The Missionary Review of the World — February 1896
MIRACLES OF MISSIONS
THE INNER EAST GATE OF PEKING. PekinO' has a double wall each of which has sixteen gates snrmounted by towers. rrhc space between the walls, several acres in extent, is supposed to be kept free for military purposes; but a few small shops have found foothold within it. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIX. No. 2.-0ld &rieB.-FEBRUARY.-VoL. IX. No. 2.-NIlID &riel.
MIRACLES OF MISSIONS.-XXVI.
* THE STORY OF MACKAY AND FORMOSA.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
If one were called upon to select from all missionary literature three of the most fascinating stories of modern missions, he could hardly choose any of more romantic and heroic interest than the career of John Williams in the South Seas, of Robert W. McAll in France, and of George L. Mackay in Formosa, each of which covers about twenty-two years.
Reference has been made in these pages in a previous issuet to the marvels which Dr. Mackay has seen wrought in the Beautiful Isle in a score of years j but the recent appearance of his own ampler narrative, in a book of three hundred and fifty pages, with original illustrations, prompts a further emphasis upon this singularly apostolic example of missionary endeavor and triumphant success.
There are some features of this volume which we may pass by in a word, as they do not immediately concern our present purpose, namely, the scientific contributions which it contains to various departments of knowledge. A large part of this work is occupied with careful and scholarly accounts of the ethnological, zoological, geographical, botanical, geological, mineralogical, and other features of the island and its inhabitants. But for most readers the main interest will be found in the chapters (XIV.-XXXVI. inclusive) which are filled with the simple, grand, unpretentious story of the trials and triumphs of his purely missionary labors.
He opens this second third of his narrative by an express declaration that his primary purpose in going to Formosa was, not to gather knowledge of the physical and racial condition of the island, but to evangelize the people, and the rest of the story abounds in proofs of his sincerity. Our friend Mackay pursued methods for over twenty years among the * "From Far Formosa." Fleming H. Revell Company, New York, Chicago, and Toronto.
t Jnly, 1894. Formosans which are both a rebuke and a refutation of the modern" advanced" notions both of theology and of sociology. For his conservatism he will be ridiculed by some modern innovators as a fossil, exemplifying the petrified, devitalized immobility and inflexibility of a dead orthodoxy and an antiquity that has no fragrance but the odor of decay. He holds by the old Bible from Genesis to Revelation. In his" Oxford College" none of the higher criticism of the English Oxford finds even countenance. Some of the Oxonian princes would not be allowed a chair in that institution even if they brought an endowment with them. Dr. Mackay believes that the Church of the apostolic age is still the pattern for our age, and that the innovations and improvements of the boastful nineteenth century are attempts to paint the lily or burnish the fine gold.
The book is indirectly an autobiography-in outlining the work the missionary has, unconsciously perhaps, profiled his own character, and that character is a study. What pertinacity! never abandoning what he undertakes until it is accomplished. Out of disaster and defeat organizing victory. What courage-almost reckless daring! Driven out of his mission premises by a riotous Chinese mob, at peril of life, only to rebuild on the very site, not one inch one way or the other, and in the face of diabolical opposition boldly replace the obnoxious sign" Jesus' Holy Temple"-holding his ground, quietly but firmly and fearlessly confronting even the most violent opposition, until he conquers not only a peace, but a positive welcome.
What simple yet effective sort of evangelism! Three features may describe it : uncompromising and unwearied preaching of Christ crucified, aggressive measures in gathering converts and organizing churches, and training a native ministry and placing native pastors in self-supporting congregations. All else is tributary and subordinate to these ends. Christian education, evangelistic tours accompanied by his students, medical work and hospital training, these and much more are lines of converging effort whose focal center is the winning of a whole people to Christ.
If there be any of our readers who have been tempted to lose faith in the old Gospel and its simple ways of reaching men, and incline to think of the methods of the apostles as a range of extinct volcanoes, we advise such to find in this work a new elixir vita! to quicken and revive their confidence in God's eternal truth and Spirit. We feel, after perusal of this narrative, as tho we had been filling ourselves with spiritual oxygen and 01'0ne, and were exhilarated instead of enervated, strengthened instead of weakened. There is something Pauline in this man's faith in his message, something Elijah-like in his confidence in prayer, something Napoleonic in his audacity, something Spurgeonic in his fidelity.
This apostle of Formosa is no idler. We can safely commend his indUliitry to those who, like him, lay claim to no genius. He felt, on landing in Formosa, that the first necessity was a knowledge of the language, eipecially the colloquial, as his aim, first of all, was the oral proclamation of the Gospel. He first mastered the eight tones of the Formosan dialect, and then a few words-enough to become a basis of communication with the natives. Then he deliberately accosted the herd-boys that tended the water buffaloes, won them over by concessions to their impertinent curiosity, showing them his watch and letting them feel his clothes and buttons, until they awaited his coming with eagerness; and every day he spent hours with them, studying their manners, watching their words and noting down their phrases, until his vocabulary grew with astonishing rapidity. He shunned everybody who could speak his own language, that he might compel himself to learn theirs ; and within five months he had so far drilled his tongue to the strange art of speaking Formosan that he was actually able to preach his first sel'mon, and the text, "What must I do to be saved~" may show what sort of a beginning he made, While studying the spoken dialect by day he worked at the written characters by night, sometimes giving hours to find out the meaning of one character, until he could use them also intelligently and discriminatingLy.
Mackay felt that he needed, as his first step toward the realization of his purpose among the Formosans, a young man, a native, converted, intelligent and active. Long before reaching the island he had breathed this request to God, and almost immediately after beginning his work that prayer was conspicuously answered in the conversion of A Hoa in May, 1872. That young man became not only a Christian and a student, but a preacher and teacher, and after twenty-three years remains the main pillar on which rests the burden of the sixty churches of North Formosa-a kind of bishop over the whole diocese. He and all others who followed his example in embracing Christ have been taught the fundamental truth that every Christian is a missionary, and that the salvation of one's own s~ul is not to be the sole or even foremost object of pursuit.
Dr. Mackay's educational methods are unique in their common sense. One of his first tools in this work was a map of the world, that he might show his pupils that China does not-as Chinese maps make out–fill the whole geographical area, but is only one among many great nations. From geography he led on to astronomy, and gave some hints of the greatness of a creation in which even this world is but as a small gra.in of dust, and from the works of God led the mind up to the Creator.
But the training of his conyerts was, above all, directed to service as its end. Hence he taught them never to say no when called on to witness, or work, or war for the Master. Audible prayer, and in the presence of others, words of witness, and more extended debates and addresses before their fellow-students, with mutual criticism, constituted part of their training. If there was hesitation in bearing testimony even before foes, the words of the good old Scotch paraphra.se, " I'm not ashamed to own my Lord, Or to defend His cause,.. put iron into their blood and gave them nerve to face ridicule and oppo- sition.
Best of all, these converts learned to confront personal peril for the sake of the Gospel and its Lord. They went about with Mackay on his evangelistic tours, everywhere, even among the savage tribes of the moun- tains. Whenever unusual risks were run he bade them, if at all faint- hearted, to withdraw and leave him to confront danger alone; but with surprising unanimIty and uniformity they refused to forsake him or be dismayed even when life itself might pay the forfeit. And when not only threats, but acts of violence had to be endured, they rejoiced at being counted worthy to suffer shame and injury for the name of Christ.
One of Mackay's earliest attempts at bringing these Formosans to the sense of sin was the pasting up of the Ten Commandments on a large sheet of Chinese paper, replacing it when pulled down and destroyed, until at last it was let alone. He thus compelled transgressors to face the Law they had not kept, and feel the point of its darts of accusation. No won- der if that Law, first of all, rebuked and condemned their idolatry, since the first two comm~ndments are directed against all other gods save Jehovah, and forbid even His worship to be corrupted by the use of graven images. And one of the most notable fruits of Dr. Mackay's work in Formosa has been the voluntary abandonment, surrender, and destruction of idol gods. When the first of the chapels was built, at Go-ko-hi, more than one hun- dred and fifty declared their renunciation of idols and desire for Christian teaching. Few things are more moving in this narrative than these demo- litions of idols. In the museum at Tamsui may be seen the god of the North Pole, the god of the kitchen, and the god of war, before which a hillman of seventy·four years had bowed himself for threescore years and ten. At Lam·kham, Mackay preached his first sermon with eight idols set on the table before him, surrendered by their ·devotees ; at one fishing village he more than once dried his clothes before fires whose fuel was idolatrous paper, ancestral tablets, and abandoned idols. In another vil- lage five hundred people had thrown away their idols; and in Ka-Ie-oan, where a converted cook had .been preaching the Gospel in his crude way, Mackay found the people ready for decisive action. He asked all who were for the true God to clean their houses of all idols and take a bold stand. A council was held in which jive villages were unanimous to a man in wanting to worship the Jehovah God. An idol fane, built for them- selves at a cost of $2000, was handed over for chapel services. The next day a procession went from village to village and house to house, until the entire idolatrous paraphernalia of them were gathered in baskets. These • were carried to a yard near the idol temple, and a large pile built of mock money, tablets, incense sticks, flags, and idols. A crowd thronged the place and vied with each other in firing the heap and exhibiting contempt for the dirty, greasy old images. One chief took particular delight in thrusting the object!! they- had worshipped further into the flames or in
It'rom .. From Far Formosa. to COPY>'I"ht J895, Oy Fleming' H. Revell. Compa"y
BOUND FOR THE KI-LAI PLAIN.
MIRACLES OF
pulling out and holding up to derisive laughter some half-burned" goddes3 of mercy."
Then followed a service in the temple, when the hundredth Psalm was sung, as may be imagined, with full hearts and loud voices. The simple entry in Mackay's journal which records this triumph of the Gospel is as follows-it reminds one of the nineteenth chapter of the Acts, and the brief record there given of the conversion of the magians of Ephesus, and the holocaust formed of the blazing books of their occult arts: " Nearly five hundred idolaters cleaned their houses in our presence. "They declared themselves anxious to worship the Lord and Redeemer. " They gave a temple built for idols as a house in which to meet and worship the only living and true God. " Are missions a failure ~" Among other conspicuous triumphs of the Gospel was the frequent conversion of the leaders in violent opposition and malicious conspiracy. The story of " how Bangkah was taken" is a little epic in itself. This Gibraltar of heathenism was intensely hostile to foreigners, even foreign merchants. For pride and arrogance, idolatry and sensuality, violence and outrage, this metropolis of North Formosa takes the palm. When Mackay made up his mind that God's time had come to take this Jericho, he calmly marched toward it with his little band of students. In December, 1877, altho the authorities forbade all citizens to give him any shelter, he rented a hovel and consecrated with prayer" Jesus' Holy Temple." Compelled to vacate these premises, lle at once secured others; and when the roof was torn from over his head and the foundations dug up, and he was ordered to leave the city, his only reply was to show his Bible and his forceps, and tell the mandarin that he should stay, and go on pulling teeth and preaching Christ. In the face of all risks he held his ground, and rebuilt his mission house on the very spot where the previous one stood. Again that building was destroyed by the looters during the French invasion of 1884, but a stone church with a spire seventy feet high now points the people of Bangkah to the God of the fearless missionary; and sixteen years after he made his first entry into Bangkah only to be stoned and beaten, he was escorted through the streets by eight bands of music, with a procession of hundreds of officials and head men, magistrates and mandarins, and companies of militia, with every token of respect that the ingenuity of the people could devise. Bangkah had been captured, and· as in the case of Jericho, not a carnal blow had been struck! Many were the proofs in Mackay's experience that the Book of God is still the sword of the Spirit. More than one of the literati were led to accept its teachings by the sublime account of the oIigin of all things in the opening chapter of the Beginning. Converts were taught by Mackay to trust the promises of that book, and in the crises of danger they took refuge in the assurance that" as the mountains are roulild. about Jerusalem, SO the Lord is round about them that fear Him." "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night nor for the arrow that flieth byday." They read such promises, and they believed God's words and rested in the shelter of His wings.
These Formosan converts have proved themselves able to endure hardneSs as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. At Sintiam. the mob found the communion roll and marked every name on it for a victim. They began with the first and set fire to his dwelling, plundering, beating, and seeking to kill. But they found that death by drowning, torture by bamboo strips bound about the fingers till the blood oozed at the finger tips, hanging up by the qu(!ue-all these inventions of fiendish hate were unavailing. Thirty-six families in that one town were left homeless and utterly destitute, but they stood by their Lord. Those who think the days of voluntary martyrdom past should read the story of Formosa. Persecutions and hardships only bound these simple primitive disciples more closely to their Lord, and illustrated the ancient maxim that " the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."
The incidental charms of Mackay's narrative are not by any means to be slightly passed over. For instance, he hints a peculiar reason for building spires on his better chapels. He says they are a standing disproof of the absurd Chinese superstition about feng-shuy, or good luck. For instance, it is a popular belief that a sort of equilibrium or indefinable something exists in air and earth which cannot with impunity be trifled with; that, to raise a building high in air is destructive of this subtle equilibrium, and they expect to see it swaying and falling, or some other wreck to ensue from this unbalancing of things. To have a church with a spire continue to stu.rld is a perpetual refutation ,of these superstitious notions.
Mackay's courage is allied with encouragement. He says-and it is a remarkable testimony-" I never saw anything to discourage in twentythree long years in Formosa." But this is the optimism of faith. He persisted when not 'a soul would hear his words in village after village, because he felt that his business was to do his duty independent of what men call encouragements or discouragements. Believing that one with God is a majority, he did not stop to count converts, or consult appearances, or measure visible results, but rested on the assurance that God's word shall not return unto Him void, and his simple faith has had an unexpectedly quick and abund.ant reward.
When, in 1888, :Qr. Warburg, from Hamburg, Germany, made a tour of Formosa in the interests of natural science, on parting he left this testimony: " I have seen sixteen chapels and people in them worshiping God. I have also seen native preachers standing on platforms preaching the truths of Christianity. I never saw anything like it before. If people in Hamburg saw what I have seen they would contribute for foreign missions. If scientific skeptics had traveled with a missionary as I have, and witnessed
H From Fa.r Formosa." Copy..,"g-/tt z8Qs, by Fleming H, Revell
UNSUBDUED ABORIGINES LIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS,
THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF CHINA: AN OBJECT LESSON
what I have on this plain, they would assume a different attitude toward the heralds )f the cross."
To all of which we can only add our own word of testimony, that, to witness such results from the preaching of the Gospel, is to see a new door opened in Heaven, and a new proof that, in the horizon of missions, heaven and earth meet in the radiance of a celestial dawning.
THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF CHINA: AN OBJECT LESSON. * BY W. P. MEARS, M.A., M.D.
Two vast countries-which comprise between them nearly half the square mileage of the habitable globe, and together contain little short of a moiety of the population of the whole world-two countries-which have remained from prehistoric ages till the days of the present generation shrouded in an impenetrable mystery denser than could be pierced by the utmost ,epeated efforts of the great nations of the earth, Pagan and Christian alike-these two countries, Africa and China, have now, in the province of God, opened out, like maps uurolled, before missionary effort and commercial enterprise, under the very eyes of many who have not yet reached the meridian of life.
To those who are called of God to be fellow-heirs with Him to whom the heathen are given for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession, how grand is the opportunity, how great the privilege, how urgent the command to enter upon the promised heritage in His Name, and to gather out, with His Son, the people whom He has therein formed for Himself! When God has set the door of the dungeon wide open, and is showing-not in a vision, as in that of Macedonia, but in actual fact-the fearful condition of those within, bound, as they are, by the devil, in helplessness as to the healing of their bodies and in hopelessness as to the salvation of their souls-dare any mere man disregard the cry which is rising to high heaven from the horrible pit, or hesitate for one moment, least of all on auy purely personal or selfish ground, to pass on the aid, spiritual and moral, temporal and material, which God has given to the members of His Church, not only for their own comfort, but, rather, for the comfort of others, whose thanks may redound to His glory 1 Tho Africa and China are in close resemblance in their past seclusion from the rest of the wor!!l and in their present demand upon the whole Church of God, yet, as between themselves, they are in striking contrast. The one is occupied by innumerable, petty, savage tribes, without history or literature, sunken in the grossest superstition, engaged in constant feud each with the rest, and dominated aU alike by continuous • This valuable paper-one of the best we have ever seen on this theme-we take the liberty to reprint from that valuable magazine, T h6 Ohurch MtsBionary Intellig61!cer.-Jh)lTOB. fear of the slave-dealer. The other is inhabited by the vast multitudes of a great and civilized nation, whose tradition forms an unbroken record from the time of Abraham, whose literary activity, scarcely later in origin, is without end-a nation possessed of the grandest moral teaching, apart from revelation, which the world has ever seen-a nation which has en. gulfed without sign more than a score of dynasties, native and foreign, and has come to regard all other peoples as but modern, barbarian, and tributary. In China the Christian missionary finds himself assailed not be' the fierce war cry of fanatical superstition, but by the weary sigh of hopeless pessimism j finds his work to lie not in a tangled swamp of gross paganism, but in a dry desert of blank indifference.
China, however, not only presents a striking contrast to Africa as regards its religious state, but also offers to modern Christendom a terrible object-lesson as regards its religious history. In the glorious sunlight of the Gospel, China, so far as its national, religious" time spirit" is concerned, looms before the world of men as the moon before the earth-a warning and a portent j retaining petrified, as it were, its ancient religious form, with all phases of real religious existence behind it, without radiant light outward, without spirit of life within.
In these days-when, in practice, the fact of the providence of God is ceasing to be recognized as essential to the governance of His world j when, in thought, the doctrine of the fall of humanity is being replaced by a theory of the evolution of religion j when, in ethics, the love of God as a spring of action is being set on one side in favor of a social altruism j when, in religion, a trust in the grace of God which brings salvation is being superseded by a belief in a tendency of human nature which makes for righteousness; in these days, and in regard to each of these points, a weighty lesson is offered by the religious history of China.
If that history shows one thing more plainly than another, it is the fact, not of the evolution of religion, but of the natural inclination of the human heart, when left to itself, to introduce its own inventions in place of the service of God, and to separate itself further and further from Him in a process of spiritual decay and death. For that reverence due to the Supreme Ruler of the universtl which had been brought by their forefathers from the West, t,he Chinese substituted worship of spirits and of the powers of heaven and earth, and so, losing sight of God, came to give themselves into actual servitude, as at this day, to the supposed influences of the purely material objects of nature. * So, also, in place of service to God they put duty to man, and thus, losing knowledge of binding moral sanction, came at the last to regard even duty to man as a matter of mere utility and expediency. Hence the mass of the people were left to fall an easy prey to idolatry i and are to-day, before our eyes, lying bound in • In the system of geomancy comprised under the title .. feng-ilhui," literally (the in1luences of) wind and water. body and soul by the power of the devil, whose image is their national emblem, whose trail is over all their land. Hence, too, the leaders of the people, the literary aristocracy, were led to profess a soulless creed, of which the present issue has been well described by an eminent authority* as " materialism put in action."
The study of the religious history of China, then, has a living interest very different from that of the discussion, now_necessarily academic, of the religions and philosophies of Greece or Rome. While these long since disappeared as molding forces from the lives or men in general, the native creed of China, at least as ancient in its origin, hegan to sett,le into its present form more than two thousand five hundred years ago, and to-day -devoid of power of life though it has become-is still reverentially regarded by more than a quarter of the human race.
A comparison, at any length, between 'Vestern pre-Christian philosophies and those of China would be outside the scope of an article in a missionary journal, even were space available. Such a comparison would show, however, that at the very time when, in Persia, Greece, and elsewhere, men were most actively searching for a key to the mystery of life, at that very time Chinese sages and philosophers were engaged in identically the same task; nay more, it would bring out the fact that the sages and philosophers of the East thought the same -thoughts, expressed them under corresponding forms, and drew from them similarly divergent conclusions, whether speculative or moral, as did their contemporaries in the vYest.t The most important use of such a comparison, perhaps, would be the demonstration that the search for an explanation of life was most keen, even if it did not actually arise, at a period-600-250 B.c.-when Chinese religious thought had fallen into a stage of decadence ; when, indeed, it was blindly struggling after, or reaching out for, that which it was losing or had lost, namely, a knowledge of God the Preserver and Ruler. Yet even in that stage of decadence some of its speculations took a flight higher than those of any of the pre-Christian Western systems outside the influence of revealed religion; and issued in ethical doctrine which, in comparison with the moral teaching of those systems, lay on a far higher plane. The explanation is doubtless to be found in the extraordinarily conservative instinct of the Chinese, and their associated traditional habit of reverence for the past; an instinct and a habit which, during the early ages of the national existence and well on into historic time, held fast, as a fundamental fact, that belief in one supreme and beneficent Governor of the universe which had been brought by their forefathers from their original home in Southwestern Asia. The loss of that belief formed the firlt great downward step in the religious life of the nation.
* Huc, (Jhines8 Empire, ch. iv.
t See "Comparative Sketch of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion of Taoism," Ohina Review, 1891, by Author; also "Note on Philosophy of Chwang·tsze," by Canon Aubrey Moore, In Wor"" Qf Ohuang·TaU, by H. A. Giles (Quaritch, 1889). In the writings of the sages and philosophers of the period just referred to-of Lao-tsze (b. 604 B.c.),of Confucius (551-478 B.C.), of their respective great successors and exponents, Chwang-tsze (b. 330 B.C.), and Mencius (372-289 B.C.), and of others-frequent references are made to an earlier time when public and private religion was unaffected, and social and personal morality unstained; and, occasionally, to a still earlier primeval and golden age, when men lived lives of simplicity and innocence, free from care and strife and evil. All four philosophers dealt with the same materials handed down from the past; all four recognized how far mankind had fallen; all four wished above all things to lead men back to the original happy state_ They took, however, divergent roads. Confucius and Mencius, men of critical intellect, could find no solid ground in traditional belief or in metaphysical speculation, on which to rest. They could rely on nothing but authority supported by evidence; and could accept as their ethical standard only codified rules and observances dealing solely with the duty of man to man-rules and observances based on innate reason and conscience, learned under instruction by laborious application, and carried into practice by sheer force of will. On the other hand, Lfw-tsze and Chwang-tsze, the founders of Taoism, sought to guide men into the old paths not by any human effort, and still less by any system of external rules, but by the entire surrender of the will and of the whole being to the creating and preserving self-existing Existence behind the universe; whose personal attributes-infinite power, wisdom, justice, righteousness, and love (in which last all the others found their summation)-would then, in proportion to that surrender, be so spontaneously developed on man's immortal spirit as to save it from destruction" on the lathe of heaven," and be so outwardly manifested in man's mortal life as to draw all men into harmony and peace and rest. The wonderful system of doctrine and morals thus elaborated-a system which carried man to the very edge of that impassable gulf over which he can cross only by the light of the revelation of God in Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit-not only far tram;cended the teaching and practice of any other" heathen school, Eastern or Western, but was diametrically and in all points opposed to that of Confucius, and particularly to' that of his great successor, Mencius_ It was the last dim, struggling outflash, as it were, of the light which had been vouchsafed to the nation in its youth; and its speedy extinction marked the second great downward step of the nation in religious life. This step the people took when they turned to ungodliness (human righteousness) from that which might be known of God, and was manifest to them, which God had showed them-the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, even His eternal power and godhead; so that they were left without excuse (Rom. 1 : 18-20).
Deprived of help in this life and of hope for the next by'their first downward step, when they forgot God, and shut in to themselves, by the deliberate declension of their second step, when they turned away from " that which may be known of God" to a purely human, artificial, secular, and utilitarian code of morals, the nation took yet a third step, lower still. They became vain in their imagination and their heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools. In their Confucian system of morality and in their worship of ancestors and of the powers of heaven and earth, of the monntains and the rivers, they" worshipped and served the creatnre more than the Creator." They converted the teach- ing * which had held up to them the last expiring gleam of higher and spiritual religion into a system of gross idolatry ; and " changed the glory of the uncorruptible God" (so far as they had known it) "into an image made like to corruptible man" (Rom. 1 : 21-23, 25). For the help in trouble of which they stood in need they turned to geomancy and magic ; for the satisfaction of the yearnings of the spirit, which their own idols could not give, they eagerly embraced the tenets of Buddhism.t Even these tenets proved to be too high for them, and were speedily merged in the products of the then recent growth of native idolatry.
There remained but one-jourth-step more; a step followed hesitat- ingly and at a distance by the uneducated masses, but taken boldly by the literary aristocracy, namely, a lapse into thorough-going agnosticism, materialism, and religious indifference. " They did not like to retain God in their knowledge" (Rom. 1 : 28), but explained away as signifying merely impersonal principle or reason even the very names given to Him in the old classics. With Confucius (but without his personal reverence for and belief in the Supreme) they asked, " When we do not know about . this life how can we know about death (and what comes after it) ?" t or in other words, "When our life is full of pressing concerns of the present time, why should we burden ourselves with thoughts of a future of which we know nothing ?" So the end of it all was hopeless, often cynical, pes- SImIsm. With individuals as with nations, in private as in public life, the beginning of evil is in forgetfulness of God, the end in helpless slavery to the world, the flesh, and the devil.
The sketch just outlined refers only to the history of the national relig- ious spirit and tendency. Beside the two great systems of Confucianism and Taoism alluded to, there have appeared from time to time many minor schools, teaching views, some good, some bad, very different from those put forward by either early Confucianist or early Taoist; just as there are still many individuals and groups of individuals who long for some more satisfying food for the soul than the utterly dry husks which form the orthodox staple supplied" by authority." The general process has been -as before said-not one of evolution but of downgrade devolution. Surely it would seem as if it were an incidental part of the great purpose, which has kept the Chinese for long ages shut in to themselves, to demonstrate on a grand scale and at long-drawn-out length how man wholl * Of early TlIolsm. t In the first century A.D. ~ Confucian .. Analects," ch. xl., sec. xl. " God hath wade upright" (Ecc!. 7 : 29), turns from his Maker to follow his own imagination, even undcr conditions of circumstance and habit the most favorable for preserving the great fundamental truth of all true religion that " God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11 : 6). In this respect the religious history of China forms a complement and a contrast to that of the Hebrews. The former shows the process of degeneration at work uninterruptedly; the latter proves how it can be restrained and stopped only by the direct intervention of God Himself in guidance and revelation. Over and over again, in spite of law and of prophets, did the Jews commence to take the same downward course as the Chinese ; and over and over again were they checked and turned back by the punishments and by the love of God. Not, indeed, till the captivity did they come-as a nation-to grasp once for all the foundation fact which is embodied in the First Commandment, and to finally shake themselves clear of the sin condemned in the Second. Truly neither a man nor a nation can return to God, can do aught but wander from God, "except the Father draw him."
The four steps of declension were, of course, not sudden but gradual. Thus as to the first.' it is true that at the date of the earliest authentic records *-say, before the twelfth century B.C., the supreme object of worship was one High God, who governed all the affairs of men with allpervading righteousness and goodness. Yet even in those writings there is clear proof that there was aesociated with that worship, though in a secondary degree, the worship of spirits of the departed and of tutelary deities (canonized heroes or sages) who presided over individual families, or localities Of arts, under the supreme governance of God. Such secondary worship was very similar in not a few respects to that accorded to saints in Roman Catholic countries. It is also true that with religious observances there was combined the use of divination in conjunction with previous purification, fasting, and prayer-divination seemingly not very different to that alluded to in the history of Joseph, of BaIaam, and of others in the earlier parts of the Old Testament. But it is no less clear that idolatry was not practised,t and that morality-political, social, and personal-rested for its sanction directly on the relation of man to the supreme Ruler of the universe. The title given to Him is never used in * The earlier national odes, which, with later odes, make up the Si-King or Book of Poetry-a classic which Confucius regarded with veneration, and spoke of as a most important subject for moral study. For authenticity and dates see Professor Legge's Prolegomena to the Si-King in his Chinese Classics.
t The great Chinese historian, Sze Ma-Ts'ien (of the first century B.C.), whose work is still the standard history, narrates (in the Annals of Yin) how that" King Wu-Yih (one of the last kings of the Yin dynasty) was not virtuous. He made a statue in human form, and called it (by the name of) a heavenly spirit. As if it had intelligeuce, he made demands upon it. (Shortly afterward), when hunting, he was struck dead hy lightning." Ris SOllS followed in his stej)8, a.lld his dynasty in the third generation later was accordingly destroyed. .. These (and other similar facts) show clearly,.. says Sze Ma-Ts'ien in his essay on "The Worship of Heaven and Earth," .. that all the dynasties without exception owed their establishment to piety and reverence, but fell little by little throngh negligence (in regard to those duties)." the most ancient classics for any other being, mortal or immortal, and is interchanged solely with the name-" Heaven"-used in the same way as it is sometimes used in our own day. * The association of ideas, so origi- nating, acting in combination with the ancient as well as present Chinese dislike to the nse of proper or personal names in addresses to superiors, led insensibly to the substitution of the worship of the powers (the subtle influences) of heaven for the worship of God. On the other haud, the tutelary deification of ancient sages and heroes tended in a similar way to the worship of the powers (the natural forces) of earth. In course of time, there was further associated with the worship of the influences of heaven that of mythical sovereigns whose virtues were said to have been heavenly and divine; and with the worship of the forces of earth that of legendary personages whose services had added to the material welfare of the nation. So (probably in the early period of the Han dynasty-second century B.C'.) the four mythical sovereigns before alluded to (with whom was grouped, as a fifth, the founder of the Han dynasty) came to receive, individually, the title " Supreme Ruler," which was originally given to God alone, and, collectively, the name " Heaven," which was originally limited in the same way. To preserve the idea of oneness these" five planetary gods" were subordinated to or comprehended in a vagne abstraction, for which a term was borrowed which, also, had been previously limited to God-viz., the Grand Unity (or One)-an abstraction under- stood and defined by no one, not even by the man himself (Mieu Ki) who proposed the use of the term in this connection. So arose the modern worship of heaven. On the other hand the benefactors of the nation in material things came at a much earlier date to be regarded as spirits pre- siding over the earth and the mountains and the rivers. Of these tutelary deities the most important was Prince K'i, the legendary ancestor of the Chau dynasty, t who was said to have brought the country under regular * Apart from the internal evidence of the classics themselves as to the early belief in one Snpreme Being, without form, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, governing the world and all its inhabitants with all discriminating justice and goodness, there is such evidence as that of Chu· tsze (of the twelfth century A.D.), a great, indeed one of the greatest of the later commentators, who, in criticising such a belief, denies that there is a Personal Being on high, who, as if He were a man, though without substance or image, regards the earth, directs men, is pleased with their virtue and is angry with their failure, as the old odes, he says, seem to assert. In so speaking Chu·tsze recognizes the fact that worship was once offered to such a Being.
t Chinese legendary history commences with the time of the two great emperors, Yllo (2356- 2258 D.C.) and ShUD (2255-2208 D.C.), who were regarded by Confucius as embodiments of perfect virtue, but by Lllo·tsze and Chwang·tsze as .. robbers," who had taken from the people the beliefs of the mythical goldeu age and had SUbstituted a fraudulent code of human virtue. Next to Yao and Shun followed the Hia dynasty, founded by the exertions of Yii the Great, in 2205 B.C., and ended by the overthrow of the abandoned and savage tyrant, Kieh, in 1767 D.C. by T'ang, the Completer. T'ang, restoring hnmane and virtuous government, became the founder of the Shang dynasty, 1766 D.C. (called Yin during its last 250 years). Falling into moral decay like its predeces· sor, the Shang dynasty came to an end in the time of Chow Sin, a Chinese Nero, who was deposed by King Wu, the son of King Wllu, the first monarch of the Chau dynasty, in 1122 B.C. This lastnamed dynasty continued nomiually until D.C. 249, though with rapidly failing power after the commencement of the true historical period in D.C. 770. During its last 400 to 500 years its authority was treated with but little respect by the feudatory princes and vassal States, by whose internecine struggles the cOlmtry was kept in contiuual ferment and disorder. cultivation. Deified first as Prince Earth (or" genius of the soil") he became in later centuries identified with the earth itself. So arose the modern worship of the earth.
The first downward step had been slow; the second was more rapid. In the midst of the confusion and evil which followed on the loosening of the bonds of good government and moral restraint during the instability and disruption of the latter half of the rule of the Chau dynasty, there arose, side by side, the two great teachers, Lfw-tsze and Confucius, each animated by what appeared to him the almost vain hope of checking the current of destruction. Lao-t~e desired to turn it bodily back; Confucius to regulate the State and the people against its onward rush; but the former, in hopelessness, retired at last to the wilds beyond the western limits of the empire ; the latter died weary of the fight, and practically brokenhearted. Then disciples and followers took up the burden which the masters had found too heavy, but, in the distracted state of the kingdom, with even less apparent success. Broken up into numerous sects and schools, they spent their time largely in mutual conflict; while each party for itself searched vainly for that reality which could give rest to the craving of the spirit, and for that power which could confer stability on social and political life. It was then-when the old regime was crumbling in ruin; when the feudatory States were struggling to snatch what they could from the debris .. when the princes fought each for his own hand, and suppressed or perverted the ancient records to suit each his individual ambition-it was then that the minds of thoughtful men were stirred to unwonted activity, and sought in every direction for the peace which seemed to have left the earth.
The doctrines of the early Confucian and of the early Taoist schools will be afterward more fully alluded to. It may be said here, however, in addition to the remarks on a previous page, that (1) the Taoists, led by Chwangtsze, regarded the nature of man as but a screen, worthless in itself, on which the attributes of the Tao (the Supreme)-particularly those of righteousness and love-should be displayed ;. while (2) the Confucianists, headed by Mencius, held that human nature, originally good, needed only for its proper development that man should act in accordance with it. On the other hand, (3) Seun King, a learned writer of the same period, argued that man's nature was essentially evil, seeking only self·satisfaction, and, if followed, leading man in the end to a state of savageism. If man's nature were good, said he, it would not need like a crooked stick to be restrained into the semblance of straightness by external pressure, as of rules and laws. Again, the fact that men wished to do good proved that their nature was bad; for the ugly wished to be beautiful, and the poor to be rich. Man craved for that which he did not possess. (4) A fourth school, led by the philosopher Kao, also of the same century as Seun King and Mencius, asserted, as their leading tenet, that human nature was as equally indifferent to good and evil as water to the direction in which it might be led. By training and education, by habit and association, men became either virtuous or evil. (5) A fifth group, whose views came to be represented long afterward by Han Yu, the Duke of Literature, taught that some men were by nature good and some by nature bad.
Though these schools differed thus widely in their views as to the moral nature of man, yet all alike sought as their final object a development lLpon or in that nature of principles of humanitarianism and righteousness; the Taoist seeking perfection by obedience to the" way of heaven" (the enwrapping in heavenly virtue), the other four by conformity to the" way of man" (the performance of human duty).
There were, however, among other minor schools, three in particular, whose principles were at variance not only with those of the groups just mentioned, but with each other. Thus (6) Hcu Hing, an itinerant philosopher of the time of Mencius, traveled with his disciples from place to place, clad in rough clothes and carrying instruments of husbandry, and taught that as the highest social happiness was, according to him, to be found in field labor, the sovereign, the magistrates, and the leaders of thought should be actual agriculturalists. Again (7) Yang Chu, in date somewhat anterior to Mencius, laid down one short rule for life, namely, " each for himself," and held to ridicule any effort but that of self-gratification. As with the Emperor Shun and with the sage Confucius, so, said he, was it with the tyrant Chow and the bandit Ch'ih, all alike died the same death, and aU alike became but clods of earth. The lives of the former were laborious and bitter to the death; their fame such as no one who knew what was real would choose. The courses of the latter were brilliant and luxurious to the end, and the enjoyment which they had was such as no posthumous fame could give. Each man then should live only for his present pleasure, for neither the past nor the future was his. (8) In striking opposition to Yang Chu was Nih Teih, a teacher of the early part of the same fourth century B.C. Of the former, Mencins said, "If by plucking out one hair he could have benefited another man, he would not have done so ;" and of the latter, "if by flaying himself alive he could have done good to his neighbor, he would not have hesitated so to do.' , Mih Teih's leading principle was that every man ought to love and serve all others. The cause of all disorder, so he taught, was to be found in the absence of mutual love. If a son was unfilial, it was because he loved himself best. So it was with a thief, and so also with contending princes and" warring states." Let mutual love only have sway, and all evil would disappear.
These instances of the teaching of schools, several of which were but short-lived, are cited simply to show how men at the most convulsive period of Chinese history were seeking after rest for the soul; how almost entirely (with the exception of the school of Chwang-tsze) they had lost faith in aid from above ; and how far they had gone in taking their second downward step.
THE TAOIST RELIGION
Philosophical speculations could not fill the void in men's hearts, however much they might satisfy the craving of men's minds. The yearning after some positive assurance of superhuman help for the present, and of lasting happiness for the future, could not be satiated by scholastic discussion. So it was that, while bolding fast, as a guide to life, to the plain, straightforward code of human morality on which Confucius had set his mark of approbation, the people slipped down to their third step of actual idolatry. The transition was marked, perhaps, more sharply than the two earlier changes, and was indicated-as from the third to the first centuries B.C., by searches after the islands of the blessed, somewhere beyond the northeastern coast~ of China-by practices of magic, in virtue of which the inhabitants of these islands and of the celestial spaces might be brought into communication with man-by attempts to discover, in the processes of alchemy, the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life-and by studies in astrology and in the powers of arithmetical numbers, which might lead to a knowledge of the movements of the spheres in their supposed relation to the lives and welfare of men.
Thus things were ripe for the advent of Buddhism in the next century, and for the subsequent fourth stage of gradual decay, during the present era, of religious life of every sort in China.
THE TAOIST RELIGION.
BY ANDREW T. SIBBALD.
In an attempt to unravel the mysteries of the religions of the Chinese one is confused at the outset by the almost obliterated lines between the three leading forms of religion existing side by side. The process of amalgamation has gone on for so many centuries that one is liable to be misled in an effort to analyze the different creeds. The fact is that Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism have existed until a belief in the distinctive pbases of each has become quite common. And even those who nominally accept the Christian religion, either Catholic or Protestant, really add the new to the old faiths, and believe more or less in the four religions. It is thus true that in one mind may be found a belief in four primarily distinct and separate religions-each having added its quota toward a result whose aggregate beliefs are derived from wholly dissimilar sources; and the result is, as might be looked for, a unique specimen of religionist. In this paper I shall endeavor to indicate the particular features of Taoism.
This sys~lll of religion is pronoune<>,d indigenous to China. Its founder was one Lao-tse, who is supposed to have lived contemporaneously with Confucius, and to have been some years older than that celebrated philosopher. The word Tao signifies reason, and therefore a Taoi8t is a rationali8t, in nllme at least; but, in fact, the Taoists are the most irrational of all the l'eligionists of the East. The tendency in rationalism is toward the utter destruction of belief in the existence of unseen spirits of evil. Enlightened reason dethrones devils; but Lao-tse created devils innumerable, and the chief concern of the Taoist sect has always been to manipulate these emissaries of evil. Modern rationalists deny the existence of devils, and relegate them to the category of myths and to personified ideas.
Not so the rationalist of the Orient. He finds his greatest pleasure in contemplating the very atmosphere he breathes as filled with spirits constantly seeeking his injury ; and to outwit his satanic majesty is the chief end of life.
The sect is founded on the monarchic plan. The chief high priest corresponds to the Pope in the Catholic religion, and all authority is vested in him. His decrees constitute the laws of the sect, and all power to perform miracles must come from him to the priesthood. He has the power to exorcise devils and to heal the sick and avert calamities, and this power he delegates to such of the priesthood as comllland his favor. Such delegated power, however, is held on sufferance and not on fee simple. It is not necessary that a priest gain favor with his royal highness to get this power, but he must retain said favor in order to hold the power. This has created a vast army of priests, who are the willing tools of the high priest; and he is thus enabled to wield the most absolute and despotic power over the minds of the people.
The system has the most elaborated code of demonology, and it is likewise patterned after the political constitution of the empire. The head devil lives in the sea, and has been honored by the Chinese people by being adopted as their national emblem. The dragon flag which floats from every staff, from the dome of the royal palace at Peking to the masthead of the humblest Chinese boat, testifies to the high esteem in which the chief devil of Lao-tse's followers is held. Then the multitude of lesser devils is so great that no man can number them; and these are on the track of every man, woman, and child, seeking in all methods their InJury. To watch the movements of this devil host, and to frustrate their designs, is the province of the TAoist priests.
Here we have a decidedly interesting state of things. The very earth teeming with malicious demons! Man everywhere exposed to their attacks, and but one avenue of escape-viz., through the intervention of the priests! Is it a matter of surprise, therefore, that this priesthood wields such absolute power over the minds of the people ~ They live on the fat of the land. They are consulted on all occasions, and their instructions are obeyed to the letter by their deluded followers. It is not to be wondered at that these priests look with disfavor upon the advent of Europeans; that they fill the minds of the people with such antipathy to all change from the established order. They are wise enough to forecast their own overthrow with the advent of a deeper intelligence.
The priests are celibates, perhaps with the thought that if they were to prove unequal to the task of managing a wife their prestige in devil manipulation might suffer. They keep aloof from the common life around them, and live in mountains and unfrequented and isolated places that they may the better impress their own superiority over their fellows.
The priests are called upon by the people when it is discovered that a home or village is infested by a devil. Devils have the power to materialize themselves into a piece of waste paper or dirt in order to get into the houses unobserved. These devils are not credited with a high order of intelligence. Chinese architecture is governed by this conception. The doors or main entrances are put in unexpected angles and niches in the walls, with the idea that they will fool the devils. They cut up the rooflines on dwellings into fantastic shapes for the purpose of preventing devils using them for promenade purposes; and, as a matter of fact, these imps have hard work to get into the houses. But when they onCe get in, no power is able to get them out except the priest.
The white horse is a common form in which devils infest a community. They appear in the form of a white horse walking upon the city walls and over graveyards, and even stepping from one roof to another. They are thus seen by some truthful witness, and the evil omen soon gains currency.
The intervention of the nearest priest is sought, who takes a survey of the situation, and discovers the number of devils, if more than one, and calculates on the necessary steps to capture it or them. The financial ability of the community has much to do in determining the means of safety. If the locality is wealthy, or has a few wealthy men in it, the priests generally make out a strong case. lIe may require to call in other priests in consultation. All this time the people dwell in morbid fear, pending deliverance. At length the priests announce their ultimatum. It will require a fee of one hundred taels ($140 American money) to procure safety. The money is raised by public subscription, and paid over to the priest in charge. Then the capture of the devils is the next step. A bottle or jar is secured for each devil, and the priests secure a bait in the shape of imitation gold and silver tinted paper (called joss paper). This paper is imitation money, and when it is reduced to spirit by being burned the devils do not know it from genuine money-here again showing their low mentality-and they enter the bottle in which the joss paper has been burned. When they are thus entrapped the bottle is sealed and carried away by the priest. Then the people feel grateful to their deliverer, and the priest has again proved his importance to the welflue of the community, and at the same time replenished his bank account. The" Tsung-li- Yamen," or office of the high priest of this sect, is a curiosity. It has large halls and rooms filled with dust-covered and sealed jars, in everyone of which is confined a devil, captured on the above unique plan. And were each and every jar filled with silver, I question if it would equal the sums paid for the capture of these imprisoned devils.
This demonology enters into every phase of Chinese life. The priest is the only medium between the people and their invisible foe. Not a voyage is undertaken until the devils are baited by burning bogus paper money. Not a wedding, but the priest is called in to decipher the omens for good or ill luck. And when a man is sick he is possessed of devils. Chills are the most common form of possession. What makes a man shake if he is not in the power of a devil ~ So the people believe, and a priest is called instead of a doctor, and prayers take the place of pills. Epileptic fits or convulsions are the devil in a malignant form; and if a man is taken thus in a crowded building, that building is rapidly deserted.
A good doctor could go among the Chinese, and by curing the sick, attending his physic by incantations, enthrone himself as a deity in the belief of that deluded people. When a man is dying, no money would induce a Chinaman to remain near him. I first met this fact on a Pacific steamer bound from San Francisco to Hong-kong. I was walking on the deck with the ship's surgeon, when a stream of Chinamen came rushing on deck from the lower decks like a colony of ants when disturbed. I asked what had caused such a stampede. The doctor replied that a Chinaman was dying. He hurried below, and found a man gasping his last breath with consumption. I discovered later, when pursuing my studies of Chinese religions, the secret of this strange stampede. The devil was after the soul of that poor consumptive, and the rest were not going to take any chances by remaining near him in the final struggle.
Not every wise-looking crow or magpie which alights upon the bough of a tree to rest is the innocent creature it appears to be, but a devil in disguise spying out the lay of the land. Nor do the frightened people seek relief by killing the bird of evil omen, but they call a priest to look into the matter. He generally advises that the tree be cut down in the night and removed.
Thus when the devil, alias a crow, returns to his perch he is fooled, and thrown off the track.
The ceremonies so often observed on occasions of death all have their origin in the demonology of the Taoists. Paper clothes, paper palaces, paper pipes, and paper money are burned when a man dies to provide the soul of the dead with means of bribing its way through the devil's kingdom to its rest, and the clothes burned are often patterned after high officials' gowns in order to impress more favorably the spirits encountered on the mysterious journey.
Taoist priests are called to consult the soul of the departed to ascertain its wishes. They discover the locality for burial, and indicate all details of this last service to the dead.
The Shanghai Railroad met its doom from this source. The priest in· formed the people that the rumbling noise of the cars and the steam-engine
THE EMPRESS DOWAGER OF CffiNA
were distasteful to the dead who filled the numerous mounds along its course. To appease the wrath of the dead, Chinese capitalists bought the road, with its equipments, and tore up the tracks, and stored the entire plant under sheds at Shanghai. Thus it is seen that this religion stands in the way of all innovations in that old country, and the first thing necessary in order to introduce railroads into China is to dethrone the priests and infuse a little common-sense into the people.
During the prevalence of the great famine in Northwestern China in 1874-78 there was an,unusual flood in the valley of the Yang-tse-Kiang. The priests endeavored to solve the mystery of this uneven distribution of rain. The censure fell upon the royal household at Pekin. It is the dnty of the Emperor to enter the Temple of Heaven twice a year and invoke the blessings of Heaven upon the people. He always asks for rain among other things, and the impression obtained that the Emperor had hurriedly asked for rain, but had not taken the pains to state where he wanted it. The result was that floods came in some places, while famine from drought came in other parts of the empire. This feeling was producing a general spirit of revolt, when in 1878 the rains came to the rescue in the droughtsmitten provinces.
A few of the· more intelligent Chinamen at Shanghai with whom I have conversed exhibited an independence of thought which was exceptional. It showed a tendency to break away from the tyranny of ignorance and superstition, which tendency must eventually spread sufficiently to awaken an age of reason. And when it comes the Taoist high priest must fold his tent and silently march away.
But the dominance of ignorance and the quackery of priests will hold China in slavery to an unreasoning fear and irrational faith for generations yet unborn. Yct the seeds of a better intelligence are being planted in this dark corner of the earth. The people observe that Enropeans give no heed to imaginary devils, and nevertheless prosper without the intervention of priests; and thus the realization will eventually dawn upon them of how grievously their forefathers have been hoodwmked, cheated, and robbed by the reign of demonology, created and perpetuated for their own gain by the army of Taoist priests.-Harper's Weekly.
THE EMPRESS DOWAGER OF CHINA.
BY REV. W. A. P. MARTIN, D.D., LL.D., PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF THE IMPERIAL TUNGWEN COLLEGE, PEKING.
Nothing has done so much to make this august personage known to the pwple of Christendom as the presentation to her, on her sixtieth birth. day, of a Bible by the Christian women of her own country.
Yet in the affairs of the far East she has been prominent for nearly forty years. She is one of the world's greatest rulers, or rather was, for she has recently laid down the reins of power. Her influence, however, is still felt, and it is not improbab1e that she would take them up again in case of necessity, as Apollo resumed those of the sun when Phaeton was driving too recklessly.
A notice of her remarkable career may serve to awaken interest in the women of China, for may not the highest woman in the empire be taken as their type and representative ~ She is not, however, a Chinese. The story of her having been a slavegirl at Canton is pure fiction, without tbe merit of being within the bounds of possibility. Had she been a Chinese, a law as unalterable as those of the Medes and Persians would have excluded her from the gates of the palace. She is a Manchu, but born in Peking, and so thoroughly imbued with Chinese life that, prior to her elevation, sbe was unable to write or speak the language of her fathers. Her brotber, Duke Chao, still lives there; and Dr. Pritchard, an English medical missionary, being called to see the duke not long ago, his wife, who accompanied him, had the honor of taking tea with the mother of the Dowager Empress and of being served by her hands. She was a fine old lady, erect and active, tho eighty winters were resting on her whitened locks.
By a rare combination of good fortune her two daughters had each become the mother of an emperor-the elder being chosen as a secondary wife to the Emperor Rienfung, and the younger as principal wife to Prince Chun, one of his brothers.
The former on giving birth to bel' son received the name of Tszehi (" mother of joy"), and further to signalize his delight, the Emperor, who till then had no son, issued a decree raising her to the rank of Empress. She had, however, to yield precedence to his childless consort, who bore the title of Tsze An (" mother of peate"), and lived in the Eastern Palace. She was assigned a palace on the west, from which circumstance she was styled the Western Empress.
In those days there was not much peace in the empire. Seldom have the eyes of a young prince opened on a gloomier prospect than that which now greeted the heir to the throne. Rebels were overrunning most of the provinces at the time of his birth, and before he was two years old the second war with England broke out, in wbich France took part. When he was five his father's armies were routed by the allies, and the imperial family were forced to seek refuge in Tartary. Scarcely had they arrived there when they heard that their capital had been taken by 1he enemy, and their beautiful summer resort, tbe Yuen Ming Yuen, reduced to ashes.
This was a crushing blow to the proud-spirited monarch, who died in exile, leaving his tottering throne to the son of Tszehi.
In China it is an unwritten law tbat a widow must follow her husband -into the other world, unless she has some one dependent on her for whom she is bound to live. Tszehi had her son to live for. As Tsze An was childless, it might have simplified the situation for her to step off the stage; but she also claimed the child in virtue of a law which requires the children of inferior wives to regard the chief wife as their mother. Notwithstanding the legal definition of their rights, here was a dilemma full of danger, and had not both ladies been amiable and reasonable, a sword more formidable than that of Solomon might have been called in to settle the question of motherhood; or was it a sense of common danger that held them together ~ There was only one heir to the throne. Whoever ruled must rule in his name, and blood was yet to be shed to decide who should have the gnardianship of the infant emperor. Two princes of the blood, Sushun and Toanhua, took possession of the child and proclaimed him under the name of Kisiang (" Fortunatus"). They at the same time proclaimed the two ladies as regents-apparently without much consultation with themand expected to have everything their own way. Prince Kung, the child's uncle, who had remained in Peking, standing nearer to the throne than they, was marked for destruction; but being warned by his father-in-law, the astute old Kweliang, he had them seized on their arrival in the capital and decapitated in the market-place the same day.
The ladies, who seem to have thought that those princes meant mischief to them and to their child, hailed Prince Kung as their deliverer, and conferred on him the title of Joint Regent. To show their displeasure with the conduct of the fallen princes, they chauged the reigning title chosen by them and substituted that of Tungchih (" joint government"), in allusion to their dual regency and the cooperation of Prince Kung.
Of the three, Tszehi was the master mind, tho not at first conscious of her powers. By exception-an exception even in noble families-she had been carp-fully educated. It was to her culture and her esprit more than to her charms of person that she owed her influence over the Emperor Hienfung. By the same qualities, seasoned with tact and sisterly kindness, she acquired an unlimited ascendency over the mind of her less gifted colleague. Certain it is, that never did two kings of Sparta or two emperors of Rome exercise their joint sovereignty with more harmony than did these young widows, who had been wives of one man and were mothers of one child.
Five years after this coup d' etat the empire was startled by a decree in which the Emperor, now a boy of ten, was made to reproach his uncle, the" joint regent," with want of reverence for himself, and to order him to be stripped of all his offices and confined a prisoner in his own palace. When everybody was expecting an order for his execution another decree came out, saying that "the prince had prostrated himself before the throne, and with flowing tears besought pardon for his offences." Many of his official honors were at once restored, and others were subsequently .added; more, indeed, than he held before, but that of Ichengwang (" joint regent") was not among them. That was the mot d' enigme, the word that explains the riddle. The ladies (i.e., Tszehi, for she did the thinking for both), conscious of their growing power, were not satisfied to have anyone so nearly on a par with themselves. They were irritated by the familiar manner in which the joint regent approached them for consultation, not throwing himself on his knees, even when their son was present, unless on state occasions, when they sat behind the throne, concealed from view by a gauze curtain. Seizing on this as a convenient pretext, they launched the bolt that struck him down. To appreciate the courage that dealt the blow, one must understand how easy it would have been for the prince to overturn the government. That he submitted so meekly was, in fact, from a patriotic fear that resistance might prove fatal to the Manchu dynasty.
The Empress Mother seems to have had more to do with the education of the boy Emperor than the other, whose maternal honors were merely nominal, tho the unbridled misconduct of his later years afforded ground to reproach her with neglect, even if she did not for reasons of state encourage his debauchery, as Placidia did with Valentinian III.
To give an example. The lad, who was irascible and self-willed, having one day absented himself too long from his lessons, his teacher, a learned .Hanlin, found him shooting in the park. Falling on his knees and knocking his head (his own, not the boy's), he implored him in the name of all the holy sages to return to his books. Remaining in that suppliant attitude, a crowd of palace officials gathered about him, but the Emperor, so far from submitting, drew an arrow to the head and threatened to shoot his preceptor for disgracing him in the eyes of his subjects. Just then his mother appeared and led him away to undergo some sort of penance. If she followed the approved model of antiquity, she probably applied the bamboo to one of his young companions, counting on a generous nature to feel it more than if it had fallen where it was deserved.
The young Emperor, shortly after assuming the reins of government, died of small-pox in 1874. A transit of Venus had taken place a few days before, and as the sun is the emblem of an emperor, the people believed that the dark spot which passed over his disk was a premonition of the fate of their sovereign. The Empress Aleuta, in conformity with nsage, starved herself to death, and the two dowagers, who had gone into retirement, came forward for another joint regency.
As they had to reign in the name of some one, a sort of Salic law precluding a woman from reigning in her own right, they cast about for a child to adopt, and found an eligible heir in a nephew of the vVestern Dowager, an infant of three years. He had older brothers, but if he had possessed as many as David, he would have been chosen simply because he was the youngest, giving them a longer lease of power. He is now the Emperor Kwangsii, twenty-four years of age and childless. If he were to die soon (quod vertat Deus) there can be no doubt that Tlilzehi would adopt another son, and be regent for a third time. Her gentle colleague, I ought to say, died in 1880, leaving her more conspicuously absolute, tho not really more powerful than she had been before.
Proud, strong, and ambitious as Semiramis, she yet possesses a tender heart. A good many years ago one of her eunuchs reported to her that in excavating a tomb for himself he had turned up a hidden treasure amounting to 16,000 ounces of silver. "That is a bagatelle; you may keep it for yourself," she said-treasure-trove in China, as in England, belonging to the crown. Learning later on that, Ananias-like, he had kept back the greater part of his find, she confiscated the whole for the benefit of the starving poor in the Province of Shansi.
" Justice rather than mercy," you will say; but here is an instance in which mercy cost her something.
In the early days of the great famine her colleague, the Eastern Empress, was still alive. The two ladies, ascertaining that the cost of the flesh that came on their table was $75 per diem, announced that they could not allow themselves to eat meat while so many of their subjects were perishing with hunger, and ordered that the amount saved by their self-denial should go to augment the relief fund provided by the State. Where in tIle annals of any country is there to be found a more touching exhibition of practical sympathy ~ An instance of her family affection is worth recording. Returning from a visit to the imperial cemetery, where her husband and son were laid to rest, a journey of three days, she sent word to all her kindred to meet her at a temple outside of the city gate. The rich might come to see her in the palace, but the poor could not, and them she desired to meet again. Laying aside her regalia, she spent some hoUl's in their society, forgetting distinctions of rank and renewing the recollections of her girlhood. Such a scene might have occurred in the experience of Queen Esther, but not so readily in that of European queens, who are imported from foreign countries.
The following, while exhibiting her self-control, may serve to show how the highest in the land are trained to submit to the laws and customs of their people.
She was fond of gay attire, and on a public occasion one of those official censors, whose duty it is to find spots on the sun or shadows in the moon, intimated to her, through one of her attendants, that her headdress was unbecoming her state of widowhood. Instantly roses and ribbons went to the ground, and her long locks fell in disorder upon her shoulders.
The Empress Dowager governed as well as reigned. Not merely did she choose her ministers, but often directed them, instead of allowing them to direct her.
One of her last public acts was an attempt to secure uniformity in the coinage of the empire. During the reign of Hienfung the government had sought to force on the people a copper coinage of less value than that to which they had been accustomed. They everywhere refused to receive it, except at Peking and a few other places. The Empress set her heart on removing that relic of fraud and oppression, and ordered her Board of Finance to withdraw the light coins and replace them by honest money. At the time appointed, the restoration of the currency not being complete, she summoned the six ministers responsible for it, and rebuking them roundly sent them away without their buttons.
Her patriotism has stood many a test. When, in 1885, the French fired on a Chinese fleet, she felt that the honor of her country called for war, and she launched the declaration, tho she shed tears while doing so.
Last year her sixtieth anniversary was to be celebrated with great pomp. She was to head a procession consisting of grandees from all the provinces, and proceed to her country palace, a distance of ten miles. The way was to be lined with kiosques, pavilions, and tents of silk and satin, with censers of incense to cover the procession with a canopy of fragrant clouds. The expense was expected to amount to 30,000,000 ounces of silver. On the Japanese invasion she promptly abandoned the brilliant program, contented herself with a private celebration of her birthday, and poured the money thus saved into the war chest for the defence of her country.
Tho female regencies are no new thing in the history of China, of her it may be said in comparison with her predecessors, "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
To this distinguished lady, I regret to say, I never had the honor of an introduction, even our foreign envoys having waived their right to a court reception out of respect for the etiquette of a female regency. Last year when they were received by the Emperor in the inner palace, she was there behind a gauze curtain, which, "half-revealing, half.concealing, " suggested that she is still a power behind the throne. I might have seen her many a time had I been willing to turn out before daybreak and stand by the roadside, tho even that is forbidden. I had therefore to content myself with the flattering assurance, more than once conveyed to me by her ministers, that the Empress Dowager knew my name and occasionally inquired for me.
Some of my students were in her service in the palace, and from them I heard much of her doings, as well as descriptions of her person. Unlike Chinese women, she has feet of the natural size, but, like them, her hair is or was black, her eyes dark, and her complexion sub-olive. Her form and carriage were singularly graceful, tho she was never reo nowned for beaut.y.
To complete this description and enable the reader to remember her, I must add that h~r full name is Tszehi Toanyu Kangi Chaoyu Chuangcheng Shokung Chinhien Chungsih. A devout Buddhist, and ad-
DEVELOPMENT OF CONSCIENCE AMONG THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS
vanced in years, there is not much likelihood of her embracing a new faith. It is not, however, impossible that some girl, educated in a Christian school, may be drafted into the palace and become the mother of a Christian Emperor. To have a Constantine we must first have a Helena.
DEVELOPMEN1' OF CONSCIENCE AMONG THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS.
BY H. MARZOLFF. (TRANSLATED BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK.) There is still much to do in Basutoland as concerns the evangelization of the tribe. But it is above all the churches that have need of our ministry. They bear fruits which prove the reality and the power of the life of Christ in them. Here are facts which testify of their faith. They find in their bosom men and women who consent to expatriate themselves to carry the Gospel to the Zambesi, a conntry where the pestilence works in darkness, and where the fever smites at noonday. They find the sums needful to fit out and send forth these messengers of the good news. They gather every year the money needed to pay the force of evangelists laboring in Basutoland itself. Thus my church of Maputsing furnishes me yearly from 1500 to 1800 francs ($300 to $360), altho numbering only five hundred communicants.
Yet our Christians, who in certain respects give us joy by their faith, their spirit of self-sacrifice, and their confidence in God, are, in other respects, children. Conscience, that lever, that solid sup'port both of piety and of pastoral care, is little developed. Wit h the most it is rudimentary j its voice is not raised to a high diapason. Let a Christian be tempted by a heathen to do something evil, and ninety or ninety-five times out of a hundred he will not reply, "My conscience forbids," but will entrench himself behind the discipline, "The law or the missionary will not allow it."
Conscience plays no part in the ordinary life of a Basuto, and a very slight, almost imperceptible part in his conversion. What part could it play ~ The faculty is not wholly extinct, or how could it be awakened ~ It is a sleeping Lazarus, which may hear the voice of the Savior and come forth j but it is still in so deep a sleep, that the language has not even a word for it. There is indeed a word for remorse, and even this means properly only" the diaphragm," the Basuto having observed the physical sensation accompanying remorse.
During the fifteen years of my ministry I have not often heard a native speak of remorse as an agent of his conversion. A young Caffre, indeed, but brought up in Basutoland, had long resisted th9 Gospel, for fear of losing the little fortune which would come in to him from selling his sisters in marriage. After a long time of gloomy and morose isolation, he came at four o'clock in the morning, and tapping on my window, said to me in his picturesque tongue: "Ke getiloe ke let8ualo"-that is, "Mis. sionary, I have ended with remorse."
What is it, then, that plays the main part in the conversion of the Basuto ~ For the point of departure of his religious life exercises a great influence on his further development. and clears up many things which otherwise it would be hard to explain. The chief place belongs to the dream. This may seem strange, altho reflection may diminish the strange. ness. God cannot speak the same language to the civilized man and to the barbarian. In His saving love He condescends to speak to man the language which he understands; he lowers Himself to his intellectual and moral level. How large a place is taken in the Bible by dreams and visions! The Basuto has heard the Word of God; it works on him insensibly. Little by little it preoccupi~s him, agitates him, pursues him, possesses him ; he resists. To decide him, there is needed something extraordinary, a Divine intervention (as he regards it) which shall strike his imagination. During the night he sees something, he hears a voice, he has a dream; in the open field he notices some unwonted noise, whose cause he does not discover; it may be but the bJeating of a lamb, which he seeks everywhere and finds nowhere. God now has spoken to him. It were fruitless to explain to him that he has objectified, projected into the outer world his religious preoccupations, the emotions of his soul; that he' has given a body to the inner voice, to the work of the Spirit of God in his heart. He would not know what you meant.
This Divine intervention-by a dream or by this species of hallucination -appears to our people so in the order of things, that if you ask a heathen who has heard the Gospel when he is going to be converted, he will answer the most naturally in the world: "When God shall have spoken to me." An elder of my church one day visited a woman who told him, in much distress, that she had seen during the night ten objects. I do not remember what they were; they seemed to me fantastic enough. I should have held them for the mere incoherences of a dream. My elder, more sagacious and better advised, a modern Joseph, repliE!d to her: "I will tell you what these ten things signify. They are the Ten Commandments," reciting them to her. When he came to the seventh, the woman stopped him. "That is it! that is it 1" she exclaimed. " This child"-one a few days old that she had in her arms-" is not my husband's." "Then call your husband," said the elder, "and confess your sin." She did so, and is now a faithful Christian.
The conversion of the Basuto has then its point of departure in feeling. But when once the heart of the man is turned toward God, when he has yielded to Ris call, conscience awakes and breaks the thick layer of dark. ness which covered it, as the young shoot lifts the earth which hid from it the sun. It is only embryonic; a smoking match; a spark destined to kindle a great fire, but still only a spark. Our work now must be to develop it, to educate it, to form it in some sort for its part in the life.
This is now the toil incumbent on us-toil requiring time, care, and prudence. Our Church discipline is scholastic, minute, I might almost say, mousing, and this by the force of circumstances. The natives, having no confidence in their own moral energy or Christian judgment, and feeling themselves exposed to the solicitations of heathenism, have forced us to lay down a rule for every conceivable case. They insist on having a plain text, either from the Bible or from the missionaries, which should say to them, "This is allowed, this is forbidden." As the Pharisees around the law, so we have yielded to the pressure, and have raised a hedge to guard our Christians against straying to the right hand or the left. This was good in childhood. As youth approaches, there should be more margin, more liberty; we need to broaden the road, to set back the hedge, to level it here and there, contenting ourselves with a warning signboard: "Take care, lest by any means this liberty of yours be made an occasion to the flesh." That is, we should try to bring these Christians to be able to do without a schoolboy discipline, regulating every detail, and to let themselves be guided by conscience enlightened by the Gospel. For this great end conscience must be trained and formed, so that we may feel free to use a broader discipline, more agreeable to the spirit of evangelical liberty, and may find this sufficient to repress evil and guide our chnrches in the way of the Christian life.
With some of our Christians-they are the proof that this work of education is possible-it has attained a most gratifying measure of development, whose sureness and progress are always in proportion to the depth of the conversion and the sincerity of the surrender of the heart to God.
The preponderating action of feeling, and this absence of the conscience in the genesis of the religious life of the Basuto, explain two things : on the one hand, the alternations of zeal, of elan, of conquering faith and of lukewarmness, the falls, and sometimes-tho, thank God, not so very often-the backslidings of our people. For the Basuto the Gospel often appears as a law to which he has to submit his heart, as a yoke with which he charges himself in a moment of excitation, of intense emotions. The calm comes, the emotions subside, and he finds the yoke heavy. If the conversion does not go on deepening, if he resists the action of the Spirit of God, which would fain transform his life, change and sanctify his heart, this yoke will become too heavy for his chafed shoulders. He does not see what he gains by carrying it, and he perceives what he loses. He puts it off, not forever; he fully expects to reassume it some day, but as late as possible without putting his salvation in peril. Ask a renegade when he means to reassume his place in the church, " Oke ke sa phOmola: I am resting still."
On the other hand, sin weighs little in their view. That which is a
BRAZILIAN NOTES
cause of grief for us is, that sin is for them nothing frightful, a revolt against God, and ruin for themselves. When anyone falls, the church is not in tears. Sin is not sin except when it is discovered. As long as it is not known, it counts for little with them. Alas! if the Christian Basutos apprehend so faintly the tragic character of sin, there are reasons. The whites give them the bad example, and for them also sin is a negligible quantity. And then the most terrible corruption, the most sickening moral filth surrounds them, flaunts itself, solicits them j they are born, bred, and continue to live in this atmosphere saturated with corruption. Thet:e are falls j but when we know the temptations which gird these poor people round, we are astonished that the falls are not more numerous j it is like a constant siege laid to them.
The purification of the moral sense, which teaches the man respect for himself, his dignity as a creature of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ, is 1I0t the affair of a few years, or of one or two generations j it is only stimulated by the long practice of the Gospel in the school of Jesus Christ and under the discipline of the Holy Ghost.
It is demanded of us when our churches will be of age. I have sought t~ throw a little light on the question. I answer, when the conscience of our Christians shall be sufficiently developed, sufficiently delicate to permit them to direct themselves. Now this time will come, sooner, perhaps, than we think, altho it would be premature to fix the date. It lies In the hands of God.-Journal des Missions.
BRAZILIAN NOTES.
BY REV. G. W. CHAMBERLIN, D.D., BAHIA, BRAZIL.
" His Excellency, the Lord Archbishl)p, will celebrate mass at 9 A.M., in the Cathedral of St. Peter, on the altar of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus j he will preach and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation,"
said the morning paper, Diario da Bahia.
" His Excellency" has just come from a sojourn in the " Holy City"
of Rome, from the immediate presence of "the Most Holy Father," and I thought it worth while to hear him preach to the faithful of this" City of the Holy Savior," in the Bay of all the Saints.
I left our school-rooms at lOA. M., where I had led the children in prayer to the Lord the Shepherd, whose flock shall not want, but lie down in green pastures and by still waters, and I walked leisurely up the hills where once the sainted Henry Martyn sat and sang his prayer: "O'er the gloomy hills of darkness, look, my soul. All the promises do , travail with a glorious day of grace. Blessed Jubilee! let thy glorious morning dawn." .. Let the Indian, let the negro, Let the rude barbarian see, That Divine and glorious conquest Once obtained on Calvary.
***** " Kingdoms wide that sit in darkness, Grant them, Lord, Thy glorious light, And from eastern coast to western May the morning chase the night.
" And redemption, freely purchased, win the day."
The people-red, white, and black-were still pressing through the crowded portals of St. Peter's, and in the wake of four ladies, whose' nodding plumes shielded me from observation, I penetrated into the very center of the church, and found myself, to my great surprise, vis-a-vis to His Excellency, an arm's length from him. I had supposed that he would have given at least an hour to the" sacrifice of the body, blood, bones, soul, and divinit.yof the Lord Jesus Christ" on the" Altar of the Most Holy Heart," and that I should find him teaching the people from the pulpit the significance of the rite of confirmation; but that was all over, and the rite was being administered with an indecent haste which left no time even for the words of the formula, as His Excelle~cy passed from oue to another in the double lines of candidates. He was gaudily dressed and crowned with a golden mitre, which towered eighteen inches over his head. On closer inspection, I saw it was made of gilt pasteboard! An appropriate symbol, in truth! He was preceded hy a priest, who carried the holy oil in a little box, not unlike a sardine can in appearance, into which he dipped his t.humb and forefinger, and with the oil which adhered, made the sign of the cross on the forehead of the candidate. The priest who followed had a ball of raw cotton, with which he wiped the forehead, lest any of the holy oil should drop and be profaned. 'An acolyte came next with a silver tray, upon which the "offerings" were laid; which, if they were not the equivalent in value, showed that the" sacrament" had a money value.
Indeed, it is one of the chief complaints of the faithful of this diocese that the" values" of the seven sacraments under the revised tariff published by His Excellency have risen to such exorbitant rates that the poor must be content to go without them. As they form an integral part of Rome's Gospel, a sine qua non to salvation, it is clear that she lacks oneand that the emphatic one-of our Lord's signs responsive t.o John's question, "Art Thou He ~ or look we for another~" Even this Gospel of her own manufacture she puts out of the reach of the poor by high prices. As to that which the Lord bade His disciples give freely, her attitude is to be judged of not by the sermon of Cardinal Gibbons, not by the pastoral of Leo XIII., on the reading of the Bible, but by what she does to put the Bible within reach of the people under the scrutiny and pressure of Protestant eyes, and out of reach when these are not upon her. . " Would you like to see a bishop kicking~" said a converted priest to the writer, handing me as he spoke an authorized version of the New Testament duly annotated, open at the foliowing paragraph from an extended preface: "No one ignores the most urgent need, which makes itself felt in our country (Portugal), of such a little book as this. The Protestants, salaried by the London Bible Society, are going about thrusting into our faces Bibles which establish all possible false propositions against the religion which our fathers taught us, and which we know to be the only true one, out of which there is no salvation. They would impose upon us, as it were by force almost, Bibles falsified, vitiated, truncated, which speak against the Pope, against the Church, against Confession, against the Eucharist, against Jesus Christ, against Mary the Most Holy, against the saints, against everything that is good. To Bibles of that sort the translator opposes the Catholic New Testament; as, however, there appear still some obscure points, notes are adjoined," etc. Peter is made to say in his First Epistle, chapter 5, verse 5, "Be subject to the priests." What that subjection means in this particular item of Bible reading we have some opportunity to know who "dwell where Satan's seat is"-i.e., where Rome has dominion. On the eve of St. Peter's Day, June 29th, 1895 A.D., a colporteur of the American Bible Society reached the city of Giboia in this State, and put his books on the market. They were seized and burned in open day by armed men. He appealed to the authorities, and was told that the priest was the only authority in the town. Upon going to the house of this ecclesiastic, who is so politic as to be mayor of the town and member of the State Legislature, he was rudely told to vacate the premises, as the burning was by his orders and well done.
Thus 47 Bibles, 50 New Testaments, and 100 Gospels Were silenced, and each one of them testifies that Leo XIII. and Cardinal Gibbons do not speak or write for their own constituency, except in so far as these are under Protestant influences to such a degree that they would become wholly Protestant if they were constrained to submit to the kind of dominion which Rome exercises wherever she can.
The ingenuousness of Protestants who allow themselves to be hoodwinked by pastorals and sermons emanating from popes and cardinals should find an antidote in the hard facts afforded by not ancient, but contemporary Romish history.
I. In France the edition of the New Testament of Lassere, authorized by archbishop and Pope, was put in the Index and suppressed by the same authorities, so soon as they saw that the book was in demand. Lassere bowed in submission, and withdrew the book from circulation which Rome never intended it to have.
II. In the United States the pnblishing of Cardinal Gibbons's sermon was followed by an order from the editor of the Oonverted Oatholic, to the publishing house which issues the same cardinal's books, for a supply of Bibles. The reply was that they could not fill the order, but had a good supply of prayer-books on hand! The recommendation of His Excellency, our Scarlet Prince, is understood to be in a Pickwickian sense by his faithful subjects. If any considerable number of these should take him in earnest, they would soon exhaust the supply of Bibles on hand.
III. In the republic of the United States of Brazil the auto daft, which on June 28th, 1895, hushed the voices of 197 St. Johns, 197 St. Lukes, 197 St. Marks, 197 St. Matthews, 97 Apostle Pauls, 97 Apostle Peters, 9'7 Apostles Johns, James, and Judes, 4'7 Major and Minor Prophets, and the 47 copies of the Law, of which Christ said, "Not one jot or tittle should pass," was denounced by an evening journal as savoring of the Inquisition and the savory times of the Holy Torquemada. The civil authorities were recommended" to proceed against the priest who, in lieu of human victims, sent to the fire Testaments and Gospels."
The worthy vicar, who also represents his party in the State Legislature, hastened into print in the journal of widest circulation in this State to justify the act, saying that" the idea of burning would naturally occur on such a day as that" (eve of St. Peter's)y and that" prior to the times of the Inquisition many books pernicious to virtue were reduced to ashes, because public men did not wish the youth to be educated in the reading of such books. That, further, in the days of the preaching of St. Paul, as is narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, those who exercised magic arts burned their books in the public square."
Has this worthy son of Holy Mother Church merited a word of censure from His Excellency, the Archbishop ~ How could he if the infallible Pius IX. in the now famous syllabus denounces as "accursed any who say that the (British and Foreign and American, etc.) Bible societies are not moral pests."
" In vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird," except the innocent Protestant birds, domesticated barn-fowl, who can see no snare in the hands full of genuine corn, which popes and cardinals wilily scatter in the sight of " separated brethren." To such gullible fowl, be they D.D. 's, LL.D.'s, Ph.D.'s, or belonging to the class which our Lord Jesus Christ called " sons of the devil," the writer submits these facts.
IV. Thirty odd years since, on a Lord's-day morning, a blue-eyed and fair-haired Anglo-Saxon hailing from London (the author of the "Life of Catherine Booth" says that the Londoner for "needle-like acuteness and ungullibility would be hard to match in the world") entered my room in the – – Hotel in the capital of Rio Grande do SuI, where at that time I was engaged in business, saying: "Let's take a walk." "Two can't walk together unless they be agreed." "What do you mean~" he said. "You ought to know. That comes out of the good Book, and I mean that I want this Sabbath for definite purposes, and if you do not agree with me, we will not find congenial topics for conversation." "What do you want to talk a.bout~" "Anything that will help me to get nearer to God, either in His works or Word." "So do I," he aaid; " but our Bibles are not the same. I am a Roman Catholic." " That makes no difference to me," I replied. "What's the difference in our Bibles? Specify one." " Your Bible has not got the Epistle of James." "Indeed, that's news. Have y'ou any Bible?" At this he went to his room, and returned with a brand-new Douay Bible. "Sit down," I said, "and read the first verse of the Epistle of James; 1 will read the second. It's a matter of fifteen or twenty minutes to finish." When the last verse had been read, his face was a study. "I do not understand. I have always been told that this epistle was not in Protestant Bibles; but while the phraseology differs, the sense is the same." " Where were you educated?" I asked, for he had the polish of an educated man. "fn London." "In London! Pray, by whom?" " By the J'esuit fathers." "Indeed, and they told you ~that this epistle was wanting in Protestant Bibles ?" He assented, and I added, "They lied. Rome don't send fools to London to educate Englishmen. If they lied in one point, they would in two. Your Bible looks new. Have you ever read it ?" "No," he replied. "On the eve of coming to Brazil I said to my confessor that I was going to buy a Bible, and he gave me this." " He was afraid you would go around the corner and buy a Bible of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and find out that he was a liar. Either Bible will suit me, provided you are willing to abide by it. I am ready to walk."
Every Sabbath for six months we walked with our Bibles in hand to the hills behind the City of Porto Alegre. I avoided arguing, but pointed him continually to his own Bible for answers to the teeming questions which the Book, entirely new to him, raised in his active mind. At times he would lay the Book down and walk about like one distracted, soliloquizing: "The Book says one thing, but the Church says another; and what the Church says is true; to doubt it would be mortal sin. I will not doubt the Church! I had rather doubt my own understanding."
At length one Sabbath evening he said to me, "I would not for the world have my mother know the change in my sentiments. I believe she is a Christian and will be saved, altho she is in error. I would spare her the pain of knowing that I no longer believe what the Church of Rome teaches, because I believe the Book which she herself calls the Word of God. "
Yes, Rome, you are right. Bible societies are moral pests. None such ever originated in nor ever rested on the bosom of "Holy Mother Church." When forced by these pestiferous societies, who thrust their " false" Bibles into the face of your dear children, to publish or allow to be published a true one, it is found to be a Trojan horse, and all the activities of your secret confessional are put to work to counteract your open professional, and to prove that the Book is obscure, misleading, and " of more damage than utility" (Decree of Pius IV.). Conclusion:" Hear the Church," and " be content to read the Prayer-Book. "
NOTES ON KIANG-SI, A PROVINOE OF CENTRAL CffiNA
HU·PEH TRE PROVINCE OF KIANG·S!
,(Central Cblnlro) Pop. 24,000,000. Area, 72,176 Sq. Miles.
N.B …,.Protestant MisMIon Stat.ionsal'e underlinerl NOTES ON KIANG-SI, A PROVINCE OF CENTRAL CHINA. * The Chinese Empire is so large, and the inconveniences of travel are so great, that the eighteen provinces are, in many respects, more like a collection of separate States than one homogeneous country. Consequently the customs and people of one part often differ strikingly from those of another: Unless this fact is known and kept in mind many vague and erroneous opinions are apt to be formed regarding China and the Chinese.
The name Kiang-si is made up of two Chinese characters-Kiang, " river," and Si, "west;" literally meaning "west of the river." What river is referred to is not very apparent, but as a portion of the northern part of the province is in a south west direction from the great Yang.tse, it has been thought that the name refers to that river.
The province lies in latitude 25° to 30° N. and longitude 114° to 118° E., and covers an area of 72,176 square miles, being over 350 miles from north to south, and about 200 miles from east to west. It is situated * The province of Kiang·si is one whose name seldom appears in missionary jouTnals, and of which little is known even by those interested in missionary progress in the Flowery Kingdom. We trust that some paragraphs regarding the life and work here may stir up more prayer, as well as more thought, for this needy province. . <' between the seaboard province of Fuh-kien and anti-foreign Hu-nan, stretching southward to Kwang-tung. The upper part is touched by three provinces-Eu-peh, Ngan-hwui, and Che-kiang. There is a population of about 24,000,000. Of walled cities there are 78, of which only 12 are occupied by Protestant missions. The Po-yang Lake is situated in the north of the province. It is nearly 90 miles long and 20 broad. Several rivers flow into it, the two largest being the Kan and Kwang-sin, and its waters are discharged into the Yang-tse, about 20 miles below the city of Kiu-kiang, one of the treaty porls.
"Lovely Kiang-si" is a name sometimes applied to this province, owing to its numerous rivers, rocky hills, and wooded coun1ry. Rice is the staple food of the people, who pity the poor northerner because he has to subsist on wheat, just as the northerner pities his southern brother, who lives mainly on rice. Wheat, maize, buckwheat, barley, millet, etc., are grown to a limited extent, and the common vegetables are turnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, beans, and various greens. Of meats, pork, fish, and fowl can be bought at all times, and mutton at certain seasons; but the killing of beef, save on special occasions, is prohibited in most cities, the cow being considered a semi-sacred animal, and devoted to the tilling of the soil. Oranges, pumelos, pomegranates, plums, peaches, pears, dates, grapes, and persimmons are among the fruits, tho a number of these are poorly cultivated. The main export trade is in tea, porcelain, and grass cloth (a kind of Chinese linen). Indigo is largely grown in some parts. Cottons and woolens, watches and lamps, coal oil and matches, besides other foreign goods are imported from abroad and sold in the chief cities, and can be purchased almost as cheap as in America. The province has good water communication, and the chief method of travel is by boat. Efforts have been made to get steamers on the Po-yang Lake and Kan River, but have so far failed, altho the high officials of the province run a couple of private steam launches on these waters.
The religious condition of Kiang-si is much the same as that of other parts of China. Idolatry and superstition enter into the daily life of the people, and hold them in a worse than Egyptian bondage. Vegetarianism is not uncommon among the poorer classes, many of whom, being unable to afford meat, make a virtue of necessity. The worship of K'uan-in-a female goddess-is very popular, and almost every home has her image on paper, hung up in a prominent place. This idol is specially worshipped to obtain that for which many of the Chinese seem to solely live-a son and heir. The head of one of the large Taoist sects, and formerly of great reputa1ion-Chang-t'ien-tsi-resides in the northeast of the province, where he and his predecessors, all of one family and surname, have reigned, it is said, for about sixty generations.
The people of Kiang-si are, for the most part, peaceful and law-abiding, tho a strong anti-foreign feeling has been engendered and nourished, partly, at least, through intercourse with the Kwang-tung and Eu-nan provinces. Notwithstanding this, very little violence or open hostility has been shown to foreigners. The opposition is more of a secret and underhand nature. An example comes to mind. A few years ago one of the missions rented premises in an important center. All went well for the first month or so. Then a charge was trumped up against the nati¥e landlord, and he had to go into hiding to escape imprisonment. Eis family was then harassed. They came to the missionaries and pleaded with them to leave the house, saying that the trouble was really because of their having rented their house to foreigners, and that if the missionaries retired the charge would be dropped. Careful inquiry proved their statement to be true. What was to be done ~ Various plans were tried to get the matter arranged, but in vain, and in the end 1he promise was given that when the year expired the house would be vacated. Matters smoothed down wonderfully quick after this, and then, a few months later, inquiries were quietly made for other premises. Some were found whose owners were willing to rent, bu1 again and again, as negotiations were going on, and sometimes when almost completed, the owner would suddenly state that an uncle, cousin, or friend was coming to 1he place and needed the premises, or give some similar excuse, and so he was sorry he could not rent to the foreigner. The truth was, he had been intimidated. Near the close of the year one of the missionaries paid a visit to the Yamen, and asked for an interview with the district magistrate. It was granted, and he was courteously received. He asked the magistrate if there was any objection to a mission station in the district. The magistrate replied that he had no objection. The missionaries were good people. doing excellent work; and further, if new premises were secured, he would issue a proclamation and see that none made trouble, etc. It was found afterward to be more than probable that this official had the largest share in intimidating those willing to rent; tho, no doubt, led to it by the influence of some of the gentry. Thus, in an underhand way, the missionaries were compelled to retire. This is the general form of opposition met in opening new work, tho with it is almost always combined what is common in the greater part of China-viz., the circulation of stories as to how the foreigners extract hearts and eyes to make the wonderful Western medicine, or convert them into silver for their own enrichment. Still, by God's help, as we shall shortly see, a number of stations have been opened.
Permanent Protestant mission work in Kiang-si was first begun in the summer of 1866, by the Rev. V. C. Hart (of the American Methodist Episcopal Mission, if I mistake not), in the treaty port of Kiu-kiang. The China Inland Mission entered in 1869, and since then the Woman's Board and the English Brethren have taken up work. There are now (1895) eighteen stations occupied by foreign workers-mostly of the China Inland Mission-nine of which are in walled citics, and in additIOn there are a number of centers with resident native workers. The foreign workers number about eighty (including wives). The total number of communicants is between five and six hundred. The Romanists have a number of stations in the province, and their work in some districts, it is said, reaches back nearly two hundred years. The number of their converts is not easy to obtain, but in one prefecture-Fu-chow-it is claimed that they have about ten thousand. This year, for the first time, some of their nuns were sent into the interior stations.
The present Protestant missionary work may be roughly divided into three sections: 1. The northwestern quarter, to the west of the Po-yang Lake, and skirted by the Yang-tse. 2. The northeastern corner, to the east of the lake, and including the Kwang-sin River valley. 3. The southern half, down the middle of which flows the largest waterway of the province, the Ran River.
In the first section is located the treaty port of Kiu-kiang, with a native population of about 100,000, and of foreigners near threescore. Here the American Methodist Episcopal Mission has schools, a printing depot, and tract society, besides evangelistic work both in the city and surrounding district. The Woman's Board has also a school for girls, and work among the women. The China Inland Mission station in Kiukiang is mainly for the forwarding of mail, money, and supplies to its members in the interior, but in other parts of this section of the province this mission carries on both local and itinerant work. At the head of the Po-yang Lake is the city of Wu-chen, where the English Brethren have had a center for nearly a decade. Their workers, recently largely reinforced, have itinerated in the tea district near and on the borders and islands of the lake, and hope erelong to open a station in the capital of the province, Nan-chang. In Wu-chen itself they have a church of about fifty members. In this section, containing about 3,000,000 of a population, are some forty missionaries (including wives).
Missionary work in the second section centers on the Kwang-sin River. On or near this river tbere is a line of some ten stations (China Inland Mission). Permanent work commenced about seventeen years ago in three different cities-viz., Yuh-shan, Ho-k'eo, and Kwei-ki, but only in the last five or six years has there been much apparent result. The two 'or three years jnst past have seen great advance, and the present communicants number over three hundred. A peculiarity of this work is that, with the exception of one station (where there is a married missionary), the foreign workers are all unmarried ladies. They are, of course, attended by competent native pastors and evangelists, who carryon the work among the men, and a foreign missionary superintendent visits the stations from time to time. Much itinerant work has been done throughout the section, in which the native workers have taken a prominent part, and the seed of the Word has been widely scattered. God has signally set His seal upon this work. In the whole section there is probably a population of nearly 4,000,000, with thirty-one missionaries.
The third section is the largest and most needy. Among about 8,000,000 pflople only seven missionaries (two married couples and three single men) are at present stationed. Permanent work began barely six years ago. Six single men (China Inland Mission) were set apart, and three centers chosen-viz., Lin-kiang, Ki-ngan, and Kan-chow. Around these centers, two by two, they were to itinerate. After nearly two years of such work premises were rented in all three districts, in or near the above centers, and more settled work begun. In one of these the settlement had to be given up (recently, however, other premises have been rented there), and in both the others matters were in the balance for a year or more. Such a state of things, as will be readily understood, hinders the work greatly. Now," through the good hand of God," the outlook is brighter, and some of the prejudice and hatred haR been lived down. The two first converts were baptized last year, and in all three centers there are a few inquirers. Itinerating has been the principal work. Thousands of Scripture portions and tracts have been sold or given away, and tens of thousands have heard the main truths of the Gospel. Journeys have also been taken across the western border into Hu-nan.
In conclusion, Kiang·si needs more laborers. Compared with some, j,his province might, perhaps, from a missionary standpoint, be thought fairly well supplied. Yet the fact remains that in every section, and especially in the southern one, there are many towns and villages where, as yet, the feet of those who preach good tidings have not trod, and there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of souls who have never had an opportunity to know of Him who alone can save. There are many open doors, especially for single men who are willing to enter on the work of itineration. "PraY ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth laborers." But there is a deeper and more paramount need, and for it we ask the prayers of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. It is that we who are now in this province-natives as well as foreigners-be so
PREACHING THE GOSl'EL IN YUNNAN, CHINA
anointed with" power from on high," and that continually, that nothing may stand in the way of God working through us. Those who are bound at home can be " helpers together by prayer," and ask this of God for us, that" the nall'le of the Lord Jesus may be magnified" 'throughout the whole of the Kiang-si Province.
PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN YUNNAN, CHINA.
BY REV. FRANCIS J. DYMOND, CHOW-TUNG-FU, CHINA.
On every hand there is abundant cause for encouragement and thanksgiving. A few days ago we formed a church for Chow-tung, and to which· we hope to be constantly adding new members. In the city there are a few young men who seem thoroughly convinced of the truth. One is now making strenuous efforts to get rid of the opium craving. and seems to be nearly" through the wood." All kinds of derisive epithets are used in abusing them by their less enlightened fellow-citizens, but they stand the test bravely and well, and no doubt are all the better for a little persecution.
Last June I started out on a preaching tour, taking with me a coolie named Li, who is au inquirer, and another called Jen, a young peddler of thirty years of age, who was to try to help me in the preaching. It is a very great boon to have a Chinese friend and brother with you, as when you are tired from preaching he can step into the ring and carry on the work while the foreigner rests. Dear Brother Jen was a very valuable assistant in every way. He has only jnst come out boldly, and to be seen with the foreigner was a test for him. A Chinaman soon finds ont the meaning of " taking up his cross daily and following Christ." The first day we went to Kiu-hu, a place 20 Ii away. It is a straggling village, and holds a market every third day. We generally go on market dayB, being sure of about ten times the number of people to listen to ns as will come on ordinary days. As we approach the place many call out, " Aloe ! Jesus has come again!" Some remember my name and say, "Mr. T'ai, are you here preaching again 1" After finding an inn, uusaddling the horse, and buying some provender for it, we each drink a cup of tea and sally forth with many a silent prayer that the Lord will bless the dear people. Into the busy throng of men, women, and children, bartering, wrangling over short weight, bad cash, old debts, and a thousand other things; some shouting out their wares, just stopping between breaths to give the redhaired, white-skinned foreign" ghost" a long look. Some have seen him before, and are unconcerned; others didn't happen to be at any of the previous markets when he was there, and are there to-day. Good Inck! See them pulling sleeves, nudging and whispering, "Foreigner! look, look, a foreigner!" Yes, this is what we experience in every market village which we enter. If the people do not gather around to hear, we bring out a concertina, and that is sure to draw a crowd and to give a good opportunity to preach Christ and Him crucified.
Many times we find it " good to be there," and from the way people listen, we see that our message is not unheeded. By and by our voices grow husky, and we seek a quiet tea shop (generally as rowdy as a public house at home, for here all quarrels are settled if possible). Before long some one comes along as inquisitive as the average celestial, and asks how old I am, are my parents living, do we plant rice in England, what do we eat and how 1 etc., ad infinitum, until I veer around and try to point him to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
We reioice that on every hand there are signs of improvement. It used to be a poor stammering missionary and a heathen coolie; now not only does the missionary speak so as to be understood by the people, but even his coolie has been drawn to Him, and often gathers a group around him, showing the folly of idolatry, and speaking kindly of the foreign teacher. Another great advantage is in having a young man like Jen to make known the glad news, and backing it up with his own testimony to the power of the Gospel, he himself but a short time ago being an opium smoker, idolater, etc. It was joyous to hear him say, "I have given them all up, and intend to serve the living and true God."
At not a few places we met men who knew him, and sneered finely to see him with me. "What, have you joined the church? are you a disciple of their Jesus ?" Once after a sharp onset I found him almost ready to cry, his heart was so stung by their irony; but soon he cheered up, saying, " Let them say what they like, I know it is true, I feel it is true. What are their taunts compared to the horrors of hell, from which I am fleeing go' Soon he got hold of one or two, and preached so convincingly to them, showing them just what the Gospel is, that they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.
One great advantage in having such a man is, that he knows the people. What a report he gives of Chao-t'ong! He says that the people are in a terrible state of depravity, and can mention family after family whose entire history is one of fraud and oppression. Sometimes we get them in here boasting their goodness, vowing that all their lives they have done no evil. Alas!" from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot they are full of wounds and bruises and putrefying sores. "
Making the same circuit· of markets with us was a snake-charmer. He was a wretched opium.smoker, his snake about eight feet long, which he twisted about head and body, and then pushed one and one half feet of it head first down his throat, drawing it out slowly, to the amazement of the crowd. He went from stall to stall on the market, not leaving until a cash had been thrown him. The beggars of China are a great nuisance. Th.ey come shouting ill the doorway a most melancholy dirge; others come with bamboo clappers, singing, and until1he cash is extorted their clapping is incessant.
One evening some women in our inn came, saying, " We had not time on market day to hear you preach, sir. Will you kindly do so now?" Of course we were only glad of the opportunity, and there for two honrs they listened, at the end regretting they could hear so seldom, and their memories are so bad. They said, " Who about here cares whether we go to heaven or hell?" The very idea of it made them laugh.
The people everywhere are friendly and willing to listen. J en took a big stride forward that week, and gave many evidences that his soul was being illuminated by the Great Teacher, the Holy Spirit.
The last few days the people have been beseeching rain. Whom do they beseech? A great dragon, who is supposed to belch rain from his mouth. In order to invoke this ugly deity, all kinds of most grotesque par3phernalia have been marching in procession through the streets, but still the sky is blue as blue can be, and a scorching south wind is blowing; the paddy fields are cracking with the heat, and the young maize withering for want of rain.
A LETTER FROM TURKEY
A LETTER FROM TURKEY.* The story of the past two months in this land is a disgrace to the nineteenth century and a blot on the name of Europe. Such horrors and suffering as have been seen here have no parallel in history. We sometimes feel as if God Himself had turned away His face from this poor land, and we have the feeling all along' that England and the other" powers" could have prevented these crimes long ago, had they but acted promptly instead of delaying, as they are still doing. Look at the record of what the Turks have achieved. The acts of a year ago last August were characterized by the world as fiendish, when some 6000 Armenians were butchered and their villages burned. The number of the slaughtered is now conservativelyestimated at 40,000. Massacres of Christians have taken place in over a dozen large cities and in hundreds of small towns and villages. Not only have the men been killed, bnt their houses have been looted and torn down, and the remains of decimated families left nothing to eat or wear for the winter. The most awful part of the story, to my mind, is that these deeds have been done not by a few isolated bands of outlaws, but by order of the Sultan. I make this statement with abundant proof, and should like to have it made as public as possible, for the everlasting disgrace of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. It is acknowledged by all the authorities here to-day (not officials, of course, but private men in all positions) that the Sultan ordered the atrocious acts of the Softas (theological students) in this city, of the fanatics all through the empire, and especiallyof the Koords in the eastern provinces. Not only so, but he has rewarded the butchers with government positions, money, and all other emoluments they may desire. Even in this city these rewards have been openly boasted of, and in 'the interior from many places come proofs of this. The lives of these 40,000 will one day be required from his hand. And he still continues to hoodwink the" powers" by promises of reform, and sends letters to Lord Sahsbury promising to carry out personally the scheme of reforms as agreed upon. He appoints Shakir Pasha grand commissiouer to carry out the reforms, and this tool goes to Erzroom, and immediately two horrible massacres take place in that very city, in his presence, and by his consent, if not at his express order. He promises protection of every sort to all the missionaries, and the next day comes telegraphic news of the burning of eight out of twelve missionary buildings at Harpoot, including the Euphrates College buildings. He sends his insane letter to L.ord Salisbury, and the next day brings a telegram of the burning of the beautiful building uf the girls' schOOl at Marash. He promises to relieve the suffering caused by the late outbreaks (whose existence he denied as long as he could do so with a bold face) from his own private purse, and promises protection to the missionarIes who were relieving the suffering in the Sassoun district, and immediately comes word that those inhuman devils, the Koords, and Turks have destroyed the work of these men by tearing down and destroying the houses they had helped the destitute to build. To deRcribe such actions as devilish is 10 express it too mildly; it seems as if all the forces of darkness united could not have planned and carried out such a system of extermination. This is not the first instance of massacres of Christians by the order of this " Shadow of * This letter comes from a most reliable source, not from a missionary, but from one who has !pent much of his life in the strIcken country, Armenia. God on Earth," as the Sultan blasphemously calls himself. The Lebanon provinces, the island of Scio, and Bulgaria have all seen like atrocities committed in their time, and still there are those who extol the kind heart of this beast !
Winter is upon us, and it means certain death by cold and starvation to thousands more, who cannot possibly be helped if the government hinders as it has been doing right along for these months. All through the eastern provinces the poor Armenians who have not been killed are driven from their homes to seek shelter in forests or caves, or try to rebuild their honses without any money to buy the timber or enough food to last them through the winter. The number of those made destitute is put at from 200,000 to 500,000 by various people, but the number grows day by day as new butcheries are heard of, and more families lose their fathers and brothers and strong young men, to gratify the Satanic thirst for human blood that has been roused in the fanatic Moslems. And now, even were he to be converted and wish to stop these abuses, the Sultan is not able. He has armed the savage Koordish mountaineers whom he could not subjugate, and now he has promised to dIsarm them, but they will not be disarmed. Possibly Russia could disarm them, but Turkey-never. As we look at such a state of things we cry out, "0 Lord, how long !" Thus far we have heard of no missionaries being killed, tho they have lost property and houses, and for this much we are thankful, but two of them have been shot at, and only God's hand shielded them from the bullets.
Now what are we to do for these poor people ~ It does not seem possible that Europe will hold off very much longer, but must soon come to the rescue in some way or other. However this may be done, it seems as if it must soon be possible to distribute to sufferers any funds that may come to our hands. The great duty of America to-day to these dying victims of cruelty is not men and Bibles, but money and clothing and food. Cannot you and your church take up this cause, and by a little exertion save thousands of people from death and starvation ~ It is the cry of a struggling humanity that will surely not fall on deaf ears. You sympathize deeply with the sorrow that all the missionaries here feel for the poor sufferers, will you not do more ~ Organize a relief movement in your own vicinity j every little helps along, and the work is enormous and urgent. Winter is upon us, and a winter in those Armenian mountains is something fearful.
In just one place the Armenians have resisted successfully the Turkish butcher, and have captured a fortress and prepared for a long siege. It is,at Zeitoon, in the southeastern part of Asia Minor, and they are now holding the position against the enemy. We do not know just how many thousand Armenians are there, but the Turks have vowed that when they capture the place they will kill every man, woman, and child in Zeitoon, tho the Sultan has promised that no such thing shall be done. The Lord give them strength to hold out till help comes!
These troubles have been made to " work together for good" to several of the churches in this vicinity, which have been carrying on extra daily meetings for a long time that are well attended and spiritual in tone, while they give practical evidence of zeal by raising money for the sufferers. It is a terrible baptism of fire and blood for the nation, but perhaps the Lord will bring good out of it even to the Armenians themselves. We can certainly pray for this end while we work to relieve the suffering. * * Contribntions may be sent to the managing editor of THE M:!sslONARY REVIEW or to Mr.
Frank H. Wiggin, Assistant Treasurer of the American Board, 1 Somerset Street, Boston, Mass.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
n.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Results to Missions in China of the creased antagonism to the mISSionary Ohino·Japan War. as a foreign increment is patent. That [J. T. G.] the Chentu riots and Kucheng massacre were a resultant of the Japan War most It is quite too soon to sum up the experienced students of Chinese affairs effect of the Chino-Japan War on evan- have not failed to observe nor been gelistic movements. Nevertheless, so slow to affirm. Either there will be far as China goes, a few notes may be more peril to missionaries in the near ventured. future than in the near past, or the past 1. There is. to date, no increase of fa- dangers have been far more imminent cilities for missionary aggression. The than missionaries ever made public or status qu.o ante-bellum will not be ma- probably themselves knew. The recall terially modified for a long time to of the missionaries' families from the come. There will possibly be an ex- less protected missionary stations to tension of commerce through foreign ports like Shanghai and Hongkong is pressure, but anything like dismember- itself a serious interruption of their ment of the empire through foreign work, resumption of which will be de· intervention is not at present likely to layed till the present restless condition occur. Internal dissension there may of the popUlation has modified. The be for some time, and local distrust of secular court of the several consulates the permanence of the empire; but officially commands the situation just nothing in sight promises to disturb its now, tho not technically, yet morally autonomy. Missionaries must antici- estopping missionaries from personal pate prosecuting their work under the indiscreet exposure which may involve old conditions of local irritation from nations in strife. The missionary might magistrates. the literati, and the sects. take the personal risk if the results It will be many a day before these are were merely personal. That is impos- materially changed under existing trea- sible consistently with the protection ties; and there is little immediate pros- extended to all subjects or citizens by pect of any new diplomatic interference the several governments. No native with these conventions. The reigning magistrate, nor police, nor soldiery can dynasty has received a far less strain be depended on for protection, how- than it did under the Taiping rebellion, ever personally kindly disposed, toward which threatened the whole empire the missionary. For a long time to with anarchy. China recovered from corne, therefore, there must be an in- that, and re-established her prestige by creased recognition of the uncertain the aid of Christian powers. Her pres- safety of the foreign missionary. This ent humiliation is from a non-Christian will be a new and more or less perma- nation. and the Christian powers have nent feature of the Japan victories, won no favor by their active assistance; wholly unlike the conditions superim- hence, saving Russia's aid in the war posed by the Taiping rebellion, which, indemnity, China does not feel under because of its quasi·Christian origin, any renewed obligation to make con- and because, per contra, of the prestige cessions to Western powers. No new of Christian leaders like Gordon in sup'.
privilege nor moral force comes to the pressing it, left no residuum of fresh missionary in China on diplomatic bases hatred to the Christian. Dr. Edkins as the result of late events. says it was safe to travel among the 2. The direct disadvantage of in- Taipings when the rebellion was at its height, as he pruved by going twice acts of violence save as their supersti- from Soochow to Nanking at a time tions and ignorance of foreigners are when the Taipings were in possession temporarily played on by designing of those cities and all the country round. leaders.
3. The present peril is from insurgents That these" baser sort" are the tools who meditate rebellion against the cen· of the officials and literati is equally tral government, and whose cry is a true in numerous instances. These men national one, "China for China I" are the real enemies of the missionaries.
These are not officials: they are not It will be curious if Dr. Edkins' surmise .. the people." They are turbulent, shall prove to be correct, that as these reckless individuals with power to rouse officials are hated by these insurgents, the" sects." These sects, when left to the former will ultimately be obliged to themselves and in their normal condi· seek alliance with the missionary to tion, are not antagonistic to Christianity. suppress the turbulent element. The They have been in existence through Central Government presses the official five hundred years, or twenty genera- class to protect the missionary at the tions. Dr. Edkins says their principles peril of their official position. Alto- are a mixture of Buddhist. Taoist, and gether, the danger and obstruction to Confucian elements, with their basis in mission work are at present greatly ag- the philosophical discussions of the Sung gravated as a result of the late war.
dynasty. In their ordinary state he de- 4. The gain from late events is not clares the Vegetarians are harmless to far to seek.
their neighbors, and civilly and politi- a. -Notwithstanding the plain intent cally subordinate; and thousands of of the Chinese officials at Kucheng, them in the several provinces have ac· something has been accomplished by cepted Christian baptism. Collective- the investigations into the massacre.
ly, as sects, they are not opposed to In September, Taotai Ru, by order of Ohristianity. They have among them the Viceroy, put a stop to the execu- many of ihe most acti ve minds of their tions, declined to proceed with the trial several communities. But they can be of the murderers, told the commission- misled. Bold, bad men join their ranks ers that in his opinion sufficient justice for the purpose of securing a following had been done, and released 40 convict- by inflaming the prejudice of the more ed prisoners: issued objectional procla- simple-minded and ignorant among mations and threatened vengeance on them. Then they become dangerous the native Christians for giving infor- to the government, and, pending some mation to consuls. Out of 140 men who states of puhlic thought, they also be- went to the massacre, 59 were tried, 45 come dangerous to all Christian mis- of whom were found guilty, 7 execut- sionaries and missions. But when let ed, and 2 died in prison. Still later, on alone they afford a community from the arrival of Admiral Buller at Foo- which helpful and satisfactory Chris- chow with six war vessels in Novem- tians can be recruited by judicious ber, affording assurance that all the counsel and prudent oversight. leaders and in all eighteen of the sup- But now they are not peaceable nor porters of the massacre had been or unprejudiced. They are in the hands would be executed.
of bad men, who ostensibly believe that b. A far more significant event, how- the Peking Government is going to ever, to the literati and official class is pieces, and who desire that it should go the punishment meted out to the Vice- to pieces, but who, whether it goes to roy of Szechuen Province in the mat- pieces or otherwise, hope to reap booty ter of the Chentu riots. From a Chi- from insurgent strife. It is affirmed nese standpoint his punishment is severe.
that the great mass of the people have The degrading of a Chinese official often DO sympathy with this rabble or their means his return in honor and triumph to his native village for a brief season, of our converts is increasing in an to be reappointed presently to some accelerated ratio. "
other official position possibly in ad vance of that previously occupied. At any Miracles of Grace.* rate, it only meant removal from one official position to another. But for the BY REV. E. M. WHERRY, D.D., CHICAGO.
first time in history Lieu Ping-chang, The story of missionary heroism and the Viceroy of Szechuen, has been dis- conquest has ever been heard with missed from the public service, with the thrilling interest. The history of the added words, " Never to be employed Acts of the Apostles, the annals of the again." All this one might hope would early Church, the lo~g catalogue of make some impression on the officials persecutions, the narratives of the final and the sects. triumph of the cross over the heathen- I!. A more certain result of the war is ism of Greece and Rome have always the increased intelligence of 1he churches had a charm for the Christian reader.
at home concerning the details of the The victory of purity and truth over Asiatic conditions under which success the vile doctrines and practices of false may be achieved; a profounder sympa- forms of religion cannot but fill the thy with missionaries in their perils and hearts of true believers with gladness.
plans, their failures and their success; Following the course of history, the and a deeper, lUore devout, and chast- streams of joy and gladness increase in ened determination at any cost of money volume as the story of the conversion or lives that the ultimate evangelization of the savage tribes of Northern and of China must be accomplished. Western Europe and the British Islands d. Dr. Edkins, already quoted, after is related. The interest of the reader forty and more years of experience in does not diminish as he reads tile history China, addressing the Missionary Con· of the great Reformation, and again be- ference at Shanghai, October 1st, 1895, holds the power of the Gospel to regen- concluded as follows: "The circulation erate and elevate a corrupt and cruel of our literature is greatly increased. race of people.
Many more Bibles and Testaments are It remained for the nineteenth cen- sold. The emperor himself has bought tury to develop a spirit of heroism in a copy of the Scriptures, and the em· no way inferior to that of the earliest press-dowager has accepted one. Our ages of the Church. The spectacle of Bible and tract committees report most educated and refined men and women favorably. There is a promising anti- going forth from the environments of foot-binding movement on foot. The civilized life to bury themselves in the number of Christians educated in schools obscurity of distant islands of the Pa- is greatly increased. There are more cific or the depths of the African conti- men of reading among our native nent is one that must have caused angels preachers than there were before. The to wonder. Isolated from their fellow- native newspapers are coming more men, surrounded by savage tribes of under our control. The number of our cannibals, witnesses of practices of the converts who can write instructively in most revolting cruelty and abominable our journals is increased. There are wickedness, often confronted by torture more good preachers than there were. and a martyr's death, these noble men It was possible to send recently from a and women lived and toiled and suf- Shanghai mission an able speaker in the fered with a patience, courage, and per- English language to take part in the severance which was almost super- anti-opium campaign. Men join us human.
now who have studied mathematics * "The Islands of the Pacific," by Rev. James and surveying, and appear to see things with the European eye. The number M. Alexander. Published by the American Tract Society, New York. Perhaps no portion of the earth is so were found ready to volunteer to carry full of interest, so unspeakably beauti- the knowledge of the Savior to these. ful as the islands of the Pacific. ., Oases Enduring often incredible hardships on a desert sea," they lure the tired trav- and trials, they nevertheless triumphed eler by their lovely trees and luscious over all obstacles, and were used by fruits. No place on earth can seem so God to bring multitudes to the truth as like unto the paradise of Eden as these it is in Jesus. wonderful islands. And yet, alas ! how awful the darkness, ignorance, and Perhaps the most sorrowful feature superstition of the people! Beastly of missionary experience in these islands sensuality, cruel superstition, vile and was the opposition of bad white men, filthy practices hid themselves under· who, having abandoned the civilized neath the shadows of the luxuriant for- life of their Christian hOme land, had ests. The exceeding sinfulness of sin given themselves over to a course of nowhere finds a more striking illustra- sensuality more abominable than that tion. On the other hand, nowhere do of their heathen neighbors. "The rewe find more remarkable illustration of sult of the untold barbarities perpetratthe power of the Gospel to transform ed by foreigners in return for the most and to save. If these beautiful islands generous hospitality of these natives, remind us of the stOlY of Eden, then and of the introduction of fire-arms and the triumphs of the Gospel suggest a ardent spirits, has sometimes been to Paradise restored. This is the thought change the simple·hearted islanders alwhich impresses the reader of the re- most into fiends." With the experience markable volume under notice. While of European atrocity in the South Seas the author has given us very graphic bdore him, the writer has well said that descriptions of the physical structure " the saddest thing for a heathen people and natural resources of these many is to come in contact with civilization groups of islands, and makes us ac- without Christianity." quainted with the racial and tribal peculiarities, the languages and customs These atrocities, more than the ferocof the people, he nevertheless brings to ity of the savage population of cannibal the fore the scenes of missionary labor, islands, account for the murder of many trial, and adventure, resulting in trans- faithful missionaries. The heartless formation of cannibal tribes into assem· kidnapping of unsuspecting women blies of devout worshipers of the Lord and children that they might be carried Christ. into practical slavery, the deliberate in- fection of the whole population of an To the ordinary man of the world island with measles and small·pox and nothing could have seemed more absurd other similar abominable cruelties, could than the endeavor of the missionaries to not but madden the people to frenzy civilize and Christianize these islanders. against every white face that might And yet it was Cook'8 voyages that first corne among' them. The only wonder aroused an interest in these degraded is that so few of the missionaries fell people, notwithstanding that Cook had victims to savage fury. declared any endeavor to civilize them to be impracticable. Many Christian A most interesting feature in this narmen of high position in the Church rative of missionary labor is the impor. agreed with him. But the faith of a tant part taken by native converts in the few devoted men, recognizing that even work of evangelization of their neighsuch degraded savages were included bors. Indeed, the story reads more like among the "all nations" which must the early chapters of the Book of Acts be discipled, triumphed over prejudice than anything in the annals of modern and unbelief. Devoted men and women missions. Many islands were evangel- ized by missionaries from Tahiti, Ha- waii, and other centers; and yet the importance of European supervision is not an undue excitement, but a ~eep emphasized. The native missionary and solemn earnestness. The natives makes a most efficient worker, but received the Divine Word like little rarely a good organizer. Hence the children, with perfect trust, and drank importance of the foreign missionary. in every word spoken like men dying who ought always to be a leader as well with thirst. During the years from as a teacher. 1836-40 about twenty thousand persons The mighty power of the Gospel were received into the churches. Dur- was, perhaps, nowhere more wonder- ing the forty subsequent years the aver- fully manifested than in the Sandwich age number of annual admissions to the Islands, now seeking the protection of churches was one thousand."
the land whose missionaries led them "The result of this revival was a out of heathen darkness into Christian progress and prosperity of the islands light. The work was hard and discour- that has continued with little cessation aging in the outset. In 1825 there were to the present time. The Hawaiians but ten Christians on the islands. The now awakened with genuine earnest- missionaries toiled and prayed for many ness to adopt the manners and customs years before the great harvest was ready of civilization."
for the reaper. This is a splendid example of the mis- .. At length, in the years 1836-39, oc- sionary triumphs which are chronicled curred the great religious awakening in this volume. In the Society Islands, by which the Hawaiian people were in the Austral group, the Pearl, the Ha- changed from a heathen to a Christian waiian, the Marquesas, the Hervey, in nation. This revival began in an in- Samoa, Micronesia, Tonga, New Zea- creased earnestness of the missionaries land and the Fiji, in the Melanesia, the themselves. In their annual gatherings Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands, the story in 1835 and 1836 they were moved as is one of wondrous missionary success.
never before to pray, not only for the Cannibal tribes became civilized Chris- conversion of the Hawaiians, but also tian peoples. The idols, with the cruel for that of the whole world. As they customs of idol worship, are cast out, then returned to their homes, some of and instead there is the song of praise them under sad bereavement, they soon and the voice of prayer.
observed an increased earnestness of the With these results of missionary labor church-members. Many of these be- before us, we may unite with the author came so active that it was remarked of this book in saying that" t}:J.e future that they would have been ornaments man of the Pacific will not be an un- to any church in the United States. clothed savage, tattooed and smeared There then occurred simultaneously with turmeric and ocherous earth, de- over all the islands such a revival of lighting in a helmet of bird feathers, religion as has rarely been seen in the wielding a war club or sharp teeth, history of the Church. The people were and uttering unearthly yells and war- so moved that they could hardly attend whoops, but well clothed, cultured, and to their usual vocations. It was re- refined, engaged in the foremost arts, marked the voices of children were not and conversing intelligently on the best heard as usual at play upon the beach, enterprises of the world."
but that they were rather to be heard in the thickets and among the rocks at Why No More Money for Missions? prayer. From early morning till late at night the nati ves came in crowds to BY REV. N. S. BURTON, ANN ARBOR, the houses of the missionaries to inquire MICH.
the way of life. The number attending Notwithstanding the large sums of preaching increased in some of the money, in the aggregate, contributed churches to six thousand. There was for missions, the average per member is pitiably small-the highest in anyone Bible is in the home of every Christian, denomination being less than $1.50, and yet multitudes of Christians would the lowest but a few cents. The strange know as little of the Bible as they do of fact that now, when, as never before, missions but for the patient and perse- inviting fields are calling for laborers, vering efforts of pastors to interest and and men and women stand ready to instruct them. Every pastor knows enter them, not counting their lives that he is obliged to resort to all kinds dear unto themselves, all the mission of devices to induce his members to treasuries are overdrawn and retrench- study the Bible, and that multitudes ment instead of enlargement is the or- know little more of it than what they der, indicates that there is a fault some- get from the lips of their pastor. If, where. then, we would have our members give Does the responsibility for this condi- liberally for missions, we must in some tion of things rest somewhat evenly way get them information respecting upon the whole membership of the missions, and they will not seek this in- churches, or does it lie chiefly in one di- formation unless incited and guided by rection? While it would be absurd to their pastors.
. hold pastors responsible tor all the Some pastors know little about mis- shortcomings of their members, the first sions themselves, and what little they place to look, when a church fails to do know is of the past and not of the come up to the help of the Lord, is to present. They do not read the mission- the pastor. Do the churches fail to ary periodicals, and have fallen behind meet the measure of their opportunity the age in respect to missions. It may and responsibility in this matter because safely be predicted that such pastors the pastors are lacking in faithfulness will not have giving churches_ or skill? There are other pastors who profess After an experience of more than an interest in missions and are not un- forty years in the pastorate, the writer informed respecting them, but excuse ventures to give as his opinion that the themselves and their churches from giv- smallness of the contributions to mis- ing on the plea of poverty. They think sions is due, not so much to want of that every dollar contributed to mis- Christian liberality, as to the lack of in- sions is so much subtracted from their formation; not so much to stinginess own salary or from what is needed to as to ignorance. He believes that dili- maintain the church work at home.
gent inquiry on the part of pastors Such need to be taught again what are would develop the sad fact that a very the first principles of the Gospel-that large proportion of the members of it is just those that water that are them- churches know next to nothing about selves watered, and that the liberal what has been accomplished by mis- Church as well as the liberal soul is sionaries even of their own denomina- made fat.
tion, and as little of the present condi- There are other pastors who seem to tion of the work and the opportunities be afraid to enjoin upon their people for winning the souls of the heathen to the duty of giving, as if this were not as Christ. Now, it is not in human nature much included in their commission as to feel an interest in that of which we repentance and faith, " All things what· know nothing. That a real disciple of soever I have commanded you." And Christ should feel no joy when lost men there are others who overdo the matter, are saved and no interest in the work like the three daughters of the horse being done in heathen lands by their leech, always crying, "Give, give.
brethren is impossible, except on the give I" To urge the duty of giving supposition that he is ignorant. It is where there is no intelligence respect- true that missionary intelligence is abun- ing the objects for which giving is asked dant and easily obtained; but tho the is like working the handle of a pump of which the pipe does not reach the suIted from faithful and patient seed water. sowing, and the ever enlarging work Some pastors attempt to compel their and the unfailing and increasing an- people to give by a kind of machine nual increase of converts. Every year's pressure. They arrange that each one report from the broad mission field shall be regularly personally solicited shows conclusively that the missionary for each one of the objects aided by the enterprise is above everything else a Church.; and tbe system does seem to growing success, an investment that secure contributions from a large pro- pays according to the Scripture rule: portion of the members. But in most " Good measure, pressed down, shaken cases it is not willing giving, which is together, and running over."
pleasing to God, and ceases when the im- 2. When and where and how often portunity ceases. It does not cultivate should this be done? At such time and Christian liberality, however it may be place as will secure the largest number with the habit of giving. of Christians present, and as frequently After trial of many methods to secure as the greatness of the work of missions liberal giving for missions, I am thor- justly demands. The work of missions, oughly convinced that the one indis- instead of being something incidental to· pensable (if not the only) thing to in- the great business of the Church, is the duce those who have the love of God in chief, it may even be said the sole busi- their hearts to give generously as God ness of the Church. The Church is the has prospered them for the conversion organization appointed by Christ for the of the heathen, is to make them intelli- carrying out of the commission to preach gent on the whole subject of modern the Gospel to every creature. A part missions. And it is the business of of that work lies at the very door of the every pastor as much as in him lies to local Church, and of each member, and make them so. How is he to do it ? for this work the local Church and the A few hints suggested by experience individual Christian are first of all reo may be helpful. They are but hints, sponsible. But the immense majority given diffidently, which each pastor of the" creatures" to whom the Gos- may use according to his own judgment pel must be preached are not only out- in view of the circumstances "in his own side the bounds of the local Church, but case. outside of our own country. Is the 1. Let him have some plan by which pastor who grudges the time necessary he shall regularly and frequently and to inform the people of his charge of systematically set before his people the the needs of these millions and of the facts respecting missionary operations, ways by which they are to be reached, especially those of his own denomin- and of what God is doing for them ation, tho not exclusively-facts re- through missionaries-is he executing specting the origin and history of the the commission given him by his Mas- various missions, interesting bits of ter P Is one service out of eight or ten biography of missionaries, the fresh in- in each month too much to be given for telligence from the various fields, both the benefit of these perishing millions?
home and foreign, with special refer- Instead of crowding the missionary ser- ence to the methods by which the work vice of the Church into an obscure cor- is carried on and success achieved. ner-as if only a little handful were ex- While not concealing the fact that the pected to attend-let it be placed fully work requires patience under discour· on a par with any other service of the agements and the enduring of hardness Church. Then, having given it an hon- as good soldiers, and even peril of health orable place, let no effort be spared to and life, let him (as the missionaries make it fully worthy of the place given would have him) dwell chiefly on the it. As every pastor is bound to give success which always has in due time re- all diligence in the preparation of each sermon, so that on every occasion he and is regularly gratified, the intellishall do his level best, so let him do in gence which will gradually follow will preparation for each missionary service. beget and nourish in every Christian There is no excuse for slipshod work breast a desire to share in this grandest here. The missionary literature is abun· enterprise of the age. Very little will dant and varied and cheap, and from then need to be said about the duty of this rich abundance the pastor can cull giving, for the people will have learned material which is capable of instructing by experience its blessedness. There will and interesting an audience. Not that be little work for soliciting committees the pastor is to do all or even most of to do, for the brethren will do as the the talking. His part is to select the brethren of Macedonia did who prayed material. Let him call to his assistance Paul with much entreaty that he would his brethren and sisters, as Christ did receive their gifts and distribute them when He broke the bread to the hungry to the needy saints. multitude, and let him not leave out his young members. Not everyone can The present writer speaks from exread well a selection, however excellent. perience. What the membership of our It is better usually to master what is to churches need is not exhortations to the be given to the audience, so that it can duty of giving nor thrilling appeals nor be presented independently of the print- teasing or cornering to extort money ed page. The pastor can utilize the from them to give the bread of life to variety of talent found in every church, the starving nations, but information, and thus educate his members, espe- information, INFORMATION. cially the young, to be helpers in many ways. Euphrates Oollege-The Harpoot :Mis- sion. Of course variety must be cultivated, and it will be easy to do this because It is positively pathetic to look on the material is abundant and varied. some pictures in a pamphlet entitled The field from which to gather it is the " Euphrates College," which accidenworld, including our own country, and tally this moment fell out of some liter- "each breeze that sweeps the ocean" ery debris and arrested our attention. brings new tidings of the progress of Is it young men like these of the sophotbe work. A pastor has no excuse for more class of the Euphrates College, or falling into ruts in carrying on mission· this class in theology in 1891, or young ary meetings. women like these girls in the Girls' College that have been massacred? and One will not be long in finding that is it a vast group of college buildings of the vast amount of missionary intel- such as are shown here that have been ligence furnished him by missionary destroyed by a turbulent mob? It literature and periodicals, only a frac- would be a relief to find vent for one's tion can be given to the people at mis- indignation and wrath, but it cannot sionary meetings, tho they be ever be. Our soul is in the agony which so frequent, and he will therefore seek cries" 0 Lord, how long !" to conduct these meetings so as to make them whet the appetite of the people This college first bore the name for more information. He will tell " Armenia" in its corporate title, but them where this can be obtained, and was changed at the bidding of the thus induce them to take and read the Turkish Government, who could not missionary periodicals. He will avoid brook the name on college diplomas satiating the appetite of the people, giv- and constantly on the lips of the peoing them only tastes and samples of the ple. It became" Euphrates College." good things which these periodicals fur· This college stood alone in a field exnish in abundance. tending from the eastern part of Asia Minor for fi ve hundred miles eastward When this appetite has been created to Persia, north to the Black Sea, well Both these methods are resorted to on toward the Caucasus and the Cas- by missionaries according as circum- pian Sea in Russia, and south into Meso· stances indicate most likely to be help- potamia, the center of Christian civili- ful.
zation for a territory three times as large This line of annotation was suggested as New England, with five million in- by the following received from Rev.
habitants, one million of whom were Dr. J. H. De Forest, November 20th, Armenians. From the latter portion of on the eve of his departure for Sendai, the population it drew most of its stu- Japan, returning to his work in the dents. It was the center of an educa- American Board Mission.
tional system comprising eighteen high " A note in your December number, and boarding-schools, and one hundred 1895, p. 958, tells of Miss Nott's very nat- and fifty common schools. In its own ural experience with a Japanese lady- immediate departments it enrolled six au experience which ev idently she entire- hundred students, drawn from sixty·five ly misunderstands, as many others of us to ninety towns and cities in Turkey, have done before getting a fair knowl- and as many more in other city schools edge of the language. I was once at taught by graduates or pupils in this an examination of a school-teacher for college. The graduates of the theologi- church-membership in Japan, and the cal school have rendered more than an question was asked, 'Are you a sin- aggregate service of a thousand years. ner ? ' He indignantly replied, ' No.'
The education of women was keeping He was labored with, but resisted pace with that among the men. stoutly and with flushed face, until I These Armenians, ,. the Anglo-Saxons asked him to please call and talk it of the East," are bankers, merchants, over with me later on. At this talk I artisans, and farmers, inferior in native simply showed him a few of the com- ability to no nation in the world. When mandments and of Christ's precepts, educated they pass rapidly into promi- and asked if he had always obeyed nence.-J. T. G. them. To which he frankly replied, 'No.' On asking if he felt regret at having failed to live up t~ a high stand- THE OBSTRUCTIONS OF SPEECH.- ard, and if he realized his imperfec- There are" Term" difficulties besides tions as something to be sorry for be- those current among Sinalogues over fore his Heavenly Father, he unhesi- the proper name for" God." The ob- tatingly said, ' Yes.'
stacle exhibits itself in most heathen lan- "Now Miss Nott apparently does guages where missionaries are obliged not know that in all pantheistic lands- to use words that distinctly do not con- I think all-the words for crime and sin vey the Christian meaning, and educat- are not differentiated. In other words, ing the people into their new definition, there is no word for sin in the Japanese or resort to the other awkward method or Chinese language. Miss Nott's as- of introducing a new word, the defini- sertion that we are all sinners meant to tion of which must also be taught. No the Japanese lady's ear, unaccustomed Hindu unaccustomed to missionary probably to the Christian vocabulary, meaning would comprehend the theo- that she was a criminal,. and the only logical terms he uses in the sense in polite way to take it was for her which the missionary intends. Neither to laugh aud exclaim, 'I a crimi- " sin," "pardon," or "heaven," for nal! '
instance, would be comprehended. Yet " So I never use that word crime to these terms must be used and elevated a non-Christian in Japan. It is only in as Roman words, such as " saqrament," the churches that it can safely be used, or new words transferred into the tho, of course. it is now more widely speech, as " baptize" into English. understood. " A TRACT, AND WH.lT CAME OF IT.- they would find the Christian teacher, An incident comes to us from Miss and so the two men caJIle again, and Elizabeth Lawrence, of the Baptist found the mission house and drank in M.ission, Burma, which illustrates what the truth, and when they returned two is often called in question, the power of our preachers went with them to inof the Truth in many instances to lead struct them more in the way." men to a new life of faith in Christ, apart from the personal teacher; and The Central Committee of the Sunwhich also affords encouragement to day-School Union at Calcutta nomithose who do not see the fruit of their nated Rev. T. J. Scott, D.D., of the labors to hope that in some cases the Correspondence Editorial Corps of this seed cast on the waters or in the face REVIEW as successor to the late lamentof the winds may bring forth manifold. ed Dr. J. L. Phillips, as Secretary of Miss Lawrence may relate her own the India Sunday.School Union; and story. She travels far into the jungle, the London Sunday-School Union, often where the face of no other white which makes the appointment, has woman was ever seen to work in heathen asked Dr. Scott to accept the position. villages; and also among the churches, It will be a matter of regret that Dr. holding meetings with the women and Scott cannot respond affirmatively to children, and aiding the native pastors the invitation. ITe is quite in need of a by Bible-readings in the church. At year's rest yet in America, and his oblithe time referred to above she wrote : gations to the responsible offices he noW"holds would scarcely admit of his "Just now I am rejoicing over nine laying them down even for so impor· converts in a heathen village some tant work as this of the India Sundaythirty miles away from all Christian School Union, whose operations now influences, who were brought to the extend over all India, Burma, Ceylon, light by the grandfather in one house· and to the Straits Settlements, 2000 hold reading a tract called' The Awak- miles to the southeast, includin~, of ener,' which was picked up under a course, Singapore and Penang. Dr. rest-house by the wayside some fifteen Scott was one of the founders of th6 miles away from their village, and car- Sunday-School Union for India. and ried to him by one who could not read. was president or secretary of it till last Altho the tract was much soiled and year, when on returning to America he some of the leaves gone, the Holy Spirit became Honorary Patron and Honor used it to hi.s salvation and that of his ary Secretary. The post of General household of six adults and another Secretary to this Union is esteemed by household, 1 man and wife, and they those most intimately acquainted with are teaching their little ones the right it the most important missionary apway. After reading the tract two men pointment in all India. It touches the were sent to Belin, the town near work of all missions and lays a moldwhich the tract was found, to inquire ing hand on the young of all the nafor the teacher of this religion, and find- tions in the empire. ing I had returned here, they took a little boat (it heing in the rains) and Dr. Josiah Tyler died at Nashville, came seeking me, but the Buddhists N. C., December 20th. His book on here hearing what they were seeking "Forty Years Among the Zulus" at for turned them aside, saying the teach- once reveals the man and his life work. er lived a long distance away still, so His father was founder and president they were discouraged and returned of Hartford Theological Seminary, and at one time President of Dartmouth home. College. Co The next dry season when they met II blacksmith from Thaton they inquired of him, and he told them where
FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
IlL-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.* BY D. L. PIEBSON.
Ohina,t Tibet, Formosa,t Cr'lfucianism,§ and Taoism,11 NOTES ON CHINA. been very great. There are at present in China about 55,000 communicants, Milne offered- himself as a missionary which shows a remarkable increase to China, but was refused. He offered since 1889. There can be no doubt as to go as a servant, and was accepted; to the marked increase of these five blacked Morrison's shoes and did a ser- years. If the next five be as prospervant's work until he acquired the lan- ous, our China communicants will, at guage and waS ready for work; then the close of 1900, number not far short he became the greatest missionary of of 90,000. We are on the eve of great Southeast Asia. How many of the changes, and great changes for the betpresent·day candidates for mission fields ter also."
show a similar zeal ? Such a statement ought to do much Dr. Griffith John makes a statement to strengthen the faith and stimulate the enthusiasm of the friends of our in regard to church-membership in missionary societies. The war has un- China, which is most gratifying. He fortunately interfered with the work and the workers in the north; there is, says: therefore, the more cause for thankful- ness that God has so graciously blessed .. The progress in church-member- the testimony of His people who are ship during the past year (1894-95) has laboring in other districts of the empire. been most satisfactory. At our L. M. S. station in Hankow we baptized in all " What good do our millions of well- 165 persons, 111 being adults and 54 turned essays on the classics do us ?" non-adults. The progress in the prov- many a Chinaman may be heard saying inces of Fukien and Shantung has also to day. In many circles in China the foolishness of the present bookish sys- .. We propose this year to refer only to recent tem of learning, sanctioned by the Govbooks on the snbjects of the month; but in ad- ernment examinations, is fully recogdition to references to articles in the REVIEW, we nized, It is no wonder that a complete shall occasionally mention articles in cnrrent reform of the State examinations is now numbers of other magazines. The books and an essential point in the program of the magazineo m"ntim11ld may 00 <>bWnlld thrmlgh reform party. From the highest minis- Funk & Wagnalls Company, 30 Lafayette Place, ter down to the district judge the ruling New York. Ohinese class has received no other cul- ture than what could be gained from t See also pp. 881 (Dec. 1895) ; 49, 53, 56, 62, 64, the study of these essays, which are, for the most part, a perversion of their 78 (Jan.); 100, 114, 116, 122 (present issue). Re- excellent classics, perfect indeed in cent books: " Pioneer Work in Shantung" (John form, but superficial in treatment. :Many L. Nevius), by Mrs. Nevius; "Forty Years in Ohinese who are conversant with Euro- China," by R. H. Graves, D.D. ; "After Thirty pean affairs wish now to learn from the Years," byJ. Hudson Taylor; HJames Gilmour Japanese how to make use of Western and his Boys," by Richard Lovett; .. Demon culture and science. A Hong-kong Possession in Mission Fields," by John L.Nevins; newspaper has recently brought before "Kwang Tung" (South China), by John A. Tnr- the public the reform plans of these ner; .. Forty Years in Sonth China," by Rev. J. young Chinese. The admitted misfor- G. Fagg; .. A Cycle of Cathay," by Dr. W. A. P. tune is that this party lacks the needed Martin (in press). Recent articles: "The Vegetarian Sects in China," Harper's (Oct. 1895); "Missionaries in China," Macmillan'S (Nov. 1895); "Characteristics of the Chinese," Treasury (Dec. 1895).
:t. See >. 81 (>re~lt iil!!ue). .. From Far For- mosa," by G. L. Mackay, D.D. § See p. 87 (present issue)… Confucian Theol- ogy," Work and Workers (Oct. 1895).
I See p. 96 (present issne). leader. But they hope that the present " Rega~ding the .hosti~ity of the Chi- nese officIals and hteratl, and their agcircumstances will help to develop him.* g~es~ive, determined ~ftorts to hamper Rev. Henry M.Woods, of Tsing Kiang· mISSIon work, the wIdespread riots in the Yangtze valley in lfi91, followed by pu, writes some words of interest in re- gard to the petition of American mis- the brutal Sung-pu murders of 1893 and other outbreaks, showed plainly that sionaries to the United States Government regarding their right of residence something must be done to guard more carefully the rights of missionaries in in the interior of China: the interior, otherwise, as was stated by .. For many years the position of mis- smioonreartihesanwoonueldvnetoetraonnlmyibsseioshnaurty~umt ios-f sionaries in the interior of China has the 'regions beyond,' but would be been in many respects a most unsatis- gradually driven out of many places al- factory one, on account of the ill-de- ready occupied.
fined nature of their rights under the " Realizing the gravity of the situa- treaties now existing between the United ti?n, and ~~lieving that consistently States Government and China, and on WIth the spmtual nature of t.heir work account of the hostility of officials ren- and in accordance with scriptural ex.: dering the securing of mission property amples,* there are circumstances which in many of the provinces a matter of in- not only allow but demand an appeal to creasing difficulty. the secular aglol vdeernnommienn~ttiAonmsehriecladna mis· sionaries of rep- "No missionary could live long in most of the cities of interior China with- resentative meeting in Shanghai in Sep- out realizing that he was not enjoying tember, 1894, to prepare a petition to the rights which the Church believed the Government calling attention to the him to enjoy, and which his government evils which may be remedied by a slight was supposed to guarantee him by modification of our treaties.
treaty_ While at comparatively rare "Much labor and careful research intervals the Chinese Government ac- were involved in thE' preparation of the knowledges by proclamation that the petition. and of the appendix, containing presence of the missionary is in accord- translatIOns, notes, and depositions.
ance iws iitnhdutrsetraitoyusrleygcuilractuiolants~dstailnl dthies Several months were necessarily spent idea in securing signatures from missionagenerally accepted by the people that ries throughout the provinces and the missionaries live in the interior onlv by petition was finally sent last inonth to the sufferance of the Chinese Govern- Minister Denby, in tPheekiGnog~ertonmbeentfoar-t Dl~nt. and not by legal compact. The warded by him to mIssionary also learns that his right in Washington.
the interior has no explicit verbal war- " The petition contains the names of rant in the United States treaties, but 164 missionaries, from 28 States of the depends upon the provisions of the Union, and representing nearly if not French and English treaties, coupled all the Protestant societies of the.United with" the most favored nation clause." t States working in China. The names Though the French and English treaties of other petitioners having been redo explicitly grant right of residence ceived since the petition was forwardand of holding property in tbe interior ed, a supplementary list of names will of China, it must be confessed with re- be sent on to Washington later. gret that the representations of those " As will appear from an examinagovernments, guided by expediency tion of the petition (p. 539 of MISSIONrather than right, sacrifice missionary ARY REVIEW, July, 1895), the United inte~ests to trade, and, to please the States Government is requested: offiCIals of China, allow this provision "1. To have clearly set forth in the of the treaties to remain a dead letter. ,!ords. of the tr.eaty. the right of mis- American consular representatives- SIOnarIes to reSIde m the interior of f!lithful. as they are, as a rule, to mis- China, and to hold mission property sIonary mterests-are thus embarrassed either in their own name or in the name in pressing a claim, even a righteous of the society they represent. The imone, which is founded on the treaty of portance of having these rights plainly another nation, when that nation itself stated in the treaty is apparent from the allows such rights to go by default. fact that the treaties, and the treaties * Evangelisches M'zssions Magazin. alone, are the charter of the rights of t The ,. most favo"'ed nation clause" provides United States citizens and the ultimate that any right or privilege granted by China to the subjects of other nations .hall also be granted to ci~i~ens of the Uni~ed States, tho the right or l?r1vllege be not speCified in the articles of the * Acts xvi. 37; xxii. 25; xxiii. 17, 18; xxv, Umted States treaties. 10, 11; xxviii. 19. standard of appeal in all cases of dis- upon liberty of speech and of the press pute. in China. It does not ask the Govern- "2. To remove certain unjust re- ment to take cognizance of religious strictions imposed, without due author- controversy. It asks simply that horri- ity, by the Chinese offici.ah, which in ble libels against the character of good many cases practically nullify the rights men and women, which stir up the peo- of missionaries and render the treaty a ple to murder and riot, be suppressed.
dead letter. The first point deals with The petition asks the United States Fung 8hui, or the fear of the good luck Government to say to China: 'You of a locality being injured by , foreign may criticise United States citizens and devils' residing in the neighborhood. what you are pleased to caU foreign On this point an American consul, a doctrines as much as you like, but you shrewd lawyer, remarked to the writer: may not fabricate outrageous charges 'The Chinese Government thus de- against law-abiding citizens of this re- mands, before allowing you to secure public, and thereby incite your people property, that you must define the to murder them and destroy their prop- limits of popular superstition I' An erty.'
'infinite quantity,' as the mathemati- " It is believed that the granting of cians say, which would postpone the the petition will prove of immense ad- securing of mission property to an in- vantage to the cause of Christ in China.
definite period. Concerning this, the A decisive blow will thus be struck at petition requests that if a Chinese offi- the root of the riots and the anti·foreign cial prohibits the sale of property offered agitation which prompts them, the way to missionaries, he must negotiate for will be opened for more cordial rela- the missionaries the purchase of some tions with Chinese officials and people, other eligible property. That it may and scores of cities all over the empire, be legal to purchase mission property as well as whole regions, like the Hunan without first notifying the officials. If province, now closed fast against us, officials are first notified, they generally will be opened to the Gospel. intimidate the people so as to prevent " As to the time for presenting such the sale. a petition, no more opportune juncture "3. That scandalous books published than the present could possibly be by high officials of the Government, con- found. Since the war with Japan, taining vile slanders regarding foreign China has become conscious of the need nations and the practices of the Chris- for a readjustment of her foreign relatian Church, be prohibited. The contents tions. The Chinese Government is of these books are too vile for q uota- under great obligations to our Govern- tion, charging wissionaries with mur- ment representatives for friendly offices der, sorcery, adultery, the stealing aud in arranging peace with Japan. The cormutilation of children, and with stirring dial support and earnest prayers of all up rebellion against the Chinese Gov- of God's people in America are asked ernment. Our Government cannot for this movement. There is no better afford to treat these books with con- way of heiping the cause of Christ in tempt, because to foreign nations tho China. Let the Christian people at slanders are so palpably false. The home rally and urge upon the Govern- Government must remember that these ment the importance of prompt and incendiary publications are enrolled in favorable action on the petition. official catalogues, are for sale in Gov- "In conclusion, while attention is ernment bookstores, and come to the candidly called to the serious obstacles people with all the authority of Govern- which lie in the path of mission work ment documents. They are published, in the interior of China, in order that too, often with the avowed purpose, these evils may be remedied, let no one not only of creating hatred against for- imagine that missionaries are in the lcast eigners, but of stirring up the people to discouraged by them. The messagc avert deeds of violence. Our Govern- which comes from all over interior ment must remember the actual effect China to the Church at home is one of of such publications on the ignorant good cheer and hope. The Church of masses, like fire to a powder magazine, Christ has come to China to stay. She stirring up the people to riot and will never strike her flag, no matter murder. The publication of such in· what the difficulties and obstacles are. famous libels being plainly a violation She realizes that 'the Lord God om- of our treaties of peace, our Govern- nipotent reigneth' here as throughout ment, if it wishes to Ilut au end to the the rest of the world, and that Christ's riots and to secure the lives and prop- kingdom shall surely prevail. Only let "rty of its citizens in China, cannot but the Church bestir herself to use every Clemaud their suppression. The peti- means to remove the obstacles which tioIl by this request does not infringe hinder the progress of the Gospel; and now that God gives us a rare opportu· they are supposed to number 2,500,000, nity at the close of this war, let the but this number is purely an estimate. Church exert an activity never before 'l'he conditions of lite to the north of put forth to raise men and means to fill here during the last winter must have this opening empire with heralds of the been pitiable in the extreme. Murrain cross."
Mongolia has long been a problem to broke out among the herds, and swept missionary societies. The immense tract off fully one third. A similar disease of country occupied by the tribes who roam over its territory offer a serious killed off half the sheep. And as the difficulty, since it is possible to reach Government had bought or seized a only a few people from one station. large proportion of the horses, the Mon· gols were reduced to penury,* Different tribes have different dialects, Two centuries and a half ago Hol- a difference very manifest in the only land established a trading colony and a Bible at the disposal of the mission· Christian mission on Formosa. In 1627 ary, since of the few who can read, a George Candidius commenced mission great many are unable to understand work on the island. He studied the what is meant. The people are the language and religion of the natives, most religious of all the followers of mingled with them, won their confi· Buddha. Probably nowhere else in the dence, and eagerly sought their highest world is there manifest so much super- good. He was joined in 1629 by Rob· stition mingled with the mechanical ob· ert Junius, who conquered the collo- servation of rites and ceremonies as out quiallanguage of the people, prepared on the great plains. In this respect catechisms for their instruction, and they form a marked contrast to the Chi· translated considerable portions of the nese. The latter, whatever may be Holy Scriptures.
their practice as to inviting priests to Mr. Junius labored for twelve years read prayers for the dead, are thorough in six large towns in Formosa. The Confucianists. In Mongolia, Confucius reformation in morals was astonishing.
is well·nigh unknown; but Buddha, Men of all ranks and conditions were and particularly that form of worship converted. Fifty natives were trained which has been introduced from Tibet, to teach, and these had under their is the sacred religion of the people. A charge over 600 scholars. Churches few Mongols have received the truth, were planted in 23 towns. The Dutch many more have acknowledged its missionaries took pains to furnish the power and their own duty to accept it, people with suitable catechisms, with but the fear of relatives and friends, the translations of Scripture, and with other certainty of being" put out of the syna· Christian reading. They also taught gog," has deterred them from an open the people, as far as they could, to read profession. Dutch as well as Formosan. At one With the exception, possibly, of the time, in order to deter the natives from fever.stlicken region of Africa, no mis· practising idolatry, they were threat· sion field calls for the intense heroism, ened with whipping and banishment.
coupled with great intellectual qualifi. This was proclaimed by the Dutch Gov- cations, such as are demanded of the ernment with the consent of the For.
missionary who gives himself to this mosan consistory! The Supreme Coun- great work. In order to reach the peo· cil in Holland, however, quickly put a pIe, a man must possess two languages, stop to this sort of " discipline."
Mongol and Chinese, must have an iron The headquarters of these noble men constitution, capable of enduriug the were at Sakam, then a village, now a rigors of severe winters on the bleak large city; and zeal, tact, and well· plains. and, above all, a love that" over· directed labor, blessed of God, proved cometh the world."
,There is no census of the Mongols; * Rev. F. Jlt Chapiu, iu the Independent. abundantly successful. In 1635 they out food or drink! Other crueltiesreceived into the Church by baptism too many, alas! and too hideous-are reo 700 adults. Next year they reported lated. that 15 ministers would be required to take full advantage of the opening pre- Koxinga immediately slew 500 male sented by this most inviting field. Sev- prisoners, Pastor Hambroek among eral missionaries were sent in response them. Many of the women were slain. to their call. No fewer than 32 Hol- others were sold into slavery. One of the landers labored in Formosa in diffusing ministers, Marcus Masius, laboring near the Gospel during the thirty·seven years, Tamsui, made his escape to Batavia. and the converts numbered 5900. At last the brave defenders of Fort Zeelandia had to give it up, and were But a dreadful storm of blood and allowed to escape with their lives. A tire broke upon the young Formosan few of the women and children survived church, which destroyed it root and in captivity and exile until 1684, when branch. This was the time of the Tar- they were rescued. Thus was extintar invasion of China, and the disas- guished in blood the light so promising, trous overthrow of the Ming dynasty. so beautiful, kindled two and a half Countless hordes came down upon the centuries ago in Formosa. Thank God defenceless towns and cities. The old that the same blessed light is again order was utterly broken up, and it was borne to the same land by faithful years before the new order came. churches of the reformed family. Koxinga, a daring pirate chief, who refused to own the new dynasty, re- Why is Chinese Tibet, in the heart of solved to carve out a kingdom for him- Central Asia, still so hermetically sealed Belf in Formosa. He invaded the island against the entrance of the Gospel, with a powerful force, and summoned which would bring it freedom from the the Dutch to an immediate surrender priestly tyranny of the dominant lamas.? under pain of death. The Dutch had He, who has all power in heaven and a fort for their protection-Zeelandia- on earth, can open that closed door as by no means a place of strength, and soon as He chooses. Is it His purpose their forces were but small; but, with that some lands should remain closed to characteristic courage and tenacity of Europeans in order that we may learn purpose, they refused to obey the fatal how to employ the native converts of summons, and resolved to stand a siege. the borderlands to introduce the Gospel For nine long months the deadly strug- to the regions beyond? gle lasted. Many of the converts reverted to heathenism, whereupon Kox- One item of news from this mission is inga gave each a silk robe, a cap with very plea~ing. Paulu, a native Chrisa gilt knob, and a pair of Chinese boots. tian at POD, has traversed the whole of the neighboring province of Chinese Faithful Hollanders and native Chris- Tibet, telling the Gospel of salvation, tians scattered throughout the country and distributing Scriptures and tracts were treated with barbaric severity. in every village. He has gone where Ministers and schoolmasters were put to no European may go, and tho the death, in some cases even crucified, by Tibetan authorities forbade his advance order of the savage Koxinga. Some of to another province, we hope he will the Dutch were thus put to death, fast be able to take a similar tour at some ened to a cross by having nails driven future time. Since his baptism, Paulu through their hands and the calves of has received special instruction, with a their legs, and another nail driven view to such service over the border. through their backs. In this plight they He started from Poo with a companion, were exhibited before the governor's taking a considerable supply of Tibetan house. They would live in this awful Gospels and tract.s on a donkey. His condition from three to four days with· orders were to sell these books whenever he could find purchasers, but to Possibly Paulu may again try to give, if necessary, where there was hope traverse another province. If he of their proving spiritually useful. takes fewer books, he may attract less Wisely avoiding Shipke, he entered attention, and so find a wider range Tsotso, preaching the simple Gospel for the verbal proclamation of the mes- and distributing the Word of God and sage of life in Chinese Tibet.* Christian booklets among a people who have a great respect for all that is writ- The Opium Traffic. t ten in their Tibetan characters. Paulu It is one of the standing mysteries of describes the country traversed as bar-' human life that men in possession of a ren and thinly populated. As a native conscience should justify the mainte- nance of that which intlicts awful ruin he was better able to gauge the feeling on a great portion of the race. Yet this of the people toward the Gospel than a is what the defenders of the opium European could. Paulu found more traffic are essaying to do. The present enmity to the Gospel than receptivity aspects of the opium question were dis- cussed in a recent meeting in London. for it. Once the villagers were afraid A lengthy resolution was offered by to take any books or tracts from him Mr. J. E. Ellis, M.P., to the effect that for fear of their rulers. At a village inasmuch as the late Royal Commission was appointed to investigate a system called Semkil he stayed three days with of revenue derived from It drug manuan old man, who seemed not far from factured and traded in by .the Indian the kingdom of heaven. This man had Government, it was bound to preserve heard the truth from Missiona.ry Pagel, complete independence of that govern- ment; but that by assuming at the outto whom during his long service at Poo set that the Government of India would the door to Chinese Tibet was once .. arrange the course of inquiry. places thrown open. This was when small-pox to be visited, and witnesses;" by re- broke out, and in their panic the au- ceiving the great bulk of the evidence from persons whose testimony was suthorities sent across the border for tile Christian missionary who could vacci- pervised by Indian officials; and by otherwise allowing their report to be nate. Brother Pagel was ill. but in largely molded by the Indian Govern· faith and joy rose from his bed and ment, the Commission failed to pre- serve that independence essential to an started for a mountainous journey from impartial verdict. .
which most men in health would shrink_ Mr. J. H. Wilson, M.P., solemnly as- He vaccinated and preached through- serted that there is scarcely a single page out the villages of Tsotso_ In an im- or paragraph in it which, if thoroughly examined. will not be found to contain pulse of evanescent gratitude the local eerious fallacies and errors.
authorities declared, "you-but you The two poisons. arsenic and opium, only-may come again any time you are thoroughly under Government con- like. .. The next year the panic was trol, and there would be no difficulty in imposing the necessary restrictions on passed, and the door was shut even to the sale of these drugs provided the their benefactor. But he had sown the Government will undertake it.
good seed, of which Paulu found traces The prohibition of these sources of national ruin would be perfectly easy •• after many days. " in India, because the Government has Having visited all the villages of the thing entirely in its hands, and there Tsotso, he was about to enter the neigh- is no question of compensation.
boring province of Chumurti, but wa.s The connection between vice and opium is nowhere more apparent than turned back by the authorities, who told on the Malayan peninsula. In Ceylon him that if it came to the knowledge of the opium import has increased eight- their superiors that he had been preach- fold during the last fifty years. and ing in their province they would all be there is a very earnest movement in the severely punished. They expressed the island for its prohibition.
opinion that the European policy was * From an article by Mr. Schreve, of the Mofirs~ to bring them their Christian relig. ravian Mission.
ion and then to take their country. t The Christian (London), Dec. 19th, 1895.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
The talk of war between the leading ca11ed to Beyrout to complete the work Christian nations of the world on ac- on the Arabic version of the Scriptures.
count of a paltry dispute as to a piece He rewrote the whole, with the excep- of land in South America seems to have tion of the Pentateuch, on the stylc of been a machination of the devil to di- the Koran. This work he began in vert attention from the horrible massa- . 1857 and fini&hed in 1864, and two years cres and suffering of Christians in Ar- later completed an edition of the whole menia. No one could doubt that the Bible and one of the New Testament war·cloud, if such even it might be alone.
called, would soon blow over, but it Dr. Van Dyke was the author of nu- seems to some extent to have drawn merous works in Arabic, including attention from the Turk, whose awful mathematical, chemical, astronomical work of extermination still continues. and hygienic treatises, and has made A few years ago Christendom would several translations into that tongue.
scarcely have believed that selfishness and jealousy would prevent" the pow- The editor is constantly getting iners" from putting an immediate end to quiries as to the Gordon Training such systematic outrages. Meanwhile School, at Boston. etc., and he thinks God fights for Armenia by decimating wisest to answer them in a brief note in the Turkish troops encamped before these columns. Zeitoun and elsewhere. But the sufferings of Armenians in consequence of This school, now in its seventh year, their destitution is unutterable. The re- was begun in the autumn of 1889 by lief work is progressing but all too slow- Rev. Dr. A. J. Gordon. with Rev. F. L. ly. Chapell as resident instructor. Already over one hundred of its students are at A correspondent to the London Daily work in missions at home or abroad. New8 draws an alarming picture of the Its lecture-rooms are in the Clarendon condition of Syria. The Druses are said Street church, and it is designed to help to be in revolt, and some 60,000 lHoham- men and women who feel called of God medans are in arms, "with few officers to the work, but who are unable to purand no discipline.' , Jerusalem is crowd- sue a fuller course of preparation. The bd with rough soldiers; Beyrout also, Bible is the basis of a11 instruction, and where credit is suspended and the peo- the spirit of prayeria the reigning spirit ple are also" iu suspense. " A terrible of the institution. Three things are fear of a " holy war" exists. kept at the front: 1. A life of conse· cration and victory over sin and self.
Rev. Dr. Cornelius Vau Allen Van 2. A personal and practical knowledge Dyke, a great Arabic scholar, of Bey- of the Word as the inspired, infallible rout, Syria, who has recently "fallen guide. 3. A constant engagement in asleep" at the age of seveuty-five, was active forms of service. a descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers of New York. Dr. Van Dyke I::ltudents should, if possible, take the was educated in the Kinderhook Acad- full two years' course. The year begins emy and the Jefferson Medical College, .the first Wednesday in October and and went to Syria in 1837 as a mission- closes the third Thursday in ~ray. All ary of the American Board. He was particulars will be supplied on applicaappointed principal of a seminary at tion to Professor Chapell, No. 118 Pem- broke Street, Boston.
Abeih, on Mount Tabor, Palestine, and after the death of Dr. Eli Smith was The China Inland Mission had, in 1895, 640 missionaries (417 native, and placed prominently before the churches 79 from America). generally for their stimulus and encour- In Japan there is about one convert to each 1000 Japanese. agement.
In South America, out of 37,000,000 Haddon Hall is situated in a poor and in the 14 republics, 34,000,000 have densely populated neighborhood, and never heard the pure Gospel. Brazil is was erected some eleven years ago at a greater than the United States or Eu- cost of £6500 (all raised at the time) ; rope, and of its 16,000,000 only about and as a mission church in connection 2,000,000 are evangelized. We may with the Metropolitan Tabernacle is an infer the ignorance of the true Gospel important center of evangelization. from the question often asked of con- The work, under the presidency of Mr. verts to Protestant Christianity: •• How William Olney, a London merchant who much do you pay for this salvation 1" preaches on each Sunday, comprises .. To what priest do you confess to get various and numerous Christian agenyour sins forgiven ?" cies.
To secure mOre definHe, systClJ1Jttic The Sunday-school reports an averprayer for the missionary work in South age afternoon attendance cf 733 schol- America, a prayer union has been ars, and, having been trained in sysformed with reference to the speedy tematic giving, has for many years con· evangelization of this neglected conti- tributed large amounts tOward foreign nent. United and daily prayer is sought and other missions, the total distributed for all missionaries in South America; under this heading in 1894 being £68 for all native hCllpers and Christians; 198. 4d. In addition to this. howev€r, for the people, that many may be saved; about a year ago, as the outcome of a for more laborers in that field. The revived missionary spirit, the church promoters of this prayer union wish to and congregation unanimoUsly adopted emphasize the fact that believing pray- a scheme for collecting a penny a week er has as large a function in promoting with the following rather startling remissions as the actual work of the missionary on the field, and desire that dis- sults: ciples everywhere would join with them First quarter, £16; second quarter, in these daily petitions to God. The membership fee of 25 cents, to cover in- £19 lOs. ; third quarter, £20 17s. 10d. cidental expenses, is optional. Those Total, £56 7s. lOd. A collection was who wish further iuformation and mem- also made on February 3d, amounting bership cards may communicate with to £5 148. 3d. the secretaries, A. E. Robinson, 21 Collahie Street, Toronto, Ont. ; A. E. Arm- In the joyful report of the great and strong, 272 Broadview Avenue, Toron- progressi ve success of tbis penny·a·week to,Ont. effort, in the current number of the Haddon Hall Evangelist the following pregnant sentence appears " Doubt- less, we are specially fortunate in being provided with collectors who know how to make their subscribers feel the little weekly gifts no burden. But, apart from this personal element, we believe the penny-a·week 8y"tem i8 a veritable gold mine which the mi88iona1"Y 80cieties have 8cal'cely • tapped.' ,. Perhaps the most in- 8piriting feature of this" forward mo ve· ment" is Mr. Olney's emphatic testi- mony that, so far flOm its injuring his home-work, this has proved more satis- factory since the scheme was adopted, both in its spiritual life and its financial development.
In the Mi88ionary Herald, April 1st, The Moravian Missions in Difficulties. 1895, the organ of the British Baptists, we notice a brief paper, entitled" Our The Unitas Fratrum (the ancient Undeveloped Resource." Among the Unity of the Brethren, commonly known contributions reported for March last as the :ilforavian Church) was founded were the £82 28, ld. handed the secre- in Bohemia in 1457. It was renewed at tary personally at the" first missionary Herrnhut, in Saxony, in 1722, and com· demonstration" at Haddon Hall, Ber- menced missions to the heathen in 1732. mondsey, London, and it may well be The foreign mission of the venerable out laming the good work itself. Moravian Church has to face one of the Therefore we cannot help the anxiety largest deficiencies that ever threatened which is ready to exclaim: • Whence the great work of evangelization which shall we have so much bread as to fill so great a multitude! ' God has carried on by her in all quarters of the world for one hundred and "But it is the work of our Lortl, sixty-three years. This is due to the which we carryon amid weakness and healthy growth of this work. In sev- shortcomings, and we turn again to Him eral missions new stations have been in faith and trust: • Lord, Thy mercy'; endureth forever, forsake not the work planted last year amid heathen popula- of Thine own hands! ' " tions, notably in South Africa (Kaffraria), in Central Africa (Nyassaland), and Contributions toward the Moravian in South America (Surinam)-i.e., missions, and special donations to re- move the debt upon them. will be thank- Dutch Guiana). So it comes that, tho fully received by the Treasurer, Rev. the contributions from the members and H. E. Blandford, 32 Fetter Lane, Lonfriends have not fallen off, the expendi- don, E. C., and the Secretary, Rev. ture for 1894 exceeded the income of E. La Trobe, 7 Furnival's Inn, London, E. C. Post·office orders to be made the vear by more than £10,000.' To payable at" Hatton Garden Post-office." meet' this, the Directing Board (at Checks crossed" Union Hank of Lon- Herrnhut, in Saxony) have brought in don. " every sum at their disposal (regretfully including £4000, with which they had The Moravian Missions are over intended to found a college for native $25,000 in debt, a most unusual experiministers in Kaffraria). Nevertheless, there remains A NET DEFICIENCY OF £5750. ence for this noble society, arising from no deficiency in ordinary income, but The home churches, which are the from the increased expenditure on basis of this wide and noble work (among their extensions. The whole Christian the Eskimos of Greenland, Labrador, Church should come to their help in and Alaska; the Indians of North and this emergency, seeing the debt it owes Central America; the colored popula- to the Moravians for their example of tion of the West Indies, Surinam, and missionary zeal. Many devout men Demerara; the Hottentots and Kaffirs are needed to step into the breach left of South Africa; the natives of Nyassa- by the death of our beloved friend, land, in East Central Africa; the lepers Reginald Radcliffe, whom we consider of the Holy Land; the degraded abo- one of the trio in England who in this rigines of Australia; and the Tibetan- past generation have sounded the awakspeaking Buddhists of the Himalayas) ; ening note to the Church to be up and these home churche~ in Germany, Great doing ill the evangelization of the Britain, and the United States number world, the other two being Hudson little more than 20,000 communicants. Taylor and Grattan Guinness. The ever-growing membership of the mission congregations now amounts tel Our readers will be glad to read a let- 93,649, of whom 32,367 are communi- ter from such a man as George Muller. cants. Such a proportion between the It was written as a personal letter, so that numerical strength of the home churcheg and the foreign mission certainly warrant~ an urgent plea for help on the part of those who are doing their best to carryon and extend so wide a work.
APPEAL OF THE DIRECTING BOARD. no pUblicity was sought by the humble In appealing to the Christian public writer, but the editor ventures to give for contributions to cover this debt amI remove this barrier to blessed progress, it to the public for its hints on system, the Directing Board say: "'Ye confess that we cannot but be deeply concerned, atic giving, which are aU the more valuas we look not only at the present debt but at the years that are close upon us, able because found in a private com· and at the further future. We see that the Lord is opening doors to us, and that munication. It is dated consequently the expenditure of our missions is always advancing. It is clear NEW ORPHAN HOUSES, to us also that greater economy can ASHLEY DOWN, BRISTOL, scarcely be exercised on our part with- March 12, 1895. BELOVED BROTHER: I send you by this mail the four volumes of my narra- tive, and a copy of my "Preaching Tours and MiSSionary Labors," written by my beloved departed wife. My im- I gave away, and it is seen, on page pression is that you will look at it with 447, that my income from May 26th, interest, as you are so deeply interested 1874. to December 31st, 1885, was £30,- in missionary labors. I took these long 145 3s. Of this amount I gave away to tours of 200,000 miles by land and water relatives £2185 17s. 4d. ; to poor believto help on the hundreds of thousands of ers under my pastoral care, £1464 88 children of God to whom I should 2d. ; to missions, orphans. etc., £23,464 preach, and to beget in them greater 8s. 8d., and altogether, £27,111 4s. 2d. conformity to the mind of God, and To this last sum is to be added many thus, also, to beget a missionary spirit hundred pounds spent out of my own in them. In my narrative is found means in connection with our missionprofitable material on perhaps fifty dif· ary tours. The total given away up to ferent subjects on which Ihave written; December 31st, 1885, is £57,000. but I send it to you in particular for one reason. I believe there is not in the From December 31st. 1885, to March world in existence a book which gives, 12th. 1895, I gave to the poor £859; in the way of illustration. such an in· to relati ves, £684; to missions and or stance as this book of the practical bless- phans, £14,360; in all, £15,903. Add edness of systematic giving, as God to this £57,000, given before, and yuu prospers us, as is set forth in these four get the total of £72,902, or, $364,750. volumes; but especially in Volume III. and Volume IV. ; and this is shown My first dear wife was a most precious from my own life and wperienee. Now, saint and a highly educated lady, but as you and I long for far greater things had not £5 when I married her. The being accomplished in missionary work Lord gave her to me for thirty·nine than as yet has been accomplished, and years and four months. My second as all this requires far more money to wife had lost all her property when I married her; but the Lord gave her be devoted to the Lord than has been as afterward, through three legacies of yet devoted, can there be anything more grandfather, aunt, and an uncle, about important to lead the Church of God £5600, every shilling of which she gave to see the blessedness of systematic giv- to the Lord's work. The LOId left her ing? to me twenty-three years and six weeks. I was married altogether sixty-two Now hear. I, a poor foreigner, be- years and five months. gan in 1831 simply to trust in God with· out salary as a pastor, and obtained You may see a rich merchant now £151 18s. 8d. Out of this my first dear and then giving some large amount, but wife and I gave away £50. And thus I we want all believers, even of the midhave been going on for sixty-four years; dle classes and the poor, to contribute and I find that, up to this day (March as God prospers them. 12th, 1895) I have been enabled to give away £72.894, or $364,450. Again and Ever yours very affectionately, again I have been enabled to give £2000, £3000. £4000 in one year, chiefly for GEORGE MULLER. missions or for the orphans. In the year 1893 my dear wife and I gave The" Jerry McAuley lmssion" was away £4500. The Chinese £500, which you notice in your article, was my gift. organized thirteen years ago by Jerry Now, beloved brother, if society could be led to act as I and my two beloved McAuley. For the last three years the wives acted, what ample provision would there be for God's work; and Rev. and Mrs. Charles E. Ballol! have only systematic giving as God prospers us will lead to it. All the thousands of been the superintendents. donations in these four volumes. en tered "From a servant of the Lord Funds are sorely needed to meet cur- Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in hea- rent expenses, and unless help is given ven," are my own donations. I write thus, not to boast, but simply to show the mission must be abandoned. Never how much can be accomplished. has the spiritual side of the work been Now, read for yourself in Volume III., page 601, paragraph 2, up to page more successful. The cost of maintain- 615, and you will see that from January 1st. 1831, to May 26th, 1874, I gave ing the mission is only about $5000 a away £27,172. year, which is met by voluntary sub- In Volume IV., pages 381-447, the ac- COURt is given of my income and what scriptions. Contributions may be sent to Cbarles M. Jesup, treasurer pro tem., No. 37 Wall Street.
Dr. Denney, in his" Studies in The- ology," a book which has just been published, and which is likely to be widely discussed because in it he treats so many of the current questions of the day, gives the following incident as an degree, to modem thought, and they illustration of the" distinctively Chris- grew gradually until now the sect numtian position:" "A Hindu society was bers some 250,000 persons. Their religformed, which had for its object to ap- ious success served only to bring upon them bitter persecution-first by the propriate all that was good in Christian- peasants and second by the StthaeteS,taotr~ ity without burdening itself with the rather, by the public officers of rest. Among other things which it appropriated, with the omission of only Church. two words, was the answer given in the Westminster Shorter Catechism to the The outrages on these Stundists, or question, 'What is repentance unto life?' Here is the answer: ' Repent- Stundist Methodlists-for their belief ance unto life is a saving grace, whcre· by a sinner out of a true sense of his seems most nearly to approach that of sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ doth with grief and hatred our Methodist Church-have grown of his sin turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new particularly numerous of recent years. obedience.' The words which the Hindus left out were in CMist. Instead of In July, 1891, the Holy Synod of the Greek Church, alarmed at the steadr increase of the sect, summoned a clen- cal congress at :Moscow to contrive measures fur its suppression. Legisla- tion of the utmost severity was decided upon; they were forbidden to hold prayer·meetings even in their own homes, and all public gatherings were to be dispersed by the authorities.
Many leaders in the sect were banished to Siberia and their children turned over 'apprehension of the mercy of God in to the officials of the Greek Church. to Christ,' they read simply, 'apprehen- be brought up· in the orthodox faith. sion of the mercy of God.' They were Such severe measures were determined acute enough to see," eontinued Dr. upon only because other edicts issued Denney, "that in the words they left in the spring of that year had failed to put a stop to the Stundist proselytizing.
out the whole Christianity of the defi- nition lay. . .. I entirely agree with Think of that noble pioneer of Afri- their insight. If the mercy of God is can missions, Dr. Krapf, dying on his separable from Christ. independent of knees praying for the Dark Continent.
Christ, accessible apart from Christ . . . " I am so penetrated by the feeling of there is no need and no possibility of a the nearness of the Lord's coming that Christian religion at all." I cannot describe it," he said one even- ing in November, 1881. "He is near The Stundists, who take their name indeed; oh, we ought to redeem the from the German Stunden, or hours of time and hold ourselves in readiness that praise and prayer which they keep, are we may be able to say with a good cona Protestant sect resembling somewhat science, ' Even so; come, Lord Jesus.' " both the German Methodists and Bap- . Thus he spoke and retired to rest. Next tists of this country, the Mennonites, morning they found him kneeling life- less by his bedside. Some will say that and the Dunkards. The Stundist movement took its rise he did not live to see the Lord's return, about thirty·five years ago in the prov- and that in his case the expectation of ince of Kherson, on the Black Sea. It nearness was after all his own nearness had its origin with the German peasants by death to heaven. True, but it was whom the Empress Catherine enticed a vital hope, a working hope. He from their Suabian home to colonize labored as well as looked. His expecthis district.
These sturdy peasants brought with tation was not inimical to missionary them to Kherson their religion, their pastors, and their industrious, sober labor; and if we might testify, we ways. Altho at first race antipathy kept the newcomers estranged from would say that our own simple faith, the natives, in time their quiet, industrious ways and practical godliness apart from theories and dates, that earned for them sympathy and then converts. Their religion adapted itself Cltriat s1talt come in like manner, has to their new environment, and, in some been a power in sanctification and a spur in missionary service uns~kably mighty. •
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD.
Extra.cts and Translations from Foreign contracted which, as a fruit and conse- Periodicals. quence of sin, must be formed, and then BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, burden the house, from the altar to the MASS. grave, with ignominy, wretchedness, and the curse of parents. In Satan's MISCELLANEOUS. school are the poisons elaborated and -" Wherever in any community the with the gui&e of innocent etiquette in- light and life Qf the Holy Ghost show troduced into the world, which are to- themselves, there is also revealed the day poisoning the life of our people, synagogue" (in the German Bible, "the just drawing religion out of their heart school") of Satan. A terrible word! If and then sucking the marrow out of it did not stand here in the word of God, their bones ; unbelief, unchastity, mania I could not venture to utter it. In this of amusement, mania of money, and all school Satan is the tea.cher. Here there the manias which, creeping softly to- are brought up the dreary principles day, to-morrow, like an epidemic plague, and lying commonplaces: Money is the devour myriads. Here we ~ee ruined main thing, even if blood cleaves to it. health, beginning in lawlessness, to end Enjoyment is ~omething that the man in suicide. In Satan's school are the must have, and diversion he must seek, workers trained who, with revelling for with death everything is" at an end. and laughter, beslaver holy things, hon- Youth is no time for ruth; and if there orable persons-nay, the Savior Himself, is such a thing as salvation, it will come until they have worked their heart out of itself with old age. Business is busi- of their body, and have delivered them- ness, and the Ten Commandments have selves as a welcome booty into the jaws nothing to do with it. Repentance, of the original murderer of souls. In conversion, regeneration, are merely his schools Satan leads men about by pietistic phrases which on Sundays are his rope as a bear leader his bears. Sin mouthed by rote from the pulpit. But allures, shines, smooths, gives" promises otherwise these medieval ways'of think- upon promises, until at the end she ing have been long antiquated by 'the gives her befooled victim the last push: advancement and culture of the nine- , There, you have your reward with the teenth century. Jesus is merely a man damned in hell!' "-Mi8sions und like us, only, in the interest of clerical Heidenbote (Neukirchen).
domination, He is artificially preserved as a mummy and still shown as a scare- -" In this our present time, Religion, crow to women and children. It is in morally separated from the State, and the school of Satan that those children living her proper life, is no longer sub- grow up who are bringing up their chil- mitted to the sad necessity of having dren without the nurture and admoni- recourse to material force to achieve her tion of the Lord, but with abundance of triumphs. Disengaged from temporal threatenings, blows, and curses. It is bonds, she has been restored to her first here that those children grow up who, essence, and flies off on lighter wing from having received no love, render none; one end of the world to the other. Her who a godless, undisciplined generation, early glory began in sufferings and pov- knock at the gates of the State and the erty ; it is by sufferings and poverty doors of the Church, desiring entrance that her final conquests will be accom- in order to ruin whatever has yet a look plished. Oh, marvellous power of true of Christ or Christianity. It is in the ideas I They have no need of armies "chool of Satan tl1at those marriages are or of imperial laws. and cities o:pen their gates to them, tho catapults no long- any other bribes to turn their scholars er shake down their walls. King- into parrots, chattering mechanically doms have no boundaries which can and blunderingly a scant supply of for- arrest them; they pass, they advance, eign words. The miracle of Pentecost and nations in vain guard their borders emphasizes the right of every man to against them; they suspend their march hear, in his own tongue, wherein he was neither before the diversity of tongues, born, the wonderful works of God. And of laws, and of manners, nor belore the tho mainly, it is not solely in im- insurmountable barriers of mountain mediately religious knowledge that God ranges, of forests, or of seas; they are makes known His wonderful works.
at once patient, indefatigable, and rapid, Dr. Zahn calls attention to the fact and their course through creation only that when the Crescent began to ad· ends where ends the work of God."- vance, the national churches-Greek, POUJOULAT, Histoire de S. Augustin. Syrian, Coptic, Abyssinian, Armenian- still maintained themselves, tho ter- -Dr. F. M. Zahn, speaking of the ribly crippled; but that in North Afri- pride of culture, above all of pa1'Venu ca, where there had never been a Punic, half culture, which is continually insist- but only a Latin Bible and Church, ing that this or that barbarian language Christianity disappeared utterly. In- is incapable of conveying the higher deed, the terrible and wasting conflicts thoughts of the spirit, speaks of a Ger- between Catholic and Donatist, which man merchant in Africa who offered a opened the way for this obliteration, telegram for a native in the latter's own were really a strife between a Latin language. The operator, himself an Christianity, which received all atten.
African of the same tribe, rejected it tion, and a Punic Christianity, which with the remark: "Shall not be ac- received scarcely any. If we try to cepted, that monkey language." That Anglicize or Americanize or German· was worse than good Pope Gregory's ize or Gallicize our native churches, we describing the language of his English are simply following in the wake of the converts as "a barbarian grunting," for Roman Church. The attempt to make he did not know it. Yet Gregory may English universal is likely to be no more not have been so far out, for, as Dr. blessed of God than the old attempt to Zahn remarks, as a people rises, its lan- ma~e Latin. Happily Protestantism, guage rises too. The process, indeed, tho it may be touched with this tempta- is reciprocal. Every new nobleness of tion, can in its very nature hardly yield soul helps to a new nobleness of speech, to it in any great measure. That it can· and every new nobleness of speech to a not is the best credential that it is at new nobleness of soul. present the chiet heir of Pentecoost.
As Dr. Zahn well insists, speaking of the colonial powers, a higher training -M. Coillard's great bereavement in English, French, German, or other has moved the hearts of Christians in European tongue, without a previous every land. We know then what is in thorough elementary training in the his heart when, speaking from the vernacular tongue of each people, is a depths of Africa concerning the death thoroughly unsound thing. No one of some friends in France, he says: can ever think his truest thoughts or " Sursum corda / It is not at the rail· express his truest feelings except in the way station or at the parting of the tongue which he learned at his mother's roads where we have bidden one another knee. If there are exceptions, they are that supreme farewell which has rent 80 few that they strengthen the rule. our hearts and dimmed our lives that Above all, as Dr. Zahn rightly insists, we ought to pause. Our well beloved missionaries should not allow them- are no longer there. No. It is to the selves to be allured by school grants or place of rendezvous, to the moment of
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
reunion, that our desires ardently tend, you." But what should we say if, and with transports of joy our hopes fly under some false pretext, a foreign powtoward our Father's house, whither er were to endeavor to foist a protecthey have preceded us, our well be- torate upon ollr country, upon France! loved, where Jesus awaits us, to which 'fhe law of right is not limited to the each step brings us nearer, and where frontiers of Europe. Its jurisdiction is God shall wipe away all tears from our universal. It covers the black as well as eyes. God is not the God of the dead, the white, the weak as well as the strong. but of the living. Let us seek Him not No people have a right to take away by amon5 the dead, but among that great violence or by fraud the liberties of ancloud of witnesses who surround us, other nation.' ..-Bombay Guardian. where are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, all the saints of the old covenant, all the -No nobler protest has appeared in· saints of the new, who follow us with France since the terrible letter which, in an intense interest in the struggles of 1694, Fenelon addressed to the conlife and in the discouragements of our science of Louis XIV. concerning his I pilgrimage. Let us cover our tombs wars of aggression and other evil acts. with flowers when we can; let us water H{J//'Per'8 Weekly, in a recent highlyapthem with our tears; grief is human, preciative review of a work on Japan and Jesus has known it. But let us by a Greek-American, signifies its conweep without bitterness. And through currence with him in the confident exthese tears, all illuminated with the pectation that Japanese good sense and! glory of heaven, may the glance of our reasonable conservatism will succeed in: faith penetrate into that invisible world keeping the nation independent of the where our own have passed and disap- Christian dogma-that is, of the Chrispeared to our feeble eyes, but whose tian doctrine. We doubt whether this powerful reality has laid hold on our eminent journal is sure to be justifled soul. " by the event. The Japanese have hardly better sense or a more reasonable con- _" A protest against the iniquitous servatism than the Greco-Roman world, war that France is waging on Madagas- and yet that did not succeed in keeping car has appeared from an unexpected itself independent of Ohristianity. Insource. The Book-binders' Trade Union, deed, it is now acknowledged that such of Lyons, have addressed a noble reply great achievements of Greek thought as to an appeal to them for contributions Platonism and Stoicism wrought direct· in aid of the Madagascar expedition. 1y toward the triumph of Christianity. They courteously refuse to give any en- Japan has no native systems answerable couragement to it, and earnestly protest to them, for Shintoism has no thought, against it as a wicked and indefensible and Buddhism and Confucianism, being act. They remark that, ' While, in our also foreign, there seems no antecedent view, war is always a horrible curse, improbability that Christianity, ecuthis war is not only a curse, but a dis- menical as it is, may win the victory grace, an iniquity, a crime against hu- over them which are Asiatic. Perhaps manity, and, in short, a sacrilege. Its Harper'8 Weekly is hopefullyanticipatreal object is to impose, in the interests ing the advent of some great sage who of commerce, upon a young nation, shall marry Western positivism to Eastwhose only fault is that of being weak, ern religiosity, and thus refresh the a foreign yoke which we ourselves atheistic devoutness of the old Japanese would not for a moment tolerate. The systems. But as this sage msy never duty laid upon us by justice is simple, appear, and as there isa Son of Man aland expressed in this axiom of the eter- ready in the field, whose overthrow bas nal law: "Do not to others what you been continually predicted and whose would not wish that they should do to victories have continually succeeded
GENERAL llISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
each other, it is possible that Harper'8 the hearts of eighteen of the high offi- Weekly is destined to disappointment. cials to purchase of them.
-A century after the triumph of King·Shan, Ohina.-The news report- Clll;istianity under C'3nstantine, St. A.u- ed to Dr. Griffith John from this place gustin remarks that it was a common is to the effect that there are now about talk among the pagans, of whom there two hundred candidates for baptism, were still great numbers, and many eighty of whom are perfectly satisfac- in very high places-" Ah well! the tory. A piece of land has been bought Church has gained a temporary victory; by the converts, with the houses upon but in doilig so she has exhausted her it, and made over to the church for strength. In a generation or two she church purposes.
will be heard of no more. " This pre- Madagascar.-The neWS from the diction sounds very comical to us now ; capital is still tantalizing. This much, but such forecasts will doubtless con- however, seems to be evident, that whattinue to be made until Gud has at last ever may be the result of the cruel war, put all enemies under the feet of His it has already brought out very promi- Son. l).ently some of the best features of Malagasy Christianity, and shown the English Notes. reality and depth. of the Christian feel- BY JAMES DOUGLAS. ing among them. Faith is obviously in exercise, as indicated by the absence London Mi88ionary Society.-Great of excitement, by the spirit of prayer, satisfaction is Ielt at the result of the and the disposition to live by the day.
appeal made by the three Bechuana Ohurch Missionm'y Society.-From chiefs, Bathoen, Tebele, and Khama. the pen of the Rev. W. G. Peel, of These chiefs practically gain all they Bombay, a remarkable paper appears asked for, while the needs of the rapidly on the subject of "The Development growing white population of the char- of the Missionary Spirit in Indian Christered company's territories have also tians." Powerful attention is called been met. It is a source of unmixed re- in this paper to the need not only of joicing to kuow that these worthy men " walk," but of "work in the Spirit," return to South Africa, having won for a point which Mr. Peel illustrates from their people a security of tenure and a recent examples. As this subject is of freedom of position greater than they unspeakable moment to the Whole ever possessed before, as well as accom- Church of Christ, we have felt conpanied by the good wishes of hosts of strained to put on record one or two of friends. the cases adduced. Thus the case is OolpO'I'tage in OentralOhina.-There cited of a most energetic worker in In- are now, in connection with the L. M. S., dia who bewailed that his bygone years four colporteurs in active service in Cen- of work for Christ had been compara- tral China-men who were formerly, tively wasted. What was meant by for the most part, ringleaders of oppo· that? "Simply that he had walked in sition to the bith for which they now the Spirit according to the light he bad bravely jeopardize their lives. The had, yet he had not worked in the Spirit, record of their doings is apostolic as re- forasmuch as he had not received the gards depth of devotion and bravery of Holy Ghost, and, therefore, had ,lacked initiative. Lately two of the number power from on high. He had generat- stormed the capital of Hunan, the most ed power from below in a walk in the conservative province, and bearded the Spirit, and had mistaken self-power and lion in his den by pressing the object of heart energy for the power which alone their mission on the Yamens themselves. and effectually makes the will of God But God was their shield, and opened to be done on earth as it is in heaven."
ENGLISH NOTES
Alongside of tbeabove may be placed conviction of sin, and really anxious to the story recently told that all the soul- get rid of its load. Hitherto they were stirring manifestation of the Lord's wont to express their faith in it without blessing in East Central Africa began showing any signs of penitence; but with the reading of a tract dealing with now under the teaching of the Spirit this searching aspect of truth. "One they are broken down, seeking forgive.
of the missionaries read that tract. His ness. Pray with us that this may be eyes were opened widely. He saw that, the token of a great outpouring of the , earnest Christian missionary though he Holy Spirit in this Usagara Mission."
was, yet he had not received the Holy South India.-At TummaZapilli, in G1.ost as Christ's gift. to fill him with the Masulipatam Mission, an awakenpower from on high. He too had gen- ing took place three years ago under the erated power from below which had influence, humanly speaking, of a native had sad limitation in self. He aban- teacher. The result is seen in large acdoned the self-power." Others sought cessions to the Church. During last the like blessing which he found, with year, 90 were baptized in the village the result that the dews of this special tank. There are now 175 Christians on grace settled on the souls, and the work the rolls. A memorial church has been took form in demonstration of the opened, and the Rev.l!. David has been Spirit and of power. May God Him- a ppointed pastor. self lead His people everywhere to the discovery of this hid treasure ! THE KINGDOM.
Japan.-The annual reports of C. M. S. – Well does Bishop Duncan, of the work in all parts of Japan are to hand. M. E. Church, South, suggest: "There The following summary concerning the is a great difference between benevo· island of Kiu·Shiu, where the work lence and beneficence, between wellbegan in 1869, is interesting In 1884 wishing and well-doing, between the the number of Christians in the island bene 'Dolo and the bene facio . .. was 154, a number which in the course of a decade has risen to about 800 ; while – " Oh, Lord, help us to sparkle all in place of a solitary missionary in over for Jesus," was the prayer of a charge at Nagasaki there are five mis- native Christian in Ceylon.
sionaries in charge of stations, four of -Avery little missionary girl, saying whom reside in the country districts her prayers at her mother's knee, exthen almost unknown. Further lay claimed: " God bless these poor heathen workers have largely increased; six that worship idols I These idols can't lady missionaries have joined the staff ; hear, and they can't see, and they can't substantial church buildings have been talk, and they can't even wiggle about /" erected; and the island, which is as large as Ireland and far more populous, -There are two things I really care has been formed into a diocese of the about: one is the progress of scientific Japanese Church. In all this there is, thought, and the other is the bettering indeed, much to stimulate to a renewal of the condition of the masses of the of steady, plodding, prayerful, and pa- people by lifting themselves out of mis- tient endeavor. ery. Posthumous fame is not particu- Usagara, East .Africa.-In this re- larly attractive to me, but, if I am to gion, decimated by recent famine, there be remembered at all, I would rather it has been a marked outpouring of the should be as " a man who did his best Spirit. The testimonies resembled a to help the people" than by any other "revival" meeting at home. The Rev. title. – Hua:leg.
H. Cole says: "It was a new experi- -If I wished to praise a missionary, ence to see the people under evident I should say that he was a Moravian.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
[TRESE statistics are designed to include only Missions among either non-Christian or nonduced. Accnracy has been sought, but also completeness, and hence conservative estimates within the space afforded by two pages of this Magazine, a large number of the smaller and special s:i ii …. "". 'd …a "C.~ 0 .~= NAMES Ol" MISSIONARY SOOIETIES IN ~;; o:i ",,,, :Pili GREAT .HRITAIN AND UPON THE ~:g a~ ii Z& =" 1,,::9'" CONTINENT, AND SUMMARIEI FOR A..£..=~~ '; § '" oZ eo ~~ ~~ :!3~ 0 .i':"o ASIA, .AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, ETC. o~ '" 'd'~ .'s" ..:l ~ Eo< – — — — — — – – 0 ._— — 70 65 1,040 I Baptist (England) ….•••.••.•…. ……. 1792 $356,220 110 31 117 2 Strict Baptist………………………. 1861 3,600 1 2 1 1 6 63 3 London Society (L. M. S.) ……………. 1795 773,014 166 30 149 71 1478 9,412 4 Chureh Society (C. M. S.) ……………. 1799 1,658,240 344 93 274 363 329 5,776 5 Propagation Society (S. P. G.)………… 1701 475,308 227 39 215 17 175 8,165 6 Universities' Mission ……………….. 1859 118,805 30 89 …. 25 7 112 7 The Friends'. ……………………… 1867 65,135 23 … 19 17 …. 427 8 Wesleyan Society…………………… 1816 629,040 147 35 142 70 173 2,602 9 Methodist New Connection………….. 1859 24,555 8 … 6 1 . … 67 10 Primitive Methodist…….•..••. …….. 1869 . 18,659 8 .. 7 1 …. 66 11 United Methodist Free Churches .•••..••. 1837 108,993 27 3 15 …. …. 427 44,800 14 12 Welsh Calvinistic….•.•…. ………… 1841 1 11 5 6 246 13 Presbyterian Church of England..•.•…. 1847 98,600 20 14 25 21 13 170 14 Presbyterian Chnrch of Ireland ……..•. 1840 101,275 21 6 18 17 11 197 15 China Inland Society………………… 1865 165,785 80 199 98 258 11 809 16 Church of Scotland …………………. 1829 196,582 22 18 20 48 8 448 17 Free Church…………. ……………. 1848 519,220 61 6 43 54 15 661 18 Reformed Presbyteriau………..•…… 1842 … 3,905 2 1 1 "'0 9 19 United Presbyterian ………………… 1847 291,490 70 25 69 36 19 762 20 Other British Societies…..•…………. ' ….. 411,810 243 47 137 214 52 1,523 21 Paris Society . . _ .. 1822 • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 ••••••• 97,193 31 4 31 8 26 286 2j/. B&E!Je Saciety ……………………….. 1S15 2114,732 1112 46 132 S 3D SSl 23 Berlin Society….. ………………. 1824 106,166 68 8 67 5 1 553 24 Breklnm (Schleswig-Holstein)………… 1877 14,597 10 .. , 6 …. …. 24 25 Gossner's Society…………………… 1836 46,060 18 14 14 2 18 435 26 Hermannsburg Society……..•…•…… 1854 54,444 61 7 53 …. 1 292 76,723 33 2 25 1 17 502 27 Leipsic Society …………….. …. _.. 1836 28 Moravian Church ………… _……….. 1732 99,158 100 73 151 15 25 1,898 29 North German SOCIety………………. 1836 28,610 14 5 7 7 1 37 30 Rhenish Society…………………….. 1829 108,841 86 10 75 6 16 276 81 Eight other German Societies ……….. … , .. 72,300 10 67 35 15 2 53 32 Twelve Netherlands Societies ………… …… 166,720 102 48 76 …. 17 767 113 Fifteen Scandinavian Societies ……….. …… 242,500 120 33 78 69 74 1,269 228 7,186 — – – – — — — — – – … I:l4. Societies in Asia, Africa, Australia, etc… …… 480,620 148 212 285 87 Totals for Enrope, Asia, etc…•… ….. – – – – – – _. – – —- —– Total. for America……………. ." $7,948,200 2,587 1,112 2,402 1,508 2,829 41,941 ' – $5,672,772 …… 1,441 365 1,280 1,070 1,466 13,177 — – — — -.- Totals for Christendom…….. " ………. $13,620,972 4,028 1,477 3,682 2,578 4,295 55,118 Protestant people., and hence the fignres of certain societies doing colonial work have been rehave been made concerning certain Items omitted from some reports. Mainly in order to keep organizations have been gronped together.] ..!> .S ai 0 J, 8:s "'"g ""' """, … ~ &~""ai..; ",.~ '0'" ai 'a'"" ~~'~".,"'…~.. .~~ ~ 0 ..c:l -<" Eo< " ~>: "..c:l • -l3 r"n — — – – – – – – – — — 1,386~~ f:0Q;' a <lJQ)~ rn Countries in which cO .Q;,:.. …….. Missions are Sustained. "t:I ………
~ 0 >-'l ~ rn Q —– 820 36,534 2,069 108,573 530 18,500 India, C!hina, Palestine, Africa, 1 West Indies. 778 India (Madras, Ceylon). 68 25 795 130 1,800 31 2 9,828 2,557 96,295 2,103 407,840 1.980 127,464 China, India, Africa, Madagascar, 3 6,875 2,748 56,538 4,478 Polynesia. 3,663 2,300 32,000 2,340 210,624 2,016 84,725 Persia, China, Japan, India, 4 1,186 226 Africa, North America, etc. 206 38 2,737 78 72,000 850 38,000 IndIa. China, Japan, Malaysia, 5 486 150 40,979 2,200 Africa, West Indies, elC. 2,996 2,428 1,482 213 4,200 36 1,657 Africa (Lake Nyassa and Zanzi- 6 82 35 bar). 12,000 165 14,566 Palestine, India, Cbina. Madagas- 7 car. 127,000 885 55,400 India, China, Africa (West and 8 South). West Indies. 4,000 18 370 China (Shantung, Tien-tsin). 9 82 26 720 15 2,500 3 35 Africa (Fernando Po, Zambesi). 10 472 278 7,622 237 21,000 132 6,500 China, Africa, Australia. 11 277 230 2,726 353 11,608 250 6,191 N. E. India, France (Brittany). 12 250 146 4,464 413 7,780 50 2,500 India, China, Malaysia. 13 259 42 908 316 2,500 55 4,346 China, India (Kathiawar). 14 939 244 4,681 746 18,000 33 424 China (Fifteen Provinces). 15 551 117 1,704 78 as" 6,705 13,278 India, East Africa, Palestine. 16 825 276 8,263 310 14,951 384 23,962 India. A frica, South and East. 17 40 3 Arabia, Palestine,Newllebddes. 130 2 175 Syria (Antioch, etc.). 13 2 18 962 276 19,267 777 42,000 286 18,170 India, China, Japan, Africa, West 19 and South, West Indies.
2,240 191 17,150 1,231 32,000 112 4,581 20 360 198 12,355 737 30,000 140 8,562 Africa, Sonth and West, Tahiti. 21 1,229 455 15,242 702 30,200 365 13,776 South India, China, West Africa. 22 701 160 13,255 420 28,603 55 4,798 East and South Africa, China. 23 40 8 60 24 195 7 115 India (Telugus). 24 483 50 12,932 1,416 38,971 118 3,081 India (Ganges, Chota Nagpore 25 413 114 16,738 247 35,561 57 3,930 Inl~:'. South Africa, New Zea- 26 563 148 7,098 387 14,539 180 5,316 South India, Burmah, British andl27 German East Africa. 32,367 1,650 93,649 %1 24,002 South Africa, Australia, South 28 2,122 187 America, West Indies, Eskimo.
70 25 846 245 1,492 23 625 West Africa, New Zealand. 29 453 219 17,931 695 56,944 153 8,913 Africa, East Indies, New Guinea, 30 China. 315 …… " 1,5001 21)0 31 161 28 993 507 60,450 2,800 215,000 127 2,330 32 1,569 472 25,105 1,500 78,000 417 37,500 33 – – – – – – – – – – – – 8,022 1,462 140,897 5,725 287,000 2,600 47,880 34 — 16,962 691,682 34,644 2,018,865 12,701 582,600 — – – —- – – – – – – – – 4-9,63-9 304,111 28,437 761,936 6,683 203,402 995,79863,081 2,770,801 19,384 786,002 – – – – – – – – – – – – 17,306 5,669 — 66,945 211,631 Many societies have done well, but this the heart of the nation to themselves, has excelled them all, for it has most and these graves of missionaries scat· nearly approached the ideal Church, tered over the earth hold the heart of formed after the pattern of its founder; the Church to .themselves. Harriet first and foremost in the great battle- Newell, at Mauritius; Harriet Wins- field, yet seeking the last and lowest low, at Ceylon; Martyn, at Tokat; among the ranks of men.-Robert N. Grant, at Mosul; Perkins and Stod- Oust. dard, at Urumia; Levi Parsons, uncle -Some society will do well to look of the honored Governor of the State of him up ; for he has in him the stuff of New York, who died at. Alexandriawhich first-class missionaries are made. these places are sacred in the thought The story is told of a young man in an and to the hearts of Christians because Eastern college who, with a view of earn- of those missionary graves. The earth ing money to pay his way through was consecrated once for all by the school, inserted an .. ad" in the local cross of Christ set up upon it, and it is column of the daily, as follows: " An consecrated afresh by every missionary impecunious student wants work of any grave. Every land where a missionary kind ; business experience, expert book- father or mother has fallen is sacred keeper and cashier; can saw wood or unto God. It is the possessiou of the milk a cow." Church of Christ.-Dr. R. S. Storr8.
-Behold the high ideal upon which -As far back as 1835, when the every disciple of Christ is to fix his American Board was establishing a misgaze, and toward which he is contin- sion on the West Coast of Africa, there ually to push his way. Well did Rev. were those who deemed it a foolish and W. G. Peel say in a paper recently wicked waste of life. But in an annual read at the Bombay Conference: "A report it was written: "The Christian full development of the missionary Church ought not to forget that in the spirit means, in ultimate analysis, such space of less than forty years not less a conditioning of Christian men and than 17 separate expeditions were sent women, who are verily members of the from Europe, whose object was to asmystical Body of Christ, as to allow of certain the source and termination of Christ's living Ilis life through them, the Niger; to which 11 leaders and 8 to permit of Christ's mind freely ex- other men of education who accompressing itself through them, to admit panied them, besides scores of attend· of Christ's power actively and effec- ants, sacrificed their Iives. The greattually working in and through them, to est minds in Europe dreamed the object ensure a flow of Christ's Gospel as worthy of the cost, while the world ad- • rivers of living water' out of them, mired and praised the devoted enthu· to exhibit to the world spiritual tem- siasm of these martyrs to the spirit of ples of God in which Christ is enthroned geographical research."
as God, supreme, dominating, and au- -According to Mr. Lloyd, of the thoritativc, and to furnish, really sup- Church Missionary Society, for nearly ply to the world, all the fruits of the eleven years missionaries labored in Holy Spirit of God which Christ re- Foochow and its neighborhood without ceived 'without measure' and abun- a single convert, and the work was on dantly imparts to all true members of the eve of being given up. But in 1861 His Body." 3 men came over to the side of Christ; -The 400 acres of Greenwood Ceme- and now in that one province there are tery hold to themselves the hearts of 30,000 professed Christians, and the millions whose friends have there been Church Missionary Society alone has in laid down in their last sleep. The na· it 10 ordained Chinese ministers and tional cemeteries of the country hold 170 churches. -The Anglo·Saxons are missionary ary colleges in all unevangelized lands, and thus raise up a great company of at heart. Out ot 139 missionary socie- young men to be lwme missionary lead- ers, each in his own country and among ties at work in the world, 121 are sup- his own people. So shall Hindus evanported by Anglo·Saxon money; and gelize India, Japanese, Japan, etc. out of the $12,500,000 given for foreign missions, over $10,000,000 came from YOUNG PEOPLE. the Anglo.Saxon race. – Tlw New Era. -In "rder to stir up the members of -At a Presbyterian Missionary Con- the Y. M. C. A. to larger measures of gress held not long since in New J er- prayer and giving for missions, The sey, William Rankin gave these reasons Young Men'8 Era has begun in the why we ought to believe in foreign mis- .. Field of the World" a series of artisions: (1) The purpose of God, as we cles on India, written by Mr. David Mcnnd it promised to Abraham, t· In thy Conaughy, Jr., secretary for India of seed shall all the nations of the earth be the International Committee, who for blessed ;" (2) the command of our Sav- several years has been in that field layior, .. Go ye, therefore, and teach all ing the foundations for a work which nations;" (3) the example of the primi- promises, under the favor of God, to tive Church-" beginning at Jerusa· have a large part in the great work of lem," they went across the 1Egean Sea taking the light of the Gospel into India. and planted the Gospel in Europe; (4) the benevolence of the Christian relig- -The Association in Louisville, Ky., ion; (5) the spiritual condition of the has undertaken to raise $150,000 for a heathen world; (6) the events of Provi- suitable headquarters, and under the dence in our day; (7) the seal of the impulse of $30,000 subscriptions made Holy Spirit; (8) the certainty of suc- at one meeting after a glowing appeal cess; (9) the reflective influence of for- by Rev. B. Fay Mills, has good hope of eign missions upon the Church at home. success.
-A significant movement has been -At the semi-annual meeting of the inaugurated in London, under the aus· trustees of the Christian Endeavor Sopices of laymen, entitled" A Mission· ciety, held in December at Detroit, the ary Mission to Men." This does not report of the secretary showed that mean, as one might suppose, to men in there were 42,800 societies, with a memthe slums of London, or men in India bership of 2,568,000. The societies in or China, but rather to those in the this country number 34,392, and there churches of England, to awaken in are 3185 in Canada, 3000 in England, them a suitable apprehension of their and over 1600 in Australia. The three duty to carry the Gospel to others. Let weeks before the report closed showed us have such a mission among the men an enrollment of 133,115, and 105 socieof the United States I ties.
-The New York Evangelist offers at -At the convention of the New a cost of $1350 a missionary tour ex- South Wales Endeavor Union, greettending through next spring to summer, ings were received from the United Soand including the West and the Pacific ciety in America, from Texas, Iowa, coast (with their Indian, Mormon, Chi- China, India, Ireland, and all the Ausnese, and frontier problems), Japan, tralian colonies. China, Formosa, Borneo, New Guinea, Tasmania, New Zealand, the Fiji, Ton- -The missionary spirit so marked ga, and Samoan Islands, Hawaii, etc. among Endeavorers in America is not peculiar to this land. At the recent -The latest, and perhaps by far the convention of the New South Wales most important phase of the great Stu- Union 12 delegates offered themselves dent Volunteer Movement, is found in for service in the foreign mission field. the effort to extend it to all the mission- – l'he name of the Endeavor Society whites is contemplated by a number of in Germany has been changed from representative ministers and Christian Jugend Verein Ohristlicher Bestrobun- business men from various denomina· gen (Young People's Association for tions. to be located in the mountains of Ohristian A.ctivity), to Jugend Bund fur western North Carolina. Options have Entschiedenes Christenthum (Young been secured on some 20,000 acres of People's Society for Decisive Christian- land about twenty miles from Ashe- ity). This was done so that the mono- ville. The scope of the work is entirely gram .. C. E." might be preserved. missionary and cooperative. Its advan- There is no foreign language that can tages are to be reserved chiefly for reo literally translate " Endeavor." ligious people. The first lots are to be -It is significant to note that or t::locie- obtained on long leases for a nominal ties of Buddhist Endeavor," on the Jines sum. There is to be no land speculaof the Endeavor movement. have been tion. All profits accruing from sale of established in Japan by the Buddhist land are to be used in beautifying the and Shinto priests, in order to counter- site and in miSSionary and educational act the work of Christian teachers and operations.
societies. They advocate much of the -Clara Barton, President of the Red philanthropy of the New Testament, and Cross Society for the United States, has have begun to employ" Buddhist Bible- announced that the society will under- women." take to receive and distribute contribu· AMERICA. tions and supplies for the sufferers in Turkey, the demands having been such United States.-According to the in- that they could not be resisted. It is ternal revenue statistics, there are 208,- estimated that 350,000 persons will need 380 retail liquor-dealers in the United relief, and that it will require $5,000,- States and 4555 wholesale dealers. In 000 to supply their necessities. A.meri· addition, there are several thousand cans will not be backward in meeting dealers in malt liquors at retail and the demands of the occasion.
wholesale, 1440 rectifiers. and 1771 -Chicago has 10 social settlements, brewers, making a total of 232,295 per. and they are united in a federation. sons or firms engaged in the liquor The following is the list of names and business in a popUlation of 65,000,000, locations: Hull House, 335 South Halor one to every 280 inhabitants. New stead Street; Northwestern University, York, with 41,176 licenses, heads the 252 West Chicago Avenue; Jewish Set· list. Illinois is second, with 17,833; tlement, 1[)8 West Thirteenth Place; and then follow in order, Ohio, Penn- University ot Chicago, 4655 Gross Ave· sylvania, and California. nue ; Epworth House, 229 South Hal- -The OMi8tian Advocate figures the stead; Chicago Commons, 140 North nationality of the persons engaged in Union Street; Olivet Mission, 279 Cly- the retail liquor traffic in Philadelphia bourn Avenue; Unity Settlement, 80 as follows: Chinamen, 2; Jews, 2; Elen Etreet; Helen Heath House, 869 Italians, 18; Spaniards, 140; negroes, Thirty-third Court; Sedgwick Street 265; Welsh, 160; French, 185; Scotch, Mission, 374 Sedgwick Street. Miss 497; English, 568; Germans, 2851; Jane Addams is president, and Professor Irish, 3041; Americans, 205. Total, Graham Taylor secretary. The total 8034. Of this number, 7638 are Roman number of residents is about 75.
Catholics. Of the saloon·keepers, 3696 -New York City has a Charity Or· are women, all foreigners but 1, and all ganization Society which issues a di- Roman Oatholics. rectory, a book of over 500 pages. Says -A colony for health and rest and the Independent: "We commend it to for missionary effort among mountain the careful study of those who declare that the churches arc doing little or Dr. Jessup regards this action as • some· nothing for the sodal and temporal wel- what startling' in this age of Christian fare of the people. It divides the be- comity. Schweifat is only six miles nevolent resources of the city into from Beirut, our mission has sustained classes, with their organizations, as fol- schools and services there for nearly lows: Public charities, 71; for tem- forty years; 5 Protestant churches can porary relief, 164,; for special relief, be seen from the village. Very perti- 64; for foreigners' relief, 32; for per- nent is Dr. Jessup's inquiry: • Are all manent relief, 85; for medical relief, the fields of Asia and Africa so crowd- 189; for defectives, 44; for reforma- ed with laborers that their friends can tion, 24; missions, orders, etc., 63 ; mis- find no other place in which to spend cellaneous, 232; mutual, 78 ; churches their funds? ' " and congregations (with their regular charitable and benevolent societies), 620. -The Presbyterians have 690 -Total, 1664. To these may be added churches with 33,000 communicants 29 organizations, some temporary, or in foreign fields, in maintenance of not yet fully established, making the which they last year spent $976,000. full total, 1695." -A Southern Presbyterian has given -The Children's Aid Society reports $5000 for a hospital in Soochow, and a that during tile last year, in 6 lodging- Lutheran {General Synod) $2000 for one houses were 5701 different boys and in the Muhlenberg Mission, West Af- girls; 231,120 meals and 167,733 lodg- rica. ings were supplied. In the 21 day and 12 evening 8cllo01s 13,724 children were -Dr. W. A. P. Martin, President of taught, partly fed, and partly clothed; the Imperial College, Peking, has resign- 807,939 meals were supplied; 2059 were ed the charge of that institution after a sent to homes and employment; 4358 quarter century of service, and is in this were aided with food, medicine, etc., country on leave of absence. He now through the" Sick Children's Mission" ; goes on the retired list with the title of 5769 children enjoyed the benefits of President Emeritus, and the mandarin the "summer home" at Bath, L. I. ; rank of tajen, .. great man," conferred 6156 mothers and sick infants were sent by the Chinese Government. to the" health home" at Coney Islaud. Tot~l number under charge of the Sl>- -Dr. A. W. Rudisill, of Madras, the ciety during tile year, 37,979, at an ex- head of the Methodist publishing house pense of $7812. The total expense of in India, came to this country a year the industrial schools and night schools ago to equip himself for starting an was $134,863, while the running ex- electrotyping department. He went penses of the lodging-houses were $57,- into a shop in Baltimore as an appren- 875. tice, and by working from five o'clock in the morning until midnight, not only – I t would seem as tho the Turk were learned the business, but excited so making mischief enough in Western much interest in his work that he re- Asia, but Woman's Work for Woman turned to India with $11,000 contributgives this neWS item, which is com- ed to his enterprises without solicitation. mended "to whom it may concern" : " Seven Christian (or Disciple) ministers -The evangelical outlook in Mexico from the United States landed at BeirUt is full of hope. A recent writer says: September 29th, and, without confer- .. Every year the demand for the Bible ring with missionaries there, drove out increases. In 1894 the American Bible to Schweifat, immersed 7 and ordained Society employed 50 colporteurs, who a young Syrian as their missionary, to traversed Mexico in every direction." labor in that village. No wonder that -A colporteur of the Valparaiso Bible Society recently sold in one district in the north 1800 pesos' (about 35 i8ts, £211,486; Nonconformist societies cents to the peso) worth of Bibles and in England and Wales, £379,550; Seotch religious books in three months. and Irish Presbyterian societies, £195,- 944 ; Roman Cath01ic societies, £15,879. -The number of missionaries of all 'societies working on the South Ameri- -Ina latelypubl!shed book Sir John can continent is about 400. The Prot- Lubbock tells us that since 1887 the estant adherents number about 100,000, number of persons in prison has de- of whom 70,000 are in the Guianas, creased nearly a third. In juvenile principally in Dutch Guiana, where crime the decrease is even more satis- Moravian efforts have been attendt:d factory. In 1856 the number of young with remarkable success. persons committed was 14,000; last year, in spite of the enormOUS increase EUROPE. of the population, the number was only 5100. The yearly average of persons Great Britain.-Mr. Arnold White sentenced to penal servitude in the five suggests, in The Obse'I'Ver, that after 8 years ending in 1864 was 2800, and that century of missionary labor the time number has steadily fallen, being for has come when a royal commission last year only 729, or but one quarter. should be formed to inquire into the re- notwithstanding the increase of popusults, so that untraveled Englishmen lation. In fact, 8 convict prisons have may have the opportunity of forming become unnecessary and have been ap· an impartial judgment on questions that plied to other purposes. are now under dispute. The real occasion of the suggestion is the trouble -The London Police Court Mission our country has with China; for Mr. was a powerful agency for good to the White would have our government give 85,000 persons who passed through the " denominational missionaries clearly to police courts of London in 1894; 15,- understand that if they choose to run 855 of these were helped by the misrisks, it is they, aud not the tax-payers sion ; more than 1000 girls and women of this country, who must take the con- were rescued from shame and degradasequences." So far as we know, this tion ; 177 men were admitted into the is just what the missionaries do. But home, and 149 have done well; 89 lads if missionaries are Englishmen, and they were admitted into the lads' shelter ate assaulted or slain in defiance of home, and 279 were restored to friends. treaty rights, then the Government in- Thirteen missionaries work in the courts. tervenes, not because they are missionaries, but because they are Englishmen. -Early in J'lnuary the editor-in-chief As for the proposed royal commission, of this REVIEW began his series of meetwhy not have one to inquire how far ings at Liverpool; will visit Wales, the Christianity has justified its existence West of England, and Ireland during in England after eighteen hundred the first three months; and during the years ?-London Ohristian. next quarter he will travel in Scotland and the Midland counties, returning to -Canon Scott Robertson's twenty- London for conferences at Exeter Hall fourth report of the voluntary contribu- and Mildmay. Surely many and fertions of Christians in the British Isles in vent should be the petitions that great support of foreign missionary work grace be bestowed upon this gifted and shows that last year the total contribut- eminent promoter of world-wide mised amounted to £1,375,571. Only in sions. 1891 has this total been exceeded. This total is divided as follows: Church of -A large company, some weeks ago, England societies, £572,712; joint so- assembled at an Edinburgh railway stacieties of churchmen and Nonconform- tion to bid Godspeed to one who has spent nearly half a century in the foreign field. This was the Rev. William dren, and it is the exception to find a Anderson of Old Calabar. He is re- Spanish farmer who is able to read or turning to Africa to devote his remain- write. Germany boasts of being in the ing life to the furtherance of a work foremost rank among the nations in the which has happily been most encourag· kulturkampf of the world, yet she exing and successful in his hands. We pends $185,000,000 on her army, while congratulate the United Presbyterian $10,000,000 is deemed sufficient for edu- Church in having such a veteran to rep- cation. France maintains an army at resent it.-JIlree Ohurch Monthly. an expense of $151,000,000, and sup- portl! her schools with $21 000,000. The -Queen Victoria honored herself and United States expends $1~5,OOO,OOO for her realm when she received the Chris- public schools, while the army and tian King Khama and the other .ifrican navy cost only $54,000,000. chiefl! in Windsor Palace. And it was a righteous act when assurances were ASIA. given that the Government would see to it that no chartered company was Islam.-The fleets of European powsuffered to force upon his people any of ers now gathered in the Levant are forthe vices of civilized countries. midable enough to compel the assent of the Porte to any terms which these -George Miiller, of Bristol, recently powers can unite ·upon. England has celebrated his ninetieth birthday. His 28 vessels in Turkish waters, 10 of them orphan houses, known all the world first-class battleships. France has 19, over, have been wholly supported by Russia 13, Italy 6, while Germany, "prayer and faith" during the sixty- Austria, and Greece have enough within one years of their existence. He has easy reach of the Dardanelles to swell received for them altogether the sum of the number to 80 or more. $6,866,743, and has provided for the maintenance and instruction of 120,763 -At no time nor in any age has human children. It is also said that he has life been safe from a violent death in a been the direct and indirect means of Mohammedan land, writes Dr. William distributing more copies of the Bible H. Thomson, in Harper'8 Magazine. than any other individual. The sword renders every country where Isalm rules alone a constantly increas- The Continent.-The Basle Mission- ing scene of desolation. No roads are ary Society closed its last financial year ever kept up in a Mohammedan region. with a balance in the treasury of more No man ever went from one Mohammethan 64,000 francs. The receipts sur- dan city to another unless he carried passed those of the previous year by arms or joined a cavalcade. It is not 60,326 francs, and this increase is due safe to travel alone for a mile's space in simply to the consent of the contribu- the Moslem world beyond the reach of tors to the" missionary penny collec- some Christian occupying power. No tion" to increase their annual offering traveler can tread the soil of Mecca or by 40 cents. visit the ruins of Yemen but at the peril of his life. Wherever Islam reigns un- -The Moravian Church is endeavor- checked, whether in Arabia, Afghanising to accumulate £15,000 for a medical tan, or Morocco, this uniform but natumissionary training fund, but so far ral outcome of the religion founded by only £1500 have been received. a highwayman is the fruit by which this tree is to be judged. To a sincere -Italy expends every year $96,000,- Moslem no Christian has a right to live 000 for her soldiers, and less than unless he has paid the kltaroj, or escape- $4,000,000 for her schools. In Spain it money, of Koran law from decapitation. costs $100,000,000 to maintain the army, and only $1,500,000 to educate the chil- [February -The press censorship, as Dr. Samuel as the most insane policy he could Jessup says, suggests the propriety of adopt. The Armenians are among the the organization of a " Society for the most industrious and inoffensive people Prevention of Cruelty to Manuscripts." in the world. Their habits of thrift The words "freedom" and "union" have made them in commerce and in are always obliterated. No Christian finance correspond in the East to the can be called" a learned man" except Jews in Europe. They have been pros- by some paraphrase. Royalty, if it reo pering too much, and as many of them fers to any Christian king or queen, have caught some of the spirit and in- must be designated by some inferior centive to progress of Europe and title. In the Bible dictionary, which America, the word has gone forth from Dr. Post is preparing. all references to the old conclave of Islam's real rulers, rebellion, such as those of Absalom and the UIema of Constantinople, that the Adonijah, are suppressed, all incidents Armenian is to be suppressed in true and references to the geography and his- Moslem fashion.-Dr. WILLIAM H.
tory of the land now known as Armenia THOMSON, in Harper's Magazine.
are especially scrutinized and doctored. -A colporteur of the British and Mount Ararat has been leveled to a Foreign Bible Society reports that in plain. The Scripture quotation, " King distributing 2412 gospels and portions of kings," is made to read, "King of of the Bible in Jerusalem, these 18 lanthe kings of the Gentiles," with the in- guages were required: Russian, 1570 ; tent of excepting the Sultan as one not Armenian, 162; Armeno-Turkish. 160 ; under the kingship of Christ. Wher- Arabic, 106 ; Turkish, 25 ; Greco-Turkever a title occurs which is in special use ish, 20; Greek Modern, 180; Bulgaamong Moslems in a religious or politi- rian, 50; Abyssinian, 40; French, 20 ; cal' sense, it is stricken out, and some English, 10; German, 15; Italian, 17 ; insignificant designation put in its Servian, 7; Croatian, 10: Bohemian, place. The word "martyr" is not al- 10: Polish, 5; Roumanian, 5. lowed to be applied to Christians, as only Moslems may be called "mar- -November 20th Rev. C. A. V. Van tyrs." The words" college" or " uni- Dyck died in Beirilt, aged seventy-seven, versity," in connection with Christian and after fifty-five years of devoted education, are erased. The Syrian Prot- missionary service. He was healer, estant College must be called a " School preacher, teacher, translator, all in one, for Young Boys. "-Ohurc1t at Home and was the greatest of Arabic scholars. and Abroad. His life work centered and found its -Native Christian popUlations under climax in the Arabic translation of the the Turk have been, during this gen- Bible, which is no doubt destined to eration, steadily increasing in numbers, playa momentous part in the coming wealth, and intelligence, simply because evangelization of the entire Mohammethey eagerly strive for a share in the dan world_ civilization of their more fortunate India.-In the recent debate on the brethren of the West. The Moslem is Indian Budget in the House of Com- by his religion absolutely shut out from mons, Sir Henry Fowler said: "In any such share. Everywhere he is los- dealing with Indian questions Indian ing ground and growing poorer, while interests ought to be supreme, as on the Christian is growing richer and no other ground could we hold that wiser than he_ He has to witness the empire_" WoIds like these, spoken despised Christians rapidly outstripping in the British House of Commons, are him in every respect. It is this which carefully treasured up in memory by fills him with fury, and prompts him to Indian politicians and used as the those acts which we are so apt to regard Magna Charta of Indill:'s political privi. leges, and as the basis of India's ex- pensaries had increased by 76 per cent, pectations. It is to be hoped that the and was in the latter year 2025, while English public will not allow such the number of patients treated was 16,- broad statements of policy to pass un- 973,468-an increase of 176 per cent.
noticed or lie unforgotten. India ex- For cataract alone 20,279 operations pects England to fulfil her promises. were performed, and 7,500,000 persons A.nd whatever England promises, India were vaccinated, yet only one fifteenth henceforth claims as her right. India of the people of Bengal live within five in 1858 had no right to demand the miles of a dispensary.
terms given by the Queen's proclama· -An Indian Mohammedan gentleman tion. But, having received the boon, belonging to the Civil Service, gave the people of this country have tena· this testimony to the good work of the ciously insisted upon the concessions of missionary school. Speaking of his the proclamation as their inalienable Bengal Christian teacher, he said: "He right. Statements like that of Sir taught me the meaning of truth, and Henry Fowler's will be treasured up in honor, and sympathy, and love. No the same manner. And so long as these man ever influenced me as he did, and assurances are lived up to, India will when he died I mourned him as a fabe satisfied; but if it is rumored that ther." England is breaking faith with India, trouble will follow. The words quoted -Dr_ Miller, of the ~radras Christian above arrest attention because the rela· College, has been the mark for much tions between a supreme power and severe criticism on account of his alsubordinate provinces in distant lands leged lack of Christian fervor in teachare not usually maintained on such ing. Therefore these words from the terms. Turkey's relations with Ar- Principal are well worth reading; menia would have to be radically " Taking into account the last sixteen changed if the Porte should lay down or twenty years, I am confident that the rule that Armenian interests are to there are as many, or probably more, be supreme in dealing with that un- men now active members of the Chrishappy province. Spain and Cuba are tian Church who became so through not held together by such a silken bond their being baptized either while actuas that. We do not think the world's ally students of the Madras Christian history furnishes another such instance. College, or as the direct result of their It is certainly a Significant fact that the connection with it, than have been greatest colonial empire ever under the similarly added to the Church through sway of a single ruler is governed, pro· the instrumentality, not only of any fessedly at least, according to the prin- one, but of all the other 17 mission colciples laid down by Sir Henry Fowler. leges, or at all events of the 13 Prot- Some people in Canada and South estant mission colleges in Southern India Africa and Australia, as well as in put together."
India, say that England does not always -The popular conception of a Mo.
transact business with her colonies ac· hammedan Malay is that he is a very cording to this rule. Yet it is a satis· undesirable sort of person. The pub- faction to be told that this is what Eng. lished accounts of the memorial service land wants to do, and will do as soon of the late Sultan of Johore will serve as she can afford it.-Indian Witness. to correct this impression. And the memorial service held at Johore last -Some figures published in " Medi- September, under the direction of the cal Missions in India," by the late Medi· Presbyterian Church, is also a reminder cal Congress at Calcutta, are of inter- that some wrong impressions concern- est. Between 1877 and 1893 the num- ing possible harmony betwcen Chris- ber of government hospitals and dis- tians and Mohammedans must be removed before the white light of truth a branch line from Peking to Kalgan, fills our minds. The service began by are things which are sure to come in singing the hymn, "Our God, our help the not distant future.-.Rev. Henry in ages past," followed by the Psalm, BZodgett.
" Lord, thou hast been our dwelling· -Robert Coltman, M.D., writes from place." Prayer was offered by the Rev. Peking: "Two years ago I was called G. M. Reith, and addresses were given to see a Manchu official named Rui, by the Dato Meldrum, a Mohammedan who had been stricken with paralysis. official, and by the Rev. J. A. B. Cook. Under treatment he gradually recov- Mr. Cook said of the late Sultan that ered, and is now able to go about. He "He stood head and shoulders above sent at first for his medicine by his son, all the Malay princes of his time."- a young man of twenty-one years. Indian Witness. Afterward he came himself, and they -In our much speech concerning the both listened attentively to the preach- marvels of Japan's progress, let us not ing of the hospital evangelist in the forget that Siam also is forging forward waiting.room. From the truth they into line with civilized nations. ~he heard there they became interested in has her railroads and telegraphs. She Christianity, and daily attended Mr.
enjoys electric lights. But the newest Ament's chapel, which was much nearer and most significant act is her accept· than ours. They also invited Miss Rus- ance of the Red Cross Treaty, by which sell, of the American Board, to visit them she binds herself to recognize the neu· and in a little more than a year, father, trality of those who minister to the mother, and son all united with the wounded in·time of war. church of the American Board mission, China.-It secms to be a fact well and are living good Christian lives. established that, as in Turkey the recent atrocities were all planned in Constanti· -European statesmen rejoiced when nople, so also in the Celestial Empire the gates of the "hermit nations," riot and murder did not originate among China and Japan, were forced. It the masses. but were contrived and en· meant an immense extension of comcouraged by mandarins, governors, and merce. They rejoiced again when Japan such like. It is they who start foul began to introduce Western civilizaslanders and stir up the baser sort of the tion. It means an immense demand for people. Western food, clothing, and machinery. But now they are standing aghast at -An imperial rescript has sanctioned the fact that the Japanese are supplying the construction of a trunk line of rail- their own wants, and are already com· way from Chinkiang, near Nanking, peting with Europe in supplying China along the Grand Canal to Peking. This and India. They have dismissed forwill connect with the line from Tientsin eigners from their mills and machine to Shanhaikwan, and thence to Kerin shops. They operate 2100 miles of rail- -in Manchuria, ultimately connecting road, and the only foreigner employed with the Russian transcontinental rail· is a Scotchman who married a Japanese way. The length of the line will be woman. Sir Charles Lyall says that not less than 1500 miles, and it will con· "the industrial inventions by which nect the heart of Manchuria with Pe· Europe has prevailed over Asia are king and Shanghai. This railway, so about to be turned against her."
far from being opposed, was approved AFRICA. alike by metropolitan and provincial official!!. This is one of the results of -The agent of the American Bible the war. An extension of this line to' Society reports favorably on Bible cir- Canton, a line to the western provinces, culation in Egypt, the work being done mainly through the agency of the Amer- 50,000 natives and 8000 European miican Presbyterian mission. Arabic is ners, and there are 2700 stamps in operathe language used by all. Six of the tion. Moreover, this body of ore, which 7,000,000 of inhabitants are l-lohamme- is more regularly distributed than the dans, and Bible distribution among ore of any other gold region in the them is much less restricted than in world, shows no signs of decreasing, Turkey. The following figures show and experts estimate the value of the how the work has expanded in the last gold in the Witwatersrand district at thirty years. From 1865-74 the number between £300,000,000 and £350,000,000. of copies distributed was 6630. From The profits of working are enormots, 1875-84 it was 45,586 ; and from 1885- especially since the application of what 94 it was 116,474. is known as the cyanide process of ex- traction secures from 80 to 85 per cent -The news of a meeting of Chris- of the gold in the ore, instead of the 50 tians, Mohammedans, and pagans at per cent that was the rule under the old Ibadan, on the West Coast of Africa, system. for the purpose of condemning the drink traffic, sounds strange but hope- -In a recent interview with a press ful. The people have taken the matter agency, Mr. Pilkington, of the Uganda up themselves, and in the Yoruba lan- Mission, said: "Since the proclamaguage have condemned Europe for its tion of the protectorate in Uganda, deadly work, and pledged themselves matters have been much more settIedto support every effort which may be the natives realizing that the British made in Europe or Africa to bring it to will not now leave the country. A an end. One of the speakers referred large number of the Mohammedans who to the love of some of his countrymen left the country after the recent rising for liquor in this language: "In talk- are returning from the German terriing to you, countrymen, to give up the tory, and are quietly settling down. liquor traffic, you will not like to hear, The two great factions of the Waganda because it is as one announcing to you people-the Protestants and the Roman tbe sad news of the death of your dear Catholics-are living amicably together, father or mother." and there is no prospect of any politi· cal strife between them. The Mo- -Six guineas were recently sent to hammedans in the country are quite Dr. Barnardo, for his homes in London, friendly, particularly with the Protesfrom the boys and girls of Lovedale tants. " Missionary Institution, South Africa; "This sum," said the accompanying -The defeat of the Italians in Abysletter, "is the amount of their church- sinia is a serious reverse; and more serio door collection for a school session, and ous is the report that the Abyssinians the destination of the money was en- are advancing against the Italians with tirely of their own proposing. Many 100,000 men. Those Abyssinians are of these Kaffir boys and girls know a bitter fighters, and have before now good deal about your work, and are in- beaten small European armies. It is terested in it." likely to be a heavier task to conquer Ras Alula than the Italians may relish; -The Witwatersrand gold.bearing but their colonial policy is probably a formation of Africa, which has attract. wise one, and it will have the support ed great attention, is more than 50 miles of England, which gives permission for long, and the works of the mines ex- the Italian troops to march from Ery· tend over 20 miles of this distance. threa on Kassala, which is in the Eng- There are employed about the works lish sphere.-Independent. ISLANDS OF THE SEA. operations on New Britain, which will of course require a few Fijians as well -Great success now attends the work as what native teachers we can raise. of the Rhenish Mission in Sumatra. At Already we have 3 boys stationed in the the beginning of last year there were bush. at some considerable distance 6000 candidates for baptism in the Bat- from the coast, and the results they tak tribe, and of these 1000 were con- have already achieved urge us to furverts from Mohammedanism. In the ther effort. During the past year 4 southern part of the island the entire Fijians have returned to Fijifrom Ralupopulation have been followers of the ana and 1 has died, while I have refalse prophet, and until six years ago ceived but 3 new men, leaving me with no one thought it wise to attack the 2 Fijians less than at the commenceenemy in such a stronghold. At that ment of the past year, while at Kabatime a missionary established himself kada 1 Fijian has died and 5 have reamong them, and recently reported 350 turned home, whereas we have only baptisms and 500 others as receiving in- recei ved 2 Fijians and 2 Samoans. I struction with a view to baptism. In would like just enough Fijians to overthis number are several chiefs. Evan- see the boys." gelists are asked for on all sides, and even Mohammedan fanatics are turning -The French missionaries in the So· to Christianity. Moslem priests, in de- ciety Isles report that the condition of spair of their cause, have actually left public education in Tahiti is very critisome of the villages, and there is a gen- cal at present. In order to be economieral impression that Islam has had its cal and to Frenchify, the Government day in a great part of that region. is seeking more and more to Catholicize the schools. It has a very simple plan -Rev. Oscar Michelsen, writing from -to close all the schools with which it Tongoa, New Hebrides, in July last, is not satisfied. The field is thus said: "The work for which we live thrown open to the Catholic priests, continues to prosper. Do not suppose with whom the Protestants can only that there are not a thousand little compete at a disadvantage. The future things to try us; but these are only of Protestantism in these islands seems spiritual tonics, and things are going to be in danger, and the prayers of forward for all that. As an indication Christian sympathizers are entreated.- of that I may mention that three weeks Journal de8 Mi8sions Evangeliques. ago I baptized 72 men and women on their profession of faith in Jesus. They -So far the reports from Madagascar were first instructed by the teachers, are of a reassuring character. The and then examined by myself. They French have been humane in the hour had also been attending my Friday of victory. When a deputation of misafternoon Bible-class for over a year. sionaries waited on General Duchesne, The Sunday before last 193 of us sat he received them very kindly, and asdown at the Lord's table, and there was sured them that they need fear no intera cash collection of £13 48. as an ex- ference from him or his; and to a deppression of gratitude to the Savior." utation of native pastors he declared that they would all be allowed full lib- – What strange reading is this from erty of conscience and worship. a missionary on the island of New Britain I Note, not tho literary style, but -A cable message from Antananathe frequency of a name which not long rivo, the capital of Madagascar, via since stood for the extreme of ferocity Port Louis, island of Mauritius, states and nameless vices: " We sadly need that 2 missionaries at Arivonimamo, a few more Fijians to open up Kaibaira, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, of the English Port Webber. We want to extend our Friends' Mission, have been murdered during a riot.
The Missionary Review of the World — May 1890
JAPAN; REVIEW OF THE YEAR 1889
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIII. No.5.-0Id Series.—MAY.—voL. III. No. 5.-New Series.
I.-LI TERATURE OF MISSIONS.
JAPAN: REVIEW OF THE YEAR 1889.
BY GEORGE W~f. KNOX, D.D., TOKYO, JAPAN.
The events of the year 1889 have been of high importance. No year since 1867, the year of the restoration, has shown such rapid changes, or been so full of surprises. The hidden forces of popular feeling have manifested themselves with unexpected violence, and the warmest friends of Japan are, for the moment, uncertain of the future.
Nature has been in sympathy with society. Nowhere is nature more luxuriantly beautiful, and nowhere are ins forces more ready to display their overwhelming powers. It has been a year of earthquakes, typhoons, terrific rains, bursting rivers and engulfing waves. The calm and beauty that attract every beholder contrast sharply with the elemental fury, and one never knows when the pent up forces may explode. The relatively low estimate placed upon human life in the East and West has been clearly illustrated. The flood at J ohnstown horrified two continents, and was the occasion for a manifestation of sympathy and benevolence almost unparalleled. The disasters in Japan have exceeded the horrors of Johnstown, and have been thought worthy of an occasional telegram and newspaper paragraph. Here in Japan, funds have been collected for the distressed, but they can have met but the merest fraction of the terrible need. Months after the disasters, we are still without exact and complete details of the losses of life and property, and the great newspapers of the capital make but passing reference to the calamity, in their reviews of the year.
The .flew Constitution.-In its opening, the year was bright with promise. On the 11th of February, the new Constitution of the empire was promulgated amid the rejoicings of the nation. The Constitution promises liberty of religion, of the press, of speech, of public assembly and of petition. It makes a man's house his castle, to be invaded only with due forms of law. It carefully preserves the rights and liberties of the subject. It guards the independence of the judiciary. It transforms the emperor into a constitutional monarch with limited and well defined powers. It establishes an Imperial Diet, that shall assemble first in 1890. Thus Japan peacefully accomplished its reformation and forsook Asia for the companionship of progressive Europe and America. It was the completion of the first period of constitutional development, and only statesmen of clear dis- cernment, comprehensive plans and high executive ability could so su(;cessfully have surmounted the innumerable difficulties and dis- couragements. Foreigners, resident in Japan, warmly united with the Japanese in the rejoicings. • 1ft Tile Treaties.-The successful negotiation of a new treaty with the United States followed almost immediately. Again, foreigners united with Japanese in mutual congratulations. Japan seemed at ,once to place herself fairly in the company of the most advanced nations. Dif- ficulties with which ber statesmen had struggled for years, disappeared as if through the intervention of a higher power. The American minister was everywhere thanked by the people and the press. Upon his retirement to the United States, consequent upon the change in administration at Washington, he was honored, as perhaps no foreign minister before had been. The new treaty was extolled as another evidence of the fairness and frie~dship of the government of the United States. GermaJlY and Russia soon negotiated identical treaties.
It only remained for ratifications to be exchanged, and the new treat- ies were to be put in force on the 11th of February, 1890. Not a voice was raised" against tbe treaties, not an objection was made to their terms. On -the contrary, Great Britain was soundly berated be- cause her minister did not at once follow the same course. Certain young Samurai, of the baser sort, went so far as to threaten English- men with personal violence if their government should longer hesitate.
The new treaties abolished extra-territorial jurisdiction, and placed Americans under Japanese law. When Japan was first opened to foreign residence, the nation was neither ready nor desirous of juris- diction over foreigners. The Japanese desired to confine the intrud- • ers within the narrowest limits possible, and to have as little to do as practicable with them. Their presence was accepted as a temporary and most unwelcome necessity. On the other hand, Europeans and Americans could not be expected to submit to the laws of a land that made the profession of the Christian religion a capital offense; that openly used torture in its judicial process, and that possessed no modern civil or criminal laws. Japan was opened by force, and the treaties were made with the full knowledge that residence was possible only on the condition that foreigners have the protectio!l of their own laws.
For years the system continued with the full consent of the Japa- nese. Even after the restoration <;if the emperor, popular attention was not directed to the anomalous fact that sixteen different Powers were exercising judicial powers in the ports and the very capital of the empire. Indeed, for a time the old anti-foreign policy was intensified, as the watchword of the restoration had been "Expel the foreigners." By 1872, however, the new rulers of Japan had fully determined upon the policy of friendship and progress that has been consistently followed. Besides this extra-territorial clause, the old treaties bound Japan with commercial clauses that forced a policy of virtual free trade. The Government of Japan began to demand the revision of the treaties. At first, it asked freedom to revise its tariff. The United States consented, the other Powers unanimously refused, and their refusal rendered nugatory our consent. The foreign Powers formed a league and faced Japan as one. After this failure the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs resigned, and was succeeded by Count Inoue. He at once renewed the negotiations for revision, but now asked first for the revision of the extra-territoriality clauses. The ail' was full of revision. The press joined in the demand, and the nation seemed determined to assert its influence. But the foreign Powers stood resolutely together. "No, we cannot consent. Your laws are, it is true, being revised, but you cannot expect IlS to submit until they are complete." The codes were at last almost completed. Still the answer was: "No, your judges are without experience, and we cannot place ourselves under their jurisdiction." The difficulty was removed by the promised appointment of foreigners as judges. The negptiations dragged along, one demand being followed by another. It was impossible to satisfy this foreign league, and yet preserve the rights of Japan. Count Inoue yielded point after point, until, at last, the nation reached its limit of patience, and the negotiations came to a close. Count Inoue resigned, and the treaty revision seemed indefinitely postponed. Count Okuma took up the negotiations. Minister Hubbard of the United States was ready to meet him, and broke loose from the alliance of the Powers. These two men soon concluded a treaty satisfactory to both. Extra-territoriality was abolished. Americans were placed under Japanese courts and laws; and, on the other hand, all the empire was opened for residence and travel. In a diplomatic note, it was provided that five foreigners should be employed as judges for a space of twelve years. That was a concession to the prevalent foreign opinion, that Japanese judges are still too inexperienced, and the new codes too strange for foreigners to place confidence in the courts. It w.as a small concession, made for the sake of resuming soverign control. The tariff, too, WaS revised on terms favorable to Japan. Count Okuma was everywhere congratulated. Germany and Russia at once followed the United States. England and France were more deliberate, but at last were ready to act when a popular agitation began that rendered action useless.
The Soshi.-As the months went by the Soshi began an agitation. The .rapid transformation of Japan had been felt most acutely by the Samurai. These men have been at 'once the leaders and the sufferers. Patriots to the depths of their being, they have supported progress,. and have been ready for the greatest personal sacrifices. The over-· throw of the feudal system, accomplished by themselves, deprived them of their hereditary rights and privileges, and mingled them in- discriminately with the mass of the people. A certain number found employment in the government, for the police and the officers of the naval, military and civil services are, almost without exception, Samurai. But, after all, only a small fraction could be thus employed~ and the great majority were left to make their own way. As the legacy of feudalism, they retained a high sense of their own dignity and position, a lofty patriotism, an infinite desire for education, and. total ignorance of the arts of money making and of practical life. In most trying circumstances they have succeeded nobly. They arestill the dependence of Japan. As editors, lawyers, politicians, and, we may add, clergymen, they maintain their old position as the leaders of the people. But, in such a transformation, in so keen a struggle for existence, only the fittest survive. Some of the Samurai have disappeared in the mass of the commons. They are cooks, petty merchants, farmers, and pullers of jin-riki-sha. Another fraction still struggle against increasing odds. Their money is almost gone-of practical ability they show little. They are without guides, political or moral. The Confucian ethics that sufficed for their fathers have lost all power, and there is nothing in their stead. The old loyalty that had its well-understood code, is gone, and the new patriotism has not yet found its moral foundation. The old, narrow education is replaced with a smattering of misunderstood western learning. In Tokyo are scores of schools, with thousands of young men in attendance, that are a constant source of danger. The schools are for the sake of providing their proprietors with an income. The course of study is meagre; the teaching of the poorest; discipline is conspicuous by its absence. Here young men congregate, get a smattering of Spencer and :Mill, talk politics, and impress each other with their mutual importance. From these immature politicians come the Soshi. The Soshi are violent young men, for the most part extreme radicals, who openly advocate the use of physical force in the maintenance of their political views. They assault their opponents, break up public meetings, advocate assassination, and are ready to go to all extremes. Such men compelled the disbanding of the great liberal party some years ago, since they would not submit to the leaders, but by their violence brought discredit on the whole movement. There have been many such men in the years past, but only in 1889 did they make themselves felt as an open faction. The Soshi profess differing political opinions, but are in all cases the advocates of the free use of physical force.
The Agitation.-As noted above, they first interfered in the question of the treaties by threatening the English with violence if "they did not follow the good example of the United States." During the summer, however, they changed their tone and began an agitation against the revised treaties. Their points of attack were two: the .ownership of land by foreigners, and the employment of any foreign- -ers as judges. Their movement was not anti-foreign, but anti-Count Okuma. For weeks the agitation was as insignificant as it was violent. Meetings were held, and one or two third-rate newspapers advocated these views. But the leading newspap-ers, and the leading men, without exception, upheld the treaties, and gave their approval to the disputed provisions. Public sentiment emphatically approved Count Okuma's action, and applauded the action of the United States. 'The agitation was looked upon as unworthy of serious attention. Such arguments as the Soshi advanced were answered over and over again. The weight of reason was on the side of the Government. But the Soshi refused to be silenced, and found constantly new reasons, as the old ones were shown to be valueless. To the surprise ·of all, the agitation showed unexpected vitality, and gained in strength with the passing weeks. Gradually well-informed men began to say: "If this continues, the Government will find difficulty in maintaining its position." By mid-autumn they said: "The treaties will not be ratified by Japan." It became apparent that there was a ,serious political crisis in the Cabinet. Rumors of dissensions among the statesmen who ruled Japan began to leak out. The agitation waxed more furious, some of the influential newspapers changed their tone. Prominent politicians added their advocacy. Tokyo became excited, and the common people took up the talk of their superiors. The country had not been so agitated since the months preceding the .overthrow of the Shogunate. Then came the end.
The Assassination of Count Okurna.-Two men stood in the way .of success, Count Kuroda, the head of the ministry, and, above all, Count Okuma, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The former is a man with no great reputation for statesmanship, but is of great firmness .and ready to stand ever by his friends. Count Okuma was his friend. Count Okuma stands among the first two or three men in the empire. He is wise, progressive and firm. So long as these two men remained in the ministry, the treaties would not be thrown aside. A f~natical :Samurai waited one day for Count Okuma, and, with careful aim, threw a dynamite bomb into his carriage. Through the skill of the -coachman, the carriage was so hurried forward that the Count lost only his leg, and not his life. The would-be assassin committed suicide on the spot. Count Okuma for weeks was unable to give any attention to public affairs, but was kept in the strictest seclusion. The news excited the city and nation. But Japan has not yet forgotten its feudal manners. A man who kills himself in the name of patriotism, the assassin who willingly throws away his own life, is a hero to million:l of the people. The assassin who struck down Minis- ter Mori on February 11, 1889, though his avowed reason was petty, and was shown at once to be without foundation in fact, was honored with ostentatious funerals, and poems in the newspapers. And this would-be murderer of Okuma, too, earned the plaudits of the unthink- ing of his fellow-countrymen. The act sent no thrill of horror 01' of indignation through the land. In talking with the people, admiration of the coolness and skill of the assassin was heard more often than indignation at the deed.
The Oabinet Orisis.-Almost immediately, to the astonishment of foreigners, Count Ito resigned, and his example was followed by the whole ministry, excepting Okuma, who was too ill to be informed. What the Soshi failed to accomplish, Ito finished in a day, and he chose the time when Okuma was lingering between life and death. Ito and Inoue are the most powerful statesmen in Japan. They have controlled t.be destinies of the empire for years. TheY'have been the advocates of every progressive movement. Inoue staked his political career upon the success of his revision of the treaties. Ito was the author of the revised new Constitution. No doubt they were not over friendly to Count Okuma. Kuroda had made a combination cabinet, in- cluding men of different opinions. Inoue had dissented from that policy, but had consented to remain for a while. He and Ito carried out their plans and withdrew just at the moment when such action would complete the work of the bomb. A confused political crisis ensued that is hardly.ended yet. Kuroda resigned, and his combination policy ended. Ito and Inoue withdrew finally, and are watching affairs from a safe distance. When Okuma recovered he found himself without Kuroda's aid, and obliged to resign. The new cabinet is constructed in the hope that it may last until the Diet meets next autumn.
The Situation.-The new treaties are dead. Accepted by the whole ministry before they were negotiated, accepted by the sentiment of the nation for months after they were negotiated, conferring great benefits upon Japan in the restoration of complete sovereignty and the revision of the tariff, they are slain by the Soshi, the wouldbe assassin of Okuma, and the resignation of Ito. No statesman would dare attempt their ratification. Neither his position nor his life would be worth a week's purchase. Japan is back in the old position by her own act. And yet not in the old position. Surely no minister of the United States will invite a repetition of this experience. The United States are laughed at for simplicity, while England is applauded for clear-sighted perception. Men are saying : "We told you so: England is too wise to trust her interests to Japan." Then, too, the old situation was morally unjustifiable on our side. Inoue was all reaSODableness, and the refusal to conclude tIle treaties was a grevious wrong in the sight of many foreigners. Now, Japan has rejected treaties made on her own terms, approved by her ministry and by unanimons public opinion. The anomalous jurisdiction of foreign powers, and the seclusion of foreigners in "settlements" and within "treaty limits," is Japan's own choice. Who will undertake ·the re- opening of this question, no one can say. The Government really has no policy beyond postponement. What the action of the Diet may be, it is impossible to foresee. The wisest statesman would hesitate to foretell what a year will bring forth Political Partie8.~The agitation against the treaties was of no importance until it became a question of political parties. Count Okuma has been the head of the Kai-shin-to Progressives. His enemies of every opinion, radicals and conservatives, combined against him, with the treaties as their rallying cry. There are anti-foreign conservatives in Japan who say, "Japan for the Japanese," and interpret that very propel' cry in the very narrowest spirit.. These men use Buddhism and Shinto as political instruments. Their following is small. Then there are the Liberals, with Count Itagaki as leader, and the Grand Association, with Count Goto as leader, and the Progressives, with Count Okuma as leader. Count Inoue is credited with the largest personal following in Japan. Then almost everyone of these "parties" has factions that refuse to follow in party lines. It is impossible, too, to understand on what "principles" these parties are formed. The conservatives have a policy, but no man can formulate the :party platforms of the other. The truth is, these are not partiel:l at all, but clubs and groups, factions of more or less strength attached to particular statesmen and leaders. But the leaders cannot control their own followers. There are Soshi in all, and the Soshi assert themselves in div·ers manners, and with disastrous effect. From last autumn's campaign, it is evident that these gl'OUpS can momentarily unite in opposition, but when the temporary aim is accomplished, the combination instantly breaks into its original fractions.
The Outlook.-Japan has reached its political crisis. It has successfully surmounted difficulties in the past. Prophets of evil have repeatedly declared that the end is at hand, only to find themselves speedily mistaken. Let us trust that this crisis, too, may be safely passed. It is not to be denied, however, that there are serious elements of danger. First, the statesmen who have guided Japan through the perils of the past are in retirement. Their future policy is a matter of speculation. Ito especially discredited himself. He is rumored to have been the power behind the whole agitation. Many think him unwilling that Okuma should succeed. The newspapers have reported interviews with him, which, if true, confirm these rumors. Second, it is apparent that the Diet is to be the scene of severe struggles between ill-defined factions. It is gravely doubted whether any faction will be strong enough to carry out a consistent )lolicy. It is evident that personal ambition is more powerful than political principles. Third. The mob has shown its power. The Soshi began its agitation against a ministry that combined more firstrate men than had before been gathered in one government. Whatever reasons were below the surface, the outward and apparent fact is, that these agitators carried their point. Their voice has not been heard for the last time. Their bomb was too successful to permit the hope that dynamite will not readily be used again. They have shown their strength. It may be doubted whether statesmen in the Diet who incur popular displeasure will be safer than Cabinet ministers. It may also be doubted whether a faction triumphant in the Diet will dare maintain itself in the face of opposition from these student agitators.
The friends of Japan wait the events of t.he next two years with anxious hope. We trust that the splendid achievements of the past will be repeated. We cannot believe that Japan's great experiment is to end in ignominious failure. Such a result would be a calamity, not for this empire alone, but for Asia-for humanity.
Religious Progress.-In mission work the year has been one of quiet progress. There has been little excitement, and the work has occupied less than usual of the attention of the public. Wellinformed missionaries have spoken of the year as one of small results. The statistics are not yet complete, but, so far as we can judge, the Church has made as much progress as in other years. The kingdom has come without observation, but the Lord has blessed abundantly the work of his servants.
The Revival in Tokyo.-In the beginning of the year there was marked interest in some of the Tokyo churches. Tsukiya Bashi church, Rev. N. Tamura pastor, held meetings every night for weeks. The interest was for the most part among professing Christians, and manifested itself in a deepened experience, in mutual confessions, and a stronger desire for the salvation of souls. In spite of the judicious teaching and example of the pastor, there was some excitement, threatening the good name and order of the church. But, so far as we can learn, the results have been only good. The whole church in Japan needs pre-eminently the outpouring of God's spirit upon the hearts of believers.
The Work of the Y. M. 0. A.-The Y. M. C. A. has found a wide and effectual door in Japan. Young men in astonishing numbers are found in all the churches. In all activity they are at the head.
Our pastors and elders are young. The activity, the prominence and leadership of young men in all departments of life is one of the most characteristic features of modern Japan. With all the church work, it would seem that there was no need for further organization. But the Y. M. C. A. is not superfluous; it has already made a field for itself. In the schools of Tokyo are tens of thousands of young men. Among these students are Christians in surprising numbers. Without .organization, they have remained strangers to each other. Again and .again, students have thought themselves alone in great schools with hundreds of pupils. Then the Y. M. C. A. became organized, and to the great delight and surprise of each student, many have come forward and enrolled themselves as Christians. Active associations have been formed in the Imperial University, in the leading colleges and schools ·of the Government, and in many private schools and academies. 'The associations maintain Bible classes, courses of lectures on Christian topics, and organize the Christians for aggressive work among their companions. This work is still at its beginning. Rightly managed, it will accomplish a great work for the Master.
The Stemmer School.-Mr. Wishard energetically visited the .schools in all parts of Japan during the first half of the year. He was everywhere welcomed, and large congregations of young men gave him respectful attention. The Christians were encouraged and .strengthened, and to the unbelievers the gospel was preached. His work culminated in the Summer school which was held with the Congregational college, the Doshi-sha, in Kyoto during ten days .of the last week in June and the first week in July. Over four hundred students, representing twenty-five different institutions, were present. Most of the prominent schools in the Empire had delegates present. It was a time of prayer and the study of G<1d's Word. The proceedings have been printed and form an attractive volume. The theme of every meeting was "Consecration to the Service of the Lord." The theological schools have already received students who ascribe their wish to enter the ministry to impulses received at the Summer school.
The Buddhist Missionary.-Buddhism continues to try missionary -experiments. It is quick to adopt our methods. But with all these activities and brand new methods, it is unable to resume its influence over the national life. Its day is gone forever. Col. Olcott worked according to his light and ability, but his mission was a complete failure. Large audiences assembled to hear him, but nothing permanent was accomplished. His presence in the country was soon forgotten by the public and his departure caused no regret.
Church Union.-The much wished for union between the Congregational churches and the United Church of Chirst failed of accomplishment. It is a very great disappointment. It was a noble effort, nobly planned and bravely attempted, but for the time it has failed. At the first it was hoped that the seeming failure was only temporary, but as time goes by we seem as far away from it as ever-far away with this history of failure behind us. It is not worth while to repeat the story. The fact remains that we are once more settled on strictly denominational lines, with the most hopeful in doubt as to the utility of further experiment. Everything favored success. There was' personal friendship among the leaders on both sides. There was past association in united work. There was harmony of tastes. There was a strong perception of the folly and wastefulness of present methods and the imperative need for union in the face of overwhelming unbelief. There were no strong inherited traditions and prejudices to be cast aside. There was general agreement in outline as to the terms of union. There was the repeated acceptance of the plan for union in its details by the strongest men, Japanese and American, on both sides. It did not seem possible that there should be a failure. But as the treaties have failed at the last moment through contingencies wholly unexpected, so was it with the union. And the history of the two failures have many striking points of resemblance. The union of Presbyterian and Reformed bodies is now complete. The churches and missionaries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church mission have entered the United Church of Christ. Seven missions are now co-operating with this church. The union projected between the Methodist Episcopal Church mission and the Canadian Methodist Church mission has advanced 'a step. The difficulties are fully as great as those ~hich existed between Presbyterians and Congregationalists, but we trust that they may be overcome. 'Were the question left to the missionaries, there would be no question as to the result, but the"Consent of the churches in America must be obtained.
Perhaps this union of Presbyterians with Presbyterians, and of Methodists with Methodists, is all that we can expect for the present. Sectarianism is not yet dead. The last year has demonstrated that fact. Certain associations in the United States, and one Presbytery, were moved to protest against union. There were even threats of withholding contributions from the American Board if denominational peculiarities were yielded for the sake of union. Certain Congregational ministers and newspapers used their influence to hinder this movement. There are thus ministers in the United States who deliberately set themselves against union even on the foreign field. So, too, there are a few missionaries who value sectarianism above Christian unity. With our small force and with the tremendous pressure of an unconverted empire, they are still ready to insist upon the petty details of inherited polity. Such men are a small minority, but they must not be forgotten in plans for union. Then, finally, it must be remembered that the Christians themselves cannot wholly and at once put aside party spirit. We cannot edncate men for a: decade on strict denominational lines, and expect that all will prove ready for union when the day has come. It was party feeling among the Japanese that finally prevented union last year. Let us see to it
THE MISSION TOUR OF BRITAIN
that we do not establish our divided Protestantism so surely that we shall have in every land a multitude of petty sects. The multiplica- tion of denominations continue. With all their evils, divided councils continue. Were I to repeat the story of the evil of our divisions and schisms, I should lengthen this paper beyond all bounds. The evils exist. Union on missionary ground is not the easy and imme- diate solution of the trouble that it has seemed. Once more, may we not appeal to the Christian public at home to form their plans in common and to cease to perpetuate the sin of schism through Christ's . work of preaching the gospel to the nations.
THE MISSION TOUR OF BRITAIN-No. III.
BY ARTHUR T. PIERSON, D.D.
Dear IJoctor Sherwood: The month of January was given to England, taking London as a.
centre, and going out from thence to the great cities, Birmingham, Leicester, Bristol, Leeds, etc. Every Sunday was given to Westminster Chapel, where the savor of Samuel Martin still lingers, and where, next to Spurgeon's Tabernacle, there is the largest accommodation for the multitudes. A month in London gave opportunity for a partial acquaintance with London missions, which are of every vat:iety.
In no city of the world is there so large a population living in abject poverty and misery, and practically out of the reach of the churches. That startling tract," The Bitter Cry of Outcast London," published a few years since, but now almost out of print, revealed a condition of want and woe to which most of the inhabitants. of the great metropolis were strangers. It unveiled the iniquity, intemperance, improvidence of the vast multitude of poor and outcast classes; it called attention to their forlorn condition, their unhealthy dwellings and unwholesome habits, their meagre diet, their half nakedness, their indecent crowding into inadequate tenements, and their utter destitution of the gospel. That tract is still so true and so valuable, that it is proposed to reprint it in substance in these pages for the information of those who are studying just now the grave question of the crisis of cities.
Latterly a movement, known as " The Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Movement," has been undertaken in hopes to reach the non-church goers, There are many who are quite sanguine as to its success. It originated with Mr. John Blackham, of West Bromwich,who thought he saw that sermons were too long and services of worship too tame and bald to hold the masses of the people. At Westminster Chapel these " Afternoons" were introduced while I was preaching there, and are now in progress. The following programme may indicate the plan ·of Mr. Blackham, very successfully carried out in the Midland .counties: Chorus (St. Paul)-" How Lovely are the Messengers." Hymn-" The Son of God Goes Forth to War." Trio (Elijah)-" Lift thine Eyes."
(Miss Cherry, Miss King, Miss Layton.) Prayer-With Lord's Prayer. Anthem-" Ye Shall Dwell in the Land." Lesson-Psalm xix. Read alternately. Quartette (Elijah)-" 0 Come Everyone that Thirsteth." Hymn-" I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say." Solo-" 0 Ye that Love the Lord." Address-Mr. John Blackham.
Subject: "What's That !" Hymn-" Forward, Be Our Watchword." Benediction, Hallelujah Chorus.
It will be seen that this is simply a sort of free sacred concert, with an address thrown in. The singing and organ playing are of a high order, but the devotional element is manifestly lacking. It is calculated to draw crowds, but the question is, whether such attrac· tions do not after all displace the gospel, and cultivate a morbid ap- petite for a sort of artificial and resthetic diet that is substituted for plain gospel food.
In connection with this measure a peculiar and somewhat unique plan is adopted to secure a large attendance. A card is issued, ad- mitting the bearer to the Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Meeting, and stating time and place. At the bottom of the card is a blank space, to be filled by the name of the person inviting; and on the back of the card the party accepting and using the invitation signs a declara- tion: "I am over 18 years of age, and desire to be enrolled a mem- ber of the Sunday Afternoon Class," etc. This card, delivered on en- trance, serves to enroll members, and at the same time to record the number of successful invitations issued by any person who exerts himself or herself to secure attendants. Prizes are given to those who thus become instrumental in the enrollment of the largest num· bel' of perml}nent members.· The prizes exhibited are a fine family Bible and complete works of Bunyan, etc. One man in the Midland counties was the means of enrolling 176 members.
Now, there is no doubt that in this way people may be induced both to come, and to induce others to come. But the whole move- ment is exciting comment not always favorable. For instance, on one of these occasions an organist, leader, and choir of forty per- formers were brought by railway on Sunday afternoon from a long distance; the railway stations were all ablaze with large posters ad· vertising the Sunday Afternoon meetings, with all the attractions of the same, exactly as any ordinary concert would be advertised; and "
after the Sunday Afternoon meetings are inaugurated elsewhere, there is the same machinery for cre&ting a counter attraction to draw away to the most elaborate and artistic of the performances. The serious.
question is, whether the whole movement is not calcul31ted, under the name of inducing neglectors of worship to attend church, to promote desecration of the Lord's Day, and substitute for the simple worship of God and the bread of life, a concert programme, with elaborate iFl- strumental and vocal art. 'l'he question is worth a consideration.
The" Sabbath Committee" in London have already issued a remon- strance upon the subject, contending that it promotes needless travel on the Lord's day, etc.
For ourselves, it has long been our unalterable conviction that any and every departure from the simplicity of worship and of preaching means an ultimate reaction which promotes the very evil which such departure is designed to remedy. The appetite for novelty, for resthetics, for amusement, for entertaniment, for sensuous and poetic attractions, is essentially a worldly craving. It grows by indulgence; it grows more imperious and insatiate, until it will no longer be con- tent without this sort of diet. In our Lord's personal ministry and: that of the apostles, simplicity is the prominent and dominant charm.
The early church knew nothing of gothic architecture, of elaborate ritual, of operatic choirs and orchestral organs; of embroidered robes and multi-<lolored vestments, of imposing processions and poetic sym- boIs; of altars and reredos, of banners and cantillations, of solo singers and eloquent orators. Yet the apostolic age was marked by the miracles of Holy Ghost power such as are now unknown in the church. We find the gap between the common people and the churches already widened into a great gulf which will soon be un- bridgeable; frantic efforts are making by song and orchestra, essay and oration, elaborate structures and exquisite ceremonial, with the aid of flaming poster and flashing advertisement, to bring back to the churches the" lapsed masses." Our observation is that the more such methods are tried, the more they prove their total inadequacy.
The simple fact is that the masses in the slums can never be brought up to the churches until the churches are brought down to the masses, e., i. there must be a real love for souls that carries the gospel to them wherever they are; contact, habitual and sympathetic, must remove misconception and prejudice and awaken love and create fellowship; then these neglectors of churches will come to them with assurance of a warm, genial, helpful atmosphere. In London there is every effort made to draw the people, but without success. And by far the largest, most constant and most devout congregation I have seen is that in Spurgeon's tabernacle, where not an adornment or attraction can be found but simple praise, prayer and preaching; and as Mr.
Spurgeon grows older even the irrepressible humor of early days is moderated into deeper sobriety and solemnity. Every step and stage of this missionary tour demonstrates more fully the need of spreading information before the people. The vast majority, even of intelligent disciples, know very little of the facts of missions, either as to the need or the success of missionary effort. A lady in Edinburgh apologized to a Cambridge graduate, who was a public man and a Doctor of Laws, for her inability to take part in a certain meeting because she had her" Zenana mission" to attend to; and he very innocently inquired, " Where is Zenana? I have often heard of it, but I confess I do not know its locality!" This was almost as bad as the old lady in Dundee, who, when applied to for a subscrip- tion for "Old Calabar," asked if that "auld m(tn was yet livin',for she had gien to Mm forty years agone."
This may seem a mere travesty, but there are many signs of pre- vailing ignorance of missionary history and biography. These lauda- tions of Buddhism and Brahminism, of Mohammedanism and Confucianism, would make but little impression if the common mind were saturated with the knowledge of the real condition of peoples where the Buddhist" wheel," the Brahministic "caste wall," the Moslem" crescent," and the Confucian" tablet" prevail. With all Edwin Arnold's poetic glorification of the "Light of Asia," it has somehow failed to illumine the nations where it has shone! In these very lands, darkness and the death shade abound, and the habitations of cruelty are everywhere reared under the very shadows of idol fanes.
The extent to which the worship of evil spirits or demons prevails in heathen countries, is not generally appreciated. For example, on the coast of Malabar they have for centuries been worshipped by all classes of Hindus except Brahmins. To the lowest caste-that of slaves-is attributed power to cause the Evi.l Spirit to enter a man, or, as it is termed, to "let loose" the evil demon upon him; and when such evil spirit is supposed to possess one, exorcists are employed, using drums, with sundry charms and incantations, to effect the release of the party from the malign influence. Malabar was ceded to Britain in 1792 by Tippoo Sultan, and half a century passed before any attempt was made by British occupants to dispel this moral mid- night. In the district of Canara alone were 4041 temples to Evil Spirits, beside 3682 other idolatrous fanes.
Dr. Buchanan knew of his approach to Juggernaut, when more than fifty miles off, by the human bones that paved his pat~way, the re- mains of volunteer devotees who had been sacrificed to the cruel rites of this hideous monster. This was in 1806, and he called the place "The Valley of Death," and compared it to the vale of Hin- nom, and Juggernaut he called the modern Moloch.' The temples of this god are adorned with the representative symbols of that vice which is the essence of his worship, the walls and gates being covered with indecent and shocking emblems of sensuality, in massive and enduring sculptUl'e, as in Pompeii. Two other kindred idols, Boloram and Shudubra, accompany Juggernaut, held to be his brother and sister. Two words, obscenity and cruelty, represent and characterize Juggernaut festivals. All over his altars and temples Lust and Blood deserve to be written; for they are covered with the green slime of moral leprosy and th.e scarlet stains of religious mur- der and massacre. The extent to which all J uggernautworship is a tribute to the obscene, may be inferred from the fact that, when the great idol-car was drawn; it was believed that its vast weight would move easily on its wheels only when the god was especially pleased with the sensual songs chanted by the priests, and accompanied with the lascivious attitudes and gestures of the devotees. Yet so great were the crowds a quarter century ago that it used. to be said proverbi- ally that" one hundred thousand worshippers would not be missed."
How little would Canon Taylor's and Mr. Caine's criticism of missions affect minds that were familiar with the great facts of mis- sionary biography and history! For example, when Captain Cook touched at Tahiti, he wrote: "This island can neither serve public interests nor private ambition, and will probably never be much known." About the close of the 18th century, William Carey and his fellows so aroused the dormant missionary spirit in the churches, that the London Missionary Society sent missionaries to this island. There was a long" night of toil." Sixteen years went by withont a sign of blessing. One day a missionary, with a group of savages about him, read from a manuscript copy of the gospel according to John, the third chapter. As he came to the 16th verse, which Luther called" the gospel in miniature," a rude warrior iu the group asked him to read that verse again and again. Then he said, " This, if it be true, is for you only, not for such as me." But the missionary repeated that wonderful word, "Whosoever," and dwelt upon its meaning. "Then," said the warrior, "your God shall be my God; for we have never heard such a message as this; our gods do not love us so."
It is not yet 75 years since that first convert, who was also the first fruits of all Polynesia, was brought from darkness to light; yet now in Polynesia there are 750,000 converts; and the work has spread till it reached New Guinea. A band of not less than 160 young men and women going from Tahiti and the neighboring islands, as evangelists, seek to carry the life-giving gospel to other benighted tribes; and of all these native workers, not one has ever proved recreant or faithless. Yet these are the people who, at the beginning of this century, had lost all idea of God, save that, somewhere afar off some strange being dwelt, who exercised sovereignty as a tyrannical despot; and at the graves of their ancestors, they were wont to go and beseech them to plead with this unapproachable Deity !
SS6 FOREIGN MISSIONS IN THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES
FOREIGN MISSIONS IN THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES.
BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.
(Continued/rom page 266.) Anglo Saxons have taken the lead in this noblest and most Christ like of all enterprises during the whole of this century, but far more was attempted by them during the 17th and 18th than is usually supposed. Evangelistic designs were by no means absent from the purposes of the men who laid the foundations of our magnificent colonial empire, in the days of Elizabeth and the Stuarts. To discover and possess new regions, and to wrest some already known from the hated Spaniards and Portuguese, were their most powerful incentives; but the zeal which characterized the latter, for the spread of Catholicism, was not absent from their powerful rivals in behalf of Protestantism. Nor are indications wanting, that this zeal was not entirely political, but largely imbued with religious and benevolent aims. The instructions, for instance, which Sebastian Cabot was authorized to prepare by Edward VI., for the moral and religious discipline of the fleet sent under Sir Hugh Willoughby to discover a northeast passage to China, are ample evidence of this. No swearing, ribaldry, or ungodly talk was to be suffered in the company of any ship. Dice and cards were prohibited. Prayers, with the devout reading of the Scriptures, were to be offered every day, morning and evening, on board each ship; and all had to be done "not only for duty and conscience sake toward God," but as an example to those they might meet with "in far countries," that, by this means, "friendship might be established among all men, and everyone seek to gratify all."
Christian aims were not absent from Sir Walter Raleigh's grand,. though ill-managed, enterprises. Two instances of this may be given. At his special request, there went with the fleet which sailed from England for Virginia, in 1585, his friend and preceptor, the eminent and devout Hariot. Speaking of his intercourse with the natives, he says: " Many times, and in every town where I came, according as I was able, I made declaration of the contents of the Bible, that therein was set forth the true and only God and his mighty works; that therein was contained the true doctrine of salvation through Christ, with many particulars of miracles and chief points of religion, as I was able then to utter and thought fltfor the time."
N or was his gentleness and devoutness without effect: " The Wiroans (or chief), with whom we dwelt, called Wingina, and many of his people would be glad many times to be with us at our prayers, and many times call upon us, both in his own town, as also in others, whither he sometimes accompanied us, to pray and sing psalms, hoping thereby to be partakers of the same effects which we by that means also expected. Twice this Wiorans was so grievously sick, that he was like to die and sent for us to pray, and be a means to our God that it would please him either that he might live, or after death dwell with him in bliss; so, likewise, were the requests of many others in the like case." Raleigh finally transferred all the rights to found a colony he had received from Elizabeth to a company in 1589, but he accompanied the act with a gift of £100 "in especial regard and zeal of planting the Christian religion in these dark countries." * Nor were such desires confined to a few persons, for when James I. granted Letters Patent for the plantation of Virginia in 1606, the duty of a nation to communicate, through its colonies and beyond them, the Christian faith was distinctly recognized. The Patent says: "So noble a work may, by the providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating the Christian religion to such people as yet live in darkness and miserable ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of God, and may, in time, bring the infidels and savages (living in those parts) to human civility, and to a settled and quiet government."
That this was no mere formal statement, was proved by the numerous endeavors that were made, both by public bodies and private individuals, to reach the Pagan populations of the various colonies and dependencies which came under British sway. Some only of these can be mentioned.
Three years after the Charter just named, a new one was granted, and the first sermon probably ever preached by a minister of the Church of England, before those about to carry her name and principles to America, was delivered by William Crashaw, preacher at the Temple, before the Virginia Council, a few months before the departure of the expedition. It was a noble sermon, as the only two sentences space allows us to cite will indicate. "Remember," said he, "the end of this voyage is the destruction of the devil's kingdom, and the propagation of the gospel. Are not these ends worthy of thy prayers?" Addressing the newly appointed Captain-General, Lord De La Ware, and his subordinates, he said: "Look not at the gain, the wealth, the honor, the advancement of thy house that may follow and fall npon thee, but look at those high and better ends that concern the Kingdom of God. Remember, thou art a General of Christian men; therefore, principally look to religion. You go to commend it to the heathen; then practice it yourselves, make the name of Christ honor- a·ble, not hateful unto them." t Another sermon, a few weeks afterwards, preached by Dr. Symonds before a great audience of "adventurers, planters and others," contained many expressions like the following: "What blessing any nation had by Christ must be communicated to all nations." Among those to whom the Charter was granted were four eminent bishops, and John and Nicholas Ferrar, the latter the friend of George Herbert, whose declining years were spent so remarkably and devoutly * Anderson's "History of the Colonial Church," Vol. I., Chap. 3.
t Anderson's "History of the Colonial Church," Vol. I., p. 196. with his family at Gidden Hall, in ceaseless worship. It used to be said that the servants and officers of the East India Company on their way out, left their religion at the Cape of Good Hope, and resumed it on their return home. Some of the men just named were not so indifferent to their own piety, and therefore were sure to seek the htension of the kingdom of God, in any enterprise in which they embarked. One of the first measures accordingly of the new council, was to erect a college at Henrico" for the training and educating the children of the nations in the knowledge of the true God," as well as for the English settlers. Nicholas Ferrar, senior, bequeathed a legacy of £300 to it, to be applied to that purpose as soon as ten Indian Christians were received into the college.
There is a most interesting letter extant, written by James I. to the archbishops, authorizing them to invite the members of the churches throughout the kingdom, to assist in the prosecution of this and kindred works of piety. His Majesty reminds them of what had been done "as well for the enlarging of our dominions, as for the propagation of the gospel among infidels, wherein there is good progress made, and hope of further increase, so as the undertakers of that plantation -Virginia-are now in hand, with the erecting of some churches and schools for the education of the children of those barbarians which cannot but be to them a very great charge, and above the expence which the civil plantation doth come to them," and commends them to urge through the bishops, on the clergy and laity, the duty of "giving all assistance and furtherance to so good a work, in as liberal a manner as they may," and "that these collections be made in all the particular parishes four several times, within these two years next coming," the money "to be employed for the godly purposes intended, and no other." No less a sum than £4,000 was thus collected. This is the first public document of the kind ever issued in England for the religious benefit of its foreign possessions, ·and clearly recognizes the obligation of Christian people to uphold and spread abroad the faith they possess.
In the following reign, Charles gave directions in the Charter he granted to the Colony of Massachusetts, in 1628, that the people from England" may be so religiously, peacefully and civilly governed, as their good life and orderly conversation may win and invite the natives of the country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of mankind and the Christian faith."
Such sentiments were not confined to one great religious party. The Puritans were more intensely and uniformly religious than their antagonists, and we find therefore, in the time of Cromwell, manifestations of evangelistic zeal of an unusual order, not only on the part of individuals, but systematic and public. It was in 1646 that John Eliot commenced his labors among the red Indians of New England, which continued until his death in 1690, and led to such remarkable results. He was the truest Protestant missionary England had pro- duced since the Reformation, and he did more to develop the mis- sionary spirit in England and America than any other person.
But at the time Eliot commenced his mission in Massachusetts Mr. Thomas Mayhew was preparing to engage in similar service among the Indians of Rhode Island. The Mayhews, for five genera- tions, until the beginning of this century, labored here with singular devotion and marked success. Inspired by the example of Eliot and Thomas Mayhew, Mr. Richard Bourne established a mission at no great distance from the two just mentioned. His labors soon extended to some twenty places, where the Indians resided, and enlisting the sympathy of others, the work extended,until, in New Plymouth Colony, there were, in 1685, no fewer than 1,439 praying Indians, exclusive of children.
The following century had a similar group of laborers. In 1734 Mr. Sargeant began on more systematic lines than any of his predecessors, at Stocksbridge, Massachusetts, and was followed by the renowned .Jonathan Edwards. Thirty years after, Mr. Birtland commenced to labor amopg the Oneidas, and in many instances with marked results. But of all such laborers David Brainerd is the best known after Eliot, and, though his term of service was brief, extending only from 1743 to 1747, yet, his -personal holiness, the entireness of his consecration, the remarkable power of his ministry on some Indians, and, perhaps, his early death, produced a profound impression in the religious circles of America and England. Brainerd was the agent of a society in Scotland for propagating Christian knowledge, and labored first in the province of New York and then in Pennsylvania. The work he so nobly and efficiently commenced was carried on, though not with equal results, by his younger brother.
The same principles which led to Eliot's noble endeavors in America caused the formation of the first missionary society in England. During Cromwell's Protectorate an ordinance was passed in 1649, authorizing the erection of a corporation to be called by the name of the" President and Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England," and a general collection was ordered to be made in its behalf in all the parishes of England and Wales. This Charter was renewed and enlarged at the Restoration, and styled "The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent jn America," and its object was defined to be "not only to seek the outward welfare and prosperity of these colonies, but more especially to endeavor the good and salvation of their immortal souls, and the publishing the most glorious gospel of Christ among them." The revenue of the corporation never exceeded £600 a year, but with this they assisted from twelve to sixteen English and Indian missionaries with salaries varying from £10 to £30, and also erected schools. and supplied them with books. Eliot derived substantial aid from its funds, especially to enable him to complete his translation of the Bible, for at one time he received £400, and at another £460, for this. purpose.
In his "Advertisement touching on Holy War," Lord Bacon, in 1623, complains that "the Christian princes and potentates are they that are wanting to the propagation of the faith by their arms," and suggests that some Protestant order of knighthood might do great service in this direction. Bacon's conception was political and Romanist, rather than Christian, but Cromwell had far truer understanding of the genius of Christianity and the means by which it should be spread. He is credited, on the authority of Stoupe and Bishop Burnet, with the noble design of forming a council for theavowed purpose of extending and upholding Protestantism throughout the world. "It was to consist of seven councellors and four secretaries, for different provinces. These were: the first, France, Switzerland and the valleys; the Palatin~te and the other Calvinists were the second; Germany, the north, and Turkey were the third, and the- East and West Indies were the fourth. The secretaries were to have £500 salary a piece, and to keep a correspondence everywhere, toknow the – state of religion all over the world, that so all good designs might be by their means protected and assisted. They were to have a fund of £10,000 a year at their disposal for ordinary emergencies, but to be further supplied as occasions should require it. Chelsea College was to be made up for them, which was then an old, de- cayed building." * We see no reason for questioning the substantial accuracy of this report. It comes to us from reliable sources, and it harmonizes with the character, the principles and the policy of Cromwell. Nothingequal to it for boldness, completeness and mature largeness of concep– tion had hitherto been suggested, or was heard of for some time afterward. There was great need of some more vigorous and well-sustained methods for Christianizing the colonies and reaching the lapsed masses of the heathen than yet had been adopted. The Patents granted to various colonies and companies, by the Tudor and Stuart monarchs, professed to care for the religious edification alike of settlers and aborigines, and this undoubtedly was one of their aims, but practically little was done, and that little was imperfect. The only colonies which in any adequate manner strove to be Christian, and to convert the pagans near them, were those of New England, and this they did in spite of enormous difficulties. No others had in them as large a_ proportion of avowedly religious persons, nor elsewhere were there thosewho were as devout, as earnest, or as self~reliant. Clergymen were sent * "Anderson's HlstQry, " Vol. II., p. 2Z7. "Burnet's History of His Own Times,"VoJ. I., p. 141.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS IN BRAZIL
{}ut, though not in adequate numbers, and it was usually a part of their instructions to teach the Indians and slaves, as well as minister to the colonists, but the double duty required far more ability and zeal than usually they possessed. Their services to their own countrymen were lacking in evangelical fervor, the native~ were despised and neglected. They were men usually requiring supervision and discipline, and this they had not. They were not amicable as Congregationalists and Presbyterians were to their congregations and fellow ministers. The instances were numerous in which they were ,at strife with the governors and councils of the colonies. Nor was there any ecclesiastical authority near enough and sufficiently strong to enforce duty and discipline. It was not until 1787 that any colonial bishop was appointed. The clergy equally in America, Africa and Asia were under thedistant authority of the Bishop of London, and the consequences of such a remote supervision may be imagined.
Through these causes and the want of such co-operation and continuous effort as missionary societies now give, less was accomplished than might have been. Even noble workers, such as Eliot, Brainerd, and the Dutch and Moravian missionaries, were either afraid or indifferent respecting the value of a native ministry, and when they were Jlersonally successful, the work .languished when their presence was withdrawn. The true missionary sentiment was of slow growth, and ·so were the methods by which it was to become effective. The end of the 17th century inaugurated a distinct advance in both sentiment and methods, but it was 100 years more before there was another marked advance, and now, after almost another century, we seem to be on the eve of a yet nobler, freer, and more extended development of missionary energy and power.
(Oontinued in our next.) PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS IN BRAZIL.
BY CHARLES E. KNOX, D.D., BLOOMFIELD, N. J.
We went to Brazil-Dr. J. Aspinwall Hodge and myself-at a critical time. We were spectators in the Chamber of Deputies when a public act took place significant of the rapid progress of free {}pinion. Within fifteen months from that day the Republic was proclaimed. It was the day before the Independence Day of the nation, in 1888, the celebration of which was a formal and tame affair. The Emperor, revered for his character, was already recognized, by the leaders, as having passed into an incurable decline. The Princess Royal was known to be under the guidance of the Jesuits. It was intimated that the Emperor might abdicate. Abdication or death would at once determine the end of the empire, and a declaration of principles in favor of large civil and religious liberty.
Our errand was to the missions of the Presbyterian Church. We were commissioners from our own General Assembly to the organiza- tion of a Synod in Brazil-the foundation of a National Preebytetian Church, by the union of the Northern and Southern Presbyterians in that country. We made rapid progress along the coast, looked in upon Para, Maranhao, Pernambuco, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and Santos, saw the missionaries of our own and of other churches, and gathered on our steamer a goodly company of our own missionaries on the way to the council at J erusalem. We mounted the Serra, from Santos t.o the heights of Sao Paulo, visited the church and schools in that important centre, and returned with another com- pany of inland missionaries by the Dom Pedro railroad, over the high table-land, past the thimble-shaped ant hills and the picturesque coffee orchards, through a half-score of pretty winding valleys, a score of mountain tunnels and a score of mountain zig-zags, down to the capital city again. We saw not a little of Bishop Granberry of the Southern Methodist Church, and his missionaries and fine' school property at Rio, and gathered information in respect to the missions of Bishop Taylor and of the Baptists. In a swift circuit, we were thirty-three days in close contact, on steamer and railroad, in church and home, with the mission work of the land, and returned with greatly enlarged conceptions of missionary possibilities in Brazil.
1. First of all, we were greatly surprised at the condition of civil affairs. The Liberty of Worship Bill, removing restrictions on Protestants, had passed the Senate in Brazil before we left New York.
Our inquiries at every port were whether the " stone" on the Bill in the Chamber of Deputies would be rolled off. The Jesuits were arrayed against it; the missionaries had little hope of its speedy passage; and we learned, on reaching Rio, that a petition signed by 14,000 women against its passage had been presented to the Chamber.
At the Chamber of Deputies we were informed by a member who bad been prominent in the passage of the Emancipation Act, that the Government was that day on the edge of a ministerial crisis, and that the bill would be declared" urgent" the next day, September 6th.
The information which we had received prepared us for a forwarcl movement, but not for the scene which we witnessed. The mission- aries had said that republican sentiments were extending in the South -openly and aggressively advocated. The American editor of the Rio News (English) had told us of the same growth of opinion.
The ex-President of Sao Paulo province-since President of the province at the time of the overthrow of the empire-a leading liberal, in answer to our question, "Will the I.iberal party go on?" had replied, "It will, or the empire will go off." "The Emperor is greatly afraid of the Jesuits. The Princess will protect the Jesuits, and then reaction." "Some of the Liberals are opposed to publishing our principIes, but I maintain free discussion is the first principle of our party."
In answer to other questions he had said: "There is no such thing as a libel in Brazil. At a meeting of 3,000 people the other day, it was said, 'This Princess is a fanatic, a lunatic, and not honest,' which is not true." "The bill for liberty of worship is certain to pass in the end, even if the Liberals do not come into power." "I am not a republican; republicanism is growing too fast~"
At Rio, Bocayuba, then editor of 0 Paiz (The Nation), perhaps the best Portuguese pen in Brazil, and now Secretary of State in the Provisional Republic, had said to us, on the evening after we had come from the Chamber: "The Indemnity Bill, which came near bi'inging on the crisis to-day, was a party trick to embarrass the ministry." "Not only will liberty of worship be granted, but dis- establishment is in the programme of the republicans-not of the radicals." "The growth of republicanism is genuine The ex-slave owners have come into the movement in a momentary passion, but'
they are not going back. They will be educated to the party."
Nabuco, one of the foremost men in the Chamber, had said to us that day: "Cotegipe, the leader of the opposition, did not wish t.o take the responsibility of bringing forward the declaration of the want of confidence. The crisis did not take place." "I am a mon- archist. Ultramontanism cannot stand. The Princess is an Ultra- montanist. That is not to be said, because she could not stand."
"The petition of the 14,000 women is of no influence. The Bishop of Para has written a letter, able and logical from his point of view, but it is vague, etc. You will probably find the bill declared urgent at the opening of the session to-morrow." But the scene the next day gave us a different and more important spectacle.
The chamber itself was a square room, with curved lines of seats, a platform four steps high, a long, high table and dais, behind which were the President and two assistants or secretaries on each side of him. A broad curtain in green, the national color, hung from the edge of the table to the floor, and a green-plaited tapestry sloped from back of the President, over his head, mounted with' a gold coat of arms. Three little tables stood on the floor in front of the President's table; and, endwise to the three, two smaller tables stood between the three and the delegates' seats. The seats had a rail in front, which opened at each seat and made for each member a desk. A public gallery was on each side. Facing the President or the members were six private galleries, which could be screened by green curtains.
Senl>or Nabuco had placed us in one of these private boxes. The President directed the votes and action by three electric bells of dif- ferent tone; one large one over the clock across the chamber, opposite his seat, and one small bell on each side of the clock-and not as the president of the senate chamber, who rung, by the handle, a large (silver?) dinner bell, when he called the senate to vote, with all the action and dignity of an old-time landlord of a country inn.
We were in our gallery about half an hour after the session be- gan. When we entered, the whole Chamber was in commotion. Senhor Maciel was speaking in quick, decisive accents, as we supposed, for liberty of worship. Ninety members were present, six or eight of them priests: six or seven bronze, the rest white. Four or five were standing, alert for action. The Portuguese was soft and musical; the action of the speakers, in posture and gesture, quick and graceful; the sentences short and pointed; the whole body intent, excited, but wholly self-possessed. Opposite us, in a private gallery, were Pastpr and Mrs. Kyle and their little daughter; Pastor Smith of Pernambuco, and others from the Presbyteries. Both public galleries were packed: Bishop Granberry and Missionary Tillie squeezed into one corner of one of them-the reporters in their gallery underneath.
It soon proved that a newly elected deputy-well-known as a zeal- ous advocate of a republic-had just arrived from the province of Minas Geraes, and had entered to take his seat. On the President re- q uiring him to take the oath, he refused. The oath involved the sup- port of the monarchy and of the Roman Catholic Church, neither of which he would swear to maintain. The President requested him to retire, while the matter 'Was considered! On thiR matter of admission, Maciel was speaking, the chamber crying, "Appoiado! Appoiado!" (Approved!) High, excited talk and retort bristled everywhere. A priest, replying from his seat in the interest of the Church, was answered that this was "not a theological question." Monso, a young man, with florid complexion, a moustache and side whiskers, followed Maciel. Cries of approval and disapproval rose into clamor. Monso's voice grew hoarse, the clamor at times drowning his words.
Gomez de Castro, a dignified and influential member from Maranhao, took the floor. He declared in favor of the fullest freedom. He said: "You all know that when I took the oath, I took it pro forma." "If a Republican maintains that the monarchy has lost its reason for existence, he has just as good a right to a seat here as anyone else." "I am just as far from threatening anyone, as I am from being threa~ ened." "The delegate, once elected, he has a right to his seat, oath or no oath." He spoke with dignity and force, as a strong man with matured convictions, whose character and opinions bore weight. He impressed the Chamber. Maciel challenged the President to put it to vote, if he should choose, and to see how many of the Chamber were Roman Catholic. Sentences and little speeches flew from side to side. The priests sat still or shot not more than an arrow. At length, Pembo, a grey-beard and bald forehead, made a motion that the subject be referred to the Committee on Rules ("Appoiado!"), and that· the Chamber take a recess for the committee to frame a minute. ("Appoiado! Appoiado!") N abuco came up to our gallery and explained the situation, so that the tangle of clamor and of Portuguese was made straight to us. Ma- ciel's motion was, that "no member's political or religious opinions shall decide his seat." Nearly all the members, the President and sec- retaries had gone out. Two groups were talking on the floor, and five -or six members were remaining in their seats.
After a half hour, the President returned, struck the electric bells, the members came in, and the chairman of the committee appeared at the side of the President. The chairman proposed, amidst silence, the following remarkable minute for consideration: "Every deputy elected to this Chamber, shall, on taking his seat, be required to take the oath to the government and to the established religion, e;ccept in -case of conscience!" ("Appoiado! Appoiado!") This astonishing report was then made the first order of the day, on the next business day. The next day was Independence Day, the following day a .saint's day, the next day Sunday, so that the order could not be reached before Monday. On Saturday we sailed for home, but we learned afterwards that the minute was approved, and the advocate -of a republic was received into the Chamber of the Monarchy with- -out an oath of allegiance. We accepted the act as foretokening what the same act in our own House of Representatives would foretoken- that a Chamber which not only does not require fidelity to its gov- ernment, but receives those who advocate the overthrow of the Con- stitution, is ripe for revolution. The republic was only waiting the fit occasion to assert its existence.
We went straight from the chamber with the missionaries, for a sail in the harbor, under the eyes of the Sugar Loaf and the Hunch Back, to Fort ViIlegaguon, where the Hugenots first landed, and where civil and religious liberty were first overthrown; and the same evening we were present at the organization of the Synod of Brazil.
2. The next thing which impressed us was the loss of power in the Roman Catholic Church. Here was a church founded more than a half century before the Pilgrims set sail from Delft Haven, or the London Colony had landed at Jamestown. Here was a land where the old civilization followed Columbus sooner than it did in North America-a land whose ports and provinces and towns a!1d rivers and churches are inscribed with the names of the saints of the Bible, and the saints of Rome, and where every device of the Popes and of the Jesuit propaganda have had the fullest opportunity for development. Here was a land swept clean by decisive stroke from French Huguenots and Dutch Protestants, and in whose oldest monastery Luther and Calvin are still dragged, in fresco, atl the chariot -wheels of the Pope and the Virgin. An empire of fertile and wealthy territory lies in the heart of a mighty continent. The rivers and the mountains inspire the sentiment of the sublime. Tropical exuberance and tropical productiveness invite the enterprise and the ambition of man. Countless forests of trees exude a peculiar sap, drop peculiar- nuts, which serve the comfort and pleasure of civilized nations. A shrub in fit soil and climate, capable of endless multiplication, produces a peculiar berry which supplies their home-table with whole- some beverage. Wealth in fine-veined woods, and in pure metals, minister to the luxuries of mankind. And yet the country has made slow progress. The Indians and the negroes have hardly felt the touch of an elevating power. The Portuguese have not maintained ahigh level of intelligence or of virtue, among the masses. The Church, whose seat is in classic Rome, and which professes to draw its life from the Divine SOUl;ce, has had no spiritual magnetism todraw the people's hearts upwards from the sordid and the sensuaL Her edifices have, in many places, gone to decay; her priests have become notoriously corrupt; the mental force of social and political leaders has broken from her lax virtue and depleted authority; thecivil power is ready to break from an institution which has betrayed her opportunity and her mission; and the people are filled with deep desire to know some better religion.
The Roman Catholic Church in Brazil has forfeited her place in the historical development of the nation. To all appearance, thfr national authorities have accepted the forfeiture. It is becoming more and more evident that she has also forfeited her power with the people, for they are quite ready to listen to the preaching of a pure gospel.
The central cause of this loss of confidence is the character of the priesthood. The priests have not simply betrayed their office: they have betrayed it in the most shameless manner, and they have perpetuated and diffused the shame. A stranger can hardly give an honest description of these Christian leaders without seeming to transgress propriety. The people kIww the priests to be dissolute. They know them to be deceptive, and a ,growing popular intelligence discerns more and more the shallowness and frivolity of the deception. Three forms of representation depict the base character of the clergy-the representation of Protestant missionaries, of travelers, and of their leaders.
While it is notorious among the people that the priests live in concubinage, the fact can not always be proved. On our voyage, a missionary told us that his acquaintance with a' priest led to calls upon him, then to an acceptance of an invitation to remain to tea. On entering the dining-room, he was introduced to the lady of the house, in this form: "Our Church does not permit us to marry, hut this is my housekeeper." By common consent, the missionaries declared this to be representative of the priestly life-a virtual denial of their professed obligation to celibacy, and an undenied violation of the higher law of chastity. Even loyalty to the essential principles of the Church is thus broken down, and only a formal and forced loyalty retained. Forty years ago Fletcher wrote what all our ministers· would now endorse: "In every part of Brazil that I have visited, I have heard from the mouths of the ignorant as well as from the lips. of the educated, the same sad tale; and what is worse, in many places. the priests openly avow their shame."
It is not, however, Protestant missionaries only who support thecharge. The boob descriptive of Brazil agree in the same representation. Wherever the traveler or the resident touches the moral character of the priesthood, it is to repeat this common testimony in one of twoforms: either to cite the general dissoluteness of these leaders of the Church, or to emphasize the moral character of a bishop or of a priest who is an exception. Dr. Gardner, the naturalist, who lived in Brazil from 1836 to 1841,much of the'time in the interior, says: "I say it, well considering the nature of the assertion, that the present clergy of Brazil are more debased and immoral than any other class of men.,t Even Agassiz, in "A Journey to Brazil," says: "Every friend of Brazil must wish to see its present priesthood replaced by a more vigorous,. intelligent and laborious clergy."
A historical testimony comes from their own leaders. There was published, in 1828, a treatise which became noted. It was entitled,. "A Demonstration of the Necessity of the Abolition of Clerical Celibacy," and was addressed to the General Assembly of Brazil. It was written by Deputy Feijo, who became soon afterwards Regent of the Empire, during the minority of Dom Pedro II. He was held in the highest esteem. After his Regency, he became Minister of State and Senator for life. He was nominated by the:: government to be bishop in the church, but declined the offer. He was a man of great. learning and of large reading in civil and ecclesiastical law. This treatise contained such topics as these: " The Necessity of the Abolition of this Impediment to the Clerical Order;" "The Impediment tothe Order is Unjust; " "The Impediment to the Order is the Source of Immorality in the Clergy;" " The Immorality of the Clergy influences, in a Special Manner, Public Immorality;" "The Law of Celibacy is Not Useful;" "The Abolition of Celibacy is the Choice of Wise Men;" " The Celibacy of the Priests is Not a Divine Institution;" '" The Celibacyof the Priests is Not an Apostolical Institution." It traces also the history of celibacy in the Church.
Citing the historical difference between the Eastern and Western Churches, it contends that the discipline of the Latin Church,. exercised towards clerical celibacy, is not wise. As the result of his studies aud observatious, Feijo recommends a separation of the Brazilian Church from the Romau Church in respect to the offence-that is, the abolition of celibacy in Brazil.
Although Feijo's beneficent recommendation was not adopted, his reasons were not answered. The reply made was such a total sup- pression of his treatise, that for sixty years it has been almost un- known. Recently a missionary in the interior discovered a copy of the treatise in the possession of a planter. When the missionary re- quested a copy of the long-lost document, the planter refused. But when he learned that it was desired for publication, he said: "Oh, if you wish it for publication, take it. It ought to be published." It came out therefore in an accurate Portuguese edition, just when we were at Rio, and has since been translated into English. It bears to its readers its own authenticity in its own pages. The prominent leaders of the Chur('~, as hi'ih prelates or as common clergy, would in vain deny the representatiC'ds of the document or the testimony of the man. Who;,ver may wish to read a description of the immorality of the Brazilian priesthood as it was sixty years ago, as it now is, and as it has been during these three score years, has only to read this treatise.
Written by a learned man, himself a priest, in high position as a .statesman, held to be more worthy of the episcopate than many others, it stands both as a historical document and as a description of the clerical succession whose reformation he vainly recommended. It is a testimony of a Brazilian leader out of its inmost life, supported by the consent of Brazilian leaders in Church and State. And to this testimony might readily be added the allusions in official messages of ministers of justice and prominent presidents, the articles of news- papers, and the unreserved expressions of public men.
Such have been the appointed religious leaders of the virtue and intelligence of that great empire. By them indolence and superstition have been comme~ded to the people; under their direction common -education has held, as its steady aim, servile, emotional obedience; under them, higher training has been pervaded with sensuous feeling, a.nd independent minds have swung off into materialism and positiv- ism. While th.e thirteen colonies of North America, beginning at a later date, and on a more sterile soil, developed into systems of gov- ernment and education which are producing a profound impression ()n the whole world, the United States of Brazil must begin'its moral history anew. While Protestant North America maintains a high standard of virtue and of spiritual life, the vast empire of the south- ern continent drowsily clings to a semi-pagan morality, and is un- able to read in the New Testament the law of its peace and joy.
The difference between the two continents is not wholly a difference in temperature, in physical configuration, nor in Latin and Teutonic blood.
(Concluded in our next.)
SHADOWINGS OF MESSIAH IN HEATHEN SYSTEMS. 349'
SHADOWINGS OF MESSIAH IN HEATHEN SYSTEMS.
BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D., NEW YORK.
The history of the religions of men, even beyond the confines of Christian revelation, is full of hints and adumbrations of the great principles of a divine redemption. Sometimes they take one form, sometimes another. It may be a dim reminiscence of lost prophecies, or half-forgotten rites, once known to mankind, reappearing in a gen- eral but vague expectation, or there may be the traceable out-working of a felt want of humanity-a cry in the dark, which can only be met by divine deliverers and redeemers. Not only Christian scholars, like Archbishop Trench and Bishop Horsford, have observed these things, but the enemies of the truth have seized upon them. The one class have hailed them as witnesses from afar, bringing their strange frankincense and myhrr as offerings to Christ: the others have paraded them as proofs that the Gospel story and the whole conception of Christianity are founded on pagan myths. There is, therefore, a two-fold motive for investigation, and whoever carefully and candidly examines the subject will be surprised at the manifold indicationsoften dim and vague-that Christ is verily' 'the Desire of the nations."
Traces of Vicarious Sacrijice.-A very remarkable conception appears in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda, composed, at least, 1200, B. c., which represents the gods as sacrificing Purusha, the "primeval male" supposed to be coeval with the Creator. Again, in the Tandya Brahmana, is the declaration that" the Lord of creatures offered himself a sacrifice for the gods." Also, in the Satapatha Brahmana we read: "He who knowing this, sacrifices with the Purusha medha (sacrifice of the primeval male), becomes everything." Here is substitution.
Sir Monier Williams, in speaking of these passages, says: "Surely in these mystical allusions to the sacrifice of a representative man, we may perceive traces of the original institution of sacrifice as,a divinely appointed ordinance, typical of the one great voluntary sacrifice of the Son of God for the sins of the world." The late Professor Bauerjea of Calcutta, in his Aryan Witness, writing on the same subject, says: "These vedic sacrifices had this peculiar significance, that the sacrifices were identified with the victim as the vicarious ransom for his sin." And he says further: "It is not easy to account for the genesis of these ideas in the Veda, of 'one born in the beginning, Lord of the creation,' offering himself a sacrifice for the benefit of deified mortals, except upon the assumption of some primitive tradition of the Lamb slain from the fo'undation of the world."
There are in other faiths of ancient times certain references to the same idea of divine and sympathetic suffering for the good of men; very dim, and more or less shaded off into pantheism, they may be, and yet they are not without significance. Such was the ancient Egyptian doctrine that Osiris, after having been wounded by the god Set, sympathized with every wound of humanity, and himself felt it anew. There was also a dim trace of the idea that deity bore the sins of men for their healing. Thus we find something resembling this vicarious substitution when we read in the "Book of the Dead" that "when the Lord of truth cleanses away defilement, evil is joined to the deity, that the truth may expel the evil element. The God who wounds becomes a God who more abundantly comforts." (Ancient World and Christianity, p. S7.) Rev. R. W. Morgan, author of "St. Paul in Britain," thinks that he finds traces of the same general truth in the faith of the ancient Druids. He quotes from " Cresar's Commentaries" a statement that "the Druids teach that by no other way than the ransoming of man's life by the life of man, is reconciliation with the divine justice of the immortal gods possible." And he adds: "The doctrine of vicarious atonement could not be ex- pressed in clearer terms."
In Schoolcraft's notes upon the American Indian, we find a beautifullegend of the Iroquois, in which a divine or semi-divine sacrifice of spotless innocence is made to hallow the famous League of the Five Nations. There had appeared among the tribes the celestial visitant Hiawatha, who taught the Indians useful arts; and dwelt among them as their friend and sympathizer-their god-man. In their distresses from the invasion of other tribes, they called a council on the shores Qf Onondaga Lake, at which he was expected to preside. At the appointed time representatives of the Five Nations had convened, but their celestial protector and guide was waited for. He came, at length, in agony of spirit, attended by his innocent and beautiful daughter. He foresaw that there awaited him a cup of sacrifice for the good of the people, and just as he approached the council-fire, a swift messenger from heaven smote his daughter to the earth, and her soul was borne away to the Great Spirit. While all minds were solemnized by this strange event, Hiawatha proposed the solemn League by which the tribes, united as one man in plighted faith, should conquer all their foes and make themselves a power throughout the land. When the solemn pledges were ratified, and Hiawatha had pronounced a blessing on each tribe, as did Jacob upon the families of his sons, he entered his celestial canoe, and glided away into the heavens, the clouds receiving him out of their sight.
A counterpart to Hiawatha is found in the legends of ancient Mexico. The Toltecs, and after them the Aztecs, looked for the return of the mysterious and deified Quetzalcoatl, who had reigned as a mild and beneficent prince in Anahuac, who had taught agriculture and the arts of peace, whohad opposed all forms of violence and had abolished human sacrifice by drawing blood from his own 'Veins and offering it as a substitute. This glorious prince had been driven away by prevailing wicked- ness, but had promised to return and restore righteousness and truth. The credulous J'Iontezuma was too ready to believe the prophecy ful- JiHed in the advent of Cortez.
Expectations of a .Deliverer.-Besides the various traces of vicari- -ous sacrifice, there are even more abundant indications of a common .expectation among mankind, that a divine deliverer would descend to ·overcome prevailing sin and suffering, and to establish a kingdom of ;righteousness. Clearest and most distinct of all was that promise .and expectation which pervaded the history and literature of the people of Israel. But among surrounding heathen races also, there were traces of "the Desire of the nations." There was a promise in ,the Persian V eudidad, that at the end of time a son of Zarathustra .should appear, mysteriously conceived and born, who should over- ,come the prince of evil (Ahriman), and free the world from death :and decay; then the dead should rise and immortality commence. (Darmestetter's Intro., p. 79.) It is altogether probable that the Magi who followed the leadings ,of the Star of Bethlehem to the cradle of the Infant Messiah, had been influenced directly or indirectly by the prophecies of the Septua- gint Old Testament, but their own Iranian faith also had fostered a vague expectation of a divine deliverer.
But more explicit and lesl'l mystical is the Hindu prediction, that Vishnu having had nine incarnations upon the earth, shall have a tenth. In those which have preceded he has wrought physical deliverances ,or won by martial valor; in the tenth 'he shall conquer by moral power. He shall come at a time when the world is sunken in I great wicked- ness and corruption, and shall establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace. This significant prediction has been turned to good account in a very remarkable way. Some years ago Rev. J ohn Newton, D. D., Presbyterian Missionary at Lahore, wrote a tract designed to show that the great deliverer and Prince of Peace had already come in the person of Jesus Christ. Like Paul at Athens, he virtually declared to the Hindus, "Whom ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." This little tract found its way into the hands of .a native officer of the Government, who was led to Christ, and found great comfort on his dying bed. But before he died he Bent for a friend, to whom he bequeathed the book as a priceless legacy. This man (Hakem Singh) was so attracted to the new light which had broken upon his soul, that he devoted the remainder of his life to teaching others,-though with more or less mixture of Hindu conceptions,-the glorious advent of this in- .carnate Vishnu as the Saviour of the world. Several hundred followers have been gathered, who are known as the Nish Kalanks. As the gospel in which they have learned to trust is Dr. Newton's presentation of the Christ, who shall say that they have not received saving truth?
Among the ancient Greeks there was developed, in the worship of Apollo, a. singular phase of belief, which, as Professor Tiele and others inform~ us, had been largely influenced by the introduction of Semitic influence. The supreme Zeus had long been worshipped under a distant and vague conception, often sinking into a mere na- ture worship. But after this mingling of new elements, borrowed from the East, a great change appeared. "Then it was," says Tiele, "that the knightly people of the Lycians, kinsmen of the Greeks, and their forerunners in civilization, after coming under the influence of the- Semitic spirit, wrought out the noble figure of Apollo, the god of light, the son and prophet of the most high Zeus, saviour, purifier and re- deemer, whose eultus, lifted high above all nature worship, spread th~nce over all the lands of Greece, and exerted on the religious, moral, and social life of their inhabitants so profound and salutary an influ- ence."
The Delphic Oracle of Apollo came to be the virtual court of appeal among all branches of the Greek race. Social and religious life, statesmanship, war and conquest were all regulated by its decisions. What was this regenerating influence which came from the East and raised the Greek myth of sun-worship to this mysterious and all embracing conception of deity? The Apollo cult reached its supreme power between the eighth and the fifth centuries before Christ, or from about the reign of Zachariah to the times of Esther. The kingdom of David and Solomon had- extended its splendors over the East and had sunken into decline, and the captivity of Israel had extended the knowledge of their faith throughout the Medo-Persian empire. Isaiah had heralded the coming of the Messiah as "the wonderful counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the Prince of Peace." All the fullness of his Messiannic character had been portrayed as a healer and saviour and revealer; as a deliverer proclaiming liberty to the captives, a light to the gentiles, a King of righteousness before whom all nations should bow down. How much of all this "Semitic influence" had entered into the cultus of the Grecian Apollo worship, none can say, but it is significant that he should have held to the supreme and incomprehensible Zeus the relation of revealer and son, at the same time that he was presented as the perfect man, the sympathizer and helper and redeemer of the human race. That great and versatile British statesman, Mr. Gladstone, in his work on "Homer and the Homeric Age," has pointed out the lineaments of the Messiah with which this idealized deity of the Greeks was invested.
There is always danger that such analogies may be overwrought, but it is certainly worthy of notice that this very noblest figure of classical mythology should, in his divine and human character, and in his capacity of revealer and meditator, so far foreshadow the coming Christ.
A still more striking prediction of a coming deliverer and regenerator is found in the Fourth Eclogue of Virgil, and very significantly it was proclaimed less than a half century before the Christian Era. Virgil declares it to have been an inspired utterance of the Sybil of Cumae. It is as follows: "The last era, the subject of the Sybil song of Cumae, is arrived, the great series of ages begins anew. The Virgin returns, returns the reign of Saturn. The new Progeny from heaven now descends. Be thou propitious to the Infant Boy, by whom first the Iron Age shall expire and the Golden Age over the whole world commence. Whilst thou, 0 Pollio, art consul, this glory of our age shall be made manifest, and the celestial months begin their revolutions. Under thy auspices whatever vestiges of our guilt remain, shall, by being atoned for, redeem the earth from fear for ever. He shall partake the life of the gods."
I cannot quite share the confidence of Rev. Dr. Morgan, who regards this as virtually a Messianic prediction, but its coincidences are certainly remarkable.
Gropings After a Mediator and a Salvation by Faith.-Equally striking is the history of great changes which have occurred in certain systems which began in works but have ended in faith.
There came a time when the Hindu mind sought for something more human and sympathetic than the cold and distant gods of the 'rrimurti-when the mere bargaining of the old Brahmanic sacrifices and the endless toil of merit-making gave way to a desire for incarnations, divine helpers in human form and for a doctrine of faith (Bakti). And accordingly the worship of the genial Krishna, a successful hero in the wars and finally alleged to be an incarnation of Vishnu, became the most popular god of India. He was clothed with so many attributes of a saviour, that infidelity has seized upon him as a prototype of the Christ. The really significant fact is that Hinduism, in answer to a felt-want of humanity, changed its whole front, forsook the boundless resources of meritorious sanctity and sacrificial bargaining, and trusted in the free compassion of a god-man.
Still more marked are the transformations of Buddhism in the same direction. The original system of Gautama was uncompromisingly atheistic. No reliance was placed upon any other, god or man. The human intellect and human will were all sufficient. Every man was to be his own saviour, and as for the Buddha, when his earthly course was run, he became, according to his own teaching, entirely extinct. There was, therefore, no hearer of prayer-no divine helper.
But this did not satisfy the wants of men, and accordingly changes appeared from age to age in different Buddhist lands. Trinities of
THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICAL MISSIONS
living Bodisats (Buddhas to come) were devised in Nepaul and Thibet. The mysterious Avalokitesvara became incarnate in the Thibetan Grand I"ama, and his female counterpart, Quanyin (goddess of mercy), became the chief resource in China, while in Japan appears a veritable doctrine of salvation by faith in the eternal merits of Amitaba. Buddhism has come to the very threshold of Christianity, and scarcely a vestige of the old system is left.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICAL MISSIONS.
[We give the substance of an address by our associate at the annual meeting of the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, December 5th, last, in Free Assembly Hall, Edinburgh. The President of the Society, Rev. Principal Cairns, D.D., on introducing Dr. Pierson, "assured him of the hearty affec- tion which the directors and friends of the Society entertained for him, the deep interest they took in the errand on which he had come to Scotland, and the great gratification they felt at his presence with them that day."-J. M. S.] '.rhe amazing importance which Medical Missions are assuming in these days is not, after all, any mystery. The body interposes, in a double sense, between the missionary and the soul he seeks to save. It is like a threshold, which must be crossed before we enter even an open door. The wants and woes of the body are even more prominent and pressing than those of the soul. They stand out boldly; the grosser senses take cognizance of them, even when the finer senses, which discern good and evil, not being exercised, become hopelessly dulled and blunted. Many a man who has no sensibility as to his own sin and guilt and lost condition, is keenly alive to his bodily pains and the penalties of violated organic laws. Helice Christ gave heed to the bodily needs and ills of men; He fed the hungry, healed the si'ck, relieved the suffering, and it was all with an ulterior purpose, and on the way to its accomplishment, namely, the healing of a sin-sick soul. He had, no doubt, the keenest sympathy with even the physical ills of humanity, and He sought to reduce the measure of bodily suffering. But beyond this was a higher, grander service-to give holiness, which is, after all, only wholeness to the spiritual nature of men.
It is curious to observe how closely allied are physical and spiritual ills and ailments. In heaven" the inhabitants shall not say' I am sick,' " for sickness and sin are so inseparable that where no sin is no sickness can be found. Our Lord hints at the kinship between diseases of the body and of the soul when He says, "They that are whole have no need of the physician; but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." St. Ambrose calls the eighth chapter of Matthew" scriptura miraculosa j" it follows the great Sermon on the Mount, which was the utterance of words such as never man spake, by a record of works such as never man did, as though to indicate and vindicate Messiah's claim to speak with authority, original and underived. Surely it is by no accident that, in that one chapter, Matthew groups together four representative cases of disease, viz., leprosy, palsy, fever and demoniacal possession, and, in connection with their healing, quotes Isaiah, "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." It is a well-known fact that to the Jew, these and other diseases were typical in character. The Hebrew mind regarded leprosy as the walking parable of sin, guilt, and judgment. Palsy was an object lesson on the impotence of the sinner-lost power for good, a crippled will, an inert conscience. Fever stood for the unnatural heat of inflamed passion, lust, carnal desire…..2with the delirium or virtual insanity by the morbid excitement of evil desire and unholy angel'; and one possessed by a demon naturally suggested a soul entirely enslaved and controlled by Satan. Our Lord distinctly declared on one occasion that His exercise of healing power was designed to be evidential-a proof of His love, power and authority in a higher sphere : "But that ye may know that the Son ofMan hath power on earth to forgive sin "-then saith He to the sick of the palsy-" arise, take up thy bed," etc. And what a vindication and illustration that was, of such power, when he cured and healed men of divers diseases and torments! He who could cure leprosy and palsy and fever, and restore the maimed, and exorcise demons-could He not purge the guilt, remove the impotence, subdue the rage of sin, and even give back lost spiritual power, and cast Satan from his throne in the soul!
The resemblance between sin and sickness is a curious study, and suggests almost an analogy. Life is a tripod and stands on three legs-the brain, the heart, the lungs. If death comes by the brain, it is comaj if by the heart, syncopej if by the lungs, asphyxia. How closely spiritual disorders are akin to these! . How large a part of sin and alienation from God may be traced to, or manifested in, a disordered mind, whose thoughts and conceptions of divine things are beclouded, cOJ;lfused, abnormal, wicked! How much more may be connected with affections that are hopelessly astray, love turned into hatred, rebellion displacing obedience, and treason loyalty. And how often does the very power to inspire the atmosphere of holy things, and live thereby, seem gone-prayer is no longer the instinctive utterance of the child crying to a Father in the hour of need !
Oh for some medicine to give clearness to the soul's brain, to strengthen and regulate the action of the spiritual heart, to quicken and energize the respiration of the spiritual lungs, and to give a normal digestion to the food on which all higher life depends for nutrition!
It is very noticeable that Medical Missions have proved the last, and not the least important and valuable, of the keys by which God has unlocked, and is now unlocking, the doors of Hermit nations. Prominent among the marks of the curse that rests upon heathenism and paganism is this, that the most absurd, pernicious, and even cruel notions obtain as to the nature and consequent treatment of disease. Bodily ailments are held to be the result of malignant spiritual agencies, witchcraft, etc. Hence the medicine man, with his absurd methods of detecting the source of the malign influence, and remov- ing 01' antidoting it. In Africa the suspected witch must swallow tne poison draught. If it operates on the one hand as an emetic, or on the other as a cathartic, it is a sign of innocence or of guilt, as the case may be; and as the medicine man knows that the result of its administration depends on the strength and quantity of the dose, he can dispose of the suspected party as he pleases. There is an amus- ing story told in a book on the Congo, of a hydraulic press introduced into the country for manufacturing purposes, which the natives su~ pected of being endowed with supernatural powers, and which they . wished to test by the tangena draught; but, as it had neither stomach nor bowels, it was difficult to see how either vomiting 01' purging could be secured, and the test had to be abandoned.
This may amuse. But the whole subject is fraught with painful interest. The sufferings of the people in the Lao's country from the native" physicians" and their methods of treatment, cannot be be- lieved except upon the most reliable testimony. When I heard the first statement from a Medical Missionary of what he had. seen him- self, I said such facts should be "written in blood and registered in hell." Decoctions of the most repulsive sort, operations the most cruel and torturing, remedies the most absurdly unnatural, all calcu- lated to increase, if not engender disease, abound even among tribes that might be supposed to be comparatively intelligent and civilized. And where there might be no spiritual results to be hoped for, as a. mere matter of humanity it would be worth while to undertake to introduce a rational and scientific treatment by medicine and surgery, if only to diminish in some measure the temporal suffering of poor, deluded human beings.
But, as I have hinted, greater results are attained. God puts scientific medicine into our hands as the key to unlock closed doors to the unevangelized nations. Now, many a man has gone into a hitherto closed village or community by the simple process of vaccination, or by a successful interposition in cases of epidemic diseases, like scarlet fever, measles, etc. We have known a simple operation for the removal of a cataract to open up a whole town to the influence of a Christian surgeon. The fact is now universally known that Korea was unlocked and its hermit seclusion broken by Dr. Allen's successful treatment of wounds received in the civil war of Seoul. The nephew of the reigning monarch, Ming Yong Ik, chanced to be among the wounded. Dr. Allen found the native " surgeons" trying to staunch the flowing blood by pouring in melted wax. He at once interposed, caught up and tied the arteries and sewed up the wounds, using all the best appliances of bandage and balm ana lotion and antiseptic wash, and such was the success of his treatm3nt that the Emperor said we must have such medicine and surgery in our cwn dominions. Hence came the Royal Hospital, with Dr. Allen at its head, and the introduction not only of rational and scientific medical and surgical practice, but of the Gospel of the Occident within the long closed gates of Korea. Thus, in many instances, God has put Medical Missions into our hands as the potent key to unlock long barred portals opening into the territory of heathenism and paganism.
Dr. Burns Thomson tells an amusing story of one of his earlier encounters with a very pronounced specimen of physical womanhood, who approached him with her red arms akimbo, ready for a muscular demonstration of her disapproval of his house to house visits. He was then but a student, seeking to do good among the destitute, degraded classes of the city populat.ion; and this broad-shouldered, deep-chested giantess, flushed with anger at his intrusion upon her premises, seemed to threaten her somewhat frail visitor with annihilation. Looking into her face, he ventured to remark that he thought she looked like one who was scarcely well, and thus evoked a confession that jhe was suffering from some physical disorder, a torpid liver, etc. He put on an air of confidence, and said he thought he could administer a simple remedy that would relieve her, and by a penny's worth of castor oil purchased both her good will and everlasting gratitude. The young man was wise enough to conclude that if. such a simple prescription, from a novice unacquainted with the mysteries of medicine, could open the door to a human heart, a wider familiarity with the healing art might introduce him to many a heart and home among the unsaved heathen. And hence his career as a Medical Missionary.
Upon the matter contained in the Report I have not thought necessary to touch, inasmuch as the Report itself is in all your hands, and, like the mouth of a famous orator of America, Henry Clay, it "speaks for itself." But I may advert, briefly, to the pathetic fact that it is given to Edinburgh, and its Medical Missionary Society, to send Medical Missionaries to Damascus, where Saul the persecutor had the scales fall from his eyes and began to preach the healing Gospel; and to Nazareth, that despised city of Galilee, from which the ,,. Carpenter's Son" went forth to heal human bodies and to cure human souls by His all-powerful touch and word.
We have been reminded that the Jubilee year of this organization is near at hand. Would it not be well to hasten that Jubilee-and without waiting for a twelvemonth or more, enable them to sonnd the trumpet of their Jubilee, by delivering them from their present inadequate and narrow quarters, and by giving them enlarged premises and facilities for their noble work? A Society, so blessed of God, the pioneer in such heroic Christian service, should have the noblest support which we can give it, and I affectionately commend it to your sympathy, your prayers, and your alms. May God crown all the labors of this Society with His richest blessing, and make its Missions a benediction to all lands!
THE RAMONA MISSION.
BY REV. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, NORTHFIELD, MINN.
In the March issue of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, there ap- peared an admirable article, by the Rev. Mr. Leonard, on the" Moravian Mis- sions Among the American Indians." The mission activity of the Moravians among the American Indians has extended over a period of 156 years, but up to 1889 all that remained of this grand and untiring work, owing to the disas- trous vicissitudes fully explained in the article mentioned above, was one station among the Delawares in Canada (where a powerful revi~al was experienced in 1887); one station among the Delawares in Kansas (which mission is subject to constant petty persecutions, and is gradually dying out); two stations among the Cherokees in the Indian Territory-in all, four stations, with 381 souls, under the care of the missionaries. But in that year, 1889, a new mission was begun among the so-called" Mission" Indians of Southern California, thus called from the former nominal connection of these tribes with the ancient Romish missions in that country. This mission was christened the " Ramona Mission," because Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson's " Ra~" was the principal agent in drawing the attention of the country to them.
In the REVIEW for February, 1890, in the article on the" Moravian Mission on the Kuskokwim," the Rev. William H. Weinland was mentioned as one of the pioneer missionaries to the Alaskan Eskimos. He was forced to return to the States on account of ill health, but in June of 1889 he gladly- responded to the call of the Executive Board of the Moravian Church to undertake this new mission among the spiritually neglected Indians of Southern California. It should be stated, that all the expenses of this mission are borne by the Woman's National Indian Association, and all that the Moravian Church has done thus far officially has been the supplying of the missionary.
Missionary Weinland first directed his efforts to the Indians on the Coahuila Reservation. (Coahuila: pronounced Cow-ee-ah.) After the degradation of the Alaskan Eskimos, these Indians, living in their well-built adobe houses, seemed to be quite civilized. Here, in the reservation schoolhouse, the Government school-teacher, Mrs.Ticknor, a Presbyterian, had, up to the time of her death, devotedlyendeavored to bring the Indians to the knowledge of Christ. Itseemed a very favorable point to begin a mission. But when a council was called, to the consternation of the missionary, and the utter surprise of the Indian agent, the Indians utterly refused to allow the missionaries to settle on their reservatiOI~. It was subsequently learned, that this sudden hostility on the part of the Indians was due to Romish Catholic influence, which had been and is opposing the new mission wherever possible.
Sadly, therefore, Mr. Weinland turned away and made his headquarters in San Jacinto, San Diego County, resolved to do itinerant missionary work among aU the" Mission" Indians. These number about 3,000 souls, living in twenty villages, scattered over San Diego and San Bernardino counties. It
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES
soon became apparent that this was impossible, and so he and his wife, up to the pI'esent time, have confined their work principally to Saboba and Potraro. .At the latter place the spiritual ground had already been broken. The Government school-teacher, Miss Sarah Morris, had, with great devotion, in addition to her regular work, opened a Sunday-school, and has since assisted the missionaries faithfully.
The greatest difficulty has been experienced in securing the right to erect mission buildings. The titles to property are very insecure and uncertain, and the Indians are exceedingly suspicious of all papers, having learned by sad experience that the signing of papers with white men has often'resulted disastrously to them. Finally, however, in December, 1889, the necessary land was secured, and, at last accounts, the logs for the missionary home were being hauled.
But in the meantime the missionary was not idle. The three languages used are the native Indian, the English, and especially the Spanish. Preaching as best he could, either directly or by means of an interpreter, he strove to bring home to these Indians the glad tidings of a Redeemer. And wonderfully has the Lord blessed the message of his servant. On October 24, 1889, he was permitted to baptize twenty-seven children and young persons, many of whom had been scholars in Miss Morris' Sunday-school. At subsequent meetings adults began to rise and ask to be brought to Christ. The missionary writes: "We tried to use our utmost discretion in selecting these candidates for baptism, and, as'later experiences have proved, the baptism of these persons was the best step which we could possibly have taken at that critical time, for it gave us a hold upon the people, which others (presumably Romish Catholics) were unable to wrest from us, though effort was made in that direction. "Ve at once formed all the young people of suitable age into a cl'ass for special catechetical instruction (preparatory to confirmation), and have since been adding a number of older people who desire to join our (Moravian) communion, so that by the coming (April 6, 1890,) Easter Festival we hope to have about thirty communicant members as a working force and nucleus."
Surely this is an age when the Word of the Lord at once enters the hearts of the once stolid heathen. The time of dreary waitings seems to be passing away. No sooner is the message proclaimed than eager hearts accept the glad tidings.
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
" In the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church of Russia interest in missions had experienced a 4elightful increase, and a sort of Missionary House for the German colonies of Southern Russia was in course of establishment,when suddenly, by command of the sovereign, the Lutheran pastors were forbidden to hold any further missionary festivals, or to collect or send out money for missions. But what has been the result of this prohibition? This: that in many congregations where hitherto nothing has been done for missions, the people now begin to ask, What then are these missionary festivals that are not to be held? 'We have never celebrated such a one yet! That thus the indifferent are awakened. Furthermore, that' many friends of missions now feel themselves impelled to give yet more than hitherto, and, finally, that the clergy as a body have distinctly declared that missions are a command of the Lord Jesus, which is obligatory for every church and for every Christian, and which no human command can annul. They do, it is true, submit meanwhile to thewill of their Czar, but at the same time they urgently petition for a revocation of the edict, and thereby attest their conviction that missions are l).Il indefeasible duty-something which a few decades back it would have come into none of their minds to set forth."-Calwer Monatsbliitter, January, 1890.
-The Journal des Missions Evangeliques for January, 1890, in its editorial article entitled" French-speaking Protestantism and Missions," remarks: " If the nineteenth century has been the century of missions, the end of this century might be called the hour of missions. Never, in fact, since apostolic times, have the signs of the times so clearly recalled to the Church her duty toward pagan mankind. On the one hand discovery and exploration have opened new ways to every influence; on the other, European commerce and colonization, throwing themselves emulously, in all parts of the world, upon the archipelagoes or the territories lately independent, do not allow Christians to remain aoneinactive in this conquest of the heathen world; it is for the Church the hour signified by God to arise, and to take possession of the desolate heritages of the Lord. "
The Journal refers to their coming into the succession of the English work in the. Loyalty Islands. It says nothing of the odious injustice of the French Government in expelling the English missionaries, especially the Rev. Mr. Jones. The German Protestants, subjects of an almost autocratic empire, criticise with courageous freedom the attempts of their Government to push out from its territories missionaries of other nationalities. But to expect French citizens of a 80i disant republic to show either such impartiality,Or such courage, would be too much. After all they are Frenchmen still, admirable, peculiarly admirable, Christians in every other particular, but with annoyance and aggressiveness toward men of Teutonic speech, Germanor English, in their very blood.
-" Observing the attention and interest just now touching all that respects Africa, we cannot but see the hand of Providence in the events which have led us to concentrate on this continent the greater part of our efforts, and to occupy, in the whole body of evangelical labors whose object is to subdue it to Christ, several points of especial importance. Livingstone designated the great rivers which traverse this continent as the routes destined, in the mind of God, to introduce into it civilization and Christianity. Is it not a circumstance worthy of remark that among our African mission-fields there are three precisely so placed as to utilize three of these great avenues of access: the Senegal, the Congo, the Zambesi.
" Thanks to God, the work on the Zambesi, after the slow and painful beginnings familiar to all, is now entering on a phase of development very well suited to encourage our faith. The influence acquired by our missionaries over the principal chiefs, the softening effect noticeable in the customs of the Barotsis, the increasing number of pupils in the schools of our two stations of Sefula and Shesheke, and finally the conversion of a young man, first-fruits of the Zambesia Mission, all these first results of the labor of our missionaries give us sufficient assurance that in following the inner drawing which led him to the Zambesi, our brother Coillard did not deceive himself, and that God was reserving to our French-speaking churches a great work in this region.
"Our mission of the Lessuto country" [among the Basutos], "with its 17 stations, its 20 missionaries, its 111 out-stations, its 190 native helpers, its 6,543 communicants, and its 3,332 catechumens, remains as a type of that which our churches can accomplish, in the domain of missions, by the blessing of God. Weare profoundly grateful to him for the encou~agement which he does not cease to give us by means of this work, in which, however, there is no lack of embarrassments. Drawing inspiration from the great apostle who desired to bring his spiritual children to ripeness of age, and aimed only to render himself superfluous, we have been laboring for some years to endow our churches with a native pastorate which will make it practicable for our missionaries gradually to withdraw. But this apprenticeship to self-government cannot be accomplished in a day, and our native churches are the more in need of our support and direction as being so impoverished, and as being subject to the Catholic competition, which, profiting by our numerical weakness in upper Lessuto, is making serious efforts to dispute the ground with us."-J. d. M. E.
-M. Dieterlen, writing after a series of meetings in Lessuto, adverts amus- ingly to what is a very thoroughly Airican, and especially a thoroughly Basuto trait: "Anyone could speak who would, and those who would are never rare in this land of religious fluency. Apropos of this, I have heard to-day a very characteristic remark. I said to an old man: ; I am surprised that you have said nothing in all these meetings.' 'That is because M. Matille did not give me a chance,' he answered. 'Therefore I am hungry-I am not satiated.' He had been hearing no end of addresses and sermons. A European would have thought himself over head and ears in them. But no, not having himself spoken, he was hungry-he was not satisfied. That is Lessuto all over, where talking is such an enjoyment that a Basuto said in full religious assembly, 'It is so good to hear one's self talk! ' "
-The Protestant churches of French Switzerland, besides their operations in the Transvaal Republic and in the Portuguese possessions adjoining Delagoa Bay, are extending their work into the neighboring independent tribes. We give from their Bulletin Missionnaire a somewhat detailed account of the Khassa tribe, since it portrays very well the lights a~d shadows of the heathen character among these tribes of southeastern Africa, belonging, not to the negroes proper, but to the vast negroid family of the Basitus, whose various and widely diverging tribes occupy most of Africa south of the equator, although limited by the Hottentot family in the extreme south, and crossed here and there by the strange pigmy tribes, and doubtless by others. The best known hitherto of the Basitu tribes have been such as the Zulus, Basutos, Becheranas, but new tribes are all the time opening up to knowledge, belonging to the same wide family. This Khassa country has a considerable population which is interesting in many respects. Among the Gwambas of our mission, it is they who have best maintained their national character and their language. They have not yet accepted the Portuguese flag and have been the allies rather than the subjects of the redoubtable Gungunyane. By virtue of having thus alone =aintained their independence, they have a very strong organization, of which we have to take account. The king, the supreme chief of the country, has the right of life and death over his subjects. The· soil belongs to him, and no one can dispose of it without his consent. No stranger can settle in the country without having previously obtained the king's permission. But the latter never takes an important decision without having consulted his council, composed of certain ministers who dwell near him, and of provincial governors, who, bearing the official title of" Sons of the Lords," are dispersed throughout the country, where they are, according to the expression of one of them, "the king's eyes." The supreme power is now in the hands of a regent named Mavabaze, during the minority of Shangele, son and heir of Magude. Mavabaze has his villages very near our evangelist Yozefa, while Shangele resides with his mother, Nwashibugroane, a league off, not far from Lake Shoktoiya. The council of ministers has just given him a tutor in the person of his uncle, his mother's brother, who will take the charge of his education. In the same village and in some others near by live those widows of Magude who did not return to their various countries after the king's death.
The Khassas are a hospitable people, and very agreeable in their relations with strangers. The chiefs willingly accord an asylum and protection to people of the neighboring tribes who take refuge with them when in danger of death. But, on the other hand, the pagan superstitions are still very vigorous among them, and bear all their terrible fruits. Thus the belief in occult influences is uncontested, and the same Mavabaze who, while we were there, saved the lives of refugee Zulus from their pursuers, has lately massacred two of his own subjects who were accused of having cast maleficent lots. The accusation of being devoted to occult practices is a Damocles sword constantly suspended over the head of every member of the tribe, for it is enough to be ac– cused of it by an enemy to insure anyone's immediate condemnation to death. Whom does this advantage? First, the sorcerers, for people make haste toconsult them as soon as they believe ''themselves to be under these spells; and next, the king, to whom the cattle of every man put to death for witchcraft, escheat. These national customs, so profoundly rooted in the people, will constitute the essential'difficulty of the missionary work. On the other hand, I have observed with pleasure that drunkenness is much more rare there than here, and that liquors imported from Europe are generally regarded as a, bad thing. 'A good many drink, it is true, especially women; but we have seen a man and his five wives, after having indulged in intemperate habits for a good while, completely giving over the use of brandy, because theyexperienced that it did them harm. However, the maize-buyers begin to flood thecountry with liquor in payment for grain, and we observe with concern that the queen-mother is beginning to drink. Prompt and energetic action might yet stop all this, and preserve to the country its undiminished vitality.
.. It is in the midst of this interesting population that our excellent Yoze!a has been laboringfor several years. Statistics would reckon the result of his labors at zero; but we have only to. traverse the countryfor a few days in his company to be convincedthat this estimate is erroneous. He has known how to make himself loved of all, and to render himself acceptable to high and low. He is ,received with equal joy by the king and by his' humblest subject. He is on a footing' of good-fellowship with the leaders of the land, who visit him and whose visits he returns. At the moment when we arrived at Antioka with him, he had been absent about two months, and_ we could judge of the joy which all testified at his return. And yet, if he is so highlyappreciated, it is not that he compromises with their vices. Far from it; he has no sooner engaged in_ conversation with any person whatever. king, councillor or private person, but he brings it upon religious subjects; he speaks of the wrong doings of his interlocutors with an admirable courage. I have heard him in particular sharply reprimand the king for his belief in witchcraft" and make a pressing appeal to his conscience, to which the king has had no answer to make. Certain religious notions begin to have some influence everywhere-that of the last judgment, for example. Thus, one day that we were examining the country, we were accosted by thi-ee young people, who began to inquire into our business. .As Yozefa was speaking to them of my intention of settling among them, the face of one of them all at once lighted up, and he exclaimed: 'Then we shall not be burned; we shall have a misSionary!' This idea of the eternal fire pursues Mavabaze also, for during Yozefa'sabsence he again and again asked the wife of the latter if he should be bUl'11ed also.
"On arriving home Yozefa has had the joy of being able to show a palpable result of his work. During his absence nine women have been converted at Cossine, a day's journey down the riverfrom Antioka. These, with another woman converted some time ago in the same village, form the first fruits of the harvest of Khassa. "- M. Grandjean writes from another region: "Our evangelizing tours would be easy if we had solid ground to walk on, but the sand is very fatiguing. On arriving at a village, we begin by demanding of the chief of the district permission to speak of the things of God. It is generally granted if the people are sober, but very often they have been drinking and will not listen to what we have to say to them. On some Sundays our people have been repulsed from two places before they were allowed to speak. One da.y, when I was with them, we were received in this manner in a village. I wanted to persist, but the men of the village assumed so menacing an attitude that we had to leave the enclosure. ,Ve then stopped under the burning sun, on the other side of the thorn hedge surrounding the village, and began to sing one of our hymns. A large number of women and of young people came aJ;ld grouped themselves around us, and the work of God went on, while, inside the village, Satan reigned full master.
"Butif we are sometimes ill received, most commouly it is otherwise. Permission obtained, we establish ourselves in the shade of an oukoukhlou, a dense evergreen tree, of which there is one in the centre of almost every village. The people gather around us, and we evangelize them as much by our hymns as by our words, for they love much to hear us sing. It is always a critical moment when, after an address, 'there is a transition to prayer, especially if the one in charge requires them to kneel. They then begin to nudge one another, to make ridiculous remarks; little by little, they are seized with an inextinguishable fit of silly laughter, and it is a chance if they do not literally roll on the ground.
"I have once beheld such a scene of hilarity preceded by a general stampede of all the urchins, who foreboded something mysterious. I have more than once heard an individual exclaim, with a sigh of relief, after prayer, 'Ri sele,' i.e., 'Fair weather again.' It is not after a first nor a second visit to a village that we can expect conversions. We ought to have a more considerable nucleus of Christians than we have here, and to be able to divide them into groups, in such a way as that some villages might have gospel preaching Sunday after Sunday. For the moment our evangelization is still far too sporadic to afford hope of satisfying results. But we hope that the seed is dropping into some hearts, and pray God that he will do by His spirit what we cannot do by our word.
" If one from Switzerland should come to visit our native churches, he would be, I doubt not, not a little surprised to find how far our Christians are from answering the idea entertained in Europe. In some places at home people imagine that the Christian negroes are angels-that theyadoJ:e their missionaries. But they forget what are the works of the fiesh in a young church composed of members that have come out of heathenism and the deepest degradation.
" Our most sincere and faithful Christians have to sustain, in order to persevere in the good way, a daily and desperate strife against the pagan infiuence of their environment and of their own hearts. Then a great number accept the gospel simply as a doctrine and as a system of outward usages. But, despite the evil which is found in our churches, we are happy to note the powerful action of the gospel, and we can not but admire the love and the patience of God in this work of elevation whose steps of progress are so slow."
-The Evangelisch-Lutherisches Missions Blatt for January, 1890, begins with these New Year's thoughts: "Immanuel; God be with us! This is our New Year's greeting to our beloved readers. In the midstream of the fleeting ages stands this immovable rock, ' God with us,' as our sure refuge. If He, the source of all goods and gifts, conjoins himself with our poverty, what'a fullness of blessing then streams down upon us; his eternity gives to our brief duration of life an eternal worth, his righteousness covers our sin, his strength helps our weakness to stand, his life consumes our death-Immanuel! How consoling, at the portal of the new year, is the wealth of meaning in this name for all whose heart is in missiolls! Indeed, he has appended this name as his signature ben~ath his Great Commission; for what is the premise, 'Behold, I am with yent all the days, even unto the end of the world,' except an amplified explication of the name Immanuel? God with us and our work! What lleed we have of this comfort! The longer one works in missions, the greater appears to him the task imposed upon them, and the higher the towering difficulties of this work seem often to rise. Doubtless, in the last decade, in the various missions, a considerable number of heathen has been converted. But this increase is counted by thou- sands, while the great mass of heathen peoples is yearly increasing by millions.
Undoubtedly in this last decade Christian missions have, in the lands of the heathen, made victorious progress, but just in these last years has the reinforced opposition of Mohammedanism in Africa and the united opposition of the heathen in India, risen to withstand them; nay, even Buddhism in Japan and Ceylon appears minded to gather its strength for new conflict. And when, even out of the midst of the elder Christendom, many anxious apprehensions find a voice concerning the decrease of Christian faith and life, this decline cannot fail to lame the missionary activity of the church. Looking at these facts and at ourselves, we have no guarantee of success. Where do we find it? ill the name and Amen (Namen und Amen) of Immanuel. Is He with us in our work?
Then it mUilt succeed. On his banner Victory never fails to perch."
GENli:.RAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
n.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Student Volunteer Movement for Poreign Miss}ons.
The time is drawing near when men unteer Movement. He not only took who are in our colleges and seminaries exception to the method of its use, but will be making plans for the summer. expressed the opinion that he could Many, perchance, who hope to be in :find no sufficient reason for its exist- active work in a few years are asking ence. En passant, Mr. Dechont is not themselves the question, How can I a volunteer. The spirited discussion aid the world's evangelization now? which followed the reading of this Last summer Messrs. Bond and McCall paper showed a division of opinion reported as a result of fifty-two meet- among the delegates on the pledge ings, held principally in New York question. Before adjournment, the State, $6,000 pledged, and thirteen house called on Mr. Robert P. Wilder, volunteers secured. Mr. A. N. O'Brien, of Union Theological Seminary, toex- in the summer of '88, devoted four press his opinion on the subject of the weeks in visiting colleges, and secured pledge. This gentleman gave con- sixty-seven volunteers. The latter vincing proof for its raison d'etre. In gentleman, when asked what he con- his line of argument he began with an sidered requisites for this phase of the appeal to the individual, urging that work, replied: First, an earnest con- men ought to take a stand during the viction of the needs of the field; sec- college course, or early in the seminary Qnd, a knowledge of what the Scrip- course, in order that adequate prepar- tures reveal of God's will in regard to ation be made for effective work in the evangelization of the world; third, the foreign fields. "The pledge," Mr.
personal need of humility and the Wilbur said, "indicated that a decis- presence of God. What has been ac- ion had been made, and it showed to complished in the instances given is one's fellow-men that the man had sufficient indication of what may be taken a definite stand; secondly, in done in the same line of effort this working for recruits, a pledged man coming vacation. There are good can say, Come, whereas a non-pledged fields open for the efforts of many man can only say, Go." Hethengave who will work in dead earnest, whose a brief account of the marvellous hearts the Lord has touched. missionary interest awakened in the Volunteers, who were privileged to universities in England and in Scot- attend the Central District Inter- land in 1885, and stated how that Seminary Missionary Alliance at movement had not been conserved, Chester, Pa., Feb. 27-28, will remem- for the reason that men had not com- ber the occasion with gratitude and mitted themselves to writing, and thanksgiving. About fifty delegates, without names it had been impossible representing nine theological semi- to follow up and utilize the interest naries from the four States, New York, already awakened. "The very exist- New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Dela- ence of' The Student Volunteer Move- ware, were present. The meetings ment,''' continued the speaker, "is were held in the First Baptist Church, due to the pledge which has been the of Chester. bond binding us together, and without After the address of welcome a it there could have been no move- paper was read by Mr. A. S. Dechont, ment."
of the Reformed Theological Semi- The Rev. H. Grattan Guinness, nary, Lancaster, Pa. His theme was F. R. S., of London, Eng., who estab- " Scope and Purposes of our Annual lished and is at the head of Harley Convention." The gentleman took House, the most successful missionary occasion to state his views regarding training school in the world, held on the pledge used by The Student Vol- Friday morning a question drawer. Questions answered covered a wide personal, and moved the men present range of inquiry. Many of them con- -more that that, he gave tone to much cerned Mrica, in which field Mr. that was said afterwards. The dis- Guinness has especial interest. To the cussion which immediately followed question, Is there any greater need in this address clearly indicated that· Mrica than in Mexico for missionary men had been stirred. No word of effort? he replied, "There is a glimmer adverse criticism was offered, but.
of light in Mexico; in the heart of the remarks made conveyed appreci- Mrica there is absolute darkness." ation of the address and gratitude "Can a minister who has not a good for the personal influence of the excuse for staying at home, ask an- speaker.
other to go?" queried some one, and A marked feature of this conference the reply was a most emphatic "No." was its true devotional character. In Space does not admit of a full state- almost all of the discussions there was.
ment of the significance of the Sec- a noticeable absence of the polemical ond Probation theory in its bearing on spirit. The meeting for volunteers foreign missions, but a few sentences will be remembered by many for all will show the drift of the speaker's time. Several present were about to views: "I am not prepared to say depart for foreign lands, and the that the Divine Spirit may not work prayers offered from that little circle without human instrumentality. In were most deeply- heart-felt. In Oriental countries, missionaries have things spiritual we cannot estimate found men so near' the Kingdom of results as in matters temporal. We God,' that the Gospel message has hardly dare even to gauge influences, found almost immediate response. • for "eye hath not seen nor ear heard."
But, as a matter of fact, we find sin We know by the working of the Holy almost as universal as conscience." Spirit that there is much good in the The most notable address of the secret of His presence which He alone conference was delivered on Friday sees. Two men decided to go into the afternoon by Mr. Robert P. Wilder, foreign field the last day of the con- and was entitled "Missionary Enthu- ference. The testimonies which were siasm, How Obtained and Preserved." made at the final meeting were brief, A request has already been made that direct and honest, and they manifested this address be printed and put in the a desire and a determination on the hands of every volunteer. Mr.Wilder part of many to live in the future spoke in his usual earnest, persuasive lives nearer to the Master.
and convincing way. His appeal was MAX WOOD MOORHEAD.
Notes on Afrioa., by our Oorrespondent, Rev. James Johnston, England.
-The English Wesleyans and the commissioners, the publicity of the Indian Missionaries. The Wesleyan inquiry, and the limitation of the dis- Foreign Missions Committee met re- cussion to the points originally raised cently to re-open the question of Dr. in his paper. The committee decided Lunn's charges against their represen- to request the attendance of a deputatatives in India. The Rev. H. P. tion in April next from the Indian Hughes, editor of the Methodist Times, field, and also Dr. Lunn and Mr. expressed by letter his regret that so Hughes, to confer upon the question much persOnal bitterness had been in council with their own members. shown in the controversy and of his The entire Methodist fraternity, many unsuccessful endeavors to pacify the of whom are weary of the strife, Indian brethren. To effect an amic- earnestly anticipate a satisfactory able settlement, he recommended the settlement of a dispute which has had appointment of an impartial body of no little disturbing influence on Wesleyan Methodism at home and abroad. happy state ot things is passing away Meanwhile two of the foremost Indian under the influence ofWestern civiliza- Wesleyan missionaries, Professor Pat- tion. The leading work of the year is terson, of the Madras Christian College, based on this idea. It describes the and Professor Findlay, of the Nega- fate of a family, the young men of patam College, have sailed for Eng- which begin to doubt the wisdom of land to represent their fellow workers. the head and to think for themselves ; -Current Literature and Education disputes and divisions follow; they in India. A recent Calcutta telegram lose their good name; and finally, by states that the movement to establish an awful fate, the family dies out al- societies to diffuse cheap ,and useful together.
literature throughout India, which was -The Church Missionary Society is commenced in Calcutta last January, currently engaged in reviewing the has spread to Madras. A large repre- claims of higher education in India, sentative meeting was held in Madras and earnestly solicits funds to be de- in February, which the Rev. James voted to this cause. It is observed Johnston (a namesake of the writer that the spread of infidelity among the and gifted contributor to the MISSION- educated Hindus is alarming. The ARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD) addressed admirable educational training, by at length. He has gone to India to which they are almost inevitably de- advocate this enterprise. He referred prived of belief in the gods of their to the advantages resulting from the forefathers, exposes. them to the circulation of healthy knowledge in charms of a false science, and to skep- English and vernacular works, and tical assaults. To cope with this emer- urged the Government to give aid to gency, it is proposed to disseminate the undertaking. It was resolved by ·literature saturated with the power of the audience to form a society to pro- Gospel revelation, and the institution mote the object desired. A strong of a staff of teachers who will ex- committee, including several leading pound scriptual doctrine in the high citizens, was appointed. schools and colleges in every part of -From the last report of the Di- India. Touching this question, it has rector of Public Instruction in Bengal, been noted that the Church Missionary discouraging intelligence is given of Society which, some years back, aban- the literary spirit in that vast Presi- doned its Calcutta school, has latterly dency. He expresses the opinion that made overtures to the Presbyterians English education has little impressed with a view to co-operating with them the Bengali, having chiefly stimulated in this department. It is not long the production of Keys, and other since a venerable Indian missionary helps to students. "Philosophy," he told a freshly arrived worker that he adds, "keeps in the old groove, and himself in his youth was vehemently medicine seems trying to return to it. opposed to education by missionaries, One looks in vain for a Bengali New- whereas he was now as enthusiastic in ton, or a Bengali Faraday." its support, although not set apart to Fiction and poetry both tlouri"h in it. Says an Indian missionary: "Edu- Bengal, and works in each have largely cational work demands more real se1£- increased. Some doubt is expressed denial, courage and patience than al- whether the substance or form of In- most any other kind of missionary dian fiction has been improved by the enterprise. It is the educational mis- English occupation of the country. A sionaries who have literally to bear great change, it is remarked, has come the heat and burden of the day in over native writers in Bengal. The India, and it is very much to be re- younger generation of writers of fic- gretted that the Church which sendS'
tion is permeated with the idea that a them out to the work, and in whose service they are spending their ing a journey to Karonga, if com- strength, should show them so little· pelled. This friendly Arab has assured ;sympathy." them of his continued protection, and -Lake Tanganyika Missions. affirms that Tippoo Tib had requested Through the courtesy of the French him to defend 'the Mission, even if Livingstonian traveler, Captain Tri- fighting were inevitable.
vier, who has crossed .Africa from My friend, Captain Hore, of the Loango to Quillimane without an Tanganyika Mission, who leaves Eng- ·escort, the London Missionary Society land for Australia in April, in the in- has received news of its missionaries terest of the London Missionary S0- .at the south end of Tanganyika and ciety, purposes returnjng to Great Fwambo down to Sept. 24. The Rev. Britain early in 1891, via San Fran- D. P. Jones and Mr. Hemans write cisco and New York. While in the from Fwambo, and Messrs. A. J. United States, he desires, if practi- .Swann, A. Carson and Dr. Mather cable, to address audiences on Central from the Niumkorlo station. In the African Missions. The writer will .summer' of 1889 the outlook was so give every assistance and information perplexing that it was difficult to re- to churches and societies wishing to solve whether the Mission could be re- have the privilege of listening to this tained or its agents have to withdraw. noble pioneer and effective advocate When the August letter was penned, of missions to every color and clime.
the situation was more cheering. -The Uganda Missions. The latest "There seems," it says, "to be no native letters, received at Zanzibar reason now for anxiety on our ac- from the Victoria Nyanza, report count; we are all in capital health and that Mwanga, aid!!d by the Europeans, spirits, and in no real danger at pres- has regained the throne of Uganda.
€nt. We have all the necessaries of There was severe fighting, in which life, and every prospect of doing sub- King Kalema and his Arab allies stantial work at our new station were defeated, very few Arabs sur- (Niumkorlo)." The return of the Arab, viving the massacre which followed.
Katunda, who destroyed many natives During the fight a dhow on the lake, at Lieudwe, at the time of the build- conveying a number of leading Arabs ing of the Good News (steamer) some and a quantity of ammunition, was years ago, was under altered circum- blown up and all on board killed.
stances, a guarantee of brighter days. Uganda is now in the hands of Mwan- He admitted that the Lake Nyassa ga and the Europeans. If Mwanga's conflicts were ruining him, and hence professed zeal for Christianity is sin- he desired peace. His Arab compan- cere he Iuight, as the re-instated mon- ions he believed were anxious for arch of the finest of Central .African terms, and he begged one of the mis- . aboriginal races, assist in the suppres- sionaries to go with him to Nyassa to sion of slavery and promote the ad- negotiate an agreement. The mission- vance of civilization south and west aries despaired receiving supplies for across vast areas which Mr. Stanley a time from Zanzibar, though the Af- well describes in the title of his new rican Lakes Company anticipated that work, "The Darkest Africa." The on the completion of their new vessel East Central African party belonging (Nyassa), five months hence, they to the Church Missionary Society, would be able to dispatch relief to the headed by Mr. Douglas Hooper, and missionaries. Mr. Swann in the mean- consisting of three Cambridge gradu- time had procured a little more cloth ates, viz., Mr. G. L. Pilkington, Mr.
from Mohammed – tin – Khalfan, at G. K. Baskerville, and Mr. J. D. M.
Ujiji; which prepared them either for Cotter, sailed in February for the East staying over another season, or mak- .African coast. -West African Missions. The the Bishop's latest epistle deals with heart of the veteran Crowther would be gladdened by the embarkation in the farce of the late Sultan's proclama-· the Lagos (s.s.) Feb. 15, at Liverpool, of the iron church which is to ~c tion, granting liberty to slaves and place an old wooden one at Bonny, which had become unsafe for worship. slave-born according to defined stipu- This new edifice which, like its predecessor, will be named St. Clement's, lations. On this he says: is intended mainly for the use of the "Last year we were rejoiced to hear that a· English-speaking merchants and their workpeople in the Bonny River. The great advance was to be made towards the total cost pf the building, including abolition of slavery in Zanzibar dominions. freight, is £430. Among the mission- Proclamations were to be issued thatall slaves ary heroes of the 19th century the imported after November 1 of last year were colored Bishop of Sierra Leone and the to be free, and that all children born within Lower Niger will fill a shining place. the Sultan's dominions after January 1 of this year would be born free. The first proclama- -Bishop Smythies and Slavery at tion was issued, but only remained posted up Zanzibar. Grief, and griefonly, must in Zanzibar a very short time. The second be felt by the admirers of chivalrous proclamation has not been issued at all. devotion in the mission fields on learn- Practically no action has been taken upon ing that Bishop Smythies, of the Uni· either, and we have every reason to fear, t<> versities'Mission, sailed from Zanzibar our bitter disappointment, that these prom- ises are entirely illusory, and are likely to· F, ::>. 26 for Aden, en route for Britain. remain a dead letter, in spite of urgent rep- resentations on the part of the English Gov- The imrp,pid Bish~ has been seized ernment and its representatives in Zanzibar. " with persistent fever, and it is feared he may not be able to return for If the good impressions which the some time, if at all, to this trying sphere of missionary operations. With new Sultan of Zanzibar has made by his accustomed straightforwardness releasing untried prisoners and taking counsel in matters of importance be continued, it will inspire hope that the humane edicts will be promul- gated. It is matter for rejoicing that· her Majesty's Consul General isColonel Euan-Smith, and Sir John Kirk the Sultan's Envoy at the Congress now'
in session at Brussels.
Aftica.-Kaffraria. Letters have interest that many of the people have taken in these meetings." Under date· been received by the Foreign Mission of Oct. 4, he says: "I have again the pleasure of informing you that several Secretary from the Rev. Alexander more individuals were admitted to the candidates' class this week. Not only Welsh, Emgwali, stating that a re- is there a large number of young peo- ple among the converts, but there are markable work of grace has appeared several elderly people, who seemed to be hardened against the gospel; they among the people at that station. The also have been arrested, and brought to the feet of Jesus." And on the people trace the awakening to the 11th: "I have again the pleasure of informing you that ten individuals week of prayer observed in February. were admitted to the candidates' class this week, on professing conversion. Under date Sept. 27, Mr. Welsh There are about 150 in the class now."
writes: "I have much pleasure in in- -We are always gratified by the forming you that over 100 persons have been admitted to the candidates' public recognition of woman's ability, dass here within the last three months on profession of conversion to God. and the following, in regard to a medi-· The great majority of these are young men and young women. For several cal woman and a former missionary, years we have labored, and looked for the conversion of the young people is especially appreciated: in the district, and now God has granted us a reaping time, and the joy Miss JaneWaterston, M. D., a Scotch. that accompanies it. Special meetings have been held in the ch,urch and the lady, has had quite an experience. girls' school, as well as at all the villages throughout the district. It has The daughter of a prominent citizE'll,. been very pleasing to see the hearty in disregard of the opinions then prev- rest upon the assembly and guide and alent among persons of the social bless all their deliberations. '
rank of her family, and against the There hasbeennoprevious timeinthe wishes of friends, devoted herself to history of missions in China when such missionary work. She went to the a conference could be held so oppor- Lovedale Institution in South Africa, tunely. There is a wide and general and conducted the girls' department preparedness for conference on great with great success. Desiring to be a and important interests connected physician, she returned home, and with the progress of the Redeemer's passed the preliminary examinations. Kingdom among this people. There is Scottish universities were then closed a large amount of experience in the against lady physicians, but in London methods and plans and purposes of she received her degree, and went to mission work which should be pre- Brussels, and passed "avec grande" sented for consideration and tabulated distinction. She immediately offered and utilized. The preparation of herself to the Livingstonia Mission, and papers in which the review of the did medical and educational work on work already done will be presented, the shores of Lake Nyassa. Her health and the survey of the work yet to be giving out, she returned to Lovedale performed will be sketched, is com- and engaged in private medical prac- mitted to a large number of capable tice, but her work so increased she hands, and will be efficiently done.
removed to a wider field in Cape The programme of subjects, as will Town. be seen from the following summary -The Cape Town News of Sept. 14, of them, covers the whole field of reporting the ceremonial of conferring Christian work in all its departments degrees by the University, the Vice- and ramifications. The first day will Chancellor presiding, said: "Dr. Jane be occupied with the sermon and the E. Waterston, Doctor of Medicine in organization of the conference. The the University of Brussels, allow me second day will be given to the Bible to say that your long services to the work as connected with the perfecting cause of education, especially in the the translations of the Scriptures, education of native girls at Lovedale, and their sale and circulation. On the in connection with my department, third daywill be considered the quali- and your services as medical officer of ficationsand preparations of Inission- the Free Church Mission at Lake Ny- aries and the methods and means of assa, have fully entitled you to any reaching the people. The fourth day privilege this University can bestow." will be given to the consideration of While Miss Waterston is devoted to women's work in its several methods her practice, yet she has never lost her of schools, visitation from house to interest in the missionary work. house, and the training of Bible J. T. GRACEY, D.D. women. On the fifth day the confer- China.-The readers of the RE- ence will consider the plans and re- VIEW will be interested in knowing of sults of medical missionary work, and the General Missionary Conference of institutions for the blind, deaf and which is to be held in Shanghai, dumb, and of refuges for the opium China, in May, 1890. The sessions of victims. On the sixth, the method of the conference commence on the 7th instructing inquirers; fellowship and of May, and continue for ten succes- methods of discipline of members; sive days~ All friends of missions cultivating piety and aggressive work should bear this meeting of the Chris- on the part of native Christians; self- tian workers in this large empire in support of churches and voluntary ef- mind, and make it a subject of special forts for the salvation of their fellow prayer, that the Spirit of the Lord may men. The seventh day will be given to the consideration of educational ili- ing that the secretaries of the principal missionary societies in London anstitutions, and raising up trained and nounce that their respective Board,; have unanimouslydetermined to maineducated native workers and assist- tain, with slight modification, existing methods of finance, government, and ants in all departments of Christian general policy.-Our Correspondent.
work. On the eighth day literature A Notable Testimony to a Missionary.
will engage the attention of the mem- [The following address was presented to Rev_ lIIr. Anderson on the completion of the bers connected with the preparation fiftieth year of his service as a missionary. He is still full of missionary fire and fervor, of school and text books, scientific and longs to be young, to give another life to the service.-A. T. P.] terminology, Christian literature, DEAR MR. ANDERSON-Fifty years Christian newspapers – and current having elapsed since you first left this country for work in the Mission field, Chinese literature. The ninth day will the Foreign Mission Board desire to congratulate you, and to express our be given to the important subject of thankfulness to God that you have been spared to labor so many years. comity in Mission work, and its rela- We recall with no ordinary interest and satisfaction the work that you tion to the Chinese government. The have been privileged to do, first in Jamaica, alld then in Calabar, not tenth and last day will be fully occu- only with your living voice, but also with your pen. You can look back pied in hearing the statistics of the upon the time when the darkness was unbroken in Calabar, and the people work for the thirteen years since the were sunk in idolatry and its abomina- tions. You now see the people enlast conference, and the openings and lightened, education advancing, and many gathered into the fellowship facilities for work among aboriginal of the church; and you have the un- speakable happiness of being able to tribes and bord&' lands. say that your labors have been owned of God as one of the agencies in bring- The request of the Committee of ing about the blessed change. We recall also how much you have done Arrangements will be favorably con- on the occasion of your visits to the homeland in the way of keeping alive sidered and acted upon by all who the interest of the Church in the Cala- -bar Mission field, and calling forth read these lines: "The Committee in- the gifts and prayers of the people on its behalf. vite all who are interested in the We rejoice that, even after so long progress of Christianity in China to and trying a service, you are still favored with a remarkable measure engage in frequent and earnest of health and strength, and we earn- estly trust that, though no longer laprayer that this gathering of Chris- boring in the field itself, you may be spared for a season to plead the claims tian workers, coming together in the of the people among whom you have lived so long, and who are so dear to name of the Master and seeking His benediction, may receive rich spiritual blessings and give an impulse that will be wide and lasting to every form of Christian _effort in this mighty Em- pire." A. P. HAPPER.
Eng-land.-Foreign Missionary Incomes. The incessant fire of criti- cism to which foreign missions have been subjected of late has not lessened their revenues. In the neweditionof the Directory of the Metropolitan Charities ()f London, Mr. Howe estimates the an- nual income for 1889 of the 23 foreign missions established in London, at £982,334, besides' £207,482, the prob- able return of 13 "Home and Foreign"
missions. This indicates an increase ()f £139,227 over the revenue of 1888.
On the other hand, the receipts of the 54 exclusively home missions have fallen from £649,851 to £617,361. With so gratifying a report in reference to the" sinews of war," it is not surprisyou by many tender ties, so that you meetings are attended by well-dressed, may have the satisfaction of knowing intelligent men and women,thegreater that you are still working on their be- number being young men. This is a half, and securing for them a still remarkable sign of the times, and larger share of the sympathy and aid one that cannot be over-estimated. At of the Church. We trust that your Marseilles, at Lyons, and in other mantle may fall on the younger men cities, the same interest is found. who are now in the field, and that you In one of the suburbs of Lyons, for may be cheered during your declining example, is a Fraternal Society of 130 years by tidings reaching you from yoUIig men, who meet weekly in the time to time of multitudes of the dark lIcAll station for instruction in {)hildren of Africa being brought to a Christian doctrine and practice. knowledge of the truth, and of those already gathered iJ;lto the Church de- The adaptability of the McAll Misvoting themselves to the service of the sion to meet every need as it presents Master, and seeking still further to itself, is one of the most striking feaextend the Gospel among their be- tures of this unique work. nighted fellow countrymen. Vnited 8tates.-In the RE- In name of the Foreign Mission VIEW for February reference is made .Board. by Dr. Ellinwood to the Moravian mission work among the Buddhists of DUNCAN MCLAREN, Chairman. Thibet. Although the mission is now JAMES BUCHANAN, Secretary. 34 years old, only 42 souls are in France. – The MeAll Mission. charge of the missionaries. The This mission to the working people of principal work must here consist in Paris and of France, which has been distributing the Scriptures and tracts, continually enlarging its field ever and these are now being studied by since it was founded by Mr. McAll the Lamas themselves in their monasamong the Communists of Belleville teries. The Lord must eventually immediately after the suppression of bless this work. the Co=une, has proved by its flexibility and its wonderful power of fit- The Moravians also have charge ting means to ends, to be admirably of a hospital there, in which large adapted to meet that reaction toward numbers of patients are treated. Their religious belief which is at present so main hope lay, however, in their marked a feature in French thought. schools, because many were. willing While even the secular press is notic- to come in order to learn English. ing the decline in materialism and But these met· with great opposition, skepticism, the new interest in religion and the work was exceedingly dis- -any religion, be it Buddhism, or couraging. Suddenly a change has Islamism, or Christianity-which is taken place, and it seems as if the felt .in intelligent and intellectual means were at hand to at last bring circles, we find those stations of the the Gospel more directly to the people. McAll Mission which are in the centre The hand of the Lord certainly seems of Paris crowded by a different class to be in this move on the part of the of peoplefrom those who first attended rulers of the people. We append the these meetings, and who still frequent latest news from this station as conthe halls in the faubourgs. In the tained in the last letter from Mission- Latin quarter a good number of stu- ary Karl Marx, under date of Nov. 1, dents attend the meetings, and in the 1889, printed in substance in The large Salle New York on the Rue Moravian of Jan. 15, 1890: Rivoli, a hall entirely supported in all its varied activities by the ladies of the "The latest intelligence from Leh in the New York McAll Auxiliary, the daily Himalaya Mission is of an encouraging nature. The ruler of the Province of Ladak, called the 'Vizier, has lately discovered, to his chagrin, that the inhabitants of the district in which
MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS
Leh is situated are much behind those of other people and explained matters to them, this· districts tn education. In order to remedy feeling of suspicion gradually wore away, and this defect he promulgated a decree that from when the ruler sent out policemen to look up every family tn Leh and the neighborhood, the children, they began to attend, so that by where there is more than one child, at least last accounts they had a very large number of one child must be sent to school, and betng day scholars at that station. The routine of satisfied that the Moravian lI1ission School is instruction embraces the Thibetan, Urdu, and the best tn the town, he decided upon having English languages, and a portion of the time them sent there. When this decree was first each day is devoted to religious and Biblical published all sorts of rumors circulated lessons. The missionaries have wisely left among the people. Some parents thought it attendance at' the religious instrnction was a plan to kidnap their children, that they optional. At first many absented themselves might be sent to England, and there com· during this hour, but gradually the number' pelled to become Christians ; others suggested who attend tncreases. By last accounts there that the latent object was to tratn them for are sixty present daily. Truly our brethren porters, to cross the mountatns and carry and sisters in the Home Churches should bear' packages from one part of country to another, this mark on their hearts before the Lord or at least, some surreptitious plan by which beseeching Him to open the hearts of this they might be induced to become Christians. stolid people to receive the Word of the In consequence of these rumors the decree of Gospel, that it may prove itself the power of' the Vizier was, at first, silently ignored, or God unto the salvation of many souls there." disobeyed; but as the missionaries visited the -(Rev.) Paul de Schweinitz.
I1I.-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD-FIELD.
China. showers and favoring breezes. The annual going forth of these tnfiuences is coincident THE WORSHIP OF HEAVEN BY THE EMPEROR. with the commencement of the return of the snn from its southern decltnation. at the time [Though long, this descriptive letter from of the winter solstice, on the 21st of our our correspondent, Dr. Happer, will be read December. This betng, according to their with interest.-Ens.] system of nature, the commencement of the' going forth of the power ofprod,!ction of the Canton, Dec. 21, 1889. male principle tn nature, of which heaven is. DEAR EnITORs:-This date, designated the the head, this day is chosen for the time of the winter solstice, is noticed in some way in all special worship of heaven by the Emperor of lands. It is the shortest day of the year. It China. It is appotnted as an observance of the marks the time when the sun, having reached state religion of China; all the ceremonies, the farthest point in its southern decltnation, offerings, worship, prayers, hymns and sacribegins to return towards the north. . But in no fices connected with it are prescribed in a nation has this natural phenomenon such a ritual which forms a part of the statutes of significance, and so important an observance, the Empire. as in China. It is the time of one of the most imposing religious services tn the world. It is The worship is performed at the altar the day on which the Emperor of China, asthe erected by the Government for this special high priest of the people, worships heaven as worship. It is situated tn a park, which is the patron god of Chtna. This observance of located tn the southeastern part of the city of the day is connected with the state religion of Pektng, and which comprises some 500 acres Of China, which is a system of nature worship, ground. The altar is made of marble. This. or a worship of the objects of nature as the park is surrounded by a brick wall, and it is sonrce of the blessings which men derive divided tnto three divisions by brick walls, from them. Heaven, as the greatest object in running north and south. The southern part the world of matter, is regarded with the of the eastern division is the site of the altar highest reverence, and as the object from at which the worship is offered at the wtnter' which a great portion of the blessings of life solstice. In the northern part of this eastern comes, heaven is the object of special worship. division was built the imposing buildtng which This day, betng selected as the time for was burnt by lightning in September, 1889, at special worship by the Emperor, is connected which prayer is offered tn the spring for a with the system of natural philosophy which fruitful season. is believed among this people. It is held by them that there is a male and female principle The altar is a structure of a peculiar' in nature, by which all natural thtngs are character. There is, so far as I know, no other produced and in1luenced. Heaven is regarded one like it. It is circular in shape, and consistsas the head representative of the male of three successive platforms, the higher one principle, while earth is regarded as the head placed on the lower one. The first platform is, of the female principle. From heaven all 210 feet tn diameter, and is niue.feet above tha productive infinences proceed, as heat, fruitful .ground. The second one, placed on the top of the secondary objects of worship. On the the lowest one, is 150 feet in diameter, and the east side are placed the tablets of the sun, third platform, erected on the second one- stars and planets; on the west side of the nine feet higher than the second one-is 80 feet altar are tablets of the moon, clouds, rain, in diameter and Z7 feet above the ground. thunder and wind, in their respective tents. Each platform is surrounded by a marble There is also, on the middle terrace, a tent of open work railing, except where the stairways yellow silk, which is the imperial robing tent. are placed. Of these there are four, one from each point of the compass, and they continue In front of the Tablet of Heaven are placed in three successive flights of steps to the top an incense urn, two candelabra, and two vases of the altar. The altar is enclosed by two for flowers; and near the southern side of the -concentric railings of open marble work, altar is placed the table at which the ritual Bach railing having four gateways opposite prayer is read. the steps, which are for the ascent of the altar to its successive platforms. 'When the hour of service arrives. the Em· peror proceeds from his robing tent, arrayed To the south of the altar there is a furnace in robes of sky blue silk, to the place of wor- large enough for the whole carcass of an ox ship before the tablets on the highest plat- to be placed on the wood to be consumed as a form. The attendant worshipers are ar- burnt offering at the hour of worship. On the ranged in their respective pllWes, according to -outside of the railings are high poles on which their rank, on the middle and lower platforms, lanterns are suspended. Tbe time for the and on the adjoining grounds on the south- worship is at four o'clock in the morning. east and west sides of the altar to the number The Emperor goes to the park on the day of nearly two thousand. The sacrificial fire Is before. He is drawn in a carriage from the lighted to barn the whole burnt offering; the ·entrance to his palace by an elephant. On his grounds are lighted all around by lanterns; .arrival at the place he makes a tour of inspec- incense is burning in many places; the music tion to all places to see that the preparations is playing according to a programme enjoined for the grand ceremony of the morning are in in the official ritual. At the call of the master readiness. Among the places thus inspected of ceremonies. the Emperor takes his place for are the musicians' lodge, the stables in which worship, and bows three successive times the sacrificial animals are kept, the hall in before each of the nine tablets, knocking his which the sacred tablets are deposited, and head three times during each successive the buildings in which all the sacred utensils kneeling. In this worship he is accompanied are deposited. He then goes to the Hall of by the whole crowd of attendants, at the cry Fasting, where he spends the time in medita- ofthe master or-ceremonies, in their prescribed tion and fasting till he is called by the master order. The ritual prayer is read and then of ceremonies the next morning in time for burnt, that it may thus be wafted heavenward, the worship. The Emperor, when he goes to and the rolls of silk and other objects are the park, is attended by a large number of burnt in the numerous cast-iron urns that are high officials in their official dress, who find scattered about for that purpose. The differlWcommodation in various buildings in the ent parts of service are interspersed with park till the morning, when they all assemble music from the orchestra performing the preat the altar and take their respective places scribed pieces. among the worshipers. When the various ceremonies are a1l per- On the highest platform there are nine formed the Emperor retires to his robing tBnt, tents of blue silk, prepared to receive the tab- and, after resuming his usual imperial dress, lets which are to be worshiped. The principal returns first to the hall of fasting, and from one is the Tablet to Heaven, which is made of thence, in the imperial carriage, to his palace, wood, carved and gilded. It is about two and having, as the high priest of the people and as a half feet high by eight inches wide. On the the heaven-appointed ruler of China, renfront face four characters are carved: dered the appointed worship to the chief god "Imperial Heaven, Supreme Ruler." There of China. are pllWed also the tablets of eight of the ancestors of the reigning dynasty, four on one This is one of the most imposing religious side and four on the other side of the tablet to ceremonies in the world. It perhaps more heaven, according to their rank in the list of nearly resembles the ceremonies at the dediancestors. They are considered in the ritual cation of the temple by King Solomon than as the joint and equal receivers of the worship any other with which we are familiar. rendered. There are special offerings of silk, meats on trenchers, five kinds of grains, wine, A similar worship is paid to earth, as the fruits, fish, etc., spread before each tablet. A head of the female principle in nature, at the very special object placed before the tablet of summer solstice, on the 21st of June, at the heaven is a round azure gem, which, by its altar to earth, in a park on the north of Pecolor and shape, is to represent the object of l;ing, by the Emperor. When the sun bas worship. On the second platform are placed reached its farthest northern limit and begins to return south. it is supposed that the female principle in nature commences its sway. The "'ork of earth is to produce and ripen the grains and fruits which are to nourish man- the Lord and Ruler of China and all men. For kind. Hence, the summer solstice is fixed this great result we labor and pray. Will not upon as the time for the worship of earth as all readers of this statement pray yet more the co-ordinate power with heaven. earnestly that God may hasten it in its time ~ As some readers mIlS" be surprised that I Kingdoms wide that sit in darkness, should speak of earth being honored with the Grant them, Lord, the glorious light; same worship as heaven, I will quote some And from eastern coast to western, passages from Chinese authors as expressing May the morning chase the night."
their views. In the Book of Rites, which is Scotland. one of the Chinese Classics, it is said, "There- fore the Emperor sacrifices to heaven and LETTER FRoM: DR. MILLAR.
earth." A commentator on tliis passage says, Edinburgh, Jan. 22, 1890.
"Heaven has the merit of overshadowing all DR. A. T. PIERSON: things: Earth has the merit of containing all REv. AND DEAR SIR-I have just concluded a.
things. The Emperor, with heaven and earth, perusal of your article in the January number is a Trio; there/m'e, the Emperor sacrifices to of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD heaven at the round hillock, and t9. earth at entitled, "Is there to be a New Departure i~ the square pool." The" round hillock" and Missions. " I cordialIy approve of al] the sug- "square pool" are the terms by which the gestions therein made, especiaUy those bearing- altars to heaven are designated in the ritual. on the establishment of a more direct tie I quote a passage from the Chinese Classic- between the churches and the miSSionaries.
the Book of History-to show how the Classics This emboldens me to submit, for yonr s~ak of heaven as the patron god of China. approval, an idea which I 'have long enter- At page 418 of the Translation it reads thus: tained, that instead of the churches in Scotland "Great Heaven, having given this Middle being directed in their missionary operations Kingdom to the former kings, do you, our by one central board in each denomination, present sovereign, employ your virtue, effect- there should be a Mission Board in eac!.
ing a gentle harmony among the deluded peo- Presbytery, who should see that the churches.
ple, leading and urging them on. So also will in each Presbytery are doing their duty you please the former kings who received the towards extending the Gospel both at home appointment from heaven." Of another Em- and abroad.
peror it is said, "Great Heaven having re- I am a United Presbyterian, and was for garded yon with its favoring decree, suddenly fifteen years a member of the Foreign lIiission you obtained all within the four seas, and be- Board of the church. The board is composed came sovereign of the Empire, " p. 54. of one member from each Presbytery, who This worship of heaven is a part of nature sits for four years. That member is just worship which has come down from remote beginning to learn the work of the board, antiquity. All the objects in nature, as when his time expires, and, unless he is chosen heaven and earth, sun, moon and stars, moun- by some other Presbytery, he ceases to be a.
tains and seas, hills and rivers, and the member.
powers of nature, as clouds, rain, wind and Now, were there a Mission Board in every thunder, the fertility of the soil and of the Presbytery, every member of the Presbytery grains, are aU numbered amongst the objects (clerical and lay) would take his share of the of worship. While, therefore, the ceremonies work of the board, and could not fail t(} occurring on the 21st of December at Peking imbibe a missionary spirit, which he would in are a very imposing worship, yet it is a most turn communicate to the congregation he sad subject of consideration-that the ruler of represents. I have no hesitation in saying this numerous people is giving to a mere that this would lead to a greatly increased object of nature .that worship and homage interest in missions, and I believe this increased which is due to God only. "The Lord made interest would lead to Increased contributions the heavens and all things therein." They are in al] the congregations. A special hour· the work of His hands. The blessings which would be fixed in every monthly meeting of come to mankind through them, which are the Presbyteryfor the missions being taken up, many and great, really come from God, who and the churches would submit the work and created them for this very purpose. It is en- requirements of the past month.
tirely right and proper to be thankful for the I believe the Presbyteries of Edinburgh and blessings received, but the thanks should be Glasgow could easily maintain the whole given to the Creator and Preserver of these present/areign missions 0/ the United Presl>y- things which were created and which are con- . terian Church, and the other Presbyteries tinued in existence by Him for the use of man. would be free to take up other missions, or What a glorious sight it would be to see the to raise means to send out additional mission- Emperor of this numerous people stand up in aries.
his character of ruler and acknowledge the I write you thus frankly, and have to ask living and true God, the maker of heaven and you to think out and· mature the idea. If, on earth, and all the things that are in them, as considering it, you come to the conclusion·
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
that the suggestion is a sound one, I hope you put it mildly, a dislike for foreigners. Perhaps will elaborate it, and press it on the considera- not one in a hundred of them, through the tion of the whole church. interior, bas ever seen a foreigner. If their prejudices allow them to listen at all to our We want not centralization, but diffusion, message, it is, at the best, with a divided in the working out of the science of missions. attention. A missionary may be congratu- lating himself on the close attention of his Yours faithfully, audience, only to find before he gets through, J. V. WHITE MILLAR. from some remark or other, that the attention was given to some peculiarity of his personal United States. appearance or of his speech, rather than to the truth that he was uttering. Again, these WHAT IS IT TO EVANGELIZE •. PEOPLE? people have never heard one word of this gospel. In how many cases could you expect, Minneapolis, Feb. 22, 1890. in one hour's time-a longer average than Mr. DEAR EDITORS-Allow me to call attention Taylor's plan would allow-to get them t<> to what seems to be a misconception in Rev. J. grasp enough of the truth to become believers Hudson Taylor's article, "To Every Creature," in Christ? Is not the history of all mission which appeared in the February number of the work, especially in its earlier stages, a suffi· MISSIONARY REVIEW. Mr. Taylor shows how cient answer to this question? one thousand evangelists, preaching to an average of fifty families a day. could in three A truer conception, as I think, of what it is years' time reach every creature in China. to evangelize a people, is presente.d in the But to anyone who is at all acquainted with enclosed article from the Standard of January the practical work of preaching the gospel in 23 (published in Chicago), an article written a heathen land, the question at once occurs: by one who has been a missionary to the .. What is meant by •reaching every creatnre' !" Is it to tell over to them, one group Chinese for nearly forty years.* after another, the gospel story, regardless of whether they understand it and take it into I have felt the more impelled to write, their minds or not; and when you have finished because, as I most gladly acknowledge, Mr. wi:h one group, pass on to the next, and say Taylor has been honored of God in accomthat t,he work is done? This method has plishing much in the work of the gospel in been tried in some cases, and if this is all China. What he writes is, widely read and that is meant, it might, perhaps, be ad- carries great weight. The more reason then mitted that Mr. Taylor's proposition is not to gnard against misconception in a matter of quite beyond the bounds of possibility. But so great importance. is this what our Saviour meant when he commanded us to preach the gospel to every In closing, let me say that I greatly enjoy creature? Or did he not rather mean that we the MISSIONARY REVIEW, which is doing such should give to men a sufficiently intelligible good service in extending and deepening the idea of the way of salvation through Him, to interest in the supremely important work of enable them to believe on Him as their world-wide evangelization. Saviour? If this latter be true, as I think no one who reflects for a moment will hesitate Sincerely yours, to admit, then Mr. Taylor's plan would hardly WM. ASHMORE, JR. do, We m'lst remember that we are preaching * This article is too long to quote h~re.. ~t to heathen audiences. Most of them have, to treats the subject with firmness and dis~~ml' nation. Possibly we may find space for It III a future number.-Ens.
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Missionary COinity. * also have to be conceded, and if any- thing can be done to lessen these differ- BY BISHOP J. M. THOBURN, D.D., BOM' ences, and to promote f~aternal good feeling, and as far as pOSSIble, frat.ernal BAY, INDIA. co-operation, by all means let It be That it is desirable to maintain tried. But we must not forget, what friendly and fraternal relations among most persons who discuss this subjec.t do seem to forget, that the questions missionaries of all churches and so- inyol'ed are by no means new, and that a general line of policy has been cieties, will be conceded by everyone. followed in all the great mission fields That u~fq~ate d~ff~rences som~ times arIse III the mISSIOn field, WIll of the world, without, however, secur- ing the era of fraternal harmony which –;;;-;rhis article was prepared by request of t :lC many think possible, if not absolutely Calcutta Missionary Conference, but was not necessary to success. At rare intervals read owing to a postponement of the time ap· a new proposal may have been made, pointed. IiI the meantime, the manuscri~t had been promised for publication, and mentIOn of biIt in the main the discussion is carthe fact having been widely made in the papers and many inquiries having been made about It, the writer has not felt at liberty to withhold it longer from the public. J. M. T. ried on along the same old lines, and work, some of which may be briefly repeated and conspicuous failures only stated. seem to create a renewed cry for a policy which has been found weak 1. These boundary lines are very apt from the beginning. to create the difficulty which they are intended to guard against. So far from The traditional doctrine which, in keeping the missionaries apart, and outline at least, has been generallyac- thus preventing causes of disagreecepted on this subject, may be sub- ment, the very line itself becomes a stantially stated as follows: Let each fruitful source of contention. At the non-Christian country be divided into recent Missionary Conference in Lonseparate districts, and each society don, one brother, with admirable canconfine its operations to one or more of dor, admitted that his mission had sufthese, keeping rigidly within the geo- fered more trouble from disputes about graphical boundary line which en- boundary lines than from any other closes its field. This, it is thought, question. A boundary line is often a will make collisions impossible, and at very shifting quantity, and it is nearly the same time secure a division of the impossible to prevent contentions great work to be done in such a way when dealing with vast regions in as to hasten its accomplishment. In which there is no actual occupancy, the next place, let a code of inter-mis- while there is nearly always a strange sional rules be adopted, and made bind- and not verv reasonable eagerness to ing upon all missionaries, forbidding grasp as wide a territory as possible. all such lines of action as are unfra- It is by no means certain that the good ternal, and enjoining all such duties as effects which are often claimed for this Christian love and courtesy demand. policy, are at all owing to it. The in- These two propositions cover, substan- stances often cited are merely examples tially, the whole ground, although in of the wisdom and good sense of the detail, a few points might be added to parties concerned. They would almost them, but none that would affect the certainly have made the arrangements principle involved. Missionaryauthor- they did if no such rule had ever been ities in Europe and America have enacted, whereas the advocates of the generally approved both propositions, policy omit to notice that tile contenin theory at least, and both have tions over which they mourn are too usually passed unchallenged at the Dften caused, not by actual injury, but great missionary conferences held both by a trespass upon ~n imagi?ary at home and abroad. But in recent boundary line. For Instance, If a years the great mission fields of the brotherin China hears that an agent of world have been rapidly filling up, ex- another society has settled a hundred perience has been teaching many valu- miles north of him, he will naturally able lessons, missionaries have had think nothing of it, except to thank opportunities for careful and wide ob- God that another missionary has come servation, and the result is that not a to China. But if his society has drawn few thoughtful workers in all lands a line two or three hundred miles nOI th begin to doubt the wisdom of the policy and told him that aU the territory inin which so many have put their closed by that line is within his juris- diction, he at once feels that he id an trust. injured man, and protests against the The policy of assigning a separate advent of the man, for whose coming he would otherwise have felt thankful. field to each society is perfectly defensible if the object sought is solely that 2. These territorial allotments are of making a proper division of labor, unfair to those who come latest to the and at the same time occupying as mission field. We must remember that much territory as possible. In the missionary societies are constantly earlier stages of the work, and in coun- multiplying, that every few years a tries of vast extent, like Central Africa new society appears in such a field as at the present day, it is eminently wise India, and that its agents will naturalfor workers to agree upon such divis- ly look around for the most suitable ions where practicable, but the case is sphere of labor within their reach. It different when it is laid down as a fixed must puzzle them not a little to be told principle that missionaries must avoid when they reach Bombay, that ,ery one another in the interests of peace, little of India is open to them, that all and that these messengers of love must the centres of influence have been ocnot aspire to a better standard of cupied and are practically closed neighborly living than was known in against them, and that they must seek the dim twilight of the far-off era of some field which thus far has been neg- Abraham and Lot. Many practical lected by their more fortunate brethobjections to such a policy have been ren. who came earlier upon the scene. hrol1s-ht to light in the progress of the 'It will be said, no doubt, that they are painfully familiar, that good men should nevertheless go to some remote often object most strenuously to the district where no missionary is found, advent of missionaries of other sobut those who proffer this advice would cieties into regions where they them- possibly be slow to accept it if they selves are not able to give the gospel themselves were the parties concerned. to the people. One case, of many, will A man has a right to work where he illustrate what I mean. A good man can do the most good, where he be- proposed to plant a missionaryamon'Y lieves himself to be most needed, and a tribe of people who were utterly there may be reasons, perfectly clear neglected, to whom no one had' gone, and satisfactory to him, why he should and to whom no one was proposing to not go to a vacant place which is point- go, but was forbidden by some mis- ed out to him by others. The distribu- sionaries who lived at a great distance tion of workers can never be success- from the place in question, on the fully accomplished by mechanical pro- ground that their society had taken up cesses. If, for instance, another Al- the whole province in which the tribe exander Duff were to land in Calcutta, was included. The enterprise was ac- representing a new society, it would cordingly given up. The poor people be absurd to insist tha,t he must betake are still living in their darkness, and himself to some unoccupied district of the men who kept the gospel from some remote province, upon which no them, will, in all probability, be in missionary or missionary society has heaven many years, possibly genera- any claim. A strict and rigid applica- tions, before any other messenger of tion of this policy would work, not the gospel will attempt to reach those only unfairly, but almost disastrously precious souls. Let no one say that to any vigorous society which wished this is an extreme instance. It is one to enter the Indian field in strong of many, and beyond all doubt this force. rule is operating to keep the gospel 3 The custom has been for the agents from millions of people to-day. In of each society to decide for themselves fact, it is so impracticable in a country the extent of the field which they are like India, and in the nature of the to occupy. Some of them have made case must work so directly against the their selection with wisdom, while free progress of the gospel, that I do o~hers have chosen fields which they not hesitate to say that a rigid enforce- had no reasonable prospect of fullyoc- ment of the rule would put back the cupying for years, if not centuries to evangelization of India a thousand come. Experience has proved that it years.
is nearly impossible to persuade such 5. The word " occupy" is used in so men that they are grasping at more flexible a way that it often misrepre- than they can possibly reach, and sents the facts. For instance, a good hence we have inequalities of the most man, a very good man, once wrote to singular kind among what are called me that he had occupied a district con- the separate mission districts of India. taining nearly a million of people and In one small province we find seven hoped I would not enter it. The occu- societies represented, working at no pation consisted in sending a native great distance from one another, and, preacher to live in a small town, and I may add, without any serious col- preach in its bazars and the surround- lision with one another, while near at ing villages. Had there been any plan hand may be found a district four or for extension, or any resources to make five times as large, feebly occupied by extension possible, this might have one society, and jealously guarded been called an occupation in part, but against what are called the encroach- many years have since passed without ments of other missionaries. A very any vigorous attempt being made to slight study of missionary maps will occupy the field. A district is not oc- show how marked these inequalities cupied because a missionary station has are, and this evidence ought to con- been established within its borders.
vince any candid observer that the Missionaries who have lived in their policy is a practical failure in its ap- station for years have been startled to plication to India. find people living within a few miles 4. In its practical application this of their doors who had never heard the rule has tended to shut out the gospel name of Jesus Christ. What, then, from vast regions where it would shall we say of the million, or perhaps otherwise have penetrated. It will two millions, who live in other parts seem incredible to those in England of the so-called " occupied" district?
and America who so earnestly advo- I am indebted to my friend Mr.
cate this policy, and yet it is a simple Rouse for a definition of the word fact with which many of us in India "occupy," which, I think, covers the case. A blockade of a coast is never and that one society may not be able.
respected so long as it remains a paper or may not choose, to do all the work blockade. Unless war vessels are to be done. For instance, Santhals and stationed along the coast, no one pays Bengali people may live side by side. any attention to it. So with a procla- One missionary may wish to work for mation of missionary occupation. The the one people, and another for the district must be actually occupied, not other. If the s.ociety in occupancy will merely at one point, or even thrQe or do all the work well and good: let no four points, but practically through- one interfere with its agents. But if a out. That is, every man in the district tribe or a caste, or a separatepeople of ought to be able to reach a gospel mes- any kind, are wholly neglected, outside senger without walking more than ten people should certainly be permitted to miles. If there is a place twenty, come to these neglected people with the thirty, or perhaps fifty or sixty miles gospel. This is a practical question at from the mission station, which does the present time. Some are giving their not receive a visit from a gospel mes- exclusive attention to the aboriginal senger more than once a year, it tribes, some are working among low ought to be considered open to anyone caste people, while others avoid the who can actually give the gospel to the lowest castes altogether; and in the na- people. ture of the case, vast multitudes of 6. This policy annoys and harasses people in India must be overlooked, if men who love unity and concord, and this rule is rigidly enforced, or if it is seek peace and pursue it, and yet who applied as many missionaries in the are constantly put in the wrong byac- country interpret.
cusations of interference with the work 8. The rule ignores the freedom of of others. A single instance will illus- converts. As generally interpreted, it trate this point. Less than ten years assumes that all natives who become ago, an agent of a new society came to Christians within a given area, shall India, and wrote to me asking advice be assigned to the missionary working about the selection of a field for his mis- within the area in question. It is sion. He was particular in saying that taken for granted that the converts he wanted a field in which there was will do as they are told, but as a mat- no missionary. He was full of the ter of fact they are by no means al- traditional idea of not building upon ways willing to obey such directions.
other men's foundations, and anxious Anyone who has observed the course to go where Christ had not been of events in other countries ought to be named. I had some correspondence wiser than to expect that such a policy with him, and this wish seemed upper- could be enforced in a country like most in his mind all the time. After a India. In ninety-nine cases out of a year's delay, he at last fixed upon a dis- hundred, sincere converts will wish to trict in a remote part of India, contain- follow those who first bring them ing a million of people, and without any to Christ, and in ninety-nine cases Christian agency of any kind within its out of a hundred they will do better borders. He took his family and re- under the care of these persons than moved to the field of his choice, but under any others. It is said, I know, had hardly crossed the border line be- that Mr. Moody sends his converts to fore he was warned off by a mission- all the churches represented in his, ary from a distance, who assured him meetings, but Mr. Moody would not, that his society had pre-empted the and certainly could not, send his con- field in question, and in due time in- verts to churches out of sympathy tended to occupy it. The new mission- with himself. He could not, for in- ary had his eyes opened, and began to stance, send them to parties who view the policy of non-interference in would teach them as their first lesson, a new light. All over India instances that what Mr. Moody considered con- of this kind can be fouud. Men who version was a delusion, and yet, if he are loving Christians, who love peace were a missionary in Inda, and tried to and hate discord, who love all Christ's apply his evangelistic policy, he would servants and would delight to live in meet with this very difficulty. Again peace with all men, are made to ap- I must beg to protest that I am not pear transgressors, and the complaints drawing upon my imagination. Less, alleged against them are often made than twenty years ago I knew a Scotch by parties who themselves decline to minister, anxious to avoid every ap- recognize the very rule to which they pearance of what he incorrectly called appeal. sectarianism, to send the names of 7. This rule ignores the fact that forty converts of a union meeting to a '
within a given field there may be dif- clergyman in Bengal. Not the slight- ferent races, or castes, or languages, est notice was taken of the letter, and I believe that nearly everyone of the does not lead, but follows such a move- forty was utterly neglected, and in ment as this. He is told of inquirers due time drifted back into carelessness in such and such a place, goes over to' and indifference. A lesson which them, baptizes them, and organizes missionaries in all foreigncountries are them into a church. If India is ever very slow to learn is, that the humblest to be a Christian empire, similar move- converts have rights. It is for them ments will be witnessed all over this to say what their ecclesiastical affilia- vast country. But all such move- tions shall be, and if, for instance, they ments will ignore the artificial bound- chance to live within the limits of a ary lines which have been laid down field in which the missionaries tolerate by men who could not anticipate the caste, no low caste convert should be developments of the coming years. I compelled to join such a mission. It have been much perplexed by some of was recently said in print, that at this these movements myself, but some present hour there is a whole village years ago became convinced that the of inquirers inSouthern India, willing only way open to one who wished to and anxious to be baptized, but who follow where God led, was carefully are denied their right because they and conscientiously and tenderly to chance to live a very short distance nourish and,eherish every such develbeyond a boundary line which was opment of normal Christian growth. laid down long years ago by parties Missionaries everywhere should hail long since dead. These poor people, every such appearance with joy, and for reasons which they have a perfect pray that what is the exception may right to entertain, refused to go to the quickly become universal. missionaries to whom they were sent, and hence are kept in nominal heath- 10. This policy ignores the special enism, contrary to the spirit of the call which the Holy Spirit so often New Testament, and contrary to the gives to the Christian preacher. Paul spirit of Christian justice. and Silas were Spirit-led, and they planted permanent churches where· 9. This policy interferes with the they preached. If India is ever normal progress of the gospel. We brought to Christ, many successors to ought to look forward to the time when these men will yet appear. Could Christianity will free itself from the such men work in India as Paul narrow limits of the mission house and worked? It is constantly said that mission agencies, and begin to ad- Paul never built on other men's founvance over the country from heart to dations, but this policy forbids a man heart and from village to village, by to dig for his own foundation. If a steady process of normal growth. when Paul reached Philippi he had Whenever it becomes a living, indigenous Christianity, it will advance in been met by a deputation of brethren, this way. In some places we see indica- telling him that they had a monopoly tions of such advance for which we of all the foundation-Iayin~ in Greece ought to be devoutly thankful. I was and Macedonia, and directmg him to told recently that the well-known go elsewhere, he would have instantly movement among the Telugus in replied, " Not for an hour!" It is not Southern India is steadily creeping probable that India will ever see northward. It is becoming more and another Paul, but that she will see more a normal outgrowth, and it will hundreds of men of like spirit is ceradvance from heart to heart and from tain, and we should open a way for village to village on lines which no them rather than close It against them. human wisdom can either mark out or obliterate. We may as well try to Let us in the next place glance legislate against the advance of white briefly at the proposed code of interants as against the advance of a move- missional rules. Such a code, if agreed ment which is simply a normal out- upon with practical unanimity by all growth of vital Christianity. In west- the societies interested, would, no ern Rohilkhund, on perhaps a smaller doubt, be of value asa guide to young scale, a similar advance has been missionaries, and it would also greatly noted. The people have relatives or influence public opinion, which in the fellow caste men, and becoming earn- long run will be found the chief factor in settling points in controversy. But est Christians, they speak to these it is nearly certain that any attempt friends of Christ, who m turn becom- to give such rules the force of laws ing interested, wish to be Christians, will end in failure, and probably agand in this way Christianity has cross- gravate the evils which they are ined the Ganges at many points and is tended to prevent. A somewhat elabormoving westward. The missionary, or" ate code of this kind was actually the native preacher, as the case may be, adopted in the Panjab about a quarter of a century ago, but it proved a dead letter, or nearly so, from the first, and ridiculous light by being made the fre- at present seems to be unknown. A quent recipient of undignified com- code of laws cannot be effective with- plaints.
out a judiciary to expound them, and If then we are to have no code of an administrative department to en- rules and no mission boundaries, can force them. We have only to fancy a nothing at all be done to promote a civil code in India, with every plaintiff proper spirit of comity among mission- and every defendant assuming the aries? Beyond all doubt something function of advocate, judge and jury, can be done, but not on the old lines. in order to see how aLsurd it is to pro- First of all, there should be a radi- pose a code of laws which can neither cal change of policy. We should for- be officially interpreted nor enforced. eyer discard the notion that mission- This explains 'why it is that nearly all aries cannot dwell together in love attempts in this direction seem to fo- and harmony. Instead of saying. ment discord rather than allay it. How good and how pleasant it is for How could it be otherwise when both brethren to dwell apart in comity, let plaintiff and defendant attempt to us boldly and firmly maintain the pass judgment on the case in dispute? ground that it is a good and pleasant A close and faithful study of human thing for brethren to dwell and work nature will greatly assist us in con- together in amity. As a matter of sidering this question. Missionaries fact we all haye reason to know that are very much like other people, and brethren of different societies who will continue to be like other people. live and work side by side have fewer vThen any two human beings differ differences than those who live far warmly oyer any question, it is amaz- apart. We ought to be ashamed to ing how clearly each one can see his proclaim to the world that we cannot {)wn side of it and how blind he is to work side by side. In October last I the merits of the other side. As a saw Christians of the London and the matter of fact, has not the average Methodist Episcopal Societies in a com- missionary this infirmity in common mon assembly day after day, taking with other men? And if so, what council together, and waiting on God possible use is there in laying down a together, and it was impossible to dis- law for him which he will be sure to tinguish between them. How much interpret in the light of his own in- better this than to keep them separated terests? For instance, a missionary as if they belonged to separate castes! is asked to intervene in a neighbor's We need not plant our stations in the ~]uarrel, and allows his feelings to lead same towns for the mere sake of ex- him into the dispute. He is reminded hibiting our fraternal loye, but let us of a rule forbidding such meddling, no longer shun one another's presence, but at once replies, " This is a case of and thus almost ostentatiously progross injustice. I am merely helping claim to the world that we cannot live the weak," etc. Or, a discarded helper together. comes to him for service. He accepts 2. As far as possible both mission- him, and when reminded of the rule aries and converts should co-operate against such procedure, replies, "Yes, in their common work, especially in but this case does not come under that meetings for the promotion of their rule. This man is in the right," etc. spiritual life. Instead of having a It has been suggested that a com- committee of reference for the settle- mittee of reference might be appoint- ment of disputes, two or more societies ed, and that all disputed questions might have a joint committee for the might be referred to this body, but this promotion of their mutual interests.
would only be adding to the difficul- In former years the London and the ties of the case. Could such a com- Methodist 'Episcopal missionaries in mittee enforce its decisions'i' And Kumaon had such a committee. and would all missionaries be willing to the plan worked admirably. It is in- submit their cases to such a body? finitely safer for us to attempt to legis- VVould not a certain class of men al- late in the direction of practical amity, ways be ready to show special reasons than to attempt deliberately to make 'why each one's own particular case provision for the demands of future should not be sent up to such a com- discord. mittee? In important cases a refer- 3. For the correction of unfraternal €nce to such a committee might "eem conduct, and of all conduct which may fitting enough, but it is extremely be hurtful to our common cause, 'we probable that many trifling differences must, depend chiefly on the power of would be magnified by such a refer- public opinion, with now and then a €nce, and in this way a dignified com- reference to the home authorities. vVe mittee would be made t,) figure in a ""may as ,"veIl assume, once for all, that offences of some kind will come. It non-essential point of doctrine, he is has been so since the beginning, and not quite a gentlemal1, and much lesswill no doubt continue so. Some of a Christian.
these will be trival enough, but others (e) Per contra, he will not attempt will be grevious. In recent years, in to bind his helpers down to a low salary – India at least, every missionary is a for life, refusing to give them certifipublic man. Missionary opinion is a cates of character if they wishto leave, distinct and potent factor in the em- and thus virtually making them his pire, and when a man is tempted to bondmen. The Christian gentleman is do a brother a wrong, or to do himself bound to respect the rights of his a wrong, nothing will restrain him so native brethren.
much as the recollection that what he (f) He will not accept as true every does will be made public. Every mis- evil story brought to him about his sionary of moderate experience knows brethren, nor will he lend a sympa- that there is an unwritten code by thetic ear to those who speak disparag- which the missionary public will judge ingly of other missionaries. The mis- every case which comes before it, and sionary who is willing to listen to such respect for this code will powerfully talk will never fail to hear false or restrain those who might otherwise be distorted stories about his brethren.
inconsiderate. As a matter of fact the (g) He will not engage in undigni- force of this opinion has been distinctly fied disputes about trifling matters recognized of late years, and in my which are unworthy of his attention.
opinion it has done much to promote (h) He will not make himself un– good feeling among missionaries, and happy because others do not work ac– to prevent what, under other circum- cording to his ideas or methods, re- stances, might have been serious, or membering that each worker standeth even disastrous differences. or falleth to his own Master.
4. But after all, the question of peace (i.) He will not assume rights or and concord must depend very largely privileges, either of action or judg- upon the character of individual mis- ment, which he does not freely con- sionaries. Not long since a mission- cede to every other worker in the field.
ary was giving me a history of a sad This list might be extended, but it is dispute in a local church, in the course needless. It only remains to be said of which he said, "IfMr.P– had not that after all precautions have been been a Christian gentleman, he could taken we mayexpect to find ample op- have carried off most of the people and portunities for the exercise of our- have broken up the church. But he Christian forbearance. Weare not was a gentleman, and refused to inter- much better than our fathers, or much fere in any way, and in time the diffi- farther advanced than our brethren in culty was settled." If we must have Christian lands. We may expect to a code, let it contain but one rule, and see thoughtless brethren transgress at· let that rule be: Every missionary shall times, and we may expect to see sen- be a Christian gentleman. A Christian sitive brethren bring unjust accusa- gentleman will not offend in any of the tions against those who have done following particulars: them no harm, but in either case it (a) He will not meddle in a neigh- ought not to be a very serious matter bor's dispute. If asked he will act as for Christian men to bear and forbear, a peace-maker, but in no other char- and go on with their work in quietness acter. He will not even think of try- and love. Life is too short and eternity ing to profit by such a dispute byas- too near for Christian missionaries. of suming charge of one of the parties to all living men, to waste their time and it. destroy their peace by disputes about (b) He will not receive an excom- matters which in nineteen cases out of municated Christian, unless it be after twenty have no value whatever.
very satisfactory repentance and refor- A Word from Syria about the American.
mation.
(c) He will not enter a field where Bible Society.
another missionary is successfully The Syria Mission at Beirut appointworking, and try either to appropriate ed Rev. W. W. Eddy to write on their his harvest, or seize his opportunities. behalf to the Secretaries of the Ameri- In other words, he will not in any way meddle with another's work. can Bible Society. We are favored (11) He will not, however indirectly, with a copy of the letter, sent in ac- cordance with that action. The inentice another's helpers by offering debtedness of the Syria Mission to the them increased pay. If he does this under the pretense of obeying a reli- gious conviction, especially on some American Bible Society,acknowledged in this letter, but illustrates the indebt- second of April next, and to offer some appro- edness of well nigh every other Ameri- priate testimonial to him in view of his eminent can foreign mission to this same noble services to literature and science. The Sultan agency. The letter is dated January has signified his regard by presenting one of 2, 1890, at Beirut, Syria, and was read his highest decorations to honor the occasion. at the meeting of the Board of Man- Doubtless Dr. Van Dyck looks with more com- placence upon the work done by him for the .agers, March 6th, and at that very ses- American Bible Society than upon all his other sion the Board made grants of books labors, and certainly it is this work which the and funds amounting to $72,880, in- King of kings will most honor. cluding appropriations to the Presby- .. We have to thank the Society for the interterian Board of Foreign Missions, for esting and· profitable messenger which comes Bible work in the Lodiana Mission; to to us from them each month, in the shape of the American Board, for its Austria the Society's Record.
Mission; to the Missionary Society of "We thank the Soci9ty that for so many the Methodist Episcopal Church, for its years they gave us the frequent companion- ship and profitable fellowship of their repre- Sweden Mission; to the Bible Society sentative in the Levant,'the loved and lamentof France; to the Russian Bible Society, ed Dr. I. G. Bliss, to help us forward in our and to the Society's agencies in Mexico, work.
Cuba, and the Levant. .. We can but wish that in some way the The issues from the Bible House bonds which unite the Bible Society and the Syria Mission were closer and more perceptiduring the month of February were ble. We recall with pleasure the visit of Dr. 109,179volumes; issues since April 1st, Gilman, and esteemed it most conducive to this 1889,922,493 volumes. end; but such visits ought to be repeated at least once in a decade, or they fail of due in- The Syria letter reads as follows: fiuence.
"Our obligations to your Society are great .. Surely the Society should be congratuand constant. Itis the arsenal whence we draw lated, as well as thanked, for the magnificent the weapons for our spiritual confiict with the work they are permitted to do in this land of hosts of error and superstition on these old the Bible-in giving to it this past year alone battle-fields, memorable in the world's history. more than twelve million pages of the Arabic You give each warrior for Christ a sword which Scriptures-that thus they may re-sow these will not fail him in direst combat. With it we •holy fields' with the pure seed of the word, fear not to meet Moslem or nominal Christian where for centuries has flourished Satan's crop armed with weapons forged in Mecca or Rome. of tares unchecked and disastrous. Nay, more, you send us winged messengers, which we can let fiy over walls which we can- "We might tell you much to cheer you in not scale and capture citadels which we cannot your labor of love: how the colporteur who enter. visits the khans on the highways of travel, re- .. We have to thank you for the varied forms turning, has told us of groups of wayfarers in which the Arabic Bible is printed, adapted to all circumstances and wants, and for the listening nightly to the reading of the Scripexactness of its conformity to the original and tures, who then carry in their memories to the purity of its style~ so attractive to the Arab their homes treasures more precious than taste. Wben I came to Syria we had ouly a those laden upon their beasts of burden. translation made from the Vulgate, unfaithful to the original and full of grammatical errors. "We might tell you of a Bedawee youth wh() Now we have one to which we can refer when learned of Christ in a school in this city, and we wish to test the correctness of the revised visited lately his tribe in the desert east of English version. Horns, spending some time with them and de- lighting the people of his tribe by reading to .. I am writing this in a house separated by a them the stories of the Old Testament and the narrow street from the building in which Dr. poetry of the Psalms. Oh I how reluctantly Eli Smith lived, who labored so long and so they parted with him, returning to further successfully in your service, commencing the pursue his studies. immortal work of giving to theArabic-speaking races, in their own tongue, the pure word of "We might tell you how we hear of homes God. Dr. Van Dyck, whom God has honored In this city of Beirut whose inmates dare not by permitting him to carryforward and com- admit a missionary within their doors, nor plete this work, now stands at the threshold of even acknowledge his salutation before others the fiftieth year of his arrival in this land. when they meet him in the street, where the His numerous friends here, of all sects, propose Bible is read, yea, prized and believed in as the to celebrate this jubilee, which occurs on the only truth; but this will suffice.
"Ye who stretch your hands so far, and so full of blessings to your fellow-men, cease not also to stretch your hands upward to God in supplication that he may open more widely the doors for the entrance of the gospel into homes
1890.J THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS•
.and hearts in Syria, and that he may give Press, copies of the Scriptures are also multi· liberty of conscience and Qf profession of faith plying by thousands, so by the influence of the to all; that, as through the influence of the Holy Spirit may be multiplied the numbers of many schools in the land, readers are multIply- those who believe in the truth to the saving of ing by thousands from all sects, and as, by the their souls. "
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. F. F. ELLINWOOD, D.D• .Buddhism and Christianity in Burmah Father, no helper in this world, no and Siam. Saviour for the world to come. Exist- There are three great religious forces ence is an evil to be gotten rid of.
now contending for supremacy in All desire, the purest as well as the Ceylon, Burmah, and Siam. These lowest, is to be supp~essed. The are Animism, or Devil Worship, Budd- ideal life is that which withdraws hism, and Christianity. The above from mankind and suppresses all symnamed are all known as Buddhist pathy and shrivels and destroys the countries. There is no such mingling noblest impulses of life. Buddha en- of religions as in China or Japan, and joined upon his "mendicants" to the type of Buddhism which they "wander apart like a rhinoceros," present corresponds most nearly to and to abide in silence "as a broken the original teachings of Gautama. gong;" thus theyshot4d attain Nirvana. The old Atheism is retained. No This ancient system has certainly personal God is recognized, and there is no such thing as a human soul; enjoyed fair opportunities in all the countries above named. Itwas intro- there is only a succession of thoughts duced into Ceylon at least two cenand conscious emotions. Continuity turies before Christ under the auspices of the ego after death is treated as an of royal authority. A son and a illusion; only karma, or character, re- daughter of the Indian king Ashoka mains, and that becomes the inherit- were its first missionaries. It was ance of an entirely different being. never crushed out there asin India by Southern Buddhism is a purely an overpowering Brahmanism, nor confronted by elaborate philosophies ethical system; it regards the Buddha such as it encountered in China. It as dead-his conscious existence ex- tinct. He is not a source of strength was transplanted into Burmah in the and help except by his example, his fifth century, A. D., and into Siam sacred Law, and the Sangha or Mon- and Cambodia in the seventh century. astic Order which he established. It became the state religion in Siam There is, therefore, no trust in super- and Burmah: It has for ages dominatural powers, and consequently no real prayer; there are only liturgical nated all educational ideas, such as formularies, or the expressions of they were, and regulated the national customs. t aspiration and desire. There is no Every youth in Siam is supposed to doctrine of sin in the proper sense; spend a certain time in a. monastery instead of sin there is only an untor- under priestly instruction. Princes tunate entanglement of soul with mat- have sometimes given years to mo.
tel', an inheritance of "consequences" nastic life, and notably the lathel which have come down from former of the present king. In Burmah, existences. There is throughout the children of the better class are sent universe a fatal disorder for which to the monasteries for day-school nobody in particular is respo:.!lible, instruction. In one sense Buddhism and. gods and men and beasts are impresses itself upon all things, upon simply victims of misfortune. There customs and the national thought, and is, of course, no doctrine of Provi- even upon the scenery. The archi- dence, no conception of a divine tectural curves of the pagodas seem as much a part of the country as the kindly and beneficent; even its atheism was better than the worship of malig- sweeping fronds of the fan-shaped nant spirits. It cultivated kindness. toward everything that lives; it palm, and the gentle tinkling of the mitigated the oppression of woman, stimulated intellectual activity, and temple bells is mingled with the sighs taught the equality of mankind as alike capable of enlightenment and and moans of the evening breeze. honor. It discouraged warfare and encouraged the arts of peace. But as The enormous wealth which ha.s it gave little instrnction and no spiritual help, it left the lower masses been expended upon the system in the to their fetichism; and to that they resort to the present day. Five or six distant past is indicated by many years ago the young king of Siam was compelled to rebuke, by public procla- splendid structures, which, though mation, certain superstitious customs which were working great public now in ruins and in some cases over- injury. A single example will illus- trate the cruelty of some of the usages grown by the forests, surprise the be- which widely prevailed in Siam and holder by their extent and elaborate- Laos. Any disease which leads to delirium ness. The following description, given or mental aberration is supposed to be by Bishop Titcombe, will illustrate the the work of malignant spirits who have entered into the patient at the magnificence of some of the pagodas instigation of some enemy living in the neighborhood. A" devil priest" which still remain: is therefore summoned, who, with some blunt instrument, like the point ., The Great Shway Dagone Pagoda of an elephant's tusk, prods the uncon- of Rangoon has a golden spire and scious sufferer in different parts of the jewelled top, which glitters in the sun body until a cry of pain reveals the from every point of the compass. location of the evil spirit. The next Even the terrace or platform on which question is, what relative or neighbor the pagoda is built rises over 160 feet has caused the mischief? This is, from the level roads beneath it, and is arbitrarily decided by the priest, who 960 feet long by 685 feet wide. The pronounces sentence on whom he will. ascent to this platform is by four From that moment human hope flights of steps, one opposite the cen- departs from the poor victim of his tre of each face. The pagoda itself, accusation. He is driven from his built on the centre of this immense home and possessions, to be thenceterrace or platform, has a ground cir- forth an outcast. No man is allowed cumference of 1,335 feet, and rises to to give him food or shelter, or show a height of 370 feet, which is about him any kindness; he is driven to the that of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. jungle, to subsist as best he may, or It is gilded from top tobottom, and its fall a prey to disease, or to wild beast.s. golden spire (or htee, as it is called) His family share his fate. contains at least $250,000 worth of jewels, with silver bells that are for- That devil worship prevails to an ever tinkling in the breeze. Chapels equal extent in Ceylon, is shown by a and shrines, also, of various sizes, are declaration made by Rev. S. R. Wilkins, built around this pagoda, on the plat- at the Missionary Council, in London, form of which thousands of wor- in 1888: "It is commonly reported by shipers pace during the days of high festival. Within these, hundreds of images of Gautama may be seen, of all sizes, sitting, standing and reclining, before which are continually burning tapers and &ndles. This building claims to be, and very probably is, more than two thousand years old; it is enriched by thfl supposed relics of eight hairs from the head of Gautama, besides the bathing garment, the water-dipper and walkingstaff of the three preceding Buddhas."
But how far has Buddhism over- come the spirit worship of these countries?
When first brought into contact with the old pagan superstitions, it no doubt :wrought great improvements, though it did not deliver from their bondage. In its earlier history it was those who believe in 'The Light of they are in distress th~y go to a Confu- Asia,' that the people of Ceylon are cian, or a Buddhist, or a Tauist temple, Buddhists. I say they are not. I do whichever may be most convenient, not know much of book Buddhism, or most strongly recommended, just as but I do know a very great deal of the men try a variety of nostrums for 13uddhism of the people as it is bodily ailments. The most common practiced, and I can say this, that of resort in every-day life is to the god the so-called Buddhists of Ceylon, of wealth, or to jugglers, who control ninety per cent. are demon wor- the fungshuay, or the influences of shipers. The creed of Buddha says good luck. There is no greater sham there is no God to worship, therefore in our day than the assumption that the people turn to demons, as they the masses of the people in a country have done in Ceylon. To-day the so- like China, or Siam, or Ceylon, are in called Buddhists of Ceylon are demon any intelligent sense Buddhists. The worshipers, and this is the case, not system never claimed to be an all- only with the people, but also with embracing church. It institutes a the priests. Two or three months ago holy order of monks, and they may I went out distributing tracts, and properly be called Buddhists; they· called at the house of a demon priest. profess that religion, and live by it.
I asked him, ' What is your religion?' There are general rules of life for the 'Buddhism,' he replied. I said, 'Why, laity, but they are under no organiza- you know it is quite contrary to the tion or systematic teaching; they are creed of Buddha for you to practice under no vows, or even enrollment.
those demon ceremonies.' , Yes,' he If we can imagine a Roman Catholic said, , I know it is.' , What about the country with no churches, but only Buddhiet priests,' I asked, 'do they monasteries and nunneries, with no ever preach against demon worship?' systematic instruction, or ordinances 'No,' he said, 'we go to them, too, and sacraments, not even baptism, when they are sick.' " we shall have a counterpart to a There are so many apologists of Buddhist country, in which the people Buddhism in our time who insist that receive more or less general influence at least one-third of the human race from the monks, but are left to follow are under its sway, that it seems their own popular superstitions. The necessary to present such clear state- proportions of devil worship and ments as the above from those who serpent worship are probably greater have lived in the East, and have been now than in former days, for every- careful observers of the facts. Rev. where modern Buddhism is in a state Dr. Happel', of Canton, has estimated of decline and decay.
that the Buddhists of the Chinese Bishop Bigandet of Burmah declares Empire, instead of numbering three or that: "Ignorance prevails to an ex- four hundred millions, do not exceed tent which can scarcely be imagined, seventy-five millions. Rev. Dr. Nev- and often the priests are less intelligent ius, of North China, in answer to the than the laity."
question, "What proportion of the Mr. Gilmour in his "Among the people are Buddhists?" replies that Mongols," says: " The grewt sinners in there are comparatively few, aside Mongolia are the Lamas (monks); the from the monks, who would call great centres of wickedness are the themselves by that name, if, indeed, temples."
they even knew what was meant by A Japanese Buddhist, in an address the question. The great mass are of welcome given to the Theosophist, nothing at all by self-designation; they Col. Olcott, on his arrival in Japan some have no religion whatever, except as months ago, declared that the religion occasion seems to require. When of his country is iI). a sad decline. Mr. Fukasawa, the eminent journalist It tells me by voices ever repeated, of TOKYo, has often represented the that I shall be subject to sorrow, im- system as effete. A published tract of permanence and unreality, so long as the Shin sect in Japan, says of the I exist, and yet that I cannot cease to monks: "They delude men, they de- exist for countless ages to come, as I ceive themselves; they forsake the can only attain Nirvana in the time of world, and are more worldly than a supreme Buddha. In my distress 'I. ever." ask for the sympathy of an all-wise and all-powerful friend. . • . But I Mr. Louis Liesching, an officer of am mocked instead by being told to Government in Ceylon, said at the look to Buddha, who has ceased to ex- London Missionary Conference of 1888: ist; to the Dhamma, that never was "I have never met with a Buddhist an existence; and to the Sangha, the priest who did anything for the benefit members of which are, like myself, of his fellow-creatures. Theyare men partakers of sorrow and sin." whose only care is to live in sloth and indolence, and to spend their days in Turning from the delusions of Buddgetting what they can from the people, hism and the prevailing devil worship and giving them nothing in return. we ask, what has Christianity done By the fruits of religion, religion for Burmah and Siam ? must be judged. I have been a judicial officer and a revenue officer in The history of the American Baptist Ceylon, and I can say that though Missions in Burmah constitutes one of the Buddhist professes to have such a the most thrilling romances of modregard for life that he strains even the ern times. The peculiar circumstances water he drinks, yet among no people which led Dr. Judson to Burmah, inis human life held at a lower estimate stead of India; the sufferings which than among Buddhists. Why? With were endured by him and his wife in Buddhists life is life, whether it be in the early days; the wonderful door of the form of a mosquito ora human be- entrance presented to Mr. and Mrs. ing; and to kill one is as bad as killing Boardman and others among the another. I have known a young man Karens-all these things are as housedash out the brains of his own sister, hold words among those who know in order that he might charge another even the alphabet of modern missions. who was his enemy with the crime." Even Gautama himself never ex- hibited a heroism like that of these But as there are many who, while devoted men and women. From the admitting the decline of the system beginning of his preaching as the (and Christianity, they say, has also Buddha, he was honored even by frequently declined and become cor princes. He spent his whole ministry in rupt), still maintain that the original peace among his own people and died system was ennobling, we add the an object of virtual worship. These testimony of Rev. Spence Hardy, of missionaries had forsaken country and Ceylon, as to the blighting character friends to bear an unwelcome mesof Buddhism in the very nature of its sage to the needy, to submit to privadoctrines and in its best estate. He tion and imprisonment, and disea.'!e says: ," The system of Buddha is hu- and death-not like him for their own miliating, cheerless, man-marring, glory, but for the glory of another. soul-erushing. It tells me that I am not a reality, I have no soul. It tells Whoever candidly compares the me that there is no unalloyed happi- living truths which they taught with ness, no plenitude of enjoyment, no the dismal negations of Buddhism, or perfect, unbroken peace in the pos- their lives with the lives of the monks, session pf any being whatever, from as above described, will not wonder at the highest to the lowest, in any world. the transformations which they and their successors have wrought. The
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
.Burmah mlSSIOns are among those been done mainly by the missions which are accounted the most fruit- of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. ful, those at the contemplation of For many years great discouragements which all friends of Chnst's Kingdom were encountered, and among the thank God and take courage. Laos about twenty years ago a vio- lent persecution was suffered at the Witness the last annual report: hands of the king. But the last ten years have witnessed very encourag- Communicants. . . • .' . . . . . 29,952 ing success. Baptized during the year. • . • . . 1,912 Number of Churches . . • . . . . 521 The Government has uniformly Self-supporting Churches. . . . . . 377 been favorable. The young king of Total Number of Native Preachers.. 524 Siam has repeatedly uttered words of Churches and Chapels. . . . . . . 404 welcome, and even of commendation, Amount of Contributions . . . . . $46,067 and. both he and his governors of provinces have contributed material This certainly indicates a noble suc- aid toward schools and hospitals. Miscess, even statistically. But could any sionaries have been called to the highjust measurement be applied to the est positions as educators and superinmoral elevation of these Christian tendents of hospitals, and for the people as compared with the super- medical ,work especially valuable stitious masses around them, the re- properties have been given. In the sult would seem vastly greater. small Laos Mi~sion the last year has been one of great prosperity. Ovef a A prosperous work is carried on in thousand communicants are reported various parts of Burmah by the So- and about 700 pupils in schools. ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel. The Roman Catholics also claim large results.
The work in Siam and Laos has VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Nicaragua and Oosta Rica. less specially favor the planting of The brief article we published in our missions both in Nicaragua and Costa March issue on Nicaragua as a prospective missionary field of the first Rica. importance, has, as we anticipated, attracted wide attention, and awakened Among the responses we have reno little interest and inquiry. We believe there was never a more prom- ceived is the following from" the isingopening for our great missionary societies to study and prepare for in only Protestant missionary in Costa the near future. The writer of that paper urged the great Presbyterian Rica," which we are sure will deeply Church to go up and possess the land, and she will disregard a loud Provi- interest our readers: dential call if she does not. But the call is to the whole American "The March number of THE MISchurch, and why should not the great SIONARY REVIEW contained an article Methodist Episcopal Missionary So- on Nicaragua, also referring to Costa ciety, and the great Baptist Mission- Rica. Having visited Nicaragua, and ary Union-both of which have some residing in Costa Rica, it occurred to special facilities and opportunities for me that a littleinformation respecting it-take hold of this enterprise? The the present condition of these repub- Hon. Warner Miller, an earnest and lics might be interesting to all Chriswarm-hearted Methodist brother, who tians, especially those interested in is President of the Nicaragua Canal aggressive Christian work. Should a ,conStruction Company, would doubt- waterway ever be made through Nicaragua, all that the writer predicts would doubtless come to pass. But whether the canal be made or not, one thing is certain: Christian mission work must be taken up in real earnest without further delay. As a result of a missionary tour to several islands and certain ports on the main land, the Jamaica Baptist Missionary So- ciety decided to commence mission work in Costa Rica. Two years have passed since we commenced the work and money for the much needed work in Port Limon, where we reside, and in these countries." which place is at rresent the centre of our operations. We hope to com- The statements of this letter abun- mence building our church very soon, although we have not enough money dantly confirm oUr previous paper. as yet to complete it. We conduct services four tImes weekly, including It cannot be that the powerful United the Sunday-school, in the largest building available. On the new rail- States, whose missionaries are going road in course of construction to San Jose, the chief city of this country, forth into .Africa, China, Burmah, we frequently hold services with the men in their camps; also among the India, Turkey and the Isles of the Sea, little settlements of people on the existing railroad. will utterly neglect these sister repub- " The condition of the people, mor- lics lying so near to us, and with whom ally considered, is of an appalling character. Drunkenness, immorality, we are seeking more intimate and. gambling, cutting and shooting, are common occurrences. .As the writer extensive commercial relations. is the only Protestant missio~ary in the Republic, you may conceive his In the Gospel in All Lands, for hands are more than full. To visit those people means a great deal of .April, the Hon. N. F; Graves has a, traveling. Bibles in English and Spanish, tracts, books and booklets, paper on "Costa Rica," which we are sold and circulated; thus the seed is being sown. While I am up coun- would like to reproduce here, but can. try my wife conducts services in the town. Our work at present is chiefly only refer to and cite a few points: with the English-speaking, of which there are many. There is a splendid Costa Rica is the most southerlyopening for Protestant preaching in republic of Central .America. It is a San Jose and towns near. .A mission- small country, containing only 26,040 ary speaking the Spanish language, square miles, and having a population possessing a clear head, a good knowl- of 210,000; but the population is now edge of human nature, a bright, genial rapidly increasing. _ disposition, a heart filled with the love of Jesus Christ, and compassion In all parts of the country except for men's souls, would soon get a good the sea-coast the climate is mild and foothold and make rapid progress. temperate. The thermometer seldom rises above eighty degrees or falls " .As far as I know there is only one below sixty-five degrees. The climate Protestant missionary in Nicaragua, of the coast is hot, but on the tableat Greytown. He is a good, faithful lands in the interior, with an elevation brother; he has recently rebuilt the of about 4,000 feet, there is an agreelittle Protestant church there, and God able climate, with moderate warm, is blessing his labors. Greytown is dry, and cool nights. Nine-tenths of an open port, enjoying religious lib- all the people live on the table-lands. erty. But outside that place there is Nearly all the people belong to the' scarcely toleration. It is gratifying to white race. It is quite different from know that the majority of the youn&" most of the other Central .American influential men of Nicaragua are agI- States. Here there is a very little of tating for, and will soon secure, the the Indian mixture and none of theboon of religious liberty. But at the negro. In the city of San Jose it is present time, one acting judiciously said that nearly nine-tenths of the could preach the gospel in private population are of pure Caucasian houses, scatter the Word of God, and blood, and you meet as many beautiful thus work on until the brighter day ladies, and as well dressed, as you do comes. The Jamaica Baptist Mission- in the Northern cities. The people of ary Society would gladly send more San Jose reside in elegant residences missionaries into these countries, but replete with not only every convenat present cannot for want of funds. ience, but every luxury. The mer- Possibly by giving these particulars chants and professional men of Costa publicly in your REVIEW, the means Rica stand high in manners as well as may be forthcoming for securing men in capacity for doing business. They appear like .Americans. Education is not so universal as in our country, but all leading families are highly edu- cated. The government is vested in a president elected for four years. The Senate is chosen, two from each province, and the representatives are elected, four from each district of ten thousand people, and alI persons who are of age and can support themselves. are voters. The schools are free, and compulsory to all children between will be" the highway of the nations," the ages of eight and fourteen. The the " gate of the world." Through it government university is at the capi- will pass, when it is completed, the tal, under the care of Dr. Juan Ferros, ships of all nations, and the peoples of who is said to be a learned man and every land and race. Not only will practical educator. He has able pro- the ships and steamers of all the ports fessors to aid him. There is a system on both sides of the American conti- of graded schools under the direction nent, from Labrador to Terra del -of the minister of education. There Fuego, and from the Straits of Magel- has been a constitutional amendment lan to Alaska, pass through this high- ;adopted which separates the Church way, but the ships of Russia, Scandi- from the State. Under that law the navia, Great Britain, Germany, monks and nuns were expelled from Austria, France, Spain, Portugal and the State, and the monasteries and Italy; of all the African and Medi- nunneries were confiscated and taken terranean ports, of all Asiatic ports, for school-houses and other public India, Burmah, China, Japan; all uses, and the power and perquisites of Australasian, Malaysian, Melanesian, the priests sUbstantially taken away. Micronesian and Polynesian ports, Still the Roman Catholic religion is the must find their way thither, for the State religion; but the constitution exchange of the world's commodities; and laws guarantee religious liberty and, either by the distribution of tracts, and toleration. pamphlets, and especially portions of the Word of God in all the languages There are no missionaries in Costa spolren by these peoples, or by the Rica. There are some Protestants in employment of colporteurs, or native the towns, and in the capital there is missionaries, to embark on all the a small chapel where services are read larger of these ships and steamers, and and hymns are sung, and I;lometimes a preach Christ to them, must these sermon is read by a layman, but there various nationalities be reached. is seldom a minister present to take part in the exercises. The English 2. It is indispensable that this move- .societies have talked of establishing a ment should be one in which all missionary station at the capital and evangelical Ohristian churches shall -<>ther places, but have not yet done have a part. The denominational so. The time has arrived when there missionary societies have accomplished should be missionary stations, and it very much towards the evangelization is believed there is a great blessing in of the world, and have been wonder- store for those who will raise the fully blessed in their labors; but here' standard of the Gospel in this land. is a point, where, by their united action, the time may be hastened, at [Since the above was written and in least by a half century, when the kingdoms of this world shall become the printer's hands, we have received the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and yet where no one of the the following bugle-blast from that churches may say to another, "Stand veteran and accomplished student and back, this is my field; 1 alone will writer in the missionary world, Dr. L. occupy it. " No! the sacramental host of God's elect must march forward P. Brockett, and we give it place here under the leadership of the Captain of their Salvation, for the conquest of -as a valuable and powerful indorse' not only our own great continent, but the conquest of the world for Ohrist. ment of the views expressed in the Let the advancing columns bear on their gonfalons the legend, " America article referred to.-J. M. S.] America for Christ.
DEAR DR. SHERWOOD: I was very much interested-as who that loves the cause of missions was not-in the <:ommurucation, in the March MISSION- ARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, entitled .. Nicaragua as a Missionary Field."
The importance of occupying some accessible point on the Nicaragua Inter-Oceanic Canal as a universal missionary station cannot be over- estimated. In a higher sense than any other point on the globe, that canal for Christ!" and, as their conquests struction Company. Nothing would become greater and greater, let them, delight him more, we are confident, at a later time, inscribe upon their than to aid in this blessed work of the banners, "The Whole World for world's evangelization. Christ I" If this work be vigorously prosecuted, while the missionary work But by whatever agencies it shall be in the various countries is pushed for- wrought out, let not this great and ward with a constantly-increasing glorious opportunity of aiding in the zeal, I, for one, do not despair of seeing subjection of the world to Christ slip the prediction of your noble colleague out of the hands of the Protestant fulfilled, namely, that in the lifetime Christians of America and Europe. of the present generation the whole Rome, desirous of retaining its hold world shall be evangelized. upon the Hispano-American races of Mexico, Central and South America, 3. Who will take the lead in this will contend against us desperately, great enterprise-the greatest ever at- but her power is waning, and she will tempted by man? If the Evangelical fight a losing battle. Infidelity will Alliance could be inspired with such seek, as in India and Japan, to overa burning zeal, as to take the com- throw us; but, with God on our side, mand of this holy crusade, they could we shall win, and then on the head of accomplish the work better than any the Captain of our Salvation shall there other organization, but I fear that be many crowns of victory. their zeal might not reach or be maintained at a white heat. Like Gideon's Dr. Pierson's Visit Abroad. army, before they were tested and sifted, they are too many, and the number While a sense of delicacy has reof the fearful, timid, boasting, and strained us from saying much in these self-indulgent in their ranks are too pages concerning the mission of our numerous. associate to Great Britain, and the impression and effect of his visit and If our dear Dr. Pierson could be labors in the cause of missions, leaving multiplied by five others, we should his letters mainly to tell the story, yet need no better human leaders; or if now that his work is done, and he has Dwight Moody collJd be spared from left for France and Italy, where he his present beneficent work, he might will remain till the last of May, we lead our armies forth to the conquest. cannot withhold the following testi- mony, alike honorable to him and to Failing these, why should not THE the grand old historic church which MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, presented it to him through their Forundenominational as it is, and with a eign Mission Committee.-J. M. S. zeal which is born of its Christly purpose, raise its banner of "America for "At Edinburgh, the 4th day of Christ," and seek to rouse Christians March, 1890, the Foreign Mission Comof every name to undertake this great mittee of the Church of Scotland met and glorious work? "They that be and was constituted. wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn " On the motion of Dr. Pagan, the many to righteousness. as the stars for following resolution was unanimously ever and ever." agreed to: The Foreign Mission Com- mittee desire to record intheir Minutes, It seems to be providential, that at and to convey to Dr. Pierson their this very time the HONORABLEWARNER most grateful appreciation of the MILLER, a man of great energy and service which he has rendered to the executive ability, of the strictest integ- cause of missions during the time he rity, and an earnest Christian, has has been in Scotland. His powerful been called to the Presidency of this addresses and unwearying labors all Nicaragua Interoceanic Canal Con- over the land, prompted by the single desire to deepen interest in the exten- tions, and address them on the subject sion of the kingdom of Christ, have of foreign missions. And it is no ex- made an impression upon the members aggeration to say that for such a mis- of the Scottish churches, which, by the sion he has no superior. He has a blessing of God, will bear valuable knowledge of missions, wide and fruit. The Committee resolve to re- yet specific, unsurpassed by any misquest Dr. Pierson to allow them to ask sionary secretary. He has stUdied the the General Assembly that he give an problem of modern missions, as few address on missions when their annual men have, in its underlying princireport is given in. They feel assured ples, as well as in its methods and histhat if he can comply with this request, torical developments. He has grace, his presence will be most cordially fluency and readiness in speech, which welcomed, and the cause which is so any man might envy. And there is dear to him will be more effectively an earnestness, a spiritual baptism, a helped than by any other arrangement sweep and vigor of thought and a which it is in the power of the repre- power of impression in all his adsentatives of the Church of Scotland to dresses, which thrill and sway and make. captivate the immense audiences which gather to hear him wherever "Extracted/rom the Minutes 0/ the he goes. So that his peculiar fitness for this kind of work, and the mani- Committee by fest tokens of Divine favor attending "J. MACLAGAU, Secretary." it, at home and abroad, clearly indi- cate that he ought to continue it. We While on this subject, on our per- believe that if a few liberal friends of sonal responsibility, in response to missioni were to provide a support for many inquiries from individuals and him for a few years, and let him go from societies and associations, as to forth continually among the churches Dr. Pierson's public work after his re- of all denominations, it would lead to turn to the United States early in June, grand results. we feel at liberty to say this much: And still we know that Dr. Pier- While in London, during the month son has very strong leanings to the of January, he occupied the pulpit, for pastorate. As a preacher, he is no less four consecutive Sabbaths, of the interesting and superior than as Westminster Church, which has a a missionary lecturer. Our ideal seating capacity of 3,000, and is close choice for him, on the whole, if by Buckingham Palace. He subse- we were allowed to chose, would be quently received a unanimous call to this: Let some comparatively small the pastorate of this church. We be- church in some central locality call lieve as yet he has not given a formal him to be their pastor, with liberty to answer to it. We think, for family carryon to a considerable extent the reasons and for the sake of his work general work in which he is now enin his native land, he will decline the gaged. ·With his long experience and tempting offer. He is. in heart and accumulated resources, he could meet purpose, committed with us to the the ordinary demands cf such a passustaining of this organ of world-wide torate, and still find time and strength missions, believing it can be made a to respond to the most important calls powerful instrument in rousing the from the general field. Dr. Pierson church at large to feel a deeper in- has the most work in him (brain and terest in missions, and to prosecute physical) of any man we have ever them with greater zeal and determined known, and that without fatigue. We purpose. Besides, we know that he ourselves know, and have known for feels that he has a special ca11 from more than fifty years, what hard work God to go among the churches and co11eges, and seminaries and convenis and a plenty of it, and yet we have praise Him, and bringing good out of never before known such an instance evil. The " two great curses of Africa of endurance. are pitted," in His providence, "against After the above was in type we each other," and what the Christian learned that Dr. Pierson's friends in powers might not be able to do to Scotland have crowned all their acts of abate the rum ruin, the Arab slavers appreciation of him and of his eminent may accomplish. Strong ~ords were services, by appointing him to the heard in the Congress, and the action "Duff Lectureship." This Lecture- taken " to surround the entire coast of ship was founded in memory of Dr. Africa with a cordon of armed dhows, AlexanderDuff, and has been filled by and confiscate every European vessel such eminent men as Dr. William containing liquors, and sell the crews Fleming Stevenson, and Sir Monier into slavery," looks like business, and Williams. In conveying to him the business of a vigorous sort. A few fact of this appointment, the venerable such captures and confiscations would Dr. Thomson of Edinburgh says: "I strike a wholesome terror among the suppose you will have heard that the European and American traders in Duff Trustees have appointed you as this infernal traffic. We could almost their next lecturer. Nothing could be be reconciled to see the "crews sold more cordial than the appointment; into slavery" by these worse than and I may add no appointment could piratical traders. J. 11. S.
be more gratifying to myself. I hope no obstacle will be found to stand in Mission to the Chinese Blind. A the way of your acceptance of the ap- note from Miss C. F. Gordon-Cum- pointment. You have proved that, of ming, the noted traveler, and a warm all the men of the age, you are most friend of missions, calls our attention qualified to do the subject justice." to the Third Annual Report of the J. M. S. Mission to the Chinese Blind, 1889.
The Khartoum Congress has been The report consists mainly of the de- mentioned before in these columns in tails of Mr. W. H. Murray's work in connection with the Congress of Brus- China, written out by Miss Gordon sels. It is not a little remarkable, that herself. We have given heretofore while the great Christian powers are some account of Mr. Murray's system convened by their representatives to of teaching the blind, by which they deliberate and to devise means to check successfully have been able to learn to and finally overthrow the horrible read with great facility. Mr: Murray, slave traffie in Africa, the slave traders previous to this, was a colporteur of the should also assemble to the number of Scotch National Bible Society at Pe- 200 delegates to devise measures to king, and sold more than 100,000 copies suppress the traffic in liquors, which is and portions of the Bible in the Chinese sweeping Africa with the besom of and Tartar languages. He now em- destruction. While the motive of these ploys the blind in stereotyping and Mohammedan slave dealers is a purely printing the scriptures and other books.
selfish one-the terrible ravages of the The books are produced at a remark- rum trade among the native races of ably low rate. His school at Peking the country greatly diminishing the has now an average of about fourteen number of their victims, and the conse- boys, who make great proficiency.
quent profit of their own trade in IlU- Miss Gordon-Cumming makes a strong man flesh-yet the Christian world can appeal for aid, both for this boys' school but rejoice in this feature of the Khar- and a separate one for girls. The toum Congress and bid it God speed. treasurer of the Mission states that the It is another instance of a d.i.vine special appeal made in 1889 for funds power overruling the wrath of man to to start this separate school for blind
ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS
.girls, has met with a very small re- various evangelical denominations sponse, amj. it is earnestly hoped that those who recognize how excellent a have given lectures or regular instructraining school for mission workers this may prove, will not rest satisfied tion to the students since it was opened, with giving only one donation, but re- free of all charge. Two of the teachers are members of the senior class, who solve to become regular annual sub- came from the London Institute, at scribers. Subscriptions and donations the suggestion of Rev. Dr. Guinness, will be gladly received by Messrs. Honeyman & Drummond, 58 Bath who is at the head of it. One of the Street, Glasgow. lady teachers is a student who expects [In the brief mention of "Missionary to return to India, where she was a Training Schools," in our April issue missionary for some time. Another (p. 300-2,) the one at Minneapolis was lady teacher is a teacher in the city overlooked. We cheerfully supply the omission by giving the following state- high school. Three of the instructors ment from Rev. D. E. Wells, Secretary of the Board of Managers.-J. M. S.] are physicians; some of the pupils go out as medical missionaries. The Missionary Training Institute of Minneapolis. Fifteen ministers of The prospect of a large accession of students from all parts of the country is created by the correspondence with the president. Thefirst Tuesdayof each month is observed as a day offasting and prayer at the Institute. A public service in the evening is conducted .
mainly by the students in some one of the churches in the city.
VII.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS.
Friends Foreign Missionary Association. Statistics of Korean Mission, Jan., 1890• . Secretary: CHARLES LINNEY, Hitchin, Herts, ~ .; -d " "" ., g ~j ~ ~ England. MISSION BOARDS. ..<:l·C ~ ."~ 52 REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MAY 19, 1889. ~g ~ "'..<:l 'E Receipts………………… .••• £10,717 18 1 I-lA ~~E-< 0 Expenditures……. .. ……… 9,371 8 7 – – – – – -I-l – The Society has in Madagascar 3 stations: American Methodist Settled Board…………. 2 in Seoul 1 2 2 4 0 Antananarivo, Mandridano and Arivoninra- AmericanPresbyterian rao, with 6 male and 9 female missionaries, Board………….. 3 " 1 Australian Presbyte- 3 0 and a medical branch with 3 male and 1 female 0 212 missionary. rian Board .. : …… 1" 001 0 0 Toronto University, o country 100 0 0 In India 2 stations: Hoshangabad and Lo· Y. M. C. A……… hagpur, 5 male and 7 female missionaries. Toronto Korean Union In China, 1station: Hanchung, with 1 male Mission……… Government School 0 " 100 00 and 2 female missionaries. Teachers………… 0 Seoul 0 0 0 2 2 There are other out-stations, and the work, especially in Madagascar, is large and flour- — — ishiug, but it is impossible to gather the full 6 34592 statistics from the reports. If our friends would kindly be a little 'more complete in 1 ordained man and 1 lady teacher included their statistical department, they would con- who are to arrive this month. fer a great favor on those who watch the work with interest.. 5 of the above fresh arrivals. Missionaries returned home or quit field in Bible Ohristian Home and Foreign Mis- 1889: 1 doctor, 2 missionaries, 2 lady teachers, sionary Society. 1 missionary's wife. Total, 6.
.' Secretary: REV. I. B. VANSTONE, 73 Herbert SCHOOL-HOUSES, ETC. Road, Plumstead, Kent, England. REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING JULY, 1889. Boys' Orphan Home, Presbyterian…….. . Girls' ~~~, ~' ……… . Receipts…. .. . … ……… . • . . . . . £7,091 15 7 Expenditures. " " " Methodist ………. ,_ Missionary School " ………… Home…….. £3,667 1 0 Australia. . . . . 2,723 2 1 Government " ……•.•…………….. New Zealand. 320 11 8 China.. ……. 490 0 O. " Hospital (Dr. Heron), Presby- Balance. ….. 707 14 6—- £7.918 9 3 terian Board …… _ … .. ……….. .
The Society has in China 2 stations: Yun- Missionary Hospital, Methodist…. … .. ••. nan Fu and Chao-Tung-Fu, 4 missionaries, 4 preaching places, 7 members, of whom 5 were Population of Korea, from 12 to 15 millions; .. admitted during the year. population of Seoul and suburbs, within a 3· mile belt, one million. Belt around Seoul permissible of travel without passport, 30 miles. Ports open to residence of missionaries yet unoccupied, 3-Chemulpo, Fusau, Geutau. By REv. H. LOOlrllS, No. 42 B1BLIIl HOUSE, YOKOHAMA. [Obliged to omit several columns.-Eos.] ] il il E .e~ · ,,'" a~ j ~~ ~ ~ ~ t ~ £j :ga! g .~ " ~ . ~ §.li3rh8~ § ~ ~ J,..~ f~ to ..~., '/il ~'" ~ ~ .!!! ~~ w. 0 2 z=;", ~ OS ~ .9 ~ ~ ~ § as ~ S ~bc …:I ~ 0 ~ ] ~ 'Cl~£ ~ rn'~ ~ '" ",';."..,..M~ ~~ I~ ~g ! 1 " '5 = " " " " " " " t"1 t"1 NAME OF MISSION. "gfli ~<tl ~"·,Oglj ~~ Il-<.S <!l.,; ~ 0 A w. $1. ~ ~ z,·,:!~l §!a "'1: .<l ~" .£::.~ ~ iS~ ].~ ",&l :o§ '0 .S ~ ,'"; ,to; .S 's5, 's, .S i~.s'S.sO~. :8 ~ …. S'Ol .~ .<l'" is :~ ~ w. ~~ E."o,s:E0!:i '0 §'ie0II 0.a.s. ~aS i: . '§'~ ~'" ~,.;'~" r~ is': 0 – 0 ~'.".. ~ ~ ~·Ol ~.~ a,s; ]"P~o -0 :;l :;l .~ ~ 11 ~ iOllJ i>.,; ~- aSgJ – s-w.as ,,~ -0 ~~ '" 'O0l .~ psO·£la:s: p M… – Po – as -0 -0 aPso>" .<l 1il 0'; Po §o &.9 ~ 1l -A ~aS8 —- -~ – -&:- -w. w. – – -Z – 0 -~ Presbyterian Church in the U. S •……….. 1859 21 2 24 68 61 — Reformed Church in America ……………. 1859 10 1 6 27 4 Union Presbyterian Church of Scotland…… 1874 3…….. 6 1 United Church of Christ in Japan…… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … 94 68 . . . . . ;. 1,348 90 .. … . …
Thlformed Church in the United States ……. 1879 3 …. 2 8 1 …… …. …… .. …………………. Presbyterian Church in the U. S. (South) … 1885 4 4 3 15 3 … …… .. .. ………………… . Women's Union Mission'ySocietyof America 1871 …….. 5 5 1 115 …………………….. .. Cumberland Presbyterian Church………… 1877 4 …. 6 14 4 .. …i "6.2…. .. . American Protestant Episcopal Church …… 1859 11 2 9 33 3 41) 248 77"… … …. 23…. . 25'" 597 1 .. in .. .. 2,372'43 Church Missionary SOCiety………………. 1869 12 4 7 35 9 0,20 242 99 59 218…. 46…… 19 411 1 25 3 22.. 2,274 18 ~~Jir~f!et~~p:O;::~ti~~·~fth~·G~;,:p~i(~). 1873 "'6 '''9 "io "3i '''5'ia 49 3 46 …. 90 ..25 .::: :::: :::: :::: .~:::: '''8 ';"4OO'i "io ~ ~~ ::"';;800'00 Wyckliffe Colle~e Mission (Canada) ….. " … 1888 1 1… 3 1…. …… …. …. … …… ….. …. 1 . 402 American BaptIst Missionary Union ……… 1860 12 2 13 39 7 39 11…. 11 163 …. …. 4 22 10 953 19 676 1 11 4 28.. 819 23 English Baptist Church(4) ……………….. 1879 1…….. 2 1 19 2 …. 2 40…. 1 2 9 3 a 200 1 67 2…. 1 4.. 153 53 Disciples of Christ……………………… 1883 3 1 2 9 3 4 1…. 11 49 …. .. 20 12 2 151 9 500 .. 2. 15 00 Christian Church of America ……………. 1887 2 …. …. 4 1 3 3.. 3 35…. 17 20 6 1 93 7 135 1 2 6 .. 78 80 ::t::.S:fu~::::~::::;~~;.. ~;~~..(~;:: ::: ~ ~… ..~~ 8: 1: .~~ ..~~ ..~ 14 .~:~~~ ~~~ ….. :::: .~~ ~~ '~',~~~"~ .~:~.~ ~.. 30 66 …. ~~:~~.~ Independent Native·Churches……………. …. …. …. 2 2 1… 2 2 …. 41 13 1 2 1 206 4 266 .. …. 1 1 1 542 16 Berk1ey Temple Mission, Boston…………. 1888 1… 2 1. … … … …. …. …. … ……… … ……………… … _ .. …. .C~fl American Methopist Episcopal Church(l) … 1873 18 1 23 60 9 36 53 7 46 _ 590 120… ……. 39 4,121 71 4,113 2 33 26 40.. 6,372 45 o>-~3 4 6 18 3 15 309 85 15 38 43 23 1,538 11 1,001 1 9 7 24.. 4,100 00 Canada Methodist Church(3) …………….. 1873 7 1 9 24 Evangelical Association of North America … 1876 5…….. 10 135 5 93 21 33 3 10 8 371 13 465 1 13 8 13.. 550 00 … Methodist Protestant Church…………….. 1880 5 …. 4 14 2 1 2…. 2 29 5… 2 …. 4 192 2 280 1 3…. 3 .. 188 60 Am. Methodist Episcopal Chnrch (South)….. 1886 6 4 3 19 4 7 5… 5 109 13 17 36 11 3 241 18 417 1 8 1 12.. 352 69 rp General Evangebcal Prot. (German Swiss)… 1885 1 1 …. 3 1 1 2 …. 2 …… …. …. 1 2 151 1 54 1 4 …. 1 .. 200 00 Socetr of Friends, America……………… 1885 2 .. – 1 5 1 1 1.. .. 1 4 …. …. …. .. _ …. 3.3 3 100……. . .. 3 .. 10 00 Christian Alhance……………….. _……. … 1…. 1 3 1……………………………….. ……………………………………. ..
Total, 1889………………… ,………. .. . 16~ 34 171 527 84 448 . 274 153i 151 5,007 535 365 544 286 351 31,181 350 21,597 ~ 275 135 409 ~ 53,503 13 Total, 1888……… " ………………… .:..:::. _150 ~ 124 443 ~ 3241 249 ~, 157 6,959 728 442 365 352 ~ 25,514 295 16,634 ~ 287 142 257 8 64,454 70(5) Increase. 1889….. …….. … …. .. . 16 7 47 84 12 1241 25 611…………….. 179…. 190 5,667 55 4,963 3 . . . . . . . . 152 . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
NOTE.-It is impossible to get exact reports from all the Churches up to Dec. 31st. It is probable that complete statistics wonld have increased the total membership about ten per cent.-H. L. (a) Approximate. (1) Statistics to July 31st, 1889. (2) This mission makes up complete statistics to March 31st. A part of those given above ~&~:r°e ia'p9p.ro~xli~me:aatesoinnlcyl.ude(3d) StatiStiCS. made up to April 1st, 1889. (4) No Report for 1889. The figures given are mostly the same as 1888. (5) In the Report of contribu- ~..-. a donatio!) of 30,000 yen towards the Doshisha. at Kyoto. Tile o!'dinary cOlltlibutjons of 1889 exceed those of tile previous year to the amonnt Established Ohurch of Scotland. Leipsig Evangelical Lutheran Mission.
secretary: J. T. MAcLAGAN, 6: N. St. David's Secretary: DR. J. HARDELAND, Leipsig, Ger· Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. many. REPORT FOR 1888. REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR THE PROPAGATION Receipts……………….. , … Marks, 313,862' OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS, FOR Expenditures. .. …… …… .. .. . " 280,449 YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1888. The Society's.work is in India,where it has 24 Stations. Among them: Tranquebar, Poreias; Receipts (at home) ……………… £22,740 Trichinopoli, Madura, Madras and Rangoon. Expenditures. …. .. • .. •• …….. …. 34,421 There are also 141 preaching places, with These are the fignres furnished us by Mr. 6,947 communicants, including 240 additions. MacLagan for the tables published in the De· cember number of the REVIEW. The Church The missionaries (ordained) number 25. and' of Scotland Mission Record for May, 1889 gives there are 14 native ordained pastors, and 476 the total contributions (which we suppose in· other helpers, catechists, teachers, etc. cludes those above) at £28,485 5s Sd. The published Report, pages 138-9, gives the total The schools number 166, with 4,394 scholars. charge as £26,507 8s 1<1, aside from the balance Dec. 31, 1888, of £4,854 78 3d. We suppose that United Methodist Free Ohurches, Home the discrepancies are due to the,combination of and Foreign Missions. special funds with the general funds. So with regard to the expenditures, which, on page 141 Secretary for Foreign Missions: Rev. J. TRUS' of the general report, are given as £31,36115s 4d, inclusive of the balance of £2,250 15s 5d, COTT, Burslem, England. . leaving as actual expenditure then reported, £29,110 19s 11d, made up as follows: REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1889.
Expenses of missionary establish· Receipts. ments…… …… ……. ….. £26,543 16 3 Ordinary…………………. .. £8,71810 2 Other expenses connected with Miscellaneous and Special.••••… , 529 142 missionaries.. …………….. . 842 Communicants' Fund .•••••••••••• 324 00 Travel·expenses, Mission Record, printing, etc……………… .. 320 Foreign Local Receipts….. …… 10,857 14 0'
Office management and miscel· Total ……………………. £20,429 18 4 Ianeous ………………….. . 990 17 11 Expenditures.
Extra for law expenses……… .. 414 3 7 Home Expenditure •••••••••••••••£ 2,555 1 3· Foreign Expenditure…. ………. 6,162145 Total…………………… £29,110 19 11 Foreign Local Expenditure… …. 10,857 14 O' Balance in hand …. .. …. ……. 854 8 8 The additional is probably made up from special fund expenses. Total …. '" ………….. £20,429 18 4 STATISTICS. STA.TISTICS OF FOREIGN WORK.
.; ,;, ii"'':"": ,~g .. " il .; ,;, M rn " '" ,;, .d.0 ;a ~ '0 '" ~ " .~ .~.. S " c '" " j '" " 0:: ~ ~ ,;, ~… .S .d .e: ~ .'s" 0:: " ~"" """ t '" ~'"1: ~ "'il .d .d -<j 0 0 -rn . _rn – Z 0 – – – '– – 1. Australia. Victoria and Tasmania… 29 67 1,684 123 57 47 54 3,181 2. Australia, New South Wales and – – – Queensland. 9 37 659 73 14 14 20 .1_,48-2 — – – – – – – – – Colonial ….. 38104 61 – 74 .4_,66-3 — Calcutta .. . 14 .. ,$ 153712477 2,343 196 71 31i.m~", ~ ~ P~A 1~ ~~ — 1i . g Madras .. .. .. 3. China…… 3 12 365 39 5 12 4 43 4 4 59 5 181 34 2,136 4. East Africa 4 9 223 36 5 6 226 Bombay … 5. WestAfrica 4 84 2,809 80 15 1 10 1,386 is Panjab .. .. Darjceling. 2 1 .. ~ ~ .. 26 15329 '5 29 1,091 UnPersities 6. Jamaica … 8 44 3,470 94 26 20 33 2,176 lIIission .~ 1 ~ 7. New Zea· £l (Indepen't – – – land…….. 12 37 898 21 23 11 22 2,216 — – ._- Sikkiml…. 11 .. ] 1 1225 S a 48 — East Africa 3 23 .7.,,-/,".. 3 16 3 425 Foreign …… 31 186 7,765 270 -74-44-7-5 6,047 China …… 1 " " . . 1 1 14 1 16 – —– — Total …… 69290 10,108 466145105149110,710 ———— TotaL … 16 17 11 38 8102 32 805 7218315,393 In the society's report the work in Australia is included in the foreign work. We have
PROGRESS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN
.separated it, but given the totals as in the re- besides, the African Fuud, the receipts of port. The stations in China are Ningpo and which were £4,009 3s Sd, and expenditure Wenchow; in East Africa, Ribe, Jomon and £3.267 3s lld. Golbanti, in the Galla country, on the coast north of Zanzibar; in West Africa, Freetown, The statiDns .of the Society are at Fernando Waterloo, York, Bananas, Sencho.o, and Penta- PD, Santa Isabel and San CarlDs Bay, West .foo in Sierre Leone. Africa; A1iwal in SDuth Africa, and .on theZam- besi, the last two being quite recently estab. Reformed Presbyterian (Oovenanter) lished. They repDrt in Africa 7 missionaries, Ohurch of Scotland. 7 native assistants, 467 native members.
:Secretaries: Rev. RDBERT DUNLOP, Paisley, Basle Misirlonary Society. SCDtland; Rev. J. D. HDUSTDN, B. A., CDle- raine, Ireland. Secretary: HERR TH. OHLER, Basle, Switzer. REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING MAY, 1889. land. REPORT FOR YEAR ENnING 1888. .Annual expenditures•. __ ………. _. __ •••. £600 The mission field occupied by this sDciety is Receipts…………………..Francs, 1,021,074 Expenditures. …. . .. . . .• . • .• • " 1,046,610 Antioch, Syria. The missiDnary fDrce CDngists .of on" missiDnary, with his wife, and .one India has 152 stations and out-statiDns, .66 lady teacher, five native teachers, .one cDlpor- male missiDnaries, 49 female missiDnaries, 15 teur and tWD Bible WQmen. There is .one native .ordained preachers, 398 native other church, with fDrty members. The SCDtch and helpers, 5,027 communicants, 884 additions. Irish SynDds unite in the SUPPDrt .of this China has 41 stations and out-stations, 17 male mission. missionaries, 12 female missionaries, 6 native ordained preachers, 85 native other helpers, Primitive Methodist Missionary Society. 2,029 cDmmunicants, 196 additions. Gold Coast, Africa, has 107 StatiDnS and out-statiDns, 'Secretary: REV. JDHN ATKINSDN, 71 FreegrDve 33 male missionaries, 22 female missionaries, Road, HQlloway, London, N. 18 native ordained preachers, 149 native .other helpers, 3,235 CDmmunicants, 698 additiDns. , REPDRT FOR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1889. CamerDDn has 11 stations and out-statiDns, 8 'Total income for HDme and male missionaries, 1 female missiDnary, 1 native .ordained preacher, 9 native other FDreign Missions ……. ' .•••.. £17,88280 helpers, 153 commmiicants, 10 additiDns. Expenditures. _.. .•••••••••..•.•• 13,626 8 0 These are taken from the published tables It is impossible accurately to separate the in the report of July, 1889. In furnishing a HDme frDm the Foreign expenditures in the statement fDr the tables in the December general accDunt. AbDut £6,000 are evidently nmnber, the number of missiDnaries was given fDr HDme MiSSiDuS in England. About £2,000 by Secretary Ohler as, male, 162; female are for what might be termed Colonial work, (including missionaries' wives), 110. These especially in Australia, aud about £1,500 for probably included all in commission. .strictly foreigu mission expenses. There is VIII.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Af"rlca.-Recent telegraphic despatches ings in Africa, The li'ree Church Monthly for -show a determination on the part of Portugal March has the following: "In the Missions to enforce her IDng standing but unsubstantial Catholiques of Lyons, we learn no secret was ·claims to territDry along the East A.irican made of the fact that Cardinal Lavigerie had ·coast. A correspondent of Central Africa made arrangements with the King .of Portugal says: "In the Nyassa country the Portuguese to .occupy what were called' the PDrtuguese are pressing fDrward with the utmDst haste to provinces of the Shire and Nyassa.' Under secure all the advantage they may from the these arrangements Romish missionaries expeditiDn of Cardoza, and probably before would have been armed with powers and .another month has elapsed some arrangement privileges, partly from Rome and partly frDm "ill have been made between .our rulers as to LisbDn, and the result would have been interwhat portion of that part of Africa is to be ference of the most intolerable kind with given over to Portuguese influence; we cannot PrDtestant work in the whole regiDn." call it rule. This meaRS the extensiDn of the drink traffic and the maintenance of slavery. -A telegram from Zanzibar confirms the It is possible that all that part of Nyassaland rumDr that Mwanga had succeeded in re-estabto which this mission was originally sent may Iishing himself as king of Uganda. Itis stated that he has prDclaimed himself a Christian, becDme nominally PDrtuguese territDry. More and that the pDwerof the Arabs is cDmpletely we cannot say, .but this is enough to cause the overthrown, Christian men, either Protestants greatest amdety." or Roman Catholics, being nDW in authority.
-On the recent action of the English Gov- Mwanga's Christianity is dDUbtless altogether .ernment in the matter of PDrtuguese proceed- of the nDminal sort, yet he has had convincing evidence of the selfishness and wickedness of intercourse, the government cannot open a. the Arabs, and of the faithfulness of the railway from the port of Teintsin to the capi- Christians, and it is but reasonable that he tal, a distance of eighty miles, as the people should trust the latter rather than the former. have risen up in opposition. The central gov- The fact that MI'. Mackay is there as counselor, ernment has had to ask the advice of the gov- a man of unusual energy and clear head, ernors of the provinces. Some of the most inspires the hope that the government in noted memorials of these governors have' Uganda will be conducted in a fairly Christian lately been published, but none of them yet way. see that the defect lies in obstinately neglect- ing to prepare practical text books for their -The Baptist denomination in Liberia is schools. As they resist light, they cannot, the only self-supporting religious body in that complain if they reap the fruits of darkness. country. There are thirty-one churches, with 3,000 members. They have a mission among -The Empress. A Chinese paper has the the aborigines. following, which we translate: "At Peking' there is a pions lady, the wife of a foreign mer- -The extent of European territorial an- chant, who spends her time in doing good. One' nexation of Africa, provisional, protective day she went on a visit to the home ofa Manchu and positive, is quite surprising. The London lady of high rank. She took copies of the' Times says, that of the 11,000,000 of square Holy Scriptures. A young lady was present miles in Africa, six and a half millions are at- who took great interest in the conversation. tached to some European power, and of the She heard the old story of the gospel of Jesus, four and a half millions unattached, half lies who died for a world of sinners. The young' within the desert of Sahara.-African News. lady bent forward to catch every word, and when the Christian visitor had concluded, she -British West Africa. The Niger coun- said: •I am glad you have c~me to tell me try, that is south of the desert and north of this. Some day I will have a place built where the Congo State, extending far east from the people can meet to worship this God and hear' Atlantic, is gradually brought under British this gospel preached.' This young lady is now civilizing influences. The French have sought the Empress of China."-Our Mission. to hem the British in bykeeping them near the coast, and claiming for themselves a large -Napoleon said, "When China is moved,. country north of the Lower Congo. They still it will change the face of the globe." The fact hold much territory here, which England has to be noticed now is that China, having oneconceded, ~ut for some time they have felt the quarter of the population of the earth, ;S' encroachments of British influence on the moving. north and east, and were getting quite uneasy. Meanwhile England has been making her EDgIRnd~Missionaries wanted. The' claims and power more tangible and definite Missionary Bureau invites applications from by special treaties with the natives. Thus the earnest devoted Christian men and women for whole Yoruba country has been attached, and responsible positions now vacant in the foreign free access attained to and beyond the Kong mission field. Some of these posts could be mountains. This includes the cessions of "The held only by men of superior education and Royal Niger Company," and embraces a very ability, capable of superintendingthe work of large territory-some say more than all North others, while for other vacancies ladies with a America.-Afl'ican News. professional training in teaching are required. Two or three men are also wanted to work ChlnR.-The Hong Kong Daily Press among seamen in large shipping centres, and states that Dr. Mary Fulton, of the Presbyteri- there is an immediate need for several men an Mission, Canton, had returned from Poling, possessed of private means, to carry on missixty miles from Swatow, where she had been sion work in South Africa, setting the present, successfully treating two ladies of General workers free for more aggressive efforts. Fong's household. The G/'lneral's family entertained her in foreign style and with great The Secretary will be glad to communicate, courtesy. She also received two gold medals also with any earnest worker who feels led of in testimony of her skill. God to offer for the foreign field. For all who are chosen and set apart by the Holy Ghost. -The text books in China are the same as whatever their educational attainments may they were 2,000 years ago. The consequence be, there is ample room and urgent need. The is that the nation is kept in ignorance of the prayers of those who may be unable to go are marvellous progress of the world since then, earnestly desired, and the consecrated gifts of still thinking that China is celestial as com- any who may feel led to help in sending mispared with all other nations. The mission- sionaries out will be thankfully received and aries and the Christians are the only foreign wisely administered. class whose aim is to bring all sorts of blessings into China by means of churches, schoolS, The Missionary Bureau is entirely an unsecliterature, etc. But hitherto the authorities terian agency, and on its committee are wellgenerally have opposed their enlightenment known representatives of every evangelical up to the limit of violating the treaties. The branch of the Christian Church. All comresult is that after forty-five years' foreign munications should be addressed, " The Missionary Bureau, 186 Aldersgate street, Lon- -Opium smoking. Donald Matheson, Esq., don, E. C." Chairman of the Society for the Snppression of the Opium Trade, states on official author- -In a lecture recently delivered at the ity. that there are now about 10,000 licensed London Institution by lIIr. Scott Keltie, the opium shops in the British territories of India Librarian of the Royal Geographical Society, andBurmah. it was stated that the Empire of England now covers over 10,000,000 square miles, or nearly .Japan.-There are 6~ children In the three times the size of Europe. The population Protestant Orphan Asylum at Okayama. Mr. -of the empire Is estimated at 350,000,000. What Ishiis, its founder, is an ardent disciple of a mighty responsibility does this great expan- George lIIillier, and believes implicitly in the sion of dominibn put upon England in the prayer of faith. The home has had several direction of missionary effort I remarkable experiences during the past few months in answer to prayer. It uses at pres- India. – The following confession of ent an old Buddhist temple, renting ali but Keshub Chunder Sen, a half heathen, half one room, in which idols and tablets, beads and -Christian rhetorician of India, which was sacred books, are stored. recently quoted in a sermon by the Bishop of Huron, is worth repeating, as a remarkable -One of the leading daily papers of the testimony to the reality and success of Chris- empire reports that the Kyoto police are to tian missions in our Indian Empire: "The inquire into the morals of Buddhist priests, -spirit of Christianity," he says, "has already their reputation is so low. pervaded the whole atmosphere of Indian -society, and we breathe, think, feel and move in -In February a Convention of delegates a Christian atmosphere. Our hearts are from 12 Y.lII. C. A's, representing 800 mem- touched, conquered. overcome, by a higher bers, was held at Osaka, and "The United power, and this power is Christ. Christ, not Y. 1II. C. A. of Western Japan" organization the British Government, rules India. No one decided upon. The organization is to be com- but Christ has deserved the precious diadem pleted on April 3, at Kobe. The United Society -of the Indian crown, and He wlll have it." will adopt as their organ the magazine now published by the Osaka Y. M. C. A., and will -In connection with this subject, our read- work especially for the abolition of licensing ers may be reminded how two years ago Sir prostitution, the great moral question which W. W. Hunter, an eminent Indian adminis- is being agitated at present all over Japan. trator of 25 years' experience, has spoken of the whole fabric of native society being pro- -Yo M. B. A. have been organized in various foundlyaffected by the influence of Western Japanese cities. The B. stands for Buddhist. ideas. In a magazine article he also bore em- phatic witness to the eminent success which -The American Board has recently opened was attending the labors of missionaries in a new station at Tottori, a city of 30,000, on India. He has further stated his impression the west coast of Japan. lIIisses Talcott and that there will presently be a great religious lIIcLennan have spent the winter there, living revival in that country. It cannot, then, be in a Japanese house. Rev. G.lII. Rowlar:d and too often or too urgently pleaded, that it is family, and lIIisses 1II. Holbrook, 1II. D., and for Christian England, whose possession of Cora Stone, move therc this spring for per- India involves a very grave responsibility in manent occupation. The Eliot Church of religious no less than in civil and imperial mat- Newton, lIIass., made this possible by a special ters, to see that such a revival shall be in the gift of $5,000. ·direction of Christianity, which, in Sir W. W. Hunter's words, "comes to the Indian races -The trustees of the Doshisha College at in an age of new activity and hopefulness, as Kyoto have elected the blind Yamamoto, a a fully equipped religion of effort Itnd of former official of local fame, temporary presi- hope." It may also be borne in mind that dent of the school in place of the lamented there are millions on the fringe or beyond the Neesima. Rev. P. M. Kanamori, the college pale of Hinduism, to win whom to Christ is a pastor, serves under him as the actual head of vast and urgent task which faces the Christian the institution. -churches. -The annual statistics of missions in Japan -The great movement in the American have just been published. The number of Baptist mission among the Telugus in India, churches is now 274. Of this number 153 are in which 30,000 converts have been gathered in reported as self-supporting. The accessions twelve years, still continues, and is spreading last year were 5,542. and the total membership into the interior of the country. In the 31,181. The contributions amount to $40,662 Nalgunda district fifty-two were recently bap- (U. S. currency), and the increase during the tized in one week. year was $6,876. The whole number of mis- sionaries in the field, including the wives, is -More than 300 students in nine German 527. universities have joined a special school for training missiOllaries for the Jews, of which Norway.-Missionary Skrefsrud's anl'rof. Delitsch is the head. nual report of the Norwegian Lutheran lIIis- sion in Santalistan states that during the past year 415 heathens and 82 children of Christian parents received the sacrament of holy baptism. The membership is 5,272, and the num- Taylor's mission, sends us the following cheer- ber of stations, 14; these are supplied by Norwegian missionaries and native teachers and ing statement: , <!atechists_ After ten years of close observation of Hussla.-The Emperor of Russia is likely to relax the stringent restrictions on Bishop Wm. Taylor's Self-supporting Missions dissenters, as he has sent away the minister of public worship who established them. in Chili and Brazil, South America, I feel so 8yrla.-Revival in Aintab. "Theitemof impressed with the good results that I do not supreme interest in missionary circles is the revival in Aiutab. It is a source of great en- hesitate to state that it deserves the attention couragement to all who have a share in the missionary work in this country. At the last and support of our Church and all Christian accounts the religious interests continued, but the daily meetings had been suspended. Some people. It is no longer an experiment. It is 540 persons have already been received by the three churches-a gain of sixty per cent. upon a marvelous success. the previous membership. The Bythinia Synod has just observed its twenty-fifth anni- During the past ten years about $120,000, versary, and its late meeting is said to have been the best in its history. The revival at gold, has been invested in building colleges, Aintab helped to direct the current of the meeting. All hearts join in the prayer that schools and churches, and furnishing them. the whole land may be speedily blessed by a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit."-Dr. During these ten years over 20 missionaries H. N. Barnum, in New York Observer. have been constantly at work, and there are -The Annual Report of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions gives the following now 28 or 29 in the field. All have had self 'statistics of the Press in Syria: The issues of the Beirut Press are found wherever there is support, and some of the stations have had any call for Arabic literature in the Eastern world. Arabic literature has been enriched in $20,000 surplus over self support, all of which the year 1888 by nearly 2ll,000,000 pages, issued by the Mission Press. Of this vast number, has been invested in the work. 18,045,000 have been pages of Scripture. The number of volumes published is 106,900, of Hundreds have heen converted. Several of which 58,000 are copies of theWord of God. The issues of the complete Bible are proportionally the converts are now missionary teachers in very large, forming about two-thirds of the work of the year. The number of volumes of the mission schools. Thousands are under the Scriptures sent out from the Press in 1888 was '26,848,which is larger by about 3,300 than the is- influence of the missionaries. All the $120,000 sue of any previous year in the history of the Mission. As all missions to Arabic speaking invested could be withdrawn if the property races draw their supply of Scriptures from Beirut, this issue represents not the work of one were now sold. The college at Santiago is the mission in the item of Bible distribution, but the combined result of all societies laboring in finest of its kind in the world. the Arabic langnage. The mission of the United Presbyterian Church in Egypt is co.nspicuous The mission workers are an heroic band. I for its large orders for Bibles from Beirut. The American Bible Society has its depot for the would recommend those who wish to invest sale of Arabic Scriptures in the Press building at Beirut, and the printing of this kind done by their money so as to produce the greatest our Press is in 1llling orders of the Bible Society agency, which, in turn, supplies the orders results for time and eternity, to put it in selffrom the various missions. The call for reading 111atter throughout the East is increasing supporting missions in South America. enormously. Ourown Press is becoming more exclusively a fountain of evangelical truth and There are five stations now in Chili and two religious culture to educated minds, and is a mighty power in guiding aright the religious in Brazil. The need for Christian workers of thought and the intellectual development of many eager searchers after truth. the deepest piety and high grade of scholastic United states.-Self-supporting Mis- attainments is great. Any wishing to enter sions. Vice-president Fowler, of Bishop the work, or those who wish to contribute to this work, may correspond with Richard Grant, 181 Hudson street, New York.
The latest information from all the stations is that the opportunities for extending the work have never been so good as now. Fifty more missionaries could be employed, all of whom could secure ample self support when provided with'churches, schools and homes in which to do this mission work.
I consider that 'an investment of $250,000 would establish fifty missionaries, whose work would go on and on indefinitely until the country is saved. And even then the money invested could be realized if the propertywere sold.
-Missions at the Far North. The Govern- ment has offered to contract with the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church tor the establishment' of mission schools among the Arctic Eskimo, at Point Barrow and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska. Point Barrow is the most northern, and Cape Prince of Wales the most western point of land on the main Continent of North America. A similar proposition has been made to the Protestant Episcopal Mission Society in behalf of Point Hope, Arctic Alaska. The Episcopalians have formally accepted the offer at Point Hope, and it is understood that the Presbyterians will ac- cept the stations offered them.
INDEX OF CONTENTS OF THE MAY NUMBER. [May-
INDEX OF CONTENTS OF THE MAY NUMBER.
At the request of many friends we make Trial of this as an experiment.
PAGE CHINA.-Shanghai Missionary Conference, L-LrrEUTURE OF MISSIONS .•.••• 321-363 369; The Worship of Heaven by the Emperor, n.-GENERAIL MIssIONARY INTELLI- 372; Mission to the Chinese Blind, Miss Gordon- GENCE ………………….. 364-372 Cum~ing, 392; Dr. Mary Fulton, 397; Text m.-MISSIONARY CoRRESPONDENCE •• 37~75 IV.:-lNTERNA·~IONAL DEPAR~MENT… 375–383 Books in China, 397; The Empress, 397.
I V.-MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS 383–j387 COSTA RICA.-Letter from the only VI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT Protestant Missionary there, 388; Hon. N. F. TOPICS………………….. 387-393 Graves on Costa Rica, 388. vn.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK AND STATISTICS………….. 393-396 FRANCE.-The McAli Mission, 371.
VIII.-PROGRESS OF MISSIONS: MONTH- GREAT BRITAIN.-Dr. Pierson's Mis– LY BULLETIN……………. 396–899 sion Tour, 331; Anglo-Saxon Missions in the 17th and 18th Centuries, 336; Dr. Pierson'sAd· dress Before the Edinburgh Medical Mission- ary Society, 354; Foreign Missionary Incomes, 370; Notable Testimony to Rev. Mr. Anderson, Authors. 370; Dr. Millar's Letter to Dr. Pierson, 374; Dr.
EDITORS.-A. T. Pierson, Mission Tour of Pierson's Visit Abroad, 390 ; Missionaries· Britain. 331; Medical Missions, 354; Editorial Notes; J. M. Sherwood, Editorial Notes, 387. Wanted, 397; Extent of England's Empire, 397; Report and Statistics of Established Churches of Scotland, 395; United Methodist Ashmore, Wm., Jr., Corresponaence, 375. Free Churches, 395; Reformed Presbyterian Ellinwood, Dr. F. F., ShadowiDgs of Messiah (Covenanter) Church of Scotland, 395; Primi- in Heathen Systems, 354; Buddhism and tive Methodist Missionary Society, 396.
Christianity in Burmah and Siam, 383. INDIA.-English Wesleyansand the Indian Gracey, J. T., D.D., 875. Missionaries, 365; Current Literature and Happer, Dr. A. P., Letter from China, 372; Education, 366; Church Missionary Society Shanghai Missionary Conference, 369. and the Higher Education, 366; Confession of Johnston, Rev. James, Notes on India, 365. Keshub Chunder Sen, 398; SirW. W. Hunter's.
Knox, Chas. E., D.D., Personal Observations Testimony, 398; The Telugus, 398; Opium in Brazil, 341. ~ Smoking, 398.
Knox, G. W., D.D. (Japan), Review of the JAPAN.-Dr. Geo. W. Knox's Review of'
Year 1889 (political changes and present the Events of 1889, 321; Orphan Asylum at· outlook in Japan), 321. Okayama, 398; Y. M. C. A. Convention at.
Morrow, Rev. Edward, Missipns in 17th and Osaka, 398; A New Station at Tottori, 398.
18th Centuries, 336. ~a:t0um Cong;ess, The…………….. ~2 Moorhead, Max Wood, Student Volunteer MISSIOnary ComIty …………….. 3.1; Movement, 364. Missionary Training Institute at Minneap- Starbuck, Rev. Charles C., Translations, 359. olis ……….. : …………………….. 393· Schweinitz, Rev. Paul de, The Ramona Mission, NICARAGUA AND COSTA RICA, 387; 358. Rousing letter from Dr. Brockett on the same Thoburn, Bishop, Missionary Comity, 375. subject, 389.
Countries and Subjects. RUSSIA.-EvangeJicul Lutheran Church, AFRICA.-Lake Tanganyika Mission, 367; 359. The Uganda Mission, 367; West African. Missions, 368; Bishop Smythies and Slavery. at SYRIA.-Work of American Bible Society, Zanzibar, 368; A Revlvalin Kaffraria, 368; The Work, and the Honor Conferred Upon Miss 381; Revival in Aintab,399; Annual Report. Waterston, M. D., 369; Work on the Zambesi, 360; Work of the Protestant Churches of Presbyterian Board, 399. French Switzerland, 361; The Khassas People, 361; "Immanuel," God he with us, 363; Eng- THIBET.-Moravlan Mission Work, 371. land and Portugal, 396; Mwanga Re-established, 396; European Territory, 397; The UNITED STATES.~BishopTaylor's Self- Niger Country, 397. supporting Missions, 399; Missions in Alaska,. BRAZIL.-Dr. Knox's PersonalObserva. tions in, 341. 399; Evangelization, What is it ? 375. Buddhism and Christianity.. . • . . . . . .. . .••. 389 Statistics. BURMAH AND SIAJ)I.-Buddhism and Christianity in, 383. Annual Statistics of Japan Mission for 1889,. table, 394.
Basle Missionary Society.. …. .. …. .. …. 396' Bible Christian Home and Foreign lIlis- sionary Society.. …… .. …. … …. . 393 Friends Foreign Missionary Association .. 393 Korea: Statistics of Missions, 1889….. 393- Leipsig Evangelical Lutheran Mission … 3950