery as are to be seen in Christian books. A.t the end of two many parts of Scotland. It is evident years the school had to be closed, but that if suitable means of transit could it had served my purpose, and never be provided, our own superabundant since has the anti·Confucian argument population might find in these regions been brought against us. Nor have fresh opportunities for replenishing the the literary classes at any time display- earth." -Free Ohurch Monthly. ed that hostility which seems so prevalent throughout China. On the other -Oentral Africa expresses the conhand, I have found the classics of in- viction, grounded on good evidence, comparable value both in the convict- that the Germans are thoroughly in ing of sin, in the inculcation of duty, earnest in civilizing their new sphere. in upsetting idolatry, and in establishing our Christian ideas regarding the -" In the vast African zone extend- Omnipresence, the Almighty Power, ing from the Sahara to the northern and the universal care of the one living boundary of the Transvaal, the trade God. I have yet to learn of the man in alcohol is prohibited, or at least burwho has been converted to Christianity, dened with a progressive tax, according or even rendered friendly toward the to the Brussels Convention, signed by preacher by denunciation of Confucius. seventeen European powers. In Bel- Young converts are prone to run tilt gian Congo there was at the beginning against idolatry, but I have never yet a good movement. Mr. C. H. Harvey, heard a Chinaman who believed it ad- of the American Baptist Society, revisable or right to defame Confucius. marks that the gin trade recoiled before Such denunciations I consider as un- the heavy cxcisc; then the government Christian as they are unwise. They reduced the tax, so that an agency are, to say the least, utterly useless as a which had given up the brandy traffic converting agency. Why, then, seeing resumed it, and did a roaring business, they rouse and will continue to excite soon followed by all the others. They the hatred of the literary classes, should are, he says, gathering a harvest of gold missionaries not abandon this vicious at the expense of the ruined natIves. practice ?"- Rev_ J ORN ROBB, in altinese Is, then, the general act of the Brussels Rernrder (U. P. C. S.). Conference 'the senseless demonstra- tion of a glaring mockery?' as is asked Mr. Ross's remarks seem much in in Regions Beyond. Unhappily it may the same line with the wise and tem- be so. A few score thousand dollars go much farther in tbis world tban
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLA'l'IONS. " '187
J the philanthropy of congresses; this is the soul of his subjccts are in his hand. theory, that practice, which easily Despotism and slavery have moulded paralyzes the former. their spirits to such an es:tent that everyone's looks are fixed on the king, U Are we, then, to be silent? Cer- and no one is willing to appear as if tainly not. We ought to aim at arous- having the will to go beyond him, or ing public opinion against this shame- to separate himself from him in anyful traffic, and against many other thing ; and yet, for all this, the mission things; but what is public opinion? has done an admirable work; it is the A reed shaken by the wind, but, above most beautiful work that I have seen all, by the sounding and tremendous in Africa. I could spend hours in talkblast of material interest. What, at ing of it. You would hardly believe, bottom, is political policy and conquest for instance, how unbounded an influand colonial possession but organized ence M. Coillard exercises over the rapine? Every colonial agent is a born country, over the king. Doubtless the enemy of the aborigines. In the very latter does not give himself wholly to depth of his mind we should find, were this influence; he tears himself away it but naIvely and unconsciously, what from it, even now and then fights it M. Martini announces with frank down; but this of itself shows the asshamelessness: • The native offers him- cendency of the missionary." – Dr. self as an obstacle to the requirements JAMES JOHNSTON to the Oommittee of of our civilization; we must help him tlw Societe des Missions Evangeliques. to vanish off the earth, as has been done for the Redskins, by unceasing volleys -" The weak side of many religious of musketry and by a continuous stream works is found in the premature exacof alcohol.' tion of reports from the workers. The donors insist on being encouraged. A "The man whose eloquent voice Sunday-school, it may be, which has availed so much at the Brussels Con- given one shilling for missions, wishes ference, Monsignor Lavigerie, died in to know how many souls have been November last. Under his cardinal's gained through this one shilling. Your purple beat a generous heart. His ec- mission is not affiicted in this way. clesiastical education had force some- You do not receive triumphant reports. times to draw him into compromises Whatever your missionaries say of their with conscience, into duplicities, which work and its fruits, you may be assured Jesuitical morality excuses; neverthe- that it is always the minimum of that less it remains true that this prelate, which they could say; but their work Doctor of the Sorbonne, Primate of is none the less solid, founded on the Africa, has shown that what will al- rock. It does not strike the new, but most chiefly fascinate every genuine is like the submarine piles sustaining Christian, that which will fill him with the bridges of the Forth and of the the purest enthusiasm, that which will Tay, which form the most necessary transfigure him, is the evangelical apos- and most admirable part of those martolate in the midst of the heathen."- vellous constructions. But the day will Professor F. H. KRUGER, in Journal, come when this work will emerge from des Missions Evavgeliques. the bosom of the deep waters, and its greatness and its vitality will appear -" Would you know my opinion of by the magnificent fruits which it will the French Zambesi Mission? It is bear."-Dr. JAMES Jon~sTON to the carried on under conditions of extraor- Committee of the Paris Society. dinary difficulty. I had seen the American mission on the west side. There MADAGASCAR. men's consciences are free; on the Zambesi they are not. The king can -" A terrible diSaster has befallen stop everything; the life, the heart, Antananarivo, with its hundred thou·
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Band inhabitants. Its food supply is banked road is flooded ; all the cottages to-day rotting beneath four feet of are deserted, the only sign of recent water. In the night of Monday last, habitation being sheafs of straw ranged while all Antananarivo was sleeping, at the foot of their walls, in often vain the river Ikopa burst its banks, and the effort to prevent the hungry waves va..~t Betsimitatatra plain is now a lake sucking away the foundations of houses stretching northward for many miles. which will, if they stand, presently It is no slight inundation, no few inches contain hungry denizens. Already of water from a pereolation of the river many of the people are feeling the hor- banks. It is a flood, a deluge that, with- rors of the situation. Like the birds of out the slightest indication of its com- the air, they are hovering at the watering, has raced down the broad bed of side to pick up each grain of rice that the Ikopa, overflowed its several chan- is washed ashore ; and in bottles they nels, swept over the sand-banks in its place their finds with the watchful care midst, filled its wide but generally dry with which gold-seekers treasure golden expanse, and then, ravening for an out- grains. Cold and callous, indeed, let, rose and rose until at the east of would be the eye and heart that could Ambokitrimanjaka, southwest of Am- view the scene and not see the forebodihady, some three hours' journey shadowing of what it means-a multifrom the capital, the waters have swept tude on the verge of starvation. Sir over the embankment, tore ever-widen- Robert Peel said, on his repeal of the ing breaches in its steep side, and pour- Corn Laws, that he would be content ed a tide impossible to stem into the to be credited wi.th no other fame than vast rice plain of Betsimitatatra. In that, for by that act he had given the the dead of night the flood swept 011- masses-bread. The spirit-love of the ward, sapping down cottages in its people-that thrilled Sir Robert Peel to rush, until when morning broke An- his great effort, actuates every action tananarivo on the westward side pre- of H. E., the Prime Minister. He acts sented the appearance of an island, with always so that the Malagasy may be waves billowing as far as the eye could benefited. Not once but many times, see. Nothing could be done; the dis- through the rain and bleak wind, he aster was complete. Had there been has hurried during the last week to warning of the coming of the flood, other districts where the rice crop is not had the work of destruction been even submerged, but where the embankthe work of hours, H. E., the Prime- ments need repair. With rallying cry Minister, would have placed himself at he has directed the work, and When the the head of the populace and, thrilling floods are over he purposes to endear them with his mighty energy, averted himself for all time to the Malagasy by the calamity. Had there been any op- organizing an act that will for many portunity the British community would, generations ensure the Malagasy their as they did in 1888, have taken coats staff of life. The embankments of the off :tnd labored with the multitude; Ikopa are, we understand, to bE' rebut there was not, and to-day what was paired in no superficial manner, but are a plain of rice rapidly becoming golden to be made enduring monuments of the in its hue is a sombre surge of yellow loving care of RANAVALOMANJAKA III. water. The yellow is there, but its and her Prime-Minister, Rainilaiarigleam has gone. Where the waving vony."-Madagascar News. rice-blades sung softly to the music of The Prime-Minister, it will be rethe breeze, only the splash of waves membered, is the husband of this queen, is heard as they leap exultantly over as he was of the last. the rice they are rolling into the earth. It is a piteous sight as one canoes across -Although there is no likelihood of that dreary waste of waters. The em- war in the immediate future, still, un-
ENGLISH NOTES. '789
less effort is made to obtain the redress its policy has not only been right but of the wrong that has been done Mada- righteous. Not only so, but by firmly gascar, a cruel struggle is, sooner or adhering to the principle that the later, before the Malagasy. Their faith weapons of the State may not be used in the Protestant faith will be destroy- in matters of conscience, it has prepared ed, but their love of their fatherland the way for the willing reception of the will be undying, altd the country will Gospel in the hearts and consciences of for years be the scene of ever-smoulder- the people of this land." In the judg- ing war. A nation may have its faith ment of this writer, the State in India destroyed, but the spirit of patriotism has been the handmaid of Christianity, never dies in a race that has become a and one of God's most powerful agents homogeneous nation. The armies of in furthering its cause. But waiving such a nation may be annihilated, its this point, two things, he alleges, are towns and villages burnt to the ground, sure: first, that the reign of the Lord its manhood scattered, but the spirit of Jesus Christ in India has begun and patriotism eludes the conqueror. To wlll be consummated; secondly, that mountain fastnesses it flies; in the im- every member of His Church is called penetrable jungle of forests that tower to join in the work.
erect in the fatherland when towns and Speaking of the encouragement to villages are prostrate it hides; in obey this call, Mr. Young says: "If swamps and valleys, where the foreign our faith is so weak as to demand the invader can find no foothold, it lurks; argument of statistics, it is not wanting.
and from one or more of these haunts it The popUlation of the Punjab in 1881 ever flits, will·o'-the-wisp-like, over the was nearly nineteen millions. In the country, harassing the foreigner and census of 1891 it was nearly twenty·one bringing him to his destruction. This millions, an increase of about 10 per cent is the prospect before Madagascar if the in the same time. The number of na- unholy compact between France and tive Christians in the former census re- England is not abrogated. A faith de- turns was 3599. It is now 18,375, an stroyed, a country devastated, and the increase of 400 per cent in the same hearts of a nation made desolate. Will time. Take the two rates of increase, not the British religious world speak write down on a sheet of paper for out in the name of humanity, and in every decade in the future the number the name of Europe's'honor I"-Mada- of the population and the number of the gascar News. native Christians represented by an in- crease of 10 per cent in the one case and English Notes. 400 per cent in the other, and you will find that in forty-five years from the BY REV. JAlIIES DOUGLAS. present time every soul in the PunjaB England'8 Work in India.-The will, at this rate, be a Christian I … Olturch Mi8sionary Intelligencer for Life in India is not worth living if we April opens with an able paper on live it to ourselves. But it is worth liv· "England's Work in India," by W. ing if we live it to Christ."
Mackworth Young, C. S. 1. Writing both as a civil servant of the Queen and The Ohina Inland Mi88ion.-The an· as a disciple of the Lord Jesus, Mr. nual meeting of this mission has just Mackworth Young endeavors to prove been held at the Conference Hall, Mild· that the Government in India has not may Park, and was largely attended.
been so antagonistic to Christian effort Mr. B. Broomhall made a brief state- among the native popUlation as is gen- ment as to the scope and progress of erally supposed. "Admitting," he says, the work. There are now 207 stations " some exceptions, which were usually and out-stations, 552 China Inland Mis· rectified shortly afterward, I believe that sion missionaries in all, and 3637 com·
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
municants. The income raised at home two hands to her ears, and in quaint, was £24,632, and in China and else- broken English, she said, 'No speak to where, £9860. The Rev. J. Hudson me. I been seen the Bleeding Lamb,' Taylor, speaKing of the year's returns, and she hastened to a little group of said: "There have been more converts huts, inhabited by heathen people from and more baptisms than in any previ- the mountains, there to tell the story of ous year, while at this moment there God's love in Jesus. If in this we see are about a thousand more candidates some sign of what the Spirit of God for baptism than at this time last year." can do through missions, we have also At the evening meeting Dr. Pierson an intimation of how missionaries are gave the closing address, his subject made. If out of this great meeting being testimony and judgment as based there is to be a flow of sympathy, of on the words of our Lord in lIatt. compassion, of substance, of service in 24: 14. the name of Christ toward the thousand millions of our human race who have The Rev. R. Wright Hay, of Dacca" not yet heard the Gospel, it must be by JJJa8t BengaZ.-This young missionary our having a new vision of Jesus Christ has won a high place in the esteem and as the 'Lamb of God which taketh affection of English Baptists. His re- away the sin of the world.' " cent address at Exeter Hall, on the Baptist missionary platform, will not soon Darkest Russia.-The paper bearing be forgotten. It was a voice of tender the above title is full of the saddest pleading, lit by poetic glow and hal- reading concerning the times in which lowed by a gracious spirit. We give we live. The main object of this peribut one passage from this heart-to-heart odical is to bring to the knowledge of speech, the opening words: "I cannot the civilized world "authentic facts forget the last time I stood here, it was relating to Russia's persecution of her as one who, by brief service of Jesus in subjects on account of their religIous Africa, had gained promotion to the belief." But much more than this encoveted privilege of being allowed in ters into the composition of this joursome measure to give voice to Africa's nal. The seamy side of Russian flnance great woes. And to·night, light from is mercilessly exposed. The worse than that dark land lingers in my men1ory, slavery of millions of her population is and the desire that some of it may break depicted in colors which, for humanity's out upon the hearts of others disposes sake, we trust are overdrawn. And me to relate to you an incident which what is more serious still, a sketch is given-authorities being quoted in exhas, in various applications, been a: tenso-of an agricultural blight which threatens, and that at no distant day, to means of grace to myself. One of the convert the fairest and most productive saintliest Christians that I have known provinces of Russia into a Sahara. was an aged Christian negress, whose Who can fail to have suggested to him, friendship I enjoyed on the shores of in a fact so portentous, the finger of Ambas Bay, at the base of the Cameroon God? The tillers of the soil are be- Mountains. In our little prayer-meet- coming paralyzed. It is, indeed, mys· ing there was no one who prayed with terious that the famous black loam greater fervor or with a more forcible country, which is the granary of Rususe of Scripture language than this aged sia, should in such a brief space of time sister. One evening, just after she had have taken on an entirely different comprayed, and with more than usual pow· plexion. "Many sources of moisture er, as we raised our heads we saw her are drying up completely and disaphurriedly moving toward the door of pearing, others are being choked up; the chapel, and when one of the little and, worse than all else, the fertile surcompany inquired why she was so hurriedly leaving the meeting, she put her face soil is being swept away from the summed up in the word prejudicesteppe with an ever-augmenting force, that prejudice which sees what it whereby the arms of rivers, the lakes, pleases, but cannot see what is plain." and every species of holloware filling with sand and other coarse alluvium." -Mulhall estimates that the civilized Some years ago the government at.- nations pay annually $13,700,000,000 tempted to palliate the evil by planting for food. By the side of this vast sum defensive trees before the soil became how infinitesimal is the amount excompletely denuded. " But, " cries pended to secure for the starving the the NO'D01Je Vremya, "no one concerns bread of life! himself in the least to delay the advance of the all-destroying oceans of -According to the latest statistics sand, to take measures against the there are in the world about 6000 lightdroughts and the resulting sterility." houses and 250 lightships. Of these It is further observed, in this most Europe has 3309, and the United States mournful record. that •• the effects of 1287, with 1369 post lights in addition the persecution of the Jews are reacting on the Western rivers; while all Asia most disastrously upon the economic has but 476, Oceanica, 319; Africa, condition of the whole population, 219; South America, 169; and the while the wanton reduction to beggary West Indies, 106. The lack of GoIfJHlZ of the most sober and successful farm- light is even more serious in the same ers, simply because they are Baptists, regions. If we call each mission stahas contributed to put back agriculture tion a lighthouse, there are some 12,000 at least twenty years." scattered here and there, though far apart, in the boundless area of pagan· THE WORLD AT LARGE. ism. Or, if we term each missionary of either sex sent forth from Christian -Certainly, Mr. Moody is no pessim- countries a light-bearer. there are only ist, for recently at Northfield he said: about 10,000 for the 1,000,000,000 of heathen. And how dense the darkas"I never was so hopeful for America ness! I am to-day." -As setting forth one form of mis- -Mrs. Bishop, who has travelled sionary activity, which has received a much in Oriental lands, affirms that most wondrous development during 500 Mohammedan missionaries go forth this century, these figures are instruc: from Cairo every year who are to be tlve and exhilarating. It is estimated found everywhere in the East. She that between the Christian era and the does not think that Mohammedanism Protestant Reformation, a period of can ever be successfully coped with. 1500 years, the Scriptures were transexcept by Christian converts who are lated into only 23 languages, of which fully Oriental in mental habit. 13 ere long died out. This was at the rate of only 1 version to over 66 years. ~Rev. Thomas P.Hughes, long a Between the Reformation and 1804, missionary on the Afghan frontier, when the British and Foreign Bible So· adopted the dress of the Afghan, and ciety was formed, about 300 years, 84 states this as the conclusion he has translations were made, an average of reached concerning one form of adapta- 1 to about 9 years. Between 1804 and tion to current custom: " Judging from 1890 the Word of God was published my own experience among an Oriental wholly or in part in 342 languages, or race for twenty years, it seems strange about 4 each year. In the decade 1881to me that missionaries in all lands do 91 the above-named society alone unnot adopt the dress of the people among dertook 50 translations, or 5 a year; whom they labor. There are a great and last year work was begun on no many arguments against it, but in my less than 9 new languagC'J. opinion they may be pretty well -And nere is a hint concerning an- -" This will do more for Christian- other most important phase of develop- ity than anything that has been done, ment in missionary work. At the first for our people know nothing of such conference held at Allahabad, in 1873, love as this," say the native Japanese of 136 members, natives numbered 28, Christians of a hospital that mission- and women numbered 0; at the sec· aries are erecting for lepers.
and, held at Calcutta, in 1883, in' a -The self.denying deeds of Sarah membership of 475 there were 46 no.· Hosmer, of Lowell, are worth telling tives and 181 women; and at the again and again for an example. Sha third, in Bombay last year, with 632 heard that a young man might be edumembers, there were 93 natives and 276 cated in the Nestorian mission seminary women. And, no doubt, in all the fu- for $50. Working in a factory, she ture more and more will women be saved this amount and sent it to Persia, found at the front in the fight, and the and a young man was educated as a work be transferred to native hands. preacher of Christ to his own people.
-All a route fr~m England to India She thought she would like to do it and Australia, though the Suez Canal again and again, and did it five times.
is not exactly in peril of being super- When more than sixty years of age, seded. it is to have a vigorous rival, living in an attic, she took in sewing and that in the shape of the Canadian until she had sent out the sixth preach.
Pacific Railway and a line of steamers cr. She was a missionary in the high.
to Japan, China, and beyond. The est sense.
distance is not much greater, and there is no danger of blockade in time of -The Chinese lepers of British Co· war. How astonishingly does steam lumbia, isolated on an island in the facilitate the triumph of the Gospel 1 Gulf of Georgia, have had no one to " The King's business requireth haste. " attend them, and have been left alone, with only the occasional visit of a phy.
-The numbers are suspiciously sician to relieve them. A young worn· "round," but are approximately cor- an of Vancouver, Lizzie Hausel, has rect, which allege that Queen Victoria heroically offered to devote herself to is now sovereign over 1 continent, 100 the care of these unfortunates. She peninsulas, 500 promontories, 1000 was rescued by the Salvation Army lakes, 2000 rivers, and 10,000 islands. some time ago from a degraded Ufe, -In a pUblication of the English and for two years has been a devoted Church Missionary Society it is stated trained nurse in cases of small-pox, etc. that "there are those who think it the Her decision to care for the lepers will highest honor to their family that it mean the sacrifice of the rest of her life.
should be represented in the mission -We are passing through days which field. One clergyman has given 4 sorely try the faith and patience of all daughters to India. Another band of lovers of missions. To the financial 4 sisters is in China. In two cases 3 and theological troubles are to be added brothers and a sister have gonc out. In the mischief-making of France, Ger- another case 3 brothers, all qualified many, and Spain in several fields, the medical men. Two branches of one tyrannical acts of Tltrkey several times family, comprising 18 brothers, sisters, repeated, the serious revulsion in Japan, and first cousins, are, or will shortly be and the riots in China leading to the represented in the field by 7 of them." murder of several missionaries, signs of And the United States has its families trouble in Korea, as well as the out· of Scudders, Gulicks, etc., who from break of fanatical violence between generation to generation maintain the Hindus and Mohammedans in Bom· glorious succession. bay, etc. But God reigns nevertheless,
GENERAL MISSIONARY
'793 the threatening clouds will pass, and – Not possessing the gift of tongues, out of evil good will issue. missionaries sometimes with the best of intentions preach queer doctrine. Thus -The English Wesleyans entered a missionary writes: .. One of our Sierra Leone in 1808, and in less than teachers startled us in our class·meeting 40 years some 55 missionaries had lost by saying he had not come to New their lives, but volunteers were never Guinea to seek kwekwe (frogs), but to lacking. The ruling spirit was well seek the souls of the heathen. He expressed by one of the number, who meant gwegwe (property)." And Prosaid: "The more I hear of the dangers fessor G. F. Wright, of Oberlin, premisand the difficulties of missionary life in ing that in Alaska there are no domes- Africa, the more anxious I am to go ;" tic animals, and that the so-called and when llis mother said to him, "If mountain sheep is a real goat, repeats you go to Africa, you will be the death the story told of the missionary's lack of me," he replied: "Oh, mother, if of success in translating the first verse you do not let me go, you will be the of the twenty-third Psalm. His interdeath of me." preter had no proper idea of either sheep or shepherd, and in rendering the phrase -When G. Wilmot Brooke andJ. A. "The Lord is my Shepherd," aston- Robinson were about to sail for Africa, ished his audience by translating it iJl 1890, to found a mission upon the " The Lord is an implacable mountain upper Niger, they entrusted their lives sheep-hunter. " to God in a way not so very common, even among missionaries, by signing WOMAN'S WORK. this 'paper : -A writer in the Advance relates. " As the missionaries enter the Mos- " The other day I asked a lady who is lem States under the necessity of vio- exceptional for her literary culture and lating the law of Islam, which forbids tastes what she had been reading during anyone to endeavor to turn Moslems to the summer. 'Really nothing,' she Christ, they could not under any cir- said, 'except the missionary papers. I cumstances ask for British intervention cannot find time for anything else.' to extricate them from the dangers And yet this 'nothing but missionary which they thus call down upon them- papers' had kept her in touch with the selves. But also for the sake of the na- world, had made her an interesting pertives who have to be urged to brave the son to talk with, although she was a wrath of men for Christ's sake, it is housekeeper with a large family, and necessary that the missionaries should with very little kitchen help. It had themselves take the lead in facing these kept her from becoming intellectually dangers; and should in every possible stupid with the monotony of daily way make it clear to all that they do toil. " not desire to shelter themselves, as British subjects, from the liabilities and -Mrs. Benton, in Helping Hand, is perils which would attach to Christian troubled to see" why Paul did not inconverts from Mohammedanism in the clude in his list of gifted workers, , col- Soudan. They will, therefore, volun- lectors.' We would read, 'He gave tarily lay aside all claim to protection some apostles, some prophets, some as British subjects, and place them- evangelists, some pastors, some teachselves, while outside British territory, ers, and 80me collectors, for the perfectunder the authority of the native rulers ; ing of the saints.' Paul always comand will endeavor jn every way to mends the collector, as also those who share with the people the difficulties are not slow in forwarding the collecand trials of their Mohammedan envi- tion. Indeed, Paul was an excellent ronment." collector himself. Then, as now, the disciples did not arrive at the perfect stature of men and women in Christ ment, until now 22 societies in Europe Jesus without the aid of the collector." and America are engaged.
-Secretary Wright, of the British -;Miss Mary W. Porter writes that and Foreign Bible Society, at the anni· the women of the United Presbyterian versary of the London Missionary So· Church presented last year as a thank· ciety, said he felt that the tremendous offering to the Lord $37.028, of which wealth of influence and power in wom· $10,000 went to foreign missions, $9000 an's work had hitherto been neglected. to home and Warm Spring Indian "In Damascus we men preach to the missions, and $7616 to missions among cheerless east wind of the Oriental ba· the freedmen. zaars. A woman will go with her smile, and this smile will be answered THE UNITED STATES. by a smile. We dare not smile. She goes with this access to all these little -General Grant said that one Indian springs of love and influence down war cost $6,000,000 and killed 6 Ind· among the people, into the homes, into ians. the seed place, where the good seed can be sown in the hearts of the wom· " Heaven," according to Red Cloud, en." "is a place where white men tell no lies. " -These figures relating to the gifts of women for missions last year are -The conversion of this republic to worth pondering. Mrs. L. M. Bain· the Moslem faith still continues. To bridge is the authority: Mr. Webb, the chief apostle, is joined an Egyptian of rank, one Abdurrhim Presbyterians (North)….. . $309,818 Effendi, and they propose to establish Methodists (North)…….. . 265,342 colonies of true believers in the South· Congregationalists…….. . 229,701 ern States, and as well to build mosques Baptists (North)………. . 155,552 in New York and other cities. The Union Missionary Society.. . 51,222 Egyptian above named expresses tum· EpiscopaL ………….. .. 35,484 self thus: Reformed Church……… . 29,635 "Mohammedanism is destined to be TotaL ………….. $1,076,754 the religion of all intelligent people, and the time to spread the prophet's -Woman's work in India has made doctrine is ripe. Calm, earnest discus· great progress. There are now 711 sions will work wonders, for Christianwomen-foreign and Eurasian-mis- ity is evidently a failure. Christians sionaries in India. These have access are not sincere, but the Moslems are as to 40,513 zenanas, and have 62,414 girl devout now as they were in the days of pupils in the mission schools. There· Mohammed. In Europe the Moslem fore, well may the Brahmans begin to faith is making great strides, and in tremble for the result. America progress is rapid, though not dreamed of by those unacquainted with -These are the bottom facts as to the subject." zenana work, coming direct from Miss R. A. Webb, Secretary of the Society -Two more devoted men, whose for Promoting Female Education in the names will not soon be forgotten, have East. The beginning was as far back ceased from their toils on earth: Rev. as 1835, when a missionary of that so· E. P. Thwing, who only a few months ciety, Miss Wakefield, obtained access ago had gone to China, at his own to two or three zenanas in Calcutta, and charges, to establish a hospital for the others followed, until in 1843 a wom- insane, and Rev. Jeremiah Porter, in an was sent out for this special purpose. labors most varied and abundant as Mrs. Mullen's work came later. After home missionary for 62 years, or ever the Mutiny of 1857 came great enlarge· since 1831. Among the rest, the latter was the pioneer minister in Chicago, reaching that place in 1833, when it tumn; 40 of them from Atlantic and was but a village of 300 inhabitants. 30 from Pacific ports. Several impor- tant advance stations have been plant· -The University of Chicago con- ed. Twenty.seven new mission houses ferred its first degree of Ph.D. upon a are building. One new centre of oper· Japanese, who is to be Professor of Old ations-namely, the Central China Mis- Testament Literatur~ in a Methodist col- sion, with headquarters at or near Hanlege at Tokio. This is a significant kow-has been projected, and 2 mis· fact. When Harvard conferred its first sionary families are on their way to degree, or when John Wesley was work it." founding a great sect, what did the world know of Japan ?-British Weekly. -The Episcopalians are about to re- joice over the occupation of a Church -The year book of the Young Men's Missions House. The cost of the Christian Associations of North Ameri- ground, $175,000, and the amount of ca, for 1893, has been issued. The $170,000 toward the erection of the number of associations is now 1439, building have been received. There with an aggregate membership of 245,- will still be required $70,000 for the 809. These associations own buildings completion of the building free from valued at $12,591,000. Their total net debt. property is valued at $14,208,043-more than $1,500,000 more than the year be- An urgent call is issued for $20,000 fore. to help on the work among the freed- men, coupled with this statement: -Few things to be found in Chicago " We have 137 mission stations served this year are more remarkable than Mr. by 60 white and 47 colored ministers. Moody's six·months' Gospel campaign. We have 6399 communicants, 95 church Through the entire season the work has buildings, 52 schools, 4 hospitals, 1 been pushed. From 200 to 300 work- church home, 125 Sunday·schools with ers have been employed, holding ser· 10,000 scholars, 61 day·schools with vices all over the city in tents, halls, 4734 pupils, 3 normal and divinity theatres, and churches, at the rate of schools with 160 normal and 31 divin- 120 a week, exclusive of meetings for ity students. The colored people paid prayer and counsel. All·day services $22,509 toward these objects." were held several times with astonishing attendance and interest. -The Presbyterian Church, South, with a membership of 188,546, gave to ~ -This is but a part of the year's foreign missions last year $120,954, and story which the Baptists can tell: "A for all forms of religious work $1,943,- great and notable advance has been 580. made. The increase of cash contributions from our churches alone (includ- -The General Synod of the German ing that secured by the woman's soci- Reformed Church is pledged to raise eties) amounts to over $360,000. Since $40,000 for foreign missions for the curthe centenary proposal was made we rent year. A flourishing mission is sushave also recruited not far from 100 tained in Japan containing 12 churches, new missionaries, counting both men of which 5 are self-sustaining, with a and women. We have sent 37, male membership of 1842, an increase of 109 and female, workers to the Telugus. within a year. The native ministers We are sending 14 new workers to number 9 ; unordained evangelists, 16 ; Western China; about as many more and theological students, 21. A girls' to other parts of China, and many school has 45 pupils, and 976 are in others to Assam, Burma, and Africa. Sunday.schools. The preaching sta- About 90 missionaries in al1-70 of tions are 37. them new workers-go out this au- -The Roman Catholics are not alto- gether impervious to modern influences, and are able to learn even from the of baptisms was 7806. In the day- Protestant foe. Last year a summer schools are 8871 pupils. In Sumatra school, a quasi Chautauqua, was start- the chief struggle is with ·Mohamme- ed, and was held again this year, hav- danism instead of heathenism.
ing a permanent home secured near -The Ninth Continental Conference Plattsburgh, N. Y., by the gift of 450 met in Bremen recently; representing acres on the shore of Lake Champlain. 14 German, 2 Dutch, and 1 Danish so- EUROPE. cieties. For three days practical topics of common interest were discussed. Great Britain.-The recent action.of Parliament in providing for the appoint- -The figures below give the number ment of a commission to investigate the of baptisms reported in 1891-92 by 9 whole matter of Indian opium; together German societies: with the action of the Government of Burma forbidding the use or possession Hermannsburg ………….. _. 2380 of opium by any native in Lower Neukirchen (Java) ..•………. 76 Burma, are hopeful signs that the abate- North G:erman (West Africa) .. , 91 ment of a blighting curse is not far Gossner's Mission ….. _……. . 1500 Leipsic (Tamilland)……….. . 380 away. Basel Society ………… , …. . 1253 .-General Booth carries on his mis- Berlin ……..•……… 2012 sions at comparatively sniall cost. The officers who work among the Zulus are Barmen" …………….. . 3546 Moravian (including children).. . 13,336 said to get 60 cents per week as salary, Total. ……………… 24,574 besides cornmeal for breakfast, rice for -In a paper on the" Religious Condinner, with an occasional bucket of dition of Italy," Dr. Murray Mitchell molasses thrown in. The latter costs .gives a statistical table, prepared by 12 cents at the sugar-mill. Rev. Dr. G. Gray, of Rome, showing ~It is announced that the Mildmay the membership of the chief evangeli- Mission to the Jews is about to receive cal missions in Italy for the years 1888 some £25,000 from a bequest, and that and 1893. The summary is as follows : this sum will be expended in distribut- 1888. 1893.
ing New Testaments and Christian liter- Waldensian Church… . 4,074 4,737 ature to Jews all the world over. Free Church……… . 1,522 1,631 -The income of the Scottish United Wesleyan Methodist … . 1,360 1,341 Presbyterian Church was $200,660 last Methodist EpiscopaL .. 920 965 year, and work was sustained in Jamai- Baptist churches …… . ~75 ca, Trinidad, Old Calabar, Kaffraria, 1,050 India, China, and Japan. The missionary force consists of 130 fully train- In the Methodist Episcopal mission ed agents, 63 being ordained Europeans there are 241 probationers in addition to the 965 members in full connection. In 1888 there were 174 probationers.
and 20 ordained natives, and 28 zenana ASIA. workers. The membership of the mis- sion churches is 17,414, an increase of Turkey.-A few native churches are 885 in a year. becoming self-supporting in spite of The Continent.-The Rhenish So- the general poverty, among which are ciety is at work in Africa, China, the Tarsus and Mardin: and the schools Dutch East Indies, and New Guinea. are forging along in the same direction.
The income was $97,582 in 1892. The -A recent letter from Mr. Wheeler, number of native Christians is 47,436, President of Euphrates College, reports of communicants 14,295, of whom 680 that there are in all departments 522 were confirmed last year. The number pupils-297 males and 225 f~males. Of these 12 are in the theological depart- the cause of social reform. The Hin- ment, 34 in the male college proper, and du Social Reform Association of Mad- 37 in the female college. ras has entered on a crusade against tho -The lot of a journalist is a hard one demoralizing practice of Nautch danc. in the dominions of the Sultan, and the ing, which has hitherto been an acceptnewspaper is at a heavy discount. The ed feature of entertainments, pnblic and censor has an eagle eye, revises with a private. The crusade is led by. but not free hand, and even suppresses an of- exclusively confined to, Christians.
fending sheet on slight provocation. -Some of the native States have -The Sultan will not have a tele- rulers so enlightened as to be every way phone within his dominions at any:price fit to hold the reins of power. Such, whatever. He complains that his sub- for example, as the Maharaja Gaekwar jects are far too ready, as it is, to plot of Baroda, whose subjects number and conspire against his life, and he 2,500,000, and his income is $7,000,000. does not propose to introduce a me~ns When in London last year this royal whereby they can accomplish their foul Hindu announced that his first object designs twice as easily I has always been to promote education, and to this end, on assuming the gov- India.-A Calcutta paper relates that ernment, he ordered schools to be openrecently a young Brahman came to the ed at the cost of the State up to the house of a missionary, seeking an in- number of. 30 each year, wherever 16 terview. In the course of the conver- pupils could be brought together.' By sation he said: "Many things which this arrangement he hopes that every Christianity contains I find in Hindu- one of the 3500 towns and villages in ism; but there is one thing which Chris· his dominion will soon possess a school tianity has and Hinduism has not." for both sexes. He is now educating " What is that?" the missionary asked. several students in England to become His reply was striking: "A Saviour." teachers. The Gaekwar strongly dis- -A Hindu widow through all her approvE's. of child marriages, and has life, even if she lives to be ninety years expressed his determination that his old, can never eat but one meal of rice own sons and daughters shall not marry in twenty-four hours. At fast seasons before they are twenty.
she must fast for two or three con- -Eleven Lutheran missionary socisecutive days. "If a dying widow eties, representing ten different States asks for water on a fast day, a few and countries of Europe and America, drops are dropped into her ear." are at work in India.
-In; this land all burdens are car- -A gentleman in Brooklyn who read the appeal of the Rev. William Butler ried On men's heads and on their backs, in The Ohristian Advocate of July 6th for" Village Chapels in India," walked and not in carts, wagons, and bacrows, into the missionary office the next Tuesand it is customary to provide resting- day and handed Dr. Peck $1000. The places for them along the roads. For noble-hearted donor declined to permit this purpose stones are set up along the his name to be given to the pUblic. hot, dusty, and sandy ways just the His gift will build 20 chapels; and not right height for a man to rest his bur· long after $500 were received from anden on. There he can stand and rest other source, and will build 10 more. till, relieved and refreshed, he is able to go on his way. A native Christian in Travancore once said to an English gentleman, "Ah, sahib, Christ is all -Hindu heathenism dies hard. In my hope; Christ is my rest-stone." order to stave off the inevitable catas- -AhopefU:l sign of progress in India trophe all sorts of Christian methods of is seen in an important movement in work are resorted to, like tract soci· eties, street-preaching, newspapers, go back and tell him more about what schools, Sunday-schools, etc., but all in my Scriptures said."
vain_ In a few weeks or months col- -A letter from the North China Mis· lapse ensues. sion shows how rapidly the medical -A good report comes from the work is gaining in favor. Instead of South Mcot field: "From the very holding back in fear patients have been small beginning in the village of Sattam- flocking to the dispensary in Pangbadi in 1863, the work has grown until Chuang in such numbers that Mr. Smith there are now 8 organized churches, 32 writes: "Not only has all the available congregations, 543 communicants, 1658 space in all the wards been occupied, adherents, 30 schools with 734 pupils, as well on the women's as on the men's 212 of whom are girls. From the vil- side, .but every available building is oclages have gone forth as many as 40 cupied too. Each case brings others, young men and women, educated in till there seems no end to it, and Dr. our boarding schools, who are filling Peck is much overtasked with his unpositions of usefulness in the mission. wonted labors, owing to his wide surgi- Such are some of the numerical results cal fame." The writer states that on of thirty years at one of our mission one day the patients represented 23 difstations. " ferent regions. One day two men came from a place 180 miles south, -The Surgeon-General of the Siam- bringing two children with them. ese Army is Dr. T. H. Hayes, who went to Siam several years ago as a -Rev. W. T. Hobart, :l'Iethodist medical Presbyterian missionary. He Episcopal missionary, wants more men met with such wonderful success in and more money, and reproaches and curing diseases that the king considered prods his brethren in this fashion: his services indispensable, and made " When Mr. Collins. of our own church, him surgeon-general of the army, with offered to go to Foo-Chow as a mispower to establish hospitals and medi- sionary. he was told the society had no cal institutions on American models. funds. He said to the bishop: •Find Dr. Hayes receives a salary of $7000 a me a place before the mast, and I will year, part of which he turns over to work my passage to China. ' When the the mission board. first Wesleyan missionary to China of- fered to go he was told that the Wes- China.-In this country all the land 1eyan Missionary Society had no ,mis- belongs to the State, and a trifling sum sion in China and no funds to begin per acre, never altered through long one. So he sold his own property and centuries, is paid as rent. This is the paid his own way out of it. The church only tax, and it amounts to but about was not ready. "
60 cents per head. Korea. -A missionary sends home -In their interprctation of Scripture these statistics: .. We have now 54 the Chinese are apt to be literalists. evangelical Protestant missionaries in One of the Bible-women, Gueh Eng, Korea, not including the High Church Ilately met with a rude reception from Episcopalians, who have no dealings the head of a house to which she went with us, but are nearer to the Catholics to teach the women. "And what did perhaps. The Presbyterians lead the you do about it?" she was asked. van with 21 missionaries, only 3 phy- " Oh," she said, "I turned around at sicians, one of them a woman and the the door, and shook every particle of wife of Dr. Brown. The Methodists dust off my shoes, and told him that come next with 16, 6 being physicians, was what the Scriptures tell us to do 3 of them women. The Southern Pres- when those to whom we go refuse to byterians are 8 in number, and the Aus- hear us. I left it as a testimony against tralian Presbyterians 5; 4 Indepen- him; and afterWard he sent for me to dents make up the total of 54." AFRICA. -The Jesuits, to whom the Apostolic Prefecture of the Upper Zambesi was -,-It is said that not even one Arab committed in 1877, think the time has woman im Algeria is able to read. come to occupy Mashonaland, where Hence the Gospel must be spoken to the Protestant societies are putting forth them. all their efforts to win the natives to heresy. They have secured a farm of -The state of religion in Algeria is 12,000 acres to the east of Fort Salisunique. There are four established or bury, and their superior, Rev. P. Kerr, State-paid forms of worship-namely, has just installed a troupe of mission· the Roman Catholic, the Protestant, the aries there, newly arrived from Europe. Jewish, and the Mohammedan.
-Ethiopia is certainly lifting up her -In a missionary letter one of the hands, not only to God, but ,in defence torments of life in West Africa is noagainst the vices of civilization. A ticed: "The carpenter working on Zulu church recently organized has it this station is troubled with a bad foot. among its by-laws that "no member It is caused by what is called a Guinea shall be permitted to drink the white worm. The foot is swollen as if an abo man's grog." scess were forming, and the swelling resembles one, but for a tiny hole the -Twelve new missionaries have been size of a pin-prick where the head sent out to reinforce the Zambesi Indus- of the worm is. When the foot is poul.
trial Mission, making 30 in all. The ticed for some time the worm sticks its amount of land now owned is 100,000 head out. This is taken and wrapped acres. An effort is to be made in be- round a match or bit of stick and wound half of 150,000 slaves found in the round and round; thus it is gradually vicinity. pulled out, perhaps about a foot-some- -The station of Lavigerieville, times more, sometimes less-every day, founded by the White Fathers on the great care being taken not to break the shores of Lake Tanganyika, has already worm. This worm is very little thicker become an important settlement. When than an ordinary thread and, the doctor the missioniLries first settled there in says, is about twenty feet long. The 1883 there was nothing but " the desert development of the worm makes the and brnshwood." Since then a large swelling very painful." extent of territory has been purchased at a cheap rate, and, when fully culti- -The arrangements made by Sir vated, it will be able to support 100,000 Gerald Portal for harmonizing the repeople. It is an undulating plain, ligio·political variances in Uganda probounded by the rivers Lope and Kan- vide for 2 ministers of justice, 2 com· wema and traversed by two others. At manders of troops, and 2 commanders first the Fathers established themselves of canoes, 1 of each to be Protestant close to the lake, but owing to the fall and 1 Catholic; all to have the apin the water during recent years, they proval of the British resident. In the found themselves amid swamps, and distribution of territory, it is claimed had to move to high ground about one that the Catholics have the larger share. mile inland. There they have built an So are reproduced on the continent of orphanage for boys and another for Africa some such ecclesiastical dissengirls, in number about 300, all redeem- sions as 300 years ago in Germany gave us the Thirty Years' War.
ed from slavery, and also several vil- ISLANDS OF THE SEA. lages for Christian households. Alto- gether there are some 2000 inhabitants -The King of Samoa has issued a -neophytes, catechumens, and in- proclamation forbidding, under pain of quirers. heavy penalties, any native Samoan or Pacific islander to sell or to give away turbulent. A young man is needed any intoxicating drinks whatever. An also to take Dr. Pease's place on the exchange asks a pertinent question Marshall Islands, and, as there is good anent this proclamation, "Who is the reason to expect that Spain will permit barbarian ?" missionary work to be soon resumed on Ponape, another able missionary must -Kedokedo, the government chief be found to aid Mr. Rand. The Micro- on Fergnsson, New Guinea, was angry nesian force seems to be seriously crip- with his old aunt for threatening to pled, and the call for volunteers is ur- smite a -friend of his with sickness gent. through the agency of her familiar spirit, and afraid lest she should smite him -The London Missionary Society also he took her out in a canoe, and, Chronicle: a short time since, jl,'ave an heedless of her cries for mercy, tied a account from Rev. C. Chalmers of a big stone around her neck and cast her voyage in the Gulf of Papua, where he into the sea. She sank never to come up met with-a kind welcome, though many again, and he thinks he has done a vir- of the natives had never seen a white tuous act in not suffering a witch to man before. At one place he held a live. The teacher was away at the service in a native hut, amid charms time for the sake of his health. and fetiches of all kinds, skulls of hu- man beings, crocodiles, pigs, casso- -Why the people at Bauro made waries, and six hideous idols at the end. tree-houses. They had been fighting Among these surroundings they sang a with the Ysabel Islanders, and the peo- translation of the hymn, "Hark the ple at Bauro were nearly all killed. voice of love and mercy I" "I do not The few who escaped hid in the bush, think," writes Mr. Chalmers, "I ever and when the enemy had gone they heard it sound better." crept forth to find their hOlJses and gardens quite ruined. They therefore be- -The New Zealand Herald reports gan to build their houses in the tallest the death of Mr. Richard Matthews, at trees, ascending thereto by long lad- the age of eighty-two, after a life of ders, sometimes reaching over sixty feet strange adventures. He was landed at from the ground. Up these dangerous Terra del Fuego by Captain Fitzroy of aJ;ld uncertain ladders the natives ran the Beagle, where, with three Fuegians with ease, a woman heavily laden who had visited England, he meant to climbing carelessly up without even at- plant a mission station. The natives tempting to steady herself with her thought of killing and eating him, but hands.-Life of Bishop Patteson. by the persuasion of his three friends they gave up the idea and contented -Recent disciples on Futuna, New themselves with stealing all his clothes; Hebrides, were sacred men who pro- it was the sight of these being worn by fessed to be able to make rain, and by several natives 150 miles away that led sorcery to bring disease and death. Captain Fitzroy to search for his old When they joined the class for Chris- passenger, whom he found and rescued tian instruction they willingly brought from a second proposal to " rise, slay, their sacred stones, held as dear as life and eat" him. He was on board the itself, and burned them in the public Beagle for four years, assisting Darwin. square. He left the vessel to become an agent of the Church Missionary Society at -The American Board calls for vol- Wanganui, New Zealand. He afterunteers for the work in Micronesia. ward went farther north, where he Mr. Snelling, the missionary in charge built the first house and made the first at Ruk, is obliged to give up his labor bricks in the district. He was probon account of impaired health, and a ably the only European who ever wit· man and his wife are needed to succeed nessed a Maori cannibal feast, where him, taking up the work in the Ruk he bought off 2 intended victims for a. lagoon and among the MortIock islands. tomahawk:apiece. where a good beginning has been made amid a large population still rude and
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 — June 1889
REVIEW OF THE
VOL. XI. No. 6.-Old 8eries.–JUNE.–VoL. II. No. 6.-New Serie•• I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS. A RETROSPECT OF THE WORLD'S CONFERENCE.
[EDlTORIAL.-A. T. p.] THAT grand gathering in Exeter Hall, London, in June, 1888, has in many, perhaps in most respects, had no rival, not to say superior, in all church history. This we have affirmed previously, repeatedly, emphatically; and after the lapse of a year, we see no reason to modify this judgment. Nevertheleiils, as we calmly pass in review the proceedings of those ten days, we seem to see, more and more clearly, a few marked errors in the conception and execution of that great plan, and in the management of that great conference, which were avoidable; or to say the least might be avoided whenever another similar gathering shall be held. This we say in no spirit of carping criticism. The more we see of a fastidious and fault-finding temper, the more we are impressed that the hypercritical and the hypocritical spirit are very closely allied. That conference was an alabaster flask of ointment compounded of precious and fragrant materials by a divine apothecary; and there were in it no dead flies to send forth an ungrateful savor. But it would have been strange indeed had there been no infelicitous features, no lack of forecast and discrimination, no mistakes in methods, which prevented the conference from reaching its highest and widest results for good. To some of these we shaH now advert. 1. One conspicuous mistake was made in the selection of chairmen. The policy of the committee was to change, at every session, the presiding officer. The desire was to have some distinguished clergyman or layman take the chair at each new assembly, and to divide up these honors so as to distribute them over as wide a representation as possible. Some of these chairmen were not only men of mark, but of marked capacity and ability for the place. Others were as conspicuously unfit. We all know how much depends on the selection of a. presiding officer. He not only guides but often inspires the entire meeting. His tact, promptness, decision, suggestion, are the very hinges upon which turn the success or failure of the court or conference whose presiding chair he fills. A moderator of an association, presbytery or other ecclesiastical assembly ~ay facilitate business, suppress
A RETROSPECT OF 'l'H'E WORLD;S CONFERENCE
disorder, disentangle the perplexities of confused and contradictory motions, and stimulate fraternal harmony and prayerful unIty; or, on the other hand, may positively hinder, embarrass, obstruct, the whole proceedings. Sometimes even the voice and enunciation of a chairman, his manner, glance, attitude, may have upon the body of which he is the temporary head an unconscious influence. We have seen a whole throng of ecclesiastics run wild in debate, because, at a crisis, the chairman was flushed and embarrassed and undetermined, and waited a moment too l()ng before decided action. So important have church courts found this matter to be, that the suggestion has more than once been made that a permanent moderator should be selected to guide their deliberations.
At this great conference one was occasionally placed in the chair who, whatever his personal character, had really no fitness for a presiding officer. Timid, hesitating, flustered, stammering, without even volume of voice or distinctness of utterance sufficient to be heard; unacquainted with even the simplest rudimental principles of pltrliamentary law, such men ought not to be put into a place where they can neither do themselves credit nor help anybody else. For such po~ sitions men should be chosen not for some conspicuous service rendered to church or state, to science or art, to letters or to humanity, but preeminently because they are fitted to guide a deliberative body or a popular assembly. A very distinguished man was not long since nominated for such a position in this country; but, before the vote had been taken, his awkwardness, dullness of hearing, slowness of comprehension, made evident into what a "sea of troubles" he would have plunged the assembly had he been raised to the chair. As it was, a much younger man, comparatively unknown, was made moderator,. and showed no common aptitude for the place. The time has fully come when, in great deliberative bodies, the chair is no longer to be a high seat of honor to which to exalt some popular favorite or idol as a mere figurehead, but a throne of power for which the first and last and indispensable requisite shall be competency to preside and control.
II. Some serious mistakes at the conference were made by the speakers themselves. As not every man is fit to preside, so not every man is fit to make an alidress or prepare a paper for such an assembly. The more we hear of public speakers, the more we are satisfied that in the vast majority of cases, apologies are themselves without apology. Time is too valuable to be consumed in useless explanations, tame self-depreciation and false humility. If the apology be true, the speaker has no right to be making the address; if untrue, he has no right to be making the apology. Yet a man will rise before a magnificent audience of intelligent and cultivated people; and, where every moment is golden, coolly state that he has "had no time to prepare," or feels ," in· competent to speak on the theme" assigned him, or in one ofa thousan_d ways excuse himself .for what he is about to say or read; when, if what he states be true, he ought, by every law of good sense and ethical propriety, to sit down and leave the more room for somebody who is prepared. Every speaker should make the very best preparation possible, and then plunge in medias res, from his opening sentence giving his hearer something that has cost thought and is worth thought. We remember to have heard aman of no little distinction rise to address a large assembly on a great occasion ; and, though appointed to the duty months previous, calmly inform his auditors that he "had made no preparation save that which he.had made on his way to the meeting," iu a ten miuutes' ride on a tram-car! If true, that was an insult to the assembly: and unfortunately his speech proved that it was only too true.
A grievous blunder it is to bring in irrelevant matter, especially where brevity, condensation and concentration are essential. There is an impassable gulf between having to say something and having something to say. Those who easily took hold and firmly kept hold of those great audiences were invariably those who spoke, keeping most closely and clearly to the subject. The more direct the track, straight to the heart of. the theme-recte viam secare-and the more vigorous the handling of it, the closer and more absorbed the attention. It was observable that matter, interesting in itself but foreign to the discussion, was ruled out by an impatient or listless audience, if not by a watchful and impartial moderator. Some of the papers were simply specimens' of riding hobbies. Some writer, who had been studying a topic, or making a book, would take opportunity to inflict on his helpless hearers a treatise, having only a nominal connection with his theme, and sometimes so foreign to it as to appear such to the most casual and careless observer. Sydney Smith saidthat "in preaching, the crime against the Holy ghost is dullness." It is very nearly an unpardonable offense to intrude and obtrude before such a body as that which met in Exeter Hall any address or paper which has not been carefully prepared on the subject under discussion, or which lacks the pith of sensible suggestion or the point of fitness and applicability. Spea.kers should be chosen, competent to treat these great themes, and conscientious enough to take pains in preparing; and only such should be heard.
Even in the voluntary remarks that followed the papers there was no real reason why a law of judicious selection should not have been followed. Cards were sent to the secretary indicating a desire to be heard, and the parties were called upon in the order of application. The consequence was that not infrequently the most forward rather than the best furnished speakers engrossed the priceless moments of tha.t great gathering. That a man wishes to be heard is not always a sign that others wish to hear him. To the happy conduct of such assemblies a certain amount of "natural selection" and" survival of the fittetlt" is essential. Every public gathering draws moths about it, which do little more than fly into the flame, singeing their own wings and obscuring the light.
To flaunt one's denominationalism in such a conference is a most grievous mistake. Yet a few-a very few-were guilty of what was so out of taste aud out of tune with the whole key of that ecumenical council. For once from every quarter and every denomination came the champions of missions. In such a presence, it behooved us all to forget our tribal standards as we rallied around the Ark of God. Yet some felt it needful to let the rest know that for them to appear in such a promiscuous gathering was an unusual condescension; that it must not be construed into any abandonment of the peculiar tenets of their" church," or even as an admission of the comparative unimportance of such tenets, as non-essentials. A few such protests and sectarian professions were heard, but they were the only inharmonious notes in a general, beautiful, orchestral harmony.
We ought all to rise above such a level. Why should a Presbyterian in an assembly of the church catholic insist that he abates not a jot of bis belief in the "parity of the clergy" and the" divine right of the presbytery" ! Or a Baptist announce his undiminished confidence "in believers' baptism" and that too only by "immersion"! Or an Episcopalian declare that he must not be understood to admit the validity of Hnon-episcopal ordination," or as conceding that the barriers separating" the church" from the rest of the body of believers are to be easily stepped over! If there be any magnanimity in fellowship with those who differ with us, such great-mindedness is always unconscious, for in nobility, as in humility, self-consciousness is destructlvp of the very grace itself.
III. Another mistake made at the great conference was undue mUltiplioity of meetings. Ten days were assigned to the sessions; and not only were those days, with rare exceptions, crowded with almost continuous meetings, from 9. A. M. to 10 P. M., but there were generally three or four simultaneous gatherings; and to make matters worse, at these different gatherings, at the same hours, different themes were discussed, making impossible attendance at all, and therefore compelling members to choose what they could best afford to miss, though the choice was often no easy one to make. Two marked consequences were observable. First, there was more or less confusion. Persons would go into one meeting and then, from a strong desire to hear some speaker or some discussion in another section meeting at the Bame hour, would go from one to another creating inevitable disturbance. Frequent cbanges of this sort were quite unavoidable and often a very serious hinderance to enjoyment, profit and even good order. Secondly, there resulted, as a conseqnence of these multiplied and divided meetings, the loss of aU unity of impression, and of that peculiar cumulativeness of impression, which is even more desirable than such unity. To have had fewer meetings, and to have arranged them so that essentially the same body of auditors might have attended them all, so far as they chose, would have served to secure from beginning to close a continuous, growing, climacteric interest. But, as it was, the conference was cut up into several minor conferences, which, for all unity or continuity, might almost as well have met in different halls or even cities. It was very noticeable that, so far as unity and continuity of assembly were conserved, the richest results were realized. The interest and enthusiasm touched floodmark only in those large evening assemblies where, without the diversion or .distraction of having rival meetings at the same hour, essentially the same audience met from night to night, and felt the power of every new accretion of argument and appeal. In our judgment, it had been better either to have appropriated more days to the discussions, or else to have .attempt~d to cover less ground, rather than to have split up the hody into so many parts. Section may sometimes be vivisection. Those who attended the Evangelical Alliance meetings at Washington, D.O., the year before, will remember how by continuous sessions in the same assembly chamber, the very ends, sacrificed at EXeter Hall, were admirably served and conserved.
IV. It was, we think, a mistake for the committee of the confero ence to hamper themselves ana the boay with neealess restrictive rules. Laws are the servants, not the masters, of intelligent bodies; otherwise they turn human beings into mere automata. Even Sabbatic regulations, however strict, are "made for mun," not man for rules and regulations. The human mind is too great and grand for any parliamentary matrix, 'and all regulations, not based upon immovable essential moral principles, must be elastic and flexible.
For instance it was determined in advance by the committee that no resolutions should be introduced into the conference. The restriction was well meant. To have put up no such barrier would have left open door for every religious "tramp" or " crank" to find his way into the field of discussion and inflict on helpless ears his resolutions upon his favorite topic. But that such a body should meet as never met before, and never may again, and not be free to act in such ways as to make its power felt and its effects lasting, was to resort to the strait-jacket. ~'he committee themselves felt the awkward constraint of their own restrictions. When the giant evils of rum in Africa, opium in Ohina, and licensed vice in India called for vigorous remonstrance, they felt the need of a series of resolutions, ably advocated, and adopted by the conference. But there was that rule against res- olutions! To "save their constitution" they held the great public meeting for protest, on the night after the conference clol!!ed ; but, as 406 A RETROSPECT OF THE WORLD'S COl.'fFERmNCE.
they wanted it embraced within the proceedings of the conference, they stretched the conference beyond it ; and it fell to the writer, on that occasion, to review the lessons of those ten days at the close of that .u additional meeting" for the passage of the resolutions!
Would it not have been better to avoid this paradox by not adopt. ing in advance rules so stringent? To have determined that only such resolutions should be submitted to the body as had been pre.
anviously approved by the committee would have shut the door against intruders without locking it so effectually against the committee themselves as to compel them to climb up some other way.
V. It was, we think, a mistake that no attention was given by the conference to the great uprising of young men in our coZle.tes and semina,ries. The last five years have witnessed a sort of crusade of missions in which the main movers, the leaders, have been students. As we write, word comes to us that over 3,000 in our own country alone have signified a willingness to enter the foreign field when their course of preparatory study is completed. Making all proper deductions for mere evanescent sentiment or transient enthusiasm; discounting liberally for all hasty action under the influence 6f strong and pressing appeals; not unmindful of the fact that time is a great sifter of even honest purposes, and that hundreds of such pledges will be bloll'D away like chaff before the wind when the crisis of final decision comes; with all reasonable reduction, we have still left one of the most significant movements of modern times. When such men as Stanley Smith, and O. T. Studd, and Arthur Polhill-'l'urner in England, and John N. Forman, and Robert P. Wilder, and Mr. Goforth, and J. H. McVicar in America, lead on a great nprising of students, and thousands respond, "Here am I ! send me," there is some force at work that is more than human. Our sons and our daughters are beginning to prophesy. It looks very like the coming of a last great Pentecost of missions. Some notice shonld have been taken of so stupendous a development. If such a mighty current needs nothing more, it needs proper restraint; it needs to be banked up and turned into a true channel, and kept from spreading into a mere shallow, superficial freshet, where breadth of surface is mistaken for depth of stream, and energy of action is ultimately displaced by mere stagnation. A new spirit of missionary consideration and consecration is abroad in the universities of England and America. Age must counsel youth; experience must temper enthusiasm. Ardor and fervor must not be dampened and quenched, nor left to burn fiercelv and burn out, but must be moderated and controlled. We hoped to'the last that the conference would have given a careful and prayerful consideration to wha~ we cannot but regard as one of the signs of the times which it behooves sagacious disciples to discern, and thereby read the present and forecast the future.
VI. It seemed to many delegates a very serious mistake that no provision was made for permanent and closer bonds of fellowship in missionary work. During ten days of constant contact there ha,d been no break of harmony, no really discordant note. It was a foretaste of heaven, the days of heaven upon earth. To part was inevitable, for duty called in different directions, and "tabernacles," even upon Tabor, are not to be expected. But there were certain bonds of comity and unity, of counsel and co-operation, which might have been perpetuated, and thus have given also a certain perpetuity to the conference itself.
After the lapse of a twelvemonth we do not see any good reason why a permanent Standing Oommittee might not have been created by that conference, that should have been thoroughly representative in character, and to whom might be referred many matters needing careful consideration from time to time. We would not have such committee legislative and authoritative, but simply advisory and representative, and in three directions principally they might have rendered efficient service: 1. In keeping up a certain living contact and practical fellowship between denominations of evangelical believers.
2. In adjusting matters of difficulty, preventing misunderstanding and collision, and promoting a true comity.
3. In providing for the proper division of labor and forces, so as to insure the impartial occupation of all mission fields.
There were many reasons why the blessed and delightful fellowship of that fortnight should be, as far as possible, made permanent. No name but that of Ohrist had been named; contact not only served as an expression and manifestation of charity, but as a means of developing it. To have such contact broken and lost was more than a calamity-a disaster. Oontact could not be maintained at every point, but it could have been at certain points like links in a chain, and such a committee would have served as such links. All questions involving the delicate matters of mutual comity, or the practical co-operation of disciples on mission fields, such an advisory board could settle in behalf of all the churches. Without claiming authority, their advice would become authority.
In reference to the occupation of the whole field, snch a committee could at least wield great influence in three directions: First, Where any local field is now fairly preoccupied, those who are working in it conld be left unmolested. The valley of the Nile might be left for the most part to the United Presbyterians; Turkey to the American Board; Syria and Siam to the Presby~erians of America; Burmah to the Baptists; the Lake Di&1;ricts of Eastern Equatorial Africa, the various islands of Polynesia, the openings in papal lands, to the various bodies already successfully at work-nntil help is needed and may be spared from more needy" regions beyond," Secondly, Fields already open but wholly unoccupied, whose vastness is overwhelming and demands careful division of labor, might by such committee be apportioned to various Ohristian denominations.
And thirdly, Fields not yet fully opened but about to become accessible, could be watched and preparations made for their speedy occupation when the full time has come; as for inliltance Korea, Thibet, etc.
We have already in these pages adverted to this subject, and, after much thought, feel constrained to press even now the appointment by the various evangelical denominations of some sort of Advisory Board who, by correspondence and as far as may be by personal conference, may act for the whole church of Ohrist. Such men as the Earl of Aberdeen, Sir John Kennaway, Dr. Wardlaw Thompson, Eugene Stock, Esq., Rev. A. O. Thompson, D.D., Rev. F. F. Ellinwood, D.D., Rev. Hudson Taylor, Rev. A. J. Gordon, D.D., Rev. W. M. Taylor, D.D., Bishop W. X. Ninde, D.D., James Mathieson, Esq., Rev. J. Murray Mitchell, LL.D., Rev. W. S. Swanson, Principal McVicar, Rev. Phillips Brooks, Bishop Potter, Bishop Huntington-who would hesitate to follow the counsel of such men in matters pertaining to the great world-wide field of missions!
VII. There were mistakes of a minor character which pertain to all things human. This limiting of speakers to "five minutes" is one of the absurdities of modern impatience and "fastness." A'man'who, like Dr. Oairns, carries big brains qnder his hat and a big heart in his breast, takes proportionately long to get" under weigh." It was more than offensive to hear some really great and wise m;::,n rung down by the inexorable bell, when he had just laid the basis of his remarks and was just prepared to give us the results af wise and deliberate thinking; while some smart but shallow speaker, who mistook" audibility and volubility" for logic and eloquence, rattled through five minutes and" finished" without saying anything. It was painful to iee that the modesty of some men of merit kept them back because their very aversion to the bell and the five-minute rule increased their embarrassment, while the assurance of others emboldened them to "occupy the time" without any real suggestions to offer. It was very strange to us to hear such an audience actually arrest with mock applause certain men of whom they tired or who overran their proper limits; or to observe evidences of manifest favoritism on the part not only of auditors but of presiding officers and committee men.
But these ware the spots on the sun-the insignificant blemishes on a fair face that was on the whole beautiful and even radiant. He would be very critical and run his criticism into captioul!lness who would turn a telescopic or microscopic eye upon such defects. Here was a grand gathering of missionaries and missionary workers and sup- porters brought face to face and eye to eye from the earth's ends. Here were men competent to speak from actual experience and observation of all phases and perplexities of the work, in every sphere. Here were laborers who spoke with the authority that belongs only to an actual toiler; they were not theorizers lazily sitting on cushions and dreaming about missions, but faithful workers who had borne the burden and heat of the day, and some of whom had already reached reaping time and borne also the sheaves to the garner. 'rhe facts, sometimes poured upon the assembly in one address, came like a deluge for volume and like a torrent for force and momentum. The sight of some men and women, whose names are already immortal for their service to missions, repaid us for a trans-oceanic journey. Even R. N. Oust, Esq., whose keen scalpel mercilessly cut with incisive blade into the faults of the conferenoe, wrote with discriminating and eloque~t pen, such as he knows how to use, in appreciation of all that was best in those days of fellowship. With impartial judgment he condemned what he disapproved, and praised as loudly the manifest solidarity of the churches, the disappearance of offensive denomina- . tionalism, the grand federation of the greatest benefactors of mankind, speaking every language, but using one dialect of faith; and the forming or renewing of precious ties of friendship.
We think it too soon to forecast the ultimate results of such a conference. Perhaps it is true that no original idea was struck out, and no novel information or even important practical suggestion elicited. It is possible to be too near as well as too far off, to see clearly and form just conceptions. Too near a view limits our prospect; too distant a view dims it. But if that ten days does not inspire new devotion to missions; if those two imperial volumes, which constitute the greatest encyclopedia of missions extant, do not feed with the fuel of facts the kindling interest in the world field; and if the body of disciples there gathered do not feel a closer and more vital bond with all true workers in that wide field, we shall be greatly mistaken. We earnestly hope that within a few years another like conference may assemble. The year 1892, which marks the full completion of the century since William Oarey formed that first Baptist Society in Ket- tering, suggests the natural time for the next WorId Oonference. And what stupendous changes may take place before that year 'has opened no huma:n being is sagacious enough to forecast. If, years ago, Dr. Duff could say that, to which ever point of the horizon we look, signs of changes greater than the world has ever seen confront us, it is far more emphatically true to-day. What a century was once required to accomplish a year now works out; and so every hour be- comes a hinge and pivot of history and destiny. Let us, like Erskine, call God to witness that we are "doing our best to .bring on a definite issue between Ohrist and His adversaries." The thicker and hotter the battle, the quicker the rout of the foe. The whole world
THE OUTLOOK IN JAPAN
is the field, the whole church is the force; let us bring the field and the force into actual contact, from the rising to the setting sun, and from pole to pole, while we humbly remember that the only true force in missions is the FIRE FROM ABOVE 1 THE OUTLOOK IN J APAN.
BY REV. GEORGE WM. KNOX, D.D., TOKIO.
THE statistics of missions and missionary work for 1888 are instruc- tive. The growth of the Japanese churches continues. There are 5,785 more Christians than at the close of 1887, the total being 25,514; 1,970 children are included iu this total. Ten years ago there were not 2,500 Christians in Japan. In another decade these tens of thousands should be hundreds of thousands. Another tenfold increase is not too great for faith.
The increase is as great in other things. These Christians gave last year yen 64,454.70 for church and missionary purposes. Comparing • Japanese poverty with American wealth it is as though 25,000 Christians in the United States, including women and children, were to give $600,000, a standard that no denomination has yet reached, though certain favored localities exceed it. In the Itchi and Kumiai churches, Presbyterian and Congregational, the standard is still higher.
The 15,800 Christians, including children, in these two bodies gave yen 51,000, an average of three yen and twenty-three sen per member.
T~at is as if Presbyterians and Congregationalists in the United States were to give more than $30 each a year for religious purposes. Certainly Christianity in Japan is not eleemosynary.
The Japanese ministers are 142,40 more than a year ago. These men are sometimes put down in mission reports as assistants of the foreign mISSIOnaries. In Japan such statements are most misleading. The fact is the missionaries are the advisers of the Japanese ministers. I am most intimately acquainted with the polity of the Presbyterian (with the Reformed) lnd the Congregational missions. The missionaries are already the advisers and friends or at most co~laborers with the Japanese ministers. The latter and not the former are foremost in the most important work. Ten converts are led to Christ by them to one brought into the church by the direct agen<Jyof foreigners. And in councils, committees, synods, and boards the Japanese are in the lead.
The actual state of things would surprise men who have been ac- customed to regard foreign missionaries as the main factors in the preaching of the gospel. Some of the largest and most successful churches have had little or no foreign assistance. Were every foreign missionary and every,dollar of foreign money withdrawn at once the church would still advance and still seek to preach the gospel to all Japan. .
I am not undervaluing missionary work, but am seeking to state its true value. The church succeeds in Japan because it is led by earnest, educated Christian Japanese of the right kind. But hardly one of these men has achieved great success who does not bear the impress of some foreign missionary. The. influence has been direct and permanent, and the missionary thus works through the Japanese far more ef- fectively than he could possibly work himself. Christ's method must. be the missionary's. If the foreigner can spiritually quicken twelve men who will be his apostles he has achieved a grand success. Then the wide results garnered by these men will be his crown and rejoicing. Every mission report in Japan repeats and emphasizes this lesson, though sometimes by contrast.
There are lessons for Boards in the United States in such facts. The foreign missionary must be able to do this thing., If he cannot per- sonally lead men to a high standard of personal consecration to Christ, if he cannot prepare them for successful war, he is relatively a failure. Japanese mmisters can preach more effectively than he. Japanese teachers can almost rival his best efforts in the class room. They are fully ready for all the routine of work. If, then, he cannot supply high spiritual and intellectual stimulus; if by word and life he cannot raise these men to higher grades of life, he is a failure. At present it is vain to send missionaries to Japan who are not exceptional men. The church is at last ready to send many men, and now the higher test comes at once. The church must send its best. Quality and not quantity must be the ambition; or, better still, the best quality in large quantity. The mission service need not be ashamed; it has fair share of the best now. But in fields like Japan none others are of use. Som~ Japanese ministers in intellect and spirituality excel some foreign missionaries.
A large part of the missionaries are in schools. The missions report 15 boarding-schools for boys, with 2,704 students, 39 boarding-schools for girls, with 3,663 pupils, and 47 day-schools for boys and girls, with 3,299 scholars. Half of the men, and nearly all the ladies, are in these schools. The schools are still for the most part under "mission" control. But the most successful one of all has a Japanese for presi- dent, and he does his own thinking, and forms his own plans. Some of the other schools also give the Japanese a large place in their con- trol. These schools are doing a great work for the Christian Church. The Government does so much for education that their influence in general education is relatively small. They are not the introducers of western learning and scientific truth. Their mission is the formation of a body of select men and women, combining spiritual force with in- • tellectual attainments. They are to train the leaders for the church. There is a constant advance in their equipment, but.all feel that equip- ment in things material is only a small aid to growth in things spiritual. It is still to be proved that the great institutions of to-day will exceed in solid results the groups gathered around individuals in the period just past. At the same time in every school the religious influence js constant. They are not like the missionary colleges of India that graduate a "kind of theists." The graduatelil in large majority are earnest Ohristians. Now we seek one thing more-the consecration • that will make them the fearless, devoted and successful leaders of the Lord's hosts.
The number of missionary societies continues to increase. We feel like saying, Hold! Enough! If any church or society, British or American, thinks of launching a new mission, let them seek some other field, or come prepared to unite with some of the organizations already here. We have weak missions enough, and strong ones too, for that matter. Were our mission forces combined, we should not need an- other man; indeed we could dispense with a third of those already here. It is our disunion that makes our mission work so extravagantly costly. It is absurd to place three missions of as many different churches in one small country town of Japan, as absurd and wasteful as to plant a half dozen denominations in a frontier village in the United States. As long as the churches in the United States prefer that sort of thing, and are ready to pay for it, it will no doubt con- tinue; but it costs more than wasted time and money. A Oongrega- tionalist has just written to a Presbyterian, "The division of our few Ohristians in the same neighborhood into two churches of dif- ferent names is the greatest obstacle to our work here," and he ex- presses his perfect willingness to enter Presbytery if thereby harmony can be gained. And yet men in the United States oppose union in Japan, because they happen to be dissatisfied with the results of the plan of union in New York fifty years ago, and associations threaten to cut off their contributions to the Board if union is effected. Let it be understood that the present plan of separate action, in Japan at the least, involves great waste.
The Episcopal societies have united their churches in the Nippon Sei Ko Kwai, the Holy Church of Japan. The union proposed by the Meth- odist missions is postponed because of unsympathetic action at home.
The union of the Reformed and Presbyterian bodies will be completed by the union of the Oumberland Presbyterian Ohurch in the coming spring. The further union with the Oongregational churches was voted by the synod of the United Ohurch in November, but the Gen- eral Association of the Oongregational churches postponed action until spring. Thus their action is still in doubt. This union, if effected, will be of great service to the cause of Ohrist in Japan.
FRO}! THE PRISON. • In December, 1887, a large number of men from the province of Tosa came to Tokio to present a petition to the Government. After Borne delay the Government declined to receive the petition, but the Tosa men still lingered in the city. The Gover~ment professed to find something dangerous in their presence, and issued new regulations for the preservation of the peace. The men from Tosa were ordered to leave Tokio, and the more prominent were lodged in prison. Some of these men had never seen the laws which they were said to have broken. They had no trial, but were told that they would be released if at once they would leave Tokio, not to return for a specified • time. They stoutly denied having broken the laws, and declined to make such confession, or to (lven imply acquiescence by leaving the city. So they were sentenced to imprisonment for two years. On the promulgation of the constitution they were released, having been confined for fourteen months.
Some of these men are Christians. They are gentlemen, and have served their country in the past. One of them is well-known throughout Japan, and especially for his honesty and frankness. They found the imprisonment hard to bear, of course. The food was not enough to satisfy them, anq. the prison bedding and clothing was scanty, and they suffered from cold during the first winter. As time went by, however, both food and clothing were increased. When they entered the prison one of them had his Bible with him. It was taken away, but afterward Bibles and other religious books were freely given them. They read and studied the Word continually; they held morning prayers, and as the few opportunities occurred, they taught their fellow prisoners.. Now they say: "Our imprisonment was grievous to our bodies but beneficial to our souls. We learned the meaning of the gospel as never before. We value prayer and believe more firmly in God's presence and communion with us." Through their labors six of their fellow prisoners were led to Christ.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
Japan has a written constitution. It was promulgated on the 11th February. The city was given up to rejoicing for days. The illuminations and decorations were exceptionally fine. Almost every house in the city was ornamented. Thus the emperor redeems his promise, made on his accession. Japan again leads Asia, indeed is in advance of some European states. As we read the provisions for the protection of the rights of subjects, for the judiciary, and for the exercise of ample powers by the Imperial Diet, whole centuries of English constitutional history unfold before our eyes. There is some ground for the boast that' Japan will do in a generation what we have accomplished in centuries. It is only a generation, less than a generation, since Japan was a feudal despotism tempered by assassination. In 1871 feudalism was abolished. And yet there are men in plenty who talk of the Japanese as an inferior race, not at all to be compared with "us." Some think them inferior to the Chinese. If that judgment is correct Europe and America must need look to themselves when
liON. ION KEITH-FALCONER. [Ju.a
China wakes up. The imprisonment of the Tosa men will be the last incident of that sort. I Laws will be, made by the Diet, and no one shall be arrested or punished without due process of law. Arbitrary law and government end.
To us one of the most immediate points of interest is the article that promises religious liberty. The fact has been undispnted for years, bnt its official and constitutional recognition by the emperor will have its influence.
What new pretext can Western powers now find for failing to comply with Japan's most moderate and reasonable request for the revision of the treaties, and the abolition of extra-territoriality? Russia and Austria most likely will fear to intrust their subjects to the tender mercies of this Government, though, to do them justice, these powers have never been credited with an obstructive policy, but pretexts can doubtless be found. or made by some ingenious power. We trust the rumors that the United States are just ready to make a new treaty on terms of equality will prove true. Japan is ready to grant every right and privilege to foreigners that she gives her own subjects, if they will come under her laws. Japan cannot ask less. All obstacles to freest travel and residence are of foreign making. For our part we are glad that this empire will not yield further. Her position is just. II; is "Christian" diplomacy that is unjust, and as short-sighted as unjust.
THE APOSTLE OF BUDDHISM.
The Buddhists are credited with following Christian example in all their propaganda. They have tried lectures, girls' schools, newspapers, young men's associations etc., all without success. Copies are seldom of great worth. Now they have gone a step further and have imported a missionary from America, Col. Olcott. He is the same man to whom Madame Blavatsky referred in the letters that were printed several years since, first in India. His connection with that acute adventuress does not seem to have quenched his love for the occult. We shall see what will come of his mission to Japan. He was welcomed to-day, March, 1, in Yokohama by a throng of priests. If he can improve these men in wit or morals his mission will not have been in vain. He has ample field for missionary work.
HON. ION KEITH-FALCONER. * A MODERN ApOSTLE.
BY REV. W. J. MUTCH, NEW HAVEN, CONN.
THE best there is in human life is not too good to be given to the I service of humanity in behalf of God's kingdom. This truth has been no more impressively exemplified in modern times than in the noble *}{emorials of Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer, M. A:, late Lord Almoner's Professor of Arabic In the University of Cambridge, and missionary to the Mohammedans of Sonthern Arabta. By Rev. , Robert Sinker, B. D., Librarian of Trinity College, Cambridge. With portrait, map and iIlustratlous. Cambrldie: Diihton Bell & Ceo life and early death of Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer, a modern apostle of the best stuff that men of our day are made of, and yet not too good to give himself as a living and dying sacrifice to humanity in carrying the word of God to those who have it not.
H blood and lineage counted for as much with us as it does in Great Britain, it would add greatly to our interest in the name of Keith-Falconer to trace the noble ancestry of this son of the Earl of Kintore back through the critical and stormy periods of British history, past the standards of Bruce and Wallace, and back to the year 1010, in the reign of Malcolm II., King of Scotland, when in a battle with the Danish invaders Robert Keith won by his valor the title of Hereditary Great Marischal of Scotland.
But it is not until 1856 that the life of our subject began; and in the years that followed from infancy to college life there iii! nothing that need detain us save the generous and loving child, who was devoted to the truth, had no patience with shams, had the largest sympathy, frDm the fiest, with the suffering and needy, and found his greatest enjoyment in seeing those about him happy and comfortable. He was a faithful 'and interested student of the Scriptures from the time of his earliest reading. His old nurse tells of his going about to the cottages of the peasants soon after he was seven years old, and reading the Bible and trying to explain it. On one occasion, having saved his pocket money for the purpose, he went to the store and bought for himself some cakes of a favorite kind, but on his return he met a hungry-looking boy and promptly gave them all to him. 'rhese things were never known at home save as some one else than he chanced to mention them, but they reveal thus early a vein of pure gold which was to enrich the later life.
It is stimulating to know that with these generous qualities he was not of that solemn, sickly and unenterprising sort which so many good children are represented to be. He came to the front in athletics; and being six feet and three inches tall and finely proportioned in his manhood, his physical contests were a sight worth seeing. He became president of the London Bicycle Club, and was not content with anything less than the championship of all England, which he won in 1878 by five yards in a five-mile race with John Keen, then the champion professional of Great Britain. In 1.882 he was the first to accomplish that remarkable journey on the wheel from Land's End to John O'Gro!lit's house, nearly 1,000 miles, which he accomplished in thirteen days. As a phonographer also he would probably have ranked second only to Isaac Pitman. He was the author of the article on Shorthand in the "Encycl@pmdia Britannica," which is a marvel of comprehensive and condensed accuracy.
In college there were others more brilliant than he, but none more interested, independent and persistent; and his stubborn persistence enabled him to win positions, honorlil and prizes of the hiihest order. But his aggressive evangelistic spirit could not be confined within the college walls, and so with some companions, among whom he was a leader, he went among the lower classes in Barnwell with the simple story of redemption. The work outgrew their halls, and an old theater was purchased with subscriptions largely given or solicited by Keith- Falconer, and from this work, in which I.e was a leader while yet a leader in undergraduate college life, the wretched and unchurched village of Barnwell has been transformed into a comparatively respectable portion of the university town.
But there is a far greater city mission enterprise than this with which his name is connected. It would be an interesting digression if we could trace the history of the Tower-Hamlets Mission in the East End of London. Mr. Oharrington, the leader of this enterprise, was a great friend of Keith-Falconer, who all through his Oambridge dayt! went often to visit this work and to help it on. About 1880 he spent much time in devising ways and means, and in securing subscriptions, £2,000 of which he gave himself, for the Great Assembly Hall, which now towers up on Mile End Road, where 5,000 people may gather under the sound of one voice, where a people's service is held eyery night, while the play-houses and grog-shops have greatly declined in value since the hall was built, and where one of the worst regions of human degradation in modern city life is being redeemed, not in the mind of a wciter of tales, but in the alleys and hovels of East London, by the simple gospel of the risen Lord. Keith-Falconer has been a main factor in all this movement, working as a humble layman in private life who but rarely attempted to speak in public. His direct evangelistic work was mostly in the direction of what he called" having a talk with a man," which would mean a quiet, private conversation about those sacred issues which lie deepest in life. This he always welcomed an opportunity to do. For instance, we find him writing in a letter to his wife, in 1884, while on a bicycle tour with a friend in Sutherlandshire, "We had a job to get across the Kyle. It was very low water, and we had to wade some distance before we got to the boat. We had a talk with the boatman, who said he had been praying and searching for years, but ' couldn't find Him.'"
And so it is as a layman that all his religious work was done-no less indeed commissioned of God for his work than if he had been an ordained minister of the gospel; but on the other hand, no more com- missioned than is every disciple of Jesus Ohrist in the world to-day.
There remains to be sketched one more enterprise of this short life, which may give a fitting impression not only of the life here set forth, but of what is still more valuable, the truth which is set at the head of this article.
While in his college life he had followed a large varIety of studies, his chief interest had centered upon the Bible and the languages in which it was written, especially the Hebrew, and from the Hebrew his interest spread to the whole family of Semitic languages. After the close of his college study he gave Arabic his chief attention for many months, until he had mastered the classic language and its literature, including the Koran; and then he spent a winter in a forsaken place in upper Egypt for the purpose of getting the colloquial language, the temper of the A,rabic mind, and the nature of the Mohammedan religion. For all this work he seems to have had no other conscious motive than his love for the study-a mere scientific interest, and yet who can doubt that there was a sub-conscious motive, an impulse from God which did not rise into the consciousness of the man himself until it had done its work, and made him, while yet a youth, the master of all this knowl- edge. If now this knowledge were followed up in one direction it would, by general consent, make him the greatest living Orientalist, and if it were followed up in another direction it might open the door of many locks that should let the light of the gospel into the heart of Mohammedanism.
Here was a parting of the ways. Science, fame, and comfort on the one hand, and on the other seclusion, with only God and the gos- pel, and a wretched world about him, the dangers of a foreign land and climate, and the sacrifices of nobility, distinction and wealth at home. But there is no moment of hesitation in choice with him. He im~ediately, and in the most methodical and business-like way, sets about finding the strategi() point of attack, geographic and ethnic, upon Mohammedanism. The knowledge of Arabic, which he found himself in possession of, must be used to the best possible advantage to the kingdom of God, which it was always his ambition to.serve.
After careful deliberation he settled on Aden as the point to be ex- amined, but his methodical style required that it should be visited and the climate tried and the methods of operation decided upon on the' ground; and so in October, 1885, he and his wife went to Aden, which is a British coaling station at the point where the Red Sea opens into the Indian Ocean, opposite the Somali coast of Africa, and the south- ernmost point of the Arabian peninsula-a barren, comfortless wilder- ness of sand and rock twelve degrees from the equator. But it is a point from which the arteries of Arabian commerce run inland to the whole country. As many as a quarter of a million camels come into Aden from the interior every year, and there is one of the best harbors in the world.
He saw at a glance that the commission of the apostles to heal dis- eases was what was needed there to open the hearts of the people; for the numberless of aftlicted have no relief there, and a skillful surgeon – would be a blessing whose value none could estimate. His knowledge of the Koran was superior to their own, and he found that by helping them, and then "having a talk with them," he was very kindly received, and the news wonld be carried far away to bring others f~r1ike treatment. Finding no trouble in the climate either for himself or wife, he decided that this was the point to be occupied. His plan was to establish a hospital and a school, both of which could be filled almost as soon as they could be built. With this plan clearly drawn he returned to his home to prepare for the work.
A Ohristian physician was secured; he studied medicine himself; he put himself under the direction of the Foreign Missionary Agency of the Free Ohurch of Scotland, for he did not believe in the free lance business in missions, although he proposed to bear the whole expense of the mission himself.
Just at this point, to his great surprise, he was appointed professor of Arabic in Oambridge, but as this position was partly honorary, re- quiring only one lecture or short course of lectures in a year, the teach- ing being given out to an associate, he accepted the appointment, be- lieving that it would give him more influence and enable him to draw the world's attention to :fJ.is work in far-off Arabia. So he prepared and delivered his first course of three lectures on "The Pilgrimage to Mecca;" and early in November, 1886, in the evening after his last lecture, he started for Aden.
Only five months of lahor lay before him; but in that time with his wife and Dr. Oowen, a work was set onfout, buildings begun, a char- acter and a fame established in all southern Arabia, which with the, blessing of God and the support of man gives promise of solving 000 of the hardest problems laid at the feet of the Ohristian world to-day- , the evangelization of the Moslems. Before that five months ended there were but few who had come in contact with this mission who would admit that they were Moslems, and when spoken to about it they would say, "There are no Moslems here." The Gospel in the Arabic found a ready market and a reverent reading among those who had seen the spirit and power of the Ohristian physician.
But the noble fellow was stricken with the Aden fever. It is not a very dangerous disease, and therefore the surprise even to his wife and the doctor was very great when one morning they found that he had quietly slept out his life while those who had been watching at his bed- side slumbered with him.
"The falling asleep," sa,ys the Free Ohurch resolution, "in the first months of fervent service, of Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer in the extreme Asian outpost in South Arabia gives solemn urgency to his last appeal to the cultured, the wealthy and the unselfish, whom that devoted vol- unteer for Ohrist represented [when he addressed them in these words]: 'While vast continents are shrouded in almost utter dark- ness, and hundreds of millions suffer the horrors of heathenism or Islam, the burden of Eroof lies upon you to show that the .circum-
JEWISH MISSION WORJ[. t1t
stances in which God placed you were meant by Him to keep you out of the foreign mission field:" .
Was it a mistake of Providence that this noble young apostle should be thus early called to "depart and be with Ohrist"? Was it a mis- take that he should have gone to Aden in the first instance? His dis- tinguished position and accomplishments were so widely known, the interest in his enterprise so deep, the love for his person so great, that the dispatch announcing his death sent a shock through the whole kingdom. The call of the church for a volunteer to fill the breach was responded to by thirteen young men from the graduating class of New College, who were ready to be used in the foreign field in the place and manner in which they could do the most good. Others are being led by his example to prepare for a like work. And so, like Samson of old, great as he was in life, he was greater still in death.
This is the kind of men our age is calling for-men who are willing to use what God has given them, and the best he has given them, to His glory• Nothing is too good to be so used. This man was no special favorite of grace. There are thousands who have equal qualifications, except the willingness to use their gifts for God and humanity.
A new value has la.tely made itself known in the Keith-Falconer mission, which promises large benefit to civilization. Since British occupation has turned the current of the Arabian slave ~rade away from lower Egypt, that current has set in right across by Aden.
In September last a British man-of-war captured three cargoes of Abyssinian children, 217 in all, being carried into Arabia for the most degrading servitude. They were nominal Christians. Of course their homes had been destroyed and their friends killed. The mission has put a large number of them in its school, where they will receive a Ohristian training and be sent back as missionaries.
And so another important outpost has been occupied by the armies of the Lord, and is now effectively manned with a force of Ohristian teachers, physicians and evangelists. The Rev. William R. W. Gard- ner, one of the prompt young volunteers, who has been since prepar- ing himself for the special work, has just now joined the mission, and there is every prospect for great good to come from the work of this modern apostle.
JEWISH MISSION WORK.
BY REV. PROFESSOR GEORGE H. SCHODDE, COLUMBUS, OHIO.
THE retirement of Professor Franz Delitzsch, without doubt the leading representative of the gospel cause among the lost sheep of the house of Israel in our day and generation, from the editorship of the Saat auf Hoffnung, the leading journal devoted to this special de~ partment of mission work, after an uninterrupted management of that quarterly for twenty-five years, is a timely occasion briefly to give a bird's..eye-view of the problems, principles, methods, and results of the evangelization of Israel. Such a resume is all the more a matter of present interest, as developments have been going on in this department of mission activity, the records of which form a not unimportant chapter in this, the greatest mission century since the apostolic era. Primarily in the growth of interest in this important work and in the clearer perception of the problems involved and of the correct methods of solution; and, secondarily, also in the success that has attended the efiorts, Jewish gospel work occupies a public prommence in the activity of the church that it never before enjoyed or was entitled to.
When Delitzsch established his journal, he was, at least in central and northern Protestant Europe, a vox clamantis in 'deseno. Affairs stood better in this regard in England. Even as late as 1881, the statistician Haman could report only 20 societies, with about 250 men, and expending about $300,000 annually for the evangelization of Israel. Last year Lic. Dr. Dalmen, the new editor of Saat aufHoffnung, could report 47 Protestant Jewish mission societies, with 377 missionaries, and spending nearly $500,000 annually. In other words, in scarcely half a dozen years, the activity in this ardnous field has almost literally doubled. The Jewish popUlation of the earth is about 6,400,000. There is then one missionary for every 16,976 Jews, and these people are accordingly, in comparison to the nearly one thousand million non-Christians of the globe, which are the figures of so good an authority as Daniel's Lehrbuch der Geographie, by far better provided with gospel privileges than are the heathen nations. This growth of zeal for Israel re-establishment has indeed not been contemporaneous with the revived activity for foreign mission work. The latter had fully half a century the start of the former. But it is an open question whether in regard to methods and manners, principles and means, the cause of Jewish mission work has not gained as much in the last decade or two as the foreign mission cause has since the beginning of the century. Indeed the debatable ground in the latter seems to be greater in oxtent and the interrogation points to exceed in number the difficulties and differences in the former.
It goes without saying that the gospel work among the Jews is the most difficult in the whol-l sphere of evangelization. The problems here are entirely peculiar and unique. It requires but little knowledge of psychology and history to understand why this should be the case. The trouble lies 01;1 both sides, Christian and Jewish. The attitude of the Christian Church, at least practically, has never been what it should have been toward the Jews. Proselyting rather than conversion has been the aim over against Ismel down to almost the present time. There has been a conspicuous absence of that love for ISJ;&el which is an .absolutely necessary prerequisite to successful evangelization in their midst. At best, the attitude of Christians toward the work has been a negative and indifferent one. The poBitive element of zeal for Israel's spiritual interests has been confined to exceeding- ly narrow limits. Nothing like that general interest which character- izes the activity of the chnrches in theforeign and home mission causes in general has been or can be aroused ;or the gospel work among Israel. Just to what degree this apathy and limited interest is the expression of that spirit which in earlier centuries made the Jews the special object of the persecution of a civilization calling itself Ohristian, would bean interesting problem, but one not to be discussed here. To a greater or less degree the popular prejudice against the Jews is the deposit left in the thought of the age from the antagonism of the olden' times. In Ii large measure it is an inheritance and not the result of CODSelous8Dd intelligent reasoning.
That to a great extent the Jews were and are the cause of the antip- athy of modern society and Ohristianity is a matter beyond dispnte. The enigmatical social disorder called anti-Semitism is sufficient evi- dence of this. It is a mistake to regard this opposition to Jewish in- fluence pervading all central and eastern Europe as a rAvival of blind medieval hatred of the Israelites. It is not a new crusade after the manner of a PfefIercorn in the days of Reuchlin. It is the out- growth of the new!3tatus in modern society, socially, politically, ~nd otherwise, which has been granted to the Jews also as one of the Te-:- sults of the general policy of emancipation characteristic of our century. For about three or four decades all political and other disabilities have been removed from the Jews; and as a consequence this gifted people have been crowding into all the higher and influential positions in so- ciety, in education, in politics, in finances, in journalism, and else- where. The Jewish influence in modern society is far in excess of their proportional numerical strength. It is against this undue pre- ponderance of Jewish leadership which, as Semitic in origin and char- acter, is regarded as antagonistic to an Aryan and Ohristian civiliza- tion, that the anti-Semitism of the day is directed. It is a fiction that . the Jews are persecuted for their religion's sake. The problem is pri- marilya social one, and its agitation, aside of some inexcusable excesses, a. legitimate and needful one, made necessary by the social statistics of the day.
A somewhat remarkable confirmation of this is the singular phenom- enon that wherever the Jews are most nUl'lerous and are most influen- tial, that there the work of their evangelization has the fewest friends. Russia and Austria do very little for the cause, and it is in these two countries that fully two-thirds of all the Jews of the globe live. Ger- many, with its many millions of Protestants, does les8 for this work than little Norway with its two millions. But in the Scandinavian countries a Jew is but seldom seen, and the Ohristiansthere, notwith- standing their poverty, take a kind of a sentimental rather than all intelligent interest in the work, and have a warm heart for Israel. In England, where more is done for the cause than in all the rest of Christendom together, the Jew is not numerically 80 well represented as in Germany and eastern Europe, and the distasteful features of his in:fl.uep.qe are to a great extent absent. Besides this, the general lead which England has taken in the work of missions over aU the rest of Europe has not been without its effects in this field also.
Besides this very granting of perfect equality to the Jews, which has been outwardly at least the occasion of tho anti-SemitIc movement, but which naturally, as the expression of a civilization that is Christian in character, would have been expected to make the beneficiaries of this ,emancipation more friendly to Christianity, has had, if anything, the opposite effect. In so far as assimihtion and amalgamation has taken place, it has practically consisted of a comprQmise between traditional Judaism and modern thought, in such a manner that the outcome is little better than radicalism and rationalism. The modernized or "reformed" Jew as a rule entertains little more than such empty generalizations of theological and scriptural ideas that make him feel a warm sympathy with vapid Universalism and Unitarianism. It is the western Jew who has imbibed this new wisdom; and among this class of Israelites the efforts of gospel messengers have practically been love's labor lost.
The problem becomes all the more complicated by the fact that the missionary meets the Jew not as he does the heathen. The latter he approaches as a superior, the former more as an equal. In both cases ho must remove error as well as build up truth; but in the case of the Jew it is intelligent error, fortified by argument and history. The Jew sees in the Christian one who has departed from the pure worship of Jehovah and feels himself in possession of a religion purer and higher than that which he is asked to substitute for it. If there is any idea that has entered into the very marrow and bone of Israel, it is the con- viction that as the chosen people of God it is their mission to uphold the standard of pure divine worship, of monotheism, and that it is their historic and divinely assigned work to bring the religious prin- ciples maintained by JudaIsm to Impremacy in the hearts and minds of the nations. It is true that this is more a theoretic and abstract idea; for Judaism, since the downfall of its political power and the great dispersion, has not been a missionary religion and has made little or no propaganda of its peculiar tenets; yet this does not diminish but rather strengthens the tenacity of this conviction. And this has been fortified by the religious development in Israel for fully two thousand years. The representative Jew, particularly of the East, is the Tal· mudic Jew. His position is essentially the Pharisaism and legalism of the New Testament era, strengthened by the whole Talmudic thought since that day. The Old Testament is seen only in the light, or rather darkness, of Talmudic and Rabbinic thought; and this makes it all the more difficult to prod uce a tabula rasa of error for the erection of Christian truth. To this comes the further factor of a blind hatred of Christ. Vollert, a recent messenger to the Jews of the East, says on this point (BaatautHoffnun~, 1889, Jan., p. 39): "!tis possible to impress upon them that the Messiah has already come; they will listen when we say that they have rejected Him and therefore have deserved their fate; but as soon as we say that the rejected one is 'Jesus,' the Crucified, fire and lightning of the eyes show that the limits of the endurable have been transgressed."
This condition of the problem must determine the methods and manner of its solution. Modern mission workers and thinkers in the field of evangelization in Israel are unanimous that there is but one way proper for the treatment of so intricate a question, and that is the prosecution of the method already adopted by the first writer in the NewTestament, Matthew, namely, to show that the Messiah of the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Messianic predictions of the Old. The work among Israel is more a work of argument than it is anywhere else in the whole sphere of mission activity. Instruction and conviction have here a place not found elsewhere. For that reason the preparation of a Jewish missionary is necessarily a more arduous task than that of a messenger to the Gentiles. He must be not only a good Biblical scholar and interpreter, a logical reasoner, but also well versed in the Talmudic literature, the errors of which he is to refute. Just in this connection is seen the great importance of the revived Instituta Judaica, which are found at fully a dozen German and Scandinavian Universities with a membership of 300 and more and consist of voluntary association of students under the leadership of men like Delitzsch, Strack, Orelli and others, and devote their energy to the study of post-Biblical Hebrew and its literature. But the greatest agencies in this regard have been Delitzsch's and Salkinson's Hebrew New Testaments. The former has been circulated in more than eighty thousand copies, particularly in eastern Europe and in Siberia. The latter has appeared in a second edition of 200,000 copies, and a generous Scotchman has paid for 100,000 copies to be used for missionary purposes. The reports of what the mere study of the New Testament has done to make fair-minded Jews see in the Christianity of the New Testament the fulfillment and complement of the preparatory religious development of the Old, often read almost like miracles of missions. They furnish renewed evidence that the New Testament is the best commentary on the Old. It is this idea, too, that is at the foundation of the various Jewish Christian movements which started independently . of each other and of direct Christian influence in Southern Russia, Siberia and Hungary. Thought and study of the New Testament awakened in these reformers the conviction that brael's development into Pharasaic legalism was a false course, and that the historic mission of the people can be fulfilled only by beginning anew there where the fatal error set in, that is, by accepting the New Testament development as the legitimate and correct outcome of the Old. In this way the correctness of the methods of modern Jewish mission work is vindicated by independent evidence from an entirely foreign source.
Of course even with all arguments in favor of the Ohristian mission_ ary the great work of captatio benevolentiw still remains to be done, and is an all-important factor and most difficult task. The Jews as a class hate and mistrust the Ohristian missionary. They cannot believe' in the purity of his motives, leait of all if he is himself a convert. There seems to be only one man of prominence in this work who has gained the love of all Israel, and that man is Franz Delitzseh. He has given such eVIdence of his affection for that people, especially in the, anti~Semitic agitation, that even the most radical Jews respect him and his motives. To him they all listen, and this fact explains to a great extent the strong influence of his New Testament translation. When recently he addressed a pamphlet to thinking Israelites entitled "Earnest Questions to the Educated of the Jewish Religion," 4,000 copies were disposed of in a few weeks, and many Jewish journals gave it a most respectful treatment. ,But as a rule it is exceedingly difficult to gain the ear of Israel for the gospel. It is a common idea among them, and also among certain Ohristians, that every Jewish convert is a hypocrite. Such rashness forgets that Ohrist's disciples were Jews and that thousands of Jewish converts have noble records on the pages of church history. Think only of such modern instances as the father of modern church history, Neander, whose centennial was bnt recently celebrated; of KalkaI', who presided at the Oopenhagen meeting of the Evangelical Alliance; of Philippi, the great conservative dogmatician of Rostock; of Oaspari, the fine Orientalist and historical scholar of Norway, and men of this kind.
Ooncerning the successes of the work little can or should be said. The estimate of Missionary de la Roi, of Breslau, that fully 100,000 jews have since the beginning of the present century found their way into the church through the mission activity is probably no exaggeration, but must stand ()n its own merits. Oertain it is, that greater gains have been made than friend and foe as a rule are inclined to think. But here as well as elsewhere the question of snccess is important for us only in its relation to the decision as to the correct methods. Ours it is to be faithful to the divine mission command, leaving the consequences to Him who gave it His people.
MADAGASCAR
MADAGASOAR.
BY L. P. BROCKETT, M.D., BROOKLYN, N. Y. (Ooncluded/rompcl/l4J858.) I III. PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN MADAGASCAR. THE dea.thof the wicked queen RanavalonaI., and the accession of her son Radama II. to the throne, marks a.nother epoch in the history of the Mal.a. g'asy. From that date (August, 1861,) there was no more persecution, no more exclusion of missionaries or other foreigners from the island, and no more wars for slaughter or for slaves. All religions were tolerated, but idol· atry was not overthrown, and the idol keepers bided their time. Radama II. was a young man of rather weak intellect, though in early lifE' of many good impulses. He had associated, before his mother's death,. with many of the native Chrilltians, and at one time professed conversion, but never united with any of the churches. After his accession to the throne he formed an intimacy with some French adventurers, who used him for their profit, and his own and the nation's injUl'y; and having, very unwisely, abolished all duties on exports and imports, the vile rum from the Mauritius was brought into Madagascar in immense quantities, and he became so addicted to its use as to be almost constantly intoxicated. Drunkenness, became for the first time a prevalent vice with the Malagasy, especially with the coast tl'ibes. The cessation of persecution, and the hopes which were entertained of the young king's good conduct, brought the missionaries back to Madaga.sear,and the Christians who had been scattered everywhere in the island gather.ed again in Imerina, and very many of them in the capital, Antananarivo; the schools and churches were opened again, and the city, so long dellOlate, re– sumed its activities, and again became populous. By 1863 the missionaries found that in Imerina (the land, of the Hovas) there were 37,000 communicants inthe churches, 150,000 professedadhel'eBts to Christianity, and more than 50,000 children ready to enter the school;' So mightily had the Word of God prevailed, even under the instrumentality of native preachers and teachers, for, during at least twenty-fiveyea'1's, them' had been no European missionaries there. They had only the New Testa.- ment in thtlir own language, and the translation of this was not perfect; of course their knowledge of the doctrines of Ohristianity was defective; but they had passed through the fires of persecution, and they knew that they loved Jesus Christ, as their Saviour and Redeemer, and were ready to die for Him. There seemed for a little time to be a probability of the return of persecution. The king, while strongly addicted to his cups, was under evil influences. A French adventurer named Lambert had persuaded him to give him a grant of lands to the amount of nearly one-third of the arable land on the island, and this without any consideration; the idol keepers and idolators had formed an association, naming themseives the M6namaso, "the king's friends," and they were constantly advising him to issue decrees which would injure or destroy the Christians. He was for a time restrained by his Prime Minister, who favored Christianity; but finally Radamall. W8.1I. induced by the Menamaso to issue a decree that whenever individuals orvillages had a quarl'el with each other, they might go out and fight it out, and if any of them were killed the survivors ShOUld not be punished. The people understood that this meant a civil war of extermination against the Christians; and gl'eat efforts were made to induce the king to revoke this decree, but he stubbornly refused to do so, and ad4e<l otherpersec1.ting edicts,
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The Menama80 were exiled, hut the king, in his sober moments, still ad. hered to his decree, and when drunk.was very violent. A revolution ensued and the Government officials, after using every effort to control him, finaU; put him to death May 12, 1863, and proclaimed his widow. Rabodo, queen under the title of Rosaherina. It was announced to the people that Radama II. had taken his own life, because his friends the Menamaso had been ban- ished. The new government under Queen Rasoherina was to be one in which the Queen. the nobles and the heads of the people were to unite in making the laws; and decrees were at once premulgated as absolute by the new govern- ment; that the sovereign should not drink spirituous liquors; that the friend- ship with foreigners should be maintained; that there should be perfect lib. erty of conscience, and freedom of religious worship to all, natives and for. eigners, Christians and idol worshipers; that the ordeal of the tangena should be abolished, and that the death penalty should be inflicted only for the greatest crimes, and solely by thE' consent of the sovereign and her coun- cil. The people promised obedience to these decrees, and the Queen took the oath of allegiance to them. Rasoherina was not a ChristIan but she proved a good sovereign. Her reign was a stormy one, from the repeated revolts of the coast tribes who had been attached to Radama II., and would not believe that he was dead; from the imperiousness and intemperance of her Prime Minister, whom she was eventually obliged to banish, and from the intrigues of the French. who had made great demands, based on the grants made by the late king to the adventurer Lambert. Finding that she would not concede the lands, the French demanded through their Consul and Admiral an indemnity of $180,000 which she was eventually obliged to .pay in order to obtain the return of the concession. The mission work meanwhile was going forward; new missionaries from the Friends, the Nor- wegian Lutherans, the Church Missionary Society, and eventually the So- ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel came in. Treaties were made with Great Britain and the United States. The Queen was in failing health, and seemed inclined to go back to idol worship, which indeed she had never fully abandoned. On the 1st of April, 1868, Queen Rasoherina died at her palace in the capital, and the next day the Prime Minister and Council chose Ra- . moma, a niece of the cruel Queen Ranavalona I., as her successor, with the title of Ranavalona II. Her reign was signalized by the adoption of a lib- eral constitution fpundeu upon the recognition of Christianity as the ruling power in the state, but not to be administered in a persecuting spirit. At the funeral of Rasohel'ina, and the proclamation of Ranavalona II., no idols were brought forward, nor was idol-worship mentioned in any treaty or state paper. The idol-keepers realized that their power was gone, and fell back into obscurity. On the 3rd of September, 1868, the Queen was crowned at the palace of Andohalo in the presence of a vast concourse of people. A copy of the Malagasy Scriptures, so far as tt'anslated, elegantly bound, was placed conspicuously at her side, and the royal canopy was emblazoned with ScrIpture texts. The coronation oath was administered to her with her hand on the sacred volume. Early in October, the Queen, her Prime Min. ister, Rainilaiarivony, and the household of the palace, met togethel' in Christian worship. On the 19th of February, 1869, the Queen, follOWing the exa.mple of her predecessor, was married to her Prime Minister, a man of remarkable ability, and of pure and noble character. In Madagascar, as in England, the Prime Minister is the real ruler of the country; and in this case he has retained his power through two administrations, and has car- ried it through gr~t qifficulties alld da,ngers. Oil the 21st 9f February,
MADAGASCAR
two days later, the Queen and her husband were baptized by Andria.mbelo," one of the native pastors, and united with one of the mission -church~. It was the custom in Madagascar that the new sovereign soon after his or her coronation should erect a new building, usually a palace, on the palace- grounds: Ranavalona II. decided to build a Christian church there of the beautiful Malagasy marble. Her next· step was the public burning of all the national idols, September 8,1869, and proclamation asking all her peo- ple to follow her example, and henceforth to worship the only living ,and true God. Her request was complied with by all the people of Imerina, though some of the unconverted natives looked forward with terror to the coming harvest, when they thought their idol gods would revenge them- selves on them by a famine, but the ensuing han-est was more bountiful than any which had previously been known, and their fears were allayed.
IV. THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL UNDER RANAVALONA II. We have already spoken of the circumstances attending the accession and coronation of Queen Ranavalona II. ;.of her courageous and frank avowal of her determination that Christianity should be the ruling and controlling influence in the state; of her burning all the national idols, and her virtual command that the people should also give their idols, ancestral statues and fetwhes to the fiames, and the instant response followed by a universal demand for teachers of the new religion. We have also spoken of the public baptism of the Queen and the Prime Minister, and of the erection of a beautiful marble church in the palace grounds by the Queen. There have been instances iii European history within the past three centuries where a ruler has felt it a duty, from motives of state policy, to lead in the change from Romanism to Protestantism, a change almost as great as that made in Madagascar by Queen Ranavalona II. ; but, in the English case of Queen Elizabeth, the sovereign did not deem it necessary that her own life should be an example of genuine piety and devotion to her people. The Queen of Madagascar having avowed herself a Christian, felt that it was her duty and her privilege to live thenceforth a holy, Christian life; and we doubt if in all the annals of history since the commencement of the Christian era, there can be found a record of a purer and more saintly life on the part of a professedly Christ.ian ruler. She carried this devotion into aU the relations of life. Her only questions in regard to any proposed action seflmed to be: Will this glorify God, and will it be for the good of my people? For fifteen years she was spared to bless her people and make them a civilized and Christian nation. How she learned so much of statemanship and effective administration is a gre;;:t marvel; but we believe that she sought and found wisdom from above. Let us enumerate a few of her wise measures and deeds: Whatever she could do to facilitate the work of the missionaries she did promptly and well; she established also large numbet's of government schools in all of which Christianity was tal~ght; and these not only among the Hovas but .among the heathen tribes so far as was possible; she gave equal rights to all her subjects in their religiOUS worship, Catholics as well as Protestants; and when the French Jesuits who, under her liberal administration, had planted missions and established schools, began to intrigue against the schools, churches and missions of the London Missionary Society, and the Friends Mission, whom they called canting Methodists, and finally went" so far as to demand that the whole religious instruction of the nation should be gIven up to Romish . priests, she rebuked them with firmness, and assured them that while there should be perfect freedom ~f wOl'ship and religious belief, no sect or denomination would be allowed to interfere or plot against any other. Her people begged her to expel these Jesuits, who had always been the enemies of the nation, and were really only French spies; but she refused, preferring to subdue them with kindness. She enforced the observance of the Sabbath; caused a code of laws to be prepared based on the best codes of England and America, by which crime should be ('ffectively punished, strict morality promoted, the rights and duties of the family should be maintained, and the strictest purity enforced; emancipated all the the national slaves, and by repeated edicts greatly diminished slavery among her people. She established a government printing house where not only the laws, but the Scriptures and the text books for the schools should be printed; introduced the Tonic Sol-fa system in all the schools, and printed both music and hymns in Malagasy, for religious worship as well as for the use of the schools. She greatly multiplied copies of the Scriptures, which, in 1869, had first been published complete in the Malagasy language. Finding a necessity for more thorough supervision of the various departments of the government, she selected, with the aid and counsel of the Prime Minister, a cabinet of ten of the most competent men in the kingdom to take charge of the agricultural, educational, military, commercial, manufacturing, land and other interests of the country, each of whom was directly responsible to the Prime Minister and herself. When the wild tribes made hostile raids, and it was necessary to suppress them by force, she instructed the military officers to avoid bloodshed, and to show them that their Queen was ready to redress their wrongs if they would appeal to her. The levying of taxes, which in all oriental nations is accompanied by frauds and oppression, was by her wise management made so light a burden that none of her people were distressed by it. In accordance with the immemorial practice of the Kings of Imerina and her immediate predecessors, the sale of lands in fee simple to foreigners, and of mining lands to anyone, was prohibited. Commerce with other nations was encouraged. Treaties of commerce were concluded with France, England, Germany, Italy and the United States, and their provisions carefully observed.* Yet this just and righteous queen was to be suhjected to great and severe trials, through the greed and malice of the French Government, and the bitter hatred and bigotry of the Jesuits, who were acting in the double role of missionaries and spies at Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. For nearly sixty years the French had cast longing eyes on Madagascar. More than once they had attempted to take possession of portions of it by force, but had been thwarted. They desired the glory of foreign conquest, and *This great advance in civilization, in good government, in morality and educational pro- gress, rests not solely on the testimony of the missionaries. who might be regarded as prejudiced witnes!es. In March, 1881, Admiral Sir W. Gore-Jones, at the direction of Earl Granville, British Foreign Secretary, visited Madagascar. taking with him Mr. Pakenham the British Consul, and spent three-a.nd-a-half months in a careful examlna.tion of the condition of the people and the administration of the Queen. Theil' report gives the highest commendation of the Queen, whose reign they declared" the greatest and most beneficial that Ma.da.gascar ha.d ever seen." .. The Hova people," said the Admiral… are now in that condition that they are ready to burst into perfect civilization; large num_ bers of the younger men are highly educated; the missionary schools are fuil of children. and thus the educaotionof the future generation is assured. Under the Queen's administration the Hovas had become a Christia.n people, the children were being educated 1D the Christian faith; the trial by poison had been abolished; more than 150,000 Mozambique slaves had been emancipated; an admirable code or laws, criminal and civil, had been ena.1lted and enforced; an army of 40,000 trO<!ps had been organized, armed a.nd drilled•• This testimolQ' is conclusive.
they wanted possessions in the East and especially 1D the Indian Oeean. After the disastrous Franco-German War, they turned their attention afreshto conquests in the East, attempting most unwarrantably the capture of Tonquin, and seeking to find some pretext for seizing Madagascar. The Jesuit missionaries, furious at theirfailure to compel the Queen to relinquish to them the entire religious control of the island, and to expel at their bidding the Protestant missionaries, were also zealously seeking some pI'etext on which the French Government might seize the island and thus give it upto their control. They represented to the French Government that the Queen, though amiable, was very weak; that there was no military force there worthy of the name; and thata very slight pretext would be sufficient to provoke a conflict; when, if bullied, she would at once succumb to their gemands. Tkiere was a French adventurer there, by the name of Laborde, who had obtained some grants of lands for agricultural purposes without consideration from the weak and intemperate Radama II., and some commercial privileges from Queen Rasoherina, the predecessor of Ranavalona II. ; he now demanded the title to these lands in fee simple, which the Queen refused, as contrary to the laws. He then declared that this was a violation of the treaty of 1868 with France (which was false), and appealed to the French Government to enforce the treaty. The Queen endeavored to pacify him, and to pay him for the concession which he had received from Radama II., but his death occurring soon after, his son and heir, M. Edward Laborde, refused to be satisfied, under the advice of the French Consul. The French had long had a trading station at the island of Nosy-be, on the northwest coast of Madagascar, and had gradually taken possession of the whole of that island. The northwestern coast of the main island, as well as most 01 the western and southwestern coast was occupied by the SakaHtva, a ferocious heathen tribe of large stature and nomadic habits, whose hostility to the Hovas was easily aroused, because they had destroyed their idols, and established a nominal Christianity throughout the island. The French sent their emissaries into this tribe, fomented their emnity to the Queen, made a treaty with them, giving them a claim to a considerable tract, nearly one-third of the island, to which this tribe had no title, and promised, that in case of a war with the Hovas they should be their allies and tht'y would provide for them. These were the only pretexts they had for the demands they now proceeded to make on the Queen; but having assembled a squadron of French ships of war in the harbor of Tamatave, and having taken counsel with the French Consul, the son and heir of the adventurer Laborde, and the Chief of the Jesuit missionaries, communications were made to the Prime Minister and the Queen; but the demands of the French Consul and the Admiral were so extravagant and unjust, and their representations so false, that no settlement was possible. Though the treaty of 1868 had expressly recog- nized the Queen as Queen of Madagascar, they persisted in addressing her as Queen of Imerina, or Queen of the Hovas, and when she refused to receive their communications as thus addressed, they changed their form to Queen Ranavalona II., and addressed insulting communications to the Prime Mmister; and the Commodore made public speeches at Tamatave, which were utterly unworthy the officer of any civilized government. After about six weeks of this fruitless discussion. the French Admiral and Consul drew up an ultimatum, dated June 1, 1883, requiring: 1. That the possesion of all .the island north of the 16th parallel should be guaranteed to them. 2. An indemnity of $200,000 for the claims of French citizens, includingtbe La.borde matter. 8. A revision of the treaty and a controlling voice in all matters
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affecting the policy of the Hova Government. A categorical answer Was dema.nded within eight days from the date of the ultimatum under penalty af the immediate bombardment of Tamatave in case of delay.
The ultimatum was promptly rejected by the Queen, and the Prime Minister notified' the French Admiral of the fact. The longer presence of the French residents in Antananarivo having been rendered impossible by the action of the French Admiral, they were on the 29th of May ordered to depart after five days' notice. They protested, although the Hovas in Tamatave had been expelled by the French at one hour's notice. They had been for many months actively engaged as spies, and the French Government or any other European government would, under similar circumstances, have put them to death or placed them in close confinement, but the Malagasy Queen was too thoroughly imbued with Christian principl(> to do either; she sent them away laden with food, with bearers for theilfeeble ones, and transportation for their effects, and a military escort to accompany them to the French lines. They, obdurate and maligant to the last, complained to the French commander that they had been robbed by the Queen's orders, and demanded and eventually obtained a tenfold indemnity for their alleged losses from the Malagasy Government. Tamatave and the adjacent ports were bombarded, and the British Consul, Mr. Packenham, who had been a firm friend of the Queen, was ordered, when dying to leave Tamatave in 24 hours, but died on the 23d of June, 1883, before the time expired., The Queen, desirous by all righteous means to avert the calamity of war from her people, sent an embassy to France, England, Germany and the United States to plead her cause.
The Queen's health had been failing for some months, and the excitement and trouble probably hastened her end. She died July 13, 1883. Hel' death was as noble and befitting in its Christian manifestations as her lite had been. She declared that she died fully trusting in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. She charged her successor and her Prime lIIinister to remember that her kingdom was resting upon God, and that He would take care of it. They were to continue as before in all matters of religion. Not one foot of her land was ever to be ceded to the French. Having joined in the usual evening prayers, she closed her eyes in death, " calmly as for a night's re- pose; like flowers at set of sun."
V. TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS. Queen Ranavalona II. on her death bed named her niece, Razatindrahety, her successor, and asked that at her own death she might be buried quickly so that no interruption should happen to the preparation for resisting the French. She was buried on the 17th of July, 1tl83, her niece having been previously proclaimed as her successor, under the title of Ranavalona III., the Prime Minister, Rainilaiarivony, still continuing to guide the affairs of the kingdom. T~le position of the young Queen was a very trying one. She was a widow, tho::~h only twenty years old, had been very highly educated, and had given evidence of decided abilities and of being a sincere Christian. Her manners were gracious and courteous, but it was thought that she was rather proud and haughty and not quite so amiable as the late queen. She had an excel- lent and wise counselor in the Prime Minister, whom, according to the cus- tom of the country, she subsequently married, though he was about seventy years of age. But she succeeded the wisest, most judicious and most saintly queen who had ever occupied an Oriental throne, and at a time when her na- tion was at war with one of the most powerful nations of Europe. She
IU.DAGASCAR
could· rely upon the loyalty of her people, and wha.t was of far more consequence, she placed her dependence upon God, who had brought the na.tion .
thus far, and would not, she believed, leave them to perish. She declined to be crowned till the following November (1883) preferring first to make herself thoroughly familiar with her duties under the instruction of the Prime Minister. But no time was lost in this delay; the arming and drilling of the troops went on; arms of all sorts and Gatling and Gardner guns were imported from America; eminent military men, of English and American birth, were employed to instruct the troops in tactics, in fortification and in cavalry evolutions; all export of food and provisions was prohibited. The ambassadors sent by Ranavalona II. to Europe and America returned; their mission had been successful everywhere, except in France; there the Government had treated them roughly, and even refused them a hearing. But their mission in England, Germany and in the United States had raised up for them powerful advocates, especially among the Society of Friends, who were bringing such moral forces to bear upon the better disposed citizens of France as did lead to a change of feeling in that Republic.
On the 22d of November, 1883, the coronatioll of Queen Ranavalona III. took place. .From her palace at Andohalo, in the capital, she was borne in a beautiful palanquin to the" Sacred Stone," where all the sovereigns of Madagascar al'e crowned, and thence to the great plain of Mahamasina, where were assembled a half million of the Malagasy, all thoroughly loyal. The Queen made an eloquent and impressive speech, without notes, in which she avowed her dependence upon God, and her belief that as He had brought her to the kingdom at such a time as this He would protect her people and herself, if they worshiped Him in sincerity and truth; she reviewed the past, and her predecessor's glorious reign, expressed her intentions of ruling in the fear of God, and her determination of going forth to lead her people to battle for the right, if it should be necessary, and asked them to stand by her loyally. From all the vast concourse shouts of loyalty and devotion went up, and the people asked the Prime Minister to answer for them to the Queen. He did so in a speech of great eloquence, in which he pledged himself that his own body and the bodies of all that vast multituue should be her wall of defense against her and their foes.
The people went frantic with joy at this declaration, and when, bowing to the missionaries, he told the Queen that much of the recent progress of the nation was due to their teachings, the cheers of the people were renewed more loudly than before. The Queen then descended from the platform and entered a small carriage drawn by a white pony. The pony was taken from the shafts and the highest officers of the court drew the carriage through all the sixteen passageways or streets which divided this mighty host into sections that she might greet all her people and be greeted by them. No accident marred the joy of the day, and on her arrival at the palace she went immediately to the palace church, where a religious service of thanksgiving closed the eventful day.
Meantime the war went on languidly, but without result. The Admiral bombarded the smaller ports and trading places along the.. coast without warning, always to the loss of some subjects of other nations, and sometimes to the destruction of their lives and property. These raids only inspired both natives and foreigners with such hatred for the French as to make any permanent occupation of the country on their part impossible for· many years to come. The Hovas, selecting strong locations neal' the points occupied by the French, fortified them and compelled the French and their Sakala.va allies to keep .under the shelter of their own guns, and any attempts to work their way to the interior were sure to result in their being picked off by.the Hova sharpshooters. Meantime the coast fever struck down more than half the French troops, and from a force of from 2,500 to 6,000 troops, constantly reinforced, they never had fifty pel' cent. of effectives. The Admiral was constantly demanding more men and more money; yet he had nothing to show for it. The drain upon the French army and treasury was oecoming frightful, the more so as they were at the same time expending large sums on 'fonquin with an equally ignominious result. At length this and the strong remonstrances against this unjust war which the Friends had presently led to the overthrow of the French Cabinet, and M. Freycinet replaced M. Ferry as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. In the two years which preceded this change the conduct of the French admirals and Consul in Madagascar was brutal and offensive in the extreme. They bombarded and captured Mojanga and other ports on the northwest coast, often without notice, stirred up the Sakalava to undertake raids and murders on peaceful viliages in the interior, demanded neg'otiations with the Queen, but continued active hostilities while these were in progress; at each attempt at negotiation they grew more insolent, refusing to recognize the' Queen as sovereign of Madagascar, threatening to take possession of the whole island, and demanding now a protectorate, which would be a virtual cession of aU power to them, now a third of the island in fee simple, Ilext the expUlsion of aU Protestant missionaries from the country, and its delivery to the Jesuit priests, and always an increasing indemnity. To these demands the Queen opposed a firm but courteous refusal, offering, however, indemnity for their alleged losses if the other demands were withdrawn. Then the Admiral Miot and the Consul announced their intention of capturing Antananarivo, and dictating terms of peace from the Malagasy capital. This was absurd, and did not alarm the Queen or the Prime Ministel'. The capital was nearly 5,000 feet above the sea, and the ascent to it was precipitous, through a dense forest, and there were no roads in existence, or possible for the French. They made some demonstrations toward capturing the capital, but never succeeded in approaching within 25() miles of it by the route which they took. Had they been able to come within 100 miles they would have been met by a force of at least 20,000 well-trained Hova troops, occupying a strongly fortified position-the key of the route to the capital-and well provided with artillery, Gatling and Gardner guns and small arms, and thoroughly provisioned. There was no time when the French could have brought 1,200 troops of all arms, aside from their Sakalava allies, to this expedition, and the Sakalavas always fled when attacked by the Hovas. Feints were made of maldng this attempt, but Admiral Miot never really intended it. Meanwhile, in 1884 and 1885, the Admiral had attempted to carry the fortified camp of the Hovas at Manjakandianombana, about ten miles from Tamatave-which had threatened the French for two years. The Hovas had about 20,000 troops of all arms, and were well provided with artillery, arms and ammunition, and were commanded by General Willoughby. In both actions the French were defeated with heavy loss and compelled to retreat. They had about 1,500 white troops and a large number of their savage allies. The last expedition was commanded by Admiral Miot in person. Meantime the condition of the French was growing more critical every day. Sickness and small losses from skirmishes were rapidly reducing their numbers, so that less than one-half of their force was effective, and the French people were unwilling to furnish money or men for 1'0 unprofitable a conflict. M. Sailliens, one of the most eminent of their statesmen, who had himself visited Madagascar, had published a book on the subject, in which he told the French people plainly that this whole conflict had been brought on by the JesUIt priests, froUl hatred of the Protestant missionaries, and from the determination to control these Malagasy tribes; that it could never succeed, and if it could it would ruin the French nation; that the conquest of Madagascar would require twenty years' time, a billion of francs ($200,000,000), and the lives of 200,000 men, and even then they would not be safe from constant guerilla attacks; while they would have the satisfaction of knowing that they had sent back into barbarism a nation which gave a brighter promise of speedy civilization than any other on the face of the globe.
It was evident to the French Government that they must make peace; yet they were reluctant to own themselves beaten. On tile other hand, the Malagasy were growing stronger every day. Th'ey had suffered some losses, but they had made more gains. They had acquired much knowledge in militaryaffairs and statesmanship, and this, without the demoralization and wreck which war usually brings; notwithstanding the losses by battle and by sickness, their population was larger than when the war comme,nceu. Religious worship, under church organization, ,was constantly maintained in all the camps. In the two largest camps there were twenty regularly constituted churches in each, with their pastors, who were soldiers, and their families and schools were established in each camp, and the teaching went on regularly. Many natives among the soldiers were converted. Strict temperance was maintained, and Christian song resounded from all the camps.
Several times during 1884 and 1885 the Queen held kabarys, or mass-meetings, at which hundreds of thousands of her subjects assembled on the great plain near the capital, when she told them of the progress of the war, of her affection for them, and of her trust in God. Their loyalty to her and their affection for her gave her great encouragement and strength. At one of these mass-meetings she proposed that the Premier should voice the prayer of the nation that God would send them speedy deliverance. It was a grand scene! The venerable man, with bared head, gave voice to their petitions, his lips quivering with emotion ,at each sentence, while from these hundreds of thousands of earnest worshipers the responsive amens came up like the voice of many waters.
Obviously, the Malagasy, if they had had a firm, unflinching friend among the nations of Europe or America, were in a position to dictate terms of peace, and France would have accepted them. As it was, with a new and courteous envoy in place of the former brutal ones, France exacted hard' and unjust terms, though hel' own losses were very heavy. She had expended more than twenty-five million dollars, and had sacrificed at least 12,COO men and some of her best officers, and she gained only a bay and harbor in the poorest part of the island, a titular right to interfere in the foreign policy of the Queen, a right to lease lands for a long term of years, and two millions of dollars' indemnity for damages to her own and other citizens. But she was glad to withdraw at any price.
The Queen of Madagascar, being relieved from these burdens and trials, has returned to her more congenial task of endeavoring to elevate and bless her people. There was no falling back during the wal' in the number of churches, of communicants, anu of schools, and in the midst of great peril and of death, thousands found consolation in their faith in the ever-living Saviour. Queen Ranavalona TI. had established a branch of the Red Cross Association in Madagascar, and her successor continued it. It proved of great service to her own tl'oopsduringthe war, and not only the sick and wounded Malagasy, but their wounded enemies also received help and'healing from its nurses. At the close of the war it was found that the French, having used the Sakalava and exposed them at all points of dangel', and to the deadly coast fever as well as wounding and death, after promising to care forthem, had abandoned them to their enemies. Many of them had perished in their miserable huts, and hundreds were wasting away from fever and wounds, having no one. to care for them. The Queen interested herself personally in ministrations of mercy for them, and by her care and attention many of them were brought back to life and health, and from being the bitterest of enemies j:.o the Queen have now bl;'come her loyal and loving subjects.
As soon as peace was restored acti ve work was resumed in the establishment of new schools and missions among the border tribes. Twice the Governmeni found that there had been feeble efforts to restore idol worship and the poisonous ordeal of the tangena. These attempts were promptly put down and "the more excellent way " taught, of the worship of the one living and true God. The laws were enforced all over the island, and everywhere was the love of Christ proclaimed. God's richest blessings came down on this faithful work for Him; 1887 and 1888 have been, in a peculiar sense, veal'S of the right hand of the Most High. The accession of converts has been very large, and the people have been pressing into the kingdom of God in: great numbers. Of course, there is some danger of unworthy persons being admitted to the churches, now, as in apostolic days} for intemperance and lust are the prevailing vices of the heathen population; but the churches are, as a rule, very careful and prompt in their discipline, and temperance and purity are strictly required of all their members. Yet, unquestionably, the righteolls souls of the missionaries and native pastors are sorely tried, by the fearful prevalence of immorality, lyingand intemperance among their professed converts. In a country which, sixty or even fifty years ago, was as wholly given over to lust as Corinth was in the apostle's time, it is hardly to be expected that these sins sbould be wholly extermi- nated. The Queen and her officers are models of purity; but the influence of the French traders, officers and sailors is of the vilest character, in promot- mg concubinage and gross licentiousness, and the English, Italian and Amer- ican traders are not much better. The English Government is responsible for the prevalent intemperance, forcing, as they do, the vlle rum of the .Mauritius into the island, in spite of the strict prohibition of the Malagasy Government. The statistics of the churches and schools to July, 1888, are as follows: There are not more than 40 European missionaries in all, but there are over 1,000 ordained native pastors, about 5,000 native preachers, 1,300 schools, with 125,000 scholars; 150,000 church members, about 450,000 adherents, and at least 1,500,000 nominal Christians. The people are very quick to learn, and a larger proportion of them are more inteillgent, even in religious matters, than most of the common people in European coun- tries. With all its short-comings and faults, Mada&,ascar is the missionary miracle of the nineteenth century.
LAY MISSIONARIES IN CHIN
LAY MISSIONARIES IN CHINA.
BY B. C….TTERBURY, M.D., PEKING, MISSIONARY PRESB. BOARD.
THE object of this paper is to briefly emphasize the following: 1. Need of more Christian workers in China. 2. Advantages to be gained in employing a certain proportion of lay workers to supply this need. 3. These lay workers should be sent out by our various Missionary Boards. 4. On the missionary field they should conform in dress and modes of living as closely as possible to the habits of the Chinese. Before discussing these points, let two objections which are commonly urged by many against this whole subject of the employment of lay agencies by the church be stated. The first of the objections is, that the employment to any considerable extent by the church of lay agents necessarily means the lowering of the standard of an educated minister and lessening their influence. But this by no means follows. The Christian Church in its various branches represents a constituency of evel'y class of society and all grades of intelligence. So long as our congregations are composed of intellectual, cultivated people, they will demand an intellectual, cultivated minister, and the demand must be supplied. In China, as well as elsewhere, men of high attainments are needed to translate books, study the various systems of religion, and preach to converts adval}ced in Christian knowledge. Such should be sent out by our various Boards. But besides these there is room also for another class of laborers of different attainments and education. The employment of this latter will no more interfere with the functions of the former than do the track-layers and other workmen who follow the civil engineers disturb them in their duties, as they layout a railroad. The employment of the one leaves the other freer for his special line of work, and the need for engineers with their superior attainments is all the more sharply brought out by contrast with those who are engaged in other details of road-laying. The other objection to this subject is, that lay workers are often cranky, inefficient workmen, and It costs as much to employ them as it does so-called thoroughly educated clergymen. ThIS objection would have weight if it could b~ shown that there are no cranks 01' inefficient men among the graduates of our theological semina.ries. It is not proposed to send cut hap-hazard, to the missionary field, every pious man or woman who comes along merely because he or she wants to become a missionary. Candidates desiring appointment must present the same credentials as to fitness for the work as do other missionaries, with the exception of not having pursued a regular theological course. Those recommending these candidates for service must be sure of their experience in Christian work, of their knowledge of the Bible and acquaintance with Christian evidences. There are such earnest, Christian men and women" of sanctified common sense" who wish to be engaged in God's work. To say that such lay workers are necessarily cranky, difficult to control, and even if not educated up to the highest notch cannot do"honest, efficient work, shows a non-acquaintance with what many of our city missional'les, those connected with the Young Men's ChristIan Associations, members of the China Inland Mission, and many other prominent and honest Christian workers, are accomplishing. In the East, the names of Wells Williams, Dr. Hepworth, Peter Parker, are household words, yet they worked and translated for the church without having been in one of its theological seminaries. The argument that since it costs as much to support a lay worker as it Joes a clerical missionary, and hence the latter sbould always be chosen, should sometimes be turned around and stated thus: That since it costs as much to send out a. clerical, as a lay missionary, our Boards in their selection of agents should give preference to the latter. The church must understand that the employment of one class of men, ministers we call them, to the almost utter exclusion from Christian work of other classes has no sanction, either in the Bible or apostolic teachings. A theological education per se is no guarantee of success in Christian work; like wings to a flying fish, itoften changes what otherwise might be a good swimmer into a very poor flyer.
The first point alluded·to above is the necessity for more Christian laborers in China. By way of illuskation we present some statistics, copied from various sources, but accurate enough for practical purposes. Four hundred millions of people, 35,000 Protestant converts, and not all these giants by at1;y means either in spiritual power or Christian knowledge. This proportion can be better appreciated by supposing that every letter of our English Bible could stand for a Chinaman. It would take over 100 Bibles to represent the number of heathen, while the Epistle to the Romans would stand for the members of our various Protestant churches. At present in China there are laboring. say, about 300 ordained ministers, or one to considerably more than one million of inhabitants. In the United States this proportion is as one to every 800 people. In that country also there are over 1,000 counties representing districts more populous than some of our states where the gos- pel has never yet been heard. The whole Empire is practically open to mission~ry eifort, but the workers-where are they? We constantly hear that our theological seminaries do not graduate a sufficient number of capable men to supply even home demand. Under the present system of choosing its missionaries for work abroad, our Boards then must either depend on those who are needed here, or, on the principle" anything is good enough for the heathen," send out men who can be of no use at home. Why there is this dearth of those willing to enter our theological seminaries we do not discuss. The fact remains that many who are fitted to do good work for the church both at home and abroad do not take a theological course. Why should not our Missionary Boards, if they cannot seCUl'e a sufficient number of efficient clerical missionaries, send out a certain proportion of such as their agents to China and other fields.
The second point to be spoken of is that even if a sufficient number of theo- logical graduates were offering themselves for missionary work, there are some'advantages to be gained in certain Hnes of work in rather employing lay workers. In China those who are willing to listen to and believe in the gospel are not the intellectual or wise, although these are notto be neglected.
But it is the coolies, the farmers, the villagers, the small tl-adesmen, who form by far the greater part of our native congregations. To get hold of these not so much intellectuality is needed as an earnest, loving heart. To instruct and guide them, an acquaintance and sympathy with their daily life is more important than a knowledge of Greek or Hebrew. He who is will- ing to put on their dress, live in some such manner as they live, eat of theit'
food, and sitting on the same bench, is able to talk about what interests them, speaking simply of the folly of idolatry, and of the one true God, will win their hearts. To fit one for this simple work the ordinary theological training is no sine qui non, but perhaps a hindrance. A knowledge of how to deal with the lower classes comes from having bad personal contact with them, and here the layman oCten has the advantage over him who has passed sO many of his years in his study pouring over his books. . Another advantage also to be gained in sending out lay workers in China is that these are more likely to be free from theological bias and the powers of church traditions, and hence will probably work in greater harmony with ,those of other denominations. This is no slight consideration. The figure of the various sects being but different branches of the same army, butallengaged in fighting for the same cause, is a good one. But when the infantry begin to boast that they are better than the cavalry, or the cavalry assert that the artillery are not loyal to the King because they differ from themselves in drill and equipments, then the simile loses its force. In China there are those who tell their converts that their own churoh, the Greek Church, the Roman Catholic Church, are all right, but that the members of other Protestant bodies are all wrong. There are husbands immersed by close communionists who are not allowed to sit at the same communion table with their wives because immersed by others who believe in open communion, while the most powerful argument used against the formation of a union theological seminary was the fear lest the students would not be able to study Whedon's Commentaries. Of course, neither Chinese converts nor other sensible people understand why there should be these differences amongst those worshiping the same God, reading the same Bible, and expecting to go to the same heaven.
A union native church in Japan, China, and other heathen countries will become a possibility only when those who have the oversight of the bewildered flock are willing to consider all loving the Lord Jesus in sincerity as their brethren. The graduates of our theological seminaries are chiefly responsible for this keeping alive on missionary grounds the differences be- tween the various sects, and for this reason perhaps some should be confined to work in home lands where they can do less harm.
The willingness also of laymen to vary according to necessity the charac- ter of their religious meetings is another argumentin favor of their employment. To reach the masses in China demands. the same versatility and adaptability to circumstances as in New York City. A set order of service consisting of a certain number of prayers and hymns, with the ., unfolding" of a text into innumerable heads, all of which must be gone through with or God is not duly worshiped, will no more attract certain classes in that coun- try than here. Some there can fill our largest chapels, for those coming ex- pect to be interested with plenty of good gospel singing, with catching tunes and addresses. short and to the point, while others-well, vice versa.
The third point to be briefly touched upon is that our various Missionary Boards instead of sending out only those who have had a regular theological education, as is the custom now, should send a certain proportion of others who do not possess this qualification. Young men and women are offering themselves for missionary work. If suitable, why should not the church make use of them? The Y. M. C. A. movement is outside of and independent of the church, principally because in the church itself as at present run-to use a political phrase-by those controlling it, there is but little encouragement given to the lay worker to spend and be spent in its sel'vices. The diploma of some seminary seems necessary for anyone wishing to fill any position under its control. Is it not better to change somewhat this plan even if preconceived ideas have to be given up, and insist that the men and women nurtured as children in its bosom shall also be allowed to spend their maturer years in its service, instead of being compelled when wanting to be of use in the world to join outside agencies because unable or unwilling to take a certain prescribed course of preliminary education? The fourth point to which we have come is: If theselay workers should be employed by our various Missionary Boards they should, when on· the missionary field, be willing to adopt the native dress and live in native houses. In other words some of the methods employed by the now well- known China Inland Mission should be adopted by other societies as well.
At present in China the average salary of our missionaries, if married, is from $1,000 to $1,200 ; about two-thirds of this sum is pald to single men. Be- sides this there are other allowances made for ehildren, medical expenses, house rent, when necessary, all of which will increase this amount some- what. The average cost of a house built in the usual foreign style is about $3,000. It must be noted carefully that it is not said that these salaries are too much, or that the residences built for the missionaries are too large.
Christianity represents a following composed of the wealthiest in our country and the resources of the church are large. In the ports it looks well to see substantial buildings connected with missionary work, and, mingling with all classes of society, many missionaries are compelled to maintain more or less so-called "style" in their modes of living. But in the country villages and interior towns, where many of our converts live, workers from abroad can live more as do the native Christians themselves by adopting their style of dress and homes with certain modifications on half the above mentioned salary with a like reduction in the cost of mission premises. This statement can be corroborated by many actually Jiving in China under ttese conditions. In this mode of living a saving is effected along the whole line of household expenses, dress, servants, coal, furniture, while any sacrifice of some of the luxuries of life is more than compensated for in being able to say in the matter of self-denial to our native helpers and church members" come," instead of " go," getting nearer to the people and by putting a brake on the general tendency to unnecessary expenditures in living, so characteristic the world over, ward off much hostile crioticism.
To have $100 a year to spend on their family expenses would seem a large sum to the majority of our church members and native pastors. Surely, then, some of their Christian brothers from the west should be able to get along on several times this amount. We believe there are those willing to go out as missionaries under these'conditions, and if so our Boards should be willing to send them.
The objection that thus there would be two grades of salaries for men and women laboring in the same society has but little weIght. In the Methodist Church it is an understood thing that its younger men shall do pioneer work and receive less pay than do others living in the large towns of the country. In every society, or in any business firm, there are in- equalities of pay and duties. If thought best the difference thus saved iii salaries might be invested in some life insurance company to be paid to the missionary after a certain number of years of serVlce. In the matter of children also somewhat larger allowances to those who receive just their living expenses on the foreign field than to others in some cases should be granted, when these children have to be sent to the hOIl!eland for education. .
The ideas suggested in this paper that lay missionaries, as well as clerica.l, should be sent out by our Missionary Boards to China at least, and that these-with the idea of bridging over as much as possible the chasm which lies between the foreigner and the Chinamen-should adopt nati ve dress and native modes of life, is in harmony with the example of Christ lJ,nd the teachings of the New Testa-ment.
lSS9
Rev. Dr. Martin; President of the Imperial College,Pekin, thus writes oil .this subject: .. On the advisability of lay missionaries coming to China I hold strong views. The field is so vast, and the work called for so various, that it would be a fa,tal restriction to send out none but ordained miniHters. It would be like depriving an army of its non-commissiolJed officers• .. Of the class of lay laborers that appear to be required we may mention two or three. First, medical men, a class whose influence in China is steadily Il'rowing and whose mem- bers are for the most part unordained. Second, teachers-educational work in China has a great future. It would be a grand mistake for missIOnary societies to follow blindly the example of the apostles and limit their agents to the one work of preaching. Times have changed. and methods must be changed to Buit them. Third, artisans: the back- ward state of the arts in China opens a wide door for Christian enterprise in this depart- ment. Good men, possessed of mechanical skill in different lines, might benefit the Chinese and at the same time earn a support for themselves, bnt aiming chiefly at religious results it would be well for them to form part of a missionary organization rather than to act independently."
He thus answers the question: Should some of the principles of the China Inland Mission be adopted?
.. By all means. These prinCiples in general commend themselves as based on common sense and have acqnired the prestige that comes from experience. Native dress' and native honses are required in most places as an indispensable condition to the peaceful and effective occupation of the ground."
Rev. Dr. Blodgett also gives the weight of his experience and labors in China on the same subject. He writes: .. Are there men gifted with God's Spirit and consecration to Christ's service among the lay workers in the United States 1 Are there those whom God has approved, to whom He has given fruits of their labors? If so, and if they are desirous of preaching the gospel in China, let them come. There is a pressing need in North China for a class of laborers whO, leavinlr to others book making and extensive study of the Chinese classics, shall be both able and willing to go with native helpers into all the towns and villages, preaching the gospel. Snch men should wear the Chinese costume, eat the food of the natives,live in native houses, sleep upon their furnace beds. Undismayed by annoyances of all kinds, they should be able to follow up such service year after year for seven or eight months each year with patience and endurance. Would any lay workers or ordained pastors or any thoroughly educated men be ready to join such a band of workers on equal terms 1 If I mistake not some of our best educated young men, those of choice spirits and rare gifts, would rejoice to cast in their lot with such a band and, WesleyJike, 'evangelize China.'"
Dr. Blodgett goes on to give some sound practical advice as to just how he considers this plan of the use of lay agencies can best be carried out.
Rev. Mr. Beach of Tung Chow, also writes in the same way.
EMIN PASHA.
BY RET. LOUIS GROUT.
WHO is he? what is he? where is he? what is he there f01', or what is he doing? Few questions of a far-reaching character and interest are just now more common than the above concerning the Prussio-German doctor-friend of Gordon, Governor of Southern SO,udan, African explorer and benefactor, eminent linguist and lfaturalist-whose assumed name stands at the head of this article. Eduard Schneitzer, who took the Arab-Tur~ish name and title of Emin Pasha, for the sake of the help it might give him in his beneficent work in the Soudan, was born of Protestant parents in Oppeln, Prussian Silesia, March 28, 1840; began the study of medicine at Berlin in 1858, and graduated at the university of that city in 1864. Fond alike of travel and of natural history, he went that year to Turkey, crossed over into Asia Minor, remained there until 1873, then returned to Constantinople, where he soon mastered the Arabic and several kindred languages. In 1876 he entered the Egyptian service as a medical officer, wf1s sent to the Soudan, and eventually to General GGrdoIi.; and then, in 1878, after the Egyptian Government
£:MIN PABBA
had made Gordon Governor-General of all Soudan, it accepted the general's l·ecommendation and appointed Dr. Schneitzer to be his successor as Gov. ernor of the equatorial provinces in South Soudan. Here it was that he llloid aside all indications of his European origin and assumed the name of Emin and the title Bey, Effendi, or Pasha, that he might the more readily reach the people over whom he was set as rulel',.at the same time telling his friends that" a Turkish name would never change an honest German into a Turk."
The region over which Emin Pasha has been called to rule may be described in general terms as on the sources of the White Nile and of the Aruwhimi, a branch of the Congo. It is sometimes spoken of as the province (or provinces) of the great equatorial lakes, and sometimes as the eq)latorial pl'ovince of the Soudan. It lies between twenty-eight degrees and thirtyeight degrees east longitude, and extends from the equator to five degrees north latitude, includes at least a part of Bahr-el-Ghazel and Niam-Niam on the north and west, and has the Congo Free State, of which the King of the Belgians is nominal ruler, for its southern border. Its capital is Wadelai, situated just a little north of Lake .Albert Nyanza and about a thousand miles south of Khartoum. When Ismail, the Khedive of Egypt, formally announced an extension of his Soudan rule southward, so as to include the whole Nile basin up to the equatorial lakes, he issued a flrman to Sir Samuel Baker, giving him absolute control over the whole country south of Gondokoro. Then, in 1873, when Baker retired, General Gordon was sent to take his place. Both evidently did what they could to suppress the nefarious slave-hunting in which the .Arabs and others had been for a long time engaged, and were making just these provinces the great field of their operations. When Emin Pasha took Gordon's place he, too, gave himself with great zeal to this work, as also to every other good thing, and for a time with much success. But when the Arab slave-dealers and the Mahdi combined to recover their country from Egypt and the English, and well nigh succeeded, they began also to set Emin Pasha's rule at naught, and so revive the iniquitous business to which that rule was so stoutly opposed. No doubt both Baker and Gordon did, each in his turn, all it was possible for any man to do in their circumstances in such a field and with such a desperate o.Pposition as they had to contend with. Nor does Dr. Emin fall at all behind them in his zeal, his efforts, or his success. Great praise has been bestowed on them each and all. Great praise is their due. Few who have not had experience in such a work can ever know or appreciate the strength of the opposition they had to encounter. At present the great business of hunting, catching, transporting, and selling men as slaves is almost entirely in the hands of the Arabs. They believe in it. They delight in it. They have hosts of helpers in their employ. Great are the gains they make in it. Their religion approves it. Their Bible, the Koran, encourages it. All the Mo- 113,mmedan governments in Africa combine to sanction and aid the inhuman practice. And yet.much has been done-done by the men just named-to limit and suppress the abomination and to promote the weal of the people under their care.
Of Dr. Emin it is said: .. He found his province in a condition of chaos when he undertook the government. Disreputable officials had obtamed power and inftuence, the slave-trade was in tull force everywhere, innumerable cruelties and oppressions of the poor negroes were rife on every hand, no Industry or agriculture was encouraged, and the government showed an annual deficit of £3.9,000. In one short year Emin introduced a wonderful change. He put down corruption, banished oppression, and changed misery into prosperity. In four years he had expelled all the Arab slave-dealers; had replaced Egyptian soldiers by natives of his OWJ1 training; had turned the deficit into a profit of £8,000 a year; had introduced the cultiva.-
EMIN
,tion of cotton and indigo, colfee and rice; had constructed permanent roads, and est&b- , lished a regula.r mail between his several stations, a.nd introduced camels and oxen for ,tranSDort. Meantime he had won the love and confidence of all the tribes that lived in his territory."
Surely both great and blessed was the work done by Dr. Emin during those few first years of his reign; great, also and well-earned, has been the praise of it in all Christian lands. And yet, ifever the philanthropist; the Christian, or any other man should get the impression that any such benighted province is to be redeemed or put on a basis of sure, continued life and peace so quick, and without other agencies. no mistake could be greater. Least of all can any African province on which the rapacious eye of the slave-hunting Arab has been set be permanently recovered, save by a large admixture of those most earnest efforts which have their origin and efficiency in the truth and grace of the gospel-efforts the full force of which can never be brought to bear upon any most ignorant and degraded people in a day or a decade.
During Baker's foul' years' rule in the Upper Nile basin, he was said to have" given the cruel commerce of the Arab slave-dealers a severe blow." During Gordon's subsequent rule there he, too, was said to have" given the slave-trade a deadly blow." :And yet Emin is said to have found" the slave- trade in full force everywhere; .innumerable cruelties and oppressions of the poor negl'oes were rife on every hand." And now, after all he has done to "clear his territory of slave-dealers" and "banish oppression," some who have most freely accorded to him this well-deserved praise say: "The sad- dest news we have heard from Africa in many a day id that the work of this great and many-sided 'man is probably at an end, and that the people he so ably and heroically served are remitted again to barbarism and the slave- hunter." Nor will any who know the full meaning of the late uprising in the Soudan to throw off Anglo-Egyptian rule, or the meaning of recent mur- derous assaults on Christian missions in the great lake regions and on the east coast of the continent, n~ed be told that the slave-hunting spirit and power of the Arabs are bent on having permanent, unlimited sway in all Central Africa. To this end theyal'e steadily looking and working. And here it is we have the secret of Emin Pasha's long-enforced insulation and destitution-why nothing was heard from him for more than a year; why he was hedged about so long" at Wadelai making garments of cotton he had planted and spun, making shoes of ox-hides he had taught the people to tan, using honey for sugar,.hibiscus-seeds for coffee, making candles of wax, and soap of tallow mixed with ashes, living on a few vegetables and meat, waiting for Stanley, of whose coming he had heard.'; It was in Janual'Y, 1886, that Dr. Emm wrote of his having been prac- tically cut off from the civilized world for the last three years. Six months later he wrote asking for succor-not an armed force, but supplies, including ammunition for his own forces. Responding to this a.ppeal, the British Government fitted out a relief expedition in the early part of 1887, and ap- pointed Stanley to the charge of it. Toward the cost of this, which consisted of 'i00 men and ample supplies. the Egyptian Government contl'ibuted $50,- 000, and the British Geographical Society $5,000. Starting from Zanzibar, Stanley moved by steamers to and up the Congo to Stanley Falls, then re- turned to the Aruwhimi, on which, at Yambunga, he left a camp of men and supplies under Major Bartelott, and started on foot for Wadelai. While Stanley was makihg up his expedition at Zanzibar he chaneed to fall in with that arch slave-dealer, Tippu Tib, captured and subsidized him, thinking it better policy to buy up than fight one who had been for years the great ter- ror of the helpless tribes of Central AfriCa, and of both commercial alld mis-
VOLUNTEERS FOR FOREIGN
sionary settlements among them, as also one whose intrigues and. power over an army of slave-dealing Arabs had seemed to be well nigh unlimited.
Having taken this uncrowned king into his empioy, Stanley made him a.
kind of sultan, with headquarters at Stanley Falls, to be at once a paid ally of the Congo State, and especially a champion helper in putting down the terrible slave-traffic in Central Africa!
When Stanley started on his expedition he hoped to reach Wadelal in eight months, or by the middle of October, 1887. But his journey on foot from Yambunga was slow and difficult. About the middle of January, 1888, a little less than a year, it would seem that he met Emin at Wadelai, having with him 330 men and plenty of stores, all well, yet greatly exhausted, hav- ing been compelled to make a long detour to the northeast to avoid swamps and hostile tribes. And yet another year had expired before anything like authentic or definite intelligence had come to us from him. It was near the close of 1888 that he was reported as having been captured by the Arabs, but nothing was known of him. Indeed, it was only about the middle of last December that the House of Commons was discussing the question of send- ing an expedition for his relief. But on the 16th of January, 1889, the con- tents of a letter reached Brussels, written by Stanley to Tippu Tib, dated August 17, at Bonalya, twelve days' march from Stanley Falls, in which he says he left Emin May 28 at Wadelai, well and with abundant supplies, and that he would take the men and stores at Yambunga and start on his return to Emin in ten days, hoping Tippu Tib would join them, either in helping Emin strengthen his post or in efforts to make his way in safety to the coast. Whether this letter is genuine, and what may be the developments of a later date, are points of great interest on which all are anxiously wait- ing for definite intelligence.
Few are the examples of heroism, self-denial, and persistent devotion to a great beneficent work such as we here find in Emin Pasha. The narrative before us is clearest proof of his self-sacrificing interest in the redemption of Africa. from the terrible suffering and wrong to which for long ages she has been subject. To see" a single European standing by and defending a prov- ince 400 miles in extent from north to south by 700 from east to west, full of poor, helpless negroes, resolved to protect them from being victimized by Arab slavers, and to lend them a hand toward civilization and security"- what nobler, more inspiring sight does the age offer for us to study or ad- mire? His love for his work and his attachment to his people, and theirs to him, were beautifully indicated when he wrote, last year: "These natives have stuck bravely to me, and they deserve the best government and help that can be given them." Already in a previous letter had he signified his glorious purpose, when he said: "The work that Gordon paid for with his blood I will strive to carryon-if not with his energy and genius, still accord- ing to his intentions and in his spirit. . I shall remain with my peo- ple until I see that both their future and the future of this country are assured."
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.
"THE MISSIONARY NET."
VOLUliTlIIEBB will be interested in a letter of Bishop Thoburn's, of India, given in the January number of The Ohurch at Home and Abroad. The Bishop is a man of wide experience, and thinks that less than ten per cent. of those caught by "the missionary net" are accepted by the Boards or persevere in their intention. Many are of unsuitable age. Others have" a quiver full of little arrows." Some are rejected because oC defective education and no habits of study. "A slipshod, superficial, Inaccurate graduate of a college will be beaten clear out of sight by the careful and alll)11'IIte country school-teacher who studies." Three.fourths are rejected for one of the above
18$9.] GENEItAL MISSIONARY
r8.asone. The average age of those that are left is about 27. Some of these are rejected bJ the physician for physical disability; others because their testimonials are not satisfactory. When. the number has been sifted down, perhaps from 100 to 5, some of tholle who are accepted may change their minds or find excuses for not going at once. The Bishop brings against yonng men the charge of not r('ally knowing their own minds. "Forewarned is forearmed"; many volnnteers will take the hint as to the conditions and requisites of final acceptance.
MR. WILDER'S WORK.
Mr. R. P. Wilder, traveling secretary of the Student Volunteer movement, has completed a snccessful tonr in the South and East. At Louisville, Ky., 13 men decided for foreign missions. At Mayville College, Tenn., six men and six women signed the volunteer pledge. At the East Tennesee College Conference Mr. Wilder met Mr. Mott, and the two worked together. The power of the Holy Ghost rested upon them in such measure that on Sunday there were 20 inquirers after Christ. At the earnest request of the authorities another day was spent there. Monday afternoon, at a meeting for cadets, 22 sought Christ. Four of the five captains are now Christians. On Monday night there were 15 inquirers. Five men decided for foreign missions. At Chapel Hill, N. C., five pledges were secnred and the sum of $187 was raised. At Hampden-Sidney, Va., 16 men signed the volunteer pledge. At the New England College Conference Mr. Wilder /lgain met Mr. Mott. Fourteen male volunteers were secured. At Amherst, $250 was raised among a small number of students. It is hoped to increase the sum to $700.
Mr. Wilder will spend April in Iowa and Nebraska; in May he will visit Kansas, Missouri and lIlinois. NOTES.
-The University of North Carolina will send a teacher to Japan. -At Bryn Mawr three college girls have volunteered for foreign missions. A representative will be seut a year from November. -Oberlin was visited by Mr. Wilder in March. Thirty-two volunteers enrolled aud between $300 and $400 were secured. -The Northfield Letter to volunteers is published. A copy will be sent to every volunteer. Extra copies may be had at three cents each. -A district convention of the Inter-Seminary Missionary Alliance, held March 14th at Lancaster, Fa., was addressed by Dr. A. T. Pierson. -College Secretary J. R. Mott, Chairmau of the Executive Committee of the Student Volunteer Movement, has been doing efficient work in the South developing aud organizing the volunteer forces. -At a Missionary Conference in New York City $565 was raised by the ladies toward the current expenses of the Student Volunteer movement. The expenses for the year will be about $1,400. The Foreign Mission Committee of the King's Daughters will keep Messrs. Stoops, O'Brien and Smith in the field this summer recruiting volunteers.
-The student volunteers of North Carolina are planning an active campaign in that State. There are 15 volunteers in three colleges; they expect to raise the number to 50 before the year is out.
-Mr. W. H. Hannum, Correspondin/!: Secretary, has issued statistic blanks to be filled out by volunteers. The blank is accompanied by a letter stating briefiy the growth and organization of the movement, and pointing out the consequent need of a permanent and reliable record. Statistics are gathered under four heads: (1) Personal; name, address, age, etc. (2) As a volunteer; when decided, at what college, training in Christian work. (3) As a foreign missionary; when sent, by what Board, foreign address, present opinion as to the needs of the foreign field. (4) About others ; any points as to missionary interest, etc., that would not be likely to come to the attention of the Bxecutive Committee. The intention is to get and keep a list of volunteers carefully revised to date, and to have accurate information of the plans of each.
n.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
I.-British and Foreign Bible Society. from heaven. It was impossible to go over the LORD BRASSEY recently made an whole field dealt with iu the reports, and he naturally looked at places which in the course eloquent address in England from of numerous voyages he had personally visited. The condition of those places would, he knew, which we abstract some items of in- be one of complete spiritual destitution but for the efforts which were put forth by that society. terest: In the dark continent he knew from personal experience there were great difiiculties in the THE total issue of the Scriptures since 1808 work of distributing the Scriptures. On the amounts to 116,459,000 volumes, and the in- West Coast there was a deadly climate which crease In the sale and distribution is one of carried away many of the noble Christian men steady progress. Such an enterprise must be who went forth to do the work of the Lord in costly, and It was gratifying to know that in that country; and on the East (ioast, in "ddl- 1Iugland it had beeu so nobly supported. The lilt of contributors included thousands who ~e !pven nu!1er the promptings which came ,tion to the d!1lleulties of climate, they had the Ing flgures, which show a sustained· Increase hostility of the Arabs, which mnst be met by a mixture of eourage and tact which was not often among the Mohammedan pupils, distrtbuted met with in fraU humanity. Even in Africa the work was making progress, and Mr. John- over every stage of edncation, and chiefly nostone, who was doing good service on board a mission steamer on Lake Nyassa, aaked them ticeable in the private schools, which were at- (or an increased supply of the Scriptnres in Arabic. In the reports there was an interesting tended by 240,47'~ pupils, as compared with IDS,- account of how the Bible was eagerly asked (or by the travelers in caravans, to read in the 415 pupils in 1886-7.- Our Engli8k Oorrespondlong rests in the mid·day and evening. In the ent. ' island of Mauritius, too, the circulation of the Scriptures was doing a great work. and became A Remarkable I1ocument. a valuable influence for the spread ofChristianity The following is an extract (tran'Jamongst the migratory coolie population. Re- lated) from a document addressed by ferring to India he said that it was satisfactory the Greek Patriarch of Constantinoto learn that the distribution by saJe of the ple to the BisRops under his jurisdic- Scriptures was the largest on record, and the tion, dated June 9, 1844.-G. W. reports from Madras and Bombay were ofa pro- WOOD, D.D. gressive character. They knew the seclusion in which the women of India lived, and the dlf- " And in the days of onr most holy predecesflculty there was in conveying to them the pre- sors, as well as in our own, the church has not cious trnths o( the Gospel. The society had failed to write and to command your Holiness done a splendid work in organizing the agency most carefully to see to it, that within your dioof mission women, who were enabled to carry ceSe there be neither bought nor sold, nor read the truths of the gospel to the heathen and Mo- by the Christians under your charge, anti-relighammedan women of India. There was not less ious, anti-government books, such as entirely than 300 native Christian women engaged in that corrupt the Christian people in their politics, most valuable and yet most d!1llcult work. their religion, and their morals. And we do not doubt that obedient to ecclesiastical authority. After alluding to the labors of the society in you will discharge this your eptscopal duty, and Ceylon, China, Japan and the Colonies, he re- watch most diligently that the Christians withmarked that if Christians had found God's iu your jurisdiction be not injured politically, 'Vord a comfort in the hour of trouble and sor- religiously, or morally. And especially influrow-if they had drawn from the Scriptures enced by the fact that the Old Testament has guidance beyond all expression precious, among recently (in the year 1840) been translated from many dilllcult tasks-if they had drawn precious the Hebrew, we would recall to the remembrance hopes for the life of the future, and felt gratefnl of your Holiness what the church has written at for the precious feast of which it had been their different times concerning this subject, comprivilege to partake freely, the promptings of manding you unchangeably to persevere in such !(1"atitude would impel them to do their utmost watchfulness, and take good heed that this Old to extend to others the blessings which had Testament, recently published, be neither sold, been so largely bestowed upon themselves. nor bought, nor read in your diocese, as not be- ing received by the church; nor any kind of II. India.-Educational Report, 1887-8. anti-religious, antt-government book. You are to prevent the Christians in your diocese from The total expenditure on education, which was' the sale, purchase, and reading of such corrupt 2,1)2,41,414 rupees in 1886-87, rose to 2,61,_ books that they may not be corrupted in their 111,280 rupees iu 1887-88. The percentage of politics, their religion, and their morals; and the total population of school'going age that you are by your counsels and instructions to actually attended school was 11.8, as compared conflrm them in their eivil and religious dnties, with 10.7 percent. the preceding year. On March that yon may please God, the Royal Govern- 31, 1887, 3, 343,544 pnpils were on the rolls of ment, and your holy Mother herself, the great the different 6chools to which the statistics re- church of Christ." late, wh.!le on the same date in 1888 the nnmber had risen to 3,460,844. The numbers attending Africa.-Slavery. A meeting was school in 1886-7 comprised 2,960,859 at public held last week in Exeter Hall, to and 872,685 in private institntions; and, in 1887-8, consider the slave traffic so far as 3,021,721 at pnbllc and 439,123 at private insti- it affects Africa. The audience intutions. There were 2,345,794 Hindns, as com- cluded many ministers of religion, pared with 2,303,812, in 188&-87; 804,485 Ma- military men, and ·politicians, who homedans as compared with 752,441; 23,160 listened with much interest to an ad- Europeans and Eurasians, as compared with 23, dress on this important subject by 185 ; 74,498 native Christians, as compared with Commander Cameron, R.N. 60,611; and 203,121 of other classes, including aborigines, as compared with 192,314. There The Archbishop of Canterbury presided will be lome surprise expressed at the foreso and delivered a. thoughtful opening speech. He rejoiced to find that English people are making up their mind!!! that all slavery
"1889.] GENERAL llUSSIONAltY
must come to an end. He would fain we Which the subject was treated in great de- bad been moved to this determination by tail. He maintained that under good and the principle that every kind of slavery is peaceful government slavery would disap- a degradation to him who slaves. and a pear.
worse d<'gradation to the man who makes The Bishop of London moved a resolution his fellow slave. rather than by the Intoler- urging tbe British Government, either able evils which"lie behind the system. and alone or in association with other powers, have now assumed so gross a character to consider the possibility of devising meas- that lihe human mind revolts at the very ures calculated to d'iminish aud suppress thoughtof them. Whole tracts of Africa the evil, and. moreover. to use all its influ- are. he remarked. returning to the silent ence to secure the maintenance of the Zam- void which preceded the creation of man besi as an open highway. This was second- on the earth. and we may well ask what is ed by the Dean of Westminster. and carried at the root of the matter. There ought to with acclamation. A healthy public opin- be a power of resistance amongst the peo- ion on this subject in GreatBritain is great- ple. but we see that among the African ly needed at the present time. and it such tribes there is. unfortunately. nothing that meetings. with really warm-hearted as well deserves the name of community. no form as fully informed speakers. could be ar- of national life. We find. however. that the ranged throughout the country, much good African people form communities round must result.-The Ohristian (London).
about Englishmen. and learn from them -Details of Mr. Stanley's journey for the re- many things. Therefore. continued the lief of Emin Pssha have at last been made pub· Archbishop. it is beginning to dawn upon lie. The letters, received in London, cover the us that the way to stop slavery is to guide period between the departure of the expedition these great nations to profitable labor by from Yambunga, Jnne 28.1887, and the returu what may be called" industrial missions." of Mr. Stanley to Bonalya, August 17,1888, for We either possess or have claims to large the reserves left under Major Barttelot. Writ- tracts of country in East Africa. and it be. ten at the same time with that sent to TippoQ hooves us to consider why God has given us Tib, published last December, they were appar.
power Over them. Whatever we do in the ently held back lest the harrowing details O!
matter we should do as Christians. and privation snd failnre should deter the wily .Ara then we shall have God's blessing. from sending reinforcements. The expedltio, Commander Cameron dealt at length With started in June, 1887, with 389 officers and men, the horrors of slavery. and the pressing and with a reserve force nnmbering 257 lel need for tbe abolition of the system. In under charge of Major Barttelot, and after al.
Central Africa. he said, whole nations. mil- most incredible hardships, reached the Albert lions of people. bave been swept away, and Nyanza in December. Fighting' began with the the iniquity of slavery is increasing. Le- llrst day's march, and continued with almost all gitimate trade is a valuable ally in efforts the tribes along the ronte, while dreary marches to stop slavery. but it· cannot flourish through interminable forests, desertion, stsrva- alongside of the fearful traffic. The speak- tion and disease, rapidly decimated the colnmn.
er exhibited large branches of trees. called The famished men sold their rilles and clothing .. slave forks," Which are bound to tbe tor a few ears of corn, deserted with their am· necks of slaves. The victims of this wicked munition. and became at last so demoralized bondage have no fear of death. but rather that resort to the death penalty became abso- desir~ it, for something worse than death lutely imperative. To crown the ghastly record, awaits them after enduring the awful ago- when the lake and plenty were reached, hos- nies while traveling. Commander Camer- tile tribes blocked the way and cut oil' com- on claimed that it is the duty of Britain to mnnication with Emin, and in the lack of am- say to those nations who dabble in slavery. munition and food, compelled s retreat to the .. You shall not do this thing." If we show highlands. Four months were spent in collect- ourselves perfectly clean in this respect. ing the scattered aud enfeebled forces left in the our influence will be very great. He also rear, aQ.d In the recovery of Mr. Stanley from claimed that w" have an indefeasible right Sickness, and in April an advance guard re- to the great lakes of Africa. In conclusion. tnrned to the lake and met Emln. who had he urged the desirability of conciliatory come from Wadelai in a steamer in search of intervention in African all'airs for the good them. A halt was made of several weeks, Mr.
of the people. with a police force to main- Stauley endeavoring by many argnments to in- tain order and prevent slave.hunting and dnce the Austrian to leave his post and return fighting. He asked his bearers to pray to under his escort to the Congo. As the latter God for the success of well-devised pro- had. however, some 10,000 people under his posa's to meet the necessities of the case. care. including a large number of women and captain Hore. of the London Missionary children, he naturally hesitated to aval! himself Society. for twelve years resident at Lake of the offer, not the less when informed of the TIIoll,anyika.. followed with an addrvis. in disheartening experience of the relievin~ PutT.
'446 GENEIUl.. MISSIONARY INTlilLLIGENCE
Instead, he furnished Mr. Stanley with an es- sac- of the whole expedition would have been cort oflOl men to enable him to return over his route, relieve his abaudoued stations, aud add rificed for want of water had it not been for the to his forces the reserves left under Barttelot at timely intervention of a tribe ofwanderlng Bush- Bonalya. The arrival' of the explorer at the men, who dug pits to a depth of six or seven latter poiut in August last, his appeal to Tippoo feet, and, sinking hollow reeds still further Tib' for reinforcements, aud his return, pre- in the sand, sucked up a supply of water. After sumably by a newaud shorter route, to Emin, sending home the wagon, Mr. Arnot and twenty were aunounced in the letters made public iu porters started ont on foot, carrying with them December. Since then his movements have calico and beads for trading purposes, and a been unknown, though dispatches last week supply of food and water. They traveled for state, ou the authority of Arab traders, that four days before they came to any ponds, and both explorers were on their way to Zanzibar, then, to their horror, they found that some ele- accompanied by some 8,000 people, and with phants had exhausted them. With the greatest a rich store of ivory. However this may be, difllcnlty he prevented his porters from throw- the details of Mr. Stanley's march to the Nyanza ing down their bundles aud at once starting oft' leave no doubt that the expedition has been the for the Chobi River, sixty miles distant. Ulti- most disastrons in which he has ever engaged, mately he induced the men to look for water, neither his jonrney to Tangauyika nor his voy- but withont snccess, until nightfall,when one age down the Cougo having compared in suf- of his servants returned bringing with him a sup- fering and loss with this last fearful passage. ply which had been furnished by a tribe of Of the 389 men with whom he started only 199 Bushmen from a hidden deposit in the desert. were lef.in Au,:ust last, while of the 257 re- PaSSing the trading station of Pandematenka serves left at Boualya, he found but 61 avail- the Chobi was reached. After replenishing his able for service. The inviucible courage and supply of food, Mr. Arnot returned on his path unparalleled fortitude of a man who will adhere to the trading station, 70 miles back. On to his purpose under such discouragements his way to the river again he was struck down cannot fail to add a new luster to his marvelous for the first time with African fever. His car- career. riers had gone on in advance, and he was only , Central Africa.-A missIonary's jour- accompanied by two boys, one who was about ney. Mr. Arnot, missionary and traveler, attend- as sick as' he was, and the other only thirteen ed a pnblic meeting in the Christian Institute re- years of age. Golug back to Pandematenka, a cently, and ga'e an account of his journeyings in distance of 30 miles, this lad brought aid. Central Africa. Addressing a crowded audience, Humanly speaking, he saved his life. As it WIlS, he said he began his travels on the East Coast, he had been lying for two and a half days iu the and going through the colony of Natal, the desert without food and water. After many _ Orange Free State, and the Transvaal, struck a weeks' illness be joined the King's boats on the northwesterly course, emerging on the west Zambezi. G.lme was scarce, and the expedi- coast of the continent at BengueIla. Reports tion were compelled to replenish their larder by which had been received in this country from shooting at the crocodiles as they came to the the missionaries in Africa had shown that their surface of the river with food from their hidden enterprises had been very disastrous, the reason stores of half-pntrid meat, and causing them to being that they had been chiefly connected with drop what they had in their mouths. After the lowlying fever-breeding coast districts. He many hardships Mr. Arnot reached the popu_ had early read in Livingstone's travels that he lous empire of King Maidi, an enlighhmed mon- believed in the existence of a great central arch, at whose hands great kindness was ex- water-shed, and he thought that surely-al- perienced. His country, it was explainelI, was though he had no great government at his back divided into districts, over each of which there to support him, and no science to help him in was placed a chief, who in turn was responsible traversing his way-he might be able to push to one of the King's 500 wives. In concluding past the waterways, and get to the water-sheds Mr. Arnot pleaded for missionaries to be dis- and mountainous parts of the country. Before patched to Africa; not young men who were any missionary could deliver his message to the sent from hol.i::~ with the object of relieving the natives he required to be three, four, or five platforms here, but tried and reliable misslon- years In the land to learn the language, there- aries.-Gtasqow Herald. fore it was oftme utmost importance to find a healthy place where this initial di1llcnlty could -Missionary interests have be·come very be overcome. Through the kindness of a native extensive in East Africa. The Church Mis- chief; Mr. Arnot said he had had placed at his sionary Society, and the Universities Mis- service a traveling wagon with servants and a sion, of the Church of England, the Estab- team of twenty oxen. Starting in the dry sea- lished and the Free Church of Scotland, the son from Shoshong, he traveled by this London Missionary Society, the United meaus until he got into a region where the tBB Methodist Free Churches and the Church ~e fly was so prevalent that the cattle and wag- of Rome, all have missions on the coast or on had to be sent back. Before this severe in the interior. The Church Missionary hardships had been encountered, aud the lives Society has two distinct lines of missions– one with its basis at Mombasa, in the Eng- lish sphere of influence, with eil:'ht stations, some of which are on or,near the coast and -A statement Is made In a CinCinnati some in the interior. On.. is in the neigh- paper which seems wildly exaggerated: that borhood of Mount Kilimanjaro. The second 34 missionary societies are at work In line of stations is that which stretches Africa and its 200,000,000 souls are all pracUcfrom Zanzibar to Uganda. There are nine aily within reach Of Ohristian miBBion./ The stations in this line, beginning with Ham.. revolution in Uganda, leading to the eJtpplboia and Mpwapwa, nearly due west from sion of missionaries, seems like a very fatal Zanzibar,aud including Usambiro. Msalala blow to missions and even civilization In and Nasa, south of the Victoria Nyanza, Africa. But we wait to see God work good and Rubaga, in Uganda, a t the north of the out of seeming evil. great lake. The Universities Mission has twelve stations-one at Zanzibar, four in -" I don't know under Heaven, unless it the Usambara country north of Zanzibar, be in China," said Dr. Guinness, "a more four onlor near the River Rovuma. and hopeful mission than that Congo field, and three on the east shore of Lake Nyassa. here it is for you. You have now waterway The two Scottish Churches have-the Free to the whole of it. It is healthy, notwith- Church five stations on Lake Nyassa. the standing all statements to the contrary. The Established Church one on Lake Shirwa, at interior is healthy beca.use it is high land, the south of Lake Nyassa. The route to well watered, richly wooded, moderate in tbis region s by the Zambezi and Shire its climate, and rich in popnlation. The Rivers. The London i:'lociety goes further tronble with missionaries has been that west than any of the other societies and they stick to the coast line, which is malarplants two stations on Lake Tanganyika, ious. Instead of keeping up in the ordinary and one at Urambo in the Unyamwezi coun- way, in red-tape style a particular station try, south of the Victoria Nyanza and near with a few missionaries, you want to make the stlLtions of the Church Missionary So- an advance into this great interior parish. ciety. The route was formerly from Zanzi- It is no use for your people in this country bar through Mpwapwa to Ujijl; now there to say: •This is the colored men's work, is another route by the Zamhesi aud Shire, let them do it.' They are suited to be the Lake Nyassa aud a road thence to the south- explorers and controllers of such moveern end of Lake Tanganyika. The United ments. White men must be the leaders and Methodist Free Churches have two missions lay the foundation, when the colored men in the Mombasa region,and one in Gallaland. will be the helpers. The Soudan is the true Three German Protestant societies have home of the negro, a vaster region than the five stations-three in Gallaland, one in Congo, wh~ch is 4,000 miles across, with its Zanzibar and one in Dar-es-Salem, where twelve nations, and not a mission station. one of the massacres took place. It is the It is the last region of any magnitude un- Berlin Society which maintains the last penetrated by the gospel." two stations. -Exciting events in the Soudan. It will These are all the Protestant missions be- be remembered that the Madhi of the Soutween Wito and the Rovuma River; but dan, who captured Khartoum and murdered there are German and French Roman Cath- Gen. Gordon and his men, died of small-pox olic stations. There are three French sta- not so very long ago. His successor in tions on or near Lake Victoria, the most power, whose forces were recently defeated h.nportant of Which is the one in Uganda, by the Rritish at Suakim, is not a real Mahunder the control of Plire Lourdel ; two on di. Hehas assumed that tit,je, while his real Lake Tanganyika; one at Bagamoyo. near title is simply Khalif of Khartoum. What Zanzibar. and one or two others. The Jesu- seem t,o be entirely trustworthy advices, its have also a few stations, and the Ger- now inform us that this present powerful man Catholics have one at Dar-es-Salem. ruler has been denonnced as a false Madhi, and ordered to abdicate his authority and In all, there are thirteen missions-six get out of the Soudan by the Sheik of the British, four German, and three French. Senoussi, whose headquarters are in the One society, the Church Missionary, alone large oasis of Faraja, on the western border has spent $500,000 in the last 30 years in of Egypt and south of Barka, and whosefol- East Africa.-Independent. lowers comprise one of the largest religious followings in the world. It is the purpose -The Portuguese mails now bring the of this sheik to unite all the orthodox Mos- Congo's month within 15 days of Enrope. lem orders in one theocratic body, capable A letter in the London Telegraph describes of defying all secular anthority. It is prob- Monanga as the ferocious ruler of 10,000,000 able that more than 1,500,000 fierce Moslems people, with 1,500 wives, whom, for pnre are already prepared to follow wherever he malice, he kills off at the rate of five daily. may choose to lead, and that he now has a He is the large st slave-dealer in Africa, an- force sufficientlynumerous and fanatical to nually furnishing 150,000 victims, to be sold enable him to execute the order already in Asiatic Tnrkey. He is said to have made namE'd, and drive the Khalif of Kh&rtoum his courtiers take oath to exterminate the from the Soudan. When the conftict comes, whites who mi&"ht seek to "eat up Uganda." It will be no child's play. It will be bloody altars, and 883 double open altars. There are and exte'rminating. While neither Great 974 shops where things used in idolatrous wor- Britain nor Egypt can expect more from ship are made and sold, a very large number of Sheik Benoussi than from the Khalif of which are given entirely to the manufacturing Khartoum, the contest between these Ma- of such articles. There are 67 shops which hammlldan rivals will be eagerly watched, make idols, but many of the clay idols used as one in a procession of stirring events, come from the great potteries in the country.
which during the next decade are to attract The quantities of fire-crackers. used in idol-wor- the attention of the civilized world, and ship in Oanton are made in the country. There work wonderfnl changes in Africa. are probably not less than 12,848 persons en- -Bishop Symthies writes from Zanzibar, gaged in the mannfacturing of ariicles used in February 10th: .. I have had somelow fever worshiping idols and spirits, and that live for the past week and am not fit for much, upon their connection with idolatry. This is but I hope I may get my two confirmations iu Canton alone. In addition there are tens of this week, and start with GE>ldart for Magila thousands of women -largely engaged in folding in about a fortnight. It becomes increas- the paper money they burn to the idols and ingly dilficnlt to get stores up to the Bondei spirits. There are three quarters of a million country. It would be equally dilficult to get dolIars spent in Canton every year for idolatrous them through Lindi if it was not for our kind purposes. Mr. Simmons says: "I believe the Arab friend Sellim, who lately saved some above estimates are below the real troth in of our men from being murdered, and who nearly every case; I have purposely kept the has sent a message to Masasi to say that as figures as low as I could, for I do not want to Ion&, as he lives no one shall hurt our stores ' make a bad thing worse than it really is. These or our people. In the face of such action as estimates do not Include the expenses of stated this, together with the protection given to omcial worship, nor do they include the ex- the French Mission by Bushiri, and his atti- penses of the annual theaters, decorations in tude toward us, it is absurd to say that honor oUhe god of fire, or the feast of lanterns, the disturbances here have anything to do etc. The expenses of these are very large, and with religious antipathies-they are entirely are met by an assessment on each shop or political-but I shall probably write to you house, and are often paid under protest. Ihave further on this head. I understand that thought it best not to include any idOlatrous exthe blockade has quite failed in preventing penditures that were not voluntary. To inarms and ammunition being imported into clude these would make the annual expense the conntry, and what is much worse, it considerably greater." Right on top of this has failed to prevent an infiux of foreign huge idolatry the Indian Government is forcing Arab kidnappers, whose presence is a new thousands npon. thousands of cases of opium and serious danger."-Central Africa. every year, deadening the consciences of the people to the sound of the gospel. Shall not -African ivory is the best in the world, God judge for these things ?-Bombay Guarand the finest quality comes from the inter- dian. ior. The tusks of the African elephants are larger than those of any other country. -We agree with the suggestion made by Both the male and female eie;>hants have the Banner of Asia in regard to the opium traflarge tusks, while in India the tusks of the fic of China. Mr. Dyer says that iu 1885 the female elephant are very small. The aver- Chinese Government obtained from GreatBritage weight of a tusk is from 20 to 50 pounds, aiu an opium agreement which can be made but sometimes they are nine or ten feet to terminate on January 18th, 1891, by twelve long, and weigh 160 pounds each. The cost of months' notice being given on either side. The ivory has trebled in the last 35 years, selling opinm tramc has got so decided a hold on now for $8 a pound. It is said that a pair of China, that the Chinese Government will not tusks are often worth £l,OOOsterling. Zan- find it easy to take effective steps fOl' banishing zibar is the great African market for ivory. the curse from the country; but Mr. Dyer sug- From this point it is shipped by merchants gests that the British churches should unite all to India, London, Hamburg, etc. The chief their strength in encouraging the Chinese autrading center in the interior is Tabara, in thorities to close the present agreement, and to Myamweo;i. where various caravan routes refuse to be party to another. In this we think meet. The trader equips his caravan at the churches of India, a country where the evil Zanzibar, and places it in the hands of an of opium is far more patent than it is in Eng- Arab who goes from Bagamoyo to Ta- land, should take an early and decided initiative. bara. Let an infiuential and repl'esentative council be formed at once in this country, whose first bus- Chlna.-1do!atry. Rev. E. B. Simmons iness it shall be vigorously to expound the gives in the OMnese Recorder some statistics matter to all the Christians in this country, with regard to idolatry in Canton. There are both by the press, and by public meetings, 'rhe in Canton and the snburbs 663 temples of vari- issue of this should be the strongest and mo.t ous kinds and sizes, 83 Buddhist nunneries, 50 numerously sign~d exprelSsion of opinion that places where Buddhist priests live, 145 places Christian India has everJl:iven u.tteranQe tQ. M where Tauist priests reside, 275 Shetan or open soon as possible similar councils sbould be India continue to prod the Government in a vig_ formed in England and America. If the Christ- orous way upon its failure: to act eJllc1entIy ian Church can speak with effect at all, here is upon what there is called the" Drink QuestiOll " its opportunity. The opium contract is un· -which means the almost nnrestrleted mannspeakably toul, and absolutely indefensible. facture and sale of intoxicating drinks, and the Let China be told that au)' effort which it makes rapid increase of drunkenness among the nain the direction of abolition will receive the tives of the country. At a recent meeting of moat energetic and persistent support from aU the Methodist MissJonary Conference of Calthe Christian churches of India and the West. cutta, threQ important resolutions upon this As surely as the Lord reignetb Buch an effort subject, were adopted. The first urged the shall not fail. We hope the suggestion will at immediate organization of a Temperance AIonce be acted on.-Harvest .Field. llance for India. The second strongly fa- vored "local option" as to the establishment India. – A Chief Commissioner's of outstills and drinking houses. The third appointed an expert in such mattters to View of Indian Missions. At the lay- collect all available, information as to the results of the present excise system in India, fortbe puring of a cornerstone of mission build- pose of preparing and laying before th~ Govern- ment a memorial upon this subject based upon ings connected with the Methodist existiug and incontestible facts. Undoubtedly the men who passed these resolutions mean Episcopal Mission, Jubbulpur, Mr. business, bnt as the attention of the Government has recently been repeatedly called, and in vain, Mackenzie, Chief Commissioner of to the demoralizing results of the present excise system in India, it is not certain that any heed the Central Provinces, after refer- will be given to these presentations (or the twentieth time. But tha t is no reason for dng to recent criticisms of missions, sleeping over a matter so important. Continued prodding may finally stir np the authorities. said: -Movements among the Jews. The vari- ..It may be that direct results, iu the shape of ous Jewish societies. at home and abroad. conversions and baptisms, are not so startling are specific and Divinely-approved inas the church at home would like to see them. stances of the general law of a multiplicity But this is only a superficial estimate of the sit- of operations in harmonious combination. uation. No man who studies India with a see- Their chief mission may be snrelyaccoming eye can fail to perceive that the indirect plished by the union of living agencies, inresults of missionary euterprise, if it suits you cluding ma.nagers, collectors, mission dep… 80 til call them, are, to say the least, most preg- uties, and missionaries, all working togethnant with promise. The Dagon of heathenism er. These various agencies must work into is being undermined on all sides. To careless each other's hands. As zinc aud copper bystanders, the image may 100m as yet intact in must be broughtintodirect-communication aU its ghoulish monstrosity, but its doom we through an efficient connecting bath in or- know is written. And great will be its fall. I der to the'prodnction of a powerful galvan- have often given it as my opinion that, ere many ic current, so our missionaries at a distance years are over, we shall have in India a great and our friends here mnst be brought into religious upheaval. The leaven of western direct contact, that there maJ be success- thought, and the leaven of Christianity together ful working, praying and giving on the part are working on the inert heap of dead and fetid of all. superstitions, and, by processes which cannot always be closely traced, are spreading- a re- The Jewish societies founded in England generating ferment throngh the mass, which are eight, with 294 agents,55 stations, and must in time burst open the cerements that nOw an income of £59.394. In Scotland there are enshroud tbe Indian mind. It may not be in five missions, with 71 missionaries, 17 sta- our time. It may not be in the time of our im- tions, and an income of £12,631. There is mediate successors. But it wi!! be when He the 'Irish Presbyterian Missions, with 27 Bees fit with whom a thousand years are as one missionaries, 9 stations, and an income of day. My own belief is that it will be SOoner £3,6-34. There are twelve German Associa- than the world, or even the canons of the tions, wIth 13 missionaries, 6 stations, ano! church, snppose. What the Indian Chnrch will an income of £3,188. There is the Basle be, by what organization governed, to what pre- Friends of Israel Mission, Switzerland, with cise creeds a:tllliated, I, for my part, do not pre- 1 missionary, 1 station, and an income of tend to foresee. It is being hewn out now by £518. There are three Dutch societies,with many hands, furnished from many countries. 8 missionaries, 2 stations, and an income of But the main burden of the growing work mnst £888. There Is Pastor Kruger's Mission in ere long be taken up by the children· of the In- France with an incotDe of £60. In Sweden dian soil. It is not beyond the bonnds of lJossi- and Norwaly there are five institutionS, bility that the native church may in time pro duce its own apostle, destined to lead his coun- trymen in myriads to the feet of Christ. The 8tory et Buddha may renew itself within its pale."-Okr01lie~6 L. M. S.
-Drunkenness. ·llissionary orgaDizations in
MISSIONARY CORRlI:SPONDJl:NCII FROM .il.L PAR11i1
with 6 missionaries, 4 stations, and a.n in- that in several places you lind Buddha. excome of £1,440. There are seven North horting his followers to found places where, American Missions, with 34 missionaries, both the sick of men and animals could be 33 stations, and an income !>f £5,680. The a.ttended to. Andyou lind that the great Jewish Societies of Great Britain and Ire- ., King of Glory" in Northern India is said la.nd are 14, the agents 39l:, the sta.tions 81, to have founded places where the hungry and the annual income £75,659. The total ware fed, where the thirsty received drink, number of societies is 47. the certified work- where the naked were clothed, where the ers 457, the fields of labor 132, and the total weary were re~ted, and where the sick were annual income upward of £87,000. De Ie supplied with couches and remedies. But Roy, who has considered the subject of re- we learned, a.lso, from the Buddhist Iiterasults very carefully, is convmced that ture that it was mainly to their own monks, 100,000 Jews and Jewesses have been bap- a.nd to their own teachers, that much of tized during the last 75 years; and that these favors were given. It was not until these proselytes and their descenda.nts, if the Master came that any more general intaken together, would number250,OOO.-Rev. stitutions of charity or active philanthrop· John Dunlop, 8ecreta17l 01 the British Socie- ic work was done. Christianity came and stimulated its followers to found hospit~ls. tlllor the Propagation Of the Gospel among And so we 'find, before Christianity had been three centuries old, Fabola had the Jew.. founded a hospital in Rome. It is only on -Medical Charity the Fruit of Christiani- the banks of the great stream of grace that issues from the Throne of God that there ty. It is to the spread of Christianity tha.t 1l'1'0W the leaves which are for the healing of we owe the great development of medical the ua.tions.-PrO!eB80r Macalilter, F. R. S. charity throughout the world. It is true that hospitals existed and were diffused to some extent before Christianity. It is true III.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
France. tation, to recommend the SaTiour to those aronnd them. [THE following very important communication from our esteemed From the origin of the work we have aimed personal friend and correspondent, not to form separatist communities, but to swell Rev. R. W. McAB, D. D., as to the the ranks of the existing Evangelical bodies. ingathering of the converts, into the But, while hundreds have foond their way into mission churches and branches, will the churches. hunda-eds of equally genuine conbe read with much interest. It will verts have remained outside them. Many of serve ,to dissipate some erroneous mis- our dear people have lived and died without the conceptions and to correct some ma- privilege of commemorating the Saviour's saclicious misrepresentations concern- ridce. Various canses have led to this-In ing the McAll Mission, in the recent many eases, the distance !tom any church where efforts to establish denominational tbey could find a Christian Home; in others, churches in connection with the the fact that the neighboring ministers, through Salles.-EDS.] absorption in pastoral dnties or otherwise, were unknown in the station; or again, the impression, OUR greatest deligbt is to witness decision especially on the part of the poor, that.a wei· for Cbrist, a joy whicb has been often renewed come would not be accorded, has kept them during the closing seaSOn. Second only to this back. is our satisfaction when these new disciples enter into the fellowsbip of neighboring Evan- From an early period of our history, and mOre gelical churches. We cannot tsbulate the list and more strongly as the work has taken deeper of those who, during successive years, have root, the numerous friendS visiting our stations, tbus publicly confessed their faith; but we American, Eoglish, Scotch, pastors and laymen know tbat, could the number be ascertained, it alike have,with emphaticunanimity,urged opon would be found large alike in Paris and through- os the necessity for taking measures to bring all out France. In various churches, whole groups our converts into Christian fellowship. J'oryears exist whose religious life commenced in our we have been considering how to accomplish mission·rooms. Among these, not a few have this without in any degree compromising the become diligent Christian workers. Some are undenominational character ofthe mission. Connow evangelists in our own and kindred socie- ferences have been held with French pastors ties; others, while pursuing their worldly call· and !symen on the subject. Until recenUy, inil, are lIeeking by preaching. teaching, or visi- prayerful study had. failed to suggest a mode of joint action such as the representatives olthe various French denominations could see their way to accept. At length, we have been direct- ed to a method of oraanlzation which will, we trust, supply In a great measure this" missing Bonne-Nouvelle regolar worship has been instilink." The proposal has been favorably viewed tuted in connection withthe Reformed Church or by those of our eswumed French brethren to France, our colleague, M.Victor Van der Beken, whom it has been communicated. It Is twofold: being the pastor in charge. All the evangelistic ' work of the statibn proceeds unchanged In 1. Wherever a mission station is placed within the new Mission-Hall of the Rue du Temeasy reach of a French church whose pastor or ple, in the middle of Paris, we are jOint tenants pastors take interestin the evangelistic work, we with Pastor Auguste Fisch and the Free Church invite such pastor or pastors (of whatever Evan- under his care. On the expressed desire ofthese gelical denomination) to take measures in our esteemed friends, we gladly united with them mission room for organizing a group of the se· in securing this important centel' for aggressive rious attendants with the distinct aim of pre- effort amidst a densely peopled district. In the paring them for membership of the parent new hall of the Rne Saint-Denis, also In the very church. In such case, we leave it with these heart of the city, are combined our mission stabrethren tb adopt such measures as the usages tion, transformed from the smaller one of Bouleof their own church may dictate. We vard Sebastopol, !lnd a new mission church, invite them to constitute these persons as an aided by a Committee of the Baptist denominaanne:lle or branch of their church using their tion in America, under the charge of our welldiscretion as to the administration of ordi- known colleague, M. Ruben SaiIieus. In a nances in the mission room or otherwise. The whole series of onr stations, neighbOring pastors only condition we impose is that whatever fel- are working with the view of forming Christian lowship Is formed shall be on the broad basis of groups or branches of their respective churches Evangelical faith, and that the mission station, in the mode already described, and these include as such, shall retain unchanged its strictly unde- representatives ofthe Reformed, Lutheran, Free, nominational chl!scter as a place for purely Wesleyan and Baptist communities. Gospel effort. On examining the list ofourstationsinParis and 2. In other cases, where existing churches throughout France, we find the following number are too far distant, or stand aloof from mis- brought more or less directly into relation with sionary effort, or where the teaching is not existing churches. Reformed Church of France, purely Evangelical, we are prepared to welcome 57 stations; Lutheran Church, 3 stations; the formation in our stations of distinct mission Union of Free Churches, 21 statioLs ; combinackurchea with their mission pastors. There is ation of several of the above three churches. no reason why each such mission pastor should 15; Wesleyan, 3 ; Baptist, 6; total, 105 stations. not continue to be or become also an Evangelist of the mission. But in these cases also, we re- Of the remaining twenty stations, some are gard it as essential that each church and pastor so placed as to be, more or less, in relation should be folly identifted with one or other of with a number of churches indistinguishably ; others are newly planted and not as yet specialthe existing denominations, so as to avoid the ly linked with any. liability of forming separatist communities. The Lutheran Church, so widely dill'used In Wherever the occasion for a mission church Continental Europe has, in France, only the may arise, we shall always hold ourselves ready Important Oonsi8toire of Paris, and those in the to co-operate with any of the French societies district of MontbeJiard. Our work has not enof evangellzation-" Societe Centrale," " So- tered into the latter district; hence the comparciete Evangeuque," "Societe de Geneve," etc., atively small number of stations as yet placed in constituting such a church as one of the reg- in immediate relation with our Lutheran brethular posts of those societies. In certain cases, ren. The French Wesleyan Evangelistic Mission where no Evangelical ageucy whatever exists in directed by the Rev. W_ Gibson, B.A., carrying a department or district, or where joint action on a work closely resembling our own, accounts with the mission may not be accorded, we shall for the fewness of our stations in which our be prepared ourselves to form the converts into Wesleyan friends are specially iuterested. Many a fellowship; but every such community shall of the stations comprised in the above list have be aftlliated with one or other of the existing been formed at the request orand are aided by the denominations, according to the conscientious contributions of the several churches with which convictions of its members.' Where such a they stsnd in relation. church is constituted and exercises its worship iu one of our mission rooms, the mission funds Those who carefully study the above statement cannot be used for its expenses. The use of the will perceive that the strictly unsectarian charroom mayor may not be granted without ren- acter of our work remains uninvaded, since each tal, according to the need of the particular case; denomination is alike welcomed to the spheres but its sustentation must be provided for either it is prepared to occupy, whilst our hearers are, within itself or from independent sources, the gifts entrusted to us being set apart wholly for of course, left entirely free to connect themselves evangelization. either with the Christian group in the station they frequent, or with that in any other of our We are happy to add that, on the bases Indi- stations, or to jOin any Evangelical community cated, we have already been enabled, during this to which their convictions may lead them, year, to make ahopeful commencement in sever- Above all, we would claim from every reader al quarten ofParia. In ountation of Boulevard who desirell the advancement of Our Lord's. Kingdom in France, a fervent prayer that these He has already secured from a member of his own family $25,000 toward the erection onward ,teps may be Divinely guided, so as tp of the proposed building.
issue in the fuller .ingathering of the spiritual Mr. Swift proposes to secure $25,000 more. Witb this $50,000 he will erect a building in fruits of our. enterprise, and in giving stability the heart of the business community which will be devoted to mercantile men. There and permanence, under the power of the Holy is another .important community which we must reach. I refer to the students. The Spirit, to all that we are permitted to attempt Imperial University has over five hundred students. Near by it is a large preparatory in His name. R. W. McALL. college containing nearly one thousand, also the leading Commercial College of the We append an extract from a let- empire with 500 students. Fully 2,000 stu- den~s, the brightest young men in Ja.pan, ter of Mr. Gustave Monod, Jr., are located in this quarter. Over one hun- dred of them are Cbristians, a far larger Agent f01' France of the British and proportion than Yale, Williams, Bowdoin, and other American colleges had at the close Foreign Bible Society: of last century.
.. For the past seventeen years I have been There is not a single place in all Tokio where the students can go for social recrea.- constantly traveling throughout Frauce, and tion after study hours, except the tea hOUses, whose waiter girls are a terrible snare. have made repeated visits to the various towns There is no hall near these institutions where relildous meetings can be held. in wbich the McAll Mission carries on its work. Now, our proposition is tbis: Erect a I have intimate relations with the pastors of all small, home-like building in the very center of this large student communitV. Place in denominations in these town" and it is a rare charge of it a student of strong intellectual and Christian character as general Secrething if I am not'asked for information respect- tary and we will accomplish a work second in impor~nce to none now carried on in tbis Ing the mission. I beg distinctly to state, not empire. The building and lot will cost $10,- 000. The property can be held by a board only that I have never beard it alleged that this of trustees, consisting of Japanese gentle- men of hi~h Christian and social standing, work had taken any denominational bias, but who will protect the purpose of the 'invest- ment. The amount specified will secnre a that no suspicion of the liability to such a ten· property nearly twice as valuable as the same sum invested in America. If yon dedency has ever been hinted." sire to invest this amount in a permanent Christian enterprise in these lands which (Signed) GUSUVE MONOD, Jnnr. are turning toward Christianity, I do not believe that you can do a greater work than PABIS, January 7, 1889. this, because these students, if Christian- ized, will become the" Pilgrim Fathers" of [The following, from the Commit- Japan.
tee of Direction, may serve to con- Commending this matter to your sympa- thy and wisdom, I am, firm the previous statement.-EDS.] Very sincerely yours, MISSION POPULAIRE EVANGELIQUE nE FRANCE, L. D. WISHARD.
PAIUS. January 8,1889. [THIS letfer, from the son-in-law The Committee of Direction having been of one of the editors, was written made aware of a serious rumor in the United only as a private letter, but will be States that a tendency has arisen in the mission read with interest, as giving a to depart from the neutral ground of the Evan- glimpse of how practical work is gelical Alliance on which It was founded and which it has maintained until now, the nnder- begun.-EDS.) signed, composing that Committee, feel called upon to utter a unanimous and earnest protest HIROSHUU, JAPAN, Jan. 18, 1889. again~t this allegation, and to offer a summary I have now been in Japan about nine or of the steps recently taken, as affording the best ten months, and am glad to say tnat I am contradiction of this erroneous impression. getting along now with the work quite a They declare that the accompanying paper (prepared by Mr. McAll for the Annual English Re· little. I think it well to begin to use the port before the rumor in question reached langnage ",little, asl am able, and sol have Paris) contains an, exact stateIIent of the facts, and has their entire approbation.
(Signed) R. W. McAlI, D. D., T. Howard Gill, M. A., Benjamin Couve, Pasteur de rEglise Reformee, Alfred H. Kellogg, D.D., Charles E. Greig, M.A., Ruben Saliens, Pastenr, Louis Sautter, Edouard Kern, Gustave Monod, Junr., J. Henry Benham, M.D., Lond., Eugene Revell- laud, EmUe Rouilly, Leon Reider, William Soltau.
Japan.
WE are permitted to print the fol- lowing private letter: TOKIO, March 11, 1889. There is a plan to erect a building in Tokio for Association work. There has been a succesllfullnauguration of aSSOCiation work 1U this city, and a very competent man has beeu secured who proposes to spend his life in working among the young men of Japan. begun to read the Scripture and have this Syria. week written out and translated a IIhort prayer which I mean soon to use in public. [A PRIVATE letter from a friend If I could have my teacher all the time I in Beirut communicates to one of should probably have a sermon translated the editors the following facts, under ·into Japanese within a few weeks. As it is date of Feb. 25, 1889.-EDS.] now I hope to preach in Japanese before the year is up since my arrival. Of course, I Dr. Jessup has just started with his wife shall have to read the sermon; the time is for a trip to Egypt. You may notice a great yet remote when I can hope to preach ex- dearth of letters (in aU the magazines) from temporaneously, as I mean to do so soon as I get sufficient command of the language. Syria. This is owing to the strict watch Last Sunday Ipreached to the Japanese in Dr. Lambuth's church throngh an interpre- which is kept on aU the reports sent home. ter, and enjoyed it exceedingly. It was a In consequence of a letter written five years sermon to disciples on the parable of the ago one of the missionaries recently has great supper in Luke xiv. After touching suffered, by the rigid orders at the cnson the excuses I spoke as strongly as I tom-house received from the Porte, the could on going out quickly to compel others loss of much time and some very valuable to come in. I wrote out the sermon in full books. No copies are allowed to enter and gave it to nhe interpreter to study be- of Dr. Thomson's .. Land and the Book." forehand, and consequently he translated The Government is daily pntting heavier quite accurately and promptly. I enjoyed restrictions on our work, and we dare not it e:xceedingly, and the Lambuths, as well as aJlow a word of complaint to be seen in the Japanese, seemed to be much gratified. print lest our work and communities Two weeks ago I administered the com- should thereby suffer. The articles on the munion here, but all I did was to read the increase of Mohammedanism which caused Scripture and administer the bread and so great a stir in England some time ago wine, and prononnoe the benediction in were all translated and published in the Japanese. Moslem paper at Damascus, to the delight of the Mohammedans throughout the We are greatly delighted at having been ,country. In the same way articles in the able tostart a prayer-meeting, composed of New York Herald, noticed by the Indepenall the missionaries iu Hiroshima. We have dent. speaking in unfavorable terms of misalready felt much blessed In the two meet- sionaries and their comfortable homes find ings already held. their way, clothed in glowing Arabic phrases, into the papers of our Jesuit and Catholic There is a certain Japanese, one of our presses here. This will show why the misnative chul'ch members, who has the char- sionaries do not write more often and more acteristics of an old Scotch Presbyterian, a fully of their work. great stickler for orthodoxy, but quite opinionated and headstrong. He is, we believe. A little paper is issued st'mi-weekly by the a true Christian, and we recognize his work pupils of the Mission Academy at Sidon of as being very valuable, for he has won many which Mr. Eddy is head. There are four membera to the church from heathenism; editors and each beside the labor of editing but owing to his peculiar temper he has writes out one copy of each issue: one they done much to keep the church in a state of keep, one goes to Mr. Eddy, one to Zahleh, agitation. He has just been here, and I and one to the Sidon Female Seminary. took him aside after diuner with me and Everycopy is quite perfect in its general aphad along talk with him on the subject of pearance. All is done with the ordinary Arab brotherly love, and afterward prayed with reed pens. The illustrations are by one of him-aU in Japanese. This was the first the pupils, who, having the monopoly of the time I had offered a prayer iu the native artistic talent in the Academy is obliged to tongue, and, of course, it was very short and furnish/our copies semi-weekly of his provery simple. At 3 o'clock I went to our ductions I He has never had a lesson, but preaching place, which I have established often his work is quite creditable. with my teacher, where I read the Scriptures, 9ffered a short prayer, and again at The fifty-fourth annual gathering of the evening worship with the servants read the Syrian workers has just closed. For thirty- Scriptures and offered Prayer-preparing seven of these years Dr. Eddy has been conmy prayers beforehand and having them nected with the work here, and begins to corrected by my Japanese teacher. I write feel himself as if he w<1Uld enjoy a sight of this to show you how soon I have been able the loved ones on the American shores after to begin work and use of the la.nguage, and an absence of thirteen years, but his work that this tongue is not after all so difficult for a year at least will not admit of this. of attainment. Albania- Yours affectionately, WE gladly give space to this ap- FRED. S. CURTIS. peal in behalf of a needy and neg- lected field, In a note to one of the editors the writer, Rev. J. McBaird, ans, frowns upon any Instruction, howeverflOOd missionary of A. B. C. F. M., says: not given in Greek. ' .. The Southprn Presbyterian Board has the Greek work bordering on Albania, and Albania is not near any of the patha ot. com-_ the A. B. C. F. M. the Bulgarian. 1 have written to our Board urging the Prudential merce; her country Is mountainous, and her committee to und",rtake this work, but the answer is that they do not see their way to children have seen but little of civilization, exdo it. If you can persuade some society to take up the work I shall be glad."-EDs.J cept as they have gone to other countries to MONASTIR, EuRoPEAN TuRKEY, MARCH 4,1889. earn a little money. Schools are few. In some Between Montinegro on the north and Greece on the south, lives a people for cities there are poor Turkish scbools, but none whose spiritual welfare almost nothing has been done. 1 refer to the Albanians who, in the larger villages. Greek schools are found with the Rumanians that live among and know the Albanian tongue, number a little in southern .Albania. These are useful only for less than 2,000,000. They are doubtless the descendants of the anci",nt l11yrians and those who can attend them long enough to learn Pelasgians. Their language, which isquite distinct from the Slavic, the Greek or the the Greek language. Those who want a fair Latin, has twodialects, the Gheg or northern and the Tosk or southern. oriental education mnst go beyond .Albania's At least'one half of the Albanians, as far as they have any religion, are Mohamme- borders to lind it. The mass of the people can. dans, mostly of the sect called Bektashi, whose members are noted for being skeptical not read, and mauy of those who can read canand prayerless, and often great drinkers. Unlike other Moslems they seem to be at. not nnderstand what they read. tached to their race more closely than to their religion. Ask a Mohammedan, who is The little that has been done for the evangeliof Bulgarian or Greek extraction, "What are you?" and the reply wiII always be, .. I zation ot Albania bas been done by the agents am a Moslem." Ask an Albanian Mohammedan the same question and his reply of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who most probably will be, .. I am a Skipetal' " (Albanian). About one-third of the race have translated and printed all of the New belong to' the Eastern or Greek Church. Of these the larger part are Tosks. The re- Testament and six of the larger books of the Old maining one-sixth are Roman Catholic. The latter are found mostly in northern Al- and have madejonrneys up and down to give bania. rhe spiritual destitution of the Albanians the Word of God to the Albanians in their own is very great. The Moslems are in as great spirtual darkness as are any other Moslems. tongne. A primer, a simple catechism, a his- The Roman Catholics are under the thumb tory of the Old Testament, and a ~mmar, have of of the Jesuitll' who make no attempt to give also been prepared, The B. and F. Bible Soc. can· them a knowledge of the leadiug truths the Bible, but who are very hostile to the colpor· not however take up and carryon the work of a teurs who wish to give the Word of God to the people. Those connected with the Greek Church missionary society. Though friends of the are worse oft" than the Greeks for whom Protestant Christians are working, for by far the Albanians have pleaded for some miSSionary larger part of the .Albaniaus are utterly ignorant of the language-Greek-used in the church SOCiety to send out a few men to preach and to services. That .Albian schools have not existed till very recently is not only a great mis- carry on missionary work, no favorable reply fortune for that people, but is also a punishment for being born .Albanians. Tbe Greek ecclesi- has been received. So far they have passed by astics have turned their church into an instrument for Heleniziug the .Albanians, and con- on the otber side and left this destitute people sider it more meritorious to wean them from the Albanian language than to give them spirit- in their destitution. ualinstruction. The Greek party, while spending mone;!, for Greek 8~hools amoDS thE! Alban, The present is a favorable time for beginning missionary work among the Albanians. The government is bundin~ some roads which will open up the country. Brigandage and lawless· ness have received lately a severe check. Col· porteurs report a great and increasing readi- ness to listen to the gospel. When Mr. G. D. Kyrlas, an Albanian Protestant, was at Korcha about a year ago, he was invited by both Mos- lems and Christians to preach in the school. Large numbers attended his preaching the three weeks he was there and preSsed him to stay and work among them. There is a growing desire shared by both Moslems and Christians for instruction in their native tongue.
The Lord has raised up some .Albanians who, whether working for the British and Foreign Bible Society, or associated with any mission- ary society that takes up the .Albanians; woald be a great help to the cause of Christ. One of the colporteurs of this region Is a devoted .Albanian Chl'istian. The agent of the BIble So. ciety here. Mr. Kyrias, is an .Albanian of such edncation, ability and piety that we Bulgarian missionaries would be glad to see him pastor of a Protestant Bulgarian church. He however feeA that he must work among his own people. He has a brother and a sister, both earnest Christians,who willllnish their course in school in about two years, and who wiIlprobabIy enter the Alballian work, 11; lDY be.slted : Are the Albanians a promta- Hankow, Hanyang, and WnehaD!: a leWD. popu- IDgpeople for miYionaryelfor~ t I gin it asm,. lation that cannot be -rery far short of the pap- opieion that they are. Intellectually they are ulation oC Liverpool and Glasgow taken to!:eth- equal to any 01 the racea of Turkey. They are er. In the country districts round about are more accessible than the Greeks. Though there many other large towns and vmages, &l;!d we are but Cew Albanians in Monastir, and preach- long to see European evangelists stationed in ing hal been in Bulgsrlan, six of our small various central positions throughout those dis- flock are Albanians. NotwithstRndinC the tricts, Crom which, with the help oCnative Christ- mountainous character of the country, the iane, each one coull. work the surrounding sparseness oC the population, and the 1lIll"1Il7 region. There is no likelihood that this work character ot some of the Albaulaus, I thiuk a can ever be oTert:tkcn by t~e existing agenCies.
mll!llionary society would ftud thla a profitable We therefore invite men who hal"e an independ- field, aud while somewhat hedged in by Turkish ent income, or 't7hose personal friends are able authorities, would ftud abuudaut oppportunity and willing to send them abroad, to come out .
both to sow aud to reap. With so large a part of and supplement in the way just described, and the Bible already printed in Albanian, and the without any cost to the society, the work that possibility of getting at the outset the assistance is being already dOlie by the society's mission- of earnest and educated Ohrlstlan Albanians, aries. Most of the English societies now repre- Albania would seem to be a 11eld that some sented number some unpaid missionaries miasionary society would covet. amongst t:telr nge::J.ts. We wish for all the mis- Anyone hoping to do something for the evan- sions n larGe incrc~se of such workers. An un- gelization of the Albanians may write to Rev. married mUn of frugal habits could probably Alexander Thomson, D.D., Oonstantinople, live here on £lCO per annum. Our desire is that Turkey, to Mr.G. D. Kyrias, Monastlr, or to me. every one coming to Hankow in connection J. W. BAmD. with this scheme may be provided with free quarters; we shall try to arrange that house Ohina. rent shall at all events be as small as possible. To any medical man anxious to combine eTangel- [THE lack of space compels us to istic work with the practice of medicine, we can abridge the following appeal.-EDS.] promise rare opportunities for usefulness here, and the consciousness of ha"ing been able to do A SBLF-SU!'POltTING MISSION 011' TBlC LoNDON untold good to the bodies and also to the souls of men. We do not appeal for single men only. MISSIONARY SOCIlCTY. Married couples would also find a hearty wel- come and plenty of work, but should be full ofthe Editor, of TlllI MISSIONARY RJCVIlCW 011' TUB missionary spirit, strong in health, and prepared WOJlLD.-The London Missionary Society has to put up with inconveniences. We could not for years had dialculty in raising funds Cor carry- recommend married people to come out uuless in!: on itl work. With an almost stationary in- they had something like an assured income of come it is very dlftlcult to extend operations even £200 per annum, and more if they had children. in countries whereit already has representatives, anli almostlmpossible to commence new missions We will correspond with any who wish fuller in other lands recently opened to European com-. information; or inquiries may be addressed to merce. A long experience of liC. in Ohin.. leads the Rev. R. W. Thompson at the London :MIsus to disbelieve altogether in the principle of re- sionary Society's oalce, Blomfield st. E. O. It ducing to the lowest possible point the salaries is not essential that honorary workers should oC missionaries. A missionary may of course haTe a college education, or be ordained, but they should be .. self-supporting," having private erei8t on a very small ineome indeed, but if the great majority ot Europeans are to live in health, to work ejftciently as missionaries, and sources of Income, not supported by a church, to give to their children a proper education, or bT a local auxiliary oC the parent SOCiety. something more than the bare necessities oC life Finally we appeal to parents poss8l!sed of is requisite. We think, however, that the work means, asking them If they have children who might be very largely developed, by the addition desire to become missionaries, to enable tbem oCa band of entirely uuremuneraUd labortrs. to do so as honorary members of the society. Few things will help so much to convince the We ourselves are prepared, if others willjoin world of the disinterestedness of missionaries, US, to forego the salary and various money- as seeing the missionary body largely recruited allowances Cor personal needs granted by the society to Its miSSionaries, and we appeal to from amongst men and women of culture and youn!: men possessed of private means to come good social position, who are willing to go forth out and unite themselves with UB as honorary- into all the world to preach the Gospel to the workers in the Hankow MiSSion of the London heathen, taking no~hing for their service, but Society. lITing on Inherited wealth, their hands strength- The needs of this district cannot well be over· ened and upheld by the prayers, and sympathy, stated. In the very heart of a province contain- and benedictions of Ohrlstian parents.
ing many millions, Hankow presents one of the GBIFFITII JOlIN.
ftuest centers for missionary enterprise in the ARNOLD FosTlCB, lfhol, wqrld. We have ~ tba tllree cltl8ll qf I[4D;ow, OHIN4, 21st -l"annary, 188Q. The Ohinese New Year. represented by a tablet inscribed to bim" Of" myriad yea1'!." When the bighest o1II.cial ar.- LETTER from our correspondent, rives, wbo ie Canton is tbe Governor-General, having jnrisdiction over two provinces, the Dr. A. P. Rapper, President Chris- master of ceremonies gives directions. The civil officers arrange themselves on one side actian.College. cording to tbeir rank before tbe tablet and the military officers on tbe otber side, the one cor- CANTO1", CHINA, JAN. 31, lE89. responding to the other. At tbe direction of the THIs is the Chinese New Year's day. This master of ceremonies all the Officers, in SIlOOIl8numerous people of three huudred millions are sive gronps, prostrate themselves before the keeping holiday. Every employment Is stopped, tablet which represente the emperor, with ihe all the wheels of business stand still; all the ceremony which denotes the most profound adschools are on vacation. The toiling, anxious oration, tbe tbree kneelings and tbe nine knockmillions are resting. These few days are the ings of the bead, i. e., three knockiDgs of the only complete rest days out of the three hnndred . forehead on the 1Ioor after each one of three and sixty-five days of the year. All the Govern- successive kneellngs. This presupposes the dei· ment offices, Cram the highest to the lowest are fication of the emperor, as the emperors were closed for a mouth. The seals of all offices W6~e deified. Tbis deification is implied in the dessealed up on the 19th of the l~th mouth to be ignation of tbe emperor as tbe son of Heaven brought ant. for use on the 20th of the 1st .-heaven, the patron god of the Cbinese Em· mouth. This law of the Government would pire by whose appointment the emperors role. appear to be to give the officers time to arrange all the details of their official business and keep Heuce the officers of this government are them in proper order. bound to serve His Majesty, not by the bonds of All the business of the people must be finished loyalty and faithfulness which bind tboseofother np and settled on, or before, the last day of the lands, but by this bond of annual worship and year; and all outstanding accounts settled. solemn vow. This bond no doubt contribntes These details of business often cause the streets to the peace and stability of the Government. of the cities to be thronged with the surging But what a manifestation of the blindness of the crowds till midnight. But then the tormoil natural heart which can give to a mere man the ceases, and the bustle and hurrv ends. homage and worship which Is due to God ooly- • Tbe closing days of the old year and opening who is Lord of lords and King of kings. May days of the new year are given to idolatry. Ac- all wbo read tbis be led to increased ell'ort and cording to their estimate of the merciee received, prayer that tbe knowledge of the only trne God and of their ability to give, the people of all may soon extend througbout tbis whole land, classes and conditions return thanks to their and its multitudinous people worship Jehovah. goda, by the burning of crackers in tbeir banal' and offerings of incense and fruits, etc. Witb Korea. tbeflrst hrYur8 of tbe new year they commence their 'prayers and offerings. to tbe gods for STIRRING statement and appeal blessings and pro.perity during the new year. from Rev. R. G. Underwood. This early worship has precedence of every- thing else. Tbe rejOIcings and feaRtings do SEOUL, Jan. 2, 1889. not commence till tbe evening of the first day, "THE CHECK IN KOREA." or the morning of tbe second day. Tbns is pre The work in Korea, a8 indicated by statistics sented a scene, which cannot be seen anywhere and as far as it can be indicated by so imperfect else, of such an immense multitude engaged in a method, is very encouraging. Tbe Lord has wOT8h.ip, at the same time in every family indeed blessed us, and as we see how good He bouse and shop and store and temple in the has been to us, how far His bleSSings have been whole land. What an evidence does this fact above all tbat we could bave boped or thongbt afford to the truth that man is religious by na- or even dreamed of, and how He bas granted us ture, and that the acknowledgmeut of depend- so much more than we had faitb for, we feel ence upon superior beings bas come down like calling upon all Christendom to jOin in from the very earliest altes of onr race. And singing ballelujahs of praise for what haR been what an illustration is tbis of the force of pa- done in tbis little land alone. Tbere bas been a rental example and instructiou-that tbis wor- steady advance all along the line, and in no de- sbip has tbus been handed down from genera- partmEmt of tbe work, in no portion of tbe land, . tion to generation for four tbousand years, in bas tbere been the slightest sign of a backward unbroken continuance and without change. move. In the past year alone the churcb in Korea On this first day of the new year there is ob- has multiplied over fivefold, and to-day, instead served a worshiping service wbich is un- of a score of earnest workers, there are over a known in all other lands. Every state capital bundred followers of the Master in this land. has a temple for the worship of tbe emperor. The calls from the country are as loud as ever. On the morning of the first day of the year all On all sides are CetUS for teachers and ministers. the officers oftbe Government, from the highest Wherever the seed is SOwn it seems to take, to tbe lowest, civil and military meet at tbis root, grow and bear frUit. If we only bad the temple to worship. They meet in a large hall at four o'clock in the morning. The Emperori. meil to seatter the seed, how 800n this land Korean of "Nearer my God to Thee," which might be won to Christ 1 The soil has indeed been prepared by God's Spirit and is ready for was followed by the sermon on the" Duties'and the seed, yea, we might say for the harvest. There have jnst gone back to their homes and Responsibilities of the Watchm"lu." .. Uri hal work in different parts of the country eight earnest Korean workers who have spent a pon chlkpoun-A. Charge to Keep J Have," month here in Seonl, being instrncted in Chris· tlan doctrine and the proper methods of diffns· then followed, at the close of which Mr. Appening the truth, and a more thoughtful set of Bible stndents cannot be met anywhere. While here geUer, assisted by Mr. Ohlinger, distributed the they have studied night and day, and have shown a really carefnl study that was very encourag- elements. It was indeed an impressive service. ing. For instance, they would come, after hearing a lecture from a foreigner with the question, God was with us and it was good to be there. "Mr. – – said so and so. "We do not doubt but that It Is true, but we cannot dnd it in the Now let us stop and think a moment. Let us Bible. Where did he learn that and how can we know it is true f" Or, again: "We see look at Japan. There the missionaries waited that Matthew and John were Christ's disciples, bnt who were Mark and Luke? We cannot years for the ftrst convert, and it was not till dnd their names in the list of Christ's disciples, and how come their writings in the • Sacred they had been there for ten years that a church Book?'" And, at another time they said, .. We now see why the fuu'l' Gospels are in the Bible, was organized, and not till years after "that any but why Paul's Epistles and the other books of the New Testament are there, but who wrote the semblance of publicity was given to their ser- Acts and by what right Is that In the Canon?" vices. Now glauce at this land. Opened to the While these questions are simple enough, and from a class at home would excite no remark, world by treaty with the United States in 1881. when they come from Koreans, who are only just coming out into the light, they show a Dr. Allen, the first missionary to Korea, a phycritical study and a careful thinking that we had not expected. sician, arrived in the fall of 1884. Others fol- During the stay of these men we were blessed lowed in tne spring of 1885. In July, 1886, tbe with tbe presence and power of tbe Spirit. The burden of their prayers during the whole month first convert baptized. In the fall of 1887 the was for this One thing-the presence of the power of the Holy Ghost in their own hearts and first church, a Presbyterian, was organized with in the hearts of the believers throughout the country. As He always is, the Good Lord was ten members. In February, IIJ88, a union week the hearer of their prayers, and just while they were here there was a great ingathering. In of prayer among the natives was held. In May, the one month there were no less than 28 appli cants for baptism, of whom 19 were received. 1888, .. The Check in Korea" appeared. In The other nine are now earnestly studying the way, aud ere long we hope to admit them also July, 1888, all signs of the .. Check" as far as to the bleSSings of the ordinances of the church. Just before they returned to the country we in- this land is concerned have disappeared. A new vited the Methodist Church here to nnite with us in celebrating the Lord's Supper. What a .. Check" for Korea has appeared in the for- service we had lOur little room was made larger by the removal of a partition, but before getfulness of what the Lord is doing here on the the hour came it was full and several were com- pelled to stand the whole service, which lasted part of the church at home. nearly two hours. In December of the same year the Power of The service opened with the invocation in Korean, and from first to last we all felt that the Spirit is poured out on Korea and a score or God was indeed with us. Then with heart and soul we all joined in singing "Before Jehovah's more are gathered in in a month. In January, Awful Throne." in Korean, to the tune of" Old Hundred." At the close of this dYe Koreans 1889, the church numbers over 100 (Methodist atood up and openly avowed their belief in the Saviour and received baptism. Prayer and read- and Presbyterian). There are two well organ- iug of the lesson for the day, Ezekiel xxxiii., were followed by .. Hauanim Kakahl," the ized churches in the land. Public servicllll are held every Sunday in two parts of the city.
Weekly prayer meetings are sustained. Boys are working for the Master and holding a prayer meetiug for themselves. The little band Is firm.
They trust in the Lord. He is leading them.
Now what has the church done at home in view of this r The Methodist Board have" cut down appropriations because the work is stopped in Korea t" The Presbyterian Board have decided to send no more men until free- dom of religion is granted t It is time for this idea to be put aside. We do not know that a change In the treaties is de· sirable. We have now all the work that we can do, and more, and we do not know but that if restrictions were all removed it might not be the greatest .. check" that the work had yet received.
Pray for the work that it may go on triumph- antly; pray for the laborers that we may know how to work aright, but while you pray let work go with your prayers. Give of what God has given you for this cause here. Let not the cause of Christ languish for lack of funds.
You are the stewards of the Lord; withhold not the tithes and you will be blessed yourselves.
But who will come, is the question. Does not the Mcaallstaenr dnoowbeysary, .. Go"? Who will hear His Will you not" come over and help us ?" and then with God on our aide we will take this land for the Lamb. We plead" In His Name."
INTEltN.A.TIONAL
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY J. T. GRACEY, D. D.
The Press on Foreign Mission Fields. nacular newspapers to be examined FROM the inception of modern by the Government Translator. By 1872 these had grown to thirty-nine. missions, the power and importance of the press in all heathen lands, The statistical returns for 1885-86 eminently in those having a litera· for India show a steady growth and ture, has been recognized. As long a new departure. There were 1,094 ago as the Liverpool Conference on presses at work in that country. Of Missions in 1860, we find reference to these 294 were in the Northwest the volume and character of native Provinces and Oude, 229 in Bengal, literature in India. 228 in the British territory in Bom- In 1858 Rev. James Long quoted bay, and 20 in the native states, 200 statistical details from the Govern- in Madras, 71 in Punjab, 26 in Burment Report of Bengal, on the ver- mah, 16 in the Central Provinces. 5 nacular press in Calcutta, showing in Berar,4 in Assam, and 1 in Coorg.
that in 1857 the Calcutta presses The number of newspapers printed alone issued for sale 571,670 books, in English during the same year was of which a little less than ten thou- 127, as against 117 in the previous sand (9,550) were Christian. The year, and of newspapers printed in almanacs numbered 13€i,000 and the the vernacular or bilingual 277, as Hindus depended on these to de- against 259 in 1884-85. The Punjab termine auspicious days for mar- is not reckoned in the calculation, as riage (only 22 in the year), for first the returns do not separate the Engfeeding an infant rice (27 days in the lish and the vernacular papers, but year), or commencing to build a give a total of 67 for both. By far house, and the like. The educa- the greater number of the vernacutional works, such as algebra, arith- lar newspapers are published in the metic and agriculture, numbered Bombay Presidency, which supports 145,300. Of books abounding in ob- no less than 104, the Northwest Provscene matter, 14,250 were printed; inces and Oude coming next with 72, of works of fiction, 33,050 copies and Bengal next with 54. In Madras were issued. Of books printed to there are only 29, and in Coorg no sustain the systems of mythology newspaper either in English or in the and Hinduism, 96,150 books were vernacular is published. The numpublished. ber of periodicals published in India -excluding the Punjab-was 284, of In 1871, 769 books were published which 102 were in English and 182 in in Calcutta, of which some 700,000 the vernacular. copies were printed, about one-third being in English, one-third in Ben- The whole number of publications gali, the rest miscellaneous: ArablC, registered during 1886 in BritIsh In- Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, Santali, dia was 8,963, of which 1,485 were in Urdu, etc. The growth thus indi- Urdu. cated will be emphasized by the In forming an estimate of the statement that it is estimated that growth of thiil literary energy it from 1811 to 1821 the total issues of must be borne in mind that full free" the press were not over 16,000 copies. dom of the press only dates from The leap from that to over half a 1835. It is now well known that a million as we have seen in 1857, and single native publishing house in to over. 700,000 fourteen years later, Lucknow has sent an order at one indicates a great increase of literary time to England, for $25,000 worth activity. of paper to be used in his printing establishment. In 1863 there were but tw~lve ver- I Dr. Weitbrecht, at the London Conference of last year, said that This literary aggressiveness is not "the vernacular books which are limitedto India and Ceylon. Burmah, read for purposes other than studious too, is astir. A report before us or professional are, to a great extent, says: morally pernicious. And this ap- plies also, in great measure, to the .. There are printing presses In Rangoon. one English literature favored by young of them a steam-press, owned and condncted by India, so far as it is secular. Secunatives, which are devoted to the printing of a larism and ft'ee-Iove go hand-in-hand Buddhist literatnre, and cheap editions, put in to furnish the mental food of many attractive forms, are exposed for sale on pagoda English-reading natives." Another platforms, at steamer landings on the river, and speaker, Mr. Madie, said: "I have wherever people are likely to congregate In all been informed, and I am afraid it is parts of Burmah.'" the case, that at the present moment at the different railway stations in But a good deal of this literature India, the contractor for the supply at present is of foreign importation. of books has certainly supplied liter- In 1872 there were eleven booksellers ature of a most degrading and disin Calcutta with extensive shops and gusting nature, that is to say, transwarehouses, whose chief business lations made from the very worst of was importing books and periodical French novels." literature from Europe. Their imports aggregated about $250,000, of Dr. Murray Mitchell added his teswhich the bulk was of course from timony that the number of readers Great Britain, but some from France in India and China is rapidly increasand some from America. The most ing, and the natives are circulating of this was educational. poisonous literature to a fearful ex- tent through the agency of the press. Of the moral character of much of this indIgenous literature it is almost Turning to Japan we find it no needless to write. Dr. Murdock, easy task to write of the literary writing to Lord Napier in 1871, ex- kalaidoscope. The modern newspressed the opinion that it would be paper started in Japan as late as better for India if the whole of its 1871. By 1873 the number of newsindigenous literature were burned papers transmitted through the mails up, and a writer in the Indian Evan- exceeded half a million copies (514,- gelical Review said that "the issue 610), and in 1874 this was multiplied / of books and pamphlets was increas- more than fivefold, over two and a ing in India enormously, very few of half millions of copies (2,629,648) pasthe best vernacular books being free sing through the mails. The next from obscemty, while the great mass six months saw a number (1,839,846) of novels and poetry published in almost equal to the whole year's is- Bengal are distressingly filthy. A sues before. In 1879 eleven millions writer was quoted at the Allahabad and a quarter passed through the Conference as saying in 1852 : Post Office which was 100 per cent. "There are for sale in the Calcutta gain on that of 1876. TheJ;l came the bazaar, pamphlets written fortheex- restrictions of the Government, but press purpose of reducing bestiality despite all, the new'5paper press to a systematic theory. Had we not continued to develop, and by 1880 seen them we could not have be- fourteen millions newspapers passed' lieved in their existence." And of through the post offices of the emthe current Bengali literature Rev. pire. All these newspaper ventures' J. E. Payne said before the Confer- are not of course successful. In ence, that it "consists largely of 1880, of 149 new newspapers started, poetry. dramas, and fiction, and there is very little that is not licentious; probably not one in twenty of these wor~sis fit to read.'" 114 of them never saw 1881; of new with young Japan has been growing journals 266 were commenced in stronger under the influence of such 1880, 47 of which soon succumbed. imported inspiration from the west.
In 1887 a dozen daily newspapers ReV'. Dr. D. C. Greene, in an able were being published in Tokio, three paper read before the' General Con- in Osaka, and more in other large ference of Protestant Missionaries in towns. The total number of works Japan in 1883, said Paine's" Age of published in 1881 reached 4,910, Reason" is known in Japan under the against 3,792 the year previous. Of name of Dori no Yo; and Robert these 545 were on political subjects, Ingersoll's article on Christianity being almost double the number of from the North American Review those of the previous year of this was translated under the name of character: on political economy, 15 Yesu Kiyo Hai geiki Ron. A native works were issued in 1880, and 25 in pamphlet was brought out in 1881 1881. Of books on law, l1il80 pro- entitled Yesu Kiyo Mudori, or Chris- duced 207, and 1881, 225. Medical tiani ty Against Re'ason.
works advanced from 229 to 267; Another was by a professor in ethical and moral works increased Tokio on the Errors of Christianity from 32 to 93 ; historical books, from Exposed, or Yaso Kiya Ben waku.
196 to 276; poetical works, from 491 A book on Christian superstitions to 556; books on drawing and writ- was said to have much influence ing from 127 to 339; engineering with Chinese scholars. Paine's ,. Age works from 8 to 28; books on com- of Reason" was said to be read very merce from 70 to 113. The books on extensively. Another class of Anti- scientific subjects, geography, chem- Christian literature is of native ori- istry, natural history, astronomy, gin, and is based on political grounds slightly declined. School books were, of objection to Christianity. The howevt>r, hearly half as numerous principal books are Fukuzawa's work as all other books -put together. In entitled Bummei Ron or Treatise on 1880 they numbered 707 and in 1881 Civilization; his JiJi Shogen, a they were '704. Lighter literature Word for the Times, and a book was not neglected, 193 volumes of called Yaso kiyo koku gai, or Chris- tales, novels and the like being pub- tianity an Injury to the Country.
lished in 1881. It is needless to attempt in a brief The special feature which chal- article any summary of the literary lenges our attention in the modern features of so great a country, and literature of Japan is, however, the one whose literature is so permeating ready adoption of ll}odern Anti-Chris- and many phased as China. There tian literature. Agnostic and mate- are a few things, however, which in- rialistic treatises from England and dicate a remarkable modification of America have found their way to Ja- the literary life of this nation as im- pan. Huxley's "LaySermons," Spen- minent.
cer's "Data of Ethics" and a large Through ages the classics have range of similar works are read ex- consisted almost exclusively of ethi- tensively by the students of the cal maxims, and these are the text of Government and other English Chinese education of which one reads schools in various parts of the so much. Science was discouraged.
country, and in translationll more Confucian ethics were the standard or less among the students of the ,of scholarship.
normal schools and academies. But recently the Chinese Govern- They form the staple of articles in the ment has made a decided innovation current newspaperIiteratul'e, and the on these centuries-old customs. In materialistic tendency of thought 1888 the Peking Gazette, the official organ of the Emperor, added ques- are uncounted, but 'who in 1843 tions on foreign :science and learning, prmtedoverthree hundred thousand to the examination papers of the tracts, and as long ago as 1872 these tens of thousands of students as- aggregate initial forces had in circusembled at the provincial and metro- lation more than ten millions of politan examinations. Thjl Govern- separate issues. It is impossible to ment had, some time before, engaged follow the development of this foreigners to translate books and agency over anyone of the great follow the current periodicals of heathen countries. . other countries and translate every article bearing upon China; and The rapid growth and the steadily these translations were printed in an augmenting demand may be seen by official newspaper published every a slight glance at the Madras Refifth day for exclusive circulation ligious Tract and Book Society which among the Chinese official class. in the first fifty-five years of its ex- istence printed 7,521,529 copies, and We have no space to show the lit- in the next nine years printed as erary influences which are pervading many more. Forty years latercame other mission countries, such as the the Christian Vernacular Education Spanish-speaking populations of Society, which averaged for its first Mexico, the Argentine Republic, and twenty-two years put into circulaothers on the American continent, tion nearly two and three-quarter nor that of Italy and even of parts millions of publications. Far in the of Africa. Northwest the Punjab, Lucknow and oth!'lr presses have poured forth Enough has been thus hurriedly 'their leaves which are for the healing traversed, to show the vast and im- of the nations. minent need of the hour in the use of the press for evangelical pur- The early China missionaries acposes. Of course we cannot recount complished marvels in the producwhat has a.lready been done in the tion of literature. Commencing department of missionary labor. with Joshua Marshman, the first When Carey, Marshman and Ward translator of the Scriptures into Chion Lord's day, March 30, 1800, stand- nese, who began his work in Seraming at a four corners, or four-cross- pore in 1799, we have a noble band i'oads, sang Bengali hymns, and of litterateurs. Dr. Morrison became then distributed them in print the author of 13 Chinese and 19 Engamongst the people, they began the. lish works; Dr. Milne, of 21 Chinese mightiest revolution the Continent and 3 English; Dr. Medhurst, of 63 of India could experience. Within Chinese, 29 English and 7 Malay; twice twelve montns they had dis- Gutzlaff, of 61 Chinese, 2 Japanese, tributed 22,OQO tracts in the vernacu- 1 Siamese, 5 Dutch, 7 German and 9 lar, and these grew to at least a mil- English; Mr. Muirhead, of 89 .Chilion tracts and pamphlets by 1806, nese and 8 English. Drs. Doolittle, and the year 1815 alone saw the cir- Legge, Edkins and others kept the culation of far more than a hundred literary current flowing in Chinese, thousand. The Church of England, Mongolian, Malay, Japanese, Siathe Baptist, and the London Mission- mese, Dutch, German and English, aries in Calcutta re-enforced the ef- and now Dr. Yung J. Allen tells us forts of the "Serampore Three" in he has translated 90 volumes of his- 1818, the one with 6,000, the next tory, geography and science. OCthe with 15,000, and the last with 88,000 Christian presses estab.lished in variprinted issues, and the whole cul- ous parts of this Empire, there is no minated in the Calcutta Christian space to write. The last annual re- Tract and Book Society, whose issues port of the American Presbyterian Missionary Society says of the press the all-round development ofa at Shanghai: "The business of the Christian church and a distinctly press comprises two departments- Christian civilization. Neither ha.ve the manufacturing and the distribut- we cared to discuss the numerous ing. The former includes the foun- phases of the scope to be given dry, typesetting, pi'inting and bind- to the Christian press in these ing. The foundry has seven casting countries. How far it should be machines constantly at work which ' confined to religious publications, cast six sizes of Chinese type, besides or take also secular type and English, Korean, Manchu, Japanese, much besides, are questions for Hebrew, etc. There is also ma- separate discussion. It is, how- chinery for stereotyping, electrotyp- ever, not much except a question of ing, matrix-makifig, typecutting and capital. Why should not a mission engraving." Three presses are run press issue educational books which by gas, and five by hand, and from 80 tend to augment the intellectual life to 100 persons have been employed. of a people, even if it be in the form And now comes the statementwhich of elementary school books?
caused us to select this press as an The Greek "Alphabetarian" was illustration; " The earnings of the issued by the American Board press at press for the year, including increase Malta in 1829, 27,000 copies of which in the plant, stock, etc., were $12,- were sold in two years. Rev. Mr.
629.65, of which $5,000 were turned Craven issued a small Hindustani into the treasury for current mission dictionary with discriminating defi- work." We do not mean that it is nitions and carefully selected illus- alone in this self-supporting and trations, which was published at the revenue-yielding feature. It is not energetic Methodist Press in Luck- singular herein, else the very point now, India, and 60,000 copies were we desire to make would be dulled, sold in two years.
viz. : that it would seem that no de- These incidentals, however, of the partment of work could so readily mJl>in question should not divert our be made self-perpetuating as a mis- thought from the vast and rapidly sion press, and that a round sum increasing necessity which exists, given for the foundation of a press that the Christian Church shall mul- would be as wise and as useful a dis- tiplythe operations of its press in all position of money as would the en- foreign fields a hundredfold and do dowment of a professorship or even it at once. The hour has struck. The of a college. The power, the reach, procession moves. What we do we the influence of the press, is honey- must do qUickly.
combing tl1ese heathen communities, and the Christian Churr:h should .. Honor the Emperor, :Believe in take such large leadership of the :Buddha." general movement over the world as "Son-NO Ho-Butau Dai Dodan,"
will secure, if not the control of the which is translated in the caption of press in these great countries, yet, our articl~, is the title of the new as- at least such moral power as will sociation in Japan which seeks to materially affect its issues. secure a revival of Buddhism.
We have not discriminated between The Japanese Buddhist is becom- the necessity of furnishing health- ing sensitive to the Christian mis- ful literature for the heathen, and sion, and compliments its efficiency that of meeting the wants of the nat- by seeking to stir up his co-religion- iveChristian community–a commun- ists to rivalry with its pl'opaganda.
ity which must be furnished with all The Japanese newspapers have for the many-sided literature essential to some while past been tellin~ of able
INTERNATION.ll
Buddhist preachers undertaking to in operation along with the course of expound their doctrines with re- the social developments with the newed activity, a~d also of the es- moral and intellectual progress.".
tablishment of schools and other This, to an English reader, is atleast agencies in imitation of Christian a little less mysterious than Om missionary methods, all intended Mani Padn~, the unknown prayer to to counteract the force of Christian the unknown God of unknowable evangelism. The Lew missionary Buddhism.
society organized by these Buddhists But the editor of Bijou publishes can be partly understood by the fol- several letters from persons in this lowing quotation from its prospec- country, describing the hollowness tus: of Christianity and exalting Budd- .. Son-No Ho-Butsu Dai Dodan is an asso- hism as pre-eminently adapted to ciation established for the purpose of main- the needs of the Western barbarians. taining the honor and majesty of our Em- The editor thus expounds Buddhism peror and the truth of the doctrine of for English readers: Buddhism-a union of those who wish to protect our land and religion from the con- .. The fundamental ideas on which Budd- tempt of foreigners. Those who unite with hism hingesare, that the !ltate of constancy, us are expected to avoid everything that or eternal continuance, cannot be found in would lessen the reverence due to his Im- the whole universe, and that there is noth- perial Majesty or the infiuence of Buddhist ing to be pointed to as egoity : and the ob- doctrine. For instance, in selecting our ject of Buddhism is to drive away the conrepresentatives to the national parliament, fusion, and acquire the illumination, of the to provincial assemblies, to town councils psychical state. Every sect agrees on the or local offices, in the distribution of all fundamental idcas and the object; but honors, in appointing school teachers, of- there are found many grades of practice ficials of societies and business companies and principles in the preachings of the etc., we pledge ourselves carefully to ex- Tathagata himself, as well as of the deficlude all who are disloyal to the Emperor or nitions of several points of the doctrine. untrue to Buddhism by belicving in the This reason is that he intended to render foreign religion called Christianity. If these his teachings available to all the circumpoints are kept well in mind and carried out stances which the human beings present in practice, we, 39,000,000 of brethren united among themselves, that all they might be in one, will so protect our country that saved from the dark, miserable circle. This though many a difficulty and many an in- accounts for why Buddhism is divided into ternal social and political problem may sects;." The second extract is in verse, anp arise, still our Emperor's position shall is described as coming from the drama of stand secure and the doctrinc of Buddha the •• Toy Cart" : shall remain unshaken. Yes, if we but stand together on this solid foundation of truth, .. Be virtue, friends, your only store, the result will be that no foreign land will And restless appetite restrain, point at us with the finger of scorn. Now, brothers, if you can see the truth as here Beat meditation's drum, and sore stated do not hesitate to come and join our Your watchagainsteachsense maintain; band. Give us your hand, we shall then all stand together and add to the strength and The thief that stiII in ambush lies, life of our Yamato-damashii I" To make devotion'S wealth his prize.
In order to properly present the •Cast the five senses all away, That triumph o'er the virtuous will, interests of this missionarj society these Buddhists have established at The pride of self-importance slay, And ignorance remorseless ki1l.
So shall you safe the body guard./ And Heaven shall be your last reward."
Kioto a missionary magazine pub- There is, however, little occasion to lished in the English language with apprehend any protracted or powerthe title of Bijou of .Asia. The edi- ful movement toward a real revival tor says of Christianity in Europe of Buddhism, from the success of this -and America, "It is losing its influ- new departure of its missionary so- ence upon the social life and is drop- ciety and magazine. These move- ing away the principles forming the ments, intended as counter forces to part and parcel of its system, owing Christian aggressiveness, of which to the factors which naturally carne we have had many in India and ,I China, whether organized by Mos- powerful allies; shorn of means,of preatlge, lems, Brahmans or Buddhists, have of solid foundationi decay staril)g tb9l!l in been ShOl·t-lived, and are significant the face, no wonder they seek forsympathy rather as containing an acknowledg- and try all kinds of experiments. 'But 'this effort to tack themselves on to oUl-pOor, ment of the power of Christian mis- friendless.,deserted Emperor Is too comical.
sions and an apprehension of their Where is ther~ in all Japan a eJapallese further success, than as at all likely who does not reverence and honor his to furnish a true rallying point for Majesty Y But belief or unbelief in Budd- hism is a matter of choice that has not the revival of the fast decaying forces of remotest connection with our loyalty to the these old faiths in the face of the Emperor. Buddhism may have been of new civilization and the new dogma of Christianity. The editor of The benefit to Japan in olden times, butit is out- Christian, himself a Japanese, re- grown to-day 0.8 the clothes ot childhood are outgrown by one who has come to man- hood. Japan Is now putting away ohildish plying to the editor of the Bijou of things. If Buddhists want to form a politi- Asia, writes as follows: cal party to help themselves, let ,them form a really Buddhist party, and not attempt to .. Buddhism feels that the influence of the mix two things which are as fa.r as the poles old doctrine is decaying, and many are the asunder. But -this dragging in of religiOUS experiments and plans projected to save matters into political life, as they-wilIh to the waning cause. Five or six years ago do in regard to electionll, etc.., is a. matter they started a plan of preaching and lec- that cannot be too severely reprehended. turing on a large scale to expose th" errors We do not wish to see here the-poJitico- of Christianity and to expound the Buddhist religiolls contentions that disgrace papal law: at the same time Yaso-Taijl-Chris- countries. If Buddhism can hold its own tianity expelling society-was started with by the fair teaching of doctrine and by winhigh hopes. These plans failed and the next ning the hearts of the people well and go,od, move was to open girls' schools, establish but if it needs political power to preserve woman's societies, young men's associa- its life it must be in a pitiable condition intions, etc., etc., in imitation of the doings deed." of the Christians. All this is a benefit to Japan, no doubt, but it is suicidal for Budd- "Sunny Spain." hism. for Buddhism and education cannot THREE centuries ago Spain inaug- exist together. Superstition and knowledge urated in the City of Seville what will not mix. Buddhism looks upon Chris- France had theoretically originated tianity as its great enemy, but the real but dUl'st not then attempt to realize enemy of Buddhism is the light of the nine- amongst her people-the terrificInteenth century and the incoming of western science. In India. Bra.hminism is true to it- quisition. Nowhere, even in Spain, self eand opposes the education of the have so many been burned for fidelimasses !Lnd of woman; it may be respected ty to their convictions as here. Here while it is opposed by Christians. There old men, youths, girls died for their would be something manly in Japanese Buddhism standing its own ground and faith. Of the martyrs that cry be- fighting with its own weapons, but when it neath the altar what multitudes asholds its superstitions with one haud and cended from this city! a city so beaugrasps at edncation as an aid with the other tiful that the motto is current still, it IS simply to be pitied. The strength of Buddhism in Japan is wholly in uneducated "He who has not seen Seville, has elderly people, who still believe its teach- seen no wonder." ings. The boys and girls who entered the It was a happy day for Seville when primary schools when the present system was established are now becoming men Rev. L. S. Tugwell, the' British and women, taking the place of the elders chaplain at that place, purchased in who are little by little dropping out, and 1871 the fine old church, San Basilio, hence the decay of Buddhism. But now we have a new scheme. In reading the procla- once a Benedictine monastery, that mation of the Son-No Ho-Butsu we appre- 'ciate the trouble into which they have the gospel in its Simplicity might fallen and pity them, for they are like a once more be preached therein, and lonely castle in the midst of circling foes to ,whom nothing is left but hopelesssurrender. a congregation of a'thousand persons Within, scarcely an intelligent and edu- cated believer; without, no rich or wise or assembled. That work has extended over many parts of Spain; We read of crowded congregations at Malaga,
TJUIl MONTHLY OONOERT OF-KISSIONS
where cruel persecution has failed to – The ticket olllce in the Callt lit Sevilla does Dot su.bdue the pastor or injure the work, open until Saturday; but on Friday 3,000 .per- sons assemble in front of the D68pacho, and and of the success of village missions, walt there Courteen hours in order to prooure and of one occasion where over 200 – cards of admission. A detachment of troops is persons were unable to gain admis- sent to keep order, but Cor all that there Is a.
sion to the room, listening eagerly good deal oC rough horse-pisy. Blows are struck. – at the door and windows. "We have revolvers are produced, arrests are made, and indeed many trials," writes one pas- the authorities threaten to clear the streets'. As this would deprive the multitude of their covet- tor, "but come what may we must ed seats in the bull-ring, order is eventnally re- preach Jesus." stored. Fearing a serious conllict in the Calle But Spain is still a Roman Catho- de Sevilla, however, the Governor of Joladrld lic country. An Evangelical pastor arranges for the tickets to be sold at the bull . ring itself. Directly this announcement is made tells us that when a bull fight, some the crowd march In a compact body to the time ago, was to be given on Sunday Plaza de TOf'08. When the tickets are proafternoon in Seville, in aid of the duced, nearly 10,000 people are standing In the Roman Church, the corners of the blazlnj!; sunshine. On Sunday all the great cen· streets were covered with posters on which the Virgin Mary was repre- ters ot the City are deseried. The Fine Arts Exhibition, which is open free, has scarcely a visitor. But the bull-rlng-the admission to sented as seated between a bull and which is from 14 to 15 twenty-five shilllng……..is a bull-fighter. A recent writer gives packed, and as much as £10 is paid for a seat us this description of the Sunday, for in the shade. which the Roman Catholic Church is responsible in Spain. He writes of "It is a terrible fact that the priest and the bull· fighter are the two chief factors of the day. in- deed, they go together, for bull-fights are fre- Madrid: quently given in aid of the expenses of public .. There is to ,be an extraordinany bull-light on worship, and the proceeds of the revoltinc e1- Sunday, and special attractions are announced. hibltions are called" pWu8 alml."
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY ARTHUR T. PIERSON, D.D.
SUBJECTS for the month: Africa 7. Malayo-Polynesian, Madagasand Freedmen. Consult volume for car. 1888, pp. 411, 468, etc. This is a valua.ble classification. AFRICA.-Physicallyit is compared Religion.-Some of the tribes are to an inverted saucer, the coast line so low sunk in barbarism that they comparatively low, ascending to come as near as any people to no reranges of hills and mountains, with ligion; the language has no words to table lands, SOOO feet high, beyond express properly religious and spirand between. Population vaguely itual ideas; and the consciousness of estimated at 200,000,000 and over. spiritual things, and almost the ca- Keane arranges the -races in seven pacity for apprehending them seem main groups according to language. no longer to exist. Moffat thought some of the people scarcely reachable 1. Semitic, along north coast and even by the gospel, and counseled in AbyssiDia. as the threefold condition of all suc- cess, "Patience, Patience, PA- 2. Hamitic, Sahara, Egypt, Galla and Somali.
S. Fulah-Nuba, in Western Cen- TIENCE." tral and Eastern Soudan. Throughout the northern region, 4. Negro, Western and Central Sou- the crepd of the Moslem is nomina.lly dan, Upper Nile and Upper Guinea. prevalent but is not practically very influential. It is rather a barrier to 5. Bantu, south o[ 60 n. Lat. except the gospel than a positive religiOUS in Hottentot land. belief. On the west coast the Mo- hammedans are divided into Mar- 6. Hottentot, extreme southwest (rom Cape to Tropic of Capricorn. abouts and Soimachees ; the former ers or canoes to give alfJes.8. tQ these are rather stricter in observing the teeming millio.ns. One sta.rts-it(b~ laws and customs of the sec~the mouth of this imperial strea.m and Pharisees of the Mussulmans In Af- ascends 125 miles of navigable river, rica-while the latter are looser, then for 185 miles encountel'S rapids more secular, even eating pork and and cataracts; bu.t beyond that for drinking intoxicants. over1.000 miles, from Stanley Pool to Stanley Falls, is one grand stretch of Fetichism is more widely prevalent navigable river, with branches runin Africa than in any other land. It ning each way navigable from 100 to is the lowest form of superstition 800 miles, and leading into the heart and both marks and makes the deep- of this rich and populous territory. est degradation where it prevails. Dr. Burrell in his excellent book on The people from the river-mouth the"Religionsof the World" compre- up to Stanley Pool and the equator hensively describes Fetichism thus: line are civilized by contact with "A Fetich is any material thing, white traders, and their pagan cusliving or dead, not divine, to which toms largelymodifled. They speak reverence is paid on account of a one language, musical. of Jarge casupernatural influence proceeding pacity of expression and easy of from it. acquis~tion, and along this line the seven Congo stations are already Central Thought: a man not the planted. 'Beyond the point where the controller of his own affairs. 1. His Congo crosses the equator, lies anmaster is Fetich, the fortune giver. other vast populatIOn, . more de- 2. He may have many fetiches of graded, less civilized, and needing at divers kinds. 3. Fetichism is not once the full array of Christian Polytheism, Henotheism or Panthe- institutions, but yet entirely desism. 4. It is however a system hav- titute. ing both a creed and a cultus. 5. It is better than materialism, for it Their moral and· spiritual state is holds to the- reality of supersensib1e hardly conceivable without contact things. To the question: What shall with them. With no idea of God or I do to be saved? it gives no answer. immortality, they worship fetich cha.rms; sickness is not brought about Africa is so wide a territory, that by natural causes, but is the result of in addition to matter furnished in. enchantment; hence the medicinethe last volume, we give only notices man must trace disease and death to of some few missions. some unhappy human victim or victims who must suffer the witch's The Oongo Mission. penalty. One death therefore means another-it may be a dozen. Here A grand open door is that which God runawayslaves are crucified, robbers has set bef "Ire our Baptist brethren in buried alive, young men .cruelly dethe Congo basin! a million square capitated, andhuman beings areeven miles in the heart of equatorial devoured for meat. Africa, made accessible by the great Congo and its tributaries. And yet this people, after centuries of virtual seclusion, are now both The great lakes, Nyassa, Victoria, Iitel'ally and morally accessible. They Tanganyika, are isolated; they must welcome missionaries, come to. the be approached by a long and weary chapels, and prove teachable. Even walk of from 500 to 800 miles from now cruel customs and superstitious the coast, and afford no means of notions are giving way before patient, penetrating the surrounding coun- humble, scriptural instruction. .The try; but the Congo and its branches walls are down, and the hosts of God present from 4,000 to 6,000 miles of river roadway, needing only steamha.ve but to march straight on and heroism of the gospel does not de- take what Dr. Sims calls "the last mand needless exposure or careless stronghold of Paganism." venture.
Wonderfully indeed has God linked Here is a grand opportunity. It Protestant, Greek, Roman Catholic, m'ay be doubted whether there has, and even Moslem 'nations in the ad- been anything like it since the ministration of the Congo Free State. clarion voice of our Great Captain Never was such a highway open for trumpeted forth the last commission. the gospel since our Lord ascended. Ethiopia is stretching forth her hands unto God. On those hands The Arabs from Zanzibar and the are the marks of manacles which coast are moving up toward Stanley England and America helped to rivet Falls and the north country, estab- there. There is but one atonement lishing themselves in large villages we can make for Africa's wrongs-it to capture slaves and carryon ne- is to lay down our lives, if need be, farious traffic, while the Protestant to redllem her sable sons from the forces slowly move upward from the captivity of sin. west. The question is, Who is to occupy the Congo Basin? and the We ought to turn this Congo into question is to be settled at once. This a river of life, crowd its waters great highway of rivers means traffic with a flotilla of Henry Reeds, line and travel; this rich and splendid its banks with a thousand chapel tropical country invites trade and spires, plant its villages with Chris- settlement. Into whose hands shaH tian schools, let the Congo Free such a heritage be surrendered? The State mark its very territory with Christian Church must give prompt the sign of Christian institutions, so answer by action, her reply must be a taking possession, and the old law that to cross its border will be to pass is the new one: "Every place that from darkness unto light. Where is the sole of your feet shall tread upon our Christian enterprise, that such a shall be yours:" the resolutions of work, with such a field and such . enthusiastic missionary conventions, promise, should wait for workmeq the prayers of all Christendom, the and for money! What do our con- planting of the banner of the cross verted ypung men want, as a chance at a few commanding points-all to crowd life with heroic service, that this .will not do. We must send out the Congo basin does not attract enough Christian laborers to meas- them! Here what a' century ago ure off that soil with their own feet. would have taken fifty years. to ac- complish, may be done in five. The " But it is unhealthy"? So are all unexplored interior is open, the dark tropical and especially equatorial continent waits to be illumined. climes to those who are not ac- Nature· has cast up her highway of customed to the intense and steady waters, and there is no need to gather heat, and do not use common sense out the stones. Give us only the 'in adapting their clothing, eating and two-wheeled chariot, with steam as drinking, and habits of life, to these the steed to draw it, and the men and peculiar surroundings. One must not women to go in it bearing the gospel, go from temperate to torrid zone, andfl'om end to end of this highway and wear the garments, eat the heat- we can scatter the leaves of that tree ing food, use the stimulating drinks which are for the healing of the na- and risk the exhausting labors which tions. are permissible in cooler latitudes. A trip to New Orleans or Florida has Where are the successors of Mof- proved fatal to many a fool who fatt and Livingstone! What a hero would not take advice. Even the was he who dared forty attacks of fever and then died on his knees be-
sid~Lake·. Bang-wealo, tliat he might of lieen already formed neaHj ',400
tip open. tbe 'dark recesses of Africa, members, witbas many more'~p:: plying. There were two out-stations. to the missionary I Let us pour men A native elder had moved for health's sake to a new part of the country a.nd money at the fe'8t of our Lord. and some six months after 40 con: verts were gathered into a churoh,· We'have not yet paid our debt to the fruit of his work. Some three: Simon the Cyrenean and the Eunuch years and more ago a chief asked for'· the fifth time to have a station in of Ethiopia! his territory, and just then Barclay Amerioan Mission in ~t. Church,Edinburgh,oifered to support an evangelist. Thus the request Rev. Dr. Muchmore writes: was providentially met and shortly " At the request of Ismail Pasha, there were 93 converts. Said Pasha made the mission, in its infancv, a present of an old building, For 50 years the Dutch Boers which" served them a long time. opposed the work, and even burned Being in the way of the improve- down Livingstone station. Now they ment of Ismail, he proposed to give theni in exchang'e the present posi- themselves are crying out for evantion, On which they erected the pres- gelists. They seemed moved by the 'tmt building, so spacious and so belief that they were the modern adequate to all their needs. In ad- Israel of God, to destroy others about dition he gave them about thirty-five them as God's people did the Ca~ thousand dollars. The money for naanites. the building was nearly all given by outside friends in England and We have elsewhere rE'ferred to the America. The mission field has as cruelty and tyranny of the native centers Alexandria, Monsura, Cairo, chiefs as seen in ,Dingaan, a Zulu, , Assiout and Luxor. They have of who when 100 girls came bringing communicants, 2,042; attendants, provisions to the Kraal, the tribe 4,449 ; evening prayer-meetings, they came from havingoifended him, 2,180 ; which is a wonderful dis- and one girl being considered the closure of true inner life, for this is equivalent of 30 cattle, he killed the the test everywhere of a standing or girls in one foul massacre, thus ex- falling church. In the next test- acting the penalty for the offense, ben'evolence-they do not faU behind. 3,000'head of cattle. He sent out There is raised by native members two spies to hunt for cattle, and and adherent.s for church work $5,043 they mistook game for horned -$2.49 per member. They gave also cattle. He ordered theil eyes to educationalcongregationalschools gouged out, saying, "Of what use $5,508. In tuition fees in all schools, are eyes f0 such men!" Similar city and counil-y, $11,211. Whole things are going on now along the value of the property of the mission Zambesi. It was to such people that $193,304, a good showing for thirty- Rev. W. H. Thompson first brought three years. In the schools of Miss the gospel: and now over 200,000 are 'Vhateley are between three and under its influence, over 50,000 are four hundred boys and girls. These now church-members,and onechurch beneficial statements are fm'ther con- numbers 1,400. There are five or six firmed by the reading habits .of the training schools; LovedaZe is con- people. Bibles and books are sold, spicuous for its educational work: 9.651 volumes, money realized $2,552. out of 2,000 or 3,000 pupils only 15 Religious publications, 8,993 vol'lmes; have gone back to heathenism. money realized, $1,149. Educational books for schools sold everywhere, Rev. Robert Cleland writes from 19,179; money realized, $4,405. Total Chiradzulo: attendance in the Sabbath·schools, 417. "
Zululand.-Ourpersonalfriend, Rev. James Scott, of Impolweni, gave in the course of the mission tour in Scotland in August, 1888, a most fascinating account of his own work in Zululand. A church had
· 1881).} THE MONTBLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS•
.. Perhaps in 110 part of the heart of Africa are came a freedman. there were 4,000.000 of peo–., there so many memories clustered as here. A pie who owned not an average of ten cents little over twenty years ago, and livingstone apiece, Ignorant; nnable to read and writewttb, came here with Bishop Mackenzie and that ill· few' exceptions; but with a religlou8 aptitude fated band. Within five miles lies that beauty-· possessed by few peoples, !laving a reverence Cully·situated spot, Magomero-heautiful, as for holy tbingsthat admitted no skepticism fir kneeling nnder an arch made by a thousand infidelity, and a strange respect tor the marcreepers, we find the open grave of poor "Birrup riage relation, notwithstanding they had been who, dying, buried his dead bishop, only to re- educated in the midst of a system of concubintreat along those solemn fOreRt plains to die. To age and compelled to regard the relation of husthis spot, again and again on his last journeys, band and wife. parent and child as dissolvable the great.souled livingstone turned with a glad at the will oC the master." Be says tbia race is hope not unmingled with a feeling of regret. doubling every thirty-fivo years. Bere the gospel was first planted in the heart of this great land." -In the South there are now 16,000 colored teachers, 1,000,000 pupils, 17,000 in the male and The Rev. Dr. Daniel Lindley, who' female high schools, and 3,000,000 worshipers for twenty-five years was a mis- in the churches. There are 6 normal schools, sionary among the Zulus, used to tell 50 colleges and universities, and 25 thoological some very interesting stories about seminaries. They pay taxes on nearly $2,000.- those poor blacks, who are very ig- 000 worth of property. This in the Southern States, which, if including the Northern States, norant, and live in a very miserable would double the property valuation. way, wearing little or no clothing, and having wretched huts for homes. This is a wonderful showing from a race that has 200 year~ of slavery and 4,000 years ofbarba. OC('Atsionally a poor, naked, black rism back of It, when in 20 years of emancipac man would come to him and ask for tion, under all lis repressive circumstances, it a shirt. None could be obtained makes such a showing. American generOSity within 200 or 300 miles, except from has done for the Sonth in 20 years what states- Dr. Lindley, who was glad to supply manship has failed in for over a century; but the man at cost. Next, he would generosity should not be depended upon, RS want a pail' of trowsers; then he even that can reach a limit. The negro popuwould bring a rqugh piece of plank lation Of the United States is now 7.000,000. or slab of a tree, and three stakes, and ask the missioqary to bore hole& African NoteS.-The area is estimated in it, that the stakes might be placed at 8,500,000 square miles, exclusive of in them for legs, and thus make a islands. Of the territory of Africa, England has stool; for he would be unwilling to sit the controlling influence over 1,000,000 square on the ground with his new clothes; miles; Germany, 740,000; France, 700,000; other then he would want a chair for his powers-Portugal, Italy, etc.-have various wife, and would begin to treat her possessions, raising the whole to 6,500,000 and their little children more kindly. square miles. Now, for that Zulu to come to beg for a shirt wa:;; the same as declaring -Bechuanaland postal-runners carry the that he mean t to give up heathenism mail at the rate of 130 miles a day-each runner and become a Christian. covering 15 miles. The. route hetween Tangier and Fez, in Morocco, is 150 miles of mountain- The Freedmen. ous, crooked roads, and bridgeless and ferryless rivers. The Arab earriersrun, walk and swim SENATOR BRUCE, in his lecture on this distance in three and a half days. the Race Problem, says: -An African traveler, Commander Cam- .. The people of the United States have en' eron,states that half a million negroes on that countered on their soil three other races: the continent are taken from their homes and sold red Indian, the yellow Chinaman and the black into slavery every y"ar. African. The red man's land, the Chinaman's labor, and the negro's peraon have been ap- -The London MiSSIonary Society Mission propriated. Race conflicts sometimes prodnce on Lake Nagami, in South Africa, reports' an amalgamation of the Inferior as hi Mexico, ex- iateresting ea.se of a self-taught preacher, termination as In the case of Indians, and the Bokaba, who had learned the truth from porsubordination as in case Of the blacks. tions of scriptural translstions made by Dr. When the war'ended and the co:ored lDan be- Moffat and Rev. Wm. Ashton in 1857. Be had found the 53d chapter of Isaiah, and had been led to behold there" the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Very hum- hIe in spirit, he has neverthless proclaimed the truth to all about him. .. It is all bahblement," he says. "We are like infants; but the mother understands her Infant, and God understands His children better still."
EDITORIAL NOTES. [ J
-The veteran Dr. )(oll'at, after hearing a deplorable condition. At e•." 1IIDIl' harbOr Christian brother remark that If he were a on the coast may be (ound Bnlpburie RIllcl, aqar yonng man he would go to Africa, said:" I and water, which these tradera sell as braDdy, wonld go to·morrow were it in my power; and I think I am not too old yet… gin, etc. The first German Colonr aOO the Congo lands Mao were bought with liquor. . -One ofthe m,oat terrible facts in modern bottle of rum is current coin. The clamor for drink Is heard here as Cor .. Backsheesh .. history is the forcing of ligum trade upon in Arab lands. One ship brought to the Niger Africa by nominally Christian nations. It is 300,000 bottles oC gin. Brandy has almost taken the unanimous testimony of missionaries that the place oC the native beer on the gold coast; the natural cruelty and bloodthirstiness of the and drunkenness has become so common Africans are kindled into the madness of , that it is a rnle not to visit an omcial after dinner. demons by ftrewater, and beneath the wounds No street preaching is allowed in the evening, of European traders this poor land lies bleeding for no man dare face the intoxicated mnltltude. at every pore. From the cradle to the grave every evening in the West African's life Is saturated with strong- When Bishop Penick reached Africa in 1877, drink. Funerals are horrible to see, sometimes the first word of English he heard breaking $500 being spent for rum and powder on such from African lips was an oath, showing that occasions. A missionary says at times a whole the devil's missionaries had outstripped the village is drunk. )(any sleep with a bottle missionary of Christ. The steamer on under their heads, for use during the night. which he sailed from Liverpool carried fOOT One native dealer is reported as keeping 96.000 missionaries and $50,000 worth of rum to the bottles of brandy in stock for the Interior west coast, and weekly that amount was sent from the civilized world to curse that people. trade." An African missionary writes:" The steamer The New York Timea:" Every ship that on which we came brought apparatus to establish a mauufactory of brandy. They will soon have takes missionaries to Africa carries enough 700 barrels of the poison ready for sale." The poisonous rum and gin to offilet in evil the good etl'ects of a thousand missionaries. Since the secretary of the London Missionary Society opening of the Oongo region enormous quanreports that in all the tribes of South Africa tities of the stutl'-so vile that there is rio brandy is the greatest curse of the natives• market for it in any civillzed country-has .. The bralldy-keg does far more harm than the been shipped to the savages. 14lssionaries in all parts of the Dark Continent are now pleadpowder-barrell " .. Mohammedan influence hinders the sale ing with European governments, for the restric- tion or abolition of the tramc. " of liquors on the East Coast; but iii spite of that the German traders import $20,000 of brandy a No wonder Christian people are petitioning year. In South Africa, Hottentots, Kamrs and those in authority to suppress this iniqnltous others perish beneath this curse by thousJ.nds. tramc on foreign shores I On one Sunday noon,an English gentleman count ed at the diamond fields 317 natives dead drunk, One distillery in Medford. Mass., has a conwhile many others were partially intoxicated." tract to supply parties in the Congo Free State with 3,000 gallons a day for seven years I .. West Africa is, If possible, in a still more VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ONCURRE:NT TOPICS.
Another Assault on Missions. ably inadequate; he thinks the com- mittees at home largely responsible, FOLLOWING in the wake of Canon and that there is urgent need both Taylor, Mr. W. S. Caine, }:[. P., vis- of better men and better methods. iting India, etc., indulges in some- what superficial but critical remarks Mr. Caine is a brilliant example of on missions, which have broughtout the inadecluacy of the ordinary tour- a heavy counterfire from Secretary ist to make accurate observations or , Baynes, of the Baptist Missionary induce sound conclus~ons touching Society, andR. Wardlaw Thompson, missions. He writes about Indian of the London Missionary Society-. missions with the air of a thorough The replies, however courteous, are explorer, yet his travels have been a merciless exposure of the super- entirely confined to North India, for ficialityof his information, and the many reasons the hardest and most injustice of his strictures and the in- barren part of the whole field.' In accuracy of his statements. He at- the Madras Presidency he might find tempts to make out the educational tens of thousands of converts, and policy a conspicuous failure, and the in Ongole and the Telugu country numerical results of missions miser- the greatest harvest field'since apo6-
NOTES
'to!icdays. Yet he. knows nothing of he mistakes egregiously when he the Arcot, Madura, Tinnevel1y, My- prOnounces their "failure complete sore districts or of the work of the and unmistakable" in this direction.
L. M. S. in the Canarese country and He forgets the intelligent and sym- Tra.vancore. pathetic hearers, not to say actfYe Even as to North India, where helpers, who are furnished to evan- Moslem bigotry and Brahman idola- gelistic missionaries from the stu- try have built barriet·s so far insuper- dents trained in these schools; and able, Mr. Caine's criticisms are mis- overlooks the secret faith which as leading. He overlooks Rohilcund yet is not bold enough to face oppo- and the work of the Americl:.n Meth- sition and persecution by open eon- odists, I:.nd Ahmednuggur and the fession. When he advocates the gra.nd missions of the A. B. C. F. M. turning over to the Government of and Calcutta with the work of the all secular education, he evidently L. M. S. In all these not only are , did not know that he was committing there many converts, 'but a con- one of those blunders which Talley- stantly Msing ratio of increase. Mr. rand pronounced worse than a Caine seems to have turned his blind crime. The Indian Govet'nment is, eye to almost every successful field on all matters connected with moral- and his open eye to the more difficult ity and religion, avowedly and neces- and fruitless ones. sarily neutral. To hand. over the With the iron flail of Talus, he entire training of India's vast multi- would at once demohsh all the mis- tudes to agencies destructive, not sion schools and turn over all secular constructive, or to associations posi- education to the Government! This tively 'and professedly heathen in ." Daniel" comes to jUdgment, and character and sympathy, would be in an instant would settle questions madness.
that have engrossed the attention of Mr. Caine is troubled with the cost the ablest men from William Carey of maintaining missionaries. He to AlexanderDuff and John Wilson- thinks the fact that the missionary with one stroke sweepirig away the ., lives in a good bungalow. eats the laborious work of a half century I sacred cow, drives his dog-cart and Mr. Caine is not embarrassed by his is in all respects a BurraSabib," puts humility. "M. P." does not stand an impassable gulf between him and for modest person. Should nis ad- the ordinary Hindu; and holds up in vice' be followed, men who have admiring cou.trast the Salvation studied Indian missions on the Army and the Jesuits. He says, if ground for a generation would con- all the English Protestant missionsider that the religious future of ary societies could furnish 200 men India was disastrously wrecked. He of lil,e devotion, the work of con- seems to think the major part of the verting India would begin. He admissionaries are giving the bulk of vocates celibacy and asceticism as their time to educational work. conditions of success. As to the whereas of the 48 male missionaries in Salvation Army, etc., even those India, in the employ of the L. M. S., who most admire their self-denial, only one-fourth are teaching; and question. the e15ciency and wisdom of the $125,000 spent annually there by this society, only one-twelfth was of their methods and the pt'obability of their ultimate and pet'm~nent granted last year to educational success. And as to celibacy, Dr.
work. Eli Smith, the hero of Syrian mis- Mr. Caine observes quiie truly that "ions and one of the wisest men ever the number of conversions directly on the field of Oriental missions, traceable to the schools is small, but emphatically advised young men to
married to the illi$sion field., and English membel' of Farliamenti{'al_
his cI"owning reason was th3ot'heath- though it must be confessed that 8; enism needed nothing more than the letter'to the secretary of ~e s~e practical exhibition inthe Christian ties would have seemed the first im- home of what Christianity can do pulse of a real friend of missions, for the woman and wife, mother and lest inaccurate statements and un- daughter, and for the whole house- warl'anted conclusions might be hold life. Who dares to say in the rashly put before the public. But, light of history and experience, that attributing to Mr. Caine only the best it is wise to erect in India a celibate of motives, we are constrained to say and ascetic order of ministers, as a. that if he should in a speech in Par- normal Ohristian product, where the liament betray as little knowledgeof very fact of celibacy is a presump- the subject and as fallacious and tion against chas tity! Mr. Caine superficial a course of argument,' he may be a fall' Parliamentarian, but would very soon become a carcase for he is not a safe umpirical critic of the vultures to pick in pieces. We Indian missions. We prefer as a are reminded of Dr. Parr's witty re- judicious and judicial observer some tort to the student who proposed to man like Sir Bartle Frere or the write a book jointly with him: "If Viceroy Lord Lawrence, who has we should write a book and I should lived on the very ground and knows put in all Iknowandyou all lIoU don't, what he talks about. what a big book we would make!" .
Where MI". Caine got his mathe- The following paragraph from the ..Britiah matics we cannot conjecture. He Weekly" may throw additional light on the reports 62 English Baptist mission- matter of Mr. Ca.ine's opposition: .. The main points stand out quite distinctly. In the flret aries at work in India instead of 42, place Xr. Caine, previoU8 to his going to India and makes the number to have was not a subscriber to either the lIaptist or the • doubled from 1880 to 1888; whereas London MIssionary Society,a fact which shows' it has only risen from 35 to 42, one- that he was prejudiced against them. In the second place, belore he went the friends of the fifth increase. He reports the net Society were made aware that he intended to at- increase in the Baptist churches in tack them. In the third place, 8 propotlal WM – India for the year previous as 53 in- made by his friends that he shonld go out as a stead of 153; and his eager eye does representative olthe committee. In the fourth· not discern that the rate of progress place, Xr. Caine, without submitting Imy of his upon previous membership is far in grievances to the responsible authorities, rushed exceSB of that of the whole Church with them into print. The result has been, it is said, a temporary diminution of contribntions, of Christ in England during tpe same , a result not to be wondered lot when itis remem- bered how many are always seeking aneXCU8e to period, notwithstanding the far more escape from giving. but the real damage bas fallnumerous and mountainous obstacles en upon Mr. Caine himself, and if he wishetl to that in this Gibraltar of heathenism know what opinion his countrymen haveformed confront the missionary. Mr. Caine ot him he has only to ascend a platform."-A.
tells us the net gain to native Baptist T.P.
churches has been only 746 during A oonJtliiSPONDBNT who forgot to lIign bls the past eight years, but he does not communication thinks tha~ the China say that during that time 3,830 con- Inla.nd Mission may be ma.de a means of verts were added to those churches. awa.kenlng missionary enthusiasm and He makes 495 salaried workers to be greatly extending the preaching of the in the employ of the Baptist mis- good news in that interesting country. He sions instead of 300. euggests tha.t it would be easy for every towu of, sa.y 10,000 inhabitants, to find 100 These are enough to show that persons zealous for missions, who would this self-constituted critic is a very give, in addition to their other o1ferl~s unsafe guide. We would not at- one cent a, da,y for the support of a missiontribute "malice prepense" to this a.ry in the China Inland: and tha.t this amount ~i8'ht ~ collec~ weekly or,
1889,]'
ll1!)nt;l4by ~,ehildr~n, thJls deepening sense of their stewardship intlie tneU' interest in-the :work. The persons ma.tter of property, eonscientiousin gi-viUgweekIy ~l.·;m;'nthIY to the work would the habit of ,regularly set.ting aside Iia.vetheir thoughts awakened and feel the Lord's portion, and faithful in mUl'hmoreci,uterest tban in,glYingonee a keeping it sacred and bringing it to, • year aIldthElll forgetting aU about it. The His treasury. No such system can money thus given bv members of dilferent be perfectly carried out unless each churches wonld draw them closer together, member becomes his own collector, helping to answer our Lord's prayer for for no collectors can be found to un- unity of heaJ,"t. The sanction of the pastors dertake to gatherall these little sums would be needed and then tberewould beno from so large a body of donors. The difficulty. And then this famine in China theory is perfect; the" BUT" lies in is"s'l'ch ~a grand 'opportunIty to show the its practical working. The Women's spirit and vallie of the religion of Jesus. Boards are doing more than all the Succor sent from far-olf lands, beCl!ouse our other agencies together to work out r~ligion prompts and requires such offer- this organization of the littles. ings, would'do more to recommend it than hundreds of missionaries could do. As to circulars and appeals, the editorsand publishersof this REvmw Weought'to do this work and give the cannot undertake to issue urgent ~p missionaries Oil the ground hundreds of peals for every needy and worthy thousands for distribution. A penny a day cause. We regard it our province to will preserve life there. One dollar would, present the facts and arguments of therefore,save a life for. 100 days. By that missions and leave them to make time something will grow that may be their own appeal. Every page of eaten. ' this REVIEW might be crowded with these special calls for help and lose We a,re asked by this correspondent to their power by theirfrequency. We send out a circular to subscribers, laying must set a rational limit to our this matter before them and teliing them provin~.-A. T. P. what 'to di>,and'he feels' sure 'that in re- sponseto such' burning words,thousands of AMONG other letters receiyed by the dollars would go to the relief of the starving editors is the following: Chiill;se. I am a subscriber to and a constant Such letters as this are not uncom- reader of your excellent REVIEW. It is mon, but they overlook two impor- worth Its weight in gold to the ca.use. I tant facts. First, there is no doubt write to ask can't you give us a. series of pointed and arousing"articles, <>n the subject that the true way to support mIs- of Monell, in its relations to the Kingdom oj sions i~ by gathering the mites sys- God, e. g., one on God's Dependence on Money, tematically and constantly, and so as the chief agency of evaDgelizing the ,world-not abBolute dependeJ1ce on it, of aggregating millions. Butthe trouble course, but His voluntary dependence on it isthe gathering. It is easy to demon- -you understand; one on the demands of strate that one cent a day given by a the age and times on the church for large million people amounts in a year to and increased surrender of the Lord's mouey $3,650,000, but the difficulty is to get in saving the world; one on God's OW7UlT- a million 'people to give the cent a ahip ot money and man a steward, and day, and to provide some way of other articles bearing on the general Hub- gathering such gifts. If we could ject. We need such articles from pens that "organize the littles" the problem can dissect all the main facts .in the case. would be solved, but after 1,800 years Just a.t this time, it Stems to me, 8uell a of Christian history it is still an un- series is demanded. The church must be ' aroused to her responsibili ties in the solved problem. A perfect system premises. Missions under God cIOn only suc- by which all church members may ceed by the use of money. You bave shown be reached, and small gifts regularly us the calls of tbenations; now wake n" n'p on and systematically collected and dis- the means to answer these calls. Tbe money tributed, will mark a much higher question ca,nnot be too elablrately bl'Ou;lt level of Christian liCe than we have ever yet attained. It demands not only a pastor, first of all in thorough sympathy with such plans, but a ({hurch membership imbued with a
NOTES
out ill, your pi!.ges a.nd burnt into the minds up the work, enlarged membership, of yonr readers. The church at large is £'1'0wing interest and larger contribufearfully derelict iu her guty. Hence a tions all along the line. An appeal stirring up of the whole subject of money was made lor $500 to aid Mr. McAU would, it seelDs to me, be in the direct in special work in connection with line of your mission. I should rejoice to see the coming Exposition in Paris, and such a ha.ndlin2: of the SUbject as you are the response, amid great enthusiasm, able togive it. I trust you will see your way was $2,500.-J. M. S. clear to gratify us along this line, and so help on the cause in one of its most, if not WE heartily indorse the words ~lf the most, e~sential plans and methods 01'- the Christian Intelligencer concerndaiued. ing an enterprise that deserves re- cognition and support on the part of The editors have long had this in the Protestant Church. mind, and OUi' brother's appeal only brings our own seed-thought to ripe- For ten years the Rev. James A. O'Connor ness. We propose a series of articles has been holding meetings in the Masonic on the ministry of money. We be- Temple, Sixth avenue a~d Twenty-third lieve this whole question needs a street, for the instruction of Romanists in very serious and thorough examina- the truths of the Scriptures. Be was once s tion, and we purpose to deal wIth the prip.st in the RomaI1 Church, and is thoronghly matter boldly and radically. It is acqnainted with the errors of that chnrch in manifest that money has never yet theory and practice and their disastrous come to the front in the work of results. He has exposed these errors' with evangelization. Thegivers are either singoJar discretion, aud has faithfoJly set over the few who give largely, or else the against them the revelations of the Word of many who give sparingly and inade- God. Cousequently there have been many couquately. But neither the rich nor versions every year, including several priests. the pOOl' have yet learned practically Last year two priests were sent by Mr. O'Conthe true doctrine of stewardship. nor to Princeton Seminary to prepare for the ministry. Mr. 0 Connor is strongly recom- The Amerioan MoAll Assooiation, mended by Dr. Howard Crosby, and by Dr. MacArthur, of the Baptist Church, "as admir- THE sixth annual meeting of this ably qualilled by his experience, as well as by association was heid in Philadelphia, his sonnd judgment, to preach Jes)ls to his April 10th and 11th, and was one of former co-religionists." Other ministers speak remarkable interest. The outgrowth with equal force in his favor. The mission has of the self-denying efforts of Miss for some time felt the neeil of a building of its Elizabeth Beach, who originated the own, in which all the departments of the work movement and founded auxiliaries can be housed, all the meetings held, and where in various cities of the Union, the priests leaving the Roman Church can lind a association has now become. national, temporary home. A suitable building in a conpr~ided over by Mrs. Marine J.Chase. venient location can be bought for $3O,COO, of The treasurer reported $30,795 sent which $1,400 have been given already without to France during the fiscal year-an solicitation. Contributions toward the pnrchase increase of $3,000 over the last year. can be sent to Mrs. William ·Campbell, Treas- The General Secretary reported urer. 36 West Eighteenth street, or the. Rev. 55,600 copies of publications-" Quar- James A. O'Connor Secretary of the Board of terly Record," leaflets, tracts, and Trnstees, 60 Bible House, New York.-J. M. S. pamphlets-issued during the year, and a widely increased publicity to WE have already commended to the work through the secular and the notice of our readers The Chinese religious press. The Representative Evangelist, published both in Eng- Secretary reported seven new Aux- lish and Chinese. Weare g'lad to iliaries formed, a notable increase in note its appearance in magazine the sympathy and co-operation of form as it begins its second year. pastors, three new States taking The office is now 52 West 22d street, where its editors will welcome all in- terested in the Chinese work. Its Ellglish editor is the son of Dr. Hap_ pel', of the Christian College in Can-
EDITORIAL
ton, and this first numbel' con tains a vexation ovel'the ••'total depra.vity of fine photograph of the stltdents now types.'~ In spite of plain copy, severa.l .in that college, which we hope to re- proof-readings and "eternal vigi- pI'oduce in a. future number of this lance," mistakes will creep into the REVIEW. The editor promises arti- printed page, and often they are in- cles during the current year from explicable, and no amount of invesH- several eminent. writers .who are gation suffices to bring to light the specially fitted to interest us in the real culprit. Thus in the May num- Chinese work. We feel that Mr. ber of this REVIEW that grand article Happel' deserves great praise for his by Prof. Leonard-The Marvels of heroic work in this field. There are Moravlan Missions-must be spoiled 100,000 Chinese in this country; by being transformed in the "Con- there are perhaps from eight to ten tents" to The Marvels of M01'mon thousand in New York, Brooklyn Missions I And, as if one such in- and Jersey City alone. Of this num- .iquity was not enough fOl' the num- ber but a small fraction are under ber, the" printer's devil," without a instruction in thEe' schools. There is shadow of reason or authority, must a large class, the "washers" in the slyly interpolate on page 393, at the laundries, who are anxious to leal'n, top of the column, a series offigures, yet never go to the schools, for many represen.ting years, which have no of them are middle-aged and too business there, the years at the top proud to go where their ignorance of the previous page governing the and slowness expose them to the ridi- entire columns on both pages.-J•. cule of the younge~'andsmarterones. M.S.
.. We do not ask for any donations, bnt we do WE have received advance sheets ask for dollars to be sent in payment for papers of Volume I. of THE MISSIONARY to be taken or sent to any Chinese 18undry YEAR BOOK which will be published where there is a sOlli who has not heard of the in a few days by Fleming H. Revell glorious go,pel, though living, perhaps, uuder of 12 Bible House, New York, simul- the very droppinl(s of the "anctnary. The Word taneously with its issue in London is a living Word aud powerful, and if one dollar by the Religious Tra.ctSociety. The can send an Evangehst to sueh a one t'velve American portion of the work-over times a year, who ean, perhaps, be reached in no one-fourth of the whole-has been other way, will anyone grudge the expense f" prepared by Dr. J, T.. Gracey, which -J.M.S. insures its being well done, In our next issue we will give further notice WE are happy to announce that of it. the Woman's Presbyterian Board of Missions of t.he Northwest has begun The Hebrew Messenger, edited by the preparation of a series of mis- Prof. Julius Magath, Emory ColJege~ • sionary maps. One on China is is welcomed to our list of exchanges, already published; one on India is and we warmly commend it to the in preparation, and maps of other sympathy and aid of all who are countri:J.& are to follow. The m:;,ps interested in Hebrew. mission work. are 4 by 5~ feet in size and mounted The editor writes: on cloth. Price $2.50 each. The price is very low, considering the .. The Hebrew Messenger is the only paper size and excellence of the maps. The of the kind published in the South. I try to proceeds are all to go to the society use all the time I can spare from my duties which .publishes them. as a professor In EmoryCollege to get Chris- tian churches interested in the evangeliza- IF there be any class of workers tion of Christ's own kinsmen according to that deserve commiseration, itis we thellesh." poor editors..In an editorial career of more than forty years, we have It is a. noble wOl'k and deserves the had occasion to shed many tears of prayers and aid of all God's people.
PROGRESS OF ,MISSIO~S-MONTliLY BULLETIN
VII.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY / BULLETIN.
Afrlca.-Congo Baptist Mission. An- much damaged. It has sitting aCCOIllDla- other faithful workman- Mr. Slade, has dation for 1.000 worshippers, but at the Callen. The cry is for reinCorcements. 'Only opening service no less than 2,000 managed three men to speak to hundreds of thous- to squeeze into the building, and the school- ands willing to hear. Arthur Brooks, killed room and its grounds were thronged by January 21 by natives, was the eleventh thousands of spectators. All the chiefs but martyr of the East African Mission of the two of the Bonny district were present with London Missional"y Society. their a.ttendants. The service was con- -News reached Zanzibar January 17 oC ducted by the Bishop and his son, ,Arch- Arabs' attack on German station at Tugu. deacon Crowther.
and of massacre of three missiouaries,. The -The London Missionary Chronicle says: Arabs, incensed at the danger to their in- .. The East African situation has during the famous slave trade, are on ,the warpath, last five years undergone complete change and threa ten all missions. in consequence of German aggressions; and -H. M. Stanley. It is very refreshiug at slowly, but surely, Great Britain is discov- last to get definite and trustworthy intelli- ering that friendship with Germany is a gence from this intrepid explorer, whose costly article, and that German coloniza- real name, it appears, was John Rowland. tion schemes are inimical to British Com- His letter Crom the Aruwimi Ri ver, dated merce and Britisb missions."
August 28, 1888,lately received at London. -The Wesleyans report solid prosperity is full both of traKic interest and heroism. in the Mysore district. We quote from the -Bishop Taylo. asks for $4,000 for a Harvest Field: .. We have reached and special w<lrk, to be called a b'irthday gift. pa.ssed the first thousand in the church Richard Graut, treasurer of the Bisbop'" membership, a goal towards which we have work. calls upon .. all who favor self-sup- been striving for a long time. The full num- portiug work to make a grand rally and ber of members is now 1,103, being an in-'
make the old hero'S heart leap for joy crease during the year of 113. There has by making it $50,000, and he gives it a start been no spasmodic outburst of revival by a gift of $5,000. The Transit and Build- power. but in most of the stations steady ing Fund Committee send II' missionariesto growth. The largest net increase has been share his labors and perils. And since May in Mysore City, where 34 have been added last the committee have sent ten missiona- to the church. In the boys' schools there ries to Chili, and still the call comes with is an increase of 426, and in the girls an in- much entreaty for more. The needs DC the crease of 329. Sunday-schools are growing work in Chili, Brazil, and other South Amer- satisfactorily. There have been. 56 bap- ican States are even greater just now tban tisms of adults from heatnenism, some of in Afl'ica Romanism, which in those which are full of interest.
countries is nothing more than heathenized -Congo Balol0 Mission. There Was a Chl"istianity, has reigned there Cor 300 large gathering at Exeter Hall lately to bid years. The true light is just breaking in, farewell to eight missionaries about to and a powerful reaction in favor of liberty, leave for Central Africa in connection with intelligence and religion has commenced. the new mission to the Balolo people, of -Rev. E. F, Baldwin, who is laboring as whom there are about 10,000,000 in the valley 'an independent missionary in Mogador, Mo- of the Upper Congo. The mission Is an ex- rocco, with a companion recently made a tension of the Livingstone Inland Mission, twenty-days' trip into a part of the country founded in 1878. and now occupying and where Europeans have seldom gone. They working a chain of seven stations from the went strictly according to Christ's instruc- coast to the Equator. These new recruits tions in Matt. x., without money, provis- go out under the auspices of Dr. Guinness' ions or change of clothing, but lacked noth- East London Institute, and will reinforce ing by the way. They enjoyed unusual fa- the Livingstone Inland Mission, which. Cour cilities for preaching to the people, ·and years ago, was tranderred to the managewere even admitted to the mosques, and ment of the American Baptist Missionary preached to the Mohammedan priests. ' A Union. The enterprise now becomes unde- considerable number of converts have been nominational, and appeals strongly to those gathered, but they suffer great persecu- to whom hard work, rather than a large tion. salary. is all attraction. Fifteen hundred -Bishop Crowther arrived at Bonny on pounds has heen subscribed for the new January 20. A, week later he opened the mission.
new church of St. Stephen at that place. -Tripoli Occupied. At last Tripoli has The new church Is of iron, and was built (at been entered. The Lord has thus enabled the cost of the people themselves) t.o take us to occupy in some measure Algeria in the place of another which had become 1881, Morocco in 1884. Tunis in 1885. Tripoli in 1889. Mr. Michell, who has been working England.-The amouilt of thedrink bill in Tunis, accompanied by Mr. Harding, who for 1888 was some 8625,000,000, or $15 for left England February 1, landed in Tripoli every man, woman and child in the Unittld tbe-lI7th.- Thus far they &re getting on well. Kingdom. :They find the people more bigoted than In Tunis. Beside the work they may be able to -One of the notable men'of Cambridge i" do In the city and neighborhood, they will Canon Christopher, who proclaim!! his interbe able to send some scriptures by the cq.ra- est in missions by annually entertaining a vans leaving for the Soudan which, with great company of representative men to the blessing of God, will spread the light breakfast. Among his guests this year around Lake Chad. (numbering 300 in all) was the Bishop of British Columbia, whomade what isreported Burma. '- Dr. A. T. Rose says many to have been" a very sturdy and inspiriting Karena are g<?ing over to the Burmese lan- speech." 1'Iis description of his first intro- duction tohis Episcopal" palace" was very gua:;;eand Buddhism. He baptized In Jan- graphic. The .. palace" was simply a uary 20 Burmans. Sunday-schools in Ran- wooden shanty without windows or roof, goon sent 575 for the Hammerfest Chapel, and the flrst thing he and his wife had to do Norway. The first copy for the new Sgau was to nail strips of calico across the roof Karen Bible went Into printers' hands in to keep out the moonlight. January. -The S. P. G. report an increase of 28,- Chlna.-The" Chinese Exclusion Bill," 6011. in the year 1888 over the income of 1887. passed by Congress has reacted in China This is made up of two dona.tions of 25.296Z. to excite great hostility to Americaus. and and 2,288Z., and an increase in the general especially missionaries are suffering perse- income of 3201. cution. When Dr. S. Wells Williams arrived in Canton fifty years since, there was a -The Universities' Miuion has a missiondeath penalty for teaching foreigners the ary fleet on Lake Nyassa. consisting of the Chinese tongue, and there was but one con- following: (1) The Charles Jansen, with two vert in China. Now there are more than dingeys; (2) a larger boat, capable of carry- 35,000_ ing several parsons; (3) still large.. rowing craft, known 80S the consular boat ; (4) a del- -The Missionary Union undertakes a new ta metal centre-board boat; and (5) the missionatSu-Chan,inSz-Chuene. Rev.Wm. 0u8e1 a centre-board sailing boat of galvan- Upcratt and Geo. Warner, both of Minneso- ized steel. ta. go to be supported by young men in Baptist churches of that State. Out of 500hi- France.-At the recent meeting .ot the nese seeking to enter Dr. Hspper's Christian C.ollege, Canton, more than halC had been in McAIl Association, held in Philadelphia. Chinese Sunday-schools in theUnited States. nearly 83,000 was raised as a special offering t<> pay for the two Salles Evangelique, Champ -Increase at Foochow. At the last ses- de Mars, where daily services are to be sion of the FoocLow Annual Conference, held, opposite the entrances to the Exposi- Bishop Fowler presiding. the total number tion grounds. Hundreds of thousands of of members reported was 2,320-an increase strangers. visiting Paris, will be ·confrontof 111; probationers, l,346–an increase of ed by these RaUes, at Porte Rapp and Place 122; mission money raised, $411.46–an in- du Trocadiro. crease of $80.20; self-support, 51,03O.31-an increase of 592.72; church bUilding, $2,8O"l- FOrmOSa.-The English Presbyterian .9&-an increase of 51,341.98. church has appointed another ordained missionary (Mr. Ferguson) to the island of CUba.-B1Sho, Whitaker, of the Protestant Episcopal church, has lately returned Formosa. The Rev. W. Campbell, F.R.G.S., from Cuba, and speaks of tbe religious ont- who is returning, takes with him the gospel look on that island as follows: .. There is a of Matthew in raised Romanized type, which loud call for the gospel. People are ripe for he has prepared for the blind. As the bUnd missionary work. and welcome all well-di- are treated with respect in China,their infiurected efforts. lt is evident that the gener- ence may be used for much good,if taught to al sentiment has been, and still is, favorable read the Scriptures; just as now their infiuto Episcopal services; but the church has ence is very evil from mostly following the been slow in supplying this demand, and art of fortune-telling. Mr. Campbell is also hence the Baptists are conducting a very taking a reprint of the Dutch gospel presuccessful mission in Havana; and many pared by missionaries, who labored among hundreds, tired of the exactions of the Ro- the Malays in Formosa, some 200 years ago, man Catholic church, are welcoming the when theyweredrlvenawa.y. The Dutch are simpler and plainer service furnished by likely to recommence this mission. the Baptists. Considering Cuba as a field for Protestant work, it may be said the peo- -Rev. Dr. Mackay, of the Canadian Presb. ple desire Protestantservices to that extent Mission in Formosa, writes that there are that no more hopeful ground for effort can now fifty churches, 'so arranged that aUt be found anywhere." North Formosa is In a sense occnpied, and that there a.re fifty-one native preachers Who are the sharpest, brightest, most talented and learned class of men in North fit for their oftice by their Idleness, If not Formosa. ' their sensuality, the native population 'of Ceylon now unites with the Church of E1ig- IcC!!land.-Rev. Geo. Bryce writes from land in demanding a dissolution bf the ex- Winnipeg, Jan. 17, that 58 members, all Ice- isting partnership between the British gov- landic converts; have been received to ernment and Buddhism. The sooner this is their first commuuion.· At an aftermeeting done the better. 19 others professed faith. -Mr. W. S. Caine, M. P., writes thus to a Indla.-Ongole field alone has half as number of infiuential English newspapers many member& as in all Burma all 'lnder one pastor, Rev. I. E. Clough, D. D. concerning blS recent investigations at -The school which Pundita Ramabai will Lucknow: .. An opium sot is the most establ1sh for high caste widows will be entirely hopeless of all drunkards-once he Is well secular, on account of the prejudices of the into the clutches of this fiend, everything Hiudus against Christianity. The medical work gives way to its fierce promptings. He only for women, fostered by Lady Duft'erin during works'to get more money for opium. Wife, her residence in India, Is now endowed to the children, and home are all sacriftced to this extent of about $275,000. It has three objects: horrible lust. The receipts of the governto train female physicians, to afford medical re- ment of the North-West Provinces and lief, and to secure a supply of trained nurses. Oude from opium, bhang, and other intoxi- Five lady doctors and a nurse have been ob- cating drugs is no less than £67,000, and is tained from 'England. About 200 young women on the increase. It will give your readers are being educated in the medical colleges of some idea of the way in which this horrible India. There are 12female hospitals and 15 aided traffic in intoxicants is being stimulated. dispensaries. Classes have been formed for the if I give the average revenue for the Northtraining of female nurses.' Although the work West Provinces and Oude from all intoxiis not ostensibly Christian, missions are indi- cants for the three years 1878-79-80, as comrectly beneftted. pared with 1885-6-7. In the former, case, its yearly average was £284,000, in the lat- -More than 1,200 adults were baptized by ter it had run up to £546,000, showinlr a members of the North India Conference of doubled consumption within seven years. the M. E. Church during the past year. Every day I spend in India. brings fresh Alluding to this at the recent conference proof that the government are stimulating Rev.C. A. C. Janvier assigned the following the sale of intoxicants to the very verge of as some of the reasons why this success decency, for the sake of the cheaply colwas granted: 1. Special and systematic ef- lected and rapidly increaSing revenue forts are made to reach the lower castes. which it furnishes." 2. Large and speedy results are prayed and looked for as a neces.ary consequence of Indlans.-Twelve years since the Mothe presence of the Holy Spirit. docs were savages. Now they are industri- ous farmers, ILnd half of them confessing -Assam ranks tenth in territory and Christians. The Rocky Mountain CI,,·i.tian eleventh in population among the provinces Advocate says: .. While the Dakota Indians of India. 2,424 schools in Assam have 63,- were savages it cost the Government $1,848,- 997 male pupils, and only 4,626 female •. ooOto take care of them seven years. The These are less than ten per cent. of the pop- cost after their conversion for the same ulation of school age. length of time was $120,000, a difference of $1,728,000 in favor of Christianity." -In the northwest of India and of Oude, missionary physicians are coming promi- .Jerusalem.-The city is growing rapidnently into notice. Nearly 72,000 cases were ly and improving in appearance. The Ro~,h8treated at eltlven missionary dispensaries, childs have completed a new hospital. Near and 11,000 women Bought relief a~ Mrs. Wil- is a new Abyssinian church. The Russians, son's dispensary at Agra; 18,850 women have erected a new church, consulate, a.nd and children were treated at the Thomas lodging-house for pilgrims of the orthodox. dispensary at Agra. The women doctors faith. Near to the Russian Buildings is ,the in charge succes.fully performed some very .. German House," for German Roman Cathimportant surgical operations. olics, from whose top the German and the papal fiags fioat side by side. The Russians -The British Government and BuddhIsm. have also built a high tower on the summit As a rule, Great Britain has not iilustrated of the Mount of Olives, from which can be the teachings of the gospel in India. In seen the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. CeYlon matters seem to have been going in about the same way. There the British .Japan.-Accordingto a Japanese editor some time ago became tle patrons of Budd- the Protestant churches have grown from hism. as the Government assumed the re- 38 to 151, and the members from 3,700 to 11,- sponsibility of maintaining Buddhist wor- 600 in the last three years. ship. It turned over to Buddhist priests the revenues of hundreds of thousands of Dr. Duane B. Simmons died in Tokio, Feb. acres of public land. Because in this way 10. He went out as a medical missionary of it,has made those priests in many cases Un- the Reformed Dutch chnrch, 1859; after the restoration of 1868 he became Government thrown down; the houses of the congrega- Medical Director and organized the IIrst tions met with the sa.me fate, and priests hospital service. and people were hunted out of the town. No massacres took place. The persecution be- -The Empress has established a college gan in June and continued until October, for )Vomen, to be snperintended by a com- when it ceased, beoouse there was nothing mittee of foreign ladies. Twoare Americans, more to destroy, and all those who would two English, and the other two French and not apostatize were in flight. The acts of German respectively. violence took place under the eyes of the Chinese authorities, who did nothing topun- MadagaSCar.-After 15 years' labor ish the olfenders.-Tke Missionary. the printing of the Malaga~e bible is com- plete. Tu rkey.-Minister Strauss, at Constanti- Mexlco.-ProgreBs in Mexico, thinks nople, lIas rendered another useful ~erVlCe Dr. J. Milton Greene,ismarked not so much to the American missionaries in the Turkish by statistics, as by the changing attitude empire. The local authorities closed the of the people toward the Prote~ta!}t mis- mission school at Istubigo, in the provlnce sionarjes. Sixteen years ago the printing- of Beirut, and other officials elsewhere w;,re offices of the oity could not be induced to about to follow their example, but Mr. print copies of the Decalogue. Now thou- Stranss at once secured from the Grand VI- sands of pages of religious literature are Zier atOonstantinople an order to the gov- issued yearly. So, too, the drift of thepopu- ernors-general of the provinces of Beirut lar mind is shown by the lessening respect and Damascus to reopen the school, which for,and fear of, the priesthood, and by the had been closed, and not to interfere in any greatly diminished attendance at the idola- manner with any American schools. This trousfeasts. is the more satisfactory becanse one rea.son given for the closing of the school was the Scotland.-TheSumTotRlofourNation- fact that the managers refused to reject a.1 Drink Bill is this year a little larger than Mohammedan children applying for admis- it was last. but, considering the increase of sion. This refusal was maintained flrinly our population, the averageexpeudlture per and, in spite ofit, the desired support of the ,person is less. The amouut is portentious- Oenstantinople authorities was granted. £124,603,ll39-whlchgives£il 6s.1Od. for every Good sense and tact are as important to a man, womal1. and child in the kingdom.- diplomatist, and often are equally effective, Church oj Scotland Monthly. as support by a military or naval force.- (/ongreqationali.t. South Amerlca.-In Ecuador none but United States.-Women's Organiza- Roman Catholics are allowed to preach, to the people. The Custon-houses are watched tions. There are in this country 48 national by'the Jesuits to prevent the importation societies of Women, with a direct member_ of Bibles and other prohibited books. Per- ship of 500,000. The largest is the W. C. T. U., sons who do not confess to the priests are with 210,000. Then follow the missionary, objects of popular hatred and violence. peace, suffrage, philanthropic and educa- tional orga.nizations. Twelve of these have SWeden.-Amission house for Lapland- jollied with the National Oouncil, formed to ers has been founded in North Sweden by unite all the women societies lUto one great Empress Eugenie, the noble giver. league.
Thlbet is the only known country on -The followmg act of Christian comity on the part of the Protestant Episcopal Ohurch earth not open to missions. It has an area of Missionary Society, pa.ssed January 29th, 750.000 square miles, about as large as all the will commend itself to our readers: territory in the United Sta.tes east of the Mississippi River. The greatestlengthfrom U Resolved. rrhat in sending mlssionaries east to west is 1,500 miles, and the population to Brazil It is our purpose to occupy such is estimated at 8,000,000. It is the strong- points as are not now under the care of any hold of Bud<lhlsm. Lhassa, the capital, is other Protestan t missioD&ries. " the" Rome" of the Buddhists, and the Dalai Lama IS the Buddhist pope. He is su- -Zenana Work. The Church of Scotland preme in ~oth temporal and spiritual things. Ladies' Association for Foreign Missions One monastry has about 5,000 Buddhist including zenana work, has just completed priests, and there are about 60,000 in the ,its 50th year. The income of the society has country. Thibet is virgin soil for miSSIons. shown a considerable increase on the pr..· The country is trIbutary to China.-Baptist vious year, and the committee have never Miss. presented a more hopeful report. -The Roman Catholic missions in Thibet -At a late gathering in the Mildmay Conhave been broken up by the violence of the natives. The MiBstons (/atlwliqttes, of Lyons, ference Hall, the Church of England Zena"" states tJ>.at the stations have been utterly Missionary Society bade .. God-speed" to destroyed, except one establIshment, which nineteen ladies who will shortlybe aiding in is on the Chinese side of the great Thibetan the noble work of the society ameli&' the decliVIty. Last autumn the mission houses women of IndIa and China. and bUIldings were one by one burned or -The Committee ofthe Church of England ing, and found homes for them, mostly in the Zenana Society reported at their annual country, where theyaeqoired habits ofindustry, lIleeting a year of blessed work. One bun- economy, and self-snpporting thrift. Many a dred lIlissionaries, aided by assistant mis- man of intelligence and npright character will sionaries, Bible-women and native teachers, look back in mature years to this agency with had labored earnestly among heathen and profound gratitude for hiS life of prosperity and Mohammedans. usefalness.
Ninety.four per cent. of all the rum manu- -The Protestant Churches of the United factured in the United States is made within Ave States contribute annuaJly $11,250,000 for formiles ot Boston State house, and nearly aJl the eign miSSions, and, according to Dion Bouciliquor exported from this country to Africa is cault, .. more than $2('0,000,000 are paid every shipped from the port ofBoston. year by the American people for their theatrical entertainment "-nearly $18 to support the the- -Said a heathen to a missionary, "There ater for one given to send the gospel to heathen must be something in your religion which makes nations, and yet there are those who declaim you come all the way out here to teJl us of it. against the cost of foreign missions. I am sure I would not go so tar to teJl you ol -College students. The colleges never had mine." so many professing church members in them as -Last year's Imports from Japan Into the at present. Yale In 1795 had bnt Cour or Ave students who were church members; to- Uulted States were nearly 816,000,000 in value- day nearly one-half hold such membership. more than the purchases of any other nation. Princeton in 1813 had but two or three openly As these goods were largely of a character profeSSing the Christian faith; to-day abont especially attractive to American women, the one-half, and among them the best scholars. In question arises as to their corresponding in- Williams College 147 out of 248, and in Amherst terest in the women ot Japan. It is computed 233 out of 352, are members of chnrches. Out that conversions smong Japanese women num· of a total of 2,493 students, in 24 colleges, there ber forty per cent. more, according to popula- are 1,782 church members; engaged in system- tion, than among women of other countries. A atic Bible study, 2,009; 106 creditable conver- call comes from a society of women near Tokio sions the past year; and 377 intending to enter for a missionary twice a week to teach them the ministry. fancy work and the Bible, which is an advance on earlier requests. The tendency in Japan Is -Am. Sunday-school Union. From March toward a nominal rather than a spiritual Chris- 1 to September I, 1888, its missionaries In the tianity, so, to fully establlsh evangelical Chris- Northwest established 484 new schools, and tianity, the Rev. Mr. lloyd pleads for" mighty aided 943 old schools, where 5,022 teachers are and intense efforts for the next tew years on the now giving Bible instruction to 50,233 scholars. part of those who hold to the pure Gospel of J eSU8 Christ." -The Pope has ordered Roman Catholics in aJl parts of the world to maintain an increasing With a Joss-house and a Buddhist temple in agitation in favor of the restoration of his tem- New York the old cry of" heathen at home" poral power. It is stated that the raising of 500 sounds with anew force. The 3,200student volun- recruits by Cardinal Lavlgerle for the suppresteers are no less needed to carry the pure gospel sion of the slave trade in Africa, is a pretext for Into the strongholds of heathendom before the restoration of the Pontifical Zouaves. these errors and superstitions spread further. I -"High missionary authorities aftlrm that, -The great reason why the mission churches ,especially during the past twenty years, foreign on the continent of Europe do not become self- Aelds have witnessed more converts, in propor- snpporting is the emigration to America, which tion to the efforts put forth, than the home takes away their best young men. This weakfields. Chrlstiaulty has been established in ens them, but strengthens the churches in this more than My islauds of the PaciAc. Among country. the most remarkable instances are the Fiji Islanders, 00,000 of whom gather regnlarly for -Freedmen. Within a few weeks two gifts Christian worship. Madagascar was almost amounting to '26,000 have been made to the whoJlya savage nation twe'!ty years ago, whIle people uuder care of the Presbyterian Board at present its queen, with 20,000 of her subjects, for Freedmen, the gift of Rev. Wm. M. Harare proCessing Christians. There are over 100 grave,a. colored man of Louisvi11e, Ky., is es- Christian congregations on the western coast of pecia.lly worthy of mention. He was born a Africa, and in Sierra Leone over 50,000 Africans slave, was freed during the war,and has, by profess Christ. The slave trade, bad as it is In simple industry and economy, l:'8.thered a the interior, has been suppressed along 2,000 little property. At the age of 70 he makes mJles of sea coast. In China, missions are m it over to the Knox church (colored) ID the operation in forty walled cities and 360 vil- sha~ of a building for purposes of worship, lages."-S4lecUd. worth $10,000, after having jl'iven the use of It to the church for ten years, rent free. -Since the organization oC the Children's Compa.ratively speaking, this IS one of tne Aid Society, it has picked up out of the street noblest and lar&,est benefaction. of modern 86,000 boya., pren them Wholesome moral train- times.
The Missionary Review of the World — January 1889
Rt. Hon. The Earl of
.MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XII. No.t.-Old Series._ _JANUARY, _ _VOL. U. No. t.-New Serle•• I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD. [EDITORIAL. ] "OUR work is practically that small portion of God's eternal work and will which is allotted to us in our little corner of space and our short minute of time."
So spake Pasteur Monod, truly and tersely, at the late Mildmay Confer- ence. It is an august conception of service, that, in God's gTand sphere, there is a little segment, bearing our name and the date of this present YE(ar. The youthful Victoria, when the Archbishop of Canterbury came to announce her father's death and her own accession as Queen of Britain, begged him first of all to pray with her that she might take the throne and weal' the crown only as the servant of a Higher Sovereign. But when we rightly. conceive of our work, however humble, it becomes invested with a divine dignity. The rudest implement 01' instrument becomes a scepter. the bench of the workman or of the magistrate alike a throne, and the blouse and ermine alike a royal robe.
A tw~lvemonth since, this REVIEW, in its present enlarged and modified form, was, with many prayers and not without some fears, launched like a bark upon strange waters. The beginning of the new year naturally sug- gests a retrospect and a prospect.
Looking back, we thank God and take courage. At every step of the way we trace providential and gracious guidance and help. We undertook the work because we heard a loud call of God amt saw a great need of man. A Jericho lay before us to be taken for Christ's crown and covenant; but, between us and success rolled a stream neither narrow nor shallow. Believ- ing that the invisible and invincible Captain of the Lord's host was leading on, we set our foot in this Jordan and have gone over on dry ground. Every difficulty, when approached, has disappeared or been surmounted. Our sub- scription list has passed our most sanguine expectations. The public press has so cordially commended our work that scarce a word has found its way into print that has been controversial or even critical. Encomiums, that seemed almost extravagant, have come from the secretaries of great Mis- sion:;try Boards and the editors of other missionary magazines. Letters by the hundred have reached the editors and publishers, referring to our endeav- ors III the kindliest and most fraternal spirit; and contributions to our pages, often gratuitous, have been sent by men and. women who stand in the front rank. of the Church of Christ.
If we rightly read the signs of the times, it has been clearly demonstrated that just such a Review of universal missions is an imperative need of our day; and that in seeking to supply this need we were simply falling into our
LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD
place in a divine plan. With the enlarged circulation and the increased excellence for which we both hope and strive, a career of increased and increasing usefulness opens before this messenger of the churches. We therefore, without hesitation, appeal to all lovers of Christ and His cause, to give us sympathetic and prayerful aid in our endeavor to furnish and diffuse missionary intelligence and in.spiration throughout the wide circle of the common Christian brotherhood.
What was said at the outset, one year ago, we now emphatically repeat, that this is with us no mere money-making scheme. Neitller of us would have considered that we had any time to give to a mere business venture however promising. One of us, besides filling the onerous position of literary editor of a large publishing house, was editing The Homiletic Review, whose ninety-six pages a month made additional editorial work by no means a sinecure. The other was pastor of a congregation where thousands of people look to him for work in pulpit and pastorate. With such tax already upon tongue and pen, such engrossing and absorbing work as this REVIEW demands would not even have been weighed in the mere balances of worldly gain. We had neither time nor money to invest in a literary enterprise, though it might promise pecuniary rewards. But we weighed the matter in God's scales, over against higher motives and compensations. The leading of God seemed singularly obvious. A network of providences entangled us as in a golden snare. A higher destiny-a divinity~shaped our ends, and we yielded to the pressure of duty, which is always also privilege. We believed strength would be given us, and it has been given.
The impression and conviction with which this enterprise was begun have only become deeper and stronger by the year's eXperience, viz.: that, in respect of missions, no greater need exists than that of the universal diffU8ion of information as to the facts of past and present missionary history. To know those facts, to be informed and keep informed and fully informed, as to the march of God and His hosts in all the earth, is, in effect, to quicken the pulse of the whole Church of Christ. In missions. Love is the skillful alchemist that turns knowledge into zeal and out of intelligence distils inspiration. If we would have more prayer we must know what to pray about and pray for; if we want more money we must know what open doors God is placing before us for the investment of consecrated capital, and what wondrous results He has wrought and is working with the merchant's millions, and even the widow's mites; if we waRt more men and women as workers, the mind and heart and conscience of disciples must be awakened from sleep and aroused from sluggishness, by the electric touch of thrilling facts. If we want more zeal, all true zeal is "according to knowledge" and consequent upon it. If we want the spirit of holy enterprise, doing and daring for God, missions must be exhibited as the enterprise of the Church, and it must be shown that no equal or proportionate investment of men, means and money ever brought returns so ample-all of which the logic of events stands ready to prove by the most overwhelming of arguments.
In a word, we believe that, if every true disciple could be continually confronted by a fresh bulletin of news from the world-wide field and kept familiar with the movements of every assaulting column now moving against Satan's citadels, all the workmen and all the money-both the per80nnel and materiel of war-would De voluntarily furnished for prosecuting this colossal campaign I To do our part of this work well-this is the absorbing question. To mix. UP the secular spirit with the Lord's work is fatal to a true and large success; and, above all other work, missions mean and demand self-sacrifice. We could no~ ask a large blessing upon any plans that had in view such gross pay as silver and gold. A Review, such as we conduct, i(not likely to be a money-making investment; if the necessary price of its production is met we are content, and any surplus would go to enrich its contents and cheapen its cost, and so enlarge its circulation and influence.
The time has come, moreover, for a Review of Missions that may take its place side by side with the ablest periodicals in the secular sphere. The gospel has found its way into Cresar's household, as well as into the jailer's family and Bethany's humble home. God is now calling the wise, the mighty, the noble, to the kingdom. Merchant princes, public leaders, statesmen, journalists, philosophers, generals, judges, sages, bow at the cradle of Christ as did the Eastern seers. Kings' daughters are among the honorable women who follow the Saviour and minister to Him of their substance, and at His right hand stands more than one queen in gold of ophir. Piety is not linked with stupidity and superstition, ignorance and imbecility. Even the infidel no longer sneers at the gospel as "fit only for women, children, and small men." The thoughtful, cultured classes of society are compelled to ask whence came that wonderful religion that illustrates the survival of the fittest because fittest to survive; that amazes the evolutionist by not being evolved at aU, but springing at once into maturity without development, and yet defies for eighteen centuries all improvement, either by addition or subtraction I And we are profoundly persuaded that a Review of Missions, properly conducted, will not only inform the ignorant and enlighten and educate the uncultivated, but may also command and compel the attention of the most intellectual and intelligent readers, and bring them into closer and more practical fellowship with mission work.
Such aims and objects necessitate no little outlay of brains and money and hard work. 'I'o these pages we invite first-class contributions, and we therefore offer propel' compensation. Culture is a costly product in the intellectual market. The pen that is dipped in liquid gold commands gold as the wages of its work and the means of refilling its magic inkstand. Literary work brings a high price because it is bought with a large sum. We cannot ask able writers to furnish us papers gratuitously, though some of them do so, unsolicited. We began this REVIEW determined that, whether it broug"ht us any compensation or not as editors, our contributors should be paid; and we have observed this rule, not only to the utmost limit of our resources, but beyond it.
There are some directions in which we need prompt and vigorous co-operation from the Christian public, and we ask every reader to give us aid.
1. First of all, we wish for our REVIEW a greatly enlarged circulation. The same cost of time and strength by which we now reach 10,000 subscribers, may as well avail for 100,000; and the larger the list of subscribers the smaller the relative cost of production, and therefore the less the price of the REVIEW. Every pastor ought to have a copy, and to secure its wide circulation in a congregation would double and treble the annual gifts to lllissions. Is there not in every church some godly man or woman who will try at least to collect enough money to supply the pastor with THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD? And with l:;Iow little labor might copy after copy find its way into the homes of leading families? The pastors are leaders, and missionary interest in any congregation seldom rises above their level. "But we greatly desire that in every family the news from the mission field may find eager readers, if not always paying subscribers. Let every subscriber, therefore, take pains to see that his copy is read outside the limits of his own home. After it has done service in his own household, let it be sent on its rounds, visiting homes where otherwise it would not find its way, to spread information and inspire interest.
If a pastor would take the trouble to suggest to his people the raising of a club and request a suitable person to take it in charge, our circulation would be trebled among them and they would get the REVIEW at a less price. Ten subscriptions for $15; or for 20 at $2 each, a large missionary map of the world, which is sold for $20 by its publishers, is given. And the map and the circulation of 20 copies of THE REVIEW for a year among his people would largely increase the interest in and the gifts to the missionary cause.
We crave help to enlarge our free list. We renew our appealfor a Review Mission Fund, by which we may furnish copies gratuitously, orat less than cost, to young men and women who are studying and preparing for work in the mission field. Whenever $1 is sent us, we add what is necessary to pay for a free copy, and place it where it will do the most good. In this way we last year put it into the hands of several hundred volunteers.
2. Secondly, we ask aid, from any quarter, in providing matter for the pages of THE REVIEW i and particularly information from all parts of the field. Accurate and prompt reports of the Lord's work in any land we cordially welcome, and if necessary will pay for. What we specially desire is, early and authentic reports from all the missionary societies of the world. If the Secretaries of these many societies will see to it that we are furnished with advance sheets of their annual reports, or a copy of the report itself when issued, we will invariably publish a careful abstract of it in the REVIEW. Many have done so, and we have, including the Woman's Boards, given the past year the latest authentic statistics of some 125 societies. We have not yet attained to the scientific form of the late Mr. Wilder's reports, but we hope in time greatly to exceed them in fullness and practical worth, if not in the element of scientific arrangement. But very much depends on the co-operation of the friends of missions, in the foreign fields and in the Boards and Societies at home. Let every reader remember that, in effect, he is one of the editors and publishers of this REVIEW; these pages are at his command to improve almost without limit. Give us a larger constituency and so a wider circulation; give us contributions from the whole field, reports of all existing societies, helpful suggestions, and in general a helping hand; and, to the last limit of our ability and resourCQS, we will make this MISSION- ARyREVIEW OF THE WORLD worthy of its name, and of the cordial place already accorded to it in the hearts of thousands of readers.
Never was the whole field of missions so inviting or the harvest so prom- ising. Never was the Church of Christ furnished with facilities so ample and abundant for the speedy and successful accomplishment of her work. Human thought and social changes move with a rapidity unknown in the lethargic ages of the past. There is a stirring of all the elements both of individual and national life; new conditions exist; new aspirations are awakened, and new developments are possible. The next decade of years will witness not only evolutions but revolutions that even now seem incredi- ble within so short a time. The Church of Christ must push all her forces' to the front, and lay a moulding hand on the plastic material of social life. The anointed tongue and the consecrated pen, the printed page and the living ep~tle, the Church and the school, the Christian family and the Chris- , tian home, must unite their witness to the power of the gospel in the eyes and ears of every creature.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AS THE ENTERPRISE OF THE CHURCH
I A word by way of apology. It has caused us no little painand.mortification that, in spite of our best endeavors, a few typographical errors have marred the pages of the REvmw hitherto. This has been owing to the fact that the printing-office which does our work has undergone, as all business establishments are liable to, frequent and radical changes during the year, resulting in more or less chaos and haste, over which we had no control. We are determined, however, that this state of things shall no longer exist.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AS THE ENTERP;EUSE OF THE CHURCH.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. p.] To proclaim the gospel in aU the world and to every creature is, in the most emphatic sense, the one divine vocation of disciples. It is the King's business; not only as committed to us by the King Himself, and bearing the signature and seal of royal authority, but as the business which the King, first of all, Himself undertook. In all missions, the pio- , neer and exemplar, the inspiring leader and peerless worker, was and is our imperial Divine Captain. He compressed into one sentence His whole subjective biography: "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." Luke likewise compressed into one sentence His whole objective history: H He went about doing good." All intelli- gent zeal in missions kindles its enthusiasm from the live coal brought from that celestial altar whereon the Lamb of God was offered in self- consuming devotion. The highest heroism is but a borrowed beauty; it only reflects luster from that face that shone with the supreme supernal glory of perfect unselfishness. The vindication and the inspiration of all missionary work are alike found in this: that He, the King of kings, emptied Himself of His divine attributes and divested' Himself of His divine glory and consented to the limitations of a human nature and an earthly life, that He might take the form of a servant and become obedient to death, even the death of the cross.
However loosely we may use that phrase, H cross-bearing," it has one, and only one, scriptural application: "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Christ took up the cross. That, to Him, meant self-sacrifice jor others' salvationj and it means that, and only that, to every follower or disciple. Life's petty annoyances and vexations, the daily trials of patience and tests of temper, may be spoken of as "our crosses," and everything that " crosses" us may be construed as a cross. But the Word of God authorizes no such breadth of application or interpretation; it knows noplurality oj crosses j the plural form of that word is never once :found in Scripture~ Moreover, it is not our cross, but His cross; or ours only as it is first His. To" bear the cross" after Him is to give up our- selves to a life, or if need be a death, as He did, for the sake of saving souls. Moses anticipated such oblivious self-offering when he plead: "And now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin-;' and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written." The true interpre- tation of that sublime intercession of the great Jewish 'lawgiver is not found in a desperate determinatioll to be identified with Israel even in their rejection; but, as we conceive, Moses was offering himself as a sacrifice for the sinning people with whom God was so justly incensed: "rather than not forgive them, blot me out of thy book!" Paul, long after and with far more light upon the glory of such divine altruism, said: "I could wish that myself were accursed from Ohrist for my brethren." That was bearing the cross; that was being crucified with Ohrist; that entitled the great apostle of the Gentiles to say: "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks (u'!"IrtLa'!"a) of the Lord Jesus."
This, then, is the business to which the King gave Himself, even unto death, and which He has entrusted to all disciples. First of all, we are to get salvation, and then to give it; and to get it that we may give it. Every disciple is called to be a co-worker with God the Father) a co-sufferer with God the Son, a co-witness with God the Holy Ghost,* in the saving of souls. Whatever other pursuit may claim our attention and endeavor, this is the one business of every disciple's life. This is his vocation; all other things are but avocations. This is the one and only legitimate calling deserving to "occupy" us "till He come." Until this truth and fact be acknowledged and felt-until this obligation and privilege become real and vivid, vital and vitalizing-there can be no adequate prosecution of the work of missions. Until then the impulse and impetus are lacking: there is no adequate motiv'e to become a motor to our personal and ecclesiastical machinery. Weare building without a base, and the whole structure is unstable.
But, on the other hand, let this conception of life, duty and responsibility take tenacious hold of every believer: I am called of God to bear the cross after Ohrist, to follow the same business which He followedseeking and saving the lost. Then let a holy affection-a passion for souls-set this conception on fire with the flame of love! And, before such a conviction, transfigured into such overpowering enthusiasm, the work of missions would advance as forest fires move, with the strides of a giant and the speed of the whirlwind, sweeping or melting all obstacles in its path, rapid and resistless as the march of God! Such will be the energy of our work for God, when we rightly conceive it, and receive into our hearts the omnipotence of its appeal, and of its impulsive and propulsive and expulsive passion for souls.
But another kindred result will follow: We shall take up missions with a new spirit of enterprise. That word, enterprise, has come to have a fixed and definite meaning. It suggests an undertaking of importa~ce, an arduous endeavor, with the acceptance of hazard or * See 1 Cor. iii: 9; Col. i: 24; John xv: 26,27. risk. It admits difficulty as a factor in the problem and hardihood as the price of success.
Christian missions represent the most colossal undertaking ever presented to the mind of man. Here is a world lying in the lap of the evil one, and entangled in his seductive snares as Samson was ill the net of Delilah's wantonness. Here are fifteen hundred millions of perishing people to be overtaken with· the gospel message, if at all; within the life-time of a generation. Yet Christ says to a comparatively few disciples: "Give ye them to eat," and yet what we have seems hopelessly inadequate provision for such a vast multitude. But there is the authority of the King; He certainly will not command what is impossible or even impracticable. With proper organization and distribution of this multitude into companies; with our few barley loaves brought to Him to be blessed, broken and mnltiplied as broken; with simple faith in His power and presence, and with implicit obedience to His Word, we may not only feed all these millions, but find fragments left in abundance; for the gospel provision strangely multiplies as it is divided.
All true enterprises are earnestly prosecuted. David said to * Abimelech: "The king's business requireth haste." And prompt- ness, celerity of movement, needs to be introduced into our way of doing the King's business, as a part of our loyal obedience to His command. In the book of Esther we are furnished with an example of the haste with which a royal decree may be carried out. t First the fatal word went forth at the prompting of wicked Haman-a decree of death-unto the King's lieutenants, the provincial governors and rulers, to every -people after their language; a copy of the, writing was published unto all people, aIld the posts went out, hastened by the King's commandment. Afterwards when that counter-decree of life was issued, written in the king's name and sealed with his signet, letters were dispatched by posts on horseback and riders on mules, camels and young dromedaries. There were 127 provinces to be reached ;- the empire of Ahasuerus stretched from the Danube and the Nile on the west to the Indus and the Ganges on the east, and from the Black Sea and the Caspian on the north to the P61:sian .Gulf and the Indian Ocean on the south – its length nearly two thousand and its breadth nearly one thousand miles. It was on the three and twentieth day of the month Sivan that the king's scribes were called to put that decree in writing; it had to be translated into every language represented in those provinces from Ethiopia to India; it had to be promulg-ctted with haste, and yet without one of those modern facilities which we possess. There were no printing-presses,. postal unions or telegraphs; no railro&ds or steamships. Every copy must be transcribed by hand, and borne by mes- * 1 Sam. xxi: 8. t Estheriii.-viii. sengers who could move no faster than horses and mules, camels and dromedaries could carry them. And yet, through all those 127 provinces that decree was actually published upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar! Throughout that wide domain, to every Persian subject, that message of the king was thus born13 in less tha,n nine months I More than eighteen hundred and fifty years ago the King of kings issued a decree of salvation and bade His disciples bear the Word of life to every creature in all this world's vast empire. And now, after waiting with divine patience for nearly nineteen centuries, He sees threefourths ojthe htlman race yet without the knowledge of the good news of grace! It is plain without argument that the Ohurch of Ohrist has never yet, in any proper sense, attempted to solve this practical problem. When Dr. Duff declared that as yet we have been only" playing at missions," he meant that this world-wide work has never been seriously conducted as the enterprise of the Ohurch. We have not yet felt that the King's command is urgent and the King's business requireth haste. Were true, sound, sensible, practical business principles applied to this 'problem, no hindrance would be huge enough even to delay the prose- cution of the work solemnly committed to the Ohurch of Ohrist. And once more we record our solemn conviction that, with thorough organi- zation, sanctified resolve and practical co-operation throughout the Ohurch, the gospel may be preached as a witness, not only among all nations, but to every living creature, within the lifet'ime oj the present generation, or even before the present century closes.
In affirming this conviction we do not forget the wide extent of ter- ritory yet to be covered with gospel effort. There are unoccupied provinces, absolutely without a single missionary or mission station. Kurdistan with 3,000,000; Afghanistan with 8,000,000; Anam with 30,000,000; Africa, north of the Equator and west of the Nile basin, with 50,000,000 more; Thibet and Mongolia, virtually left to the dominion of the grand Lama; Arabia, over whose whole ex- tent floats the green flag of the False Prophet ;-these are some of the territories yet to be taken possession of in the name of Ohrist. A few years since Mr. Stevenson, of the Ohina Inland Mission, went from Bhamo, in Upper Burmah, to Ohungking in Ohuen, Ohina, a distance of over 1,000 miles, ,and for 500 miles north and south of his line of travel, only one station, K wei-Yang, then existed! Stanley in Africa, journeying from the Great Lakes in the east to the rapids of the Oongo, found not one native Ohristian in 7,000 miles of travel.
Even countries nominally fields of mission labor are not occupied. Siam, with eight or ten millions of impressible people, whose King, Ohulalangkorn, is the most intelligent and progressive ruler in Asia, and the active, generous friend and patron of the missionaries, has a few Baptists working among resident Ohinese in Bangkok, and less than a score of Presbyterians, constituting the sole working force to bring those millions to the knowledge of God; and yet Siam has single cities with 200,000 inhabitants where there is not one mission station or even evangelist; and such things as this are true after more than eighteen centuries of Christian history! – The wide area of unoccupied territory needs not dismay us. Africa and Asia together embrace less than 26,000,000 square miles, only about twelve or thirteen times as much as the Persian Empire in the days of Ahasuerus. If in those days the royal proclamation could be carried through the imperial dominions in nine months, what is to hin- der our bearing the gospel message through these two continents in nine years? With all our modern facilities and instrumentalities we could certainly cover a territory twelve times as large in a period twelve times as long!
This thought of a possible proclamation of the Word of life to every living creature before this century closes, we have sought to trumpet forth by tongue and pen for twenty years; and it has never yet been shown to be either impossible or impracticable. It can be done; it OUGHT to be done; it MUST be done. We must cross this Jordan of Selfishness and roll away this reproach of neglect at the Gilgal of a new consecration. We must resolutely marcq around Jericho and blow the gospel trumpet. Let men deride the fewness of our missionary band, and the foolishness of preaching. Let pagan priests and heathen phil- osophers ridicule the credulous faith that expects to see ancient systems fall before the peal of a Jubilee trump. God's word is pledged. "Lo, r am with you alway." The Church of Christ has but to undertake this work, in the energy of the Spirit and with the enterprise of a true consecration, and wonders will follow to which even Pentecost was but a prelude and precursor. Yes, thig- King's business requires haste. Be- hind that command, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," there stands the majesty of imperial mtthority.
Such authority is itself urgency. He obeys not the King who does not move promptly, immediately. Celerity of movement is a necessary part of loyalty and fidelity. To move tardily at the King's command is next to open treason.
The opportunUy calls for haste. God sets before the Church an open door, great and effectual. While the command rings in our ears, "Go ye"! 10, silently but suddenly the iron gates of intolerance and igno- rance, bigotry and superstition, swing open as of their own accord. Ob- stacles that for a thousand years have stood like walls of adamant quickly disappear. But what is thus our opportune; hour is also Sa· tan's, and he appreciates and improves it, if we do not. Forward into these new openings he pushes his obedient servants, with all theirvari- ous agencies and instruments of destruction. He sends his emissaries to preach his anti-gospel and carryon his crusade of infidelity and immorality and set up his printing-presses to scatter the literature of death. Satan never lacks earnestness or enterprise in his work.
Meanwhile, what are we doing? Trifling with the whole matter of a world's evangelization; trifling on a magnificent scale! Since our Lord on Calvary breathed His dying prayer, fifty successive generations of human beings have passed away. In this awful aggregate twenty-five times the present population of the globe have perished without the gospel; and as yet the entire Christian Church sends less than 6,000 laborers into the foreign field and spends less than $12,000,000 a year on the world-wide work!
Never yet have we been in haste to enter even the most conspicuously open door. That word" opportunity" is full of ethical suggestiveness: ob, over against; portus, the harbor. The gospel ship lies at the very entrance of the harbor whose wide-stretching arms and open gates invite entrance, and where millions of people wait to welcome the gospel. While God's breezes blow toward the port and we have only to spread sail and speed on ward, we lie at anchor as if becalmed, or move so slowly and sluggishly that the barges of the vain pleasureseeker and the swift gall~ys of a piratical foe sweep past us and preoccupy the openings. Where is the enthusiasm of the Christian Ohurch ! Where our zeal for God, our sympathy for a lost race, our loyalty to our Lord, our sense of duty and responsibility!
Moreover, behold the King's couriers and posts, furnished by His providence, ready to do our bidding in hastening the King's business! First, the printing-press, what a magnificent help to evangelization, ready to multiply copies of the Word in any tongue, at a trifling cost and with incredible speed! . From a single steam-press thousands of copies may be produced every month, and tracts and religious books by the million pages. Here is a doubly useful messenger in the work of evangelization. It moves like a magic shuttle, to and fro. While it multiplies and scatters afar the message of the gospel, it spreads at home information of the workabroad. This courier of the King he never sent forth until the Dark Ages were giving place to the new dawn of the Reformation, and the Church was prepared to attend to the King's business. This courier we must use, as never hitherto, to scatter information of the King's work among disciples, as well as to scatter the leaves of the tree of life among the heathen. Information is the handmaid of evangelization. Thousands of intelligent disciples are ignorant of missions. One of the foremost philanthropists of England, to whom a copy of "The Crisis of Missions" was sent, wrote to the author: "I am sorry to confess that of the bulk of the facts which you present I have hitherto been entirely ignorant." No wonder the flame of zeal burns low when no fuel feeds its fires, and no oil fills its l~mps.
Money is another of the King's couriers. Consecrated capital is not only potent, it is well-nigh omnipotent. No marvel that Mammon is treated III the Bible as a rival god to Jehovah. Wealth suggests divine attributes-omnipotence, omnipresence, immortality, transforming en- I ergy. To have and to use money well is to multiply personal power a thousand fold, nay, to multiply one's self a thousand fold. The giver is potentially wherever his gift is. Sarah Hosmer's frugal savings educated six young men to preach the gospel in Oriental lands, and where they were she had her representatives and preached through them. A man recently died in New York City whose noble benefactious had spread so far that in not less than two hundred and fifty different places he was represented by a mission Sunday-school, a church, an asylum, a hospital, a college or seminary, or some other form of beneficence: his money made him virtually omnipresent as a benefactor. Money makes the giver also immortal. It represents not what is transient, but what is permanent. The good that men do with money lives after them; it is not interred with their bones. They who use it aright hold the lever of God, and lift a whole people to a loftier planemultiplying themselves indefinitely and rendering themselves practically present wherever their donations are doing work in their behalf ; and so even when dead their works do follow them, and they survive themselves!
If the King's business requires haste, there are ready facilities to meet the requirement. Sanctijied scholarsh-ip is another royal courier, pre- ' pared to mount the swift steeds of modern civilization and bear the divine tidings to every nation in its own native tongue. When Ohrist gave His command, he addressed humble, unlettered men. Since then the gospel has found its way into Cresar's household. Here are the princes of this world, the seers and.sages, bowing at the cross. The Bible has been translated into over three hundred languages and dialects. A Ohristian literature has been created and may be reproduced in any known language 6f earth. Steam has been harnessed to the gospel chariot-nay, even lightning waits to do the Ohurch's bidding. What are we waiting for? Twenty thousand millions of dollars lie. in the coffers of the Protestant church members of Great Britain and America; 3,000 young men and women are knocking at the doors of the church asking to be sent abroad; the whole world permits and invites missionary approach; there is every preparation for such universal movement and such rapid progress as no other century ever even forecast. WHAT IS THE OHURCH OF OHRIST WAITING FOR?
The necessity and feasibility of a grand campaign for Ohrist, with reference to the immediate occupation of all unoccupied fields, and the immediate proclamation of the gospel to every living soul, are beyond dispute. After a wide discussion by the ablest writers upon the subject of missions, the conviction is only established that the present crisis imperatively demands that the entire forces of the Christian Church should be enlisted and engaged in this glorious work. A spirit.
of consecrated enterprise must apply to this giant problem the best and soundest business principles; a system must be devised which shall prevent waste of time, money, and men, and economize and administer all the available forces of the Church. The imperial clarion of our tord, as with the peal of the last trnmp, summons all His hosts for the great crusade. , Nehemiah was a model organizer. He built up the broken walls of the Holy City, and with a small, poor remnant of the people finished the work in fifty-two days. The perfection of his organization was the secret of his success, and it embraced three grand principles: first, division of labor-every man at work over against his own door; sec- ondly, co-operation-all engaged in one work and operating upon one plan; thirdly, concentration-all at the sound of the trumpet rallying to defend any weak and assaulted point. Put those three principles into practice in the work of foreign missions, and we may build the wall of gospel witness around the world in a few years; we may push the advance of our missionary hosts so rapidly and systematically, that on every hill, in every valley, from equator to pules and from sea to sea, the gospel's silver trumpet shall sound.
Fifty years ago seven humble men in a shoemaker's shop in Hamburg undertook the work of evangelization on the principle of individual responsibility. In twenty years they had organized 50 churches, gathered 10,000 converts, distributed 400,000 Bibles and 8,000,000 pages of tracts, and preached the gospel to 50,000,000 of people. As they went from place to place the work grew, and new converts in- spired with similar zeal became helpers, so that a population as great as that of the United States, or of the Congo Free State, heard the gospel within those twenty years. If any are distrustful of mere arithmetic as applied to the problem of missions, here is a practi~al proof that it is perfectly feasible so to organize the work as to reach 100,000,000 of people every year, and that, too, with only an insignificant Gideon's band. An English preacher asked some British soldiers, "If Queen Vic- toria were to issue a proclamation, and, placing it in the hands of her army and navy, were to say, 'Go ye into all the world and proclaim it to every creature,' how long do you think it would take to do it?"
One of these brave fellows, accustomed to obey orders without hesita- tion or delay and at peril of life, promptly answered, " Well, I tkink we could manage it in about eighteen months."
There are, perhaps, in round numbers, thirty millions of Protestant church me:gJ.bers in the world. Could each of that number somehow reach thirty-three of the unsaved, the whole thousand million would be eva~gelized; and could each be brought to give one cent a day, our missionary treasuries would overflow with over one hundred millions of dollars every year. Of course we cannot depend upon enlisting in this " work all church members. Nominal Protestants include millions of mere professors, members of state churches, formalists and ritU(tlists, and millions more who, while they profess to be disciples, are actually immoral and infidel. But let us suppose that there are ten 'millions of true disciples who can be brought into line, and who by systematic effort can be made to furnish men and money for this work, even 1vith this tenth part oj Ohristendom the world may be evangelized bifore the twentieth century dawns.
Weare not responsible for conversion, but we are responsible for con- tact. We cannot compel any man to decide for Christ, but we may compel every man to decide one way or the other; that is, we may so bring to eyery human being the gospel message, that the responsibility is transferred from us to him, and that we are delivered from blood- guiltiness. God will take care of the results, if we do our duty. We are to preach this gospel everywhere" for a witness "-not coldly, officially, formally, but earnestly, prayerfully, lovingly. Christian churches, schools, institutions, homes, reared in the midst of pagan communities, constitute part of this" witness" to the power of the gospel; then, whether the gospel prove a savor of life or of death, our fidelity will not fail of its reward.
We repeat, that it is our solemn and mature conviction that before the close of this century the gospel might be brought into contact with every living soul; for if we could so organize and utilize ten millions of disciples as that everyone should be the means of reaching with the good tidings one hundred other souls, during the lifetime of this gen- eration all the present population of the globe would be evangelized; or, if the sublime purpose should inspire the whole Church to do this work before this century ends, each of this ten million believer::; has only to reach between eight and nine souls every year for the twelve years that remain. .
When Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" was first published there were some who construed the fiction as fact; and they said, "But there is among these Utopians no mansion of gospel truth: let us go and tell them the good news!" Is it not high time that we re~lized that the destitute and desperate condition of a lost race is fact and not fiction; and that, having the Bread of Life, we carry to the starving millions of earth's popUlation the gospel of salvation, with the promptness and holy haste which are the only fit way to attend to the King's business?
At the beginning of this new year, let us write on the very door- posts of our churches and houses, and on our gates, this grand motto: THE WHOLE WORLD TO BE EVANGELIZED IN THE PRESENT GENERATION.
" Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." The Earl of Shaftes~ury said: "During the latter part of
HENRY MARTYN
these centuries it has been in the power of those who hold the truth, having means enough, having knowledge enough, and having opportunity enough, to evangelize the globe fifty times over." Recent testimony is given by 120 nTtssionaries in China, representatives of twenty-one Protestant societies. They say: aWe want China emancipated from the thraldom of sin £n this generation. It is possible." Our Lord has said, "According to your faith be it unto you." The Ohurch of God can do it, if she be only faithful to her great commission. This statement comes from those who are intimately acquainted with the discouragements-who know the difficulties. And now" for the sake of the Name," that name which is above every name, "the love of Ohrist constraining us," let us go forth. Let the sublime faith and hope of such a grand result, under divine leadership, inspire our effort. Pastors, awake! Be yourselves flaming missionaries! From the lofty altitude of your own high devotion let the stream descend that shall raise every devout hearer to a higher level. Fan the slumbering embers of a smouldering missionary zeal-heap the facts like fuel on the fires. Make the coldest congregation hot with your own burning enthusiasm. Parents, bring up your children to see the dark places of the earth and the habitations of cruelty before their eyes, as Oarey's rude map confronted him on that sheet of leather in his cobbler's shop! Merchants, open your treasuries and pour out your money. Never was an altar that so consecrated the gift. Meanwhile, let the voice of prayer, as with tho mingling sound of multitudinous waves, surge against the throne of God!
HENRY MARTYN.
BY JAMES M. LUDLOW, D.D., EAST ORANGE, N. J.
IN the year 1812 a lone traveler, passing through Eastern Asia Minor, died at Tokat. His dragoman even did not know his full name, but scratched something like it upon a rude slab and went his way. The grave was soon covered by the sand from a mountain stream. They who buried him thought of him only as one of the millions who every year fan into forgotten graves. But this man was missed. Though but thirty-one years of age, he had struck the chord of heroic appreciation in England and America as almost no other man had. A statesman said: "His name is the one heroic name which adorns the annals of the English Ohurch from the days of Elizabeth to our own." His grave was sought; his body removed to a more public spot; a handsome monument reared, and inscribed with his praise in four languages. Lord Macaulay, with fine appreciation of the truly great in character coming from familiarity with the heroes of all ages, who thrills us with his lines on Horatius and Harry of Navarre, was affected to reverence by the story of this young man's life and wrote this epitaph: , " Here Martyn lies! In manhood's early bloom The Christian hero found a pagan tomb; Religion, sorrowing o'er her favorite son, Points to the glorious trophies which he won.
Eternal trophies, not with slaughter red, Not stained with tears by hopeless captives shed, But trophies of the cross. For that dear naJ1le Through every form of danger, death and shame, Onward he journeyed to a happier shore, Where danger, death and shame are known no more."
Henry Martyn was born in Oornwall, England, in 1781. At sixteen he entered Oambridge University. He was intensely ambitious, and was nettled because at the early examinations he took only the second position. But at twenty he graduated as Senior Wrangler, with the first honor.
He could, however, apply his mind better than control his passionate nature. Angered one day he threw a large knife at a comrade, who dodged it, and let it stick quivering in the wall, instead of in the intended victim's heart. He was self-willed even to obstinacy and surliness to his father. No natural saint was he.
His after saintliness was not due to development, but total change, point-blank conversion. Its occasio,n was the death of his father, and the thought that it was now too late to ask from those cold lips forgiveness for his undutiful conduct. He could only go to God for it. But, having once come before that throne, and felt upon his soul the shadow of God's condemnation for sin, all his pride was crushed; having felt the light of God's countenance reconciled, his soul was ever after filled with gratitude and love. From this time Martyn was another man. 'rhat strong willfulness became strong willingness, as he gave his whole being up to his Redeemer. He was ambitious still, but he had now an Over-lord, even Ohrist. His favorite text was" Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not, saith the Lord." So thoroughly did he belong to Ohrist that selfish honors no longer pleased him. When he graduated first in his class, he wrote: "I obtained my highest wishes, but was surprised to find I had grasped a shadow." His energy was not lessened, rather intensified, by having higher appeals, those of conscience and service, added to natural desire; and his faculties were new-fired by his communion with the Holy Spirit. Yet he was not without tremendous temptations from his old ambition. For a while he proposed to study law, "chiefly," he says, "because I could not consent to be poor for Ohrist's sake." But he did not know his newer self when he thought that way, and when the moment of decision came he turned his back upon all prospect of secular gain, and sought the ministry. He could not restrain his impulse for Ohristian service; it came out in daily incidents of conduct. He once rebuked a fellow student for sinful trifling. Speaking on the im1ulse, he thought he had overstepped propriety; but the honesty of his manner gave such weight to his rebuke that it led to his friend's conversion, and in after years they labored together in the foreign mission field.
But that was not the day of missionary interest such as now fills the Church. Carey had gone to India, the first English missionary there; and David Brainerd had laid down his life for Christ among the A.merican Indians. Vanderkemp was in South Africa. 'l'hese and a few others were then the far-scattered stars in what has now become resplendent galaxies of missionary heroes and martyrs in many lands.
To conceive the idea of being a missionary showed independence, enter- prise, courage, and far-sighted pioneer faith not required of those who now go out to help bring in the spoil of almost a century's campaign in pagan lands.
Martyn was in spirit alone in the world when he formed the missionary purpose, almost as much as when he lay down to die at Tokat. He loved his home; hearts close to his seemed necessary to the existence of his warm, affectionate nature. Could he break these ties? He was a man of most exquisite intellectual refinement, by genius a student, with a brilliant career awaiting him in a university chair, or as leader of a refined congregation. Could he give his life to the dull monotony of teaching the most degraded people the rudiments of decency and truth'? There was no glamour about the work. It was not a roseate outlook, but one of dirt and dreariness to anyone; and especially to a man physically weak, knowing that he inherited 'a tendency to disease that needed to be counteracted by tender living. He wrote, "This is what flesh cannot endure." There was one other obstacle, such as has determined the career of many a man. He was deeply attached to a lady of rarest worth in all that a noble man would seek ina wife.
His affection was returned. But she could not accompany him to the mission field. Thus to go was to isolate himself from everything which made life worth living, looked at from the standpoint of self.
Yet he said, "I will go," though he, quite naturally under the cir- cumstances, made that great offering of himself in the very words of Christ when expiring on Calvary, and of Stephen bowing his head to martyrdom, "Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." Why not? The man then died to the world as truly as if he had mounted a funeral pyre. ,I In 1805 Henry Martyn sailed for India. Nine months were con- sumed in the journey, which took him across to South America and then back around Cape Good Hope. Much of the time was spent in hard study, mastering the Hindustani language, varied by burning fever as the fiery conflict of his thought consumed his very flesh. He tells us that the most helpful uninspired sentence he ever heard was one that he found at this time in Milner's" History of the Church" ; "To believe, to su:ffel', and to love was the primitive state," i.e., of the early Ohristians. This he made the purpose of his life. At the Oape of Good Hope he went ashore. A furious war was raging between the English and Dutch for the possession of that point. Amid the horrors of the battle-field, bending over the fallen forms of English, Dutch, or Hottentot braves, he had his baptismal experience of a kind of duty such as the elegant and thronged churches of England never gave him.
Arriving iu Oalcutta he"was felled by fever, and his weakened body became a source of discouragement overcome only by his deathless devotion. The horrid rites of widow burning and devil worship were then practiced. He said he "shivered as standing in the neighborhood of hell." English friends urged his remaining at Oalcntta, where he would meet with countrymen and could preach as much as he wished without danger, receiving a salary as army chaplain. But :Martyn determined to go to the heathen beyond, to whom others would not go.
For weeks he pushed his way in a little boat up the Ganges, during the day translating Scripture into Bengalee by the aid of his boatmen, at night talking of Ohrist to the natives on the shore. Passing into new provinces he found new dialects to be mastered. His rare scholarly habit and genius came to his help. At Dinapore we find this in his diary of a day: ":Morning in Sanscrit; afternoon, Bahar dialect; continued late at night writing on Parables in Bengalee. The wickedness and'cruelty of wa,sting a moment when so many nations are waiting till I do my work." He finds that he has use for Arabic, too, in dealing with :Mohammedans, and thflrefore masters that tongue. Then the Persian language is studied. The mau seems to have been a mingling of :Max :Muller and Livingstone.
Through the glaring sun he traversed the sandy plains of the Ganges hundreds of miles to Oawnpore, fainting, fevered, with a terrible disease developing in his chest. He preached statedly to the soldiers in the barracks, and at times the poor natives would gather by the thousand in front of his door to receive his alms and hear his addresses. A strange fascination went out from his person to all who came in contact with him. A fellow English Ohristian, speaking of :Martyn's ill health. said: "If I could make you live longer, I would give up any child I have, and myself into the bargain."
Physical nature could not endure the strain of that intense spirit, and :Martyn's condition necessitated his return to England. But ha was not quite satisfied with the correctness of his Persian translation of the New Testament, and therefore proposed to put in an intermediate journey to Persia to perfect it. Pale, emaciated, too weak to speak except in a low voice, he seemed to live only by force of soul. They beheld him" standing on the verge of another world, and ready to take his flight," rather than about to endure another earthly journey. His thirtieth birthday found him en 1'01100 for Persia. In his journal he says: "I am now at the age when the Saviour of men began His ministry-when John the Baptist called a nation to repentance. Let me now think for myself and act with energy. Hitherto I have made my youth and insignificance an excuse for sloth and imbecility; now let me have a character and act for God."
After several months he reached Persia. He was prostrated by sunstroke. Recovering sufficient strength, he penetrated the country. The thermometer in June ranged from 120 degrees to 126 degrees. He existed only by wrapping hip1self in heavy blankets to exclude the heat, or wet blankets to temper ~t. So he traversed the plains. Then over the mountains where the cold at night was piercing, but with a fire in his head, his skin dryas a cinder, his pulse almost convulsive.
Reaching Shiraz, the Persian seat of learning, he began a new translation of the Testament with the help of some intelligent Persian gentlemen. While doing this work he debated publicly with their great men, and wrote articles in reply to their chief books. Sharp arguments were sometimes inspersed with brick-bats hurled at his head. Withinthe year his translation was completed. He would lay it before the Persian king. To accomplish this another long journey was undertaken. To its natural hardship was added the danger to his life from the bigotry of the people, as they knew his mission to introduce a foreign religion. He one day attended a reception given by the Vizier, bringing his Bible. Vizier challenged him with "You had better say, 'God is God, and Mahomet is the prophet of God.'" Martyn replied, at the risk of losing his head, "God is God, and Jesus is the Son of God." The by-standel'S cried out, "What will you say when your tongue is burnt out for such blasphemy?" They would have trampled the Bible with their feet had not Martyn rescued the manuscript from the floor.
But'what was the use of antagonizing the prejudices of the people? Had we simply the· diary of Martyn we might only be able to say that his burning zeal would not permit him to be silent. Everywhere he went he must be talking about Christ. But there was a providence in his tongue that he knew not of. Years afterward Sir Robert Ker Porter, in journeying through Persia, was met by people who asked if he knew "the man of God," some one who had made an impression upon the people like that of a brief sojourn of an angel among them. They said ~'He came here in the midst of us, sat down encircled by our wise men, and made such remarks upon our Koran as cannot be answered. We want to know more about his religion and the book he left among us." At Shlraz, long after Martyn's death, there lived an accomplished Persian, Mohamed Ratem, who confessed that for years he had been secretly a Ohristian. He had been convinced, he said, by "a beardlesl!. youth; enfe~bled by disease; who ~ave him a book," which had sinc~ been his constant companion. It was a Persian New Testament, and on a blank leaf the name Henry Martyn.
Martyn probably knew nothing of his personal influence upon these people; as little as we know the result of our lives.
But to return to our narrative. He was out of money, and would have starved but for help from a poor muleteer. Burning with fever, aching with weariness, breathing with difficulty from the progress of his disease, he reached Tabriz, where the English ambassador received him. For two months Sir Gore Ousley and his lady watched by his bedside, until temporary return of strength allowed his departure. In the meantime the ambassador himself presented the New Testament in Persian to the king, by whom it was graciously received and publicly commended; since which it has shone as a day star of hope to Ohristian missions in that part of the world. England has spent millions of money and many lives of soldiers in Persia. but the work of Henry Martyn, though his face was hardly known to its people, has accomplished a thousand fold more.
His work done, the frail man started for home. Thirteen hundred miles overland must be traversed before he could reach even Oonstantinople. With a heartless dragoman and servant he started across burning plains, dangerous rivers, under the mighty peak of Mount Ararat, through dense forests, drenching rains and thieving villages, he rushed onward, though fainting, and always with the dread fever or chill. After a month or more of this sort of life, we find the last note in his journal, Oct. 6, 1812: "No horses to be had, I had unexpected repose. I sat in an orchard and thought with sweet comfort and peace of my God-in solitude my company, my friend and comforter. Oh! when shall time give place to eternity?" Ten days later he was dead. How he died no one knows, except that it was alone. There was no loving kiss of wife or sister or friend upon the chilling brow, but as they would say in the East, "God kissed him and drew out his soul."
Friends·in distant India waited for the coming of one who would never come. But the story of his work floated over the lands, and with it the story of his heroism. A thrill of missionary interest went through the Ohurch. The cause of evangelization received an impulse second to none since the early days of the English Reformation.
The story of Henry Martyn almost oppresses an ordJnary Ohristian. His spirituality was so refined that it is difficult to even appreciate it. It was like the rare atmosphere of mountain heights, hard for some to even breathe. His courage and concentration of purpose make our lives seem so weak and disconnected–like water spilled on the ground, compared with the torrent that turns a hundred factories. He was dead at thirty-two, having awakened a nation, and some of us are twice that age and have hardly begun to do anything for the great crying
IN THE LEVANT
world and Him who redeemed it. We cannot fol~ow Martyn; we are not brave enough, nor fine enough in moral fiber to take his luster. Let us, then, more deeply appreciate the lesson now carved in four languages upon his tomb in Tokat: "May travelers of all nations, as they step aside and look at this monument, be led to honor, love and serve the God and Saviour of this devoted missionary."
MISSIONS IN THE LEVANT: THEIR PROBLEMS, METHODS AND RESULTS.
BY REV. EDWIN M. BLISS. [OUR printer marred the first article by some serious errors. On page 889, 6th line from top, for" American historian," read Armenian Nestorian. Again, 8th line from the bottom of same page, for" American be an American," read, an Armenian be an Armenian. And again, page 890, near middle of page, for" Misairyeh," read Nusairyeh.-EDs.] II. THEIR METHODS.
THERE has never been a time when the methods of Christian work in every department, and especially in the foreign field, have been so sharply criticised as at the present. Not a few, looking over the vast fields covered by foreign missions, have received a sudden and startling revelation as to the amount still to be done, and have leaped to the conclusion that the reason why more has not been accomplished is that wrong methods have been used. Christianity, they say, is bound to conquer. Its equipment is of the best. The trouble is that its arms are not handled wisely. The tactics are faulty. Intelligent, help- ful criticism is welcomed by no class of men more than by foreign mis- sionaries; but criticism based upon an examination of one phase of a . many-sided problem, or gained in a hasty glance over the surface, is apt to be neither just nor helpful. 'fhe charges against foreign mis- sions that have recently broken out show such phenomenal ignorance of the methods in actual use, at least in the Levant, as to make them of little or no value. Th!3y are best refuted by a simple statement of facts.
The one principle underlying mission work as carried on in the Levant is that the kingdom of Christ is built up on individual life and character. Its aim is not the destruction of one system in order to establish another. It is not that Islamism is to be overthrown, but Moslems are to be converted. Not that corrupt, degenerate churches are to be brought back to pristine, or even better than pristine, purity, but individual Bulgarians, Armenians, Copts, Maronites, Nestorians are to be helped to lead Christian lives. False systems will doubtless fall, corrupt churches give place to purer ones; but that is a re.~ult, not an end in itself. The end is the development of individual Christian character. To this end are mission methods directed; by this principle are they to be judged.
The question then comes: Is the development which is sought a natural, normal one, or is it abnormal, stunted, twisted out of all recognition, So that the convertlld MOf;llem, the evangelical Greek or Jacobite becomes, not a Ohristian Oriental, but a something half way between Asiatic and European-a sort of religious hybrid, utterly incapable of reproduction; so that the moment the supporting influence of the foreign funds is withdrawn the genus disappear?
The answer to this again will come best from the consideration of the methods in use. These are: Bible Distribution, Evangelistic Preaching, Ohurch Organization, Education, Ohristian Literature.
BIBLE DISTRIBUTION.
Taking the position that the highest development of character ill built up on a personal knowledge of the Bible, it is held to be a prime essential that the Scriptures should be in the hands of every man, woman and child; should be not merely listened to from the pulpit, but read and studied in the home.
In the countries occupied by American missions in the Levant this fundamental work is done by the American Bible Society, and has three departments: Translation, Publication and Distribution,' To the former the best of scholarship is summoned, resulting in versions unexcelled for critical accuracy and fluency of idiom. There are: the Arabic, prepared at Beyroot, but reaching to the farthest bounds of Africa and Asia; the Turkish, Armenian and Bulgarian, at Oonstantinople ; the Syriac, at Oroomiah ; the Aherzijan Turkish and Ararat dialect of the Armenian, chiefly at Tiflis; the Persian, originally the work of Henry Martyn, now revised and much ~mproved; the Koordish Testament, prepared by a Koordish Armenian pastor in the valley of the Euphrates. In this work America and England have joined hands, now aividing, now sharing; each desirous of the one end-to reach every man in his own tongue with the story of the cross and the resurrection. Then comes publication. The needs of every class are carefully studied. The peasant of the Nile Valley has his Testament in type especially suited to the eyes blurred and almost blinded with opthalmia. The inquiring Bulgarian, rendered half skeptical by the statement of his priest, that the Protestants have wandered far from the venerated Slavic, has a Testament with both ancient and modern versions in parallel columns, that he may see for himself. On the shelves at the Bible House in Oonstantinople are the Scriptures in more than thirty languages and four hundred styles of printing and binding, that no one, whether he be officer of the Sultan's household, or villager on the mountains of Kurdistan, may say, "There is no Bible for me." Thus far the preparation. Then comes the direct work of distribution. Over one hundred colporteurs are employed by the American Bible Society, but every t6acher, pastor, missionary, is an assistant. These men aim to reach every reader in every city, town, village and hamlet, with the offer of the Bible. The distribution is not, however, gratuitous. A price is set upon every book, often far below its real cost, so as to bring it within rQach of the poorest, and that price is.demandod and received • from all. Except in special and rare cases, not a Bible or Testament, not even a Gospel, is given away. This is not because American Christians are unwilling to give, but because, in the experience of all, free distribution of the sacred books cuts at the very root!! of that selfrespect and sense of the Bible's worth, without which there can be no strong Christian character developed. It is also never forced upon the attention of any. Cordially, earnestly, kindly, is it offered;' but he who takes it must do so of his own free will, under no external pressure. Undoubtedly such pressure might be used as to greatly increase the sales. Sometimes it has been used, but always with loss rather than gain.
A half century of experience has shown that, as a rule, in the Levant, the best results. are reached from planting the Bible in individual hearts, rather than by sowing it broadcast.
EVANGELISTIC PREACHING.
Sometimes preceding the colporteur, sometimes accompanying, sometimes following him, always in heartiest sympathy with him, is the preacher. Now Methodist, now Presbyterian, again Congregationalist, or sturdy descendant of the Scotch Covenanter, with various names, but one heart; differing uniforms, but 'one flag. His one purpose to show the Bible as a rule of faith, but still more a guide in life. Hence, he seeks to understand and sympathize with the life about him. This was the hardest task of the missionary when he himself was the only preacher in the early days of the work. It is no easy thing to enter into the life of a strange people, get accustomed to new habits of thought and language, learn to put old truths in new lights, and none realize it so keenly as those who have tried it. One principle has been constantly made clearer. A man, to have genuine, lasting power with men, must be himself. Just so far as an American, in dealing with Turk or Arab, Greek or Jacobite, ceases to be an American, and becomes an Orient~l, just so far he loses his power to convince, persuade, help. This is not matter of theory only, but of experience. Over and over again has the effort been made to accord the daily life of the missionary to that of the people among whom he labors, and it has ever been demonstrated to be not only impracticable, but unwise. The missionary must remain a missionary. However deep and strong his sympathy with the people, he not only cannot, but he ought not to become one of them. His best power for good depends upon his preserving his own individuality, and that must be national as well as personal. With the growth of the work the physical impossibility of the missionary's reaching all who sought to learn became increasingly apparent. Thus has arisen a great body of native preachers-men drawn from every class and walk in life-who, gathering from personal contact with tlie missionary the influence of his life and thought, assimilating it to their own national character, go forth . to the thousands of their fellow-countrymen, and with them are devel-
oping a Christianity which is far more natural, and will prove far more permanent, than could be the case were the missionary the sole bearer of the gospel message. Of not less importance is the method adopted by these preachers. Its principle is entirely in accord with that underlying the work of Bible Distribution. It is not polemical. There are times when denunciation is needed, and then they do not fear to expose fearlessly the deceit and fraud by which ecclesiastical powers would blind the eyes of an ignorant people, and hold them in subservience to their own ends. This, however, is the exception, not the rule. The Moslem, drawn by curiosity or interest to attend an evangelical service, will not turn away repelled by what are to him harsh attacks upon the faith in which he has been nurtured.. The Armenian or Copt will hear no harangue against those who have hidden from him the Word of Life and held him fast in bonds woven in the cells of monk and anchorite. It is the want and duty of every day life, the consciousness of sin, the need of forgiveness and help, alone possible through a Redeemer; the hope of a blessed immortality. These are the topics of the preacher, by the earnest personal presentation of which he seeks to emphasize men's personal relations to God, develop the sense of personal responsibility, and secure the growth of personal character.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
The adoption of this as a distinct method of missionary work in the Levant, except in regard to the Moslem converts, was not a part of the original plan of missions, and is not now pressed to the forefront. The aim has been, so far as members of the Oriental churches were concerned, to help them to a Christian life, whatever their church connection might be. As a matter of fact, those who were thus influenced were unwilling to remain in the old comlllunions, and the priesthood were unwilling that they should, using the sharpest means of excommunication to drive them out. The formation of evangelical churches became thus a necessity, and has proved a most valuable method, not only of stimulating individual Christian hfe among their members, but of illustrating the broader relations that the Christian must sustain to the community and nation.
Under Moslem rule, church and civil life are identical. He who leaves his church leaves his nation, and heresy is treason. How to overcome this, and show that national life is properly independent of religious rites and ceremonies, has been a great problem, and the evangelical church organizations, by keeping distinctly aloof from political entanglements, have sought to show the true position of the Christian as a citizen. The formation of evangelical churches has served also as a method for developing that self-reliance which is essential to the permanence of the work commenced by the missionary and carried on by the native preacher. It has been the constant e:lfort of
MISSIONS IN THE LEVANT
the missionaries to throw upon these churches, as rapidly as possible, the whole responsibility of self-management and growth. Recognizing that mistakes are less dangerous than stagnation, they have left to them large liberty of organization, of creed and of worship, seeking not to bind, but to develop by influence rather than authority. Realizing, too, that self-support is an indispensable element of growth, they have aimed at such gradual withdrawal of foreign aid as would strengthen, without bringing too heavy a burden upon communities already overtaxed.
EDUCATION.
Over this method of missionary work there nas been very earnest discussion in every land. With little or no difference of opinion as to the necessity of some instruction, there has been a wide divergence of views in regard to the degree or amount of education that legitimately comes within the scope of a missionary society. The missionaries to the Levant found absolutely no system of education, even the most rudimentary. What instruction there was was in the hantls of the priesthood, and so warped by priestly craft as to be almost useless for the development of Ohristian character. The Ohristian teacher became thus the indispensable coadjutor of the preacher and colporteur. At first his work was simple. But with community growth developed community needs. The teacher himself had to be taught. An effort was made to confine this broader instruction to those who were themselves to go forth as instructors and leaders. The advantage, the necessity even, of the same opportunities for the people were realized to the full. It was a question not of what was wanted, but of what was possible. Mission funds and mission strength, being limited, must be concentrated upon the special objects to which they were devotedthe development of Ohristian life. The necessity of community se1£- support in order to self-development also entered mto the cousideration of the question. The result has been that the missions provide free schools only for the most pnmary education aud the training of preachers and teachers, and these are free only when absolutely necessary. Just as fast as possible the whole care and support of the lower grades of general schools are placed upon the community. Grants in aid of money, assistance in superintendence and counsel, are given cautiously, though not grudgingly. With regard to the higher education, the position that has been taken in general is that the running expenses must be met by the pupils. The missions may assist by giving the tme and labor of missionaries to the schools, but there must be such charges for tuition as may be reasonably expected to meet the actual expense of each scholar, apart from the salaries of the teachers. FOT collegiate education the Mission Boards assume no responsibIlity, except that in certain cases the American professors are enrolled among their missionaries, and occasional grants are made in consideration of ot the relief that these colleges give to the Boards in the trainmg a native ministry. The general support comes from tuition and endowments secured abroad.
There are thus four classes of what may fairly be called mission schools. 1. Those supported chiefly or entirely by the Mission Boards, for the specific purpose of religious training. 2. Those supported and controlled entirely by the native communities, for the general purposes of Christian education among the common people. 3. Schools of a higher grade, under the care of the Mission Boards, with such charges for tuition as are calculated to meet the general expenses. 4. Oolleges, independent of the Boards, yet in heartiest sympathy with them, working together to the one great end of building up Ohristian nations.
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE.
There are four lines in which foreign missions seek to meet the constantly growing needs of minds stimulated to activity by the opening up of new truths through the methods already spoken of. These are the preparation of text-books for use in schools, of books for distinctive religious instruction, general information and periodical literature. The text-books are based upon the latest advances in the science of ' education, and are a means not only of instruction to those pupils in the regular schools, but a revelation to the old communities of the wide sweep of a tnllyOhristian science. In the commentaries and books of devotion are met the questions that for centuries have stirred the intense thought and speculation of the East, mellowed and attuned to the duty of everyday life by the practical common sense of the West. The department of general l1terature has not been developed as all would desire, sImply because it is Impossible to do everything that it would be well to do. The lack here IS met in a degree by the periodical literature, cluefly in the form of weekly newspapers, that bring the newly formed growing churches and communities into contact with the activity and life of America and Europe. Steadily avoiding complications with political or religious strifes, aiming to bring forward that which is noblest and bes,t in life everywhere, these form a most vl}luable means of reaching multitudes who would stand aloof from colporteur, preacher or teacher, and serve as a bulwark against the rush of infidel publications that are to many the sole representations of the advanced intellectual life of the day.
This is but a brIef sketch of the Methods by which missionaries seek to lay the sure foundations of Ohristian life in the Levant. As a sketch it is by no means complete. There are many lines of action unmentioned. Each mission has to a degreee its own methods, adapted to Its own special needs, in accordance with its own habit of thought and life. In these general lines of action, however, all agree. Upon this principle all stand, that a permanent Ohristian church is built up on individual ChrIstian lives, that such lives .are developed only by 26 ENGLAND AND FORErGN MISSIONS. [JAN., individual personal influence. This work is slow work, but all foundation building is slow. It may be that some changes of method would be wise. If so, none will welcome advice and help more gladly than those who represent the churches of America on the foreign field. The tree is known by its frUlts; methods by their results. The results achieved through these methods by Foreign Missions in the Levant will form the subject of another paper.
ENGLAND AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.
BY THE REV. JAMES JOHNSTON, F. S. S., ENGLAND.
THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ON FOREIGN MISSIONS.
AT the annual meeting of the York Auxiliary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel on October 29th, the Archbishop delivered a rousing speech. He remarked that there must be something significant in the great gathering of bishops at the Lambeth Conference, and in the fact that, whereas in 1878 they mustered 100, in 1888 they mustered 145. The only wonder to him was that having in their midst such an undeniable evidence of the progress of missions they should have heard such a quantity of stuff talked about them-and, for his own part, he was quite sick of it. He could not follow the parts of the discussion into a debtor and creditor account of the amount of converts they had bought with their money, and he thought they had better forget it as soon as possible. They were in a sense obliged to those who had put them on their defense; but they could not avoid a certain measure of contempt for the turn the. discussion had taken. What did the increase in the bishops from 100 to 145 mean? It was not a mere numerical augmentation. A diocese meant ~not only a bIShop but an organization-a complete body of clergy requiring church government; and a diocese was never made before it was wanted, as far as he was aware. He thought it was quite absurd to talk about the failure of missions and the mismanagement of missions. Failures there would be. Mismanagement! There was mismanagement sometimes at home, and he did not see why the colonies and foreign parts were to be exempted from it. But, allowing for all that, there was a great and mighty progress for which they had done very lIttle; and if they had been punished for their neglect a century ago they would hardly have had much cause to complain of the chastening hand that sent that punishment. Why, since the Reformation down to the latter half of the last century, they might say that nothing at all was done for missions. A nation that for a couple of centuries neglected its duty had no rIght to complain, because when it did only a very little certain fruits were bestowed upon it, and those fruits not little, like the gifts, but great, like the love of God which sent them. They might all of them take courage. The subject of those objections had now been thoroughly consIdered, and it had done /
ENGLAND AND FOREIGN MISSIONS
no harm; quite the contrary, in his opinion. For good, or for less good, they could not possibly neglect missions. They confessed themselves infidel when they did so. As long as they believed the truth of the love of God they must tell other people of it-that from the nature of the case, unless they hated their brother. Therefore it was useless for them at that time of day to be haggling about the exact products of missions. Whether they had gained an abundance of fruit or not, they ought to be up and doing. It was an undeniable fact that the fruits during the past twenty years had been far beyond those given them before that time.
THE BAPTIST UNION MISSIONS IN INDIA.
At the autumnal meetings held in Huddersfield early in October, Mr. John Barron, M. P., presided. After speaking of the necessity of increased missionary effort, he said that India was the first field of Baptist missionary enterprise, and they never could forget that God had honored them in that country beyond the most sanguine expectation of those who first entered on the work. Carey, in his labor of evangelization, met with discouragements not less trying than those. which were met with by their missionaries in the present day who were laboring in new countries. He fought against great difficulties and amidst great trials, but God blessed his e:tIorts and enabled him and those who labored with him to do a work in India, in connection not only with religious teaching but of educational work, the influence and· power of which were felt far and wide throughout that great country of India. In India the,English people had great responsibilities, and he was sorry to say that as far as Parliament was concerned that responsibility was neither fully recognized nor wholly met. If it were not for the permeating influence of Christian life in India-if India were left alone to the Government of this country-he feared that our position in India would not be nearly so secure as it was at the present day. India was at the present time open to influences of good and evil, and upon what the churches in this country did in promoting missionary work in India depended the future of India and the relation of that empire to this country.
The Rev. A. McKenna, dealing with the work that had been done in India, acknowledged the great assistance which had been rendered to missionaries in India by the civil and military authorities, who were the finest body of men in the world. There was not a single. man who was not in favor of progress.
The Rev. Bower Jones, of Bengal, said he had been appalled at the darkness in which India had for ages been plunged. During eighteen centuries but little had been done. There was a popUlation of two hundred and fifty millions in that empire, but no more than half a million have embraced the cause of Christ. The gospel had, however, fairly commenced its work of emancipation, an¢!. had lIghted up
THE MmAOLES OF MisSIONS. [JAN
the harems and zenanas. The condition of women in India was being improved, and there was less opposition to the propagation of the gospel.
COMMANDER CAMERON" ON THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN AFRICA.
At the Oanterbury Diocesan Oonference, held on October lOth, the gallant traveler gave a stirring history of the ruinous _effects of the drink traffic upon the native races in Africa. The four great evils of that county were, he said, slavery, gin, gunpowder and land-grabbing. The Africans, as a rule, were strongly addicted to a liking for strong drink, but he had never seen any illneys or delirium tremens arising from excessive drinking in the interior. A large proportion of the cargoes of ships trading on the west coast consisted of large red boxes from Hamburg full of liquor known as gin, but containing some vile chemical material. In the English colonies or Protectorates on the west coast the revenue chiefly consisted of excise and licensing duties. and it appeared to him that anyone who could pay for it could obtain a license. Thebeens abounded in the gold-digging districts, and in some of the smaller districts they actually f(jorced native teachers, sent out with the good intention of teaching people, to give way to the ruling vice, and not only to drink the gin themselves, but to trade in it. At the Oape itself "Oape smoke and the contents of the Hamburg steamers'~ were taking the heart out of the best native races, and on the east coast a large portion of the trade was in drink. Slavery, during the last few years, had been worse than ever before-whole districts being devastated-while at one camp of lJ'ippoo Tib, no fewer than fifty right arms had been seen nailed up, and his men were amusing themselves by shooting the slaves, who were afterwards cut up to feed the cannibals in the train of slave dealers. The loss of life in this trade was calculated at two millions a year. When traveling in Africa he himself opened up many routes which slave dealers had taken advantage of. He hoped to be able to do something to reparir the mischief, and if he could not get his idea carried out he might adopt the suggestion of Gordon, and form a colony at r~ake Nyanza to fight against slavery.
THE MIRAOLES OF MISSIONS.-NO. IX.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. P.] SIGNS of THE SUPERNATURAL IN THE GENERAL WORK.
THE Resurrection of our Lord was established" by many infallible proofs." Not less unmistakable and unanswerable are the evidences of the coming of the Holy Ghost and of the presence of a supernatural providence in human history. Most of all may we see God's hand in mISSIOns.
Thus far we have sought to illustrate and exemplify this great truth in specific cases and on special fields. It may bel well, however, to take
1889;1 c THE MIRACLES OF
a wider glance and get a glimpse of His presence and presidence in the whole field and work of missions; and more especially as during this month our eyes are turned, not to anyone land or form of false faith, but sweep round the entire circle of the continents.
When science, as nature's interpreter, would show us her greatest wonders, she points to the crystal and the cell; one the mystery of inorganic symmetry, the other the miracle of organic life. When God would reveal to us the signs of His own handiwork, and prove to ns that through all the ages His unceasing purpose r1ns, He points us to the mystery of a symmetrical and crystalline historic unity and harmony which no human foresight could have planned and no human skill have wrought out; and then He points ns to holy lives which combine the beauty of the crystal with the living energy of the cell; which shine not with a cold, imprisoned luster, but with the radiance· of a living light.
Dionysius of H(l,licarnassus said: "History is phil9sophy teaching by examples." The Ohristian believer mounts higher and declares that history is God, teaching by His providence and grace. Nature does not bear marks of a designing mind and hand as clearly as human history, and pre-eminently the history of missionary enterprise reveals the plan and presence of an infinite God. No man with eyes open, and mind open to conviction, can long resist this evidence. The history of missions not only reveals miracles, it is itself a miracle. It is a demonstration and an illustration at the same time that, high above and far behind all human actors on the stage, is a divine director and controller. He shifts the changing scenery to suit every new act inc the drama of the ages; and he shifts the positions, yea, and the persons of the actors, too. When He wills, when His work demands it, and His time has fully come, they enter and take up their part; and, as surely, when He wills it and His time has fully come, they leave the stage and give place to others. "God buries His workmen but He carries on His work," is one of the sayings of John Wesley, carved on his monument in England's great Abbey. But it is not less true that He raises up a Pharaoh and Oyrus and girds those who have not known Him, to show forth His power in them, and in spite of them carryon His eternal covenant purpose.
Those who have read that fascinating story of "Life Among the Turks," by Dr. Oyrus Hamlin, will remember one of the myriad in- stances of the providential limitation of human power and tyranny. At a critimil point in the history of Turkish missions, the Sultan Mahmud suddenly startled the whole empire by an order for the expul- sion of the missionaries. The news fell like a thunderbolt unheralded by the lightning flash~ The order was so imperious and arbitrary, and Mahmud was so unreasonable and implacable, that even Mr. Brown, the Secretary of the American Legation, and Oommodore Porter gave over the cas~ as hopeless. Commodore Porter prepared a. dispatch to the Sublime Porte, acquiescing on behalf of the missionaries, for whom he could not venture to interpose. Just then, on the first of July, 1839, the Sultan himself died, at the very hour when the missionaries were waiting in suspense for the execution of the order! And at the same time his entire fleet was betrayed into the hands of the Pasha of Egypt, and the Ottoman army of 80,000 men was almost annihilated. Well may Dr. Hamlin exclaim: "A startling series of events that struck every heart with dismay"! Man proposes, but God disposes. A higher plan swallows up the lower, as Aaron's rod swallowed all the rest. Dr. Goodell had, in the very midnight of that trial hour, and before there was the first hint of a dawn, said in his own peculiar way:" The great Sultan of the universe can change aU this," and lo! it was done. H God blew, and they were scattered." The work of the missions was resumed with new courage; the exiles came back, and the execution of Mahmud's order of expulsion was never again referred to. The silence of the grave fell on the Sultan and his tyrannical decree alike. A h~gher hand was holding the invisible scepter.
And this is what we mean by the supernatural factor in missionary history. It may not manifest itself in any two cases in precisely the same way. Evil may at times be prevented, and at other times permitted and overruled. But the overrule is there.
" Careless seems the great Avenger; history's pages but record One death grapple in the darkness 'twixt old systems and the world. Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne; Yet that scaffold sways the future; and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God, amid the shadow, keeping watch above His own."
It would be impracticable within the necessary limits of this article to illustrate fully this general supervision of missions by an -Almighty Wisdom and Power; but it is to the mind of the writer a fact so vivid as to be well-nigh visible; and a few examples of this divine interposition will suffice for the present purpose of this paper.
1. The removal of obstacles and the opening doors of access to the nations.
2. The sudden and unaccountable subsidence of barriers at critical periods and. points.
3. The raising up of men and women previously prepared for work, as obviously prepared for them.
4. The theology of inventions-a divine plan in the development of the race and of human discovery.
5. The direct transformation of individual character and of entire communities.
6. The indirect results in the modifications of existing evils and the elevation of the entire social level.
7. The obvious overruling of human mistakes and failures, and even of bitter hostility and persecution, 8. The supernatural ordering of human lives, and the limitations of them when God's purpose is accomplished.
9. The evidences of a divine strategy extending through the ages and embracing the whole world.
10.. The turning of the crises of the kingdom in answer to prayer, and in a marked order of development.
11. The development of new agencies, organizations and instrumentalities at the precise hour of need.
12. The prophetic element in all these divine plans, making these developments not an evolution but a revolution.
Such are afew of these signs of the supernatural mind and hand in the history of missions. Let us b~iefly advert to some of them.
1. The progress of missions would have been impossible without the intervention of a higher power. When, a century ago, the Ohurch as a body took up the work of evangelizing the world, ten great obstacles stood in her way, to human view insurmountable. They may be classed under four heads: obstacles to approach, obstacles to intercourse, obstacles to impression, obstacles to action.
The world seemed locked against the Ohurch, and the Ohurch seemed indifferent to the condition of the world. Oonverts were punished with death; missionaries were martyrs; woman was shut up in harems; some races seemed too high, others too low, to be reached by the gospel. Now all these obstacles are down. Who has done it?
2. Barriers have sometimes gone down as though a continent had sunk to let the sea overflood the land. Hawaii had burned her idols while the Thaddeus was crossing the deep with the first band of missionaries. Japan was undergoing a civil revolution while Oommodore Perry was casting anchor in the harbor of Yeddo. Over and over again the missionaries have gone expecting to find gigantic barriers confronting them and have found only prostrate walls. Who has done it?
3. Men and women have been prepared for the work and the work for them when no human foresight could have shaped either for the other. Who fitted William Goodell to begin in 1831 that wonderful work in Oonstantinople which at that very time needed just such a pioneer! Who but God knew that in 1877 a famine would overspread Southern India, and that a civil engineer would be needed to complete that canal, and so give the starving thousands work; and that the engineer must be a Ohristian missionary who would teach the workmen of Jesus? and who was it raised up Mr. Clough to go there long before he knew why he was a civil engi~eer and felt so strangely drawn to that very station at Ongole? Who was it fitted the peg to the hole when he set Eli Smith in Syria, Robert Morrison in Ohina, Fidelia Fisk in Oroomiah, Lindley among the Zulhs, Moffat among the Boers, Duncan among the Indians of British Oolumbia, and Hunter Corbett amon~ the simple converts of C~efoo? (Jan all history show a more marked adaptation of the man and the place and the hour, than Robert W. McAll and Belleville and 1872, when the French nation was reacting from clericalism and imperialism and formalism, and yearning for a simple, positive, primitive gospel? Who did all this?
4. Look at the theology of inventions. How came the mariners compass, steam as a motor, the printing-press, and all subsequent sim-' ilar inventions and discoveries, to be withheld from the race until the- ology, anthropology and soteriology had fought their battles, and sociology was coming to the front; and until the Church of the I4Jfor- mation was preparing to give the Bible to every people and the press was indispensable; and to carry the gospel to earth's limits, and the compass and steam were needful? Nay, who withheld this continent from unveiling until the pilgrims were ready to settle New England!
5. Passing by for the present many other points already briefly stated, and emphasized in previous articles, behold the crises of the kingdom turned in answer to prayer. Time was when the Church itself was asleep. And such men as Gutzlaff and Carey and Jonathan Edwards laid siege to the throne of grace and the Church woke, and missions began on a world-wide scale. Then doors seemed shut and a few con- secrated men and women prayed, and within ten years the openings defied occupation-they were so many. Then there was need of men and money. Prayer again turned the crisis. Gifts that· for amount were never before equalled began to be consecrated, and an unparal- leled number of young men and young women began to offer them- selves. The women began to organize till their Boards cover the Chris- .. tian Church with their network; and the Y. M. O. A. ~nd its kindred organizations multiplied from one in 1844 to 3,800 in 1888. And now signs appeal' above the horizon of a period of general missionary intelli- gence and activity more marked than any during the last eighteen cen- turies. These are but a minute fraction-a fragment from the vast aggregate of testimony that the work of missions is the work of God, and the march of missions the march of God.
It will-be yet three years before we reach the year which marks the complet~ century since the Warwick Association made the first Monday of each month a "Monthly Concert" of prayer for the world's evan- gelization, and that first :,Foreign Missionary Society sent out William Carey to India. The Church might have compassed the world already had the faith of disciples been equal to the grandeur of God's promises. But, nevertheless, God has led, ruled, moved, swayed all through this century. He has shown His Word to be all-powerful, and His Spirit all-subduing, and His Providence all-controlling. The whole history has been His story; full of mystery because full of a mysterious God; full of power because full of an omnipotent God. 1.'his needs no argu- ment; it needs only an open eye and an obedient heart. To our own conception it is the supreme charm of missions and the supreme argu- ment for missions. It invest's the work with an awful dignity!
lIIISSION OAMPAIGN IN AMElUOA
MESSRS. TAYLOR AND RADCLIFFE'S MISSION CAMPAIGN IN AMERICA.
BY REGINALD RADCLIFFE, ESQ., ENGLAND. DEAR EDITORS: Many of your readers doubtless know something of the Chiba Inland Mission that has its headquarters in London. It was founded about twenty years ago by the Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, and he is now its Director, with a Council in London, and a Council of experienced missionaries in qhina. Mr. Taylor had previously been engaged as a missionary in China; sickness required him to return to England, and for a few years he was engaged inLondon by the British and Foreign Bible Society in translating, in conjunction with an Episcopal clergyman. While so occupied, a map of China was on view, and so he got a more comprehensive view of the vast needs of the interior of that mighty country than when engaged in China doing his own little personal work. This was so burdened upon his heart that he went round to the different missionary boards in Lonuon, endeavoring to get some one of them to take up the vast interior of China; but he did not succeed. Thus was he constrained, in fact, after much trembling and much prayer, almost forced to originate the China Inland Mission. From the first he determined, in order not to interfere and not to have the appearance of interfering with the other missionary boards, 1. That this new society should have no collections made for money at any of its meetings. 2. No collection books. 3. No one to be applied to for money for the Mission. 4. That the agents should be taken from different denominations, so that the mission should be unsectarian. God has prospered the little mission greatly; no difficulties from different denominations working happily in one great mission field have ever arisen. About three years since, the remarkable band of seven young men of the Cambridge University going out stirred the hearts of our young people, especially, as one of the band, Mr. Charles Studd, was a famous criclreter, and another, Mr. Stanley Smith, was the stroke oar of the Cambridge Eight, to row against Oxford, whilst another was a young cavalry officer, who, in answer to the question, "Why are you going out?" replied, "I read' If ye love me, keep my commandments; , I love Christ and so I am going." Some time after this Mr. Taylor was with a gathering of his missionary friends in China-they were giving a day to fasting and prayer, the next day to deliberation and examination of the wants of their enormous field, the thira day to fasting and prayer, then the next day to deliberation and examination, and so on for several days. They were also agreed that they would not override a minority by a majority; but though it might take much more time, prefer waiting till they were all of one accord. Well, one thing they were of one accord upon was that they could make accommodation to receive, in addition to their then number of about 190, 100 extra missionaries, and that there were ample openings for them. So they asked the Lord of the harvest for these 100, and that they should be dIspatched within a year, and that money to dispatch them should be sent in; for the mission as usual had none. There and then the assurance of faith was given that these requests were answered. Accordingly, within the year about 600 volunteers applied, and out of these 102 were selected and dispatched, and all the money needed was sent in without solicitation, except soliciting their Heavenly Father. It will be seen what a needful part was the money when it is stated that this mission will not go into debt to the extent of a single dollar.
Now, some little time after this a young American layman, Mr. H. W.
Frost, came over to ·London and took up his lodging close to the headquarters of the mission that he might learn its workings minutely. He tried to per- suade Mr. Hudson Taylor to visit America. But Mr. Taylor, full of his heavy work at headquarters and traveling over Britain and over China, hesitated to consent. But this young American could not be shaken off, and he and Mr. Taylor got on their knees for guidance, and thereafter Mr. Moody invited Mr. Taylor to his Conference at Northfield. Mr. Taylor then yielded to the solicitations of this young friend.
Having myself worked much together with Mr. Taylor in Britain he asked me to accompany him, and it was resolved that my wife and I should go, as well as Mr. Taylor's secretary, and his son, Mr. Howard Taylor, as also Mr.
George Studd, brother of the Mr. Charles Studd already mentioned, and also brothel' of Mr. K. Studd of London, who, about a year previously, went through a number of the American universities. At this same time Mr.
Wishard of the Y. M. C. A. came over to England and induced several Cambridge undet'graduates to cross the Atlantic to attend Mr. 1foody's Conference.
It would be hard for me just at this point to withhold recording with a grateful heart the very refreshing hospitality my wife and I have received from so many kind hosts and hostesses, both in the States and in Canada.
If my friend, Mr. Hudson Taylor, were beside me instead of being in another steamer on another ocean, I am sure most warmly would he join me. Indeed, it was his own suggestion, days before we had to part, that we should both have put our signatures to a joint letter, but the rush was so great the last few days that it was not practicable, yet the work seemed only commenced. But if we should never see your land again, we have formed friendships that are not likely ever to be forgotten.
The welcome afforded to Mr. Hudson Taylor, both in the United States and in Canada, by ministers, Young Men's Christian Associations, and private Christians, and the reception given to his novel and startling, but simple, childlike statements, have, indeed, been so gratifying as to make himself and his praying friends devoutly thankful-you way be sure that his praying friends are very many, scattered over the world. In fact, it is a great feature that at the London headquarters a crowded prayer-meeting is held from four to six every Saturday afternoon, where, by a large map and long pointer, each mission is pointed out and every missionary prayed for by name.
After leaving Mr. Moody's Convention at Northfield, from which two or three volunteered and were accepted for China by Mr. Taylor, an early place visited was a Bible Reading Convention at Niagara. Here there was a glorious response-ample scope was given for Mr. Taylor and another to plead for the heathen, and after he had left, Mr. R. P. Wilder arrived and spoke on the same subject. In conclusion, Mr. H. W. Frost had to write, telling Mr. Taylor that sufficient money had been given to support six missionaries to his China Inland Mission. The money having thus been pro- vided unasked, volunteers wet'e prayed for to consume it. It was soon found that the same Father could supply laborers as easily as he had supplied the money. I Laborers sprang up like willows by the water-courses-both men and women-especially in Canada, and not vel'Y distant from the region in which the Niagara Convention had been held. After careful consideration twenty were accepted by Mr. Taylor as associates of the China Inland Mission. Thirteen of these were ready to depart from Toronto. Mr. Taylor met with them and gave minute instructions, having arranged with Rev. Dr. Parsons of the Presbyterian Church of John Knox, in Toronto, for themselves and their frIends partaking of the Lord's Supper at nine in the evening, before their train left at eleven for Vancouver and China. Mr. Taylor could not be present with us, as he had still to give one day to Montreal, overtaking this band on the track for Vancouver. A sister from Mr. Moody's school had also to overtake the train, making the volunteers to sail across the Pacific with Mr. Taylor fourteen. After receidng the Lord's Supper there was an impressive scene at the depot, a great crowd singing hymns outside the cars and inside the cars, tender:partings; whilst outside simultaneous prayer for the departing ones and for those to follow the crowd-chiefly young men-repeating the petitions together, sentence by sentence. 'rhus at 11 P.M. the train slowly swept away for the China steamer to be met at Vancouver.
Besides these fourteen gone, and the six more accepted, one of whom is a Y. M. C. A. secretary, I have since received distinct intimation of 46 more that I believe are wishing to follow. There is little money to tempt anyone, viz., only about $250 a year for a sister, and about $50 more for a brother on account of his having to travel and live in inns more than a sister. The dressing, too, in Chinese costume cannot be a great inducement. This is not much to tempt an American or a Canadian. Yet I shall not be surprised if el'e long fully 100, including the twenty already fixed, soon follow those gone before.
Are not such men and women the best, the greatest friends, of the home churches? Can they go to real war without rousing their friends left at home to fight at home as they have never done before? Can they go without stirring up a far deeper interest in the American and Canadian Missionary Boards, not only for China, but also for India, for Africa, for the continent of America, etc.? Let them ever remember what noble missionaries these Boards have sent out, from Judson downwards, and what noble ones- perhaps not much heard of-they have now in the field. I have myself enjoyed their co-operation in Europe.
If we older men will not lead, 0, for the sake of Christ's dying wish, let these young ones lead us! 01' else, are not we older one!;! in flagrant disobedienc~? and I for one do not see how our churches in Britain may not sink lower and lower. Do speak out and show them that Christ has laid the responsibility on every converted soul to give the gospel to the heathen, and that we laymen cannot shift the responsibility 6if our shoulders upon the shoulders of ministers, or upon the shoulders of university men. Let us gladly accept settled ministers, who will lay down their charges. A vicar at Leeds, just before we left for America, laid down his charge in order to go out with the China Inland Mission. But for every such cultured man, and for every finished and cultured undergraduate, do we not need at least twenty men, who, like Spurgeon, Moody, or Carey, have never seen the inside of a col- lege, provided only they have the needed gifts, ;:tre already experienced in winning souls, are wholly surrendered to Christ as their king, and are full of the Holy Ghost?
THE Gustavus Adolphus Society of Germany, which aims specially to es- tablish Protestant churches in Roman Catholic countries, during the last fiftY-SIX years, has erected 1,398 churches and 691 school buildings. It re- ports immediate need of 314 more church buildings.
OPIUM IN CHINA
BRITISH OPIUM IN CHINA.
BY G. L. MASON, AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION, HUCHOW, CHINA.
BRITISH Christians lead the world in beneficence. Their home charities are multiform, their foreign missions are everywhere. But the British Government, for the sake of revenue in India, persists in a course against a weaker nation which Canon Wilberforce pronounces "simply dastardly from beginning to end." John Bright and many other distinguished men express the same view. Christian opinion in China is fairly represented by a conservative Englishman, Archdeacon Monle of Shanghai, who says: "British authorities in India, fully knowing the attitude of the Chinese Government, deliberately engaged in the preparation of opium for China. with only two years intermission, continuously for sixty years." Americans, too, blush at sight of the Chinese caricature of an Englishman with a whiskey bottle in one hand and an opium ball in the other. In many ways so closely linked to Great Britain, and especially so in evangelization, it behooves American Christians also to know the facts and to labor and pray for the removal of this tremendous hindrance to missions and to honorable commerce and international good-will-a professed Christian government engaging in a trade which is a blighting curse to millions.
Since many may not have access to information, the following outline of events has been compiled, from personal study of the Chinese maritime customs' reports, from files of the Ohinese Repository, and from other trustworthy sources. As partisan statements have been made in books and newspapers, "that opium-smoking isas harmless as twiddling one's fingers," and that" Great Britain has not coerced China on account of opium," it may be well to remark that the writer is prepared to cite authority for every statement in this sketch.* Some hold that opium was first brought to China by the Arabs toward the close of the thirteenth century. But it was in small quantities, and" commonly used as a medicine before the trade with India commenced" in the eighteenth century. Previous to 1767 the trade was in the hands of Portuguese, but with an import of only about 200 chests a year, a chest being about 140 pounds. The habit of smoking was scarcely known. Even as late as 1830 large inland cities like Hangchow had no opium smOking-shops. Now that city has, approximately, 2,000. The very rapid growth of the habit and of the trade began when the East India Company regularly engaged in the business in 1773. In 1790 the importation reached 4,054 chests, twenty times the amount imported yearly previous to 1767. In 1799 it was 5,000 chests; in 1826, 9,969; about 1830, a yearly average of 16,800. In less than ten years just preceding the first Opium War the trade more than doubled, reaching 34,000 chests in 1836. In 1834 the East India Company closed its career, but other British officials continued the traffic, which has grown to 52,925 piculs in 1850 and 75,308 in 1880, a picul being 133~ pounds.
Smuggling is the proper term for this trade previous to 1860. In 1780 the British establised a depot near Macao on two vessels, a plan continued in later years, when armed vessels lay outside the ports, and delivered the opium to Chinese smugglers who had previously negotiated with American or British merchants living at the ports under consular protection. The East India Company entered upon the trade knowing it to be contraband.
* Besides the authorities named, any one desiring further information should see the Friend of China, London: Morgan & Scott; a small monthly. Also Th6 Truth .4lKrut Opium, London: Hodder", Stonghton.
BRITiSH OPIUM IN
For the Abbe Raynal (tr. i. 424) writes, as early as 1770: "The Chinese Emperors have suppressed it in their dominions, by condemning to the flames every vessel that imports this species of poison." The Emperor Kiahmg in 1796 issued an edict against it, and the prohibition was often renewed by imperial decree or high provincial authority (1799, 1809, 1820, 1836 and 1837) and the prohibition always based on moral grounds. "Severe prohibit<;>ry laws (1828) destroyed the trade temporarily and exasperated the British, who made some military demonstrations by sending armed vessels to Canton in 1831 and 1834. Meanwhile the contraband opium trade was fostered and the smugglers provided with armed ships."-American Cyclopcedia. See also British Encyclopcedia. In the penal code of 1830, strangling is the punishment for keeping an opium shop. In 1832 at Macao foreigners witnessed a case of its execution, the culprit being tied to a cross and strangled. ,_That the prohibition of 'the importation of opium or planting of the poppy was only partly successful among a heathen people is not strange. But is the fact that Chinese minor officials often connive with native and foreign smugglers any excuse whatever forthe relentless aim of the Bitish Government to thwart the often expressed and humane wish of the heathen government?
A crisis came in 1839. The Chinelie Imperial Commissioner Lin, at Canton, addressed a long letter to Queen Victoria, requesting her to interdictthe traffic. He also demanded as contraband, 20,283 chests of British opium, and by command of the emperor utterly destroyed it. This annihilation by money-loving Orientals, for the sake of a moral idea, of ten million dollars worth of salable property will shine in history as a deed of sublime heroism.
The British Encyclopedia calls it" a sufficient proof that the Mandarins were in earnest in their endeavor to suppress the trade. The few foreigners who were present were deeply impressed to witness this deliberate and solemn work of destruction, which occupied twenty days and took place in the presence of a great multitude of Chinese officials and people. Soon after this the British renewed the attempts to smuggle cargoes ashore. The merchants complained that the wholesale confiscation of the opium was sudden and unfair! a vain plea, for the storm had been gathering for years and was foreseen by all whose eyes were not blinded by gold. The seizure was the chief point of the casus belli.
In 1840 England declared war. At its close China had to cede the oppressor the island of Hongkong and pay twenty-one million dollars. Twelve millions of this were for England's war expenses, three millions for debts owed by Chinese to British merchants, and six millions partial payment for the opium destroyed. This outrageous robbery was perpetrated in the Treaty of Nankin (1842) and ratified the year following.
That the enforced opening of the five" treaty ports" to trade gave a great impulse to commerce and missions no one denies, but these benefits blind Western eyes to the cruel injustice of the war. At that time Sir H. Pottinger, British Minister, 'strove to get China to legalize the opium trade j and the Emperor Two-Kwang made answer in these pathetic and now historic words: "It is true that I cannot prevent the introduction of the flowing poison, but nothing will induce me to derive a revenue from the vice and misery of my people."
During the next fourteen years the unwelcome trade flourished, until in 1857, the Arrow, a smuggling vessel bearing the British flag, was fired upon. This furnished the pretext for the British bombardment of Canton. As if this were not enough, the English and French combined the next year and made an expedition up the river Pei-ho to Tientsin: Thus the capital
OPIUM IN CHINA
was in danger and the terror-stricken government felt obliged to yield to the persuasion of Lord Elgin and legalize the importation of British opium. The import duty was fixed at the low rate of thirty taels a chest, or about thirty cents a pound, the British agreeing not to carry the opium 'inland. This political villainy was ratified in the Convention of Peace at Pekin, October, 1860. Thus oppression scored a great triumph in Asia to offset the grand advance of liberty then about to take place in America. China again paid Eng-land an indemnity of $10,800,000 in gold, one-quarter of which was paid to the foreign merchants of Canton; also $6,000,000 to France. Is it strange that patriotic but uninformed Chinese would fain have excluded all foreigners, missionaries included, regarding the opium trade as a direct plot against the life of the.nation? 'fhis treaty secured the opening of five additional ports, through which missionaries might enter with the gospel and merchants with shiploads of opium.
The second opium war only riveted faster the chains of the demoralizing habit and trade. The government, discouraged, made few serious efforts after 1860 to repress native cultivation of the poppy. According to Consul Spence, in Sichuan province, government interference with the planting ceased about 1865. Bu:t in July, 1869, the Chinese Government made a pathetic appeal to the British Government. And in October, a "Supplementary Convention" was signed at Pekin by which, in consideration of China's reducing her duty on coal exported and for other commercial advantages, England should allow China to advance the import duty on opium from thirty to fifty taels. As though China had not the right to charge what duty she chose without asking leave! But this arrangement the British Government steadily refused to ratify, lest a higher duty might check the trade and thus lessen the revenue at Calcutta.
In 1876 occurs the Chefu Convention. China by this allows four more ports to be opened to trade, in return for which the British ambassador agrees that opium shall stand on a different footing from other goods as regards transit duties,inland, so as to enable China to check the internal traffic. The clauses of this convention in favor of foreigners were soon ratified. The one clause'in China's benefit was not. At length after seven years of evasion by England, the irritation felt in China and the anti-opium agitation in England caused an opening of official correspondence on the subject (January, 1883), Earl Granville writing to Marquis Tseng, the Chinese ambassador in London. China proposes in addition to thirty taels import duty, a uniform rate of eighty taels for internal transit dues. The noble earl objects, proposes seventy taels (April, 1883), and insists that China 'must guarantee not to hinder the trade by imposing further taxes inland. 0 shameful sight! a mighty Christian nation haggling with a weaker heathen government for easier terms on which to debauch its people! Tseng Claims (September, 1884) that China may raise the tax on opium to any figure she may think proper as soon as the drug shall have passed into Chinese hands. And why not? Not until July, 1885, was the agreement finally signed, to be in force four years. It came into effect February 1, 1887, more than ten years after the Chefu Convention. The import duty remains the same, thirty taels. But the fluctuating taxes formerly levied inland (the Lekin) a!'e now fixed at a uniform rate of eighty taels, and these dues also England allows China to collect at the ports; but China stipulates that British opium may pass inbud, unlike other goods, exempt from taxes, and that local licenses to sell sllall be at the same rate as for native opium.
This new arrangement has been hastily called a "settlement" of the vexed
BRITISH OPIUM IN
question. A total revenue of about $1.10 per pound, all due at the ports,' brings a little more mon~y than formerly into the treasury at Pekin. Butit also hastens the physical and moral ruin of multitudes. Nine and three quarter million pounds were imported in 1887,- an increase of nine pel' cent. on the average yearly amount from 1882 to 1886 under the former arrangement. The trade has now clearer official sanction. The authorities provide safe and cheap storage at ports, and untaxed transit inland. And the cancer is to strike its roots deeper into the nation's heart. In proof of this, read the Customs reports for 1887, how at various ports the new rule "benefits the trade"; how the trade "acquires stability" and "increased facility" and "great benefit"; while at Pakhoi the opium partly "takes the place of silver as a circulating medium." The Shanghai commissioner reports: " Transit passes are respected and the native dealers are sending the opium to more distant markets than ever."
That missionaries do not magnify the evils of opium to excuse the slow progress of missions let Sir Thomas Wade, ex-ambassador, testify: "The habit is many times more pernicious, nationally speaking, than the gin and whiskey drinking which we deplore at home"-a strong-er statement than missionaries make; still it is hard to decide which of the two habits produces the more misery. Forty-five million dollars spent in one year (1887) for foreign opium, and half of it spent by people unable to buy both opium and good food, means a wide extent of woe. Mr. Eason, of the China Inland Mission, says that in Yunnan Province half of the women and fourfifths of the men are smokers. When Baron Rich'toven is quoted that in Si-chuan Province as much opium is used as anywhere, and that nowhere are the effects so little seen, it is not explained that the climate of the mountains is salubrious and that the people of the river valleys are wealthy. It is among the poor, who cannot buy both food and opium, that the misery is most seen. Here is the exact parallel to the drink curse,-work neglected, debts unpaid, clothes and bed ill pawn, children and aged parents half starved. There are frequent instances of wives sold tp provide opium. In some parts of HucllOW, Chikiang, opium-ruined vagabonds have been a terror to the farmers. In that part of the city of Shanghai under the municipal contl'Olof Europeans more than 1,200 opium saloons were licensed in 1887. No wonder that the number of prisoners in jail was twenty-five per cent. greater than in 1886. The opium habit often co-exists with alcoholism in the same individuals. All vices thrive within the opium dens. Especially does the opium mania burn out of the man all capacity for truth. A professional burglar would be received to church membership in China as soon as would an opium user.
Foreigners, shielded by British civil or military officials, smuggled opium into China for seventy years. After two wars and the payment of vast indemnities the traffic was legalized, as the Grand Secretary, Li Hung-chang, said in 1881, "not from choice, but because China submitted to the adverse decision of arms." Yet apologists say that China's concessions have been voluntary. As well call the delivery of one's put'seto a highwayman voluntary, That the Chinese submitted at all graciously only illustrates their pt'overb "The legless man who meets a tiger might as well make a present of himself." After 1860, for twenty-five years, British influence prevented China from raising the duty even to a .partiallY prohibitory rate. Finally in 1885-7 a new arrangement was made which friends of China hoped might be somewhat of a check to the trade, but which ill the working seems to be rather a strengthening of eVIl. But it is an arrangement for four years only
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES
and the question will be re-opened. Meanwhile let the Christian world con-' tinue in prayer that God may touch the conscience of all concerned. Parties to the gt'eat sin are not only opium merchants, but the Indian officials who, in Bengal, by subsidies, assist planters of the poppy, and who buy the whole opium crop and prepare it in government workshops expressly for the Chinese market. In this sin Christian England also shares; for" under the specious name of the home charges of the Indian Government, England is annually exacting a tribute of fourteen. millions sterling from India" (Friend of Ohina. April, 1888). And England's sin and England's punishment, unless she repents, more or less involve all Christendom. Our sharing of responsibility and the Chinese feeling were vividly impressed on the writer once when preaching on the street in Shashing. Hell was mentioned and a fine looking elderly man exclaimed with equal courJl.ge and severity: "Yes, there is such a place. Since you foreigners came, Ohina has become a hell!"
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CHAS. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
THE Evangelisch-Lutherisches Missions-Blatt says: "Can one live to be old in India f Whoever brings with him a good constitntion, and lives regnlarlyand temperately, can, by God's good providence, even in India. reach an advanced age. The old Dano-Halle Missionary Kohlhoff labored in India 53 years, his son 57. his son 60, C. F. Schwarz 47. Similar examples of long life in India and Burmah are to be found in more recent times also, though not so frequently as in the last century; our Senior Schwarz lived in India 44, Kremmer 47 years. There lately died in Kottajam in Travancore, Mrs. Baker, granddaughter of the elder Koh- 10ff, who in 1819 established a girls' school in Kottajam, and conducted it for 69 years I Mr. Rice. of the L. M. S., lived to celebrate the semi-centennial jubilee of his missionary service, and this year, on the 9th of February, the same honor arrived to the missionary bishop, Caldwell, of the S. P. E.,who may well be regarded as one of the most valuable missionaries in South India, an experienced administrator and an eminent lingnist. He has lately pnblished his remembrances in the Madras MaU, from which we extract the following: • As a youth of lour-and-twenty he landed on the 8th of January, 1838, in Madras, where he remained three and one-half years. His first business there was, of course, to study the language. He ,rapidly made himself master of the two dialects of Tamil, the classical, and the vernacular dialect, and laid an especial stress upon right pronunciation. which to an English tongue offers double difficulties. • • • His first practical work was among the native domestics of the English. Noteworthy is the missionary method which he then recognized as the true one, and which he has maintained through life: 'My plan was to make the congregation the middle point of my whole missionary activity. With the assistance of my native helpers I made it my endeavor to exhort and induce individuals to unite themselves with our congregation. As soon as we had won, instructed and baptized a proselyte. I urged him to bring to us all his relatives and friends. We hoped that in this way eacb new proselyte would become a shining light, around which others would gather. The plan succeeded beyond expectation, and soon the congregation was too nnmerous for the building.' He makes little account of stl'eet-preachings in great cities. •They do not reach the higher castes, and the direct fruit is in no proportion to tbe labor given. I never heard of a case in which any abiding blessing has resulted from this sort of effort.' In 1841 he removed to Tinnevelly. He made the journey on foot, passing throngh Tranqucbar. In his account of this journey there occurs a most unwarranted attack upon onr mission, which he accuses of proselyting efforts among the adherents of the Propagation Society. He shows, thereby. that he, too, has allowed himselfto be carried away by the intolerant spirit of this SOCiety, which is . well inclined to claim aU India as its domain. and while its missions are always ready to encroach upon other fields of labor (as, for instance, in the Kohl Mission) would not even concede' to the Tamils of Lutheran views the liberty of returning to their mother church. • . . Yet Dr. Caldwell, long ago, was one of the few English missionaries who maintained the sonndness of the principles of our mission in regard to the question of caste; a view which, in later times, has gained more and more snpport among them.
"In Tinne.elly he made Idyengudy (Shepherdhome). near Cape Comorin. the center of his resuUful activity. He gathered a great number of Christians out of the surrounding heathen. The congregations nnder his presidency have multiplied tenfold, increasing from 14 to 129, and the number of souls eightfold, from 1,201 to 8,167. The whole number of Tinnevelly Christians connected with the Propagation SOCiety had risen from 4,352. in 1841, to 39,577. To this increase the famine year, 1877-8, bas contributed not a little, for during this the number of souls of this mission, as well as of that of the C. M. S., was nearly doubled. His like-minded wife, a missionary's daughter, contributed not a little to this great success. She helped especially in the education of the girls and elevation of the female sex. She introduced into her girls' school the weaving of lace, in which her scholars attained very considerable skill. Dr. Caldwell's example shows what, in India, the right man in the right place can accomplish, when he is able to remain for a good long while, and so take root. In 1877 he, with his fellow· missionary, Sargent (of Talamcottah) was con- secrated in Calcutta as missionary bishop-hoth being suffragan~ to the Bishop of Madras. He has since then ordained 51 native pastors, and removed his residence to Tutticorin.
" He says that he was never thoronghly well. And yet he has held ont so long in one of the hottest districts of India. For it may be said of Tinnevelly that it has in the year •three months hot weather and nine months hotter.' Yet, strangely enough, he once, during a· furlough in England, had a sunstroke while driving in an open carriage. Sunstrokes are more common where the heat.
is variable. . He has had his share of trouble to bear. Especially since his appointment to the episcopate he has had so much hostility and opprobrium to undergo at the hands of the Christ- ians of his own charge, who felt themselves wounded in their caste pride by his reports, that it is no wonder if he compares himself with the tree of Jotham's parable, who was asked to reign over the other trees. But he concludes his reminiscences with the sentence: •Every year spent in God's service should be regarded as a jubilee year.' "
M. Weitzecker, describing the dedication of a Bassuto Church, writes • •• A numerous company of horsemen approaches, who, on drawing near the village, bring their horses to a walk, close up ~heir ranks, and advance singing. They are our Christians, of whom several took part five years ago in burning and plundering the neighboring village, the capital of this chief. But now no one flees at their approach, and behind this loophole wall, raised to guard against them, no one makes ready to fire upon them or to bar their entrance. On their side they carry neither guns nor assegais nor hatchets nor clubs, and they intone, not a song of war, but a hymn of peace. . . . Soon the women and young girls approach on foot, they also singing. They can, I cannot, for emotion chokes my voice when I remember how often I have seen these very ones fly trembling before the very chief whose domain they now enter with songs."
M. Coillard, of the Zambesi Mission, relates a fact respecting Lewanika, the Zambesi king, powerfully illustrating the tender mercies of the wicked. He lately sent a message to the missionary, assuring him that he had taken to heart his rebuke of him for killing people secretly, and that accordingly, finding hidden in the woods seven children of rebels, he had simply administered to them beer which had been poisoned before their eyes, and had then ordered them to be transported to an islet of the river, and left to die at their leisure! Well may M. Coillard say: "You see in what an atmosphere we live; our heaven would be of lead without the light of the countenance of God; our isolation would be insupportable without the communion ot the Saviour, and, let us add, without the communion of the saints."
The Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrift says: "It is now often the fashion to speak disparagingly of the old pietists. This is, in the first place, very unthankful, for in missions, above all things, we are standing on their shoulders. The fathers of the present German missions were pietists. It is, moreover, immodest; for, looking at many of these pietistic fathers, we must say: We are not worthy to unloose their shoe-latchets. Grant that they were one-sided; but this one-sidedness consisted in an exclusive emphasis laid on" the one thing which is needfu1." We have become more broad-minded; but does there go out more virtue from us! We broad-minded people have always something to be' learning afresh from these one-sided pietists, namely, more selflimitation to the one necessary thing, more burning love of Jesus, more edifying application of the Word of God to ourselves, more zeal in prayer, a fuller victory over the world, and al80 more renunciation of the world. without, indeed, being altogether obliged to follow them in their avoidance of the world. These pietistic fathers sat at Jesus' feet, and did at the·same time zealous Martha service; they withdrew themselves from the world, and were yet a >alt of the earth and a light of the world. Therefore it is that, despite all the disparagement With which they treated the world, and despite all the one-sidedness with which they avoided the world, they have so much abiding fruit to witness to them."
The Zeitschrijt also says: "It is, indeed, a matter of great joy, and is worthy of all acknowledgment, that we are so inventive in trying ever more, ever newer, a.nd ever more expeditious ways of drawin~ larger and larger circles iuto an interest for missions; hut independently of the fact that many of these ways already draw very ·near to the bounds of a dubious secularizliotioll. tley are also only too apt to induce neglect in gathering and caring for the "little flock," to which it is the pleasure of our He",venly Father to give the kingdom, and which, there_ fore, at all times and in all places, remains the corpa d'elite, with which the missionary cause wins its victories. To gather and maintain this corps d'elite is above all things the heart of the work."
Again.: .. It is also quite to be approved, when we make it a point, not only to refute tha many ignorant prejudices against missions, and the many malicious misrepresentations which are always springing up afresh with regard to them, but when we also set before those who a.s yet do not appreciate the religious value of missions, the manifold incidental benefits which have redounded by their means to science, commerce, colonization and civilization generally. Doubtless in this way many a one can ana will be introduced more deeply into the cause and converted into a warm and vigorous friend of missions. Yet, if such efforts are prosecuted withont reference, or with only a timid reference to the religious motives and aims of missions, we forget that the deep r08ts of our strength are found only in the living obedience of faith, whose meat it is to do the will of God. If we forget this, all our tricks of persuasion are mefe cobwebs. It is the labor of Sisypus to be always pushing the hands of the clock from without."
"The lack which is made plain by the common complaint that nothing but the driver's stick will bring in collections, will not be made good by always contriving new ways: It rather sets home tous: You must make it more and more exclusively your aim to dig living weU.! And these are living wells: men who have the driver within themselves, of whom it is true that· the love of Christ constraineth' them; men of faith, whose faith brings them to obedience."
"Missionary narrative and history is excellent. It is the three measures of meal. But the leaven of this must be found in "the Word." This must be the chief thing. The sainted Lewis Harris has given the cause of missions in Hermannsburg an abiding root, because he was earnestly and powerfully bent on doing the central work in his parish, the work which was committed to the Apostle Paul among the heathen: 'To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.'"
A Lutheran missionary in South India, writing in the Leipzig Evangelisch- Lutherisches Missions-Blatt, considering the q1lf~stion how far foreign missionaries in India ought to assimilate themselves to the native ways, says: "The missionaries in Santalistan "-a district of Bengal, inhabited by an aboriginal tribe-" have accommodated themselves to the natives perhaps more perfectly than any others in India. They have, so to speak, put themselves on a footing of equality with them. This wise policy, so worthy of imitation, is, next to God's grace and blessing, a chief cause of their success. Yet we must remark, that what they could do there, among the un-Hindnized, uncivilized Santal people, they could not have done here among the Tamils with their many castes, classes, and peculiar institu· tions. Even the Tamil missionary finds no great difficulty in becoming a pariah to the pariahs, but in just the degree that he does this, he ceases to be a miSSionary to the Tamils; that is, he closes the door against himself, and robs himself of the opportnnity of drawing near to the hiaher castes, the Tamils proper, and gaining influence over them. It is, undoubtedly, very qnestionable how fa~ it is practical and judicious for us Europeans here in India;o live so entirely in the European style as is commonly the case. It may be questioned whether it would not be better to assume, at least in part, a more Indian manner of life. But even if this were done we should yet be far from becom· ing Hindus. At best we should only be Eurastans. There would therefore still be a wall of parti.
tion between the inhabitants of the land and the missionary. On this account these East Indians can never be fully served withont the ministrations of native helpers, who, belonging to the people by birth and nationality, feel, think and speak like them, and share their weal and woe, and so find the way to their heart as strangers never can."
M. P. Berthoud, writing in the Bulletin Missionaire, the missionary organ for French Switzerland, from the Portuguese town of Lourenzo-Marques, where there are also a good many Hindus, says: .. The passion for alcoholic drinks is what first strikes an observer on his arrival; and the more intimate his knowledge of the mhabitants becomes, the more thoroughly is he
ORGANi~ED; MISSIONARY WORK
obliged to admit that great as the eyil is on the surface, it is much greater still at the bottom. It is a terrible scourge and plague. .' : .. After this discovery, one makes another still more sad, that of the indescribable 'immo- rality which reigns without restraint. Not a soul cares to raise the least dike agailst its invading floods. The Hindus and the natives themselves follow the Europeans and better the example• .. Lourenzo-Marques possesses a Catholic church, served by a priest of mixed race: Except a few such mulattoes, few people, I am assured, attend the religious services.
However, the inhabitants, white or colored, are not anti-religious; they are satisfied with that which they possess, to wit, a priest, a church, the resources necessary to accomplish certain religio)ls forms of which Qne does not love to be deprived, that is to say, above all the funeral rites. They would, on the contrary, feel themselves annoyed, and perhaps harassed, if religion was more living, if it recalled with too sharp a distinctness the image of a holy God who will judge sinners."
"What a consolation," writes M. Berthoud," in the midst of this Sodom of Lourenzo- Marques, to see approaching to meet us a little serried column of native Christians chant- ing our hymn.! It was the 9th of July-twelve years, to the very day, since the founda- tion of our mission at Vald/izia-that, seated on the front ofour wagon, we saw them coming afar and followed their march with a moved and joyous heart. There were morc< than a hundred of them, al~clad becomingly and simply. The countenances of some beamed with delight, those of others were tremulous with emotion, with all the strength of feeling found vent in an explosion of song.
.. It is touching to see the cordiality which unites them, and which they reanimate in- cessantly by calling each other 'children of the Lord," children of the Father," beloved of the Lord,' etc. Their joyous piety has a certain self-communicating power which may well be one of the causes of the rapid propagation of the gospel. We cannot but perceive a great difference between eur Gwamba of the Spelonken and those of this region, who are in general much more vivacious. This difference may have its bad as well as its good side.
We will not judge, but note.
H I come now to another trait of the life of this church, to wit, the exaltation of the religious sentiment. It appears, first, in the ordinary language, which takes a piou" form apro_ pos of everything, even the most simple material things. Thus people cannot salute each other without making long phrases concerning the will of God and its manifestations; they no longer say of anyone that he has been sick, but that' he has been smitten of God.'
'You ask one who is taking leave when he expects to return. • It is God who knows,' is his reply, given in a peculiar unctuous tone, though' all the while he has his well-defined plans of return. Whatever work has been dose, whatever word has been pronounced, 'it is the Spirit who has shown it, has dictated it.' A person who is going to his work, will say that he IS going' to labor for the flesh,' without giving any heed to the nonsense of the expres.
sion. 'The Spirit, the flesh,' these terms occur in conversation apropos of everything. 1 can in a measure understand how a language constantly made up of pious expressions might be employed by a community of Christians who had all attained perfection. But in a church of which each member still has to strive with the old sinful nature, it be<lomes affected, and we shall soon see one of two results: either the religious sentiment will be- come exalted, or quite as probably it will become enfeebled, and pious phrases will no longer be anythmg more than pharisaical forms; or, quite as often, the former alternative will give birth to the second."
Since M. Besthoud's arrival at Lourenzo-Marques there had been more than thirty conversions, n.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK.
Woman's Missionary Societies. of • amongst the Indians of Manitoba and the Oanada.* Northwest. I. Woma~'s Foreign Missionary So- ciety of the Presbyterian Church in SUMMARY. Canada-Western Division. Organ- ized 1876. Home Work.
Mrs. Hugh Campbell, Secretary, 194 Rich- Number of Mission Bands ….. : ……. 124 mond street, West Toronto, Ontario. Members in Mission Bands .• a,829 Auxiliary Societies … , ….. . 351 They sustain work in India, Formosa, New Members in Auxiliary Socie- Hebrides, Trinidad, and Honau, China, and ties ………………….. . 9,025 Life Members … , ……….. . 251 .. We are indebted to Mrs. Dr. J. T.Gracey Members of both Local and for this additional account of Woman's General Society……… , • 2,336 Missionary Societies in ClLnada and Great Presbyterian Societies .. , .. . 21 BritILin.-EDs. Total Membership ……………….. . 12,854 Increase in Membership …………. .. 4,291 New Presbyterian Societies………. . 3 New Auxiliaries ………………….. . 98 New Mission Bands ………………. . 49 New Life Members………………. .. 00 Finances. retary, Mrs. E. S. Strachan, 113 Hughson Contri~1;lted by Miss~C!n Bands. . . .. $5,273 25 street, North Hamilton, Canada.
Auxlhartes .. .. …. 19,856 19 The work of this Society in Canada is di- from other sources 528 00 divided into Branches, as follows: Western Branch Central, Eastern, Nova Scotia, New Total amount contributed …..$25,65754 Brunswick and Prince Edward's Island. To these Branches there are certain Districts II. Woman's Foreign Missionary So- auxiliary as follows: St. Johns East, St. ciety of the Presbyterian Church of Johns West, Winnipeg and Qu'Appelle. Canada-Eastern Division. Organ- ized 1877. The tabulated statistics are as follows: Auxiliary societies, 138; members, 4,086; Miss Edith Burns, Secretary, 18 Kent life members, 237; mission bands, 49, with street, Halifax. I,711 me~bers. For the year 1887 the amount of money raised was $14,197.51. The amount The grand total of the receipts of the So- since organization in 1881 is $46,909.46 ciety for the year ending Oct. 17, 1887, which Twelve missionaries have been sent to the is the latest report available, amounts to various fields. $5,091.77. This Society has no missionary period ical III. The Women's Baptist Foreign of their own, but edit a department in the Missionary Societies of Ontario and Outlook, a periodical of their Board. Quebec, Canada. The foreign work of the Society is III President, Mrs. J. H. Castle, Toronto, Japan, the home workthroughont the Prov- Canada. Corresponding Secretary, Miss inces. The" Crosby Home" a't Port Simp- Buchan, Toronto, Canada. son, B. C., is in a flourishing condition. Th4ilre are now 20 girls in attendance. The The work of this Soeiety is represented by McDougall Orphanage and Training Institwo sections, Eastern Ontario and Quebec tute among North American IndianS' has and the Society of Ontario. It has been in 10 boys and 8 girls. A mission school for operation over eleven years. girls (French) has been established at Actonvale with 25 pupils 14 of whom have The section of Eastern Ontario and Que- been converted during the year. bec is represented by 47 mission circles, and raised the past year the amount of $1,555.80 The girls' school in Tokyo. Japan, has while the Society of Ontario is represented been crowded to its utmost capacity, 127 by 150 circles, and money raised $4,626.74 ; or, boarders and 100 day pupils. Fifty of these the two sections, exclusive of balance of have been converted and baptized. Th.ere previous Veal'S, $6,182.54. are now 65 native Christians in the school, Much attention has been' given to evan- W9rk is carried on in India, at Akidu, Co- gelistic work, and the training of native canada, Samulcotta and Tuni, all in the .Christian women for work among their own Telugu country. people. A special donation of $1,000 was given the past year to open work in another '!'hree Eurasian women are employed, and station in Japan, and Shidzuoka was se- report more work than they can do. A ected, and a building free of rent secured &::lCces.ful girls' school is reported at Co- fo), two years. and Miss Ounningham has reo canada. Miss Alexander, of Toronto, sailed cently reached Japan to take charge of this during the veal' to recruit. the mission. A work. Arrangements were also made for Zenana House has been built at Cocanada. aiding the Chinese girls in Victoria, B. O.
IV. Woman's Baptist Missionary Women's Missionary Societies of Great Union of the Maritime Provinces,. Britain and Ireland. Organized 1870. I. Society for Promoting Female Educa- Mrs. John March, St. Johns, N. B., Cor- responding Secretary. tion in the East. Established 1834.
Its home territory includes Nova Scotia, Secretary, Miss Webb, London, England. New Brunswick and Prince Edward's Island. This SOCiety is the oldest organized Society for carrying on work amcng the women of the The Society supports its own missionaries East. It commenced with schools in India and in India and contributes to the support of China, but the work was snbsequently extended fonr of the men employed by the parent to other countries, and now Includes Ceylon, Board. With much misgiving they appro- Japan, the Straits, South and West Africa, the priated at the beginning of the year $3,500 Levant, Egypt and the Holy Land, Turkey in but rejoice at its close over an income of Europe alid Persia. As early as 1835 one of the $1,735 in excess of that, and $258.30 given to Society's missionaries gained access to a house the Home Mission Board. Total income in Calcutta. $4,493.30. The object of the Society has been and ill V. Woman's Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, Canada.
President, Mrs. James Gooderham, 166 Carlton street, Toronto; Corresponding Secstrictlyevangelistie. Recently they have estab- supports 29 schools, with about 8,000 pupils. lished medical missions in North India and the There are day and night schools, and for Holy Land. Forty European missionaries are boys and girls and women. All. are inemployed, who have charge of abont 275 structed in the Scriptures. The annual schools, attended by 19,624 scholars. Some 380 income is about $25,000. zenanas are visited, with about 3,000 pupils_ The annnal income about $35,000. V. Ladies' Association for the Support of Bible Women and Zenana Work The Society publishes The FemaU MiBBion- in Connection with the Baptist Misary Inteliigencer, a monthly magazine of some sixteen pages. sionary Society of England. Es- II. Indian Female Normal School and tablished 1868.
Instruction Society; or Zenana Bi- This Society has work in India, North- west Provinces, Bengal, Madras and the ble and Medical Mission. Estab- Punjab, which consists of schools, zenana, medical and dispensary work. lished 1852. The annual income is about $30,000. This Society was organized in Calcutta, Forty-four European female agents are emand the first work was the establishment of ployed, and 105 native workers, with the a Normal School in that city for Eurasian support of 50 schools, with over 1,600 pupils, teachers. The Society extended its opera- and over 20,000 dispensary patients. tions into three Presidencies, and added to the training of teachers, zenana visiting, VI. The Female Association for Proestablishment of female schools, employment of Bible women and medical missions. moting Christianity among the Wo- The constitution of the Society had been undenominational until 1880, when a division men of the East_ Irish Presbyterian occurred, some adhering to the old constitu- Church. Established 1873. tion, others forming a new society in connection with the Church of England. Since This organization was established through the the division the work has greatly extended, inlluence of Dr. Murray Mitchell and Rev. Nathe societies working in different parts of rayan Sheshadri. Their first missionary sailed India. Annnal income about $50,000. About for India in 1874. Now there are eight lady 27 stations are occupied, with 52 female missionaries, two of whom are medical. Three and 150 native workers. About 55 schools stations are occupied, Surat, Ahmedabad and are supported, with over 3,000 pupils. The Borsad, while girls' schools are supported in Society publishes a quarterly magazine, three other places. There are 14 schools with The Indian Female Evangeli8t. 800 pupils; Bome 30 houses visited. There are two dispensaries, one at Surat, the other at III. Ladies' Auxiliary of the Wesleyan Ahmedabad. The SOCiety employs 12 female native workers. This organization has some Missionary Society. Established 160 auxiliaries, an annual income of about $10,- 000. 1859. Woman'8 Work Is a small magazine published The prejudices against female education" by this Society, quarterly, at Belfast, Ireland. Were giving away somewhat when this Society began its work. It has work in Cey- VII. Woman's Missionary Association lon, India, China, South and West Africa. This Society is auxiliary Ito the General of the Presbyterian Church of Eng- Wesleyan Missionary Society. Their most successful work has been in Ceylon. Their land. Established 1878. annual income is about $35,000. Their work is in 48 stations, with 80 missionaries, 35 The work done by this Association is in native workers, 202 schools, with nearly five stations in China and Singapore, and 10,OOD pupils. Much of their work is super- one station in India-Rampor Bauleah. intended by the wives of missionaries. Miss Ricketts was their first missionary to China, and went out in 1878. IV. British Syrian Schools and Bible The annual income of the Society is about Mission. Founded 1860. $10,000. Thirteen female (European) and 8 native workers are employed, and 5 schools, This Society was organized soon after the with 155 scholars, supported. A quarterly fearful massacres of 1860 in and about magazine, caUed Our Sister8 in Other Lands, Damascus. The Druses put to death about is issued by this Society, published in Lon- 11,000 Christians, and their widows and don. children were turned adrift and fled to the seaport towns. Mrs. Bowen Thompson, who VIII. Church oflEngland Zenana Mishad spent much of her life in Syria, went to Beyrout and at once organized schools, and sionary Society. Established 1880. then established others in various centers. The Society has now about 28 alrents. with This Society was formed by a separation ~ male native workers and 94 female, and from the Indian Female Normal School and Instruction Society. It works in connection with Church of England Missionary Society. At its formation it had 31 Enropean mission-
CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
aries in 17 .stations, and at the close of the XI. Ladies' Society for Female Eduseventh year it had 88 missionaries, 49 na- cation in India and South Africa, tive assistants, and 396 Bible women and of the Free Church of Scotland. native teachers in 42 mission stations. Its present fields are India, China and Japan. This SOCil"ty has done very suceessful work Income for 1887-8 about $115,000. in Southern India and Africa, and has re- centlv added medical work to its various The Society supports 181 schools with 6,928 agencies. It has a staff of 20 European and scholars.* India's Women, the organ of Eurasian helpers in India, and 120 native' this Society, is published every alternate Christian agents, with some 5,000 pupils unmonth, a magazine of 56 pages. der instruction. In Africa 12 European and 57 native Christian agents, with 1,675 pupils. IX. Zenana Medical College. Estab- A very successful boarding-school is car· lished in London, 1880. ried on at Loredale, South Africa, with over 100 pupils. About 30 missionaries' wives This is an unsectarian institution. Its object have supervision of the work. is to train Christian women for medical missionary work in the East. The ladies wl10 The income for 1887 was about $55,000. have finished their college course have been sent to Iudia, China, Ceylon, Syria, and Africa XIII. The Helping Hands Zenana by various missionary societies. The appli- Association. cants for admission have been more than could be accommodated. The income for 1887 was The object of this Association is to bring about $4,000. G. G. Griffith, M.D., Secretary. the young people of Great Britain and Colo- 'nies into active sympathy with the Protest- X. Ladies' Committee in Connection ant missionary societies working among the women of India. The Society has sup- / with the London ,MissionaryS 0- ported schools at various places in India, paid part of the expenses of a medical mis- ciety. sion,and aids in several other departments of missionary work. This Society supports 24 missionaries, 15 in India, 6 in China, and 3 in Madagascar; This Society publishes a monthly paper also 136 girls' schools, boarding schools. 20; called Indian Jewels. day schools, 116; with OVer 7,000 scholars. Over 250 Bible women are employed. It is WOMAN'S BOARD OF THE CUMBERLAND difficult to properly present this work, because of the lack of classification of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. information concerning it which obtains in the report of the Society. Recently this WE gladly correct a mistake in stat- Society has issued a magazine of woman's work called Quarterly News. ing the income of the Board last year XI. Ladies' Association for the Promo- (p. 922), which we made but $1,920.87. Rev. H. C. Bird, one of the leading tion of Female Education among the pastors of this Church, writes us: Heathen in the Missions of the So- "The figures are incorrect as you may ciety for the Propagation of the Gos- see by referring to the Assem8lv's Minutes, p. 104. The receipts of the board were $7- pel. 6.',8.44 ; and the whole amount in the trea- sury during the year was $11,212.63. I would This Society has work in India, Burmah, be glad to have you make the correction. South Africa and Japan. In India 61 mis- It is still a poor exhibit, but is a little betsionaries, and in Africa 10 are at work, ter than in your notice." with over 300 female native agents.
The Society publishes a monthly magazine called Grain 01 Mustard Seed.
III-CORRESPONDENCE and GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
Ohina. Chinese elders. Seven of the native pastors came from Central China, and one from Pe- LETTER from our editorial corre- king. The foreign missionaries represented different stations along the coast, and in spondent, John L. Nevius, D.D. : the interior, as foHows: Two from Canton, one from Ningpo, two from Shanghai, .two CHEFOO, Oct. 5, 1888. from Hang Chow, two from Suchow, one The Synod of China connected with the from Nankin, two from Chefoo, two from American Presbyterian Church, North, Weihien,~two rom Chi-nan-fn, one from Pewhich convenes once in five years, held its king and three from Teng-CllOwfu. One of last meeting in Ling-Chow-Fu. in the Pro- the representatives from Canton was' our vince of Shantung, on the 13thofSeptember_ veteran missionary, Dr. Happer. Though It was composed of twenty foreign mission- forty-five years have passed since he first aries, eight Cbinese pastors, and twelv~ came to China, there IS very little a.ba.te- * Over 2,000 Zenanas under visitation, and ::,187 pupils regularly ta.ught. ment of his physical and mental vigor, and ganizations in the West have now their recetltainly none in his missionary enthusiasm presentatives in China, viz.: American and zeal. Presbyterians, North and Sonth; Dutch Reformed, English Presbyt.erians, Scotch All the delegates, except those who reside Presbyterians, Irish PreslJ) terians, United in the interior of Shantung, came to Chefoo Presbyterians, and Canadian Presbyterians. by steamer, and completed the journey to A committee was ·appointed to open a cor- Teng-Chow, distant about fifty-five miles, respondence with these Presbyterian bodies, in mule-litters, or on mules and donkeys. inviting them to meet us by their represent- The road lies over a rough and compara- atives at the next General Missionary Contively barren and sparsely populated coun- ference, to be held in Shanghai, in 1890, to try, presenting, however, many picturesque devise a plan of uaion. It is hoped that it views of hill and valley, while much of the will not be many years before the moveway the Pechili Bay is in full view on the ment towards organic union will overleap north. Our guests from the south of China Western denominational bounds, and incorwill have many interesting experiences to pOl'ate different families of churches mto remember connected with our rough, and one Chinese National Church. to them novel, modes of locomotion. Now the mule-patH winds round the edge of a The longest and most spirited discussion steep gorge or precipice, again we ford a during Synod, related to the use of other st,ream or fiounder through a pool of mud than grape wine in the administration of the and water. The mules and donkeys meeting Lord's Supper. In China, the manufacture on the road make the hills resound with of grape wine is unknown. There is, howtheir vociferous salutations, and sometimes, ever, a fermented wine produced from gluwhen sportive or intractable, overturn the tinous rice and millet in common useamon<:, litter, and leave the passenger to extricate the people, and believed by some of us to himself from his portable mat-shelter, and correspond in almost every respect, except the muleteers to catch the refractory ani- its origin, to grape wine in the West, and to mals, repair damages, and make a new start. be equally appropriate as a symbol. This Wheu Dr. McCarter came to this region, wine has been generally used in Shantung, about twenty-five years ago, he very aptly especially in stations in the interior. It was characterized the motions of these mule- objected to enjoining the use of grape wine litters as a constant alternation between in all cases, that such a course would be unthe motions of the" sieve" and the "pepper- necessary and burdensome; that the nse of box." Dr. Gulick, who visited us later, very grape wine is not essential to the validity of discriminatingly added the" bottle-washing the ordinance, and insisting on it would be motion." The U SIeve motion" is the result contrary not only to the intent of the ordiof the animals keeping step; that of the nance, but also to the general spirit of "pepper-box" of their breaking step; while Ohristianity; that the introduction of this the U bottle-washing motion" comes from· new wine in China would excite curio.ity the mules jumping down the rocky inequali- and a superstitious reverence for outward ties of the road, From these happy simili- and uuessential formR; and that it wonld tudes the experience of a traveler during make the Ohurch the instrument of introa journey of a day and a half, including a ducing a new beverage into Ohina, and innight in a Chinese inn, can be imagined. crease drunkenness with all its attendant evils. Differences of language form a serious difficulty in transacting business in this A resolution expressing the o;>inion of the Synod. The records of the Synod are kept Synod tha.t grape wine should be used whenin the universal written language of China. ever it could be obtained was passed by a Members speak in English and Mandarin, majority of 21 to 17. Another resolution which is the spoken language of North enjoining the exclusive nse of grape wine China. The native members from Central was negat,ived by a large majority. The China have learned to speak Mandarin, so minority entered a complaint against this that they are fairly well understood. As a. last action of Synod, and the matter will thus rule speeches are formally translated from be brought before the next General Assem- English into ~landarin, andvice-versa. Busi- bly. ness is conducted in a very orderly manner, the native members being now almost as Some of the statistics of the Synod of familiar with rules of order as the foreigners Ohina are as follows: Initiatory steps were taken toward securing the organic union of the dlfferent Pres- Number of Churches……………….. 42 byterian bodies in China. This movement .. .. Church Members added which nas been a matter of great interest to many missionaries in China for years past, since last Synod …………………. 1,981 has been much stimulated and facilitated Number of Church Members Expelled.. 560 by the action of the recent Pan-Presbyterian .. " H " Died. . . . . . . 292 Alliance. Seven distinct Presb;yt~ri1<n 01'- Total Number of Male Church Members 1,837 U Female" .~ 1,325 " ..
" ., Foreign Ministers….. 38 .. Native .. .., . . 23 .. Preachers of all Grades 85 .. Preaching Stations••• 179 Brazil. diminished. The so·called enthusiasm over the abolition of slavery in Brazil was largely dne to PERNAMBUCO, September 24, 1888. the popularity of the movement. Althougb but HOWEVER high may be th estandard of morals One case has com~ to my knowledge, I am so of the Romish Church, her practices have so well acquainted with the Brazilian character nullified her precepts that in Brazil morality that I do not hesitate to say that many people seems to form no part of religion. Morality who were not in sympathy witll the work of the separate from religion is .a frail bark on the abolitionists, and who will evade the law as 10lllt swiftly fiowing current ofsin, and religiou with. as they can, contributod to defray the expenses out morality is a vehicle for hypocrisy to ride of the public demollstmtiOllS, and decorated and in. An indication of how little moral infiuence illuminated their own houses becanse abolition is exerted by Romanism may be taken from the was popnlar and they had ltot the courage to fact that in this city of Pernambuco, the popu. appear on tbe othor side. If they shonld bEt lation of disreputable characters Is thickest called upon to justify tbeir action, they wonld right around the principal churches, where they make patriotism their shield. 'l'he Brazilian is attend mass for the purpose of display and con- very jealous of the honor of his country, and in quest as they would a theater. the abolition of slavery the thOugbt of the re- From this separation of religion and morals moval of Brazil's reproach of being the only civarises one of the chief difficulties for the gospel ilized country maintaining slavery seemR to give to overcome. Romanism answers the purposes more satisfaction than that of the right and of those who desire to be religious without in- jnstice done, or that of the oppression removed terfering with their morals; and those who dis- from so many Imman beings. This same national regard religion are not snsceptible to appeals for pride has been of great service in suppressing 190rality through religion. Hence it is that persecution whenever it has arisen against us while tbere are many people wbo have practi- missionaries. The tOlle of inflnential people who cally renounced Romanism because of its being endeavor to pl'Otect ns is: "Are we not a civil· found wanting and not because of something ized people, and sball we permit indignities such better having been presented to them, it is hard as only could be expected of barbarians? " now to make them desire religion of any kind; and since they will not see it, we mnst deVise It is somewhat of a trial for us who, methods to more fully carry ont Christ's word, through experience, have learned wba~ it " Go." We hold our services in private houses, is to be a Christian, not to be able to use the halls and small churcbes. Occasionally a passer- word" Christian" as we understand it; but by is attracted by the singing and enters shyly. in this land, the simple question" Are you He hears the Word of God read or proclaimed. a Christian? "would invariably be answered Perchance his heart is prepared by grace to re- in the affirmative. Christening is what ceive the word, and he at length becomes a makes a Christian; so we have to resort to member of tbe church. But oh ! the many who other phraseology in speaking of 01le'8 renever come to hear of Jesns. We go in private lation to Christ. Amollg the followers of to this one and that; but the masses are not Christ, the word" believer" takes the place reached. Street preaching is prohibited bylaw. of the word H Christian.n In differ~nt parts The colporteurs of varions Bible societies have of Brazil the names given to Protestants by planted the Word in many parts of the country; tbe popnlace vary according to circum-· but, except ill the principal cities, no misSionary stances attending the introduction of the Apollos has entered. work. In Rio de Janeiro, the first place in While the Romish Chnrch fails to exert a moral which the gospel was preached, they are infiuence, it has made its impress on the so~ial called "bibles," due probably to the st"ess life and cbaracter of the people. The deception laid on the use of the Bible alld the estimaengendered shows itself not only on lying lips, tion with which it was held by the first bebut in the disposition of tbe people to appear lievers_ Before the good news would be acwhat they are not. The maintenance of a good cepted, the genuineness of the evidence had reputation is of more importance than that of a to be established. In another part, the good character, and to a wonderful degree the Protestallts are called "Jesus," for that Brazilian is bound to that which is conventional name, of course, was above every name in and popular. Many people there are who regard the preaching_ In the province of Ceara, the Ro!nish Church and the various social cns- where the first missionary was a married toms out~·! J. in;; therefrom as folly and super- man, every believer, whether man or wostiiion, an" ret, rather than be thought pecnliar, man, married or single, is called a U marthey conform thereto. Others there are who are ried priest." Here in Pernambuco We arc impressed with the truth of evangelical teach- called H new sect." ings and practices who are kept by tbis false pride from frequenting our meetings, insignifi- There are. several things that lead me to cant in aspect and attended mostly by people of advocate" self-support" as the most feasilowly station. Let our cause once become popnlar in Brazil, and missionary reports will con- ble ba.si~ for missionary work in Brazil. tain large figures, but the proportion of genuine Christian character among our members will be First, it is possible. I consider that theobh- gation to support me rests 110 more upon the whole church than upon the individual members of it. of which I am one, and therefore, it being possible for me to support my- the missionary is not self.supporting, any self and serve my Master a& missionary, I am compelled to do it. To live 'on the char- convert who shows any capability for pubityof others when God puts it within my lic work expects, if he engages in it, to ~ive power to provide for myself would be incon- up his present occupation and receive a sistent and insincere. In so saying" I am salary from the missionary society. not accusing anyone who does not support himself. The question turns upon the p08si- A self-supporting mi.sionary in Brazil is bilityof supporting one's self and fulfilling bound to have the respect of the general pubone's obligations as missionary at the same time. It has been said that if a missionary lic when it would not be given to another. for has to,take time to earn his own living he two reasons; first, because his occupation cannot do as much missionary work as if he were free from all care as to his income. I brings him into constant contact with the people, will not dispute that point in this paper; and lack of respect for a missionary is in most but it must be granted that whatever mis- cases due to lack of acquaintance with him; sionary work is done by a self-supporting missionary in a foreign field is just so mnch and second, because the Brazilian looks with more than wonld be done if he stayed at snspicion upon anything that may be propaganhome for the wa.nt of a salary. Let the dism for tbe sake of the money there is in it. churches in the home lands support as many missionaries as they can-as many as need Their own experience with priestcraft and the to be supported-and let as many go forth Jesuits has made it so. Only recently a gentleas are willing to support themselves, and man who comes to our meetiugs told me that yet the laborers wiII be inadequate to the work to be done. Do some of you say you the vicar of a certain important parish in this don't see how any missionary can support city had told him that he is a priest because his himself; that yon are overworked as it is, and to attempt to earn your own living be- father had educated him for one, and although sides would be death to yon? Let me say that earning one's own living is a check he does not believe in half that Romanism against breaking down. With nothing to teaches, he remains a priest because it is his restrain you, and surrounded by so much that appeals to your sympathies, and work occupation. Is it at all unreasonable that a pouring in upon you which you did not seek, Protestant missionary, against whom Romanists how can you refuse even thongh you know that you ought to rest? Self-support puts are already prejudiced, and who lives in better you under obligations that compel you to style than their own priests, should be suspected refuse, and so takes your mind from the very work: that wears you out as to be more of being what he is for the sake of what he is beneficial than idle rest. paid? ', Moreover, there are other things to be taught'the people besides what is done un- Up to the present, the best resource for selfder the head of regular 'missionary work. Lessons of thrift aud industry are best com- support in Brazil s~ems to be that which arises prehended if exemplified by the mission- from the demand for private tutorage in varions aries themselves. With au appearance of good living: without any ell'ort on your part branches of learning, and particularly in the to obtain it, what idea can you give them of industry? You may tell them of how English language. There are always to be many hours a day you devote to study in found people of too liberal ideas to be governed order to labor ell'ectively among them; but what idea have the majority of our converts in matters of business and secular education by ';f what intellectual labor is? If they can religious prejndices, while many most unyieldsee what you do to earn your livelihood, they wiII understand better what industry ing Romanists do not hesitate to employ us means, and the ell'ort you put forth in order to live among them to preach Christ will be rather than not receive instruction on a par with a strong proof of how much you love Him that of their neighbors. In choosing this occuand them., In imitation of you, they will coutitiue to support themselves, and labor pation we are not obliged to take upon ourselves for Christ among their own people without any more work than is necessary for our supexpecting any pay therefor. This feature has been noticeable in connection with self- port, or any that interferes with our gospel supporting work in Brazil, while, on the other hand, we have observed that where work. We invite our pupils to our meetings; some of them become regular attendants and a few have been converted. Besides the indirect beneficial results of our contact with the people, there are others that the missionaries of the next generation, and even we in later yelJ.rs, will feel. God ha,tl blessed the missionary work of the past century to a wonderful degree. He has not despised the inexperience and poor methods em- ployed; yet He would have us profit thereby and improve thereon. Let the Pr.otestant churches of Europe and AmericlJ. give their millions of money; but I believe that the acme of missionary times will not be reached till there are millions of person~ going forth from those same churches into all the world, depend- ing only on God's blessing, on the labor of their hands or brain to provide them with means to live and labor among those who are dying for the want of the bread of life. God speed the day. GEORGE B. NIND, Methodist Episcopal Layman. Persia.; Islam in the village of Ula, to begin work there until It could be opened in Haft Dewan. The LETTER from Rev'. John C. Mech- first thing to do was to secure a house In that village. A man who was connected with civil lin: matters was willing to rent us his property, pro- vided we would give him big rent. But before SALMOB, May 16, 1888. the bargain was made the proposed transaction became public, and the man received such II I was one of the 2,000 young people that beatin~-bastinado-that he died from the ef- fects of it. Thus the work was begun in blood, pledged themselves for Missions a year ago. I though the man was not a martyr for our cause, bnt for money. Before long another man vengraduated from Western Seminary, Allegheny, tured to offer his place for rent. He received large money in advance for three years. As Pa., was accepted by the Presbyterian Board soon as this became known it caused an awful stir. He was fined-one-quarter of the money and sent here. bein<: taken from him-and he was also severely beaten. Afraid for his life, he fied to Tillis, Rus- Three of the seven missionaries that arrived sia. Many times his wife came to Dr. Shedd and pleaded with him to take back the money and here in October remained at Salmos-Mr. Mech- give her the paper. But though we had the right to the place, the next qnestion was to get lin and his wife, and Miss Emma Roberts of possession. The people were furious and it did not seem safe to go to our house. We had to Atlanta, Ga. Messrs. McDowell and St. Pierre appeal to the government; finally, our minister at Teheran carried the matter before the Shah, and their wives went on to Oroomioh. and a special order was sent froin the throne to the Governor of this province~ I will tell you how this station was opened, A chain of circumstances showed God's and how God's hand was seen in it. Work has providence and answer to prayer. The present Ameer was then Governor of been done in this Plain for several years by Oroo- Oroomioh, and on the death of the then Ameer, who had been unfriendly, was apmioh helpers. But frequently "they disgraced pointed to fill his place. Jnst as he left for Tabriz, he got the mandate of. the Shah. their profession by quarreling and by lying. He sent for the Governor of Khoy, who was responsible for the troubles having The missionaries felt it necessary to put a mis- gone so far, and degraded him before the people, probably more to revenge himself sionary here who could always aid and control than to punish the Governor, with whom he had a qnarrel. He also gave orders that no the helpers. As to the peoples of Salmos, five one molest us iu Salmos. Posters were put up in DHimon, the central market town, nationalities are represented here. 1. Per- wa.rning all against interfering with us. Here was the chain of providences: The sians-from whom come our rulers and many death of the Ameer, the appointment of a friendly successor, his receiving the decree business men-all, of course, Musselmen, but when he did, and the orders he left in Sal- mos. And this was not all. He r~ported the very friendly. We call On them anc1 they on us. Governor of Khoy to the authorities in Teheran and they summoned him to the Many of this class are reading the Bible. Sheik capital. He knew that if he obeyed, he would be beaten, and deg~aded from his Islam, the religious head of this Plain, is very position. So instead of going, he sent a present of seven hundred Tomans ($1,050), friendly, and a man of such infiuence that the and aU trouble passed over. As soon as Mr. Wright, who was stationed here by the mis- Governor does not meddle with his affairs. sion, could take possession, he made his home in Haft Dewan. Some of the leading Much prejudice has been broken down by the men met him and said that they would op- pose him in every way, would raise money medical treatment of Drs. Holmes and Cochran, and have their own schools, and their child- ren should not come to his. They said: whom they hold in high esteem. 2. Jews. .. Why don't you do as your Master did? If they did not want him in their city, he They are many and very friendly. We will went to another." Mr. Wright answered soon open work among them. They are here, as everywhere, a marked race, and their busi- ness is trading. 3. Nestorians. These people, among whom we have one church, belong to the Oroomioh Plain, and still cling to the Old Church. 4. Monntain Koords. They are 80 near that we may count them as belonging to the Plain. 5. The Armenians. They are the rich- est, and are either farmers or merchants, hav- ing a strong national pride. Their great hope is one day to become a separate power, but Russsia, Turkey and Persia will all resist this.
Snrroundcd by Mohammedanism, and often sorely pressed to become followers of the False Prophet, they never gave up their form of wor- shiplor their belief in Jesus as the Son of God; but they did not hold so strongly to ltJe spirit as to the letter, of the Bible. Formality took the place of heart worship, and the priests cared more for the fieece than for the sheep.
But here they remained, as if to witness for the doctrine of the Trinity; and it seems as if God had left them here, that, revived and qnickened, they might give salvation to all these peoples.
At the annual meeting in the fall of 1884 it was, therefore, resolved to open a station for work among the Armenians. Haft Dewan was chosen because it was one of the most central and in- flnential Armenian villages of the Plain.
Dr. J. H. Shedd, of Oroomioh, came that fall to Salmos, and rented a house from Sheik that he loved their souls too mueh to leave alHicted are drawn to the gospel wi~ them; he would stay. A year passed by greater interest. Since reaching the coun. and all parties became and have continued try it has been my privilege to preach two very friendly. or three times weekly. In Tarsus from 200 to 400, and in Adana from 1,200 to 1,500 per- The hostility to our mission may be easily sons were gathered each Sabbath; prayer_ accounted for. Twenty minutes ride from meetings are largely attended, and the Haft Dewan is the village of Khosroo-Shah, Sabbath-school lesson has to be given from where for nearly fifty years the Catholic the pulpit, there not being room to arrange Lazarists have had a mission. When they classes for such large numbers. came there the town was one of the richest on the Plain, partly Armenian and partly The Kenerous contributions of Christian Nestorian. To-day it is one of the worst; friends in America for the famine sufferers its lewd women and drunken men give it have proved a means of grace among everywhere a bad odor. Tke Catholics have the people. A few Sabbaths ago we had taught them to gamble and encouraged' communion in Adana, at which 54 perstrong drink by their own example. For sons united with the church on profession the first time in twenty years a man has of faith. In Tarsus the work has not been been seen in Persia dead-drunk by the road- so prosperou~ owing to the lack of a regular side. For many years these monks meddled pastor and an unsuitable place of worship. with civil affairs, securing justice only for Yet there are many to be gathered into the those that favored tbem and pnnishing churches. whom they would. They also farmed the taxes and became so obnoxious that the Gov- Another promising feature is the educaernment gave strict orders that they should tional interest among the youth. Besides let civil matters alone. They are now under the contributions for the famine sufferers, the ban. Dreadful lies had been circulated which were $2,445 last year, there was given concerning us, and these poor people of $2,400 for the scholarship fund for the poor Haft Dewan expected the worst from us. and orphan children of St. Paul's Institute. But as time showed that we did not meddle From this last amount $425 was seut with with their affairs, they became friendly and the famine money for immediate use in now wonld not wish us to leave. Though helping our poor children. On our arrival' none have come out on the Lord's side, we were surprised to learn that 75 children many seem glad to hear the Word. The had been assisted. Calling at their schools woman whose husband rented to the mis- we saw dozens of pale, sickly-looking, yet sionaries at first stole everything she could bright children, sitting on the hard fioor, get, but this sbe has ceased to do, and has their clothing patched with pieces of many been known to speak good words for Mr. colors, and worn daily for more than a year Wright. She seems in fact to be a Christ- (they stay in the house while their ollly garian. ments were washed and dried). Some had only worn-out books, which they· shared The work has thus begun; .the Bible is with others. Asking the teacher, ' Is this read and studied, and the fields are ripen- the condition of the children all the year?" ing to the harvest. Next winter I hope to the reply was: .. They are now in a better work on the Plain among the Armenians, state, as the famine is passing. Many conmany of whose villages have not been vis- tinue the school with insulHcient clothing, ited. barefooted and often hungry for days." Many lived on two or three metallics (cents) Asia Minor. daily. .. Often hungry, yet industrious; shivering with cold, burning with heat, still ST. PAUL'S INSTITUTE, TARSUS, Ang. I, 1888. most eager to make progress." Beyond the EDITORS OF lI1lSSIONARY REVIEW.-YOU will pale faces and frail bodies we saw active be glad to know of the safe arrival of our minds and souls to be loved and won for party, our expenses being paid by Col. Christ. They are entirely dependent on Elliott F. Shepard. Arriving at Mersine, benevolent friends for futher education- •Tarsus and Adaua, we were most cordially if they are properly cared for and educated, welcomed by the missionaries and hundreds what a greatblessing they will prove to this of the native friends. These three cities needy and darkened lalld J now being connected by rail are almost as one city, having a population of nearly It was God's own time for us to come while 100,000, consisting of Mohammedans, Arme- the people are so needy and eager to receive nians, Greeks and Fellaheens. The first the gospel. Our mission is to teach and thing we noticed was the exceeding poverty preach the truth. The kind interest of the of the people, owing to the recent severe missionaries and people here encourages us famine. This year's harvest is good, still in our work. Tarsus will be our head- there are thousands of sick, aged, feeble quarters, where our school will be located, women and little children who are unable yet we will worK in other cities and villages to work for their support, whose suffering throughout Asia Minor, is beyond description. The people thUS We expect to.open our school in a rented her husband was on a journey far from hOIDe. house, October 1. There are many appli- He heard a rumor of what was going on, and cations for admission, most of whom are started in a hurry for home, telling his friends orphans and poor children. The sum of $50 that if his wife had taken up with these fanatics will support a child for one year in the he and she would soon separate. Within two school. days he and his wife were found with hands joined praising and blessing God for His good- For the success of our mission we depend, ness In giving them such a blessed outpouring with God's blessing, upou the direction of of His Holy Spirit. our Board of Trustees and Managers and the benevolent support of Christian friends. Whilst the Boers were praisio!( God for His I hope you will always be interested in this goodness, it came into the hearts of some that work, and help it any way you can. It is they had a duty toward the heathen, whom they the Master's work, to whom be all the glory. had hitherto looked upon as little better tban animals, to serve them, the snperior race. In I shall be glad to correspond with -and their gatherings for prayer they brought the hear from you at any time. condition of the heathen before their heavenly Father, and SOOn they felt that they must be up Yours in Christ. and dOing. Applications for help were made to (Rev.) H. S. JENANYAN. various missiOnaries, especially to those of the, Free Church of Scotland. These appeals were Mission Work Among the Zulus in gladly responded to, and before long 'they had NataJ, Africa. several native evangelists preaching the gospel throughout the country. There are now fifteen BY REV• .TAMES SCOTT, IMPOLWENI. stations or preaching places where the heathen are gathered together to hear of Jesus and His A VERY nnexpected and interesting work has love. These stations are just the Boers' farmbeen begun amongst the Zulns in Natal. The houses. On the Sabbath the Zulus may be seen European population of the county of Umvoti, gathering in from the neighboring kraals and of which Greytown is the principal place, are villages, old and young, men and women, a few Boers, who belong to the Dntch Reformed clothed, but mostly heatheu in their blankets, or Church (Presbyterian). Their minister, the even without one. The largest shed available, Itev. James Turnbull, was a licentiate of the generally the wagon-house, has been prepared Free Church of Scotland, educated at the New for the occasion, and there the missionary or College, Edinburgh. native evangelist, or, in absence of either, the Dutch farmer, conducts a simple service in the Mr. Turnbull's congregation, like their coun- Zulu language. The writer has on some of these trymen throughont Sonth Africa, read their occasions seen as many as eighty Boers and Bibles, attended ordinances, and were ont- three or four hundred Zulus gathered together wardly good Christian people. Their Christi- to worship the one true God, the services comanity, however (except in some special cases), mencing on Saturday and being continued till did not extend so far as to caring for the salva- Monday afternOon. There was often a dearth tion of the heathen perishing around them. of preachers, but gradually this difficulty is van- Being nnder British rnle, they showed no open ishing. Most of the Dutch farmers know the hostility to mission work; probably, however, Zulu language, and are well acquainted with the same spirit was in them -as in their country- the Word of God; and though at first diffident men who burned down Livingstone's station, of their own powers, they were persuaded to who destroyed the stations of the French mis- hegin by reading a few verses of Scripture and sions in Basutoland, and who hindered the ad- offering up prayer. Now they are conducting vance of rmissions whenever they had the services more and more freely, and thus are bepower. coming bound together, black and white, in one common love to the Lord Jesns Christ. Very Three years ago God's Spirit worked in a soon God gave the blessing to this wonderfnl marvelous way amongst these people. The work. Not many months after the first attempts commencement of this outpouring of the Holy were made, over One ,hundred gave in their Ghost has been attributed to different human names as candidates for baptism, These have agencies; the Boers themselves say the chief now been formed into a native church in conagent was the reading and meditating upon nection with the Dutch Church of Greytown ; God's holy Word. many more have professed faith in Christ, and are now under instruction and being gathered in After varied experiences, one and another from time to time. Tbe work is carried on amongst them began to feel that they were new under the direction of a committee of Dutch creatures in Christ Jesus; although they had f:irmers, who, besides being themselves heartily been members and office-bearers of the Church, engaged in the work, employ three native evanyet they now for the first time felt Christ a)iv- gelists. ing power within them. No SOOner did one speak to his neighbor of the change which had Amongst thElse evangelists is one man, Petros come upon him or her than the reply came: Skosan, whOse case is a striking fulflllment of J.' Such also is my experience" ; and soon whole families were rejoicing together and praying for theil' neighbors and kinsfolk.
One case worthy of mention is that of a WOIDan who was brongbt into the light while the prophecy of Isaiah xi. This man's father government, foster a universally spread was one of the regiment of Zulu warriors who, sense of distrust and insecurity; Everyone sees a foe in his neighbor and a snare in iu 1836, at asignal from that cruel tyrant, Din- friendship. Thelife of the chiefs, great and small, is one of extortion, sensuality and gaan, fell upon and in cold blood murdered, in intrigues. Revolutions, like fever, are en- Dingaan's own palace, the Dutch leader, Retief, demic. and all his party of about seventy men. The son is now an evangelist, supported by the de- Some time ago, in London, the cloak of scendants of these same Dutch Boers to preach respectability was torn asunder, and the the gospel of peace to his heathen fellow-coun- world shuddered. Here there is no cloak trymen. The father, who still lives, is also a of respectability, no law, no public opinion member of the Church of Christ. to fear. Passions are let loose without any restraint, and the grossest bestiality goes GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. about in broad daylight, barefaced and shameless. There is no innocent childhood Central A.frica.-Themail from Europe and or family ties. National brigandage and news from our nearest neighbors, 900 miles slavery have borne their fruits, and brutalolf, reach us only once a year by occasional ized man.–The Christian (London). traders or travelers. The rest of the year We are entirely cut off from the outer world. North Africa.-Within four days' journey of I send these lines by a caravan of Portu- Britain one may land on African soil and find a guese traders returniug to Benguela. We large field-almost untouched-for Christian hope that in time communications may be labor among the natives of Algeria, the Kaopened with the West Coast through our byles. Visiting recently among these people, American brethren of the Biha. The be- and making known to them for the first time ginnings of a mission like this, far away the glad tidings of salvation, I was much struck from the great arteries of trade and immi- with the atteution given to the message. Doubtgration are expect.ed to be bard. Pioneers less the novelty of an Englishman speaking to ought to bE' giants in faith and courage. them in their own unwritten langnage and deliv- ering snch a message as a free salvation with,ont The climate is most trying to Europeans, works was sullicient of itself to caI1 forth snch and bardly less so to tbe natives. The land attention. Seated one evening in a Kabyle devoureth its own inhabitants. Independ- house I was greatly delighted with the readiness ently of that, there is much worry in set- to listen to the gospel. The wonderful story of tling in a place so difficult of access, and in the resurrection of Lazarus was being read laboring to make a wild sand-hill overlook- when my host announced that supper was ready ing marshes habitable•.Materiallife is very and when I liked I conld have it bronght up. difficult. It is a constant struggle and trial Having expressed a desire to finish the narraof faith, a daily lesson of trust and un- tive the little company of Mohammedans conreserved confidence in the loving-kindness tinned to give the ntmost attention to the words and faithfulness of -our heavenly Father. read and spoken. Snpper ended, the conversa- Far from complaining of hardships and pri- tion was renewed. One of onr company, an vations, I must say that, on the whole, they honorable Marabont or religions Mohammedan, are less th!l.n we had anticipated. who, becanse of ha'i'ing made a pilgrimage to Mecca, was called Elhadj, entertained us while Those who read our monthly, Journal des he read from an Arabian tract. The man Missions Evangelig:ues, know that when we showed us with evident pride a book in Arabic crossed the Zambesi we penetrated into one (I presume a portion of Scripture) gh'en bim of the Prince of Darkness's strongholds. two years ago in Algiers by a Christian English During '30 years of mission life I have lady who was distribnting tracts among the found nowhere the ideal heathen, so good, people. Frequently dnring that evening's con· so meek, so yearning after the things of versation my statements were met by the words, God, which some preachers at home rel'lre- "You are right," "Trnly." That night I had sent the African savages to be. But no- two sharing the sl~eping apartment with me. where have I met with a tribe so hopelessly Having seen me bow the knee in prayer, one of degraded. The Barots6 themselves say that them asked me afterwards U I had been pray· theirs is a land of murder, that no one is ing. Replying that I had. he added, "May God allowed to grow old: their soil is saturated answer yonr prayer I" How one is saddened with blood; human bones bleach every- in observing these people praying, as they proswhere in the sun. The spear, a terrible trate themselves toward the east! How the piaything in the hands of these Zambesians, longing comes up to see them worship God in does not ever get rusty. Superstition and spirit and in truth I Who will offer himself to witchcraft spread their wings of darkness help make known the gospel among them? and death over every village, hamlet, hut Those of us who are in the field wonld do more and individual. We live in the middle age", if our hands were s!rengthened by brethren at but the middle ages in savagedom. The in- home. Sometimes too much is expected of missatiable l:Teediness of these poor people, sionaries in forei&n cl/untries, where, with 11Imitheir inveterate habit of stealing and lying, the total absence of anything like justice, the utter powerlessness of the so-called lies to be looked after and no domestic help olany growth of grass covered the formerly weUreal value, and often without means to tlnd even trimmed paths. proper help, the missionary has much secillar .. As we approach the skirt of the groves we labor to perform which necesarily reduces his are strnck by the dead silence which reigns. No laughter is to be heard, no sign of a welcome tilne and strength for his proper work. Like from our old friends. The silence of death breathes over the lofty crowns of the palms, the China inland missionaries we are without slowly waving in the wind. We enter, and it gnarantee of salary. Moreover, no fixed sum is in vain we look to the right and left for the can We look for regularly. The society sends to happy homesteads and the happy old· scenes. its missionaries that which is entrusted to it, Tall grass covers everything, and a charred pole but it leaves the missionaries free to receive here and there, a few banana trees are the oilly from any source through which God may be evidences that man once dwelt here. Bleached pleased to send to the help of His servants. sknlls by the roadside, and the skeletons of Want of means often puts a drag on the chariot human hands attached to poles tell the storr, of wheels, and causes the worker not a little anxi- what has happened here since our last visit. ' ety as he finds the will present to perform more, but the wherewithal to perform lacking. May It appeare<i that the notorions Tippoo Tib had the Lord of the harvest enable all who pray that been there to " trade," and in the coorse of that laborers be thrust forth to help also in the send- process had killed all who offered resistance, ing of them on their way.-Aifred S. Lamb. carried off the women, and devastated the flelds, gardens and banana groves. Bands of destroyers -Mohammedanism and;Missions. An inter- from the same gang bad returned again and again, esting article on the influence of Arab traders and those who escaped the sword perished by the in West Central Africa, contributed by Lieuten- small-pox and famine, which the marauders left ant Wissmann to the current issue of the" Pro- in their train. The whole tribe of the Bene Ki ceedings of the Royal Geographical Society," ceased to exist, and only a few remnants found throws light on the qnestion of Mohammedan- refuge in a neighboring state. ism and missions, raised by Canon Taylor at the last Church Congress. The writer's experience Snch must be counted amongst the'resillts of of Mohammedan influences upon the native Arab "trading" in Africa, and if it is at such popUlations is in direct contrast with the asser- cost that the bleSSings of Mohammedan civllzation that the creed of Islam is that best suited tion are purchased by the native races, it is no to their need.. He gives a graphic account of wonder that they are not considered a desirable two visits to Bagna Pesihi, and certaiu villages acquisition. Even if it be true that Christianity of the Bene Ri, a division of the Basonge, in is sometimes tardy of operation in its beneficent Central Africa, before and after tbe arriv/!l of effect upon the blacks, Christian missionaries a gang of Arab traders on the scene. and Christian traders can at least boast that they have never wittingly acted otherwise than On the first occasion, in 1882, he was welcomed beneficently towards them. In their case the by a prosperous and contented tribe, whose perpetration of such atrocities would be imposcondition and occupations bore ample evidence sible. With the followers of the False Prophet it to the existence of its villages for decades In is different. Their religion is merely a superstipeace and security, free from the disturbing tion, adapted to the needs of aggressive and elements of war and slave·hunts, pestilence and militant tribes, and does not profess to inculcate superstition. The huts of the natives were tenderness or humanity, mnch less the loftier roomy and clean, fitted with shady porches, and teachings ofthe:gospel of Christ. surrounded lly carefully kept fields and gardens, in which were grown all manner of nsefnl England.-" The Christian Union plants and fruits, including hemp, sugar, to- for the Severance of the Connection of bacco, sweet potatoes, maize, manioc and mil- the British Empire with the Opium let. A thicket of bananas and plantains occupied the back of each homestead, aud shady Traffic," with Sir S. A. Blackwood palm groves supplied their owners with nuts, oil, fibers and wine. Goats, sheep and fOWls as its President and Dr. Maxwell abounded, and no one seemed afraid of thieves. Honorary Secretary, gives the fol- The people all had a well-fed air, and were anxious to trade, their supplies being plentiful lowing reasons for its formation: and ell'tremely cheap. A fowl could be pur- Became as a nation we are responsible cbased for a large cowrie shell, and a goat for a yard of calico. Everywhere the visitors found through our Indian Government for a trade a cheerful, courteous and contented population, which is ruining the oodies and souls. and uncontaminated by the vices of civilization, and destroying the homes of multitudes of the yet not wholly ignorant of its arts. Chinese.
Four years later Lieutenant Wissmann Became our national connection with this chance(l to be in the same district. and after the evil traffic is peculiarly close and revolting. privations of a toilsome march through dense, The poppy is grown in Bengal alone over an inhospitable forests, rejoiced as. he drew near to . extent of more than 500.000 acres, and this the palm groves of the Bal:D& Pesihi. A dense growth is carefully fostered by the Indian Government. The OpiUIU drug is ma.nufac- tured under c.onstant Government direction and supervision. It is sold at auction by the Government, expressly and intentibn- ally for the Chinese market. Including that from the native states, about 85,000 of the vilest offenders in .. the trade," some chests, containing over 5,000 tons of opium, holding positions as office-bearers, others', are thus exported annually from India to through taeir liberality and pecuniary aid China, and a revenue of five, six, or seven to missionary and charitable institutions, millions sterling is derived by Government enjoying contentedly the admiration of from it. It is a great Government institu- their fellow-worshipers as great Ohristian tion, for which England is directly and pe- philanthropists. It is a sin and dis,,"Tace culiarly responsible. tb.a.t the representation of a Christian to a heathen mind should be the rapacious Because through many, many years this cupidity of merchants whose merchandise traffic nas been carried on in spite of the is making the unhappy peoples they trade remonstrances of the Chinese Government, amongst .. twofold more the children of hell and of the thousandfold testimony that it than themselves." It is impossible that the ministered only to debauchery, and to moral Church's foreign missionary effort can sucand social ruin. The Convention of 1885, ceed as long as she goes with a soul-saving though it has given to the Chinese the right gospel in the one hand and a soul-damnIng to put a heavier tax upon imported opium, trade in the other. May God give her minishas not altered in the slightest degree our ters grace to declare His whole mind and own relations as a country to the gross im- will in the matter, and enable her to wash morality of the trade. her hands and garments clean from all complicity therein. If her efforts in the Because while, for very shame's sake. we ensuing struggle are not to prove futile, in have done a little (only a little) to restrain deep contritioll her first step must be that the bavoc which opium was working among of self-judgment and purification. Judgour Burmese Ifellow-subjects. we have done ment must begin at the house of God. As nothi"g to check the ruin which it is work- co-workers with God all His true followers ing in Ohina among a people in friendly alli- are under a threefold obligatIon to do their ance with us. utmost. We owe this for the sake of our Lord and Master, who has commanded His Because eVJlry thoughtful and educated gospel to be preached in every part of the Ohinaman, heathen though he be, cannot world; for the sake of our missionary brethhelp denouncing the immorality and un- ren, in removing the stumbling-blocks we righteousness of the nation which has de- have placed in the way of their work; and liberately sown among his people a seed of for the sake of the poor heathen whom we ever-extending vice and degradation. have enthralled body and soul.-Christian Leader. Because in the largest mission field of the world, according to the unanimous testi- India.-We have received the report of mony of missionaries in China, our relations the Travancore District Committee of the as a country to the opium traffic form one London Missionary Society. It is a closely of the chiefest hindrances to the spread of packed little volume, and its perusal leaves the gospel. a vivid impression of unusual activity and ingenuity in all :departments. Read- Because national judgment must surely ing-rooms have always played an important follow upon national sin, and it faUs upon part in Travancore. The room at Nager- British Ohristians especially, not only to coil has now been the scene of special gathacknowledge this sin, but to lead the com- erings on Sunday afternoons for many munity in protesting against it, and in con.. months. At these meetings the people have tinuous efforts to effect its removal. produced the publications of the Hindu Tract Society, and have put forward their -The Foreign Liquor Traffic. Weare glad best men to argue the case against Ohristto hear tbat the Foreign Missionary Society ianity, while the Christians have replied of the Glasgow Y. M. O. A. are making in- forcibly and clearly. This is excellent vestigations into this subject with a view work, stirring up in the people a great exto the taking of some definite action. Brit- citement, and making them feel that Hinain has a terrible account to settle with the duism must fight if it is to continue to live. Almighty in this matter. The blold of thou- The medical mission has proved itself of sanas of natives in India and Africa is to- great value. There is a medical native day ('rying out to Heaven against her. agency, carefully trained, and doing most These dark races implore our aid in turning valuable work in the branch dispensaries, the tide of a traffic which threatens them and it is proposed to enlarge this departwith rapid ruination; but Ohurch and State ment by training a large number of young alike seem to turn a deaf ear to every ap- Christians as dressers. Classes have been peal. Why is the voice of our churches held in which domestic medicine has been silent? Oan it be that the terrible extent carefully taught to catechists who have to of the trade is not fully known? or is it that labor in the remoter parts of the districts; the Church shrinks from fear of the revela- a.nd the elements of obstetrics have been tion" which a careful search would entail Y Silence, in view of the facts which many' of her ministers and pastors do know. only increases her blood-g1liltmess. Alre.a.dy it is lmoWll that in her very bosom a.re a number ,ta.ug,ht to Bible,women similarly situated. II. They are to have in 18110 a constitutional A new dispensary has been opeued at Par- government-the first native example of it uttipalIi, and another one is being erected in Asia. at Nagercoil. Toward the latter H. H. the Maharajah of Travancore has con~ribnted 10. They have separated Shintoism and Rs. 800. The evangelistic work of the mis- Buddhism from the Government, and abolsion 'has been encouragingly su~cessful, 411 ished their administrative Bureau of Reliadults from heathenism having'beeu bap- gion. Universal toleration prevails. The tized during the year. During that period ancient faiths are considered barbaric and 593 persons were admitted from the rank of incompatible with the new career of 1;he adherents to that of church members. empire. The Government acknowledges itself to be without a religion, and is consid- Japan•..:….Progress. An interesting ering what form of Western cultus it may best adopt. letter appears in The Ohristian Advocate from Abel stevens, D.D., now 11.' They have legally recognized the in Japan. He groups together an Christian Sabbath, and it is observed as a. extraordinary chapter of events, in- day of rest by all Government offices, the dicating the rapid approach of Japan public schools, banks, etc. toward Christian civilization. -Japanese Views of Christianity. Several The following is a summary of the remarkable changes that have taken eminentpnblicists ofJapan are carrying ona very interesting discnssion just now. The object is place amongst the Japanese: to determine whether or not it is advisable for the people of Japan to embrace the Christian 1. They have abolished their old dual sov- religion. The Japan Weekly Mail, in a recent ereignty, and restored to power their an- issue, summarizes this discussion. It states cient Mikado, the representative of a that those connected with the movement say dynasty more than 2,000 years old. that Christiau dogmas are a bitter pill to swal- low, but advise that it be swall~,wed promptly 2. Theyhave thrown off the strongest sys- for the sake of the after effects. Mr. Fukuzawa, tem of fendalism that history records. a well-known writer, nrges this course, although he says he takes no personal interest whatever 3. They have established a single national in religion, and knows nothing of the teaching of army, a navy, and a general police after the Christianity; but he sees that it is the ereed Western models. All these are clothed in of the most highly civilized nations. Professor European costume and drilled in European Toyama, of the Imperial University, has pubmanner. lished a work to support his view. He holds that Chinese ethics mnst be replaced by Christ· 4. They have organized a remarkable sys- ian ethiCS, and that' the bene1lts to be derived tem of national education, which Gen. Grant from the introduction of Christianity are: (1) pronounced, when here, the hest he had the improvement of music;. (2) union of senti- Seen in his circuit of the globe. It was de- ment and feeling, leading to harmonious co·opvi~ed by an American. It comprises primary eration ; and (3) the fnrnishing of a medium of or common SChools, n..rmaland polytechnic intercourse between men and women. It is academies, and an Imperial university on argued by others that the youth of Japan, being the model ofthe German university. . free from tbe tbraldom of creeds, and free to act according to reason. are so far in advance of 5. They have established a mail system, Europeans, and instead of talking about adoptand have entered into the "Postal Union." ing " foreign religion, Japanese should go After the example of England, their postal abroad and preach their religion of reason to department includes the savings-bank sys- foreign countries. Other writers nrge the same tem, and the deposits (mostly by the poorer views. The writer in the Yokohoma newspaper classes) for last year amounted to $12,500,- says that those wbo urge the teaching of Cbrist- 000, nearly double the amount of the preced. ianity represent an in1lnential section of eduingyear. cated Japanese opinion; they are signs of the times. "To Japan, in an emphatically agnostic 6. They have esta.blished a scientific medi- mood, came Western science, with all its marcal faculty, with native physicians educated velous revelations and attractions. At the in Europe, and all the European improve- shrine of that science she is worshiping now." ments, in place of their old medical jugglery. Jews.-Dr. Dalman's statistics of the work 7. They had Ino knowledge of the public and success in Jewish evangelization must surjournal before the arrival of Perry; they prise all who have not watched the course of now have the public press, including no less events. There are no less than 47 Protestant than 500 per10dicals – dailies, weeklies, missionary societies devoted exclusively to this monthlies; political,literary, scientific. arduous vocation. These employ 377 mission- aries, laboring at 157 centers of Jewish pop- 8. They have introduced the steamboat, ulation, and have an annual income of about the telegraph, the telephone, etc., now made by native hands. Native companies navi· gate the rivers and neighboring seas with excellent steamers, quite satisfactory to foreign travelers. half a million dollars. In addition .to these very patent fact in n very plain phrase. The Proother missionary societies engage in this special testant Church has not only skeptiCism and inwork, as a branch of their general work. Eng- differentism, but also Vaticanism, to deal with, land has eight of these 47 societies, sends out and a fresh illustration of the nalTO w. persecnthlg' about two-thirds of the 377 men, and supplies and intolerant spirit ofthe Roman ChIll cli is seen about two-thirds of the money. Scotland has in the trial and imprisonment of Rev. J. M.'Vila, a five societies, Ireland one. Germany twelve, hard-working and successful Protestant pastor Switzerland one, the Netherlands three, France of Malaga, in Spain, A Roman Catholic priest one, the Scandinavian lands five, Russia (i. e. issued a violent pamphlet against him, to which the Protestant churches of,) four, North Mr. Vila replied in another pamphlet. Vila was America seven. The cities in which the larg- arraigned in the courts on charges, the chief of est number of mIssIOnaries are engaged which was that he had said that the" timber of are London, lBudapest, Constantinople, Da- the manger out of which the priest's horse fed mascus, Jerusalem, Tunis. As the total of was the same kind of wood employed by the all the Jews on the face of the globe is artificer to mannfacture an image bf the Virgin abont 6,400,000, there is one missionary of Sorrows, and that one timber had quite as for every 16,976 Jews. In addition to these the much virtue as the other." From an account Roman Catholic and the Greek Churches also just at hand in Light and Truth we learn that engage in this work. Pastor de Ie' Roi,of Bres- the trial took place in the presence of a large lin, also a reliable statistician, claims that at crowd of people. The public prosecutor asked least 100,000 Jews have confessed Christ since the Court to sen~ence the accused to six years' the beginning of the present century. Those imprisonment, a fine of 2,500 pesetas and costs. yet living of these, together with their descend- The counsel for the defense claimed that the ants, probably nnmber 250,000 children of Abra- Bible supported everything found in the pamham who havh entered upon the spiritnalinherit- phlet. ance of their father. When we recall the fact that ten years ago there were in existence only .. Then Se:'ior Vila spoke, and his simple, elo- 20 societies for the evangelization of the Jews, quent address greatly moved the people-many with only 250 laborers and an income less than of whom wept, and said, as they left the hall, half of what it is now, the marked progress in 'We are now Protestauts, also l' He said his this sphere of Christian activity. is peculiarly intention was not to make a personal attack encouraging. on the priest, but to combat the false teachings of the Roman Church. As true followers of -The existing Jewish Congregation at Mos- Christ, they did not hate or attack anyone. The soul (Mesopotamia) boasts of very ancient or;- Roman Church, on the contrary, had always opgin. When Tiglath Pileser, King of Assyria, posed the truth of the gospel; and, without apconquered the northern regions of the kingdom pealing to history or uncovering the ashes of the orIsrael, he carried captive a uumber of the il1- thousands sacrificed by the execrable Inquisihabitants, and settled them in different parts of tion, his presence in the tribunal that day was a his own dominions. At that time a Jewish con- living testimony to Romish persecution. A gregation was established at Nineveh (now large crowd followed Senor Vila from the Mossoul), and it is this congregation which has court, and expressions of lively sympathy rewithstood the vicissitudes of ages. The Jews ~011nded on every side. He teIls us that he was of Mossoul even now consider it as a special full ofjoy that he had been priYile~ed to testify favor of Providence that their ancestors became publicly beCore the tribunal concerning the truth captives before the destruction of the first Tem- of the gospel." ple, so that they were spared the great misfortune which overtook Jerusalem. They glory in "Great attempts were made to influence the the fact that their congregation is older than tribunal, and so powerful are the Roman Caththat of Babylon, and that later on, when the olic clergy in Malaga. that only one paper dared kingdom of Judea came to an end, those of the to refer to the case. At last, on April 3, the inhabitants who made their way to Assyria, magistrates pronounced sentence, and Senor were enabled to enjoy their hospitality, and to Vila was forthwith condemned to two years, receive every possible support from their breth- four months and one day's imprisonment, beren in faith already settled in that country. The sides 250 pesetas fine and payment of costs. Mossoul Jews possess two synagogues, a Beth The Spanish prisons are such abominable dens Hamedrash and a cemetery. The ancient burial of filth and iniquity that this sentence is no gronnel which was first used by the early settlers light matter. Senor Vila lias appealed to the was destroyed at the capture of Nineveh. The Supreme Court at Madrid, the sentence of present-day Jews have adopted the Sephardim which will be final. ritual as their minhag.-Jewish Chronicle. " The trial has been the means of producing a Spain.-Persecution. When (in 1883) the great awakening in :Malaga, and numbers of late ArchbiSHOp of Canterbury said .. power- persons are confessing Christ. It has also led ful influence.. are at work which are entirely many to attend for the first time Senor Vila's antagonistic to Christianity," and that .. the church, and all the services are very crowded- Church of Rome is absolutely powerless to meet even on week-nights persons are turned away. these anti-Christian movemente," he expressed a ill" The same growth is taking place at the mission IitatiftDi ill t.~ i.rreu•• villai'eli. "
INTERNATlVNAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D., OF THE "INTERNATIONAL MIS- SIONARY UNION."
Mohammedanism in Ohina. Clarke in 1886. (6) A proclamation BY REV. H. V. NOYES, CANTON, CHINA. published in Peking in 1866, by a How was Mohammedanism intro- Mohammedan mandarin, and trans- duced into China? What has been lated by Professor Vassilief, a Rus- its history? What is its present sian learned in Arabic.
status? The evidence is all in favor of be- In this attempt to answer these lieving that Canton City is the place inquiries, information has been de- where Mohammedanism was first rived from the following sources: (a) established in China. 'rhe account Mainly from a work printed in Paris given in the" Annals of Kwantung"
in 1878, and written by P. Darby De seems pretty well corroborated, viz.: Thiersant,Consul General and Charge "At the commencement of the dy- d' Affaires from France to China. nasty of Tang (618 to 908) there He tells us that his book is the result came to Canton a considerable num- of investigations running through bel' of strangers, natives of the king- fifteen years, and that he got much doms of Annam, of Cambodia, of Me- information from Mohammedan dina, and of several other countries.
priests. Doubtless he was able also They worshiped heaven and had no to get much definite knowledge from statue, or idol, or image, in their Roman Catholic priests, who are temples. The kingdom of Medina is scattered so widely through the coun- near to that of India, and is where try. (b) From writers on the subject the religion of these steangers, which in the eighteen volumes of the is very different from that of Bud- "Chinese Repository." (c) From dha, originated. They do not eat Williams' "Middle Kingdom." (d) pork, nor drink wine, and regard as From writers in the Chinese Re- 'impure the flesh of every animal not corder, and the China Review. slain by themselves. HaVing asked It is generally conceded that little and obtained f,'om the emperor an information, as to their origin, can authorization to reside at Canton, be obtained from the Chinese Mo- they built magnificent houses of an hammedans of the present day. architecture different from that of What is known in regard to it, seems the country. They were very rich to have been obtained from: (1) In- and subject to a chief chosen by scriptions on tablets found at the themselves. By reason of their good mosques in or neal' Canton City. (2) fortune, they became so numerous Accounts of India. and China by two and influential that they were able Mohammedan travelers, written, to maltreat the Chinese people with one A.D. 850, and one A.D. 877, in impunity. This was carried to such Arabic, and transla:ted into French a pitch that a mandarin high in by the Abbe Eusebius Renaudot. (3) rank'was impelled to issue a procla- The Chinese annals of Kwangtung mation in the name of the emperor, (Canton province). (4) A Chinese warning these foreigners that if they work" Ui UiYuen Lvi," that IS "Ori- continued to conduct themselves so gin of Mohammedanism," "Ui Ui" badly they would be punished se- being the name given to Mohamme- verely."
dans in China. (5) A Chinese book The tablets at Canton, the Peking found in the province of Yunnan proclamation and the t~o Chinese and translated by Rev. George W. books alrE'ady mentioned all give, in somewhat different forms, the story China. The first Mohammedan temof a bright appearance in the West- ple, built afterwards in the Northern sky, connected with a singular west, at Si Ngan Fu, one of the two dream of the emperor, which the as- capitals of the empire, dates from trologers and soothsayers interpreted A.D. 742, from which we may suppose to mean that a great sage had arisen that Islam did not penetrate by land in the West, who was ruler 01 a pow- into the north of the empire until erfulcountry named Medina, and that that time. In the flourishing period it was very important, in the inter- of Kai Yuen (713-742), relates the Si ests of the empire, that friendly rela- Yu Chen, 'the barbarians of the tions be established with him; that W est arrived en masse in the Middle then the Emperor sent an embassy Kingdom, and, as by an irruption to Mohammed, who appointed three from more than a hundred kingenvoys, of whom only one lived to doms, removerl at least a thousand reach China, by way of Si Ngan Fu, leagues, bearing with them as presand afterwards settled in Canton. ents their sacred books, which were This sounds wonderfully like the received and deposited in the hall for story of the introduction of Bud- translation of sacred books and candhism, and may be taken with at least ons of the imperial palace. Starting one grain of salt. This much, how- from that epoch, the religious docever, appears to be true, that in the trines of different countries of the early part of the Tang dynasty, West spread themselves and were about A. D. 628, a maternal uncle practiced openly in the empire of of liohammed, Wahib Abi Kabcha, Tang.' came to China, was received with much favor by the Empet'or, and " The first real nucleus of Mohamestablished himself in Canton. P. medans of the West implanted in Darby de Thiersant states that" this China was a contingent of 4,000 man obtained an authorization to Arab soldiers, which the Kaliph build a mosque at Canton, and, at Abu Giafer sent, in the year 755, to the same time, the right for his co- succor the Emperor Sou Tsong, menreligionists to profess freely their aced by the rebel An-Io-chan, and worship in the empire." He then who. as a recompense for their sergoes on to say: "Wahib Abi Kabcha, vices, permitted them to establish his mission accomplished, returned themselves in the principal cities of to Arabia in 63-&, hoping to find again the empire. These soldiers, who the Prophet, but on arriving he was married Chinese wives, may be conapprised of his death, which caused sidered the first stock origin of Mohim profound grief. He rested for a hammedan Chinese." time, and when Abu Becker had. formed the Koran from the scat· The above extract contains the tered leaves left by Mohammed, he substance of what is known concerntook the holy book and set out again ing the entrance of Islam into China, for China. He ,suffered much in and the account is corroborated by returning to Canton, where he died, the fact that those who have given worn out by the fatigue of the voy- attention to the matter say that the age. He was interred in one of the Mohammedan Chinese are different suburbs of the city, where his tomb by race from other Chinese; that in remains until this day, an object of them may be clearly recognized a veneration to all believers in the ex- mixture of Arabic, Turkish and treme East. It is to him that lVlus- Chinese blood. sulmansare indebted forthe construction of the most ancient mosque in From this time, A.D. 755, or there- about, until the lattel' part of the ninth century the trade of Canton With Arabs and other people fro~ the West must have been very dians. This is the account given of flourishing. One writer says that them when Yunnan was constituted "under the dynasty of Tang the a province of the empire in 1295. ocean was fatigued with the thou- "They were true savages, without sands of ships sailing from the Orient the least trace of civilization, living to the Occident." In 1068 the em- in a state of nature, ignorant of how peror appointed a foreigner named to cultivate the soil, sustaining them-. Siu Ya To Lo to administer the gov- selves by hunting and fishing, and ernment of merchants from the burning their dead without cere~ W-est. That functionary designated mony." The emperor, Kublai Khan, quarters for the fOl'eignel's, and their appointed one of his ministers, called families continued to be inscribed on Omar by some, by others Sayid Edthe registers of the State. It is prob- jell, or Si Tien Che, to administer the able that harsh measures were after- government of the province. He wards employed against them, for a taught the people agriculture, social number emigrated to Kiungchow, obligations, and the art of writing, on the island of Hainan, whel'e they and by wise institutions succeeded in built foul' mosques which still exist. civilizing th,em. He taught them the On that island also are yet found the religion of Mohammed, and at the descendants of ancient Mohammedan same time the respect which they families. From this time the com- ought to have for Confucius, to merce of Canton with foreigners whom he erected temples, and also diminished continually, and they for built mosques in all the cities. He the most part returned to their na- gathered around him a great numbel' tive land. of Mussulman scholars and others whom he loaded with favors, and In the Yuen dynasty, commencing who established themselves in the 1280, the Arab merchants, profiting country. He governed for six years, by the influence which their co-re- and died much lamented. The people ligionists had at the court of Kublai- built fol' him a magnificent tomb, Khan, renewed on a grand scale their while the emperor erected a temple relations with China. But for thel in his honor. This man was originmost part, instead of returning to ally from Bokhara, but submitting to Canton, they betook themselves to Genghis Khan became a part of his the provinces of Fuhkien, Cheh- guard. He evidently had a large inkiang' and Kiangsu. The port of fluence over the people. Marco Polo Foochow became by this circum- says that from 1280 to 1300 the stance a grand center of commerce. whole population of Yunnan was Mohammedan. We have given a view of the course of events which brought Islam There have been several rebellions. into the provinces that lie along the One, in 1817, induced by the massacre eastern coast of China. It evidently of a number of Mohammedans by came by means of commercial inter- other Chinese, the burning of a course to a great extent, and by way mosque, and the injustice of certain of the sea. mandarins, sustained by the gov- ernor. The insurgents, after having It remains to inquire how it was defeated in several encounters the planted in the remaining provinces. imperial troops, laid siege to the capi- At thE' extreme south of the western tal of the province, where the gov- border is the province of Yunnan, ernor had shut himself up. The em- said to contain three and a half mil- peror sent at once, a large body of lion Mohammedans. In the earlier soldiers who defeated the rebels and centuries this province seems to have obliged them to take refui'e with the been inhabited by wild tribes not less savage than the North American Insavages on the frontiers. The chief all the Mohammedans in China. was made prisoner and cut into frag- And these Mohammedans came by a ments. This Insurrection continued different route from those who enabout a year. tered the eastern provinces. Those came from Arabia, by way of the sea, Another rebellion broke out on the but these from Turkey and Persia, western frontier in 1826 which was through Bokhara, and thence into ended in 1828. Another took place the province of Kansuh. THis provabout 1834, provoked by the manda- ince is therefore considered the cenrins of Chan Ning Fu, who caused tral point of the sect, in the extreme a massacre of Mohammedans at East. And the sect has had its exthe city of Mong Mien, under the istence there mainly since the genpretext that they wished to revolt. eral breaking up that took place More than 1,600 men, women and when that fearful Tartar general, children had their throats cut with- Tamerlane, swept not only through out mercy, and this horrible butchery Central Asia, but over the burning was continued until Mohammedans plains of India, and over the frozen from the neighboring towns ran to steppes of Siberia, passed beyond the their succor, and meted out terrible Caspian Sea, beyond the Black Sea reprisals. The troubles were settled to the banks of the Danube, conby a general whom the Viceroy sent quered Asia Minor and Syria, and for that purpose. even went down into Egypt, and stopped, at last, not because de- By far the most serious rebellion in feated, but only tired of conquest. this province commenced in 1855, and was not ended till 1873. It origi- The first mosque in the northwest nated in a contention about some sil- was built at Si Ngan Fu, in the provver mines, but grew until the whole ince of Shensi, A.D. '742. The Ohinese province was embroiled. Near its Repository mentions an embassy commencement a fearful massacre of sent with valuable presents, by way Mohammedans took place, encour- of Kashgar, as early as 708. From a aged and even ordered by the officers Mohmamedan writer in the same periof government.' This was followed odical we have the following: "In by eighteen years of bloody strife the reign of Wan Tsing, A.D. 842, sevculminating in the surrender of eral myriads from the tribes of the Ta Li Fu by the Mohammedans, Ui Ui (Mohammedans) petitioned to which virtually ended the rebellion. enter China, and the emperor directed After the surrender seventeen Mo- them to be settled in the various dehammedan chiefs were invited to a partments of Shensi, where they banquet, and suddenly, a precOIi- have enjoyed the support of many certed signal being given, were all sovereigns and have furnished a sucbeheaded; those who had favored cession of loyal and upright scholars the surrender as well as those who for the service of the State. These had opposed it. To the lasting dis- have maintained the pure, true faith grace of the Chinese general, within for a thousand years without defecthree days, in the city and surround- tion." The information about Kansuh villages, out of 50,000 inhabitants in these early times is very meager, 30,000 were mercilessly butchered by but we have the following in regard the soldiers acting under the com- to the country lying farther west. mand of their chief. In 713 a Moslem, Couteybe Ibu, con- quered Bokhara, and took Samar- In regard to the rest of China, it is kand. The Chinese eIt!peror was only necessary for our present pur- much alarmed at his conquestH, and pose to consider particularly the treated the ambassadors that he sent provinces of Kansuh and Shensi. They contain nearly three-fourths 'Of with the gl'eatest respect. This there by the rebels or abandoned by event is important, as from it dates the owners, who had been obliged to the establishment of Mohammedan- ism in ~houresm, where later was flee to save their lives, The Chinese founded the kingdom of Ui Ui, or militia of the neighboring districts, Mohammedan Chinese. In 1124 this kingdom gave its subjection to China learning of this, clamored for a part at Samarkand. There is not much more of importance to relate in con- of the booty, which the Mohamme- nection with these provinces, until the present dynasty. It is evident dans stubbornly refused. TheChinese that in the contentions which were did not dare to attack them, but continually occurring between the Chinese and th.e Mohammedan prov- waited an opportunity for revenge. inces on the west and in Central Asia, It came at length from quite a small the Chinese now and then conquered portions of Mohammedan territory, affair. One day a Mohammedan cut and now and then theseoutlyingprov- inces regained their independence; some bamboos from a grove neal' the that Mohammedans were more 01' village where he was. The owner, less employed as allies 01' soldiers in not a Mohammedan, ('harged him the Chinese army, became officials, with cutting them without permis- sometimes 'occupying very high po- sion, and was answered arrogantly. sitions, and that in this general mix- He then complained to the Moham- ing up along the border a large num- medanreligious chief, and not obtain- ber of Mohammedans became per- ing l'edrel>s went to the Chinese dis- manent inhabitants of the western trict magistrate. The magistrate did provinces of China. not dare to punish the offender, but plotted with the leader of the large This account would not be complete town of Chely to massacre the Mo- without some notice of the great re- hammedans. One of their villages bellion which took place in Shensi was therefore laid waste by the and Kansuh from 1861 to 1873. Like Chely militia. This was followed by all othet' Mohammedan rebellions in a general uprising of the Mohamme- China, it was not on account of relig- dans, and a sanguina,ry contest of ion. The members of this sect are three daysand three nights, in which quite as clannish as the pure Chinese, they came off victors. When the and generally go together in any mandarins sent imperia,l troops to attempt to resist what they deem op- succor the vanquished, these were pression or to gain dominion. The also obliged to bea,t a shameful outbreak of 1861, commencing in retreat. Shensi and spreading to Kansuh, originated in this way: "A Chinese "The insurrection then spread rebel chief, after having devastated throughout the provlllce and made Sz Chuen, invaded Shensi. To resist its way into Kansuh. It was kept the invasion the militia was organized up for twelve years, and cost an im- in every locality. The Mussulman mense amount of blood and h-eccsure militia, commanded by their own before it was finally and most thor- chiefs, were by their own wish kept oughly put down by that valiant . separate from the other militia. The General Tso Tsung Tang." bandits at length took the city of U Nau. The Mussulman militia took " In regard tothe central provinces back the city, in which they found of the empire, the following quota- immense treasUl'e, either brought tion will suffice: "The history of lfohammedans in these provinces is the history of the inhabitants of each province. We need not speak par- ticularly of them. We only say that since the dynasty of Yuen, 1280, a great number of them have occupied very high positions, both in the capital and in the pr.ovinces, as ministers, noting, h.owever, some facts whi"eh generals. vicer.oys .or g.overn.ors." have a bearing upon the answer.
Mention ought also to be made .of (1) Mohammedanism in China does those colonial dependencies of the not seem to have gained its numbers empire which are largely Moham. by proselytizing. The Mohammedans medan, viz.: Koko Nor on the south of to-day in general trace their deof Kansuh, and on the west all that scent, fo!' hundreds of years, from part of IIi which lies south of the Mohammedan families. They have Tien Shan Mountains, and where multiplied by a natural increase. are situated the noted eight Moham- They also add to their strength by medan cities. purchasing, in times of famine or other calamity, large numbers of The following is an approximate children, who!:n they bring up accordestimate, in round numbers, of the ing to the doctrines of their religion. present Mohammedan populati.on of They llaye been known, during a China. Dr. Williams says that. single famine, to purchase 10,000. n.orth of the Yang-tsz Kiang, there are at least 10,000,000. (2) They hold to their religion very tenaciously, by which is only meant P. Darby De Thiersantgivesan esti- that they do not easily leave their mate, more partIcularly by provinces, sect. The instances are rare where as follows: Kansuh, 8,350,000; Shen- they become Christians. On the si, 6,500,000; Yunnan, 3,500,000 to othe).' hand, they sit so loosely on their 4,000,000 (this includes the savage foundations of doctrine that they tribes who reside on the frontiers of find no difficulty in going through Burmah); Shansi, 50,000; Chihli all the forms of the Chinese ritual 250,000. Of these 100,000 are in the when they are appointed to office. neighborhood of Peking.. There are They can wOl'Rhip the tablet of the in the city eleven mosques, one near emperor, but they put the picture of the palace, vel'Y beautiful, built the Prophet hehind it. opposite the imperial pavilions, in honor of a Mohammedan queen, (3.) There does not seem to be any whom the Emperor Kien Lung es- special 'antipathy against them, on poused in 1735. Shantung. 200,000; the part of either rulers or people, Hunan and Hnpeh, 50,000; Kiang,;i, on account of their religious belief. 4,000; ~iangsu and Nganhwui, 150,- They have often held office and have 000; Kwangtung, 21,000; Kwangsi, had many favors granted them. Tho 15,000; Kweichau, 40,000; Szchuen, contests or rebellions in which they 40,000; Honan, 200.000; Chekiang have been, from time to time, conand Fuhkien, 30,000. If we add to cerned have seemed more like imthese a probable estimate of 300,000 mense clan fights than any contenfor Koko Nor and the southern part tion about religious belief. The of IIi and take the larger estimate for question has been about dominion, the province of Yunnan, we have a not about faith. This is evidentfr.om total of somewhat more than 20,- the fact that when, in one part of 000,000. the country, Mohammedans are en- gaged in a bloody rebellion, those in Having given a cursory view of other parts are not molested. Durthe introduction of Mohammedanism ing the years of rebellion in the into China and its subsequent history northwest, and also in Yunnan, Mo-' there, having given statistics to show hammeclans, under the very shadow its present strength, we wi}} not ven- of the imperial palace, lived without ture to tread the delicate ground of the least appearance of molestation. prophecy, but leave others to an- The great clan fight ahout a silver swer the question, ,Vhat in the future mine in Yunnan' could never have is likely to be its influence itl China? been dl'awn out into an eighteen N. Y., became Corresponding Secre- years' bloody contest, unless there tary. Twenty-five thousand dollars had been something more than that was estimated as necessary for pur.
silver mine at stake. So in the north- chasing and finishing buildings to ac- west, a contest about the division of commodate fifty boarders, and $5,000 spoils, or the cutting of a few . annually for its maintenance. Salubamboos, was, indeed, the match tations came to the organization which set fire to combustibles, but from England and from India. certainly did not furnish fuel for . Sir William Wedderburn, of Engcombustion to the flames of that land, lately retired from the Indian fierce contest that raged for twelve Civii Service, wrote: years, and was only quenched at last "Both Lady Wedderburn and myself are in rivers of blood. The contest was very glad to receive news of Pundita Rama- a contest for power. bai. We are both much interested in female (4) We can never be sure how education, especially in India, and it will give us much pleasure to do what we can to much the Mohammedans in China promote the Pundita's proposed normaJ are influenced from without. Dr. schooL When you have completed your Williams says that the last great plans I shall be glad to hear from you rebellion was largely fomented by again; in the meantime allowme to express Turkish sectaries. the pleasure I feel that Pundita Ramabai has found such good friends and snpporters Ramabai'a Institution for Ohild- in America." Widows. Dr. Ramakrishna Bhandarkar, pro- THE little high.caste Brahman fessor of Sanskrit in a college in widow, Ramabai, bearing the high- Poona, India, after a confet'ence with est honorary and literary degree be- several of his friends, wrote: stowed by the Brahmanic brotherhood, and known by the title" Pun- .. We are glad that you American ladies dita," invented by an English lady are going to interest yourselves actively with the amelioration of the condition of your unfortunate sisters iii India. I assure 'for convenience of foreign introduc- you we shall consider it a duty to give you tion, came among us in an unosten- all the assistance we can. I suppose the tatious way, studied our institutions details of the scheme will De settled when and organized support of a cherished Pundita Ramabai and the female teachers will arrive in India."
plan of her own for elevating and Dr. Bhandarkar and his friends educating "little widows" of high- were indol'sed by Hon. Lionel As- caste families in India, and departed bUrner, who was for thirty-six years the country as unostentatiously as in the Indian Civil Service, as "very she entered it. The organization responsible, influential men."
which she accomplished while in On the· eve of her departure from this country is entitled "The Ram- the United States we received from abai Association," which was formed her the following personal note: at Channing Hall, Boston, Dec. 13, .. VALLEY STATION, NEB., Jun" 16, 1888.
1887. It was supported by Rev. Ed- .. DEAlt BROTHER IN CHaIST : ward E. Hale, D.D., who was elected President, and Dr. Phillips Brooks, .. I received your kind letter a few weeks Miss Frances E. Willard, Rev. Geo. ago, but could not answer it through want of time. I have sent a few circulars to you already, and am sending a new one which A. Gordon, and the since ascended, has just come out. It isjust twenty months Dean Ra.chel L. Bodley, M.D., who since I have seen you when we talked about was Ramabai's patron saint all the· my work and when so little of hope seemed while she was in America. to exist, but the Heavenly Father has been with me in all that I have attempted, and A Board of Trustees was consti- my hopes are now almost realized so far as tuted for America, and an" Advisory the material assistance goes. The main Board" was appointed for India. work is y..t to be done, and I hope and pray Miss A. P. Granger, of Canandaigua, that the heavenly grace will strengthen and sustain me in my undertaking. .. Many good people seem to have a misun- religious schools. High-caste girls, derstanding about the work that I am try- she says, may be in the missionary ing to start, and are generally inclined to schools in some instances prior to discountenance my project. Their fears marriage, but not after that event, seem to have arisen from th"fact that my institution for child-widows is to be a purely either as wives or widows. She says secular one, and also from a misappr..hen- the missionary schools are open to all sion that its founder is diverting in this castes, as they should be, and are none direction the energies of Christian women of them devoted exclusively to highand funds which should properly go into missionary channels. This latter I emphati- caste women, much less to high-caste cally deny, having never, in public or pri- widows. In the circ-ular referred to vate, attempted to do such a thing which in herletter, she set forth some feawill injure the foreign missionary cause. tures of the case. The movement is truly unique, its author, talented, .. I havegood reasons for making my school purely secular. Such institutions are a necessity at present. sincere and standing in her individ- uBecause: ual capacity for what she esteems an .. The orthodox Hindu widows will notgo to important reform in her own coun- try, by what she thinks is the only anv school home if the study of Christian religion is made a condition to their admit- tance . feasible method for reachlllg and re- .. It is against their faith, and they will not lieving high-caste Hindu widows, sacrifice their conscience to worldly advantages. whose trials and deprivations she has .. Such a condition will prove a strong •experienced. It would seem that even temptation to many light-minded women, Anglo-Saxon love of fair play, not to and make hypocrites of them. say of freedom of speech and press, .. Missionaries do not reach the strictly or- would justify us, even if we disap- proved her measures, which we do thodox widows, who suffer most, and who not, in allowing her to reach those of are in the keeping of their male relatives. Some of these relatives will be glad enough to have their daughters or sisters educated our readers who may not other.wise in purely secular schools, but they will by have had the opportunity, through no means let them be instructed by mis- the following quotations from her sionaries. Such widows, if once educated own statements of the case. and become self-supporting, having all the freedom of action and thought, and un- She says: trammeled, it is hoped that they will accept .. A few Hindu parents would not mind tbeir daughters coming in contact with chil- Christ, when they realize the advantages of dren or people of inferior castes before the marriage, but this cannot continue after the His religion, which they will be requested girl has gone through the marriage cere.. mony, the only religious sacrament to to study if they choose to do so. And even which she is entitled and which is consid- ered the means of her regeneration and by if we are disappointed in our hopes fur their virtue of which she becomes a high-caste woman and a member of her husband's famconversion,.we shall at least have the com- ily. A few married high-caste girls and women are allowed to be seen and instructed fort of having done ()ur duty in relieving by foreign missionaries in the zenltnas, but not in the missionary schools. These women, their sufferings and giving "them the means it must be remembered, do not belong to the strictly orthodox families; their husbands, by which they may lift themselves out of fathers-in-law or fath~rs, in whose keeping they happen to be aR wives or widows, being the lamentable state of drndgery, and be- half skeptical, half Brabmanical, or, per- haps, partly Brahmo and partly Christian come self-respecting, self..supportin~ mem- ill belief, and all of them men who are edu- bers of society. The Bible will be placed in their hand, but we cannot make its study a condition for the above reasons. I do not ask any people to give their money to this instead of to missionary work, but I ear- nestly solicit the assistance of our friends who have it in their power to help forward more than one good cause.
•• Very truly yours, RAMABA!."
Ramabai affirms the unique char- acter of her proposed institution cated in Western ideas.
as devoted to high-caste widows-a U Even among these families the educa· class which she thinks is wholly un- tion of Women is limited to merely reading, reached and absolutely unapproach- a little writing, and at the best the four fundamental rules in arithmetic-an educa- able through missionary or other tion not so thorough as to enable them to think for themselves or to qualify young together with the pious Hindus who look widows to become teachers or to engage in upon this movement as dangerous heresy, any occupation which would make them in- may try to annihilate it. dependent of male relatives. There may be a few exceptions to this statement among "But our trust is in the Heavenly Father, the Brahmos and other non-orthodox fami- who is our st:rE'JIgth aud who~ because He is lies, but among these the necessity is not so almighty, is aole to bring us safely out of great. as widows are not put to the severest this serious difficulty." trials as in orthodox communities. Death of Mr. Ahok's Mother. .. It is strictly true of every orthodox Hindn family that women are never allowed WE say" Mr. Ahok's mother," beto be visited or instructed by a foreign mis… cause we cannot present her after sionary. I derive my knowledge of the so- our custom by her own name, and cial condition of the orthodox high-caste also because her estimable son has Hindu women neither from fables nor from become so Widely known that the the statements of half-informed persons, but mother shares in the luster of his I get it directly from what I have seen and renown, though her sterling qualiknown. I myself Was born and reared in ties merit wide recognition and rean orthodox Brahmanical honsehold, and spect. Mr. Ahok is a wealthy Chithough my parents approved of women be- nese merchant who was led to Christ ing educated they would have been the last through the agency of Rev. S. L. persons to allow their daughters nnder the Baldwin, D.D., now Recording Secinstruction of missionarjes~ retary of the Methodist Episcopal 1IIissionarySociety,and who before he .. It was not until after their death when I professed Christianity at all donated had attained my leg-al age, and then there $10,000 for the founding of an Anglobeing no male relative to control me, and Chinese College at Foo Chow. 111'. my education having enabled me to get my Ahok waR a lay delegate from the Foo independence, that I had any chancL' of see- Chow Conference to the Methodist ing the missionaries and other people not of Episcopal General Conference held my own caste, and of reading the books in New York last May, but was unwhich were antagonistic tomy ancestral re" able io come; whether alone because ligion. This is true to-day of every other he was unwilling to risk his chances household like that of my parents. of escaping the leasllPs of our ob- structive Chinese legislation, we can- "I have deduced from these facts that not sav. Ahok's mother stoutly anthe orthodox high-caste women of India tagOlized his acceptance of Chriscannot be helped by missionary societies. tianity, but later herself beC>1:{llle a An agency which is neither identical With genuine Christian with marked indinor antagonistic to these societies lllust be viduality of experience. employed in order to draw these women out of t~eir secluded homes. Purely secular in- 'Ve take from the California stitutions are the necessity of the hour in Christian Advocate the following India, institutions which will be like homes account of the funeral of Mr. Ahok's to the little widows, where their material mother: wants will be supplied, and their physical pain alleviated. The education afforded in Not long since~ at the age of eighty..six, these homes must prepare them to face the occurred the death of the mother of 1I1r. world and must pnt within their reach the Ahok. The first intimation the writer had power which will be the means of their in- of the sad event was the receipt of the fol- dependence,leaving them free at length to lowing note, written by an Eng-lish-speaking think and choose for themselves. . . . clerk in Mr. Ahok's store: .. I am sorry to inform yon that my mother left this world "As for ourselves we are convinced that at 7 o'clock this evening, and we shall pnt it is not against our Christian belief to carry her in her everlasting bed to-morrow morn- to those who need it help in any shape, even ing at 8 o'clock. Will you please notify though we may not be able to carry our others," etc. Having been requested to creed with it. It will do no harm to any of conduct the funeral exercises, we reached us to read the beautiful parable of the Mr. Ahok's residence a little before the . Good Samaritan" twice over, and try to time appointed, a,ud noticed a. coffin in II find out what our Lord Christ meant to teach by it .
.. I am aware that even after setting forth this plan in the plainest language, many Christian people may still mi.apprehend or misrepresent it without meaning to do so; and, on the other hand. all enemies of woman's_progressand freedom in Hindustan,
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
framework of a recess of the room where day until the burial; but, instead of having the services were to be held, Soon after senseless heathen ceremonies, social religious the company had assembled loud weeping meetings are held, and the gospel Is preached. was heard, aud immediately Mr. Ahok and Thus our Chinese Christians adhere to harmless his two adopted sons, together with several native customs, only substituting Christian for other ",ale relatives, slowly entered the heathen worship. recess from another room, bearing the body, encased in elegant silk, and laid it in We are informed that about five years ago the collin. The weeping continued wh~e Mr. Ahok's mother had quite a protracted the unoccupied space in the collin was struggle, deciding whether she wonld become a being filled with the pith of a certain plant, Christian or remain a Buddhist. Since his conand with bits of paper rolled into small version, Mr. Ahok has had preaching Sunday balls. After this, the assembled friends afternoons at his residence, as well as mid'- viewed the face of the deceased, when we week social meetings and family prayers. His were requested to proceed with the ser- mother used to alternate between these services vices. These consisted of the singing of a and the worship of the idol, which had for so hymn, prayer, a short address from the many years delnded her. While continning words," Blessed are the dead that die in the this practice she had a good opportunity to com- Lord." etc.• followed by another hymn and pare the two religions. One day, after attending the benediction-aU, of course. being- in Christian worship, she said to her friends: Chinese. During tJ,e services Mr. Ahok sat "You may take my idol away; hereafter your on a piece of matting on the floor, near the God shall be my God, and your Saviour my head of the collin. 'Vhen tbe benediction Saviour." And the joy which shone in her was pronounced, the friends quickly dis- countenance showed that she had indeed found persed, leaving the sorrowing relatives him of whom Moses and the prophets did write, alone with their dead. In a short time tbe Jesus of Nazareth. The idol was presented to collin was closed and hermetically sealed; Bishop Merrill when he was here in 1883. From but it has been decided that the interment the time of her conversion, this aged Chinese will not take place until the forty-ninth day lady had a bright evidence of acceptance with after the death. In this part of China the God, and became more and more firmly estabwealthy families, and many of the middle lished in the faith during her few remaining classes, begin on the seventh day after a years. Through her influence Mrs. Ahok's death a series of U meritorious" ceremo.. mother, who still survives, was also constrained nies for the repose and general benefit of the to turn from idols to the true and living God. soul of the departed, or the three souls, according to the heathen notion. In one form How encouraging all this to the missionary of or another these ceremonies are repeated the cross, who, in such a benighted land, is every seventh day from that of the death, oftentimes depres8ed by the mass of heathenism, some continuing until the forty-ninth day. which, like a moral miasma, environs him as Buddhist or Taoist priests are hired to man- does the very atmosphere I What proofs the age these exercises, which are described in conversion of these aged ones that in China, as that painstaking work, .. Social Life of the elsewhere, the gospel of Christ is "the power of Chinese," by Rev. Justus Doolittle. for four- God unto salvation to every one that believteen years a missionary here at Foochow. eth " lOur millions of dear brothers and sisters in America, who, by their prayers and money, Mr. Ahok is following the custom of having are advancing God's cause in heathen lands, his friends and relatives meet every seventh may well rejOice with us over all such triumphs of grace.
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY A. T. PIERSON, D.D.
GENERAL SURVEY. MARCH: Mexico Central America. OUR intention is during the twelve- City Evangelizati;n. month to turn the whole wheel round and bring successively to view every A PRIL: I n d'la and C eyI on. Brahpart of the world-wide circle of missionary labor. We give the scheme manism. for the year, and as far as may be the MAY: Burmah, Siam and Laos. structure of THE REVIEW will conform throughout to this plan: Buddhism. JANUARY: General Outlook. Sur- JUNE: Africa. Freedmen in North America. JULY: Islands of the Sea. Utah.
vey of the World. North American Indians.
FEBRUARY: China and Confucian- AUGUST: Italy, France, and Papal ism. Thibet. Eurqpe. SEPTEMBER: Japan, Korea. Medi- and master the languages that must cal Missions. be the vehicle of communication.
OCTOBER: Turkey, Persia. Mo- To estimate the entire number of hammedanism and Nominal Chris- converts in all foreign mission fields tian Sects. at 3,000,000 is very liberal, in fact in NOVEMBER: South America, West excess of the real number; but it Indies. Papacy. Home Missions. ~ust be remembered that these rep- DECEMBER: Syria. Jews. Educa- resent not less than 600,000 families tional Work in Missions. and 30,000 churches, mission stations As in January we propose a gen- and schools; and that out of these eral survey, it may be well, first of 3,000,000 converts, 30,000 workers all, to keep before us certain figures have gone into the field, Of' one out of and facts of world-wide significance, every 100, while Protestant Christen- even at risk of repetition. dom has sent forth but one out of There are 3,064 languages in the 5,000 !
world, and its. inhabitants profess The money annually raised for more than 1.000 religions. carrying on Protestant foreign mis- The most cat'eful computation sionsis a little short of $11,250,000, or which we have been able to make an average of 37Yz cents per year for at' find makes the present popula- each evangelical chul'ch member, or tion of the globe somewhat over leES than one tenth of a cent a day.
1,500,000,000. Of these, pagans, Accurate figures we are unable to heathens and Mohammedans con- give or get concerning either medi- stitute 1,040,000,000, and the rest cal missions or the educational work.
(460,000,000) are nominally Chris- As to the first, theil' growth is so tian, Papal, Greek and Protest- rapid that if we could present accu- ant. There are, however, not more rate returns they would be hope- than 31,500,000 Protestant church lessly in the rear before we could get members. At least one-half of this this number of THE REVIEW electro- 460,000,000 are Nothingarians and typed. For example, the Edinburgh Oonfucionists, To these more than Medical Missionary Society alone, thousand millions, Protestant Chris- which had in Hl71 only 7 students, tendom sends 6,230 messengers of the and in 1881, 16, had in 1886, 170 qual- cross, of whom 3,000 are ordained ified medical missionaries in active missionaries and 2,500 women. To service. Within ten years the in- these, in estimating the sum total of come of the society increased five- workers, we must add some 30,300 fold.
native preachers, teachers, catechists As to schools, they exist in con- and lay helpers, who have been raised nection with all missions and are up out of pag'an, heathen and Mo- often the first form of evangelistic hammedan communities as the first ageney. It is computed that for fruits of missions, making a total every fifteen church members and ad- force in the foreign field of 30,530, of herents gathered in heathen lands, which about five-sixths are converts there is one school. If so, then the from heathenism, Could these work- total number is not far feom 200,000, ers so be distributed as that the en- which, including schools of eveey tire .unevangelized po>puiation could size and grade, feom the primary to be equally divided among them, each would still have to reach, within an the collegiate, is not, we are persuad- ed, far from correct. But we hope average lifetime, at least 28,400 souls before the year closes to gather more with the gospel! And this, too, with accurate and trustworthy figures.
all thp. disadvantages of having to There are in the world 16,447,990 get to the field and get over the field, Sunday-school 'pupils, by the last figures published, The average Of the rellults of missions, w,: have membership is probably about fifty, no space to pl'esent facts, which must which gives 329,000 Sunday-schools be exhibited as the various fields pass in the world. All these figures are before us. approximate only, but they may The American Board alone occuhelp to form a general conception 9f pies 1,000 centers of evangelical in- the world's present condition and fluence, and $124,274 were contrib- needs, the comparative growth of uted last year by native converts in missions, and the outlook for the these various fields!
future. The largest body of the Prpsbyte- Certain grand facts ought to stand rian Church of our land, and in the 'boldly before us like the mountains North. has organized and sustains 34 on a landscape. miSSIOns in both hemispheres, 1. The world has been fully ex- manned by 550 foreign missionaries, plored. There remains probably no of whom 115 are ordained mi;J,sters llndis'covered territory. and 154 unmarried ladies, besides 151 2. The origin and history of every native ordained ministers, 171licen- nation have been traced; languages tiates and 804 other native helpers.
have been reduced to forms, and lit- The churches number 311, with 23,- erature created. 740 communicants, of whom 2,897 3. The present marvelous facilities were received during the past year; for rapid travel and communication in schools of all grades 23,770 pupils give easy access to all parts of the were enrolled; 80,000,000 of pages in globe. 21 languages were issued from 8 4. Commerce of the globe, espe- printing presses, and upward of 75,- cially by sea, is in the hands of Prot- 000 patients were treated in hospitals estant nations; postal and telegraph and dispensaries.
unions extend into all countries. Reports of other denomination!
5. The Bible has been translated may be found in our pages for the into more than 300 tongues-the past year, and can be traced by the press is greatly utilized. copious index appended to the De- 6. Barriers so completely removed cember issue.
-Christian missionaries under pro- Missions to the Jews are assuming tection of law in every land. new importance and meeting with 7. A native ministry is developing, new success. The professed converts and the churches gathered out of from Israel number 1,000 to 1,500 heathendom will ~on be taking care annually; and most of these are from of themselves. the educated class. Joseph Rabin- As to missionar:y societies, etc., The owitch in Bessarabia, and Rabbi Lich- Quarterly Review for July, 1886, es- enstein near Buda-Pesth, are leaders timated the total number asnot fewer in this modern movement among than 146. They must in 1889 exceed their own countrymen.
150, at the least, and more likely The destitution of the world must reach 170. In Great Britain there not be overlooked. During the cen- are from twenty-five to thirty; in tury since Carey went to India, Dr.
the United States from forty to fifty; Murray Mitchell computes that at on the continent as many more, least 200,000,000 have been added to known to exist at the beg'inning of the pagan population of the globe; the last year, while scattered through and that for every 10,000,000 added heathen and Mohammedan lands are to nominal Christendom, fully 15,- as many more; from the Hawaiian 000,000 have been added to heathen- group to Japan, and from Japan to dom.
Syria; and Madagascar round to Some countries like Thibet hav.eso Polynesia again. far been practically inaccessible to evangelism. Immense tracts, em- For thirty years his life was spent bracing a thousand iniles square and in an unwearied effort to evangelize millions of people, have not, in some the' native races, to explore the un- cases, one missionary station. Mex- discovered secrets, to abolish the des- ico is called a Christian country, yet olating slave traffic of Central Africa, Bishop Hurst of the Methodist and with his last words he wrote, , Church says that there are 8,000,000 "All I can add in my solitude is, people there who never saw a copy of the Holy Scriptures. In many papal may Heaven's rich blessing come lands St. Joseph is practically wor- down on every vne, American, En- shiped as superior to the Virgin glish, or Turk, who will help to heal Mary his wife, and Jesus Christ her this open sore of the world." Son. "And other sheep I have which SUGGESTIVE PARAGRAPHS. are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, PAUL and Barnabas went on a and there shall be one flock and one mission tour. (Compare ~cts xiii: 2-4; xiv: 3, 27; xv: 3, 7-12.) Their shepherd." career and report to the churches at Antioch and Jerusalem typify and TEXTS AND THEMES FOR MISSIONARY prophesy the whole history of mis- sions. It has been a history of su- SERMONS. pernatural interpositions. God has given testimony unto the word of THE following is old, but worth His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by the hands of preservation: His servants. At the London Con-' ference the modern apostles of mis- .. Go lie into aU the world, and preach the gos- – sions gathering the Church together pel to every creature." in the metropolis of the world, re- Unbelief. There are so many heathen, and so hearsed all that God had done with them and how He had opened t.he much oppositiou to the gospel, the world can door of faith unto the Gentiles, de- never he converted. claring what spiritual miracles and wonders of transformation God had THE LORD. " The God of heaven shall set up wrought among the nations by them. a kingdom which shall never he destroyed: but Every result wrought in apostolic it shall break in pieces and consume all other days has its correspondent and coun- kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." Read terpart in modern days: Dan. ii : 44, 45. Psalms ii: 8, and lxxii: 8. Isa.
1. God gave testimony to the word ii: 2, 4. of His grace. Unbelief. The heathen will be saved without, 2. Opened the door of faith to the the gospel. Gentiles. St. Peter. "There is none other name [but 3. Converted the Gentiles and puri- Jesus] under heaven, given among men, fied their hearts by faith. whereby we mnst be saved." Acts iv : 12.
4. Gave them witness, imparting St. John. .. He that believeth not the Son the Holy Ghost. shall not see life,. but the wrath of God abideth on him." John iii : 36. LIVINGSTONE'S SLAB IN WESTMINSTER. Brought by faithful hands JESUS CHRIST. .. He that believeth not shall be damned." Mark xvi: 16. Over land and sea, here rests DAVID LIVINGSTONE, Unbelief. The gospel makes the heathen no Missionary, better. Traveler. Philanthropist, Facts. Eighteen hundred years ago, except Born March 19. 1813, the Jews, there were none but heathen; what nations are now better have been made so by at Blantyre, Lanarkshire. the gospel. Died May 1, 1873, GO, PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. a.t Chitambos Village, Ulala. Scruple. But all have not gifts to preach. St. Paul. "Having then gifts, differing ac. cording to the grace that is given to ns; whether MINISTRY, let ns wait on our minister· ing-he that GIVETH, let him do it with sim· plicity. For as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ… See Rom. xii :4-13. 1 Cor. xii: 14-22. Read 1 Cor. ix : 7, 13. Rom. x: 15. Truth. God hath made all nations of one blOOd. Eyery man is one m"mber of Ii bod.y of
PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIOKS-;)!O~THLY BULLETIN
1,500,000,000, 800,000,000 of whom are perishing, yon, 0 ye oj tittle faith?" "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Read Matt. vi : l1H34. through ignorance of the gospel and the way of Miser. Then you forbid me to providefor my life. – i'amily? "He that provideth not for his own Inquirer. As one member of this family, is worRe than an infideL" Experience. Is the best way "to provide" what ought Ito do' for your own to "rob" God and your fellow JESUS CHRIST. Have the same care for your men? Read Mal. iii : s-:.10. The very way" to provide" a curse. "Thel'e is that maketh himfellow men, as the members of the body for self'rich, yet hath nothing: there is that mak€'th every part. Place yourself in their condition, himself poor, yet hath great riches." Provo xiii : 7. See also 2 Cor. viii : 9. then in yours. .. Whatsoever ye would that Avarice, I am not able to do much. IfI had as they should do to you, do ye even so to them." much as 80me men I shouldn't value giving.
Per}Jlexity. I have a family and friends to St. Paul. "If there be tirst a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath." provide for-so many calls, I cannot attend to 2 Cor. viii: 12.
the wants of the heathen. Ignorance. I would give, but I know not what becomes of my money. Bellevolence. _Yourself in their condition, Public Prints. Read and understand. would you have them lhus treat you? "Render Pride. I am ashamed to give so little as I feel able. I must do more, Or it won't be to all their ducos." Provide for every part. thonght anytTling. THE LORD. "The pride of thy heart hath de- False Philosophy. By giving much to send ceived thee." Obad. iii. See the widow's two mites. Luke xxi: 1–1. the gospel abroad, I shall rob myself and child- Self-Indulgence. But why banter and urge a man so? What the" great hurry" of sendren, and come to want. ing the gospel to the heathen? THE LORD. "There is that scattereth, and Mercy. Heathen die as fast as Christians; yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth 15,000,000 sink into the grave every year, and go, without the gospel, to the judgment unpremore than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." pared.
" The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that Zeal. "What thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Ecc. ix : 10. watereth shall be watered also himself." Prov. GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD .ilID PREACH TIDli xi: 24. 25. GOSPEL. Selfishnes8. But I ought to lay up something beforehand, for myself FIRST.
JESUS CHRIST. "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall." Prov. xi : 28. " Seek FIRST [to promote] the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." Matt. vi : 33. "Lay not up for yourselves trea8Ures on earth."
WO'l'ldly Prudence. But if I lay not Ull some- thing against time of need, who will take care of me, when old and infirm?
JESUS CHRIST. "Take no thou-ght for your life," etc.-" Shall he not much more clothe VI.-PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Africa.-The native boats on the Upper ciative attendance of colonists at purely mis- Congo have begun to liy the Free State liag, sionary meetings than at the public evening seswhich insures to them protection. From Stan- sions of the conference this year. We were ley Pool to Equator Station, traveling is per- thankful to see it. MiSSIOnary work among the f~ctly safe. One boat brought from Stanley natives here is not definitely understood ~mong Falls five tons of ivory. the colonists generally. They get some strange impressions of it which a very little personal -At Badza Manteke, in the Congo Mission observatiou shows them to be wrong. Wewant of the American Baptist Missionary Union, them to inform themselves. seven persons have been put to death for the testimony of Jesus. The work is steadily pro- -At Kangwe, on an island of the Ogowe, 379 gressing. candidates were recently received into the class for catechumens, and 91 persons have -REV. CHARLES W. KILBON writes entered tbe churcb. from Adam's Mission Station, Natal, -The first section. of the Trans-African South Africa, July 19, as follows: Railway from St. Paul de Loanda to Arubaca has heen finished, and the work is going on. "You will be interested to know that while This section is forty miles long, extending from the' International Missionary Union' was open- the coast to Kabiri. The road from that point ing its sessions in New Jersey the Natal Mis- turns sonth to the Coanza River, whence it is sionary Conference of our little colony was hold- to be extended directly west to Ambaca, 225 inlJ; its annual meeting at the capital, Pieter- miles from the coast. maritzburg. Your first day was our last. On that day, in our devotional exercises, your meet- ChinR.-The communicants, which were ing was spoken of, and special mention of it scarcely a score forty years since. accordwas m'lde in their prayer. ing to the report of the American Board. _"We have never had fuller and more appre- now exceed 32,000. and are increasing at the rate of 2.000 a year. Telegraph and railroad faith and as a missionary force. Now he appears Jines thread the land, a knowledge of the in an article with the title, "The Great Mission- J%iglish language is eagerly sought, and tbe ary Failure." He enters into calculations and stir of a great movement is felt in the land. comes to the conclusion that" it would take the A proclamation lately issned in many prov- Church Missionary Society 2,7!JO years to overw inces describes the missionaries as teachers take the additions made in India by birth in a of virtue, and their influence as helpful to single year." His manipulation of figures is the state,' enjoining all citizens to refrain deceptive. Sir Charles Atchison, an Englishfrom violence, and to live with them in the man in India, says that" in the Punjab, the relation of hosts and guests. Hindu and Mohammedan religions are practi- cally stationary, that of the Sikhs has declined, -After eighty years of contact with Eng- whereas the Christian religion has increased land, there are 32,000 Christians, for which 38". per cent." The quality of Canon Taylor's we may be thankful, and 150,000,000 opium intellect may be j lldged by the fact that at the smokers, for which we may hang our heads late Episcopal Congress at Manchester" he exin shame. The slave trade, the liquor traf- pressed the opinion that the bishops' physical fic, the licensing of immorality-these were pO'~'ers often g'ave way because they were corow bad enough, but the opium curse is the sum pelled to put their hands on the greasy heads of of all vilJainy.-J. Hudson Taylor. thousands of confirmation candidates." There were cries of" shame" from the audience. -The Chinese Government threatens to drive all missionaries out of Pekin and Can- Franre.-The annual report of the Societe ton in retaliation for the bill which has been du Nord says that they have now in the adopted exclndlng the Chinese from the north of France 52 pastors and 145 places of United States. worship, of which 84 are temples, and nearly 30,000 adherents. -The Baptist Missionary Magazine for December reports 260 baptisms, and news -Dr. Pierson was present and made an adhas been received of 23 recent baptisms at dress at the opening of a new station in Swatow, China, and 73 at Ongole, India. PariS, the Salle Rivole. The very name of this hall is associated in Paris with all that -The first railroad built in China with the is included in the words, .. The world, the sanction of the government was completed tieRh and the devil," and where ior .one hun w in August. It runs from Tientsin to Taku, dred years Satan has held sway. It is situfifty miles. and the trains are crowded with ated in a densely populated quarter, at the passengers. confluence of the rue St. Antoine and the rue de Rivole, abont half way between the Englnnd.-London Missionary Society. The Bastile and the Hotel de Ville. It was for- Ladies' Committee, in connection with the so- merly nsed as a ball room; then a fashionciety, does not form a separate organization, as able billiard room; later it was most notoriin the case of some of the other large societies. ous for the low dances which were held in We append the leading statistics: Mission sta- it; and since the days of the republic it tions and sub-stations, 1,.87 (1,161 in Madagas- has been the meeting-place of the Anarcar) ; foreign workers, ordained, 150; lay, 21 ; chists. This wicked den, in the very heart native workers. ordained, 1,143; lay, 5,156; of Paris, has been transformed, by the McAll communicants, betweeu eighty and ninety thou- 1iission, into a gospel temple, where every eand, of which more than sixty thousand are night the H good news" will be proclaimed. credited to Madagascar. The statistics are not Its support is furnished by the New York quite complete. Full returns would show some- Anxiliary. whst increased figures. The total income is over a htindred thousand pounds sterling. lndia.-Out of the 555 adult converts bap- tized by the English Church missionaries at -The valedictory dismissal of a band of Amritsar, India, since the establishment of forty-five missionaries in connection with the the mission in 1852, no less than 253 have Church Missionary Society took place in St. been converts from Islam. While this be- James's Hall, Piccadilly. Twenty-five of the tokens no great movement among the Momissionaries are returnin!( to the field, and hammedans toward Christianity, it shows twenty are new recruits. Already nearly twenty that Moslems can be reached and brought others have departed, chiefiy going to Africa. under the influence of the gospel. Except Bishop Crowther, who returns to the Niger, and one lady for Lagos, all the forty·five -A revival of Hinduism is taking place in taken leave of are for Asia-Palestine, Persia, Madras Presidency, India. In the past the India, China, and Japan. Eight of the new re- Hindus have looked on the efforts of the cmits are university men. Sir J. Kennaway, missionaries with contempt or indifference. Bart, M. P. (presiden t), presided over a large Now they are becoming alarmed at the gathering of friends and supporters, and on be- progrbss of Christianity, and are opposing half of the society and the meeting bade the it by every means in their power. They missionaries Godspeed. have formed U preaching societies" and u tract societies," and are fighting for Hin- -The latest outburst of "Paganism" in England is an arrai!(nment of missions as a duism by the methods which have proved "failure." Canou Taylor last year made a sen- .'tiou b111 laudatiou of Islam as a system of so effecti ve for the spread of Christianity in English missionaries, it reports the astoundthe hands of the missionaries. ing number of 838 native ordained ministerll, and 4,005 native preachers, 61,000 chur"h Japan.-The Christian converts increased members and 280,000 adh~ents. But as yet 50 per cent. last year, till they number over scarcely one-half of the population has 7,000, with more young people seeking in- been reached by the gospel. struction than ever before. Contributions of Japanese Christians the past year for lIfexico.-Mexico is a Christian conntry, educational and religious objects amount yet Bishop Hurst of the Methodist Episto over $41,000; and not only professed copal Church says that in Mexico 8,000,000 Christians give, but others who see the have never seen a copy of the Holy Scripwork in progress, especially parents, for the tures. sake of the moral culture 'obtained in our New ]lexico.-The South American Mis_ schools. Mr. Neesima reports $3i.ooo sub- sionary Society has started a new missiou in Pa.ragua.y under encouraging circum… scribed by a few Japanese gentlemen, in- stances. cluding tw ' of the highest officials of the government, toward the enlargement of the New Guinea is one of the most interesting Doshisha school into a Christian university. points in the world's missionary work at Count Okuma, minister of foreign affairs, present. A few years ago the whole people Count Inouye, late minister of foreign af- were the worst lotof cannibals known. Now fairs, but who has recently returned to the many of them are receiving the gospel, and cabinet as a minister of agriculture and a change is rapidly coming over the island. commerce, have subscribed l,OOO yen each. Viscount Aoki, vice-minister of state. gives New Zealand.-New Zealand, as a matter 500 yen, while six other prominent officials of fact, is evangelized. Christianity has and bankerc have given together 28,500 yen. not failed of success in a single island. In India and elsewhere they had to gather the -The number of converts in the Japan converts one by one, but in New Zealand a Mission of the American Board has in- movement set in, and great numbers came creased in fifteen months from 4,226 to forward; its advance was almost like a bush 7,093, a gain of 2,801. This ie. the most re- fire. The number of native clergy at presmarkable record in any mission of the ent laboring there is qnite three times what Board, except the Sandwich,Isbnds. they had previously been. These are not supported by money from home, bnt by the -Awakening. The Rev. A. B. Hntchlnson, contributions and endowments of their own C.M,S., Nagasaki, says: .. In this remote people.-Bishop Stuart, D.D., of Waiapu. corner of distant Japan there is an awakening and inquiry after the truth which have Scotland. – A recent number of The already resulted in the baptism of over 200 Scottish Geographical Magazine has papers converts, principally adults, in the northern dealing with subjects specially engaging the part of Kiushiu, which is the portion allotted attention of the friends of missions. Not to to me as my special sphere of work. Others speak of Mr. H. O. Forbes's paper on .. Atare being prepared for admission into the tempts to Reach the Owen Stanley Peak," fold of Christ. My fellow-worker on the which goes over ground occupied by the eastern side of Kiushiu, Rev. J. B. Brandram, New Guinea Mission of the London Missionanc1 our brethren of the Presbyterian and ary Society, we have notes on .. Recent Ex- American Episcopal Methodist missions, are plorations in the Territories of the African rejoicing over similar proofs that the gospel Lakes Company," by E. G. RavenBtein, is still the power of God uuto salvat,ion to F.R.G.S., with a map of the territory, at everyone that believeth. I would ask 'ear- this moment of more than usual interest, nest prayer for the workers in this land." between Lakes Tanganyika and Nyassa, far in advance of anything that has y+t been -According to The Ohinese Recorder the given of that region of Africa. There is need of Japan at the present moment is also a very graphic account of .. Lnkoma," 1,000 preaching missionaries. Out of 100 an island in Lake Nyassa. by Archdeacon ordained missionaries, only thirty are en- Maples, F.R.G.S., the headquarters of a gaged in preaching. Some Buddhist priests hopeful branch of the Universities Mission have taken snch titles as bishop and rever- in Central Africa. The Archdeacon,like his end, and a Professor of the Old Testament chief, Bishop Smythies, warmly commends has been engaged by the Kioto Buddhist the work of the Scottish Mis~ion~ on the college. There is a crying demand for lady Lake, referring to the members of the teachers for women of rank, and also for Established Church of Scotland at Blantyre Christian teachers for pri vate and govern- as competent translators of the Scriptures, ment schools. This is as tr..e of India as of and to the Buchanan brothers as the enter- Japan. prising missionary-colonists at Zomba. His account of the work of his own mission at Madagascar. – The London Missionary Lukoma is most instr,uctive, showing how Society continues to push its work here with the missionaries in their mission ship, increasing success, notwithstanding the political changes and the aggressive atti- OharleS Janson, rea.ch the coa.st villa.ges to tude of the Church of Rome. Witu its 30 the south, holding classes for inquirers and he was for more than thirty years superin_ preaching the gospel to the people who tendent of tbe Sabbath-school of the First come out to hear. Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Ga.
Syria.-The first volume of Dr. Eddy's -A Gift '-_ Books. The author and pub. Arabic Commentary on the New Testament, in lishersof "ThA Crisis of Missionst'~ Rev. Dr. chIding Matthew and Mark, has been published Pierson and Robert Carter & Brothers, have in a book of nearly six hundred pages. offered to the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions a second thousand copies for gratu. -The Abeih field hasa force of 50 workers, 89 itousdistribution. These will be sentprompt. ly by the Board, postpaid,to all who will order being teachers and alicensed preachers. There them witb the understanding that they are to be read and loaned to others. A thousand are 4 'organized churches, with a membership copies have been offered by the same parties of 297, 24 having beeu added during the past to the American Board. year. Regular preacking services are maiutained at 18 places. There are 20 Sabbatho -'ii, M, C. A. The eleventh World's Y. schools, with 980 scholars; 43 high and com· M, Co A. Conference, at Stockholm, in mon schools enroll 1,681 scholars. The total August, showed the American continent at contributions for benevolence and education the front of this great work. The United amouuted to $2,308. States and Canada, taken togetber, report 1,240 associations and 152,721 members. -The Death of Dr. Meshaka, of the Jewish Canada organized the first association on mission in Damascus, is a great loss. Says the the American continent in Montreal on the Presbyterian Messenger, London: 9th of December, 1851. The choice is to be between Amsterdam and Paris for tbe •• He was, perhaps, the oldest Protestant twelfth World's Y. M. C. A. Convention. Christian in Syria, and exerted a powerful influence for good. He was respected by his -Christian Endeavor. The report of the townsmen of all classes and creedS, and his Seventh Annual Convention of the Society of funeral was the largest eVer Seen in Damascus. Christian Endeavor gives the very rapid growth The streets, windows and housetops were of this movement within two or three year., uncrowded all the way through the city, and eveu til it numbers over five thousand societies with outside the gate vast crowds were assembled." Over three hundred thousand members (while scores of new societies are being formed every 1'urkey.-Government opposition to all evan- week in all denominations). This indicates a gelical inlluences is manifested in restrictive widespread desire and need for that which in legislation towards the mission schools, and in in- some degree at least is met by this organization. terference with the personal liberty of native The United Society of Christian Endeavor asks teachers, and sometimes of missionaries. Mr. no allep;iance, exercises no authority, levies no Straus, the American minister at Constantino- taxes. It simply exists to give information, ple,is ably guarding the interests submitted to his aud to aid the societies, by giving them the best care, and his efforts are warmly appreciated by methods by which young people can be traiued the missions, and are worthy of hearty commen- for usefulness in the Church. Its affairs are dation. • . . Colleges at Aintab, Harpoot, managed by representatives of the evangelical and Marsovan, almost the only schools of this denominations. grade in the Turkish Empire, the great numher of boarding-schools for boys and girls.in all -Protestant Episcopal Missions. The 20th these missions, and the far greater number of annual session of the Missionary Council day-schools taught by graduates of these higher of the Protestant Episcopal Church was recentschools, are far superior to all other schools of ly held in Washington, D. C. About 250 delethe same grade in the land, and are steadily gates were present. Tbe report of the Board pervading the life of the whole people with the of Managers of the Domestic and Foreign sentiments and examples of the Christian faith. Missionary Society showed that the SOCiety The theological seminaries at Marsovan, Har- has in foreign lands 41 priucipal and 145 poot, and Marash are quietly raising their stand- ont stations, an increase of 37 since last year; ards according to the growing needs of the field that it has 133 missionaries and 227 native and the better class of candidates for the min- helpers in the field. an increase of about 60; istry furnished by the colleges.-Report to the that it has 91 day and boarding schools, an in- American Roard. crease of 12, and 3,364 pupils, an iucrease of "193. At the hospitals and dispensaries in Japan and United States.-Magnificent Gift for Freed- China 16,331 individuals were treated during the men. Securities to the amount of $1,000,- year. The treasurer's report shows a balance 894.25 ha.ve been placed in the hands of the of $53,000 to the credit of foreign missions. treasurer of the American IIlissionary Asso- The report of the Woman'8 Auxiliary to the ciation' by Mr. Daniel Hand of Ciinton, Board of Missions showed that the gifts in Conn. The interest of this munificent gift money and boxes this year amount to $276,154. is to be spent every year in the education of the colored youth of the South, and is -Inter-Seminary Alliance. The meeting given by one who for many years was in held in Boston this year was the largest of the business in the South. He has had a pur- gatherings of this association ever held. It was pose to devote his fortune to this work for the ninth convention. Five hundred young men a long time, and has fulfilled it in the clos- from the seminaries were reported to be p"esing years of bis life. He is now in the ent. The papers presented were valuable. Drs. eighty-ninth year of his age. It is said that Herrick Johnson, Phillips Brooks, A. J. Gordon and Joseph Cook stirred the bearts of these young men.
STATISTICS OF TBE WORLD'S MISSIONS
VII.-STATISTICS OF THE WORLD'S MISSIONS.
BRITISH OONTRIBUTIONS TO FOREIGN MISSIONS, 1887.
[WE are indebted to Rev. W. A. Scott Robertson, Hon. Canon of Canterbury and Vicar of Throwley, England, for these highly interesting statistics, summarized and analyzed.-EDs.] Summary of British Contributions to Foreign Missions, 1887.
Church of England Societies (Table No. I.)•…..•…………………•..•••….••……. £461,236· Joint Societies of Churchmen and Nonconformists (Table No. II.). ……….. … ………. 187,048 English and Welsh Nonconformist Societies (Table No. III.) ………………………… 367,115 Scotch and Irish Presbyterian Societies (Table No. IV.)…………………………….. 202,940 , – – – Roman Catholic Societies (Table No. V.)………………………………………….. 10,420 Total British Contributions for 1887………………………………………… £1,228,759 N. B.-This total does not include any fund.• derived from Rents, Dividends, or Interest, nor Balances in kand from the previ0U8 year, nor any Foreign Contributions. ANALYSIS OF THE RECEIPTS, 1887.
Table No. I. Foreign Missions of the Church of England.
Analysis of Receipts.
From Abroad British When & from In- Contri- Founded. Name of each Society, and Total Amount of Receipts for 1887. "estmeuts. butions.
1799 …. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £221,330 (in addition to £48,604 received at Mission Stations). British Contributions………………………………………… . £207,704 Borne Receipts from Churchmen Abroad …………. , ….•……… £1,075 Dividends, Interest, and Rents. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . ……………..••• 12,551 No B.-This Society maintain8 the Church Missionary College at Isltngt(}n, which it founded in 1825. 1701. ••. S00IETY FOR THE PRoPAGATION OF TilE GoSPEL, £112,245. British Contributions ……………………………………….. . 9~,811 Borne Receipts from Churchmen Abroad………………………. . 3,388 Dividends, Interests, and Rents ………………………………. . 10,051 1808 ….LONDON SOCIli:TY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS, Brft~!~~ontributions……………………………………….. .. Borne Receipts from Churchmen Abroad……••..•……..••…•..••• 1,090 28,174 Dividends, Interest, etc………………………………….•…… 2,700 1880…•CHURCH OF ENGLAND ZENANA MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £23,268. British Contributions………………………………………… . '22,674 From Abroad ………………………………………………. . 594 1823….COLON[AL AND CONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY, £37,673. British Contribntions ……………………… , • •……………. . 18,395 Raised and Ex-pended Abroad ……••………………….•……… 19,237 Dividends, Interest, etc•……….•……………………….•…•.• 41 1698 …. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, £33,699 (in addition to £79,000 derived from trading).
Portion paid in aid of Foreign Mission work, about …………….. . 12,000 1860…. CENTRAL AFRICAN MISSION ON THE UNIVERSITIES, £13,285. British Contributions ……………………………………….. . From Abroad ………………………………………………. . 399 12,169 Intere"t ……………………………………… ; …………. . 717 1844…. SOUTH AMERICAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £12,215. British Contribntions…. . …………………………………… . Raised and Expended Abroad …………………………………• 3,470 8,745 1870…. MISSIONARY LEAVES ASSOCIATION (aiding Native Clergy of the Church MIssionary Society), £8,348.
British Contributions……………….. . …………………… . 8,315 Dividends………………………………………………….. . 33 SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE CHURCH AID SOCIETY, £4,787. British Contributions………………………………………… . From Abroad and Sales ……………………………………… . 115 4,672 1865 ….LAPrE.' ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTING FEMALE EDUCATION AMONG THE HEATHEN, £:;,188 (included above in the S. P. G. total), 1860…• BRITISH SYRIAN SCHOOLS, £4,196.
British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 4,010 Grants and Interest ……………………………………….. . 186 MELANESIAN MISSION, £4,703.
British Contributions …………………………………….. . 2,215 From Abroad……… ……………………….. …………….. 2,488 1841. … COLONIAL BISHOPRICS' FuND, £12,546.
British Contribution………………………………………. . 495 Dividends and Interest…………………………………….. 11,437 Grant from S. P. C. K. and S. P. G………………………… ••• 614 1869 …•"THE NET' 8" collections, £2,084. For McKenzie Memorial Mission …………………………… . 110 1,311 For other Funds …………………………………………… . 663 1883 …•CENTRAL AGENC.i FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, £1,646.
Sums not herein included in the totals of other Societies, about 385 1848….ST. AUGUSTINE'S MISSIONARY COLLEGE (exclUSive of Endowments for a Warden, a Sub-Warden and three.Fellows), £2,862.
From Missionary Studentship AssoCIations•..••.•…•..•..•••••.• 2,251 From Funded ExhibItions, ••••• , •••• , •••• , •• , .. ,., ••••• " •• , …… . 611 ,An-a_ly_sis_oJf-R_e-c-e-ip-t.s.. , From Abroad British When & from In- Contri- Fonnded. Name of each Society. and Total Amount of Receipts for 1887. ,estments. butions.
1860 ..• .CORAL MISSIONARY FUND (to aid Schools and Catechists of Church £22 £952 98~ l1i"sionary Society), £974. 69 997 British Contributions…………….. ………………………. 2,176 570 Interest……………………………………………………. 442 1840…. FOREIGN AID SOCIETY (for France, B"lgium. Italy and Spain)…….. 300 18M .. .. ANGLO-CONTINENTAL SOCIETY. about.. …………………………. 1867 …. DELBI MEDICAL MIS~ION TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN, about. ……… 437,236 1877 …. CAMBRIDGE MISSION TO DELHI………….. ……………….. …….. 1691 …. CHRISTIAN FAITH SOCIETY FOR THE WEST INDIES (Rents)…… ……. 24,000 COLUMBIA MISSION, about……………………………………….. Tot;al amount of Donations, Legacies and Annual Subscriptions from the British Isles to the Societies above named for 1887… ESTIMATED VALUE of other gifts sent direct to Mission Stations, or gathered specially for Missionary dioceses, schools or Zenana work………………………………………………
Total for Church of England Foreign Missione. 1887 …………. . £461,236 Table No. II. Foreign Missions-Joint Societies of Churchmen and Non- conformists-A. D. 1887.
1804…. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOOIETY, £147,881 (in addition to £102,443 derived ('rom sales) Devoted to Foreign Mission Work, abont………………………. £89,000 1799 …. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, £Z9,J40 (exclusive of £170,950 derived from 16,812 29,961 Trade). 9,883 Devoted to Foreign Mission Work…………………………….. 8,109 1866…. CHINA INLAND MISSION, £J3,717. 5,171 , British Cvntribntions ………•.•……. ;………………………. 4,626 From Abroad ……………………………………………….. £3,756 6,000 18fi2 …. INDIAN FEMALE NORMAL SOCIETY, £9,995 …………. :……………. 112 3,274 184ll…. BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE 3,100 JEWS, £~,183 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,……… 74 1,517 2;595 1834 …. S0CIETY FOR PROMOTING FEMALE EDUCATION IN TIlE EAST, £6,249 (in 7,00« addition to needlework sent abroad, valued at £.,306). £187,04~ British Coutributions……….. ………………………………
Dividend", etc., £931; Grants, £147.. .. ….. . .. .. . . . .. . . . …. . . .. . . .. 1,078 1732 …. MORAVIAN (EPISCOPAL) MISSIONS OF THE UNITED BRETHREN, £16,803.
British ContributlOns ………………. , …… ,………………..
1872 …. EAST LONDON INSTITUTE FOR HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONS, £11,592.
Portion de·oted to Livingstone Mission and other Foreign Mission Work, abont ……………… , .. , ………….. ,…….. ……..
)858 …. CHRISTIAN VERNACULAR EDUCATION SOCIETY FOR INDIA, £4,742 (in addition to £4,904 received in India from sales).
British Contributions…………………………………………
Grants and Contributions in India ……………………………. '.' 1,402 Interest…………………….. .. ……………………….. …. 66 W ALDE:r{8IAN MISSIONS AID FUND.
English and Irish Contributions, about…………. ……………… TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCtEl'Y, £1,5~1 (iu addition to £456 from sales).
British Contributions ………………….. '" …………………. Interest .. _…………………………………………. _.. , ….. 4 1856.•.. TURKISH MISSIONS (FROM AMERICA) AID SOCIETy…….. ………….
ESTIMATJIlD VALUE of other contribntions in money and in needlework, &c………….. ……………. ……………. …………………
Total amount of British Contributions through Unscctarian or Joint Societies of Churchmen and Nonconformists for 1887…… ……….
Table No. III. Foreign Missions of English and Welsh Nonconformists, 1887.
1813…. WESLEYAN MISSIC:l1ARY SOCIETY, £133,303 (in addition to £58,827, raised and expended in Mission Stations).
British Contributions … _……………………………. , …… . £119,898 From Abroad …………………………………………….. . £7,035 Dividends and IntereRt …………………………………….. . 6,370 1795 …. LoNDON MISSIONARY SoOIETY, £146,410.
British Contributions ……….. , . . 0 ………………………… . 118,554 Raised Abroad .. _ ………………………………………… .. 23,716 Dividends and Interest ……………………………………. .. 4.140 1792….BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £7;;,058.
British Contributions ……………………………………… . 56,173 Raised Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,3.31 Dividends,Interest1 etc…………………………………… . 1,534 1855 …. ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN MISSIONS, £13,450.
British Contributions……………………………………… . 13.400 From Abroad. etc…………………………………………. .. 50 For Women's l'lission Fund see below.
1867 …… FRIENDS" FnREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION. £8,964.
British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 8,529 Dividends and Interest……………….. . ………………… . 435 1832 .••. WESLEYAN LADIES' AUXILIARY FOR FEMALE EDUCATION, £7,529.
British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 7.347 Interest I'nd I' Grant..• , .. , …… , ……… , …………… , … , .. . 182 Analysis o.f Receipts.
From Abroad British When & from In- Contri· Founded. Name of each Society, and Total Amonnt of Receipts for 1887. vestments. bntions. 1~56 …. UNITED ME1'HODIST FREE CHURCHES' FOREIGN MISSIONS, £17,475. British Contril:>utioDS………………………………………. £7,722 Raised Abroad. . . . . . . .. •• . . . • . . . .. •• . • . . . . .. . • .. . … . . • . . .. . . ….. £9,753 1840 .••. WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODISTS FOREIGN M,SSIONARY SOCIETY, £.,bll. British Contributions…………………………………….. . 5,118 From Abroad………………………………………………. 2,332 Interest, etc………………………………………… ……. 361 1817 …. GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £8,107. 4,735 British Contributions……………………………………… .
From Abroad…………. ………………………………….. 3,181 Interest, etc……………………………………………….. 191 METHODIST NEW CONNECTION FOREIGN MISSIONS, £3,782. British Contributions……………………………………… . 3,210 From Abroad ……………………………………………… . 464 Grants £61, Interest £47…………………………………… .. 108 1845…. EVANGELICAL CONTINENTAL SOCIETY, £2,208. British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 2,194 Interest, etc ………………………………………………. . 14 1836…. COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £6,314 ……………………………. . 6,053 British Contributions ………………………………………." . Repayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 190 Interest, etc ….. " ………………………………………….. , 71 1,829 h FRIENDS" MISSION IN SYRIA AND PALESTINE . ……………….. .
PRIMITIVE METHODIST COLONIA.L MISSIONS, about …….. .., … : ……. . 2,000 PRIMITIVE METHODIST AFRICAN MISSION, £2,154 ………………….. .
British Contributions………………………………………… . 2,042 F'rolD Abroad" .. .. . . ……. … . …………………………….. . 112 ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION, £2,356.
British Contributions………………………………………. . 2,311 .
Interest …………………………………………………… .. 45 ESTIMATED VALUE of needlework sent to mission Stations, and other un· reported Contributions. …. ….. . …………………………. .. ~,ooo Total British Contribntions throngh English and Welsh Nonconform- ist Societies for 1887…….. …………………………………. £367,115 Table. No. IV. Foreign Missions of Scotch and Irish Presbyterians.
FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MISSIONS, £102,112.
, (British Contribntions .. £35,488 F orel.gn "JIU,SS.lOns ………………………. 1J SFcrohomolAFbereosaadn.d..G..r.a.n.t.s £5,465 2~,053 LInterest …………. .. 5,792 Ladies' Society for Female Edncation………………………….. . Jews' Conversion Fund ……………………………………… . 11,005 921 6,706 Continental Fund ………………………………………….. .. 130 5,116 Colonial Mission……………………………………………. . UNITIW PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN MISS[ONS, £57,465. 63 3,373 General Fund.. { British Contributions and Legacies…………. . 48,309 Interest, etc……………………………….. 4,077 CZeonnatinnaenMtaislsaionnd.C..o.l.o.n..i.a.L……………………………………l…………………………………. .. 931 J CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MISSION BOARDS, £55,709. 4,148 British Contrioutions ………………….. . Foreign Missions. '1 rna{::~st~.~~~~'.~~.~~~.l. ~~~.s.'.~.~~~.t.~,. ~.t.~ .. :" 10,~: 24,481 Jewish Mission ……………………………………… , ……. . 1,131 7,165 Colonial ",nd Continental Missions………………………….. . 11 4,938 Ladies' Association for Foreign Missions… …………………. 5,721 Ladies' Association for Educating Jewish Girls…….. ……… 811 1,117 1864…. NATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND, £16,077 (in addition to £16,439 500 15,266 from sales). 6,481 British Contributions …………………………………….. .. Interest …………………………………………………. .. 3,000 1841 …. EDINBURGH MEDICAL 1I1ISSIONARY SOCIETY, £6,981. 1,300 British Contributions ……………………………………. .. • 774 Interest …………………………………………………… . 3.000 W ALDENSIAN MISSIONS AID FUND, abou t …………………………. . 18.",1 .•.. LEBANON SCHOOLS, about ………………………………………. .
1,s'j'1, … OR.IGINAL SECESSION CHURCH'S INDIAN MISSION, about …… _………. .
ESTIMATED VALUE of other Scottish Contributions ……………. ..
Total Scottish Presbyterian Contributions, 1887…………… . £188,319 IRISH PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS, £18,500. 2,053 6,098 British Contributions…………… .. 285 274 3,553 Foreign Missions, £8,710 .. School Fees and Grant.s …………. . 3 2,800 { From Abroad. .. .. .. .. . .. .. … . ….. . 1,'719 Interest………………………… .. 97 288 Jevish Mission ……. o • o • o ••••••••••••••• _0 ••• 0 ••••••••••••••••••••• 1,167' 163 Ladi..s' Female Missionary Society…………………………. . Colonial Mission….. ' ………………………………………. . £202,940 Gujarat Orphanage ……………….• o •••••••••••••••• •••••••••• _ Continental Mission ………………………………………… . Mrs. Magee's Indian Education Fund (interest)……………… .
Total British Contributions through Scottish and Irish Pres- byterian Societies for 1887 ……………………………. .
NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
Table No. V. Foreign Missions of British Roman Catholics, 1887.
Founded. British Contributions. ASSDCll'rION FOR 'rHE PROPAGA'rION OF THE 'FAITH, £8,760. England …………………………………………………………….. £1,883 Ireland. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . …. . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . .. … . . . . .. .. .. .. . . . .. .. … .. .. .. .. 6.572 Scotland. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . … 30li N.B.-7'he total 'income of the Roman Propagnndafor 1887, collected fl'Ome1lery diocese in Christendom, amounted to 6,462,276francs .. i. e., about £258,491. 1870.•.•ST. JOSEPH'S FOltEIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY A,l'm COLLEGE, at Mill HIli, Hendon. 1,660 Total. …………………………………………………………… £10,420 SUMMARY FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS.
TOTAL BRITISlI CONTRffiUTIONS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.
1871 …………………………….. £855,742 1880 ……………………………. £1,108,950 )872…………………………….. 882,886 1881. ……………………………. 1,093,569 18T& …………………………….. 1.03:!,176 1874 …………………………….. 1,009,199 1882 ……………………………. 1,191,175 1875… , …………………………. 1,048,408 1883 …………………………….. 1,216,530 1876 … , …………………………. 1.018.472 18~4 …………………………….. 1,220,861 1877…………………………….. 1,100.793 1885 ……………… , ……………. 1,228.951 1878 …………………………….. 1,071 ,944 1886 …………………………….. 1,195,714 1887 …………………………….. 1,228,759 1879 …………. , .. , ….. , ………… 1,086,678 VIII.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The Earl of Aberdeen. man in the House of Lords and at the same time moving as a benefac- THE Earl of Aberdeen, whose pic- tor among the common people ! We ture forms our frontispiece, was hon- are pleased to be able to put before ored by the presidency of the great our readers the "counterfeit pre- Conference of Missions in London, sentment" of a man noble in a douwhich began June 9, 1888. ble sense, perhaps the nearest to the late Earl of Shaftesbury of any of He is a man comparatively in.his the many lords of England, and youth-we judge not over thirty-five whose lady is not a whit behind him years of age-with black hail' and in true nobility of character. eyes, a slender figure, and a nervous temperament. While speaking he As president of the Conference he moves from side to side, rests on one performed the duties of the chair foot at a time, frequently crossing with much g'l'ace and manifest pleasone leg over the other; is by no ure, and right cordially welcomed means a flueut speaker 01' a great the delegates in' a brief speech. He orator. But his character and life aLso entertained the Conference at his are his standing oration. He is country seat a few miles from London. known among his countrymen as a Our readers, we are confident, will be man foremost in every good word glad to look upon his face. A. T. P. and work, a friend and patron of all benevolent societies and institu- The Slave Trade in Eastern Afrioa. tions, While other landed proprietors are using their immense estates IT begins to look as if the hour had for their own emolument, grinding struck for the suppression of this their poor tenants into more abject curse of curses! For the first time poverty, and while the wretched in history there is a coalition formed crpfter system leaves the land which of the great powers of Europe effectthe tenant has improved and e,"en ually to stop a traffic that for centhe hut he has built to revert to the turies has been the scandal of Chrislandlord when the term of the ap- tendom, and has entailed untold prenticeship expires, the Earl of Ab- miseries and horrors upon Africa. Competent witnesses testify that the erdeen is enabling his tenants to be- trade was never carried on more excome owners of their own little farms tensively than at the present time, and houses, parceling out his own nor with greater cruelty and sacrifice estates among his tenantry. What of life.
a blessing- to Britain to have such a Against this enormous and iniquitous trade the British Government prosperous, there was a disposition has waged a single-handed and al- to regard the activity of England in most useless warfare for half a cen- the same quarter with jealousy, and tury. Her vessels have pursued the there was ground to suspect that slavers wherever they have been the value of British co·operation found. She has kept' them in con- was not thought of till the A~ab stant fear and mitigated the evils of slave traders had proved more than the trade, but has not succeeded in a match for the company. breaking it up; indeed there has of late years been a revival of it. With England's support secured, Thank God, several of the other the circle of the alliance was com- European powers have now agreed pleted by assurances of assistance to assist in the good work. The first from Italy, Austria, France, Belsuggestion for a movement of this gium, Russia, Greece, and, last of character is credited to the Nor-th all, Portugal, in maintaini.ng a naval Ger-man Gazette, a paper which is blockade of the East African coast. supposed to be the mouthpiece of For a century or more Portugal Prince Bismarck. Recently an article has been the greatest European appeared in the Gazette which stated helper of the slave trade, having not tbat the Arab slave hunters werp not only not interfered with the slave only the curse of the native tribes hunters, but encouraged them by but a menace to the English, the putting difficulties in the way ofthose Belgians, and the Germans, and to who attempted to do so. For years the work of civilization carried on by England has endeavored to force a those nations. Hitherto, it was said, reversal of her policy. but Portugal's England had been the only power very weakaess has protected her. and that had made any effort to put a she has only yielded now reluctantly stop to the slave trade. The work, and when the pressure has become however, was too large for any sin- irresistible. gle people. "Only by co-operation can the. civilized nations concerned Among the methods of action sugsucceed in putting a stop to a state gested by these powers for the supof things which is a disgrace to our pression of the slave traffic, the most century, and we may confidently practicable, under the present cirhope that the German as well as the cumstances, is the establishment of English people will prove equal to a naval patrol along the coast of the the task which is here imposed upon Red Sea and as far south as the them alike by the sacred principles southern boundary of Zanzibar. This of religion and of humanity." In coast is now controlled for the most other words, Germany invited .Eng. part by England, Germany and Porland to join her in putting down tugal, and these three power;; might the slave trade-the invitation being together form a most effectual b.lockback~d up by a subsequent proposal ade against the slave ships touching which seems to suggest that the at Eastern ports. If these outlets anti-slavery crusade started by Car- are permanently closed and the slave dinal Lavigerie might be advantage- traders cut off from all their princiously used as the basis for common pal markets, the traffic must soon action. come to an end of itself. J. M. S.
What stirred up Germany to make THE refusal of the American Gov- . this proposal were the troubles lately ernment to unite with other great experienced by the German settlers powers in putting an end to the drink and traders on the East African coast. traffic, so utterly destructive of piety, So long as the affairs of the Ger- morals, human happiness and human man East" African Company were life in the Western Pacific, may well arouse all true men and women to a vigorous remonstrance. In Polynesia This evil of drink is so mighty and the native races are in danger of ex- so increasing that the most strenuous termination by the" unrestricted use exertions should be at once put forth of firearms, ammunition, dynamite, and especially intoxicating drinks." to at least prevent its fiuding new fields for its destructive and demoI,li- acal work with the countenance of u.
For the sake of the profits accruing Christian government. A. T. P from this infamous business traders The Brazilian Synod. pus!} their trade and thrust "firewater" upon these poor savages. IT is doubtless known to our read- ers that the last General Asseml,ly Then these ignorant and degraded of the Presbyterian Church appointed and half brutal people. maddened by Drs. J. Aspin wall Hodgeand Charles drink, act like madmen, and use E. Knox to assist iIi the organization murderous weapons and explosives with fearful recklessness. Is it any of the independent Union Synod of ~onder that Christian missions Brazil, representing both the Northmake but little progress among ern and- the i:::louthern Presbyterian them? What head way can the most Church. While these two branches heroic labors make when offset by a of the great Presbyterian family at home were not ready to come to- gether again as one, the mission churches of both and the missiona- diabolical intoxicant that unseats ries of both, in "Brazil, earnestly reason from her throne and turns the sought a union, which has been haphuman body into a stronghold of Satan and sets every power and pily accomplished. The occasion was one of intense and memorable inter- est, and the Union Synod will un- passion on fire of hell! Austria i doubtedly become a great power in and Germany, Russia and France, that kingdom. The delegates came and even Protestant England and America, join hands in this nefarious back full of enthusiasm, which they have imparted to several of thegr~at home synods.
traffic. To such a terrible extent has .. It is a grand truth, when one fully compre. hends and measnres it," says The Church at it gone that an effort to terminate it Home and Abroad, .. that another independent was inaugurated through the "sim- Presbyterian body las been created in the world by purely missionary work. Five months ago ultaneous and united agreement of the Presbyterian Chnrch of PerSia, also a child of missions, was taken into the fellowship of the all the powers interested." Lord Presbyterian Alliance in London. Now the Granville, the Eng-lish Foreign Secre- second, the offspring of the Presbyterian Boards North and South, is ready to be added to the tary, the prime mover in the under- Alliance; and by the time that the next quad- rennial meeting of that body shall be held in taking, received favorable answers • Toronto we hope that there may be still others from all the governments except the ready for admission."
United States, which should have Fr.om the letter of our Editorial Correspondent at Chefoo, China, Rev. been prompt to respond and to Dr. Nevius, elsewhere given, we learn second the laudable movement with- that one of the important questions out regard to the money interests of discussed by the Synod of China, at traders. Secretary Bayard has here- its recent session, was the union of tofore taken high moral grounds in his state papers, but the Christian all missions in the empire holding sentiment and conscience of the na- the Presbyterian system of doctrine and form of government. A com- mittee, consisting of A. P. Happel', tion demand a better and more posi- D.D., John L. Nevius, D.D., and Rev. George F. Fitch, with an equal numtive answer than the following, of ber of native brethren, wasappoi'lted to correspond with the representaour Secretary of State: tives of the other" consulting" mis- sionary bodies laboring in China, and "While recognizing and highly approving the to propose a meeting of delegates moral force and general propriety of the pro- from all such bodies at Shanghai in posed regnlations, and the responsibility of con- 1890 during the meeting of the Misducting such traffic nnder proper restrictions, sionary Conference already arranged the government of the trnited States does not· for. Another forward step in the feel entirely prepared to join in the international interest of union on mission ground nnderstanding proposed, and will. therefore, for the present, restrain its action to the employ- J. M. S_ ment, in the direction ontlined by the snggested arrangement, of a sonnd discretion in permitting traffic between its own citizens referred to, .and the natives of the Western Pacific Islands."